C A F F E I N A T E : Abraço Espresso Bar
Abraço, which means ‘hug’ in Portuguese is a sweet little spot to get your caffeine kick and perhaps a treat. The other day I went to this East Village stand up cafe for a cappuccino and olive oil cake (delicious). Treat YOURSELF here too!
E A T: HU Kitchen
“Get back to human” is HU’s slogan, providing a cafe/kitchen that truly teaches you to embrace whole, healthy and recognizable food. It’s a food movement you can understand because everything is organic, everything is natural and there isn’t an ingredient you won’t recognize. From their baked goods and coffee, to the hot plates, HU shows just how yummy food can be; you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for healthiness. Nothing is refined, just delicious and thoughtful. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, juice and snacks at HU Kitchen are worth every bite!
T A B L E: KAFANA xx
One of my favorite restaurants in NYC just made Newsweek’s Top Chefs Choices of 101 Best Places to Eat In The World!!! Congrats to Vladmir and his sweet Kafana, home of authentic Serbian deliciousness in a super warm atmosphere that he personally designed and executed. Here is what the Top Chef Gabrielle Hamilton (of my other favorite in New York City, Prune) has to say about this gem:
“Kafana, a Yugoslavian delight in the East Village, is focused, unwavering, and explicitly Serbian-Croatian, with grilled meats and chopped, crunchy, fresh salads. The staff is fast and sharp, and no one around you at the tables is speaking English; you feel as if you’ve just wandered into a popular, bustling, low-key supper club in a bohemian neighborhood of Dubrovnik.”
Kafana is on Avenue C between 7th & 8th Streets, 212-353-8000
T A B L E: italian in nolita xx
Caffe Falai on Lafayette just south of Prince still remains one of my top go to spots for lunch (also open for dinner, of course). I love their farro salad, their avocado salad and their tomato soup. I also like their selection of delicious pasta dishes (i’m quite particular) and the fact that their service always comes with a smile!!! During the week, I take advantage of their $20 two course lunch special- such a great value considering the excellent cuisine! You can dine in their pristine white interior or al fresco, my preference as you get to enjoy a sunny Nolitan afternoon and get a good dose of people watching in xx
*photo courtesy of eventseekr.com
T R E A T: Chocolate Comfort xx
Feeling blue? Or a major chocolate lover? Have you tried City Bakery’s Hot Chocolate? Not the best pic- but their thick, rich and delicious hot cocoa is one of my favorites, next to Angelina’s in Paris. For me it’s the perfect mood elevator (I know, it’s the sugar!) and such a special treat. Enjoy xx
City Bakery is at 3 West 18th St NYC
E A T: best italian in NY xx
On the corner of Gates Avenue and Cambridge Place is Locanda Vini e Olii- my favorite Italian restaurant in New York. There are revisions to the menu daily based on which fresh seasonal ingredients are available and often including unusual items for the foodie/adventurous eater. What is consistent is how delicious and satisfying I find each meal. I do not eat pasta much outside of home, after all I grew up on homemade Italian deliciousness and find nothing much quite compares, but this is a place I always leave feeling happy- in addition to their amazing pasta and salads, I also appreciate the friendly staff and creative wine selection. It’s worth the trip to Clinton Hill, check it out xx
A R E P A S: a little taste of Venezuela
Arepas are very typical of Venezuelan cuisine, eaten for breakfast or lunch but also as street food. They are like yummy little corn meal pockets (great for gluten intolerant folks!) that can be filled with any variety of things. The most common are cheese and any variety of meat. Of course you can’t forget the sauces, salsa rosada or salsa verde to name a couple!
I was very lucky to have my dear friend Veronica who is from Venezuela over to make these from scratch for myself and a group of friends this past Monday as we enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and pool during my visit home to Toronto.
To enjoy in NYC you can visit Caracas (various locations) or Guacuco in Bushwick and in Toronto Arepa Cafe.
Enjoy!
Y Y Z: GUSTO 101 xx
Though my preference is always to eat at home while in Toronto (my mom is the best cook!), I do like to keep up with what’s new. I met my family for dinner at a new Italian restaurant, Gusto 101 on Portland, just north of King. The staff is friendly, I love the industrial ambiance and I appreciate the New York design influences (the unisex bathrooms are just like Keith McNally’s at Schiller’s, Pulino’s- same faucets etc.). The food is interesting, somewhat experimental (risotto arranciani (rice balls)) but tasty and fun. Dessert was great! It’s definitely a hot spot, super loud and busy- the scene more memorable than the food, I’d say it’s a good place to meet up for drinks and a casual dinner. Not a place to bring your parents, my dad says he loves me lots but asked me not to request his company there again;) Which goes to show, there’s no food like home in our family xx
D E T O X: Pu-erh Ancient Chinese Tea
Originating from the Yunnan province of Southwestern China, this fermented form of tea is considered to have detoxifying qualities. It is said to help aid digestion and the effects of alcohol consumption (hangover cure!). It’s a dark tea with an earthy flavour. I try to drink 2 cups a day especially when my body balance is off, where digestion and skin problems are concerned, and it works! It’s also pretty cheap and can be purchased online here, although I’m sure there are stores in Chinatown NYC and Toronto that sell it. I also love the box graphics (there are other brands of course)! Enjoy!
