Latest and Greatest from M&M

(courtesy of M&M's)

M&M's. That fabulous, famous, melt in your mouth, not in your hand, chocolate with the colorful candy shell. Over the years they have expanded their product line well beyond the original milk chocolate to include dark chocolate, almond, peanut, and, my personal favorite, peanut butter. Now, they have taken the peanut butter M&M a step further by adding, you guessed it, strawberry. Final, every child's favorite sandwich in a candy form! Does life get any better? These Strawberried Peanut Butter M&M's are only available for a limited time, so be sure to snag a pack while you still can.

Museum Mile Festival

The weather today would make any sane person want to roll over and go back to sleep, but there is at least one good reason to get out of bed today - the 31st annual Museum Mile Festival commences at 6 pm. Along 5th Avenue, stretching from 82nd Street to 105th Street, the festival lasts until 9 pm and is totally FREE! All 9 museums that call this section of 5th Avenue home are open late tonight and are waiving all admission fees. The festival is held rain or shine and 5th Avenue will be dotted with live bands and other entertainment instead of vehicular traffic for a change. So pull on your wellies and venture out because who can say no to an evening of puddle jumping and art?!

For all the details go to - http://www.museummilefestival.org/

*This year's 31st annual festival kicks off at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum with an opening ceremony, at 5:45pm, on the steps of its landmark building on Fifth Avenue @ 89th Street.

Tuesday Night Cocktails

You're only 2 days into the work week and the longing for a strong, yet delicious, cocktail has already begun. Lucky for you, the talented mixologists at Allen and Delancey got you covered. Their amazing, creative cocktails tantalize your taste buds while dulling the pain of still having 3 more work days left to get through. The real reason to go on Tuesday - the drinks are HALF PRICE! This means the cocktail that every other night of the week you would pay $13 for is only $6.50. Guess that means you can have a second...

Allen and Delancey

115 Allen Street

New York, NY 10002

212-253-5400

Personal Assistant

Do you ever have those days where you're juggling so many things at once you find yourself having escapist fantasies about how easy life would be if only you had a personal assistant? Well you're not CEO of a Fortune 500 company yet, but that doesn't mean you can't have a personal assistant - a digital one at least. Check out Task.fm - the new, free way to get your disorganized life in order. Just go to the site, set up your account, and start scheduling your reminders. The application can send free reminders via email - but you can also get reminders via phone call or text message. The only downside, phone call and text message reminders have a fee - but it's pretty negligible - only $.10 per reminder - so you can get the reminders you need without breaking the bank. Go on, embrace the possibility of a digital personal assistant, because let's face it, you won't get a human one for at least another 10 years.

The Return of the Fulton Market

When the Fulton Fish Market closed a few years ago a great void was created along South Street and in the hearts of all New Yorkers. Beginning on Friday May 22, 2009, this deep chasm of despair will be filled by the joy of the new incarnation of South Street shopping - The Fulton Stall Market. The stalls will be filled by local purveyors of fresh produce and speciality foods and will be open Fridays and Saturdays all summer from 10am - 6pm. So rejoice New York - the Seaport's market tradition has been rejuvenated!

Making Your Move

Here's the situation: You've been sitting in front of your computer searching dining and entertainment sites for the last 45 minutes trying to decide where you and your 3 girlfriends should go on a Saturday night. You thought this would be simple, but you're about 30 seconds away from throwing your computer through the window, ordering takeout, and just staying in for the night. Why make yourself crazy when you can go to The Next Move and have your entire night planned out for you?

Simply 'Plan Your Move' by entering the when, where, what, and who details of the evening you had in mind and let the site do all the work. It will help you plan your entire outing itinerary, move after move, until you can move no more. If you're totally clueless about what you want from your evening, the site can make suggestions about what you should do, and where, following whatever activity you chose for your 1st move. Then simply finalize your itinerary, email it to yourself and all your friends, and you're good to go.

Now if only you could find something to wear....

CEW Beauty Awards

Looking for a new product for your face/body/hair that has been tested by experts, compared to similar products on the market, and determined to be the best in its category? Well look no further, the CEW Beauty Award winners for 2009 have been announced. Some of the highlights:

Living Proof, Inc.: Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair - The name says it all.

Lancôme: Ôscillation - The first ever vibrating mascara wand.

