ARDESIA - Hell's Kitchen

I love Ardesia...truly can't get enough of this wine bar!!  Kat and I went for her 28th birthday last Monday.  The manager was nice enough to give us two glasses of birthday champagne which was delicious.  I usually have the burrata cheese served with pesto and Amy's bread but this time we tried two new items.  We shared the deviled eggs w/ crispy chicken skin and the slate of crostinis (chicken liver mousse, fava bean puree and house-made goat milk ricotta.  You can't go wrong with any of your choices!!  Can't wait to go back!

GILT CITY - HAPPY HUMP DAY DEALS

Gilt City is offering some great deals today.  Check out the bargains on:

• Candace Bushnell at Gansevoort Park Avenue (includes signed copy of "Summer in the City", cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 7-9PM)
• 50% off White + Warren Clothing
• 40% off cocktails, oysters & appetizers at The Four Seasons Restaurant
• Advance Screening and Cocktail Hour at Crosby Street Hotel for the movie "Something Borrowed"

Don't miss out on these fantastic deals!!!

TRATTORIA TRECOLORI - Theater District

Had a delicious dinnner with Dee and Stef at Trattoria Trecolori (254 West 47th Street) a few weeks ago.  Large portions, a nice atmosphere, friendly staff and quick service.  This restaurant is right next door to RAIN, Good People and a few other plays/musicials so go check it out. 

GOOD PEOPLE - GREAT PLAY!!

Last week I went to see the play "Good People".  What a great show!!!  Frances McDormand (Margie) did a fantastic job as a mother way down on her luck willing to go to any means just to put food on the table and save her home.  Tate Donovan (Mike) played her ex-boyfriend who escaped the rough streets of South Boston for the life of a well-off doctor on the opposite side of the tracks.  Estelle Parsons (Dottie) and Becky Ann Baker (Jean) were a great comedic duo who will have you cracking up in your seats.  I highly recommend seeing this show at the Manhattan Theatre Club before it closes on May 29th.  Email me if you're interested in a discount offer.

IDEELI - GREAT MONDAY DEALS

For all my fashion lovers, the website Ideeli has some great deals today.  Sign up for an account today using this link: www.ideeli.com/invite/angelic439.  The cuff bracelet is $34 retail price $73.  The necklace is $25 retail price $55.  They've got great deals on clothes, jewelry, shoes, purses, sunglasses, skincare products & vacations daily so check it out. 

ATTENTION MUSIC LOVERS - MAJOR DISCOUNT

The website Rue La La is offering MAJOR discounted box sets and t-shirts for Sony artists such as Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Dave Matthews Band, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Elvis, The Clash, Leonard Bernstein and a few others.  Some deals are more than 50% off!!!

Rent the Runway - 50% OFFER

Has anyone heard of the company Rent the Runway?  If not, get on it...it's fantastic!!  For all those fashion lovers out there, here's a great offer from PopSugar. This offer gives you 50% off this seasons red carpet styles.  That's $100 for $50 and this includes accessories (Judith Leiber, Lauren Merkin and many more), not just the dress. What you get is a rental dress pressed, cleaned and shipped directly to your doorstep.  You can choose from designers such as Halston, Hervé Léger, Proenza Schouler, Narciso Rodriguez, D&G, DVF and Vera Wang.  This is a great deal for anyone who has a wedding, red carpet event, black tie function, fundraiser or any kind of special occasion where a more formal dress is required.  Semi guilt free shopping :-)

FIG & OLIVE - Uptown (Lexington Avenue)

Went to Fig & Olive (808 Lexington Ave bw 62nd & 63rd) for lunch today to celebrate my "promotion".  Meat Packing is by far the nicest and biggest of all the locations.  I've also been to the location on 5th Avenue which is different from the Lex location because they have an upstairs.  All in all, Fig & Olive never disappoints when it comes to good food.  We had crostinis, tuna carpaccio, zucchini carpaccio and pasta with truffle oil.  Delicious!!  It's a great place to take a date, clients or just have dinner with friends. 

RUSSIAN VODKA ROOM - Theater District

We went to the Russian Vodka Room (265 W 52nd St) late Saturday night on my way back to NJ.  What a bar!!  I've never seen so many different types of vodkas in one room.  With this many varieties, I figured they might have flavors like grape & cherry but that was pushing my luck.  The bar is dark & sultry.  Kind of the spot you might pick up a date or just want to get loaded.  I wouldn't call this spot family friendly (not for strollers & highchairs) but we had a blast.  They have a full dinner menu and those eating seemed to be enjoying themselves (traditional russian foods, caviar & desserts like blintzes).  Their specialty is the homeade infused vokda which was delicious.  From strawberry, peach & appricot to coriander and ginger, they offer at least 10 choices. You can order an ice rack (pic above) for $45.  Ostrovia!!

