Greenlight Bookstore

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes.  I could spend hours getting lost in a bookstore and it sometimes makes me sad to think that we are moving to a place where you can only download book onto your kindle or ipad.  For me, there is nothing that will replace the way a book feels.  So it always gives me great joy to find a little bookstore, independently owned, like the one I found on my way to the theater the other night, Greenlight Bookstore.  I was on my way to see Geoffrey Rush in "Diary of a Madman" (which I will tell you about tomorrow), and I walked passed and knew that I had to go inside.

After getting home I went to their website and found that it also has a great story.   The two women who started it, Rebecca and Jessica,  had spent a combined 26 years in bookstores and publishing and both knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives working with books.  In 2007 Jessica entered the Brooklyn Business Library's Power Up! business plan competition, and in January 2008 her bookstore business plan was awarded the grand prize of $15,000.  At the same time the Fort Greene Association was trying to build up business in the area and commissioned a survey in which they discovered that a bookstore was one of the things that residents were lacking but really wanted.  They read Jessica's business plan and contacted her to see if she would be interested in putting her bookstore in Fort Greene.  She and Rebecca decided that it would be a perfect place for a bookstore.  They got an overwhelming response from the community and together with individuals, community groups and local business loans they were able to open this fantastic bookstore.  


Greenlight Bookstore has a table dedicated entirely to Brooklyn writers, which was really cool.  The layout in the store is beautiful.  It has a cozy, warm feeling to it and the staff is friendly and very helpful.  It reminds me of being in a small town bookstore, but in Brooklyn.  They also offer story time for kids and reading groups.  I love being able to support the small bookstore and this one is really great.  Warning:  You might just spend hours here, so make sure to leave yourself some time.


Greenlight Bookstore is open daily from 10am - 10pm
686 Fulton Street (at South Portland)
718-246-0200

Top of the Rock

I was bartending over the weekend and there were some people in from out of town sitting at my bar.  The woman asked, "If there was one thing you would tell us not to miss while we were here, what would it be?"  I thought about that for a bit.  There are so many great restaurants and museums and theater, but I think the one place I would take someone to if they had never been here before would be Top of the Rock at night.

I went there for the first time a couple of years ago when a friend was in from Italy.  I had always wanted to go, but I guess because I live here it was one of those things I had never gotten around to doing.

One of things that struck me is how beautiful the skyline of New York is.  I have traveled to many places in the last year or so and still I think New York has one of the most striking skylines.  I live here but I don’t get to look at it from somewhere that has a spectacular view of it everyday.  It really almost takes your breath away.  I think the reason that I love Top of the Rock at night as opposed to during the day, is because you get to see it in all it's glory with everything all lit up.  I stood there and thought, I live in one of the most incredible cities of the world.  Every song you could every think of about New York runs through your mind and you feel like every image that you might have had about New York is staring you right in the face.  It is all there at eye level and my response after having lived here for over 15 years was WOW!  So my thought in today’s blog for all you out of towners or even for you folks who live here go to the Top of the Rock.  See the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and Broadway from above.  It will amaze you everytime.

Leave a comment and tell us your "don't miss this while in NYC" thing to do.  

Open Daily from 8am to Midnight - last elevator up at 11pm

Tickets are $22 (discounts available for children, students and seniors)

Entrance is on 50th between 5th and 6th

Luke's Lobster

I am from Boston (you might know this already if you have been reading my blog for a while).  I am really picky about my lobster.  For the most part, I will only eat it when I am in Massachusetts or in Maine because once you have tasted how sweet and delicious it is coming out of the extremely cold Northeast Atlantic Ocean, you will almost always be disappointed in everything else.  However now there is Luke's Lobster and I daresay I may just be eating a lot of lobster rolls in Manhattan this summer.

