Beauty & Essex

One Saturday morning, the Urban Mantra sisters and a couple of friends decided to get brunch at the Lower East side. With so many options, we struggled to pick a place. We eventually settled on Beauty & Essex and…hallelujah! We were able to get reservations just a day in advance! Considering that dinner reservations at Beauty & Essex are next to impossible to get (you have to call a month in advance or be prepared to accept a dinner rez at 5pm), we got pretty lucky with a spot for brunch. If you’ve never been, Beauty & Essex has an interesting set-up. Upon entering, you appear to be in what looks like a pawn shop with charming, old-fashioned trinkets and collectibles. But don’t let that fool you into thinking you’re in the wrong place…

After admiring the pretty brooches and rings on display in the pawn shop, we made our way past a set of double doors which led into a strikingly different setting. Warm, glowing lights, a spiral staircase, and a lavish décor greeted us inside the main restaurant. The menu offerings were just as unexpected and enjoyable. Though prices were a little steep and the portions for some dishes on the smaller side, these limitations were quickly made up by the taste of the food. We HIGHLY recommend the warm, melt-in-your-mouth blueberry scones (we ordered two rounds of these!) and the kale and apple salad. As for drinks, nothing says summery and refreshing like the Platinum Peacock made from cucumbers, apples, and mint! Check out some pictures from our sumptuous meal there.

Needless to say, we had a lovely experience at Beauty & Essex and are now trying to get reservations to check out the night scene there. Unless of course, we settle for the night scene at 5pm…


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A Coffee Break

Why is it that weekends fly so fast and weekdays seem to last forever? To stay upbeat through a long work week, I often like to indulge in something that's just for me - whether it's rocking out at my Bollywood dance class, zen-ing out at yoga, or starting my day off right at my favorite coffee shop...

I get inexplicable joy out of the simple act of enjoying a wholesome cup of coffee paired with some carbs - whether it's a bagel, croissant, scone, muffin, or cupcake (I think I get it from my mother)! Today, with a sinfully soft apricot-thyme scone and a frothy cappuccino in hand, I could do no wrong. Hey, it's the little things that get you through the day, right? Thank you, Stumptown Coffee!

Readers, what are things you like to do to get through the week?

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Summer Fun

Hey everyone! With Memorial Day passing this last weekend, it is now officially summer! Woohoo! Summer is my favorite season…the sun is out and the days are longer, giving you more time to do fun activities! As usual, there are a hundred things I would like to do this summer, so I thought I’d organize them into my DC Summer Bucket List! Some of these activities are big and require planning, while others are smaller things I’ve always wanted to do when the weather got nice but never got around to. So here it is, my DC Summer Bucket List!

1) Tubing: Nothing screams summer like hours spent floating down a river under the hot sun! I haven’t had a chance to go tubing in the past, but with summer tubing deals coming out and the Potomac nearby, this is a summer activity I don’t plan to miss out on!

2) Grilling: With great weather outside, people turn to this favorite all-American activity as a way to relax and enjoy some succulent meat! I like Whole Foods’ pre-marinated meats which are ideal for grilling. Try their salmon and spinach burgers with feta cheese, they’re delish!

3) Jazz in the garden: The National Gallery of Art offers this free concert series every Friday throughout the summer. People can enjoy a cocktail outdoors while listening to live jazz music, dipping their feet in the fountain, and engaging in some political talk. How quintessential DC!

Enjoying sangria at Jazz in the Garden

4) Dining at outdoor patios: With DC teeming with outdoor seating venues, getting dinner and drinks at an outdoor patio is just one of the things I equate with summer! Some of my go-to’s are Lauriol Plaza, Eighteenth Street Lounge, and Marvin…but I hope to explore a few other places this summer!

5) Attending a concert: Summer is the time for concert tours and music festivals, like Lollapalooza and Firefly. I just bought tickets to the LMFAO concert at the end of June in Philly, so I’ll be looking forward to some Party Rocking!

6) Picnicking at the National Mall: Bake some treats, buy some white wine, grab a book, and you’re good to go. Sleeping on the grass while reading the book is optional.

7) Beach time: You can’t say beach without summer. I can’t wait to lounge around at the beach, do some water activities, and work on my tan (oh, who am I kidding? I’m Indian! We don’t like tanning!)

Soo ready for some beach time!

8) Enjoy snow cones: While stores that sell these are hard to come by, I know of vendors who set up camp in Bethesda. If you’re looking for snow cones in New York, look no further than La New Yorkina with flavors like mango chile, cucumber lime, horchata, and fresh coconut. Yum!

These are just some activities that are at the top of my wish list this summer. What activities are big in your town and what are you looking forward to?

