Meryl Pearlstein

The Fourth of July is over, but not the celebration. On Sunday, July 14, Bastille Day will be commemorated in the US with as much pomp and joie de vivreas ever. It’s a wonderful time to bring out those red, white and blue colors again and add a French twist.
In New York City, the celebration takes center stage at FIAF, the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) with entertainment, food and drink, and kids’ programs.
Some of the wonderful events that day include a screening at 5:30pm in FI...

Hey, procrastinators! The forecast is for French fireworks and joie de vivre. That is to say, this weekend from July 14-15 is the French celebration of Bastille Day, the equivalent of the Fourth of July in the USA. For those less familiar, let’s just say Bastille Day commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, and the unity of the French people at the Fête de la Fédération one year later.
The US is no stranger when it comes to intern...

Restaurants designed by Tony Award winner David Rockwell have the recipe for delicious entertainment.

In honor of the 73rd annual Tony Awards, which take center stage on June 9, I propose a new award category: Best Theater-influenced Dining.

The revival of “She Loves Me” won David Rockwell the 2016 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for the “jewel-box” parfumerie that gracefully transitioned into a restaurant, an apartment and a hospital room. His three currently playing musicals,...

Slow Down and Smell the Orchids at the New York Botanical Gardens This Week…. Then Enjoy an Evening of Food, Drink, Dance and Music

The Bronx’s New York Botanical Garden is in full bloom with its daffodils, azaleas and tulips. But it’s the Garden’s exotic orchid show in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and its after-dark program, “Orchid Evenings” that add a special something to programming this spring. This year’s orchid show with its thousands of delicate orchids is a tribute to Singapore, th...

Mark this address and these dates in your foodie calendar: Stuyvesant Cove Park at 23rd and East River). Manhattan is finally capitalizing on its Eastside waterfront with a series of outdoor food parties, beginning Memorial Day weekend .
Pick from “pay-as-you-go” dining or an all-inclusive “Sunset Session” ticket to these events that will tempt you with BBQ stations for both vegetarians and meat lovers, live music, beer/cider, showcase cook-offs, and music. On Saturday, George...

A top-shelf meal from a great restaurant—in your pajamas? A look at fine dining in NYC, wrapped and ready for your room.
Hot and sour soup, firecracker prawns and chicken supreme from Mr. K's (Photography by Jeff Westbrook, styled by Miako Kato)
Visitors to New York City come for the culture, for the sights, for work, and, most of all, for the fantastic variety of restaurants. But, after a full day of meetings or sightseeing, you might just not have the energy to hit a restaurant. Thanks to t...

The brainchild of chef Michael “Kiwi” Camplin, formerly of and one of the most charming New Zealanders you’ll ever meet, seems almost a throwback to Prohibition days, with a speakeasy setting that’s at the same time lush and welcoming. Black cushion banquettes or stools at the shiny metal bar are the seats in demand to watch the parade of cocktails and little plates that comprise a meal here (as well as the beautiful clientele who have discovered this gem). Charming and knowledgeable Italian ...

This past Presidents’ Day, I had the privilege of experiencing a truly presidential meal, thanks to chef-owner John Doherty of Blackbarn restaurant in Manhattan. While the American-inspired restaurant has received numerous accolades for its cuisine and wine for the past four years, it’s this meal that’s truly the stuff of food legends. Through the middle of March, Chef Doherty is sharing his years of creating meals for dignitaries while executive chef at the Waldorf=Astoria in what he’s label...

With the largest supermarket in Manhattan, an accessible location, impressive city views and a variety of restaurants from a who’s who of the country's top toques, the Time Warner Center (TWC) at Columbus Circle has established itself as an important foodie destination. In spring 2007, Landmarc opened, filling the last space earmarked for membership in the Restaurant Collection at this vertical mall.

The luxurious Mandarin Oriental, New York hotel, housed on floors 35-54 of the TWC's second b...

For the third consecutive year, Westfield World Trade Center will roll out the red carpet for the Tribeca Drive-In: Dinner and a Movie film screening series, organized in partnership with the team behind the Tribeca Film Festival, and taking place from Thursday, February 21 to Sunday, February 24 – just in time for this year’s major awards season!

During the four-day series, visitors to Westfield World Trade Center’s beautiful Oculus in Lower Manhattan can get a free ticket to screenings of f...

Wine gifts and wine travel that are perfect any time of the year.

Bad weather, busy schedules, forgetfulness…. All can put you in a position to need a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift or reservation. Not to worry – we’ve got you covered with these incredibly interesting and available fun things to do for Valentine’s Day (or later) in New York City.

Dining out is a no-brainer, unless you can’t get a reservation. Since this special lasts for three days, you might have a chance. At the glamorous, truly gorgeous import from London, Bluebird London, Valentine’s ...

A romantic holiday doesn’t have to end on Valentine’s Day. Hotels around the world are offering packages that can heat up a relationship any time of the year, particularly during the winter. So, if you missed giving a gift on Valentine’s Day, here’s your chance for some make-up romance.
Puerto Rico is open for business and wants to share its love with you. The iconic El San Juan Hotel on Isla Verde Beach offers a full resort experience in the city’s cultural arts and entertainment district. T...

As the Frank Sinatra song goes, these are the days of wine and roses. That may be true for Valentine’s Day, but how about adding saké and Madeira to the mix? And perhaps some travel plans that appeal to wine lovers?

Here I present a selection of Valentine’s Day gifts that would certainly win my heart, and I hope they win your sweetheart’s, too.

The "sake starter kits" from Saké Social are a great, alternative gift for the wine (and travel) lover in your life. The experts behind Saké Social, t...

10 Cruises to Set Your Heart Aflutter