Quik Pik: Dinner w Boloco CEO John Pepper and Chef Jason Hutchinson [Boston]

Welcome to Finance Foodie's Quik Pik series - because sometimes, a picture is worth more than a thousand words!

A week ago, Boston burrito joint Boloco hosted a roundtable with CEO John Pepper and co-founder/exec chef Jason Hutchinson. Pepper and Hutchinson both animated talked to us food bloggers about the history of Boloco, the "Boloco" name (which stands for Boston Local Company, fyi), and (most excitingly!) provided samplings of new menu items. I tried the new gluten-free brownie (which was pretty tasty despite the slightly health-nut sounding name) and the new "disturbingly small" mini burritos - the teryaki one is my fave! - pictured below.

I definitely will "Go Loco" next time I'm craving a burrito!

[photo courtesy of Rachel from Fork it over, Boston]

Greenest New Yorker @ Del Posto [New York]

by: Anne M. Raso

Back on Earth Day, I felt a little guilty eating a thick 'n juicy medium rare strip steak at Del Posto, but hey, it was on the menu for the luncheon that Lou Hammond Associates hosted for an event celebrating the Greenest New Yorker. Guests were given I Heart New York T-shirts with the heart in green instead of red, the menu was divine (Mario Batali's fennel cheesecake is an unforgettable experience!), and the fabulous award plaque partially made of now-unusable Central Park garbage cans was actually one of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen!

"Meat" me halfway...

Chillin' w Paul Dano & Dagur Kári @ The Good Heart Press Day [New York]

by: Anne M. Raso

I was lucky enough to interview Icelandic filmmaker Dagur Kári and young acting sensation (and Manhattan native) Paul Dano for The Good Heart at Falco Ink's recent press day for it. Despite the fact that Kari is from Iceland, he wrote his third movie in English and it's a love letter to New York City. The bar featured in the movie appears to be in Noho (just a couple of blocks up from Canal Street) but those scenes were actually shot on an Icelandic soundstage. Surprisingly, it was not Kári's trip to NYC to promote his film and attend the Tribeca Film Festival that was delayed by the recent volcanic ash...it was his star Brian Cox, who is wonderful as the curmudgeonly, chauvinistic bar owner who takes in a homeless guy (Dano) as his sensitive barkeep. We have the feeling that this indie film, a runaway winner at last September's Toronto Film Festival, might just help get some homeless guys some employment!

Sephora & Victoria's Secret Parties [New York]

by: Anne M. Raso

I have to say that as the economy improves, new products and annual events were celebrated in the grand Manhattan style. You can always count on the beauty and travel PR folks to launch a product right, right down to sending car service for their party's media attendees!

Haru [Boston]

“Flipping your fins you don’t get too far…”

I was first acquainted with Haru a few years back on one balmy New York summer night. Feeling slightly frustrated at the thought of another Friday evening spent in the office (especially while my more fortunate 9-to-7 friends were on there way to the Hamptons), I decided to treat myself to a sushi dinner to make up for my lack of…ermmm….life. As I browse through the Japanese restaurant selection on Seamlessweb, my eyes landed on Haru. I placed my order and looked forward to the thought of at least a pleasant dinner to get me through the stack of 10Ks still unread on my desk.

QuiK PiK: Beyond Shelter Gala [Boston]

Welcome to Finance Foodie's Quik Pik series - because sometimes, a picture is worth more than a thousand words!

This pic comes from the last Thursday's Beyond Shelter Gala, benefiting the Friends of Boston’s Homeless organization, at Boston's House of Blues. The event featured drool worthy samplings from over thirty Boston area’s restaurants,  jazz beats from Bellevue Cadillac, and a silent auction with sweet one of a kind prizes like autographed Red Sox and Patriots memorabilia.

The Rancatore Ice Cream Brothers - show me the leg!

New Pantene Customized Solutions

Welcome to Finance Foodie Presents: Pioneering Products. These series brings you the exclusive 411 at the new and cool products that have recently come into the marketplace!

"Your hair, it's everywhere, screaming infidelities..."

 

When it comes to haircare, I'm about as low maintenance as it gets. In fact, I don't own blow-drier, my shampoo is usually whatever is on sale at the local drugstore (because I rather spend my money on food - or shoes) and that can of once-used Aqua- Net from high school prom (almost a decade ago) still remains tucked away like an old souvenir in my bathroom cabinet.

