NYC - Smitten with the Mitten?

As I prepare to head home to Michigan for the holidays, I can't help but notice how many reminders there are of my home state here in the big city. Over the past four months I've been so surprised by the many Michigan references around town - whether on store windows, on sweatshirts zipping past me while jogging along the Hudson, or on restaurant menus themselves. Perhaps I'm looking for them more than the average person, but they're there nonetheless. Here are some of my favorite Midwest reminders --

Grey Dog Cafe (Multiple locations, http://www.thegreydog.com/) - With three quaint locations in downtown Manhattan, these spots absolutely exude a Midwest mentality. Each cafe's atmosphere mimics that of a farm house with wooden benches and chalk board menus. They are best known for their 20+ "Michigan Sandwiches" on the menu which range from the complicated Grey Dog Club to the fan favorite Grilled Cheese. The owners are University of Michigan grads and proudly display some fun paraphernalia around the cafes.

Duane Park Patisserie (179 Duane Street, http://www.duaneparkpatisserie.com/parkpatisserie.com/) - While strolling around my neighborhood this past weekend, I was thrilled to see "Go Blue" written all over the windows of this adorable neighborhood bakery. They have all of the traditional items you would expect of a bakery - croissants, scones, specialty cakes, custom cookies and fun seasonal items - and everything is made on-site and from scratch. The owner was the first woman to be hired as a cook at the Plaza Hotel - if that isn't enough of a reason to trust the goodies at DPP, I don't know what is.

The Hill (416 3rd Avenue, http://thehillny.com/) - Changing things up a bit, The Hill is an upscale sports bar and lounge on 29th and 3rd. It was started (once again) by Michigan grads living in the city who dreamt of setting up the destination spot for Wolverines to cheer their team on from the East coast. I've been a few times and can attest to the deliciousness of the tater tots and the festive Michigan fans that set up court each week. Definitely a fun stop for a Wolverine fan.

Do you know of other businesses with Michigan or Midwest roots in NYC? Let me know on the Midwestern Manhattanite Facebook page or by Tweeting @MWManhattanite.

Perfectly Patent

The search for the perfect Holiday-time shoe is no joking matter. Equally challenging? Finding such a shoe that nicely transitions from the stylish streets of New York City to that annual family holiday party in the the great Midwest. Leave it to me to beat the odds and find the perfect transitional holiday shoe. I give you the Calvin Klein "Olive" black patent pump. With its stacked, chunky heel and manageable height (3.5"), this shoe can easily take you from a day at the office to that holiday cocktail party. You simply can't go wrong with a classic black patent leather pump. Plus, absolutely nothing says "its the holiday season" like black patent leather. These are available right now at Zappos by clicking here.

In the Limelight

Those from the Midwest are used to hopping in their pre-warmed vehicles (hello automatic start) and driving comfortably to the nearest indoor shopping center. Here in New York City? We're not so lucky in the chillier months. Lucky for us, I recently discovered a unique, boutique and yes, indoor(!) shopping destination called The Limelight Marketplace (656 Avenue of the Americas, http://www.limelightmarketplace.com/). The Limelight has an interesting history. In 1844 the facility was built as an Episcopal Church, later to be turned into both a drug counseling facility and then a nightclub (whose opening night was hosted by none other than Andy Warhol). These days, the Marketplace has been reborn and remodeled (thanks to a $15M gut renovation), and features 35 upscale boutiques and restaurants. The more established brands with booths inside include Hunter Boots, Havianas and Le Sportsac, but there are equally adorable no-name brands as well with intriguing merchandise to peruse. If the shopping isn't enough to get you there, the famous Brooklyn Pizzeria, Grimaldi's, will soon be opening its doors in the "food court" area. The food options don't stop there -- in one section of the Marketplace you'll find scrumptous treats such as gelato, cupcakes and other baked goodies to sample on those long shopping days. On the Saturday that I stopped by, there was even a a grill (and grill-master) set up in the courtyard outside providing delicious eats for patrons. Definitely a must see for Manhattanites!

