Moving on... foodnfestivities.com

Hey everyone,

I want to thank you all for your support and taking the time to read my blog! This isn't goodbye, it's only "see you later." The website for "Food 'n' Festivities. No BS." is completed and from now on, all written reviews, pictures, and video blogs can be found on that page. I'll be featuring guest bloggers speaking about their favorite spots around the New York area.

So come check out the new page! I promise you won't be disappointed... and if you are, well, sorry I'm not sorry!

Love is in the air ;)
John DeMartino
www.foodnfestivities.com

"like" us on facebook - www.facebook.com/foodnfestivitiesnobs

A Young Man's Defeat - Schnitzel & Things

In a collection of German events, I experienced some of the best short-order schnitzel in NYC. My eyes were instantly drawn towards the small establishment, Schnitzel & Things. Like the Allies of World War I, I formed an allegiance amongst my emotions to contest the lure of the Central Powers, headed by this German juggernaut. The smell was irresistible and the uncertainty of what could be behind those doors enclosing this glorious smell was overpowering. I decided to fight for the hunger of my stomach and fundamentally declared war on this place.

In the first battle for stomach-gratification, I attacked the menu like a brave solider on the front line. Inquisitive examination and multiple inquiries regarding the various choices and combinations led to the finalized decision. Within minutes, Germany’s most notable structure, the Berlin Wall was constructed on my Styrofoam platter.A golden brown, generously portioned thin cutlet of pork schnitzel, accompanied with 3 sides –the house potato salad (potatoes, beets, eggs, mayo), polenta (cornmeal with caramelized onions) and spatzle (German-style egg noodles with butter and onions).

With the war of decision-making concluded, World War II was then underway. Like the Allies of this worldly battle, I vigorously formed an allegiance with a side of Spicy SrirachaMayo to assist in taking down this superpower. All three sides were loaded with flavor and complemented the taste of the schnitzel greatly. The bondbetween the spicy mayo and me was ambitious, leaving the opposition blindsided. What was once dividing me from this platter of goodness was now just a mere afterthought, leading to the fall of this “Berlin Wall.” I woofed through the plate and tossed the container with no regard. World War III is imminent.

Schnitzel & Things is located at 723 3^rd Ave (between 45^th and 46^th). They also have their well-known truck which tours the city and lands in a various spot each day, making the obtaining of schnitzel even quicker and easier. Check out the website weekly for locations! - http://schnitzelandthings.com/.

 

“like” the page on facebook for daily deals and weekly recommendations!

http://Facebook.com/foodnfestivitiesnobs

The Bulgarian Experience of a Lifetime! - Mehanata, The Bulgarian Bar

In all truthfulness, I don’t have any idea where Bulgaria is on a map, but if it’s anything like Mehanata, I would drop my drawers and streak down 3rd Ave for free room and board. Mehanata is a Bulgarian bar… scratch that… Mehanata is a Bulgarian goddess land where little boys become men, girls become women, and Americans realize our culture is boring as $h*t. In one small establishment, you can smoke hookah, dangle from a stripper pole, sway on a sex swing, watch live music, and dress like a soviet while drinking vodka out of chilled, ice shot-glasses!

This is one of my favorite spots in the city by far. I initially came for a birthday party almost 4 years ago on a suggestion from a friend of mine. This place has 3 levels, all consisting of various bizarre pieces to this Bulgarian puzzle. The main floor has a small stage where you can catch live music on the weekends – never anything but odd-to-the-ears music. You’ll also find the sex swings I mentioned (no, there is no sex going on) and a cultured crowd of people swarming the bar. Tables are also available to chill out with small groups of people on this level.

Head upstairs and you’ll find mainly private parties and an area that’s a bit quieter, although if there’s a band, you’ll have your socks rocked off no matter where you go. Grab a drink at the top floor bar and get the hell off this level… I’m bored already.

We’re heading down to the basement now. You’re pumped up, you’re feeling good, and nobody can stop you! Bright, neon blue lights illuminate this lower-level wonderland. Another bar right when you walk down provides drinks to inebriated girls and guys. On the side of the bar is where you’ll find the main alcohol source – Mehanata’s Vodka Room. For $20, join your friends and maybe a few strangers in this 2 minute drinking escapade. The bartender will strap you up in soviet gear, arm you with the one weapon that matters most – a frozen shot glass made of ice, and send you on your way into battle with numerous choices of vodka. Pound as many shots as you can in the 2 minute time limit and then work your way over to the dance floor. You’re now dancing to music you’ve never heard before in your life, you feel loose and limber like you may just grab a Bulgarian bombshell off one of the gypsy poles surrounding you. A friend of yours calls out “Hey, come over here!”

