An Orphan's Christmas at Maze (NYC)

Being away from home and your family at Christmas can be trying at the best of times - depending on your family. My Christmases have always been filled with home cooked hams, turkeys and prawns and Auntie Joys delicious trifle, none of which I would sample this year as I now live in New York. That's why myself and my little circle of orphaned friends decided the only way to curb our home sickness and lack of all things familial was to go all out and visit Gordon Ramsay's Maze restaurant at The London Hotel. When you think about it he is basically the embarrassing Uncle that nit picks at everything, swears constantly and offends almost everybody at one point in time.

Located amid the theatre district Maze is the less formal and more relaxed way to enjoy the culinary experts of the famous TV chef and his elite team, meaning the price is much less astounding than the fine dining experience also offered. As it was Christmas Day a unique 5 course set menu was available to delight the taste buds at a very reasonable price.

The starter of Jerusalem Artichoke Veloute, Caramelized Chestnuts and Perigord Truffles had an amazing and intense flavor while being full-bodied, velvety and smooth, and the truffle was by no means overpowering. A Carnaroli Risotto of Safran, Parmesan, Braised Osso Bucco and Gremolata followed with creamy rich flavors and textures including a small but complimentary piece of veal that melted in your mouth. Next was my favorite, Sauteed Sea Scallops with Golden Raisin Puree, Cauliflower Beignets, Crispy Capers and Sturgeon Caviar - all of which worked so well together. The scallops were soft yet outwardly crispy, the purees were sweet and creamy and the caviar just the right amount of salty.

After the three amazing starters we were almost already at our limit, but the choice of 2 mains - Slow-roasted Turkey, Fricassee of root vegetables, confit leg a creme with roasting juices, or Braised Lamb Shoulder, red peppers, cardamon and preserved cauliflower florets - meant a difficult choice had to be made. Being Christmas the majority of us went with the turkey which was tender, juicy, heart warming and delicious. Luckily one of us opted for the Lamb as it was also a tasty triumph - cooked to pink perfection with a myriad of Middle Eastern spices and vegetables as the perfect accompaniment.

After the aforementioned feast, a cocktail each and 2 bottles of wine it seemed we'd met our match. But for some reason known to only the restaurant God's we were then approached by the Maitre De and asked if we would like to move to the Chef's Table for our dessert course. None of us had to think twice as we followed the waitstaff on our own personal tour of the fine dining area, wall of wines and kitchen area (which contained some of the most amicable Chef's and the largest truffle I have ever seen - the size of my fist, no exaggeration). We then took our places at the 8 seater marble table which costs a cool $1900 per sitting and enjoyed our Sticky Toffee Puddings and Vanilla Custards. The perfect end to a perfect Christmas dinner that may almost rival my Mother's. Almost.

For more information on Maze NYC Click Here

The Who's Who of Hanukkah

So it's that time of year and Hanukkah is upon us around the world, and it is truly prevalent throughout New York City's Upper East side. Menorah's adorn shop windows, potato latka's grace deli counters and the countdown begins to the 8 most important days of family, friends and feasting.

It was tonight I attended my first Hanukkah party at the Jewish Museum. It was a family affair catered with delightful Jewish delicacy's and laden with entertainment including arts and crafts, religious plays and a Hebrew acappella boy band to boot. And as per usual, as with most of these events, the entertainment for me was not in the sumptuous feast or fun family activities but the ever present and always captivating Jewish matriarchs.

An Upper East Side Jewish woman is a force to be reckoned with. She is proud, strong, well connected and definitely wears the pants. And the pants are definitely Gucci, Prada or on occasion in a more smart casual situation J Crew. It never ceases to amaze that no matter where they go or what they do the always appear immaculate. School drop-off and pick-up times become a makeshift catwalk of epic proportions, encompassing not only the Mother's in their designer casual gym wear tousling their lions manes of perfectly straightened hair, but also their little one's wrapped ever so snuggly in Ralph Lauren cuffs and collars and Burberry quilted coats. It's not to say that non-Jewish Mother's of the same area are not very similar, but Jewish women seem to have a different air about them which was definitely present at the Jewish Museum tonight.

