holiday gift guide // for the stocking

It's time for the last of my holiday gift guides. And this is my favorite one - for the stocking! For some reason, opening my stocking is one of my favorite parts of Christmas morning. From the random orange (but really - why do we always get a citrus fruit?) to the random little things to the mini makeup stuff, it's just so much fun!

Here are 10 great ideas to nab now and throw in your stockings. There's something for everyone on here.  Take a look...

1. OpenTable Gift Card - I LOVE that OpenTable is now offering gift cards. Pick a restaurant, or let the recipient pick for themselves. A great way to give the gift of a meal out.

2. Sugar Lip Gift Set - A tub of lip scrub (a must for chapped lips), and their best selling lip balm with spf. I swear by these products and I think the little ornament packaging is darling. $28

3. Grilled Cheese Toast Bags - After I saw these at my girls gift exchange party, I knew I had to include them on here. I think they are so cool! You can make a grilled cheese...in your toaster. Genius! $7

4. Shoe ID Tag - A serious must-have for any runner. This puts your personal and emergency contact information on a little band that you strap to your shoelaces so that, should anything ever happen to you while exercising outdoors (likely without your wallet/phone), you can be helped. My sister fainted once on a run and the people who helped her had no idea who to call or what to do. She now has a Shoe ID. $20

5. Wood Bottle Opener - Handmade wood bottle opener that isn't just cool, it's functional. Monogram it for a personal touch. $24

6. Bathtub Wine Glass Holder - Solving the first world problem of where to put your wine glass while you're taking a soak in the tub! It's a really silly gift, but according to the reviews it is pretty functional. $14

7. Kate Spade Roller Ball Perfume - I asked my sister for ideas for my gift guides and this was her number one recommendation. I bought a tube myself and she's right - the scent is perfect parts floral and spice. Love roller balls for keeping in my purse for a touch up during the day. $24

8. Lip Wipes - I bought a pack of these from the little bins by the check out at Sephora and am hooked! They remove any long-wearing lip stains, but best yet, they also remove wine stains from your lips (you know what I'm talking about!). Love 'em. $12

9. Candy Coal - A fun little play on "you'll get coal from Santa this year if you're not a good girl!". Except this coal taste like cinnamon. $2

10. Soaking Salts - Soak in these stress-reducing aromatherapy bath salts while using your bathtub wine glass holder (#6). Ha! But really, this is my favorite bath time accompaniment. It smells divine and makes your skin soft. The little 6oz tub is the perfect size for a stocking. $20

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One week until Christmas Eve!  Better get shopping!

P.S. Other gift guides from this year - for her, for him, for the hostess, for the stocking

P.P.S. Previous year's for the stocking gift guides:  2012

friday finds

via

Happy Friday! It's kind of a bittersweet Friday no? The last Friday of Summer. Tuesday it'll be back to the grind, pick up the pace, actually go to work on a Friday. Rats. Oh well, let's not get bogged down in the end of summer. Think of fall as a time to set new goals, new routines, and wear some super cute sweaters.

We have few plans this weekend, but starting next weekend we're booked until October! So we'll be taking care of some things on our To Do list, celebrating our anniversary, and enjoying the slowness for what seems like the last time for awhile.

Hope you have a safe and lovey holiday weekend.  Here's what I'm loving from the web this week ↓:

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Celebrate the end of summer with this great slideshow (and the source for the image above ↑)

Why you can't catch your own typo's. (And why so many slip through on TRR. I need an editor who's not myself!)

I love this so much. (Thanks Caroline!)

This is exactly how my mind works when I'm late. It's a sickness.

Check your wallet.

How texting appears in TV and film. I found it so interesting!

On being productive. Love the WSD method. :) 

OpenTable launched a new way to pay for your meal. So smart!

Lusting after this hat for fall.

How to be a good conversationalist in the age of technology. Loved this.

I would totally see this movie.

Don't forget to leave a comment on this post to win your own copy of Dinner: The Playbook. I'll announce the winner on Tuesday!

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Have the best last weekend of summer ever! See you back here on Tuesday. 

manhattan restaurant guide // week 6

As most of you know by now, the kind folks at OpenTable asked me to write about a few of our favorite restaurants in the city and I decided to turn it into a six week series over this summer.

