The Urbane Urbanite

With the holidays looming and a brisk chill wafting through the air, ‘tis definitely the season for eating and drinking. While sizzling thirst quenchers like teas, hot chocolates and warm apple ciders will be bought and consumed by the boatloads this winter, what hot beverage options are available for folks looking to get lit - and stay toasted? I commissioned the head bartender at 169 Bar, a down-home dive bar on the lower east side of Manhattan, to concoct five warm, charismatic cocktails perfect for keeping the cold at bay and a buzz on deck this winter. I've tried them all - and they're good!

Photo: S. James On Wednesday night, inside of the Press Lounge located on the 16th floor atop Ink48, an upscale boutique hotel in midtown Manhattan, the number one rum in the Caribbean (and the only 100% Dominican rum) launched its newest labor of love. Photo: S. James Brugal Rum 1888 is a smooth, oaky master blend of double distilled fine rums aged 5-14 years. It's sweet and flavorful and has a distinct, spicy lingering aftertaste. It has a dark amber hue and is packaged in a masculine, sleek, square-shaped bottle and costs $49.99. While the main bar was exclusively serving 1888 neat or on the rocks (I sipped mine neat), there were three other bars located in the lounge, serving up delicious Brugal Añejo Rum cocktails created by bartenders all over the country. (See two of my favorite recipes from the event at the end of the post.) Once the rain let up, folks began to migrate from the glass-enclosed lounge...

 Dion Parson  Looking for some culture in New York City this holiday weekend? Treat yourself to a night of jazz at the world famous Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola where Grammy Award winning drummer, Dion Parson and The 21st Century Band will be performing  now through September 4. I was in attendance for the kickoff of Dion's 5-day concert series, where he and his ingenious musical crew treated a packed house to a 90-minute set of traditional jazz fused with soulful, islandy sounds. Percussion, saxophone, steel pans, trumpet, piano, bass and Dion on the drums provides for a perfect blend of lively Caribbean rhythms and standard jazz harmonies. Not to be upstaged by the stellar musicians that play in it, the venue itself is a site to behold. Situated inside of the Time Warner Center, Dizzy's offers a vast, elevated view of Central Park and an intimate setting (the walls are lined with b...

Image: S. James An unseasonably cool breeze whips through my rental car as I zoom up I-80 on my way from the San Francisco International Airport to The Meritage Resort & Spa in southern Napa Valley. After a six-hour flight from New York City, the fresh air is a welcome reprieve. The one-hour drive, which features glimpses of The San Francisco Bay, grassy knolls and rugged mountainous terrain, goes by in a flash. And before I know it, I pull up to a palatial 158-room resort that looks like an estate plucked straight from a Tuscan painting. I can't wait to check in! Image: Courtesy of The Meritage Resort & Spa

The Ainsworth is not your typical sports bar. Sure, there's the standard fare: Flat screens (over three dozen to be exact) on display at every available angle; a mammoth-sized, fully-stocked bar that begs to be sat at and pine walls that evoke a rustic, woodsy vibe. But fused with all of the masculine details are charming chandeliers that hang from sky-high ceilings, sporadic splashes of printed wallpaper, white, sheer curtains and life-size plants that dress the store front windows and doorway, giving the decor a classy, delicate touch.

On a hot summer day, nothing is better than an ice cold fruit smoothie...laced with Bacardi. I got this recipe from my homie, Aliya. But I remixed it by substituting regular ice cream with dairy free SO Delicious instead (I'm lactose intolerant) and adding a "splash" of hooch to give it an extra kick. There are a ton of smoothie recipes out there. But mine is pretty basic compared to others. Here's how you can enjoy an easy to make, semi-healthy, fruit-filled beverage that will hopefully give you a light buzz to boot!

With Memorial Day behind us, the summer movie season has officially kicked into high gear. Whether you like teenage mutants ( X-Men: First Class  ), violent robots ( Transformers: Dark of the Moon ) or magical wizards ( Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II ), there's something for everyone in theatres this season. This summer, AMC offers a great way for you to enhance your moviegoing experience.

I have reservations! That's what I yelled over the thumping bass of P-Diddy's "Hello, Good Morning" to the bouncer who was checking ID's at the door of Stir, a lounge on New York City's upper east side. He pointed me in the direction of the hostess at the bar. Sure, I had called ahead to reserve a table for two, but I was also referring to my sudden suspicion that this supposed night of laid-back martini tasting and appetizer nibbling had just taken a turn for the worse. The raucous crowd spilling out of the door was my first indication that this was not the cozy lounge Stir portrays itself to be. Visit their website and you'll see pictures of plush pillows on comfy leather couches set against candle-lit brick walls, which give off a vibe perfect for first dates and catching up with friends over cocktails. What I walked into was a boozy hoedown. Super drunk patrons were sliding small ottomans across a makeshift dance floor as they moved to the blar...

