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Taxi, take me to the corner of Hipster & Broadway.

February 22nd, 2013 No Comments

Ace Hotel New York

That would be the corner of 29th Street and Broadway in New York where cool kid locals sip, savor, sleep, and suit up.  Here you’ll find:

For me the attraction is Stumptown Coffee where hipsters pour perfect cappuccinos I can enjoy in the library lobby of the Ace hotel with my laptop.   Our guess is that the popularity of The Ace and Stumptown really got this neighborhood back on the map.  I’ve never stayed at the Ace; I hear the rooms are small but some of the best priced accommodations in town.

Also in the lobby is The Breslin, a pork-centric gastropub from chef April Bloomfield.  Last fall, she opened a new outpost just down the street on the actual corner: John Dory Oyster Bar that boasts a $100/head chef’s table experience.  It actually seems like a pretty casual joint with a lot of great beers on tap.  If you’re looking for a cheap bite, you can walk next door on Broadway and grab a delicious sandwich at No. 7 Sub.  If you can believe it, the Broccoli sub is one of the most popular items.  One more door down and you’ll stumble into the overpriced clothier Opening Ceremony.  It got its start on the block attached to the Ace, but apparently outgrew the nook.  Their style is what I would call hipster prep I suppose….kind of like what Adam Levine is trying to pull off these days.

Finally, The NoMad Hotel, restaurant, and bar, which is actually on 28th street, is one of THE hottest spots on the island right now.  The bar scene is dominated by men.  Single NYC women you need to go grab a drink and browse the selection.  From what I could tell you won’t have any competition!  As for the acclaimed restaurant you have to reserve a table at a month in advance, I thought the food was just average.  An ex-bf of mine works there and plotted out our selections:  seafood tower, pickled cauliflower salad, and the roast chicken for two.  Now, I knew going in it was going to be pricey, but a roasted chicken for $80 is ridiculous.  Especially when there’s nothing redeeming about it.  I’ve heard the same about the rooms in the hotel:  pricey and unamusing.  The library lounge in the back is a great place to gather a group and hang out.  It reminds me of the Bowery Hotel, just smaller.  The bottle service is unique in that if you get a bottle, a mixologist will prepare a legit cocktail for you.

I’m not sure I would put this little pocket on a New York City Guide, but should you be in the area, pop over, grab a drink, and take in the flavor of Flatiron.  Look at it this way, you can get a dose of “NYC hipster” without having to take a detour to Brooklyn :)

29th and Broadway New York

(Top photo left to right, clockwise: Stumptown, Ace Lobby, Opening Ceremony, NoMad bar, No. 7 Sub, John Dory Oyster Bar)

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Goodbye TripAdvisor random reviews, Hello Gogobot friend recommendations

October 26th, 2012 1 Comment

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It took less than a minute for me to be wildly facinated with Gogobot, a travel website that will make our travel planning SOOO much easier. Apparently it’s been around for 2 years and has now matured into a fully-stocked resource.

Last night I got a hand-held tour through the app by founder and CEO Travis Katz. As he explained the features, I was mezmerized as the functionality seem to good to be true. I am going to try to fully explain the facets of Gogobot as Travis did for me, but you’ll need to play with the site or app to really appreciate it.

Gogobot is a travel website that provides trustworthy travel guides and reviews. How do we know they are legit? Because they are written by your friends! Gogobot aggregates all of your friends’ posts from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Four Square so when they take a photo and tag it/check in at destination, restaurant, or activity, it will feed into your Gogobot so you can easily access them. This way, you don’t have to rely on random accounts from people you don’t know and certainly have no reason to trust. They can also easily create city guides to share with anyone (this is going to make my life so much easier!) Travis recently partnered with Travel + Leisure for hotel reviews and I’m sure other publications will follow. To me, GoGobot seems like a great platform for NYTimes 36 hours guides and Luxe guide walking tours. (Fingers crossed.)

I hope Travis will chime in below and complete this overview with the details I unfortunately have forgotten.

In the meantime, sign up and start planning your next vacation, or even night out on the town. You don’t have to go anywhere to reap the benefits of Gogobot.

**Sorry the picture is blurry. Blogging on my ipad. Promise to change it ASAP.

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One of the best cities to visit in Europe

October 12th, 2012 2 Comments

I’ve traveled all over that continent and Prague (Praha) remains on my top 5 favorite cities.

