Grand Appetito, Little Italy NYC

The Feast of San Gennaro ends tomorrow. Don't fret though, Little Italy's plethora of gastronomical goodness will still be available. After navigating the crowds and assortment of vendors, I found a near perfect cheesesteak on the festival's route. 

Grand Appetito, an unassuming pizza joint on Grand Street, also sells sandwiches. I opted for onions and provolone only so I could truly compare the cheesesteak to its competition. Peering past the glass partition at the grill, I realized that a combination of cooking technique and quality beef would result in a product that rivaled any of sold at the smoky, crowded street booths.

In addition to an excellent entree, I received engaging service from Alex and his crew and a momentary escape from the rowdiness and blazing sun outside. 

McDonald's Coffee Giveaway

Ronald McDonald, I don't eat your food but thanks for the free coffee. Valid during breakfast hours until Sept. 29th at participating locations. Small size only:

http://news.mcdonalds.com/US/news-stories/McDonald-s-USA-Perks-Up-The-Nation-With-Free-Coffe

Slope's Barbeque, Atlanta

I needed to pig out. It was nearly 6:00 and I'd skipped lunch. My first choice, a pizza place had closed permanently. Seeing that sign on the door made my stomach grumble even more. Then, I remembered Slope's wasn't too far away plus I had a Scoutmob deal.

This joint is unassuming and welcoming. White and red checked plastic clothes drape each table. Autographed photos of celebrities cover paneling near the drink station, but the staff treats even everyday folks like stars.

Hush puppies listed as a special piqued my curiosity because the establishment doesn't sell seafood. A girl at the counter, the owner's daughter I assume, answered my questions like a pro. I ordered an assortment of items: ribs, green lima beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and those hush puppies. The baked macaroni and cheese was unimpressive: short on cheese and less flavorful than what most home cooks could conjure up.

Luckily Slope's claim to fame lies in barbeque, which is what they do best. Slightly sweet sauce covered my ribs but, frankly, I think the abundance of sauce masked some of their inherent flavor. Clearly, talented cooks handle the smoker and the meat in it with care. The beans and puppies deserve honorable mentions, as does the coleslaw.

I heard the staff talking to other customers who entered as I ate. What impressed me as much as the bbq was the level of interaction and familiarity the staff had with patrons. I suspect that most customers return as much for the genuine customer service as for the food.

Walmart Savings Catcher

Contrary to popular belief, Walmart doesn't always have the best prices. Recently though, they introduced a tool that puts savings savvy customers at ease.

Savings Catcher tracks items purchased at Walmart and will credit the price difference in the form of a gift card. No more worrying about another major retailer offering a better deal the day after you buy an item.

Simple to use online or through the app, Savings Catcher will save you time and money. Visit the site for details: https://savingscatcher.walmart.com/

McCarren Park Greenmarket, Brooklyn

I'm having coupon withdrawal. Most of the stores I encounter in NYC are actually tiny markets, not the mega grocery stores abundant in Atlanta. The larger grocers sell items for much more, it seems, than the smaller businesses. These inflated prices cancel out the benefit of using a discount. Trader Joe's has become my stumping ground. Even so, its produce isn't always the freshest. Thank goodness for NYC's network of Greenmarkets.

The McCarren Park location sells fruits and vegetables that make grocery store selections look like ugly ducklings. And, as expected, this farmer's market boasts a wider variety of produce, which usually costs less. Booths also offer honey and related products, maple syrup, cheese, ice cream and milk, herb seedlings, eggs and meat.

I bought purple carrots, cucumbers, potatoes and chocolate milk for $5.50. But I skipped green beans and a basil plant, buying both at Trader Joe's for a savings of over 50%. I snacked on the carrots then shredded them to garnish Salmon Sliders (even using the leaves) and I added some to Shrimp Fried Rice. I boiled the potatoes too long but still paired them with Coconut Curry. Despite the soft texture caused by overcooking, they possessed a buttery appearance and depth of flavor.

A word of warning if even the smallest dog ignites fear in you. Many visitors stroll over from the dog park section with their pets in tow. Though tinier than Union Square's market, McCarren offers plenty of choice without the massive Manhattan crowds.

Bed Bath and Beyond Gift Card Offer

If you're a Bed Bath and Beyond groupie, take advantage of this stock up deal. Buy $40 worth of select Proctor and Gamble products (details in store) and score a $10 BBB gift card. Remember that this retailer's coupons never expire, so be sure to sign up for the mailing list. This offer though, ends 8/31.

UBER, NYC

If a trip to New York is in your near future, use this discount code for $30 off on a Uber ride. The car service claims it's now cheaper than a taxi: NYCUBERX.

Citrus Marinade

Try this quick marinade on chicken or pork before it hits the grill. Because the orange juice provides sugar and acidity, it does double duty. Amounts listed cover approximately 1/2 pound of meat.

You'll need approximately:

• 3 pinches of red pepper flakes
• .5 cup of orange juice
• about 2 pinches of black pepper
• 3 basil leaves
• .25 cup of vegetable oil

Put the pepper and the pepper flakes in an airtight container then pour juice over them. Tear apart basil by hand then toss them into the container. Whisk ingredients before adding meat. Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Netflix Trial

Netflix has revolutionized the way I watch TV. At less than $10 a month, it's a true bargain. Try the one month trial and see for yourself: https://www.netflix.com/getStarted?locale=en-US

Schlotzskys Sandwich

Visit http://www.schlotzskys.com/ to score your free sandwich for downloading the app.

Finish Dishwashing Soap

Have a dishwasher? Copy the link for a sample:

http://www.finishdishwashing.com/news-and-offers/offers/samples/power-free/application-form/

Boozy Brownies

Still on a quest to use what I have on hand, I adapted this from Allrecipes.com. It's a spin on traditional brownies. I replaced 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour with Arrowhead Mills Organic Rye, swapped the vanilla with organic maple syrup, the walnuts with almonds, and added 1.5 tbsp of cream liqueur. 

  See http://allrecipes.com/recipe/brown-sugar-brownies for details.

Bowery Burger, NYC

A 100% grass-fed cheeseburger on a brioche bun for only $5 bucks in NYC? I checked the Bowery Burger menu board twice to make sure I hadn't hallucinated. Located in the Bowery Whole Foods, it also serves turkey burgers and hot dogs plus gluten-free and vegetarian options. I bypassed the $2 hand-cut fries (choose from sweet potato or regular) but spied them on another customer's plate. The portion appeared generous.

I'm a fan of burgers with discernible searing and top-notch buns. The bottom of mine was wimpy and not sturdy enough to support the toppings I chose. Despite that, it tasted delectable. In addition to the price, the array of toppings available besides standard lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles also made my burger a great deal. I'm talking garlic aioli, chili, whole slices of grilled onions, and premium cheese choices.

They say you should never buy groceries on an empty stomach. I agree, and grabbing a Bowery Burger should be at the top of your shopping list.

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Sample

Options are available for various hair care needs:

http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/offers/samples/Advanced-Haircare2/register.aspx