When I went to Max Brenner’s with a group of friends, I was quickly fixated on this tote bag. At first I didn’t believe her when she said she got it Forever 21, so I decided to do some research.
Forever21 has coyly branded it the “Ditsy Cupcake Shoppers Tote.” Honestly not sure where the ditsy part is, unless you’re ditsy enough to pass this deal up.
It’s a $1.50 so you really can’t go wrong with a giant bag for groceries and the like.
As a New Yorker, I tend to avoid tourist places due to higher price points and the crowds (and the long waits). However I do make an exception for Max Brenner‘s.
Max Brenner was one of the first places my fiance took me too when I first moved to New York City. I was amazed by the chocolate and the oddly designed drinkware. As well as the food was modestly We went there again a couple more times, but the price seemed more expensive and the wait suddenly was not worth it.
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| Making memories |
Recently, I had the opportunity to go back. ElleJay from Sherry and Cookies was in town and I was invited to a small get together. Max Brenner was on the agenda and I decided to give it another chance. Thankfully there was brunch on the menu.
Since it was St. Patrick’s Day, most of the table splurged on drinks.
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| Berry Nutty Professor |
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| Peach Lemonade |
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| Max’s White Russian |
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| Tiramisu |
I went with the Lazy Breakfast, presuming it was just your average “two eggs any style” staple. When it arrived I was very wrong and understood the “lazy” part of the title. I ordered and expected two eggs (sunnyside up) with bacon on the side and perhaps a roasted slice of tomato. Instead it was two fried eggs, tomato, and bacon bits as an omelette. Which was delicious and became a Max Brenner convert once again (at least for it’s brunch menu). My only disappointment was that the eggs were more cooked through than a runny yolk I tend to prefer.
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| Lazy Breakfast. |
On another note it also came with a sugar biscuit with butter and milk chocolate, as well as home fries. At first I was unsure how to use the chocolate, until it occurred that I could just drizzle it on the biscuit!
And the rest of our party’s lunches were just as delicious.
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| Pasta and paninis for everyone |
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| Kobe Beef Burger that was split in half with waffle fries and chili mayo. |
Taking into account that I was with Lolitas that day, we all chipped in for dessert. There was a sharing plate, a fondue for two, and banana tempura. And Max Brenner you should always save room for dessert, since chocolate is their specialty. Though be sure to share. This would be the only way you can finish without feeling guilty.
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| European Chocolate Fondue for two |
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| A sampler plate of everything on the dessert menu. Fondue not pictured. |
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| Banana Tempura |
Max Brenner is restaurant with slightly higher prices and long waits. When we visited there was practically no wait. They don’t take reservations for small groups, so if you are on a date have some topics of conversation on hand. But for chocolate it’s always well worth the wait.
Max Brenner
841 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
646-467-8803
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| Being a tourist for once! |
Audrey Grace is a small boutique in Mississippi that emulates all things beautifully vintage. The name comes from two prominent fashion icons that represents Audrey Grace: Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.
Thanks to Small Girls PR, Audrey Grace is being a good Southern hostess and throwing a party in honor of opening a pop-up shop at the Highline Loft. There’ll be sweets, wine, music and of course lots of advantages to shop!
This Friday, March 23rd from 8-10PM, you’ll be able to preview shopwares and clothes from Audrey Grace, Erin Fetherston, Alexander Grecco, Rachel Antonoff, Lulu Frost, etc.
There’ll even be a performance by SuperCute!, a local tween band from Brooklyn whose fashion style could be inspired by cult party kei.
The event is free, but it’s strongly suggested to RVSP to make sure there’s enough bubbly for everyone.
If you have already made Friday night plans, the pop up shop is still open from March 24th – 28th 11AM – 8PM. Check out their blog and Etsy for a preview of what to expect.
Audrey Grace Launch Party
Friday, March 23, 2012
8 – 10PM
The Highline Loft
508 W. 26th St
New York, NY 10001
While Hello Kitty prefers to be surround by macarons, she does like cupcakes once in awhile. This tiny suitcase was spotted in the Sanrio store in Times Square. Good to use if you need to change into Lolita or non-Lolita clothes for the day.
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| When in doubt, Laut. |
Now it’s time for the other half of brunch: lunch! There’s nothing wrong with eating breakfast at lunch time, but it’s nice to have a real lunch once in awhile.
I had originally discovered Laut through MalaysiaKitchen two years ago and was more than pleased with my experience. Now I try to bring everyone I know there at least once. Laut specializes in Malaysian, Singapore, and Thai food – a real Asian fusion. And if Lillies Victorian Bar is full, this is right next door.
One of the reasons I wanted to go here was that Laut is one of the few places that serves tea tarik. Tea tarik is warm milk tea that is “pulled” or poured back and forth between two metal cups before serving. This makes the tea very frothy and a pretty nice spectacle to watch if your near the kitchen.
