You’re in the midst of planning the perfect wedding. You’ve got the venue selected, your dress fitted, invites sent, and photographer booked. But one of the most important aspects of the perfect wedding is having the perfect food. 2013 saw the rise in food trucks, dressed up comfort foods, theme parties, and statement wedding cakes. Some of these trends will carry on into 2014, while others will fizzle out. Here’s what’s hot for 2014:
Nostalgic Comfort Foods
One of the most popular current wedding food trends is recreating childhood favorite comfort foods and dressing them up into classy hors d’oeuvres that guests of all ages will enjoy. Mini grilled cheese sandwiches served with shots of tomato basil soup are a hit amongst children and adults alike. You can add a personalized touch by serving sandwiches with different kinds of cheeses and toppings, such as bacon or tomato. Sliders and waffle fries are also a great option, as well as mini mac and cheese.
Offering nostalgic finger food on the menu also creates a great opportunity for guests to walk around and mingle versus the traditional sit-down dinner. Serving gourmet classic comfort food in a bite-sized package adds a hint of creative nostalgia to an otherwise formal occasion and is a trend that will continue in 2014.
Theme Parties
With the release of the blockbuster hit The Great Gatsby, it’s no surprise that 2013 was flush with Gatsby-themed parties. However, it’s not just Gatsby that’s taking the wedding world by storm. Rustic themed, ethnic themed, and even bacon themed weddings were extremely popular this year. Though the Gatsby/roaring 20’s theme will fizzle out, custom theme weddings are here to stay.
Theme weddings are hugely customizable, and the chosen theme can be implemented as little or as much as you like. From colors to table settings to attire, each aspect of the wedding can be personalized to fit the bride and groom’s passions. If you’re not ready to commit to a fully themed wedding, why not try out a flavor-themed dinner? Choose your favorite flavor and incorporate it into each menu item. For example, a bacon-themed menu could include bacon-wrapped scallops, bacon-wrapped chicken breasts served with Brussels sprouts with bacon, and maple glazed donuts with bacon bits for dessert.
Whether it’s serving ethnic food to stay true to your cultural roots, hosting a traditional British tea party, or choosing a favorite food to be featured in the menu, such as bacon or truffle, themed menus and weddings are a trend to keep an eye on next year.
Brunch
A very important aspect of the perfect wedding is staying within the budget. One way cost-conscious brides are achieving this is by having a morning wedding and serving brunch at the reception rather than lunch or dinner. Weddings in the afternoon or evening are generally more expensive, so many brides are embracing the idea of brunch instead. Brunch is the perfect opportunity to allow your guests to customize their own meals while also keeping the budget in mind. Why not include a bloody Mary bar with all the fixings, or mimosa stations with different types of fresh squeezed juices? Omelet bars and pancake or waffle stations can be as simple or gourmet as you’d like. These types of DIY bars create an interactive experience and guarantee that your guests will love the food since they’ll be able to choose the ingredients that they like. The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving brunch, and this is a trend that will surely take off in 2014.
2013 was a big year for statement cakes, especially with the rise of the ombre trend. Hand-painted cakes, extravagant ruffles and decorations, and bold shades were very popular this year. However, more and more brides are shying away from the traditional wedding cake and opting to serve different kinds of desserts instead. If cake isn’t your dessert of choice, there’s no reason to include it on the menu for tradition’s sake.
Similar to the extremely popular cupcake wedding “cake” from previous years, macaron cakes and crepe cakes are trending this coming year. You can take your favorite dessert and turn it into your perfect wedding “cake” or dessert station. Doughnut cakes and brownie cakes served with coffee or ice cream, or a s’mores bar or cookie decorating station are all great ways to break away from the traditional wedding cake and add a personalized touch to the dessert portion of your wedding.
Whether you choose to keep it casual by serving classic comfort food in finger food form, or take a trend full-on by hosting a themed wedding, keep in mind that this is your special day and everything can be customized to fit your tastes. Let us know what you think of these trends and which ones you’ll choose for your wedding!
Article Name
Upcoming Wedding Food Trends for 2014
Description
Wedding food trends and ideas for 2014, including comfort food, theme parties, non-traditional desserts, and brunch. See what's popular in the wedding food world for the upcoming year.
