I met Trish exactly 6 years ago at the Arts Club in London. A friend of mine was a huge fan and she really wanted to say hello. I walked up to Trish's table and told her my friend was a massive fan and we would love to speak to her. I didn't know who [...]
An afternoon with Michael McCarty
For as long as I can remember, I have loved a party and there is no better party than a great restaurant alive with conversation, clinking glasses, smooth service and delicious food.. Michael is an enigmatic personality. He is what restaurateurs should be like - warm, welcoming and with a presence that all guests recognise. [...]
Naomi Heaton of The Other House
New luxury is about experiences and being in control. Luxury isn't always traditional. Naomi's career started as an advertising professional hence it is no surprise that her play of words resulted in The Other House. Naomi has had an extensive career as a property developer since then. Her passions and eye for interiors is visible [...]
A few days at Bergdorfs
A friend of mine recommended this spot in New York and at first my reaction was, 'never'! I wouldn't be going for a drink to a pretentious bar at a luxury department store in New York. It just wasn't happening! However, after insistence from him, I landed there for a drink one Sunday afternoon. I [...]
A Sanctuary in Times Square
When people talk Times Square, they're usually referring to extremely busy and full of tourists. Very few people want to stay in Times Square because the assumption has always been big hotels, impersonal service and chain restaurants and a very overwhelming atmosphere. I personally enjoy staying in the neighborhood due to many reasons. It is [...]
Parisian Luxury: My Favorites
Parisian definition of luxury blew me away during my trip in March. I thought I had experienced luxury till I stepped in to Le Meurice and was taken aback by their synergy of classic and modern interiors. Here is a round up of some of my favourites. Le Meurice My favourite feature at Le Meurice [...]
The Walker Hotel TriBeca
The Walker has become a home away from home. It's a wonderful feeling when you revisit a hotel or restaurant, and you're immediately recognised by the staff. It's also wonderful when you're checking out and the staff asks when you'll be back. All these small details make a world of a difference. The Walker Hotel [...]
Frenchette Bakery
I discovered Frenchette on Thanksgiving Day last year when everything else was shut down in the area that morning. I stumbled upon Frenchette, nestled in a residential building on Church Street not far from the Walker Hotel Tribeca. As I walked towards the bakery in the residential lobby, I saw a massive a queue, leading [...]
My Story of Angelina Paris
Dreams come true. They really do! I have been dreaming of having that hot chocolate at The Angelina in Paris for many years. I didn't have a British passport till 2 years ago and I didn't want to go through the hassle of visas to travel to Europe. So I waited a whole 13 years [...]
An afternoon at Devocion
I stumbled upon Devocion when a friend discovered my coffee blog and encouraged me to pay a visit. I wasn't aware that there could be such a thing as the 'freshest coffee available bean to cup' or of the concept of 'sparkling coffee' both of which are available at Devocion. I organised to visit the [...]
A week at Jacques….
I have been visiting The Lowell for years and needless to say, it is a home away from home but rarely did I spend the amount of time I did during this trip, mingling with guests, the team at Jacques and The Club Room and realising how well connected the place can be if you [...]
MarieBelle SoHo New York
Nothing beats waking up early in New York to make my way downtown to SoHo. I don't know if it is just me, but SoHo feels like another city. It is chic, bright and the coffee shops are another level of trendy. I had arranged prior to leaving to New York to meet with Maribel, [...]
Intercontinental New York, Return to Manhattan
I was nervous before the big trip. I was flying back to New York after exactly 20 months and it was hard to believe that the time had arrived. Something in me felt like it was just yesterday that I was in Manhattan. However, another part of me knew deeply that a lot of time [...]
Ozohu Adoh of Epara
I interviewed Ozohu during the pandemic remotely but I had the pleasure to meet her in person this autumn which I am extremely glad about. Meeting Ozohu in person made me realise how much I have missed connecting with female entrepreneurs and leaders. When I met Ozohu in person, we immediately connected over life and [...]
An Ode to that Pink Building on the Upper East Side
My first trip as an adult to New York was in 2014. It was a hot summer and I was in the city for a brief visit. I treated myself to a special night at The Mark Hotel which was exceptional and swanky. Some industry colleagues told me about it in London and it seemed [...]
Coffee with Joy Isaacs of ARgENTUM Apothecary
I promised myself that even though 2020 restricted us from meeting new people easily I wouldn't stop reaching out to interesting female entrepreneurs who inspired me and had a special story to share. I have always been very careful about the skincare I use. I try to keep my routine as simple as possible and [...]
Erin Jeanne McDowell: The Pie Maestro
This year has done unthinkable things to me. I missed New York mentally. I still do. But I began thinking about all the places I missed and how could I recreate those specific desserts at home. An American Pie and Banana Cream Pudding aren't available here. So I had to find a way to curb [...]
Coffee with Clare Price of Guava & Gold
In October, during our limited freedom to mingle and meet people, I met Clare Price for an extended brunch in Notting Hill! We were so happy to be able to connect after a very tiresome summer. We still felt the looming anxiety on what was next with the pandemic but we also felt grateful that [...]
My Case for Coffee Bars in Hotels
Coffee bars at hotels are a special place especially in New York.
