Antonelli’s – Austin

austin, fun, Uncategorized

Mmmmmmm Cheeeeeeeese…. Who doesn’t love cheese?! I can’t even associate with you if you say you don’t like cheese. For those “lactose intolerant” – it’s simply a state of mind. Now that we’re all on the same page, I have a cheesy suggestion for you. (No pun intended) Antonelli’s Cheese Shop in Austin hosts cheese classes. Perfect for a date or girls night out.

It’s about an hour and a half class learning about the origin of the cheese you are sampling while sipping on wine. They have pairing suggestions, provide snacks such as almonds and olives, and unlimited bread.

The class is what you make of it – learn as much as you want or you’re just in it for the food. No matter what you’re looking for it’s a fun evening.

TIP: If you want to continue to party after class, head next door to Uncle Nicky’s for gelato and an aperitif.

Ladurée – NYC

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SOHO’s tea room, modeled after the Champs-Élysées flagship, this downtown outpost from the famed Parisian macaron house functions as both a pastry shop and a full-service restaurant and courtyard. The interior – decorated with ornate chandeliers and gold-trimmed curtains offering French accented dishes like foie gras and caviar, makes for the most luxurious tea time. It’s a NYC must visit!

FACT: Famous French pastry chef, Pierre Desfontaines, of the French pâtisserie Ladurée, is credited with the creation of the macaron in the early part of the 20th century.

FUN FACT: Ladurée made the pastries for the film Marie Antoinetts and its famous macarons can be seen in a scene between Marie Antoinette and Ambassador Mercy. They can also be seen in The CW’s hit teen drama Gossip Girl as Blair Waldorf’s favorite pastries. Duchess Meghan made a surprise visit to NYC for a Girls’ Trip & Baby Shower at Ladurée.

TIP: Request to sit in the courtyard for afternoon tea. If you can’t get a reservation or find a seat at a quick service table, grab a seat at the bar in the courtyard and enjoy the elegant ambiance.

‘Tis the Season for Charcuterie

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Meat? Good. Cheese? Good. Bread. Gooooood! Everyone loves a charcuterie platter. There’s something for everyone and it’s the easiest thing to put together. Originated by the French, of course they have their own rules and proper guidelines to creating this delectable treat but they are notoriously known for unnecessary steps in baking. Americans are known for finding the shortcut. There’s so many blogs with recipes to create a charcuterie board but there are no rules and no wrong way to make one (In America that is.)

Just follow our easy steps to putting together an epic treat.

Step 1 – get a cutting board or platter. Step 2 – get delicious food. Step 3 – assemble.

Badda bing badda boom. You’re done and everyone’s happy. It’s simply using your creative side that really makes it a charcuterie platter. Add some greens, nuts, dried fruits, and other accoutrements to bring it to the next level.

It is one of our favorite things to snack on or enjoy as a meal. Make one for your party or bring one as a gift to your next event.

Customized Ice Cream Sandwiches in Austin and NYC.

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The Baked Bear in Austin, TX:

First stop – The Baked Bear in Austin. Home made and high quality with lots of options. Choose your cookie, pick your ice cream and add all the toppings!

Tip: You can order a brownie and a cookie for your ice cream sandwich if you can’t decide. Great photo op with their Cookie Monster neon sign!

Sherry B Dessert Studio in New York City, NY.

Pastries meet ice cream! The Food Network named Sherri B’s one of the “Best Cookie Bakeries in the Country” with its signature ice cream cake sandwiches, stuffed brownies, home-made marshmallows and ice cream. The cookie bar features cookies, brownies and cake stuffed with your flavor of ice cream and toppings.

Tip: They serve booze! They also have giant sized ice cream sandwiches and s’mores. Great idea for a unique birthday cake.

New Brunch Spot: Arlo Grey

austin, drinks, fun

Top Chef Winner, Kristen Kish opens Austin’s newest restaurant, Arlo Grey located in Downtown Austin in The Line Hotel. Initially opened for dinner now has brunch.

