Wine With Wanda

Ryanair Considers Charging Passengers to Use the Loo

Ireland based no-frills airline Ryanair is considering charging passengers 1 euro to use the restroom aboard their planes. Do I really need to comment on this? This is sooooo very tacky. Once again, I find myself pining for the golden age of travel.

Click here to read more in the Times.

Join The Black Dress Traveler for Hot Dresses & Cool Drinks at the Kathlin Argiro Showroom

SOLD OUT!

Don't miss The Black Dress Traveler Official Launch Party!

Friday, March 13

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Kathlin Argiro Showroom

265 West 37th Street, 7th Floor. New York City.

Wine & Cheese will be served.

Courtesy of Bath Junkie, NYC's best beauty store, guests will receive a sample of Spicy Georgia Peach scented bubbling bath crystals. (while supplies last) Read about how this scent was inspired and created.

THEVI Cosmetics will offer 5 minute makeup touch-ups.

No charge to attend. RSVP required. To reserve your space, please send an e-mail to [email protected] by Friday, March 6.

Communicating in cyberspace is great but the Black Dress Traveler is all about getting out and enjoying life! Yes, I am encouraging you, my wonderful readers, to leave the computer behind for a few hours and join me for a fun and chic evening of hot dresses and cool drinks at designer Kathlin Argiro's showroom in the heart of Manhattan's garment district.

       

A dressaholic's best friend, Kathlin Argiro's designs have been worn by many celebrities, including fashion authority Stacy London and news anchor Katie Couric. Designs from her ready-to-wear collection have been featured in VOGUE, In Style, Women's Wear Daily and The Washington Post. I am a big fan of Kathlin's chic and travel-friendly jersey wrap dresses that flatter all figures and are priced at a recession-friendly $95. Argiro has also earned rave reviews for her bridesmaid, graduation, and evening dresses.

Have dress - will travel, I always say, so I have invited STG Tours and  Italian Days (Iyengar Yoga Retreat in Sicily) to the party to give us inspiration for our next getaway!

Hope to see you on March 13!

A Culinary Escape to Piemonte at Aurora Ristorante in Soho

On a chilly winter night in New York City I don't just want dinner, I want to escape.  A simple meal won't suffice when this girl is hungry for big flavors, a warm ambiance, and the desire to feel temporarily transported away from the chaos of city life. Aurora in Soho was the answer to my prayers.

Located at 510 Broome Street, Aurora's rustic dining room is decorated without pretension. Wooden tables and chairs perfectly complement the exposed brick and roughly textured walls. The room is warmly lit by candles that flicker in small brown paper bags on the table. My Italian-American dining companion who has traveled throughout the country exclaimed that she felt like she was back in Italy.

Executive Chef Riccardo Buitoni (that is him in the snazzy glasses) has a portfolio of authentic Italian restaurants that includes the 6 year old Aurora in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), the 2 year old Soho location and a soon-to-open third eatery, also in Soho, on Mott Street. Known for Italian artisan cuisine, the menu at Aurora changes based on the availability of seasonal provisions. The regular menu is quite impressive but we opted for the wine pairing dinner. Reasonably priced at $40 per person, the meal includes 3 courses each paired with a different Italian vino. Offered on Monday evenings, each month the wine pairing dinner will feature a different region of Italy. Chef Buitoni kicked off the series in February with a culinary showcase of the flavors of his native Piemonte.

 Located on the northwestern border of Italy with France and Switzerland,  Piemonte is surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Italy which secured the city of Turin's selection as host for the 2006 Winter Olympics. The hearty cuisine of pasta, fowl and meat is the perfect match with the cold winter months.

 

 

Our tasting of Chef Buitoni's hometown favorites began with Vitello Tonnato (roasted thin sliced veal loin with traditional capers and lemon mayonnaise) and La Terrina (warm pig trotters terrine with pickled vegetables salad). Diners get to choose from one of two first courses so we each opted to order something different so that we could do our due diligence and taste everything. Light and fruity with a hint of dryness, the Dolcetto d'Alba (Carlo Boffa 2006) paired perfectly with both dishes.  Tender and perfectly sliced, the veal was given a nice spark by the capers and subtle lemon flavors. The silky texture of the terrine contrasted nicely with the acidic flavors and crunchy textures of the pickled veggies.