As they glided gracefully around the buffet table meeting, greeting and double air-kissing it was as though we'd been transported to an elite playgroup the likes of which we babysitters - and of course let's not forget the Father's - are not usually privy to. Swanning from table to table and room to room each surveyed her fellow partygoer's with a keen eye, no doubt keeping tabs on Mummy and Kiddy fashions alike to ensure optimum status within this tight knit community. One can only assume they're constantly keeping tabs on each other - it's the only way to explain the popularity of Little Eric's shoe shop or their incessant over use of those monogrammed and personally monikered canvas bags. Who was the first to get those? And why did everyone else follow suit? Either way there's a factory in China that's making an absolute mint.

But beneath all the pomp and parade there is without a doubt a great underlying nature of giving within this scope of New York's Jewish community. As far as charity drives are concerned these women could raise funds to feed several small African nations in the space of a long afternoon lunch, and their support and promotion of women in the arts and all areas of business in general is nothing to sneeze at. Regardless of what or who you wear within these circles it is clear an avenue of support is always on hand no matter what the cause, as is steeped in Jewish tradition. And as trends come and go and their children grow older you can be sure these women will be raising the bar for thrift and charity shops up and down the East side for many years to come.

Textile Field: Reworking the Way We See and Experience Art

See the original article posted HERE


Thanks to French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec visitors to London's Victoria & Albert Museum are able to view it's prestigious Raphael gallery in a very unusual way.

As part of London Design Week the pair have created an artistic recline of sorts, giving museum goer's the chance to sit back, relax and fully take in the magnificence of the old school while wholly partaking in the new. As shown below in a wonderful time lapse piece created by Lonelyleap Films, Ronan and Erwan's 'Textile Field' is creating a unique public haven for art lovers:

http://vimeo.com/30742930

As explained on the London Design website (http://www.londondesignfestival.com) Textile Field takes up over 240 square meters of the gallery floor and has created a space that closes the formal distance between the viewer and the artwork. 'We have decided to provide a kind of furniture element that helps people to relax their bodies and so relax their minds,' states Erwan Bouroullec, 'And then, maybe, the meaning will come.'

Revolights: Pushing Two Wheels Forward Into The Lights (for newsgallery.com)

See the original article posted HERE


With Mayor Bloomberg installing more bike lanes each year it is important to recognize the difficulties that arise from traffic and pedestrians sharing the road with cyclists, especially in terms of visibility. With accidents and injuries being commonplace for both cyclists and pedestrians alike it's clear a solid solution is needed to appease all parties involved, and that's exactly what the team at Revolights have been working on.

When Adam Pettler ran into old friend Kent Frankovich at a party in 2010 the Revolights revolution was born. And with the inclusion of Jim Houk, described as the companies '…inspirational speaker', Revolights succeeded in raising it's $43,500 kickstarter funding website goal in only one month, and have now raised an astounding total of $215,621. A true testament to the biotechnical threesome that clearly shows their idea is not one to be sneezed at. As explained on the Revolights blog (http://revolights.com/) the bicycle lighting system '…consists of 2 thin profile LED rings (white in front, red in back) that mount directly to each wheel rim using a series of rim specific clips. Power is supplied via a thin wire to the hub where a lightweight and slim USB rechargeable battery is held in a special bracket.' Essentially Revolights are revolutionizing bicycle safety and have obviously earned the respect and support of the cycling community.

So when can you get your hands on this great new innovation? At present the Revolights team are working on prototype V5 of the product, doing all their upgrading and prototyping by hand before involving manufacturers in an effort to stretch their publicly pledged funds a little further. However you can grab a sneak peek at this highly anticipated product if you happen to be in the Dan Francisco area between 12th-13th November. The Revolights team will be unveiling the V5 prototype at the 4th Annual San Fransisco Bike Expo, so be sure to stop by their booth and see the magic for yourself.

Buff Monster & Jeremyville at The Cotton Candy Machine, Williamsburg (for shakefistmagazine.webs.com/)

See the original article here: http://shakefistmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/08/shakefist-writer-visits-cotton-candy.html

Brooklyn's Cotton Candy Machine is a fairly new addition to the scene, having been open only since April 2011. Specializing in art prints, posters, books, toys and various interesting trinkets it has held an eclectic mix of exhibitions in it's short life span, including an intimate evening with US band The Melvins. On Friday 5th August the heavy humid Summer air was laced with the sweet smell of success - and sugar! - as Jeremyville and Buffmonster held an outstanding viewing at the art house entitled 'Sprout Up'. It was a night of free beers and cotton candy, bright colours and even brighter sentiments.

