I Wish I Parked My Car in Harvard Yard

I am obsessed, obsessed, with all things related to Mark Zuckerberg and the background information on how Facebook started.  I read everything I can find about it (well just what is on NY Mag, Gawker and the Post - but that is a lot).  I relish stories like the one my friend Merryl told me about Zuckerberg's sister stealing all of her clothing when she was at sleep away camp. She even cut her name tags out.  Obviously the obsession has to do with the opening of The Social Network this weekend.  In honor of the opening, I decided to dedicate my post to Harvard, where clearly I should have spent more time.  Perhaps I would be Mrs. Mark Zuckerberg today, but I spent my time drinking dollar beers at Great Scott and shopping on Newbury Street. Stupid girl!  Oh if I could turn back time. I can't, even Mark can't do that, but what I can do is write about my favorite chain restaurants in Harvard Square.  So here it is!

John Harvards - A great American chain with lots of awesome salads, burgers and chicken sandwiches.  I remember very well the bread they serve before the meal was amazing.  They also have a ton of great craft beers.

California Pizza Kitchen  - who doesn't love a good gourmet pizza (see JAP chain write up below)

Bertucci's - Good Italian food, big portions, but sometimes I think I ate too much and it made me sick.

Border Cafe - This is just another name for Jose Tejas, THE BEST CHAIN EVER.  Yes they took my Nevada fake ID here, but it has been 10 years, I am over it!

Fire and Ice - This was a staple of where you would go when your parents were in town.  Now that they opened one up in the Palisades Mall, it doesn't feel as special.

I need to write a special note for a chain that is no longer there, the TGI Friday's.  They allowed me and my friends many nights of fun that included chocolate, bananas, mudslides, DJ's wanting to go to Revere Beach and if I remember correctly a fight with the Harvard Hockey Team (Mark wasn't on that, if he was, we wouldn't have fought with them).

Happy New Year Japs!

Happy New Year to all my Jewish friends.  In honor of the year 5771 I decided to create a list of the Jappiest chain restaurants around.  I actually can't believe it has taken me this long to create such an important list for my people .   It just dawned on me when I was getting my coffee this afternoon that it would be such a genius idea.   I ran upstairs, Macchiato in hand, and told my favorite Jap that this was going to be created as soon as possible.  Without further adieu, put down your shofar and get ready... I present to you the most Jappy chain restaurants in the USA!

1) Haru - Japs love sushi and with the many outposts in NYC, this media lunch staple is a Jap heaven!  Miso Eggplant??
2) Tasti d Lite - This sort of frozen yogurt chain really started the trend of allowing Japs to indulge in their sweet tooth.  Where else could one enjoy cookies and cream for 100 calories?
3)  Berry Wild/Pink Berry/Red Mango - I am lumping all 3 together for this list because every Jap has her fave among them.  These more natural frozen yogurt chains are all the rage.  Even mommy dawg is into them with all of their fresh fruit and other fun toppings.  I am a moochi kinda lady.
4)  Houston's - What Jappy girl doesn't love to go to Houston's?  With their array of fun salads, delicious burgers, spinach artichoke dip and now SUSHI!!  This is a Jappy must!
5)  California Pizza Kitchen - With prime spots in all of the Jappy locations (Bloomingdale's, Murray Hill, Garden State Plaza, Prudential Center, etc) it is almost by default that this chain is so beloved.  I might even consider this an old-school stomping ground.
6)  Nobu - What Jap does not dream of her honeymoon in Mykonos and dinner at Nobu or her anniversary date and the chance of spotting a celeb there in NY or LA.
7)  Chop't - A salad chain must be included and this is the one I picked.  A bit pricey, but with all the fancy, low call dressings, it is a Jappy lunch dream.
8)  Dos Caminos - This made the list over the other Mexican chains because of their small portions (those tacos are tiny) and because of their new meatpacking district location.  Ample outdoor seating, yes please!

I would appreciate comments with ones I might have missed.  I am pretty, pretty low on the Jap totem pole (if I am even on it) so any feed back would be helpful. 

Eataly is Ecstacy

I came, I saw, I ate, I drank, I met Batali, I conquired Eataly!
When I first heard about Eataly opening, I was beyond thrilled.  My favorite chef Mario Batali would be opening an Italian mega food complex based on a similar concepts in Italy (hence why it is a chain and I am writing about it).   When it opened this week, I knew I had to be go and check out this land of white cheeses, tomato sauce and wine.   Having recently traveled to Italy and eating and drinking my face off, I knew I would be an expert on judging Eataly.   So this Saturday, I shook off my normal Saturday morning hangover, went for a run and made Nina come with me to see what all the buzz was all about.
There was a line just to enter, but we only waited around 10 minutes until the security man allowed us in.  When you first walk in it looks like a fancy Italian supermarket, but as you navigate through the complex you realize there is more.  What really stood out to me was how you would be in the seafood section and all of a sudden there were tables and people eating, that is how it was throughout.  We started at the wine bar of course as we waited for our table in the pizza/pasta restaurant.  Because it is so new and opened ahead of schedule there were some hiccups in the service.  They ran out of wine glasses so it took some time to get our delicious rose.  Nini and I didn't care, we were chill, just enjoying the atmosphere and the fact that seconds before I took a picture with the captain of the orange crocs club.   The same can't be said for the miserable chubster we were next to at the wine bar with the red glitter flip flops who called the establishment a sh*t show and was being quite mean to the nice men behind the bar.  If I have learned anything in my 29 years on this planet it is that you be nice to your bar tender.  Be nice to anyone who can provide you with wine!  So, after our glass of vino we proceeded to go to the pizza/pasta restaurant because it was time to check on our table.  Lucky for us it was almost ready!  Right before we sat I noticed my favorite sommelier from Otto was working there.  For some reason I feel like we are friends, but that can just be my imagination, I am not sure.  He seemed very stressed and unhappy, it was sad.  Anyway, Nina let me pick our food, that was nice, so we got the Margarita Pizza and the Pesto Pasta.  You can tell by the pictures, it was delicious!!!  The pizza was extra, extra soft and the pesto was flavorful without being too greasy.   You could totally tell the pasta was homemade too.
I would definitely come back here soon and explore more of the different eating options.  I am excited about the beer garden on the roof and Manzo's (like the Real Housewives of NJ last name - so funny) restaurant.  It is kinda of sad that I don't really know how to cook because I imagine food shopping here would be fun.  I could probably get some good Truffle Oil. 
Welcome to NY Eataly and welcome to my heart!