Good Beer Grows in Brooklyn

Yearning for a small taste of Oktoberfest, but without the time to travel overseas to Germany, my friends and I set up a little celebration of our own last Saturday to soak up the fall sunshine and mix up our traditional social regime. While it didn't necessarily involve lederhosen or beer wenches, it did involve an escape from the borough of Manhattan (to Williamsburg, Brooklyn to be exact), ginormous Bavarian pretzels and a big enough variety of beers to satisfy even the most discriminating beer-lover. Here are my top choices for a rousing good Saturday afternoon:

Brooklyn Brewery (79 North 11th Street, http://www.brooklynbrewery.com/) - The entrance is easy to miss since you think its simply the door to the production facility. However, once inside, you don't want to leave! Upon entering, stop at the booth to purchase a slew of beer tokens - 6 beers for $20 is the best deal and you can split them among friends (unless you're feeling ambitious). Head to the back bar to redeem your tokens and don't be shy about asking for samples - Martin was great about letting me sample a wide variety of beers before I honed in on my favorite - the Light Ale. Hungry? While they don't serve food, menus for Fanelli's Pizza are scattered around the casual picnic tables and they deliver right to the brewery. A fun perk to take advantage of is the Brewery Tour describing the history and production processes of the Brewery - it happens Saturdays 1-5 and Sundays 1-4 on the hour. Definitely not a chic or high-end establishment, but when you've got beer and great friends on-hand, what else do you need?

After a few hours at the Brewery, my friends and I ventured over to Radegast Hall & Biergarten (113 N. 3rd Street, http://www.radegasthall.com/), the second stop on our beer tour of Brooklyn. While the Brewery is more about the production and quality of beer, Radegast Hall & Biergarten is most certainly more about the enjoyment and merriment of drinking beer with friends. Choose to sit in the "outdoor" heated Biergarten or inside the hall (usually an easier option on a crowded day). This place definitely has the food - spatzle, sausage and Bavarian pretzels to name a few - enough authentic and delicious options to take you from day to night.

All-in-all a fantastic day in Brooklyn - our own Oktoberfest experience just a subway ride away.

Food Truck Heaven

Few places on Earth have as abundant a food truck presence and followership as New York City. Now, for those out-of-towners, I'm not talking about a random shish kabob and rice street cart. These are legitimate, well-established and delicious food establishments that just happen to be on wheels! While there are dozens and dozens to try (and I surely haven't tasted them all), I have began to compile a list of my favorites:

Street Sweets (http://www.streetsweetsny.com/) - You can spot this turquoise truck a mile away and its appearance perfectly matches the goodies it doles out. While they're typically near the large office buildings in midtown, on lucky Thursday, they head downtown to Houston & King from 3-5PM. My favorite goodies are their whoopie pies (pumpkin in the fall is perfection).

Rickshaw Dumplings (http://www.rickshawdumplings.com/plings.com/) - Something you can actually write-off as a real lunch! Rickshaw Dumplings is a brick and mortar establishment that has gone mobile. I recommend the Chicken and Thai Basil dumplings or the Vegetarian Edamame dumplings with the Asian Green Salad.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck (http://www.vanleeuwenicecream.com/) - These aren't your ordinary ice cream flavors. They have such inviting flavors as Ginger and Hazelnut, perfect even when the weather gets chillier. I've seen their light yellow trucks all over the city, but you can follow them on Twitter if you really want to pin down their location.

My next food trucks to seek out? Go Burger, El Diablo Tacos, Schnitzel Truck and Waffles & Dinges. All can be followed on Twitter to get up to the minute info on locations and daily specials.

J'adore Gramercy Park

Sometimes among the craziness of the city, it's nice to find a "respite from the storm", so to speak. I feel like I found exactly that this weekend when I decided to explore Gramery Park, a neighborhood that is situated between 14th Street, First Avenue, 23rd Street and Park Avenue South. The shining star of the neighborhood is, no surprise, Gramercy Park itself. The small, fenced-in, two acre park is one of only two private parks in the city. Only residents that live on the border of the park have a key and are allowed access. However, for someone without a key but with a lot of curiosity, I had a great time exploring the area. Here are a few of my favorite stops (aside from the beautifully maintained park which is a must-see in itself):

For after-work drinks or to kick-off a weekend night: Rose Bar or Jade Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel (2 Lexington Avenue, http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/). The hotel was recently madeover by hotelier Ian Schrager and it shows - both bars are designed with a kind of bohemian meets high-style mentality - its not cheap though so maybe save this for a special occasion.

For weekend brunch: Friend of a Farmer (77 Irving Place, http://www.friendofafarmer.com/). This spot offers a warm, homey atmosphere that makes you feel like you're a houseguest in a rural estate outside the city. Breakfast and brunch are their specialties.

For coffee/tea/relaxing: Few places in New York feel as non-chainy as 71 Irving Place Coffee & Tea Bar (71 Irving Place, http://www.irvingfarm.com/). They not only provide coffee and tea and other delicious beverages, but also mix up some unique sandwiches, soups, salads and other delightful items perfect to easily help you pass a weekend afternoon.

From tea to martinis and strolling to lounging, Gramercy's got it all!

Park Yourself in Park Slope

In my opinion, it's every Manhattanite's duty to venture out of the hallowed borough that is Manhattan, into the boroughs less traveled. This past Sunday, I found myself cruising the F train to Brooklyn - specifically, Park Slope - a neighborhood in the western section of Brooklyn and arguably its most popular one as well. Upon exiting the subway station, I was overjoyed to immediately encounter boutique shops (read: non-chains), large trees arching over the sidewalks and delicious looking cafes offering al fresco dining. I had to briefly check to make sure the subway hadn't transported me back to Ann Arbor. Without a college student or Buffalo Wild Wings in sight, I knew I was in fact in Park Slope. A quick Wikipedia search told me that this was the East coast home of Tom Hanks, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Keri Russell, so I was obviously eager to explore.

First stop - Sette Enoteca e Cucina (191 7th Avenue, http://www.setteparkslope.com/), an adorable spot with outdoor and indoor seating that were equally appealing. Unbeknownst to me and my friend, the only food option at this time was an $18 two course, all you can drink brunch. After our first two rounds of drinks (Bloody Mary's for my friend, Bellini's for me), we eagerly ordered the sweet potato puree soup (we are so ready for fall) as our first course - delicious - could've eaten it for my meal. My next course was a standard European-style breakfast - soft scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes and a delicious mixed greens salad and balsamic dressing. Cut to our waiter literally filling our drinks to the top every time they were more than an inch below the rim. All in all, a fantastic experience and delicious food, leaving us slowly rolling out of the restaurant and onto the shop lined 7th Ave.

We couldn't resist stopping into Kiwi (119 7th Avenue) a cute boutique carrying on-trend items at a variety of price points. Some drool-worthy items included Autumn Cashmere sweaters, Hat Attack perfect-for-fall fedoras (I snatched up a fantastic navy and black one) and patterned tights. With a friendly staff to boot, this is an essential stop in Park Slope.

While meandering around brownstone and treelined streets and throughout town (including the "I'm totally back in the Midwest", Prospect Park), I noted a few other places I wouldn't mind returning to: Park Slope Ale House (356 6th Avenue) - great for a casual night out with friends - and Scottadito Osteria (788 Union Street, http://www.scottadito.com/) - lovely open air back patio for eating.

While not technically a borough, my next adventure outside of Manhattan will be to Hoboken, NJ. Suggestions? Please post them to the Midwestern Manhattanite facebook page.

Ode to a Farmers Market

Nothing says Midwest living like a good farmers market. Which is why, upon moving to Manhattan, it was at the top of my to-do list to find my favorites within the city. I've already been to many since arriving a little under three months ago and have truly enjoyed the fantastic selections of flowers, fruit & vegetables, cheese, fish and even cider and donuts now that the season is upon us! The best part? The prices are about half of what they would be at your local Food Emporium or other grocery chain. Here's a list of my favorites:

Tribeca Greenmarket (Greenwich Street between Chambers & Duane - www.grownyc.org/tribecagreenmarket) - Right in my neighborhood, this mini farmers market has everything you need. It's open on Wednesday and Saturday and is situated right next to Washington Market Park - an ideal place to sit under the trees and enjoy some treats.

Abingdon Square Greenmarket (Hudson & 8th Ave between W. 12th and Bethune - www.grownyc.org/abingdongreenmarket) - Perfect to hit on your way home from brunch or some boutique shopping in the West Village. Open on Saturday from 8am-2pm year round.

Union Square Greenmarket (Union Square from 15th-17th Streets - www.grownyc.org/unionsquaregreenmarket) - This is the mother of all Farmers Markets in the city. Union Square is completely taken over each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday by vendors selling literally every item you could imagine. Definitely a must-do/see.

This week I'm enjoying some delicious garlic green beans thanks to the Tribeca Greenmarket. And - I can't lie - some phenomenally delicious donuts and cider. Next week - who knows!

