A Mr. & Mrs. Smith recommended property, this hotel has recently undergone a £20m renovation and offers a unique townhouse experience better than even the comforts of home (I was pleasantly surprised to find an American plug in our room). The decor is stunning—fashionable and elegant, a place you wish you could afford to live until the end of time. We experienced two different rooms (they were so kind as to upgrade us the last night) and I highly recommend the Deluxe. While both spoil you with fine linens, bathrobes, complimentary wireless and a modern bathroom, the Superior room was a bit small (my only gripe), while the Deluxe room was ironically, superior. The Afternoon Tea looked sophisticated, booming and was unfortunately booked (make advanced reservations), but we did partake in the “Great British Breakfast,” which, while a bit pricey (with the exchange rate), was the perfect way to begin our first morning. And while you never really need to leave, this is in fact, London. So, take a step out your door, you’re only moments from Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, Knightsbridge and my favorite Indian restaurant ever.

Oh wait, can you hear it? That old familiar sound of London calling. Glad I have a place to stay.

NOTE: I previously wrote about The Cranley hotel in South Kensington, and I still highly recommend it, especially if you need a more affordable option. To compare the two, The Cranley has a more bed & breakfast feel, while The Kensington offers a full hotel experience (i.e. restaurant, bar, concierge, masseuse).

DISCOUNT: Tablet Hotels is offering 20% off The Kensington through February. Click here for the offer.

My friends were right—the jamón imbérico was “to die,” the tomato bread is an affair I will never get over and the people all looked like models minus the LA “tude.” Our hotel, the Murmuri, was everything I had hoped—boutique and luxurious and perfectly located. But, as we re-tell the story, the pièce de résistance, among all things was a tour. Shocking, as I hate tours. Not this one.

I found the private tour company Hi, This is Barcelona in the comments of the travel section of the New York Times online. I was concerned about my flagging relationship with the Spanish language and thought the only way to avoid the utter humiliation of a tour bus, was a one-on-one experience. Hi, This is Barcelona was started by a Californian who moved to Barcelona over a decade ago and offers a completely customizable experience for those looking for a hands-on, throw away the guide book intimacy with this city. I debated on a tapas tour, but confident in my ability to choose great restaurants (even abroad), I looked for something outside my area of expertise, and thus booked the “Undiscovered Corners of the Barrio Gotico” (the Gothic Quarter). If you happened to have an American friend who had lived in Barcelona for years, knew the history inside and out, happily answered all of your questions with patience and humor, then took you to tapas after (“where the locals go”) not because you paid for it, but because she likes you–THIS was that experience and our “friend” was named Nancy. We wondered down the cobblestone streets, inside the La Boqueria Market, feasting our eyes on the most incredible produce I’ve ever seen and stopping for a glass of wine in between history lessons and tapas. €209 got us four hours of the best time we spent in Barcelona.

And, though they couldn’t pull off the impossible—dinner reservations at Tickets, Ferran Adria’s latest and greatest, they did book us a table at a hidden and quaint “hole in the wall gem” called Montiel in the Born neighborhood. ¡Salud!

Part work; part pleasure, I had one week in New York City, and plenty of time to experience some of the newer places I’d heard so much about. But, let’s start at the beginning. The hotel, the hotel!

Luxury boutique hotel living has become a lifestyle. So much so that there’s even a new home furnishing line out to help you create the same feel at home—see Hotel Maison. My point? Hotel decor is important. And the Mondrian Soho has done everything right.

I’m a little biased to blue and white…it’s calm and orderly, the antithesis of my
life lately. Add to it crystal water glasses (so much chicer than a paper cup), the
inspirational quote on the bed, the Help Remedies, the iPad at your service, and it made leaving one of the more depressing days of my life. If that wasn’t enough, floor to ceiling windows covered the entire front wall, capturing a view that leaves you breathless and in love with one of the greatest cities in the world.

And that view expanded into the bathroom, where you can shower as you watch passersby stroll in and out of Derek Lam across the street. Can they see me? Oh, who cares! This is New York!

Mondrian Soho.  9 Crosby Street.  New York, NY 10013.  212-389-1000

Pay special attention to the Manifesto on the wall. Number One: “We believe in the American Country Club Experience—mixed doubles, a long steam and a stiff cocktail.” Poo-pooers can kindly exit through the back door.  Once properly geared up for your main voyage (I chose an hour deep tissue massage), make sure to flip through their music selection. You’ll be forever spoiled by attention to detail.

