Cascabel Taqueria

Have you ever passed by that one restaurant on your way to the subway and thought…I really have to try that place?! Life tends to get busy and you forget about the list of restaurants you have been yearning to try. This week, however, after a long day at work, I finally brought out my long list of restaurants. At last, my sister and I made it a Mexican night at Cascabel Taqueria.



Every time I passed by Cascabel Taqueria, located at 1542 2nd Avenue between 80th and 81st Street, the atmosphere of the restaurant seemed to be spilling onto the streets as diners enjoyed generous margaritas and delicious tacos. Even though Cascabel has a light and casual atmosphere, they are serious about their tacos and excited about bringing Mexican street food to the Upper East Side.



The menu is broken into five categories and perfect for sharing with friends and family. There is “Para Empezar” (starters), “Para Acompañar” (sides), “Tacos,” “Platos Grandes” (entrees) and “Dulce” (desserts). There were so many great dishes to choose from, but my sister and I settled on three different tacos to share. Carne Asada, a grilled yucatán achiote hanger steak with oyster mushrooms, creme fresca, and crispy onion, Camaron with roasted wild shrimp, fresh oregano, garlic, chili oil, and black beans, and Pollo Chipotle with Amish chicken, avocado, and green onion.



Doesn’t your mouth just water reading this? The Camaron and Pollo Chipotle tacos were delicious but on my next visit to Cascabel, I will be ordering the Carne Asada again. The hanger steak was perfectly cooked and the crispy onions make this the ultimate addictive taco! Of course, no meal is complete without a side of traditional guacamole with tostadas. Be careful! If you like spicy, order your guacamole hot, otherwise stick with mild or medium.



At Cascabel, the motto is “Eat, Drink, and Love Tacos.” My experience was just that and more. The ingredients are top-quality and the drinks and Mexican brews are the perfect way to top off a hot summer day!

Butterfield Market

If you are an Upper East Sider who uses the 77th Street subway stop, you are familiar with the ever-popular Butterfield Market located at 1114 Lexington Avenue between 77th and 78th Street. There is nothing I love more than neighborhood markets. Being from a small town north of Chicago, I grew up visiting our local market where everyone knew my name. I get the same welcoming vibe every time I visit Butterfield Market.



Butterfield Market’s Long and Rich History

Butterfield Market has been serving Upper East Siders for almost a century, including such famous patrons as Brooke Astor and John Rockefeller. Long ago, before cell phones ran our lives, telephone exchanges were given names instead of numbers. This area of New York was named Butterfield 8 – from which the store’s name is derived.

The market changed owners over the next forty years until 1963 when Theodore Appelbaum, lovingly nicknamed “Mr. Butterfield,” bought the store and worked tirelessly 6 days a week until he was 91 years old. As the business grew, “Mr. Butterfield” asked his son-in-law, Alan Obsatz, to be his partner. Later, in the early 2000's, Alan’s daughter Joelle Obsatz and son Evan Obsatz entered the family business, where they continue to work today.

For me, it is truly special that Butterfield Market has been in the hands of the same family for so many decades. I recently had the pleasure of meeting the entire Obsatz family. They welcomed me to their store with warmth and hospitality. As I watched the Obsatz family interact with customers and employees, I could see how much they genuinely care for every member of their staff and the many patrons who walk through their doors each day. Beyond the plethora of delicious specialty foods, I believe this is what makes Butterfield Market truly unique and special for Upper East Side residents.

Specialty Products and Partnerships

Hanging from the awning of Butterfield Market, you will notice three signs: Tate’s of Southampton, The Vegan Divas, and Payard. This delectable trio has a special partnership with Butterfield, adding to the distinctiveness of this market compared to others throughout the city.



Tate’s of Southampton
After meeting with the Tate’s of Southampton owner in November 2009, Butterfield has become the sole provider outside of Kathleen King’s shop in Southampton, to offer a full line of products. While you may have seen Tate’s famous cookies sold in other parts of the city, nowhere else will you find the full line of scones, brownies, and cobblers. Pies and scones are baked fresh every single day at the in-house kitchen of Butterfield Market.



Payard
Chocolate lovers throughout the Upper East Side were heart broken when Payard on 73rd and Lexington closed their doors. Fortunately, for French macarons lovers like myself, Butterfield Market is proud to be working with Francois Payard, and offering a full line of his products including chocolates, truffles, macarons, cakes, and pastries. My mouth waters every time I pass Payard’s display of pastries in the window of Butterfield Market.



The Vegan Divas
My New Year’s resolution for 2010 was to consume more organic products and focus on a vegan diet. While I do not adhere to a strict vegan diet (I cannot pry myself away from yogurt just yet) I do limit myself to only vegan desserts. Luckily for me, Butterfield Market now partners with Fernanda Capobianco, and has created an entire line of sweet pastries called The Vegan Divas. I have had the pleasure of trying almost every one of their products. Everything from the double chocolate cupcakes, brownies, Spa Detox Trail Mix, coconut macaroons, and raspberry lemon muffins are absolutely out of this world! The bag of chocolate chip cookies that I got from Butterfield Market just two days ago has already vanished. Check out more facts below on what makes The Vegan Divas so healthy and unique!

