Lifestyle | Luxe Life NYC

Bettola: An Upper West Side Progressive Italian That Will Have You Coming Back For More

December 20, 2016

I really enjoyed my recent trip to Bettola--while it does not quite count as a new eaterie (it has been in business 12 years), it came under new management and got a new chef back in May 2016...and he is not your usual kind of chef. Vlado Kolenic was a huge rock star in Czechoslavakia who defected to the US in…read more

Lifestyle

Holiday Kids’ Gift Picks Under 80 Bucks!

December 13, 2016

Never Have I Ever is my favorite game of the past year--I won't mince words. While it tends to be for older kids due to some slightly adult subject matter (I would say it is for teens and adults), it is one of those games that you can't stop playing, like charades. The game is a card version of Truth Or…read more

Lifestyle

Karine & Jeff: The Best Organic French Cuisine For When You’re In A Hurry!

November 28, 2016

The famous chefs' saying is that authentic French cuisine cannot be made in the hurry--so why not let Karine & Jeff serve it to you in a glass jar or bottle and you just heat it up. I was lucky to meet their team at the French Food Week press preview at Fairway last month, and I was so impressed--their products…read more

Lifestyle

Lala Sahab: Marvelously Modern Indian In A Simple Yet Elegant Setting!

November 15, 2016

I fell in love with Lala Sahab at 489 Columbus Avenue (between 83rd an 84th Streets) the minute I walked through the doors. It has a loft-life feel as it is one very long L-shaped room with simple modern decor. While the cuisine is officially dubbed "Modern Indian" by the owners, all the classics are here. I started out with…read more

Lifestyle

I Fell In Love With The Moto Z And Now I Can Kiss My Old BlackBerry Goodbye!

November 14, 2016

People have been laughing at me for not giving up my BlackBerry, which as you know, except the Priv cannot take on any of the Android apps that you really need. I was hooked on the Qwerty keypad and could not make the adjustment to any of the latest smartphones, so I carried around both a BlackBerry Q10 for typing…read more

Lifestyle

Taittinger’s (Very) Early Winter Holiday Press Party Rocked

October 28, 2016

Taittinger Champagne is a classic that most people cannot picture the winter holidays without. I was lucky enough to attend a recent (early August) press event called The Art Of Celebrating The Holidays in a gorgeous townhouse in Gramercy Park that including being able to taste all their popular products including the runaway hit Prestige Rose with its lively flavor…read more

Lifestyle

Desi Galli: Taking Over The East Village With A Punjabi Punch

October 28, 2016

I recently visited Desi Galli at Avenue B and Tenth Street--this is a second location as they have already caused a big commotion at their Curry Hill spot. They have many classic Indian dishes but they bring the best of the Punjabi/gastropub movement that is so popular in London right to the East Village. (Some people also compare their cuisine…read more

Lifestyle

Nuts For Nambe: Blending Modernism With Classicism For A Real Wow Factor!

October 19, 2016

I was recently introduced to Name Jewelry via a blogger's event to announce that Macy's will be the one department store exclusively carrying this stunning handmade line by veteran jewelry designer Carolyn Pollack. Many Macy's bigwigs were there to meet and greet with bloggers and Carolyn herself on a step and repeat and everyone at the event got to peruse…read more

Lifestyle

La Chine: The Waldorf Astoria’s Latest Eaterie Is A Real Gem

September 28, 2016

I was lucky enough to attend the opening celebration for La Chine, a gorgeous modern gem of a restaurant located on the Waldorf's lower level. As expected at such a legendary hotel, La Chine is elegant from top to bottom but has a distinctly modern flavor. The restaurant officially opened on November 3 and it is already booked up…read more

Lifestyle

Otis Spunkmeyer, You’re One Sweet Dude!

September 28, 2016

My favorite cheap eats are not always at New York restaurants, but sometimes fun new packaged snacks that I encounter at fun food press events like Food Fete and Advance Public Relations' uber-popular Holiday Gift Guide event (which was bigger than ever and held at the Sheraton on West 53rd Street instead of at The Hilton this year). I have…read more

Lifestyle

The Gilroy: A Speakeasy That Anyone Can Get Into!

September 27, 2016

I recently visited The Gilroy at the northwest corner of 81st and Second Avenue which has a great classic 1920's speakeasy feel--but I guarantee that you do not have to give in a secret password like was shown in several Three Stooges episodes and countless gangster flicks, LOL! Besides great eats--they have artisanal hard liquor and the mixed drink menu changes…read more

Lifestyle

TESSA: An Upper West Side Mediterranean Spot That Will Have You Saying “MMMM”!

September 22, 2016

I recently went to TESSA for the first time and was immediately blown away by it's wide open space (no "close seating" here) and the gorgeous criss cross iron lattice work on the ceiling. It gives a loft space feel but somehow TESSA still feels warm and like a "neighborhood place." When you sit down, you are offered an immense wine list but…read more

Lifestyle

Padoca Bakery: The Ultimate Upper East Side Quick Lunch Or Brunch Spot

September 16, 2016

I recently went to Padoca Bakery for the first time--it is on the NW corner of 68th and First on the Upper East Side in the spot where Wok 'N Roll was for many years. Not only does it have a super convenient location, but they have unique Brazilian pastries and sandwiches that you cannot get elsewhere and counter service…read more

Lifestyle

Big Bottom Biscuit Bar: My New Favorite Hearty “Bite To Go”!