As my husband and I smiled at Dustin Hoffman making his way into the steam room, I couldn’t help but wonder what song he chose during his treatment. Unfortunately “Mrs. Robinson” was not an option.

Spa Psyc at The Parker Hotel. 4200 East Palm Canyon Drive.  Palm Springs, CA.  760-321.4629

The Villas at Coco Plum

As the weather remains cold and dreary, and you find yourself daydreaming of sandy beaches and rum drinks, consider escaping those winter blues and jetting off to breathtaking Belize!

If you’re up for adventure, Belize is the place for culture, great food and the breathtaking Caribbean sea. I’ve been to several places in Belize, but the peninsula of Placencia is by far my favorite corner of this inspiring country, as it offers a raw, beautiful, scenic picture of Central America.

Placencia isn’t so easy to get to, but the ride there is half the fun… and once you land in Belize City, the adventure begins! Take a moment to visit Jet’s Bar in the airport terminal, where a petite man name “Jet” (who is somewhat reminiscent of Tattoo from Fantasy Island) will make you the best Rum Punch or Bloody Mary you’ve ever had. From there you’ll take a 10-seat propeller plane to Placencia, where the beauty of the Mayan land and Caribbean Sea is revealed to you at 5,000-feet.

There’s plenty to do on Placencia: fishing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking or just plain lying in the sun. And many resorts on the peninsula are some of the best in the world, including Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn.

But my most favorite spot in Belize is by far the quaint Gastro-Pub called Rumfish y Vino. Built from the second story of what was once a colonial home, Rumfish offers an open air dining experience, allowing visitors to feel the ocean breeze at any spot in the restaurant.

Owners John and Pamela Solomon opened the restaurant in November 2008 after many years of working in food and wine distribution in both Los Angeles and New York. The menu at Rumfish reflects authentic Central American flavors mixed with European and “Gastro” foods. Some of the popular items on the menu are: Conch Fritters, Shrimp Ceviche, Smoked Fish Pate, Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese and their famous Placencia Paella (made with recado, coconut milk, chorizo and fresh seafood).

On my last trip to Belize, the Solomon’s were kind enough to let me test out a recipe I had been working on for authentic Belizean Meat Pies. This dish is traditionally served on the mainland, but the locals clamor to get a taste of the authentic mix of onions, peppers, meat and spices; and the restaurant’s bustling happy hour scene proved to be the perfect test demographic. Baking in 98 degree weather with 90 percent humidity wasn’t my favorite task as a chef, but doggone it, I was going to perfect this recipe! And hey, when you leave Belize don’t forget to stop by Jet’s Bar again and take a picture with him. He’ll post it on the wall in hopes that you’ll be back. Trust me, you will.

BELIZEAN MEAT PIES
Yeilds: 2 dozen pies/empanadas

THE FILLING
1 lb. Ground Beef
1 link fresh Chorizo, removed from casing
1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
1 Green Chile Pepper, seeded and diced
1 Onion, small dice
1 Tomato, diced
2 tablespoons Red Recado or Achiote spice
Juice of 1 lime
Salt & Pepper

THE DOUGH
2 lbs. Flour
12 oz. Butter, cold and cubed.
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Sugar

For the Filling: In a sauté pan over medium heat, brown the beef and chorizo. Drain and reserve. Using the same pan, sauté the peppers, onion and tomato until soft. Stir in ground beef mixture and recado, sauté for one minute more. Reduce heat and simmer until all ingredients are well combined. Add water if mixture is dry. Salt and pepper to taste, add lime juice. Set aside.

For the Dough: Sift together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. To the sifted flour mixture add the butter and using your fingers, run together until pea sized bits form. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick. Using a 4-inch biscuit cutter, cut dough into rounds. You may roll out the remaining dough one additional time; after that it will be too tough and will not rise. You may refrigerate the dough for up to three days before using.

THE ASSEMBLY
½ cup water, in a bowl
1 egg, beaten

To assemble: In the center of each dough round, scoop about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture into the center. Dip your finger into the bowl of water and rub around the outside of the round (this will create a “glue” that will seal your empanada). Fold dough over the filling and press with fork along the edges. With a pastry brush, lightly egg-wash each pie with the beaten egg. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the top crust is golden brown and “hollow” sounding when tapped. Serve warm.