Super trendy vibe and chic decor at Arlo Grey. Great place for brunch with the tribe and to get some great instagram pics.

It’s not brunch unless there’s alcohol and Arlo Grey serves a Bloody Mary we haven’t seen anywhere else. You become the bartender as it’s a DIY Bloody Mary. We scratched our heads over this but gave it a thumbs up since it’s tasty and specifically made for instagram.

They serve simple morning breakfast items like eggs and bacon and classic drinks at the bar such as an Old Fashioned. As well as delicious items you don’t see on many menus like their chickpea fries or a burger salad.

Tip: Get a great photo op in the bathroom.

  • (The Bathroom)

TREND ALERT: Sgroppino is the new Aperol Spritz.

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We’re calling it now! Sgroppino is the next IT drink for brunching. Bellini’s, Mimosa’s and Frosé all had a good run. Aperol is amazing but it too will have its end. Sgroppino is the next thing and you heard it here first. 

We’re so sure of this because we are brunch connoiseurs. We’re as basic as it comes – We watch the bachelor, we keep up with the Kardashians, we love avocado toast, drink Starbucks lattes, wear Uggs, we can’t even, and we brunch like it’s our job.

As professional brunchers aka acceptable day drinking for the fabulous – a chic alcoholic beverage is essential. It started with a Mimosa but has since then expanded. There was the Rosé era turned into Frosé. More recently the Aperol spritz has hit the brunch scene. Aperol came from Italy and they’re bringing Sgroppino too. 

So what is Sgroppino? It’s simply lemon sorbet, Prosecco and vodka mixed together until it has a creamy texture. 

Any other variation is not a Sgroppino. It’s super smooth and creamy but there is not any dairy in this. It will be whisked together to get the proper texture and should not be blended. A scoop of sorbet or ice cream plopped in Prosecco can not be considered a Sgroppino either. That’s more of an Affogato style. 

Be on the lookout for this drink in the states this summer. Cheers! 

FREE in NYC

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  1. Pret a Manger – FREE drink at Pret this week when you buy a breakfast item OR download the app and to get a free drink.
  2. Godiva – FREE truffle every month when you sign up for the rewards club but must spend $10 to activate.
  3. Hershey – FREE chocolate at Hershey in Times Square. When? Always. How? Just walk in the store.
  4. Lindt – FREE Chocolate when you walk into any store location.
  5. Sugarfina – FREE gummy bear sample at Sugarfina NYC – all locations when you walk in store.
  6. Noosa – FREE Noosa but must be on the lookout for ambassadors handing them out on the street and grab as many as you want.
  7. Economist – FREE Coffee and sometimes food. Location varies as the food truck switches it up between Bryant Park and Union Square.

FREE in Austin

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  1. Gourdough’s – Freebies promised at the Gourdough’s Super Bowl watch party on Sunday, February 3 from 4-10pm.
  2. Fareground at One Eleven – FREE party at Fareground on Sunday, February 3 starting at 3pm. Event is free with drink and food specials.
  3. Blenders and Bowls – FREE 8oz. Acai bowl on Tuesday, February 5th from 2-5pm at the Guad location.
  4. Amy’s Ice Cream – FREE ice cream on Tuesday, February 5th from 4-7pm at any Amy’s location.

Freebie Alerts:

  1. Uncle Nicky’s – Grand Opening Monday February 4th. Possibility for FREEBIES.

NYC Valentine’s Day Guide

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Single and celebrating Galentine’s Day? Deeply in love looking for a romantic evening? Or going on a Tinder date? We’ve got you covered! Everyone seems to scramble last minute to figure out plans for February 14th. Don’t break a sweat because we have some suggestions for you.

First off we’d like to address how Austinites seem to love this Hallmark holiday while the East Coast has a very cynical outlook on it. They’re just happy it falls on a Thursday this year so it doesn’t ruin their weekend. So to help out the New Yorkers on this pink and red, heart-shaped holiday, we have the fun, the romantic, and the trendy spots for you. 

