All That's FAB » Dine Out

Spotted: Steve Stoute at Blue Ribbon Sushi

Aura — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:31:20 +0000

Earlier this week, media mogul/music & advertising executive, Steve Stoute, was seen in Yonkers with Mary J. Blige, cutting the ribbon for the Mary J. Blige Center for Women, and last night, we spotted him again while grabbing a bite at Blue Ribbon Sushi. Nowadays, Stoute seems to be most known for being Jay-Z’s business partner in Translation Marketing, but he was also Nas’ on and off again manager for quite some time.

For those that don’t know, the Blue Ribbon Restaurants (Blue Ribbon Sushi and Blue Ribbon Sushi/Bar & Grilll) are to die for, and several celebrities and fabulous New Yorkers can be spotted there on any given day.

Blue Ribbon Sushi is located at:

119 Sullivan St.
New York, NY

NYC Restaurant Week Is Back!!!

Steph — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:22:43 +0000

From July 12th- 31st, NYC will be celebrating Restaurant Week for 3 weeks. This gives us pocket pinchers a chance to enjoy an expensive three course meal at a NYC upscale restaurant for only $24-$35 dollars. This event started back in 1992 and has since become the most anticipated event for Food Lovers in NYC.

For more information, CLICK HERE

Spotted: LL Cool J at Cafeteria

Aura — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:23:16 +0000

While out getting some drinks with friends and family at Cafeteria in Chelsea, we spotted LL Cool J looking fine and attempting to be low key.

For those that don’t know, Cafeteria is a hip, trendy restaurant that’s open 24 hours and is great for grabbing a bite to eat after the club. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see beautiful people and/or celebrities when you go.

Cafeteria is located at:

119 Seventh Ave.
New York, NY 10011

Dine Out: Harlem Heights Edition

Aura — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:54:10 +0000

In a recent interview with GiantMag.com, Briana, an outspoken cast member from BET’s new Harlem based reality series “Harlem Heights“, defends the show’s sometimes criticized depiction of “The Real Harlem”:

“I’m not sure how you can represent the ‘real Harlem.’ I am Harlem. I stay in Harlem, I pay taxes in Harlem, I hang out in Harlem, my friends live in Harlem…No, I’m not from Harlem but New York is full of people that are not from here. And that’s what makes it so diverse and that’s what makes it different from the rest of the world. It’s not where you’re from and it’s where you’re at, and I’m in Harlem.”

Me, being a NYC transplant from Atlanta, GA myself, I couldn’t agree more. One of the things that I do like the most about the show is that it focuses on all of the hot spots in Harlem, and gives us the scoop on where to visit if we do venture uptown.

We’re greedy bloggers, so of course, we’re always looking for the best places to eat in the city. With that being said, these Harlem Heights folks laid out a cool site that showcases all of their favorite spots, and tell why they like these places. This way, if you’re ever in Harlem, you have no excuse not to know where to visit. Some of the spots highlighted include Harlem Lanes, Body nightclub, Covo (love Italian food!), Rack and Soul, and more.

Check out their “Harlem Spots” HERE

Dine Out: Maracas

Aura — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:14:35 +0000

If you’re looking for a fun, flirty, anything goes Mexican restaurant with large portions and AMAZING drink specials, Maracas is your place. Check out why after the jump.

A friend and I ended up at Maracas after a long search for a Happy Hour and appetizers in the city. As soon as we entered the restaurant, the friendly, colorful ambiance immediately drew us in. In addition to that, I was definitely ecstatic when I found out that they had a Tuesday night drink special going on that consisted of $3.00 frozen Cosmopolitans. You can’t beat that. While the drinks are definitely a big perk, as they have a similar drink special every day of the week, the food is also very good.

I started off with some authentic chips and guacamole before moving on to a more than healthy portion of chicken quesadillas. I enjoyed Maracas because the food was not only delicious, but I definitely left feeling full and satisfied without breaking the bank. Oh, and it doesn’t stop there. As I started to feel the buzz of my second frozen Cosmo, some lights started flashing and a loud voice started booming from the sound system announcing a restaurant wide BINGO game. No, I’m not joking. The winners of BINGO received a pitcher of whatever drink was being served as a special that day. I was not ready, but it was definitely all in good fun. The service, food, drinks and fun factor at Maracas all get a thumbs up from me.

Maracas is located at:

33 Greenwich Ave (btwn 6th & 7th Aves)

New York, NY

212-593-6600

Dine Out: Sushi Samba

Aura — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:12:28 +0000

Sushi Samba’s Latin infused Japanese menu may sound strange, but is nothing sort of amazingness. From the food, to the drinks, to the ambiance, I give this restaurant several cool points. Read more after the jump.I first actually heard of this restaurant while watching “Sex and the City” a while back, but never really thought to check it out until recently. So, sometime last month, I figured I would see what all of the hype was about, and traveled over to the West Village to get my regular sushi fix. Needless to say, I’m glad I did, because my meal, (and 3 cocktails. Shhhhhhh) were absolutely delish!

I started out by ordering a Passion Fruit martini, which was made just right, and immediately followed up with the Chicken and Aji Amarillo as an appetizer. Because the menu had a lot of dishes that I was unfamiliar with, I immediately went with something that I recognized and ordered the Rainbow Dragon rolls as an entree. As someone that has eaten a lot of Dragon Rolls in my life time, I will say that they did not disappoint.

