Food

I have been to UN Plaza Grill a few times in the past for press events including high end fragrance launches but I never got to sit down for a real meal at this classy kosher eatery until recently. To say I was pleasantly surprised was an understatement. My foodie pal Gail and I enjoyed several of the menu's staples…read more

I recently decided to create the perfect Sunday afternoon by visiting a few Bronx Little Italy establishments--all within a two minute walk from each other on the legendary Arthur Avenue! Each has something different to offer but all have one thing in common--they serve authentic Southern Italian food items! My secret is to take things from local stores and bakeries…read more

I recently headed over to Ichiran for the first time and I have to say that it was something new and completely different in Japanese dining. It has a great location very close to the N/R train at 49th and Broadway and it is getting to be so popular that they had to set up stanchions outside that are there…read more

I have been a longtime fan of Lady M and there is no cake I would rather eat on Valentine's Day than one of their many kinds of 20-layer Mille Crepes cakes. But wait, they also have a phenomenal Strawberry Shortcake that will really have you reeling! I am going to have some of that on Valentine's Day with a…read more

I was so excited to get invited to visit Madam Ji which has some of the greatest New York Restaurant Week deals for both lunch and dinner as we go to press (but just so you know they always have an awesome $14.95 lunch deal that is arguably the most generous deal in any Indian eatery in all of NYC)!…read more

Sei Less recently opened in the old Jimmy's 38 space on West 38th Street and it has an unusual vibe--it successfully mixes dimly lit Asian themed decor with a comfortable yet chic after work lounge. In the center of the main dining room is a super long bar that seemed to be really hopping during my visit. Although Sei Less…read more

I recently visited the Chateau de Chantilly Cafe in Chantilly, VA upon the recommendation of a friend who said it was "super cute" and had the "biggest amount of pastries you will ever see in one place"! Upon entering this vibrant loft-like space, I immediately agreed with her remarks! All sorts of pastry counters and cases are arranged neatly in…read more

Sapphire Cuisines Of India at 2014 Broadway is a bit of an Upper West Side legend. At Sapphire's previous location near the Time Warner Center (which they left in 2019), they became famous for having the best Indian lunch buffet in the city. Their new location is quaint and cozy and is inside a well-kept prewar building but there is…read more

These are my top food picks for Holiday 2021. They make great gifts but also are well worth investing in for your own personal use! I am throwing in my favorite vitamin and supplement company at the end because it is always important to get supplemental nutrition (especially when you are binge eating sugars and fats around the holidays)! Omaha…read more

Authentic deli food has become a lost art--especially in Manhattan when only 25 years ago, there was an old school delicatessen type resto every three blocks. PJ Bernstein is a survivor, thanks to keeping their quality consistent for decades, being in the center of the Upper East Side in terms of location, friendly service a family atmosphere. Oops, I almost…read more

If you must invest in one foodie event for the year, I strongly recommend going to at least one of the two days of the annual Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine And Food Festival Presented By Capital One on Saturday (10/16) and Sunday (10/17). No where else can you try such a diversity of cuisines and…read more

I was thrilled to be able to visit Tasca at 505 Columbus Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets on the Upper West Side recently when I heard that it blends traditional Spanish cuisine with the Latin flavors of the Caribbean--and then puts a Modern American twist on everything. I kind of consider this place a "one stop shop" for the…read more

I had a rockin’ good time at the American Express Gold Card Pop-Up Diner which was in Williamsburg for three unforgettable days. Co-presented by reservation app Resy, the Amex Pop-Up Diner took place at 15 River Street in an empty lot directly across from the legendary Domino Park. While the oldies blasted, 75 privileged Gold Card members lucky enough to…read more

If you think that all the Cheesecake Factor has to offer is a huge variety of cheesecake, well, it has so much more! After visiting The Cheesecake Factory in my original hometown of Wayne, NJ, I have decided that it is an ultimate comfort food destination. Just because it is a chain restaurant, don’t disqualify it for authentic rib-sticking food…read more

I was excited to be invited to a “Christmas In July” virtual wine tasting featuring Mollie Battenhouse, MW, National Director of Wine Education at Jackson Family Wines (a legendary name in wines). Battenhouse walked us through the highly anticipated Spire Collection for holiday gift giving. As it says on www.spirecollection.com’s home page, “The Spire Collection is the pinnacle of the…read more

Omaha Steaks has always been a Father’s Day favorite brand. And OS is not just about fine steaks these days—there are numerous seafood and vegetarian dishes that are “heat and eat” but they taste fresh from the sea or farm. Private Reserve Strip Steak with Steakhouse Fries I recently tried the Private Reserve Strip Steaks which are particularly stellar. They…read more

Arguably, the most authentic Italian-American neighborhood in the country is The Bronx’s famous Arthur Avenue neighborhood. There are many speciality stores and restaurants that have been owned by the same families for over 100 years. Many of us do not live in close proximity to The Bronx so the way to bring the flavors of Arthur Avenue home is to…read more

I love Indian food so when I heard that there are restaurant quality Indian entrees and sides in the refrigerator case of my local market or on Amazon Fresh, I quickly ordered six entrees for myself. The name of the company who makes these is Cafe Spice and they have one numerous awards for their dishes including the prestigious SOFI…read more

I was so excited to participate in the online press launch party for Our Kitchen, an Asian-inspired food delivery service that is not just farm to table—the owner and executive chef Paulo Wei owns a farm in Jervis, NY where all the produce for his delicious dishes is grown! Even better, he welcomes guests to come dine up there and…read more

What is my top choice for a great, classically romantic Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) Day? It is Capital Grille—because I love nothing better than a super consistent steakhouse with white glove service and Capital Grille is just that.They not only have my very favorite grilled filet mignon (in a generous 10 ounce portion) always done to the exact temperature that I…read more

I make about four pilgrimages to the Bronx's Little Italy which is on and around Arthur Avenue in the Belmont section because besides counting on a very solid Southern Italian meal of very high quality and shareable size portions, it's tons of fun to visit the old school speciality food stores in the neighborhood. The super "must shop" spots for…read more

I was thrilled to be able to visit the much-talked-about Red Peony Restaurant last week--I love its unique decor that kind of mixes Old Shanghai circa 1910 with what I could only call "urban chic." There is a lively atmosphere and you can see people from all walks of life sharing the large plates of food served family style. But…read more