College GameDay Takes Manhattan

It's that time of year again - the weather's getting cooler, students are back on campus and of course, football season is finally underway! There's no way I could properly represent the midwesterners without sharing the best and most spirited places in New York City to watch our favorite teams go at eachother:

Illinois - The Australian (20 W. 38th Street - http://www.theaustraliannyc.com/) - enjoy the $3 "fighting ilini" aka some sort of blue shot.

Michigan - um, anywhere? According to Guest of a Guest, "Basically, if you walk into a New York City bar on a Michigan game day, there's about a 30% chance you'll walk into a UM Game Watch. These guys are everywhere, including Brother Jimmy's Union Square (116 E. 16th Street - http://www.brotherjimmys.com/), the official spot for alumni and Professor Thom's (219 2nd Ave - http://www.professorthoms.com/), a longtime favorite for Wolverines in the city.

Michigan State - Blondies West (212 W. 79th Street - http://blondiessports.com/) or Mercury Bar East (483 3rd Ave - http://www.mercurybareast.com/) for drinks specials and green shots.

Notre Dame - The Public House (140 E. 41st Street - http://www.publichousenyc.com/) for unlimited soda, juice and water for $10, OR unlimited alcoholic drinks for $40 - I'm thinking most of the Irish will choose the later.

Ohio State - Tonic Times Square (727 7th Ave - tonicbarnyc.com) or The Village Pourhouse (982 Amsterdam Ave - http://www.villagepourhouse.com/) - although I don't know why anyone would want to watch the Buckeyes...unless they're playing the Wolverines.

Penn State - Tonic East (411 3rd Ave - http://www.toniceast.com/) or Mercury Bar West (659 9th Ave - mercurybarnyc.com) - both will have food and drink specials.

Purdue - Galway Hooker (7 E. 36th Street - http://www.galwayhookernyc.com/)

Wisconsin - Mad River (1442 3rd Ave - http://www.madrivergrille.com/) - perhaps the greatest incentive, Mad River will have a complimentary, limited supply of Babcock Hall ice cream, straight from Wisconsin!

...and break! See everyone at Brother Jimmy's in their maize and blue today - I mean...whatever bar you choose in your own team's colors. Go Blue!

Friday Fashion Fete

As a midwesterner who loves fashion, my "live" shopping opportunities were fairly limited to our (fantastic yet repetitive) local mall and select boutiques in town. Enter - New York City. The home of Fashion Avenue, "Project Runway", $30 "designer" bags on Canal Street three blocks from $3,000 bags at Chanel Soho, world renowned vintage stores, and - an event I've been looking forward to since I moved to the city - Fashion's Night Out (http://fashionsnightout.com/). On Friday, September 10, boutiques and stores throughout the world (New York is the largest participant) celebrate fashion by holding in-store events with DJ's, cocktails, celebrities, stylists and most importantly great deals on in-store styles. For the purpose of those who don't have time to scan the hundreds of store-based events throughout the city, I thought I'd list my top picks for a fabulous night out here:

Diane von Furstenberg (440 W. 14th Street - http://www.dvf.com/.dvf.com/) - DVF will host the "experience lounge" at her store where you can sip champagne with actress/model Molly Sims and Olivia Palermo from The City. Get photographed in DFV fall fashion looks while enjoying the beats of DJ Elisa. Your photos will even stream live on giant screens throughout the store for your very own VIP fashion moment.

Tory Burch (38-40 Little W. 12th Street - http://www.toryburch.com/) - Tory is hosting a block party outside her Meatpacking District shop and DJ Cassidy will be spinning the turntables. Best perk of this one? Shake Shack will be serving burgers on-site! So try on some new Reva flats for fall, kick back and enjoy.

Bergdorf Goodman (754 5th Avenue - http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/) - If you want some top-notch celeb sightings combined with outrageous shopping at one of New York's most infamous shopping institutions, this is definitely a good bet. On top of a bevy of in-store competitions (make-up and karaoke to list a few), celebs including Mary J. Blige, Nicole Richie and Victoria Beckham.

And last, but certainly not least, my favorite online shoe site, Piperlime (http://www.piperlime.com/), has established a Soho pop-up shop in honor of Fashion's Night Out. The store is located at 93 Mercer Street and will be open today through October 3, highlighting fall's top styles in clothing and shoes alike. My favorite quirky celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe, will even be on-hand from 8-10pm during Fashion's Night Out to offer styling tips to lucky attendees looking to ramp up their style. This is most likely where you'll find me after work this Friday. Happy shopping!

