22 RESTAURANTS in the West Village

So many fab restaurants in the West Village.  Our favorite is still the GOTHAM.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We have tried all 22………..and will review them at a later date.

TUESDAY LUNCH at The Three Hens Restaurant

Had never been to “THE THREE HENS”……passed by many times…….decided it was time to give it a try.

I love being greeted by fresh flowers when I step into a restaurant.

I also like to dine at an “off hour”………..without the noontime lunch crowds.

Small bar area……..but a pleasant place to sit when all I want is an aperitif.

Brass tub……..love IT.  The one on my terrace is NOT a lamp…….but does hold a lot of wine bottles…….when I give a party.

Can Spring be far behind?

Nice touch……….taking the time to tuck the tableware into the nap.

My mini Melior coffee pot arrived piping hot.  Cold milk!  Would have preferred HOT…..but that is not a criticism…..just my own preference.

Liked the feel of the tableware……….utilitarian but well designed……….and well balanced in the hand.

I could eat EVERYTHING on this menu.  The offering is spot on for  lunch a selection.

My waiter…….cute fuzzy little red head……..but sweet and very profssional.  What more could I ask for !

Was it as delicious as it looks?   YES !  The spicy garlic aioli was a nice touch with the BLT…….as was the smoked bacon…….[taking me back to my days in Georgia when we smoked the pig in our own smokehouse].

Bucatini Carbonara.  I think the prosciotto was boiled before it was deep fried…….rendering it fat free, crisp…and left me wanting for more.  The tiny sage leaves…..fried and crispy……..delicate touch.  Just the right amount of egg and parmesan.  The serving was hugh…..I was overwhelmed…..but ate it all.

Why order chicken pot pie……….because I wanted to see if  ”free range” makes a difference.  And it does!  Was it as good as the one I make……with a puff paste pastry…….YES.  Kudos to the chef.

A chair is just a chair…….not when it is a  STELLA GUNMETAL………..because they are comfortable………no cushions needed……..and trendy enough to fit in with the look of this dining room.

I even liked looking out the window………..a continual street show of New Yorkers and their dogs passing by.

Easy to find on this corner at 115 Lexington.

Bucket lamp!  Love the idea.  I will copy it for my own terrace.

One of my terraces…..where I will take my watering buckets…..and convert them.

I left my pooch “snowball” outside the restaurant.  Was glad to have a window table so I could keep an eye on him.  There were NO leftovers.  Sorry.

SUSTAINABLE NYC…….WHERE GREEN IS THEIR THING

Everything in the store that comes from overseas suppliers must comply with the Ethical Trading Iniitative:           Sustainable NYC Frequently Asked Questions

The store and cafe can be found at 139 Avenue A……..in Alphabet City in New York.

Green America People’s Choice award was given to Sustainable in 2011…….well earnd and well deserved.

Picture frames cleverly crafted from old keys and recycled bicycle chains.

Make-up and cosmetics…….ecco friendy to the enviornment…….and your body…….and biodegradable.

I had to have a bouquet of these fab felt flowers for my sister.

I took home 2 candles…….no artificial dyes, no synthetic fragrances……….just a natural aroma.  They are not cheap…..but they are worth the price.

Froggy woggy…..so cute.  So practical.Something to hold my quarters for the laundromat.

Fleurs……..Thai……Organic Basil and Cherry tomatoes……….starter kits to simplify your gardening.  No “green thumbs” needed.

France………that’s her name….really.   She’s happy to help you choose the perfect gift.  I did NOT buy the coconut candle.

Clutches ……penguins and hearts.  Add one to your basket.

HAPPY HANDBAGS……….give them with love.

With every pair of Tom’s Shoes that you buy…..a free pair will be given to a child in need.  Buy two, please !

Cozy corner to sip your brew……..and view your laptop.  What is he looking at ?

Cappucino, Cafe au Lait, Mocha Java, Hot Chocolate and Tea, hot or iced.

Gluten free breads……….sweet potato and coconut milk soup and blue corn chips.  Nice lunch……..and healthy too.

The  baked goods are prepared fresh daily by Ciao For Now.  I tried the famous Vegan Double Chocolate Espresso cookie.  More please !

Fair Trade and Organic coffee from Brooklyn Roasting Co……..  Melior pressed.

Cup and Spoon chandelier……….band crafted by Robbie Cook of Nashville.

The Mocha Java……..Ethiopean Yirge Chefe beans, blended with Gayo Mountain Sumatran.  I tried it!  Wonderfully balanced….aromatic….with berry and chocolate finish.

17 choices………it’s hard to choose just one !

Was the chocolate Divine? It was “heavenly”.

The sales staff is very friendly……..and helpful in describing the products.

