Social Butterfly

I can't believe the summer is coming to a close. More fun to come in the fall, I'm sure.  Here are some of my highlights:

July 18th - Lunch with Merr and Jemal

I never knew about Zen Palate until my new colleagues introduced it to me. We had it for take-out one day. Delish! I invited Merrideth and Jemal to join me at one of their locations.

July 19th - Shake Shack in Times Square with Sam

What's not to love? :-)

July 24th - Danise and Stanford in town from San Francisco

This was a delightful lunch with one of my longest married couple friends -- 52 years!

Yum! Spit Roasted Rosenkrans Beef - Charred red onions, horseradish creme fraiche, toasted rye bread, cheddar cheese, Russet potato chips

July 29th - Michele home (Long Island) from Chicago

We brought along some "Bitch Bubbly" for Michele. hehe

 Pool fun with the pooches 

Yum! 

August 5th - BBQ at my parents house

My self portrait

I believe my Dad was a tad jealous that Scott Babe cooked ribs at Colleen & Olga's on the 4th of July, so he invited us over to do a repeat of tastiness! It was a delish excuse to be in the country side and visit my family.

surprise bunny visit!

Frame with Friends

Christina, Deana, Matt & Kristina

This gem of a deli is just a few steps from my office. I haven't let anyone down yet. Who would have thought that a hot and cold buffet can taste like home cooking? I had lunch with Sam the other day and she said she would have taken a second piece of fish if she had known it was going to taste that fresh. 

I also took my girlfriend Jess from SF to my hot spot. We then walked a little bit of the highline nearby:

August 8th -Dinner party with Mr. & Mrs. Robinson

We had Mr. & Mrs. Robinson over for a steak dinner and the game Balderdash. I also gave her a bottle of that Bitch Bubbly. ♥

August 9th - Jeff's birthday at Caliente Cab

 I couldn't walk by this beauty and not take a photo -- even in the rain!

 This was an intimate birthday because it was just me and Jeff's close friend Danielle. (Jeff's husband Scott had to work and other friends were out of town.)

My sizzlin' video :-)

August 11th - Raymond's and shopping with Stacy and her girls

Raymond's:

Anthropoligie:

Urban Outfitters:

Stacy, Bianca and Emma

Hip Chic:

August 14th - Lower East Side with Yvette and Steph
Our original plan was an Austrian bar called Cafe Katja but they are still renovating. :-( We walked across the street and had a great night at Casa Mexcal.

Yvette & Steph (I work with Yvette; we both have a friendship with Steph)

I highly recommend this place for their margaritas and steak tacos!

August 26th - Brunch with Alex Scott Babe

Alex made the trip from Astoria, Queens to Montclair. ♥

There was a bit of a wait...

Cheers!

I think he liked it :-)

leonberger = big pooch

 August 28th - Arturo's in Maplewood with Chrissy & Ridley

Ridley and Chrissy crossing the street. hehe

Yum!!!

What are the chances?

I think the pear cider that Scott Babe loves so much is catching on in NYC! It just took years!! Can you believe that I spotted it twice in one week?! Luckily, Scott was with me this second time. Yipppeeeeeeeeeeee! We double-dated at Tribeca Bread with Matt and Lauren -- they, too, are married 1 year this summer like us. ♥

The pink mojito was pretty darn good!

Two big things to celebrate!! Matt is leaving Conde Nast for a great opportunity at HBO and Matt & Lauren's 1 year anniversary this week! Cheers!!!

♥ Lauren and Matt ♥

I shot this on Church Street (in front of the restaurant)

Historical Happy Hour

I love to try new places in the city and play tourist whenever possible. When Heidi suggested Fraunces Tavern, down in Wall Street, I was immediately intrigued.  Fraunces's website claims they are the oldest building and tavern in New York City. It was built in 1719 as an elegant residence for the merchant Stephan Delancey and his family. In 1762, the home was purchased by tavern-keeper Samuel Fraunces, who turned it into one of the most popular taverns of the day. Though it is best known as the site where George Washington gave his farewell address to the officers of the Continental Army, in 1783, the tavern also played a significant role in pre-Revolutionary activities.

I had the beer of the month -- Celebration Stout, Dublin, Ireland, 7.0% ABV Porterhouse's Imperial Stout "This true imperial stout is beer as black as coal, velvety smooth with notes of coffee, chocolate, and dark fruit. A deliciously luscious libation."

 Heidi and her oysters :-)

 The cheeseburger sliders weren't anything special but the pulled pork are worth coming back for! Yum!!!

 Not all of our food! hehe

 Marie's shot of us

Yvette and Marie

me and Heidi

Kopparberg's pear cider. Reader, this is a VERY special drink. When I was looking over the bar menu at work, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it listed. This is one of Scott Babe's favorite Swedish ciders that he has NEVER, EVER, seen in the states. I had given Marie & Heidi a heads up on my extra excitment of happy hour because I would surprise Scott with as many bottles of it that I could carry!!! (Too bad, the restaurant doesn't allow take home!) Marie tried it and LOVED it. I will have to get Scott to come into the city and enjoy Kopparberg's at Fraunces! ♥

New York, New York

 

The first day of August was dreary because of the non-stop rain. I had plans lined up for rooftop drinks for weeks. Bad timing, but Tavern 29 did have 2 other floors of dry drinking space! Wendy joined me along with Scott (not Scott Babe) and his friends Neil and Judith. I had an immediate fascination with Judith. She was adorable and was wearing these long dangling earings that every girl should own! I learned quickly that she's a jewelery designer. Click here. Very impressive.

When Wendy & I left the bar at 8 o'clock, the dismal skies had turned into a inspiring sunset.

Marble Collegiate Church on 5th Avenue at 29th Street. (built in the 1850s of blocks of white marble)

Which one do you prefer?

August 2nd:

I miss working with my friend Matt and shot him a last minute email to see what he was doing for lunch. He had plans to eat lunch in Bryant Park and invited me to join. I loved the spontaneity and treated myself to a cab ride over. "Broadway in Bryant Park's" free concert series was happening as I was there! I love this 13 second video I was able to capture. Please turn up your sound!

Cary Hoffman from "My Sinatra"

Lunch with Matt, Karen and Kristina

Broadway near 40th - "Broadway Green" exhibit ♥