• All Vegan Divas products are 100% vegan, kosher, and parve (a guarantee that the food product does not contain any meat or dairy products, and it has not come in contact with either). In addition, all products are cholesterol-free.
• Every single Vegan Divas product displays a calorie-count and list of nutrition facts on its packaging.
• All Vegan Divas foods are 100% preservative-free and artisan-crafted from fresh ingredients.
• Spelt is used in place of regular flour (for better digestion). 100% all-natural sugars are used including maple syrup, evaporated cane juice, and sucanat (dark-brown soft sugar).



Two additions to Butterfield Market that deserve special mention are the ever-popular Butterfield Frozen Yogurt stand and the homemade fresh blended juices. The yogurt stand opened only last summer and it has already become the go-to spot for frozen yogurt on a hot day. Since so many people visit the stand each day, a rope is needed to keep the lines out of the street! If you venture inside Butterfield Market, right in the middle of the store are three juice options, which are homemade and blended with natural sugar and water. Flavors include cantaloupe, watermelon, and lemonade.



Butterfield Market Gives Back

On top of being a welcoming family business with a wide selection of delicious products, Butterfield Market is also dedicated to giving back to the community and creating a green atmosphere. With “Project Green,” Butterfield is committed to minimizing their impact on the Earth’s climate as much as possible and implementing several environment-friendly practices. Below are some of the ways Butterfield Market is reducing their carbon footprint:

• All salad containers and sandwich wraps are made from corn-based plastics and are compostable.
• All bags are made from recycled plastics and the napkins are made from 100% recycled paper.
• They have changed butcher paper and wax paper to natural bleach-free paper.
• Many of the plates and utensils are made from corn-based plastics.

Each year, Butterfield donates over 3,000 pounds of food to City Harvest and contributes to more than 50 local non-profit organizations. As a consumer, it is important that the market where I buy my groceries and specialty products focuses on the environment and community. In a way, it makes me feel as if I am giving back as well.


I would like to thank the Obsatz family for providing Upper East Side residents with such delectable products and a welcoming atmosphere! In honor of my birthday, my sister surprised me with this beautiful birthday cake from Butterfield Market!

Carnegie Hill Chemists

One of my favorite things about living in New York is the range of unique products and stores that are available across the city. If I am looking for an exclusive Indonesian bath and shower gel or an organic deodorant that will not irritate my skin, then I will be sure to find it somewhere in the city.

Little did I know that just down the street from my apartment and behind the construction on Second Avenue is a one-stop shop for all my pharmaceutical and organic bath and shower needs! Carnegie Hill Chemists, located at 1842 Second Avenue between 95th and 96th Street, is a new European-style, neighborhood pharmacy that caters to the individual needs of each client with quality service and an excellent selection of products from across the globe.



Having recently opened in February of this year, Carnegie Hill Chemists brings something new to the neighborhood including an entire line of holistic, organic, and free trade products that do not have harmful chemicals or substances. There is something for everyone including babies and mommies-to-be. Carnegie Hill Chemists carries an excellent brand called Erbaviva, which carries a product specifically for stretch marks, back oils rubs, and organic deodorant. Weleda, a brand that gently cares for and protects the delicate skin of babies, offers diaper and baby creams.



Those looking to have a relaxing at-home-spa session can also indulge in Carnegie Hill Chemist’s amazing face products with delicious flavors like honey papaya, pomegranate and mint, or a nut meal exfoliate. To really reduce the stress, Carnegie Hill Chemist’s offers the Anthousa home fragrance collection, which draws inspiration from the richness of the Mediterranean and the beautiful Tuscan countryside.



In addition to the wide range of products, Carnegie Hill Chemists’ make-up and facial consultant, Tammy, offers free makeovers using the chic Becca make-up line. Tammy is available Wednesday through Saturday for makeovers and there is no purchase necessary! There are also free facials and other events, so come into the store today and sign up to be on the Carnegie Hill Chemist event mailing list.



Before I left, Tammy gave me some amazing products from the Juara line. I tried the Juara rice facial cleanser, which is a traditional Indonesia rice water rinse that left my skin feeling soft and supple. It is for all skin types including sensitive skin like mine! I also sampled the Juara tiare jasmine tea bath and shower gel that smelled heavenly. The shower gel is a combination of sulfate-free cleansing agents and antioxidant-rich triple-tea extracts of green, white, and black teas that gently cleansed my delicate skin.



I have never seen products like this before and I can assure you that I will be returning to Carnegie Hill Chemists for more! Their organic and holistic line also makes for wonderful gifts for family and friends. Stop by the store anytime Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm and Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm.