Every summer, like clockwork, it’s time to hit the beach. But no, I don’t bother with Long Island or Hamptons – Brighton Beach is where you’ll find me on any sweltering weekend afternoon! Sure, the sand is crusty with beer bottle shards, and the water may as well be runoff from The Ganges, but it’s the closest thing I have to Russia. I enjoy hearing my native language, trying the food from my childhood, and spending time getting drunk with my mother. We always stick to the same plan: beach, food, nails, shopping.

Get off at the Brighton Beach stop on the B or Q train, and follow your nose to the salty smell of the ocean. Before you reach the boardwalk, grab Russian snacks such as pirogies, sausages, sour pickles, vodka & beer – then you can proudly set up your beach blanket as a patron of Russian culture and cuisine. Rotisserie under the sun for a couple hours, and when you are crispy red and toasty drunk, head to one of the restaurants conveniently located on the boardwalk, I prefer Tatiana’s or Gambrinus. The food is always fresh, priced well, and offers an extensive variety of traditional Russian plates – there is always something for everyone! Get another 200 grams of vodka, and you’re practically cruising in the French Riviera! (Be warned, the service is pretty terrible, but that’s all part of the Russian charm.)

After a fabulous day at the beach and a hearty feast, I head to the nail salon for some mani/pedi pampering – a good Russian girl must be polished and manicured! Eating good food with beautiful hands is that much more fun. Trust the Russian! On the last leg of my Brighton adventure, I head to the M&I International Foods, which is a one-stop shop for some of the best Russian favorites, home made and imported. The prices are unbeatable, and the selection is incomparable. On the subway ride back into the city, I go through my bags for something to nosh on: oh look, it’s my favorite, Salmon caviar. Might as well open the vodka too!

A few weeks ago, I packed a couple of pretty outfits and jetted off to attend Art Chicago (an annual international fair of contemporary and modern art.) My friend had a wonderful opportunity to display his work in the show – a stunning piece called Marina – so I volunteered to join him in celebrating the success of his efforts. Having never visited Chicago, I jumped flew on the opportunity to explore it’s magnificent architecture, stunning parks, and its famous cuisine (I’m not talking about deep-dish pizza, read on!)

We walked a lot. Got lost a lot. People were nice to help with directions, but we still somehow ended up in Chinatown looking for Alexander Calder’s Flamingo sculpture… maybe Gmaps thought we were buying a flamingo and some cauldrons? Mmm… exotic Chinese food! Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to explore Chinatown, but Chicago is only 2 hours away from NY, so when I finally get that reservation to NEXT or AVIARY (in a few years!) you bet I’ll be jetting back, looking for those flamingos in Chinatown.

A few memorable feasts:
- JAM, a hipsteresque restaurant with headquarters in the Ukrainian village and with killer food. Featured in Travel & Leisure as one of the destinations hot-spots, having brunch there was a revelation: good, seasonal, authentic american diner food with a gourmet twist, plus al fresco dining in a makeshift sculpture garden on a sunny day, with some of the best pork belly and corned beef I’ve ever had. Yes please, more!
- Blackbird, serving seasonal ingredients with a modern culinary twist, in an expansive white space, with James Beard Awards and a Michelin star… you just can’t go wrong. What stood out most was the lovely service, and whimsical plating. I had fun.
- Late night room service at our hotel, The James, with the menu by chef David Burke. That was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had at 3am!

the two owners of JAM: Chef Jeffrey Mauro (left pic, apron) and Jerry Suqi (right pic, hat)

Having a VIP pass to Art Chicago is an open door to exclusive gallery shows, parties, and events. Of course, having my cute friend as arm candy is like carrying the VIP card with me all the time! Some of the most memorable late-night places we visited in Chicago were:
- The Elysian Hotel and it’s glorious cobblestone courtyard, stunning wax figure heads in the hotel lobby, and an overall clean + minimal design. Just the right touches of luxury and extravagance, plus the best martinis and bar atmosphere make it comparable to the Bemelman’s Bar at the Carlyle in New York. Even Gwyneth Paltrow was raving about it in her GOOP newsletter!
- The Wit, primarily for the views from the rooftop bar. The club-like lines outside the swanky hotel were a turn-off for me in the beginning, but well worth the wait just for those breathtaking skyline views.
- Jazz & Blues clubs, man! You can never go wrong with a place where jazz music is the main attraction. That, and cheap drinks, and you got yourself a couple of dancing fools having the best time in the world!

What really took me back about Chicago was the people – very polite and accommodating. For a second there, my angry, jaded New Yorker spirit relaxed (with the help of my favorite drink, the Italian Greyhound) and the rest was cruise control with smiles and happiness. (But it’s still to windy there, damn it!)

