Where to eat: Morimoto is definitely one of my favorite sushi choices in New York City!

What to eat: Start with the Toro Tartar with Osetra Caviar which is my absolute favorite! Loved the Beef Carpaccio and all my girls rave about the Spicy King Crab. The Prime Strip and Black Cod are both great - of course the sushi is amazing and super fresh, or you can try Omakasu (chef’s selection).

88 Tenth Ave. between 15th/16th St. - Manhattan (Meatpacking District)

Where to eat: I’m a huge fan of ramen…but authentic ramen is really hard to find! Look no more - Minca is probably the most authentic you will find. Literally tastes like ramen in Tokyo! It’s basically a “hole in the wall” spot with maybe 15 seats, two cooks and one server. I haven’t tried Kambi yet, but that’s next on my list.

What to eat: For a light appetizer try the gyoza, I prefer the pork but the shrimp is just as good. I recommend the Basic Ramen Spicy - but you can custom how “hot” you would like it from 1-3. You can select your noodles, I prefer thin…and your broth, either chicken or pork - the pork being a “heavier” broth.

536 5th St. btw Avenue A & B - East Village, New York City *cash only

Where to eat: I finally tried BaoHaus about a week ago…I’d been hearing about this place from all of my friends at Epiphany. Using only Niman Ranch antibiotic/hormone free pork and skirt steak, these authentic Taiwanese Gua Bao (steamed bun sandwiches), are delicious.

What to eat: The “Haus Bao” is their signature sandwich, as seen Food Network’s Ultimate Recipe Showdown last March, which uses all natural Hanger Steak, but I have to admit my favorite is the “Chariman Bao” - made with braised, all natural, Berkshire Pork Belly. The “Uncle Jesse” is a vegetarian bao sandwich using pan fried tofu coated in sweet potato starch. Don’t forget to try the “Bao Fries” - which aren’t actually made from potatoes, but are actually sweet, fried, slices of bao bun served with a sweet sesame sauce.

137 Rivington St./Norfolk - Lower East Side
*Open Late - until 2am

Where to stay: The trip started off low-key…much needed girls weekend…we chose the W Hotel South Beach. The hotel itself is beautiful, the infinity pool is definitely impressive and I love the “Whatever, Whenever” feature…guests can indulge in whatever their “wish” is and the experiential offerings literally cover just about anything. I’ll let mine remain “private”….lol.

I’ll have to admit, the service isn’t “amazing” during the weekends…crazy packed and the pool staff is NOT flexible or accommodating in any way shape or form. I would recommend reserving a cabana or bed if your plan is to be poolside - waking up at 7am to save chairs isn’t really my idea of a vacation. The W is situated directly on the beach, so that’s always an option. The food is pretty good, little over-priced, but it’s Miami so what do you expect?? The rooms themselves are beautiful - two flat screens, large bathrooms, etc. Not really understanding why they don’t have the Heavenly Beds in the rooms, that’s just odd and not very Starwood of them! Also, keep in mind…while they have wireless available in the rooms, you can’t use it on the balcony or poolside (not business friendly).

Where to eat: This “burger joint” is located in Bloomingdales (Men’s section near LAB) on 59th…think Shake Shack but a few steps up! They feature a variety of burger options and specials, several kinds of chopped, not ground beef, or you have the option of creating your own from scratch! Start with one of 9 meat or veggie options, which include a short rib blend, a sweet brisket blend, a Wagyu blend, and a lamb and merguez blend, as well as portobello mushroom cap or tuna.

Then move onto a selection of 8 different cheeses…then onto 12 types of sauces - including Russian dressing, Pico de Gallo, Peanut Sauce or BBQ…Burgers are 7 ounces, and are served on various types of brioche buns.

For my fellow french fry lovers, they offer a variety including sweet potato, shoe string, and steak fries…or you can choose their specialty fries, such as the Greek (Steak fries with yogurt sauce - although ask for it on the side otherwise they get soggy super fast), Sweet Potato with mango salsa, or shoe string with pesto!

Don’t forget the monstrous milkshakes…but you’ll probably want to share - they are huge!! Expect to pay about $25…worth every penny!

Located in Bloomingdale’s, mid-level of the men’s lower level near LAB, 1000 Third Avenue (between 59th and 60th) - Manhattan

Let me first start this off by saying that the ACE Hotel NYC is a great backdrop for photo shoots…the hotel lobby, the event space, staircase, and loft, all make for great set-ups! The vibe is very rock/hipster/camping/Americana etc…I’m also a big fan of their bar scene and the drinks are amazing. However, after having just stayed there for the night, I wouldn’t be the first to recommend this hotel for anything more than the scene, a drink, or even the occasional Breslin Burger, from time to time.

Where not to stay: The service here is horrible…clearly that is not what they are known for. This is definitely not my idea of “lux” by any means. I’ve now seen all their rooms, and although the loft suite is the largest in the hotel, the amenities are really underwhelming. Considering I had to call maintenance to repair my tv, dialed housekeeping for five hours to get a set of towels, then back to maintenance to fix the shower (at 1am) AND room service forgot utensils?? I’d have to say it gets a NO GO on my list of where to stay…I could probably go IN a bit more, but i’ll give it a rest since I happen to like the management staff AND “the list” at Breslin is official. Just have the Lamb Burger and call it day…

Super cute!!! Loving these mini cupcakes featuring different cap frosting such as an UNDFTD strikes cap, THE HUNDREDS Adam bomb cap, ALIFE Script cap and a Raised By Wolves cap, to name a few. Props to the baker, Hanna Jo from a Korean restaurant in Ottawa, Canada.

Source: Strictly Fitteds…shout out to Nai!

Where to eat: Stumbled into Sagaponack, this cute restaurant for brunch over the weekend…really loved the “Hamptons” decor and surprisingly the food was really great! There really isn’t much of a selection around Flatiron district for a great breakfast, so this spot is definitely going into my rotation!

What to eat: Mini muffins and biscuits, Eggs Benedict on brioche, Chicken Apple Sausage, French Toast with Fresh Fruit and whipped cream…yummmm!!!

4 West 22nd St. btw 5th/6th Ave.

Where to eat: Another one of my favorite spots is Westville East…this remains on my weekly rotation!! Everything on the menu is great.

What to eat: Since the entire menu is phenomenal…I’ll just highlight a few of my favs from the standard menu (although their specials are all yummy): Corn on the cob (with lime), Beer Battered Cod Fish & Chips, Grilled Hot Dogs, Grilled Chicken Reuben Rye, and the Westville Cobb Salad. The market sides are delicious…a few recommendations: Artichoke Hearts with Parmesan, Grilled Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and the Sweet Potato Fries! You must try the blended mint-lemonade - one of their specialties. As for dessert?? Homemade oreo cookies, carrot cake and cobblers are just a few items…AMAZING!

173 Avenue A - East Village, Manhattan

Where to eat: I would definitely recommend Bacaro as “must visit” in the LES…really cute wine bar atmosphere with amazing food and pretty reasonable prices.

What to eat: Start with the Carciofi (Stuffed Artichoke), Spicy Fried Meatballs, Fiori di Zucca Ripieni (Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms - CRACKKKK) next the Stinco di Maiale (Pork Shank over Polenta) is amazing…ALL the desserts here are yummy too!

136 Division St. - LES