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Cocktails of the Week: NUVO Sparkling Liqueur and Lemon Sorbet

25 May

By Christabelle…@CBellesCloset

To welcome the summer months, here are two mouth-watering recipes to glam up your Memorial Day weekend extravaganza. Make your summer kick-off bash a chic affair with The Highball, made with NUVO Lemon Sorbet and the Sparkling Sunset, made with NUVO Sparkling Liqueur and pineapple juice. Enjoy and have one for me (I am still sadly CARB FREE…boooooo!):

 

Nuvo Classic Sparkling Liquer

The Highball

4 oz. NUVO Lemon Sorbet

1 ½ oz. pomegranate juice

1 ½ oz. gin

Serve over ice in a tall glass and garnish with fresh fruit

Sparkling Sunset

3 oz. NUVO Sparkling Liqueur

3 oz. pineapple juice

Serve over ice in a tall glass and garnish with fresh fruit

(21+ – please drink responsibly)


27 East – Straight to Paradise…

23 May

By Christabelle…@CBellesCloset

MONTACO’S – the signature dish of 668 The Gig Shack:
House made tortilla, crisp red slaw, blackend local catch of the day and sweet mango salsa.

The time has come…summer Friday’s have officially begun…and the air is starting to smell beachy (or in the case of NYC, sometimes like rotting garbage in the sun…) but nonetheless all signs that summer has arrived.  If you know me well (and since I have been blogging here for 100 years, YOU SHOULD)…I wait with bated breath every year for this weekend to arrive – for the summer season to “officially begin” and I can make my way to 27E which drops me off in my little slice of heaven…Montauk.

First stop when I get into town…where else? 668 The Gig Shack. I am going to swing by and say hello to the always amazing and never less than fabulous Gardell family (I heart you all!). Have me a Blue Moon Beer with a slice of orange, a Montaco (if you haven’t had one, you have yet to live life), and let my summer unfold in front of me.

Navy Beach at Fort Pond Bay in Montauk
(Photo Rights: Navy Beach Restaurant)

Next stop…catch another cocktail and watch the sun set into Fort Pond Bay (just steps away from my own place) – Navy Beach. With cushy outdoor white couches, ocean blue umbrellas and yachts pulling up close to shore, this place feels more like Santorini than Montauk.  And if the wonderful food, drink and atmosphere at Navy Beach just isn’t enough for you, wait for the mind-blowing sunset into the water – and that is FREE of charge.

Dinner, you ask? I have been waiting for almost a year to chow down on The Harvest’s famed Calamari Salad with Red Pepper Vinaigrette with some Garlic Mashed Potatoes on the side. Ok, ok…I know that doesn’t sound like the classiest of “pairings” but I don’t care. I salivate all year waiting to eat both…so deal. If you come to the Harvest on Fort Pond – come hungry! The portions are family style and they are deliciously generous!

Meet me out, won’t you? Bon Appetit, Montauk!

The famous Montauk sunset – taken from my deck (lucky me!)

668 The Gigshack
782 Main Street
Montauk, NY 11954

www.668TheGigShack.com
(631)668-2727

Navy Beach Restaurant
16 Navy Road
Montauk, NY 11954
(631) 668-6868

Harvest On Fort Pond
11 S. Emery Street
Montauk, NY 11954
631.668.5574

Be Your Own Bartender at The James Hotels…

13 May

By Christabelle…

The James Hotel In Room Cocktail Experience

The James Hotel In Room Cocktail Experience

Traditionally, hotels have taken pride in offering services that let travelers sit back, relax, and enjoy. However, recently an increasing number of guests are seeking experiences where they can call the shots and create memories and skills that last long after their trip has ended. The James offers a new in-room mixology experience that goes far beyond the mini-bar and lets guests become expert mixologists in the privacy of their own suite. This is DIY, with a twist – literally!

