Luxe Life NYC - Part 18

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

Fashion

Get Your Favorite Brands At The Best Prices! CHECK OUT DEALMOON.COM!

July 28, 2016

I was just recently turned on to dealmoon.com, a site (now in its sixth year) that points out where to buy all your favorite department store brands--including Shiseido, La Mer, Estee Lauder, NARS, Chanel, Kate Somerville and more--for the best prices possible. All different type of outlets are suggested, and sometimes the best prices are actually given by your favorite…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

Entertainment

Victorian Gardens Update, Summer 2016: Still NYC’s Best Place For Summer Family Fun

July 18, 2016

I ventured back to Victorian Gardens on August 6th and fell in love with it all over again. My brother John, an executive at the Harry Fox Agency and my seven-and-a-half year old nephew, Frank (a second grade student at The Success School in Brooklyn) joined me once more. Yes, Frank did every ride and I did just about every…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

Lifestyle

Limani: An Array Of Greek Delights!

June 28, 2016

I went to visit Limani at 45 Rockefeller Center yesterday and enjoyed its Greek and classic American mix. This is one of the prettiest and most modern spaces you can encounter in midtown. There are sleek white quilted leather banquets, a huge chrome fish mobile in the center of the room (over a modern and elegant "pond" style fountain), and…read more

Beauty

Macy’s Cosmetics Department Leads The High Tech Beauty Brigade With YouCam (A Virtual Makeup Testing Device)! Go Try It Now!

June 8, 2016

I was lucky enough to attend the press preview of YouCam at Macy's and all I could say was that trying on new cosmetics has never been easier. Just choose a brand's icon on the makeup mirror-like screen, then type of makeup item (eyeshadow, lip color, etc.) and then VOILA--you can virtually test shades from the store's Top 5 impulse brands!…read more

Fashion

Posh Nation Unites In New York City–And Girls Who Love To Shop Go Wild!

June 1, 2016

Being a huge fan of Poshmark because it offers the lowest prices on clothing and accessories by my all-time favorite designer Emilio Pucci (and I don't mind Chanel or Marc Jacobs, either) made me want to run to the #POSHNATION party at Adoro Lei. At first I thought I would be attending a shopping party, but it actually was a…read more

Lifestyle

Swifty’s: A Society Legend Still Rules

May 28, 2016

Swifty's has charm from its ceiling to its floors. It's got a classy clubhouse feel with huge portions of luxury American comfort food. The surroundings are such that you feel like you've been there before even if it's your first time through its doors. The staff seem like old friends and they are friendly without ever being intrusive upon your…read more

Lifestyle

A.G. Kitchen: I’m Giving It An “A” For Great Latin Flavors And Friendly Service

May 28, 2016

I recently went to A.G. Kitchen, a Latin American Fusion eatery I was unfamiliar with at 289 Columbus between 72nd and 73rd, and was more than pleasantly surprised. This one threw the baseball straight out of the park, so to speak! The prices were super-reasonable, quality was up to par with major four star Latin and other fusion eateries in town,…read more

Lifestyle

KFC Goes Back To Its Roots

May 28, 2016

I was lucky enough to score an invite to KFC's "back to their roots event" in midtown where I got to witness firsthand the new "Chicken Mastery Program" that each future restaurant employee must complete before going on the job. They brought along SNL legend Rachel Dratch along with certified KFC personnel and even a volunteer from the press corps in…read more

Beauty

I Have Never Felt So Royally Relaxed In My Life As At Sheva Royal Thai Spa!

May 28, 2016

I fell in love with the Premier 57 spa the minute I walked through its doors at 115 East 57th Street--it's tucked inside an office building and it is hard to believe that any spa this spacious could be in midtown Manhattan. Formerly the Spa Castle, the Premier 57 staff renovated their space to have the latest and the greatest.…read more