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Food And Travel

Food And Travel / Luxe Blvd. — No Comments
17
Jan 12

Beauty & Essex

This weekend after an early dinner at TAO NYC I was able to have a few after dinner drinks with my lady at cool spot called Beauty & Essex. B&E is located on Essex St. on the Lower East Side of Manhattan not far from Katz Deli. The place is set up like a speakeasy. The store front is an old furniture store turned pawn shop with all types of gaudy artifacts and fancy jewels. Look close enough and you can see the hip hop influence like the Notorious B.I.G. figurine. Walk into the Pawn Shop. Admire the inventory for a few seconds. Then head for the back door where the burly,but polite security keep watch of the entry into opulence.

Leaving the pawn shop and entering Beauty & Essex is part of what makes it cool & NY. Inside is swanky and laid out very nicely. Long hanging chandeliers, winding staircases, fur walls,2 bars & seating for dining. There is a bar in the ladies room & complimentary champagne. I did not use the men’s room, but it trust it was up to standards. Drink menu include creative cocktails like the Emerald Gimlet, Beauty Elixir,the O.D.B. or the Woodford Wilson. Women have a nice selection of trendy drinks to sample. I am not into fruity drinks, but the Woodford Wilson which is, Woodford Reserve bourbon, pineapple, lime, ginger beer, brandied vanilla cherry, is more masculine than it sounds. A small selection of impressive beers like Stella, New Castle, Negra Modelo & yeah even Hieneken Light. Red & white wine by glass or bottle.

 

I did not eat, but I will return to have dinner. A woman seated next to us at the bar had a pizza appetizer thing called a, “Sweet Roasted Tomato Pizzeta”. It smelled delicious. The menu includes gourmet versions of burgers,onion rings, ribs , steak & seafood. Also known as the Beauty & Essex burger, Vidalia Onion Ring Tempura,Heritage Baby Back Ribs, Bone in Rib-eye & Pearls of the Sea. Remember, a Bentley isn’t white,it’s moonbeam!

 

Beauty & Essex is a cool place to take a young lady(or two)hang out have some drinks, appetizers & a meal. This is where you go when Fridays wont do. When she deserves more and you need a different element. Good place for date,groups, a sexy night out for the ladies, celebrations & good times. For a guys night out on the town not so much. For more pics and full menu check the website >>> Beauty&Essex.com

 

Beauty & Essex
146 Essex Street
New York,N.Y. 10002

Food And Travel / Luxe Blvd. — No Comments
22
Sep 11

Red Rooster Harlem

Last week I made reservations at Harlem,NY hot spot “Red Rooster”. Lately I have been more into fine dining lunch than late evening dinner. It was the personality of renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson that made my visit a must. I have seen Mr. Samuelsson on tv and read magazine interviews of his passion for food. That and one look at the menu makes riding into Manhattan not far at all for a nice lunch.

Our reservation was for 12 noon. I recommend making reservations. We arrived maybe 5 minutes early,(which is late to me) and were seated immediately. There is indoor, outdoor & bar seating. Some tables are shared seating with other small parties. We sat next to a very nice woman from Arkansas and her mom. This was their first time here as well. Very nice people and atmosphere. Sharing a table was not a problem.

The menu boasts comfort food & classic American Cuisine. Fried chicken, greens,fish & more than you might expect, but prepared not just cooked. We enjoyed the corn bread for starters. Soft,buttery, toasted edges with a seasoned tomato sauce was just great. The blackened catfish with black eyed peas was fresh and blackened not burned spicy and called cajun. The black eyed peas were actually yellow and my woman who doesn’t eat black eyed peas loved them. I had the Fried Yard Bird. This was a large portion chicken breast & leg fried with some of the best seasoned skin I’ve ever tasted. The menu says it is dark meat, but it was white and not dry. There was a side of hot sauce which was really more thick paste instead of watery like red hot and better. Both meals came with collard greens. The Mac & Greens is listed as a meal by itself, but can be shared as we did. The mac & cheese was made with my favorite cheese, gouda, so I especially loved this.

She enjoyed cabernet while I had 2 glasses of a great beer new to me. Keegans Mothers Milk is an ale described as charred wood, vanilla & cocoa. I sipped this ale and wanted to light up a cigar right there in the restaurant. I need this ale it is a must have. For dessert we tried the Whiskey Fudge with macadamia nuts. Yes I tried this just because it said whiskey. These were three bite sized but very rich portions. Good dessert portions for lunch. I would have eaten two more if on the table. Overall the food and service was excellent.

Our experience here surpassed just eating. The Chef, owner & creator of the menu Marcus Samuelsson greated us and just about all guests. With his apron on in between duties(yes he was working) he made sure we were ok and that I shared the mac & greens. The First Lady Michelle Obama also stopped by for lunch with friends. She sat a few tables away & I was honored to be in here presence. Red Rooster Harlem is a must visit right in the heart of Harlem.

