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

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.

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

Manhattan Cocktail Classic: Tickets on Sale NOW!

Twenty-five thousand cocktails, elegance, big band sounds, festive fare...for five days in May experience the industry’s cutting edge. Head to the website right now! (I just checked it and 16 of the 45 events have already sold out.) Opening night at the New York Public Library is the ultimate New York party, and a night you will never forget. Start shopping for your outfit...look forward to seeing you there! Other highlights: cocktail-pairing dinner by Chef Eric Ripert; a hands-on mixology class at Huckleberry Bar; a celebration of Grand Central Terminal’s 100th anniversary at The Campbell Apartment; afternoon pairing chocolates and cocktails; a Tiki safari; a bar crawl; a bus tour; countless seminars and hands-on workshops at some of NYC’s most heralded watering holes. May 17 – 21, see schedule of events and buy tickets here.

Haven’s Kitchen: Classy Cooking School

On a break from Design Walk, we headed over to Haven’s Kitchen (as suggested by Skye Kirby Westcott). What a treat! The space houses a coffee shop/specialty food shop in front, with spaces for events, and cooking classes in back and upstairs. Adorably staged, and consciously founded, the classes feature locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients. Guest chefs also show off their talents at the Supper Club. Stop in for cup of joe, some pretty preserves, or kitchen gadgets and see if any of the classes appeal to you. I bought some coffee beans while there, and have been enjoying them every day since. 109 West 17th Street.

Unique Party Space NYC: 632 on Hudson

Day 3 of Design Walk 2012 focused on the west village, which included a tour of 632 on Hudson, a unique property available for photo shoots and all sorts of parties. This space is absolutely amazing, with a variety of opportunities to throw a memorable event. There are 5 levels to choose from, starting from a speakeasy below ground, a street-level gallery with doors that open onto Hudson Street, and an astonishing three floors above, boasting a 40-foot atrium leading to a wraparound roof deck. What’s exceptional about the space is that the facade is totally unassuming. The surprise hits on level 3, and the excitement builds as you tour each room, taking in the fanciful design—bohemian, cluttered—in themes of Indian, Asian, French, Deco—full of antiques acquired from a lifetime of travels. Bathrooms feature old-style tubs with authentic vintage hardware and accessories. See more details on the history (it was a sausage factory) on the website. I took tons of photos, which do not totally tell the story, it must be seen in person to fully appreciate. See the photos at this link.

A Nod to the Royal Wedding

I seem to be in the minority of the people who were not interested the Royal Wedding. But that did not stop me from attending a cocktail party honoring it, sponsored by Beefeater and hosted by Lucy Sykes and Euan Rellie. The soiree was held at Desmond’s, originally a bank, whose space has been transformed into an elegant supper club. The space was decked out with British flags, a Beefeater at the door, and the hosting couple even cut a wedding cake and threw a bouquet in honor of the event. It was quite the swank affair, with a Beefeater Royal wedding punch served in glass tea cups, a special martini dedicated to the bride (seen in photo), and wrist corsages and boutonnieres were created on the scene by Hatch Creative Studio. See more photos of the evening here.

Share the Love Party

I always like to make a big fuss when it comes to my birthday. This year I hosted the post-Valentine’s Day “Share the Love” party which featured a menu of savory treats disguised as cupcakes, lollipops and flowers. The color pink was woven into the theme, with other shocking pastels, which made for an atmosphere of pure gaiety. My friend Derek and I worked for three days shopping and preparing the food. Nima helped inspire the cocktail, named The Blush, which I made ahead of time in pitchers, and topped them up on the scene. See photos of the food and decoration from the party here.

THE BLUSH
1 part Vodka
3 parts Pink Lemonade
.5 part Lillet
.5 part Aperol
1 part Cranberry Juice
La Fee Orange Bitters to taste
To serve: Fill a glass halfway with mixture, then fill with Prosecco.

February Highlights

It was a jam-packed month: MOMA, The Modern, lunches, tastings, parties. The usual. See photos from my adventures here. Shown here is the mushroom soup from The Modern, one of my favorite winter treats.

Cayenne: French Caribbean on Houston

What was the XR bar will soon be transformed into a cozy dance spot with a French Caribbean twist. I stopped in around 11 on Friday night and by 12:30 the space was quite lively. Stay tuned for more reports on the cocktail offerings and DJ nights. 128 West Houston/Sullivan.