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Food

Avra Rockefeller Center: Restaurant Launch Event

by Megan D'Souza June 12, 2022

written by Megan D'Souza

On the bustling streets of 6th avenue, in the heart of midtown NYC, Avra Estiatorio unveils the newest gem in their collection: Avra Rockefeller Center.

June 12, 2022 0 comments

Restaurant Review: Hortus NYC

by Megan D'Souza June 9, 2022

written by Megan D'Souza

Welcome to Hortus NYC: a Michelin-recognized gem nestled in the heart of Nomad. A mature and sleek lobby greets you as you check in with the host, browse the menu stand, and are led upstairs to the intimate indoor seating balcony.

June 9, 2022 0 comments

Lifestyle The Latest

Exclusive Interview with Dara Pollak

by Avyana Chapman May 31, 2022

written by Avyana Chapman

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dara Pollak- she’s a digital creator and also happens to be one of my personal favorite food bloggers. She brings a mix of “snacks + snark” to her followers.

May 31, 2022 0 comments

Lifestyle The Latest

Restaurant Review: Bear Donut Sweetens Up Nomad

by Megan D'Souza May 26, 2022

written by Megan D'Souza

Bear Donut, a new donut shop in the heart of Herald Square, opened up this spring offering up heaps of delicious treats and beverages. We stopped by on Tuesday to sample a few of their items and learn more about this soon-to-be neighborhood staple. Read more to find out what we thought!

May 26, 2022 0 comments

Entertainment Events Music The Latest

On The Scene: Mary J. Blige Brings Strength Of A Woman Festival To Atlanta

by Chantell Hayden May 12, 2022

written by Chantell Hayden

Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit Day 2 State Farm Arena Concert

Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit – Day 3 – Gospel Brunch

Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit – Day 1 – Comedy Night

Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit – Day 1 – Gen Z Concert

Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit Day 2 Strength Of A Woman Summit

This past weekend, Mary J Blige, with the help of Live Nation Urban and Pepsi, kicked off her inaugural Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit in Atlanta.

The 3-day fest was jam-packed with a comedy show, 2 concerts with an all-women lineup, and a Mother’s Day Gospel Brunch.

The Friday night comedy show included comedians Ms. Pat, Erica Duchess, and Taneshia “Just Nesh” Rice. Following the comedy show was a concert at The Tabernacle in Downtown Atlanta with performances by Kiana Ledè, Emotional Oranges, Rubi Rose, Sevyn Streeter, Inayah, MK XYZ and Omerettá the Great. It was the ideal ladies night.

Pink and purple seemed to be the official colors of the weekend, as the fluorescent colors lit up every room we walked in. There were interactive Strength of a Woman photobooths on display all around the venue for fans to enjoy, along with refreshments courtesy of Pepsi and Strength of a Woman merch booths scattered around. And, of course, a hot wing booth selling some of the best assorted chicken wings we’ve ever ate because when in Rome, right?

Fans watched on as their favorite artists put on a hell of a show. ATL natives and rappers Rubi Rose and Omerettá commanded the stage while performing their most popular songs. Rubi even added a twerk competition mid song as she rapped the sexy yet playful lyrics to her single “Hit Yo Dance” featuring Yella Beezy and NLE Choppa.

The energy of the night became calmer once the R&B songstresses took the stage. Sevyn Streeter recently finished her intimate 5-city tour promoting her latest project Drunken Wordz, Sober Thoughtz but she made sure to bring some of that tour energy to the stage and performed songs like “Taboo”, “Before I Do” and “Nasty Girl”.

Kiana Lede closed out the night and did not disappoint. The singer-songwriter floated around the stage in a sultry, black skirt and bra set while serenading the audience as she sung her songs “Chocolate” and “Attention” from her debut album KIKI.

The festivities picked back up on Saturday with the Strength of a Woman Summit hosted by actress Taraji P. Henson. Guests enjoyed educational workshops and panels geared toward cultivating a community to empower and uplift women.