"Kidding Around" in Manhattan

If you’re living in Manhattan, you know that children are rare sightings. I’ve gotten so used to seeing adults wherever I go that when I do see a bunch of kids or a baby in a stroller, I’m thrown off! Exaggerations aside, it’s not often that I frequent places in the city with heavy kid traffic. But this past Saturday, I found myself at the Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair (organized by the Tribeca Film Festival). 

How did I find myself at a street fair for children, you ask? With my little niece and nephew in town, I knew the usual touristy activities that I recommend to visiting friends wouldn’t do (read: no shopping in SoHo, or visiting a rooftop restaurant or hanging out in the Lower East Side!). Luckily the events calendar on the Yelp! pages came in handy and the Tribeca Street Festival seemed like the perfect place to take the little kids. Upon arriving, it took a moment to adjust to seeing tons of little children running around everywhere. The familiar cobblestone streets of Tribeca, where one usually goes to enjoy a fancy “grown-up” brunch or dinner at a trendy spot, had transformed into bustling street fair. 

 

With numerous activities for children such as face painting, kite making, arts and crafts, acrobatic performances and storytelling, my niece and nephew had a whale of a time. Swayed by the lively atmosphere and the laughter and excitement of children, I soon found myself succumbing to my inner child. If you saw someone going crazy over the “Decorate Your Own Cupcake” booth, that was probably me. And if you saw grown-ups in the “Bubble Garden” blowing giant soap bubbles, I was likely one of them. By the time we left the street fair, my niece and nephew were tired from the excitement of the day but happy. As for me, I thought of how refreshing it was to experience NYC through a different perspective…and to be a kid again, if only for a few hours.

Street performers and cupcake decorating

Acrobat shows, food trucks, and kiddy play areas

Hula hoop lady with mad skills

 What about you, readers? Which children's activities do you enjoy doing even now?

A Can Full Of Bubbly!

There are not many things that scare me, but among the few horror-inducing things in my life is "wine in a can" (cue horror flick music). Don't get me wrong, I'm not a wine snob by any means. I like to think that I have a somewhat discerning taste but for the most part, I appreciate wine in all shapes and sizes. Except in a can. The idea itself is brilliant - cans are convenient to carry around, especially in outdoorsy places, and they allow you to enjoy small portions if you don't want to open a whole bottle. However, I've generally found wine in a can to be a disappointing experience. Even with fancy packaging and marketing gimmicks of "premium quality" labeling, I've found the flavor of canned wine to be mediocre at best. There's always something not-quite-right about the taste. Stale, flat, or lacklustre, you might say.

Enter the Sofia Blanc de Blancs Mini. It's sparkling wine in a can which, I dare say, is a game-changer. This product has been around since 2004 but clearly I got the memo a few years too late. I just discovered it recently at a wine store when searching for a bottle of chilled white wine. Something about the color of the can and its fancy lettering appealed to me, and I decided to try it (who says you need an occasion to pop open a small can of bubbly?). Turns out, I quite enjoyed it. There was definitely something right about the taste. Crisp, zesty, or effervescent, I would say.

According to an article I read, the Sofia Blanc de Blancs Mini targets a female crowd with an image of being a breezy clubgoer's drink. Well, whether you enjoy it at a bar or in the comfort of your home, whether it's for an occasion or not, I would recommend trying it. Perhaps a way to start off the weekend on a bubbly note?


What about you readers? What do you think of boxed or canned wine?

Unusual (But Fun) Business Ideas

In our increasingly competitive market, it has become ever so important for businesses to innovate and offer something different to catch the consumer’s attention. I’ve encountered a few establishments that I think push the envelope in terms of offering a routine service in a fun and unique way!

Manicures and Martinis

Mani/pedis are way for most women to relax and treat themselves to some much needed care and grooming for their hands and feet. Getting a manicure or pedicure is in itself relaxing, but with so many shops and spas opening up in big cities, some have tried to add an extra element of indulgence! Hence the idea of pairing manicures with martinis! Not only does the idea have a ring to it, there’s something fun and relaxing about a red cosmopolitan in hand to complement your nail polish! :) My favorite spot in DC is Mimosa Salon in Dupont, where you are given a limitless supply of mimosas while getting your nails groomed.

Fish Therapy

Rather than those regular ol’ massages or exfoliation treatments, some spas have started offering “fish therapy”! I first encountered these in Bangkok, but they have popped up in other cities across Asia and the US too. Basically, you stick your feet in a tank of small fish that nibble at your feet, offering natural exfoliation for your skin. While I can’t comment on the quality of this service over regular techniques, the entire process is much more ticklish and fun! A must try if one comes up in your neighborhood!