Buff Monster cites heavy metal music, ice cream and Japanese culture as his main influences and this is ever-present in his work. Awash with pink hues - which he describes as the colour of 'confidence, individuality and happiness' - and abstract Manga-style characters his work is definitely a product of his influences. Crazy animated characters, blow up ice cream cones, glossy-eyed stuffed animals and Tim Burton-esque skulls and pumpkin lanterns lay scattered throughout Cotton Candy Machines shelves and cabinets. His work is abstract and fun, even if a little confusing at times. My friend and I were particularly taken with a set of one-eyed characters which looked like a cross between a salt and pepper shaker and a massage implement - noting that neither of the aforementioned products would cost a whopping $350, which was the price tag on each of these little gems. Creative and fun Buff Monster likes to think outside the box, and I must say I do like his train of thought.

However being the optimistic, happy-go-lucky person that I am Jeremyville certainly stole the show for me. Matching basic and positive phrases with basic and positive shapes and colours Jeremyville takes you to a world where everything is possible and nothing can stop you. His messages of good will and inspiration seize the imagination and the accompanying animations are endearing to the heart and the eye. Phrases such as 'Imagine your future then make it real', 'Find a way out', 'Let's dream of each other' and 'The late worm evades the early bird' could come across as corny and cliche if not for his fun, colorful and finely sketched characters. His work also included a screen print poster series of New York neighborhoods such as the East Village, Devils Kitchen and Union Square - all of which captured the true essence and character of each neighborhood using minimal and basic colours - and a series of skate board decks which made me want to take to the streets on 4 small wheels myself. With numerous group exhibitions under his belt and the release of 2 styles of Jeremyville Chuck Taylor high top's by Converse it's clear that Jeremyville's artistic style is admired by the masses. The occurring themes and pop-art like images are simple in their delivery, and one can only hope Jeremyville's messages of life and love can inspire people through their viewings.

Thanks to the lively and inspirational works on show the scene at Cotton Candy was one of fun and frivolity on the night, and I highly recommend heading into Williamsburg to take in some of these fine pieces. The 'Sprout Up' exhibition featuring Buff Monster and Jeremyville is showing at the Cotton Candy Machine August 5th through September 4th.

Prospect Park Food Truck Rally (for http://flavainyaear.blogspot.com/)

June through October this year Prospect Park plays host to the outstanding Food Truck Rally every 3rd Sunday of the month. Unique to New York's culinary culture the local food truck can be either a fantastic find or your worst nightmare, but only the former applies at this one of a kind event as they've diligently sorted the best from the rest.

Working in conjunction with the NYC Food Truck Association (www.nycfoodtrucks.org) the event proceeds to showcase premium food truck vendors - kicking your run of the mill kebab man on the corner to the curb - and provide New Yorkers with affordable quality food on the go, while at the same time supporting grass roots local businesses and food truck entrepreneurs.

The following food trucks pulled into Prospect Park to start off the monthly affair and were definitely the leaders of the pack as far as the hungry park-goers were concerned:

http://gorillacheesenyc.com/
- Gorilla Cheese is taking old school American favorites to the streets with it's menu of classic grilled cheese and specialty sandwiches. Tack on a side of tater tots, creamy tomato soup or mac'n'cheese and you're sorted

http://kimchitacotruck.com/
- Korean has been a long-time favorite of mine with it's fresh, clean flavors, healthy ingredients and delicate spices. But the crux of Korean cooking is Kimchi - a spicy pickled cabbage that tastes a lot better than it sounds. Kimchi Taco has cleverly combined stock standard favorites such as tacos, burritos and if you can believe it, cheesesteak, and combined them with treasured Korean family recipes to make for a truly unique and tasty experience. If you don't believe me, try it!

http://redhooklobsterpound.com/
- Home of the delicious Lobster Roll this is one food truck delight I simply had to sample for myself. With fresh Lobster brought in from Maine each week courtesy of the Red Hook Lobster Pound in Brooklyn this is a slightly more decadent food truck but it's definitely worth it. Toasted buttery roll, fresh salad and lobster tossed in chives and mayonnaise - how can you go wrong?

http://kelvinslush.com/
- Considering the first Sunday of the Food Truck Rally was a sweltering afternoon in the high 80's it's no wonder the Kelvin Slush queue was never ending. With a fresh take on an old favorite they're tasty, refreshing, and healthy to boot! Green Tea, Ginger, Mint, Basil and a myriad of fruits make for colorful and fruity cocktails that will cool you down on the hottest of days.

