Show Your Love: A 6-Step Plan for a Very Special Valentine's Day

Get the formula for an intimate, caring, at-home-celebration-of-love.  Skip the restaurant scene (and madness) and start the night with a dish you have spent cooking for two days. Then, make sure you are wearing the proper outfit—we have some alluring choices for you to adopt into your wardrobe. Music is mandatory, and we've got the set-up that can turn your entire space into an amorous den. Provide some not-so-serious bubbly in adorable packaging for a light touch. Create romantic keepsakes with a new "polaroid-style" instant camera by Lomography (enter our contest to win this baby!) so you can cherish the night for years to come. Finally, come clean with a shared shower, for the ultimate in togetherness! See the details at http://hobnobmag.com/issue/25-valentines-day/

[1] START WITH A French Obsession: Cassoulet, the Dish That is a True Labor of Love

[2] MAKE SURE TO Dress the Part in an Alluring Number

[3] CREATE A Sensual Serenade: Screw-In Wifi Speakers

[4] GET TICKLISH Bubble-licious Rosé Sparkling Minis

[5] MAKE IT LAST The Intimate-in-an-Instant Camera

[6] AND THE FINALE Clean Up Your Act

Miami Report 2016: Best Places to Eat, Drink, View Art

Seeing the year come to an end in 2015 in Miami was a total blast. This vibrant city is in a state of fierce development, attracting interesting people from around the globe. We had the good fortune to connect with the most creative chefs and mixologists in the area. Take a peek at our triple Miami Report for all the details on the food, drink, and scene. Details at hobnobmag.com

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.

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

Louis Royer Cocktails: COGNAC for the Holidays

When the days start cooling down, there’s nothing better than a warm sip of cognac. Louis Royer’s Force 53 stands up to cocktail immersion, lending an elegant, weighty presence. Bartenders, like Claire Needham seen here, experimented with a broad range of ingredients, from ginger to Dubonnet. Use this roundup as inspiration for all your holiday get togethers.

above: Red Light District by Claire Needham of The Beagle
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Cocchi Americano Rosa, Pimms No. 1, Ardbeg Scotch

above: Forced Start by Jeremy Oertel of Soho Grand
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, Lime Juice, Cinnamon Syrup, Ginger Syrup topped with freshly grated nutmeg

above: La Pomme Rouge by Jaime Rios of The Standard
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Dubonnet Rouge, Lemon Juice, Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider with a sprinkling of fennel seeds

above: Monks Force by Raphael Reyes of the Experimental Cocktail Club
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Elixir Chartreuse, Grapefruit Combier, Fresh Lemon Juice, Green Jasmine Tea with a rimmer of coconut sugar

above: Orchard in Manhattan by Sother Teague of Amar y Amargo
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Cocchi Americano, Apple Brandy, Becherovka, Bar Keep Apple Bitters

above: The Big Sleep by Robert Krueger of Extra Fancy
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Punt e Mes, Cointreau Noir

above: The Goodfellow Cocktail by Nicholas Bennett of Booker and Dax
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Apricot Eau de Vie, Fresh Lemon Juice, Honey Syrup, Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit Bitters

above: Cocktail de Ruche by Jason Cousins of Mondrian Soho
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Barenjager Honey Liqueur, Lavender French Honey, Laphroaig 10 Year Scotch Whisky, Bittermens New England Spiced Cranberry Bitters garnished with fresh cranberries and rolled orange peel

above: A Little Boom Boom by Christian Sanders of Evelyn Drinkery
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Bonal Apertif, Lustau San Emililio Pedro Jimenez, White Burgundy, Hella Citrus Bitters

above: Bishop’s Wife by Joshua Perez of Middle Branch
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Brancy Menta, Demerara Syrup, Water

above: The Wayside by Pamela Wiznitzer of The Dead Rabbit
Louis Royer Force 53 Cognac, Lemon Juice, Honey Water, Chai Tea, Dolin Sweet Vermouth