Paramour Wayne Hotel

Happy New Year to all readers and supporters! For me personally, 2015 could be a year to bring big things...lets hope so! Living in the city, I loved trying new places all the time, whether a recommendation of friends or a place that appeared on a "best" list. Recently, I experienced a new place in the Philadelphia suburbs on the Main Line.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar, the Main Line is a historic area consisting of a bunch of towns that lead into the city of Philadelphia. The area is renowned for is classic style, large estates, and "old money." Wayne is a quaint town right on the Main Line, filled with a myriad of shops and restaurants. For a Sunday brunch, I turned to the Wayne Hotel and Paramour.

Paramour features seasonal American cuisine, great drinks, and a lovely contemporary design aesthetic. If you find yourself on the Main Line from travel or it is your locale, I highly recommend a stop at Paramour. The sunday brunch menu features classics like chicken and waffles as well as more modern dishes such as eggplant parmesan sliders. The best thing (in my opinion) about Paramour? The make your own Bloody Mary bar...yes you read that correctly!

Maison Ladurée SoHo

The famous French patisserie may have opened about 2 months ago in SoHo with their second flagship in New York, but recent visits reminded me of how much I love this iconic maison. The new SoHo location is a quintessential French tea salon. New York has been waiting to get its own Ladurée restaurant which can be found in other places around the world such as Paris and Switzerland. Upon entering, the the front is filled with a myriad of pastel colors pastries and a ceiling painted with a cloud motif.

The restaurant, a first for locations in New York, is calm and sophisticated. A fashionable crowd sips green tea with jasmine and indulges in an array of macaroons. Located in the heart of SoHo on West Broadway, the location is perfect for afternoon indulgences, a break from shopping, or a rendez-vous with friends.

In addition to the vast pastry list, this location features a full lunch and dinner menu and also does brunch on Saturdays and Sundays that sounds to die for. I highly recommend the millefeuille praliné or Saint Honoré Rose Frombroise...but then again you cannot go wrong with anything here!

City Brunch Spot: Sarabeth's

Us New Yorkers take brunch, or "brunching" very seriously. For many, it is a verb and something that you a bound to be doing on either a Saturday or Sunday morning...especially after a long night out. As you can imagine, there are a myriad of places throughout the city that offer great brunches, unique in there own way. 

The spot I keep going back to, however, is Sarabeth's. They have 5 locations throughout the city, but I am partial to the TriBeCa location myself. Sarabeth's is my favorite because it reminds me of more of a traditional Sunday brunch as you would think of- an older crowd, well dressed, and relaxed. The restaurants definitely play host to a certain crowd. It makes for the perfect way to pass a late weekend morning. 

Sarabeth's is known for the preserves and jams, and their brunch menu is contains classics such as eggs Benedict, amazing waffles and pancakes, and omelets. My favorite part about the brunch menu is the drinks! Probably the best bloody mary I have had in the city thus far- it does not hurt that it comes in a giant goblet! They also offer a few variations on the typical mimosa that are quite interesting and tasty.

The next time you are looking for a new brunch spot, try Sarabeth's when in the city. Their website  is also home to an array of products available for ordering as well as recipes for those that cannot make it to the city.

Café Kitsuné Opening in Paris

French fashion label Maison Kitsuné will be opening its second café in Paris on January 17th. This opening comes after the success launch of Café Kitsuné last winter in Tokyo. I love the aesthetic of the Maison Kitunsé and cannot wait to see photos of the new location opening in Paris.

The location was developed by Gildas Loaec and Masaya Kuroki, and features the charm of a quaint European café mixed with clean design. It will offer a place to take a moment out of a busy day in Paris to recharge and relax over great coffees and espressos. The café will blend fashion, music, design, and lifestyle. This café will be the epitome of cosmopolitan life and the café experience. 

A selection of Kitsuné accessories and music compilations will be available for purchase. Additionally the menu features London-roasted coffee, tea, juices, and gluten-free pastries and cakes from Noglu.

This will be a must visit on the next trip to Paris!

Café Kitsuné Paris

30 Rue de Montpensier

75001 Paris

Garden of Palais Royal

Photo: Maison Kitsuné

Lafayette: French Style Patisserie in New York

It is always an appropriate time for French pastries and coffee, and being transported back to a favorite trip to Paris. We all know the famous Ladurée for its macaroons, however, there is a new player located in the heart of downtown, Lafayette. This new bakery and café has quickly become a hot spot for "it" people in the fashion industry and food and coffee lovers alike. 