Luke Holden, founder of Luke's Lobster, grew up in a small town on the coast of Maine.  He grew up lobstering and open his own lobster company while still in high school.  Pretty impressive!  He then moved to New York to work in finance.  He found himself very unimpressed with the "lobster rolls" he was seeing here in Manhattan.  They were slathered in mayo, filled with celery and incredibly over-priced.  New Englanders do know lobster!  So he called his dad (who owns a seafood processing company in Maine) and together they contacted the lobster men in Maine that they have had longstanding relationships with and now they us the lobster right off the boat from Maine.  It doesn't get much better than that.

I'll admitt, I walked into Luke's with an air of skepicism.  I wasn't ready to buy into the hype and I thought, these people think it's good because they haven't ever had the good stuff.  I walked out feeling as though I just discovered buried treasure.

Lobster Roll minus my first bite - I was so excited I forgot to take the picture first!

The lobster is sweet, fresh and delicious.  There is a dab of mayo and some lemon butter with some secret spices.  This is all served atop a warm buttered bun.  I felt like I had left manhattan and was back in New England.  The inside is so cute.  It looks like a little beach shack on the inside with all the unpretentiousness you find on Cape Cod.

Whether you think you've had good lobster or you know you have, I feel certain that you will love Luke's Lobster.  It is mouthwater good.  And for $15 you will get a huge amount of lobster that you will be hardpressed to find almost anywhere.  I think I am going to have to go back for some New England Clam chowder.  I feel certain it is a test my spoon will stand up to.

Upper West Side:  426 Amsterdam Ave. Between 80th and 81st - 212-877-8800
East Village:  93 E. 7th - 212-387-8487
Upper East Side:  242 E. 81st - 212-249-4241

Taberna

I just went to Taberna for the first time.  I have been meaning to go forever.  It is a block from my house and why I have put off going I'm not sure.  The food was fantastic, the atmosphere cozy and inviting and the drinks sublime.  Taberna is all Spanish and mostly tapas (which is traditional in Spain) though there are a few entrees.  The chef, Jennifer Cole, spent a dozen years cooking in Spain and has brought her experience to this fantastic upper west side spot.

The first thing we ordered was a glass of wine and the Rose Cava Sangria.  My friend ordered the Rose Cava Sangria and I wished I had ordered it!  It was the most fantastic sangria I have ever had.  It was a mixture of Rose Cava (obviously) triple sec, brandy and fresh fruit.  Wow!  It was delicious.  It is going to be my new favorite spot this summer.  They have happy hour pitchers of sangria for $13 and seating outside.  Give me one reason not to be a regular there this summer.

For food we started with the croquettes served with hummus for dipping that were great.  I had the seared Angus Steak and the garlic shrimp that were amazing.

Next we had the Baked Goat Cheese with rosemary and honey.  I couldn't help myself.  I ate every last bite.  We ended the evening with the Mackerel with tomato.

It was almost a cerviche; really delicious.   One of my favorite things about eating in Spain was the size of the dish.  Everything is small plates, they bring them out one at a time (like they do at Taberna) and you don't over eat but instead get to taste a lot of different things.  This is the experience you will get at Taberna.  Small and cozy but a real gem.

Taberna
429 Amsterdam between 80th and 81st
917-388-3500

Restaurant Week Boston

If you find yourself in Boston over the next two weeks, restaurant week is a must.  It is a fantastic way to get to experience all the great restaurants in Boston for a fraction of the price.

Restaurant week in Boston runs for the next two weeks:  March 6-11 and March 13 - 18th, weekends are excluded.  Boston's Restaurant Week is a little different than the New York one.  Their lunch menu has two options:  you can either do 2 courses for $15.11 or do 3 courses for $20.11.  Dinner is a 3 course meal for $33.11.  It is a fantastic deal and some of my favorite Boston spots are participating.  Included in that list are B and G Oysters, Marco and Gaslight.  Gaslight is not doing lunch, but with their 3 course meal for $33.11 you get one complimentary glass of wine.  There is a white and red to choose from.  That is a fantastic deal!  It is also a chance to get out there and experience some high-end restaurants without the high-end price.  Go out there and get some restaurant week specials.  It will help cure the winter blues and once it's done, spring will be just around the corner.

