Samantha's Restaurant Pick- Midtown Meals

Casa Lever

I recently returned to Casa Lever for dinner. This hotspot is located in the Lever Building on 53rd Street right of Park Avenue. It is a great place for a date if you are trying to impress her with food . The food was yummy. I had an amazing Carciofi salad first which had hearts of palm, artichokes of course and baby arugula with shaved and a light but tasting dressing, then we went to one of their signature dishes, Tagliatelle Bolognese with veal ragout and the main course was scrumptous Sardinian-style lamb served with polenta and a wine reduction. Then, we even saved room for a nibble of their Gianduia dessert, one of my favorites because I love hazelnuts. The food was top notch. One word of caution, if you are service snob, this might not be the place for you- the staff was very confused- bringing the wrong dishes and drinks to tables, stuttering over reciting the specials and just not as attentive as you would think they would be at a place of this stature. I am hopeful it was just an off night because the food is not to be missed!

Samantha's Dating Thought--- Should all married men wear rings?


 
Men and Rings

Recently on Facebook, a single girl posted an entry about married men hitting on her, a lot and that she thought that all married men should have to wear wings to give the single gals a hint that they are unavailable. Not a bad idea in theory but will that really solve the problem? Isn't the ring just a symbol and don't we see plenty of men who are wearing a ring still flirting? Moreover, don't we see too many women flirting back even with the ring clad man? In reality, shouldn't it really be all about the men and how they present themselves to the world at large?

Samantha's Event Pick- Do you board much?

Boarding for Breast Cancer

Every October I try to attend as many Breast Cancer events as possible as there is nothing more important to a woman than helping to find a cure for this disease. This was my first time at a Boarding for Breast Cancer event and I was quite impressed with the turnout and the dedication to the cause. The idea behind boarding for breast cancer is how important early detection is especially for people who have active lifestyles. The women who founded this organization had a friend die of breast at 26, just two months after it was detected.
The event took place at Desiron, Frank Carfaro's very hip home furnishings store that has one of the coolest event spaces on it's bottom floor.  There was cool music, dancing and many attractive NY hipsters.  Definitely check it out next year and if you didn't get to support as many breast cancer events this year during October, please keep an eye out for the Bring a Friend for Breast Cancer event I am hosting in early December at the Susan G. Komen Holiday House.

Samantha's Product pick- When it gets sticky

Goo Gone

How many times have you bought something and if has one of those gummy, gluey stickers on it and you just can't get it off? You try soap and water, you try Windex, sometimes you even use your teeth, but to no avail, that stupid sticker is still there and of course, they always put it in the most prominent places. Solution and it really works- Goo Gone. I know you always thought of that stuff as an infomercial ripoff but honestly, it works. You literally put it on a paper towel and scrub it over the sticky icky sticker and like magic, it starts dissolving and then it's gone. A word of caution, if you have a manicure where gloves when you use it because it makes the nail polish go away as well!

Samantha's Event Pick- Ping Pong for a Cause

The Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund

I recently attended a ping pong event for the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer fund at the hot spot, Spin. The room was packed with young social creatures, all turning out for the cause. Great place to meet someone, all for a great cause. There was a tournament going on in the middle of the room  between the Super women- Breast cancer survivors and Super Models. And people were playing pick-up ping pong games all over the room. Then Kelly Dooley was there peddling her Bodyrock Sportsline all for the cause. I even got a photo with Stephen Baldwin. Make sure to come out for the next one...

Samantha's Book Pick- Speaking is everything

How to Give  Pretty Good Presentation by TJ Walker

I don't know about you, but I can always get a few public speaking tips from a Master. I speak at conferences, events and on the phone all the time and I think I am good, but I could always be better. Everyone could. Enter TJ Walker, he has been coaching famous people on their public speaking for years. And now he has written a book as he says, "a speaking survival guide... for the rest of us." There are great tips in here that are helpful whether you speak at Fortune 500 events or you are just trying to get your children to take you more seriously. My favorite tip is if you feel like you are losing your audience, address someone by name and ask a series of questions so that they become reengaged in the talk. Definitely worth a read!