Delicious, Party of One - Weekend Restaurant Recap

Over the past few weekends I have eaten at some truly fantastic places. Some trendy, some hole-in-walls, some super casual, all delicious! Instead of posting about each place individually, I thought it would be easier to digest all at once.

When my family comes to visit, I'm always in search of the perfect place to eat - something that provides an easy transition from suburb to city life. I always tend to look for restaurants with a patio or outdoor seating option because it reminds my family that yes(!), there is some semlance of nature in the city. On this particular visit I hit the nail right on the head in choosing De Santos (139 W. 10th Street - http://www.desantosnyc.com/) in the West Village. I knew from past visits that my family enjoyed the neighborhood feel and tree-lined streets of the West Village, so I was certain they would like De Santos, a converted brownstone on W. 10th Street - and I was right. Everything from the beautiful patio seating to the service was outstanding and each of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We even split their special chocolate ganache dessert which was to die for. While it was the perfect family dinner spot, it would also serve as an ideal date spot, night out with friends or special occasion venue. They also serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday which looks equally delicious.

Ever feel like there's no place reasonably priced to eat in the Meatpacking District? Well you were right -- until now. The same group that owns Spice and Peep have recently opened up Sea (835 Washington Street - www.seainnyc.com/sea/ ) - a very moderately priced Thai restaurant with outstanding food and the ever-coveted opportunity for outdoor seating. The lunch entrees are only $8 or $9 and come with a free appetizer. They also serve one of the most refreshing pitchers of mojitos I have ever seen. Bonus Perk: The restaurant is directly across from The Standard Hotel so provides some of the best people watching in the city. Also, if you're up for something slightly adventurous after lunch, venture across the street to The Highline - New York City's elevated railroad track park (you'll understand when you see it) that runs from the Meatpacking District to Chelsea.

Ready for a night out on the town and in need of a trendy spot that won't break the bank? Look no further than Mercer Kitchen (99 Prince Street - http://www.jean-georges.com/), one of the many fantastic places in chef Jean-Georges's portfolio (which also includes Spice Market, Matsugen and the newly opened ABC Kitchen). The upstairs bar warrants a visit in itself, but I was thrilled to spend a few hours with my girlfriends in the sexy, energetic downstairs dining room. Not wanting to choose just one entree, we split a variety of appetizers and side dishes including the Tuna Spring Rolls, Shaved Fennel Salad with Argula & Parmasean, Macaroni and Cheese and two pizzas - Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil, and Black Truffle and Fontana Cheese. Everything was outstanding and the cocktails only added to our happiness. Mercer Kitchen is the perfect beginning to a fun night on the town.

Per-fection at Per Tutti

Four wheels, airport scannable laptop bags, GPS tracking! The recent innovations in luggage and travel bags are simply incredible. As a new and proud owner of a four-wheeled luggage set, I can tell you that once you go four-wheels, you never go back. Trekking through even the lengthiest of terminals is a breeze, and I can't tell you the luggage-envy you can feel from other less-fortunate travelers. I was lucky enough to become the proud owner of a fantastic new set - the Samsonite xSpace Spinner Collection (see photo) - currently available (on sale!) at Macy's in a variety of colors. It even comes in fun colors that make finding your bag at the baggage carousel extremely easy. If you're lucky enough to live in Manhattan, I'm excited to share one of the best boutique luggage stores I've seen in a long time - Per Tutti (49 Greenwich Ave, http://www.pertutti.com/ ). They carry everything from Longchamp to Tumi and from simple laptop covers to full-on luggage sets. In addition to luggage, bags and outstanding customer service, they also carry travel accessories such as umbrellas, luggage tags and passport cases. They hold a special place in my heart for selling me the BEST umbrella I have ever encountered - the Knirps 878 Fiber T2 (see photo). Yes, it's expensive at an astounding $58 a pop, but I have been through some wicked weather with this umbrella and I give it a 110% guarantee that it won't break even in the strongest winds. Even when it did turn inside-out amidst the horrible storms and winds this past weekend, I simply pulled down swiftly on the handle and it was back to its optimal rain-shielding position. If I have my Knirps umbrella, I know I'm good to go even in the most vicious Manhattan weather.

