EATALY - Eat Italian

It is pretty clear that I have a very special place in my heart for Italian food, Italian wine, Italian culture (and Italian men!). So, when I was introduced to the biggest thing to hit Manhattan since Seamless Web I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to finally go there.

Eataly is quite frankly an Italian Mecca. Located in the heart of the Flat Iron District on 23rd and 5th, Eataly pretty much takes up the entire block. The genius idea and undertaking was partly down to MARIO BATALI. I shouldn't have to tell you who this man is, but for those of you that have been living under a rock and eating beans from a tin, I will explain as best I can. Mario Batali, in a nutshell, owns over fifteen restaurants- from locations in New York, Las Vegas and Las Angeles. He has written eight cookbooks and is most famously known in the USA for hosting Iron Chef America. His most recent success is Eataly in New York, which was brought over from the success of his Eataly locations in Italy.

Eataly combines a variety of experiences all under one magnificent roof. Its a supermarket, a wine bar, a pizzeria, an oyster bar, a cafe, a deli, a steakhouse, a pizzeria, a bakery, a patisserie, and even has its own separate kitchen for those boring vegetarians (no offence but I can't even begin to think of life without steak and cold meats!). There are many other sections that I have not mentioned but I have to leave some surprises for you as the treat about Eataly is being able to walk around the 32,000 square foot palace, while sipping on a glass of wine or Prosecco (yes that’s right, you can shop and drink at the same time)!

Another amazing factor of Eataly is that it is also a cooking school and you can take classes designed by the famous Chef Lidia Bastianich. I can’t think of a more appropriate place to learn about the best cuisine in the world and it is the next best thing to having a food education in Italy itself.

I have been several times in the past month, since I was first introduced to it and there is still so much I haven't experienced. Therefore, I am being a bad journalist at this point as there is only a little I can give first-hand critique on. Having said that I have no disappointments so far. The cafe which is located at the entrance transports you to the typical espresso cafe's that smother Italian streets, with a standing bar and an array of delicious coffee treats that puts Starbucks to shame. I have become a regular at their Pizzeria section and can always be found in the corner table with my friend, sipping on Faranghina and tucking in to their simple Margarita, which has such a great flavor there is no need to go overboard on the toppings.

The La Piazza takes up the centre of Eataly, which is always the most crowded so prepare to fight for space! It is covered in marble-top tables where happy consumers stand and sip wine with selections of authentic Italian cheeses and meats. You can try whatever you like and then before you head home stop off in their market and take your favorite selections home with you.

Eataly has something for everyone and anyone and just walking around brings such satisfaction - but it will be hard not to be tempted by the variety of scents and smells coming from each section - I applaud anyone that can take a stroll in Eataly and NOT taste or sample anything!

There is only one negative critique that I can think of - and that is that they deliver all the way to the Upper West Side -as it has seriously damaged my bank account and my diet!

Ciao for now!

The Raines Law Room

Another post dedicated to my best friend Ania for showing me another amazing place in the city! Wrote about it for Miss A but I loved it so much I want to post it on my blog too!!

I debated back and forth whether I wanted to write about this place. A part of me felt like its spark was the fact that it was so secret, but then another part of me felt like it was my duty as a future-food journalist to share my discovery.


My friend took me here on a whim last week and I have been thanking her everyday since. She kept repeating the words “secret”, “underground” and “hidden” so I was expecting some dodgy dive bar in the basement of a run down apartment building in the East Village. How wrong I was.

Just steps from Union Square on 17th Street, this sexy and mysterious lounge could easily go unnoticed. There is no sign outside that beckons you in, in fact there is no evidence whatsoever that you are steps away from one of New York’s most exciting bars. From the outside it is just steps down to what one could consider another apartment or office building service entrance. Upon going down the stairs you find you cannot open the door – instead, you must ring the doorbell and wait in the dark before you can enter.

