Glasses Up to the 5th Annual New Times' Pairing!!

The highlight of my day was the New Times' Pairing event! This year tagline is to "Sip. Sample.Savor" and I followed those exact instructions during my stroll. The 5th Annual Pairing combined signature culinary creations from more than 40 of the area's best restaurants with expertly paired wines from local and international wineries. This event not only celebrates the perfect pairing of food and beverage, but also benefits our local Jack & Jill Children's Center.​

Local restaurants like: YOLO, SAIA, Another Perfect Party, 3030 Ocean, The Grill, Bimini Boatyard, and SALT all served up eclectic and delicious samples. The wine and champagne pairings didn't disappoint either! My personal favorites had to be the Nicolas Feuillatte Rose ( From Champagne, France) and the Crispy Salmon Tatare .

I can't wait for the next Pairing!​

Cointreau Mobile Travel Experience

A leading French trip-sec brand has hit the social media scene to promote a new travel package for travel and cocktail enthusiasts. Cointreau, Morgans Hotel Group, and Dita Von Teese has teamed up will introduce a unique travel experience called “My Cointreau Travel Essentials.”   Cointreau International Ambassador, Dita Von Teese is the face of the experiential campaign and will be touring as well. Not only did Dita contribute to the overall experience, but she also designed the signature portable bar for the Cointreau tour.

"In both my professional and personal life, I travel extensively.  I love to make cocktails that remind me of the places I've visited – a Cosmopolitan in New York, a Margarita in Miami, or a Sidecar in Paris," says Dita. "But I also wanted to be able to enjoy these cocktails wherever I may be, where the ambiance is right.  The bar ensemble provides everything you need to make a cocktail in style, and it is also a glamorous box to keep beautiful hats, or other personal treasures."

This tour allows hotel guests at specific properties, including: Royalton in New York, Mondrian South Beach, and Mondrian Los Angeles, to fully experience the ultimate luxury travel package. The entire package will be complete with sophisticated Cointreau cocktail offerings. For approximately $680, the “My Cointreau Travel Essentials” by Dita Von Teese Package includes:

• “My Cointreau Travel Essentials” bar by Dita Von Teese
• “Drinks by Dita” -  two complimentary signature Cointreau cocktails
• A personal welcome note from Dita Von Teese
• Stay at the participating Morgans Hotel Group property

In addition to a luxury travel package “My Cointreau Travel Essentials” by Dita Von Teese will also be available through Royalton’s in-room iPad service as well the Mondrian South Beach’s Semi-Automatic haute couture vending machines. The final touch is a signed, limited-edition bottle of Cointreau – the heart of all delicious cocktails.

To experience the mobile tour, book the packages by November 21, 2011. Until then, tour details can be found at www.cointreau.com, http://www.facebook.com/Cointreau or http://www.facebook.com/DitaVonTeese

Fooducate Yourself!

I recently purchased an iPhone and have been in awe with the multiple apps that can make your life a little easier. Amongst the thousands of iPhone apps, there is a recent educational tool to answer consumers’ questions about specific food selections, ingredients, or meal options. Fooducate, which has more than 200,000 items in its product database, essentially puts a nutritionist in hand when you’re at the grocery store.

Fooducate lets you use the iPhone’s built-in camera to scan a product’s barcode. The app then displays a grade a rating of- A through F. In addition, the number of calories per serving and how it compares to similar products in its category is displayed for viewers. Products may receive a bad grade due to excessive sugar, sodium, trans fats, additives, preservatives, etc. In this case, healthier suggestions will be provided to app users. Fooducate also provides data about how highly processed a product is and whether it’s a good choice for dieters. Check out the three simple steps below.

Fooducate is free, and available now in the iTunes App Store. The app requires iOS 4.0 or greater to work, and even though it works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad, you’ll get the most use of the app if you use an iPhone or iPod Touch with a camera (you can type in barcodes manually if you don’t have a camera.)

In good company at Peels...

Hey World! I just had to take advantage of this beautiful weather and meet a dear friend at Peels for brunch in the East Village. Peels offers a wide variety of traditional southern inspired dishes. The décor also offers patrons a very relaxed and casual atmosphere. This two-floor restaurant comes with long family style wooden tables, 2 full bars, and leather booths around the perimeter.

As we waited for our table, my eyes became fixated on the French toasts, classic buttermilk biscuits, eggs, salads, and countless amounts of pastries that surrounded me. After perusing the tempting meals on the menu, I decided on the Build-a-Biscuit selection. My buttermilk biscuit, creamed collard greens, and chicken combination were a modest, delicious and filling dish. I never turn down the chance to catch up with friends over a tasty southern meal. I enjoyed every minute.

I am already thinking about my next visit to Peels. What should I try next?

Pop in if you’re in the area and let me know what you think!

Peels Restaurant,

325 Bowery (East Second Street)

(646) 602-7015