The Hudson Hotel: still going strong after all these years

With so many offerings of places to go, it is rare that anybody would repeat visiting the same venue within the same week. I did. Twice in a row was I enjoying the evening end of summer breeze at the “Private Park” of the Hudson hotel. This is not a hot spot nor a cool location (midtown west) however, this 10 year old hotel is consistently attractive, and welcoming. I had not been in many years, but ended up there Monday night for the after party of the movie premier “I don’t know how she does it” with Sarah Jessica Parker (fun flick worth seeing). And then again I went back last night, when I needed a last minute reservation for seven people –kind of a challenge on a Thursday evening. I wanted something were we could meet for a drink and then have dinner, without a crazy wait or hassle. And the Hudson was perfect for it. You can have drinks at the charming library, or outside at the beautifully planted terrace. When hunger strikes, the restaurant is right there, with its delicious “self-service” gourmet food. The tuna tartar also worth a repetition.

The Hudson

356 West 58th Street (corner of 9th Avenue)

Fashion’s Night out: Celebrate Brazilian Style on Sept 8th

NY’s third installment of Fashion’s Night Out is around the corner and bigger than ever. I was wondering what best advice to give you, besides just telling you to get your butt out the door of course, and mingle with creative types and fashionistas while sipping bad wine and enjoying a disco vibe of loud music taking over your favorite store. But now I know where I can safely suggest you will have a good time. I’ve already raved about Assouline at the Plaza, and what a perfect bookstore it is to buy or just browse. On the 8^th, the publisher is having a sort of book launch party a la brasileira: samba dancers clad in colorful carnival tiny feathery things and free flowing cachaca, the national drink. Brazilian iconic designers Alexandre Herchovitch and Carlos Miele will be present as well as Armand Limnander, the curator for Assouline’s new coffee table book: Brazilian Style.

You might even want to get an autographed copy of the book. Here's an insider exclusive look:

Any gathering that offers caipirinha can’t go wrong, trust me, I know. And the invitation is clear : Vamos dançar!– let’s dance!

September 8


7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.



Assouline at The Plaza
 Lobby Mezzanine

59th Street and Fifth Avenue

RSVP: events@assouline.com

For full event listings and an iphone app for live updates go to Fashion's Night Out official website

Cipriani Wall Street: a classy respite from the markets’ folly

Bankers know where to go for a deliciously decadent italian lunch. They head to the subtle entrance of Cipriani Club 55. If you’re in a hurry, or gazing at the skyscrapers above, you will pass it. Step away (and up a flight of stairs) from the grimy grey streets of the financial district into this luxurious oasis that feels a bit like a pleasurable discovery. The dark woods, tasteful art and elegant setting all around whisks you away from the madness that goes down a few steps away in the NY Stock Exchange hall. Next time you are strolling or zooming by Wall Street, remember you can have a retreat of it all accompanied by a delicious meal and extensive wine list. If weather permits, go for the terrace. A three-course lunch trades for $25.00. Good value on the street.

PS: word of advice: Cipriani Wall Street is not Cipriani Downtwon, which is on West Broadway by Grand Street. When making plans with friends, make sure you are talking about the same one. Yes, it has happened to me… total annoying miscommunication. Nothing a bellini an hour later couldn’t iron out.

55 Wall Street (betw. William and Hanover Streets)

212 699 4069

Brava Eataly! Best customer service

A little bit of humor gets you a long way. With this note, how can you be grumpy even after a long line?

Kudos to Eataly on the frantic Saturday shopping day pre-hurricane. Before New Yorkers knew that Irene would be a somewhat disappointing wash, everyone packed up like crazy on survival supplies. Water was sold out in several supermarkets, and the check-out lines were long. The mood had that excitement in the air, “we are too cool to freak out, but something is about to happen, let’s not overreact, but still, better safe than sorry, let’s horde on pantry essentials – just in case”.

I decided to shop at my favorite purveyor, - why loose style just because of an imminent weather catastrophe. Eataly was packed, at the entrance everyone was told by the door guard that the lines were 45 minutes. OK. I faced it and it wasn’t even that bad, maybe 25 minutes tops. But the best was the service! Basically, instead of 300 workers, they had 30, according to a manager. And still, while back office staff and managers were at the cashiers and some stations were closed, everything went smoothly and I got all the goodies I needed to spend a very gastronomical and comfortable cooking Sunday while Irene blasted outside.

Eataly has three restaurants and a bar with it’s own brewery on the rooftop. Don’t miss out on this Italian territory in the middle Manhattan on your next visit.

Own it: quintessentially NYC Photos

Photo:John-Michael Ekeblad

About 90% of the photos on this blog are taken with my phone. It’s a principle I have, so that you actually know that the impressions recorded here are 100% real and truly from an insider perspective… Of course the exception is when I want to tell you about something really interesting that just opened and I did not have time to check it out yet. Let’s talk about professional NYC photography. This photo above, and many more cool shots – are by a photographer John-Michael Ekeblad, and can actually be yours! Many people ask me about where to get NY street photography, and I just came across this 3 day sale offered from Fab.com - an online retailer that sells works of great design at up to 70% off. Have a NYC life snapshot into your home.

Fab.com

Beer Tasting Tuesday at DBGB

I don't know about you, but to me it's obvious that a cold beer tastes much better on a hot summer day.

If the brew is high quality liquid gold even better. Consider a beer tasting tonight at one of the Bowery's hottest restaurants: DBGB, Daniel Bouloud's no fuss haute burger joint. Enjoy some special editions from Captain Lawrence Brewing Company paired with draft-harmonizing delicious food from chef Olivier, such as porter house steak and triple beer sausage. All for $25. Nice way to cool off.

If you can't make tonight, next series of DBGB's Tuesday Beer Tastings is August 23rd.

299 Bowery, corner with Houston St.

212 933 5300

Street Art: Flaming Cactus on Astor Place

This morning as I walked out the front door I stumbled onto the lamp post outside my building and had to smile – and actually touch it! Ah those NY moments. The colorfully decorated column was the same lamp post I had embarrassedly bumped into once (not my fault - it is perfectly in your way if you are running trying to hail a passing cab as soon as you step onto the sidewalk – you know what I mean?). Well that would not have happened today, since the neon orange zip ties that hug the post would have certainly flashed in my peripheral vision., that’s how colorful they are. What a great idea!! Looking closer I found the information on a paper hanging at the bottom of the posts.

The “Flaming Cactus” installation is by the Animus Arts Collective and commissioned by the City. Fluorescent plastic cable ties will bedeck fourteen lampposts in the East Village. At least five are on my block, lucky me. Great example of those small surprises that pop up in our routine that make this city so exciting to live in. Thank you Animus Arts Collective and the city’s Department of Transportation for an unexpected dose of animation to my morning!