More Tapas! More Wine! Vela Tapas in Brooklyn.

Vela Tapas... yes you CAN get tapas in Brooklyn!

Located in Bay Ridge, it's a bit out of the way (unless you are coming from a long day of shopping at Century 21!) But it's very cozy, (in the exposed brick and flickering candles way), and if you are in the neighborhood,  a great spot for a bite and some wine.

The food is good, and they have the tapas standards, like this marinated octopus, charred tomatoes, chick peas that was quite tasty.

They also have some great weeknight wine and sangria specials: we were there on a Thursday and it was half off all bottles of wine!  Apparently they have a great brunch as well, $20 pre-fixe with unlimited beverages (so you can drink your mimosas and bellinis, I'll drink my bloody marys!) Located at 8305 3rd Ave @ 83rd St, 718-680-0800. They are closed on Mondays.

FlightTracker

Another great travel app for your iPhone... Flight Tracker!!!

A companion app to FlightBoard, which I reviewed here, Flight Tracker is another useful app available for the iPad or iPhone. I actually have known about it for a while (happen to be partial to a publication who named it one of the top iPhone apps of 2009), but they keep making it better!

It has really lovely, zoomable maps that even work offline, which is great if, oh I don't know... you are on an airplane or something.

You can get real-time flight itinerary updates, and basically everything you need to stay on top of your trip!

Ardesia

I am forever looking for great new spots to meet up with friends.  Not that the good old standbys aren’t great, but it is good to be on the lookout for new things.  Well last Friday I found one that I love!  It is called Ardesia, located at 510 West 52^nd between 10^th & 11^th.  

Ardesia

They offer 30 wines by the glass and a larger selection by the bottle.  It is a combination of old world and new world wines and the staff is extremely knowledgeable and can help guide you through the list.  The bartender who was helping me suggested a Montsant from Spain that was amazing.  He also recommended some wonderful things off the menu.  The menu consists of small plates with of course cheese and meats, but I had the beet salad 

followed by the seared flank steak with salsa verde.  It was so flavorful and tender.  I am definitely going to go back for more.

The atmosphere at Ardesia is casual but hip.  It is all marble and concrete with light wood chairs.  It’s got a very sexy, cool feel to it.  It also has a lot more space than most wine bars in New York.  There is a large lounge section off to the left and about 6 tables in the bar area as well as probably 20ish seats at the bar itself.  During the summer they have outdoor seating for about 30.  I’m sure those are hard tables to get, but I am thinking it might just be a regular summertime bar for me.  Great wine AND outdoor seating!  Woo-hoo!  You can also call ahead and reserve tables.  What a treat that is when meeting a group for drinks.  All in all I am really excited about my new find.  It has already made it to my top ten list.  I can’t wait for you to try it.

Ardesia

510 West 52nd St. (Between 10th & 11th)

212-247-9191

Laurie Beechman Theater at the West Bank Café

If you like cabaret and are looking to see a show that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, then you should see something at the Laurie Beechman.  

The Laurie Beechman is my favorite place to see a cabaret show.  It classy, intimate but not too small and there are no bad seats that are off to the side and sort of behind the performers like in many smaller venues.  It will make you feel as though you just stepped out of a 1930’s cafe from some Noel Coward show.  It really is a beautiful venue.  It also has a bit of history.  The space has always existed there, but was not always a cabaret venue.  It used to exist simply as the cellar downstairs from the coffee shop that had a piano.  In fact, the owner of the West Bank Café donated the space to Stephen Sondheim and the cast of “Sunday in the Park with George” so they could rehearse new music.  “Finishing the Hat” was performed there for the first time.  It is not the first story of that nature that I have heard about the Beechman.  The owner of the West Bank Café has been a supporter of the arts for a long time and is very generous.

They serve a full menu downstairs (the same menu from the upstairs West Bank Café) with plenty of table room to eat.  The food is delicious so arrive a little early to have dinner.  There is a full bar and the staff is really great.  Last night we saw “Sondheim Unplugged” which is a great show.  It has extended and will be running the last Monday of every month for all you Sondheim fans out there.  The show will have different performers every month and they will sing different songs.  If you like Sondheim you should go to this.  It was top-notch.

