Lifestyle

Bedford & Co: Midtown Gets Arty (And World-Class Modern American Grub)!

December 19, 2017

I first discovered Bedford & Co. quite accidentally when I got invited to the Historic Hotels Of America press luncheon there. Inside the historic Hotel Renwick at 118 East 40th Street--which is a member of the Hilton Curios Group and once home to F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck and other famous writers--this dimly lit restaurant has a loft look with…read more

Tartina: Stellar Southern Italian On The Upper West Side!

December 12, 2017

Tartina recently moved from Ninth Avenue between 45th and 46th Streets to the NW corner of 111th Street and Amsterdam Avenue and has garnered many new fans along the way. Prices are excellent for modern Southern Italian fare that is all made from scratch--that includes homemade pasta and desserts. All produce is organic and all meat, fish and cheeses used…read more

A Visit To Life Cafe At Life Time Athletic Club: Health And Deliciousness Come Together Very “Smoothie-ly”!

December 10, 2017

My recent visit to Life Cafe inside Life Time Athletic in the Sky building at 605 West 42nd Street was quite eye-opening--and not just because their Almond Butter Smoothie gave me a jolt of energy, LOL! The only other time I have seen a healthy food cafe of any sort in a Manhattan health club before was at Premier 57…read more

Le Marais: A Steakhouse With A Bit Of French Flavor!

December 8, 2017

I fell in love with Le Marais at 150 West 46th the minute I walked inside. I love that 100-year-old tiled floors in the bar area and the beautifully worn wooden floors of the dining room. The high ceilings and retro light fixtures give you a warm, cozy feeling that you have been there before and you know that over…read more

La Pulperia: Latin Fusion That Will Spice Up Your Life!

December 7, 2017

It is hard not to adore La Pulperia's Upper East Side location at 1626 Second Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets on the former site of Notte. It is a dimly lit, very open space that is warm and inviting with repurposed Brazilian wood floors and complete with an artisanal bar and ace mixologist. It also happens to have the…read more

Holiday Gift Guide 2017! Things Big, Small & In Between!

December 2, 2017

I recently went to an editor's holiday showcase at the Hilton given by Advance Public Relations and I encountered Gettysburg Coffee for the first time. The people at the booth gave me a whiff of a few different types but I fell in love with a particularly bold blend called The General. It has hints of caramel, mocha and vanilla…read more

Check Out The New Sharper Image Pop Up Store at 4 Times Square!

November 10, 2017

Just in time for the holidays comes the Sharper Image popup store at 4 Times Square which is really the northeast corner of 42nd and Seventh. I appreciate the fact that this is a huge airy double story tour with a lot of room for shopping and playing. They encourage shoppers to use the sample remote control toys which they…read more

Treadwell Park: Great Casual Eats And Artisanal Beer On The Upper East Side

October 28, 2017

Treadwell Park (at 1125 First Avenue on the southwest corner of 62nd Street) brings in a youthful crowd who enjoy a non-rushed atmosphere where you can sit at wooden benches and play board games, Foosball, pinball or ping pong while they eat and drink. The former site of the Neeley’s BBQ restaurant, the space is huge and loft-like with wood…read more

Fork Monkey’s Chelsea Market Tours Rock!

October 24, 2017

Fork Monkey currently has a Chelsea Market tour that is provided by one of the co-founders, Marta Wolaver, and is available to non-members for $69 for two guests (and free to members!). Called Secret Treats of Chelsea Market--From Savory Bites to Sweet Delights, you not only get an expertly guided tour of the legendary market but get to share four…read more

The Leopard At Des Artistes: New York’s Most Romantic Brunch!

October 23, 2017

I am a huge fan of The Leopard At Des Artistes so I recently had to go check out their widely heralded jazz brunch for myself. The live musicianship is top notch but it takes a back seat to the the very special items on the menu and the stunning nude murals painted way back in the late 20s and…read more

Lavatera: Brooklyn’s Best “Fast ‘N Fresh” Bistro!

October 19, 2017

I recently visited Lavatera Mediterranean Bistro at 88 Livingston Street in Brooklyn Heights and was floored by all the fast and fresh offerings. The prices are low, too—you can get a giant salad with many toppings of your choice for only around $10 and all sides are $4! The principal behind Lavatera is simple—you walk to the front where about…read more

The ShopRite Grand Tasting: Gluttony For A Good Cause!

October 16, 2017

The last two days of every New York City Wine & Food Festival features 130,000 square feet of good taste called The ShopRite Grand Tasting and is worth the $185 per ticket because it allows guests to: 1)Taste delicious bites from the best restaurants in NYC and beyond 2) Sample the best of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits’ portfolio 3)…read more

T-BAR: The Upper East Side’s Best Steakhouse Has More Than Just Steaks!

October 11, 2017

I love T-Bar at 1278 Third Avenue (which is only a few blocks from my apartment)--it is my favorite neighborhood steakhouse and a place you can count on consistently great food. In its former incarnation as The Lenox Room (with the same owners) it tended to be more formal, while now it has the airiness of a downtown dining room.…read more

Jung Lee NY: Yes, It’s My Favorite Table Top/Home Accessories Store!