Garnier Nutritioniste: Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller - Because nothing makes you look older than puffy eyes.

For the complete list of winners click here.

FREE CONE DAY!

 

(courtesy of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream)

Your favorite day of the year has arrived - free cone day at Ben and Jerry's! Their website makes it super simple for you to find a delicious, free frozen treat near work or home (or both, if you're like me). Visit their site, put in your state, and savor the sweetness.

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream

A Farmer's Market Near You

Planning on doing some travel this summer? Well you don't have to give up your favorite organic, locally grown produce just because you're on the road. Check out the Eat Well Guide. Just put in the zip code of the locale you plan to visit and the site will give you a list of farmer's markets, and so much more, in the area. There is even a guide to local, seasonal produce so you know what you can expect to find at the market you visit.

Wedding Dress Giveaway

So this one might be more for those of you getting married this coming fall, or sometime in 2010, but think of this as your reward for advanced planning. DailyCandy is partnering with Saks Fifth Avenue to buy one lucky girl her dream wedding dress, valued up to $5,000. As a bonus, if you feel like spending more diva-like dollars on your special gown, you can use the $5,000 to reduce the amount charged to your credit card. Check out all the details and enter to win here. 

Honeymoon Giveaway!

Is someone you know getting married this spring or summer? Are they still trying to determine where they should honeymoon or even if they CAN honeymoon while the value of their investments plunge? Well you should tell them about the new honeymoon giveaway sponsored by Jetblue and DailyCandy. Check out all the details (including rules and restrictions) here. Good Luck!

Stifle the Stench

Sure there are days when you feel so good that you walk around as if your poo were perfume, but you're not fooling anyone, especially your roommate. Using a bathroom, other than the one in your apartment, to do your business has always made you hesitant, although the alternative is monumentally more undesirable so, you try to be quick about it and not look at anyone as you wash your hands and sprint out the door. Today's DailyCandy highlights a product that solves all of your poo induced panic when in public. It's called Poof and it's a liquid toilet deodorizer. Just put a few droplets in the bowl before you put your bum there and the only scent you get will be Japanese Mint. Just pop the little bottle in your purse and everyone might really start buying into your whole 'my shit doesn't stink' attitude. 

Stunningly Stylish

Spring is in the air, the sun has finally decided to show itself after several grey, rainy days, and you were actually motivated to go outside during your lunch hour today. The only thing that's NOT screaming spring, your wardrobe. Lucky for you, Topshop is now open in SoHo and their incredibly knowledgeable style advisers are available to help you update your look. This type of service is usually only available at high-end stores like Neiman Marcus, where the super cute dresses they bring to your dressing room are priced around $1,000, but at Topshop you can embrace trendy pieces for prices closer to $100. Of course, the service is free and there is no obligation to buy, so there's no downside. The new SoHo store and its line of spring clothing are calling your name, what are you waiting for?!

Check out the NY Times article about the personal shopping service here.

Best Bathrooms

When you're visiting a new city you inevitably end up running around at some point during the afternoon with one question on your mind - where am I going to pee? To the rescue: SitorSquat.com. The site, sponsored by Charmin, helps you not only locate bathrooms in your area, but also rates those bathrooms so you know whether you should sit or squat while you do your thing. The application is compatible with both the Blackberry and the iPhone so no matter your device of choice, you will always be able to find a 4-star bathroom nearby. You check ratings for everything else you do, why leave going to the bathroom to chance?!

Scoop One Day Sale!

Everyone knows that Scoop NYC carries wicked cute clothes that inspire trendiness each and every season, but everyone also knows that most of these clothes are totally out of their price range unless they have recently discovered a previously undisclosed trust fund with their name on it. As such, us normal, every day, trust fund-less people must wait for opportunities like this one to snag some of the designer labels sold at Scoop NYC. On March 31, 2009 Scoop NYC is having a One Day Sale at their uptown location ONLY. Women's and men's clothing will be up to 70% off so haul your cookies uptown and update your wardrobe.

Scoop NYC - 1275 Third Ave., nr. 73rd St. 212-535-5577.