A woman peers through the door crack and proceeds to open the door further. Immediately you are enticed by the warmth from the fire place, the velvet couches and chairs,the dark, intimate interior and the sounds of sophistication and charm. Already you know you are in the presence of an extraordinary place. You are truly transported back in time.



Once seated you can choose to pull the black, lace curtains around your individual seating area and really have a private gossip with your best friend or a romantic evening with your lover, without having to be embarrassed about a little bit of PDA. If you need your waitress to order one of many outstanding cocktails, simply pull the private buzzer by your table.

The drinks are all made in an open, marble and wood kitchen that you have to go through to find the eerie and candle-lit bathrooms. The whole experience is one-of-a kind. If you are looking for a place where you can have great conversation without screaming above the noise of other consumers and loud music – this is the place to go.



And for those of you who know The Raines Law Room well, and are shaking your fists at the screen at me for releasing the secret unto the world – don’t worry, the atmosphere there will not be ruined. If there are no seats for arriving guests, there will be sent away and called back when there is room! This is a no-standing lounge, which means no crowds and no interruptions…

WHERE:
Rains Law Room
48 West 17th Street (between 5th and 6th Ave)
New York, NY
reservations@rainslawroom.com

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday-Saturday: 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Sunday: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Reservations can only be made before 3 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays ONLY. Other days are first come, first served.

Win! Win! Win!

Ho!Ho!Ho! Here is an early Christmas present from Santa’s Little Elves at Flipkey.com! As this blog shows I am someone who loves to eat food from many different cultures and so I thought it was my duty to pass on the knowledge of this competition!

From now until January 10th you can enter to win a 7 NIGHT STAY in your choice of three luxury vacation homes in BALI, COSTA RICA or TUSCANY.

There are no catches here, it is just a little Holiday Spirit from Flipkey and it is completely free to enter! There is only one entry per participant but you receive an extra entry for any friend that you invite who enters the sweepstake as well – and I am sure if they win they will invite you along with them!

The lucky winner will not only win a week in one of the five star homes but also be allowed to bring up to TEN friends with them!

I urge you to enter this competition, as this prize really is once in a life time. You can enter through Flipkeys Facebook Page and choose one of these amazing vacations.

Here is a little bit about each choice.

Villa Les Rizieres, Bali
http://www.flipkey.com/bali-villa-rentals/p274479/
• 2 swimming pools
• Private tennis court
• Private cinema
• Car and driver
Within driving distance of the "Best Golf Course in Asia," this Balinese villa puts luxury and convenience at your fingertips. The house is surrounded by a tropical walking garden, and the grounds come complete with a tennis court and both indoor and outdoor pools.

Punto de Vista, Costa Rica
http://www.flipkey.com/manuel-antonio-villa-rentals/p237408/
• Breakfast included daily
• Rooftop cinema
• Butler and staff
• Secluded beach
• Swimming pool
Seeing is believing when it comes to the incredible panoramic views at Punto de Vista. This rainforest mansion overlooks a gorgeous golden-sand beach, and the local flora and fauna come right up to your door. Ten bedrooms provide enough space for you and your friends.

Villa Ferraia, Tuscany
http://www.flipkey.com/monticiano-villa-rentals/p295085/
• Infinity pool
• 3 stone soaking tubs
• Private observatory
• Professional-grade kitchen
• Sauna
This incredible estate in the beautiful Tuscan countryside can accommodate all your guests in comfortable suites that overlook impeccably landscaped grounds. Enjoy a private pool and roman baths, as well as a restaurant-grade kitchen where you can practice your favorite Italian dishes.

So, Good Luck Everyone! I have already entered myself and am really hoping to get another chance to see Tuscany!
Merry Christmas!