1 lb. mixed seafood (shrimp, calamari, salmon and prawns)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Sliced bread for serving
Directions
Tuscan Seafood Stew
Cut the onion on a cutting board very finely and mince the garlic.
In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently until the onions are translucent.
Stir in the chili flakes and dried paprika powder.
Add the tomato sauce, and stir, cooking for 1 minute.
Stir in the mixed seafood and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Add the water, scraping off any bites from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer until the water has almost entirely evaporated.
Add the diced cherry tomatoes along with the vegetable stock and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in lemon juice and serve in a nice serving dish with fresh lemon and slices of bread.
No, your eyes are not deceiving you. I really did just say that this post is titled "Triple Chocolate Chunk Muffins." And I will also tell you that they are fabulous. Moist and delicious and (according to my husband) they only taste "slightly" healthy. But guess what? They are healthy!
I had a friend ask me recently what I do about dessert. How do I manage to say no to all of the deliciousness in this world? I told her that I don't cut out dessert. But when you can find things that you can eat for dessert that leave you feeling better afterwards instead of worse, when you can find things that you can eat that are good for you and don't make you feel guilty - THAT is the kind of dessert I want! And these muffins fit into that category.
I am not sure how this girl got her muffins to look so pretty. Mine were not nearly as pretty looking as hers. But they tasted delicious. I used 1/4 cup stevia and 1 Tbsp honey as my sweetener. They tasted like a pretty rich and dark chocolate. If you used agave nectar or only honey then I think that they would taste like a lighter chocolate. I love dark chocolate and so this was right up my alley.
I would ABSOLUTELY suggest that you follow her suggestions for the chocolate chips. Don't add them all at once - they sink to the bottom of the bowl really fast. Adding them to the top later gives you an excellent distribution of the chocolate chips. What this meant for mine was that there was the infusion of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with each decadently moist bite of rich dark chocolate muffin. Yum yum yum!
I will be repeating this recipe in my house for SURE! Try it and see if you like it as well!
1/2 tsp cream of tartar (or 1-1/2 Tbsp. vinegar) (I used the vinegar)
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup hot water
1 cup sugar substitute OR 1/4 cup + 2 tbs stevia (I used ¼ cup stevia and 1 Tbsp honey)
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with foil cupcake liners, or spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a blender, (or food processor), mix all of the ingredients together, except for the chocolate chips. Blend until oats are ground and mixture is smooth. (I am wondering if following these directions exactly is the reason my muffins didn't "fluff" as much as hers... I think next time I will mix together all of the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients separately before blending them in my blender.)
Place mixture in a bowl and gently stir in 1/2 of the chocolate chips (set the rest aside). Scoop mixture into prepared muffin pans.
Place muffins tins in the oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove muffins from the oven (but don’t shut oven off), and distribute the other half of the chocolate chips on top of each muffin.
Place the muffins back into the oven and bake for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. *Note, you could skip this step by putting all of the chips in the batter, and baking the muffins for 12-15 min straight, but this method gives the muffins the traditional ‘VitaTop Muffin’ look with the chocolate chips on top!
Servings: 12 Big Muffins or 24 Smaller Muffins
Calories: 116 Calories Per Muffin or 58 Calories Per Muffin
Das super cremige, süße und wunderbar schmeckende Dessert „Sex auf dem Teller“ bietet eine gute Möglichkeit, süße Freude zu machen.
ZUTATEN
Für den Teig:
Für die Quark-Creme:
Für die Vanille-Creme:
Für die Schoko-Creme:
Zum Schluss:
Alle Zutaten für den Teig in einer Schüssel mischen und in eine Backform gut hineindrücken. Im vorgeheizten Backofen bei 180° ca. 20 Minuten backen.
Den Pudding kochen: vom Milch 5 EL abnehmen und Puddingpulver und Zucker anrühren. Das angerührte Puddingpulver in die restliche, kochende Milch unterrühren, zum Kochen bringen und solange kochen, bis er dickflüssig wird. Abkühlen lassen. Anschließend den Schmand unterrühren und nochmals gut durchrühren. (Falls man eine dickere Creme haben möchten, kann man den Pudding aus nur 400 ml zubereiten.)
Fresh and Delicious The Traditional Homemade Sicilian Sausage my Grandfather made has always surpassed the store bought kind. I've always had this recipe for this great tasting sausage but never had the time to make it. The flavor of the Homemade Sicilian Sausage depends on the region and the family recipe. Each town or each home would produce a different type of family sausage. The type of meat varied as well as the spice mixture that was used. Each home would at least have one thing in common and that would be the sausage grinder and stuffing machine.
This recipe for Homemade Sicilian Sausage will take some time and effort to perfect. Just make sure you always get the whole family involved when preparing this recipe or for that matter, any great Italian meal. Good Luck!
INGREDIENTS
25 pounds of pork shoulder pork casings (get from butcher)
1/4 cup of whole fennel seed 1/2 cup of fresh ground black pepper
3/4 cup of salt
1/2 cup of paprika
1/4 cup of dried basil
1/8 cup of dried oregano
1/2 cup of fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/4 cup of garlic, chopped
1/4 cup of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup of red wine
PREPARATION
The casings overnight in salt water.
Before using the casing rinse well and cut into 18 inch pieces.
Keep the casings in a small bowl of warm water.
Cut the pork into 1 inch cubes keeping some fat on the meat so the meats stays moist.
The best ratio to this is 80% meat 20% fat.
Using the meat grinding attachment, grind the meat into a ground pork type texture.
In a large, deep pan season the meat with the remaining ingredients and thoroughly mix together by hand until all the spices are blended through.
For best results I like to refrigerate the mixture overnight t let the spices blend.
Take the meat out of the fridge and let it stand for about 30 minutes to reach room temperature. It makes stuffing a lot easier and doesn't clog up the tube.
Test the flavor of the sausage by frying some up in a pan. Adjust seasoning accordingly before stuffing.
Using a tube attachment, carefully slide the casing on the tube. Stuff the casing with sausage mixture being careful not break the casing.
Remove any air bubbles with a toothpick. This is a two person job. One to turn the crank to stuff the sausage and one to hold the sausage as it's being made.
Twist the casing around every 7 inches or however long you want. Don't forget to click on the logo below and subscribe to my NEW NEWSLETTER
That's a discovery! That' Italian! That's Great-Chicago-Italian-Recipes.com
A tous les amoureux de Tiramisu et de Nutella, je propose une recette rapide et simple qui fera à coup sûr son petit effet en fin de repas. Attention dessert copieux!
Il vous faut:
3 œufs
250 g de mascarpone
80 g de sucre
Nutella selon vos goûts
Boudoirs
Amandes effilées
1 tasse de café
Séparer les blancs des jaunes d’œufs.
D'un côté, battre les blancs en neige ferme.
De l'autre, fouetter les jaunes d’œuf avec le sucre jusqu’à ce que le mélange blanchisse.
Ajouter le mascarpone au mélange jaunes d’œufs/sucre jusqu'à obtenir un mélange lisse. Puis, ajouter les blancs en neige délicatement.
Couper les boudoirs de façon à ce qu'ils remplissent le diamètre de votre verrine. Tremper les rapidement dans le café et tapissez le fond.
Faire fondre le Nutella au micro-onde (en oubliant pas d'enlever tout l'alu sur le pourtour).
Recouvrir les boudoirs de Nutella (environ 2 bonnes cuillères à café) puis de crème mascarpone. En alternant plusieurs étages ou pas si vous préférez avoir plus de mascarpone.
En déco, pour changer de l'habituel cacao en poudre, j'aime bien mettre des amandes effilées, des pépites de chocolat ou de nougatine. Et pour les plus gourmands une barre de Kinder !!!
A delicious Tourtiere Canadian Wagyu Meat Pie recipe. The Fullblood Wagyu beef is seasoned in various spices and combined with potatoes before being baked into a homemade pie crust. For a comforting meal, we highly recommend this recipe!
