Well, we have been busy and it has been more than just travel! At a time in this world where the greater majority of businesses are cutting back, CITYPEEK has put a boatload of investment into its business--we are renovating, refacing and redesigning.Do you like our new logo?
We still are the #1 place to book hotels anywhere-check our rates! http://www.ihsadvantage.com/h/home.do?pfs=2561 [1] and restaurants www.opentable.com/home.aspx?ref=1081 [2]
.We charge NO FEES for this from you.We get paid if you book, that is all, so tell all to use the local! We still take a peek at not everything, but the best in town so you can live like a local. CITYPEEK is a clean, reliable glance at the best in town.
We are starting our redesign with a strong focus on the East Coast from New York region to Virginia. We plan to grow, but are doing what we know best. And yes, we will write about our finds in various countries and cities-the places that you MUST see. Now CITYPEEK offers the ability for yoiu to review, give opinions and book your favorite spot with great ease!
Tell all your friends. Also find us @ CITYPEEK Patti on Facebook.
CITYPEEK recently dined at the The Charleston's Group's flagship, Cindy Wolf's Charleston. The decor, menu and service structure has changed to a small plate style. In one word, we describe the evening as "theatre". But also, fabulous, perfectly-orchestrated, delicious, sophisticated and memorable. Tony Foreman was on hand serving, choosing wine pairings with every course and helping his most-accomplished staff. When you order you are told you have a choice of ordering 4-7 or 8 courses. The plates are relatively small, but I was surprised how large they were. I had 1. rockfish with lobster risotto 2. fois gras (OMG!) 3. bison burger
4. oh we also shared the signature Cindy Wolf fried cornmeal oysters) 5. a poached pear paired with Suaterned was heavenly. And Tony sent over a trio of creme brule & port wine. Wow-the bourbon cb will knock your socks off it was so delish! Oh my, is that 6 courses? It was the absolute BEST foodie expereince I have ever had in Baltimore, not to mention special around the USA!
Also with socialite pal, Joanna Golden, we attended a special wine dinner @ Brasserie Tatin featuring Master Chef Georges Perrier of Le Bec Fin. Chef Perrier signed menus for all to take home and provided a most-affortable, signiture meal topped off by his friend/owner of Brasserie's delicious desserts.
We just returned from Israel and have lots to share. An international philanthropy International Lion of Judah Conference trip took us (along with my mother, Ann and step father Pops Mort), Linda Hurwitz, Janis Bormel, Tammie Plant, Connie, Marcie and Louise Goodman- to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem called the International Lion of Judah Conference.1200 total participants (including 250 men) raied $16 million for worldwide Jewish Community Federation work. What a fun and inspirational time. Congrats to the whole team, especially, Renee Chelm, Gail Norry and Lori Klinghoffer in USA and Evelyn Douick in Israel!!!
Some higlights:
An exclusive private dinner with Prime Minister Olmert (seen here with Associated Baltimore Jewish Community Fedederation President Mark Terrill and yours truly. Did I mention that along with The Associated Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, Mark Terrill and I had an intimate dinner with Prime Minister Olmert? My parents, Larry Plant, philanthropy pals Lori Klinhoffer, Paula Saginaw, Meryl and Ron Galletin and Julie Wise Oreck were also in attendance.
We met famed fashion retailer Helga Gottesdiener Kook of Helga Designs on a street that can play with the big boys of Rodeo Drive and Fifth Avenue. Helga and husband, Teddy were hosting a special event, it just-so-happened--with lanky models, caterers, champagne and German TV filming that day for a documentary in 2009 re: Tel Aviv's 100 anniversary! Look for us.
We had a delightful time shopping at the Imbal Hotel with friends/shop owners of the 2 hotels top shops Ettie and Mickey for Negrin belts and exclusively also in a their shop selling only Israeli artists. Look for me on their wall when you go to Jerusalem next!
Visiting the wall with dear Miami pal and Miami's Women's Dept President, Moj Kagen. Eating shwarma 2 days in a row (MOSIKO is the BEST find it at Ben Yehuda Mall!) and sipping fresh pomengante juice with Lion King, Robert Kagan in Jerusalem's Old City area.
Shopping and sightseeing with the Baltimore beauties Louise Kovans, Marcy Goodman Gottlieb and Connie Goodman Littman-- in Tel Aviv's Jaffe Port and walking back-was it 2 or 4 miles, Connie?
Received private studion tour of David Gerstein Art Studio where my mother and I purchased some one of a kind and newest items. www.davidgerstein.com [3]
BALTIMORE HOLIDAY BASH 2008 Remember the Hospitality Industry's biggest event in Baltimore is taking place Mon., Dec 15 @ Reginald F. Lewis Museum. www.holidaybash.org [4].
Neeed some deals for this economy:
Phillips Seafood is packaging their Famous Crab Cakes, Clam Bake for Two and Fresh Caught, Whole Maine Lobsters, sized from 1.5 pounds, for delivery anywhere within the continental US. To enjoy or give one of these specialty packages or to purchase other Phillips Seafood products, visit www.phillipsseafood.com [5] or 866.531.2272.
