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 [...]
Author: Saira Rasheed
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 [...]
Mondrian Park Avenue
I don't think I have stayed at a Philippe Starck designed property in the past though I have visited many including the Paramount Hotel Times Square. However, it has been a while since I stayed on Park Avenue and NoMad. The last time I was in the neighborhood was when the Redbury used to be [...]
The Water Tower
This was my second time staying in Williamsburg and The Williamsburg Hotel. However, this time round the very chic Water Tower at the hotel had opened. I didn't know much about the space before checking in but whoever I had mentioned staying at the hotel to, knew about the exclusive bar and appeal for it [...]
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 [...]