Enjoy Free Gourmet Treats from TableHoppingNY!

TableHoppingNY is a company that partners with restaurants throughout New York to connect customers with culinary experiences in the city. It is a great resource to find restaurants, bars, and events according to your specific tastes and neighborhood. As an added perk, members of TableHopping's mailing list regularly receive exclusive offers for free treats. Registration is easy and, of course, free! Simply fill out their registration form (click here) and you'll begin receiving emails with their exclusive offers. Once you are notified of an offer, simply confirm receipt of the email and they will send you a second email with a confirmation number to show the restaurant when you redeem the offer. Over the past three months, I've received offers for a personal chicken pot pie from Tuckshop, a cupcake from Billy's Bakery, an ice cream sandwich from Melt Bakery, and an order of Pommes Frites among other things. Most of the offers are valid for a limited time so be sure to redeem them promptly after receiving the email. What could be better than opening you're email just to find out that there's a free ice cream sandwich waiting for you just down the street!

Free "Skinny Slice" at Sbarro

For all you health freaks and pizza lovers (can you be both?) tomorrow's your lucky day. Sbarro is handing out free slices of their new "Skinny Slice." Advertised as being only 271 calories, each slice is topped with portobella mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted red and green peppers, and soft mozzarella cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. All you have to do is like Sbarro on Facebook and print the coupon. Not all Sbarro locations are participating in the giveaway but there are still several in NYC who will be handing them out. Check out the list below to see where you can get your free slice.

In Manhattan...

• 34th Street
• 5th Avenue And 46th St
• 33rd And 7^th
• 701 7th Avenue
• 49th And Broadway

And for you outer-borough folks...

• Kings Plaza Mall
• Staten Island Mall

I'll be dreaming of the cheesy goodness tonight! 

How to Spend Your Birthday When Broke In NYC

As my 20th birthday approached, I started to feel a sense of dread. Not only because I was relinquishing my teendom but also because I couldn't afford to throw a big party or even go out to dinner with friends. So how's a broke girl supposed to celebrate her birthday in style? By stocking up on birthday freebies of course! And New York City abounds in them.

I did a little research and found this website.: http://www.freebie-depot.com/birthday-freebie-list/
It lists hundreds of freebies you can get from various restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues on your birthday. It's an exhaustive list but I weeded through them until I found a few gems.

Some of the best for New Yorkers are...

• Au Bon Pain- which offers a free sandwich or salad during your birthday week
• Moe's Southwest Grill- I picked up a free burrito at their Penn Station location
• Sprinkles- who entitles you to a free cupcake of your choosing on your birthday. Combine that with their whisper word promotion and you'll get two free cupcakes!
• Rita's Ices- a free ice during your birthday week

And lastly, Big Daddy's Diner who will comp your meal on your birthday. With dishes on their menu like oreo pancakes and a burger stuffed with mac and cheese, it's the perfect place to indulge on your birthday. I went to their Gramercy Park location and special ordered their bran pancakes with chocolate chunks. My date (okay it was my dad who had spent the day helping me move into my new apartment) got the Grand Daddy Burger. The service was phenomenal and the atmosphere great!

When all was said and done, I was a happy (and stuffed!) birthday girl without spending a dime.