All You Can Eat...for 2 Hours

BG's pick:

We've lived in Chelsea for four years now, but just recently discovered this neighborhood all-you-can-eat lunch menu (it's not often we play hooky from work). This insane bargain, $13.95 on Mondays-Fridays from 11am-2:50pm, has a two-hour maximum stay. The menu features: soup, salad, 20+ rolls, sushi, udon, cooked appetizers, and fried rice. Don't order everything your big eyes may desire at once, just start off slow and build your way up.

There are two movie theaters a few feet away, which is a perfect full-belly afternoon activity, or exercise the food off by strolling through Chelsea's art galleries.

The Delancey

Shoshi's pick:

The Delancey (168 Delancey near Clinton Street) is a three-level hot-spot without the velvet-rope. They have a great line-up of live music and DJs but go on Wednesday night for Shaken and Stirred, Your Favorite Burlesque Dance Party. Doors open at 9pm. Free vodka shots throughout the night. Cover is $5.

Check out the rooftop in the summer.

Three Easy Buffet Recipes That'll Impress 'em All

It's too expensive to go out every night in this city, so entertaining at home becomes a must. We love to throw parties, whether sit down or buffet, and finding the perfect recipe is part of the fun!

Half-Hour Vegetarian Black-Bean Chili
Note: The recipe below serves 4. I doubled it.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
  
• coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
• 8 baby carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cans (19 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn kernels, thawed
  

Directions

1. In a heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes.
2. Add zucchini, carrots, chili powder, and cumin (or tour favorite ready-made chili packet instead of chili powder and cumin. Cook, stirring occasionally, until carrots are crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add beans, tomatoes, corn, and 1 cup water. Simmer until slightly thickened and carrots are soft, 8 to 10 minutes more.

This can be prepared in advance as chili tastes even better the next day. I served the chili in mason cups (easy to hold since it was a buffet party) next to a Chili Bar. The Chili Bar toppings included: fat free sour cream, low fat sharp shredded cheddar, corn chips, green onion diced, and salt.

Giant Roasted Carrots
Note: I usually cook with baby carrots but have noticed some great looking carrot sticks in the market lately. I bought these (see picture) and they were not only fun to eat, but a huge hit.

Ingredients

• 16 carrots, peeled
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

1. Preheat over to 400 degrees.
2. Peel carrots and place on a lightly oiled pan. Season and pour a little more oil on top.
3. Cook uncovered for 30 minutes, turning the carrots occasionally. Keep an eye on them so they don't burn but serve them a little crispy for extra flavor.

I forgot to take a picture, but mine looked something like this.

Baked Brie with Honey and Almonds on a crusty Baguette
Note: I used dried rosemary but the original recipe called for fresh rosemary.

Ingredients

• 1o ounces brie round, top part of the rind removed
  
• 1/4 cup honey
• rosemary
• sliced almonds

Directions

1. Roast the sliced almonds in the over for 10 minutes or so on 350 degrees. Keep a close eye on them, tossing so they don't burn. This can also be done in a skillet on the stove. Set aside.
2. In a small pot on the stove, heat the honey, rosemary and 4 tsp water over low hear for 15 minutes.
3. Pour honey on the brie. Add roasted almonds on top. Then place brie on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.
4. Heat and slice baguette.

Voila! Bon Appetite.

Road Trip - Philadelphia, PA

R & R's pick:

Hop on the Bolt Bus for approximately $14 each way and arrive 2-hours later to Philadelphia. This bus even has Wi Fi so you can play hooky and go on a school (work) day.

There is lots to do on Philly but here are our top picks:

1. Magic Gardens (left picture) is a folk art environment, gallery space, and nonprofit organization that showcases the work of mosaicist Isaiah Zagar. The Magic Gardens includes a fully mosaiced indoor gallery and a massive outdoor labyrinthine mosaic sculpture. The installation, primarily consisting of found objects and contributions from the community, covers half a city block with myriads of tile, texture, and color.

2. Check out the Liberty Bell located in Independence National Historic Park. This famous bell, cast in England, was rung for the first time in 1776, on the occasion of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Beginning in the late 1800s, the Liberty Bell traveled around the country. It reminded Americans of their earlier days when they fought and worked together for independence. In 1915, the bell made its last trip and came home to Philadelphia.

3. Philadelphia Museum of Art has one of the largest art collections in the United States, with some 300,000 exhibits, many of them presented by various foundations.

4. Hang in South Street (pictures above). Grab a Philly cheesesteak at Jim’s and then get dessert at The Chef’s Market. Then check out the 300 shops and head back to NYC.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

It's New Year's day and we are busy breaking (er, making) resolutions. One of them is to travel more. We stumbled upon this website a few weeks ago and are seriously considering doing this over the summer! Want to join us?

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is an exchange that in return for volunteer help offers food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles. These farms are located in North & Central America, South America, Europe-Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.