Of Course I'm a Cosmo Girl

Back in March, Alejandra Ramos of Always Order Dessert, who I met back at the Ocean Spray VIP party with Tyler Florence and Duff Goldman last fall, and who also happens to be an editor at Cosmopolitan, put out a call for contributions for a story one of her writers was putting together about New York City. The story was going to coincide with the release of Sex and the City 2 this summer tomorrow (!) and would include some insider tips from real women who live and/or work in New York -- suggestions for must-see shops, restaurants, shows, clubs, parks, neighborhoods, etc. for young women traveling to the city from abroad.

Simple Summer Couscous Salad

I can hardly believe it. Memorial Day Weekend is upon us and the unofficial start of summer is less than a week away! Those of us in New York -- in the Northeast, in general -- have already been dealing with summer-like weather with mini heat waves and high levels of humidity that make me wonder why I bother to dry my hair some mornings.

Piquillo: Being First Doesn't Make It the Best

Piquillo

JFK International Airport

Terminal 5

(866) 508-3558 | Map

I shouldn't be writing this blog post. I should be concentrating on cleaning my apartment or paying the bills that are due very, very soon or packing for my mini-vacation to Arizona. I shouldn't be worrying about updating my blog when I have so much to do before I leave town. But, seeing as I'll be flying out of JFK again, out of the legendary Terminal 5 again, I thought this post would be apropos. Even if it has been over a month since I sat down at a table at Piquillo -- the first tapas restaurant in a U.S. airport - to treat myself to something other than fast food before my flight to Orlando.

Brunch at Almond Restaurant

Almond Restaurant

12 East 22nd Street

New York, NY

(212) 228-7557 | Map

Sometimes Sunday brunch is the perfect time to get together with friends at a favorite restaurant and order the food (and unlimited mimosas) that made you fall in love with the restaurant in the first place. And, sometimes, Sunday brunch is the perfect excuse to have your friends recommend a restaurant that you've never been to. Last month, I had the chance to dine with my favorite brunch buddies at Almond Restaurant in the Flatiron District, a restaurant that's been talked up so much that I was amazed it took me so long to agree to go.

Featured Friday, Volume 1.5

I know it's been a while since I've published a Featured Friday post. Between traveling, maintaining order at work, making preliminary plans to move, and counting down to my 30th birthday, I've been a little busy. Forgive me.

Odd Little Outing to New York Hotdog & Coffee

New York Hotdog & Coffee

245 Bleecker Street

New York, NY 10024

(212) 388-3742 | Map

Not too long after I posted my review of Le Paris Bistrot, I was contacted by the publicist for New York Hotdog & Coffee. She invited me to come down to the West Village to try their authentic Korean fusion hot dogs. The idea of fusion hot dogs intrigued me, so I called my friend Sara and asked her to join me for a free meal and for what sounded like a unique dining experience.