Outstanding in the Field

(courtesy of Outstanding in the Field)

If you've ever tasted food freshly picked from some one's garden you know exactly how amazingly flavorful that food can be. Whether it be fruits or vegetables, I'm sure you will agree, their taste can best be compared to tasting sunshine. To get a regular fix of this, you can shop at your green market, but if you want an extra special experience check out Outstanding in the Field. These outdoor events promote farm-to-table eating with famous chefs preparing multi-course meals featuring ingredients sourced locally, sometimes right next to the table at which you are eating. These dinners will give you the opportunity not only to support local growers and chefs, but also to eat right along side them. These events are happening all over the country so check out the reservations page to find a dinner near you this summer.

If you cannot find an event near you, or all the ones in your location are already sold out, there is the Outstanding in the Field Cookbook so you can replicate these meals in your own kitchen, just make sure your ingredients are fresh and local.

Kate Spade - Friends and Family

Who doesn't love Kate Spade?! Bright colors, preppy style, just being on the website makes you fantasize about your life sailing around Martha's Vineyard...or maybe that's just me. Regardless, you will love Kate Spade even more during their Friends and Family sale. By entering promotion code: SFF3263E at checkout you get 30% off everything in your cart, and I do mean everything, even sale items! Promotion going on now through 3/30/09.

Newest News Source

Obviously, this blog provides you with most of what you need to know in life, but every once in a while it's a good idea to know what's going on around the world. Yes, I know, most of this news is a real bummer, but wouldn't you rather be a little depressed than be the one at the cocktail party who says: "economic downturn, what economic downturn? I was wondering why there were so many sales recently." Cue uncomfortable laughter from co-workers and the denial of your next promotion.

Global Post is your one stop shop for all the news worldwide, keeping you up-to-date and sounding like the most intelligent person in the room. It's like I always say - fake it 'till you make it - so add the link to your bookmark bar and be sure to read through a few stories prior to your next social engagement.

Saving You From Yourself

Who among us has not had a night where, after a few shots of tequila, you pull out your mobile, scroll through your contacts, and land on the number of the one person who you should have erased AGES ago because calling them can ONLY result in all things negative. But, the number is still there, and you're several drinks in, so you commit the ultimate sin, the drunk dial. The next morning you stare at your phone's call log in horror, desperately trying to remember what you said after you pressed 'Send'.

Well, if you have the iPhone, those days of embarrassment and verbal diarrhea can be over forever. The newest iPhone App, Bad Decision Blocker, gives you the kind of self control you could only dream of having on your own, temporarily preventing you from dialing all those forbidden digits by 'erasing' them from your contacts for a set time period, typically 8 hours. Download it, tonight, BEFORE you go out.

TOPSHOP NYC - APRIL 2ND

Ladies and Gentlemen, the time has finally arrived - Topshop NYC has an opening date - a real life, finalized, will-be-upheld, opening date. The excitement is palpable and they have loads of events planned for opening day, so be sure to put it on your calendar because you don't want to miss this one! Granted opening day IS in the middle of the week, but what's more important, your job or the greatest British discount fashion store of all time?! And really, you have called in sick for less valid reasons.

Topshop NYC - 478 Broadway (corner of Broadway and Broome) - OPEN APRIL 2ND

Where to spend 4th of July

Visitors to the Statue of Liberty have not been able to venture upward into the statue's crown since September 11th 2001 due to lack of evacuation routes. That could all change during our nation's birthday celebration this July 4th. The Department of the Interior is assessing reopening the crown to visitors this summer! Check out the story on NY1 here.

Dining and Wine Wednesday

A selection, and summary, of the best articles from today's NY Times Dining and Wine Section:

Comrades at Arms: Two Food Writers in a Kitchen Smackdown: 2 dinners, each will feed 6 people and cost no more than $50. Two NY Times writers are put to the test and Frank Bruni weighs in on the results. Great source for some ideas the next time your friends are coming over for dinner and you need to stay within your budget without feeding them peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Related Links:

A Mexican Feast With Artisanal Technique: Meal number one, including all recipes and cost breakdown.

Old World With New Twists: Meal number two, including all recipes and cost breakdown.

Bouley Quietly Uproots, Conjuring a French Countryside: Frank Bruni reviews the recently relocated David Bouley flagship restaurant, Bouley,awarding it 3-stars. The atmosphere is romantic and the dessert is always at least 3 courses, but the food remains slightly more uneven than that enjoyed at 4-star establishments such as Per Se and Daniel.

Chardonnay in Aisle 3?: Is wine coming to grocery stores in New York? It's part of Gov. Paterson's 2009 budget, the question is, will it pass by the April 1st deadline. This one is igniting some fierce debate.

