Wine With Wanda

The New York Hot List: Millennium Broadway Hotel Deal, Wicked Hot Chocolate, Best Bread in El Barrio

Last year, a record 52 million tourists visited New York City - wow! I think I gave directions to at least one million. Really, I absolutely love helping visitors find their way around my hometown and sharing my picks on what to see and eat! If a visit to the Big Apple is on on your agenda, here are a few hot tips for your trip.

Millennium Broadway Hotel "Take the Money and Run" Winter Promotion
From January 2 through March 31, the Millennium Broadway Hotel is offering guests 50 “City Fun Bucks” per room, per stay to spend as they choose. Simply book a deluxe room and, upon checkout, present your receipt for up to $50 of city spending and that amount will be deducted from the room charge. Purchases can include theater tickets, concert tickets, museum entrances, shopping, meals, cab fare and metro cards. Room rates start at $179 per night and must be booked by January 31, 2013, with stays completed by March 31. (This promotion applies to Friday, Saturday and Sunday night stays.) For more details, visit the website or call 1-800-622-5569.

Wicked Hot Chocolate at Jacques Torres
Walking around NYC in the winter can get a bit chilly, so warm up with a delicious cup of Wicked Hot Chocolate from Jacques Torres. Wicked Hot Chocolate blends rich dark chocolate with a hint of ground ancho and chipotle chili peppers, cinnamon, and allspice. I had a cup yesterday and it was fabulous - rich, creamy and chocolatey with a subtle kick of heat!

Hot Bread Almacen at La Marqueta
Located in East Harlem's historic La Marqueta, Hot Bread Almacen serves up Hot Bread Kitchen's amazing multi-ethnic breads. More than just a bakery, Hot Bread Kitchen provides low-income, foreign-born men and women with training as bakers as a path to financial stability. Their breads are available at various retailers and greenmarkets but only East Harlem has El Bialy del Barrio - an insanely delicious egg and cheese sandwich made with their onion bialy and drizzled with Mexican hot sauce!

Elegant Holiday Treats from La Maison du Chocolat

Decadent treats from La Maison du Chocolat are available all year but they always create exceptional edibles for the holidays. Whether you are looking for an exquisite box of chocolates for a Francophile friend with a sweet tooth or want to treat yourself, here are a few chic chocolate treats from one of France's most esteemed chocolatiers. And, La Maison du Chocolat is offering free shipping within the continental U.S. with a minimum order of $40 through December 20th.


Mendiant Pendant
$40
The lovely folks at La Maison du Chocolat sent me this lovely mendiant ornament just a little too soon - I devoured mine about a month ago and it never made it to my Christmas tree! Accented with edible gold flakes, the delicious dark chocolate pendant contains almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, and pecans. FYI, a mendiant is a traditional French confection made of a disk of chocolate covered with dried nuts and, sometimes, dried fruits too.


A Christmas in Paris Coffret
$75-$275
This elegant set contains five festive varieties of chocolates - plain dark chocolate ganache (chocolate filling), ganache with salted butter caramel, ganache with champagne, ganache with fig, and praline with fig, raisin, and apricot. One of the chocolates even has an etching of the Eiffel Tower.


Assorted Pralines
$38 & $80
Give the gift of variety with this chic assortment of 16 or 36 pieces - the flavors include coconut, roasted chocolate nibs, and more.

In The Bag: Stylish Essentials for Ladies on the Go

Did you pay to check your luggage last year? If so, the airlines owe you a box of bonbons and an upgrade because in 2010 they made a record $3.4 billion from baggage fees! Unbelievable.

Now more than ever, air travel is not just about packing light but packing smart. With the right carry-on bag, gadgets, and toiletries, it is possible to fit all of your essentials in a carry-on. Here are a few fun and functional items that will keep your hard-earned money in your wallet and away from the greedy airlines!

Lug Life Shuttle Bus Weekender Wheelie Bag
$139.99 at eBags
A cute and functional bag can make all the difference between travel bliss and a world of stress. Available in nine colors, this carry-on has tons of pockets, including a separate compartment for your shoes.

MBeze Natural Deoderettes 
$10
Who knew deodorant could be so chic? Don't let the pretty packaging fool you - MBeze Natural Deoderettes keep you smelling fresh as you're dashing through the terminal to make your flight. Available in 10 scents, including fragrance-free, MBeze are made with all natural and organic ingredients. Other travel-friendly goodies in the MBeze line include Dabber Dust Natural Underarm Powder ($6), and Roll On Perfume.  I've been enjoying my samples of these great products.

