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

HOBNOB Magazine: Celebrate Gay Pride with a Menu in the Colors of the Rainbow

The June issue is out...with a stunning menu in the colors of the rainbow. Whether gay or straight, get into summer mayhem with this celebration. 
• Set your table rainbow-style naturally with food and flowers. 
• RED: Tuna Poke; ORANGE: Pork Cubes with Mango Nectarine Salsa served on edible spoons; YELLOW: a Raw Zucchini Curry Dip; GREEN: Chicken Harissa Mini Tacos in Spinach Shells; BLUE: Blue Cocktails that are Not Too Sweet: PURPLE: Dessert offer a bowl of Dark Chocolate Kisses in Violet Foil. 
• The playlist? Remixes of your favorite tunes, that will get your guests on the dance floor. 
Get all the details at http://hobnobmag.com/issue/17-pride-joy-party/

HOBNOB Magazine: Celebrate Gay Pride with a Menu in the Colors of the Rainbow

The June issue is out...with a stunning menu in the colors of the rainbow. Whether gay or straight, get into summer mayhem with this celebration. 
• Set your table rainbow-style naturally with food and flowers. 
• RED: Tuna Poke; ORANGE: Pork Cubes with Mango Nectarine Salsa served on edible spoons; YELLOW: a Raw Zucchini Curry Dip; GREEN: Chicken Harissa Mini Tacos in Spinach Shells; BLUE: Blue Cocktails that are Not Too Sweet: PURPLE: Dessert offer a bowl of Dark Chocolate Kisses in Violet Foil. 
• The playlist? Remixes of your favorite tunes, that will get your guests on the dance floor. 
Get all the details at http://hobnobmag.com/issue/17-pride-joy-party/

HOBNOB Magazine: The Wild Party

The May issue is out! See how to take your party over to the wild side...
• Start by inviting your guests to dress accordingly. 
• Serve exotic meats, wild-caught fish & foraged foods. 
• At the bar, bring an exciting new taste to your guests with Baijiu, China’s high-proof and high-priced spirit new to the U.S. market. 
• Stage the scene with coasters cut from rare Brazilian stones. 
• The playlist? A compilation of songs that go from Classic to Indie to Dance. 
See the latest issue at hobnobmag.comhttp://hobnobmag.com/issue/16-wild-party/

 

HOBNOB Magazine debut

Introducing HOBNOB—Hip Hostess NYC's latest debut into the world of entertaining. This lifestyle website will give you the tools, tricks and techniques to pull off your next party without a hitch. Each month the site features a unique, themed party with a 3-step formula for hosting: What to Serve, What to Drink, and What to Stage. Included is a playlist, party invitation, wine suggestions, recipes for small bites and a signature cocktail. Check out this month's theme, a tribute to all things mini: miniature veggies, teeny bites, and your guests in mini skirts and mini prints. hobnobmag.com http://hobnobmag.com/issue/14-mini-party/

HOBNOB Magazine debut

Introducing HOBNOB—Hip Hostess NYC's latest debut into the world of entertaining. This lifestyle website will give you the tools, tricks and techniques to pull off your next party without a hitch. Each month the site features a unique, themed party with a 3-step formula for hosting: What to Serve, What to Drink, and What to Stage. Included is a playlist, party invitation, wine suggestions, recipes for small bites and a signature cocktail. Check out this month's theme, a tribute to all things mini: miniature veggies, teeny bites, and your guests in mini skirts and mini prints. hobnobmag.com http://hobnobmag.com/issue/14-mini-party/

PARTY NO. 12: APHRODISIAC

Just in time for Valentine's Day, ideas for throwing a party whose menu features aphrodisiacs in the food and cocktails. Gather the gang together—OR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE—for a night of sensual nibbling, flirting and listening to unusual love songs.  See the details at http://hobnobmag.com/issue/13-aphrodisiac-party/

PARTY NO. 12: APHRODISIAC

Just in time for Valentine's Day, ideas for throwing a party whose menu features aphrodisiacs in the food and cocktails. Gather the gang together—OR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE—for a night of sensual nibbling, flirting and listening to unusual love songs.  See the details at http://hobnobmag.com/issue/13-aphrodisiac-party/

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.