As I visited in 2002 (to visit my BFF abroad), I don’t have pictures handy or a list of restaurants for you. Here’s what I can tell you: it’s one of the most beautiful “cities” you’ll ever see because unlike Rome or Paris, the metropolitan component lies outside of the “Old Town.” Much of the historical buildings and nature has been preserved there. Inside the buildings you’ll find your favorite stores, innovative restaurants, crystal boutiques galore, and raging clubs, but walking down the streets, especially at night, you feel as though you’ve been thrown back in time.

Czech food is not the most appetizing so thankfully there are a plethora of cuisines in cafes and fine dining restaurants that will blow your mind. Oddly enough I had some decent Mexican food there. After a week of McDonald’s and chicken salad at a “Shakespeare” English cafe, I was dying for anything different.

Recently in the NYTimes, I saw a new tour guide service that features homeless men as the guides has become wildly popular. I would refer you to the Wall Paper Guide (Luxe doesn’t make one) for walking guides and Fodors for the history you’ll want to know about the city and its monuments. Above is The Charles castle and Bridge, the most notable landmark in the city and an absolute must to visit. Terezin, a concentration camp from WWII, is just outside the city and a meaningful experience if you can make it out there.

I would say the best time of year to go would be spring and fall, like most European destinations. I was there in October and it was wildly cold. Although, the leaves in the countryside were just turning orange and yellow. I honestly think walking the streets of Terezin was the first time I ever saw “fall” with my own eyes. The experience was….breath-taking…..on so many levels.

So if you hop the pond, I hope you make it to Prague. If you’re looking for a similar experience closer to Paris and London, my second choice would be Brussels, which has the same historical beauty, ridiculous chocolate, and mind-blowing beer.

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When in Rome, get outta there!

May 25th, 2012 1 Comment

Over the past few weeks friends have been telling me they are off to Rome and Italy for vacation.  (Lucky devils.)  My concern for them was that they had booked so many days in Rome and not enough time in smaller towns. While I have great respect for Rome and truly love its history, the metropolitan life set amongst the ruins just doesn’t do it for me, especially in comparison to the rest of Italy.  It shouldn’t shock you I feel the same way about Paris, French countryside, and Cote d’ Azur.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying don’t go to Rome, I’m saying, take it on as a tourist challenge.  You can see SO MUCH in two days if you plan ahead.  After you see the sites, then rent a car, hop on a train, and head to one of the more provincial towns (even Florence!) or the coast.  The interior of Italy is so beautiful that getting lost on a country road is actually a great day.  As for the coast, parts can be a bit touristy, but when you find a cozy hotel and stroll the cobblestone streets, you can’t help but fall in love with the provincial charm.  It feels like the movies.

The key is to talk to the locals.  They are SO friendly and enjoy sharing their culture, in particular the details of food and wine, with you.

I’ve had the pleasure of going to Italy several times and visiting Rome, Florence, Milan, Genoa, Naples, Portafino, Santa Margarita, Sorrento, and Capri.  Florence and Milan were my favorite cities to explore while Portafino and Sorrento romanced my heart.  Somehow Venice has not made it on an itinerary yet, but one day it will!

My suggestions for visiting Italy:

  1. Pick one or two major cities.  Choose between Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice.
  2. Plan a road trip and interesting destination outside of one of them.  The Tuscan countryside outside Florence was my choice!
  3. Pick a small town to be your landing spot for at least 4 days R&R.  The Amalfi coast is the most popular, but you really can’t go wrong anywhere.
  4. Plan a day trip outside of this spot.

Guides to help you plan:

 

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I say pass on Palm Springs for your city escape.

May 18th, 2012 2 Comments

Parker Palm Springs

My friend Emily, who just came back from a girls’ trip to Palm Springs, said before she left she checked my blog to see if I had a guide to the town.  I felt terrible because I hadn’t written my thoughts after my 5 day trip there for New Year’s Eve.

To put it bluntly, I’m not a fan.  The town is old, the hotels are needlessly expensive, and there isn’t much to actually do there…I love to lounge, but I also like to be active and do things I can’t in the city.  As a retreat from LA where you would have your own house, I could see how Palm Springs delivers, but as a visitor, I wouldn’t go back again.

