You Can Meet Mario Batali

Though he hasn't been seen on Iron Chef for some time, we still like the antics (and the food) of everyone's favorite redheaded chef, Mario Batali.

You can catch a glimpse of him tomorrow, September 23rd, at Food Emporium from 12:30 to 2:30pm., where he will be debuting his latest line of pasta sauces. Yum! We hope there are samples.

The Food Emporium BridgeMarket is located at 405 East 59th St.(59th & First Avenue).

NY Craft Beer Week

Forget about your Pabst for a moment. NYC beer lovers are going to knock back some serious craft brews during the 2nd-annual Craft Beer Week (Sept 11-20).

Wondering if you should buy the $35 passport? Only serious suds lovers should go for it..many events are free.

amNY had me outline the top 5 must-see events during the festival.

Click on the image to read the article. Happy drinking!

Citysearch Article: Summer Art Guide

Wondering where to take in the art this summer? Citysearch had me find the artsiest venues around...including places where you can check out the art while sipping a cocktail or scarfing down a sandwich.

Click on the article to enlarge, or visit http://newyork.citysearch.com/list/147161

Free Pinkberry: Today!

For those of you who call it "crackberry", we understand why. The addictive LA fro-yo is going to be FREE today, from 5-9pm in all NYC locations.

Pinkberry is unleashing 3 new flavors, coconut, passionfruit, and a new parfait.

Nothing beats the cap'n crunch topping, though, in our humble opinion.

Get your fro-yo on at: www.pinkberry.com.

Bluegrass, banjos, and bourbon

Ah, the 3 B's: Bluegrass, Banjos, and Bourbon: a holy trinity of down-home fun. (You could also potentially subsitute Boys for one of the above, depending on your facebook status).

Here's where you can score all 3: Banjo Jim's.

This alphabet city dive features live music every night of the week, an eclectic crowd, and there's never a cover. The most expensive drink will cost you $10. We haven't heard that for a while!

An added extra: tons of regulars were seen with takeout boxes, meaning that you can get away with bringing your dinner along for a show.

Here's where to get your B's on:

Banjo Jim's

700 E 9th St New York, NY 10009-5309 - (212) 777-0869

Meat Me in the Park

Madison Square Park, that is.

This weekend, the Big Apple BBQ Block Party takes over the outdoor space, offering fantastic BBQ goods from the nation's top pitmasters. Some regional 'cue hounds will be representing as well, including the grillers behind Blue Smoke and Dinosaur BBQ. Go NYC!

Entrance is free, and plates cost just $8 a pop. Live blues can also be heard both days around 1pm.

Check back with me on Monday for a full recap of the festivities.

Sat & Sun, 11am-7pm
http://bigapplebbq.org/

Free Pizza Movie - Tonight

Image by FreeNYC.com

Has it been too long since you've attended a pizza party? FreeNYC tipped us off to a free pizza fete (with RSVP) at Brooklyn's 3rd Ward (195 Morgan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237 (718) 715-4961) tonight--and it includes a pizza-tastic movie.

The festivities will include a free screening of "Pizza: The Movie", a film that documents the heartfelt journey of the US Pizza Team to the intimidating World Pizza Championship in Italy. There will be sausage, sauce, and sabotage.

You'll have to head out to brooklyn to get a slice of the action! For more info: http://www.freenyc.net/archives/2009/05/pizza_the_movie.php

amNY Story: Free Foods

Looking for more free food in the city? I covered this topic for amNY today. The deals are legit!

Free BBQ and Alcoholic Milkshakes

nycdailydeals.com

Truly good deals are hard to come by, but Tasting Table (http://tastingtable.com/) revealed some pretty spectacular recession specials this week.

Specials so good, they won't cost you a dime.

Our favorite? Free BBQ and Maker's Mark Milkshakes at Bushwick Country Club on Sundays. Yes, that's in Brooklyn, but they do have a pretty awesome mini-golf course.

Have a reason to celebrate? The country club also offers free drinks when you bring in at least 15 people on your special day. Have 30 friends who will show up (c'mon, that's what facebook is for!) and they'll supply free hot dogs off the grill. That's alot of free!

Looking for more freebies? Visit http://www.examiner.com/x-2935-Manhattan-Food-Examiner~y2009m5d20-Free-BBQ-and-Makers-Mark-Milkshakes.

Free Brunch for Mom

Broke, but still want to impress your moms? Forget about making her brunch!

Bring her to Toloache, 251 West 50th Street (between Eighth Avenue & Broadway), (212) 581-1818, toloachenyc.com, where they are offering free brunch for Mom when the family dines. The special runs between 11:30 am and 3pm this Sunday.

Free Pizza: This Week Only

And they say there's no such thing as a free lunch! Snapple is giving away free pizza (and free Snapples, 'natch) to the first 500 peeps to show at one of several pizza parlors in greater Manhattan.

Here's where you can get your free slice:

• Date: Wednesday, May 6
  Where: Silver Spoon Diner at 58-21 Junction Blvd. (Queens)Time: 10:30 a.m. till the first 500 people have been served
• Date: Thursday, May 7
  Where: My Little Pizza at 114 Court St, between Atlantic Ave. & State St. (Brooklyn)Time: 10:30 a.m. till the first 500 people have been served
• Date: Friday, May 8
  Where: Mezza Lunna Pizza at 98 8th Ave., corner of 15th St.Time: 10:30 a.m. till the first 500 people have been served

Don't say we never did anything for you!