PARTY magazine: IN THE SPIRIT OF THINGS

It’s an all-alcohol extravaganza. This party is full of booze-y bites and the rarest of spirits. Combine that with a mind-blowing black and white optic scene that will keep revelers on their toes. To see all the details on this gathering head to: http://hobnobmag.com/article/09-in-the-spirit/

PARTY magazine: IN THE SPIRIT OF THINGS

It’s an all-alcohol extravaganza. This party is full of booze-y bites and the rarest of spirits. Combine that with a mind-blowing black and white optic scene that will keep revelers on their toes. To see all the details on this gathering head to: http://hobnobmag.com/article/09-in-the-spirit/

PARTY magazine: IN THE SPIRIT OF THINGS

It’s an all-alcohol extravaganza. This party is full of booze-y bites and the rarest of spirits. Combine that with a mind-blowing black and white optic scene that will keep revelers on their toes. To see all the details on this gathering head to: http://hobnobmag.com/article/09-in-the-spirit/

PARTY magazine: The Indi-Mod Party

The October issue is out! Find out how to launch a party Bollywood style. Pair swirling patterns of paisley with modern Indian small bites and a video playlist. See the whole party package at:
hipentertaining.com

PARTY Magazine: How to Host Weekend Guests

This month's party gives you the ideal formula for hosting weekend guests with minimal effort. Cook once and parlay the inventory into sumptuous sandwiches, salads, a taco bar, and brunch. See the details at hipentertaining.com

PARTY Magazine: Wanna Take You Higher

This issue of PARTY MAGAZINE, presents ideas for throwing a health-conscious party. 

Combine the power of positive thinking with a bevy of superfoods, super light cocktails, and you’ve taken a party to the next level. 

Yes, you can enjoy yourself and be healthy at the same time. 

See the details at hipentertaining.com...

 

 

There's a new PARTY destination...

Head over to HIPENTERTAINING.com, the website for the sophisticated host, adventurous eater, experienced drinker, fashion risk taker, music aficionado, and all those who love to mingle. This will be Hip Hostess NYC's new home. Thanks for you support, and come join me in my new venture.

BREASTMILK THE MOVIE

Just opened in NYC and beyond is a documentary which holds an intimate peek into every pregnant women's dilemma: do I breastfeed or not? In Breastmilk, Director Dana Ben-Ari follows five very different women from pregnancy up to their child's one-year birthday revealing each family's philosophies and their subsequent ups and downs—managing jobs, physical issues, but mostly their expectations. Experts weigh in, and help in understanding the scope of things, opening up a dialogue that questions the powers-that-be at hospitals and the messages women receive from from the world at large. It is a heartwarming, often humorous portrayal that was fascinating to watch. I walked out of the movie feeling that I knew each and every one of the women portrayed. I highly recommend a viewing. Now playing at IFC theater on Sixth Avenue and West 3rd Street. breastmilkthemovie.com

Director Dana Ben-Ari at the opening with custom-made necklace.

Dirt Candy: Veggie to the NTH degree

When my vegan (and now gluten-free) friend wanted to meet for dinner, I thought Dirt Candy would be the perfect place to venture to. It was quite the experience. First off, the space is absolutely tiny, but the minimal, modern design manages to maximize the space. Peach-colored lighting sets the mood, an open kitchen sits at the rear. The concept: Each dish takes one ingredient, interprets it in different ways, and then is plated quite imaginatively. Service is so friendly, you almost feel like part of a family. As a matter of fact, my friend and I were not crazy about the bottle of wine we ordered, and did casually mention it to the server at night’s end (after we drank it!). Unbelievably, the charge was removed from the bill. We did not expect that! This place is a total treat, whether or not you are vegetarian. Portions are generous, and each dish presents complex and interesting flavor combinations. (Something to keep in mind, this restaurant is vegetarian, and will adapt most dishes to accommodate vegans, but only two of the dishes were able to be made gluten-free.)

Flatware was streamlined, perfectly balanced and a joy to eat with.

Servers pulled glasses from a thin shelf lining the wall down one side of the restaurant.

Flaky bread plus gluten-free crackers with dipping oil.

