Manhattan

This is not your grandma’s rice pudding.

Sure, I may be O.D.ing on the desserts this week, but if the surreal exterior, hilarious signs and mantra “ Diet, Exercise, Die Anyway,” don’t have you curious for a spoonful, then maybe you need your fun chip re-inserted. Rice to Riches, located on Spring Street between Mott and Mulberry (yes, there is a Pinkberry just next door! Snack Attack on one block!) has completely revisited the long forgotten and ignored rice pudding and spun in into a delish dessert unlike any you’ve had yet.

They start with the freshest ingredients possible for a traditional rice pudding recipe and then kick it up a notch (Emeril much?) with fabulous, fun new additions like chocolate, raisins, bananas peanut butter and so many more. It is insane, unusual, and oh, so yummy. Who would have thought rice pudding could come in more flavors than Ben & Jerry’s?!

How much will this put you out you ask? Good question.

A “Solo” is  $5, but I think choosing the “Epic” –you can choose 2 flavors and share with a friend for $7.50 is the best deal. There are larger portions available for big groups too- pudding party anyone?

They Deliver from 12pm-10pm anywhere between Canal – 14^th street and Hudson- Ave. B. You can even send an e-gift certificate and when you check out their very intricate, entertaining website, you might be tempted to send some sweetness to a friend. Check out the fabtastic flavs they have going on now.

We’re all sophisticated, grown women here. We’re completely on trend, the image of style and poise, and we all know how to act like a lady. But every now and then, even the most posh Park Ave princess needs to roll up her sleeves and enjoy some real sloppy, home style BBQ cookin’ and leave the caviar at her penthouse.

I’m a  huge fan of Justin Timberlake and his restaurant Southern Hospitality (1460 Second Ave at 76thy, 212-249-1001). So when a foodie friend promised that Virgil’s served up a hearty helping of the best barbecque in town, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sample some.

With a menu consisting of Po’ Boys, Pork Ribs, Biscuits and homemade desserts like Banana Pudding and Sweet Potato Pie, you will not be disappointed by this sweet little spot. And don’t think this grub is just thrown together. The chefs artfully select the woods that the meats are smoked over, to enrich the flavors in these most decadent, delightful dishes. I couldn’t resist the pulled pork, shown here.

Come on down for a bite at their convenient midtown location- 152 W44th Street b/w 6th and 7th. If you’re still weary of getting sauce stains in your manicure, call 212-921-9663 and have yours delivered confidentially ;). 

and biking. . . walking. . . rollerblading. . .

Have you ever stood in the cross walk around rush hour, steps away from being smooshed by an angry cab driver, coughing from the fumes of exhaust pipes everywhere and wished for a moment in our lovely city without the honking, screetching headache that is the traffic of New York, just wide open streets to play and run amuck?

Wish granted m’dear! It’s true! The Department of Transportation has created Summer Streets. Three Saturdays in August where Park Ave and it’s surrounding streets from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park will be closed off to any traffic with more horsepower than a skateboard.

Feel free to walk, run, skip, bike, or attend the many fabulous events scheduled. You can learn to ride a bike with other grown ups who never have (don’t be scurred!), feel the burn at one of the many crunch gym fitness classes- right on the asphalt, or stroll along to the sounds of an improptu musical performance. The activities are quite unique, and very New York, reflecting the rich culture that we so often take for granted in our beloved city.

Better yet- get involved! The city still needs volunteers to help patrol, marshall and keep things running smoothly.

Click here to sign up! http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/involved/volunteer.shtml

See ya in the streets!

Friday was my intern Linsey’s last day! (Tear, tear!)

She was quite an untraditional intern, in that she was older than I was, and much more established in public relations in London. Linsey asked to work with us to gain different experiences- she was always interested in editorial- while her gorgeous boyfriend practiced law with his firm in Manhattan for the summer.

I never tired of asking her of the differences between ours and English culture. The accent, which I’m still terrible at imitating,  never ceases to make me giggle and we crack up over how our language barrier revolves around the same language.

So for her final day in my office, I could think of nowhere better to bring her but Tea & Sympathy on Greenwich St.

The only British tea shop in Manhattan (or that I know of. . . . anyone hear of another?) is too cute and cozy to pass up. “Proper” tea is served in adorable little pots and the aroma of authentic English treats and meals will have your mouth watering.

For $50, you can order tea for two which includes a three-tiered tray packed with delish finger sandwiches, scones served with clotted cream and jam (which Linsey pronouced as “scuns”), fat slices of yummy cakes, and of course, your choice of tea. Linsey cooly orded Earl Grey (of course!) and chuckled about how American of me it was to select peach.

Don’t forget to slip into the Brit shop next store for crisps, candies, and other goodies imported straight from  across the pond and consider getting involved in the fight for a Little Britain.

 For directions and info check out teaandsympathynewyork.com

 Cheers!