Dining Out to Conquer Diabetes at Lucia Boston

By: Jessica Cickay

The city of Boston has certainly experienced both a tasty and charitable past eight years, wholeheartedly— and full-stomachly —due to the herculean efforts of Carla Gomes, the founder and organizer of CityFeast: Dining Out to Conquer Diabetes, an event to support the Joslin Diabetes’ Center High Hopes Fund. Just like every CityFeast of the past, Mayor Menino attended the 2013 event, but this time marked his fist appearance since being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes himself, which really hit home the message of the evening and brought the importance of Carla’s crusade full circle. Per the past, diners enjoyed a delicious five-course meal with wine pairings from a variety of best-in-breed restaurants in Boston’s North End, but for the 2013 CityFeast, Ms. Gomes was able to flex her muscles and expand the evening beyond its roots to include restaurants in both the Seaport District and the South End.  Carla Gomes founded CityFeast eight years ago in an effort to help the Joslin Diabetes Center continue its mission of raising awareness about diabetes, a disease that her 22 year old son has battled since his first birthday. As owner of the North End’s super successful Antico Forno and Terramia restaurants, she combined her love of food, her love of family and her professional passion to organize an event where she could reach people’s hearts through their stomachs.

Garlic and Olive Oil Shrimp

Anne Around Town: Save Love Give, Breakfast at Tiffany and Toys Toys Toys

By: Anne M. Raso

The Seven Bar Foundation held a party to launch its VERA campaign--which channels dollars overspent on wireless bills into microfinance to help underprivileged women start small businesses--at the Riverview Terrace at the UN last week. The event was not only for a good cause was a beautiful space--picture a beautiful white tent perched on the East River directly across from that wonderful and legendary Pepsi factory sign! The view looking at Queens from Manhattan is indeed an underrated one. A lot of fashionistas and New York's "crème de la crème" society folks showed up for this event that included a fashion show, including stylist to the stars Phillip Bloch, former CFDA executive director Fern Mallis and Countess LuAnn De Lesseps. If you would like to learn more about the charity and possibly donate, go to www.savelovegive.com.

Fern Mallis and Phillip Bloch

Anne Around Town: The Loft and Artistry Beauty Spring Collection Preview

By: Anne M. Raso

There's always something fashion forward going on in the City that never sleeps -- now that the weather is getting warmer and Spring collection season is blooming, the parties are in full force! Here's a quick look at what's been happening around town.

The Loft Spring Preview 

Zengo: Latin-Asian Fusion That Fascinates

By: Anne M. Raso

Richard Sandoval, former winner of Bon Appetit Chef Of The Year, opened midtown eatery Zengo in the hopes of putting a whole new spin on Latin-Asian Fusion cuisine. His concept is unique: have a lot of “test kitchen” items on the menu, judge how well they are doing, make them permanent and then start a whole new round of dishes for customers to try. Also unique is the fact that Sandoval matches up two different Latin and Asian cuisines for each quarter of the year. So you might be there one time and Sandoval and staff will be mixing Cuban and Chinese, and the next season, Mexican and Japanese. On our visit, the combo was Filipino and Argentinian and wow, it was indeed a match made in foodie heaven—if you want to try it for yourself, it will be at Zengo through March 31st!

Interior