Luckily, since I inherited some great genes (thanks mom!), my hair has always been thick and lustrous even though I'm lazier than the Guadalupe River when it comes to the actual care (ducks as ladies chuck their $100 bottles of thickening / glossing / miracle agents at me). I would continue to milk this lucky break, but as I hit my elder years, so does my hair (and unlike wine, it does not get better with age).

A few days ago, I received a package from Proctor & Gamble, who makes Pantene Pro-V hair products, asking me to test drive their new line of Pantene Customized Solutions shampoo and conditioners. As one of their "Pantenologists", I got to conduct four customized tests to help me find out if my hair will be best treated with the medium-thick, fine, curly, or color collection of products.

4 Type of Hair - 4 Types of Products

Mumbai Chopstix Preview Party [Boston]

"Jai Ho! Oh-oh-oh-oh!..."

Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of attending a preview party for Mumbai Chopstix, a new Indian/Chinese fusion restaurant in Boston's Back Bay. Hosted by the effervescent Chris Lyons of Lyons PR (whom I finally got to meet in person!), I was impressed by the innovation of the cuisine (Indian/Chinese fusion - first I've seen in Boston!) and the sweet decor of the place (a spice-filled communal table immediately caught my eye). A sampling of  menu items were served and the wine and beer flowed like water - both essential to the makings of a fantabulous party. I cannot wait to try this place out for real when it opens to the public - after all, it's conveniently only a hop and skip away from my humble Back Bay abode!

 Vegetarian "Lamb" Meatballs with Naan

Ben and Jerry's Pint Giveaway - Winners!

Wowza! That was a quick contest - 40 plus comments overnight. Thanks to all that entered!

Here are the top 10. If you didn't leave me your email address, please contact me within 72 hrs at financefoodie [at] gmail [dot] com so I can get you the prize!

Free Ben and Jerry's - April 19th [Boston]

"She said I think I'll go to Boston..."

In honor of the original Boston Cream Pie, created in 1855 at the former Parker House Hotel in Boston, Ben & Jerry’s announces its newest creation to Bostonians and pie lovers nationwide.  
Boston Cream Pie is a decadent mix of Boston Cream Pie ice cream with yellow cake pieces, fudge flakes and swirls of pastry cream. It’s a flavor worthy of a horse ride to Lexington! (Two scoops could get you to Concord if need be...)

To mark its arrival, Ben & Jerry’s will be offering free scoops of the new Boston Cream Pie flavor at its Boston Scoop Shop locations on Patriots’ Day, April 19th to celebrate the iconic Massachusetts state holiday. Stop by 174 Newbury Street, 800 Boylston Street (Prudential Center) or 20 Park Plaza for a complimentary scoop from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm while supplies last.

“We decided to turn the official dessert of The Commonwealth into our newest flavor,” said Ben & Jerry’s Director of Marketing, Dave Stever. “We think it’s worthy of the city and hope that people kick off their Patriots’ Day celebration with a free scoop on April 19th,” Stever added.

Stop n Shop / Hybrid Car Giveaway!

 Congrats #70! - The Bookworm

"Mine are kiwi fruit!" (that's a great one - I love kiwi too!)

Please email financefoodie [at] gmail [dot] com with your mailing address so I can send your prize! You have 2 days (48 hours) to respond or the prize goes to alternate winners

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"It's not easy being green...."

This month, Stop & Shop is paying homage to Mother Earth by offering you the chance to win one of two 2010 eco-friendly Hybrid cars!

Cochon 555 [Boston]

"This little piggie went to market...."

Wow, COCHON 555 Boston, was beyond all expectations! This culinary feast featuring five chefs, five pigs, and five wine makers was a meat lover's paradise.

A Spoonful of Ginger Gala [Boston]

By: Jessica Cickay

Combine 24 of the area’s most celebrated chefs, a dash of charity, a heaping helping of chow and—most importantly— “A Spoonful of Ginger,” and you’ll find yourself with the perfect recipe for the perfect evening. Now I am a dedicated distance runner, so I entered The Museum of Fine Arts this weekday evening for the 6th annual “Spoonful of Ginger” event to benefit the Joslin Diabetes Center’s Asian American Diabetes Initiative (AADI) in an athletic state of mind: go big, or go home. Do not fret blog readers, my appetite and its prey did not disappoint.