Where did the taste go?

This is not my first time here; however it is my 2nd disappointment when ordering the tasting menu. I made the reservations as a surprise wedding present for friends who were en-route from Geneva to their honeymoon in Cabo and stopped in a layover  for 22 hours in NYC; and who always wanted to visit Daniel. We got the tasting menu, an 3 bottles of wine selected by the Sommelier to accompany our dishes.

The point of visiting a place such as Daniel, is for you to try things that you would not everywhere else. Selecting its tasting menu should be an explosion of flavors that only gets better as the evening continues. However out of all the courses, only two were good; one of these been the amuse (not part of the tasting menu the other the lamb which was perfectly executed.  There were numerous dishes that were  unimpressive, such as the bland arctic chard and few that were outright over powering with so many entwined flavors like the Scottish langoustines that you could not appreciate the minuscule langoustine pieces itself .  The highlight of the night were the selection of cheeses course right before dessert. If I may say so, this has been the best selection outside of Europe I have had thus far; the fun fact? most cheeses were from the North-East region of the country! Also their Beer ice cream was to die. 

The bread! now that's a selection I could eat all day & night. They are baked freshly from their own bakery, and the top ones (for me at least) were the sweet garlic rolls , the olive rolls

 I do have to say or server (who name escapes me) as well as the sommelier were a true gem, who made our dinner a much better experience. 

Perhaps I just happened to choose an off night (twice); we all have them, even the chefs at Daniel; however it cannot erase the fact the it was a  truly disappointing experience for a place named on the top 13 most expensive & tastiest menus in America. 

We met with dear friends who made it a point to have a 22 hour layover in NYC to meet us, and that's what really mattered. In the end, our evening was a fun one, and we created experiences that only we know how

Until the next time we meet!

XO

Who Rule the World? Girls!

Tomorrow Manala Yousafzai turns 16 years old, but instead of celebrating it with a grand party as we are accustomed to, she will delivering a set of education demand which were written by youth to the United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-Moon.

Who's Manala you may ask? She is the Pakistani child who was shot by the Taliban back in 2012; Manala was only 14 then and returning from school along other classmates. After her horrific ordeal, Manala has come up stronger than ever, and is fighting harder, and speaking  for the more than 60 millions kids around the world who are not partaking on education. Manala courageously speaks for thousands, if not millions of girls of her own country who are desperate to be able to attend schooling but cannot for whichever reason.

I believe in the right to an education, I believe in the freedom of been able to make that choice, and I am blessed I live in a country, and a culture in which women are treated equal as men. Many girls who live in many of the countries that encompass the middle east do not. Research shows that in many areas / cities of the world  (Pakistan for example) only 1 in every 5 students is a girl. Reasoning for this you ask? there are many! Some girls might live in areas where there are no schools, or the fees are so high that in some circumstances parents can only afford to send one child to school and boys are the favored ones. However the main reason is because girls are discriminated due to their gender and denied even a basic education.

How would you feel; if you were not able to have such simple yet significant right to education? If it was stripped from you just because of your gender? Join Manala Yousafzai and many others on the fight to end Women Education Discrimination. We cannot all standwith her on the United Nation Floor, but we can all show we stand by her by signing the letter to the Secretary -General Ki-Moon. Signing this will show your support and demand for education rights around the world. Its easy and non time consuming, by clicking Stand with Manala you can make your voice heard.

On a separate note,  Golbal Citizen Organization is a great organization who also support s the Stand With Manala Cause. Every year the give a free concert in the CP great Lawn to not only thank its members for the great effort they make but to also bring awareness to the various causes they represent around the world. If you join, you can earn points whcih can be cashedin for ticket to the concert, trust me its a great event, Check them out!

Until next time!!

XO!

Falling in Love with Krakow

Poland was not entirely in our mind where travels was concerned, yes I wanted to see the main cities and its surrounding history, but for no longer than 2 days. However 2 of our besties were getting married in Krakow and doing it Polish style for 3 days. So hubby and I decided we would spend 5 days in Krakow; and below is a peak to our experience.

Eric & Alicia Wedding in the Market Square!

There was a time in which Krakow was a very populous city. It harbored a medley of cultures from Gypsies to Jews & Catholics; this all came to an abrupt stop during the years of Nazi occupation and its infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

Auschwitz-Birkenau 

Krakow is not only one of the oldest city but one of the most culturally as well as political cities within Poland. It is city that beams with restaurants / cafes / pubs / and amazing people which make Krakow the new Eastern Europe Bohemian Capital. Krakow is a party city, perhaps this is due to the many (and I mean many) universities that surround it, bringing in thousands of young blood into its many neighborhoods? However Krakow also is a city full of history.


Their Market Square which seats in the middle of the city its full of life (day & night) with its magnificent cafes, flanked by St. Mary's Basilica will provide you with vast entertainment. Other famous areas such as the Kazimierz (Jewish Ghetto) District and Podgorze district will not only feed your belly but also your mind.

 St. Mary's Basilica & The Market Square 

 One of the many Obwarzanki olish Bagel) stands


Krakow has its fault, and it can be melancholic city because of its dark chapters in history; yet needless to say, it is a rewarding place to visit. I felt in love with it, its people, its hearty food, beers, and definitely its Vodka.

So make time and visit Amazing Krakow.

Nostrovia!!!

XO