1. Le Bernardin

 
Le Bernardin is a luxury French seafood restaurant, and one of only seven restaurants in New York with three Michelin stars.

La Liste, a global restaurant guide that ranks the world’s top 1,000 restaurants named Le Bernardin the number one restaurant in the world in 2019.

That’s number one in the world, let alone New York City!
 

2. Katz’s Delicatessen

 
This landmark has been around since 1888. It offers Jewish deli food, such as pastrami and brisket, and deli sides, like knishes and matzo ball soup, and is famous for its portions. 

It is so popular that it is always crowded and hectic. Part of the reason it is so hectic is their ordering system. You have to go into different lineups depending on what you are ordering, and if anyone hesitates, they’ll be pushed aside by more savvy patrons. 

You can avoid some of this by going to the full-service section instead of the self service, but you will miss out on some of the fun.

Katz’s is also famous for a scene from “When Harry Met Sally” that was filmed there.
 

3. Balthazar

 
This New York classic offers traditional French fare, with especially good breads. It is always busy and filled with tourists and locals. You know a place is good if the locals go there! Sometimes, it is even patronized by celebrities. 

Balthazar means to imitate the atmosphere of a traditional French brasserie, but it is in New York, so it is loud and bustling. 
 

4. Gramercy Tavern

 
Gramercy Tavern is part of the Danny Meyer hospitality group of restaurants, which is a whole culinary empire, and was awarded One Star by the Michelin Guide.

Located in the Flatiron District, it serves what is called New American food. 

Originating in the 1980’s, New American cuisine is a kind of fusion cuisine born of the melting pot idea of America. 

It is not cheap, but you can get food at a more economical price through the front tavern where you can order food à la carte.
 

5. Shake Shack

 
Shake Shack is the other spectrum of New York restaurants. It offers premium fast food. 

In 2004, it started out as a permanent kiosk in Madison Square Park. Now, it is part of the Danny Meyer chain, with many syndicates.

The food you can get there includes burgers, hot dogs, shakes and frozen custard. But these classics are high-quality with fresh, simple, ingredients. They also offer beer and wine.

The food is excellent and the price is reasonable so it’s no wonder that it is always packed with fans, which make it hectic, but the long lines are worth the wait.

If you’re in New York City, be sure to check out at least one of these restaurants, to immerse yourself in the culture and enjoy some great food.

What Is Veganism?

 
Veganism is a type of lifestyle with no consumption of animals or animal byproducts for health or ethical reasons. Unlike vegetarians, vegans don’t consume eggs or dairy products. It follows a plant-based diet with meat substitutes for protein like tofu and eggplant.
 

The Benefits of Veganism

1. It has zero animal fats.

Eliminating animals and animal byproducts from your diet eliminates your animal fat intake. Animal fats have been linked to many diseases like arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, among others. There is also the risk of ingesting cancer-linked chemicals and toxins from their environment.

2. It’s nutritious.

Research has shown that a vegan diet provides your body more nutrients than a Western diet. Without meat in your diet, protein must be found in alternatives such as whole grains, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds that are packed with nutrients that are good for your body.

3. It lowers blood sugar levels and improves kidney function.

Vegans tend to have lower blood sugar levels and higher insulin sensitivity that lowers the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes up to almost 80%!

4. It’s good for your bones.

Increasing your calcium intake with vegetables like black-eyed peas, turnip greens, kale, spinach, figs, and dairy alternatives like soy or almond milk makes the body more efficient absorbing calcium and improves bone metabolism.

5. It builds up your protection against chronic illnesses.

A plant-based diet can lower your risk in developing illnesses such as heart disease, arthritis pain, and some cancers. Highly nutritious plants protect your body from chronic illnesses because it improves your overall health.

6. It makes you lose weight.

First, it’s important to know that you can gain weight even on a vegan diet. On a properly planned diet, however, calorie intake is reduced significantly helping with weight loss.
 

The Right Way to Be Vegan

 
It’s a trick. There is no right way to be vegan, but there are ways to follow a vegan diet that will be better for your health since you can eat potato chips and candy all day, which aren’t animal products, but aren’t exactly good for your health. It’s important to properly adjust your plant-based diet so that you get the right of nutrients you need.

On a vegan diet, you may have to find foods that meet your dietary needs and ensure that you get enough of the following:

• Vitamin B-12
• Iron
• Calories
• Vitamin D
• Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and ALA
• Calcium
• Iron

It’s easy to be a vegan nowadays with the good ol’ Internet. Long-time vegans and other food specialists offer delicious recipes that you can make at home.

