November 21, 2008
Lighting a few candles can create instant ambiance at your next party. But, while you cast a warm glow over your guests, the paraffin that is burning may be emitting toxins into the air.
3R Living, an eco-minded lifestyle store based in Brooklyn, sells a collection of stylish home accessories including beeswax candles from
Big Dipper Wax Works. Naturally aromatic (infused ...
November 18, 2008
Just because the warm weather has fled doesn't mean that al fresco dining is gone, too. Well, at least not entirely.
Tucked in the back of chef Anita Lo's West Village restaurant,
bar Q, is a striking, enclosed atrium designed by Hiromi Tsuruta that seats up to 40 diners. Lo (of acclaimed Michelin-starred
Annisa) has long been known for fusing Asian and ...
November 12, 2008
If I gave you diamonds and pearls
Would you be a happy boy or girl
An ode to a favorite Prince song, this opulent cocktail made with Hendrick’s Gin and rich purple blackberries can be found on the menu at the chic
Gramercy Park Hotel in New York.
Recipe courtesy of Hendrick's Gin
INGREDIENTS
1 oz Hendrick’s Gin
1 oz Lillet Blanc
6 blackberries
0.5 oz Monin Coconut
MIXING NOTES
Muddle ...
November 7, 2008
It's not everyday that you get to order a cocktail from a celebrity bartender (at least once they have become famous). But, at the Sundance Institute's annual New York City gala hosted by President and Founder
Robert Redford, it has become a well known tradition.
This year the notable waitstaff included actors
Michael Imperioli, Hope Davis, Joey Pantoliano, and
Judah Friedlander (30 Rock) who served up drinks and chatted ...
November 3, 2008
Why brave the chilly weather and the Saturday night crowds, when you can keep the party at home? Whether you play Texas Hold ‘Em or Scrabble, here are some fun ideas and entertaining tips for hosting your very own Game Night.
The key to any casual get-together is making sure your guests feel relaxed and at home. Make sure to serve comfort food that is easy to eat ...
November 3, 2008
French Onion Grilled Cheese with Spiced Jus
Courtesy of Lesly Bernard of Tillman's, New York
Spiced Jus:
2 sweet onions
2 celery stalks
3 garlic cloves
Canola oil
4 cups chicken stock
Chop onions and celery stalks and sauté with garlic cloves in canola oil until translucent. Add chicken stock to pot and bring to boil for 30 minutes. Strain jus.
Onion Compote:
2 sweet onions
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt ...
November 2, 2008
Looking for an unconventional gift for a chocolate lover? The latest creation by
Katrina Markoff, founder of
Vosges Haut-Chocolat, combines the unlikely flavors of applewood smoked bacon and milk chocolate in an even more unexpected form - a flying pig.
Originally created as a wedding favor for her friend's nuptials, the 1.2 oz
Flying Chocolate Pig comes in a ...
October 23, 2008
Oscar Wilde once said, "Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination."
One look at the outrageous scene at
The Box on Monday night and the infamous Irish novelist would have been proud. Party-goers left behind their recession woes (and most of their inhibitions) to don brilliant costumes ranging from Victorian lady to sultry flapper to 1930's screen siren. While some guests took liberties with ...
October 15, 2008
So much for a stealth soft opening for the
Thompson LES. The hotel on Allen Street, the newest from hotelier Jason Pomeranc, was swarmed by Hollywood's A-list on Tuesday night for the Cinema Society's post-screening bash for the film
Filth and Wisdom hosted by Dolce and Gabbana. The guest of honor,
Madonna, who was being lauded for for her directorial debut, ...
October 10, 2008
If hiring a
sommelier feels a little too snooty for your taste, then why don't you try a
Swirl-ette? Founded by
Anu Karwa,
Swirl Events is a full service wine tasting company that brings everything from the hand-selected wines to the perfectly paired cheeses and chocolates, Riedel glasses and trained wine expert right to your home or office.
Karwa has designed ...
October 8, 2008
AvroKO, the innovative design team of
Adam Farmerie,
Kristina O’Neal,
William Harris and
Greg Bradshaw, are known as the brains behind the gorgeous designs of many of the city’s top restaurants, including The Stanton Social, Quality Meats, and The E.U
., not to mention
Public, which they own along with partner Dan Rafalin. Now they’ve done it again ...
October 3, 2008
Foodies and families alike will gather this weekend at the schoolyard of PS41 for
Futurehood, a community block party to benefit the school’s Greenroof Project.
On Saturday, October 4th, the neighborhood will enjoy an afternoon of gourmet snacks (by Bobo Restaurant, Gramercy Tavern, Royale Café and Murrays Bagels), cooking demos, face painting and live concerts by Smalls Jazz Club, Tiny Masters of ...