We're down to our sixth and final week of my favorite Manhattan restaurants! What a tour it has been. We're closing out with a very popular location for tourists, and an often loathsome spot for locals - Midtown. I don't despise Midtown like some people, but it is a bit congested. But  that's not to say we don't spend time there. Al and I both work in Midtown, we like to walk Lily up to Bryant Park and we'll occasionally catch a Broadway Show. All good reasons why we've fished out the best restaurants in the area. Now you have no reason to go to any of those chains in Times Square.

Check out a few of our favorites below. To make reservations, click on over to the OpenTable New York City Restaurants page.

::: Where to Eat in Midtown :::

Brasserie Ruhlmann ::: This place can seem sort of touristy since it's smack in the middle of Rockefeller Center, but the french brasserie food is delicious. It's got a great view of the Christmas Tree and skating rink in the winter and in the summer they have tons of out door seating perfect for sipping a glass of rosé after some shopping.  

Butter ::: For all you Chopped fans, this is Alex Guarnaschelli's spectacular American restaurant. It's a gorgeous space with lots of natural light, and in the warmer months the garden is open with a lighter (less expensive) lunch menu.

China Grill ::: This is a great place for a big group dinner. Huge family style portions of both traditional and modern Chinese fare are passed around the table. We like to go before seeing a show across the street at Radio City Music Hall. They also have a great $25 lunch.

21 Club ::: This place oozes old-school New York style. Go for cocktails in the Lounge followed by a more casual dinner in the Bar Room or an all-out fancy affair Upstairs at 21. Club 21 has been in a ton of movies and TV shows, including Sex and The City (the episode where Big eats a steak before his heart surgery).

Del Frisco's ::: If for the rest of my life I were allowed to eat steak from only one place, this would be the place. A massive restaurant with great views of 6th Avenue, it's food matches its impressive square footage. The steaks are perfectly cooked with the best sear on them and the side dishes are incredible. Plus, it's not too stuffy. The staff is incredibly friendly, the sommelier helpful, and just an all around great experience. Walking distance to several of the Broadway theaters too so a great pre- or post- theater option.

Esca ::: Another gem from the Batali-Bastianich empire. Coastal Italian food is served elegantly in a cozy town-house setting. Another great option for a pre-theater meal and you must get try a few of the crudo (like Italian sashimi)

Grand Central Oyster Bar ::: This place is an institution. Seriously, it's over 100 years old! It's one of Al and his dad's favorite spots. Slurping oysters and shelling seafood while sitting underneath Grand Central Station. It's a pretty neat experience. And they also do well with large parties.

Kingside ::: A new spot on 57th street from Marc Murphy (also on Chopped), this is the vibe and food that midtown often lacks. A fantastic menu and even better cocktail selection, it's great for after work or on a weekend. And they have a great rooftop bar too!

Koi ::: Fresh and fun sushi combinations served in a club-y atmosphere across from Bryant Park. I loved it a few years ago, but now I find it a little loud. But still, for a birthday party or a bachelorette dinner this is a really fun spot. And the food is phenomenal.

Marea ::: Someone asked me recently for my number one restaurant in NYC and I told them Marea. All of it is so darn good. It's a Michael White restaurant (same chef as Osteria Morini, another of my very favs) that serves incredible Italian food. White tablecloths, elegant wait staff, and oh goodness the food is just like nothing else. And whatever you do, don't leave without ordering the Garganelli  squid ink pasta.

Momofuku Má Pêche ::: The only David Chang restaurant where you can get a reservation without winning some kind of internet lottery. Modeled after dim-sum, fantastic modern-Asian food rolls by the tables on little carts throughout the restaurant. It's a very fun (albeit expensive) experience.

The National ::: Al and I go here occasionally for an after-work cocktail. The bar area is cozy and just full enough with people. The restaurant side is brighter and serves great steaks, chops, and seafood all done elegantly, but not fussy. And I should mention, it's head by yet another Chopped judge (what's with me?!), Geoffrey Zakarian. 

Pampano ::: It would't be a favorites list without one Mexican restaurant. Light, "breezy", fancy Mexican food. It sounds weird, but it's really very good. I've only been for work lunches, but I'm sure dinner is stupendous. Also, one of the best margaritas I've ever had.

Quality Italian ::: Think of a large pizza. Now imagine a chicken parmesan pounded and covered in sauce and cheese the size of that large pizza. I'm not joking. It's huge! And it's just one of the reasons to visit Quality Italian. 

The Smith ::: Clearly, by now, you can see we love all locations of The Smith. But especially  when in Midtown wherethings can get a bit touristy and plastic-tasting, it's nice to have a go-to that you know will serve you some legit food. And I love how big the menu is - it covers several types of cuisine so everyone can be happy.

