The third of Zeb Stewart aka Mr. Williamsburg’s impressive drinking and feeding hole portfolio, (think Union Pool and Hotel Delmano), Cafe Colette is the perfect mix of a polished yet informal aesthetic. The bistro, which adopts a mix of French inspired American cuisine, combines painted floors with cement tables and brightly colored walls adorned with quirky black and white photographs, to create a space that feels equally appropriate for lunch, brunch, dinner or drinks.
There are few things in life more satisfying than the first bite of something truly delicious. There are few things in life more comforting than when that first bite is full of cheese. Be it cow, sheep, goat, or a mixture of all three, cheese comes in many shapes and sizes, tastes and textures, and makes an appearance on more than its fair share of menus in some form.
National Grilled Cheese Day is Friday, April 12th, and to celebrate, here are our Top Five best cheese picks from around the city.
Marlow & Sons (81 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
XEX Magazine has long been an online and print publication that allows professional, as well as up and coming artists, to display their work and creativity. This past weekend was the launch party to celebrate the magazines first ever men’s edition, and neither the party nor the fashion disappointed. From a live model exhibition, and photo shoot to a gallery-like display of the magazine’s inaugural issue; the night was painted to be a success from the get go. Combine this with free booze and a hot DJ and you were in for a treat!
Music and video footage featuring editorial material since the magazine's conception set the pace for a live model exhibition. Their highly stylized and outlandish looks featured some trendy pieces like a leather glove featuring cut-outs and leopard print and a distressed leather fanny-pack with gold trim. But if you think the models were the ones to be watching, then you'd be wrong. This party gave way to some of New York City's local trendsetters to strut their stuff. And because this was a men’s fashion event, the guys did not disappoint, also rocking some of today's hottest trends.
To top things off, Editor-In-Chief Sailey Williams rounded his team, including fashion editor Inoisell Miranda, and decided to turn his guests into models with a live photo shoot where no one was safe. To delve into the plethora of fashions of the night, click here. In the midst of it all, there was still the magazine. The first men’s edition of XEX has the right amount of substance and features fabulous editorial material styled by some of New York’s hottest stylists. The “mode home” is everywhere to see, trying hard not to alienate the classic male, while still catering to the fashion forward. This launch had all the ingredients for a good party, and if you like a good party then you’ll love a good read!
For more info and recent issues of XEX Mag click here.
With descriptions more often found on the back of a wine bottle than a bar of chocolate, Mast Brothers gourmet chocolate is no average candy bar. Available in 19 flavors and split into two categories, Single Estates/Origins and Blends & Pairings, expect to taste the unexpected. From Vanilla and Smoke to Black Truffle and Moho River, no bar comes in with under 70% of organic cocao harvested from small farm cooperatives dotted around South America, and no, none of the bars come with a milk or white chocolate option as, to the gourmet chocolatier, either would be cocao sacrilege.
Last Thursday, New York Fashion Week kicked off with stunning styles and plenty of texture...and we aren't just talking about the clothes. We went behind the scenes at two shows to see the latest runway hairstyles created by L'Oreal Professionnel lead stylist, Joseph DiMaggio.
At Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Joseph styled the hair for Timo Weiland's Women's Fall 2013 collection. The collection played on Baroque texture and military inspired cuts and to emphasive the regality of the collection, the models' hair was styled with center parts that flowed into 's' shaped waves. Joseph describes the look as "feminine tomboy, so it's a little done but it's kind of natural. She's ready for a fun weekend on the British countryside." To create the look, Joseph combined L'Oreal Professionnel Volume Expand Leave-In Spray and True Grip Texturizing Powder and sprayed all over the hair. He then braided the hair and set it into a bun. After a while, DiMaggio took out the bun and created voluminous waves using a flat iron to create 's' shaped waves.
It’s the biggest party of the year, always a night to remember and one that you plan for months in advance – New Year’s Eve. But beyond deciding what dress to don and who to plant that coveted kiss on at midnight there are a lot of little details that should be paid to attention to help you help you avoid a potentially disastrous NYE. Here are our NYE Survival Guide tips:
- Book a car service! -Avoid crazy long waits for cabs and splurge on a convenient car service to chauffer you and your crew around town all night long.
- Indulge in a nice pre-party dinner – Nothing ruins a night of partying like getting tipsy way too quick. Prep your tolerance with a nice meal before the heavy champagne consumption kicks off. Which leads us to….
- Don't Dress Down - Tonight's the night for ladies to whip out the sparkly dresses and for gents to suit up. Dress to impress.
- Make no resolutions until tomorrow - A lot of people regard tonight as the final deadline for New Year's resolutions. Don't be cajoled into making any hasty announcements about quitting smoking, being more socially committed, or taking celibacy vows especially if it's just for the sake of joining in. Last-minute resolutions are often impractical.
- DO Choose the right event! NewYearsCentral.com is your one-stop-shop for THE hottest parties across NYC for New Year’s Eve.
Happy NYE Partying!
Turkey check. Stuffing check. Pumpkin pie check. Now it’s time to select your perfect Thanksgiving meal wine or 5. Here are some of our favorite picks to complement your feast.
A puree of summer fruit flavors with red currant and cranberries at the fore and followed by a beautiful, almost haunting earthiness reminiscent of the soil and stones after a spring rain, this pick perfectly complements those bourbon sweet potatoes and oyster stuffing.
Geown in the vineyard, “Vigna San Rocco” in clay and limestone soils, these grapes are grown according to Organci regulations and are thinned and hand-harvested with selection of grapes. Revel in sweetish, partly candied fruit on the palate, nutty notes, some caramel, elegant acidity, and light oak that all lead to an attractive finish. This steel-produced Riesling will impressively offset the boldness of a spiced turkey.
Feel like trading in your home-cooked feast for a night of turkey filled fine dining? If so, hit these restaurants serving up traditional and twisted takes on T-day dinner:
Keepin’ It Classic: Jo’s Nolita
This Nolita gem is serving up turkey and all the fixins with a Eurasian twist. This three-course menu kicks off with your choice of Spiced Butternut Squash Soup or Quinoa Salad followed by Shrimp Sambal Tumis or Sake Poached Asian Pear Salad. For the main course opt for Herb Roasted Turkey aside sautéed brussel sprouts, sweet potato puree, pan roasted herb stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce or a veg friendly entrée of mushroom risotto. And, for dessert dive into a traditional pumpkin pie. Jo's is serving up their feast from 2 - 8 p.m.
And, the beat goes on…The destruction and heartache in the wake of Hurricane Sandy is still strongly evident and this week, bars and restaurants continue to toss events and corral the community together in effort to support Sandy relief. In the next few days, art, drink and mingle for the cause at these do-gooder happenings:
Monday, November 19th
Tonight, from 6-9 p.m., Foley Gallery presents #SANDY, a Fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts featuring iPhone photographs by renowned contemporary photographers. Photographs will be on sale for $50!
And, 100% of the revenue will be donated to Occupy Sandy and Alison Thompson's Rockaway Relief center run by Third Wave.
TGIF! See Al Pacino on Stage, Get Saucy and Don your Dancing Shoes. Here are your top weekend picks!
Groove to the Move
Los Angeles based Producer/DJ, Myndset is making some serious noise in the electronic dance music scene. His sound, a mix of electro and progressive, is best described as heavy hitting yet melodic. His eclectic remix roster includes the likes of Avicii, Deadmau5, Drake, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's, Foster the People, Gotye, Nervo, Skrillex and The Knocks. Myndset will be headlining Lilium this Friday with support from Chad Stark.