2 lbs. Double 8 Cattle Company Fullblood Wagyu Ground Beef
2 tbsp. Grapeseed Oil
1 Yellow Onion ( small diced )
3 Garlic Cloves ( minced )
1 lb. Ground Pork
1 cup Yukon Potatoes ( medium diced )
1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. Oregano
1 1/2 tsp. Mustard Powder
1/2 tsp. All Spice
1/2 tsp. Cloves
1 tsp. Dried Sage
1 tsp. Dried Thyme
2 tsp. Coarse Salt
1/2 cup Beef Stock
3 tbsp. Flour
Egg Wash ( 1 Egg and 1 TSP Cold Water )
Pie Dough:
1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
3/4 cup Cold Butter ( cut into small pieces )
2 tbsp. Ice Water
PREPARING THE PIE FILLING
Preheat the oven to 375 ̊F.
Coat the Yukon gold potatoes with grapeseed oil, and place them in the oven.
Welcome to Best Bites, a twice-weekly video series that aims to satisfy your never-ending craving for food content through quick, beautiful videos for the at-home foodie. Check back on Tuesdays and Thursdays for new episodes!
Light, fluffy and delectably green, this pistachio cake is super easy to make.
Ingredients
For cake:
1 white cake mix
1 small (3.4 ounce) package of pistachio instant pudding
1 1/4 cup water
1/3 cup sour cream
3 large eggs
For frosting:
½ cup whipping cream
2 cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter
1 small (3.4 ounce) package of pistachio instant pudding
chopped pistachios
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix and pistachio instant pudding.
Add the water, sour cream, and eggs. Using a hand mixer, stir all ingredients for one minute on high speed.
Spray some oil on two round cake pans. Evenly pour the cake into the two pans.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
When the cake is completely cooled, make the frosting.
Make frosting:
In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, combine the powdered sugar, pudding mix, whipping cream, butter and salt.
Whip everything until you get stiff peaks with the whipping cream (about 3-5 minutes on high). You want the frosting to be thick and spreadable.
Cut the top off of each cake, making them flat. Put the bottom layer of cake on a cake stand. Add about 1 cup of the frosting mixture on top of the cake and spread until even.
Put the top layer of cake on, and apply the frosting to the top and sides of the cake. Embellish the cake with chopped pistachios.
New York in December. There’s really no place like it! Every year I fall more and more in love with the city in all its festive glory. I’ve been getting so many messages and requests asking for recommendations and tips for what to wear when visiting in December so here you have it: The Ultimate New York City Holiday Guide.
I tried to make this as comprehensive as possible including the quintessential tourist attractions (I honestly have nothing against these and shamelessly have indulged in them myself) along with the places and restaurants locals will frequent for their fill of Christmas cheer. Enjoy!
PS if you’re interested in seeing my general New York recommendations make sure you peek at my NYC Guide, which can be found here.
So you’ve figured out what you want to do in New York… Now what to wear? It normally doesn’t snow in December (I can only remember once in the last five years) but it is cold. The temperature can range anywhere from the 30’s to the 50’s but if there’s wind it can feel colder. If you aren’t used to the climate, I’d make sure you bring a reliable and warm winter coat (like a down or puffer) and a hat, gloves, and scarf. Also comfortable shoes for walking is key. In the winter I live in short booties like these (on casual days) and then over the knee boots for when I’m trying to dress up.
COZY LAYERS
WINTER COATS
COLD WEATHER ACCESSORIES
STYLISH WINTER-APPROPRIATE BOOTS
GO SEE A HOLIDAY SHOW
MY RECOMMENDATIONS…
The Nutcracker
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Saks 5th Avenue Light Show
I’ve seen both The Nutcracker and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and can guarantee you’ll leave each performance feeling all the holiday vibes. I personally prefer The Nutcracker– I grew up taking dance classes and the New York City Ballet is one of the best companies in the world. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is definitely something you should see at least once, but it’s 100% catered to tourists. Radio City Music Hall is huge (bring your glasses if you wear them) and they allow guests to take photos during the show. This is a pro and con because yes, you can take pictures for the memories, but it’s really annoying when you have someone in front with their phone or camera out. If you have kids, definitely opt for the Christmas Spectacular over The Nutcracker.
