By now, you’ve probably come across some of our favorite deal sites - ScoopSt, Dealist and Groupon.  Well, get ready for a new site to join the mix - InBundles.  Unlike some of these other sites that feature shopping and exercise deals (Seriously? Me taking pilates?) InBundles only focuses on food and drink - now we’re totally speaking my language.  According to the Web site, InBundles offers steeply discounted gift certificates to restaurants, bars, specialty food stores, wine shops and food events.

The site is set to launch end of the month and if you sign up now, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win $500 in gift certificates to InBundles.  More details about the contest can be found here.  Here’s hoping an 89th and Broke reader wins!

Last week we wrote about ScoopSt’s Taste of 7th Street event. This event was held on Saturday and Sunday, and New Yorkers lined up at different restaurants to try everything from cupcakes to smoothies to pork at five different restaurants.

Caryn (her thoughts are in italics) and I checked it out on Sunday, and we heard it was not nearly as crowded as Saturday. Luckily, the weather was fairly nice, so the time we spent waiting in line wasn’t unbearable. For those of you who were wondering how this event was run, ScoopSt provided us with a coupon that we stamped at each location. Each restaurant then crossed your name off a list to ensure there were no duplicates. This also allowed patrons to go to a few restaurants earlier in the day and come back at night, or break up the tour into two days.

I honestly thought the portions would be huge, and I’m not kidding, but I packed tupperware in my bag, and Caryn even packed some Ziplock bags. But we were able to eat most of it without feeling too sick, only taking home dessert and a pork roll. So I guess that means if ScoopSt were to ever run this event on another street, you don’t need to pack five tupperware containers in your purse - one or two will suffice.

Here are our thoughts on the restaurants that participated in the event:

• Caracas Arepa Bar - Here we got an Arepa De Pabellón, which is a sandwich. The bread is corn bread, and this particular arepa had sweet platains, salty white cheese, black beans and shredded beef. It was served warm and was absolutely delicious. It was a great combination of sweet and savory, and we were able to have a full serving at the event which is a major plus from us deal hunters.  We ate at the takeout location, so it’s tiny, but a nice place to grab a quick bite to eat if in the East Village with friends. This was my favorite by far. It had the most unique flavor and it was so satisfying. Warm, a little gooey, salty, meaty, deliciousness. I cannot wait to come back and try other arepas. That is, of course, if I can convince myself to NOT order the De Pabellon again, which was simply outstanding.
• Luke’s Lobster - My former roommate and I wanted to go here forever, but so glad we didn’t.  The snack sized lobster roll was so small - think half a hot dog bun - and is normally priced at $8.  I also like my lobster rolls hot, not cold, with butter oozing on it instead of what felt like mayo. I’m actually on the other end of the spectrum with my lobster rolls. I like them cold and preferably without too much butter (or mayo for that matter…I think the lobster should speak for itself), but to me, the temperature and lack of butter had nothing to do with it. Maybe it was the time of year, but the lobster didn’t have the sweetness that I expect with quality lobster meat and again, the portion size was a joke. I felt like I was having some sort of tea party with 5 year olds and some stuffed animals. Who would pay $8 for that size?
• Porchetta - Clearly I didn’t do much research because I thought this pork sandwich was going to be barbecue pulled pork, but actually a porchetta sandwich is seasoned pork with crispy skin and lots of herbs.  I found this sandwich to be good, but a little disappointed in the portion - it was like the size of a roll you have on Thanksgiving dinner. The location was also very small and cramped, so I’d think of it as a to-go place if you were looking to stop by. I really didn’t like this. I know, this is gross, but it sort of reminded me of what regurgitated pork may taste like. I couldn’t figure out the form - it was more a mound of mashed up pork rather than a piece of meat. I don’t know what the issue was exactly, but it just didn’t jive well with me.
• Butter Lane Cupcakes - Wow Butter Lane. You may be one of my favorite cupcake locations now in the city. Delicious chocolate and vanilla frosting cupcake, and kudos to letting me have any (two) cupcakes on the menu.  I’m looking forward to my banana and coconut frosting cupcake I’ve stored away. That’s sweet, Laura. You have self control. I on the other hand ate both last night and loved them. Agreed, this is one of the better cupcake spots in the city and I look forward to returning. This is why I love events like these, it introduces me to places I’ve been wanting to try or never heard of, and now I’m a big fan! I had the vanilla with coconut frosting and chocolate with espresso frosting and both were amazing!

Xoom - Xoom gave us 24oz Fruit Smoothies. I thought the staff was very friendly and they were happy to share their recommendations with myself and Caryn. I went with the Blackberry Smoothie and thought it was good, a little tart, but I had no problem slurping it down on the walk home. Thought it could have been sweeter, but then I guess it wouldn’t be healthy. I had the Protein Shake because the ingredients appealed to me - strawberries, blueberries, bananas, agave nectar, soy milk, etc., but it came out looking like a purple Jolly Rancher and oddly the most powerful flavor was the soy milk. I’m mixed.

Looking to order pizza or pasta sometime this week?  Check out this deal at Patsy’s.  Patsy’s is offering 25% off your first online order at the restaurant, by using the code MSMPatsy.  The code is only one per user, does not apply to catering and applies to online orders only.