Located on Lafayette street in NoHo, the location offers the perfect setting to enjoy something from the patisserie after shopping in SoHo or strolling around the village. I received some items from the bakery as a recent birthday gift and was able to finally try it....it has been on my list of places to go! The sweets from Lafayette did not disappoint! 

Fresh macaroons in flavors like chocolate, pistachio, passion fruit, birthday cake, and the "lafayette flavor." It was needless to say I ate all 5 rather quickly!

The lune d'automne pastry was highly delectable. Made with blackberry mousse, apple compote, and hazelnut financier, it was light with a touch of sweetness. Perfect to pair with an afternoon espresso. 

If you are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, I highly recommend the bakery at Lafayette which can be found at 380 Lafayette Street, New York, NY.

Summer Spot: The Yard at the SoHo Grand

Summer in New York is all about finding great spots outdoors-rooftops, terraces, decks. Ones with views are even better! A great summer spot to hangout and enjoy the hot weather while feeling like you are on a tropical island is this summer's pop-up at the Yard at the SoHo Grand Hotel: Gilligan's.

You can probably get a sense of what this summer hotspot is like from the name- beachy, relaxed, and tropical. Under vine covered arbors with white lights and tables under beach umbrellas, Gilligan's has amazing drinks and is a great place to meet friends. 

The people behind Gilligan's were the same people running Moby Dick, a very popular pop-up that was located in Montauk last summer. This transformative hangout features small dishes and drinks, of which the watermelon margarita is by far the most popular and very refreshing. It was my drink of choice upon visiting:

If you are looking for a relaxed, nautical vibe in the middle of Manhattan, Gilligan's at The Yard is definitely worth checking out!

STK Magnum Mondays

STK, a trendy steak house with locations throughout New York, LA, and Vegas has started extending the weekend party through Monday evenings. STK in Meatpacking hosts a new dinner party called Magnum Mondays.

What exactly is Magnum Mondays? Its not your ordinary steak dinner for sure. Whenever you purchase a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne, it is automatically upgraded to a magnum size. A DJ is spinning beats while everyone dines. 

It was really fun, and STK is always filled with good looking people. We selected Magnum Mondays to celebrate a friend's birthday. I have eaten at STK before and love the food so this is just another reason to make a reservation- highly recommended! 

David Burke Kitchen at the James Hotel

If there is any day that is appropriate for brunch, it is Mother's Day. This year, I had brunch at David Burke Kitchen at the James Hotel. David Burke is a chef from New Jersey who was once featured on top chef America and has a few restaurants in the city. 

David Burke Kitchen is a more contemporary American restaurant tucked away in front of the trendy James Hotel in SoHo. The brunch menu features an array of classics such as eggs benedict as well as Burke's take on brunch. For example, there is a drink called "The Morning After."...it was actually very good!

Since it was a beautiful Sunday in the city, we sat outside on the deck in the "treehouse" near the bar area. We opted for the pre-fixe menu which included an appetizer or dessert, an entree, and a Bloody Mary or mimosa. The Bloody Mary was very good! I then had the "waffle grand slam" with waffles, eggs, bacon, and sausage. I hadn't eaten that much for breakfast in SO long. To finish brunch off we got a round of mimosas and the famous monkey bread. If there is one thing you must get on the menu, it's the monkey bread!

Downtown Happy Hour

Everybody loves a great happy hour with friends, and I love discovering and trying new restaurants in the city. I found a great place to have happy hour if you find yourself in the Greenwich Village area downtown. 

Hidden down a few steps from street level on 8th street is the 8th Street Wine Cellar. This place hosts an amazing happy hour weekdays from 5-7pm. The special menu includes $6 glasses and an array of bottles for only $18! The assortment includes choices of red, white, rosé, and sparkling. 

My favorite choice during the happy hour is the cava bottle. When you start to get a little hungry, there is a full menu of food that is also equally as good. The food menu includes small plates as well as panini s  and sandwiches.

Next time you are looking to grab a drink with friends, I definitely recommend 8th Street Wine Cellar.

Tapas in Barcelona

Tapas, small appetizers and snacks, is very popular and renowned in Spanish cuisine. Thus, my trip to Barcelona would not have been complete without authentic, Spanish tapas. As you can imagine, the array of tapas restaurants from which to choose is quite overwhelming. Without a guidebook, we just picked one that looked nice from the outside.

We settled upon Taller de Tapas in the Gothic District. Situated on a pretty quite, narrow street, the location was perfect for people watching and enjoying the nice weather. The menu had over 4 pages of just tapas....the choices were endless. It's perfect for sharing, so a friend and I order a variety and just split everything. A bottle of cava went perfect with the meal as well. 