Also notable is the upstairs West Bank Café.  

If you are seeing a show on Theater Row or anywhere in the theatre district for that matter, the West Bank Café is always bustling with theatre folk and is a fantastic place to go for a drink or have dinner before the show.  After the show you are bound to run into some great star from a show (especially if they are performing nearby) Again, it looks like a old school café from the 1930’s.  Cozy and charming and totally New York.  

The Laurie Beechman Theater

407 West 42nd St. (Between 9th & 10th)

212-695-6909

Keg 229

Ever found yourself at a bar and the bartender is so busy you just can’t seem to get a beer?  Well at Keg 229, wait no longer, you can simply pour your own beer!   How does that work exactly?  (At least that's what I was thinking).  Here is the scoop:  there are taps at the bar and at the tables.  You put a credit card down and pay by the ounce for your beer.  There is a little screen on the table that will let you know how much you have been drinking.  If you would like a table, you have to call ahead to reserve one.  (I recommend this as the tables are great for groups!)  You can even request the kind of beer you would like at your 2 taps. 

Keg 229 offers a great and large selection of American craft beers on Tap as well as in the bottle and can.  You can also pour your own beer at the bar, but you may have to wait a bit to get your own tap.  Don’t worry though they do have bartenders to get you a drink if beer is not your drink of choice or you just can’t get your own tap.  They offer a full bar and specialty cocktails are listed on the blackboard.  

The food is really good as well.  As you might imagine they have a menu that consists of things that go great with beer.  Pretzels with mustard, pigs in a blanket and a fantastic organic, grass-fed beef burger.  

The space is pretty big and quite cozy.  It is a fantastic place for meeting a group of friends and it will be a whole different experience from your normal pub.  Keg 229 is located down on Front St. at South Street Seaport.  If you don’t work near there and are still in winter hibernation mode don’t worry, spring is on the way and you will have just heard about a great new place in the Seaport to change the scenery with.   I think you are going to like this one.

Keg 229

229 Front Street

(212) 566-2337

Joe’s Pub

In addition to writing this blog and being an actress, I am also a bartender here in New York City.  I often get asked where to go and see live music, and on the list of places that I recommend is Joe's Pub.  Joe's Pub is fantastic for several reasons.  First, it is really eclectic; you are going to get shows that run the gamut from Rock and R and B, to Folk and Jazz to Drag Shows.  There is almost nothing that you can’t see there.  As a performer, I know that you have to be fairly well established with great reviews from past shows to even be considered for a booking.  In other words, it is a really competitive venue to get your act into, so you are going to see a great show. 

Second, the venue itself is a great place to see a show.  It is very intimate.  It has the feel of a downtown cabaret space with tables in the front, lounge-like booths with cushions and then there is the bar area behind that.  There is a $12 minimum (which you can have in either food or drink) and the ticket prices vary, but are usually pretty reasonable.   

I was there on Tuesday night for Dominic Sinesio’s CD release show.  He had a six-piece band and two back-up singers and boy was he fantastic.  A friend had told me about him and we went to the show together and it was amazing.  The last show I saw there was my friend Jesse Tyler Ferguson doing his one-man cabaret show.  He is so funny I could watch him read the telephone book.  The two shows could not have been more different, but both immensely enjoyable. .  I saw in their line-up for March that Steve Martin and his band are performing there.  I didn’t even know Steve Martin had a band!  This is why I love Joe’s Pub.  If you are looking for some live music check out Joe’s Pub to see what they have going on.  You might get to see Steve Martin or Amy Winehouse, or you might just discover someone new that you can’t wait to tell your friends about.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater

425 Lafayette St.

212-967-7555

Jack and Judy’s B&B

 Jack and Judy’s B&B

I talk a lot about the benefits of staying in an apartment or villa when traveling.  It’s great to have a place where you can just sit and chill after a long day of site seeing before going to dinner without feeling cramped by a hotel room.  Or maybe you want to save money and be able to make yourself breakfast in the morning instead of having to go out.  Well if you are coming to New York and are looking for a place to stay, I have a great place for you.  Jack and Judy’s B&B located on West 81^st between Columbus and Amsterdam.  It is a beautiful block within walking distance of Central Park, Riverside Park and Lincoln Center.  You are close to 3 train lines (the B, C and 1 trains) as well as the 79^th St cross-town bus, which goes across 81^{st St} on this part of its journey. 

