my love of the grape.

Last night, I joined my colleague Kate and her boyfriend Trevor to this cozy wine bar in Carrol Gardens - Black Mountain WineHouse. Trevor happens to occasionally work here, and helped us wisely choose an enjoyable bottle (or two). He then gave us a mini wine lesson and how different wines are categorized - European wines usually by region, American by grape, and so forth.

Amid conversation we did have time to order food - mac-n-cheese with mushrooms and truffle oil was a hit. If you are in the area, you should definitely check it out. The lit fireplace in the back definitely adds a warm environment and makes you feel at home!

Black Mountain Winehouse
415 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231(718) 522 4340

weekend rush.

This past weekend, my mom came up for a quick visit. This means lots to do. My mother is not one to sit around and relax, especially in this hectic city. It is constantly go-go-go. So just to highlight a few of the things this weekend....




Craftbar: Delicious. Owned by THE Tom Colicchio, it is a sharp, modern restaurant with a delicious seasonal menu. Not as pricey as the original Craft, but just as enjoyable.Ordered: House-Made Ravioli, Goat Cheese, Medjool Dates.











In the Heights: While this play is recently new to the Broadway world, it is so refreshing and has extremely catchy tunes. This play won "Best Musical" last year at the Tony's, and the main character (plus writer/ producer) was worth going to see alone. Plus, it's all about Latinas which I clearly relate to given my upbringing on the Mexican border.





Fred's at Barney's: Tucked away on the 9th floor of Barney's this delightful restaurant has great views and an enjoyable atmosphere. Expect to wait, unless you make a reservation, and don't show up looking shabby. Great salads.





New York Rangers: While I usually enjoy a good match of sweaty Canadian men hitting each other on the ice, the NY team was not playing up to par. The games are usually pretty exciting, but this night they could not get their act together. We left early to beat the crowds and later discovered they tied the game with one minute left and won in a shoot-out. Go figure.





Bar Americain: This place is my latest obsession. We went for brunch, and were immediately blown away by the delicious looking drink menu. However, I refuse to kick back cocktails in the A.M (at least with my mom). The food was divine. And I only ordered a hamburger (smothered in goat cheese on a honey wheat bun). So good. You MUST go here.

Jersey Boys: one word - AMAZING. I have been dying to see this play, as it received enormous reviews when it debuted two years ago. This play is especially entertaining because you will recognize almost every song in the play. Portraying the life of Frankie Vali, the plot bounces around the members of the Four Seasons and the history of their famous career. I HIGHLY recommend going to see this. I went home and immediately downloaded the entire soundtrack.

new york, new york.

How excited am I that the new season of Top Chef has started, and that it will be taking place in none other than NEW YORK! Wednesday's episode introduced us to the 17 (now 15) chefs who will be vying for the honorary title. It is still too soon to pick favorites, but I can already tell you who I am NOT find of - both European chefs. Although Stephan won the overall challenge, his attitude and demeanor reflect a sense of European snobbery. No thanks.

I am already getting close to Gene - the Hawaiian gangster who has no professional cooking education, but has learned through working in the kitchen his whole life. He looks like a punk, but won Padma's heart with his take on an ideal Indian cuisine.

I don't know what qualifiesyou as a foodie - but I love to eat, and learning about food. I don't cook as much as I should (especially coming from parents who cook ALL the time) but am genuinely intrigued with the creativity some people have in the kitchen.

Top Chef - Every Wed. at 10:00PM/EST on Bravo.

Check it out.

hard to understand.

This post it somewhat of a sadder one. Being in public relations, especially non-profit, it is part of my job to inundate myself with the news. What is happening - every day. While I skim the majority of the papers, due to time constraint, I often come across articles that really catch my attention - some for the better, and some for the worse.

During the excitement of Election Day, some people lost thought on a hardship that California faced - the passing of Proposition 8. This legislative piece denies the rights of same-sex couples to be acknowledged by law to marry. While thousands of Californians protested in shock, a similar and more disturbing law passed as well, this one in Nebraska.

Arkansas's Initiative Act 1, approved by nearly 57% voters, bans people who are "cohabitating outside a valid marriage" from serving as foster parents or adopting children. Beginning on Jan. 1, a grandmother in Arkansas cohabitating with her opposite-sex partner because marrying might reduce their pension benefits is barred from taking in her own grandchild; a gay man living with his male partner cannot adopt his deceased sister’s children.

It is to hard for me to understand how this kind of inequality is instilled within our democratic system. This means that almost 60% of the state voted to make this happen. How? and why?

I suppose the only thing you can do is hope for change.

Full editorial in New York Times below:

"Anti-Gay, Anti-Family
By DAN SAVAGE

COUNTLESS Americans, gay and otherwise, are still mourning — and social conservatives are still celebrating — the approval last Tuesday of anti-gay-marriage amendments in Florida, Arizona and, most heartbreaking, California, where Proposition 8 stripped same-sex couples of their right to wed. Eighteen thousand same-sex couples were legally married in California this past summer and fall; their marriages are now in limbo.

But while Californians march and gay activists contemplate a national boycott of Utah — the Mormon Church largely bankrolled Proposition 8 — an even more ominous new law in Arkansas has drawn little notice.

