“Uber” practical – your best cab ride in the city

If you live here you know about this daily life pain. If you are coming for a visit, be warned: It is a nightmare to find a taxicab when you most need it in the afternoon rush between 3:30 and 5 PM. That’s when they are all heading to Queens for a shift change.

My super app savvy friend told me yesterday about Uber: a private car service requested from your phone. I had to test it the same day. On the app, before you order, you can see in how many minutes the closest driver will arrive at your location. If you decide that’s ok, you get a text with confirmation of exact pick up time and driver’s name.

Our driver was really cordial, and his Lincoln extremely spacious and very clean, no funny town car smell, which can be a serious issue. Since your credit card stays on file, you don’t have to swipe anything, and tip is included. Ali, our friendly driver told me that that Uber started 8 months ago with a few cars, and now it has 175, most of them, like himself, dedicated to Uber full time.

I’m sold. I hereby declare the end of taxicab witching hour!

Uber.com

Saxon and Parole is on a roll

You’ve gotta be really alert to keep up with all the new eatery and bar openings on the Bowery. One of them is the newish Saxon + Parole, where Double Crown used to live (not very memorable). I’ve been there three times, just to make sure it’s consistently good, of course! Well, kudos to the chef and the staff. This is going to become my reliable neighborhood to-go restaurant. I usually arrive without a reservation, and that’s ok because I’m never snubbed by the hostess.

Old school bartenders: mega ice cube waiting to be chiseled

The restaurant is usually fully booked. That’s not an obstacle to me, since I’m a big bar-dining fan. Besides, the mixologists at S&P absolutely know their craft. They can prepare a delicious Aperol Spritz, my favorite drink.

Yummy souffle

The food is labeled American, and I recommend the fillet and the chocolate soufflé, which was delightful.

316 Bowery, (corner of Bleecker St)

212 2540350

saxonandparole.com

The Lion King - he deserves to eternally reign Broadway

The Lion King is one of my favorite shows ever. I must have seen it at least fout times already, and every time I’m captivated and enchanted by the music, the actors charisma, and mostly, the beauty of the production. The use of natural materials for the set and animal costumes (lots of leather, grasses, ropes, wood) just shows how thoughtful the work is behind the scenes. The colors and creative sets transports you to Africa’s jungle and desert. Tears might be part if the experience. With or without kids, this is an unforgettable Broadway spectacle for all.

Get tickets here

The Surrey's Hotel homage to The Artist

I’ve already boasted and bragged about The Artist on its opening night! Seems like I’m a good movie critic, who would have thought: 10 Oscar nominations. Wow. I’m not the only who’s excited about this. In the esprit of celebrating Frenchness (The Artist is a Franco-Flick), the only Relais Chateaux hotel in NYC, The Surrey Hotel - is offering a special “All Things French” package to its guests…

Available through December 31, 2012, the brand-new promotion offers:

· 10 percent off Best Available Rate at 189 luxurious salons and award-winning suites designed by world-renowned interior designer, Lauren Rottet.

· Cocktails at the Chanel inspired Bar Pleiades that is named for the beloved French restaurant frequented by Manhattan’s art world elite of the 1970s and 80s and pays tribute to haute French Fashion.

· 15 percent discount at The Spa for treatments and products by Darphin, the botanical Parisian skincare line to ensure all guests are red-carpet ready.

· Breakfast for two at Café Boulud, where Michelin-Star French Chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud features his contemporary approach to classic French cuisine while incorporating his flair for seasonal delicacies and worldwide flavors.

· Complimentary use of The Surrey’s Les Clefs D’Or Concierge, providing elite access to the city before, during or after the stay.

And for French-inspired shops, guests are steps away from Christian Loubatin, Chanel, and La Maison Ladurée

www.thesurreyhotel.com

Enduring the line at LaDuree

Getting a fancy dessert for your holidays hosts? Me, you, and everyone's mother agree that the first US outpost of the Parisian macaroon heaven, La Duree, is the best bet. One thing though: the liiiine! Ohlala... tres huge: But don't fret... Besides being absolutely worth it, - you will be proud to be toting the LaDuree bag into your party because everyone will love you - the brave soldiers get a consolation treat for the long wait... tres bon, merci!

TOP FIVE: GIFT SHOPPING IN NYC

If you are natural procrastinator and left shopping for the last minute, welcome to my world. But instead of aimlessly wandering the streets inefficiently looking for those special, unforgettable gifts (I’ve already done that for you), go straight to those winners. In these shops you will find that perfect gift, that almost feels customized to the receiver’s personality… yes, you spent a lot of time thinking about it.

John Derian – you can spend easily an hour just browsing the hundreds of curiosities in this collectors haven. Very pleasing atmosphere, with something perfect for the old aunty to the hipster cousin, guaranteed. www.johnderian.com

Conran Shop – this British furniture and modern design store located in the basement of ABC Carpet and Home (hey, another place to take a look), is filled with cool housewares and other modern objects that will catch your fancy. www.conrannusa.com

Moss – At the edge of bustling SoHo, Moss is an oasis for beauty seekers. Be it for lighting, artsy pieces or just cool stuff, their buyers scout the most attractive and unique design items from around the world. www.mossonline.com

MoMA Store – no need to introduce this giant global design promoter. Making the smallest souvenir to the most stylish furniture piece accessible to all of us, the MoMA store is the place to go if you need to please a bunch of completely different types. But one thing they’ll have in common: just by seeing the unmistakable red wrapping on your gift, whoever the person is, won’t be able to hide their eagerness to rip it open... www.momastore.org

Assouline – bookworms beware, this place can clean your wallet, and you won’t even resent them afterwards. The selection is superb, most of them nice show off pieces, the so called coffee table book, - because you really want to leave them showcased. They also sell other classy items, such as bookends, chic leather glasses case, or a giant ostrich egg with your last name’s initial on it. Which will look perfect in daddy’s library. www.assouline.com

Museum Lunches: The Wright at The Guggenheim

The lunch:

I wasn’t very hungry after a vertigo induced museum stroll around Maurizio Cattelan’s hanging lifetime oeuvre… but still, lunch at the Guggenheim’s The Wright, sounded just… you know. My friend, also feeling a bit dizzy after our rotating stroll staring up and down the museum’s void, wanted something light as well. We both had the calamari salad appetizer as our main, and were not disappointed. The small lunch allowed us to share a delicious pumpkin cheesecake with dulce de leche ice cream. The restaurant is smaller then I expected, but cozy, light and clean.

The exhibit:

There’s nothing conventional about this provocative artist, neither is the way his art is displayed. Perfect match: no chronological order, nor your standard way to see art. Nothing wrong with that. Besides the vertiginous feeling when you look down from the Guggenheim’s spiral walkway, the only other little thing that bothered me a bit were all the stuffed real dogs. I’ve seen plenty of large taxidermy animals, so many artists now do them, but puppy pets? What’s next? The hanging children or the old lady in the fridge? If he could, would he?

You really should see it for yourself, it is totally worth it and don’t forget to download the app, it was very useful at some point. Don’t read while walking, you might feel sick, and that would spoil your appetite… The Wright is totally worth a lunch or dinner.

Ends January 22^nd

For tickets, directions and hours.