Wow! We covered almost the whole island! (Sorry Upper East Siders and FiDi foks, I just don't eat there frequently enough to include you in the list. Maybe next year.) What an incredible and fun task it has been to think through all the amazing meals we've had in this city. I hope you've found a few new favorites to add to your lists!

Check out the previous posts in this series:

Week 1 ::: Chelsea / Flatiron / Gramercy

Week 2 ::: Upper West Side

Week 3 ::: West Village / Greenwich Village

Week 4 ::: East Village / Lower East Side

Week 5 ::: SoHo / Nolita / TriBeCa

Week 6 ::: Midtown

Thanks to OpenTable for reaching out. The OpenTable New York City Restaurants page is always my first stop when planning our dining.

manhattan restaurant guide // week 5

I'm interrupting our vacation recaps to pop in with part 5 of my Manhattan Restaurant Guides.  As most of you know by now, the kind folks at OpenTable asked me to write about a few of our favorite restaurants in the city and I decided to turn it into a six week series over this summer.

We've covered quite a lot of ground so far in our journey through Manhattan restaurants. We've talked Chelsea and Flatiron, up to the Upper West Side, down to the West Village, over to the East Village, and now today, another group of our favorite spots - SoHo, Nolita, and TriBeCa.

You've probably heard of SoHo, the area South of Houston Street. It is home to tons of shopping as well as many of our favorite smaller, quainter restaurants. Nolita (also called NoHo because it is North of Houston Street) encompasses Little Italy and several smaller, older, neighborhood joints. TriBeCa, named because it is the Triangle Below Canal street, has more of an urban feel and its streets and restaurants alike tend to be larger, but just as lovely. 

Check out a few of our favorites below. To make reservations, click on over to the OpenTable New York City Restaurants page.

::: Where to Eat in SoHo, Nolita, and TriBeCa :::

Balthazaar ::: A long standing New York hot spot (a Keith McNally venture of course), this place has still got it. Classic French brasserie fare, served in a classic space. And smack in the middle of some terrific shopping. I like to go for a pre-shopping lunch of French Onion soup and a warm goat cheese salad.

Cafe Select :::  A cozy little cafe that serves swiss food. The real gem though is the secret "Ski Chalet" that's through the kitchen and down some stairs that serves fondue and raclette. Right now the secret space is an oyster shack for summer. Just as good though! Note that reservations for the back space are separate from the main Cafe. 

Charlie Bird ::: We haven't been able to snag a reservation here yet (although, Al was fortunate enough to go for a work dinner). This is the new place to go. Farm to table eats served unfussy in a beautiful space.

Cherche Midi ::: Another new restaurant to the scene that we haven't yet visited, but worth noting on this list.  Keith McNally's latest foray in to easy French food (hey, he's good at it), in a really great location on the corner of Bowery and Houston Streets. It's been getting pretty great reviews for having just opened earlier this summer.

The Dutch ::: Go for brunch. And then go back for dinner and drinks. The kind of restaurant you want to visit in NYC - warm, good food, good location, and the staff all looks really cool (that matters, right?). 

Kutscher's Tribeca ::: This is a pretty cool spot. Imagine modern Jewish cuisine. From matzo ball soup to pastrami egg rolls to brisket meatballs. It's a wonderful experience and in a very pretty space to boot (i.e. They have good light fixtures. That matters, too, right?) 

La Esquina ::: Looks like a little taco hut, but go through the secret door down the dark stairs to a large, bustling, tequila dungeon (dungeon in the best sense of the word). This place is super cool and serves really well done Mexican food. Great for large groups. I like to take visitors here and shock them with the whole "secret" experience.

Little Prince ::: Apparently we like french food in these neighborhoods. I love this space because it reminds me of what you'd find in Paris. Very tiny. Full of locals. Menu written on mirror behind the bar. Open windows to the front patio. And stellar food. Order a glass of rosé and the Ratatouille and you're set. And its proximity to some of the best shopping in SoHo doesn't hurt.

Locanda Verde ::: Oh boy, oh boy do I love Locanda Verde. It's big, it's buzzing, it serves some kick ass Italian food (I mean, Robert DeNiro is part owner). A great place to go if you only have a few nights to spend in New York. And if you're a local, go often. And order dessert.

North End Grill ::: Located in Battery Park City in TriBeCa, this is a HUGE space with a spectacular menu. It's a snazzy, white-table cloth sort of joint, but not in a pretentious way . Its fancy food done right. Go for a special event. Or take your parents. We love it and are always treated so well here.

