Rocking It Solo

I recently took on a long overdue challenge- eating dinner alone.

Maybe some of you have done this already and can chime in how great and a must-do it is.


Here is what every woman needs to do at some point. Have drink and/or dinner at a restaurant by yourself, preferably at the bar area of the restaurant.



Why:

• One of the best ways to prove you are comfortable on your own.


• You meet some of the most amazing people. You will be surprise of the great conversations you can have with the bartender and people around you. They are in awe that you can do this on your own.


• What better way to try a dish or venue that has been on your wish list, without having to wait for friends to go.

This screams independence!

I recently did this at Planet Thailand 212 and it was a great experience. The bartender Matt was amazing and my curry duck was delicious. I even got to meet the manager and tried a dish with a drink for free. The benefits of rocking it solo.

Fool-Proof DIY Networking

When the word networking comes up, sometimes the first reaction is the same as being told can you give a presentation to 100 people on XYZ - people get nervous and think of it as a chore they know they have to do but don't always want to do.

Worry no more because there is a great way to network within the comfort of friends and soon-to-be friends, here is our recipe to success:

• Whether it is you alone or with a friend, think of no more than 10 people you would like to bring together. They may have professional and personal interests in common and then again they may not.
• If you host a get together with a friend, each of you should be responsible for half of the invites.
  
• It is extremely beneficial if the invitees don't know each other or may be familiar but not that well . This is not girlfriend outing time and no one person should feel like the new kid on the block, everyone should feel new to each other.
  
• Balance your invites with your outgoing and your introvert/shy associates. For the friend you have been trying to get out to events or who expresses displeasure of networking this will be a great and safe environment to get them started.
  
• Pick a tea house or brunch venue to have the event. There are many inexpensive brunch venues on the weekends and tea houses just have a natural good environment for conversations.
• Oh and yes have it on the weekend vs. after work so everyone can be clear minded and rested.
• Work with the venue to establish a pre-fix menu if they don't have . Many restaurants that have a brunch menu have a set price and tea houses usually have a scone, finger sandwich and cookies/dessert platter. The last thing you want to think about after a good chat is diving the bill. Provide the group with the cost that will factor in tax and tip prior to the event. Example: At Alice Teacup we did the Mad Hatters and it worked out to about $22 including tax and tip and all invitees were made aware that was the food setting being order, but of course can choose their types of sandwiches, scones, etc.
• Be a superb host. Have everyone introduce themselves, but don't be shy about gluing them together. Tell them why they were invited and what you knew they had in common with others - be the connector!
  
• Secret to success: Is that its a small manageable group where real conversations can be had. It is personal and there is nothing like receiving a personal invite

With the weather clearing up, go out there and plan a networking brunch/tea house event. Below are some suggestions based on experience:

• Alice's Tea Cup: There are several locations now. I found success at the 64th street & Lexington one because its bigger
• Franchia: This is a vegetarian Korean tea house. Great for your a group that is particularly health conscious and includes vegans/vegetarians. Not for meat lovers.
• Coco Rocco: Two locations in Brooklyn, a darn good cheap and tasty brunch $9.95. You will love it.
• Libations: I just had brunch here today for such an event. Never knew they served food...lol. Delicious brunch means for $19. (I can speak for the steak and eggs - yummy)
• Tea Map: This is a GREAT resource to find local area tea houses. I used it many times.
• Google these venues and sites. There were errors in linking the sites to the page. Thank you
  

Easy Cooking...For Holidays & Everyday

Like many of you who are juggling career, personal life, organization commitments, family, etc. it feels like there isn't time to do the basic things like cooking yourself a easy delicious healthy meal. Since talks of the economy stress that we all do out best to save money, one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money is to cut back on eating out.

No more dining out = more cooking at home; and to not end up microwaving frozen foods that means planning ahead of time. Well I decided this weekend to cook shrimp scampi because it is so easy and tasty to do. In my quest to find a simple to follow recipe I came across www.startcooking.com.

What a site! I can literally watch every episode in one sitting. It is the combination of the animated narrator, the bright and visually appealing videos and the overall simple presentation that makes it such a great cooking reference.

Definitely bookmark this site. The site even goes over basics such as the three essential cooking knives you need and how to fry an egg (yes I have heard some of you out there are still struggling with this).

I guess I can put off cooking classes for a while:)

Bon Appetit!

Tide-to-Go is Good-to-Go!

I totally vouch for this product. It saved my cream cashmere sweater from a pasta sauce disaster. I heart tide for making this! It also comes in a mini version to fit in your cute little clutch.

Tide-to-Go Mini 2-Pack
$5.99

Free Wine Tasting Tour - 4.12.08

I just got this in from one of my favorite e-newsletters - Thrillist.com (you should definitely sign-up). There is a free wine tasting tour this Saturday - it is the Rioja Wine Tour and it will educate you on some tasty Spanish grapes.

