Chain Restaurant Deals

Happy Friday!  Great weather in NYC, enjoy it!
I came across this article and figured I would share with my readers.  It is some of the best chain restaurant deals going on right now.
Here are a few of my favs!
The steak ones are great!


Morton's Steakhouse - has a power hour happy hour with great deals like $5.00 mini burgers!,
Ruth's Chris Steak House is offering a three-course meal for $39.99. (note - this is where the corner kids ate on the 4th season of the wire!)

Also, Olen fam fav, PF Changs is offering a special for $39.95 4 course meal  for two.  How lovely!

 Check out the rest of the deals below
http://www.walletpop.com/specials/best-restaurant-deals?ncid=webmaildl6

Baja Fresh Cinco de Mayo Eating Contest

For all you massive eaters out there, pay attention to this post.  On May 5th at 5:00 pm Baja Fresh in NYC is hosting a Cinco de Mayo eating contest at both of it's midtown locations.
To quality you have to eat an entire Dos Manos Burrito Enchilado Style (it is just a huge burrito stuffed with cheese, beans, onions, a meat, peppers, pico de gallo and sour cream).  If you can do that, you quaility for the eating contest on Cinco de Mayo.
I don't eat most of the things in the burrito and was sick for 24 hours after I ate a very plain (but delicious) chicken burrito a few days ago, so I have to sit this contest out.
BUT if any chain of food readers wants to participate in this contest, please let me know and I will sponsor you.
Sponsor, what does that mean?  That means, if you go and qualify for the contest I will come cheer you on the day of the event, outfit you in a custom chain of food t-shirt and feature you on the blog.
Just message me on the blog if you are interested.
Ole!

Press Your Luck

Press is a healthy wrap focused take-out spot located on the border of Murray Hill and Gramercy.  There is also a second location near Madison Sq Park.  With 2 locations, it's...wait for it...a microchain.  I love using my new word.

After happy hour with some Post Alumni I was hungry after my typical glasses of white wine so a fellow alumni suggested we go to Press.  I thought it must have been fate, because I have been meaning to try it since it opened many months ago in the hood and cousin randomly brought the menu to my apt a few days ago.

The layout of Press is relatively minimalistic and modern.  You order the basics of the wrap at the cashier, which is the type of wrap you want, choices include white, whole wheat, sun dried tomato and rosemary, plus your main ingredient.  I went with chicken, but you could also get veggies or steak.  You quickly move to the press and fill bar (I came up with that name) where for some reason it takes a bit of time for the Press men to get your wrap ready and then fill it up with the rest of the wrap.  What I liked best about Press is that you get to pick exactly what you want inside your wrap.  I picked lettuce, sauted onions, and a bit of cabbage.  You also get to pick your sauce.  I love sauces. I went with the Blood Orange Viniagette and found it fab, but you could also get BBQ Sauce, Pesto, Honey Mustard, etc.

It is a nice sized wrap and not too messy to eat.  All and all, I was very happy with my Press.
Reviews I read said this place was expensive.  I really didn't find it expensive at all so those people saying that on menupages must be tourists or something.

Breaking Hale and Hearty News

On Monday, Hale and Hearty introduced 3 new salad dressings to their already lofty list.
They are a Lemon Vinaigrette, Smoky Chipotle and  Low Fat Summer Berry.  If you know me, you know what I sampled, the Low Fat Summer Berry obviously.
I have to say, I was very impressed.  It tastes fresh and very homemade.  I love the fact that there are seeds in the dressing, it makes it authentic.  What I also liked about the dressing is that it was not as thick as many other berry based dressings.  I would compare it to more of a berry vinaigerette that is a perfect light summer dressing.
As I told Nina earlier today, I like things that are fruity. 