Interested in Phillips Fabulous Seafood Buffet at a reduced cost? LUNCH $16.99 (M-F) DINNER & WEEKENDS $24.99 LIGHT STREET PAVILLION : 301 LIGHT STREET : BALTIMORE : 410.685.6600
WWW.PHILLIPSSEAFOOD.COM
TIP FOR SNOWBIRDS:OISHI THAI RESTAURANT in MIAMI Review by Millie Caplan December 7, 2008
14841 Biscayne Boulevard-N. Miami Beach, Florida 33181
305-947-4338/fax: 305-948-6722 www.OishiThai.com [6]
The location of this restaurant in a lovely shopping, dining center
is enhanced by the many palm trees. As you are about to enter
"Oishi",a hostess opens the front door to let you know that you are most welcome.
You are quickly seated in a stunning high ceiling setting with
comfortably placed candle-lit tables and chairs. A large attractive bar is in the back, with the chefs preparing the fare. Oishi means delicious, and we were not disappointed !
Chef "Bee" trained for more than a year at Nobu, andunderstands the subtleness of fine Japanese and Thai cooking.To start, the Tom Yum Gai soup was replete with mushrooms, shrimp, scallion and chili paste.
Won ton soup had snappy snow peas, cilantro, and dumplings in a clear chicken broth. This was followed by steamed wasabi shumai that melted in your mouth. Royal Pad Thai with jumbo lumps of lobster over thin rice noodles prepared to the requested temperature. Salt and pepper jumbo shrimps seasoned with sea salt and black pepper corns with lightly crusted jalapenos
leaving you begging for more.
Crispy soft shell crabs in a delectable ponsu sauce. Our dinner ended with a very tasteful assortment of mango,passion fruit, and green tea sorbets artfully plated."Oishi" offers assorted sushi and sashimi dishes , as well as a fabulous crispy fried duck.If ambiance , quality fresh fish, seafood, chicken and beef served by an efficient, friendly wait staff is appealing to you, Oishi Thai is totally delicious! Now open daily for lunch and dinner.
Some tips for locals: Remember to visit Roy's in Harbor East for fabulous Hawaiin Martinis or Mai Tai's to warm you up.The Original Hawaiian Martini: Nothing says Martini like “shaken, not stirred” and Roy’s put this delectable creation on the map. In classic Hawaiian fashion, Maui pineapples are infused in SKYY Vodka, Stoli Vanil Vodka & Malibu Coconut Rum. Shaken & served with fresh pineapple. www.roysrestaurant.com/cocktailmenu.asp [7]
Harbor East is offering lots of shopping opportunities so fill up your belly before or after the drink at LEBANESE TAVERNA or FLEMINNG's PRIME STEAKHOUSE, OCEANAIRE SEAFOOD ROOM (they offer napkinsund-meo anyone?
Hungry for more: Why not try a bison burger at the new CORK's in Federal Hill after a picture with Santa? Have your tried the Bloody Mary bar with all the fixin's Sundays at Ryleigh's Oyster? Or udon soup at Matsuri? Recently we tried salmon 5 ways & lamb chops (see below) by the talented Avi Cohen of FIN in Fells Point. Also a neighbor is Chef Nancy Longo known for SMOKED crabcakes and fantastic southern friend checken. Recently spotted dining was Ravens players sampling her Maryland specialties. (She is offering 20% off for her 20th anniversary). Did you know that Capital Grille has a martinin valued @ $1000--yes, jewels go with it, so take your honey.
And finally, try FEAST at 4 East Madison Inn-eat in someone else's living room on special menu's prepared by Chef-co-Inn-owner Sandra Lawler!
Remember this is the final month of the Baltimore's Farmers Market-Sunday til Dec 21!
18th A CHOCOLATE AFFAIR:. Feb 5th save-the-date & buy your tix now. Look for the CITYPEEK judges. Always a top event for chocolate lovers! @ M&T BANK Stadium to benefit Healthcare for the Homeless www.chocolateaffair.org [8]
Shop on your own Main Street.Everything for the holidays is just a hop, skip and corner away! [9] Fabulous food. And incredibly unique shopping. It all awaits you in your very own backyard. And since you can fill your list without filling your tank, you can shop 'green' by saving gas and the environment. The holidays, like your neighborhood businesses, are just around the corner. www.miracleonmainstreets.com [10] .
The party to kick off this event was held @ The Admiral Fell Inn, home of Fin Steak & Seafood which served salmon 5 different ways. We loved the thai and morracan! Also a standout was Pierpoint Chef/Owner Nancy Longo dishing out her famous friend chicken served on a salad with dijon-walnut dressing-yum!
MAMMOJAM EMMY LOUS HARRIS Benefit Concert @ BSO FEB 19.
Thank you for the ROCKETTES REVIEW from Alec & HALEY BLITZSTEIN-so glad yoiu enjoyed the leggy ladies show!
We are even going to the Holiday Spectacular dress rehearsal to see our friend Jeff Burch of Moveable Feast's perform! @ BSO featuring the dancing Santa's this week.
Cheers and happy holidays!
CITYPEEK email us news at info@citypeek.com [11]& send to all of your friends!