Agua Dulce Agua Dulce serves “Pan-Latin cuisine incorporating an abundance of flavors from all Latin regions including the Caribbean, Central and South America”. I’m quoting this straight off of their website because recently there was a big hooplah about a scathing Time Out review questioning the “authenticity” of Agua Dulce’s food. Executive Chef Ulrich A….
Smorgas Chef This hidden gem recently appeared inside the contemporary art-filled Scandinavia House in Murray Hill. The bright, open, Ikea-ish space is filled with a kaleidoscope of colorful plastic chairs, flowers, lanterns, even a big white tree plunked right in the middle of the dining area. Fun, lively and festive year-round, it’s a go-to choice…
Capsouto Freres Thirty years ago three brothers opened a chic French bistro in some godforsaken area called TriBeCa and I’m happy to report that it’s still as popular as ever. We went on one of the coldest days of the year, when the last thing we wanted to do was shag all the way downtown,…
Now that we have the sleeping arrangements taken care of, who’s hungry? Here’s some of my fave eateries that you might like to try: Travertine, a smoldering, sensual, Italian/Med hot spot opened just two months ago in a surprisingly local (edge of the Bowery) but Top Chef alum, Manuel Trevino is already knocking them dead….
Hotel Plaza Athenee The posh European-style lobby sets the tone here, shimmering with crystal and marble and some amazing Louis XVI furniture. This oh-so-civilized East Side hotel is located on a dignified tree-lined side street surrounded by demure townhouses just a block from Central Park. It was in the midst of major renovation (the restaurant…
Mandarin Oriental This Five-Star Columbus Circle property combines the best West Side location in the Time Warner Center, with (Far) Eastern sensibilities. Elevators whisk you up to the 35th floor lobby (280 ft. above the masses) where you are welcomed by an inscrutable Buddha, an elegant Chihuly sculpture and a breathtaking view of Central Park….
The Kimberly Another East Side lovely, this European-style boutique hotel was also recently renovated resulting in homey, spacious suites (many are 650 sq. ft with high ceilings) with all sorts of thoughtful niceties. It feels very nesty, like you’re staying in a friend’s home (albeit one who married very well!). Sweet location just a few…
I usually try and go someplace exotic for the holidays…beaching it in Bali, shopping the Christmas markets of Prague, or catching the flip season in South America. But with all the airport hassles this year, not to mention a def downturn in my bank account I decided to stick closer to home this year, and…
Lake Quinault Lodge in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula invites locals and visitors to another installment of its popular Quinault Quintessentials, a culinary weekend featuring dishes inspired by the Pacific Northwest, where the food is a pretty as the view and you can work off the cals on a fascinating tour of the rainforest. What more could…
How many times have you wished you were ten pounds thinner, four inches taller, for an aisle seat in the emergency row or that the Louboutin stillettos are available in size 9? Some things are out of your control, but there are some wishes you can make come true–and that is helping to grant a…
If you want to have your jaw drop while ogling a 70-carat diamond owned by Elizabeth Taylor, or Princess Grace of Monaco’s royal wedding bling, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy this “Cartier and America” Exhibit by the “King of the Jewelers” for his beautifully crafted diamond and platinum jewelry at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor Museum….
Eating well at Round Hill One of the highlights of the trip was planning our day around the different meal options. It went something like this: before bed each night, Sis would fill out the printed breakfast order for the following morning, with our requests. Murmuring to herself, “Ackee (a tropical fruit) and Saltfish with…