The Urbane Urbanite

Photo: S. James  Del don't do road trips. Usually. I have terrible childhood memories of being sandwiched in the back seat of an unairconditioned hooptie, riding down south in the middle of the summer. *Shudders*  So naturally, when talk of a road trip comes up, I'm the first one on the computer looking up a flight to said destination and making plans to meet my travel mates there. In my mind, by the time they get to the hotel completely aggravated, cranky and smelling of automobile, I'm already checked into my room, curled up with a Kindle and enthralled in a good book. Such was the case this past summer when my homies decided that a road trip from northern New Jersey to Toronto was in order for the 4th of July weekend.

There I am happily eating in a dark diner after Hurricane Irene Over the weekend, Hurricane Irene crippled the eastern seaboard, flooding towns, knocking over trees and taking lives. And in New Jersey, where I live, 617,000 people were without power. My lights were out for almost 18 hours. Meditation and light-skin-did Oreos helped me maintain my sanity. I had access to my gas stove but didn't really feel like cooking. So I hit the streets and went to my favorite diner a few blocks down from my apartment. They were without power as well, but that didn't keep them from serving customers and me from going in for something to eat. Here are six tips on how to chow down during a power outage.

My French is a little rusty. But I will never let my bilingual struggle keep me from enjoying une nuit fine cuisine française. Brasserie Beaumarchais, a sexy eatery inspired by the south of France located in the heart of New York City's hip Meatpacking District, serves up some flavorful French cuisine. As upscale and chic as executive chef and Iron Chef champion Nicolas Cantrel's restaurant is, the lively crowd and a live DJ keeps the stuffiness at bay. Although it's best known for its brunch, I decide to give their dinner menu a whirl.

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.

Every now and then, I need to make a quick escape. Life gets tough and the four walls in my apartment in New Jersey - as much as I adore my crib - start to close in on me and I want out! This past weekend was rough. I had a lot on my mind and needed a change of scenery. A change of pace. Different air to breathe.  Something to help me clear my head and take a break from my thoughts. I knew just where to flee: Brooklyn.

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...

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...

The holidays are officially upon us. And while many people will get their hands dirty in the kitchen slaving over hot stoves, others may opt to take friends and family out for a nice dinner instead. If you're a food snob like me, you frown at the thought of dinning at a chain restaurant. While I don't have anything against spots like The Cheesecake Factory (that carrot cake cheese cake! *drools*), Chili's (Them lightly salted French fries *licks lips*) or Red Lobster (That there cheddar bay biscuit *faints*) when I want to have a real fine dining experience, those are the last places I want to eat. But not all  chain restaurants are the same. There are some upscale chain eateries that will give you the food and ambiance of a five-star restaurant. Here are my top 6 favorite upscale chain restaurants.

(Photo: S. James) This is a very tricky time of year to visit Connecticut. All the marina and harbor activities have been suspended until next summer.  The fall foliage hasn't quite peaked yet. And the weather is unpredictable. But I needed a getaway. Nothing as big and splashy (or expensive) as my trip to Cabo earlier this year.  I just needed a change a pace. I wanted to take in some new air and sleep in a different bed (bug free, of course).  So, I packed up the car and the dog and hit the road to the Constitution State.

Some restaurants thrive off of their stellar reputation and great word of mouth and once you get there, you see what all the hype is about. While other eateries are constantly praised only for you to arrive and leave with unmet expectations. Butter falls somewhere in the middle.

Ask anybody who knows me and they'll tell you I love to eat. Many of my favorite restaurants have pricey menus and upscale layouts. But every now and then, when I'm having a fat boy moment, hung over from the night before or when I'm just in the mood for something good and greasy, I head over to Nicos, my favorite hole-in-the-wall chicken shack in Newark, NJ. What's a Chicken Shack?

(Photo S. James) The moment I arrive at Riu Sante Fe, the sprawling, 902-room pueblo-style resort in Cabo San Lucas ( www.riu.com ), I'm greeted with an icy welcome: A cold glass of rum punch. Ahh, let the all-inclusivity begin.

It's a dreary day here in NYC today but this weekend is poised to be a stunner. I don’t know about you, but I'm already thinking about where I'll be brunching and drinking come Saturday afternoon. Folks are always asking me where they should eat. So, here's a roundup of my five favorite brunch spots in NYC (in no particular order). Remember, I'm not a professional. Just a foodie with an opinion. Enjoy.

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.