Hamptons 101

To the average midwesterner, The Hamptons (yes, it's singular - I researched it) is a mystical place where hunky dark-haired men play polo, celebrities attend charity events and Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson go beach-combing for stones in Something's Gotta Give. In reality, The Hamptons is all of those things, but it can also be one of the most casual, relaxing weekend trips you've had in a while. I was lucky enough to escape the city this past weekend to stay in a phenomenally beautiful home in Amagansett (west of Montauk, east of East Hampton).

If you're a fish lover, you'll be in heaven as all of the restaurants generally incorporate fish into the majority of their menu items. For special evenings out, I highly recommend Dave's Grill (468 West Lake Drive, Montauk - http://www.davesgrill.com/home.html) and Nick & Toni's (136 North Main Street, East Hampton - http://www.nickandtonis.com/). Dave's Grill had perhaps the most delicious fish dish I've ever had - Black Miso Cod. I would take a 3 hour train just for that dish! Going out to eat isn't the only option - the group at our house decided to "stay in" for lunch Saturday, which for this crowd meant pre-ordering about 12 two-pound lobsters, corn on the cob and roasted potatoes from Amagansett Seafood Store (517 Montauk Hwy, Amagansett). As we dug into our delicious food and drank wine in the open-air dining room I thought, "So this is The Hamptons, huh? I could get used to this..."

In closing, I'd like to leave you with a few tips for the inexperienced Hamptons traveler before you embark on your trip:

1. The Friday crowds at Penn Station can be one of the most intimidating experiences of your life. Don't worry - even though the crowds stampede towards the train immediately after the track number is posted, there are still plenty of seats left even minutes before the train departs.

2. While the summer weather in The Hamptons is fabulous, the temperature on the train is comparable to a Midwest winter. Make sure you have a hooded sweatshirt and a scarf handy nearby at all times - and don't wear flip flops either - you will be freezing.

3. Be prepared to be stared at whenever you leave the comfort of your private home. Everyone is always looking at everyone in an attempt to spot celebrities, socialites or any famous face in general. Upon receiving our lunch bill at CittaNuova (29 Newtown Lane, East Hampton - http://www.cittanuova.com/) - home of the best spaghetti I've ever had - we noticed a small insert asking "Love People Watching from CittaNuova's Front Patio?" The card then went on to describe the restaurant's "live webcam" broadcasting pedestrian activity inside and outside the restaurant. I mean, really? Taking people watching to a whole new level - only in The Hamptons!

My recommendation? Take a Friday off (or at least a 1/2 day), grab some friends, head east on the train and relax. While I can't speak for the other Hamptons towns, Montauk, Amagansett and East Hampton were everything I was hoping for - quaint, tree-lined streets, sandy beaches, great restaurants and top-notch people watching. While the shopping leaves a bit to be desired (all of the stores are simply outposts of large Manhattan luxury chains like Hermes, Michael Kors and Theory), the experience itself is definitely worth one of those summer Friday's you've been saving up.

So-Ho Good!

While you may try to avoid the Soho streets due to the crowds sweeping in and out of stores ranging from unique boutiques to luxury mega-chains, I encourage you to pay a little more attention next time you're squeezing by those hipsters browsing the sidewalk fedora stand. You may be passing by the perfect authentic tapas bar. In this case I'm referring to Boqueria Soho (171 Spring - http://www.boquerianyc.com/) - a Spanish small plates/tapas bar that serves as an upbeat yet relaxing respite amidst the busy Soho streets. While slightly hidden from the street, upon entry you are immediately engulfed in the smells of their famous Pan con Tomate (grilled bread rubbed with tomato, garlic and olive oil) which one of their chefs skillfully creates in the front window. From my experience last night, I can highly recommend the Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp) and the Albondigas (lamb meatballs in tomato sauce with goat cheese) - I thought I died and went to heaven when I combined these delicious dishes with my glass of Syrah. On top of everything we had a fantastic waiter who was attentive and eager to suggest his favorite meals. No reservations (they only take them for parties of 6 or larger at dinner) needed if you're content snagging one of the casual, tall bar tables towards the front of the restaurant - we certainly were.