What I loved most about the Spanish culture is their relaxed pace of life. We could have stayed for an hour to eat or 4 hours- the waiters do not care! Needless to say, we sat for a few hours enjoying the cava, setting, and great food. When in Spain, try tapas!

Cafe Select SoHo

It's no surprise that going out to eat is one of my favorite things to do in the city. I love trying the city's well known restaurants and trendy spots as well. I recently tried a restaurant that is new to me: Cafe Select in SoHo. 

The small, inviting spot is located on the east side of SoHo and exudes a slightly trendy vibe. The ceiling is covered in hundreds of white christmas lights, and a large rolex clock keeps the time, hanging near the middle of the restaurant. Most everyone was drinking wine, quite inviting. 

Cafe Select's menu changes seasonally which is great because everything is always fresh. They are currently utilizing their Winter 2013 menu. I did not get a full entrée, but instead opted for wine and the chef's selection charcuterie board. It was perfect for a little night meal. 

Cafe Select would make a great spot for a date with its warm, pleasant atmosphere. I will definitely be back to try more items on the menu and perhaps the brunch. Definitely recommended!

Chobani SoHo

Greek yogurt has really become a craze, perhaps even a trend one could say. The popular brand, Chobani, opened up a storefront in SoHo within the past year. The shop serves up yogurt creations and treats that go well beyond the traditional flavors in the store. 

During a quick lunch break from classes, some friends and myself stopped by for a quick lunch. The store has a very relaxed, modern vibe with floor to ceiling windows all around which makes it perfect for people watching in SoHo. I picked one of their "creations." I opted for the Pistachio + Chocolate....soooo good! It reminded me of frozen yogurt minus all the fat and calories since its greek yogurt! They are also running a promotion through Valentine's Day: one you buy one creation, you get a special Raspberry + Chocolate one to share with your "Sweetheart"....not bad right?

On a side note, I love, love, love cashmere and Let The Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore is hosting a Cashmere Sweater Giveaway. Check it out!

CATCH Roof New York

CATCH NYC is a relatively new seafood restaurant located in the Meatpacking District of the city. The venue has been open for roughly 2 years and has already established a name for itself as one of the places to go and be seen in the city. 

CATCH is composed of both a restaurant as well as the "roof" which is an amazing lounge in the evening. The restaurant itself is a seafood menu prepared by top chef winner Hung Huynh. They take the approach of larger dishes that continue throughout the meal and are thus meant to share with the entire table- social dinning of sorts.

I did not experience the restaurant part, but I did go out to CATCH Roof with a few friends this past weekend. We had a table which was great so we had continues drinks flowing, a place to sit if we wanted, and were a bit out of the crowd. The DJ was great and the people were all beautiful. If you can make it past the very strict door, you will have a blast. Good luck ;)

Morimoto Philadelphia

Morimoto Philadelphia brings an upscale, trendy vibe to Japanese cuisine. Executive chef Masaharu Morimoto, best known from the TV Series Iron Chef and Iron Chef America has crafted a menu filled with authentic Japanese flavors. Morimoto has locations in both Philadelphia and the Meatpacking District of New York. 

The interior of the restaurant has a very modern vibe with color changing walls and a ceiling that seems to roll into the kitchen. A friend and myself picked Morimoto to celebrate a birthday. The vibe of the interior is very chic and refined. 

The menu includes an extensive cocktail list as well as Japanese Sakes, some of which are Morimoto's own label. There is an array of appetizers both hot and cold, and dinners can choose between entrées or the tasting menu which takes all the work out of picking items on the menu. We opted to select our appetizers and entrées ourselves. 

We started off with rock shrimp tempura, tuna tartar, and I also had a cucumber avocado role.

I had the wasabi salmon for dinner which was prepared in a creamy garlic sauce with a wasabi vinaigrette and scallion bubbles. 

All in all the food was good, but note that if you are not a big seafood lover this may not be the place for you as the menu is heavily based on seafood dishes. I would like to try the New York location just to see how it compares.

Brasserie Beaumarchais

To celebrate the end of a semester filled with lots of hard work, a few friends and myself planned an evening at Beaumarchais, a trendy restaurant located in the meatpacking district. This has been hands down one of the most fun dinners I have had in the city thus far. 

Brasserie Beaumarchais has sophistication written all over it. From the velvet ropes outside the doors and doorman to the staff with their French accents. The atmosphere is refined and classic during the afternoon and evening hours, but once it turns dark and you make a late reservation like us (10pm), this place turns into a dinner party straight out of the south of France. There was an amazing DJ spinning, lights, and of course bottles of sparklers.