Trailblazing black women in various industries ranging from music and entertainment to hair care and culinary arts shared their individual stories about overcoming adversities, love, friendship and success. Mary J. Blige, Angie Martinez, Supa Cent, Tasha K. Smith, LaLa Anthony, Coco Jones, Naturi Naughton, Kandi Burruss and more were able to speak about their experiences with attendees.

Black-owned food trucks, a Strength of a Woman curated NFT gallery and music led by DJ Traci Steele are just a few of the fun things provided for everyone to enjoy and the entire experience was live-streamed globally on Amazon’s Twitch.

Carrying on into the night, a sold-out concert at State Farm Arena headlined by Mary J Blige was nothing short of magical. R&B group Xscape, Chaka Khan, City Girls, Yung Baby Tate and Queen Naija performed and kept the crowd hype but it was the grand finale that truly brought the night together.

Mary J Blige made the stage her own in an orange and magenta jumpsuit, along with her signature blond tresses and knee-high boots. The R&B legend gave the audience a lengthy but well deserved 2-hour set running through her extensive list of hits. “My Life,” “Real Love” and “Mary Jane (All Night Long)” are among the many songs that she performed.

She even brought longtime friend, and co-star on STARZ Power Book II, Method Man along to perform their 1995 hit “All I Need” while fans and special guests like LaLa Anthony, Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliot sang along. But the surprises didn’t stop there.

As the concert began to wind down, Usher, Summer Walker and Ella Mai joined Mary on stage to perform a few of their songs for the crowd. It was a perfect finale and an even more perfect night as Mary reminded us why she has and will always be the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.

May 12, 2022 0 comments

Events Lifestyle

On The Scene: The 26th Annual Las Olas Wine and Food Festival

by Avyana Chapman May 11, 2022

written by Avyana Chapman

Las Olas was the place to be Friday, April 22nd for the Las Olas Food and Wine Festival. The night was filled with eating delicious bites and sippin’ on wine, beer, and mouth-watering cocktails all while helping to fund lung disease research, education, advocacy, and support for individuals living with lung disease in South Florida.

“Every year this event brings together the best of the best of South Florida. The Festival attracts a diversity of industries and demographics, representing various corporations, hospitality partners, entertainment vendors, and attendees from all over Florida and beyond,” remarks LaJuane Mack, Las Olas Wine and Food Festival Committee Member, South Florida American Lung Association Leadership Board Member, and Region Multicultural Manager – Central with Brown-Forman Beverages.

The three-hour event shut down a nice portion of Las Olas with tents lining both sides of the road filled with food and drinks from many local restaurants, breweries, and bars. Faux Pas had my favorite drink of the night, a canned pear Moscow Mule, I typically do not love Moscow Mules, but the canned cocktail was bursting with flavors from the pear notes. I highly enjoyed trying all the different wines, beers, cocktails, prosecco, and champagnes, and can not say there was one beverage I did not enjoy.

The unlimited small plates of food had to be the highlight of this event for me, there were 28 food vendors and I made sure to try delicious bites from each of them in a three-hour window, a new food record for myself! I loved all the flavorful ceviches- there were quite a few I tried that night. I also can not stop dreaming about the spicy meatballs from Nikki’s Foods LLC. There was a true variety of restaurants at this event for all taste pallets, from seafood, sweets, pasta dishes, poultry, bruschetta, and so many more tasteful bites.

When you think the night can not get any better there is more- not only did this event feature wine and food but it also featured a 360 photo booth, a silent dance party, some outdoor games, and loads of free giveaways from shirts to seltzer koozies. The silent dance party has to be one of the most innovative ways to party and dance off all the food that was consumed that night. For the silent dance party, each person was given a headset and they could choose between three different stations to dance the night away under the stars. It was hilarious to see everyone dancing to their own beat (literally).

