BARGAIN GUIDES

New York is both the center of the media world and the country’s greatest food city, so it’s no surprise that the city is chock full of food blogs – so full that it’s hard to know where to begin. That’s why we’ve created this guide for you to the best of the best: just think of it as your Cliffs Notes for NYC Restaurants 101.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR…News

Grub Street New York  offers more than a dozen posts each day on everything from openings and closings to cookbook reviews to the foodievents you just can’t miss (full disclosure: we used to write for Grub Street. We were, however, a reader before we were an employee). There’s also a cornucopia of regular features, including the addictive New York Diet, wherein celebrities talk about what they like to eat in the city.

Runner Up: Diner’s Journal : The writing might not be as punchy as Grub Street or Eater, but the news is always breaking.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR…Gossip

Eater will have you feeling like a restaurant insider after reading just a few posts. It’s snarky, it’s dishy, and it’s fun. If you urgently need to know Todd English’s latest dating drama, who Ryan Skeen is mad at right now, or exactly how soon Michael Bao’s next project will open, Eater is the blog for you.

Runner Up: Fork In The Road: One part industry gossip, one part service-oriented features add up to what might be New York’s most underrated food blog.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR…Restaurant Recommendations

Serious Eats New York is, without a doubt, the city’s most comprehensive service-oriented blog. Want to know where to find the city’s best chocolate chip cookie? They’ve done a scientific study. Looking for an early review of the hottest new restaurant? They’ll have one within a week of opening, complete with a drool-inducing slideshow.

Runner Up: Midtown Lunch : As Midtown workers doubtless know, the area can be a food wasteland. Midtown Lunch effortlessly cuts through all the overpriced steakhouses and salmonella delis to find the best cheap eats around.

-Leila Cohan-Miccio

It’s hard out there for a bride, especially one trying to buy a dress in New York City. Bridal salon owners sneer at women who “only” want to spend $2000 on a dress they’ll wear exactly once, and prices top $1000 even at David’s Bridal. The Bridal Garden’s sample sale feels like an oasis in this madness. Sure, it’s hectic: sale visitors are essentially deposited into a giant room filled with lace, organza, and tulle and told to pull their own dresses. For those who take the time to thoroughly comb the racks, however, there are some amazing bargains to be found.

A Winnie Couture beaded satin gown was all Old Hollywood glamor and a steal at $1195 from $1578. A dreamy lace and ruffles Bara Luxe Couture that would be killer for a garden wedding was $2795 from $3920. A simple, elegant stiff satin Marisa bore a $3200 price tag at Kleinfeld, but here, it cost a mere $1695. The steal of the day, however, was probably an effortlessly chic Lela Rose number with lace panels and a rosette at the neck – $2295 from $4495.

This isn’t the typical bridal salon experience – not only do visitors have to pull their own dresses, but there’s also no consultant helping you in and out of the gowns (though they do regularly pop in on the dressing rooms, often while their occupants are in flagrante delicto) – but those willing to brave the madness will be rewarded. Looks like it just got a little easier out there for a New York bride. – Leila Cohan-Miccio

PS NO PICS ALLOWED!!!!

I was hoping I wouldn’t have to re-report the success of Restaurant Week in light of our lovely recession (although retail sales have been up for the past two months), but here we are. Same shit, different day.

So it’s restaurant week, and I’m trying my best to impersonate someone who is actually enthused about this. In fact, I reached to the bowels of food reviewer hell to look up the website and pick a restaurant just trek to in the rain and fake feeling happy about eating…for less.  A daunting task, but some poor sap’s gotta do it. Here’s what I’ve come up with. Excuse the moaning and griping; I’ve been hanging out with a lot of French people.

My picks for the week are 10 Downing and Bond Street. I saw DBGB on the list, but A) Been there. Done that, although yet to report. and B) You can afford it without restaurant week. Yeah, newsflash to places like Club Room (puke), Restaurant Week’s original purpose, which has since been madly muddled, is to bring normal ‘ol folk exquisite cuisine that, under normal circumstances, would break the bank.