One of the standout dishes of the evening was Il Risotto. A vibrant shade of red that demanded attention, the Satur farm beet risotto with goat cheese from Piemonte was a perfect melding of flavors. The natural sweetness of the beets paired with the savory cheese was simply heaven.  Too bad you can't stroll into the kitchen and ask for seconds at a restaurant.  The Maltagliati was also delicious - chestnut flavored pasta with quail ragu is a perfect stick-to-your ribs winter dish. Every bite is worth the extra time on the treadmill. As expected,  these hearty courses were paired with a full bodied wine. In this instance, the Barbera d' Alba (Ruggeri Corsini 2006).

 

The final course consisted of one option but what an option it was - deceptively simple but so very delicious La Polenta. Although sharing corn origins with my beloved southern grits, I find that polenta retains more of the natural corn flavor. Just to make absolutely sure that you don't leave hungry, Chef Buitono serves his soft and creamy polenta with mixed porcini & wild mushrooms, gorgonzola fondue, Berkshire spare ribs ragu & homemade meatballs. How does one tackle so many flavors? Scoop some polenta on your plate and then sample each of the dishes separately using the polenta as your base as it enthusiastically absorbs the flavors of the sauces. Toast this fabulous meal with a glass of Nebbiolo Langhe (Carlo Boffa 2006). 

For dessert, a moist chocolate cake with strawberries and a glass of sweet wine is the perfect ending and worth ordering a la carte.

I enjoyed every morsel of my dinner at Aurora but the exceptional service and cozy ambiance made the evening truly one to remember. We lingered for 3 hours and although the dining room was bustling, our charming waiter Markus never rushed us. Extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the wines, this musician could even spare a few minutes to chat about the Grammy awards. Not only will I go back to Aurora, I will certainly add manager Giancarlo's Italian movie suggestions to my Netflix queue. Meeting the chef is always a treat and Buitoni did not disappoint. His culinary talent is undeniable but Chef Buitioni is also down-to-earth and gracious. 

Aurora Ristorante is indeed in Manhattan but entering that dining room transported this weary New Yorker into a cocoon where the plate is always full, the wine easily flows, and the only stressful moment comes when you realize that you can't stay all night. But there's always tomorrow.

For more information, visit www.aurorasoho.net.

Continental Connection Flight 3407

My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all who perished in the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 from Newark to Buffalo. 

The Ziplock Files: Travel Friendly Beauty Products

Dear Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

I know you have our safety in mind but must we travel like plain janes? I used to pride myself on packing like a pro and fitting all of my essential beauty supplies and clothes for the week in one stylish carry on bag. That was until you decided that each liquid carried by passengers onto an airplane could not exceed 3 ounces. And just to keep it interesting darling TSA, you insisted that those skimpy 3 ounce containers had to fit into one lonely, clear, plastic, totally unchic Ziplock bag.

Ooh, you are mean TSA. I have seen grown Gucci clad women reduced to tears by your cavalier tossing away of those dangerous lip glosses, mascaras and perfumes that did not meet the requirements. Try as you might you won't make me shed a tear while I am standing there humbled and shoeless in the security line. For most trips I have started checking in my bags just to make sure I can bring all of my favorite lotions and potions with me.  (Of course, this means I am counting on my luggage not getting lost.) But with so many airlines charging to check even one bag, I can no longer justify this extra expense.

So I called on my other traveling beauty addicts to get some tips and product suggestions that meet your pesky specifications. TSA, we're playing by your rules. We'll travel light but we won't travel ugly. Feel free to share these pearls of wisdom. Smooches!

Stick with What You Know

Perhaps a vacation is not the best time to experiment with a brand new skin care regimen. For those items that you normally buy from a department store, always ask for sample sizes of your favorite items so that you have them on hand when you are ready for travel. Sephora is always generous with samples. And, perhaps your favorite skin care line already makes a travel set. The popular ProActiv Solution sells a 30 day trial system in the perfect size. Caren sells try-me sizes of their natural and chemical free beauty products.

Replace your liquid foundation with a stick, mineral powder or creme compact. You will get the same great coverage without taking up precious space in your Ziplock bag. MAC and Prescriptives both offer their full color spectrum in non-liquid formulas. If you must use a liquid, I recommend THEVI. This mineral liquid powder with SPF 15 gives natural but long-lasting full coverage that lets you skip the concealer.