Get more info here

Also, here is the schedule:
2:30: Bottlerocket: 5 West 19th St, between 5th and 6th (serving from 2-5)

3:30: Chelsea Wine Vault: 75 9th Ave, at 16th (serving from 2-5)

4:15: Sea Grape Wine: 512 Hudson St, btw Christopher and W 10th (serving from 4-8:30)

4:45: Le Du Wines: 600 Washington Street, at Leroy (serving from 3-5)

5:15: Golden Rule Wine and Liquor: 457 Hudson St, at Barrow (serving from 5-7)

6:30: Astor Wines and Astor Center: 399 Lafayette St, at E 4th (serving from 6:30-8:30)

Restaurant/Loundge: Girl, Date or Group Chat

The quest continues and will forever go on to find those perfect places to get a good bite and soothing drink in an inviting environment without paying too high a price.

Just last night two friends introduced me to the restaurant and lounge Aspen, and I LOVED it!

The run down and tips:

• Located on 30 West 22nd Street (bet 5th and 6th aves.), you can take the F, V, Path, R, W to 23rd street and walk over.


• The design takes after a ski lounge that you will expect to come across in - Aspen! Casual dress, so there is no fashion stress.


• Reservations recommended if you know you're going, but the front bar/lounge area is good for walk-ins. Still ask to be seated in the dining area. Here's the number: (212) 645-5040.


• If you love a warm fire place ask to sit at the large somewhat communal table that has the fireplace as the center piece. It's gorgeous and brings warmth to the meal.

The Experience: For my first visit I had the Bison Sliders (you get 2 for $12 - these are really tasty) with a side of Fries ($6 and comes with a chipotle ketchup - yummy) and to seal the night with sweetness, the Snow Capped Cupcakes ($5 - 4 really tiny but perfect tasting cupcakes).

So if you ever need to go out on a date, have some girl talk with a friend or two, or catch up with a few buddies this is an easy place to go.

New Year's Eve - Advance Planning

It's time to admit that 2007 is almost over - get ready to say bye bye.

This just means it is soon time to party, bringing in 2008.

Good friend Judy sent along this great link listing all the NYE party venues with details, photos, tickets prices and much more.

http://judynycevents.com/

Enjoy and have a very safe NYE.

A Stylish Must-Do Happy Hour

Who leaves work these days at 5PM to attend a 4-7PM Happy Hour? By the time you rush over to whatever bar it is you are just happy you made it time to make an order.

A favorite place for happy hour with style is Verlaine. I've been there about 4-5 times and it never lets me down.

Highlights:

• It has a decent soothing ambiance to take away from the day's craziness


• Happy hour is from 4-10PM - yes 10:00PM, 7 days a week!


• Drink specials: Their delicious $4 Lychee Martinis; Sangrias, Vietnamese Bloody Marys; House red & white wines; Basic cocktails. Also 2 for 1 Bavaria Blond Lager


• The food is also tasty and inexpensive - I recommend the dumplings, shrimp and their fried ginger chicken wings - yummy and a nice portion.

So chop chop and get there. It can be cool for a non-stuffy date; catch up time with the girls or one of many bar-hopping stops.

Location: 110 Rivington Street (bet. Essex a& Ludlow); F train to Second Avenue or the FJMZ to Delancey Street.

Oh and if after a couple of drinks you get those munchies... the pizza around there is delicious.

Food Cometh To Thee

From what I am hearing and seeing since post-labor day weekend everyone is in full swing at their jobs. Busy as a bee is being nice, in most cases folks are running around like chickens with their heads off - sorry did not mean to be drastic.

Anyhoo, if you are having difficulty leaving your desk for grub well then just order it online through Delivery.com or Seamlessweb.com (why the latter is named so I don't know). I have been using delivery.com for almost two years and it is great. The pluses are:

• You have your order written down so there is no chance of someone messing it up because they couldn't hear you over the background kitchen noise.
• A good number of restaurants to choose from and the criteria used to narrow down includes minimum delivery charge; fastest delivery service to the type of cuisine you want.
• You can place your order in the AM and schedule it to arrive by lunch time. Nice!
• They also do cash and all major cards.

Make sure you remember this when winter hits. Oh and tip the delivery guy well, because he is most likely walking through weather you don't want to experience.

Eating - Can It Be This Good?

Not to say that the constant quest for that nice place to eat that doesn't put a dent in your wallet is over, but Cafetasia is definitely at the top of the list. Everyone is crazy about Spice, but this new Thai and Asian-inspired restaurant on East 8th between Green St. and University Place (take the R or W to 8th street and walk down two blocks) will make you think twice.

Interior Design - Absolutely beautiful. Dark wood, candles, flowers and modern accents. Why they have the cafeteria mention in the restaurant name? Is probably because of the two long wooden tables that have a really nice sophisticated community feel. There are still other small tables throughout the restaurant if you are not in the communal mood.