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Our first week was spent in NC. On the first night, we got snow flurries. Oh, it was so pretty…so peaceful, so Christmasy! But by the 3rd day, an impending snow storm was heading to the east coast and we began to worry. We had a great time visiting friends and relatives and got to see one of our favorite sites…the lighted Christmas balls that canopy the Sunset Hills neighborhood in Greensboro. We came, we saw, we visited. We even made it to Christmas morning, the morning of our flight to NYC and all was well. Until the blizzard hit.

LIGHTED BALLS IN GREENSOBORO

Dave’s sister lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn. For those of you Upper East Side snobs, Park Slope is an adorable little neighborhood with brownstones, boutiques and restaurants, perfect for families who dream of living the urban life with a tad larger apartment than what you can get in Manhattan. Last time Dave’s sister hosted Christmas, we opted to stay at the very posh W on 49th and Lex, but with soaring prices, not to mention expensive cab rides, we scored reservations at the modern Nu Hotel in Boerum Hill in Brooklyn to make things easier.

HOW NICE THEY OFFERED A $150/NIGHT SNOW DAY DEAL.  BUT, SINCE WE HAD ALREADY BOOKED A ROOM, WE COULDN’T TAKE ADVANTAGE.

Christmas Day went off without a hitch. It’s great to spend time with family, but it’s also great to call a car service at the end of the night to take you back to your hotel. The next morning, as we sat with a cup of coffee in Tom’s Restaurant, the snow began. And it didn’t stop for 24 hours. We hailed a cab to Dave’s sister’s and by 2pm, we had a foot of snow. I started to worry. Everyone thought I was crazy for worrying. With no cars, taxis or subways running, by midnight that night, it was evident that all 10 of us were going to have to sleep in this one bedroom/ one bathroom apartment. And I’m crazy for worrying…

MY WORRIED LOOK

Though under the circumstances, Dave’s sister did everything possible to make us all comfortable, calling in extra blankets from neighbors, giving us earplugs and melatonin, it was a looooong night and after only about two hours of sleep, the next morning, we made it our mission to get back to the hotel. Not to bore you with the rest of the details, we finally got back to the hotel and stayed there until the next day, when we caught the train back to his sister’s.

Let’s hope another blizzard doesn’t hit, but just in case it does, I want you to be prepared.

THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU ARE SNOWED IN

ART IN OUR HOTEL ROOM (NU HOTEL BROOKLYN). APROPOS DON’T YOU THINK?

PAINT BY NUMBERS-The package said age 6 and up. Yeah, right. Find me a 6 year old that could paint that picture and I’ll give you a dollar. It might not be quite as cool as the art in our hotel, but it’s so tedious, it will keep you entertained for at least an hour.

SNOWMAN

BUILD A SNOWMAN-I can’t take credit for this. I imagine it was a kid next door. There are lots of kids in Brooklyn. Fitting that Dave’s sister is expecting her first! She’ll fit right in!

TREK BACK TO THE HOTEL

WATCH A LOT OF TELEVISION-When you can get back to your hotel, stay there. Luckily, the Nu Hotel had an amazingly comfortable bed with delicious bedding and a marathon of “Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.” They also had eco friendly bath goodies by Sprout, a Gilchrist and Soames Company (one of my faves), but that’s a story for another day.

DAVE AND HIS BROTHERS SHOVELED HALF THE STREET!

SHOVEL OUT: When all else fails, grab a shovel and start digging.

Happy New Year!

Evening:

Get ready to roll out the big bucks if you hope to rest lavishly during your stay in Boston during October. Hotel prices this time of year are outrageous. After much moaning and groaning over not being able to afford the posh Liberty or Fifteen Beacon, we reluctantly handed over our wallet to the Nine Zero, a luxury boutique property conveniently located across the street from the Freedom Trail and one block from posh Beacon Hill. If it hadn’t been double the usual price (thanks Parents’ Weekend and The Head of the Charles Regatta), I would highly recommend it. I just expect ridiculous attention to detail when a room is close to $400/night.

Dinner at South End’s B&G Oyster Company is a must if (like me) you are on a mission to find the best lobster roll in the world. Start with (what else?) a dozen oysters and work your way to the freshest, sweetest Maine Lobster roll I’ve yet to find. Waits can be long, so make a reservation early, when you can enjoy quiet conversation over a meal that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

SATURDAY

Morning:

Start your day with a casual breakfast at The Paramount in Beacon Hill. Things haven’t changed much since 1937…get ready to wait in line as your food is cooked to order (no sitting until your order is up), but this could be the most satisfying deal in town. And the walk from your hotel isn’t too shabby either. Mansions anyone? Yes please!