We enjoyed some Moet, my personal favorite, while we listened to the music and looked at all the beautiful people around us. I had the beet salad which was amazing, as well as the chicken. We all shared profiteroles for dessert. 

When we finished our meal, we didnt want to leave- it was just too much fun. Warning, as the night goes on everyone is up dancing around their tables. There was definitely more dancing than eating going on! I cannot wait to go back! 

Mega Sundae 

The Mercer Kitchen

The Mercer Kitchen, situated in the Mercer Hotel in the heart of SoHo, is a modern and chic take on one of Jean George's favorite places, the kitchen.

The Mercer Kitchen opened in 1998 and has been attracting crowds of sophisticated New Yorkers ever since. The space truly is a new take on the classic kitchen setting with a mix of industrial and modern design centered around the communal tables. Jean George is highly regarded in the restaurant world, and the Mercer Kitchen is no exception. 

I frequented the location this past weekend and was highly impressed by not only the food, but also the atmosphere and service. We indulged in a 3 course meal with a few bottles of wine. For starters I had the kale salad. Moving onto the entree I picked the chicken, and finished with a molten chocolate cake for dessert. Everything was delicious. George crafts his American menu at the Mercer Kitchen based on seasonal offerings and what is available at local markets.

I have found in my New York dining experiences that many trendy restaurants here are all about the atmosphere and scene instead of having good food as well. This is not the case here. The food was outstanding and it was coupled with a relaxing, chic environment at the same time. All in the heart of SoHo....what more could one want?

Balthazar Boulangerie

Located on a perfect perfect street in SoHo, the famed restuarant francais et boulangerie francaise, Balthazar, reigns king. Priding themselves on their authentic French cuisine, the menu at Balthazar is filled with traditional dishes and French flavors. Balthazar competes with the other famed, trendy restaurant Pastis. I dinned at their last year, and while good, Balthazar won me over. While breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available, my favorite part, of course, is the bakery.

With an array of choices includes gallettes, croissantes, et pain au chocolat you cannot go wrong. Pair with a cup of coffee for the perfect breakfast. 

Gramercy Tavern

Nestled just off of Park Avenue in the flatiron district is the Gramercy Tavern, a well known New York eatery. 

A friend and I recently caught up after 8 months of not seeing each other over lunch here. It was my first time dinning here as well as hers. The decor was very nice- a modern twist on American rustic. There were baskets of flowers and herbs all around, and large wrought iron chandeliers light the main dining area. We were lucky enough to score a table right in the front by the large windows overlooking the street.

We started off the meal with an orange champagne cocktail (pictured to the right). The restaurant has an "American" menu. I opted for the baked zitti with mushrooms and fresh tomatoes. It was only natural of us to finish the meal by sharing the raspberry ricotta cheesecake.

After reading reviews of the Gramercy Tavern, I now know why everyone was giving it 4.5/5 stars. The service was great, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere is quite nice. I will definitely be going back!

Fig & Olive Meatpacking

Fig & Olive is a well known mediterranean restaurant with multiple locations in the city as well as a location in West Hollywood. I have been to the Upper East Side location here in the city- you can read more about that here.

More recently, I tried the Meatpacking location. Featured in scenes from Million Dollar Listing New York, the space is definitely great. The Meatpacking location is much more spacious when compared to the cramped UES townhouse setting. However, I am disappointed to say that the experience is nothing to speak highly of as with the other location. 

While the food, I must admit, is good, the service was absolutely horrible. I enjoyed a chicken dish and my friend had a great mushroom risotto. We both got a strawberry dessert, which I of course had to feature to the right. 

The service: not once did our waiter check in with us during our meal. We waited over half an hour for our dessert. I had to resort to flagging down other waiters and busmen to check on the status. After finally receiving the dessert, it was probably another 20 minutes until we received the check and it was taken back for processing. Needless to say, nothing like this should ever happen at an upscale restaurant such as this. 

Tisk, Tisk Fig & Olive

East Village Happy Hour

Spontaneous week night outings are one of my favorite things to do. The East Village isnt an area of the city that I can say I love, but I know many people do adore it. I was talking with a friend, explaining that I should venture into the east village more often since there are a TON of good restaurants in the area.

My friend started telling me about some of her favorite restaurants in the East Village, one being Yuca Bar. Every Tuesday at Yuca is "Loco Tuesday" Until 8pm, you can take advantage of drink specials that are only $6 and half price Tapas. The drinks are very strong as well- I could barely drink my margarita! 

We got an array of amazing tapas, I had a mojito, and we also ordered a pitcher of white sangria. This may be my new Tuesday night activity.