Room at Parker Palm Springs

We stayed at The Parker, a Starwood Resort property that is regarded as one of the best hotels in town.  It’s like the Chateau Marmont or Soho House – a great place to eat, party, and be seen amongst the celebs, but not a cozy place to hole up and sleep because it’s simply old.  Even though the interiors were renovated 2 years ago by Jonathan Adler, the mod rooms still felt musty and lacked 4-star accommodations.  The showers were smaller than mine at home; there was no mini bar to grab a late night snack; the old school tv’s produced a picture that looked like a game of tetris.  I don’t usually watch tv on vacation, but when you’re there for 5 days, it’s nice to take a night off and watch a movie, ya know. The vintage books and posters were charming, but not enough for me to suspend my discomfort.

Inside Parker Palm Springs

Thankfully, the rest of the property was delightful.  The famous Norma’s (from NYC) was creating their standard masterpiece plates for for breakfast and Mr. Parker’s was dark and equally decadent for dinner. The grounds were what you would expect from Palm Springs:  lawns lined in palm trees, small sitting and swinging areas to lay out and read, and a big fire pit to keep guests warm at night.

The tiny pool surrounded by greenery took me back to what I believe would be the 70′s.  This retro aspect I really enjoyed…as long as I made it there by 8:30 to reserve chairs before my workout.

At night, the lounge centered by a fireplace and the tiny 8-seat bar were good places to hang out while we waited for our table, but not sufficient enough to enjoy a meal there.

Other notable hotels would be The Ace Motel, just like the one that hails from NYC, where the hipsters stay and play.  There is a Viceroy that appears luxurious and the contemporary Hotel Zozo that didn’t get much lip service but looks interesting.  We chose the Parker for its history and charm, big mistake for the price.

 

Nearby in Palm Desert is the La Quinta Golf Resort which houses tons of private condos, cute casitas and villas populated with visiting couples and families, and common areas where everyone gathers to either chat, relax, or play games.  It’s like a little town inside their compound!  We played golf, finished the afternoon by the pool with ritas and pulled pork tacos, got a massage at the spa, and then dined at Morgans, a glorified average steakhouse where the older crowd congregates and the young people come to celebrate.  Southerners of all ages seemed to be the majority of the visitors at La Quinta so I fit right in.

As for the town, it’s so far past it’s prime.  From what I hear and saw with my own eyes, the gay male community is still loving it.  I have no idea where the shopping is people rave about.  I found a Crazy Shirt store and the ice cream shop where they made the first date shake. That was about it. Woot.

Mary Rambin at La Quinta Palm Desert

Golf is a big deal in the area.  I opted for La Quinta’s PGA West golf course, which was challenging, but not as pretty as others I’ve played.  The critical factor for me was the heat.  It was almost unbearable!

If you’re looking for fine dining hit up the hotels.  As I said, Mr. Parker’s was exactly what I was looking for:  dark atmosphere, trendy people, and delicious food.  The Ace has a surprisingly healthy diner for breakfast and a fun bar scene where you can shoot tequila and sip on boutique beer with the cool crowd.

I guess these reasons explain why people spend so much time at the spa in Palm Springs.  There just isn’t much to do.  Or that I saw anyway.  I don’t have a list for you, but they all seem pretty nice to me.

Here’s my bottom line for Palm Springs:  We had a nice time.  For me it wasn’t about the places as much as the company.  That being said, I always take my critical eye with me so I can relate my experience to you. Obviously from this breakdown, I wouldn’t send you there.  I can recommend at least 5 places to visit over Palm Springs for a relaxing getaway.  In fact I did for the Huffington Post, see the slideshow here.  To name a few: Santa Ynez Valley, Northern California, The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, Austin, Charleston, Greenwich, Sedona or even Phoenix!

Mary Rambin Poolside at Parker Palm Springs

Now, if I’m crazy and I missed the charm, feel free to write that in the comments. I couldn’t see everything in one trip, especially when I was trying to relax by the pool :)  Your thoughts and suggestions are not only welcome, but also encouraged here!

