Summer is in full, fierce, force here on the island of Manhattan. It’s not so much tropical, more like stifling. When it’s 101, with 90% humidity the last thing you want to do is eat something heavy, creamy or steaming hot. That’s where seafood comes in. Continue reading
I recently sweet-talked my friend Everett into taking a road trip with me upstate, and neither of us had any idea that just an hour outside the city, there was so much to do and see.What makes a road trip even more fun, is getting away in a Porsche. Yep… that’s right, a 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe to be specific. It was a phenomenal ride – and amazing to drive. 
It hugged the winding roads through upstate New York into Connecticut like a dream. It also had all the bells and whistles that you would expect with a luxury car like heated seats, satellite radio, bluetooth, tilt and slide sunroof, auto stop and start, and all the vroom vroom you can imagine.
Thanksgiving is just about a week away. I can’t wait to be home in Columbus enjoying my mom’s turkey with all the trimmings with my parents, aunt and uncle and cousins (I LOVE a big thanksgiving!)! We always go see a movie that night after the meal (I’m trying to convince everyone to see the Muppets this year). And on Friday, my mom and I are hardcore “Black Friday” shoppers – going all day until the wee hours of the morning on!
But I’m a unique case. Where I can’t wait to get out of the city, hundreds of thousands of people flock to New York for the holiday. So, if you’re planning to be in the city for this year, once you finished fighting the crowds and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, head on over to one of Manhattan’s finest restaurtants for a “home cooked” Thanksgiving Day meal – without any cooking OR cleaning. From celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s, Bar Americain to Times Square’s iconic family-style restaurant, Carmine’s, there are plenty of spots to choose from!
Check out the Top 10 list here: NYC Restaurants for Thanksgiving
From Pinot Noir to Chardonnay… from Limos to SUVs… from porcinis to truffles — Sonoma is a wine drinker’s, food lover’s, nature enthusiast’s paradise. And, what’s a better way to start a vacation than with fall mushrooms? I honestly can’t think of anything better. Continue reading
I had the pleasure of interviewing Donatella Arpaia – celebrity chef, regular Iron Chef judge and restaurater for the restaurant with her namesake, Donatella. She gave some great tips on how to bring fine dining home. Check them out in my column on Examiner.com.
In addition, she shared some amazing recipes based on her new venture with MARTINI. Check them out! Continue reading
My first gnocchi lesson
Today began with a buffet breakfast (they had Nutella in packets!!! Amazing), followed by our first formal wine tasting. Before the actual tasting began, we got a private tour of the wine cellars at Enoteca Italiana. This cellar is nothing like the stereotypical dark, dank, dusty, wine cellar I anticipated. Instead, the more than 1,700 wines were elegantly displayed throughout the vast, impeccably organized space. Check out this video: Wine Cellar Tour. Technology also plays an important role in this cellar. Each bottle of wine that is displayed also has an accompanying bar code that will give you further details when scanned (much like the devices used in museums to tell you more about indivdual paintings.
Once the short tour was over, the official tasting of Chianti Colli Senesi wines began. Chianti Colli Senesi is a specific geographical area within the Chianti region. it is situated entirely in the province of Siena and makes up approximately 2,000 acres. . Continue reading
I could hardly sleep last night. It was just like the night before the first day of school, only instead of worrying about if my teachers and classmates would like me, my dreams and thoughts were alive with the anticipation of my impending trip to Italy. After a delightful flight on Continental to Frankfurt, where I decided to watch the free movies on my individual TV screen rather than grab a few winks, and a short jaunt from Frankfurt to Florence on Lufthansa – 
I made it to Italy. And the anticipation was 100% justified. From the rolling hills speckled with grape vines, villas and castles, to the crystal blue, cloudless sky, Tuscany is every bit as amazing as it seems in the movies. Continue reading
Anchor Bar Wings
Even though Buffalo Wings were invented on a Friday night in 1964 at a little bar called the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, Old Town Bar in New York City has perfected the delicious chicken dish.
Both are smothered in finger-licking, spicy, buttery, vinegary hot sauce that leaves your lips burning and your taste buds sparkling. However, Old Town’s wings relies solely on the deep-fryer to get the wings to crispy, juicy perfection, while the anchor bar definitely adds some starch – possibly flour – that makes the wings slightly heavier and dryer.
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e=enigma at Gallery OneTwentyEight
I don’t get down to the Lower East Side very often, but whenever I make the trek it is well worth it! This weekend I headed down to see my friend Kaitlin’s current art show at Gallery 128 (128 Rivington, between Essex and Norfolk), e=enigma. Full of light, natural elements and pieces that will make you turn your head, this was one of the best art shows I’ve had the pleasure of viewing. Continue reading