When I go away to a new city, I often don’t know which area to stay in.  I don’t want the touristy neighborhood; I prefer to be somewhere hip and cool where there are lots of bars and restaurants.  The great thing about staying on the upper west side is that you are close enough to get anywhere pretty quickly, but far enough out of the hustle and bustle so that you can appreciate a little quiet when you choose it.  If you come in the warmer weather it is so great to take a walk through Central Park or walk down to Riverside Park and enjoy a drink at one of the outdoor cafés on the river.  If you come during the time of Shakespeare in the Park, you can get free tickets to the shows and they are a 10-minute walk from Jack and Judy’s.  Almost anywhere you want to go can be reached within a half an hour door to door.  This is my neighborhood so I am extremely familiar with it and I love it!  There are lots of great restaurants and bars too.

Jack and Judy are my next-door neighbors.  They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.   They have been renting apartments since 1986.  They have six apartments (4 studios – one has a terrace and 2 one-bedrooms).  All the apartments are newly renovated and have their own private bathrooms.  Jack and Judy live downstairs so they are available to help you with anything you might need.  Rates are $150-$250 a night or $950 and up per week.  They do sometimes offer specials so check their website for details.   If you are looking for somewhere great to stay next time you are in New York check out Jack and Judy’s.  It a real gem.

Jack and Judy’s B&B

I talk a lot about the benefits of staying in an apartment or villa when traveling.  It’s great to have a place where you can just sit and chill after a long day of site seeing before going to dinner without feeling cramped by a hotel room.  Or maybe you want to save money and be able to make yourself breakfast in the morning instead of having to go out.  Well if you are coming to New York and are looking for a place to stay, I have a great place for you.  Jack and Judy’s BandB,  located on West 81^st between Columbus and Amsterdam.  It is a beautiful block within walking distance of Central Park, Riverside Park and Lincoln Center.  You are close to 3 train lines (the B, C and 1 trains) as well as the 79^th St cross-town bus, which goes across 81^{st St} on this part of its journey. 

When I go away to a new city, I often don’t know which area to stay in.  I don’t want the touristy neighborhood; I prefer to be somewhere hip and cool where there are lots of bars and restaurants.  The great thing about staying on the upper west side is that you are close enough to get anywhere pretty quickly, but far enough out of the hustle and bustle so that you can appreciate a little quiet when you want it.  If you come in the warmer weather it is so great to take a walk through Central Park or walk down to Riverside Park and enjoy a drink at one of the outdoor cafés on the river.  If you come during the time of Shakespeare in the Park, you can get free tickets to the shows and they are a 10-minute walk from Jack and Judy’s.  Almost anywhere you want to go can be reached within a half an hour door to door.  This is my neighborhood so I am extremely familiar with it and I love it!  There are lots of great restaurants and bars too.

Jack and Judy are my next-door neighbors.  They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.   They have been renting apartments since 1986.  They have six apartments (4 studios – one has a terrace and 2 one-bedrooms).  All the apartments are newly renovated and have their own private bathrooms.  Jack and Judy live downstairs so they are available to help you with anything you might need.  Rates are $150-$250 a night or $950 and up per week.  They do sometimes offer specials so check their website for details.   If you are looking for somewhere great to stay next time you are in New York check out Jack and Judy’s.  It a real gem.

 www.jacksbandb.com

212-721-4341

Snique Away

More and more we are seeing sites that offer coupons on just about everything.  There is Village Vines for premium dining, Groupon for well…many of your needs, Vacationist and now we have Snique Away, brought to you by the media group who put together Trip Advisor.   What is their angle?  Let me share. 