Yankee Stadium Has a Full Plate: Scoring a seat in one of the new club or suite areas will get you more than just a plush seat at the new Yankee Stadium, it will also get you exclusive dining options including meals prepared by such famed chefs as Masaharu Morimoto and April Bloomfield.

For Mets Fans, a Menu Beyond Peanuts and Cracker Jack: Obviously, the revamped Mets Stadium would not be complete without revamped food choices, so Danny Meyer is taking the lead with this one. Choices will include items such as pulled-pork sandwiches on brioche buns and shrimp rolls. For the high rollers among us, there will be a restaurant-cafe-bar-lounge area just behind home plate where seats start at $175.

Off the Menu: The all important list of restaurant openings and closings.

Dining Calendar: Food related events happening during this and upcoming weeks in and around NYC.

The Mermaid Inn - UWS

 (courtesy of The Mermaid Inn)

I have mentioned before that the Upper West Side has become an actual culinary destination in Manhattan, instead of the barren desert for foodies that it was previously, and I had the chance to experience the food at another restaurant contributing to the neighborhood's culinary revitalization last night. I headed to The Mermaid Inn - a restaurant that has two locations in NYC, the newest of which is on the UWS. We decided to go early (before 7 pm) to take advantage of their daily blue plate special, which currently is a Lobster Sandwich, Fries, and a Blue Point Beer for $20. The Lobster Sandwich was delicious, filled with huge chunks of lobster and just the right amount of dressing to achieve desired level of creaminess. Wednesday nights also happen to be the night when The Mermaid Inn has Fish Fry on its menu, and this too was a hit. The big flaky pieces of Cod surrounded by just enough batter and no oiliness left my dining companion thoroughly satisfied with the dish. Both of our dinners were accompanied by fries, and we both agreed, they were some of the best fries we had ever eaten and I'm pretty sure it was the Old Bay Seasoning that really put them over the top. We were so full after our meal that we did not even contemplate dessert, but then the restaurant did one of my most favorite things, brought out a small complementary dessert for each person to end the meal. At The Mermaid Inn that dessert is chocolate pudding served in an espresso glass with a small dollop of whipped cream on top. It was the ideal way to end the meal and satisfy my sweet tooth, without over indulging. So, the next time you are on the UWS, or in the East Village for that matter, try The Mermaid Inn for dinner. You won't be disappointed.

Williamsburg- Peachfrog

So I rarely support leaving the island, I mean the reasons are usually few and far between, but PEACHFROG might just pull me across the river. This boutique features clothing and home goods from labels you know at prices 70% - 90% off retail. In these tough economic times some of us still cannot completely repress our need to shop, and at Peachfrog you can get your fix without the guilt of paying retail.
Check out the NY Times review here.

J.Crew at Clothingline

Clothingline - a perpetual sample sale outlet on the west side - is featuring J.Crew this week. This sale is for women only and will feature sample sizes - which, shockingly, are sizes that could fit real people - predominantly 4 - 8. Clothing and accessories will be for the upcoming spring/summer season, so it's a great way to stock-up without paying retail.

Dates: March 17-19; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 11 am - 8 pm.

Location: 261 W 36th Street (between 7th & 8th Ave) 2nd Floor.

Saturday Night - Port Authority

Now I know that those are not normally two things that you would put together, but maybe you should. Leisure Time Bowl is in Port Authority (near Gate 230) and once you are inside you will completely forget that you are surrounded by buses and florescent lights. The bowling ally is huge, like others in the city, but unlike others in the city, it is a shockingly affordable way to spend your evening, or at least 2 hours of it. Every night after 9pm Leisure Time offers patrons the following deal: $29 per person (minimum of four bowlers) for two hours of play, shoe rentals, and a Tower of Beer (equal to eleven pints). Added bonus: we all agreed, the DJ ROCKS!
Location: 625 Eighth Ave., nr. 40th St.; 212-268-6909

This Week's Sample Sales

Lauren Merkin: Beautiful, soft leather handbags, clutches, and accessories.
Dates: Mar. 17-21. Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 231 W. 29th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., ste. 201 (212-239-2459).

Lanvin: The French designer's gorgeous women's fashions are 70% off for one day only.
Date: Mar. 18. Wed., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 230 Fifth Ave., b/t 26th & 27th Sts. (212-920-1211).

