Pinkberry

Well my friend Vikki introduced me to Pinkberry over the summer... It was only from a far since the line at the Second Avenue and 82nd Street outpost winded around the corner... Hmmm and we were so in the mood... So what is Pinkberry? A small shop that sells 2 flavors of frozen yogurt... and that's about it... Will it be Original or Green Tea? Several weeks later I was back in the city and made it my business to stop at Pinkberry. I had to see what all the fuss was about. I ordered a medium Original (very similar to the Plain Yogurt at Bloomingdale's 40 Carats and Lord Taylor and Frogurt Plain) loaded with diced fresh pineapple, diced fresh strawberries and sliced almonds.... Scrumptious, decadent, refreshing... A dream!! Try it for sure!!!!

www.pinkberry.com

TOKU - A New Restaurant at The Americana Manhasset

I have enjoyed both dinner and lunch at TOKU, the new Asian restaurant in The Americana at Manhasset. Both meals were delicious. The long awaited opening of this new establishment run by the Poll brothers of Bryant and Cooper and Cippolini fame is everything one would expect from this dynamic group. The decor is magnificent. Minimal and elegant in true Japanese flair. The menu offers many choices. A laundry list of both hot and cold appetizers, very creative salads, exceptional main choices and sushi. Both times we were too full for dessert but the menu looked very enticing. Some of my favorites are: Asian Caesar Salad which is finely chopped with cashews nuts, wonton chips, parmigiano reggiano all mixed with a ginger aioli.... Spicy Tuna with Wonton Crisps, Rock Shrimp with a Creamy Dressing, Black Sesame Crusted Tuna served rare was truly decadent. The prices are reasonable and the portion sizes are big. Dinner for 2 without drinks is around $100. Enjoy!!!!

Have fun! I always do!

RISA

SAKS NYC New Shoes Not Worthy

I was in the city today and made my way up to Sak's highly acclaimed new shoe department on the 9th floor. You know the one that has its own zip code HAHA. In my honest opinion totally unworthy!!! I have loved and followed all the best and most exciting shoes since I was a young kid working for my dad in East Harlem selling mostly low end shoes that would be equivalent to Payless today. With all the hoopla I expected to be slowly entranced as I ascended to the 9th floor. I heard all the press about the individual boutiques etc etc. The only area of the floor that resembled an individual boutique was Roger Vivier. The other areas were all just divisions of the selling floor. The areas didn't resemble "boutiques" at all. Certainly nothing like when Bergdorfs had the individual "Chanel" and "Manolo Blahnik" boutiques.

The selection of shoes and designers was also nothing remarkable. I didn't see anything truly unique. Nothing that would outrank Bergdorfs, Jeffreys or Barneys. The mainstream upscale Saks customer will probably be very happy with the assortment but for the real shoe aficionados always looking for something new and fresh disappointment with reign.

Have Fun! I Always Do!

RISA

Favorite 'Hamptons" Shopping and Dining- Part 1

I've spent most of the summer in Remsenburg but have ventured out a few times to some of my favorite shops and of course restaurants. I'll go town by town and share with you....

Speonk
Pearls Asian Bistro
Salon Echelon (manicures and pedicures, hair)

Westhampton Beach
Fahrenheit 451 (lastest in comfy casual.. great jeans.. yummy cashmere.. marc jacobs bags)
Joan Boyce Jewelry (diamonds and unique jewels to swoon over)
Jimmys (hmmm did i say vbh and edidi bags, couture chic)
Lavish Beauty (bliss, mario badescu, bond 9 fragrance, paula dorf, unique and hard to find beauty products and gifts)
Blue (new this season... great casual chic clothing and accessories)
Magics Pub (amazing burgers)
Shock KIDS (cool kids clothes... hmmm love flowers by zoe for the girls)
Baby Moon (did i say gorgonzola salad)