BEST EMAIL EVER

 I just got the best email ever, it was from Major League Eating and the IFOCE announcing that it was that time again.  I totally forgot I joined the IFOCE.
Time for the Annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.  Check out the link below for key dates to see if you can qualify for the big event July 4th.  Though I do like my hot dogs as much as the next person, there is no way I could even begin to think about entering that one.  That being said, the site does mention a curly fry eating contest.  I think I have a chance there.
http://www.ifoce.com/contests.php

Pizza In a Cone, I'm Not Really Feeling That Zone

After a lovely day of running, bowling and most importantly, shopping, I decided it was finally time to try Pizza In a Cone.  I walked into the tiny shop ready to try this treat that I was talking about for so long.  After careful consideration, I opted for a small cone with tomato sauce, fresh mozzerella chese and spinach.  I was kinda surprised how long it took for the small cone to cook.  The workers put all of the ingredients into the cone and then bake it in a special oven.  When it was finally ready, it was a bit hot to eat so I waited a few seconds.  At first bite, I wasn't that impressed.   It was kind of boring.  I would compare the cone to a fresh Lean Pocket.  The cone is a bit thick and not that flavorful.  The fresh mozzerella cheese wasn't amazing and I really think there could have been much more tomato sauce.  Was it the grossest thing I ever had, no, not at all, but it definetly wasn't amazing.  A real slice of pizza is much better!  I was also kind of shocked by the price of the cone.  It cost me over $6.00 and it was really not a meal at all.  More like a snack which left me kind of annoyed.  I had to come home and have one of my Sun Chips Harvest Cheddar 100 Calorie Packs while I watched my Wire DVD.  Season 4 baby!!!!  Micheal, Randy and Duquane and my boys.

Micro Chain? Say What Now... Jo Mama

In my quest to try all the coffee places in my new work neighborhood, I stumbled into Joe The Art of Coffee.  Every morning in Grand Central Station there is a long line of midtown workers waiting in line for this artsy coffee.  I figured this place must be good if there is such a long line and many other coffee options to chose from in the area.   When I walked by today at around 11 am the line was not long so I figured this was my shot (pun) to try this shop.  I walked up to the barista and said, excuse me is this a chain.  He looked and me kinda confused and said well there are 5 locations in Manhattan, so I guess it is a microchain.  A microchain??? I never heard this term before, do I love it or do I find it too elitist.  I have decided I love it, and will embrace it as my own.  Microchain, hmmm so Dos Caminos, mircochain, Mc Donalds chain.  Got it!
Anyway, I didnt really love the coffee and think that my Machiatto is much better.  Besides all your standard coffee drinks they serve muffins, coffee and other baked treats from local bake shops like the Sullivan St. Bakery.  How microchain of them to do something like that!

Oh, I checked out their website and they feature bios and pictures of all of the baristas.  Because of that, I shall post some of their pictures on my blog.  Baristas, you are famous now!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meet-- Luke Folger, he doesn't actually drink Folgers

Here is Jessica, she went to Wellesley, and lived in Spain.  Wow.

I Went to Yogurtland in NYC and Ended up at Phileo

Yup, you are reading that title correctly.  I went on a trip to Yogurtland in Greenwich Village only to discover that it is no longer my heaven on earth Yogurtland.  Instead it is now called Phileo, which is a Philly (hence the name) frozen yogurt shop.  It is hard for me to like things from Philly since the World Series this year.  The good news, is that it is essentially the same exact shop that it was when it was Yogurtland.  I will admit though, knowing that it isnt Yogurtland doesn't make it as special. 
I guess Ill have to go to LA to get my Yogurtland fixes from now on!

MMMMMMM........Macchiato

Macchiato is the best coffee store in NY.  It is a bold statement to make, but I am making it.
If you are unfamiliar with it, it is a Europeanish coffee store that now has 2 locations in NY.  One on 44th between Lex and 3rd (right next to my office, hence how I discovered it) and the other on 52nd and 5th.
I have only had one thing here and that is the Iced Coffee.  I think testing an Iced Coffee is a great way to test how good a coffee place is.  The Iced Coffee here is perfect, you don't need any artifical flavors like vanilla or caramel, alone, this coffee is perfect.  It is smooth, not burnt and quite tasty. 
I have a new morning tradition and that is Macchiato!  I do miss Joe my coffee cart guy on 6th Ave, but I think I will grow to love the hipsters serving at Macchiato.
Actually, no, I will never love hipsters.  I will just love the coffee they serve.

I should note, that the coffee is on the expensive side, but I guess you are paying for quality.