Abaeté: Adorable clothes for spring including swimsuits and sundresses are 80% off.
Dates: Mar. 19-21. Thurs. & Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: 560 Broadway, at Prince St., ste. 509 (212-334-4755).

Me&Ro: Because now that you have the clothes and the clutch, you need the jewelry.
Dates: Mar. 19-21. Thurs., noon-7 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: 13 Crosby St., b/t Howard & Grand Sts., 2nd flr. (646-747-5900).

Saja: Dresses for those events that require you to step it up a notch are 75% off.
Dates: Mar. 19 & 20. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Location: 250 W. 39th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., ste. 1601.

Brooks Brothers - Final 3 Days

Brooks Brothers is having a warehouse sale at their Madison Avenue location - 346 Madison Ave. at 44th St, 4th floor. I got an email about this sale when it began, and just got another email about it since the sale is in its final 3 days. The sale is only at the Madison Ave. location, and lots of stuff is on sale, up to 75% off. The reason I failed to bring this to your attention previously is that I was irritated that the sale ONLY includes MEN'S clothes. I mean, what is the deal with that? But then I rethought my position and figured that many of you have men in your life in need of some clothing assistance, especially when it comes to work attire, thus making knowledge of this sale very useful. So, drag that man in your life to Brooks Brothers this weekend and get him to buy a new suit, they are only $99!

Dinner Notes

So Tuesday night, as a special birthday outing, I went to 10 Downing with one of my favorite dining companions. I had chosen this restaurant after reading about it in a few publications and was very much wanting to love my experience there. Our reservations were early, 7 pm, since it was a Tuesday, which meant we could take advantage of happy hour at a nearby bar prior to dinner.

We went to The Dove Parlour which has fantastic happy hour specials - all martinis and carafes of wine are only $6 from 4 pm - 8 pm. The bar is a few steps below street level with a great decor and plenty of seating that makes you want to linger and have a few more cocktails that your probably should - easily done when happy hour lasts four hours.

After having a drink we headed over to 10 Downing, which has a great location on the corner of Downing St. and 6th Ave. The restaurant is V-shaped with one side facing 6th Ave. and the other facing Downing St. When we walked in, the restaurant was relatively empty and thus quiet, but that quickly changed as more people arrived for dinner. The acoustics of the restaurant are awful and the bar scene happening ridiculously close to the dining section does nothing to help the noise situation. The dinner menu is acceptable, but none of the menu offerings jump off the page and get you excited. We decided to start by sharing one of the dishes listed under the 'to share' section of the menu - and had to ask the waiter for sharing plates! When a dish is listed as a 'to share' item, I don't think it's unreasonable to assume sharing plates will come out when the dish is served. We both ordered fish and while the dishes were fine, they were not impressive, and some components of the plate were downright strange. Béarnaise sauce on fish, especially a particularly sweet one, is just a mistake. Also, the fish is served slightly pink inside, which is all well and good, but since I know plenty of people who do not like their fish even remotely raw, this is something the waiter should make you aware of when you are ordering. The dessert menu, an oft overlooked way to evaluate a restaurant, was short and unimpressive. Needless to say, we left without wasting our money on a third course. In short, 10 Downing did not make me want to come back for seconds.

Since we were in the West Village, there were plenty of other options for dessert, one which I had been wanting to try for a while. Milk & Cookies Bakery, located at 19 Commerce St., ended up being the perfectly sweet note on which to end the evening. The cookies are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle and you can get a big glass of cold organic milk to dip them in, truly reminiscent of childhood. They even have made-to-order ice cream cookie sandwiches and, if you cannot find a cookie you like from their extensive menu, they bake-to-order, allowing you to fulfill any craving.

So, check out The Dove Parlour for drinks, and Milk & Cookies Bakery for dessert (or a snack), but skip 10 Downing.