Samantha's Event Pick- Sipping for a Cause

Zachys Wine Tasting to Benefit the Robin Hood Foundation

When it comes to distributing wine, Zachys is one of the best in the business. And Robin Hood is one of our best philanthropic organizations as it is the leader in fighting poverty in NYC.  Put them both together and you have yourself a great event. And this one was not to be missed. There were over 130 wineries represented from across the Globe alongside restaurant outposts with food from some of New York top chefs. Some of the favorite wines I sampled were the Napanook 2007 Bordeaux blend from Dominus Estate in Napa Valley., the Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2007  "Fay"  from Napa Valley,  the Patz & Hall Chardonnay 2008 from Sonoma, the Columbia Crest Reserve Merlot 2007 from ChateauSte Michelle in Washington,  the Pierre Yves Colin-Morey Chasagne Montrachet Les Caillerets 2008 from Burgundy France, the Joseph Phelps dessert wine, Eisrebe 2008 from Napa, and the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from Cloudy Bay. As for the food, the Pumpkin soup with chanterelle mushrooms and croutons was delish from Benoit, and the wine samplings of fromage, salamis and proscuitto from Primizie.  Yum, yum!

Samantha's Book Pick- I always wanted to be a designer

Book- P.S.- I Made This by Erica Domesek

You have to admit that sometimes you wish you were a fashion designer. You see a dress and you think to yourself, if only I could nip this, tuck that, add a button, add a color, but you have no idea how to do this, so you  are stuck buying what's out there and making no adjustments. Well, pine no longer. In Domesek's book, P.S- I Made This, she actually helps you play designer for a day or many days. She provides step by step, easy to understand instructions and even illustrations for "doctoring" clothing, handbags, jewelry, shoes and belts. And the end product, something that is really cool, really wearable and really individualistically you. As for me, I am gearing up to try to make a lucite necklace. How much fun is that?

Samantha's "I'm obsessed" pick- They come in different colors

Heirloom Tomatoes

For those of you who think that a tomato is a tomato, you certainly have not experienced an Heirloom tomato. I have been a fan ,maybe an obsessed addict for over 8 years now. Besides the face that they are so healthy for you (high in lycopene which is one of the best antioxidants out there), they are truly yummy! The Heirlooms are in season for only a short time each year- in August, in September and if we are lucky early Oct (we are this year!). Why are they so good when they are actually so ugly and deformed? Heirloom tomatoes are
cultivated tomatoes that have been deliberately selected for their specific desirable characteristics. They are the Ferrari of tomatoes. And in terms of picking the best ones, the uglier the better; I mean it, choose ugly, they are most succulent.

As for the best variations-If you can find a Mr Stripey or an Old German, you will get to experience a tomato with a yummy marbleized inside. Don't miss the Green Zebra which is green with light green or yellow stripes on it. Then one of my personal favorites is Black Krim which is super dark red with the green top. And the most common Heirloom but still delich is the Brandywine which is red like a regular tomato but ugly.

As for some places to get them-- check out the outdoor market near Lincoln Center in Manhattan on Saturday but get there early and get there this weekend because this seriously might be your last chance this season!

Samantha's Restaurant Pick- Go French all Fall

Pierre's

Many people quickly forget about the Hamptons and all its hype after Labor Day. However for those of you like myself who love it out there in the fall, go back to Pierre’s in Bridgehampton. It is open 7 days a week all winter long and the meal I had this past weekend was truly one of the yummiest I have had in a long time. From the second you walk inside, it’s very cozy and oh so romantic- perfect lighting, a divine smell, a french feeling  (but without the snobbery),and a perfect climate temperature. You just feel at home. And both the lamb and the chicken main dishes were out of this world We literally couldn’t get enough. And you can actually get a table and have a little chit chat with Pierre himself at this time of year.  I can’t wait to eat there again!



Samantha's Event Pick- Hola Espana

Great Match- The Wines of Spain

Everybody loves a great wine tasting event but when you put hundreds of Spanish wines in a room coupled with yummy food tastings from some of the NY great restaurants, then you really have a superb event and some great matches. The Great Match- Wines of Spain did exactly that- over 200 wines from 74 different winemaking regions. Spanish wines are truly delicious and after my recent trip to Barcelona, I was happy to be sipping them once again. Some of my personal favorites at this event were the Campillo Gran Reserva 1994 from Rioja and the Mas d'en Gil from Priorat. As for foods, I loved the Gnocchi Bolognese from Osteria Paiolo in Brooklyn and the spiced Kobe beef from Megu.  Hola Espana!