You take a drag out of an assortment of flavored hookah and start giggling like a middle-school student at the 6th grade dance. 

This is the experience you get when you come here.

If you’re going to do it, do it right and come with friends. Lots of them. Plan to go between Thursday – Saturday from 8pm-4am because that’s when they’re open. The bathrooms have a nice treat for the guys too. Sorry, but I’m going to ruin it right now with pictures for all the women that will never get to see this. See below:

Yes this place is absolutely the weirdest you can find, but I promise you’ll love it.

http://mehanata.com/

join me on facebook for more recommendations!

http://www.facebook.com/FoodnFestivitiesNoBS

Das Boot You on Your Ass!

That’s some mighty sausage! Down on Grove St. in Greenwich Village, you can find the closest thing to Epcot’s Disney World version of Germany by visiting Lederhosen (http://www.lederhosennyc.com/).This adult-German-playground is filled with “das boot” beers, great authentic German service (that’s partially sarcasm), and awesome eats!

In my experience revisiting this place, consistency stayed true to the first encounter. The staff was still as German as ever, the “Lederhosen Party Platter” provided me with the big, juicy, succulent sausages I was seeking for the night, and the beers were cold, crisp, and delicious. In an uninspired drinking move, I went with a liter of Radeberger Pilsner instead of getting “das boot” – 2 liters of the beer of your choice. This moderately hoppy beer, which had a slight bitterness, was liquid gold. For grub, I went with Lederhosen’s party platter - a combination of 5 different grilled sausages, including knackwurst, bratwurst, weisswurst, bauernwurst, and currywurst, topped with a few slices of what seemed to be Italian bread, and a 3-way combination of sauces for dipping. Yowzer! The sauce is still a bit of a mystery to me. Two of the ingredients included a curry dipping sauce and spicy brown mustard, but the last part is unknown.

Lederhosen Party Platter

If you’re looking for an authentic German experience or want to try and re-create a scene from Beer Fest with a few of your buddies, get to this place. If it’s your first time, get the 2 liter boot. The hot pretzels ($3) are spot-on for soaking up some of that beer you’ll consume and the sausages or schnitzel are guaranteed to fill you up and send you out gassy. Prost!

show support and ‘like’ it on facebook - http://www.facebook.com/FoodnFestivitiesNoBS

follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/FoodnFestNoBS

50 Shades of… Video Blogging

With sweat dripping down his face, neck, and arms… My friend continued to film all the necessary shots in the midst of the sweltering heat. As I’ve mentioned to some of you, I will be adding video blogs into my arsenal of depicting all the best eateries and venues around New York City. On top of the written reviews and random posts, expect to see a video per week, probably within the next week or so.

The first video blog is going to be an introduction/recap of what’s been reviewed so far and what you can expect from Food ‘n’ Festivities. No BS. Although this will be a production of my own and the writing/content will be filtered from this peanut-sized head God provided me with, I must mention that my two buddies are going to play a big part in helping with the video blogs. Matt Brousseau, the friend I’ve known longest in this lifetime who has been a cameraman for a local news station for over 6 years, will be handling all the camera-work. Another very close friend of mine, Marc Williams, who has a background in video production, directing, writing, and editing, will be assisting in the overall production value of what the world gets to see.

With the first filming experience being this past Thursday in the midst of the heat-wave, we began our video blogging journey. Here’s the mental image you need:

- Me running around the city to each and every eatery, like a kid circling the Christmas tree on Christmas morning wanting to open every damn gift all at the same time.

- Matt, the mother, trailing behind me carrying the newborn child (his camera), trying to gather all the best possible shots and make sure everything is organized.

- Marc, the “take a backseat approach” father, carrying all the bags for the family, sweating profusely, throwing in his two-cents when needed, wishing the day was over already.

It was eventful to say the least, and even though trying to get all the essential shots while retaining daylight was stressful, we made the best of it. I’m very happy with the footage we gathered and I know all of you will be too. I’m looking forward to doing it again next week!

Midtown Superhero! - Crave Sandwiches

Like the New York City subway manages to pack people into their train-cars,Crave Sandwiches (http://crave-sandwiches.com) manages to stuff fresh meats and delectable toppings between two slices of thick, freshly baked bread on a daily basis. Located in the heart of Midtown on 6^th Avenear the corner of 43^rd St, Crave is a much accepted addition to an area which was in dire need of a good lunch spot.

