If you’re on the Upper East Side and looking for your next reliable dinner date spot or power lunch locale, Atlantic Grill is the place for you. A member of dependable restaurant group BR Guest and something of an U.E.S. institution, Atlantic Grill offers a wide array of seafood interpretations from a raw bar with oysters and sushi to Maine lobster to blackened Atlantic swordfish. For the less fish-inclined, there are of course plenty of other staples to choose from, like organic thyme-roasted chicken, filet mignon, or a warm baked goat cheese and beet salad. On a recent dinner visit, … (read more).

Next up on my Euro hit-list of fab destinations is Amsterdam. Offering way more than its shallow stereotype of red lights and otherwise illicit substances suggests, Amsterdam is an ideal locale for those who long to experience a quieter, more mellow interpretation of an urban lifestyle. A cheery, friendly population fused with historic, centuries-old architecture and city planning makes for a great playground for exploration and touring. And what’s the preferred mode of transport for said exploration? Cyclists–not cars–rule the streets here, so renting a bike is a MUST. MacBike is a very popular and reliable rental company, with its … (read more).

For anyone that may be in doubt, the current “Real/Surreal” exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art is part of an ongoing two-year project to remind visitors of all the hidden gems at the institution’s disposal, casting pieces from the museum’s permanent collection in a new light, placing them in novel contexts and company. “Real/Surreal” seeks to illuminate the co-existing intersections and tensions between Realism and Surrealism, both of which flourished in American art in the twenties, thirties, and forties. The result is absolutely mesmerizing. Wander through the collection, mounted against walls painted in rich colors and expertly installed … (read more).

Sometimes environmentally-conscious, nutritional and sustainable cuisine gets unfairly dismissed in the world of top-tier restaurants, written off as not indulgent enough, unnecessary, or just too complicated. Midtown NYC’s Rouge Tomate, however, proves just how wildly wrong that rejection is. With a fierce commitment to seasonal, local, and healthy ingredients, Michelin-rated Rouge Tomate offers incredibly flavorful and creative dishes that you can feel good about digging into, in a serene and chic setting. On our visit last week we enjoyed the three-course prix fixe lunch, the choices for which shows off the restaurant’s impressive and tempting variety of specialties. Our starter … (read more).

Don’t know yet what you’re doing this weekend? I’ll tell you: Italian artist and prankster provocateur Maurizio Cattelan‘s “All” retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum will be showing for two more days (through 1/22) and you should go. One of the museum’s most buzzed about exhibitions in years, this unprecedented show features 128 pieces from 21 years of work–all hanging from the Guggenheim’s iconic rounded ceiling. That’s right. 128 sculptures, installations and photos have been suspended from a complex nest of cables and strings, lowered into the rotunda at varying heights. As you make your way up the spiraling levels of … (read more).

Mark my words: Berlin is the next big city on the rise. If you’re looking for a nucleus of fashion, culture, art and food, visit Berlin for a very pleasant surprise where you can find all this and more. I think Germany has yet to establish itself as a desirable location for tourism, especially compared to other major European cities, but trust me, that’s not because of a lack of attractions. When in Berlin, there are tons of different lodging options. One particularly pleasantly quirky option is the Circus Hotel: a very hip, affordable hotel in Mitte, one of the … (read more).

Paris, France: it really is as magical as they say. So magical, in fact, that the thought of trying to capture the essence of this city in an online article is quite daunting. In the best way possible, all the cliches you may have in your mind about Paris can be a reality when you visit: endless street-side cafes, red wine and cheese platters everywhere with crusty baguette, gorgeous public gardens for lounging and exploring, some of the best museums in the world just a metro ride away, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, which really is as breathtaking as … (read more).

In Gaudí’s Park Güell Great food, amazing sights, extensive shopping, cosmopolitan flair with proximity to the beach—it really seems like Barcelona, Spain has it all. Although the (temporary) Madrid resident in me is pained to say it, for the vacationer looking for a bit of everything (tapas-style traveling, if you will?), it’s hard to go wrong with Barcelona. Starting with food, there’s an excellent variety of restaurants in the city, ranging from authentic Spanish tapas to elegant seafood to experimental ethnic fare. For tapas, get to Catalana early enough to get your name on the list for lunch or dinner … (read more).

Belgium: original home to Godiva Chocolatier! Magical world of fresh waffles, homemade chocolate and locally brewed beer…so goes the stereotypical description of Brussels, Belgium, the country’s capital and biggest city, as well as the de facto capital of the E.U. Well, fortunately for those who enjoy these delicious items (95% of the average population?), the Brussels stereotype is pretty accurate. Walk down the main streets of the city, especially those near the beautiful central plaza called Grand Place, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by adorable Belgian chocolate shops (almost all of which offer free samples!), tourists and locals alike laughing … (read more).