I can't believe it. A year ago today, I sat down to write my very first blog post : a lengthy review of my experience at a private editor's tasting of an upscale tequila. When I created this blog, it was never my intention to post this much. I figured I'd pump out a post once or twice a month when I felt like it and that would be that. And here I am a year and 105 blog posts later. *Pats self on the back*

Photo: S. James Sometimes, being a writer has its perks. A couple of weeks ago, my brilliant-phenomenal-stupendous-wonderful editor sent me on an assignment to cover the culture on the beautiful island of St. Croix. *Swoons* I couldn't wait to escape the frigid temperatures here in the Northeast and trade in my peacoat for a tank top and flip-flops.  But St. Croix has so much more to offer than a balmy year-round climate. The island is rich in culture and tradition with a bountiful, well-documented past.  The locals are warm, friendly and welcoming. The views are breathtaking and drool worthy - and the food is out of this world. Backed by the soothing sounds of Corinne Bailey Rae, is a four minute montage of images and video of incredible views, century-old landmarks and upscale seafood cuisine - all photographed and captured by yours truly. So.  Sit back.  Relax - and enjoy St. Croix. Click here to enjoy the video.

Smack dead in the middle of Time Square, among the white lights of Broadway, gargantuan billboards, and throngs of camera-ready tourists is a cozy enclave called the Aspen Social Club. The decor is a mix of city sophistication and warm ski lodge comfort.  The foyer is dimly lit, the ceiling is made up of granular, wooden planks and along the way to the main dining room are small, intimate alcoves complete with a table and chairs for nibbling on appetizers and sipping cocktails. With a crackling fireplace playing on a flat screen, a mass of ivory antler shaped ornaments hanging from up above and tree barks bathed in fuchsia lights in glass casings, the main dining room of the Aspen Social Club is visually stunning with a laid back vibe.  It was service with a smile when the waitress, clad in a flannel shirt, daisy dukes and knee high boots came over to introduce herself and take my order.  Here's what I chose: Libation : A blood orange colored, acai berry margarita. I...

Tired of the same old mimosa? Check out the video below. I show you how to put a spin on the popular brunch beverage by swapping out champagne for sparkling wine and adding a splash of orange-flavored liqueur to give it an extra special kick! You can subscribe to my budding YouTube page here :

I've got FIVE days to: Clean up my filthy apartment. Finalize my menu. Hit the market to buy ingredients for said menu items. Marinate the fruit for my sangria. Have my favorite bottles of wine shipped from the Franklin Hill Vineyard in Pennsylvania. Yes, you guessed it, I's throwing a party! WOOT. WOOT. PARTY OVER HERE! It's my annual holiday party, except I didn't throw one last year and I only threw one once the year before that.  But the word annual gives it a certain UMPH, so it stays! *Shrugs* In any event, while I get things together for my function, allow me to share with you my 11 tips for throwing the perfect house party. While I'm using my holiday party as an example, these tips are universal and can be applied to any house event you decide to throw.

Ask any of my drinking partners and they'll tell you I'm a Grey Goose lover through and through. But being the cocktail connoisseur that I am, I always keep my eyes peeled for the next best drink. Lately, all I've been hearing about is the coconut flavored Ciroc. I tasted the original Ciroc at a house party once and was pleasently surprised at how smooth it went down. I wanted to see what all the hype was about, so after work, I went straight to my favorite liquor store to pick some up. Yes, I'm a club member. I gets it in! They didn't have it.  Some talk about it being out of stock and not being able to get any. See. That's what I get for being bourgeois and buying my liquor from a chain store in the suburbs.  I know better. I hopped right into my car, and drove a few miles down the road to a Mom and Pop liquor store in the hood. Not only did they have every flavor of Ciroc known to man on the shelf, but they had economy sizes too. P...

Whenever I throw a function at my house, my homemade sangria always steals the show. There could be a tray full of scrumptious homemade red velvet cupcakes sitting out. Bottles of Grey Goose and Hennessy ready to be poured. A pan of piping hot mac n' cheese waiting to be devoured. And without fail, everyone flocks (and stays very close to) the punchbowl full of my spiked red wine goodness. I even get requests to make it at other people's functions. It's all the rave! Google: "How to make sangria" and you'll find tons of recipes at your fingertips. Except, they ain't mine! After lots of trial and error and many tipsy nights from numerous taste testings, I can say I've finally mastered my sangria recipe. It was my intention to take this recipe with me to the grave. But it ain't no fun if the homies can't have none. What you'll need: A 1 gallon Pitcher 1 jug of Carlos Rossi Sangria Bacardi Rum Cointreau or Triple Sec ...

With Oprah on her way out, it's only right that I step in and start my very own favorite things list. It's the same set up: I list my favorite clothing, food, games, books and snacks that I couldn't do without this summer. The only difference is that my list isn't as nice as Oprah's. Or expensive. Or exclusive. And I ain't giving away any of this stuff for free.  But aside from all that, it's just Oprah's. Yes, summer is almost over but I assure you that everything on this list can be used all year long. Enjoy!

Eighty-five miles west of New York City, tucked away in the hills of Bangor, Pennsylvania, just beyond a winding road that runs adjacent to the Delaware River, you'll find the Franklin Hill Vineyard. This secluded gem is home to several prizewinning wines. When I arrived at the wine shop for the tasting, the pleasant women working behind the counter gave me a wine list. I was allowed to make six selections to taste. The list was broken up into four categories: White wines, red wines, rose wines and specialty wines.

I was on the phone with my father recently and we almost came to blows over something he said to me. We were talking about family stuff and out of no where he asks... Have you had a drink today?

Photo: S. James Last week, I attended a swanky, private editor’s tasting of Maestro DOBEL Diamond Tequila. The event was tucked away in the underground lair of Los Feliz, a chic, yet, rustic tequila bar on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, which also happens to make a mean guacamole and mini-veggie bean burrito wrap. But unfortunately, this post isn’t about food – I digress.