Samantha's Movie Pick- When you least expect it...

Life As We Know It

This movie definitely looks like a chick flick from the previews but I screened it this week and yes, its a chick flick but it's funny and heartwarming so even a "dude" can enjoy it.  Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel have great chemistry and then there's that super hotty, Josh Lucas who finishes off the love triangle. Plus the movie has an unexpected twist that the previews don't mention that makes it interesting and fun.  Its certainly worth a look-see when it opens on Friday and its a great movie with which to barter, "I will go see it, if I can do Monday night football with the guys!"

Samantha's "I'm impressed" Pick-- Pink football

NFL and Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Most people think of football as a male sport. And many women curse the NFL for taking their men away from them all day Sunday, Sunday night, Monday night and now Thursday night. Well ladies, even though you might be a football widow during the fall, curse the NFL no longer because the NFL has made a truly impressive commitment to Breast Cancer. If you watch a football game anytime during the month of October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, everywhere you look, you will see breast cancer pink. Their hope is to raise breast cancer awareness.  The players are wearing pink cleats, pink sweat-rags, pink gloves, there are pink footballs and there are even pink lines of scrimmage on the field. And all the apparel worn by the players and coaches as well as all the paraphernalia will be auctioned off at NFL Auction. Make sure to tune in !

Samantha's Product Pick- Kick-ass DVD

Rockin Models DVD

If you are looking to get in shape and look like a model, this is the exercise video for you. Sexy and very toned, Grace Lazenby, a ex-model and current celebrity fitness trainer created Rockin Models which helps you "look like a model, feel like a dancer and workout like a rockstar." It is a 65 minute workout  of yoga-ballet with a dash of burlesque set to really cool music. And if you want to take the class live, you can find Grace at Equinox in Los Angeles. I am told she is famous for detailing muscles; I am ready..

Samantha's Place Pick- NYC's Sky Room

Sky Room at the Marriott's Fairfield Inn

I went to the opening of the Sky Room the other night and if you are looking for a romantic spot with killer views, mod furniture and yummy food, the newly opened Sky Room is your place. In a city where there are many outdoor rooftop hotspots, the Sky Room still is a standout. Its two floors, indoor and outdoor, they have retractable ceiling so you can still go there as we move onto to fall and winter months and the location is very central. Check it out!

Samantha's Simple Pleasure-- Biking in Central Park


Sometimes when you live in a big city, you can forget the small things that make your city so special. Take for example, New York's Central Park. It's one of the most amazing parks in the world, yet living in NY, sometimes New Yorker forget to enjoy it's beauty. So, go grab your beau, rent a couple of bicycles and reacquaint yourself with nature and the simple pleasures; what a romantic way to spend a Fall day!

Samantha's Food Fix- Billy's Banana Pudding


Billy's Bakery

We all love cupcakes these days. However, even though this trendy place is known as a cupcake place, the real bomb here are their banana desserts- the Banana Pudding- gooey pudding, lady fingers and large chunks of bananas as well as the Banana Cake- sugary banana icing on banana cake. If you really want your honey to love you, this is the perfect treat. Did I say yummy??

Samantha's Product Pick-- Peter Thomas Roth Un-wrinkle


Peter Thomas Roth Un-wrinkle Concealer and Brightener

You will love this product. It is a concealer and brightener in one and it really helps with those dark circles after a romantic night with your beau! And don't just take my word about it, it was also the winner of the Best Concealer in the Star Beauty Awards 2010. Don't forget to put the brightener right beneath your browline to give the appearance of your eye being lifted.

Samantha's Fashion Fix- Pamela Rowland


Pamela Rowland

If you are looking for feminine, sexy and romantic clothing, look no further than Pamela Rowland's Spring 2011 Spring line which we got the pleasure of viewing at a presentation at the Whitney Museum of Are. Don't miss my personal favorite was the gold lame one shouldered at the knee dress- a true show-stopper!