Why? 10 Downing because you can enjoy art while you eat, the pleasant atmosphere keeps for an even keeled, but never boring, crowd, and  the striped bass makes me want to float on a heavenly cloud to that dream diner in the sky. Maybe you can afford it without restaurant week, but their menu rocks. Do it.

And Bond Street because I’ve had their Restaurant Week menu several times as well as eaten there more times than I can count, and think it’s in the running for the best sushi in New York City. If it weren’t so cliche, I’d call it my favorite restaurant in New York. The carpaccio makes me teary and every piece of fish melts in my pretty pink mouth. Do it too.

Oh, riiiiiiiight… I seem to have overlooked you newbies. For those of you who haven’t eaten at all of the classic Restaurant Week spots yet, I’ve pulled them from the ghastly Restaurant Week list. You can thank me any time.

In no particular order: Megu, Tao, Le Cirque, The River Cafe, Morimoto, Nobu – if and only if you are absolutely broke and cannot go sans Restaurant Week, i Trulli, China Grill, and Delmonico’s.

These classics have graced the Restaurant Week list for years, so book in advance because the tourists are going to be swarming. Newbies take note, write these down and visit some this week – or month- and the rest the next time Restaurant Week comes around, which, in this economy, will be here before you can say “2009 was the most boring summer ever.” Then breathe easy knowing you can forget about Restaurant Week like the rest of New Yorkers.

NYC Restaurant Week  July 12-31  Average dinners $35 & lunch $25

Bon Appetite!

[Daily Mail UK By Elsa Mcalonan] 

Do you know what you’re putting on your hair? A recent global survey revealed that 55per cent of women are confused about which products they should be using. And the report, commissioned by Dove, revealed that 57per cent of women are disappointed with the products they buy. We asked award-winning hair stylist PHIL SMITH to share some of the best kept salon secrets.
Do you need to wash your hair twice or is it just a ploy to get us to buy more shampoo?

This depends how often you wash your hair. If you wash it every other day, it won’t be necessary to shampoo twice. However, if you haven’t washed your hair for a week, two washes would be advisable.

Should you have your hair trimmed every six weeks?

Having a trim this often will maintain the shape of your style, especially for people with shorter hair. Eight to ten weeks is usually sufficient for those with longer hair.

Can you get salon results at home with a DIY colourant?

No, it’s always best to seek professional advice from a colourist, as they are the experts. They will also be able to advise on the best colour for your skin tone. Some of the at-home products are better than others, though. I’d recommend a brand like L’Oreal.

Do you need conditioner or, again, is it just to make us buy more products?

All hair needs conditioner to keep it looking its best. But choosing the right product for your hair type is vital. Don’t apply too much conditioner and try a few products until you find one that suits your hair.

When should you use styling products such as serum, wax and gloss sprays?

Styling products are best used after your blow dry, once your hair is completely dry and in a style and shape you are happy with. Serums will help alleviate fluffiness and a putty-type product will add texture and separation to shorter styles.
Is it worth buying expensive product ranges that are exclusive to salons?

There are some fantastic products available, so it’s worth trying them. But which are perfect if you don’t want to break the bank.

Is it worth forking out for expensive organic and chemical-free products?

This is down to personal preference. These products are often popular with people who have sensitive skin. Nowadays many of the ingredients used in regular products are less harsh than in the past.

Do heat protection products protect hair that much against heat styling?

Yes,they do make a difference. Everybody who uses electrical products, especially straightening irons, heated rollers and curling tongs, should protect their hair from heat damage.

How can you be sure what your hair type is so you can choose the right products?

If you’re unsure what your hair type is, speak to your stylist.

Do products that are specifically for curly or straight hair really make a difference? Or is it more about how we treat and style our hair?

Yes, they do. But it’s important to use the products correctly. Follow the instructions or ask your hairdresser for advice on how much to use and whether to apply it just to the roots or ends or throughout the hair. Often, people use too much or too little product. If you’re not happy with the result first time, persevere until you get used to working with the product. Sometimes it’s trial and error.

 
[Daily Mail UK By Elsa Mcalonan]