Afternoon:

Make your way over to Cambridge for a master lesson in all things prep. We just happened to plan our weekend getaway during the Head of the Charles Regatta, the world’s largest two-day rowing race steeped in tradition. If ever there was a time to pull out those Polos, Rugbys and corduroy blazers, now is the time.

Take a stroll through Harvard Yard and stare hard at anyone wearing a Harvard sweatshirt, wondering if they will be the next Mark Zuckerberg. Try to take a photo next to the famous “Statue of Three Lies,” but become disappointed when all the tourists won’t get out of your way. Instead, make your way to the Harvard Book Store and keep telling yourself that if you would have tried a little harder, you too could have made this your hang out between Microeconomic Theory and Abstract Algebra.

Evening:

Dinner at  Ten Tables in Cambridge, a darling, romantic spot just below ground, where you can cozy up with a great glass of wine and delicious seasonal meal like the Heritage Breed Pork Chop with Red Kuri Spice Puree, Cippolini Onions, Caramelized Brussels Sprouts and Mission Fig Compote.

In need of a nightcap? Taxi over to The Liberty Hotel, and grab a drink while you tour what used to be the Charles Street Jail. The Liberty Bar is lively and sophisticated, located within the 90 foot rotunda. The place to be and be seen, I recommend a reservation unless you mind standing.

SUNDAY

Morning:

A short thirty minute drive and you are in Salem, infamous for the Witch Trials of 1692. Though a strange little place (especially near Halloween), it’s worth a trip. The gorgeous, historic homes are quite the paradox to the cheesy touristy downtown, full of “witches,” wizardry and a wax museum. Make time for The Witch House, former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, the only standing structure in Salem with direct ties to that time.

Afternoon:

Stop it for a mid-day snack at The Butcher Shop in the South End on your way back into town. Scrumptious Roasted Squash, Antipasto and an extensive wine list are just the pick-me-up you’ll need before heading out on a walking tour of the city. Though a bit pricey, the food and atmosphere are well worth the splurge.

Head out of the Nine Zero and begin the walking tour down the Liberty Trail, a sure way to work up an appetite for dinner. There’s no better history lesson or better way to see Boston than to visit (on foot) such monumental sites as Paul Revere’s house, the Granary Burial Ground and Massachusetts State House.

Evening:

You can’t leave Boston without dining in the North End, home to some of the best Italian food in the country. And you can’t leave the North End without dining at Panza, the best of the best. Offering classic Italian, this was maybe the best Chicken Parmigiana of my life…and the verrrry full glass of Chianti didn’t hurt either! Though I’m sure their desserts are just as fabulous, top of your night (and your weekend) with one perfect cannoli from Mike’s Pastry around the corner. Take it back to the hotel and eat it in bed like I did—maybe the best idea ever.

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The fog was thick and dramatic, rolling in from the sea and across the mountainous terrain. As we rounded each corner, there was a new awe inspiring photo opp. We had been in the car for about two hours, so lunch was calling our names. Ventana Inn & Spa has been on my must visit list for years, so I was excited to make it our first (luxury) ‘pit stop.’ The Cuban Sandwich (spiced roasted pork loin, pickled red onions and fennel, Swiss and Dijon) served with sweet potato fries tasted as good as it looked. And, the scenery wasn’t too shabby either! For those of you with an extra $650 in your pocket, reserve a room for the night. I hear their spa is incredible.

With full bellies and a rejuvenated spirit, we hopped back in the car and made our way to Julia Pfeiffer State Park, where we hiked a short trail to McWay Falls, an 80 foot high waterfall that ends directly onto the beach. Spectacular!

It’s a good thing we got our bodies moving, because though the drive from Big Sur to Hearst Castle was gorgeous, it was also veerrryyyy sllllooowww (about four hours to be exact). This is due to the many slow moving RVs and the fact that we didn’t want to fall off the side of the mountain, taking the curves at my husband’s usual 80mph (we stuck to the 45 mph speed limit!).

