Zavo Restaurant & Lounge New York

Okay… today’s the first day where I’m really feeling the cold. I’m a Midwest girl at heart, so the winter season doesn’t bother me much, but in New York, with the humidity AND the cold? It feels much more cold than normal. So what to do on a freezing day like today? I’d say just stay inside, but if you get cabin fever like me and need to get out of the house, you should go and check out ZAVŌ. A luxurious new Mediterranean restaurant that engages all of your senses, it’s the perfect location too after marathoning through a shopping spree. Got your holiday errands all checked off yet? If not, it’s cool. Me neither. Why not sit down and take a break in between with a glass of wine at my new favorite spot in Lenox Hill?

Zavo Restaurant & Lounge

Zavo Restaurant & Lounge

A stylish and seductive multi-level celebration of Mediterranean cuisine and culture, ZAVŌ elevates the dining experience. Amidst tastefully appointed decor and lighting, the menu is just as scrumptious. Savor a cocktail at the sleek marble bar or unwind on the outdoor terrace. We sat in the dining room section with a pleasant ambience and excellent service. The staff was so sweet to give us a complete tour of their almost 1-year old restaurant in Lenox Hill (UES). ZAVŌ’s second floor is accessed via a private entrance on East 60th Street. Ascend the sweeping staircase to the intimate piano lounge, bar and refined private dining rooms, they offer unparalleled, five-star catering services cultivated from their deep expertise with corporate and special events. The Chef’s special selected menu changes daily to reflect their fascinating and unique live entertainment such as 50 Shades and Venetian/Masquerade Nights and others. It’s a great space for holiday parties right now, and even a wedding reception! The second floor can accommodate roughly over 200 people, and the decor alone will have you swooning.

We tried the crab cakes and grilled octopus for our appetizers which were cooked to perfection. Literally soft as butter, with wonderful taste concoctions to go with the seafood such as hummus, yellow pepper, and more. For our main course, we tried the branzino fish with grilled squash and zucchini, and the braised short beef with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. The fish was excellent as well as the beef. The beef and asparagus were a tad dry and could have used more sauce, but the flavors were all there. Their sancerre wine was also quite good. But we were so full, we opted out on dessert. Gotta keep that holiday figure, somehow! ;) Overall, a wonderful dining experience. On the super plus side? It’s right across the street from Bloomingdale’s - the perfect spot to hang your hat and grab a bite after your holiday shopping!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Guilt-free On-the-Go Snacking During NYFW

This post is sponsored by Pearls® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.


Healthy, fun and mess-free, Pearls Olives!® is great for fashion week! With barely any time to eat in between shows, meetings, shoots, editing and everything else in between - you can definitely bet on me not eating properly. But when hunger strikes, I just whip out Pearls Olives to Go!® They have an assortment of new flavors to their Olives to Go! products but I truly love the original, black pitted olives. They are a great addition to your snacking go-to's and/or plant-based diet! And if you're anything like me who prefers salty cravings over sweets, this is the snack for you!  

Delicious California-grown large pitted black ripe olives are perfect for lunchboxes, gym bags, desk drawers, as well as great for after-school or an after-sports group snack. Always ready-to-go in single-serve, liquid-free, easy-to-open cups, they are a great choice for a tasty wholesome snack. Each cup holds ten large olives--one for each finger. ;-) Pearls Olives to Go!® Black Pitted Olives are proud to be a winner of the 2014 Parents® Magazine 25 Best Packaged Foods for Families Award! With only 35 calories per 1.2 ounce cup, they come four cups to a package. Other infused flavors include Taco, Sriracha or Italian Herb. Gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, cholesterol-free, GMO-free, vegan, and Kosher.

I'd totally pack some feta cheese and tomato with the olives but alas, I didn't have time to organize a lunch box of sorts for fashion week. But next time will be different and still nonetheless, a party in my mouth. How would you guys mix it up with these on-the-go olives? Available on Amazon or you can use the brand's store locator for other retailers here

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L'ADRESSE NYC

This post is brought to you by L'ADRESSE NYC, but all opinions are my own. 