Plaza Food Hall by Todd English

I first moved to New York around this time six years ago, and I thought I was pretty clued up by now about the best places to eat and drink in the city. I guess that is what I love about New York – the fact that there is always a new restaurant or a new bar to be discovered! However, when it comes to The Plaza Hotel I assumed I knew everything about it – I love the architecture, the rooms, the furnishings, the shops, the banquet halls, the wedding’s held there and of course, the food and drink. But, as it turns out I was missing out on one of the best contributions the Plaza has given to New Yorkers: The Plaza Food Hall. I was a huge fan of The Oak Room, which unfortunately has closed for now, and I have really missed getting all dressed up and having an elegant evening drink with friends. I was given the best present the other day when my friend introduced me to the Plaza Food Hall. Hidden downstairs on the ground floor of the hotel is a large hall with high bars and chairs in the center. Surrounding the seating area is a huge array of delights; I didn’t know where to start! The Food Hall invites you to try everything they have to offer. Whatever you desire, they will have it. There is a sushi bar, a dumpling bar, a bakery, pizza, cheese and charcuterie, a grill, a market and a wine bar! Of course, I wanted to try everything but I settled with a Bellini, a two-way tuna roll and a slice of red velvet cake. The Bellini came in a very generous sized glass and could rival the Cipriani Bellini easily, the sushi was so fresh it melted in my mouth and the red velvet cake was so delicious I nearly cried – Magnolia Bakery has competition! But what was even more fantastic were the prices. Yes, the Oak Room was ridiculously expensive, but that is to be expected when dining at the Plaza’s infamous restaurant. Yet, the Plaza Food Hall gives you the sophistication and elegance but without clearing out your bank account. It is also has a much more welcoming and cozy atmosphere than you would expect and whether you are decked out to the nines or all cuddled up in a knit sweater and your Ugg boots, you will still feel at ease. With the Holiday Season coming up I cannot think of a better place to warm up and treat yourself or even take home their goodies to enjoy at home with your friends and family. I cannot wait to go back and try some more! WHERE: The Plaza Food Hall by Todd English One West 59th Street, Concourse Level New York, NY 10019 Ph. 212-986-9260 HOURS OF OPERATION: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

I Heart The Hart Agency

I am currently meant to be at work and doing a promotion downtown for Patron Tequila. But, I cricked my neck this morning and I am in so much pain and can hardly move my neck. So, I thought that instead of being at work I would blog about what I am meant to be doing!

I want to blog about my work at the Hart Agency for several reasons. The first is that I don't think a lot of people actually know what a promotional model actually does. I think it would be interesting for people to read what the work consists of. Secondly, working for Hart has actually been really helpful in my pursuit of a career in Food and Wine. I have also met some wonderful people and made great friends through the agency, for which I am really thankful!

I have been working with the Hart Agency for nearly a year and a half now and I have learned so much about the top wines and liquors on our shelves. I have been fortunate enough to work for and with some of the most prominent names in the business. Not only is it interesting and informative work, it is also a whole lot of fun! A promotional model at the Hart Agency is there to represent a certain brand, inform consumers about the product and give feedback about their responses. I mainly work at bars all over the city and promote liquors such as Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Patron, Ultimat Vodka, Pinnacle Vodka and other infamous brands. However, I have also been lucky enough to work at some really fun and special events, which have actually worked out well for my blog and my first few baby steps into the industry. Some of these events included; The Taste Of the Upper West Side, New York Food and Wine Festival and my favorite one to date; The James Beard Foundation Awards at the Lincoln Center (this is like the Oscar's of the food world!) Through these events I have met some very influential people in the business such as Food Journalist Adam Richman, as well as many editors of magazines like Bon Appétit and Food&Wine Magazine.

The bars and events that I have promoted at are all over the borough of Manhattan and even though I have lived in New York for so long now, I am still finding amazing venues and bar spots that I didn't know existed. For example, I worked many promotions at the Roosevelt Hotel, which gave me inspiration for an article I wrote for Miss A Woman's Online Magazine.

The Hart Agency has a team of fun, professional and hard-working people and I don't know many people who have such a good time at their work! Being part of the Hart Team also means you are invited to great parties and events that are held around the city; in the summer there was a Hudson River Cruise and every Christmas and Halloween parties for the models and their guests are organized.

