Friday, May 22, 2009

Berimbau Brazilian Restaurant

Last night we checked out a new Brazilian restaurant in the West Village called Berimbau. It opened four weeks ago by owner Mario Espindola and general manager & designer of venue, Sergio Larosa. It's a small yet intimate restaurant that seats 74 inside and has two tables outside.

Our meal at Berimbau was one of the best meals we've had in a long time. The food was delicious and the service was attentive but not obnoxious. It was a place where you can hang out for a bit after your meal and not feel rushed out the door. The food, a fusion of Brazilian and French cooking, includes mainstays like acarajé (a black-eyed-pea cake) and new creations, such as duck breast with a cachaça-lime sauce; scallops crusted with black pepper, and shell steak with yucca and a Malbec reduction.


For appetizers we ordered a mixed salad and a black bean soup with Brazilian sausage. We did not try it but the tuna salad looked amazing. For the entrees, we tried the special of the night, which was a flat iron steak with salad and rice with vegetables. The steak was cooked to perfection. The rice had a nice flavor and it was moist. The second entree we tried was the Salmão, coconut crusted salmon in a sundried tomato, asparagus and lemon sauce with a tomato bagne.

Last but not least, our favorite part of the meal, dessert!! We ordered the passion fruit mousse and coconut flan. The flan was good but nothing compared to the passion fruit mousse. The mousse was mouth-watering. We couldn't put our spoons down. It was so good we told the waiter they should put it in to go containers and sell them.

Berimbau is located at 43 Carmine Street (Btwn Bedford & Bleecker St), New York 10014. The phone number is (212) 242-2606.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Audubon Society’s Women in Conservation Luncheon


Yesterday was the Audubon Society’s Women in Conservation Luncheon at The Plaza Hotel, honoring distinguished women with the Rachel Carson Award for their dedication to advancing conservation and environmental education locally and on a global scale. The Audubon Society established this award in 2004 and it was named for Rachel Carson, whose landmark book Silent Spring opened the world’s eyes to the damage caused by the use of pesticides.


This year’s Rachel Carson Award honorees include (from left to right) Elizabeth Putnam (President/Founder of Student Conservation Association), Sally Jewell (CEO, Recreational Equipment), Dr. Sylvia Earle (National Geographic), Jane Evans, Susan Haspel and Elizabeth Colleton (all NBC Universal’s “Green is Universal” initiative). Anne Thompson, NBC News’
Chief Environmental Affairs correspondent, served as the emcee for the luncheon.



Thanks to this wonderful luncheon we learned some very interesting things about energy efficiency such as:
  • Removing unnecessary items from your car can improve fuel economy. An extra 100 pounds in your trunk can reduce your MPG by 3%.
  • Unplugging TV's, stereos, microwaves and computers saves money and energy.
  • Washing your clothes in cold water instead of hot can save 220 kwh of power and avoid 500 lbs of carbon emissions based on doing just two loads a week.
  • Turning out the light each time you leave a room can save 5-10% of your light energy use.
About the Audubon Society:
Now in its second century, the National Audubon Society is dedicated to protecting the birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation. For more information please visit their website at http://www.audubon.org.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Win tickets to the Makeup Show New York


The fourth annual Makeup Show New York is heading your way and two lucky readers have a chance of winning tickets to this must-attend event. The show takes place on May 17th and 18th at the Metropolitan Pavilion located at 125 west 18th between 6th and 7th avenue from 9:00am-6:00pm.

The Makeup Show New York is one of the hottest shows around. It brings the industry together like no other trade event has before. Some of the biggest brands such as MAC Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Smashbox and Stila will be demonstrating their products. Highlights of the event include: speakers from every area of makeup artistry, new product introductions, special Pro-only offers, seminars, forums and hands-on workshops.

To enter the contest please email us at 2hungrygirls@gmail.com and subscribe to our email alerts. We will pick two winners at random. The tickets are good for either day.

For those who do not win but would like to attend anyway please visit www.themakeupshow.com to purchase tickets but hurry because the advance ticket deadline is Thursday, May 14th.

Hunger Strike of the Week - MTA: Going Nowhere

I want to shout it from a rooftop - "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" This isn't the first rant/complaint/whine from a New York City straphanger about the less than perfect service of the MTA subways. And it won't be the last. I just have to get my frustration off my chest because with about three weeks of signal and switch problems, massive train traffic and 'earlier incidents,' I've been late to work more than a handful of times. New York City's first subway system opened in 1904. After more than 100 years, you would think the MTA would know how to handle these problems.

Of course, the money situation doesn't make it any better. I'm a bit relieved that my metro card will not increase to $103. But $89 is still no picnic. Why is the MTA making it so that people may not be able to afford to go to work everyday? And there is nothing we can do it about it...but grin and bear it. It shouldn't be my responsibility to throw off my whole morning routine by waking up earlier and walking out the door earlier to get to work on time. In fact, I should be able to take for granted that my subway system will get the job done.
End of the line.

Friday, May 8, 2009

ANNA SUI FOR TARGET!

I am so excited to hear that Target is partnering with fashion designer Anna Sui as the second designer in a series of Designer Collaborations, a unique program that features well-established designers who draw inspiration from a collaborative partner, muse or creative element.


The exclusive Anna Sui for Target collection draws inspiration from the four main female characters of the CW television phenomenon, “Gossip Girl,” and will launch on Target.com and at 500 Target stores nationwide September 13, 2009. The affordable fashion collection will be available through October 17, 2009.


Designer Collaborations, which is separate from the company’s GO International initiative, is another way in which Target brings an emporium of designers to its guests. These exclusive collections bring top design at unbeatable prices to women everywhere, for a limited time only.


I have always been a huge fan of Anna Sui. Her clothes are feminine, girly yet trendy with a touch of rock-and-roll coolness. I cannot wait to score some of these pocket-friendly pieces.


Images are not available until August so be sure to visit us again!!!

Friday, May 1, 2009

We attended the Handing Our Children a Brighter Future gala for A Caring Hand: The Billy Esposito Foundation last night at the Altman Building. Hosted by Susan Espositio, founder and daughter of Billy Esposito, the elegant and sophisticated gala had a carnival theme with elements of juvenile charm, like a cotton candy machine, make your own cupcakes and centerpieces of colorful licorice and oversized lollipops.


Who cares for A Caring Hand? VIPS like Teresa Giudice, Dina Manzo & Cardine Manzo of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton, LuAnn de Lesseps, Countess of the Real Housewives of NYC, and Ethan Zohn, Winner of Survivor, Africa, who was honored, showed their support for the organization, which raised 250,000 for its mission to meet bereaved children and families wherever they are in their grief and fulfill their needs in a caring and knowledgeable environment.


Photos by Christopher Wells Kpictures.com