October 9, 2017

I have ventured into the Jung Lee store several times in the past year just because it is a wonderland of chic table top items from around the world. Lee herself wonders the globe on fabulous buying excursions for the store and I recently got a tour of items that are being suggested for holiday gifting. If I had a…read more

Skura Style: Turning Sponges Into An Art Form!

October 9, 2017

As a longtime journalist, I have never written about sponges and there is a first time for everything. The owners of the highly innovative sponge subscription service called Skura Style recently through a press bash in the magnificent Upper East Side townhouse of MSNBC TV personality Donny Deutsch—which resembles a giant four floor art gallery. Deutsch’s walls are covered with…read more

Gruppo Italiano Goes To Il Gattopardo!

October 9, 2017

Gruppo Italiano is a wonderful organization that introduces foodies and “winies” to new products headed over to the US for consumption and guests always get to “meet the makers.” I recently attended one of their events at Il Gattopardo simply called “Taste Of Europe” and was excited to try all sorts of new wines but being a foodie, I was…read more

Jelly Belly: You Bet Your Beans That They’re As Delish And As Fun As Ever!

September 6, 2017

I have had an obsession with Jelly Belly for over 30 years now and have always been intrigued how (unlike most other brands of jelly beans) they are not overly sweet or possessing of that rough, sugary outer shell that puts the kibosh on me trying other brands! I have these every Easter and I am impressed with the hundreds…read more

Chowing Down On The Carnival Sunshine (And Lovin’ The Wow Factor)!

August 30, 2017

I was lucky enough to be invited to a press luncheon for 35 journalists on the Carnival Cruise Lines' Sunshine when it was docked at the Carnival Terminal on the West Side recently. I have not been on a Carnival ship in over five years, so I was thrilled to take in all the sites on a private tour before…read more

Cucina & Amore’s Quinoa Meals On The Go: I’ll Be Back For More!

August 15, 2017

Which food vendor at the recent press event called Snack Attack wowed me the most? It was none other than Cucina & Amore's quinoa meals on the go. Quinoa has gotten a rep for being boring but trust me that these mix and eat meals are anything but! The quinoa is cooked to perfection and placed in a sealed plastic…read more

Chefs & Champagne 2017: The Hamptons’ Ultimate Foodie Event Only Gets Better

August 13, 2017

I was lucky enough to attend the 27th Annual James Beard Foundation's Annual Chefs & Champagne event at the Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack on July 29th. Legendary James Beard Foundation Award–winning chef, author and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson was toasted by more than 1,000 guests, who grazed from table to table of 35 NYC area chefs' greatest creations--many which were…read more

Super Saturday 2017: I Shopped (And Ate) ‘Til I Dropped

August 13, 2017

I love Super Saturday. I am not a Hamptonite per se but this highly-publicized event is always a favorite of mine since I love luxury shopping at a discount (and that is something that is hard to come by unless you enjoy perusing the racks at consignment shops). At Super Saturday, which benefits ovarian cancer research, the best of the…read more

Jill Zarin’s Luxury Ladies Lunch 2017: Still One Of The Hamptons’ Stellar Events

August 13, 2017

Why do I enjoy going to Jill Zarin's Luxury LadiesLunch every year? Besides the proceeds going to thyroid cancer research (a subject that has really hit home for Jill and her longtime husband, fabric king Bobby Zarin, who Skyped in from his hospital bed to great guests), the event gives guests the opportunity to network with experts in beauty, fashion…read more

BFLORAL: New York’s Most Original Florist Teaches A Few Tricks To Bloggers!

August 8, 2017

I was lucky enough to attend BFloral's Summer Media Event on Saks Fifth Avenue's 2nd Floor--which is now set up with all sorts of mini boutiques arranged in a circle! I have not had much experience attending floral events although it has been a trend at press events to let guests create their own bouquets. The folks at BFloral along…read more

Circle Line: The Way To Rock On The River With Specially Themed Cruises!

July 29, 2017

There is magic on Pier 83 (42nd Street and 12th Avenue)--and we are not just talking about the legendary daily harbor cruises with the classic Circle Line. These days, The Circle Line has special Happy Hour cruises with a special theme each week. I was lucky enough to go on the BBQ & Brews Happy Hour cruise recently and fell…read more

The Family That Crafts Together, Stays Together! A Look At The New Crafting Paints By Martha Stewart For Michael’s!

July 5, 2017

I recently went to the press launch party for the expanded new line of craft paints by Martha Stewart for Michael's and was amazed at all the different types. What was I most impressed with (besides the house exterior made of bottles of paint for Martha Stewart herself to pose in front of)? All I could do with the paints,…read more

SUMMER FANCY FOOD SHOW 2017: I Tried New Things As Well As My Old Favorites

July 2, 2017

It's no secret that the first Fancy Foods Show booth that I go to is Bongiovi Brands! I love to chat with Jon Biongiovi, Sr. and his sons Anthony and Matthew about everything that's new as well as "classic" in their line. They are really going to start a thing with their new Classic Curry tomato sauce which really has…read more

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