What To Do This Weekend In NYC, May 17-19

(Delicious tray of Shake Shack via @JSMeudt)

Michael White’s got a new restaurant – and it’s here in the form of a steakhouse. Costata opens today, Friday, May 17, so make reservations to impress your date at Soho's newest red meat temple.

Questlove and renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr (Morimoto, Buddakan) are opening their gourmet fast food eatery, Hybird in the Chelsea Market with a food truck-like facade, on Saturday, May 18 at 10am. Get there for the signature fried chicken, “Love’s Drumsticks”, which you may remember from the chicken challenge on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last year with Momofuku’s David Chang. And just in time for summer, grab a Watermelon-Jalapeño “Love Slush" to cool down.

Free Shake Shack Burgers?!? Delta Air Lines is opening a new terminal at JFK – with a Shake Shack in it. From May 19 – 22, they’ll be giving away passes in SoHo for a free burger! Visit Delta's T4X "experimental space" at 376 West Broadway for the free “burger pass” to enjoy a complimentary Shack Burger. There're a limited number of passes, so if you’re up for waiting in the presumably long line, just to wait in the Shake Shack line, then this deal is for you! 

I'll be spending this sunny spring weekend relaxing, running along the East River and catching up with girlfriends. Happy Friday xo

NYC’s Best Tasting Menus Under $100

A tasting menu doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars to be decadent. These New York City restaurants are offering multiple courses – from Asian cuisines to intricate wine pairings – for under $100 per person. 

Check out CBS New York for my article on NYC’s 7 Best Tasting Menus Under $100 xo

The Best Date Night Bars & Restaurants In Tribeca

New Yorkers are always looking for the perfect date night spot, so follow along as I share the most romantic - and delicious - restaurants in your neighborhood in my CBS New York Best Date Night Bars and Restaurant series!

Here's the most recent addition: This downtown neighborhood may be family-friendly, but the high-end restaurants and intimate bars are made for date nights without the little ones. Visit these TriBeCa spots for your best bets for romance in the neighborhood. xo

Past posts by neighborhood:
The 5 Best East Village Date Night Restaurants
The 7 Best West Village Date Night Restaurants

NYC's Best Outdoor Brunches

The spring season is in full swing — time to take your brunch outside. From trendy restaurants to more budget-friendly locales, there are plenty of places in the Big Apple to grab a patio seat and enjoy this midday meal. Here are five of our favorite spots to indulge in eggs benedict, banana pancakes and a Bloody Mary—and maybe even a cityscape view. 

Check out CBS New York for my article on NYC's 12 Best Outdoor Brunches. xo

The Best Motherly Advice For City Girls

(Yes, Mom is shaking it to Zumba in the white tank on the right)

In honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to share some of my own mother’s advice, collected from over the years. Whether I seek her guidance or cringe from her TMI random thoughts, my mom always has something to share in matters of love, career and beauty. From her money savings tips to hilarious dating tricks, these gems are just too good to keep from my fellow city girls! 

Dating and Relationships

Pee before – and after – sex. Mom’s not shy when it comes to talking about bedroom happenings. As she always says, “I was young once. I know what the kids are doing.” So make your frequent bathroom trips pre and post romps in the sheets to avoid a nasty UTI. Because mother knows best.

Keep an extra pair of panties in your purse. You’d hope she’s referring to a period mishap or last minute business trip without time to pack, but good ‘ole mom claims she isn’t a stranger to the culture of a walk of shame (And yes, you want to click on that link to read her classic comment on the topic). At least panties are small, so you can easily hide them in a clutch because you just never know when you’ll need them.

Beauty

Don’t waste money on makeup remover. This helpful trick is good for when you’ve run out of your trusty eye makeup remover or want to cut down on products when traveling. Face moisturizer can remove your makeup. Just put a small amount on a cotton ball or tissue and wipe under and over your eyelids. You already know it’s safe for your face – since you use it everyday after you wash – and it easily wipes off even the nastiest mascara smudges. You’ll save a few bucks with this tip too!

Baby powder isn’t just for babies. No time to wash your hair? Sprinkle a little baby powder on your palms and rub into your scalp. It’s cheaper than dry shampoo and is just as effective. Got stinky feet in the summer? Wash those toes then pat dry and put some baby powder on your feet before slipping into your shoes. Suffer from chaffing when in a dress? Rub some baby powder on your inner thighs to protect yourself from “chub rub”. Deodorant can also fix this curvy female problem. Just swipe your stick before you head out the door for a chaffing-free few hours. 

Ice water can quick dry nail polish. Painting your own nails can save you some cash between manicure appointments, but waiting around for them to dry can feel like forever. Place your hands in a sink filled with cold water right after you’ve finished your top polish coat. Mom has always claimed this speeds up the drying process.

Career

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Mom says, speak up! Reach out to a past coworker, mail a handwritten note after an interview and share your ideas on a new team project. If you don’t make the extra effort, you may not be heard!

Use your resources. This is one of my mom’s catch phrases. And she uses it in more than just references to moving up the corporate ladder. “Using your resources” refers to taking advantage of whatever is given to you or is around you to excel or to save money. Got access to the company email directory? Sent a note to introduce yourself to someone in another department that you’d like to take for coffee and potentially learn from as a mentor. Drank all of your water during spin class? Fill it up for free at the fountain in the gym instead of buying another $4 SmartWater.

Health and Nutrition

Start your day with warm water and lemon. Cleansing may be all the rage, but even my momma knows that a hot cup of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon can act as a system cleanse each morning. No need for fancy - or expensive - diuretics to cleanse when you’ve been binging.