http://www.mudnyc.com/
- All my coffee drinking counterparts will agree the Mud Truck has saved their lives at one time or another on their early morning commutes. With great coffee, stylish design and an East Village attitude this truck is not to be messed with when it comes to coffee - and they have some cool t-shirts too! They also have a great New York City intro on their website if you've got a few minutes.

http://www.vanleeuwenicecream.com/
- Another truck I just had to sample - only due to the extreme heat of course… But so popular was this little 4 wheeler they only had Vanilla and Chocolate left. I went Vanilla, my friend chose Chocolate, and neither of us were disappointed. Word on the street is their Pistachio is to die for, and I wouldn't mind sinking my spoon into the Hazelnut, Strawberry and Ginger either.

The below trucks were also serving it up in the sunshine ensuring no one went hungry:

http://www.souvlakigr.com/
http://www.rickshawdumplings.com/
http://www.taimmobile.com/menu/
http://www.wafelsanddinges.com/
http://www.eatcoolhaus.com/
http://www.treatstruck.com/
http://www.souvlakigr.com/
http://www.eddiespizzany.com/
http://www.bistrotruck.com/
http://www.cupcakestop.com/
http://www.joyridetrucks.com/

As you can see there's something on offer for all at this super tasty local event. For more information on the Rally and the participating food trucks visit http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/foodtrucks.
And if you do head down for a gander be sure to wear your extra roomy food pants, as one truck just ain't enough!

Bargains from the Boroughs (as featured in Mesmer Magazine)

Bargains from the Boroughs

New York is without a doubt a place you come to shop. From the labels and boutiques on Madison Avenue to the big guns like Macys, Barneys and Bloomingdales there are great finds afoot for all. From Uptown to Downtown and everywhere in between tourists and locals flock along 5th, Madison and Broadway to get their hands on the latest bargains and trends. But an overkill of these stores, especially in high tourist and traffic areas, can leave them feeling a little uninspired and mass produced. When there’s an American Apparel, Gap and Victoria’s Secret on every corner it’s hard to find anything that makes you stand out from the crowd.

Almost unbeknownst to most of the general public at there are hidden gems and glittering jewels of fashion, footwear and accessories to be found in lesser-known localized stores. Many are hidden in the back streets and avenues of the East and West Villages and even Soho, not to mention plenty of thriving Thrift Shops if you’re that way inclined. These shops have a lot more to offer in the way of variety and one-off pieces, as well as being far from the maddening crowds.

Chain and department stores have always cornered the market when it comes commercial shopping and major brands but it can come as a refreshing change to shop somewhere a little different. Commonplace labels and brands can be bought almost anywhere, and heaven forbid you commit that age-old fashion faux par and be seen next to someone wearing the same outfit! To ensure you’re nabbing a truly original and unique item that won’t be seen on some B-Grade celebrity in US Weekly the next day it’s worth hunting out smaller stores and find something that really catches your eye.

You’ll also be doing your bit for local business by keeping your hard earned cash within the borough as opposed to throwing it at a giant corporation who most of the time could take it or leave it. Smaller businesses constantly suffer at the hand of larger chains so it goes without saying your purchase will be truly appreciated. This is the same for Thrift Shops who are not only donating their profits to a good cause but also saving the planet one item of clothing at a time by recycling old favorites. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say.

So if you feel the urge to step out of the fashion box and spend your money in a slightly more ethical and often cash-wise manner be sure to take a stroll through the backstreets of your local and neighboring borough’s, as you never know what you might find…

Or you could just take a look at some of these!

IRREGULAR CHOICE

276 Lafayette Street (between Jersey and Prince Streets)
www.irregularchoice.com
A snazzy footwear company that has recently branched into clothing. Not always on the cheap side but a 10 out of 10 for originality. Amazing heels and flats that will make you want to walk everywhere!

ANDY’S CHEE-PEES
18 West 8th Street (between 5th and 6th)

www.andyscheepees.com
In business since 1977 Andy’s is 2 floors stuffed full of vintage clothing and treats. They even sell records! From shirts to skirts, jeans to jackets and army surplus to wedding dresses (true!) this place has it all. At present they also sport a hand-written “Support Small Business” sign in their window, highlighting the effects big business has had on areas like West 8th Street which once upon a time was a high-end fashion and footwear mecca.