Louboutin Lust

(courtesy of Saks)

Christian Louboutin. The name alone makes me yearn for a world where the only thing I have to do with my day is sit around in ridiculously high, beautiful shoes. Ah, one can dream, and to help encourage the fantasy, Christian Louboutin has a new website. This is not your typical e-commerce site, but rather an intricately rendered website through which to appreciate all the designer has to offer. The website's artistic qualities alone make it worth a visit, while the shoes there featured make it worth wasting at least part of your day on. When you find a pair you simply cannot live without, the website helps you locate boutiques in your area. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Stay at Home Sexy

We are all trying to save a few dollars these days and, as a result, are staying home at night more than ever. So, what can you do to keep things interesting when you're sitting at home with Netflix and a bottle of wine? One word, lingerie. I noticed The T-Bar while visiting Boulder, CO last fall, and their stuff is that rare combination of both sexy and wearable. If you are not in the Boulder, CO area, you can order the flirty underthings, available for both men and women, online. And, to stay in line with your new found frugality, right now you can get 30% off your order thanks to Daily Candy. All you have to do is enter DCDEALS at checkout.

Learning from an Expert

When you think of Le Bernardin you probably think of world renown chef Eric Ripert, the restaurant's stellar rating in Zagat or its fabulous seafood. Suffice it to say, the first thing that pops to mind is not likely to be the restaurant's wine director, Aldo Sohm, but maybe he should. You see, he too is world renown, as a sommelier, and on certain days during the months of March and April, you can learn from him. He is offering both wine exploration classes and pairing dinners at Le Bernardin's private dining space, Les Salons Bernardin. For all of the details, check out the NY Magazine article here.

Dovetail

New York is filled with restaurants and a new one opens nearly every day. With this kind of volume it is tough to keep up, which is why I try a new place as often as possible. Having family in town this past weekend with a birthday to celebrate was a great excuse to try a restaurant that has been on my 'must eat at' list for a little while now. Shockingly enough, this new restaurant, Dovetail, is on the Upper West Side. The dining experience was definitely worth heading uptown for. The food, service, and atmosphere were lovely and everyone in our party enjoyed the experience from amuse-bouche through petit four. The wine list was extensive and included bottles to complement any meal. Every evening one can order from the a la Carte menu or the ever changing chef's tasting menu. On Sundays, Dovetail offers Sunday Suppa, a 3-course menu for $38, by far the least expensive way to sample this restaurant's wonderful food. The restaurant definitely deserves the 3-stars awarded by Frank Bruni. So, the next time you're looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion, or just have a great meal, check out Dovetail. You wont be disappointed.

Vintage Easter

(courtesy of Williams-Sonoma)

So, I know, Easter tableware is not a necessity of life. There is only one day each year that you can break it out, and that's assuming you have people over for some sort of Easter meal, which I'm sure most of us do not. But, I was in Williams-Sonoma the other day, a store which I readily admit is like crack to me, I swear I get a contact high just from walking in the door, and I saw the most adorable Easter tableware. It's totally vintage and reminds me of the cups and plates that used to be in my mom's china cabinet when I was a kid. It will inspire you to cook a massive Easter dinner, or maybe that's just me.

Weekend Art

  (courtesy of Russian Avant-Garde Gallery)

Tomorrow seems like the perfect day to wander around the city on foot (the weather is supposed to be great) and pop into a few museums and galleries. Here is a list of some of the exhibits happening now:

Not Fade Away Gallery - The Beatles and The Rolling Stones 1964-1966
A new photo exhibit at a new gallery in Flatiron. The photos will be on display until April 14th. Call the gallery at 212-995-1400 for viewing hours.

MoMA - Martin Kippenberger: The Problem Perspective
Large scale retrospective of the artist's works including painting, sculpture, photographs, and more. On display until May 11th.

Gagosian Gallery - Piero Manzoni
The first comprehensive U.S. retrospective of the artist's work. On view until March 21st.

The Jewish Museum - Chagall and the Artists of the Russian Jewish Theater, 1919-1949
Works are on loan from various European locations. Some pieces are on public view for the first time. Exhibit is on view until March 22nd. Bonus - museum is free on Saturdays.

Online Wine

(courtesy of flickr)

One of my wonderfully helpful friends brought this awesome website to my attention last night and it was just too good to keep to myself. Being young and living in NYC, I am broke about 98% of the time, so I am always looking for inexpensive ways to satisfy my cravings. One such craving that seems to creep up on a relatively regular basis is the craving for delicious wine. Honestly, I believe that everyone should keep a few decent bottles on hand because you never know when you might need (or want) some wine. Enter WinesTilSoldOut. This fabulous website sells one wine per day until it is sold out, or until 11:59 EST. If a particular day's wine sells out super early, it will be replaced with a new wine, but the site will never sell more than 3 wines per day. All wines are priced 30% - 70% off retail, so you get a great wine at a great price. To make you even more confident in your purchase, the site gives you an extremely thorough description of the bottle for sale, including ratings from four different sources. So break out your credit card and stock up!

