Pure Food & Wine
(54 Irving Place- NYC) I love raw food restaurants, I find them incredibly interested. I love hearing all about the creative ways raw food chefs use veggies to make “noodles” and nuts to make “cheese.” While dining at Pure Food & Wine be sure to try their organic cocktails.
Entrees to try:
- Zucchini and Heirloom Tomato Lasagna with basil-pistachio pesto, sun-dried tomato sauce and piginoli ricotta
- Chilli Lime Tortilla Wraps with avocado, tomato-lime salsa, and cashew sour cream
There were so many great sounding dishes. If you have recommendations please let me know!
The crowd was interesting and definitely picked up around 8pm. This place will be wonderful in the summer time when the outdoor patio opens up!

Cipriani- Downtown (376 W. Broadway)Late on a Monday night this hot spot was still completely packed with uber chic New Yorks. Even as we arrived around 9:30 p.m. for dessert everyone around us was just ordering their entrees. This is a great place to people watch- all day, really, from brunch to desserts & nightcaps.

Ideya (349 W. Broadway btw. Broome & Grande)
After dessert at Cipriani I stumbled upon Ideya, drawn in by the Latin flavored live music and dancing which I heard and saw through the front door as I stood across the street. Live music, salsa dancing and a delicious mjiots was such a pleasant surprise on a random Monday night.

The Neptune Room

Not having spent much time in the Upper West Side, I must say I was impressed with the calmness that filled the air. It just seemed so much more peaceful compared to the rest of Manhattan.

The Neptune Room is a fabulous place to dine. it's known to have the best Eggs Benedict but their fresh fruit and granola was just as satisfying. The waitstaff was friendly and the decor was appropriately cozy for such a large venue. My favorite part? The interesting bathroom doors angled behind the bar.

Travel Talk

I spent the last week of March traveling around Costa Rica and I loved it! Everything about it, the food, the sun, the beach, the mojitos, the people, the animals... everything! Here's an overview of cities to visit and what to do there:

San Jose

I'm glad I was able to see the country's capital but if you're going to Costa Rica to visit rainforests, see exotic animals, etc. you don't need to spend much time here. However I did love the hotel where I spent 3 nights- The Marriott Hotel San Jose

With an infinity pool with a fabulous theater-style tanning area plus 2 great restaurants you really don't have to go into the city of San Jose, but I recommend you get out and try the eclectic Bakea.

Bakea- this fabulously modern restaurant exists in an old (1934) family owned home. Chef Camille Ratton dishes up beautiful unique dishes. The meal ended with bite-size fruit flavored breads for each patron.

Our first day tour: Ecoscape Nature Tour which included visits to Poas Volcano,La Paz waterfall, a hummingbird gallery, lunch at Selva Verde lodge, walks through the rainforst followed by a boat ride down the Sarapiqui River.

Second day trip: The four of us (my mom, dad, sister and I) drove down to Jaco beach where my dad and I learned how to surf! We took an official surfing lesson- both us of were able to stand withing 30 min. Apparently Jaco is a great place for beginning surfers.
By the third day we were on our way to visit the Arenal Volcano and stay at the Lost Iguana Resort. During the day we took 3 hour tour through the rainforest where we saw a lot of monkeys and exotic birds. The tour was followed by happy hour at the hotel's swim-up bar! We had dinner at the famous Tabaco Hot Springs. It was a little difficult navigating your way around the rocky hot springs in the dark but I'm glad we at least visited the soothing waters.

The next day we took a 3 hour drive, mostly on dirt roads, to Monte Verde, located in Costa Rica's Cloud Forest! Luckily we saw the much sought-after tropical bird, Quetzal.