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Hailing from Mexico City, Hector Cruz began working for Jocque Concepts in 2008 and now serves as the company’s executive chef, overseeing Chop Shop, Diego Pops, The Montauk, The Hot Chick and Eat Up Drive In. While he doesn’t get to do much cooking these days, he creates new menu items and makes sure that all concepts are up and running.  How does he keep track of all those formats?  “I have a person in...

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THE SCENE Like any The Real Housewives of New York City fan worth the salt on her Skinnygirl Margarita, I have a bit of an obsession with the Hamptons. I live for Ramona’s volcanic dinner parties (and questionable design choices), Luann’s out-of-touch pizza order (“Mrs. de Lesseps… The Countess!”), Sonja’s kooky jitney bathroom rituals, Bethenny’s avoidance of guests at her own home, high-stakes brunch battles and, of course, Barbara’s clambake, complete with doggie bags full of lobsters.   Alas, I am but a desert girl in an average tax bracket, so I figured my Hamptons enjoyment would remain vicarious unless I somehow befriended a celeb –...

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Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate side dish, but the creamy comfort food classic isn’t an afterthought at these Valley dining establishments – it’s the main event! Make it a meal at these seven local eateries. Pizza People Pub The mac and cheese at this charming gastropub made the cover of our November 2019 issue simply because it looks as good as it tastes! Pizza People offers 10 variations of the baked mac including spicy...