Osteria Morini ::: Hands down my favorite Italian restaurant in New York (and that's saying something since there's 9 million Italian restaurants here). Michael White (for any of you chef followers) does a spectacular job serving home-cooked, rustic food. It feels like some old Italian grandma is back there rolling out your pasta by hand. We take our parents and visitors here a lot. It's easy, delicious, and well priced. Just do it.

Taureau ::: Two words, BYOB and fondue. A three course fondue menu and you can bring your own wine! We like to go here on double dates. Well priced, you bring the vino, and who doesn't like pots of simmering cheese and chocolate?

Torrisi ::: We went here for my birthday last year and were blown away. A set menu each night and very elegant waiters weaving in and out of the very small ten-table space. Great for a celebration dinner. They have a little saucier station right in the middle of the space and it's such fun to watch the waiters changing flatware and prepping the final touches for each course. Can't make it to Torrisi? Stop by their sandwich shop Parm next door.

Rubirosa ::: Across the street from Torrisi is one of the best pizza places in the city. Huge pies with part bubbly, part charred crusts perched on tall pizza stands. My mouth waters thinking of it. Great for kids and families. They also do take out if you ever need to eat an entire large pizza alone on your couch in your sweatpants...

Whew. Wow I like to eat! Some of our very favorites in all of the city are on this list. Don't miss any of them!  And look how much of Manhattan we've covered so far.  Only one week left of reviews and my stunning crayon-colored maps.

Check out the previous posts in this series:

Week 1 ::: Chelsea / Flatiron / Gramercy

Week 2 ::: Upper West Side

Week 3 ::: West Village / Greenwich Village

Week 4 ::: East Village / Lower East Side

Week 5 ::: SoHo / Nolita / TriBeCa

Thanks to OpenTable for reaching out. The OpenTable New York City Restaurants page is always my first stop when planning our dining.

manhattan restaurant guide // week 4

As most of you know by now, the kind folks at OpenTable asked me to write about a few of our favorite restaurants in the city and I decided to turn it into a six week series!

Time for week 4 of our restaurant reviews. This week we're covering the cool, trendy, and delicious neighborhoods of the East Village and the Lower East Side. The East Village stretches from East of Broadway and South of 14th street to Houston.  The Lower East Side  is East of Bowery and South of Houston (see beautiful hand drawn map below).  

Many of our friends leave in these areas and we frequent them often. My favorite part about this section of the island is the diversity in the cuisine.  From noodles and dim sum in China Town (unfortunately, most of the good places in Chinatown don't take reservations), to tasty farm-to table eats, and some seriously good Italian, these neighborhoods have it all. Check out a few of our favorites below. To make reservations, click on over to the OpenTable New York City Restaurants page.

::: Where to Eat in the East Village & Lower East Side :::

CO-OP ::: In the über-chic Rivington Hotel, this place has amazing small plates in an awesome atmosphere. Great for girls night or a big group.

Freeman's ::: Literally hidden at the end of a little alley way, this place is adorable and rather large for LES. Multiple floors and rooms in a little old house. Good for dinner, drinks, and especially brunch, this is one of our favorites. They also have great rooms and party packages if you're looking to host an event.

The General ::: From Top Chef Hung Huynh, we love this place. It's dimily lit, and the innovative Asian dishes are surprising and yummy. Great for groups our a date. It's not just good food, but a fun experience.

Hearth ::: Like it's name suggests, this place is warm in all ways - ambience, menu, and staff. We tend to go in the colder months and share a braised meat or pasta dish. Cute neighborhood spot.

Hecho en Dumbo ::: When I first moved to New York, a cowoker of mine at the time knew how much I loved Mexican food and sent me his list of "decent" Mexican faire (it's hard to find good Mexican food here). This was top on his list and I have to agree with him. They also have a great prix-fixe chef's table menu for $65.

La Palapa ::: This is more like the Mexican food I'm used to from back home. Lots of rice, beans, and CHEESE.  Get the Queso Fundido. Relaxed, easy atmosphere and good prices. They also serve a stellar brunch.

Lil' Frankie's ::: I had my first real slice of New York style pizza here (that wasn't served over a deli counter) and was instantly hooked. Nothing fussy, just good pizza and pastas. They do great with large parties too. And I always giggle a little when I tell the cab driver I'm going to "First and First".