Making Don Draper Proud

If you're looking for a unique mid-week scene to try with some friends, I highly recommend Hudson Bar & Books(636 Hudson, www.barandbooks.cz/hudson), a West Village cigar and whisky bar/lounge whose tagline is "The Most Refreshingly Civilized Place to Meet". I found myself there last Wednesday with a group of friends eager to embrace the "When in Rome" mentality. Because we had a larger group we were led to the back lounge area full of leather couches and low cocktail tables -- it was so casually civilized that I was certain Prince Harry or William would walk in at any minute. At HB&B, "doing like the Romans do" means sampling whisky and testing out one of their many cigar offerings. I asked the waitress for an "entry level" whisky to which she returned with a glass of Glenmorangie Original (from Scotland) - I enjoyed it! I took a few puffs of a cigar from the Dominican Republic that I shared with the girls - I didn't enjoy it quite as much, but it was all for the experience. All in all, a great place to try some new things and pretend you're on the cast of Mad Men for a night. Tuesday nights sound ideal - they have select whiskies for $10 and 20% off all tasting flights.


Fun Fact: Following in the footsteps of M&M's and Hershey, Pop-Tart has just opened a brand new Pop-Tart Store in Times Square. Customers will be able to eat PT sushi, order a customized PT or suggest new flavors of PT's to Kellogg. The shop's focus will be a cafe offering about 30 new PT treats. Perhaps the Fluffer Butter - marshmallow spread sandwiched between two Pop-Tarts frosted fudge pastries - will provide a reason to battle those Times Square crowds? Only time will tell...

Bike Your Way to Happiness

Did anybody know that on Sunday, Lafayette Street in the East Village is converted into a car-free biking lane? I only discovered this when venturing out for brunch this past weekend to Delicatessen (54 Prince, http://delicatessennyc.com/) - delicious Chicken Paillard and lovely open-air seating. As I walked east on Prince Street, I noticed an abnormal number of bikers ahead and was delighted to see the car-free bike lane extending north and south as far as I could see - after some research I discovered it's known as Summer Streets, where parts of Park Ave, 4th Ave and Lafayette Street are closed to cars on August 8, 15 and 22 between 7AM and 1PM. Apparently bike shops, restaurants and snack shops participate by giving bikers fun giveaways like free air refills for tires, granola bars, discounts on food, etc. So, if you have some time over the next few weekends, I highly encourage you to pedal towards the East Village. In fact, this website gives a nice (although lengthy!) suggestion for a bike tour of Manhattan - eating and drinking stops included of course: http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/features/29134/the-perfect-bike-friendly-ride

Anchors Away

As a newcomer to the world of commuting, I've discovered it's always important to be on the lookout for the perfect pair of comfortable yet stylish flats that can easily help you transition from your morning commute to those post-work happy hours. Since my most recent post-work happy hours have turned into full-blown nights on the town, I was even more ready to find something that could add a bit of pizazz to a multi-part day. Say hello to the Sperry Top-Sider Metallic Boat Shoe (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2854834). While the company is originally known for its traditional preppy boating footwear, they've certainly crossed over into noticeable fashion brand with this fun new shoe, while still staying true to their nautical roots. Perfect with pants and skirts alike, I couldn't be happier with my most recent purchase, and it was the perfect shoe to wear yesterday for a seamless transition from work to happy hour at the Standard Biergarten (848 Washington, www.standardhotels.com/new-york-city/bars/biergarten) Tip: Definitely order a 1/2 size down if planning to buy.

Flea-ing to the Market

One of my favorite adventures this weekend was looking for furniture pieces "with character" that I could use to add a personalized touch to my apartment. After some internet research, I discovered the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market (http://www.hellskitchenfleamarket.com/home/) - apparently a mecca for New Yorkers, designers and celebs alike in search of their next treasure.

While not the most glamorous experience, I ended up finding a gorgeous antique floor mirror that I simply couldn't live without. After a bit of bargaining, I was the rightful owner of the mirror and 15 minutes later (with the help of the friendliest cab driver I've ever encountered), I had transported it back down to Tribeca where it now sits proudly in my bedroom. I was so happy that I may return to the market this coming weekend in search of a great bedside table or lamp. If you want to experience it for yourself, bring cash and go early and ready to negotiate!

Fun Fact: According to the Chicago Tribune, wheat bread has now surpassed white bread in sliced bread sales. Another indicator that people are becoming more and more health conscious in today's society. Click http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0801-bread-squeezed--20100801,0,2644452,full.story for the full story.