Menu - This is the best part! Price range is from $1 to $12 - can you beat that? The $12 meals are for items under their x-large selections, so you can easily have dinner or lunch for just $10.

Recommendation: This is truly a great spot to go have a nice chat with your best girlfriend; meet that guy for a nice causal date or even take out your parents. The overall vibe is very versatile, and absolutely feel free to just walk right in. If your party is 2-3 people the wait is pretty short. the staff is really nice and they will do what they can to make your experience worthy of a return.

My last visit I had the tamarind glazed spare ribs and rice - $7.00!! Yummy to the tummy and to the wallet.

Enjoy,

KC

Farewell Mimosa....Hello Free Sangria!!!

Brunch has pretty much been the same ole "pretend" meal of the day ever since the clever little title was coined: Traditional breakfast option, traditional lunch option paired with a chilled mimosa. It's about time someplace remixed it to spark the interest of a new wave of savvy Brunchers and that someplace is Calle Ocho (82nd and Columbus). Their Sunday Brunch with a Cuban twist comes with an assortment of unique breads and spreads, a one-of-a-kind delish menu and (you're going to love me for this) FREE AND UNLIMITED SANGRIAS!!! They have 8 different barrels, 4 white & 4 red, of fruit infused goodness- you'll never want to touch a mimosa again. If I didn't sell you on the sangria then you'll love that it averages to only $15 person. Its lovely atmosphere would be perfect for get togethers and celebrations. Personally, I'm hooked and I will be there every Sunday I get a chance. Hope to see you there!

The Sangria Bar

Huevos Divorciados

Classic Cuban

Thanks Ash ;-)

The Scoop on Restaurant Week

NYC Restaurant Week is upon us once again. New Yorker's have 5 more days to dine at some of best restaurants our great city has to offer and at modest prices. All RW meals are chosen from a 3 course prix-fixe menu for Lunch of Dinner at $24.07 and $35.00 respectively.

The concept is simple, the hard part is deciding where to eat for these 3 reasons:
1. The Spot: RW is a great opportunity for exploration and satisfying your curiosity. Iron Chef's Bobby Flay, Mario Batali and Masaharu Morimoto all have participating restaurants, why not get a taste. Ever wonder why celebs flock to TAO? Now you check it out with out paying celeb prices.

2. The Menu: This could make or break your RW experience. Some RW menus are better off ignored because the selection isn't as appetizing as the regular menu or as filling and you might get a much better meal for only a extra few dollars at the same place. Check the restaurant's RW menu BEFORE you make your reservations.

3. Availability: Be conscious of when you make your reservations. RW is actually 2 weeks, but it excludes the weekends. On the upside, some places are extending the menu until Labor Day! Also, look out for the few restaurants only offering a lunch menu when looking for a dinner spot.

Once you have made your selection. You can make reservation on OpenTable.com or by calling directly. Bon Appetite!!

Good Grub for $20 bill + a few $1s

Sometimes when you are out and about in the city (especially after some good shopping, window shopping or gymming) you just want to have a good meal with a good drink and recap the days events with your girlfriends. But we all hate having to worry about how expensive the place maybe; if you are dressed appropriately and did you need to make a reservation - too many worries.

(Arroz con Pollo $12 w/ classic mojito $8)
The solution - Hands down Havana Central ( http://www.havanacentral.com/) in Union Square (17th bet 5th and Broadway) is a top pick. As long as you like Cuban food and you can appreciate a nice hot meal..hmmm mmm mmm. Like the title says for a $20 bill and a few singles that equals a mojito, a meal, tax AND tip. Let's just say that on Sunday the pics you see of food disappeared (all of it) in the tummies of KC.

Did we say how good the mojitos were...hmmm $8/$9 delicious.

So go forth and get some new shoes from DSW; linens on sales at Filene's Basement; grab a book form Barnes & Noble and touch your face up and the nearby Sephora...after all that eat at Havana!


(Cuban burger w/sweet potato fries -$12 & strawberry mojito $9)

Eating Solo, but So Good

How often do you find yourself running errands, shopping or doing something that has you in the city for a few hours and then all of a sudden you have that empty stomach feeling? You are hungry, but alone = no one to eat with. So you start thinking where can I grab a bite all by myself but not look like a loner. You see McDonalds – ughh no; you see Starbucks—ughh tired of that, plus you want food not cookies and coffee. Ahh hum *clearing throat* my recommendation is Marquet Patisserie over on E. 12^th Street and University Place.

I recently was out and about my lonesome self and felt I was about to die if I didn’t eat. I stumbled upon this place near NYU and had a nice brunch right by the window. The price range is about $* to $13 if I remember correctly and the food was good and for once I had a nice cup of hot tea.

It is also a nice spot to have brunch with friends.