Mini Cupcakes

So there is yet ANOTHER cupcake location on the island to tempt you. This one is notably a little different though, since the cupcakes are mini instead of giant sized, as per usual, and everyone knows how much I love things that are mini (except shoes and purses -then giant sized is the rule). Anyway - these cupcake bites are just a little larger than a quarter, so you will likely need more than one to satisfy your sweet tooth, but that kind of works out perfectly since there only 7 varieties. You could try every flavor in a single visit and then be sure to only order your favorites during any subsequent visits.
Ironically, the new store front is located just a short walk from the yoga studio featured in my last post, so this weekend you can go do some yoga and then refuel with some cupcakes, or psyche yourself up for that yoga class with a little pre-yoga sugar rush, whichever you prefer.
Baked by Melissa - 529 Broadway (near Spring St.)

"Yoga to Kick Your Asana"

Everyone has the same problem - working out is a necessity of life, but constantly going to the gym can get seriously monotonous for both your mind and your body. When you have done all you can at your regular gym and are looking for something to mix-up your workout, check this place out: THE FIERCE CLUB. This yoga studio has just opened in SoHo and it looks like a hard-core way to burn some of those unwanted calories, or just give yourself an excuse to have that extra beer this weekend. Added Bonus - all this week - from March 2-8 - all classes are only $5, which is seriously cheap since most yoga classes in this city are $20 or more. So check them out and let me know what you think.

The Fierce Club: 269 Elizabeth street.

Dining and Wine Wednesdays

Since you don't have time to read everything in this MOST important section of the paper, I have narrowed it down for you. These are the articles worth your time:

It’s Organic, but Does That Mean It’s Safer?

Basically, 'organic' does not guarantee pathogen free - but really, who thought it did? Maybe it should, but a lot of the organics you buy from the supermarket, although free from many of the bad things found in conventionally grown foods, are still produced on a massive scale and are thus subject to some of the same problems as other mass-produced foods. One more reason to buy from your local farmer's market, where you can talk to the person who produced your food. One other important piece of information from this article - farmers and manufacturers have to PAY hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars to the USDA to be certified organic, so just because a purveyor at your local market is not 'certified organic' don't assume they do not comply with organic and/or sustainable growing practices. In many cases they just cannot afford the certification.

A Bolder Menu and Room to Explore It

Restaurant review of L’Artusi. Menu is some what uneven, but still good enough to get one star from the NYT.

California Chardonnay Grows Up

Recommendations for the next time you're at the liquor store and in the mood for Chardonnay. All the wines tasted came from Santa Barbara.

From Showpiece to Sustainable Crops, a Farm Shifts

A working farm - just over the river in Queens! And they have a stand at the Union Square Green Market- bonus!

A Divorce for Beets and Goat Cheese

I LOVE Mark Bittman. He always has the best, and most simple, ways to prepare foods already in your kitchen.

Off the Menu

Everything you need to know about restaurant openings and closings.

Dining Calendar

Upcoming dining events including freebies and charity fundraisers that give you an excuse to dine out.

Free Furniture Delivery - NYC

West Elm's newest NYC location is opening today, so if you need some new furniture, today is the day to go get it. They are offering FREE DELIVERY on all furniture TODAY ONLY. As an added bonus, if the Chelsea location is more convenient for you, complimentary delivery is available for furniture purchased there today, too.

NEW Broadway location - 1870 Broadway

Chelsea location - 112 west 18th street

And in case you like to do a little pre-shopping online before heading to the store - www.westelm.com

Bold Bright Color for the Table

(courtesy of Charles and Marie)

I am always looking for cute new kitchen accessories, especially ones I can rationalize buying out of need, like plates and mugs. This company is out of the UK, so getting their products in the US might take a little further investigation, but right now, and for the next 11 hours, you can get their 1930s Modernist Seaside Villas mugs. The come in 4 bold, bright colors and would be a killer way to serve coffee or perhaps more appropriately, in light of their origin, tea.