Because of all of the hype surrounding this place, not to mention that it turns into a nightclub/lounge after hours, I expected to see a lot of wannabe trendy hipsters, and self-important professional types taking up all of the space, but it wasn’t like that at all. The mood inside was very calm and relaxed, and the ambiance was beautiful. I will also mention that our waitress was very attentive, and answered all of my “What the hell does this mean?” type of questions.:-)

So, if you’re looking for a nice date spot, or just a spot to hang out with friends before a night out on the town, check out Sushi Samba. However, make sure you have some money to spend, because it can be a little pricey. Also, make sure you make a reservation ahead of time, or else you will either be stuck waiting outside or eating at the bar.Sushi Samba is located at:

87 Seventh Ave. South

New York, NY 10014

212-691-7885

Visit www.sushisamba.com for more

Elmo: Bar & Lounge

Tini — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:50:13 +0000

I randomly ended up at a swanky Bar/Restaurant/Lounge located on 19th street and 7th avenue Saturday night. I found the name of the restaurant, Elmo, to be kind of funny, but after looking at the menu I was pleased that we chose this spot to eat. The night was definitely full of surprises…

As soon as I walked in I realized that everyone in there was quite attractive–the staff and customers. I wasn’t prepared for all of the attractive men standing at the bar and mingling with others. I was sure to stay where I was seated because I wasn’t dressed for the “occasion” lol.

Anyway, the drinks were good and the food was great. I ordered the Grilled Chicken Paillard with Mashed Potatoes and Spinach, priced at only $15.95. I do wish there was more on my plate, but I was sure to munch off my friends’ plates (lol). The Turkey Burger, the Beef Stew, and Chicken Pot Pie were really good and not too expensive. Overall, the food was great and well priced, I would definitely go back.

On my way to the ladies room which was located on the first floor, I was surprised to see some kind of “secret” lounge that you wouldn’t know was there unless you were snooping around. But when I peeked inside there were a lot of people drinking, dancing, and having a good ole’ time.

After our meal my friend and I looked around only to realize we were the only females in the restaurant. There was a mirror infront of me that reflected the bar located behind me, and to my surprise I saw two men kissing. What a bummer, it was gay night. So much for all the attractive men walking around.. ( )

Elmo

156 seventh avenue

New york city 10011

Hotel Rivington: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Tini — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:35:22 +0000

(That Heavy A** Red Curtain busted me in my face btw..)

Last night, a few friends and I wanted to get a couple of drinks before attending an event, so we stopped by the famous Hotel on Rivington in the LES (for all non-New Yorkers that’s the acronym for Lower East Side). I have only been in there once back in the day for a casting call, but never really looked around and realized how beautiful this hotel was. The ambiance was great, the crowd was beautiful, but the night didn’t end up so great….

The Good- The two attractive men that open the door for you before you enter the Rivington (lol). The hotel is gorgeous–from the architeture to the red carpet that covers the floor of the hotel. The atmosphere is really swanky, with a lot of industry heads and a business oriented crowd. If you haven’t been there before, you should at least check it out once in a your life.

The Bad- Why was there only one bartender trying to serve a crowd of about 50 people? It took a while to get our drinks, and the bartender wasn’t the sweetest person in the world.

The Ugly- Is this place another Tenjune? (you know what I’m talking about). Why did my friend have to wait 45 minutes for some Turkey Burgers as everyone else got their food within 10 minutes? When she nicely asked the bartender where her food may be, he was very rude to her and yelled “I DONT KNOW I PUT THE ORDER IN.. MISSSSSS”. Totally uneccessary. 30 minutes later when I asked for his attention he put his finger up as if he didn’t want to hear it and moved to the next customer. By the time the burgers came out, she no longer wanted them and the bartender showed no sympathy, he just slammed the burgers on the counter and ordered the bus boy to bring it back to the kitchen…

WTF?

Hopefully by the time you visit this place the bartender will be fired. (damn, I should have got his name and put him on blast)

Hotel on Rivington
107 Rivington Street between Essex and Ludlow
New York, NY 10002

Justin Timberlake In Works Of Second Restaurant In NYC

Steph — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:23:46 +0000

Justin Timberlake is in talks to opening up a second location in Chelsea for his sucessful BBQ restaurant/bar “Southern Hospitality”. The first location is in the Upper East Side of NYC, which he opened up in 2007. According to New York Magazine, Justin and his business partners Trace Ayala and Eytan Sugarman have singled out a space on 6th Avenue for a rent of around $35,000 per month.

1849 Restaurant and Bar

Tini — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:22:36 +0000

Before a night out in the city, a few friends and I stopped by to eat at a Western type of restaurant, 1849. I immediately liked the atmosphere as we walked in, and the food on everyone’s plate looked great! But not only was the food talkin’ to me.. so were the

cheap prices!! Definitely my type of restaurant lol.

What was a little annoying was before I could even take off my coat and sit down the waiter rushed up to me and asked me what I wanted to drink, when I told him just water he said, “No M’aam you must get something to drink.” That’s when I gave him a look like, “CAN I SIT DOWN FIRST?” He left, but immediately came back after about 2 seconds telling me I needed to purchase a beverage, annoyed I told him a glass of Chardonnay which came out to be only $9, and the most expensive thing on the whole menu which was a surprise.

1849 has specials everyday, and the girls and I went on a Wednesday. A great day to get 6 cent spicey buffalo wings! So we got 30 Buffalo wings which only came up to a total of $1.80. I was in total disbelief, and must I add these were the best buffalo wings I’ve had in years.

I hear the place has live bands sometimes during the week, and other specials include 20 cent Wild Wings, 2 Dollar Beers, 7 Dollar Pitchers. Basically, whatever day you go to 1849 you’ll be satisfied with the specials they have going on.

Check out the website here before you go in to eat and find out what special they have going on that day of the week.

ENJOY

1849

183 Bleecker Street

New York, NY 10012