The training is also one of my favorite parts of the job. Promotional models also learn to host Wine Tastings and many of the training programs mean we are given the opportunity to taste and sample a huge variety of wines, (it's an extra plus most of these trainings include cheese, crackers and even pizza!) I have learned so much about red and white wines from all over the world, which will be so useful to me in my future career.

Any of you who are reading this and want to be a part of the fun, email daryl@hartagencyny.com or take a look at the facebook page.

Here are some photos of me working --- not a bad job, eh?

And I'm Back!

Well, my last post was a lifetime ago. What with traveling back and forwards from Arizona and New York,an amazing summer in Tuscany with the fiancee and friends, a busy work life at the Hart Agency and midterm exams at school I have definitely been MIA! But, I am going to be making a much bigger effort from now on, I promise!


In the blogging world I haven't been doing too badly for myself. I recently received an email from the editor at FlipKey who saw Caitlin's Critique and is interested in me perhaps becoming a travel blogger for their website. I am incredibly excited about this, as apart from writing about food and wine, I love to travel and have definitely done my fair share of it in my 22 years!

As some of you may be unaware of I am planning on moving to Arizona when I graduate in May and so I will be looking for a writing job there. I still class myself as a passionate New Yorker and so my blog will still include areas of the Big Apple as well as some new insight into the dining and nightlife in Arizona. I couldn't have picked two contrasting areas!

I wanted to write a short post and update you on a few future blogs I am planning to write. Friends of mine in New York and friends that have visited me from England know that my favorite place to be on many a night is at Aged restaurant, a block away from my apartment. I am hoping an article about that will be posted on Miss A soon, so keep a look out!

As for Caitlin's Critique, watch this space, as there are many blog posts overdue. Halloween is coming up in a few days and unfortunately I will not be joining in on the festivities exactly, but will be promoting Jim Beam and Patron around the city!

Until next time, Happy Halloween!

Here are some photos of the amazing food I enjoyed in Italy this summer: (Photo Credit: Ania Wojcik)

Salumeria Rosi

I have recently just returned from spending two weeks in Italy. I completely indulged in the glorious food and wine the country had to offer, and so you can imagine my disappointment when I returned to JFK and saw the abundance of McDonalds and Subways lining my way to arrivals. However, as sad as I am not to be walking through the villages of Tuscany and enjoying a glass of wine and antipasti with a view of the Mediterranean- all is not lost thanks to the Salumeria Rosi Parmacotta. Italian restaurants are not scarce in New York City, perhaps they are even as common as a Starbucks, however the authenticity of Italian food is harder to find. With the restaurant having a location in Parma, Italy which is famous for Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano, you can be assured you will be truly having a taste of Italy in their wines, meats and cheeses. It is not just the food that makes this restaurant authentic – it is the atmosphere, decor and dining experience. Salumeria Rosi has really captured the essence and style of a cute, rustic, deli and wine bar. It is small, warm and inviting, with a strong, enticing smell wafting from the kitchen. The deep reds and colorful displays of all the meat and produce will take you out of New York, and transports you to Under The Tuscan Sun. This restaurant does not do over-indulgent ‘Super Size’ plates. In fact, it is much more the place to go to taste and try new flavors, new foods and have several small plates. The restaurant really urges you to explore their entire menu and make selections from meat, cheese, pastas, and other delights. My favorite touch on the menu is how they phonetically spell out the Italian names of the meats, dishes, etc so you can order with a perfect Italian pronunciation! The Chef, Cesare Casella, is not only a wonder in the kitchen, a true-blooded Italian and the dean of the Italian Culinary Academy at the International Culinary Center, he also is involved in many charities. I urge you all to go to this little slice of Tuscan Heaven and if you love it there as much as I do, you will be happy to know that you can get your daily meats from there as well to take home and share! Buon Appetito! Salumeria Rosi Pamacotta 283 Amsterdam Ave (nr. 73rd St.) New York, NY 10023 Ph. 212-877-4800