Now I knew that arriving at Hearst Castle with no tickets was a risk. But, we were in great moods, the weather was perfect and everything had gone according to plan. No such luck. When we reached the Visitor’s Center, we were told tickets were completely sold out. So, we settled for a t-shirt (just kidding). We weren’t too bummed out. With another four hours to go,  the thought of taking a two hour tour at this stage was a little less than ideal. So, on we went.

When we planned this trip, we were clear on one thing. Wine tasting was a must!  We knew that by the time we reached Paso Robles, there was a good chance that the wineries would be closed. So, we stopped over in Cambria, a tiny little village nestled right along Highway 1. The main street is dotted with antique stores, boutiques and (lucky for us) wine tasting rooms. Since this trip was a scenic drive, we chose to share one tasting at Black Hand Cellars. Known for its reds, we weren’t so enthralled as to join their club, but it was the perfect little break for our last stop before home.

Ok, I’m lying. We stopped at Jerry’s Famous Deli in Studio City, five miles from home and got take out. After ten hours in the car, we needed some comforting like only a Jewish (or Southern!) mother can provide.

After your massage, facial (anti-aging of course) and mani/pedi, peruse their newly opened Spa boutique, Haven. Filled with Frette linens, elegant loungewear, down pillows, Molten Brown body products, and even a Kingsdown mattresses (as found in the Inn rooms), you can practically take your experience home with you!

After all that pampering, you might feel like settling down for a long autumn nap, but you’d be missing out if you skip dinner at The Fearrington House Restaurant. Dishes like the signature Wild Garlic Carolina Gold Risotto with Apple & Vanilla Jam, Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Boulangère Potatoes and Thyme Sauce are just the thing to really put you into a blissful comma after a day of pure relaxation.

Ok, are you as sufficiently depressed as I,  knowing you are missing this grand opening?  Awesome…I’m off to work now.

The Spa at Fearrington Village.  2000 Fearrington Village Center.  Park Building. Pittsboro, NC.  919-545-5723


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My first stop was DMK Burger Bar, home of Chicago’s grass-fed beef burgers. Located in the Lakeview area, owners Michael Kornick and David Morton have created a menu with high-quality meat at an affordable price. Not having eaten breakfast, my friend and I both opted for the No. 4: a beef burger with roasted hatch green chile, a fried farm egg, Sonoma jack cheese and smoked bacon. Not stopping there, we also ordered the chili-rubbed onion rings with house ketchup (deliciously crispy with the just the right amount of heat), deviled eggs and both the Amish blue cheese & smoked bacon covered fries, as well as the Wisconsin cheddar & scallion covered fries. We washed our mountains of food down with refreshing blood orange sodas. Whew! Needless to say, it’s the perfect place to indulge the morning after a long night out.

Later that evening, after attending the a show at Second City, we drove to Wicker Park to have a drink and a late-night snack at Big Star. Filled with single twenty and thirty-somethings, this cash-only taqueria features a large outdoor patio, a bar consisting mostly of beer, tequila and whiskey, and a food menu made from sustainable ingredients. I ordered a michelada (Tecate with a salted rim, lime and salsa), while my friend ordered one of the many non-traditional beers on tap. We also tried their house made chips and salsa, as well as the tacos de rajas de poblano (roasted poblano peppers, onions, oregano, crema and queso de freir) and tacos de panza (braised pork belly, tomato guajillo sauce, queso fresco, onion and cilantro). The small menu also includes a bacon-wrapped hot dog, which to me, looked like West Hollywood street meat on steroids.

The next day, after a liquid breakfast at Starbucks, I met up with a friend at Chicago’s famous Lou Malnati’s (the River North location), for my first taste of deep dish pizza. Though the wait was an hour long (residents line up down the block to snag a table at the small pizzeria), the hostess asked us to order our pizza ahead of time, so that it was ready the moment we finally sat down. My friend suggested the small “Malnati’s Chicago Classic” (a sausage deep dish with the restaurant’s famous, and trademarked, Buttercrust™). As far as pizza goes, New York’s thin-crust is still my favorite. But, I enjoyed this deep dish’s tangy fresh tomatoes, garlicky cheese and VERY filling crust.

Though I probably consumed more calories in two days than I normally would during an entire week, I left Chicago with a huge smile on my face knowing I’d only hit the tip of the iceberg with the array of food choices the city has to offer. I can’t wait to return and eat my way through another part of the city.

Editor’s Notes-

STAY: Burnham Hotel, $$; The Silversmith, $$;  Elysian, $$$

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