Q Restaurant Preview Party [Boston]

"I want some hot stuff baby this evening..."

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending Q Restaurant's preview party in downtown Chinatown Boston. Formerly the "Little Q Hot Pot", this popular sushi and hot pot spot dropped the "little" and upgraded relocated from its old digs in Qunicy to the 1st floor of the swanky Archstone apartment complex (you're in the big leagues now baby). I've been walking past this mysterious new resto everyday for the past month on my way work, so I was super excited to finally check this place out.

Boston Brunchers at East Coast Grill [Cambridge]

"Some like it hot..."

One of things I have come to appreciate the most in my move to Boston (besides my spacious apartment with real closet) is the close knit food blogger community. Although I have come to know many through twitter, it's  even more lovely when we can all get together in person and share a meal (plus it's great to eat with folks that love food as much as myself)!

When the Boston Brunchers (club? twitterfeed?) organized a brunch at East Coast Grill this past Sunday, I was naturally all hands on deck. Everyone else must have had the same thought as there were 24 of us in total - and we literally took up half of the restaurant! As I said hello to many old faces (Fun and Fearless in Boston, The Small Boston Kitchen, Justin Can Cook, A Thought For Food, Indulge Inspire Imbibe, Doves and Figs. Christine Liu, Beantown Baker, FreeFoodBoston), I also was excited to meet many a new ones (A Nesting Experience, A Cambridge Story, EatLiveBlog, Food in my Beard, Good Cook Doris, and more).

But now onto the food! Here was what we had to eat, after the jump:

Uma Thurman Gives Babies a Chance at the Room to Grow Gala [Boston]

By: Katherine Brooks

Celebrities, foodies, and beautiful Bostonites took over the Castle at the Park Plaza on Saturday evening for the Room to Grow Fall Gala, a benefit celebrating five years of Room to Grow’s continued success in “enriching the lives of babies born into poverty.” Co-chairs Mary Richardson formerly of WCVB-TV’s Chronicle and Patrick Canning of KPMG led the event that honored five outstanding Room to Grow supporters and featured the radiant Room to Grow board member Uma Thurman who spoke about her involvement with the organization.

The Lovely Uma Thurman (center) with Saskia Epstein and Mary Richardson

Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo: Healthy Takeaways!

“Be good, be well…”

This past Sunday, thousands of registered dietitians, nutrition science researchers, policy makers, health-care providers and industry leaders took Boston by storm for the American Dietetic Association's Annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE). Since I’m still on my “No Joe Starbucks Program” (going on three weeks strong readers – thanks for your support!), I decided to check this expo out too – in search of more healthy and delicious snack options for the upcoming week. Because for me, variety is the spice of life (and the key to keeping me away from the caffeine drip)!

After carefully examining and sampling the products on each aisle, I came up with this plan, after the jump…

Joe Bastianich Hosts Pre-NYC Marathon Tasting at “La Scuola” in Eataly [New York]

By: Anne M. Raso

We recently caught up with Eataly co-owner/vineyard owner/food superstar/restauranteur Joe Bastianich at his mom Lidia's La Scuola in Eataly. As you might know, Joe recently shed 60 pounds despite his mom's world-class cooking and personally being the owner of various legendary eateries around the world. He is running the ING NYC Marathon on Sunday so he had some of the La Scuola staff cook dishes for the press last week -- dish that he thought were ideal for pre-Marathon carbo-loading (actually his personal favorites, including Pasta Pomodoro/Arrabbiata and Pasta Primavera With Grana Padano).

Carbo-Fest!

48 Hours in Portland, Maine

Welcome to Finance Foodie Travels. This new series showcases journeys to various locals around the world. Because, yes, there is a lovely life to be had outside of New York and Boston…

While most of the US dressed up as pirates, Snooki, or monsters while bobbling around for candy and/or liquor (age depending) this past weekend, I spent my Halloween holiday dressed as Finance Foodie (aka myself) on a visit to Portland, Maine. After I finished my judging duties for Hood’s New England Dairy Cook-Off, I had a chance to explore Maine’s largest city.

Check out where I stayed, played, and ate after the jump…

Make Your Own Pie: Rustic Crust Pizza Party [Boston]

"Hungry Eyes..."

A few weeks ago, I attended my first mommy bloggers party. Although everyone was super nice, I have to confess that I did have a bit of trouble relating to (or caring about) all the kid talk that flitted about the room. I like children, but I have no earthly idea how to potty train a toddler, nor do I want to know for at least a few years...