Wondering where there is a Patsy’s near you?  There are several around the city, in the following neighborhoods:

• Chelsea
• Upper East Side
• East Village
• Murray Hill
• Midtown East

Want to warm up this weekend?  Check out Chocolate Bar in the West Village on Sundays (on 8th Ave between Jane and West 12th St).  Every Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. til 9 p.m., hot chocolates are buy one get one small hot chocolate free.  The beverage isn’t your typical Swiss Miss - flavors include classic, spicy, peppermint, coconut, hazelnut, caramel, raspberry and white.  For my lactose intolerant friends (Doug), these hot chocolates can also be made with soy.

This deal is good until Spring  - and hopefully you won’t need hot chocolate then!

Looking for something to do Friday night after work?   Check out this party at Butterfield 8 on Friday.  In honor of the restaurant’s 4 year anniversary, there will be a full open bar and passed appetizers from 6-7 p.m. and 10-11 p.m. In order to take advantage of this party for free, you must RSVP here.

Guest Post by Jenni Maier, Editor of the Post Grad Blog

Every once in awhile I find such a great deal that I feel the need to share it with everyone. I recently discovered Common Ground Bar in the East Village. The cozy and somewhat dark bar offers such a phenomenal happy hour special that you’ll leave drunk and full. I’m not sure how much mixed drinks were, but I do know that I spent the night drinking $2 Miller Lites. $10 for five beers isn’t too bad. (Editor’s note - Cosmos and Apple Martini’s are $5).

Not only are the drinks cheap, but the appetizers are 2 for 1. And it’s not a typical pub grub menu of greasy nachos and messy wings. It’s a classy menu where everything runs from about $6 to $10 dollars. My 3 friends and I shared brie cheese with apricot chutney, a goat cheese and artichoke panini, dates wrapped in bacon, and a hummus platter. Everything was delicious and I would definitely come back again just for the food. My only complaint was the slow service — but in a crowded bar, I guess that’s somewhat expected.

But that’s not all! It’s a chill bar with a laid back crowd which is exactly what I want after a long day of work. No one cares what anyone is wearing and you won’t feel out of place being in a business suit or sweats. And if you’re craving a little additional entertainment, boardgames are scattered throughout the bar.

I love pancakes. Well to take a step back, the truth is that I love carbs in every variety. But pancakes hold a special place in my heart and stomach, particularly when they’re from IHOP (I hear you calling my name you delicious Harvest Grain and Nut pancakes). That’s why I’m so excited about today’s National Pancake Day at IHOP – every patron gets a free short stack (three) of buttermilk pancakes between 7 am and 10 pm. I wonder if I could return at various points in the day to continue receiving free pancakes…

Anyway, all they ask is that you donate to the Children’s Miracle Network. Look at you! You’re not cheap; you just like to donate to charities while eating a good meal! If three pancakes isn’t enough to satiate you (and who can blame you?), then consider their unlimited pancake deal going on for $5. That’s right, you can eat your way through countless pancakes for only $5! And if you’d like to really do your body good, definitely order the onion rings on the side – they’re amaaaazing. Unfortunately there aren’t any IHOP’s in Manhattan, but it’s worth a quick trip to the boroughs for this tasty and free treat. For locations near you, check this link.

Guest Post by Jenni Maier, Editor of the Post Grad Blog

Photo courtesy of Yelp

There is no better deal in the city than 99 Cent Fresh Pizza (43rd btw Lex and 3rd) — especially when you’re drunk. The pizza is good, the slices are big, and the service is fast.  They’re open 24 hours a day which is great for drunk munchies (and horrible for my body shape).

It’s a tiny hole in the wall around the corner from Grand Central that is always filled with people. Unfortunately, the combination of people and the tiny space creates a claustrophobic atmosphere. There’s no place to sit so people usually stay inside and eat their pizza standing up.

If you’re looking for a full meal, check out their specials. It’s $2.50 for 2 slices of pizza and a soda and $8.00 for an entire pizza pie. They do have limited toppings, but once you start adding those on, it’s no longer 99 cent pizza.

Please note that with tax it’s actually $1.07. I guess calling the place $1.07 Fresh Pizza doesn’t have quite the same ring.

So in case you didn’t know, Professor Thom’s has been closed since the beginning of February. I had some very disappointed friends who dressed up for their Lost trivia the night before the big season premiere only to learn upon arrival that it was closed temporarily (perhaps one member of said group was a tad embarrassed as well since she was wearing white jeans, a white shirt and a polar bear hat…if you like Lost and are interested in the thoughts of such a devoted fan, check out McKenna’s blog here).

I digress…the point is that A) yes, they’re open again, and B) more importantly, they’re having a bunch of specials this week to kick off their rebirth, if you will.

• Monday: Lobster Mondays (not sure what that is and I can’t find info on it on the site) plus an all-day/all-night happy hour!
• Tuesday: Trivia is back and sponsored by Union Beer Distributors, which means that all Union products like Smuttynose,  Ommegang, and Sierra Nevada will be $2 off.
• Wednesday: Bingo is back, complete with $1 sliders and Heineken and Amstel specials all night.
• Thursday: Harpoon Brewery will be on hand giving out some freebies (details unknown) and specials on their beers.

Added bonus: their happy hour will be extended an extra hour (until 8 pm) all week…so drink up!

Nothing is better than a good diner, except a diner meal at a discounted price.  For the next two weeks, Big Daddy’s is offering 25% off first time online orders.  Big Daddy’s has locations in Gramercy and the Upper East Side. To get your discount, use the code MSMBIGDADDY at checkout and keep in mind this expires on 3/8.  The code is only one per user, does not apply to catering and applies to online orders only.

Prefer something else for lunch, but would also like a discount?  Check out these online savings at Mooncake Foods and Blockheads, Mother Burger and Benny’s Burritos.