Red Rooster Harlem
310 Lenox Avenue
New York,NY 10027

http://redroosterharlem.com

Food And Travel / Luxe Blvd. — No Comments
21
Jul 11

Zarkana Cirque Du Soleil

I was more than pleased to have been invited by Cirque Du Soleil to view their new production Zarkana at Radio City Music Hall. I admit I had never been to a Cirque production. Within the first 2 minutes of the show I said to myself,”Shame on me”, for not getting here sooner. All those terrible boxing matches I sat through. I could have been here.

Before heading to the show there was a Pre-show reception at Oceana Restaurant . Clean and modern with an almost empty Louis XIII bottle set high on the bar. Courteous wait staff served cocktails, wines, hors d’oeuvres & desserts. The Cirque team was pleasant and organized. Within walking distance to Radio City(across the street) I am ready to enter Zarkana.

Cirque Du Soleil has some circus like characteristics. Add the acrobatics, but minus the poor tigers that walk on beach balls. Zarkana has a story and is sensual but not erotic. Zarkana has it opera moments, comic relief, crowd interactive & a short intermission. Great for the entire family from the youngest to grandparents.

“Zark” the main character searching for his love and lost magical powers in Zarkana. This is an imaginative world filled with oddities, beautiful creatures and villains. The production and sets are just crazy with detail. I was expecting Johnny Depp to pop out any minute. Not long ago I mentioned being spontaneous is good exercise to staying young and healthy. Seeing Zarkana reminds me that imagination is just as important.

With the threat of NBA,NFL & NHL lockouts now is a good time to broaden those horizons. The stadiums may be closed but the Theater district & museums are open. If you have never been to a Cirque show go. If you have but you have yet to see Zarkana these characters are not to be missed.

Luxe Salute in Zarkana

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30
Jun 11

The Motherf**ker With The Hat

**No Spoilers**

I love spontaneous. I think being spontaneous is the fountain of youth. No plans, no reservations, no waiting or research. Get an impulse and go! Sometimes it back fires, but then there is spontaneous plan B. If you can think that fast. As we get older we lose that. Not me not yet.

So yesterday my woman says, we’re going to see “The Motherfucker With The Hat“. All I know is the show starts at 8pm, Chris Rock is featured & tickets are waiting at the box office.

“The MotherFucker With The Hat” is a comedy that deals with real issues. Classic Chris Rock way of getting through to us. The show is fast paced with no intermission so pay attention. Funny, serious, sexy & violent. There is substance abuse, love, fighting, camaraderie & mistrust. One thing missing was singing and I was not disappointed.

Bobby Cannavale plays an ex con alcoholic named Jackie who continually beefs with his girlfriend Veronica played by Elizabeth Rodriguez. She has her own issues as well. Chris Rock character Ralph is there to help Jackie get back on his feet in society as his sponsor. Yul Vazquez killed as Cousin Julio. If any character deserves a spin off of any kind its Cousin Julio.

I don’t even remember how long the show was. Even with the tight Gerald Shoenfield Theater seats hurting my knees I could have sat longer. Still a nice old school theater. We sat 5 rows back on the mezzanine. Great seats and honestly every seat up there is a good seat. Next time I’ll try for balcony seats so I can stretch out a little. Courteous ushers and bars on every level. Go check out “The MotherFucker With The Hat” Serious Bok approves.

“The MotherFucker With The Hat”
The Gerald Shoenfield Theater
236 West 45th Street
NY,New York

What to do after the play? Its Times Square Theater District so pick a place & walk. Hard Rock Cafe’ is in walking distance. The bruschetta is great, beer, mojitos & once in a while they play a song I know.

And of course end the night blowing cigar smoke out the sunroof….LUXE.

Cigars / Food And Travel / Luxe Blvd. — No Comments
17
May 11

Holt’s Cigar Co. & Mahogany on Walnut

This weekend the B&L crew headed out to Philly for a change of atmosphere. Here we visited Holts Cigar Company and Mahogany Cigar Lounge for lunch & libations.

Holt’s Cigar Co.  is big online. Great prices & deals so I hear. I am not a fan of ordering my cigars online. It is a plus that Holt’s has an actual retail location for guys like me. I enjoy the benefits of belonging to a cigar lounge which I believe far out weighs what I can save online. But that’s another story.

Holt’s is not filled with “premium alternatives” like JR cigars. Its premium from wall to wall with a helpful and professional staff. Lots of deals and specials. I did leave with a good amount of Drew Estate Liga Privada T-52′s.

