munch and museum

When I first moved to New York, I created a list of must-see places.  This week I checked two of them off the list with my darling friends Malle and Bhavishi with a lunch and museum afternoon.

Katz's Delicatessen

I promised Malle that I'd quote myself here, "This is the best pastrami I have ever had, and I eat A LOT of pastrami."  It's true!  Katz's reputation for making a fantastic pastrami sandwich isn't "beefed up" at all.  This bustling delicatessen may be a little chaotic and slightly expensive ($16 for a sandwich), but it's worth the visit and the sandwiches are big enough that you can share with a friend!  Next time I want to try their potato latkes.

Tip: bring cash.  

Whitney Museum of American Art 

Although I enjoy going to museums, I generally get restless after about one to two hours.  The Whitney is small and displays interactive exhibitions, making it a very enjoyable museum where you can see everything in that amount of time and not feel overwhelmed.

I particularly enjoyed the Yoyai Kusama exhibit.  I loved her multi-media art, composed of photos, sketches, and paint and her quirky self portraits.  Kusama uses a lot of vivid and bright colors, I could stare for hours.  Her art seemed relate-able and strongly based in the natural and scientific, and I left wanting to go home and make some collages on my own!

      

smooch

Every time I see someone wearing red lipstick, I want to wear red lipstick.  But no matter how many shades of red I try, I never seem satisfied.  Lucky for me, my roommate Ella has an eye for such things and she took me to Sephora to find a color that complimented my skin.  She quickly scanned the selection of NARS colors and handed me a shockingly pink tone called “funny faces.”  I looked at her skeptically and she gave me a look that said, “just trust me.”  And she was right.  The tone was still deep enough to give me that extreme lip, but it worked with my skin and eye color.  If you can’t pull off the red, try a rich deep coral or true pink to achieve a similar pout.  

not your mama's popcorn

As my friend Caroline and I were on our way to lunch this weekend, we were simultaneously derailed when a tiny storefront caught our eye.  Its simplicity, kitschy name and single product beckoned us in.  “Populence” opened its doors to West Village residents just this month.  The store offers organic, artisanal popcorn in a variety of flavors.  I devoured the salted caramel and Caroline had jalapeno cheddar.  You can purchase a small for immediate satisfaction or take a big bag home to share.  Yum.     

www.populencenyc.com 

No dairy, no eggs, Anna can eat it, oh my!

As my close friends know, I am both a lactard and allergic to eggs.... this makes ice cream and fro yo depressing.  Yes, apparently that is possible.  While wandering around Union Square the other day, I came across this cute little place filled with happy looking customers mowing down on what looked like yet another unfriendly-to-Anna establishment, but then I saw the sign: "The Soft Serve Fruit Co.: cholesterol free, fat free, dairy free, gluten free." UM.... heaven?

The Soft Serve Fruit Co. makes three flavors of soft serve fresh fruit (chocolate, banana and strawberry) and offers a delectable range of toppings.  Even my ice cream loving companions will accompany me here.

I tried strawberry and chocolate with a peanut butter and pretzel topping for a salty-sweet treat. 

 http://www.softservefruitco.com/

Hot child in the city

Let’s face it, not all of us are glamorous enough to jet away to Fire Island, the Hamptons or Montauk on the weekends.  So, I’ve created a short list of places to stay cool in the HOT city:

SOHO Grand, The Yard (SOHO)

I loved the SOHO Grand bar before… with the elegant décor, luxurious sheer white curtains, Alice in Wonderland-like furniture and too-chic-to-let-me-in crowd, but it got even better with the recent opening of an outdoor bar and lounge area called “The Yard.”  Twinkle lights, garden showers, and lounge chairs make this the sexiest summer happy hour and evening spot in town. 

Be sure to tell the manager Aron hello and compliment him on his ability to look cool and strapping while sporting a three-piece suit in humid, ninety degree weather.  Yeah, we’re impressed.

http://www.sohogrand.com/dining-nightlife/the-yard/

Smith & Mills (TriBeCa)

If you can locate it, and squish inside, you may find yourself stuffed into a two-top next to the likes of a celebrity… or five while sipping a delish and kitschy cocktail of the season.  This small, and I mean tiny, bar manages to serve fantastic little bites too.  Personally, I like oysters and prosecco.  You’ll fall in love and make this place a regular.    

http://www.smithandmills.com/

Apothéke (Chinatown)

I’ve always had an obsession with European apothecaries, so when I went to Apothéke, I felt like all my ailments were cured.  This tiny old-world bar is tucked down a quiet alley in Chinatown and is sure to have a line of patrons waiting for a “prescription,” as they label their cocktails.  The bartenders all wear pharmacist frocks and pour delicious concoctions from antique glass pharmacy bottles.  Best part, the prescriptions are created with fresh fruits and herbs grown on the rooftop!      

http://www.apothekenyc.com/

Little Branch (West Village)

The first time I paid Little Branch a visit I thought that they must have closed their doors or relocated.  Found on the corner in the basement of an abandoned looking building, you would never know that a bustling speakeasy hides below.  I highly suggest that you let the bartenders recommend a drink for your palette.  I tried a twist on the traditional gimlet.  I love the metal stirrer straws and the evenings when Little Branch hosts live jazz bands.  Guaranteed to satisfy!  But be sure to bring cash.

http://littlebranch.net/

would you like some tea with your honey?

My best friend Charles and I love our tea.  I have lots of wonderful memories sipping tea with him, whether we just lounged around the kitchen with a cup of rosemint or chatted for hours over a pot of Earl Grey at Butterfly Herbs in Missoula, Montana.  Last spring he took me on a lovely afternoon tea date at Bergdorf Goodman.  We noshed on crumpets with raspberry preserves and cucumber sandwiches in the spa like tea room, melting into pure bliss.  On this pleasant afternoon I discovered Marriage Frères, a truly decadent tea company.  I ended up buying a few boxes of Casablanca - a blend of green, Moroccan mint and bergamot flavored teas- for myself and for gifts.  If you really want to spoil someone, take them to Bergdorf's (and be sure to make reservations in advance), or bring the tea room to them with a cup of Casablanca at home.

http://www.mariagefreres.com/boutique/UK/welcome.html 
http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/info/restaurantContent.jhtml?rest=100001&displayId=1100001

If you like to sweeten your tea with honey, I highly recommend Bee Raw 100% Raw Real Varietal Honey.  You can find this brand at most grocery stores and it comes in many varietals-- my favorites are Colorado (with a creamy cinnamon flavor) and California (orange blossom infused).  I also like to drizzle it over fruit plates.  Simply delicious!   

 
 http://beeraw.com/raw-honey-collection.html (12 to 14- per jar)

paris in new york

Recent Golden Globe winning film "The Artist" staring French actor Jean Dujardin left me speechless.... pun intended.  This black and white silent film set in 1920s Hollywood exceeded its reputation and left my spirits tap dancing all the way home.  It's a must-see no matter where you are, but if you happen to be in New York then you should view it at the Paris Theater just below Central Park.  My friend Serdar, and Carrie Bradsaw, frequent this fantastic theater.  Movie watching has never been so chic.   

 http://www.theparistheatre.com/