All kinds of clever items……….make it easy to treat yourself………or a friend.

Nettle scrub…………..natural soaps……….

Dominique Carmacho…..the owner and driving force behind this unique emporium…….chooses  local, recycled, re-purposed and biodegradable products………maintaining her own ethics.

Trash Trophy Makes……..$20…..and it all goes to the kids who make them.

THE UPPER RUST a “Shabby Chic” Antique emporium in the East Village

The owner……Kevin…….definately from the “Upper Crust” of good taste.  Lots of fun….some faux.  Prices seem a bit high…….but hey, this is NEW YORK…….and rent ain’t cheap.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

You must “trip” on down to the East Village and visit this shop. Lots of tiny rooms filled with necessary luxuries…….curios…….nick knacks…….but everything chosen with impeccable taste.  You’ll love it.  I did.

FASHION WEEK Mercedes-Benz Cocktail Party at the Lincoln Restaurant

The best part of this experience was meeting the chef…….Jonathan Benno………..and getting “his take” on this Ristorante.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

$20 Millios was spent to create this restaurant.  Nich Valenti, chief executive of the Patina Restaurant Group operates this restaurant.

“Lincoln” does not sound very Italian…….but Nick says you don’t have to have an Italian name to be an Italian!  Really!

FASHION WEEK FEB 9TH – 16TH, 2012 Lunch at the LEOPARD

Fashion Piatto Unico…..a special Fashion Week lunch offering at THE LEOPARD………..[a restaurant formerly owned by George Lang]……….known at Cafe des Artists.

I was attracted by the menu…………decided to give it a try.  I had enjoyed the Cafe des Artists for 25 years………..so was anxious to see the renovation.

BRONZE………..hugh.  THE LEOPARD.

Magnolia leaves…………..and tables spaced 6 inches apart.

Howard  Chandler Christy murals are cleaned up.  He painted these in the 1920′s when he lived upstairs in the Hotel des Artisis.

We were waiting for the tables to fill up with Fashionistas……..they were dining elsewhere.

Our waiter was very attentive……..no hovering…..but there when we needed him.

This is the special menu.  There was no other choice for the “Piatto Unico”.  Spaghetti……fish……..rice balls and eggplant.  Buon Appetito

The bus-boy….also very attentive.  The wine was a bit pricy….$20 for less than half a glass.  Trebbiano be damned!

Bread basket…………best part of the meal.

Coffee was good…………..pot left on the table so I could refill my own cup Actually, I rather appreciated it.  I needed all four  cups.

Napkins to remind me where I was.

Panna Cotta………..included in the luncheon special…………$27.

On the way to the “loo”…………passing by the bar……..

Tulips…………

Art in the “loo”….also a reminder of where you are.

Howards cavorting nymphs…..always a pleasure to see.

Just a reminder of what the old Cafe des Artists was like.  Oh how I miss it….[tho NOT the food......it was never the reason to enjoy this place].

FASHION WEEK Fall 2012 Michael Kors Runway Show

At Lincoln Center…..in  the big tent…….Michael Kors presented his fashions for Fall 2012.   FURS….furs…and more furs……real and faux………vests, coats, wraps and stoles.  Lots of mohair, tweeds, plaids, satins and lace.  Was outrageous.  Glamour gone wild.  But, it was fabulous.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

There were a lot of celebrities sitting in the front row. Jessica Alba, Anjelica Houston, Debra Messing, Amber Heard…..but I was way in the back in the VIP Box……….and my little camera had a hard time capturing it all.

FASHION WEEK Interview with Patrick McDonald

Patrick McDonald…….a former designer on Project Runway………..marches to a different drummer………and he OWNS IT!.  Fab….fab…fab.

Click on to see his interview.

FASHION WEEK – Hanging out in the Mercedes- Benz VIP Lounge

It’s lots of fun to be in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge………..to see the stars…..and to be treated like one.  Caviar…….Champagne……….for Breakfast?  Pass.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Patrick McDonald showed up in the Star Lounge.  Look out for his PAPER DOLL BOOK……….Four Famous Dandies.  My Donald is there on the sofa with Vinny.  Gretchen Jones…..a past winner of Project Runway dropped in on the scene.

http://youtu.be/FnYetArWffs

FASHION WEEK – Accessories were Big and Bold…….but

LINDA FARGO………senior Vice President…………and principal tastemaker for Bergdorf Goodman’s………..on the plaza at Lincoln Center…………making her own statement with these sunglasses.  Eat your heart out !

The trend in jewelry is “over the top”.  The look is bigger…….but is it better?

Who cares………..it is fun.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Eye Glasses………..are a hugh hit……….and they are hugh!  Handbags…..sassy and brassy.  Neon still making the scene.  Painted fingernails still bold.