Dermalogica Solar Defense Wipes SPF 15
$22
No matter where you travel, sunscreen is a must. Dermalogica's pre-moistened sunscreen wipes can be used on your face and body for easy, no mess protection from the sun's rays.

Travelite Luggage Scale with LED Flashlight
$24.85
Ok, let's face it - sometimes, no matter how hard we fight it, bags have to be checked. Ugh. This clever little scale helps you avoid excess baggage fees by giving you the exact weight of your luggage and can weigh bags up to 100 lbs. The built-in flashlight is a great feature. I actually won this scale from the blog Apples & Rubies -  thanks -  looking forward to using it on my next trip!

SweetRiot 100% Dark Cacao Nibs Dunked in 50% Dark Chocolate
$19.99 for a Three Pack
Don't argue with me, dark chocolate is a must. Feeling stressed on the road? Nibble on these satisfying little drops of goodness to rev up your endorphins. Packaged in a reusable tin, SweetRiot candies are all-natural and sourced from Latin America. Each piece only has 1-2 calories - just 140 calories per tin!

Feed the Foodies: Five Tasty Holiday Gifts

I'm willing to bet one of my little black dresses that if you love to travel then you are probably a foodie too. After all, one of the thrills of visiting a new place is sampling the regional cuisine. However when when you can't get to Spain for tapas or down South for grits, getting your favorite faraway foods shipped to you is a convenient way to satisfy a craving. Here are five food gifts that will make even the most sophisticated foodie smile.

Around the World Collection
$162 at IngredientFinder.com
This high end collection of 12 unique spice and herb blends makes everyday meals extraordinary. Whether you are scrambling eggs or grilling chicken, add the flavors of Marrakesh, Sri Lanka, Spain, France, Kentucky and other tasty destinations to your recipes.

Tapas for Two
$49 at LaTienda.com
Invite an amigo over to share this bountiful basket of treats from Spain. It includes chorizo, San Nicasio potato chips, Peregrino anchovy stuffed olives, Marcona almonds, Rabitos chocolate fig bonbons, and even a terra cotta cazuela dish for serving the olives or almonds. Buen provecho!

Vosges Haut Chocolat Exotic Candy Bar Flight
$33 at Vosges.com
Say au revoir to boring chocolate - Vosges brings out the best in chocolate by combining it with exotic ingredients like wasabi, sweet Indian curry, and bacon.This pretty purple box contains 4 bars of their creative confections.

Something Sweet from Italy
$79 at Eataly.com
For a gift with a celebrity pedigree, choose this basket of dolci from Eataly - NYC's new Italian market run by Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich and her son Joe. This tote bag of goodies includes torrone, cookies, coffee, hazelnut candy and more!

Belle of the South
$61.95 at ATasteoftheSouth.com
Enjoy southern hospitality anywhere with this basket of down home delectables chock full of South Carolina Cayenne Hot Sauce, Charleston Grits, Low Country Peach Preserves, 2 flavors of Iron Brew Coffee and much more. 

Baby, It's Cold Outside: Six Tips for Feeling Hot When the Temperature Drops

Ugh, I know that the change of seasons is a beautiful thing but in my heart I am a warm weather girl. Now that the temperature is starting to drop in my hometown of New York City, my flirty sundresses have been banished to make way for boots, coats, and all the bulky gear that winter demands. Bah humbug!

So until spring and summer come around again, I will be making a conscious effort to add some warmth to my life. Here are six fun ways to heat things up on those cold winter days.

1. Get Out of Town: Pack those sundresses in your weekend bag and follow the heat! Whether you prefer Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Caribbean, or South America; a few days in the sun will rejuvenate you. Visit sites like LastMinute.com or Expedia.com for great deals on warm weather escapes. 

 

2. Snuggle Up: A good cuddle is perfect year-round but especially nice when it is chilly outside.  Have you and your sweetie been fighting over that couch potato accessory phenomenon known as the Snuggie? Be lovers not fighters in this kind of odd but cute Snuggie for Two ($19.99) For some suggestions on how to maximize your Snuggie experience, buy the Snuggie Sutra - a guide with, ahem, 100 Karma Sutra inspired positions, including the Charlie Sheen and the Matador. Available for $9.99.