Coffee with Hugues Pouget of Hugo & Victor
There is only one thing I can say with the current uncertainty of travel - thank God I went to Paris when I could even if it was in August. I had the pleasure of visiting the Hugo & Victor Boutique in Paris. It is located between the 6th and 7th arrondissements; the Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in [...]
My First Visit to Paris: Hotel Gramont
Paris for the first time... I waited for 11 years for my British Passport. I didn't want to go through the constant hassle of getting visit visas, so when I became a British national in January, I knew this could be it - the doors to freely traveling within the EU and many other countries [...]
Coffee with Kirsten Harlow Foster of Foster Supply Hospitality
'I love that I can walk down almost any Main Street here and know most of the people I pass by. I love that they know my family, that they know my kids, and that we represent the true definition of Community.' I have rarely ventured out of Manhattan and Williamsburg during my visits to [...]
Coffee with George & Vinny of Chapter Coffee
Chapter Coffee was one of the last places I really wanted to visit prior to lockdown, but things closed down so quickly I missed the opportunity. Being stuck at home during the lockdown and trying to motivate myself was difficult. However, brands have become increasingly creative during this time and coffee is one thing I [...]
Coffee with Deborah Goodrich Royce
Lockdown has given me a chance to connect to some very inspiring women and patrons of the arts and hospitality industry. During the lockdown, I have been reading some books from the Reese Witherspoon Bookclub which I have really enjoyed. Whilst researching for recommendations I came across Deborah's book, Finding Mrs. Ford, and realized Deborah [...]
Coffee with Tonya Kidd-Beggs of Stories Parfums
Perfume is a weakness of mine and I was delighted to have discovered this niche perfume brand during lockdown!
Dedicated to Burger Heaven
We’re a bit of a nutty family. I was born in 1990 but my older siblings ensured we had watched many movies from well before our times. For instance, The Odd Couple. What I love about the Odd Couple is how it depicts New York and some things have not changed! For instance, traditional diners. [...]
When this is all over…
This lockdown has only taught me one thing. To not take anything for granted and to ensure as soon as we are out of this, do everything I have wanted to do. This involves a lot of coffee, tequila beverages, and food plus soaking up the best hotel atmospheres. I want to revisit every place [...]
Coffee with Eli Zabar
When it comes to experiencing the 'real' New York, there is nothing more authentic than experiencing Eli Zabar's food stores, restaurants, and delis! I passed by Eli's several times during my visits to New York over the years but I didn't really know the extent of the offering until I visited Eli's Market on the [...]
Coffee with Carol Becker of William Greenberg Desserts
Carol Becker is the President of William Greenberg Desserts. I heard about William Greenberg Desserts through the owner of The Lowell Hotel and Carol is the president of bakery that has several locations across NY and also delivers. William Greenberg is an institution of the Upper East Side and New York in the bakery department! [...]
Coffee with Leading Astrologer, Susan Miller
I met Susan Miller entirely by fate. I was meeting some friends at Fred’s for brunch during a visit and there she was chatting to me whilst I waited for a table at the bar. I had no clue who Susan Miller was back then but our conversation was so meaningful and has been every [...]
Coffee with Lorenzo Antonelli of Sant Ambroeus
I discovered Sant Ambroeus during my first solo (adulthood) visit to New York in 2014. I was recommended by the concierge at the Mark Hotel. I loved everything about it. The understatedness yet quintessential Italian hospitality, the coffee, and ambiance. I met with the Head of Operations, Lorenzo Antonelli, who has worked with the group [...]
Colin Clague of Ruya
Ruya hands down has been one of the most authentic and scenic restaurants I have been to recently in London. The struggle ‘fancy’ restaurants face is that they either miss out on the atmosphere or food – it is very hard to usually find a balance and a location that ticks all boxes. I was pleasantly [...]
A.O.K Kitchen & Bakery
Kelly Landesberg's A.O.K Kitchen has a wonderful ethos and concept behind it which will make it a huge success for people looking to relax in Marylebone without any judgment behind what they choose to have and how much of it! When I met Kelly recently she told me about the concept behind A.O.K and what [...]
Maury Rubin of City Bakery, New York
My first ever solo trip to NY was in the summer of 2014. I was making a list of places to go visit and being a coffeeholic, I was highly recommended City Bakery by a concierge at a hotel. I remember walking in and thinking - this is not a typical bakery or what I [...]
Coffee with Arnold Wilkerson of the Little Pie Company
I stumbled upon the Little Pie Company during the summer of 2018 when I was staying at the Cachet Hotel. I take early morning jet lagged walks in the neighborhood and that is how I find the hidden gems of the city one of which was the Little Pie Company. I found myself drooling over [...]
Coffee with Nicola Farinetti of Eataly
I discovered Eataly a few years ago when a friend recommended we meet for dinner at the Flatiron location. I was left speechless by the variety and 'Italian-ness' of the place (if that was a word!). You will be in an Italian heaven the second you enter the store. The first thought that came to [...]
Coffee with Gabrielle Rubinstein from Joe Coffee
My first experience of Joe was on New Year's day 2015 on the Upper West Side at 7 am. It still is one of the best barista conversations I have had till date considering I was really jet lagged, hung over from the night before and just plain new to the neighborhood. When I revisited [...]