STECCHINO - Hell's Kitchen

Went to Stecchino (765 9th Ave bw 51st & 52nd) a little before 6 on Saturday night with my parents and cousins.  They offered a happy hour till 7PM which is always nice to hear.  My cousins had caesar salads.  The reason for noting this is I love that crispy parmesan disc that not too often gets served on it.  We were seated very fast having booked our reservation with Open Table.  The food was really good considering I've never read a review or heard anyone talk about it but I'll recommend it to friends.  ALERT: $20 all you can drink till 4PM on Saturday & Sundays

American Idol - My Favorite Videos

After writing my RAIN post, David Cook came to mind so I decided to post his video for "Eleanor Rigby" along with some of my other favorites from this season.  I've been watching this show and following "our friends" (Jill) since season one.  You could say I'm Idol obsessed.  Stay tuned for more videos and I hope you all enjoy!!

RAIN - Broadway Savings

RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles....FUN FUN FUN!!!  If you're a Beatles fan, I highly recommend going to see this show as you'll be surrounded by Beatles fans of all ages.  We sang out loud & got up and danced.  With songs like "Let It Be", "Strawberry Fields", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Eleanor Rigby",  "Blackbird" and "Yesterday", how can a fan complain?  The show opens with a recreation of their first performance on the Ed Sullivan Show with a funny commercial break before the band transports to Shea Stadium then next they change costumes to represent the Sgt. Pepper album.  In total, there are five scene changes.  I loved the black & white footage of the 60's from the music to the major life altering events that shaped our world today (Vietnam, Martin Luther King and Kennedy's assassination).  For $30 ($19 without tax & fees), you can't beat the price!!  Click this link for discount tickets.

LILLIE'S - Union Square/Flatiron

After seeing "Limitless" on late Sunday afternoon, I went to Lillie's Victorian Bar (13 E 17th St bw 5th Ave & W Union Square).  I love love love Lillie's.  I love it so much that I had the final part of my 32nd birthday in the back.  The bar has high ceilings, statues, antique fixtures and paintings all over the place, the longest bar with an endless stock of liquor, red velvet booths to dine in and beautiful bathroom sink faucets.  I even notived the new plates & bowls.  I've eaten here a half dozen times and can't complain (favorite soup: potato leek).  I've never had brunch here but everything else is very good.  They've got a huge selection of beers from all over the globe as well as wines, vodkas and spirits from all over. Come check it out!!!

MIA DONA - Midtown East

Had drinks Friday night at Mia Dona (206 E 58th St bw 2nd & 3rd).  This restaurant/bar is very rustic with it's wooden floors & tables, iron antiques and wooden beamed ceilings.  For this area, the deals are unheard of.  They had vodka drinks for $5, wine for $6 and $3 drafts (not just your ordinary beer).  Our bartenders Melissa & Sal were super friendly and very accomodating!  They even gave us the option to sit in the dining area if we wanted to spread out and it was busy!!  Although we didn't try the food ourselves, it looked great and the diners appeared to be enjoying themselves.  For those of us who watch Food Network, Donatella Arpaia is the owner of this great find!  I look forward to dining here soon.

ARDESIA - Hell's Kitchen

Me, Alicia, Katharine, John, Abby & Cathy went to Ardesia (510 West 52nd St bw 10th & 11th) last night.  What a great spot!!!  They have happy hour from 5-7PM so try to get there early.  Alicia and I had the pleasure of seeing Mikhail Baryshnikov so the night started off great!!  Ardesia has a great variety of wines from all different regions and delicious food.  Katharine and I have been here once before for a tasting and we loved it (3 wines paired with 3 tastings).  This time arounnd, Alicia and I ordered the burrata cheese (shown above) served with pesto & Amy's bread.  It was so good that we ordered a second.  Katharine ordered the slate of crostini served with goat-milk ricotta, chicken liver mousse and fava bean puree.  Our bartender Phil was top notch letting us sample the wines to make a better decision.  For a wine lover like myself, I appreciate wine bars that let you sample the bottles as well as take the time to explain them.  Tyler (waiter) was a doll and Damon (host) was super sweet. I HIGHLY recommend checking this spot out.  You won't be disappointed!! 

DAVID GRAY - This Year's Love

Happy Friday everyone!!  This is my favorite David Gray song and I just felt like sharing it with all of you. In February, Jill and I were lucky enough to score tickets at almost half the price using Craigslist for David Gray's last show at Beacon Theatre.  This was our second time seeing him together and he did not disappoint.  He played all of our favorites for two straight hours.  All the instruments were mic'd up giving it a different feel from the last time we had seen him at MSG.  Beacon Theatre is a great venue for shows!!