What Is Intermittent Fasting?

 
Intermittent fasting is a diet that follows an eating schedule where you can only eat at certain times and then fast for the rest. Research in rats and preliminary research in humans has shown evidence of many health benefits including weight loss. People can choose from four approaches to intermittent fasting:

• Periodic fasting involves eating only on alternate days and fasting the other days. Studies have shown that many people find it difficult to follow this method because of the long periods between eating.
• Time-restricted feeding is the most popular method where eating is restricted to a certain time period during the day like 10 AM to 6 PM.
• Alternate-day fasting requires significantly lowering calorie intake every other day.
• 5:2 diet requires 2 non-consecutive days of fasting every week.

Health experts say that though intermittent fasting is highly popular, it works just like any other plant-based diet that must be followed closely.
 

What Are the Benefits of Intermittent Fasting?

 
Intermittent fasting diet benefits include:

• Lowering the risk of Type-2 diabetes

Studies have shown evidence of lower blood sugar level and insulin resistance, mostly in men, which protects the body from Type-2 diabetes. In rats, intermittent fasting showed evidence of protection from kidney damage, which is a common problem of diabetes.

• Evidence of reducing oxidative stress and inflammation

Oxidative stress leads to many chronic diseases and aging. It’s a result of molecule activity where unstable molecules damage important molecules like protein and DNA.

• Improving brain health

Intermittent fasting affects metabolic brain features and has been linked to growing new neurons and preventing brain disease.

• Weight loss

With restricted meals and the body changes that come with fasting, losing belly fat is made easily with the increase in metabolic rate.

• Lower risk of chronic diseases

Research has shown a reduction in chronic diseases with intermittent fasting including heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

As you can see, intermittent fasting like other diets improves overall body health.
 

How Does Intermittent Fasting Work?

 
Intermittent fasting works because when you don’t eat for a long time, changes in your body start happening. It lowers your blood insulin levels, which leads to weight loss. Human growth hormone levels increase during fasting resulting in fat burning and muscle gain among other benefits. Important cellular repair increases including waste removal from cells. There are even effects on gene expression with changes in genes and molecules related to disease protection and longevity.

Overall, intermittent fasting helps you lose weight and belly fat as well as making these significant changes to your body and how cells work that improve your health.

There’s so much to see and do in Ontario’s capital, and one of the greatest parts of having so many diverse cultures in the same city is the multitude of cuisines and restaurants you can experience.

Below is a list of some of the best restaurants in Toronto.
 

Byblos

 
A Mediterranean restaurant on Duncan street, Byblos puts a contemporary spin on the classic Mediterranean flavors.

The vibe changes depending on where you choose to eat. The downstairs lounge is more laidback with beautifully designed furniture and layout—perfect for casual dinners with friends or coworkers.

However, the upstairs is a much more intimate setting with a darkly lit dining room and a romantic, ambient setting perfect for couples looking to experience a special night out.
 

Patois

 
Located on Dundas St West, this restaurant gets its name from the national language of Jamaica, and pairs two types of cuisines that are worlds apart in Caribbean and Asian in a fusion that your taste buds will be grateful for.

The food, as described by owner Craig Wong, is “Caribbean meets Asian soul food.” The venue itself is an intimate setting that can work for date night, or just after-work drinks.

The atmosphere, while often vivacious, doesn’t detract from the food, and if you’re searching for one of the best jerk chicken dishes in the city, you definitely need to make a reservation at Patois.
 

Carmen

 
A great, authentic Spanish restaurant located on Queen St West; this restaurant is the place to go if you’re craving paella—you’ll be hard pressed to find a better paella dish in the whole city.

While you wait for your entrees, you can enjoy some Spanish manzanillas, a nice glass of wine, and some of the best tapas in the city.

Carmen serves authentic Spanish cuisine, and chef and co-owner Luis Valenzuela frequently travels to Spain for “research” tips with the intention of bringing back the best authentic Spanish dishes to serve to his Toronto customers.
 

Seven Lives

 
Whenever a place has a lineup all the way out the door, it’s usually a good sign, and that’s the case with Seven Lives, located on Kensington Ave, in the heart of Kensington Market, this taqueria serves some of the best tacos in the entire city.

You can also order tostadas with fresh ceviche or seafood, and it’s a great place to stop for a bite while exploring the rest of the market.
 