Holt’s is all retail space not a lounge . Buy whatever cigar, pipe & accessories you need….and leave. Then head right next door to Mahogany on Walnut. Very nice comfortable dimly lit cigar lounge & bar. Fresh lunch, top shelf bar, antique interior, a couple flat screens & well ventilated. The beer selection is just ok but the whiskey menu is extensive. Excellent bartender I am positive she memorized the entire drink menu.

Philly is a beautiful city to make a day out of something. Eat good, smoke good, drink good, shop good. Luxe

Food And Travel / Grown Folks Talking — No Comments
29
Jan 11

Breakfast with Dr. Bob Lee of WBLS 107.5fm

Dr. Bob Lee of WBLS 107.5 FM stopped by The Peoples Cafe to promote and have breakfast with the people. He also generously bought breakfast for everyone who entered. Dr. Bob Lee a very cool down to earth guy and an occasional cigar smoker. Check out Bob Lee on WBLS 107.5fm weeknights from 12am-5am for R&B and classic soul. LUXE.

Food And Travel — 2 Comments
6
Jan 11

Peoples Cafe, NJ

I don’t do chicken shacks. Poor quality food with even lower quality service. I know I cant do a Mobil 5 Star every time I get hungry. I also know for sure I will not settle for bottom barrel barely FDA approved food. In streets flooded with fast food crap I am always on the look out and have found a gem.

Peoples Cafe located in Union, N.J. is more than good. I have not been to a Ihop or McDonald’s in months! The breakfast, lunch and fish fry fridays at this cafe all are worth the visit. Everything is fresh and made on the spot. The burgers are BURGERS not patties. The wings are seasoned not fried hard crispy skin on bones. The salmon cakes are cooked with no flour with grits and home fries made perfectly. The menu is extensive I cant name it all but they have it and the price is right. Choose your bread, decide which lettuce, beverage and relax.

On top of all of that the service is that of a fine restaurant. Have a seat your order will be taken. You are served on dinnerware with flatware. No paper no plastic. Glasses of ice for your beverage not styrofoamcups. The place is clean from the front door to the restroom. Peoples is comfortable like Cheers. Remember when Norm walked in and the people said hello to Norm? There is no outdoor dining so I cant light a cigar right after my meal, but thats just me being spoiled. I will survive.

If you have ever seen the twitpics of my wonderful breakfast or lunch this is the secret spot. I have been here many times and enjoyed myself. Peoples cafe is Luxe. Support good businesses.

Peoples Cafe
1989 Morris Ave.
Union, NJ

***Update. Peoples cafe has moved and is in the process of relocating***

Food And Travel / Grown Folks Talking / Luxe Blvd. — No Comments
4
Nov 10

Chanel Iman on Ocean Drive

We love models we love Miami we love sitting on the balcony of our suites on Ocean Drive with a view of the people and the ocean. So Its only right to pick up the November issue of Ocean Drive with Super Model Chanel Iman. This 19 year old princess of high fashion is like the #1 draft pick of the runway. Also this is a great magazine for nightlife, dining & style. Come on people put the King and Show mags down for a minute. Get some high fashion in your diet.

Catch Chanel Iman on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show Nov. 30th on CBS.

Broad St. / Food And Travel / Luxe Blvd. — 4 Comments
19
Oct 10

King Tut in NYC

So I heard the king was going to be in New York for a limited time and I said I have to see this. No I’m not talking about Jay Z, I mean King Tut, the once youngest ruler ever of Egypt. Tut was his nickname. Tut actually stood for Tutankhamun.  This 9 year olds 3000 year old  treasures are on display at the  Discovery Times Square Exposition until January 2, 2011.

The Egyptians were definately Broad & Luxe people. Over 3000 years ago they were brewing beer, making wine & smoking hookahs. They had ships and ports to import and export goods. They also built some of the finest structures in history. No pictures or video are allowed once inside the exhibit, but this is something you should see yourself anyway.

 There are 11 rooms of interesting artifacts including Tuts sarcophagus. My only complaints are that King Tuts mummified body was a replica and there were not many gaudy gold cups or jewels. There was a solid gold dagger!  Check it out have fun and then walk around the corner to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Check the exibit vid out here…

Discovery Times Square
226 West 44th Street,NY New York(between Broadway and 8th Avenues)
http://www.kingtut.org/home

Food And Travel / Luxe Blvd. — 3 Comments
12
Oct 10

Carnival: South Beach, Miami…..Pics!

Here are a few pics from Carnival weekend in Miami. Some photos were taken by me some were not. But all were shot with the point & shoot Canon SD1400 IS Digital Elph. I have the black one. So enjoy the pics let me know what you think

**faces & names of innocent women are not pictured to protect the innocent from crazy boyfriends, husbands and soon to be parolled savages…** Pisc have been removed. If you missed it….ah well.

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