“The American Lung Association is proud to share this memorable experience with our community. Proceeds from the Festival allow us to fund life-saving research, provide community-based support programs for those living with lung disease, and advances much-needed advocacy efforts to ensure clean air for all,” shares Cynthia Peterson, South Florida American Lung Association Board Member and Executive Director of Broward County Medical Association.

If you missed this event this year be sure to check it out next time, you will not regret it!

American Lung Association Interview On The 26th Annual Las Olas Wine and Food Festival:

Tell us about the event?

The 26th Annual Las Olas Wine and Food Festival annually celebrates the incredible restaurant community of Greater Fort Lauderdale with a one-night event on the iconic Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, FL. There are five blocks of sampling stations featuring the participating restaurants paired with international wine stations so guests can sip, sample, and enjoy, thanks to presenting sponsor, Breakthru Beverage. The evening brings together the best of the area and is hosted by and benefits the American Lung Association.

Tell us about the American Lung Association and it works?

The American Lung Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.

Money raised funds the American Lung Association’s efforts to end all lung diseases, including lung cancer and COVID-19, through research, education, and advocacy.

The Lung Association has long been the trusted champion for lung health.
- Over 115 years ago, the organization pioneered the model of using education, advocacy, and research to virtually eradicate tuberculosis in the U.S.
- Using these same principles, the Lung Association works to end all lung diseases, including COVID-19.

What were the highlights of the evening?

Prior to the event’s official start, VIP guests enjoyed a spectacular pre-event reception hosted by FPL at the Riverside Hotel Rooftop Terrace. The reception included bites from Wild Sea Las Olas and Sky Thai Sushi, sweets courtesy of Hoffman’s Chocolates, and a champagne toast, courtesy of Korbel Champagne.

Some of the highlights of the night were the incredible samples the restaurant partners served, the entertainment sponsor lounges featuring Celebrity Cruises Silent Disco, Woodford Reserve’s Ode to the Derby, High Noon Dance Party, and Stella Artois’ Frites & Artois Experience. The all-new Demesmin & Dover 8th Ave. Street Party was a huge hit. Each pavilion had DJs or live music and provided everyone with constant entertainment and so much fun! As guests flowed throughout the event, they popped in and out of the dance party with free giveaways and merchandise.

How do you determine what restaurants, breweries, and wineries are showcased at the event?

The restaurants participating apply each year for one of the exclusive spots on the boulevard. Our goal is to include a wide representation of Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area restaurants to ensure guests get a diversity of offerings and discover new favorite places to dine in the future. The beverages are selected exclusively by partners of the Festival. We are so fortunate to continue to receive tremendous support from our Presenting Sponsor Breakthru Beverage and its amazing suppliers on the wine and spirits side and Stephens Distributing on the beer side.

What other big events do you do throughout the year?

Fight for Air Climb – celebrates all athletic levels working toward a common goal: a world free of lung disease. Held annually each spring, this year the Climb was held at loanDepot park – Home of the Miami Marlins. Participants climbed over 1,700 steps.
LUNG FORCE Soiree – Scheduled for June 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the W Fort Lauderdale. Sunset Soiree, brought to you by Title Sponsor, Memorial Cancer Institute, is a premier luxury lifestyle event of the season designed to raise awareness, education, and critical funding to end lung cancer. This event recognizes several of our LUNG FORCE heroes and includes several guest DJ performances, a one-of-a-kind style lounge, beauty bar, craft cocktails, wine pull, chance drawing, silent auction, and more. For tickets and more information visit https://one.bidpal.net/sunsetsoiree2022/welcome

Any upcoming news on the American Lung Association that you would like to share?