 

Scaramouche

 
 
Located on Benvenuto Pl, not far from Casa Loma, this French-inspired restaurant is really two in one—serving haute cuisine on one side, while the other side features a pasta bar and grill.

It also offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city you can experience while enjoying a delicious meal.

This award-winning restaurant even offers complimentary valet service, so you don’t have to worry about parking when you get there.

Read on to see how you can help keep your restaurant’s kitchen organized with employee scheduling software.
 

Staffing Schedules Made Easy, Quickly

 
Employee scheduling software is designed to fix your scheduling issues for your entire staff, from the kitchen to the waiters and everybody else. This new software can reduce the time it takes to create a responsive schedule everyone loves by as much as 80%, which keeps your staff working where they’re most effective. The amount of time colleagues spend outside work making phone calls and text messages with each other to help create the work schedule gets reduced by 70%.

This eases what can be a frustrating and time-consuming process, but it also leads to direct gains for your budget — your restaurant will save between 1-3% in labor costs as a result. Your cooks will love how much smoother the process of schedule creation is, and how much freer they feel to focus on food.
 

Streamlined Communications

 
One of the ironies about modern technology is that there are so many devices and methods of communication that sometimes the wires get crossed, and staying connected actually becomes more complicated. Employee scheduling software is designed to cut through this, and it provides powerful modern tools that keep everybody in the know, quickly.

Chat groups can be customized to include only those who need to stay in touch — a manager can contact the entire team if they need to be informed about a new lunch special, for example, but the groups can be limited to certain departments or teams as needed. The kitchen staff will only receive messages that they need to be briefed on, and are otherwise free to do their job undisturbed.
 

Manager-Facing Dashboards

 
One of the essential aspects of running an efficient kitchen is having an informed sense of everything going on it, both in terms of hard data related to costs and expenses and consulting the eyes and ears of your front-line staff. Employee scheduling software gives you powerful tools to gain both types of understanding.

The manager-facing dashboards clearly presents vital stats like total sales, labor costs, and labor as a percentage of costs in real time, so you always have the latest data. It’s also easy to compare it against past weeks, so your restaurant’s economic health is easy to track.

But there’s also a special section for employees to leave feedback, as well as rate the shift. When what’s going on in the kitchen isn’t reflected in the hard data, this software still gives you the full picture.

The restaurant industry is notoriously challenging, so modern tools like employee scheduling software that keep the kitchen organized cannot be overlooked — get yours today, so all your cooks have to focus on is cooking.

However, it can also be extra hard to eat healthy in the summer; it seems like every week there’s a new food festival pushing fried, or trans-fat-filled foods that you know are going to do some damage to your waistline.

Below is a list of recipes that taste great and are filled with ingredients that are good for you that you can make this summer.
 

Strawberry Avocado Salad

Ingredients

Dressing:

·       2 tbsp lime juice

·       1 tbsp olive oil

·       1/2 tsp micoplaned fresh ginger

·       1/2 tsp light raw honey

·       zest of one lime

·       salt and pepper to taste

Salad:

·       3 cups chopped strawberries

·       2 large, ripe avocados, depitted, peeled and cut into chunks

·       1/3 cup chopped fresh mint

Instructions
 

Ground Turkey Burgers

Ingredients

·       1 pound ground turkey (I used thigh, but feel free to use breast meat)

·       1 large clove garlic minced

·       1 tablespoon fresh chives chopped

·       1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped finely

·       2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

·       1/2 cup breadcrumbs (I used Italian flavored)

·       2 tablespoons mayo

·       Salt & pepper to taste

They go great with traditional hamburger toppings—buns, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, etc., but you can also put on your favorite toppings, as well as get creative and test out new topping combinations you’ve been meaning to try.

Instructions
 

Quinoa Black Bean Salad

Ingredients

Salad:

• 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
• 2 bell peppers chopped
• 2 carrots shredded
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 11 oz can of corn kernels drained & rinsed
• 19 oz canned black beans drained & rinsed

Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• zest from 1 lime
• juice from 1 lime
• 1/2 teaspoon dijon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:
 

Chili Chicken Burger Bowls with Avocado Pesto

Ingredients:

Patties:

• 1 lb. ground chicken
• 1/4 cup each: minced red onion and chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Avocado Pesto:

• 1/2 cup each: basil leaves and parsley, packed
• 1/4 cup each pine nuts and olive oil
• Juice from 1/2 lemon
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 large avocado, peeled and pitted

The Bowl:

• A few handfuls of lettuce for each bowl
• Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• A sprinkle of pine nuts (or your favorite nut)
• Sweet potato fries

Instructions:
 

Summer Buddha Bowls with Turmeric Chickpeas

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cobs of Corn
• 2 cups cooked multi-coloured quinoa
• 2 cups Arugula
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• 1/2 zucchini, sliced
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cup sunflower sprouts

Dressing/Tofu marinade

• 1 package extra-firm tofu
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 cloves garlic minced

Turmeric Chickpeas

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp dried turmeric
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

We still have a far way to go though in decreasing meat consumption in our diets. Here are the top reasons why you should take the meatless approach too, for both your well-being and the worlds.

