International Restaurant and Foodservice Show

By: Finance Foodie
This afternoon, I attended the International Restaurant and Foodservice Show in New York City. At this event, over 600 exhibitors showcased their exotic foods, gadgets, and chef-y type tools used in restaurants and foodservice businesses. Translation: a Food Sample Paradise that surely beats Sam's Club on a Saturday afternoon. Below were some of the highlights that I found interesting and /or delicious:

New York Fashion Week: Food?

By: Finance Foodie

Ahhh Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City. A week where a bevy of beautiful models, glamorous celebs, wealthy socialites, and powerful fashion editors all gather to determine "what and who" is "in or out" among the fickle world of fashion. However, one thing that is definitely not "in" is the availability of food. As you can see from the stories below, a liquid diet is de rigueur for show attendees.

Best of Night: Foundation Lounge Boston

By: Finance Foodie

A few weeks back I attended at party at the super trendy, can’t-get-in-after-10pm-without-bottle-service Foundation Lounge. The chic and beautiful venue plays the best music in the Boston nightlife scene – it’s just a shame that there was no dance floor! What a waste I thought to myself, as Lady Gaga played in the background. So instead ending the night with “where are my keys, I lost my phone”, I decided to create:

Best Sandwich: A friendly trio who probably Eats Fresh. Or Toasted. But most likely both.

Best Drink: Mango Martini. The drinks were nothing spectacular, but this was the best drink of the night. I was wise enough to remember not to stray from the hand that semi-feeds me (or at least sends me to food events) and forget to mention the consumables.

All and all, a sober-but-fun night with an entertaining and friendly crowd. And I didn’t turn my shirt inside out.

Foundation Lounge
500 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215

Dinner with Chef Jose Duarte of Taranta Cucina Meridonale [Boston]

By: Finance Foodie

This post marks my first entry to my Dinner with a Chef series, where I chat and dine with the chefs of my favorite restaurants. This month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jose Duarte, chef and owner of the highly popular and award winning Peruvian-Italian restaurant Taranta Cucina Meridonale, located in the historic North End of Boston.

Finance Foodie: Jose, as you have lived and cooked all over the world (Peru, Venezuela, Philadelphia, Florida), what made you decide to open your own restaurant in Boston?

Jose Duarte: I had no doubt I would pursue a career in the food industry. I love food and always had a strong interest in ethnic cuisine, especially food that associated with culture and history. I spent pretty much my whole life in the restaurant and hospitality industry and have traveled the world from it. My wife is from Boston and an opportunity came up for me to start a business here and the rest is history!