beofre summer is over, try this amazing recipe from Toloache…we featured this great Mexican restaurant on our show!

Guacamole de Frutas (medium)
Yield: 4

2 Mexican hass avocados
half of a sweet onion, like vidalia, diced
2 tbsp mango, diced
2 tbsp peach, diced
2 tbsp apple, diced
1 tsp of habanero, chopped
salt, to taste

Scoop the pulp out of the ripe avocados into a bowl, and set aside. Add the rest of the ingredients and a pinch of salt. Mash the ingredients together, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve with warm corn tortillas or chips.

Right across the street from the Peekskill Metro North station is where we found the Peekskill Brewery. Part restaurant, part brew pub, the joint opened up in 2008 by brother and sister team Morgan and Keith….the self proclaimed fans of west coast brew pubs wanted to create the same concept on the east coast…..where locally produced brews pair perfectly with great food. It  quickly gained a reputation as a great spot for locals as well as a top notch spot or micro brew fans who flock from the city to sample their exceptional brews. My son loves the macaroni and cheese. I’m partial to the Hop Common.

just when you think you have lost a few pounds, leave it to my production team to scout out the best bakery in Washington Heights. fine, i think, sweets aren’t really my downfall, i’ll just eat a few bites on camera and hand it over to my annoyingly skinny crew (who eat like pigs btw. unfair).

little did i know i was about to be introduced to CUCHIFRITOS. if you are on a serious diet i suggest you stop reading here. just log off now.

ok, this is what goes down: they take a lump of spiced beef, cover it with mashed potatoes and drop it in the deep frier. i know it’s a latin dish, but c’mon it’s like a freakin’ deep fried shepherd’s pie, for crying out loud – minus the peas. after i shmeared it all over my body (TMI?) in ecstasy, i took a half a dozen to go. being that this is a family show, i will not tell you what i did with the rest of them. let’s just say they didn’t last long.

usually booking shoots or my show is quite simple. we call up a place we want to cover and usually everyone is very excited. the pace of biz usually can accommodate our schedule…we go in, shoot, do an interview or two, chow down, exchange hugs and kisses and we’re out.

well that wasnt exactly the case with Tipico. first off, no one really spoke english, so my pal alicia and i conference called. but mangers were never in, we were put on hold, disconnected, we all back…then FINALLY a man named jose said we were clear to come in on a sunday at 2pm. he was not the owner but said he could speak on their behalf, so we were good to go.

jump cut to sunday: we arrive at teh scheduled time, ask for jose and after most of the employees look at the guy by the register – the guy behind the register says he is not jose. and has no idea who we are. weird. then a lady walks in and apparently she is the wife of the owner but still claims no knowledge of our appointment. i explain to her that Tipico has been recommended highly by our viewers and we want to feature them on the show. she finally complies, but doesnt want to be on camera. in fact NO ON wants to be on camera. until i point at one cute kid and convince him to do it. he doesn’t speak a lick of english. hahaha.

now the good news, the hassle was well worth it! first off, the juke box blasted with latin pop which makes you feel like you are actually in DR. and the decor is kinda old school which gives its a fun vibe.

we ate some of the best dominican food i’ve ever had – ok, fine i haven’t had that much dominican food, but it was great!

Sancocho is, without doubt, dominican’s most cherished culinary treasure. It is a soup that is usually made for special occasions as its preparation is long and it contains many ingredients. At Tipico, Sancocho is prepeared with pork ribs, plaintains and yucca. SO GOOD!

Tostones also rocked, as did chicken rice and beans, 5 bucks if you eat it at the counter! BONUS: open 24/7

the star dishes:

Cakelets – Innovative Custom Mini-Desserts Are a Tasty & Unique Way to Indulge a Sweet Tooth At the Holidays

When Amy Eilert started her own business, Cupcake Envy, 4 years ago from the confines of her kitchen, little did she know that she’d trigger an avalanche of interest from people all over the world.

Her cakelets, highly designed and decorated mini cakes sculpted into any shape imaginable – and then shrunk down to the size of a cupcake, have even garnered a cameo spot on the prime time TV show Ugly Betty.

“What makes them so special is their size and that you can customize them and make it special and personal,” says Eilert.

Amy’s culinary creations know only the bounds of her own imagination and the desires of the people who ask her to develop something new, special and unique.

For Halloween, tastes tend to turn to the dark and spooky.

For Christmas, the holiday spirit abounds with colorful visions of love, caring and sharing.

Her cakelets are designed to cater to anyone’s interests whether they are – be they sports minded or rabid readers.

She’s even made a cakelet which contained a proposal for marriage.

In 2009, Amy began teaching cakelet classes around the United States. In February, 2010, Amy travelled to Austin, TX to judge a baking competition alongside the best pastry chefs in the country at That Takes the Cake Cake Show and Competition.

Her innovative designs have recently earned Eilert a spot as a contestant on Season 8 of the Food Network’s Cake Challenge, where she will be the first contestant to introduce the concept of cakelets to the food network audience.

Her website contains dozens of photos of the cakes she has created.  Cakelets can be ordered online for delivery anywhere at www.cupcakeenvy.com

Onwer Amy Lee’s mom came here from Hong Kong when she was just 6 years old. She has spent most of her life in Alphabet City… but when it comes to the stomach satisfying stuff comin out of her kitchen… the Lee’s are cookin it old school.  The menu simple. Home cooked meals even your mom would approve.

Pork shrimp shitake, watercrest, noodles, homemade dumplings!! My stomach is growling just thinking about it. The home made wonton soup will cure whatever ails you….Plus youll love the prices. Just a few bucks a bowl.  And let me tell you my little foodies…you have to try the grilled shrimp with lemongrass inspired by her husbands vietnamese heritage….Grandma May’s incredible tangy chicken wings…the best ive ever tasted! Then there’s the miso glazed salmon served with white or brown rice….the shortribs …..spectacular……. Lobster mango fresh summer roll which thankfully they also serve in the winter!

@ locations, one in soho, the other in chelsea….click here for more info!

Technically it is in Amagansett, but who cares! If you are looking for the post beach party scene, Cyril’s is where it is at. And has been so since I was a co-ed crashing at my brother’s share house. It’s a mixture of the sea air, the outdoor beach bar, and the most infamous cocktail on the east coast. THE BBC: Baily’s banana colada. And as if it wasn’t boozey enough, topped with a rum floater. Everyone is a mess by 7pm. The food is supposedly good, too, but I don’t remember!

FYI: Cyril himself is one seriously professional party-er. He deserves it. After all, he has a purple heart.

If you are in Montauk YOU HAVE TO go to The Hideaway. An awesome Mexican restaurant tucked away in a tiny harbor. Family owned and operated, everything from the sopas to the pulled pork burritos are incredible and authentic. But be sure to order the corn and copious amounts of margaritas, natch! We shot a story here our first day and came back EVERY night …and then again for our Montauk wrap party! HOLLAH!

For all the official info on what is going on where, just hit the link below to Malaysian Kitchen For The World below…..Some of the city’s best joints are offering up really great Prix fix meals and other bargains…..so check it out ASAP! and get in on the deal!

Meaning bird’s nest, Sarang Burong references the aesthetic of this incredible dish made from taro, or sweet potato mash. It is formed into a crown-like shape and then deep fried and what emerges is truly spectacular! Topped with seafood, chicken and stir-fried veggies with fresh cashew nuts on top! OMG!!!

You will also want to try their famous dish called Penang Char Kway Teow, a rice noodle dish with shrimp, squid and egg that will only set you back 6 bucks in Elmhurst.

There are 8 Penang’s in the tri-state area so check website for a location near you!