August All Year Long

August, in the West Village, is one of my favorite restaurants. The signature cocktails are delicious, I suggest you try "My Best Friends Girlfriend"; just the cocktail! Chef Jordan Frosolone focuses on seasonal and local ingredients to make pan-European cuisine. The majority of seats in the restaurant are in the back which is in an enclosed garden room. It serves for a very romantic atmosphere. My favorite item on the menu is the Tarte Flambe which is a flat bread cooked in their stone oven topped with onion, bacon tart and creme fraiche. If you can't make it for dinner, definitely stop by the bar and have a drink!

SHOW ME THE BUBBLY

I only know one person who enjoys champagne more than me, so when I discovered that there are bars that specialize in serving bubbly you can imagine how thrilled I was. The Bubble Lounge in Tribeca, though on the pricier side, is definitely worth the extra pennies (or dollars…).  Champagne and champagne specialty cocktails start around $16. Besides the cool atmosphere and awesome drinks, what I enjoyed most about this spot was the wide clientele. It serves a great place to people watch…you can watched a 50 something year old man dancing by his lonesome (not really a dancing type of place, but apparently can be) or the 40 something bachelor who buys a whole bottle of expensive champagne in hopes of meeting a woman to share it with, or the 20 something girls dressed to the nines. I highly recommend checking it out; you might even pop by after dining at Max J

MAX

My new favorite restaurant, which I can't get enough of! Italian food to die for! I can honestly say that they are the first that has made lasagna better than my Nanna. Very inexpensive, with great drinks, especially if you like prosecco, and an incredibly romantic atmosphere. http://www.max-ny.com/. Max has two locations, one in East Village and one in Tribeca. I have only frequented the Tribeca local but I am sure East Village is just as amazing!

NEWS CAFE

I feel as though this picture represents what I enjoy most about ocean drive. Nice cafes where you can eat outside, people watch, and enjoy the weather. News cafe had one of the best atmospheres on the stripe. It has a seating area that is nestled between trees and lit only by candles. If you haven't caught on by now, a nice atmosphere for me encompasses candle light in some shape or form. This is goodbye for Miami for now, welcoming back NYC with open arms!

BEST CUBAN SANDWICH IN THE CITY

Two words. Cafe Habana. Though it is not your traditional Cuban sandwich, it is unquestionably delicious. Cafe Habana is at the corner of Prince and Elizabeth Street. Not only is it a cool area to stroll around by you will find that Cafe Habana is an attraction in itself, and for good reason. The Cuban is not the only good thing...go for the Jarritos, grilled corn Mexican style (with chili powder, lime and cheee, or a good old cafe con leche. There is a sit down restaurant or a take out outpost (and by take out they mean eat it on the curb out front). http://www.cafehabana.com/index.htm

OH HOW I LOVE TO WINE.....

Always in search of new wine bars, as wine is one of my favorite things in this world. My husband's co-worker gets props for this one...a little place called Felice Wine Bar. 60th Street and 1st avenue in the Upper East Side. Candle lit, romantic Italian goodness. http://www.felicewinebar.com/index.php. Upon recommendation from the bar tender we ordered Hauner Salina Rosa and it was perfect! http://www.felicewinebar.com/index.php