August 28, 2016

I was lucky enough to get a little sneak peek at Big Bottom Biscuit Bar which is at the front of Osteria Cotta at 513 Columbus Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets last week. I was amazed at how fast and fresh the biscuits were (I got my order in about two minutes). They are served with Stumptown Coffee and and…read more

Lifestyle

Olma Caviar Boutique And Lounge On The Upper West Side: More Than Just Caviar

August 16, 2016

For those who love to try many different types of caviar, nothing beats Olma's different locations around town including their most famous one in the Plaza Food Court. But am I a caviar eater? No, that's why I had to pay a visit to the Upper West Side location and try the non-caviar items. I was truly delighted at the…read more

Lifestyle

Jill Zarin’s Lux Lunch: Best Hamptons Party Of Summer 2016

August 1, 2016

Jill Zarin's 4th Annual Lux Lunch had "a little something for everyone," as they say. There was a huge BBQ going on by the Zarin's gorgeous Southampton "endless" pool, inside the kitchen was a "create your own chocolates" stand, in the living room was an assortment of highly creative jewelry and clothing designers (including Chic Boutique and Lyla Renai) and…read more

Lifestyle

SUPER SATURDAY–As Much Fun For Family As For “Super Shopper” Moms & Dads

July 28, 2016

I love OCFRA's Super Saturday which is one of the most popular and longest running annual events for Ovarian Cancer Research--but did you know it has as many activities for kids as for adults (if not more). There is face painting, Camp Divalycious which features any kind of craft a kid could want to make and even an amusement area complete…read more

Lifestyle

THE BEST OF THE BEST–NEW YORK’S BEST PARTIES, SOCIAL EVENTS & EATERY EXCLUSIVES

July 28, 2016

It's No Secret--I'm In Love With "The Generous Pour" At Capital Grilles Nationwide! I recently got to preview The Generous Pour's wonderful seven great wines (all rated above 90 by The Wine Review) which will be available from 7/10/17 to 9/3/17 at Capital Grilles across the country. I visited the West 51st Street branch and not only tested the seven…read more

Lifestyle

Livin’ Large At The Capital Grille!

July 28, 2016

I love a classic New York steakhouse, and the Capital Grille has that "wow factor"! Their famous dry aged meats are AMAZINGLY soft and juicy--I had the "chef's special" bone-in filet mignon. It was about a 12-ounce portion done perfectly medium rare and I could not care less if the diners around me were appalled that I picked up the bone…read more

Lifestyle

Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse: A New York Legend Lives On In A New Location

July 28, 2016

Some people believe that there's nothing quite like a good steak and a potato--Frankie & Johnnie's Steakhouse, which started out in the 1920's as a speakeasy at 45th and 8th believes that as well, but takes this basic grub up a few notches to their culinary peaks! Sure, they have every cut of steak imaginable and in HUGE portions that two…read more

Lifestyle

Antico Noe: Panini Masters Take Over Midtown East

July 28, 2016

I recently went for a post-Mother's Day lunch with my mom at Antico Noe at 220 East 53rd Street, right in the middle of the block between Second and Third Avenues. The atmosphere there is open, sunny and pleasant, with a friendly staff who promptly grills your panini after picking it out of a classic deli case. My mom and…read more

Lifestyle

The Iconoclast Dinner At The James Beard House: Cooking, Eating + Drinking for a Great Cause!

July 28, 2016

I was lucky enough to attend the VIP reception segment of the recent Iconoclast Dinner to benefit Spelman College and I got both an eyeful and a mouthful. The exclusive reception, dinner and afterparty might have cost a whopping $2K but every penny went to one of the most worthy causes on earth--giving advanced education to those who might not…read more

Lifestyle

Livin’ Life And Havin’ Bites Up On 20

July 27, 2016

I recently ventured to the top of the Hyatt Herald Square at 32 West 31st Street to check out the rooftop lounge that has been creating so much excitement with the millennials after-work crowd, and now I see where that excitement is coming from. This modern, open space has a view of the Empire State Building that is so close…read more

Lifestyle

Angie’s List’s Fun NYC Social Media Event

July 17, 2016

I was thrilled to be invited to a stunning remodeled West Village townhouse at 723 Washington Street (see pic of the living room to the left) to meet Angie herself and learn that her legendary site just went free with optional silver ($24.95) and gold ($99.95) paid statuses that include special super service features like customer support for your home…read more

Lifestyle

SUMMER FANCY FOOD SHOW 2016: Yes, I Found New Food Favorites!

July 2, 2016

I loved wandering the aisles of booths at the Fancy Food Show this year and I think this year marked my 20 year of going! According to PR honcho Louise Kramer, a record 49,000 vendors were on hand. I did a lot of walking in my afternoon there at the Javits Center, but I do not think it even burned…read more

Lifestyle

Taittinger’s (Very) Early Winter Holiday Press Party Rocked

June 28, 2016

Taittinger Champagne is a classic that most people cannot picture the winter holidays without. I was lucky enough to attend a recent (early August) press event called The Art Of Celebrating The Holidays in a gorgeous townhouse in Gramercy Park that including being able to taste all their popular products including the runaway hit Prestige Rose with its lively flavor…read more

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