My Favorites
I've always been the friend people call on for restaurant recommendations, favorite recipes, beautiful hotels, and the perfect cookbook to gift someone who loves to entertain. This is where I share the places, products, and discoveries that have earned a permanent place at my table.
best of ✶ New York City
My home for the past 25 years. This is where the magic happens. This is where my daughters were born, where I raised my family where I forged a path ahead with romistable. When I think of New York I think of constant movement and constant motion. at the same time, New York is a place where you must stop and take in your surroundings at that precise moment you are presently in at that time. Take the subway, take the ferries, take a yellow cab, and immerse yourself in the myriad of food, gatherings, hotspots, hidden gems, marketplaces, theaters, galleries, museums, and of course the uniqueness and fabulousness of the people that make New York City the greatest city on earth. Dynamic duos of restaurants: Le Coucou and La Mercerier!
Vegetable soup from Via Quadrono (try to eat outside if the weather is nice).
Thai coconut chicken soup from Jean Georges at the Mark Hotel... and the people-watching is great.
Best modernized take on Chinese food is at Red Farm.
Best Challah is from Elis and the best sourdough baguette is from Breads Bakery.
Best restaurant from Major Food Group is Torrisi’s.
Best place to have a pre-dinner drink is at the Crosby Hotel or the Library Bar in the Public Hotel. Veronika has a great bar too.
Little Owl! A gem of a restaurant in the West Village that’s been around for decades and is still as delicious and intimate as when it first debuted. Right around the corner is Via Carrota. A perfect pairing of NYC destinations.
Upper East Side Italian Trifecta: Elios (Wednesday night is meatball night)! Il Campagnola (the grated potatoes are simply to die for) and Antonucci’s Cafe, right outside Madonna’s townhouse and my personal favorite! All local, all iconic, all fabulous.
And lastly, another trifecta…Raoul’s, Bond Street and Indochine. They NEVER get old. They are ALWAYS in style.
best of ✶ Montreal
My hometown. My sense of place. My forever home. The second biggest French-speaking metropolitan city in the world. And yet the people who live here forge ahead in embracing all cultures and languages (despite at times the government's desire to curtail). Montreal is unlike any other city in North America and it’s immediately apparent as soon as you immerse yourself in the city. It’s old-world Europe meets new-world technology. It’s old-world France meets new-world Silicon Valley (yes it’s now become the tech hub of Canada). It’s a small city in comparison to other major metropolises but carries itself with a big personality. Best brunch is at Beauty’s. Arthur’s is right behind it for best brunch.
Best smoked meat is at Snowden Deli (sorry Schwartz’s)!
Best bar is Bar George, best lounge is Atwater Social Club and best lounge / bar mash-up is Fly Gin! And…if you’re staying downtown and looking for a great nightcap, go to Cloakroom, an intimate speakeasy that is simply divine.
Best Greek food is at the OG Milo’s while Faros on Fairmont Ave is a close second and more reasonably priced.
Best bagels: St Viateur and Fairmont both make spectacular bagels! But you must go at night while they’re baking them and then try one. Heavenly!
Best cheap Chinese food is Kam Shing. I’m partial to the one on Van Horn.
Best cut fruit is at the National. Sounds weird but you’ll never have better cut fruit in your life.
Vin Mon Lapin and Violin, two of the most delicious recent openings that are not only locally recognized but now world renowned!! But getting a rezzie has become tough.
I am loving Celeste from the owners of Beatrice and Estelle. Located in the Alcan building right across the street from my favorite hotel, The Ritz Carlton. Their branzino might be the best I have ever had and the vibe is super chic!!
Make your way to Notre Dame Street. Fabulous restaurants like Foxy and Tuck Shop, amazing homeware stores and if you have the time, meander along the Lachine canal until you reach the Atwater market. And then just take in all the amazing food possibilities.
BEST OF ✶ MONT TREMBLANT
My happy place: pure and simple. Where I spend every summer (all summer, lucky me) and every Christmas holiday, peppered with a few more VISITS throughout the year. This is my Hamptons, my Muskoka, my magical home away from home that I’m grateful for every day I wake up and look outside before I start my day.
Everyone should be so lucky to have such a deep connection to a physical destination. The offerings both on and off the resort make it a world-class destination but it’s the local businesses, shop owners, craftsmen, and restaurants where I’m most comfortable and appreciative.O Grain du cafe for lunch. Killer lunch spot in a bike shop.
Cucinnoto for lunch, gnocchi poutine, and delicious brownies. Also an Italian grocery store and bakery.
The terrace at the Quintessence Hotel for sunset cocktails, oysters, and delicious dinners.
Ekki sushi. .. you’ll think you’re in Tokyo. Amazing
La petite Cachée. One of the OG restaurants in Montreal Tremblant. A recent ownership change has brought new young energy, and of course … delicious food.
Hiking to the top of the mountain. Just do it.
Rent a bike and then find a lunch spot along the 220km of trail that makes up Le Petit Train du Nord. Two of my favorites are La Gare in Labelle and Nord 83 in St. Jovite.
There’s a reason Le P’tit Caribou has been voted top ten Après ski bars in North America, it’s always a fabulous time. A bonus is their killer smash burgers and lobster rolls.
Palette De Bine for a local chocolatier, this store carries chocolate bars that have won numerous awards across North America. Located across the street from my favorite clothing store, La Raffinerie.
Try to get on the lake in the summertime. You won’t regret it.