Bloodypalooza @ Turner Fisheries [Boston]

“Blood on the dance floor…”

This past Saturday for lunch, I headed over to Turner Fisheries for their Bloodypalooza festival, a weekly event where patrons can make their own customized bloody mary drinks. I was pretty excited about this event, even though I’m not much of bloody mary fan, because I’ve been wanting to check Turner Fisheries out for a while now (I always passed by the place on my walk home from work). Plus, the event was hosted by CitySearch Boston, so I knew I’d be in the company of food enthusiasts/CitySearch contributors whose recommendations I read on a daily basis when I plot my next meal.

When I arrived, I was greeted by a fully loaded bar – with 5 different vodkas, 4 different bloody mary mixes, and A MOTHERLOAD of FRESH SEAFOOD for garnishing. Jackpot baby!

You had me had hello...

Boston Summer Restaurant Week: 29 Newbury

By: Finance Foodie

Restaurant Week in Boston is baaaccck! For the next week (from August 22-27th), participating restaurants are offering 2-course lunches for $15.10, 3-course lunches for $20.10 and 3-course dinners for $33.10. Truth be told, I’ve always had mixed feeling about Restaurant Week. Yes, it’s a great way for consumers to try a new place for a fraction of the cost, and the resulting surge in traffic is a much welcome respite to the recession stricken restaurant industry. But are these deals possible because the quality in the food and innovation of menu items are sacrificed?

Setting Sail: Bermuda Tourism Luncheon at Asana Boston

By: Finance Foodie 

Well summer has officially arrived in Boston – the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the weather has warmed. As I congratulated myself for surviving another frostbite-inducing New England winter, I started to brainstorm possible warm weather vacation destinations for my annual summer vacation (a reward for not freezing to death).

Dove Deodorant Spa Party @ La Dolce Vita [Boston]

By: Finance Foodie

This past Saturday, I attended a very fun and very girly party at La Dolce Vita Salon & Day Spa in Back Bay Boston. Hosted by Kristin from BeautyXpose.com and Dove, our party was treated to manicures, pedicures, and “piticures” (more on the last one later).

Free Ben and Jerry's - May 27th [Boston]

"You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream..."

On May 27, 2010, a life-sized, interactive pint of Ben & Jerry’s will be in Beantown as part of its cross country trip across the nation. From noon to 2:30pm, the Ben and Jerry's pint will be giving out (keyword) FREE ice cream samples and showcasing some of the company's gnarly digital and social media advancements outside the Prudential Center Courtyard (800 Boylston St. - in the Back Bay)! As a Ben & Jerry's numero uno uber fan (so much that I am putting my "Biggest Loser" diet on hold for the day), I look forward to seeing you all on the 27th for some cool and yummy fun!

John Paul Gaultier's Le Male Launch at Barbershop Lounge

By: Finance Foodie

Last week, John Paul Gaultier's "Le Male" nautical themed cologne sailed into Newbury Street's urban retreat for men, the Barbershop Lounge. At the launch party for this new collaboration, guests got to test drive the Le Male products while nibbling on bite sized sandwiches and tartlets from East Meets West catering. Well now you too can feel like Sinbad the Sailor (while looking like James Dean)! From now until May 25, all males (sorry ladies) can hop on board this Urban Sailor Dock at the Barbershop Lounge and receive a FREE Le Male inspired grooming service. For more info, check out the Urban Sailor Dock facebook page

Haru [Boston]

By: Finance Foodie

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.

Mumbai Chopstix Preview Party [Boston]

By: Finance Foodie

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

Basic is Best at Douzo Boston

By: Finance Foodie

So a few months back, I took my friend out for his belated birthday dinner. We decided to go to Douzo, as I was lured in by its snazzy website and close proximity to my apartment (travel times are kept to a bare minimum during the brutally cold Boston winters). Now my sushi experiences have ranged from Hall of Fame worthy (i.e. O Ya, Sushi Yasuda) to Hall of Lame worthy (i.e. BONDSt - although the waiters were hot, Todai), so I was pretty excited to see where Douzo would land on my Sushi Scale.

As I entered the restaurant on that blustery Saturday night, I immediately realized I should of made reservations - the place was more packed than the opening day of the Barney's Warehouse Sale! And it was only 7:30! After we were finally seated (one hour later), we scanned the menu and placed our order.

ATASK's Silk Road Gala 2009 Boston

By: Finance Foodie

As the temperature drops in Boston, my motivation for leaving my warm and cozy apartment also dwindles - nights basking by the warm glow of Top Chef and Rachel Zoe Project marathons in a Snuggie just seem so comforting when the weather is so harsh outside. However, when I was invited to attend the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK)’s Silk Road Gala at the Mandarin Oriental Boston this past Saturday night, not even the Snuggie could keep me in – I got to support my people after all!

Sitting with the Mean Girls at Cafeteria Boston

By: Finance Foodie

A few weeks back I went to Cafeteria Boston for dinner. Although this place is not from same owners of the “seen to be seen” Cafeteria NYC, it bears an uncanny resemblance to its NYC counterpart - both feature a lovely outdoor patio filled with tables of girls who carry bags the size of their bodies and wear sunglasses the size of their face. Nevertheless, as I stepped through the doors and past the black curtains, I prayed that at least the food would not resemble the sub-par dishes from Cafeteria NYC.

Shake Rattle and Roll: The Rattlesnake Bar and Grill Boston

By: Finance Foodie

Since my social outings usually run parallel to the weather outside, the latest string of bad snowstorms had reduced my days to camping out next to my space heater and watching endless amounts of trashy TV (Bromance anyone?). Feeling a bit “cabin fever-ish” (and fearing I’d morph into the crazy writer from The Shining), I decided to brave the freezing winter weather to attend a birthday party at Rattlesnake Bar and Grill this weekend.

Casa Romero / Boston Pops [Boston]

By: Finance Foodie 

Snowstorms in Boston are not to be tangoed with, for they are cold, windy, and downright dangerous for a warm-blooded Texan like myself. However, this past weekend, I strapped on my best (only) pair of snow boots and braved the 5 inch deep snow to have dinner at Casa Romero and attend the Boston Pops holiday concert. I had been looking forward the Holiday Pops show for over a month, and my stubborn resolve insisted I go…snowstorm be d*mned!

Winter Wonderland?