Manhattan Staycation - Escape Valentine's and stay in town

The inevitable Valentine Day’s pressure is on. It’s imminent, around you where ever you look, and you can’t run. But who said you can’t hide?

My favorite thing to do? Get away! An escape trip makes the best gift. If you can’t flee town, how about a staycation? You don’t have to make it a romantic immersion, but you should definitely take advantage of the Valentine’s special deals! Manhattan hotels are offering great packages for this upcoming weekend. Indulge yourself and take a break from routine, with or without your sweetheart.

The Plaza Hotel

The the “Unforgettable Valentine’s Day” package includes accommodations, a bottle of NV Louis Roederer Brut Premier champagne with fresh berries, an assortment of chocolates from Austrian confectioner Demel, breakfast in bed for two, and a couples’ massage at Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa. Rates start at $965 per night based on double occupancy. The package is available from Feb. 11 to 15t.

Hotel Gansevoort

Included in their special promotion are a dozen roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of champagne - and the game Twister. Prices start at $615 per night.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Their special packages between run between 11- 16 February, including Valentine's Day breakfast in bed, La Perla gift bags and more. Packages start at $825.

The Peninsula New York

The Romance Package goes from the 12th until the 14rh February 2010. Prices start at $825 per night.

The Pierre

Book the two-night Valentine's Day package 12 - 14 February, and get dinner for two at Le Caprice (exclusive of alcohol), a bottle of champagne, a special creation from The Pierre’s pastry chef delivered right to your room and breakfast in bed. A suite with a view of the city starts at $1,100 per night, with a two-night minimum.

Mandarin Oriental New York

This top of the Time Warner jewel is offering a complimentary night after a two-night stay 13 - 16 February. Also, from 12 - 14 February 2010, the hotel's award-winning Spa at Mandarin Oriental is featuring the Midnight Magic Over Manhattan spa experience. For $1,750, plus tax and gratuity, get exclusive access to the VIP Spa Suite, with stunning city views, two-hour Signature Spa Therapies for two and lobster, caviar and champagne service.

PPR: Post Party Report! Haiti Relief and BrazilFoundation

Mary J. Blige and Wyclef Jean

This week’s fundraiser parties that happened back to back, (Monday and Tuesday nights in Manhattan) were a huge success! My feet still hurt from dancing. The pain is fine when the memories are good. The Top of the Standard Hotel rocked with Wyclef Jean’s performance, and it almost came down when May J. Blige joined him for an impromptu duo singing session. Rock legend Patty Smith and J-Z were in the house, and of course, lots of beautiful people with good intentions. All proceeds went towards Haiti relief organizations. I attempted a video clip just so you get the idea:

BrazilFoundation’s night at the Norwood was smaller in scale, but absolutely sweltering with supporters dancing to the drums spectacle presented by the Manhattan Samba crew. Tickets were completely sold out, and the spirits pre-snow storm were high. As if we had any doubt that a Brazilian party could be anything but boiling, no matter how negative temperatures are outside.

Leona Forman, founder of BrazilFoundation sways to the samba beat

On the Top of The Standard Hotel for Haiti Help

Boom-Boom, Bon-Bon, On Top of the Standard Hotel... 

No matter how you it is officially called, one thing is undeniable: the penthouse club of The Standard is the best in town, au concurs. And with that truth, it is also the toughest rope to cross (see report on Eater.)

The few times I have made it upstairs I was usually with a friend of mine (the connected kind who knows the right people), or: the human way, I had my name on the list. 

And even in those instances there are always minutes spent outside before you are allowed into the funky elevators fitted with Marco Brambilla’s video artwork. Last time as I was walking in, Mick Jagger was walking out. And the time before that Valentino passed me on his way out. So, there you the proof that this is the hottest place in town and that I am not exaggerating. My conclusion: my entrance timing sucks. But once upstairs, the floor to ceiling double height windows take your breath away, and the DJ (last Saturday Jamal was spinning), is so good that I always overstay because I can’t stop dancing. And just before I give you today’s good news, let me just tell you that I have no words to describe the bathroom. It’s like your own private club in there (see the photo below).

The news I’ve been meaning to share with you is that if you are good, meaning, really good by donating $250 to Haiti Hope Help & Relief, you get access to this Manhattan nightlife mecca this upcoming Monday night. How can we resist the high of making a donation, taking the elevator to the 18^th floor and feeling closer to heaven? See you there. Go here for tickets.

BrazilFoundation imports Rio carnival to one of New York's most exclusive private clubs

Freezing February. Feels like we are in the midst of winter, still a while to go to reach mildly high temperatures. At this point don’t you wish you were heading south, someplace exotic, say… Rio, where they just happen to be celebrating carnival in a week?

It might be tricky to head all the way to South America, but if you take the trip to downtown Manhattan on February 9^th, you will get a carnival experience as good as it gets. BrazilFoundation is hosting a carnival party at the Norwood, a New York super exclusive private club. You might not be able to do the samba just right, but live drummers and a free wine glass per guest will certainly warm you up enough for some hip swaying. Brazilians guarantee that you’ll get into the right rhythm after a couple sips of caipirinha.

Insider tip: there will only be 150 guests allowed to attend this great party organized by a wonderful foundation for a worthy cause! There will be NO SALES AT THE DOOR of this at his classy private townhouse club. Tickets are going fast, so I urge you to secure your place in the sun. Well, not really the sun, but pretty close: it will be "muito" hot in there.

No reason to sweat while you dance like a true Brazilian. Tickets are fully tax deductible. Get them here.

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.