Spinach: spinach & grapefruit mille-feuille, with smoked pistachios and ricotta

Potato: warm potato salad, crispy Japanese yams, grilled sweet potato, olives, bitter greens, apples

Beans: coconut poached tofu, sea beans, saffron sauce, long beans with Moroccan herbs, sizzling rice

Beets: salt-roasted beets, thai green curry, beet gnocchi, whipped coconut galangal cream

Popcorn Pudding: salted caramel corn

Buvette: Swarming with Charm

On a perfect snowy day in December, friends visiting from Texas told me they were dying to head to Buvette, one of their favorite spots in NYC. I had it on my list of “places to go” so that was that, we trekked to the village. I don’t think we could have picked a more charming, and warm environment for that night. Buvette doesn’t take reservations, so we squeezed ourselves into the end of the bar near the window. While waiting for our table, we amused ourselves with samplings of charcuterie, cheese, and cocktails. Although crowded, the unruffled host constantly monitored the scene, and kept us informed as to our table status. The menu was simple, and the food presented nonchanlantly, but all was absolutely superb. Especially considering the prices of the entrees: $15. See details in the photos below.

A charming night awaits.

Super decor with tin ceilings, mirrors, antiques.

Erin, who loved being able to speak French for a night, and husband Jason peruse the cocktail offerings.

The book of cocktail selections.

The HOLIDAY cocktail looked sweet, but was just right.

The blackboard of cocktail selections was done with flair.

At the table, we were presented with their to-the-point, adorable, idiosyncratic menu.

We ordered a couple of side dishes to start. The beets...

and the carrot salad.

Cassoulet.

Coq au Vin.

Duck.

Tart Tatin.

Mousse.

County Restaurant: Rustic Modern

County, located on one of the best blocks for eating in NYC (Gramercy Tavern, Il Mulino, Veritas [you will be missed!], Mari Vanna) got a new chef over the summer. Chef Jan Feshan has worked in some of the world’s finest kitchens—in NYC, at Maloney & Porcelli he tutored under David Burke and before coming to County he spent some years at ABC Kitchen where Dan Kluger was a huge influence. You can appreciate the freshness of ingredients and Feshan’s confident approach at County. The menu focuses on classic dishes orchestrated with a masterful touch. Extraordinary ingredients dominate, like the honey that is drizzled on the house-made ricotta, as well as 95 varieties of pepper that add a touch of heat to many of his dishes. County is cozy and friendly—if you go, you will return. Worth noting: they stay open between lunch and dinner, so perfect for a rest from shopping and grabbing a bite, or a sip of one of their nicely-mixed cocktails.

This was potent. Candied Ginger Old Fashioned: Bourbon, Ramazzatti, Candied Ginger, Angostura & Orange Bitters

Light yet intense. Hudson Swizzle: Vodka, Fresh Blueberry & Lemon, Ginger, Pomegranate, Orange Blossom Water

A hefty portion. Apple Walnut Salad with Bibb Lettuce, Apple, Spiced Walnuts, Parmesan Vinaigrette.

This was the special appetizer of that night, fried shrimp. Quite good.

Pan Roasted Chicken: Organic Chicken, House Smoked Bacon, Roasted Corn Succotash

Another special: Deconstructed Black Bass. Those yellow dollops of sauce were on the spicy side.

WHISPER Editions: Hand-crafted Limited Editions

What a fantastic idea! Whisper Editions teams up with very cool photographers, furniture makers, jewelry designers, artists, apothecaries, and other creatives to bring innovative, collectible goods in limited quantities. Once the run is done, that’s it. This idea is the brainchild of Judith Puckett-Rinella, who was a photo editor at TMagazine and Vanity Fair, and brings her discerning eye to each commission. As seen on the website this week: tinctures, teas and salves made from homegrown herbs by Field Apothecary, located in the Hudson Valley. Owners Dana and Michael Eudy are passionate about herbs and their healing properties. They also supplied the tincture for the cocktail at the launch party, which was quite nice. Sign up at the Whisper Editions’ website to see the covetable weekly offerings. Photos below are some of the pieces that caught my eye at the opening.

INDIAN SUMMER COCKTAIL
by Field Apothecary & Herb Farm
Tulsi Tincture with Lemongrass-Ginger Simple Syrup
Bourbon
Soda Water
(Tulsi—also known as Holy Basil—Tincture is part of Edition No. 15: Winter Wellness Bundle available on the Whisper Editions website)

A sheer curtain with projection divided the space at the opening.

No. 11 Gold Pumps by Joseph Heidecker 

No. 24 Secrets, Kauai, 2011 by Adrian Gaut

 

No.23 Steel Bench II by Stephen Schermeyer  

No. 9 Infinity Bracelet by Chorthip