That state’s Proposed Initiative Act No. 1, approved by nearly 57 percent of voters last week, bans people who are “cohabitating outside a valid marriage” from serving as foster parents or adopting children. While the measure bans both gay and straight members of cohabitating couples as foster or adoptive parents, the Arkansas Family Council wrote it expressly to thwart “the gay agenda.” Right now, there are 3,700 other children across Arkansas in state custody; 1,000 of them are available for adoption. The overwhelming majority of these children have been abused, neglected or abandoned by their heterosexual parents.
Even before the law passed, the state estimated that it had only about a quarter of the foster parents it needed. Beginning on Jan. 1, a grandmother in Arkansas cohabitating with her opposite-sex partner because marrying might reduce their pension benefits is barred from taking in her own grandchild; a gay man living with his male partner cannot adopt his deceased sister’s children.

Social conservatives are threatening to roll out Arkansas-style adoption bans in other states. And the timing couldn’t be worse: in tough economic times, the numbers of abused and neglected children in need of foster care rises. But good times or bad, no movement that would turn away qualified parents and condemn children to a broken foster care system should be considered “pro-family.”

Most ominous, once “pro-family” groups start arguing that gay couples are unfit to raise children we might adopt, how long before they argue that we’re unfit to raise those we’ve already adopted? If lesbian couples are unfit to care for foster children, are they fit to care for their own biological children?

The loss in California last week was heartbreaking. But what may be coming next is terrifying. "

Brooklyn. twice in one evening.

So Saturday night I was in desperate need to relax and let go, after taking a 4 hour standardized test (not my favorite thing to do). Chinae and I met up for a lovely dinner at what was supposed to be a lovely little Italian restaurant, al ti da. Apparently everyone else in Brooklyn had heard of it too - because there was 1.5 hour wait. Noooo thanks.

We wandered to another little Italian place- Apertivo. Not too bad - food was good, and relatively cheap. I must say, they had an EXCELLENT chocolate souffle. Did I need a dessert after stuffing my face with tortellini and fried calamari? Absolutely not. But it was quite enjoyable.

After dinner, we managed to trecked to Williamsburg where we ventured into Radegast, a German beirgarten, to meet up with fellow friends. It was a warm environment, crowded, but not unmanageable. However, I must warn you - beers are served in glasses the size of your head. Who knew I could consume that much beer. All in all, it was a good night. Much deserved fun, and worthy of another visit.

Radegast Hall & Beer Garden
113 N 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY‎

ah! Chihuahua's

I must say, living in New York the only thing I find hard to find is acceptable Mexican food. I know, I know, I grew up in the Mecca of all things delicious and covered in refreid beans and cheese - but how hard is it to expect a decent Tex-Mex meal?

I have tried many, and been dissapointed numerously. One place that I discovered a few weeks ago with my colleague, Kate, was ah! Chihuahua's. Not too shabby. Don't get me wrong, I am not screaming off the rooftops - but very decent taco platters. We went again today for lunch and I got a hugh plate full of rice, beans, two tacos with shredded beef and cheese and a generous helping of guacomole for $7.95. Not exactly the healthiest meal, but if you are in the neighborhood and are looking for a quick, filling meal - you should definitely check it out.

Oh, and they have $4 lunch margarita specials.

ah! Chihuahua's
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown
East330 E 53rd St(between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10022(212) 888-6807

yes, we can.

Yesterday, I , along with millions of other Americans across this country cast my ballot in what will go done in history as a defining moment in politics. Not just politics, but American history. At 11:00 PM/EST America decided they wanted Barack Obama to lead our country as the next Commander - in-Chief. Arguably, the hardest job in all of America, he will bring change and a fresh perspective to the White House is less than three months.

I have been extremely passionate about this election since the Democratic candidates were selected, and have been a fan of Obama for many months, voting for him in the February primaries. As I sat in my bed last night, exhausted from a long day of work, I watched as he swept each state, some consistently known to go red.

As he gave his acceptance speech - I cried. Literally, tears of joy and excitement rolled down my face, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride that I live in America. I was speechless, and still am this morning as my friends and colleagues rush up to me with excitement for the years to come. The only words that I keep going back to, are Obama's own.

"Hello, Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.
We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.

Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.

Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House.

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.

To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory.

And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.
As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.
Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America."

fabulously fall.

Why is Fall the absolute best season EVER? The leaves are starting to change, and the air smells so crisp and clean. (I know, a clean smell in New York sounds impossible) This morning I went to Brunch at Calle Ocho on the Upper West Side (81st and Columbus, to be exact) which was wonderful! A Cuban breakfast that offers endless sangria. I was pleasantly surprised.

After breakfast, a hike through the park to watch the marathon runners hit the end of their 26 mile run. We DID see many costumes, and even a man in a neon-green thong, dressed as Borat, pacing along. He looked very uncomfortable. It was so amazing though to watch the thousands of people who come from all over the world to participate in this marathon. Such a great New York Moment.

We also found a wonderful grassy knoll, covered in yellow leaves - a perfect Fall setting. We continued to play in the leaves, and have a mini photo shoot to capture the moment. Pictures to follow. All in all, a fabulous day.

I love New York.