Lifestyle

    I have been lucky enough to taste many of the food wonders of New York City and beyond, and here are some of my favorite holiday foods and food places. I admit it, most are totally fabulous all year round! I have a wicked sweet tooth and I was so excited to be part of the legendary fifth…read more

Clinique's A Case Of The Pretties has some of the greatest eye, cheek and lip colors we have come across all year. You can purchase it for only $29.50 at Bloomingdale's plus get the fantastic gift with purchase they are now offering that includes a small bottle of their famous Happy fragrance and a great new deep plum matte lipstick.…read more

I recently visited legendary Russian jewelry design Alex Soldier's studio in the garment district of Manhattan. My eyes lit up upon entering the clean and chic space filled with display cases of not only his fabulous precious and semi-precious jewelry currently for sale in luxe stores like Neiman's and Bergdorf's, but real gold and gemstone awards he created for the…read more

I recently sauntered on down to Semsom at 2 Astor Place, to the immediate left of the legendary Astor Place Haircutters, an East Village mainstay for 40-something years. It took the place of the Financier Patisserie that use to be on this loft-like ground level spot. Semsom is not your typical "run in and grab a bite" fast food place. The…read more

I love the highly original concept of Maroni's Hot Pots--you can take out or get delivery of gorgeous red ceramic pots full of classic Italian food to serve one to six people. But as of January 2016, you can eat in as well. They have an intimate dining room at their location at 303 East 77th Street in Manhattan that seats…read more

Right in the heart of midtown--First Avenue between 57th and 58th Streets to be exact--is Hummus 21, a Kosher Middle Eastern restaurant that provides super-fresh homemade classics like Hummus (of course), Babaganush, Mediterranean grape leaves and my personal favorite, Bureka, a baked puffed pastry stuffed with wild mushrooms and potatoes. Should you go here, I strongly suggest starting your dinner off…read more

Where can you find the best guacamole in New York City? That's a question often posed between NYC Mexican food maniacs. I think I have found it at Fonda at 40 Avenue B between 3rd and 4th Street (there are also Chelsea and Brooklyn locations to try, BTW)! There is a lot of cilantro and the juiciest chunks of fresh…read more

Last night I had the pleasure of eating at the one-year-old Upper West Side Indian resto called Saffron. The prices were incredibly reasonable and they offer a $15 lunch buffet special on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 to 3:30 that is a delight to both the nose and the palate ($9 lunch specials are offered the rest of the…read more

It's certainly funny to think that a place named Uncle Sam's exists in Beijing--and that they give American burgers a run for their money. Featuring the legendary Pat LaFrieda Meats--which are usually found only in NYC's priciest steakhouses--you'll want to eat two or three of these 4 ounce burgers with unique trimmings and flavors everyday. Uncle Sam's just opened up…read more

I was lucky enough to meet with the First Lady Of The JPT (Juicy Page Turner) for a special bloggers tea at the lovely and legendary Hotel Plaza Athenee last week. Ms. Collins was celebrating the release of her latest novel, The Santangelos--featuring Lucky Santangelo, her most popular and enduring character who was introduced to her diehard readers way back…read more