The Chandelier!

Resorts World Casino is the first entertainment destination of its kind in the five boroughs of New York City. Owned by the Genting Group, this property operates over 4,200 video lottery terminals (VLT), 470 electronic table games, four VIP lounges, 18 food and beverage outlets (with two fine dining options) and boasts the largest catering and events space in Queens. Last week, the casino held a private party / tour for media to preview the second and third floors of their brand-new facility just prior to the public opening that afternoon. Continue reading →

Interior of the BlackFinn American Grille in Houston, Texas

The BlackFinn American Grille, which just opened up its first location in Houston, is known to be a great American restaurant and community gathering spot that serves classic comfort foods in a non-stuffy and casual environment. Just walking in made me want to kick off my heels and swig back one (or three!) of their cocktails (which, FYI, are all made with fresh-squeezed juices). Business mixes seamlessly with pleasure in this laidback space, where the wood-trimmed walls are filled with Houston sports and rodeo memorabilia offset by vibrant and contemporary oil-on-canvas paintings. Continue reading →

Interior of Philippe's Restaurant and Lounge in Houston, Texas

Philippe’s Restaurant and Lounge, the “Texas Cowboy meets French Artist” themed resto by Chef / Owner Philippe Schmit, features a wide array of delectable-yet-approachable dishes for the Gallera/Uptown set. The lunch menu includes a vast variety of tempting delights (such as the parmesean + white truffle oil soufflé), but I opted for their signature Business Lunch – three courses, $20, and as they say, “gets you in, out and on your way”! Continue reading →

Photo courtesy of the The Strand Hotel

When I lived in NYC, I would often go to birthday parties at The Strand Hotel, but was surprised to recently hear that the hotel also had a restaurant on the first floor (these things often get overlooked at 4am after copious amounts of motivational beverages!). Therefore, on my last trip back to the city for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, I thought, “What a completely fitting time to check out this Fashion District hotspot for dinner!” Continue reading →

Superman Ultimate Flight, Photo Credit: Six Flags Great Adventure

Lions and tigers and bears – oh my! Welcome to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey – home to some of the world’s crazy scariest roller coasters and thrill rides (even the seemingly tame carousel requires a seat belt!). Nothing gets my adrenaline pumping quite like a good spin upside down – here are my picks for the top three rides to experience on your next visit! Continue reading →

Photo Courtesy: The Ravel Hotel

The Quick and Dirty

As Long Island City’s first luxury boutique hotel, The Ravel Hotel features sixty-three chicly designed guestrooms, each overlooking a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline. From the lavishly spacious rooms that boast 9-feet-tall ceilings and the relaxing cityscape view from your own private balcony to the luxury of its spa-like bathrooms, the Ravel offers guests a true outlet to relieve the stresses of life. At the Ravel Hotel, guests are sure to experience the excitement of New York City blended with the serenity and comfort of an out-of-city getaway. Continue reading →

Playing Chef for a Day

Since I started this blog, a question that I often get is: “If you love food so much, why not cook more?” My answer has always been,  A) I work about 70 hours a week in my day job – so the last thing I want to do is come home and make a mess/clean up a mess in my kitchen and  B) Why cook something mediocre when I can enjoy a meal done well by a professional?”  This is not to say I hate cooking, in fact, it’s quite the opposite – I totally love firing up the oven and sautéing the greens…I only wish I didn’t have to clean up afterward! Continue reading →