Pack snacks. Always have a healthy treat in your purse to “manage your blood sugars.” From a clementine to string cheese, mom always has a healthy snack on hand when shopping or running errands. Sure, it's embarrassing when she starts peeling fruits in the Nordstrom shoe department, but you'll be glad she did when you're craving something sweet and don't want to ruin your diet with an Auntie Anne's Pretzel.

What are your mom's tips and tricks? Share her advice in the comments below! xo

What To Do This Weekend In NYC, May 10 – 12

(Spiked Lemonade by Koi SoHo at Bar D'Eau. Photo credit: Anton Lombardi)

Koi SoHo's culinary offerings are expanding today, Friday May 10 at Trump SoHo - just in time to treat your momma this weekend. Bar D’Eau, the outdoor pool deck and lounge, will be open to the public from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and, for the first time, will feature new food and drink offerings from the restaurant, like a summer-friendly Spiked Lemonade to sip by the pool as you people watch the beautiful guests. 

Get your late-night pizza fix at One Twenty-Two, the newest Italian hotspot to hit the East Village, opening Saturday, May 11. At the press preview, I enjoyed creative crostinis, hearty meatballs and thin crust pizzas in their almost-hidden outdoor courtyard. If you love slices from South Brooklyn Pizza, this will be right up your alley, as One Twenty-Two is connected by the same kitchen (and oven)!

Still need plans to treat mom this weekend? Make reservations for Mother’s Day Brunch at ilili with some lovely perks for moms only and a special Apricot Almond Cake created by Chef Philippe Massoud that honors how his mom encouraged him to bake. Moms will receive a complimentary St-Germain Champagne cocktail and an herb plant to take home. The a la carte brunch menu will be served, plus specials like Hommus and Ramps and Soft Shell Crab with harissa carrot purée and avocado semolina crust.

For last minute Mother’s Day gifts, double check my gift guide on CBS New York.

Enjoy this beautiful spring weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all of the grandmothers, aunts and moms out there! xo

Wine Wednesday Deals in NYC

(Glass of rosato at Birreria rooftop beer garden at Eataly)

For those of us looking to celebrate Wine Wednesday just like Kathie Lee and Hoda (the liquor loving ladies of the fourth hour of The Today Show) here are a few deals to enjoy with your fellow winos in New York City.

Make tonight your date night at Sauce Restaurant in the Lower East Side. Take advantage of 25% off bottles of wine all night, excluding their house Pinot Grigio and Montepulciano.

The Burger Bistro offers 50% off all wines by the glass or bottle every Wednesday. What a way to get through Hump Day! Pair your wine with one of their popular burgers at any of their three NYC locations.

Edward’s in Tribeca offers all bottles of wine at half price with dinner on Wednesdays. This casual neighborhood joint is great for relaxing after work with wine and American comfort food, like burgers, pasta and pizza.

All You Can Eat Mussels are offered every Wednesday at Poco. For $25 enjoy endless Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels with house red and white wine.

For a serious deal every week night, stop by Porsena Extra Bar for $5 small plates, house beers and select glasses of wine from 5:30-7pm. Try delicious bites like calamari, polpettine and crostini. 

If you can’t wait until the middle of the work week to imbibe, head to The Bourgeois Pig for half off all bottles of wine on Monday and Tuesday nights.

For when you're hungrier for more than just wine, visit In Vino for the "Old Skool Pasta Dinner for Two" on Monday and Tuesday nights. You'll get a choice of two antipasta, two bowls of pasta, a half liter of house wine and homemade tiramisu for $65.

And check out the best oyster happy hours too! 

What are your favorite Wine Wednesday deals in NYC? xo

NYC Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Every mother and mom-to-be deserves to be honored this May. From special New York City brunches to gifts that give back, treat moms, grandmothers and aunts to show them just how much you appreciate all they do this Mother’s Day. 

Check out CBS New York for my New York City Mother's Day Gift Guide for inspiration and ideas to gift your mom on her special day. xo

What To Do This Weekend In NYC, May 3 – 5

(Chandeliers hang at Dinner on Ludlow, launching rooftop brunch parties this weekend)

Winos, rejoice! On Friday, May 3, Terroir on the Porch officially returns for the season at The High Line for outdoor wine sipping and people watching.

Madison Square Eats opens Friday, May 3 for your outdoor dining pleasure until May 31! Check out my past coverage to start drooling: 2011 & 2012.

For a not-so-typical Kentucky Derby Party, celebrate at Jay Z's The 40/40 Club with a 40/40 Mint Julep. Watch the big race on one of their 33 flat screen televisions in luxury arena-style seating. Here’s the best part - there will be an open bar from 3pm-6pm then $5 bellinis from 6pm until close. And, don’t forget to rock your Derby gear - there’s a special prize for best hat!

One of my all time favorite NYC restaurants, Pipa, closed a few months back and has reopened as ABC Cocina this past week. If you can snag a reservation, get in there this weekend for a first taste of ABC Kitchen fare with Latin flare.

Shop for your summer wardrobe with up to 90% off of designer dresses, denim and accessories at The Gilt City New York Warehouse Sale on Saturday, May 4th at the Altman Building. Get last minute tickets here.

Party Cinco De Mayo style at these NYC restaurants and bars hosting events and delicious specials. 

I’ll be attending a rooftop birthday party in the East Village on Saturday then making these Watermelon Margarita popsicles for a Sunday Cinco De Mayo cookout in a friend’s Brooklyn backyard. Enjoy your weekend of festive holiday parties xo

10 Creative NYC Burgers To Celebrate Burger Month

May not only marks the beginning of the summer season, but it also kicks off a month of meaty, cheesy goodness: National Burger Month. Treat yourself to an out-of-the-ordinary burger to mark the 31-day excuse for indulgence by checking out one of these New York City concoctions. 

Check out CBS New York for my article on 10 Creative NYC Burgers To Celebrate Burger Month xo