For some budget-friendly entertainment I’d highly recommend stopping by Saks 5th Avenue to watch the light show. This stunning (free!) light show plays on a loop to festive music every evening on the facade of the 5th Avenue store between 49th & 50th streets.
INDULGE IN A SHAMELESS HOLIDAY PHOTO OPP
MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SELFIE SPOTS…
Christmas Tree at the Lotte New York Palace(everyone Instagrams this– go early if you want a photo with no one else in background)
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree (always packed with tourists but one of those things you just have to see– the ice skating rink is right there too!)
Top Of The Rock(one of the best views of New York where you can see the Empire State Building and the entire downtown skyline)
Central Park(so many spots for photos and deceptively large: my favorite places are Gapstow Bridge for a great view of The Plaza Hotel, The Mall for a walk underneath the towering elm trees, and the famous Bow Bridge or lesser known Oak Bridge for beautiful views of the lake.)
Grand Central Station(I find Grand Central so magical and it always takes my breath away especially at the holidays when they put up the Christmas wreaths. It’s worth going just to get a picture from the second-level balcony, but if you have more time check out the Grand Central Market and other foodie spots and shops in the terminal.)
Christmas Tree at the Washington Square Park Arch (equally pretty during the day, but also at night when it’s lit up!)
Cartier Store (you can’t miss the gift wrapped-storefront on 5th Avenue– it’s by far my favorite holiday photo opp)
I have no shame when it comes to indulging in cheesy photo opps and over the years have gathered lots of festive snaps at various decorated spots in the city. It’s convenient that most of these photos opps are located all within walking distance in Midtown. If you’re looking for the perfect shot, my best advice is to always start your day early in the morning before crowds arrive.
EXPLORE DECORATED HOTEL LOBBIES
THE MOST FESTIVE HOTELS…
The Plaza Hotel
Lotte New York Palace
The Peninsula
The St. Regis
The Baccarat
Gramercy Park Hotel
New York hotels love to go all out with incredible decorations at the holidays. If you’re looking to kill some time without spending money, it’s a lot of fun just walking around exploring hotel lobbies in their festive splendor. The famed Christmas tree in the courtyard that everyone Instagrams can be found at the Lotte New York Palace. The Peninsula also always has amazing decorations adorning the exterior of the hotel which makes for a great shot. Hotels are always great pitstops for bathroom breaks or grabbing a cocktail or coffee too.
PEEP THE MIDTOWN DEPARTMENT STORE HOLIDAY WINDOWS
DEPARTMENT STORES WITH DISPLAYS…
Bergdorf Goodman
Saks Fifth Avenue
Barney’s
Bloomingdales
Lord & Taylor
Macy’s
Tiffany & Co.
You can’t come to New York and not peek at the department store holiday window displays. Again, I’d recommend doing this early because the streets can become mobbed with tourists. You can also knock out some of your holiday shopping at the same time
GRAB A FESTIVE DRINK
BARS & RESTAURANTS THAT EMBRACE ALL THE HOLIDAY CHEER…
Rolf’s
It’s a shameless tourist spot, but it’s worth going once for a drink and to get a photo of the ornament-adorned ceiling. I’d try to make a reservation if you can (I attempted to last year but no one ever picked up the phone.) If you don’t have a reservation, I’d recommend going on a weekday or as early as possible. Last year Nick and I went at 11AM on a Sunday and had to wait in line for over 30 minutes.
King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel
Apparently this is where the bloody mary was invented! It’s fancy and pricey, but the holiday decor is always on point and any meal will become a special memory.
The Bar at the Baccarat Hotel
Expensive, over-the-top and worth every penny. The quintessential fancy New York bar, but minus the snobby attitude. Here you’ll find welcoming top notch service and the most amazing cocktails you’ll ever taste. The location is right in central midtown and convenient to many of New York’s festive spots.
The Lodge at Bryant Park Winter Village
Nick and I grabbed drinks and dessert here for the first time last year and were pleasantly surprised by the service and ambiance! It’s a great place to go with friends and family if you’re skating in Bryant Park or browsing the shops.