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| Tea Tarik in action at a Malaysia canteen. |
Roti is traditonally Indian, but they serve this at Laut as well since Malay food is also has Indian originas. There are two kinds, Roti Canai and Roti Telur — both of which you can’t go wrong. Roti Canoi looks a very flaky funnel cake that you peel off and dip into sauces. Roti Telur looks more like a savory pancake with egg, peppers, and scallions.
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| Roti Telur straight from Malaysia |
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| Roti Telur with curry dipping sauce. Curry Puffs are optional, but delicious |
Laksa is another dish that is delicious and best served spicy. If you have watched No Reservations, this is a dish that Anthony Bourdain raves about a lot. Ironical a few weeks ago he even visited Laut to share his Singapore memories. I will warn you that the laksa here is so spicy that you may not be able to reach the bottom. I love spicy food as much as the next person and can take the heat too, but I had to throw in the towel and took at least half home.
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| Curry Laksa. |
What I also like about Laut is that you can walk in almost any time and get a table. While this is an indicator of not-so great food, Laut it just means the food is so great that most people just don’t know about it. The price was average and affordable, and the service was OK. I put an OK because waiting for the check was a bit of a hassle.
Laut
15 E 17th St
New York, NY 10003
212-206-8989
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| Picture of 2011 You Can’t Fake Fashion Bag |
In New York City it’s very easy to find counterfeits, sadly to say. Just today, I overheard two tourists about how they planned to go to Chinatown to “get a bag.” It’s cheaper and just as good as the real thing. However it’s not the real thing and the feeling of buying a counterfeit is not the same as buying the real deal. It also takes away hard-earned money and work and effort designers go through just to make these.
While Coach, Prada, and Louis Vuitton (or LV) are big brands, they still are hurt by the peddlers on the street.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America have teamed up with eBay’s Fashion Vault once again to bring shoppers and pro-activists together to promote the idea of support designers instead of counterfeiters. On Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 you can check out the bags or buy a blank canvas and design your own. This year will have four different styles: the duffle tote, the satchel tote, the gear tote, and the bucket tote.
One initiative they started was created generic canvas bags with the phrase “You Can’t Fake Fashion.” CFDA also asked several designers to created their own one-of-a-kind bag that is representing their brand. The designer bags ($200) tend to go rather quickly, but you can purchase regular totes ($45) to decorate or leave as is.
I wholly recommend purchasing and supporting CFDA’s cause. Plus you always need a new bag. Check out my review on last year’s tote.
My personal favorites this year are Betsey Johnson, Robert Gellar, The Row, and Tommy Hilfiger. You preview some of the designer totes, and the regular ones at SheFinds.
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| Prom Season is Here. |
A great way to start spring is some spring shopping. Everyone needs a signature piece and Betsey Johnson is the best brand for the season.
Next week, Betsey is having one of her annual sample sales at the Millenium Broadway Hotel starting Tuesday, March 21, 2012.
Go the last day for extreme markdowns or go everyday to see what’s new in stock. Either way you can’t help walking away with at least one item.
Betsey Johnson Spring Sample Sale
March 21 – March 24, 2012
Millenium Broadway Hotel
145 W 44th, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212-993-9251
I have a boyfriend who has the habit of making goofy drawings inside greeting cards. This was he drew for Valentine’s Day.
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| A very royal wall. |
Tea and Sympathy is one of those places you know about and have always wanted to go, but for some other reason something always comes up. Our story is set in the Greenwich Village and getting there is a lot like finding Neverland walking several side streets. And even then you have to wait for your own taste of authentic British food.
The big thing you should have to know is that Tea and Sympathy is very quaint and very small. As such they’ve posted several rules on the door and you will have to wait a bit — longer if you have a large party. Speaking of large parties, this place is very much a “tea for two.” I’ve visited with parties as small as two to as big as five, but I recommend no larger than four. And no matter how small you will feel cramped. But the food and tea will make up for it.
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| Nothing says British like beans and toast. Any better would be a toad in a hole. |
Like Alice’s Tea Cup, Tea and Sympathy has a large selection of tea served in a various novelty teapots. Tea flavors range from floral and fruity like Black Currant to more traditional like English Breakfast and Earl Grey (of course).
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| Can’t tell if this teapot is from London, can you? |
The food is pretty good, and the wait staff is pretty prompt with service (especially when it comes to water for tea and more cream for scones). If you are going for Afternoon Tea prepare yourself because it will take you an afternoon to finish.
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| Afternoon Tea for One (and 3/4) |
There are two versions (single and two-person) but there honestly isn’t a difference, except maybe a few more sandwiches. What’s good to know is they are very accommodating if you want a vegetarian version. All you need to do is ask.
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| One of these cups are not like the other. |
However if you aren’t willing to wait for a table or feel weird just standing outside like a dog in the window, they do have a shop adjacent to the restaurant that has enough goodies to satisfy any Anglophile.
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| These teapots are not for sale, but the ones next door are. |
Not able to head down to the Village? Then you can at least visit their blog for recipes, contests and various British things Americans find funny and odd.
Tea and Sympathy
108 Greenwich Avenue
New York City, NY 10011
Also feel free to check out my list of tea rooms in NYC if Tea and Sympathy is not your cup of tea.