Every room at The James is now equipped with all the supplies needed to create bespoke cocktails, including a pint glass printed with recipes crafted specifically for In-Room Mixology. Guests can order the In-Room Cocktail Experience as part of The James In-Room Dining menu and a perfectly proportioned set of liquors and ingredients will be delivered. In addition to the cost of liquor consumed from the Pantry, the tray of accoutrements is $28. Customization is what the experience is all about, and guests can choose whether they would like to prepare the drinks or watch and learn from an expert bartender for a private mixology lesson.

Guests can enjoy the following selection of drinks as part of the In-Room Experience:

  • Corpse Reviver 2 (Gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, Lemon)
  • The Marguerita (Tequila, Cointreau, Lime, Simple Syrup)
  • Old Havana (Rum, Simple Syrup, Lime, Bitters)
  • Blood & Sand (Bourbon, Cherry Heering, Sweet Vermouth, Orange)
  • Moscow Mule (Vodka, Lime, Ginger Ale, Bitters)

As part of the experience, guests can refer to a provided book, “American Bar,” with recipes for over 200 contemporary cocktail recipes, which is also available for purchase at the hotel for $35. Additionally for those who want to “mix outside the box,” the in-room bottles let guests bring their own imaginative cocktail creations to life.

The James takes the inspired mixed drinks of New York and Chicago’s nightlife scenes and brings them exclusively for guests to savor in the warmly modern rooms at the hotel. (The James Royal Palm also is set to open later this year in Miami, and this program will be offered there as well). Guests may not be able to take the bright lights of these cities home with them, but they can savor some of their after-hours specialties again and again once they’ve enjoyed the In-Room Cocktail Experience.

Get Your Drink ON at W Los Angeles…

22 Sep

By Christabelle…

Now that the Fall season is officially here, it’s time to put down those summer cocktails and look forward to the new fall/winter cocktail menu at the W Los Angeles – Westwood hotel.  www.wlosangeles.com

Stephanie Sanders  – corporate mixologist for the hotel’s NINETHIRTY and The Backyard restaurants — has created some delicious new cocktails for fall, including  the “Warm & Fuzzy”, “Sugar & Spice”, “Berry Caliente” and “Caprese Diamante”.  These will be offered on THE ICE BAR menu as part of the hotel’s signature ice rink experience, “CHILL” which opens mid-November.  Even though W Los Angeles – Westwood is located in sunny Southern California, hotel guests and LA locals alike can still enjoy the seasonal Holiday spirit with these delicious cold-weather cocktails!

The Ice Bar Cocktails:

Sugar & Spice + Everything Nice
Apple & Cinnamon infused bourbon combined with a touch of sweet vermouth

Backyard Secret Nog
Stephanie’s secret recipe…believe us, it’s wonderful!

Warm & Fuzzy
Warmed Milk with a touch of Disaronna Amaretto and Cinnamon

Berry Caliente
Combine Hanger One chipotle vodka, Hanger One raspberry vodka, and a little lemon with a chili-sugar rim for new way to stay warm!

Caprese Diamante
Elmer T Lee, honey, basil, blood orange and black pepper

Happy Cocktail-ing :)

The Greeks in Chi-Town…

27 Apr

By Christabelle the Greek…

For wine-lovers, escaping to Greece is now as easy as a trip to Chicago and Avli Estiatorio.  The contemporary Greek restaurant features the most extensive Greek wine list of any restaurant in the Midwest.  Avli lets you tour all the regions of Greece with an impressive list of over 115 authentic Greek wines. With bottles ranging from $20 to $100, everyone has a chance to accent their meal with a savory wine. A more expensive specialty reserve wine list is also available upon request for wine connoisseurs and those who are looking to further enhance their dining experience. This list boasts wines from my dad’s island of Samos (as in where he grew up – not as in my own private island…)

“We carry a number of wines that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in America,” says owner, Loui Alexakis.  “In addition to the roditis and retsinas that most people think of when it comes to Greek wine, our wine list features bottles from Paros, Cephalonia, Santorini and more.” Starting in May, Monday’s will feature wine flights for $10 with either 3 half glasses of white wines from the island of Santorini or 3 half glasses of red wines from the Nemea region.