The American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative unites America to raise critical awareness of lung cancer, the nation’s leading cancer killer, during Turquoise Takeover Week (May 8 – 14, 2022). Each May, we work with landmarks and buildings across the U.S. to turn turquoise, our signature color, to honor those living with and impacted by lung cancer. To get involved locally visit www.turquoisetakeoverchallenge.org.
While the survival rate of lung cancer has increased by a dramatic 33% over the past 10 years, there is still work to be done. It is estimated that in 2022 alone, there will be over 19,560 Florida residents diagnosed with lung cancer.
Turquoise Takeover provides the opportunity to raise more awareness about lung cancer, educate on lifesaving screening and raise more research funds to fuel lifesaving breakthroughs. Each year, we turn the nation turquoise and tell the stories of those impacted by lung cancer to change the public’s perception of the disease and help save more lives. Anyone can get lung cancer. In fact, 2/3 of lung cancer diagnoses impact non-smokers. Regardless, no one deserves this devastating disease.

Who are some key partners of the event?

The festival is presented by Breakthru Beverage with their 30+ wine suppliers along with High Noon Sun Sips and Woodford Reserve. Hosting sponsors include Celebrity Cruises, Cadillac, Las Olas Association, Las Olas Company, and Demesmin and Dover. Additional sponsors include Broward Health, Stella Artois, VIP Pre-Festival Reception host FPL, Truist, Kindred, Crown Wine and Spirits, Memorial Healthcare, Stephen’s Distributing, RRCA Roofing, and the host hotel is Riverside Hotel.

Featured Culinary Partners included:

American Social
Bahia Mar
Beehive Kitchen
Big Buns/Matchbox
Bo’s Pub Las Olas / The Balcony
Boatyard Restaurant
Bodega
Casa Sensei
Cornish BBQ INC
Dunkin’
Estiatorio Ornos
Eve On The Water
Even Keel Fish & Oyster
Gelato Petrini
Gran Forno/ Gran Forno Pronto
Lona Cocina Tequileria
Louie Bossi’s Ristorante
Morea
Nikki’s Foods LLC
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Radiant 166
Rivertail
Sushi Garage
The Alchemist Cafe
The Patio at Le Marché
The Wilder
Vale Food Co
Wild Sea
YOLO Restaurant

Beverage Partners:

Aspect Fine Wine
August Wine Imports
Avalon
BEV
Bogle Vineyards
Clos du Bois
Daylight Wine & Spirits
Elysian
Faux Pas
Guarachi Wine
Hiro Sake
Indigenous Selections
Kaiken
O’Neill Vintners
Piattelli Vineyards
Precept Wine
Prosecco Zero
Q Mixers
Sonoma-Cutrer
Treasury Wine Estates
Blue Point
Budweiser
Goose Island
Veza Sur
Wicked Weed
VOSS Sparkling Water

May 11, 2022 0 comments

Events Lifestyle The Latest

On the Scene: Unveiling the Newell Creative Kitchen with Jeremy Scheck

by Bianca Brutus April 13, 2022

written by Bianca Brutus

The event featured a kitchen demonstration by Scheck.

April 13, 2022 0 comments

Lifestyle The Latest

Restaurant Review: Honest West Village

by Megan D'Souza April 8, 2022

written by Megan D'Souza

Honest Restaurant, a renowned chain of Indian street food restaurants across the country, just opened up a brand new location in the West Village.

April 8, 2022 0 comments

Lifestyle The Latest

On the Scene: Made in New York Pizza’s New Second Location

by Lenique Vincent April 6, 2022

written by Lenique Vincent

Some stereotypes about New Yorkers are true! We’re always on the go and when hunger kicks in we have no problem turning to pizza. Everyone has their favorite spot, and if it’s Made in New York Pizza, now there are two!

April 6, 2022 0 comments

Events Lifestyle The Latest

On the Scene: celebrating the launch of the Half Baked Harvest Every Day book with Tieghan Gerard

by Bianca Brutus April 4, 2022

written by Bianca Brutus

On Friday, the food blogger and New York Times’ best-selling author held a special book signing at the Soho Crate & Barrel.

April 4, 2022 0 comments

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