SERRA at Eataly Rooftop
Every winter Eataly transforms their rooftop into an alpine ski lodge with sheepskin rugs & throws, Christmas trees and festive decor. The vibe is really fun and upbeat so it’s a great place for groups or to grab a drink with your boo. I’d HIGHLY recommend only going for drinks at the bar and to take a photo of the decorations. The food is incredibly subpar and not worth the money especially when there are so many other great options nearby!
The NoMad Hotel Bar
This is hands down my favorite upscale bar in the city year-round. Nick and I go all the time and have never been disappointed. The drinks are expensive ($20 a cocktail) but in our opinion completely worth it, especially if you can grab a spot next to the cozy fireplace. The bartenders (who all wear suspenders & bowties) are extremely knowledgable and every drink is meticulously crafted. It’s definitely a place to go if you want to be impressed and feel super chic in a Great Gatsby-esque cocktail estabishment. There’s a small food menu for bar patrons, but if you really want to go all out dine in the hotel restaurant. We celebrated Nick’s birthday there two years in a row and had some of the best food we’ve ever eaten in New York.
The Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel
The Rose Bar is another one of my go-to fancy cocktail spots. The hotel itself is beautiful and has a roaring fireplace in the lobby perfect for warming up on a cold night. It is a bit of a celebrity/fashion crowd hotspot so there is a a door policy on busy nights and weekends. To avoid any snootiness or having to wait in line, I’d recommend going on a weeknight or in the evening before 10PM.
The Campbell
A classic cozy bar right in Grand Central station– who knew? The Campbell is a New York institution with a rich history dating back to the 1920s. It’s the perfect place to hide from chilly weather while you’re bopping around Midtown.
Dear Irving
I just discovered this speakeasy-type bar in Gramercy (right down the street from The Rose Bar) and I’m obsessed. It’s tiny and a bit secretive, so you need to make a reservation in advance. The cocktails are amazing and the vibe is so cool– you literally will feel like you’ve stepped back in time! To order drinks you have to press a brass button on the wall next to your table to call a waitress. When I went we ordered a few small bites, which were also very yummy.
Tiny’s
You have to stop in Tiny’s if you’re downtown in Tribeca. Located in a cute historic pink townhouse, Tiny’s has two different bar areas so you can go and post up for a drink or sit down for a meal (they serve brunch too!) The menu and decor is very rustic and all-American. It works as a date spot or a great place to go with your girlfriends!
One If By Land, Two If By Sea
While it may be known for it’s delicious dining and romantic ambiance, One If By Land, Two If By Sea has an equally impressive bar and drink menu. When we went for Nick’s birthday a few weeks ago, I had an incredible mezcal, pear and egg white cocktail that I’m still thinking about. There’s also a live classical pianist playing by the bar, so even if you aren’t going to eat it’s worth stopping in for a drink.
Dead Rabbit
If you’re looking for somewhere with an old school, Irish pub vibe then come here. It’s way downtown in the Financial District but within short walking distance of all major subway lines and the South street Seaport (an up-and-coming neighborhood with great food and shopping.) Apparently Dead Rabbit has the largest whiskey collection in America and Forbes even named it the “World’s Best Bar” in 2016.
INDULGE IN A COZY MEAL
WHERE TO EAT…
Rosemary’s
So so cute during the holidays! Just envision dangling Christmas lights and garland from the ceiling. This is a place to come if you’re looking to cozy up over multiple plates of yummy Italian comfort food.
The Polo Bar
Delicious traditional American tavern fare in the heart of Midtown. To get a table you likely will have to make reservations at least 3-4 weeks in advance and TIP: order the burger!
The Smith
This is always one of my no-fail last minute spots for brunch, lunch or dinner. The food and service is always great and it’s pretty easy to get a reservation since the restaurants are so large. I love how they add seasonal specials to the menu every few months– there’s always something new to try along with the classic faves like the chicken pot pie and lobster roll. There are multiple locations throughout the city too.
The Smile
Love the cozy rustic feel of this restaurant! Think exposed stone walls and wood-paneled ceilings. Equally good for brunch and dinner or a pitstop for coffee (or glass of wine.)