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You Can’t Go Wrong In Austin – A Guide for Those Who Like To Explore

April 13th, 2012 3 Comments

After my last handful of trips to Austin, here’s what I’ve realized: you can’t go wrong wherever you go, whatever you do in Austin.  I can’t say that about many cities I’ve been to. It’s really the perfect vacation city.  Others I might put in this category: Charleston, Newport Beach, and San Francisco.

Every time I go, I do something new and love it just as much, if not more, than the classic spots. For example, on this last trip for SXSW, I discovered a whole new row of restaurants and cafes that is only a stone’s throw from the area I know well (South Congress).

Here I’ll offer you a little insight on how to tackle all Austin with your eyes, mouth, and heart wide open!  Also check my Austin City Guide for a more extensive list of hotels, restaurants, and activities.

HIT UP THE FOOD CARTS

I won’t go as far as saying my favorite meals come from food carts, but they are absolutely exceptional.  Every time I try a new one, I’m shocked at how well-rounded and flavorful the meals are.  The creators put a lot of pride in their food.  Above, I’m waiting in line for a super delicious Kebab at a cart in the 2nd Street Parking Lot downtown.  The cart had no appeal from the outside so I wouldn’t have just walked up to it on my own without a referral.  What I’m telling you now is to try them all.  Don’t be afraid!

As you would expect, a lot of the food is bad for you but oh so yummy.  You can try to imagine how good Gourdough’s (S 1st Street) made-to-order donuts are on the left, but you wouldn’t be close to understanding how sweet and savory each bite is.  On the right, is the total opposite extreme.  My super light and fresh fish tacos from Turf and Surf Po Boys (2nd Street) hit my healthy spot one night.

My favorite food cart spots:

  • South Congress
  • 2nd Street downtown (where you’ll find a perfect cappuccino at Patika like I did above)
  • 1st Street (Bouldin Creek)

Beware: the food carts lined up downtown at night have not been as good in my opinion.  Go here for a more detailed list of quality carts.  You can download a free app that will help you while you’re in town too!

TABLE HOP AROUND TOWN

Following your belly really isn’t a bad way to explore Austin.  Each restaurant takes you to a different neighborhood.

As much as I love food carts, there are some amazing chefs in Austin you absolutely should try.  There’s a great place for every single meal, so it all depends on what you’re in the mood for.  Again, I’ll refer you to my Austin City Guide for lists broken down by cuisine, and then point out a few favorites here:

  • Uchi & Uchiko - home of Tyson Cole and Top Chef winner Paul Qui (respecitively).  Both offer one of my favorite meals in the world.  Japanese food that will blow your mind. You’ll need a reservation and a serious budget. For an easier and more affordable option, try out Uchiko’s social hour from 5-6:30pm where dishes are ridiculously cheap.

  • Eddie V’s (Downtown) – hands down my favorite crab cake on the planet.  Sit at the bar!

  • Bouldin Creek Cafe – While I love Magnolia and Kirby Lane, this place serves up a healthy breakfast AND perfect lattes.  Plus, they don’t usually have a wait.

  • Elizabeth Street Cafe (S 1st Street) – Solid Vietnamese food in a cozy, eclectic cafe setting.  Exceptional bahn mi. Great patio for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  You’ll also see Gourdough’s is right next door as well as new BBQ place across the street everyone is raving about.

  • Stubb’s – the only place for great music AND late night BBQ.
  • HEALTHY!! – If you’re looking for quick and healthy food downtown, hit up Whole Foods which has a massive food court inside or Snap Kitchen that provides organic meals on the go.
  • Tex-Mex – I’m sorry to say I have yet to find a place I LOVE for Tex-Mex in Austin.  But I know you’ll be jonesing, so try Maudie’s, Guero’s, or Polvo’s.
  • Haddington’s - This large tavern serves up really good food in an old school atmosphere.  Mixologists rule the bar so be adventurous.

WHEN IN DOUBT, SOUTH CONGRESS

In my opinion, this drag of restaurants and shops south of the river is the place to go when you have no clue what to do.  There are food carts galore, several great restaurants (Perla’s, Guero’s, Home Slice, Vespaio), and the Continental Room which always has awesome local bands playing.

The other area I would recommend, especially at night, is W 6th Street where you can eat at Ranch 616, Star Bar, Kenichi, and the Belmont.  You’ll find more bars and live music around here.

