Show Your Hospitality, in a Southern Way

It's the beginning of September, which means back to my final year of school and me moving back into my Upper East Side apartment. One of the first places I dragged my friends to was Southern Hospitality, a Memphis BBQ joint located on 77th Street btw. 2nd and 3rd Avenues. While most people might wonder why this was my restaurant of choice, I have only two words: Justin Timberlake. The Southern BBQ place is owned by no other than international music icon Justin Timberlake, so I was curious to check it out. Once walking in the restaurant, I noticed the back wall had a red painting of Elvis, as well as photographs of Johnny Cash and that pleasant aroma of BBQ.
Our first course was the fried pickles. Being a pickle fanatic, I was eager to try these fried yet sour treats, and I think I found a new love. The side of spicy mayo to dip the tangy pickles in made them all the more amazing. Afterwards, I worked my way over to my entree. I chose the fried catfish, complete with fries, coleslaw, and corn on the cob for only $16! While it tasted more like "fried" than "fried catfish", the sides really made the meal all the more better. The big question is, would I rush to go here if it wasn't JT's restaurant? Probably not, but for cheap prices ($5-$22 per appetizer or entree and $6 draft beers) it's definitely a place to show your hospitality, even if you're not southern!

*SIDE NOTE
After the meal, you might want to check out Housing Works Thrift Shop on 202 77th St. (btw. 2nd and 3rd). It's a thrift shop filled with designer pieces up for auction (an Escada beaded coat for $95) or even designer items ready to buy, such as the $50 Prada flats. It was too bad they were too small for my feet! It's also great for apartment furniture shopping because of their $200 couches in mint condition. The best part is that you're actually helping homeless men, women and children who are HIV positive get proper meals and shelter. Housing works is a nonprofit organization filled with volunteer employees and all of the money for the donated items goes towards this organization! So get your bid on and do something good for yourself as well as others.

Until next time, Happy Eating!
Bianca

Glamour and Gluttony

For as long as I can remember, food has always been a passion of mine. Whether quiet dinners with my family, or late night dinners with friends, food is something that brings everyone together. Once moving to New York City, my sincere interest in food was anything but obsolete. I am constantly going to new spots with new types of cuisine and culture to test my palate, but most important is having a great experience in fine dining without breaking my budget (the word "income" is still pretty foreign to be, being a senior in college).
Creating this blog will allow me to have food lovers experience my dining options and to allow a dull afternoon with friends turn into a delicious dining frenzy. Not only will I be scouting out restaurants (complete with food pictures, of course) but also taking into account proper price options for those on a tight budget. I will be commenting on taste, prices, specialties and specialty drinks.
Another side note to my blog will be interesting places in the area I am dining in. Mainly thrift shops, dessert bars, coffee places, anything that is unusual or can bring friends together and create a lasting experience. I hope everyone reading this blog is as passionate about food as I am, and I can't wait to offer you these tasty choices. After all, they're digitally delicious!

Cheers!
Bianca.