Snique Away is the new private sale travel experience that offers deals to a limited number of members.  There is no fee to join however you must have an invite.  (I am a member of Trip Advisor so I assume that is how I got my invite)  They offer members’ deals on luxury hotels that have 4 and 5 star ratings or the equivalent and have the highest rating in Trip Advisor reviews.  I use Trip Advisor a lot for cross-referencing and they are really pretty accurate.  Most of the stuff I have looked at offers dates from the time the deal starts until about 2 to 3 month out.  The majority of the hotels on there have been within the US, but I am starting to see a few international hotels creeping in.  They are pretty new so I am assuming their spectrum will broaden within the coming months.  The prices are really good on some of this stuff.  I wouldn’t hesitate to join. 

Ocean Lodge, St. Simon's Island, Georgia

If you like to travel then you should be signing up for some of these new discount travel sites.  Vacationist is great and now this one from Trip Advisor.  From what I can see, both are offering fantastic deals on some pretty amazing hotels.  Why not spend even a night or two somewhere that would normally be out of your budget for a fraction of the price?  Living in luxury isn’t so bad, especially when you get a deal on it.  Now that’s what I call a great vacation.

Need an invite.  Send Susan and Skye your email and we will invite you as an Undies guest.  Email us at: dontforgetyourundies@gmail.com

Hipmunk: searching for flights just got a lot more adorable

Doesn't it seem like most flight search web sites make everything way more confusing that it should be? Either there's too many criteria, or it opens up 30 other websites, or you are bombarded with pop-ups or ads yelling at you from all sides.  Well, I have dicovered a simpler way to search, that's much easier on the eyes.  It's Hipmunk.com

There's no annoying stuff crowded in, NO ADS, and the results are easy to read and color coordinated.

You can sort the  results by the usual criteria (price, stops, departure/arrival time, duration) or you can sort the results by "agony" which is a combination of price, duration and number of stops.  It really seems like they actually want to put user experience first. What a concept!

I also like that they include Amtrak as a travel option.  For someone who lives in NYC (depending of course on your destination),  getting a high speed train from midtown can be more desirable than the hassle of getting to and from the airport.  So it's nice they include it in the mix.

And how cute is the logo?

Check it out yourself at Hipmunk.com.

The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo

I feel like I might be a little behind everyone else on this, but if you are like me and haven't gotten around to reading "The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo" by Steig Larsson, don't put it off any longer.  I finished it last night and ran out today to buy the next one.  It was a fantastic read and one that you will not be able to put down.  It is perfect for the airplane.  You will be so engrossed you will most likely forget you are even flying.  The characters are fabulous, the story is totally engrossing and I became obsessed with reading for 4 days.  Literally.

The story focuses on a financial journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, who likes to report on the corruption in the financial world.  This last investigation put him on the wrong end of a libel case.  It does however lead him to get hired by Henrik Vanger to discover who murdered his niece some 40 years ago.  He is introduced to the heroin, Lisbeth Salander and together they uncover much more than they could ever have imagined.  The tale is riveting and disturbing and will leave you hungry for more.  Good thing there are two more books for you to sink your teeth into.  It will not disappoint.  It actually surpassed all my expectations.  I highly recommend you put this next on your reading list.

Cleopatra, Stacy Schiff

Stacy Schiff’s biography of Cleopatra deserves all the hype it is getting.  Extremely well written, especially given the lack of information we have about various parts of her life and unbelievably engaging.  If you like history, you will like this book.  

I realized after reading it, that I really didn’t know very much about her life.  She was a fascinating woman.  She was incredibly smart, resourceful and ran her country better than most before her.  It is not a quick, blow through this on the beach read.  However, if you are taking a vacation and just like to read a little every night before you go to bed, take this book.  If you are going to either Egypt or Rome, read this before you go.  It just makes walking through the Forum a little more interesting.

