Blog Posts by Jessie F

Looking for something to do in New York City this weekend? Whether you're a local, or just visiting, the upcoming Food & Wine's Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival running from October 11-14 is a great event to attend, even for just one day. Food Network personalities as well as top NYC chefs will be presenting and hosting a series of tasting events, cocktail and dinner parties, and panels.

Some highlights suggested by travel insiders include a sushi and karaoke event with Iron Chef Masuharu Morimoto, a sit-down dinner with April Bloomfield of Spotted Pig fame, a dinner hosted by Blue Ribbon, and a Bouley alumni dinner.

Some of these chefs'/restaurants' most popular dishes are a must-try, even if they're not featured at the festival. Below are links to recipes for outstanding dishes from the restaurants and chefs highlighted above.

Oxtail Fried Rice with Bone Marrow Omelet from Blue Ribbon
Gnudi from The Spotted Pig
Shrimp Tempura with Miso Mayonnaise

Paris Fashion Week wraps up nearly a month's worth of Fashion Weeks. Starting in New York, then moving to London, then Milan, Paris is the final stop for many a weary fashion business insider. Whether a buyer, an editor, a blogger, or a fashionista, weeks of endless runways and shows, champagne, air-kissing, and after parties becomes less glamorous and more taxing.

In order to bolster their spirits and energy, the fashion elite retreat to fine dining establishments and cafes for pick-me-ups. If you happen to be in Paris during Fashion Week, some of the best places to dine, whether you are there for the designers or not, can be found in this Paris Fashion Week restaurant guide.

Elle UK has a list of the best bars for fashionistas in Paris needing a quick drink between shows. This travel insider list of best restaurants in Paris for Fashion Week suggests places like Laduree for a little something sweet or a relaxing lunch, and the Water Bar at Colette--a destination concept store for

With the glitterati roving through Europe for London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Weeks, travelers (and locals) seeking to rub elbows with the fashion set should refer to travel insiders' lists of popular hangouts with designers and models.

For Milan Fashion Week, Tom Ford has been known to book a table by the week at Alla Cucina delle Langhe. Angela Missoni of the heritage label Missoni was spotted having lunch at Il Bacaro del Sambuco with a Vanity Fair editor. And Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone's hidden courtyard is host to models reposing after a long day on the catwalk.

Not content to send amazing designs down the runway, many designers have also expanded their empires and discerning eye to lounges, cafes, and restaurants. Gold Restaurant by Dolce and Gabanna, Marc by Marc Jacobs Cafe, and Just Cavalli Hollywood are a few of the designer-owned hot spots frequented by the fashion elite.

These are just a few of the recommended places for those in-the-know and fashion fans to

Believe it or not, it's not all waif-y models and skinny editors at New York Fashion Week. While the primary source of nutrition during NYFW is champagne and air, the fashion set need places to congregate post-shows and pre-parties.

Enter the vibrant New York dining scene. A mecca for gourmands and people with adventurous appetites (and deep pockets), some of the best New York restaurants are also the best places to hobnob with the celebrities, socialites, and New York elite who flock to high-profile events like Fashion Week.

While NYFW is more about the fashion and the parties than the food, those in town for the shows should take advantage of this opportunity to sample dishes from some of the highest-rated chefs in the world. At the very least, popular dining hot spots and tables serve up as much visual pleasure as they do gustatory delight.

Recommendations include Chez Andre at the Standard East Village (host of many a New York Fashion Week party)--if you can get in the door;

Organization is key when planning for a trip, however short or long. Here's a list of some of the best resources from around the web that help streamline the packing and planning process of any travel.

A straightforward checklist from Simplify101 has things to do before the trip and things to pack broken out into easy to reference categories.

Fodors offers an in-depth look at the best way to prepare for a trip to Europe in the summer.

As traveling is all about the experience, Lonely Planet suggests 27 tips to get the most out of your trip (less of a check list and more about preparation).

And this travel insider list offers a variety of tips ranging from shopping for antiques in Paris to tips for booking hotels in LA.

Also, commonly overlooked when planning for travel, is wrapping up loose ends at work and at home. Here's a short list of things to remember prior to departure:

Hold mail
Pay bills due
Notify friends and family
Get rid of old food