At L’ADRESSE they serve innovative breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus, as well as pâtisserie created on site in the classic French tradition. Their diverse beverage program includes artisanal cocktails, fruit and vegetable blends, spritzers and one-of-a-kind coffee drinks prepared by an award-winning barista team. We're talking over 40 national and international awards for coffee excellence and hospitality! And well-deserved. Whether you want to enjoy a single cup of espresso or a complete dining experience, come take a read about my experience in this convivial atmosphere and laid-back attitude that made me feel so welcome and full at the same time. :) 

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L’ADRESSE utilizes the latest trends in restaurant design resulting in a warm and welcoming walk-in atmosphere where guests can enjoy the highest quality of service, hospitality, and accessible pricing. Located right across the street from Bryant Park, it's perfect for both tourists and New Yorkers - it is one of a handful of restaurants in the U.S. to use the Josper grill, popular throughout Europe, to highlight the flavor of their meats, fish, and vegetables.

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We tried the Wagyu carpaccio with Bayley Hazen blue cheese, bloomed mustard seeds, spring onions, and fig compote which was insanely delicious. And because it's #NationalSoupMonth, and the fact that I'm soup-obsessed, I tried both the classic borscht, a traditional beet soup with beef and crème Fraiche, and one of my favorite dishes we tried, their cauliflower soup with poached egg and garlic chili. A truly mind-blowing soup, I could eat it every day! We also had the seared sea scallops with truffle cauliflower purée, hazelnut brown butter, vincotto and a side of Brussel sprouts with Chinese sausage, sesame cilantro pesto, and chili lime vinaigrette. I loved the combination of flavors together, the scallops were perfectly cooked and service was top-notch. 

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L’ADRESSE’s dessert repertoire includes fine patisserie created on site in the classic French tradition in collaboration with world-renowned pastry chefs. From the Chocolate Envy, a decadent chocolate mousse cake with hazelnuts to Smetannyk, a traditional sour cream layer cake to Tiramisu to Cheesecake and more, their menu is inspired by sweet flavors from around the world. They also offer whole cakes available to order in advance for pick up to celebrate those special occasions including birthdays and anniversaries. 

We weren't planning on dessert but once I saw their patisserie in the back, it was really hard to say no! We tried onyx, a Russian tea cake with white chocolate mousse with a bitter aloe twist in marble glaze. Never had this, even after having been to Ukraine - it was something new and fun to try. You can see it on my Highlights on Instagram for more, video and pics. We also had cheesecake with strawberry jam (out of this world) and Kimura, a French pistachio cake, refreshing lime, and passion fruit purée, that was superb. Really decadent and full of a variety of flavors, whether you just want a cup of coffee or a full meal, L'ADRESSE is definitely a place to check out in New York!

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Le Coq Rico – The Bistro of Beautiful Birds

This post is brought to you by Le Coq Rico, but all opinions are my own.


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Happy Wednesday, everyone! Yesterday I had the pleasure of experiencing the wonderful downtown restaurant, Le Coq Rico. The original Le Coq Rico (The Bistro of Beautiful Birds) is located on Monmartre's Rue Lepic in Paris. Each Le Coq Rico pays tribute to responsibly raised whole-animal poultry. This restaurant is Chef Antoine Westermann's ode to the local terroir, expressed through the flavors of wild and noble birds. Westermann spent more than a year traveling across the Northeast, particularly through the Hudson Valley and Pennsylvania, to meet farmers and learn their poultry raising philosophies. "Fowl is a world unto itself," noted Westermann. "The flavor and texture change depending on the region, breeder, age, and style of farming." The result of this exchange stands today as Le Coq Rico, NYC. Continue reading to learn more about my time at this attractive, chic bistro.

