Stylish Sushi

Nobu 57

Nobu is indeed, one of the most fabulous restaurants...the hype is true! Look past all of the investment bankers and enjoy the modern/naturalistic decor, and note that bar seating doesn't require reservations. The martinis are all fabulous, as is everything on the abreviated bar food menu. Act like a regular and ask for the avocado tempura (only on the main dining room menu).

Nobu 57
40 W 57th St
(212) 757-3000
www.noburestaurants.com


Other NYC Locations:

Nobu
105 Hudson St
(212) 219-0500

Nobu Next Door
105 Hudson St (bt Franklin & N Moore)
(212) 334-4445

Take a Relaxing Bath

SABON

I love the products at this store. The fragrances are interesting and natural, like lilac, ginger, musk, lemon, rose, or some scents in unexpected yet wonderful combinations like a patchouli/vanilla/lavendar body oil. One of the greatest products is the bath salts ball ($5). Dissolve one in a hot bath, and relax. Your muscles will feel so good afterward and you will emerge with a sense of serenity. Other products to try are the bath oils, scrubs and hand cream.

Stores are located in multiple areas in Manhattan, and can be found in Boston, NJ, Chicago and Ontario. If you are outside of these areas, don't worry. You can also purchase online.

(866) NY-SABON
http://www.sabonnyc.com/

Tapas and Flamenco

XUNTA

Check out this great place where your tables are either barrels or picnic benches, fishing nets hang from the ceiling, and a stage stands next to the bar, where on weekends you can watch a live Flamenco show. Everything on the menu is fantastic. Start with a pitcher of Sangria or bottle of wine, and order about 5 things on the menu. Keep a copy of the menu and continue ordering small plates as you go--service is fast.

Try these:
-bacon wrapped dates
-flaming mushrooms in brandy
-grilled sardines
-octopus with paprika
-Manchego and quince
-string beans with garlic
-spicy potatoes
-corn bread with tomato
-grilled steak

Xunta Tapas Bar
174 First Avenue (bt 10 & 11 St)
(212)614-0620
www.xuntatapas.com

Eat Jamaican Food

Maroons

Try this place for tasty Jamaican food. (Half of the menu is also dedicated to Southern cooking.) The atmosphere is very relaxed, and the music gives it a good vibe. Try the jerk chicken wings and okra puffs as an appetizer. Steak and fish dishes were excellent choices on a recent visit. Entrees have a nice selections of sides to go with them, such as green beens, collard greens, sauteed spinach and white corn grits (excellent).

Maroons
244 West 16th Street (bt 7 & 8 Ave)
(212) 206-8640
www.maroonsnyc.com

Have Lunch Overlooking the Ocean

Brockton Villa

This is one of my favorite spots in La Jolla. Grab a table on the deck and watch the waves of the ocean, or sit inside by the abalone shell covered fireplace when temperatures are chilly out! This place is great for breakfast or lunch, and especially nice to go with a best girl friend or your mom. I like everything on the menu, but sandwiches such as the salmon BLT, crabcake with red pepper roulade and Morrocan lamb with feta are all good ideas. All of the salads are very delicious and they make great fresh iced tea too. For breakfast try any of the egg "steamers" with a cappucino.

Brockton Villa
1235 Coast Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-7393
www.brocktonvilla.com

Eat Freshly Caught Seafood

Point Loma Seafood

Swing by this fish market right after you fly in to the San Diego airport. Sit among fishing boats and sailboats in the lovely breeze of Point Loma and share one of their sandwiches or fish plates. Top choice for the menu is the fried oyster sandwich. Other favorites are the crab cake sandwich, fish sandwich (fried or smoked fish) and the shrimp sandwich. Order a fresh iced tea, lemonade or even a bottle of chilled wine to enjoy with your meal. A great idea is to bring a cooler with ice and take some fresh fish home to cook that night! The huge selection of smoked fish is amazing (smoked at the market!), and definately worth trying a few kinds of fish. Mmm....


Point Loma Seafood
2805 Emerson Street
(619) 223-1109
www.pointlomaseafoods.com

Recipe: Red Wine and Portobello Mushroom Pasta Sauce

This is a great way to use wine that you didn't finish!

-1 package sliced mushrooms, or 3 large portobello mushrooms, sliced--and then cut into 1" pieces
-1/2 bottle leftover red wine
-olive oil
-garlic, chopped
-1 yellow onion, diced
-1 carrot, diced
-2 celery ribs, diced
-1 large can organic diced tomatos (from Italy)
-1/2 small can tomato paste
-salt, freshly ground pepper

-organic whole wheat pasta
-fresh parsley (flat leaf)
-freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oil in pan. Add carrot, onion, celery and cook for several minutes. Add chopped garlic. Cook all until onions become clear. Add wine and cook for a few minutes. Add mushrooms. Once wine is reduced, add tomato paste. Once that is combined, add diced tomatos. Cook 15 minutes and serve over freshly cooked pasta. Sprinkle parsley and cheese over individual servings.

Variation: Stir some marscapone cheese into the sauce at the end for a creamy version.

Get Your Hair Cut!

Bumble University

Check out the Bumble and Bumble salon's "university". Once you are approved as a "hair model", you will be able to get the hottest new style, FREE!! You can choose from a long or short cut, and they will custom tailor the cut to your preference and to suit your face. Allow 2 hours for the experience, since it is a learning environment for the stylists. Besides, this is a great excuse to stop by Pastis for quick meal at an off hour (good bet= Tuna Nicoise salad). Pick the late (8pm) appointment and wander through some Chelsea galleries first--there is bound to be a few openings you can pop into!

Bumble and Bumble University
415 W 13th Street (bt 9th Ave. & Washington St.)
floor 6
New York, NY 20014
866.7.Bumble
http://www.bbumodelproject.com/
model@bumbleandbumble.com