If you’re over the age of 25, I’m going to tell you to pass up central 6th Street. It’s full of college kids and drunks.  However, if you’re in the mood to get into trouble, that’s your spot.

ROCK OUT Y’ALL

There are countless local bands and visiting artists playing around town, you really can’t go wrong trying out a few you don’t know. So don’t hesitate to just walk into a bar and see who’s playing!  Zeale is a local I discovered at SXSW.  His pop hip hop will blow your mind and get you moving!  Venues I’ve enjoyed:  The Parish, Stubb’s , 311, The Continental Club, and several more we just stumbled into.

The new W Hotel downtown supposedly has the best venue in town.  As the new home of Austin City Limits, it was strategically designed to have amazing sound and apparently there isn’t one bad seat in the house.  Make sure to see who is playing there.

Check out Austin360 for concert calendars and events.

LOVE THE LOCALS

The locals fuel the energy in town so take advantage.  Ask anyone their opinion if you’re wondering something and they’re happy to send you in the right direction.  Plus they’re a young artsy bunch (those that live in town) so keep your eyes open for great people watching.

You’ll find all kinds of hotels and motels (see my guide for my favorite), but if you’re on a tight budget or staying for a while, rent a room or an apartment.  This last trip the Saint Cecilia was fully committed to Bruce Springsteen, so we rented a townhouse for our extended SXSW stay. I loved it! Use AirBnb or HomeAway as your resources to find the perfect place for you.

Walking is the key to discovering the best parts of Austin, but if you’re not in the mood, hop on a pedicab downtown.  You’ll get a local guide and a ride to your next destination.

Forget your usual go-to vodka and order Tito’s.  It’s made nearby, cheap, and super smooth for its low price.

You know it wouldn’t be a guide from me if I didn’t offer you notes on exercising.  While I prefer golfing or cycling (rent bikes from Bicycle Sport Shop on Lamar) while in Austin, I do really enjoy Pure, a gym in downtown Austin (across the street from Whole Foods), for a solid hour of exercise.  Their classes are great and well worth the $20 per day fee.

Again, for more on activities and other things to do in Austin, check my city guide here.

The bottom line, what I want you take away from this post, is that you will have fun no matter what you do in Austin!!

 

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Best place to be right now in Atlanta

April 6th, 2012 1 Comment

When it’s 70-80 degrees outside, you’ll always find me on a patio, no matter where I am in the world.

After spending the last week in Atlanta, I was surprised it’s not as easy as you would think to find a patio where you can get great food and wine.  Most of them back up to the street, which I’m not a fan of.  Who likes to hear cars racing by when you’re trying to chat and relax.

Here are the few I’ve found with a pleasant atmosphere, good crowd, and delicious food (that’s important!).  An * will denote restaurants voted one of the city’s best.

For the life of me I can’t think of these two places in Decatur I love….. My other favorite thing to do is a pack a picnic and head to Chastain or Piedmont Park.  Can’t go wrong with that.  AND I can bring Mason :)

For my favorite patios in NYC, LA, Houston, and more, click here.

(Photo: Yes, I’m posing.  At Ecco.  Love their bar too!)

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My handbook to discovering Asia

March 30th, 2012 3 Comments

Visiting cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok could have been a complete disaster had we not brought along Luxe Guides ($9.99) for each.  These are not your standard Fodor’s, Michelin, Lonely Planet type 400 page books.  In these fold-out, panel “brochures,” you’ll find the EXACT information on where to go, stay, eat, drink, and dance like a local.  Literally, it’s like a cool kid is holding your hand, taking you on an excursion.

After using 2 of them, I’m telling you you don’t have to second guess their recommendations.  The day tours for “shopping” took me exactly where I wanted to go, and the dinners were extraordinary.

I would write city guides for Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, but honestly, these are right on the money and come with a mobile app!

What I will add about these two cities:  you don’t need to stay in the luxury hotel and it’s safe to eat the street food.  Leave your expectations at the door, and enjoy every step, no matter where you end up.

Two other references I think are noteworthy:

Wall Paper* City Guides tell you the hot spots and include photos.  However, they don’t include the location’s proximity to others or step-by-step guides.

Daily Secret is a email newsletter that tells you the insider scoop for parties, sales, specials for that day and week in selected cities.  (Those of you living in the cities they feature – San Fran, Paris – should absolutely sign up!)

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