1. Environment

Giving up meat and dairy has been cited as the “single best way” you can reduce your environmental footprint. Animal farming takes up 83% of farmland and produces 60% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, while also polluting water, even though it only accounts for 18% of calories consumed.

If each person were to reduce the amount of meat they ate, that farmland could either be used to grow vegetables or it could be returned to grassland and forest, all of which are beneficial to the environment.

2. Human Sustainability

As the global population continues to rise dramatically, people are trying to come up with a way to feed the 10 billion people that are projected to populate the earth by 2050. As meat farming takes up so much land and causes so much environmental damage, it is not a sustainable option as the land becomes more and more populated.

Plant-based diets appear to be the way to go. A report conducted by 30 scientists found that to achieve a diet that would feed the world’s population without taking up too much land or being detrimental to the environment, meat and dairy consumption would need to drop by 50%.

3. Animal Cruelty

There have been many documentaries and investigations into the cruel environments animals are subjected to in the meat industry. Compressed into tight cages, unable to move, and left in unsanitary environments to die a slow death, these animals live and are killed in horrible conditions. As the BBC writes in their Ethics Guide: “If you accept that animals have rights, raising and killing animals for food is morally wrong.”

4. Save Money

Eating less meat saves you a lot of cash. The price of meat, dairy and eggs are always on the rise, according to MarketWatch. In restaurants and fast-food chains as well, you may have noticed meatless options are often cheaper. Save money while saving the planet—is there a better deal?

5. Health

Eating less meat often means eating less saturated fat, which has been linked to developing heart disease and many different types of cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, vegetarians on average weigh less, consume less fat and have a decreased risk of heart disease than non-vegetarians. Eating less red meat has also been linked to fewer instances of stroke and diabetes. If not for the planet, animals, humanity or your finances, eating less meat will at least improve your own personal health.

Cauliflower Steaks

Hopping on the vegetarian and vegan trends might be the tastiest decision you make this summer. Rather than throwing it into a salad or grinding it into a flour or rice, why not make cauliflower the centre of the meal? Slice the cauliflower into thick slabs and grill it on the barbecue. For added flavour, toss it in a sauce and serve it with a side of seasonal vegetables or one of the salads described below.

Caprice Pasta Salad

Cold pasta salads with fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruits are always a great bet in summer, either as a side dish or main course. This caprice pasta salad combines fresh summer tomatoes and basil with cooked pasta, mozzarella cheese and a homemade vinaigrette. What could be better to take along as a side to barbecues or a picnic in the park?

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Swap the flour or corn tortilla for a crispy, refreshing lettuce wrap for a summery version of the family-favorite fajita. Top with your favourite veggie garnishes and sauce. For a more oriental flavour, opt for a hoisin sauce on chicken with sprouts, julienned carrots and onions to garnish.

Balsamic Watermelon Chicken Salad

Get your seasonal fruits and veggies in while also firing up the barbecue by making this Balsamic Watermelon Chicken Salad. Watermelon is the true star of this meal, offering that subtly sweet crunch that oozes summer flavor, along with some grilled chicken in a balsamic glaze. Almonds and blue cheese add extra protein and flavor to this perfectly balanced summer delight.

Vegan Bao Buns with Pulled Jackfruit

For the vegetarian in the crowd, here’s a food you’re likely used to finding at food truck festivals, but now with a delightfully fruity flare. Pulled Jackfruit is a great substitute for pulled pork, offering the same dense texture as the meat with a slightly sweet tang. This summery and filling fruit will satisfy your palate and leave you wanting more.

Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Avocados are not the cheapest fruit so get your fill in the season they are least likely to break the bank! Toss them into a salad with some grilled shrimp, cilantro and radishes, then sprinkle with a squirt of lime to take your summer cooking to the next level.

