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The Four Seasons Restaurant – Manhattan
November 14, 2011
My friend Brooke just told me a great story about a recent trip to NYC during which she went in search of The Four Seasons Restaurant, because she had heard it is an amazing (and historic) space designed by Phillip Johnson and Mies van der Rohe. Like a lot of people, she assumed it was in the Four Seasons Hotel and went there with a friend for lunch at the allegedly famous bar. Halfway into her appetizer, she decided things didn’t add up. The place just wasn’t like the “one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world” descriptions she had heard. Luckily a concierge explained there is another Four Seasons Restaurant, not related to the hotel, nearby. So they headed there for the main course and found the gawk-worthy design destination they were searching for.
Soho House – West Hollywood
September 22, 2011
Remember when I posted about Soho House West Hollywood back in June? Well, I finally made it there last weekend. And just as my LA people have been saying, it is pretty amazing. A glassed-in wrap-around terrance overlooking the city, with cozy seating throughout perfect for hosting gatherings and sipping cocktails. A cool bar area, where you can also order dinner, and a restaurant with gorgeous ambiance and retractable roof–like dining in a rooftop garden. It was the perfect mix of age groups and types, and of course we had the requisite celebrity sightings that make LA so fun: Chris Rock, David Arquette, David Spade, Jane Fonda, Minnie Driver, and Rod Stewart with wife Penny and daughter Kimberly. This is a members-only club, so you have to either join or get on someone’s guest list! This is definitely my new favorite spot in Hollywood. www.sohohousewh.com
For some great photos of the interiors click here.
Location: los angeles, West Hollywood
Jacala Beach Restaurant – Anguilla
August 2, 2011
The summer of travel discoveries continues. Here’s another find in Anguilla from Bart. Jacala Beach Restaurant is open from 10am-9pm Wednesday through Sunday. The owners are very involved in their customers’ dining experiences, and supposedly not shy to suggest alternatives if they don’t like which salad you pick to accompany your main course. The food is inventive and delicious (if I ever make it there I am definitely ordering the watermelon goat cheese salad), the atmosphere casual and, most importantly, right on the beach.
Location: Anguilla
The Backyard Restaurant – Montauk
July 26, 2011
This find is from my friend Piper, who recently lunched here (with kids) and loved it. The Backyard Restaurant is located mostly outside in the gardens of Solé East Resort in Montauk, with a fire pit, tiki torches, day beds, and occasional live music (Thursday night is reggae night and Sunday brunch brings Brazilian tunes). The menu offers fresh seafood from local fisherman, organic meats, and vegetables from local farms. It’s also known for it’s five specialty cocktails, named after the owner’s children. Tell me the Myles doesn’t sound heavenly: Cruzan silver, peach puree, nectarines, mint and lime.
Photo from Hamptons magazine.
Location: Montauk
The Surf Lodge – Montauk
July 25, 2011
One of the best places to drop in for a sunset drink (overlooking Fort Pond) in Montauk. And don’t miss the boutique. The Surf Lodge is also a 32-room hotel that offers a summer concert series, outdoor surf movies, surf lessons, and a popular restaurant. This is its fourth summer and it’s still going strong.
Location: Montauk
Tweeds – Riverhead, New York
July 22, 2011
Riverhead isn’t exactly glamorous, but if you are in the Hamptons and are up for some good food in an out-of-the-ordinary venue, you might give Tweeds a try. Bison meat is known for it’s nutritional benefits, and at Tweeds bison is the specialty. Everything else we tasted–from local heirloom tomato and mozzarella salad to beef filet to seafood–was also impressive. Zagat gave it an awesome review. The restaurant is in a historic building downtown that definitely feels like something from another era. It originated in 1896 in the J.J. Sullivan Hotel and is believed to be the oldest continuing bar, restaurant, and hotel in the North Fork. It even kept operating through the Prohibition era through creative use of secret doors. Now renovated, it still has historic charm and a lot of character. Go for the food and the ambiance. Don’t go looking for a happening, It Restaurant.
Peels – Manhattan
July 19, 2011
Is everyone spending the summer in New York or what? I’ve had so many requests for New York recommendations lately. Because I’ve got a toddler, my days in NYC are pretty rare. We spend most of our NY time at the beach in our little low-key corner of the Hamptons. Luckily, I’ve got a lot of friends who know where it’s at in the city. This one is from Holly, super stylish and in-the-know mom of two ten-year-old boys. She loves Peels, a popular East Village restaurant near the Bowery Hotel (and yes, she says it was totally fine bringing her kids there). It has a huge menu of American/Southern food, and serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails. I just perused about 20 images of the breakfast sweets, and am now fighting serious doughnut and sticky bun cravings. This may result in a Jitney ride to the city. Peels is also known for its hip bar scene, especially during the day. Those New Yorkers love their day drinking!
Location: Manhattan
Edi & The Wolf – Manhattan
July 15, 2011
Here’s another recommendation from Jackie for dinner in Manhattan. This time it’s rustic Austrian cuisine in a casual, part barnyard part tavern atmosphere, located in the East Village. Wiener schnitzel, cheese plates, flatbreads, dumplings, slow poached farm eggs. But it’s really the name alone that makes me want a reservation: Edi & The Wolf.
Photos from Urban Spoon.
Location: Manhattan
Viceroy Anguilla
July 10, 2011
This one is from my friend Bart, who just visited Anguilla. I’ve always been a fan of the Viceroy Santa Monica, but the pictures of Viceroy Anguilla look 1000 times more heavenly. Just as Bart mentioned–The art! The architecture! The view! You are going to want to check out the entire photo gallery on the website. It’s officially on my getaway wish list.
Location: Anguilla
Le Bilboquet – Manhattan
July 7, 2011
Here’s another recommendation from a good friend of mine who 1) spends a lot of time in NYC and 2) always makes time for a champagne brunch. Le Bilboquet is a small, chic French bistro and daytime hot spot on the Upper East Side, where you can spend several hours drinking and eating and people watching. The French fare gets solid reviews, although the service sometimes does not (think typical French attitudes). This one is probably best enjoyed sans the kiddos.
Location: Manhattan