When I went to Rome I saw 12 of the 15 Obelisks that there are in the world.  After reading Cleopatra it is more clear to me when they came to Rome and why.  I am sure that the next time I go back to Rome I will see a little more of the Egyptian influence. Shiff has written a  fantastic book that will make you see Cleopatra in a whole different light than we normally see her in from any of the films or plays that have been written about her.    

I have one warning:  this book may cause a serious desire to travel to Egypt.  I have always wanted to visit and see the pyramids, now I want to go to Alexandria and see some of the rest.  Although most of Cleopatra’s Alexandria is no longer there, it still would be amazing to travel and see where all this took place.   I will definitely wait until things settle down there, but I think Egypt is now in my top 10. 

Coffee and Tea Festival NYC

Looking for something fun and different to do this weekend?  Why not try going to the Coffee and Tea Festival, Feb 19 and Feb 20th from 11am - 5pm, 7 West 34th St.  

The festival will be offering classes, lectures and demonstrations throughout the weekend.  Lectures include  "Coffee Cupping and Tasting" which is like wine tasting, but for coffee.  You will be learning about the different characteristics: 

"Rarely seen by the public, cupping is the technique used to evaluate the flavor profile of a coffee. The coffee will be evaluated on five major characteristics: flavor, acidity, aftertaste, fragrance and body."

Another great workshop is a foam making class.  I can tell you from my short stint as an espresso sales person that making foam properly is more difficult than it seems.  For example:  Your foam should never be super hot; you should be able to drink it immediately without burning your mouth.  If you can't, then the milk is burnt.   You shouldn't have to use a spoon to get the foam, it should just pour out of the frothing cup.  If you think it is easy then you might want to go and watch the "Barista Challenge".  Saturday starting at noon you can watch to see who can make the prettiest and best foam and become the 2011 Ultimate Barista.  Kind of the "Top Chef" of coffee makers.


For you tea lovers out there they have workshops which include tea 101 where you will learn what the differences are between different types of tea, their health benefits as well as some of the myths out there.  Or you can learn what goes into making an afternoon tea.  That lecture will discuss the traditions and how you can create one in your own home.

Tickets are $20 for the basic 1 day pass (available on-line).  There are special prices if you want to go to the evening of Chinese Tea and Tradition.  I'm a big fan of drinking tea or coffee, but it just might be fun to learn more about it so I can really appreciate the subtleties.
www.coffeeandteafestival.com
Feb 19th and 20th
11am - 5pm
7 West 34th St.

Satya Jewelry

Jewelry is one of my favorite things to get for myself or for others when I am on vacation.  I have some beautiful pieces from around the world that remind me of my vacation every time I wear it.  Also, it is nice when people comment on it and I can say, oh I got that in Barcelona or wherever.  If jewelry is something you like then I recommend visiting a great jewelry store on called Satya.  Satya’s designs are yoga based with real gemstones.  

She has a wide variety of silver and gold jewelry and it is all really unique.  The selection changes in the store every season if not more frequently, so there is not much chance of getting board.  Their stuff is beautiful.  They also have lovely pashminas, and pouches in beautiful colors and fabrics.

Starting this spring they are starting a build-your-own jewelry programs.  So you will be able to take their designs and add your favorite color gems, or change from silver to gold in a particular design (as long as they have what you are looking for).  That could be really dangerous for me!  Satya also donates a portion of their sales to the Satya Foundation, a non-profit foundation that funds children’s charities throughout the world.  Satya has several locations:

330 Bleeker between Christopher & West 10th

Broadway between 81^st & 82^nd

Lexington at 69^th St.

Time Warner Center

London – 28 Henrietta St, Covent Garden

www.satyajewelry.com

Hot Chocolate Festival NYC. YUM!

Anyone who knows me will attest that I love sweets, in particular chocolate.  So I am very glad to have discovered the 19^th annual hot chocolate festival at City Bakery happening all this month.  I am sad to have missed the first 9 days (or the first 18 years for that matter), but thankfully, I still have the rest of the month to enjoy.  Every day City Bakery on 18^th between 5^th and 6^th is offering a different flavored hot chocolate.  

