Sundance, Utah...

I deeply apologize for the delay in reviews and though I wasn't intentionally trying to slack, I did opt to take a few vacations.. Sundance in Utah for the Film Festival is very popular amongst the self made important/actually important people in New York and LA. So if you plan on attending next year be ready for lots of "hard to get into" parties, lots of traffic, and altitude changes.. Please make time to go skiing/snowboarding/snowmobiling for the mountains are ridiculously beautiful. And if you're a foodie, check out the place I listed below. It was the only good food I had in 3 days. OH... AND ONE MORE THING.... If you're not good at snowmobiling, DO NOT BE THE LAST ON THE TRAIL!!!!!!!!!

Blue Cheese Fondue with pears, crusty bread and bison tips found at American Western restaurant called "Purple Sage" located on Main St. I usually dislike blue cheese and even I couldn't stop devouring this app. I would def check out this place for a quiet and elegant meal during your stay in this awesome city.

The local mascot!

At the T-Mobile lounge where we could order our bloody mary's through a cool t-mobile phone. Phone worked, bloody mary's sold out. We had to settle for waters and a coke. BOO!

Picture moment during snowmobiling in an amazing mountain ab 45 min north of Sundance, Utah.

Hotel Griffou

When I heard that Hotel Griffou stems from the same team of La Esquina, Freeman's and the Waverly Inn.. I knew to expect a treny scene with pretty decent New American food. I was right. Apart from the sexy CLUE-esque decor, the cocktails are the star of the show. They have an array of delicious and well crafted drinks as well as a nice wine list. I also loved the gentle and no-attitude type service which surprised me because normally you don't get this from "hot spots".. When we were finally moved from the bar to one of the dining rooms, I noticed how the mood went from lively to very calm. The dining rooms music volume is extremely low which I wasn't expecting from a sceney restaurant filled with cool 20somethings. The food was above average but not the best. My friends ordered falafel and steak frite while I opted for the pork dish which ended up being slightly fried pork cutlets soaked in sauce with mushrooms and snow peas. Quite frankly it just tasted like chicken marsala from a local Italian restaurant. However I do hear the disco fries are awesome. We opted for the truffle fries... MMM! Overall, Hotel Griffou is ideal for a sexy date that you know loves a cool scene and for a girls group dinner before going out but be prepared to drop some dough!

Hotel Griffou

21W. Ninth St. (btwn 5&6 ave)

212-358-0228

*no website*

Little Branch

I love speakeasies and this one is no exception.. Located behind a non-assuming black door on the corner of 7th ave and Leroy St...Little Branch hails from Milk and Honey's master mixologist; Sasha Petraske. Upon arriving you notice the bartenders working from a no-joke amount of ingredients and liquors that you wouldn't find at your local bar. The decor was modeled after the 1920's prohibition era and the staff sticks to that attire. The mood is way more relaxed than Milk and Honey's. They even have live jazz music from Sun-Thurs nights around 10pm. I wouldn't advise big groups to come here for there's very limited space but do bring a date you're really into and feel free to dress the part ;) ...

Little Branch
2o Seventh Ave. S. & Leroy St
212-929-4360
www.LittleBranch.net

FREEMANS

Now, I know this place has been around for a while, but on New Years Day I FINALLY decided to eat at this uber-hipster trendy restaurant. For those of you who aren't familiar with this super cool spot, it's located at the end of freeman's alley in the lower east side which is one of MY favorite blocks downtown. Soooo you would imagine my disappointment after knowing this place is so successful that the food was EH and the service was slow. Not to mention we waited like 30 minutes for the crappiest special I've ever had. I would post the picture of this tuna tartar but it's literally the foulest looking plate I've ever seen. However, I do love the old cabin lodge decor therefore I will suggest a cool drink date at their "speak easy" type bar in the room to the right ;) ...

Freemans
Freeman's Alley (off Rivington Btwn Bowery and Crystie St.)
212-420-0012
www.freemansrestaurant.com

Kuma Inn

Where can you go on a lazy monday where you're trying to pinch your pennies but still want delicious food?? KUMA INN. It's ideal for just that. Hidden on the second floor of a discreet building, it's still considered undiscovered by the uncool. It's a good thing the menu has starred off their signature dishes because this filipino/thai restaurant has the staff to match. My favorite dish was the Kuma Bolognese! It was an Asian play on an Italian dish...Love when chefs do that! The best part is... ITS B.Y.O.B! So get as drunk as you want on your own beer or wine but arrive early because the staff definetly doesn't like sticking around past closing hour.

Kuma Inn
113 Ludlow St. 2nd fl. Btwn Delancey and Rivington
(212)353-8866
www.kumainn.com

Adam Sandler Santa Song

Jews love Christmas too!

Yummy Christmas Cocktail Recipes!

What's family time without someone getting hammered? Click above for an awesome list of Christmas influenced cocktails that you can make at home!