Narcissa ::: While we haven't been yet, our friends are raving about this spot at the new Standard East Village Hotel. I've heard of beautifully-created, farm-to-table eats (they call it 'Californian') with great service. It's very high up on our must-eat list. See you in August, Narcissa.

Schiller's ::: It seems as if just about every Keith McNally restaurant is making my lists. And rightfully so. Schiller's has McNally's standard subway tile, bottle-lined walls with yellow light. And the food is goooood. Mac and Cheese, deviled eggs, salads, you name it. There's really not a time of day when this place isn't bustling. Brunch, lunch, dinner, late night. Go here. 

The Smith ::: Just like The Smith in the Upper West Side, this version does not disappoint. Classic American Brasserie fare served in a casual yet cool setting. This spot in the East Village opens all of its large windows in the warmer months making it almost al-fresco dining. We love it.

The Stanton Social ::: I don't normally like restaurants that are known for their small plates, but this is an exception. Each dish is masterfully created and memorable. The Kobe Philly Sliders are my favorite. Great for groups who are down to share. Very hip vibe. You feel cool eating here...until you eat 17 appetizers and have to be carted out the door.

Village Pourhouse ::: This place isn't going to win any James Beard awards anytime soon, but I have to list it because we have been loyal fans for the past six years. One of the few places that shows every KU game, we go here to watch basketball (and that one year when we had a good football team) and are always met with friendly smiles, are standard booths, and really good bar food. Kansas fans in from out of town on a game day? This is your spot.

Did I miss any of your favorites? I feel like we don't make it down tho this neck of the woods quite as often as we used to. And looking at my mater restaurant spreadsheet, we have a LOT on our "must eat" list down here. Looks like we have some work to do. 

A recap of all the ground we've covered so far. Only two more weeks left!

Check out the previous posts in this series:

Week 1 ::: Chelsea / Flatiron / Gramercy

Week 2 ::: Upper West Side

Week 3 ::: West Village / Greenwich Village

Week 4 ::: East Village / Lower East Side

Thanks to OpenTable for reaching out. The OpenTable New York City Restaurants page is always my first stop when planning our dining.

manhattan restaurant guide // week 3

As most of you know by now, the kind folks at OpenTable asked me to write about a few of our favorite restaurants in the city and I decided to turn it into a six week series!

Welcome to week 3 of our restaurant reviews! So far we've covered neighborhoods close to where we lived and currently live. This week we're going further south to my favorite neighborhood in the whole world (really the world!) - the West Village (with a little Meatpacking and Greenwich Village thrown in there too).  

The West Village is known for its cobblestone streets lined with mature trees and brownstones with cute little stoops. It oozes charm. You can just picture a movie/tv/novel set here. It's easy to get lost, as it doesn't follow "the grid", but getting lost here is part of the fun. The West Village was made for meandering.

Besides the charm (and some great shopping), the West Village's main draw, in my opinion, is its FOOD! Splattered with tons and tons of restaurants, many of them with world-renowned chefs and owners, it is a diner's Heaven. Here are some of our favorites - a long list because we love so many! To make reservations, click on over to the OpenTable New York City Restaurants page.

::: Where to Eat in the West Village :::

AOC ::: We love it for brunch, lunch, or dinner. We get a taste of the simple, French food we love in a cute setting, with a great back patio. Bonus points for being on Bleecker Street just steps away from some really good shopping.

Babbo ::: Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. Need I say more? Comfort Italian food in a fancier setting. It's my first pick for my birthday dinner every year.

Blue Hill ::: While we've only been to the Blue Hill at Stone Barns, there's no doubt in my mind that this NYC offshoot wouldn't offer the same quality of locally-sourced, perfectly-prepared food.

Cafe Cluny ::: A local favorite. Breakfast is their specialty, but dinner's not bad either. Quaint, good food, and full of neighbors who seem to know each other. The epitome of charm.

Commerce ::: One of our favorites for a leisurely dinner with friends. Situated on the cutest street ever, this place is always bustling with pretty people having drinks, sharing a meal (get the deviled eggs!), and being all around fabulous.

Dell'anima ::: Teeny tiny little spot that serves some of the best Italian food we've had. Go early and have a drink at their bar next door, Anfora.

Ditch Plains ::: One of Al's favorites. Everything from lobster rolls, to hot dogs (with mac and cheese on top!) to fish tacos. It's casual dining with five star food. And they have a TV at the bar, which is good when your date wants to watch the game over your shoulder. ;) 

Empellon::: How New York does Mexican food right. Tacos and margs in a snazzy setting. Great for groups as they don't mind a little rowdiness. Very fun spot.