This Years Flavor Calendar

If you are unfamiliar with City Bakery you should know that they are known for their hot chocolate, it is probably one of the richest you will ever have.  It is not for the calorie conscious and most likely not something you could indulge in everyday, but it is fantastic.  City Bakery's Hot Chocolate Festival is guaranteed to be mouth-wateringly delicious.   I missed the Earl Grey hot chocolate (a mixture of 2 of my favorite drinks) but they have some great ones coming up like:  Moulin Rouge Hot Chocolate, What Would Faulkner Drink? Hot Chocolate and Beer Hot Chocolate.  If you are looking for somewhere fun to go for Valentines Day you can go on Monday and get you and your date a couple of the Love Potion Hot Chocolates. 

If you are visiting New York and just want to do something fun and unusual I highly recommend the Hot Chocolate Festival at City Bakery.  It is a great atmosphere with a variety of treats for every pallet, and with the winter we have been having, it just might be a nice excuse to treat yourself to something warm and delicious.
City Bakery
3 WEst 18th
212-366-1414

Vacationist

Gone are the days where you have to wait for the Sunday paper to get the coupons that could lead to savings.  Now we get daily coupons emailed to our inbox in form of restaurant deals, spa deals and (right up our alley) travel deals.  Even the high-end places are getting into it.  Well Vacationist is a new one I have found.  

On Sale Now View All Sales

Hotel Raito Vietri sul Mare, Italy Just east of the famous ceramics town of Vietri sul Mare, the Raito's wide tiled terraces and stately eggshell-colored buildings can be seen looming above the Mediterranean amid citrus and olive groves. The hotel makes the most of its location; its three restaurants, two alfresco swimming pools, and spa all have stunning panoramic sea views. So do many of the 77 sleek, high-ceilinged guest rooms, which are crisply upholstered in white and nautical blue.

Ace Hotel New York New York, New York Just as the Ace arrived on the northern edge of Manhattan's Flatiron District, its host neighborhood was being named by critics and real estate agents: NoMad, or "North of Madison Park." Taking over a once seedy hotel from the early 1900s, the Breslin, Ace New York brought in downtown edge with 260 modern and masculine spacious rooms, paying tribute to the area with its own "outside-the-box" cool: guest bathrobes are "boxing robes" (the basement used to be a boxing ring) and closets are simply garment racks (homage to the nearby Garment District).

La Plage Resort Taormina, Italy "The Beach" occupies the triangle of land between the coastal railroad tracks and the bathtub-size bay of Isola Bella, a taxi, bus, or cable-car ride from the town of Taormina, high on the cliff above. Overhauled in 2010, it is a five-star resort with nine rooms and suites and 52 tiny villas, all with soft, clean white lines and wood and wicker appointments. Enjoy bay views from inside the Italian-Asian Fusion Restaurant, or brave the mosquitoes for a romantic table on the terrace.

The people who bring you Travel and Leisure magazine operate Vacationist, which is one of my favorite travel magazines.  There are 3 sections:  vacationist, luxury link and family getaways.  I have been watching it for the last month.  The deals have a wide range.  There is stuff on there that is still light years out of my price range and other places that are amazing deals, places that I would otherwise not be able to consider.  For example, I have seen 5 star hotels for $100 a night for a suite in many major cities across the US and Europe.  That is a pretty good deal.  Right now there are lots of places in warm climates and Europe, but there are also amazing looking resorts in Turkey and S.E. Asia.  Make sure to read the fine print for blackout dates and expiration dates, but all in all it is worth signing up for to watch for great deals on hotels that may pop up in a destination where you were planning a vacation.  You might just get a glimpse of what is like to vacation in luxury for a price that will fit your budget.  Now that is what I call a deal.

Extra tip:  You have to be accepted or invited by friends to join.  Then invite friends and get $25 for each friend who joins.  I am a member so  use my name to join (Susan Molloy)and tell them Don't Forget Your Undies sent you!