PRETTY BALLERINAS
1034 Lexington Av (cnr 74th and Lexington)
www.prettyballerinas.us
Their store is situated very close to Park Av, and is very expensive, but Pretty Ballerinas flats are to die for. Outrageous designs and classic looks abound the shelves of their tiny store on the corner of 74th and Lex, and the fine detail and supreme craftsmanship makes these shoes worth every penny


EAST 9TH STREET (between 1st and 2nd avenues)
This small street tucked above St Marks in the East Village is a treasure trove of unique designers and artists. A wander down this short stretch between 1st and 2nd avenues will take you a lot longer than it should, with tiny boutiques and galleries tucked in every nook and cranny. The below are a mere taster – be sure to go down and see for yourself:
www.jillanderson.com
www.megshops.com
www.duonyc.com

Bites from The Apple (as featured in Mesmer Magazine)

Bites from The Apple

New York City is full of temptation, the most tempting of all being food. There are restaurants, cafes, bars and take out eateries everywhere you look, rendering it difficult to make healthy choices when it comes to dining out. The availability of space in an average New York kitchen - or lack thereof - also adds to the need for dining out. America is one of the most, if not the most overweight nation in the world, with the fast food industry dominating the food market. This fact was highlighted with the release of 2007's 'Supersize Me' when brave film maker Morgan Spurlock took on the challenge of eating McDonald's 3 times a day with dire consequences. Though the food giant retorted their cuisine was not meant to be eaten as a solid diet and they have made some serious changes to their menu, the bulk of their offerings still remain the same - nutritionally lacking, fried fast food.

The long-lasting effects of fast food chains such as McDonalds are also starting to cause growing concern, especially as the bulk of their advertising is aimed at children and younger people. Having products such as fast food and candy advertised in children's TV time slots can lead to unhealthy food choices in later life, thus perpetuating the epidemic of obesity. Obesity can also contribute to ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and some cancers. But the buck doesn't just stop with television. The internet and magazines also play host to a myriad of unhealthy food and drink options are are a lot less easy to censor.

For those of us wanting to escape the weight gain train there's no need to lock ourselves indoors, exercise 24-7 and discard everything in our kitchen besides fruits, vegetables and the occasional piece of gluten-free multi-seed unbleached artisan bread. Nor must we eat in every night using organically approved politically correct ingredients from the holy church of Wholefoods which collectively cost more than we earn each week. A well-balanced and healthy diet full of plenty of proteins and fresh vegetables coupled with regular exercise is the best way to combat that fat, and there are many and varied healthy alternatives for the native New Yorker who feels like an indulgent night out with a tasty moment on the lips without the lifetime on the hips, and some are downright ethical to boot:

ZEN PALATE
http://zenpalate.com/
Union Square, Theatre District and Upper West Side locations
- With their outstanding use of soy beans, wheat gluten, tofu and exotic vegetables Zen Palate has shattered the myth that Vegetarian and healthy eating tends to be bland, plain and lacking in flavour. Their Asian styling's and use of rarely found flavor combinations and ingredients make them stand out from the crowd and stand tall. From their soups to their noodles, their summer rolls to their stir fries, Zen Palate is a healthy option you'll come back to again and again.

BACKFORTY
backfortynyc.com
190 Avenue B at 12th Street, Alphabet City
- A farm-to-table restaurant with an edge this place is always packed and never disappoints. If you're willing to wait for a table at any time of the night or day they serve arguably one of the best burgers in town, and also branch out with delicious fish, brown rice risotto and a mouthwatering appetizer of Yucca fries that will leave you full before you even started - and all this freshly farmed from pastures Upstate. Just stay away from their devilishly delightful cocktails and you'll be healthy and home free!

ZEN JAPANESE RESTAURANT
31 St Marks Place, East Village
- Japanese food is always on the healthier side and this place is no exception. Fantastic soups, tasty sushi and bountiful bento boxes make this a great find - the staff are friendly, the food is fresh and it won't leave a hole in your wallet, hence the place is always packed. The only thing is, the size of the bento boxes plus the accompanying Happy Hour from 8-10pm every night may make your visit a little less healthy than you anticipated.

COUNTER
counternyc.com
105 1st Ave, East Village
- With an ever-changing menu of sumptuous delights this self-professed Vegetarian Bistro, Organic Wine & Martini Bar never leaves you wanting. Guest chefs, classy decor, a beautiful garden and a stunning selection of organic wines and spirits (both local and imported) makes Counter a real treat for Vegetarians and Booze-lovers alike. During the colder months they also serve a cracking home-made warm Cider, served with or without alcohol lest you be on or off the wagon.