Go Local: Brunch in the Concrete Jungle

Concrete Jungle

Here’s 10 of my favorite places for brunch around the city

The Hudson Bond – I checked them out last month after I purchased a deal on Gilt City and they’ve since become one of my favorite brunch spots.  My friends and I sipped mimosas, enjoyed a wonderful Sunday brunch, and watched ‘Grease’. This place has the right idea offering brunch, a movie on 4 large flat screen tv’s, and all you can drink mimosas and bloody mary’s. Visit their website to check out their menu and movie schedule http://thehudsonbond.com

Take Root (Noshery and Yoga Room) – What better way to start your Saturday or Sunday morning than finding yourself on your yoga mat, then enjoying a delicious and refreshing brunch.Located in Brooklyn this place is a must visit  http://take-root.com

Beauty and Essex – a swanky speakeasy located on the Lower Eastside on Essex Street, known for their fabulous champagne brunch. From the outside it looks like a thrift shop, but once you walk beyond the second door you are welcomed into a hot and trendy restaurant/lounge. http://www.beautyandessex.com/

Beauty and Essex

Stanton Social – sister restaurant to Beauty and Essex, the food is amazing and the atmosphere is trendy and chic . Beware of foodgasms, you’ve been warned. http://www.thestantonsocial.com/

Buttermilk Channel – this would be a great place to go for a brunch date, or to treat Mom for Mother’s Day- and by the way, their buttermilk pancakes are fantastic! :) http://www.buttermilkchannelnyc.com

The Sunburnt Calf – one of my favorite spots when I’m on the Upper Westside, they have an awesome staff that provides amazing service, and their brunch includes unlimited mimosas and bloody marys. The first time I went was when a friend was in town. We sat at the bar and the bartender gave us a shot to jump start the meal. The food was yummy, we made new friends, and the time just flew by. We  started the morning with a workout and Tai Chi, got there around 1pm,  and left at 6pm….Good times :) http://thesunburntcalf.com

Cornelia Street Cafe – one the first places I went for brunch when I got to NYC and still a favorite. http://corneliastreetcafe.com

Westville Chelsea – always packed, especially for weekend brunch, but don’t let the line deter you. The food is definitely worth the wait. They have 3 locations in the city, but my favorite is the one in Chelsea on 18th street. http://www.westvillenyc.com

Bone Lick Park– I love when I can go to a restaurant and have cheddar cheese grits with my breakfast/brunch (I guess it’s the Southern Girl in me), and this place doesn’t disappoint. And they offer all you can drink mimosa, frozen margaritas, and bloody marys so you can turn your brunch into drunch if you so choose :)  http://bonelickparkbbq.com

Beso – enjoy harbor views as you ride the ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island. Just a 5min walk from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal enjoy yummy spanish tapas for brunch and tasty sangria before you head back to Manhattan http://www.besonyc.com

Until next time – xo AGT

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A Pisces by the Sea

One of my favorite places to be is the beach. Lounging near the waters edge, sunshine, sand, my favorite pair of sunnies, and an umbrella in my drink….its so peaceful and relaxing. This year for my birthday I decided to cross off an item from my 101 Things to do in 1001 Days list and I went to Miami for the first time.

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What an AWESOME city! This will probably be at the top my my list for places to move to next with the Coast Guard. It has everything I love about NYC and the tolls are cheaper, the weather is consistently warm year round, and the beaches are beautiful.

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I flew in the night before my birthday and met up with a friend I haven’t seen since I left my duty station in Mobile, Alabama, grab dinner, and met her kiddos. The next day we had a yummy breakfast at Big Pink before I checked in to the hotel and waited for the rest of my friends to arrive. The coffee and veggie breakfast burrito was delicious! Once everyone arrived we went to out lunch at John Paul’s House – a restaurant off the beaten path that I found through Gilt City. Then headed back to the hotel to relax poolside and before getting ready for nighttime festivities.

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Our room attendant, Charles, was awesome! He made sure that we had everything we needed and even brought us vodka and mixers to the room while we got ready. We kicked off the night with dinner at Katsuya. The sushi was delicious! I had the Katsuya Special Roll and apple pie dessert Then it was off to dance the night away at Arkadia, located in the Fontainebleau Hotel.

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Friday morning we walked the beach and chilled poolside before heading to the Cruise Port. We took a 4 day, 3 night cruise out of Miami with Royal Caribbean to Nassau, Bahamas, and Coco Cay, Bahamas.
This was my first short cruise, usually I go on 6-7 day cruises. There’s definitely a difference, but I had a great time nonetheless,  the service was fantastic, and we made it to each port call and back to Miami with no issues.

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In Nassau, we spent the day at the Hotel Riu Palace on a day pass…all you can eat and drink, sunshine, the beach, and a pool bar…we couldn’t ask for more.

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We pulled into Coco Cay (Royal Caribbean’s Private Island) the next day and spent the day relaxing on the beach and lounging in hammocks.

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We pulled into Miami bright and early Monday morning, had breakfast in the dinning room, then headed to the airport….sad to leave 70 degree temps to go back home to snow in NYC. I hope spring comes to the Northeast soon.

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Next year’s birthday ideas are already being researched…Europe, Hawaii, maybe Napa…we’ll see what happens.

Love AGT :)

NYC Dog Cachet Grand Opening Party!

What: Cocktail Party

When: Friday, April 27, 2012 @ 7pm to 9:30pm

WhereNYC Dog Cachet – 1555 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10029

Details

Grab your pooch and come out to a cocktail party to celebrate the Grand Opening of NYC Dog Cachet!

Enjoy live music, rum tastings by Kamoni Ice, and a free dog coat for everydog! Plus, meet adoptable dogs, enjoy a free paw-dicure from NYC Dog Cache and other fun surprises.

This event benefits the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals!

For More Info Visithttp://nycdogcachelaunchparty.eventbrite.com/

Love AGT :)