Get the mugs here

Check out all the People Will Always Need Plates products here

Puka Dog

 (courtesy of Hawaiian Magazine) 

So I was in Hawaii last week - on Kauai specifically - and I found a very unexpected culinary creation. I went to Hawaii expecting to mostly subsist on sunlight and pineapple, but as soon as we landed my sister started telling me about how she could not wait to have a Puka Dog. Now, I know what you're thinking, the name looks like Puke - and it is basically pronounced Puke-a-Dog - which made me a little wary too, but seriously this was one Polish Sausage worth traveling for. Also, Puka means 'hole' in Hawaiian so it refers to the hole they make in the bun for the dog. I do know at least one person in my life who is simply in love with 'tube meat' as she calls it, but for the rest of you who might not be quite as enamored, you must understand, hot dogs worth traveling for are few and far between. Normally I'll eat a hot dog once or twice a year, usually outside on a hot summer day while visiting someone lucky enough to have a backyard and a grill, two things I lack. As much as I enjoy the hot dog, when it comes to the bun and the topping options, I am left wanting. Well, not at Puka Dog. They have perfected the hot dog, the bun, and the sauces. You order your Puka Dog as follows:

Pick your dog - Polish Sausage or Veggie Dog

Pick your Garlic Lemon Secret Sauce - Mild, Spicy, Hot, or Hot Hot

Pick your Fruit Relish - Mango, Pineapple, Guava, Papaya, Coconut, Banana, or Star Fruit

Pick your Mustard - There are options here, but just get the Lilikoi, trust me

So you're probably asking yourself why I am writing about this since no one I know lives anywhere near Kauai or has plans to go there any time soon and the answer is this - THE SAUCES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE! They are affordable and so delicious you will want to eat them right out of the jar. But, if you can contain yourself and want to be a normal human being (overrated) you can use them as a topping for almost anything you might be making from sandwiches to meat to fish, even veggie protein products. Oh and to help you pick, the Pineapple relish is the best one and the Secret Sauce is really not that hot, so if you like spicy go for the Hot or the Hot Hot. Check them out: www.pukadog.com 

 (courtesy of Puka Dog)

Breakfast

Okay, so I'll use any excuse to eat good food, but honestly, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and it is one that is seriously under represented in many cookbooks. I realized this while trying to come up with something yummy to make this weekend when my sister and her husband come to visit me in NYC. Yes, I know, most people in NYC just go out for every meal, but I like to cook and my sister has yet to see my new apartment, so they are coming over for breakfast. I suppose I could just fry up some eggs and toss some bread in the toaster, but I want to do more. I started flipping through the March issue of bon appetit and found Yukon Gold Cinnamon Rolls: 

http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2009/03/yukon_gold_cinnamon_rolls

The original recipe makes 12 cinnamon rolls, which is tempting, but since I'm pretty sure my sister would kill me if I put 12 cinnamon rolls on the table, I have scaled the recipe back to make only 4 cinnamon rolls. The scaled back measurements are below. So, the next time you have someone special coming over for breakfast, or if you just feel like cinnamon rolls, try these! Added bonus - Yukon Gold potatoes are in season right now so they are readily available and at the peak of deliciousness.

Ingredients reduced by 1/3 - makes 4 cinnamon rolls

dough

1/3 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

1/3 of a stick (2 2/3 tablespoons) unsalted butter

1 large eggs

1 1/2 cups (or more) unbleached all purpose flour

1/6 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)

1 1/4-ounce envelope active dry yeast (scant 2 tablespoons)

2 teaspoons sugar

filling

4/9 cup (slightly less than 1/2 cup) (packed) golden brown sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

glaze

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1 1/3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 teaspoons (or more) whole milk

1/3 teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch coarse kosher salt

Warm Wellies!

Okay so I seriously LOVE my Wellies - they are giant, pink, knee-high boots, so what's not to love?! But in case you are still in need of a pair of Wellies for the coming spring rainy season check these out:

http://moovboots.com/

(courtesy of moovboots)

They are a super cute combination of keep-your-feet-dry rubber on the outside and keep-your-feet-warm sheepskin lining on the inside. Also, the boots come in two different heights, mid-calf and tall, to suit personal tastes, though I would always opt for the tall, but that's just me. Definitely worth a look. And remember, the online prices are in AUD so the boots will be slightly cheaper when you convert the prices to USD.