NYC:

Museum of Sex – Let’s start with the fun/cheesy one. It’s a museum of inappropriateness and lots of giggles. Ummm… and they have a bar. You bet they have a Valentine’s Day special. It’s a bit steep at $105 per ticket and I can’t really justify it so maybe just buy the $20 general admission and go to Eataly after. Also, Shake Shack and Tacombi are nearby. 

Venchi – Your Willy Wonka Dreams have come true with the largest chocolate waterfall in North America. Newly opened and the hottest spot since the Nutella Cafe, this Italian sweet shop will wow you and give you diabetes all at the same time. Serving gelato, crepes, coffee and of course lots of chocolate. 

Winter Village – Want an activity? Head to Bryant Park for some ice skating. If you think ice skating is lame or you just don’t feel like face planting that evening, they have bumper cars for the rink. That’s right – bumper cars! They have tons of shops and food options as well – all instagram worthy. If you’re getting too cold in this polar vortex, go grab a warm seat at the enclosed bar called The Lodge. 

LROOM Cafe – Treat yo self with the finest latte – a 24k Gold Latte that is. It’s called the “Bling Bling Honey Latte” and it’s made with edible glitter and kicks golden milk made with turmeric to the curb. What started as a flower shop, has added a cafe with beautiful concoctions almost too pretty to eat (aka perfect for instagram.) They’ve created pastries, waffles and drinks made to  resemble floral arrangements. We recommend this place for the single ladies where you can get something better than flowers and jewelry – *edible* flowers and jewelry. 

1803NYC – This was added to the list because it’s NYC’s hottest restaurant right now. Newly open with a New Orleans’ vibe and a strong culinary scene that’s creating tons of buzz. Get more than dinner and drinks, stay for the live Jazz which is making a huge comeback these days appealing to younger crowds. 

PHD – A pop up roof top bar with an interesting acronym but actually stands for Penthouse at the Dream. We have a soft spot for The Dream. We’ve been going there since we looked old enough to be there. Now the Dream has a great new rooftop which you can never have enough in any city. 

Summer Vibes in Winter

austin, drinks, food, fun, nyc

The holiday season is over, the festive lights have come down, no more tinsel and ornaments. Mid January becomes such a depressing time of year when all the decorations are taken down. The next holiday being Valentines day doesn’t seem to help things especially for the singles out there. A vacation is always a solution but we have another idea. Summer bars in the winter! There are plenty of heated patios or enclosed rooftops but we know a place in NYC and Austin that gives you beach vibes even in this cold weather.

New York City

Head over to this post-modern Polynesian inspired tiki restaurant and acclaimed cocktail bar, Mother of Pearl. This chic tiki bar serves wild drinks – a bloody shark cocktail, pineapple cider garnished with tropical flowers, and even a drink that’s on fire! Those are just to name a few. They have the ultimate fried guac and chips platter which you can find on the menu under “Tropical Guacamole.” Mother of Pearl is the best vegan restaurant to take a non vegan. As meat eaters, we didn’t even realize it was a vegan restaurant until we were told. Point proven. This East Village bar takes you miles away from the cold city and transports you to vacation mode.

Tip: Here’s our helpful tip when visiting – If you can’t get a reservation or find a seat at the bar, sit at the communal table. There will always be a seat for walk-ins.

Austin

Our Austin recommendation is Kitty Cohen’s. No, you’re not on the set of Golden Girls or visiting Palm Springs in your DeLorean. We double checked our location and what year it is and this bar is located in East Austin present day. This sun-drenched sip of nostalgia gives 70’s Cali vibes as you sit on the patio bar enjoying the wading pool. They serve spritzers and beachy cocktails with fun names to go with them. This bar is the coolest of cool with pink flamingos, palm tree wall paper and Burt Reynolds. It’s endless summer vibe feels like you’re on vacation no matter the weather. 

Tip: Make sure to check upcoming events as they host a pop up kitchen at the bar by the wading pool. Also, visit their website to become a Room 101 club member to get the exclusive (and a keychain).