Quogue
Otis Ford (the best service I have ever received at a car dealer, old fashioned customer service)
Q Restaurant (yes the prices are a little high but the food is excellent, great wine list and many many choices...)
Strebels Car Wash (hand detailed service)

Hampton Bays
FOOD (tiny restaurant with charm and fantastic FOOD, try it for lunch, reservations
a must for dinner)
The Hampton Maid (fantastic breakfast, seasonal closes at 1:00PM.. blueberry pancakes are incredible)

Southampton
Carleen Ligozio (boutique with unique jewelry both fine and costume, hamptons chic
clothing, and fantastic accessories)
Saint Ambroeus (beautiful people and beautiful pastry.. gelato.. delicious lunch and dinner albeit very pricey)
Stevensons (toys galore for all the little ones)
Tate's Bakeshop (was kathleen's bake shop many moons ago. divine chocolate chips.. Scrumptious Cakes)
Saks (always good to get makeup out in the hamptons)
Intermix (carries latest chloe, stella and many others)
Villebrequin ($$$$ bathing suits for the hubby and kids.. gee they can all match from baby to adult.. do you favor the jelly fish print or the ice cream cones??)
La Parmigiana (pizza is a must)
Golden Pear Cafe (quick and yummy fare)

Have Fun! I always do!

RISA

My HBA1C is "Awful"

I've had Juvenile Diabetes for more than 20 years and recently visited a Physician for my own treatment at a major Diabetes Research Center that I have been involved with for many years as both a Board Member, Major Donor, Major Fundraiser and Volunteer. Several weeks later I received a lab report in the mail with the results of my HBA1C test and the result was circled and the word "AWFUL" was written next to it. After seeing the "high" result and being shocked and upset since it was way out of range I became angry that a physician could be so insensitive as to write that and then put it in the mail with no further explanation. In all the years I have met with various doctors I have never experienced something like this. After speaking to some friends who are doctors and to some friends who also have diabetes and other chronic diseases we were all equally shocked.

I made my displeasure well known and received a call from the physician. He said he does that with all his patients and sometimes writes terrible or awful or horrible or great. He felt it was much easier that writing out a whole long story to the patient. He saw nothing wrong with it and until I said I was very put off he then apologized. He said he hoped at my next appointment he could write "great" on the report. I don't plan on any other appointments with this person. I have many friends and associates who deal with diabetes and other chronic diseases on a daily basis. I would hope that the doctors are there to help us instead of "grading" us on our performance.

Have Fun!

I always do!

RISA

No DIET Coke No Artificial Sweeteners at Empire Diner

So we sit down at the Empire Diner on Tenth Avenue and 22nd Street and I order a Diet Coke... NOT!!!!!!! I am told by the waiter that they do not serve Diet Coke or any beverage with artificial sweeteners. Hmmm I am a little puzzled but I decide to just have water... Jeff orders coffee and I decide to order a cup too not thinking that they only serve "sugar".... I am told their reason for this is keeping it "old school" 50's style diner and back then they didn't have artificial sweeteners.... WHAT!!! Back then they didn't have Caesar Salads, Blue Cheese Burgers, Veggie Burgers and Tofu..... The waiter says its a pain too and I tell him yes it is especially for someone with Juvenile Diabetes like myself. He says yea I am on the Atkins Diet all the time and it is really tough for me... I tell him at least being on the Atkins Diet is a choice. I really wanted to tell him what a fucking asshole he was to compare choosing to be on a No Carb diet with having a chronic autoimmune disease but I didn't want to waste the energy at that moment.... Then a guy at the next table asks if the pies are from The Little Pie Co. and the waiter asks the manager who says our pies are from several different places. The Tollhouse Pie is from Umanoff and Parsons he says.... Now isn't it a bit hypocritical for a diner who prides itself on being "old school" not to bake their own pies!!! I think they must be too fucking cheap to buy the little blue, pink and yellow packets or maybe they were disinherited from the Sweet N Low fortune...

Have Fun! I Always Do!

RISA