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.

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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.