The North Shore restaurant is the only Greek restaurant in the state of Illinois to be honored with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.  This prestigious national award recognizes restaurants whose wine lists appeal to a wide range of wine lovers, offer interesting selections and are appropriate to their cuisine.

Heading to Chicago? Stop by Avli Estiatorio and tell them Christabelle says “Yiasou!”

About Avli Estiatorio

Located in Winnetka on Chicago’s beautiful North Shore, Avli Estiatorio prides itself on serving both authentic and innovative Greek cuisine in a fresh, relaxing atmosphere. The beautifully secluded outdoor patio space lends itself perfectly to enjoying a glass or two of vino – Avli’s extensive Greek-only wine list received a 2010 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence – paired with their incredible Mediterranean menu options. Avli was named one of the Best New Restaurants in 2009 by Northshore Magazine and has received a 4.5 star review from Make it Better Magazine. Whether it’s a large family gathering or a quiet dinner for two, a meal at Avli Estiatorio is as close to Greece in Chicago as you’ll get without a plane ticket. Avli is located at 566 Chestnut in Winnetka, Illinois, and can be reached at 847.446.9300 or online at http://www.avli.us.

Get your caffeine fix ON in NYC…

13 Apr

By Christabelle…

Krups USA announced today the winners of the “KRUPS Cup O’ Joe Awards.” Discovering the locals’ favorite coffee shops in each of NYC’s five boroughs and beyond, Krups USA polled 250 coffee-toting New Yorkers on the streets of each borough to discover their picks for the city’s best sips. Additionally, Krups surveyed coffee fans in the biggest cities across the country, discovering local favorites from Boston to Chicago to Miami to Los Angeles.

“New York is a coffee-lovers paradise, but with every other bodega boasting the ‘Best Coffee in NYC,’ caffeine-craving visitors and locals alike could be missing out on the best brews right inside their borough!” said Meagan Bradley, Marketing Director at KRUPS. “We’re so thrilled to have unearthed some lesser known local establishments across the country, showing that even the little guys can brew up some big flavors.”

And the winners are…

Manhattan’s MUDTruck – This bright orange East Village landmark was the city’s first gourmet coffee truck, and has been pumping out explosively strong coffee since 2001. Their three proprietary blends are Rainforest Alliance Certified, and fans that can’t chase down the truck can stop by their brick and mortar MUDSpot at 307 East 9th Street.

Brooklyn’s Gimme! Coffee – Opened in 2003, this extension of a young coffee chain from Ithaca, NY brought the talents of Master Roaster John Gant to Brooklyn, and now features a wide variety of triple ristretto espresso shots and daily blends from beans roasted at Gimme’s upstate facility for maximum freshness. (495 Lorimer St, Williamsburg)

The Bronx’s Beans and Berries – You’ll have to bypass the big box coffee chains to get to Beans and Berries, one of the only local coffee shops in the Bronx. Here, eye-opening French press coffee is served up cheap, and has been a respite for java-deprived locals. (2038 Eastchester Rd, Bronx)

Staten Island’s Java Den – Serving up piping hot coffees and espresso drinks made by the husband and wife team, stop by for the local favorite hot White Mocha, and swap out some old reads for new ones at their “Take One Leave One” bookshelf. (3135 Victory Blvd, Staten Island)

Queens’ Sweetleaf – The only purveyor in Queens of Stumptown beans, the independent Portland roasters that “revolutionized the coffee business,” Queen’s Sweetleaf churns out robust fair-trade coffee and espresso drinks, even imprinting foamy selections with a signature leaf design. (10-93 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, Queens)

In addition to scouring the streets of New York, KRUPS representatives polled coffee aficionados from across the country through customer mailers, street teams and social media pages, picking the top spots for your cross country caffeine fix below:

  • Los Angeles, CA – Groundwork Coffee Co. (numerous locations in Southern CA)
  • Seattle, WA – Monorail Espresso (520 Pike St)
  • Miami, FL – News Café (800 Ocean Dr.)
  • Chicago, IL – Metropolis Coffee Co. (1039 West Granville Avenue)
  • Boston – Barismo (169 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington)
  • Philadelphia – Spruce Street Espresso (1101 Spruce St)
  • Dallas – White Rock Coffee (10105 E Northwest Hwy)
  • San Francisco – Blue Bottle Coffee Co. (locations throughout SF and Oakland)
  • Atlanta – Dancing Goats Café (419 W. Ponce De Leon, Decatur)
  • Washington, D.C. – M.E. Swing Co. (1702 G Street N.W.)
  • Noteworthy National Retailer – Peet’s Coffee & Tea – Known for its strong, dark roasted coffee, Peet’s has been expanding rapidly since opening their original Berkeley, CA outpost in 1966.

About Krups USA

Precision and unwavering performance uniquely define the philosophy of KRUPS, established in 1847 in Germany by Robert Krups. The company first introduced high-grade rotary and spring scales; then with the introduction of electricity, the brand shifted focus and a century later established itself as a world leader in coffee machines, espresso machines, and a wide range of other appliances. The KRUPS heritage of German engineering combines functional, yet rigorous design with technical perfection. Built for those who continuously seek new experiences and take pleasure in understanding how things are done, KRUPS’ passion for perfection is apparent. Its range of products provides the tools necessary to deliver the highest taste results every time. KRUPS is inspired by experts and demanding consumers with uncompromising standards of genuine performance and quality. For more information, visit http://www.krupsusa.com/ or www.facebook.com/krupsusa

Cocktail of the Week: Its just EFFEN good…

8 Apr

By Christabelle…

I try to be lady like as often as I can…keeping the truck driver, potty mouth for my  road rage infused trips out to the Hamptons on the L.I.E (if you have ever done this…you know exactly what I am talking about). But I had to drop an “F” bomb with this one…because it was just THAT EFFEN GOOD (yes, folks,  that is a play on words).

EFFEN® Cucumber Vodka

EFFEN Vodka is a super-premium vodka whose name means smooth, even and balanced in Dutch.  It is made from a modified, century-old Dutch recipe featuring premium wheat.  Most vodkas are produced from grapes, potatoes or corn, however it’s the wheat used to make EFFEN which creates it’s smooth taste on the palette.

Makes these super-licious cocktails, and sip generously at sunset with a hottie by your side.

EFFEN® Cucumber Coconut Palm
1½ parts EFFEN® Cucumber Vodka
1½ parts Coconut Water
1 Small Kiwi or Half of a Large Kiwi, peeled
¾ parts Lemon Juice
¾ parts Simple Syrup

Method: Combine ingredients, squeezing or muddling the kiwi, into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. Strain and pour into a tall glass with ice.

EFFEN® Cucumber Basil Temptress
1 ½ parts EFFEN® Cucumber Vodka
¾ parts simple syrup
3 leaves of Basil
1 ½ parts club soda

Method: Combine all ingredients, except club soda, to a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain it into a tall glass with ice. Add club soda and garnish with cucumber and basil leaf.

(21+ – please drink responsibly)

A New Juice Bar is Born in Brooklyn!

2 Apr

By Christabelle…

Get your juice on with Healthy Blendz on Glenwood Road in Brooklyn (between Nostrand and Flatbush Avenues).

All of the juice blends are not only delicious and nutritious – they are  made from fresh organic fruits and veggies.  Organic Coffee, teas and also Bubble Tea will be on the menu…everything and anything to quench your thirst.

For a light take out lunch, or even dinner, steamed vegatables and seafood (ie Shrimps, Fish, Mussles, King Crab Legs etc.) will be added very soon.  So stop by often and tell them Christabelle sent you!

The nearest subway line is the 2 and 5 to Flatbush avenue (Brooklyn College), the last stop.

 

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