My first experience at Crave was like the first time I crossed the street without guidance. Although this wasn’t the first sandwich I was ever going to consume (like that street wasn’t really the first street I was going to cross by my lonesome), it sure as hell felt like an invigorating experience! I was first blown away by the cleanliness of this place. For an establishment that not only has crumbs flying from the sandwich station and airborne vegetables from the salad station, this place was in shipshape. Not to mention all the employees were looking as put-together as a Louis Vuitton mannequin. Now I know, what’s so special about a place in Midtown that can toss salads, concoct sandwiches, serve up a cup of coffee, and kick you to the streets with a tasty dessert in your hand? Typically nothing, but Crave does it in a fashion that makes you want to come back for more.

In my encounter, I had the “Eight Wonder” – ham, turkey, salami, roast beef, American cheese, Swiss cheese, cherry peppers, lettuce, tomato, onion, brown mustard, and mayo all served up on an XL-sized hero for only $9. The price is average compared to other delis in the area, but even the plumpest man or curviest woman could turn this thing into two meals. In an amateur move on my part, I ordered a sandwich that was served up on the traditional Italian bread. Although I was more than pleased with the quality, make sure you get a sandwich that is made on their freshly baked bread. Like a heavy loaf pulled straight from mom’s oven, this place slices 2 one-inch-thick pieces of bread (rye, wheat, or sourdough) for the remaining sandwiches on the menu.

If you work in Midtown, make this one of your regular lunch spots. On my cold, hard scale from 1-10, 10 being a sighting of your favorite superHERO, I give this place a 9. Get there!

To take a look at their menu, click here: http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/crave-sandwiches/menu

"Eight Wonder"

Please show support and ‘like’ it on facebook - http://www.facebook.com/FoodnFestivitiesNoBS

follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/FoodnFestNoBS

professional reviews onYelp! - http://johndemartino3.yelp.com

about me - http://about.me/johndemartino3

Eat What Ya Mama Gave Ya - Mom's Cooking

Envision this: It’s cold and rainy, possibly even a slight mixture of snow and hail. You wake up out of a dead sleep after you’ve been wrapped up tight in your blanket all night. You pull your head out from that pillow-sandwich you’ve created, wipe the drool off your mouth, and then take a glance at the clock. Guess what time it is. Get the hell up and go to work… again! You go out in the frigid cold and trek your way to work. You arrive. You’re sitting at your desk, counting those endless hours until your lunch break. After what seems like a lifetime of waiting, it’s time for that magnificent 30-60 minute mini-vacation you’re about to create for yourself. But wait, you have to face that cold weather again. You want something to warm you up, possibly a home-cooked meal. Here’s your solution – Mom’s Cooking, located in Greenwich Village on 8^th St. between University Pl. & Greene St. This petite, pantry-sized re-creation of an old fashioned kitchen is made to make you feel right at home. With offerings like soups, stews, salads, and sandwiches, you’re sure to find a belly-warmer that will suit your needs.

Daily Specials

I’ve only been to this place once, but my experience here was a positive one. I wasn’t blown away by the décor or even the salad/sandwich selection, but the service and the choices among the stews and soups is not to be reckoned with. I came in lost, not having a damn clue as to what to order or even how to order it. The woman working there was very attentive and practically described every stew they had that day. After about 7 minutes of debate, I decided on the Indian-inspired stew, “Chicken Tikka Masala.” They were out. So I went with my backup choice - “Black Bean Turkey Chili” served over brown rice. I wasn’t disappointed. The chili lacked in spice, but maintained a good flavor overall. The portion size was generous to say the least (I was able to make two meals out of it), and for only $8. My visit here felt justified.

Best bet is to come here if you’re doing takeout. There are only a couple of tables, and although it’s quite appealing to sit-down in a place that makes you feel like you’re home, odds are you won’t get a table during peak hours. Things to note about Mom’s Cooking – All their items change on a daily basis (once they run out, that’s it for the day), all dishes are free of transfat, msg, and preservatives, and just as an added little guilty pleasure, you get a free piece of warm, freshly baked bread with every dish.

Black Bean Turkey Chili

On my scale of 1-10, 10 being “Ohhhh mom, I want to hug you right now,” I give this joint a 7.5. You’ll get solid food at a solid price, but don’t expect to have your winter coat blown off you in food-tasting-astonishment.

Please show support and ‘like’ it on facebook - http://www.facebook.com/FoodnFestivitiesNoBS

follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/FoodnFestNoBS

Professional reviews and write-ups on Yelp! - http://johndemartino3.yelp.com

John DeMartino III - http://about.me/johndemartino3