Ruby’s
Super laid back dining with an Australian twist and equally good for brunch or dinner. The menu is very wallet-friendly (by New York standards) and the decor is super cute. I always order the spicy Italian sausage pasta with a side of sweet potato fries
Jack’s Wife Freda
One of my favorite brunch spots in the city year-round. They don’t take reservations so try and arrive early or expect to wait for up to an hour. It’s totally worth it though!
Extra Virgin
Another romantic and magically rustic Italian spot in the West Village.
Waverly Inn
Quintessential West Village restaurant on a tree-lined street with stunning townhomes. It’s more of a special occasion place, so I’d only recommend eating there if you’re willing to spend, but trust me you won’t be disappointed!
The Mermaid Inn
One of my favorite seafood restaurants! There are a few locations so take your pick. Definitely try and go during happy hour when there are $1 oysters and discounted drinks.
The Spotted Pig
Omg the burger and shoestring fries… SO GOOD. Casual laid-back pub with amazing drinks!
Lil Frankie’s
One of the best Italian and pizza restaurants in the city. Super casual and great for groups!
Freeman’s
Rustic hearty american fare with a colonial tavern feel. By far one of the coziest restaurants in the city! It’s a bit hidden away in a small alley so many sure you Google map it.
Claudette
At Claudette you’ll feel like you’re dining in a French country cottage. This is a great spot for brunch or dinner with the girls, just steps away from Washington Square Park and all the best spots in Greenwich Village.
Gato
Super chic Bobby Flay Mediterranean-style restaurant and my favorite spot for tapas. It’s a bit tough to get reservations if you don’t make them far in advance, but if you go early enough there’s a good chance you can get seating in the bar and lounge area where they also serve the full menu.
Boqueria
Really popular (and yummy!) casual spot for Spanish tapas and sangria. There are three locations in Soho, Flatiron and the Upper East Side. The interior is super cozy– just remember to make reservations because it gets packed!
WANDER AROUND THE UPPER EAST SIDE
WHERE I LIKE TO ROAM…
70th Street between Lexington Avenue and Fifth Avenue(my favorite street for townhouse photos)
Madison Avenue between 60th Street & 86th Street(more pretty homes & architecture)
Ralph Lauren Store | 72nd Street & Madison Avenue (great decorations)
Laduree(cute photo opp & macarons)
Anywhere above 59th St between 2nd and Lexington Avenues(amazing townhouses)
Park Avenue(great for cab photos & seeing Christmas lights)
The area around the Metropolitan Museum of Art (tons of beautiful homes & storefronts + great spot to get a photo on the MET steps!)
Bryant Park Winter Village (pop up shops, ice skating rink and food hall)
Clearly I’m easily entertained because just walking around the Upper East Side and looking at townhouses is an adventure for me. There’s no neighborhood in New York quite like the Upper East Side and it’s one of my favorite places to frequent no matter the season. During the holidays everyone decorates their homes, the stores along Madison Avenue get festive and the trees of Park Avenue are adorned in lights– it’s really something to see. If you’re looking for a downtown neighborhood to explore the West Village is super cute, but I find it to be much busier and the streets aren’t always the cleanest.
EAT ALL THE SWEETS
THE YUMMIEST BAKERIES & SWEET SPOTS…
Laduree(a New York staple– a bit touristy but the macarons are delicious. There is a location in the Upper East Side and downtown in Soho)
Levains(the best warm fat chocolate chip cookie– there is normally line but apparently the location on the Upper West Side has the shortest one)
Magnolia Bakery (can’t go wrong with cupcakes or the banana pudding)
Balthazar(yummy french pastries and croissants)
Maison Kayser(another well-known New York bakery with multiple locations)
Dominique Ansel(famous for the cronut, but there are lots of other delicious pastries that won’t disappoint)
Jacques Torres Chocolate(decadent hot chocolate)
The Plaza Food Hall(so many sweet options from cake at Lady M to macarons at FP Patisserie and donuts at Doughnuttery– just go with an empty belly!)
Doughnuttery(the softest sugar-coated mini donuts– you pick your flavor sugar and they shake up the donuts in a brown bag!)