Sangria Chicken with Mango Salsa

Sangria, mango, barbecued chicken… is there a better meal as an ode to summer? Chicken marinated in a simple vinegar-Dijon mixture is topped with fresh mango salsa and a sangria butter sauce made of white wine, Chambord and lime, lemon and orange juice. Sweet and tangy, impress family and guests with this summery food feat.

Why Try Lobster?

Lobster is one of the most prized meals that you can order from any restaurant. Many people don’t realize that it’s also a very easy kind of food to prepare at home with results that can even surpass what you’ll order when you go out to dinner. The secret is to buy the right kind of lobster and ensure that it comes as fresh as you can possibly get.

Cooking Lobster Properly

If you haven’t cooked your lobster properly, not only will it be difficult to shell, but there may be no point to shelling it at all if your meat becomes inedible. For absolute freshness, order your lobster live and leave it intact as you plunge it into boiling salted water or court bullion. As a general rule of thumb, you should add one to two teaspoons of salt per gallon of water.

Other Cooking Methods

Boiling may be the most common way to cook lobster, but it is far from the only method. In fact, in different parts of the world, many people have come to prefer the flavor of lobster cooked in alternative ways. Some other common options include:

• Steaming
• Grill or Barbeque
• Poaching or Parboiling

If you aren’t familiar with the process, double check with a full recipe on how to cook delivered Maine lobster online. Cooking lobster is very easy when you follow a simple guide.

Overnight Delivery

With overnight delivery, national lobster day can truly be celebrated all across the country with lobster every bit as delicious as what you’ll find in New England – where the best lobster in the world comes from! Lobster is delicious and healthy but it’s the freshness that really counts, and that’s why quick delivery really is the best way to go.

Impressing your Guests

Everyone who invites special guests to dinner at home wants to serve a meal that their company will appreciate. If you’re looking for a new option to impress your in-laws or friends, there’s really a no better choice than lobster. While you’re at it, why not serve lobster that’s better than any that your friends and family can find, even at a local restaurant, by getting overnight delivery?

Whatever way you decide to enjoy your lobster, the important thing is that you get it delivered fresh from the best region possible – New England. Once you have fresh, hard-shelled lobster and a good recipe, you’ll be all set. Now you just have to organize a lobster feast with friends and family on National Lobster Day. You might even enjoy it so much that you start a yearly tradition!

1. LA Food Fest

June 29, 2019

Los Angeles, California

Not only is this one of America’s biggest food festivals—with over 100 vendors—but it is also one of the most established and well designed. Parking is easy to find while the event is also accessible by public transport. Beer gardens crop up here and there for you to sit and enjoy a cold one while famous chefs will make you the best food you’ve ever received from a truck. It’s no surprise LA does food fests big and with style.

2. The World’s Largest Food Truck Rally

June 21, 2019

Detroit, Michigan

With the list not yet complete, nearly 100 vendors have signed up to return to West Riverfront Park in Detroit this summer to participate in this iconic festival of eats. With quantity also comes variety—enjoy everything from standard American fare to cultural cuisines. Food trucks will be arriving from surrounding states to take part, including Bacon Me Krazy from Missouri, Cupzilla Korean BBQ from Ohio, and Heavenly Delicious Foods from Florida.

3. Chicago Food Truck Festival

June 22-23, 2019

Chicago, Illinois

Not only will there be up to 40 gourmet food trucks at this year’s event, but Chicago’s Sangria Festival will be taking place during the festival to keep you hydrated while you munch away on the city’s best foods. Live music and DJs, as well as an expanded beer and wine list, round out the event, so it is sure to be nothing short of amazing. Not to worry if you can’t catch them in June, they’ll be back in September for a second round.

4. Columbus Food Truck Festival

August 16 & 17, 2019

Columbus, Ohio

The ninth rendition of this annual summer event is back in Columbus and will be spread out along the Scioto Mile and the riverbanks of Bicentennial Park, Washington Boulevard and Park and Genoa Park. Free to attend, this event boasts over 60 of the best food trucks in the area as well as art vendors and two stages for live music. A children’s midway makes this a great activity for the family as well, while the Great Duck Race Charitable Event will make you feel good for supporting the Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

5. Sea Isle City Food Truck Festival

September 7 & 8, 2019

Sea Isle, New Jersey

Another summer of food from the region’s top chefs is not to be missed at the Sea Isle City Food Truck Festival. Last year’s truck lineup included the Chimney Cake Factory, Tacoholics and Baby Blues BBQ. Craft vendors and live music are also provided to add entertainment to your weekend, while the beautiful city of Sea Isle will keep you entertained with beaches and other summer fun.