I Sodi ::: There's a lot of Italian spots on this list, but this is my favorite, I think. Tiny little spot with amazing pastas. We like to get half sizes of a few pasta dishes and have a little sampler platter. Extra gold star for an outstanding Negroni menu.

LArtusi ::: Okay, another Italian restaurant. But they're all so good! This one has a little more of a grand ambiance. Great for group dinners upstairs in their wine room. And the food is fall off your chair good.

The Little Owl ::: One of the very best in all of New York if you ask me. Small and charming space (do you see a trend here? West Village is s-m-a-l-l) with great service and a menu that is perfect. Tip: start with meatball sliders.

The Mermaid Oyster Bar ::: Another of Al's favorites (I guess he likes seafood, huh?). A great neighborhood feel with friendly staff. Go for $1 oysters at happy hour or on Sundays for lobsterpalooza (a full lobester dinner for $26).

Minetta Tavern ::: Minetta will always hold a special place in my heart, as it's where we went after we got engaged. But aside from that, it's a legendary NYC restaurant. Get the bone marrow (trust me) and sit back and have top notch meal (while celeb spotting - we once saw Steven Spielberg with his entire family!).

Otto ::: In the heart of Greenwich Village, this Mario Batali pizza spot is perfect to bring guests (or a date) because of the great prices and really good food (get the clam pizza). A large bar area too if you just want to grab a drink.

Pagani ::: A new Italian spot (sorry!) that we've started to frequent. Really good cocktails and energetic vibe. And judging by their Instagram account, it looks like to do a pretty good brunch too. Good for a Saturday night double date.

Pastis ::: Another classic New York spot. Currently closed for renovations, this is a must-eat if you're visiting the city. One of Keith McNally's first forays into the New York Restaurant scene - it was and is a place to be. No matter what you order, get a side of fries. Bonus points for outdoor seating with water bowl for doggies. 

Spasso ::: A little further west than some of the others, we love this spot for an early dinner or appetizers. We love to get an outside table and order the burrata that's usually on special and a bottle of rose. They also have a lovely squid ink pasta. 

The Spotted Pig ::: Yay for women chefs! April Bloomfield's first restaurant is still highly regarded and still on many 'must eat' lists. Bistro style food served in an un-fussy setting. Great for burgers after a long day at work. (And the parallels to Bloomfield and 'The Pig' to this book are numerous)

Sushi Nakazawa ::: We haven't made it here yet, but I check for a reservation contstantly. The new must-have sushi in the city. All because of this documentary. Friends who have gone have raved. You can make a reservation at ether the sushi bar or the dining room. I can't wait to go.

Believe it or not, I did whittle this list down some. There are so many fantastic dining experiences to be had in the West Village. To see more great restaurants, click on over to the OpenTable New York City Restaurants page.

Look how much of the city we've covered so far! ↓ (Yes, the hand-drawn map lives!)

Check out the previous posts in this series:

Week 1 ::: Chelsea / Flatiron / Gramercy

Week 2 ::: Upper West Side

Week 3 ::: West Village / Greenwich Village

Thanks to OpenTable for reaching out. The OpenTable New York City Restaurants page is always my first stop when planning our dining.

restaurant week

Hi! So I didn't have my act together this week and the next post in my Open Table Restaurant Guide series isn't ready.  But! Never fear, there's plenty of food for you to ogle and reservations for you to make, as reservations were just opened for this season's Restaurant Week! 

Head on over to Open Table to secure your spots for $25 lunches and $38 Dinners from July 21st to August 15th (Saturdays excluded). 

Al and have had many great meals thanks to Restaurant Week. We use it as a way to go to a restaurant we wouldn't normally, see if we like the food, and then decide if we want to go back and drop the big bucks on a dinner. A test run of sorts. Many of our favorite restaurants have become our favorites because we first visited them during Restaurant Week. 

Travelling to New York between July 21 and August 15? This is a great way to sample some of the city's best restaurants without blowing your travel budget (because that $350/night 400-square foot hotel room will for sure). 

Not sure where to go?  Check out my reviews from past weeks - Week 1 and Week 2 - and head over to the OpenTable New York City Restaurants Page for more ideas.

Stay tuned for next week's restaurant reviews - I'll be talking about our favorite food spots in one of our favorite neighborhoods - the West Village. 

Thanks to OpenTable for reaching out. The OpenTable New York City Restaurants page is always my first stop when planning our dining.

{all images via OpenTable}