Haiti Help: wear that you care

It’s easy to forget pain and suffering when its not ours, or when it’s happening far away. Life is so hectic, we have to keep on going of course, and continue doing the things we do. Buying superfluous beautiful things included. Here’s a couple of ways to help Haiti while you shop guilt-free.

Brazilian hip shoe designer Carolina Pagano organized a trunk show that will help an orphanage destroyed by the earthquake.If you can't make it on Saturday, shop online. Until February 28th, all proceeds will be donated. Get your beautiful pair of heels here, and walk on the good side.

This simple yet stylish letter H bracelet was specifically designed to help the earthquake victims. In gold or silver by jeweler Judith Kupperman for the Wayuú Tayá Foundation, which will channel the money to the construction of a school and orphanage. Get it here.

NYC Restaurant Week

Foodies beware: NY Restaurant Week arrives just in time for you to blow off all your New Year’s dietary resolutions! Some pledges we make under the influence of champagne are just not realistic. It’s cold outside, our body is craving carbs & protein, and our reason can’t resist the prix fixe $24,07 lunch menu or the $37 dollar dinner offered by over 260 restaurants. Let’s not feel guilty. We can always go back to the diet promises in the spring.

Un-tighten your belt (and wallet) from the 25^th until February 7^th.

Certain restaurants prolong the offer until February 27^th, but be sure you reserve soon.. The best ones fill out quickly.

To make reservations go here.

To view menus go here.

Tip:

Get a $15 statement credit when you dine out three or more times at any participating restaurants during NYC Restaurant Week, January 25–February 7, 2010, and pay with your registered Amex. To enroll go here.

My picks:

Aquavit, Cafe Boulud, Bond St, Carlyle Restaurant, DBGB, Del Posto, Dovetail, Esca, Ilili, Indocine, JoJo, Le Cirque, Lupa, Megu, Mercer Kitchen, The Modern, Morimoto, Nobu, Perry St, Spice Market

Where New Yorkers grab their sandwich

Tasty grub on the go? We are all running around. But we also need to eat. As a visitor you don’t always want to sit down for lunch, there’s so much to do, so many things to see and so little time!! You want something quick, but you want something good, and definitely not fall a tourist trap. Here are a couple of my favorite quick meal spots. They are small chains, but nothing to do with Au bon Pain or BBQ’s, godforbid. Consider those gourmet chains. (What else did you expect from Insiders…)

Shake Shack

This Madison Square Park metal hut is a fancy burger joint. Conceived by mega-restaurant entrepreneur Danny Mayer, the Shake Shack was voted best NYC burger in 2005 by New York Magazine. Don’t get discouraged by the lines in the summer, they move quickly. In any case, you can also check the length of the line on their live webcam online (pictured above). Grab a table under the trees, and just for good measure a shake as well. Unforgettable NY experience. Just in: besides the existing two locations, three are bound to pen this year!

Wichcraft

You can challenge me on this one, but I think at Whichcraft you will find the best turkey sandwich on the island. Enough said. You simply must try. The granola is great too and they can package it to go. There are twelve locations around Manhattan. The one in Bryant Park is fabulous, you feel you are truly taking a break from the bustle while chomping a scrumptious sandwich.

The Pump

Traditionally a hang out for the gym rats and health food junkies, this NY staple satisfies anybody who is into creative wraps, fresh ingredients and squeezed juices. Yes, about everybody. Good thing is the tourists don’t really know about it. In compensation, their walls are covered with celebrity photographs and autographs of famous fans who are into The Pump’s healthy food. Skinny Paris Hilton, hunky John Stamos, and hottie Pink are amongst the stars who approve. It’s written on the wall.

Le Pain Quotidien

This Belgian quietly arrived on the Upper east Side over 15 years ago. After a couple of years they opened a second branch in SoHo. All of a sudden they have expanded their charming bakery, antique looking dining area into twenty restaurants all over Manhattan. Their tartines (open sandwiches) are delicacies, and the apple tart for dessert is my favorite. Hard to believe they are a chain. Better that way.