Coffee and Cuddles

For those who don’t have pets but would love some cuddly companionship every once in a while, coffee shops like these are just what you need. Bunny cafes, as they are so called, allow customers to enjoy coffee and snacks while petting cute rabbits. These have become popular in Japan where cramped quarters and busy urban lifestyles don’t leave room for people to own pets. As long as they have figured out how to deal with the slight odor that rabbits can bring, I can’t wait until bunny cafes debut in the US!

So these are some unusual business concepts that I’ve encountered recently. The challenge, of course, is finding an unmet need and turning it into something successful. Easier said than done. I’ll be thinking of ideas but if you have any to contribute, please don’t hesitate to share. :)

Favorite New York Street Food: Update

Update: I recently tried the Tuk Tuk Boy's Thai street food in midtown, and I have to say that it was GOOD! Their pad thai was very authentic. I was also quite excited about their Thai iced tea because it tasted the way it should (I feel that most places here don't make it right). Definitely one of the better food trucks I've had in the city, and very much like the street food I would have in Bangkok. I'm looking forward to going back and trying their papaya salad (som tam), fried rice (khao pad), and masaman curry!

I followed up my Thai lunch with some crepes for dessert. The Crepes Truck was right next to the Tuk Tuk Boy's cart so I shuffled on over to get myself crepes with nutella, strawberries, and walnuts. Yum! Overall, the perfect Friday lunch!

  

Living in New York City is a gastronomical adventure in and of itself. You’re never short of places to eat. You’re also never short of ways to spend money eating. Case in point: Just this weekend, I met a friend for a lunch of spicy Korean BBQ at Korea Town (Shila). Later that night, I enjoyed a delicious, home-style Italian meal in the Upper East Side (Uva), followed by unique libations at one of those Prohibition-style speakeasies in the Lower East Side (Milk and Honey ). This was eventually followed by some late night kati rolls (The Kati Roll Company) in the West Village (a predictable ending to a late night for an Indian in New York, as you will soon find out). Yep, it was one of those ridiculous weekends where you’ve blown easily over $200 just eating and drinking before you know it.

Well, what also makes New York City truly unique is the wide variety of street food it has to offer. I'm not just talking about the hot dog stands found at every corner of the city! No, no...I'm talking about those food trucks, also known as "cheap eats" -- the perfect alternative to expensive eating. Indeed, you could perfectly survive on New York street eats alone and have some of the finest meals in a casual setting!


Having grown up Thailand and spent significant time in India, I know the joys (and sometimes potential dangers) of eating street food. Perhaps my simplest and most satisfying meals have been from the food stalls of Bangkok and the dhabas in Delhi and Mumbai. For me, New York food trucks are a little piece of Asia in the U.S. – simple, no-nonsense grub that packs a punch.

Below is a list of food trucks in the city that are my personal favorites. Some are well-known and have even been featured on the Best Food Trucks of New York; others are just ones I enjoy in my part of town. So next time you’re looking to save some money or find something that hits the spot, give these food carts a try. You might just see me there!

1. Dosa Cart (on 39th and Broadway) – Warm South Indian dosas and spicy sambar

2. Souvlaki Gr: Greek souvalakis so good that the owners opened a restaurant of the same name. I highly recommend the Greek fries with feta cheese too

3. Pita and Falafel Cart (on 31st and 7th Ave)

4. Eddie’s Pizza – It’s pizza, enough said!

5. The Halal Guys (on 52nd and 6th Ave) – Heaping portions of flavorful chicken and rice that really fill you up!

6. Wafels & Dinges – Try these Belgian waffles with the spekuloos spread and a vanilla ice-cream topping that's to die for!

7. Taim Mobile – The falafels and the home-made sauces are delish!

8. Comme Ci, Comme Ca – Really good cous cous

9. DessertTruckWorks – Melt-in-your-mouth desserts

10. LaNewyorkina – Super refreshing Mexican ice popsicles with real fruit flavors

11. Cupcake Crew – Ah-mazing cupcakes!

Not to be outdone, D.C. also has a booming food truck business. Food Truck Fridays, or Truckeroo, is a monthly festival that showcases the different food trucks in the D.C. area. There's also this awesome website that allows you to track where the trucks are so you can see which ones are near you! Check out http://foodtruckfiesta.com.

What are the favorite food trucks in your city?

Recipe for a Good Weekend

I think we all agree that weekends fly by way too fast. Often times, we get so caught up with doing chores and running errands that before we know it, it's Monday again! It's nice when you can press the pause button and do things you want to do instead of just things you have to do. It was a gorgeous, sunny weekend in NYC, the kind that reminds you of why weekends (and life in general!) is meant for living. My simple (and all too-obvious) recipe for a good weekend:

1. Spending quality time with the ones who matter most. After spending several frustrating hours on assembling an Ikea dresser, the hubby and I took a walk to Bryant Park where we enjoyed a nice drink...and laughed over our wobbly dresser back in the apartment. Cheers to that! :)

2. Soaking up the sun and stopping to "smell the roses" (cliched, I know, but it's the little things in life, right?).

 

 3. Indulging in a little bit of retail therapy...or perhaps just some window-shopping (it's also the frivolous things in life!).  This window display with clean and crisp color-blocking at Lord & Taylor on Fifth Ave caught my eye, but I kept on walking--must...resist...the...urge...to...shop!