Replace your liquid cleanser with a cleansing cloth. Olay and Dove offer some great options.

Try Something New

Cindy Crawford and Heidi Klum aren't just gorgeous but these two beauties have probably racked up at least a million frequent flier miles each. Since they make a living from their picture perfect faces, any skincare line that bears their name deserves a look.

Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty not only helps to diminish the visible signs of aging but the introductory kit features travel friendly sizes of the entire line. In addition to the Skin Softening Cleanser, Daily Moisturizer and Night Fluid, the kit includes a unique decollete and neck creme.

Heidi Klum's In an Instant introductory kit features your must have cleanser and tinted moisturizer in TSA friendly sizes along with an Instant Wrinkle Smoother Pen that diminishes the appearance of wrinkles quicker than you can say auf wiedersehen.     

Actifirm also sells a 30-day discovery kit that includes skincare essentials and a skin peel.

Do More with Less

Going on a romantic getaway? Massage Oil Candles by Lano not only warm your room with a fragrant glow but can also be used as a luxurious body oil.

  Skip the perfume and pack a fragrant body lotion, oil or body wash from Bath Junkie. Customize your choice with a choice of 200 fragrances from classic vanilla, flirty bubble gum, or even earthy dirt! You can even select a water based tint.

Pack a multi-tasker like Carey & Co.'s Ultra Moisturizing Scrub. It does not contain any liquid but this triple threat cleanses, exfoliates, and moisturizes. 

Setoso's (Italian for silky) luxurious EyeBalm and SerumBalm pack powerful skin nutrients and moisturizers like olive and grapeseed in a handy solid stick form.  

Faux Dry from the New York Blow Dry Bar uses micronized corn starch to absorb excess oil without leaving a powdery residue.  No liquid, no fuss.

Available in major drug stores, Bio-Oil comes in a 2 ounce bottle and can be used to moisturize your entire body while helping to even skin tone.

Soapourri Butter Bar provides lush moisture in a solid form with 25% shea butter. 

Healing Anthropology's Face and Body Mist combines essential oils and aloe vera juice in a petite but potent 2 ounces.

Stay tuned! Each month the Black Dress Traveler will feature a new selection of travel-friendly beauty products. E-mail me at [email protected] with your suggestions.

Cultural Couture at the New York Times Travel Show

I just spent a whirlwind afternoon at The New York Times Travel Show and my shoulder hurts from the mountain of brochures and swag I loaded into my oversized bag. The gold Mardi Gras beads with a playa' worthy plastic medallion branded "Forever New Orleans" was my favorite freebie. (No, I did not have to flash anybody to get the beads!)

From Maine to Malaysia, Puerto Rico to the Poconos, Anguilla to Alaska; exhibitors representing virtually every corner of the globe filled the Javits Center. To keep it upbeat, small stages throughout the venue showcased music and dance representative of each region. While the music certainly provided an auditory treat, I was most intrigued by the beautiful attire worn by many of the performers and staff. The  bright colors and intricate patterns of the traditional clothing added vibrancy and authenticity to the event. Here are a few of my favorites.

 

Puerto Rico

 

 

Indonesia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aruba

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Africa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maine

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panama

Luck Goes Luxe: ACES to Atlantic City

I must confess that my last trip to the Atlantic City casinos was sponsored by my Grandmother's church group. Picture me and a busload full of sassy seniors with visions of jackpot riches in their eyes. Once the bus arrived, I wished Granny luck and made a beeline for the Boardwalk. Gambling isn't my shtick but snacking on saltwater taffy while strolling alongside the Atlantic Ocean was worth the tedious bus ride.

New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds enjoy escaping to Atlantic City for the casinos, concerts and the opportunity to let their hair down but getting there can be a hassle. Now the actual trip to Atlantic City can be a part of the fun with the appropriately named ACES express train service. ACES is scheduled to begin service from Penn Station on Friday, February 6 and will only run on weekends.

Believe it or not, direct train service from the Big Apple to AC was previously non-existent. While more expensive than taking the bus or driving yourself. ACES lets you start the party even before you hit the slots. A $150 first class ticket includes leather seats with extra legroom and food & beverage service. You can go coach for $100 or travel high roller style by taking over the train lounge for an extra charge. ACES only runs on weekends.

Maybe Grandma and her posse will want to give it a try.

For more information, visit www.acestrain.com.