10 Below Ice Cream(if you aren’t too cold go here for hand-rolled Thai-inspired ice cream)
GO ICE SKATING
THE BEST RINKS…
Rockefeller Center
Central Park
The Standard Hotel
I’m personally not big on ice skating (bad balance) but it’s one of those quintessential New York winter activities. There are a few different rinks in the city. The largest ones are located in Rockefeller Center and Central Park, but The Standard Hotel has a tiny one that they open as pop up during the colder months.
SHOP AT A CHRISTMAS MARKET
WHERE TO GET YOUR SHOP ON…
Winter Village at Bryant Park
Union Square Holiday Market
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
I’ll be honest: I’ve never actually “shopped” at a Christmas market. The appeal for me is the different food stalls and all-around holiday vibes you get from exploring. New York has three markets I know of: one in Columbus Circle on the Upper West Side, the Bryant Park Winter Village in Midtown and another downtown in Union Square at 14th Street.
It's official: The ombré-everything wedding craze is here to stay. From ombré-inspired to delicate that create an ombré effect all on their own, there's no stopping this fun, colorful trend. Not surprisingly, it's finally infiltrated another of our favorite big-day categories: .
You know this trend well, so you might think that you have a pretty clear idea of what an ombré confection looks like, but get ready to be completely surprised. Whether you opt for ombré buttercream icing with ruffles or choose to interpret the style on the interior (ombré layer cake!), there are so many ways to work this the trend into your . Plus, the ombré effect works on every color, shade, and hue imaginable.
It's hard to choose what we love most about this type of design, but we're consistently entranced by the sheer number of shades cake bakers are able to work into a color progression—transitioning seamlessly from dark to light (and sometimes back again!). One of our favorite ? Starting with an electric fuchsia and then working your way to a soft, pretty blush. If you want to avoid bright, splashy hues, feel free to start your ombré with white and transition to pale blue and (finally!) deep indigo.
Intrigued? Browse through our favorite ombré cakes from real celebrations—they just might inspire you to serve up a similar confection at your own wedding.
When The Pioneer Woman described these as one of the best things she’d ever tasted, we knew we had to give them a go. The ooey-gooiest layer of caramel, sandwiched by two brownie layers that are punctuated by crunchy pecans… It’s nearly too much. I guess that’s why they say they’ll “knock you naked.”
While we did manage to remain fully clothed while making these and eating them, we can attest to the fact that they are totally amazing. It’s no wonder that The Pioneer Woman (and so many other cooks before her) loved them so. They’re incredibly rich, and sticky and sweet and oh so indulgent.
And they’re pretty easy too.
Here are the two ingredients that make these what they are:
The one on the left is caramels. You’ll want to unwrap about two bags of them, but if you happen to eat some during the unwrapping process, that’s quite all right. (You want the chewy kind of caramels, not the hard candy variety.)
The one on the right is just cake mix. German chocolate cake mix, to be exact. But you won’t be following the directions on the box.
No, instead, you mix in some melted butter, and some evaporated milk. (You’ll want to ditch the whisk and just use a wooden spoon. This mixture is THICK.)
Then you finely chop some pecans, and stir them into the batter…
See how thick it gets?
You divide that batter in half, and press half of it into the bottom of a greased pan…
And then you pop it in the oven to bake for just a little bit. Meanwhile, you deal with those caramels.
You put them in a double boiler with the remaining evaporated milk, and let them cook until they become melted and smooth, and then you pour it all over that freshly baked brownie layer.
You top that with some chocolate chips. The Pioneer Woman used just a third of a cup, but that felt a little scant to us. We’ve used a half cup and that seems just right… a little more chocolate flavor without it being overpowering.
Then, you want to take that remaining dough and press it into a square shape about the size of your pan and carefully – very carefully – transfer it to rest on top of the chocolate chips. You bake for twenty more minutes or so…
And you end up with this.
Delicate chocolate layers with sweet caramel oozing out of the center. The Pioneer Woman advocates a liberal dusting of powdered sugar, but we left ours bare. ‘Naked’ is in the name after all. And they’ve got enough going on. Chewy, sticky, crunchy, sweet… they’re a lesson in how to do decadent dessert just right.