4. Enjoying a good meal with family and friends. We enjoyed a delicious Indian-fusion meal on Friday night at a cozy little eatery in the Lower East Side called Grafitti. Pau bhaji burgers, eggplant tacos, green mango paneer? Yum!

 5. Reading a good book every now and then. I finally made the time to visit the New York Public Library over the weekend to pick up some good old fashioned books (remember them from before the iBook era?).

What are your favorite weekend activities?


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Of Museums and Martinis

It’s Friday and you get a message from a friend – “Happy hour at the museum tonight?” Normally, that would garner a response like, “Is the name of the bar Museum?” or “Girlfriend's already drunk!”. Well, if you have been to the Rubin Museum, then you’ll know that a happy hour at a museum is possible!

The Rubin Museum of Art is a small place that focuses uniquely on Tibetan/Himalayan art. Every Friday night, part of the museum turns into a lounge where a DJ plays worldly eclectic beats and a mixologist serves up fun cocktails like a Watermelon Mojito or Pomegranate Margarita. There’s even a small food menu comprised of fusion South Asian tapas like naan pizza and coriander shrimp.

When I first visited this place, my friends and I were so engrossed in the eating and drinking part of the experience that by the time we were ready to check out the museum, it was closed! It was kind of shameful. Recently when I went back, I made sure not to make the same mistake again. Once we had a drink in hand, our group proceeded to walk around and check out the exhibits. The one we saw, which is still ongoing, is called Hero, Villain, Yeti: Tibet in Comics. It was definitely interesting!

Funky cocktail drinks at the Rubin Museum

DC has its fair share of museum happy hours too, like those at the national Smithsonian museums and at private galleries. Phillips After Five is a happy hour held on the first Thursday of every month at the Phillips Musuem. The gallery organizes an enjoyable and interactive happy hour with live music and tours, making it easy for people to meet and appreciate modern art! There was something so bourgeois, yet fun, about sipping a glass of wine and discussing a Picasso painting with friends that I can’t wait until my next visit!

So if you’re the type of person who typically finds museums too educational or feel the need to add some culture in your life while still socializing, a happy hour at a museum might just do the trick. It’s certainly different from the usual weekend routine!

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The Miseducation of Paan

The Curry Hill paan-maker working his magic

Recently, a friend suggested that we stop for some paan in the “Curry Hill” neighborhood after dinner.  Quite honestly, I hadn’t eaten paan in a long time and realized it was time for my palate to revisit, what I like to call, the Indian-style mint. As we watched the man behind the counter readily prepare our treat, I thought to myself how odd this must look to someone not familiar with the concept of paan. Well, it’s really just a green betel leaf rolled up with cloves, cardamom, peppermint, sometimes tobacco, and other ingredients that provide a sweet and aromatic taste. Gobbling up paan quickly won’t do anything for you - you’ll feel like you just ate grass. The point is to slowly chew and savor it so that the combined flavors of the leaf and other fillings may slowly be released to your taste buds. Also, be prepared for the distinct red staining of the lips caused by the betel leaf, which leads me to my next point…

Aah, paan…it really gets a bad rep, doesn’t it? Equated to such things as being the poor man’s chewing gum, an unsophisticated habit of supposedly uneducated  folks, the cause of unsightly streaks of red on your clothing, of stains on your teeth, and of streetside filth in India…it’s no wonder most people outside of the South Asian subcontinent have never heard of it. Well, I for one, like to see the other side of paan, the one of Bollywood fame.

The popularity of paan-eating was aptly captured by the iconic song from the 1970s movie Donwhere Amitabh Bachchan played a streetside wanderer singing “Khaike paan banaras wala”. The gist of the song is that “by eating paan from Banares, you unlock your senses. Then what a miracle you will see, for it will straighten you out” (These translations always sound so awkward!).  

 

My personal favorite paan song is “Paan khaye saiyaan hamaaro” from the 1960s movie Teesri Kasam. The song always makes me smile as the ethereal Waheeda Rehman dances to lyrics that go something like, “My beau eats paan. With his wheatish complexion and reddened lips, there are streaks of red on his white button-down tunic…” (Again, I never claimed to be an expert song translator!)

As I headed home from the paan shop that night with teeth stained red, I thought of how paan tastes just like its persona in Indian culture…a satisfying treat that is a conflict of sweet and bitter flavors all rolled into one.