October 1, 2008
Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month is now as easy as pie. Or, should we say
dessert…
Starting today,
B.R. Guest Restaurants will donate 75% of the proceeds from 4 specialty desserts to benefit the
Breast Treatment Task Force (BTTF), a groundbreaking program, which provides free surgeries and treatment to patients without access to health insurance.
Founded by
Janice Zaballero (pictured here with Board ...
September 30, 2008
Chinatown is no longer just a destination for dim sum and designer knock-offs.
In fact, it's becoming a bona fide nightlife mecca, due in large part to
Apothéke, the recently opened boîte from esteemed mixologist
Albert Trummer and brother-sister duo
Heather and
Christopher Tierney.
Inspired by ancient apothecary traditions, the bar menu is divided into nine categories of drinks including ones to promote health and ...
September 23, 2008
Turns out New York is a great noodle town. Whether you are looking for a fast bowl of Japanese ramen or a decadent plate of lobster bolognese, there is something for everyone. For some of the top noodle dishes in the city, try the
Indian Mee Goreng at
Taste Good or the
Linguine alla Vongole at
Il Cortile. [via
Gourmet]
These ...
September 23, 2008
When
Deborah Williamson and
Bryan Calvert, owners of the successful events and catering company
Williamson Calvert, decided to expand their horizons and open a restaurant, they opted for something a little bit closer to home.
Literally.
James, the eatery the husband-wife duo opened this past summer, is located in the same building as their Prospect Heights apartment. Talk ...
September 19, 2008
Design aficionados rejoice! Your favorite furniture studio,
Design Within Reach, has spawned a new outpost called
Tools for Living, which features beautifully crafted yet totally functional everyday items for cooking, entertaining, traveling and, well...just living.
Favorite items include the stunning (and sustainable) dinnerware set from the Adónde Collection (featured right) crafted from natural stoneware or FSC-certified jatoba wood. The assortment of ...
September 15, 2008
When
Mick Jagger decides to make a rare appearance at a New York City premiere, it's no surprise that the film is on his favorite subject - women! Jagger attended The Cinema Society and NARS hosted screening of
The Women, a remake of the iconic 1939 original. Holding court, Jagger was surrounded by lovely ladies all night including the stars ...
September 8, 2008
Fashion Week started with a big bang on Thursday night at the
MINI Rooftop NYC, an event space in Hell's Kitchen that has been transformed for an exclusive 10-day cultural event series. Hosted by international style publication,
Dazed and Confused, the opening party featured a headline musical set by the band on everybody's summer playlist, MGMT. No doubt the party had an
electric feel from the cool LED lighting by ...
September 7, 2008
It certainly felt like boys night out at the
Explorers Club on Wednesday evening. TUMI''s Creative Director
David Chu was joined by
Dennis Paul, Euan Rellie and
Richard Wiese, the youngest president in the Explorer's Club 100-year history (who impressively cross-country skied to the North Pole), to celebrate the launch of TUMI's T-Tech Collection and Abercrombie & Kent's new program, "Extreme Adventures."
The city's most prominent explorers, world ...
September 4, 2008
It's pretty safe to say that the Hamptons is not your average beach scene. Where else do kids sell virgin mojitos at their corner stand instead of old-fashioned lemonade? So, for the last party of the summer, it was only fitting that it was more blow-out-bash than BBQ.
On Sunday, August 30th, the Hamptons most social residents and celebrities including
Katie Lee Joel,
Beth Ostrosky and
Hugh Grant headed to ...
August 26, 2008
Guest blogger Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York shares her expert tips on how to handle the modern day R.S.V.P. Having created incredible bespoke invitations for sophisticated brides, corporate clients and A-list celebrities such as Katherine Heigl, Diddy and Billy Crystal, Hoffman reviews the proper etiquette for responding to your gracious host.
Let's face it...somehow we always find time to procrastinate on the things ...
August 25, 2008
Nostalgic for the ice cream truck of your childhood but have the sophisticated palate of a food connoisseur?
Then the sight of the pale yellow, vintage
Van Leeuwen step van serving cones of Sicilian Pistachio, Piedmont Hazelnut and Hudson Valley Red Current is sure to make your heart go aflutter.
Unlike the additive filled and artificially tasting Mister Softee, Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice ...
August 20, 2008
As with most industries, being a true insider means that you have some pretty connected friends on speed dial. When it comes to the world of events, that person is
Karrie Goldberg, who has created a name for herself as the go-to-girl for those looking for the best venues in the city.
Now she has expanded her services with
The Kagency ...