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Renowned French chef, Antoine Westermann was just 23 years old when he became the Chef and Owner of his first restaurant. In the twenty-five years that followed, he earned three Michelin stars. Then in 2006, he made the exceedingly rare decision to ask Michelin to remove his stars so his creativity would no longer be confined by the rules and regulations of the guide. Specializing in sophisticated poultry dishes, I was more than excited to try their Tuesday's plat du jour, coq au vin. One of my favorite French dishes of all time, they certainly did the bird justice. It was the best I have ever had!

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We started with lovely appetizers of deviled eggs in a bed of octopus, cabbage, and cumin salad along with a creamy mushroom soup with a confit of gizzards (YUM). For our main entrees, along with the coq au vin with egg tagliatelle, we also tried the succulent roasted chicken that is aged 120 days and is served with a side of seasonal salad. Delicious pairings of pinot grigio and pinot noir, we topped it off with dessert, their famous l'ile flotttante (Floating Island) which consists of soft meingue &  crême anglaise and three selections of ice cream: coconut lime sorbet, ginger, and vanilla ice cream. Even the espressos are spot on! A truly magnificent, fulfilling lunch! 

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The service was great, very friendly staff and super helpful when it came to making a selection. I'd recommend Le Coq Rico to anyone! But if you want to avoid the holiday crowds and nightlife scene, lunch is the way to go! And sit at the chef's counter, where you are able to watch the chefs cook for you up close and personal! The only problem with that is it might have your tummy rumbling as you wait! How many of you have experience Le Coq Rico? If you haven't yet, what are you waiting for?! ;)

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Voveti Blackberry Rosemary Cocktails

Thank you VOVETI for sponsoring this post. Elevate your entertaining this season with VOVETI Prosecco


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The other day I posted a cocktail recipe that included vodka and passionfruit. Many of you messaged me about a way to make the drink less rich in terms of liquor and also in sugar. So, in today's post, I've created a lighter recipe with VOVETI. VOVETI Prosecco is dry with hints of fruit on the palate, making it the perfect choice for an easy drinking aperitif, cocktail and to share with friends anytime. VOVETI has more bubbles than other Proseccos; the powerful pressure in each bottle creates millions of tiny bubbles, ensuring freshness and effervescence. VOVETI is a brut style DOC with tempered acidity and a fresh, graceful profile.The VOVETI bottle is sleek and modern with a unique shape that will bring chicness to any occasion. The name VOVETI is inspired by the Latin verb voveo, which means “to vow” or “to promise.” Signifying the vow are 2 orange rings, intertwined. The rings represent the harmonious marriage of classic Italian winemaking and modern luxurious taste.

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With the hints of fruit in the prosecco, I wanted to stay within that category when it came to fresh ingredients. And I've always loved blackberries with prosecco. Or any berry, as a matter of fact.To keep it from being too sweet, I worked in some rosemary. Its tea-like aroma and piney flavor definitely complement well with the blackberry and prosecco. And I've always loved them as garnish, I'm all about that evergreen decor. 

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photos + recipe by © Suzanne Spiegoski

photos + recipe by © Suzanne Spiegoski

Voveti Blackberry Rosemary Cocktails

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

  • Some blackberries

  • Few sprigs of fresh rosemary

Directions:

  1. Pour the Voveti Prosecco into champagne flutes, but don’t fill it up right to the top yet (leave some space).

  2. Add a few blackberries to each glass and use a teaspoon to lightly crush them, releasing their purple juices.

  3. Add a sprig of rosemary to easy glass and serve immediately.

And this recipe is easy-peasy. Just add a few berries into each flute glass and use a fork to gently crush them, releasing their purple juices for a touch of color. Then add the prosecco and rosemary garnish and you'll be good to go! What do you guys think of VOVETI and this blackberry rosemary cocktail? Don't forget to save this recipe for later and leave your comment down below! 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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