3. Shake It Up:  You can't be a couch potato all the time - get moving and spice up your routine with Samba or Salsa dance classes, Zumba or bellydancing. The great music and moves will lift your spirits. If there is no dance school near you, just pump up the music and dance around your living room. Also, many cable television providers offer free exercise programs on demand.

4. Heat Up Your Wardrobe: Don't let drab days bring down your wardrobe, you can still be sexy in the winter. Bright colors will elevate your mood so opt for colorful gloves, hats, and scarves.

Why not top your little black dress with a vibrant coat or classic winter white? This DKNY Ruffled Placket Coat is timeless and on sale at Macy's for $181.99.

Animal print is also very big this season and a printed scarf is a snazzy way to stay warm and chic. This Fraas Zebra Print Muffler is available at Amazon for $21. View the full collection of Fraas scarves, wraps and hats at their website.

5. Spice Up Your Food: I crave spicy food year round but I really love the way that it seems to warm you up inside on a frigid day. Go beyond hot sauce, and try adding exotic spice blends to your recipes.

The Ingredient Finder is a great source for gourmet ingredients for the home chef who wants the very best. Try this Ararat Spice Blend of urfa biber (dried Turkish chile pepper), smoked paprika, and fenugreek. ($15)

Vosges Haut Chocolat takes hot chocolate up a notch with their Aztec Elixir Couture Cocoa. This magical mix of sweet and heat includes dark chocolate, ancho & chipotle chillies, Ceylon cinnamon, and Madagascar vanilla bean.

6. Get Pampered: A spa day is a great way to kick the cold weather blues to the curb. From hot rock massages to simple saunas, visit SpaWeek.com for year-round spa deals near you.

 


 

Tastebud Travels: Exotic Chocolates Make Everyday Better!

Chocolate is very much on my mind today as I count down the hours to La Nuit de Gateau - Maison du Chocolat's extravaganza celebrating 20 years in New York City. This free public event will feature an abundance of chocolate goodness, including their famous eclairs. Ooh la la!

Chocolate can be elegant, exotic, and even erotic! It can be an expensive indulgence or an affordable escape. There really is a chocolate for everybody and every occasion. The next time you find yourself craving chocolate, why not spice things up with one of these creative combinations.

Vosges Haut Chocolat - Founded by Le Cordon Bleu trained chef and world traveler Katrina Markoff, Vosges Haut Chocolat was one of the first brands in the United States to combine premium chocolate with spices and flowers.

Try the Naga Exotic Candy Bar which was inspired by the flavors of Northeast India and combines sweet Indian curry, toasted coconut and spices. I also love the Barcelona Bar - milk chocolate with sea salt and roasted almonds. Beyond the candy bars, Vosges has an incredible selection of truffles, drinking chocolates and ice creams.

Roni-Sue's Chocolates - New York based Roni-Sue's Chocolates is a tasty fusion of old fashioned and modern flavors. Their addictive buttercrunch and exotic truffles put them on the map but their Pig Candy made them rock stars. Proving that bacon really does make everything better, Pig Candy is crispy fried bacon dipped in dark or milk chocolate. So delicious!

For more chocolate goodness,visit the Chocolate Show in NYC (November 11 - 14). The largest show in the United States completely devoted to chocolate, the event features 65 fine chocolate companies, book signings, a Kid's Zone, and even a chocolate fashion show.

 

Chocolate Chic: La Nuit de Gateau Comes to NYC

Darlings, save the date of Wednesday, November 3rd for a chic and sweet celebration! In honor of the 20th anniversary of the arrival of La Maison du Chocolat in New York City, the public is invited to indulge at La Nuit de Gateau (which translates to "the night of desserts").

A tent will be set up in front of La Maison du Chocolat's boutique at 1018 Madison Avenue from 7pm - midnight and will feature complimentary desserts, drinks, and live jazz. Tastings will also take place at the 30 Rockefeller Center and 63 Wall Street boutiques from 7-9 pm. Sweet!

The sTARTElette will be the unabashed star of the evening. This sweet and spicy treat is a "crunchy sable enrobed with ganache infused with ginger, passion fruit nectar and Sancho pepper."

La Maison du Chocolat started in France 30 years ago and some of their most popular Parisian treats will make their debut at La Nuit de Gateau - including their famous eclairs. I was treated to a preview tasting of some of  the tarts, macarons, and cakes that will be served on November 3rd. Believe me - you don't want to miss this event!

PS - Sign up for my newsletter to receive a reminder about La Nuit De Gateau and other great events.