When Neil Foster and his wife, Emma, created the Tri-State Restaurant Club, they were looking for new suggestions for their evenings out.
“We came home one evening from dinner, and she said I don’t know why we go to the same places all the time,” Foster said.
The East Hills couple soon created a small, private Facebook group for their friends and family to share their favorite go-to dinner spot or the newest eatery on the block.
More than two years later, the group has grown to more than 55,000 members and posts on average more than 700 times per day.
Foster has expanded the idea and on Monday rolled out the Foodie Card, a subscription card that gives members a 10 percent discount at participating restaurants while helping the less fortunate.
Foster said the card costs $29.99 per year, and the company will donate a day of meals to someone in need for every card purchased, which he said solidifies the mission to “dine out with a purpose.”
Foodie Card has partnered with nonprofits City Harvest and Island Harvest for the donations.
“We try to make it a win-win-win for everybody: a win for the charity, a win for the restaurants to drive business, and a win for people who purchase the card,” Foster said.
Currently, 100 restaurants have partnered with the Foodie Card, including Matteos of Roslyn, Union Prime Steak and Sushi in Great Neck, Sotto Luna in Roslyn Heights, Piccola Bussola in Mineola and Abeetza Pizza in Greenvale.
The card extends to restaurants in the five boroughs, such as Attic Roof Top Lounge on West 48th Street, Burger Village in Brooklyn as well as Great Neck and Coco and Cru on Broadway.
“The cornerstone of Foodie Card is our ability to help everybody — the people, the restaurants and the community,” Foster said. “Our goal is to provide incredible savings at incredible restaurants all while helping those in need.”
Jerry Sbarro, Rothmann’s Restaurant Group owner, said his restaurants have “always shared a rich sense of giving back, and it’s with that mindset that we’re proud to participate in Foodie Card.”