I gotta fight the hangover and get back on the plane to NYC! Bloody Mary and onion soup to the rescue at Bistrot Margot

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The weather in April is such a tease: between the days of rain and thunder, we get glimpses of warm sun, blue skies, and blossoming trees. I don’t remember when I was that happy for the winter cold to finally be over. Boy, it’s been a depressing couple of months without the sun, grass, and sleeveless shirts. Luckily, Florida is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from New York City. Today I am home with a bad cold, so this is a perfect time for me to reminisce of those happy days in the sun and the pool…

Being one of those ladies who loves to mingle at Cipriani for hours over champagne cocktails, my choice for similar replacement in Palm Beach was Cafe Boulud. Set in an exquisite grotto away from storefronts, this little gem is a fabulous getaway to see and be seen by “who’s who”. To the left of us was a charming older lady who wore enough chunky diamonds on her hands to hypnotize you from looking away at her surgically treated face sweating from underneath the Chanel hat. To the right of us were 3 tweens, all wearing enough designer clothes and jewelry that would last the waiter a lifetime of retired happiness on a faraway island. The food was lovely, but forgettable, although the plating was nice.

The beauty of the manicured streets of Palm Beach is breathtaking. Everywhere you look there are exotic flowers, sculptures, and little shops offering a sale on small-foture items. being a native New Yorker, I am stunned that no one is stealing, begging, or wearing fashion faux-pax. It’s a land where rich and beautiful pay serious cash to live away from the real world of problems.

Another noteworthy thing is that the streets are largely empty, with only tourists wandering the sidewalks, the residents are comfortably driving in their Bentleys, Maseratis, Ferraris. For lunch on another occasion we stopped at BICE, a fabulous little place hidden away from sight similar to Cafe Boulud. The food is Mediterranean – prepared simple and without fuss – with the accompanying waitstaff who treats everyone like a millionaire (for which they are, ahem, I forgot!) Burt Reynolds, who sat next to us, was the epitome of rich Florida chic – he pulled off the dark tan, the greasy hair, and the open shirt with such pizzaz that I caught myself staring in approving awe.

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You’ve heard the tune before: Paris is the most beautiful & romantic city in the world! It’s the tune of a broken record, and if you’ve been there then you’d be the proud owner of the same audio. Paris is one of my favorite places in the world, and with a dream of living there one day, I’ll take any opportunity to spend time on French soil (even if the airtime getting there equals the time being there, as was the case a few weeks ago!) Ah, to wander through the beautiful beige streets, down  through the geometric lanes of the Tullerie Gardens, pop into LaDuree for tea & macarons, and wrap the evening at Cafe de Flore with a bottle of wine & cheese – it doesn’t take much to enjoy Paris. C’est magnifique! The beauty lies in the simplicity of taking the time to leisurely stroll and enjoy the view, to eat and to shop. No cramming of seeing the museums & monuments into my days’il vous plaît, I am an agent provocateur!

My 3 steps preparing for the Parisian getaway:
1. Get a new perfume from Hermes – Kelly Caleche is a sublime scent for spring.
2. Get in top shape with my private gym & yoga instructors so that there’s room for step 3.
3. Get a copy of French Rosetta Stone & perfect the art of ordering macarons/cheese/foie gras/caviar.

It’s been a few weeks since I’m back in New York, but I can’t help to wander what makes Paris and its chic denizens so superior:

1. Parisians are considerate and behaved. They don’t push in a hurry. The open doors, letting the ladies in first. They don’t raise their voice or speak at the top of their lungs in public areas. Yes, sometimes the silent stares are a bit off-putting, but at least they don’t yell “Hey baby! What, you don’t wanna talk to me? Well, screw you too!” It’s no surprise that we’re perceived as animals by the French. Paris-1, NY-0.

2. Parisians have natural beauty and sensible style. It is a revelation to see firsthand what the women and men of Paris wear, and how they carry themselves. Simple, minimal, elegant. There is help for the rest of us – an upcoming book by Inez de la Fressange, Parisian Chic, will teach you everything you need to never wear Jeggings again. Paris-2, NY-0.

3. Parisians have access to the best food, and yet, the are slender and healthy. Kankles? Muffin tops? Obesity? Non! The French have great respect for seasonal produce and its quality, so there is no chance of hormone-pumped, ammonia-washed crap on their plates. Every time I come back from Paris stuffed with macarons, cheese, foie gras, and aligot, I still fit into my skinny jeans. It is the food capital of the world, and the people are an examplary reflection of a their culture & lifestyle. Even their McDonalds serves wine! Paris-3, NY-0. Paris – duh, winning!

I can’t even begin to list my favorite restaurants in Paris, but I can mention a few you must try:

LADUREE
16 Rue Royale, 8Arr, Paris | 01 42 60 21 79

CHEZ FLOTTEZ
2 Rue Cambon, 8Arr, Paris | 1 42 60 80 89 ‎

CAFE DE FLORE
172 Blvd. Saint-Germain, 6Arr, Paris | 01 45 48 55 26

HOTEL COSTES
239 Rue Saint-Honoré, 8Arr, Paris | 01 42 44 50 00