Going to visit Boerum Hill for the first time this weekend with a good friend. What's the best brunch spot? Some place charming and cozy. Also, what are good neighborhood afternoon activities to do?

check grumpy's.

Hello,

Does anyone know of any fun one-time cooking classes that people can take in Manhattan or Brooklyn? This isn't meant to be a series of entree classes, etc. but something a bit more original. Such as macaron baking or oyster shucking.

Thank you!

where can i find the best danish pastries in nyc?

Does anyone know where to get the best authentic stollen in NYC? (I know nothing about it but need to impress a German!)

Otherwise, does anyone know of the perfect recipe? There seems to be lackluster reviews for every recipe online.

Thank you!

I am in France and am looking for a liquor gift for the ultimate Whiskey lover.
Any suggestions?

I just moved from NYC to Paris. Does anyone have any tips on bars in Paris (left bank, central Paris are best) that fit the following:
- Cozy
- Not super pretentious or trendy
- Still popular
- Able to meet fun people
- Not super expensive

I'm just looking for a friendly bar with a good atmosphere. College bars not necessary!

Thanks

Little Owl is amazingly cozy and one of the most romantic restuarants in NYC - it's on one of the prettiest blocks in the West Village.

The Four Seasons Restaurant (not to be confused with the hotel) is some of the most delicious meals I've eaten.

The Modern inside the MOMA is minimalist, sleek decor with delicious food.

The Waverly Inn is where hi-profile celebs go to dine in gorgeous plush banquettes when they're trying to be seen but are pretending not to.

One if by Land Two if by Sea is still one of the most romantic restaurants in nyc.

It is delicious, definitely go and don't think twice about it. It's definitely a MUST in NYC.

I am going to Boston this weekend and it will be my first visit to the city.

Any suggestions for:
- Great cozy, quaint dinner restaurants
- Best brunch spot
- Must sees/dos?

Try Crispo - it's around $50/person, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is great. Ask to be seated in the back room, where there is a huge long communal table near a wooden fire place. That might be able to seat around 30

Boqueria - delicious tapas in Chelsea, high tables and a nice atmosphere for a girls night

La Bottega - in the Maritime hotel - go here if its nice enough to sit outside, it's so lovely

202 - cozy, quaint and delicious, modernized gastropub food in Nicole Farhi's clothing store so that's a novelty as well

Fig & Olive - maybe a bit more expensive and a little corporate vibe, but the food is incredible!

La Lanterna, downstairs - cute and cozy

Hi,
I'm going to dinner with a group of girlfriends at Marlow and Sons. We've never really ventured out in Williamsburg before, is there any place that is a must go-to for dessert? Fun bars in the area that aren't too young? (We're late late 20s/early 30s)

My favorites are:
202 - cozy, cute with wooden tables in Nicole Farhi's clothing store
Fig & Olive - everything is just delicious
Grey Dog's Cafe - best comfort food breakfast in a fun atmosphere

waverly inn - casual chic - everyone from madonna to jessica simpson to diane von furstenberg dine here - it's where you go when you pretend that you don't want to be seen.

la esquina - super fun restaurant with delicious fusion new age latin food - you go through a taco stand and walk down a hidden set of stairs to find it.

definitely try the maritime hotel - la bottega for dinner and the cabanas for afterward (one floor up). it's my favorite, and i celebrated my birthday this way too.

la bottega has delicious food, especially gourmet thin-crust pizzas
the cabanas are gorgeous, chic in a more casual way, most often with a dj

What to get a beer lover?
Any suggestions for beer gift ideas for an serious beer lover? Something more sophisticated and elegant would be nice - i.e. a beer tasting in a nice venue, etc. He loves Belgian beers in particular.

No super divey-places please, unless they're seriously worth seeing.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a romantic and fun birthday dinner spot? Just my boyfriend and I, and we're new to the area, from NYC. Delicious fresh food. And either a quaint cozy atmosphere or something contemporary is okay too. Nothing too corporate or chain-like.

Our favorties in NYC are Little Owl, August, Fig & Olive...
Thanks!

Does anyone have any suggestions for a romantic and fun birthday dinner spot? Just my boyfriend and I, and we're new to the area, from NYC. Delicious fresh food. And either a quaint cozy atmosphere or something contemporary is okay too. Nothing too corporate or chain-like.

Thanks!

If your business colleagues are from out of town, you must must must visit Asiate. It is on the 34th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Columbus circle, and features the best public view of the city (overlooking Central Park and Columbus circle). The food is very clean, fresh and inventive, and absolutely delicious. Reserve the corner table - I promise this is the best place to go, and even better to spend your money here on lunch than visiting Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building, as those lines are very long (2 hours during weekday lunch) and the view is crowded and anticlimactic.

i love alta too, but i agree i think it can be pricey and portions can be small, although i've never ordered the full menu special...

i would suggest:
- le souk - fun, moroccan in a cave-like atmosphere
- antique garage - mismatched furniture, live music on some nights and the best mediterranean food in the city - ask for the upstairs for your party of 10
- lima's taste - dark, hole-in-the-wall (but not dirty or grungy), family-owned and run. delicious peruvian food, lots of good ceviches and killer paella. amazing sangria
- blue ribbon bakery is always great and falls within your price range. plus they take reservations for large parties. a little glitz, cute waiters, fun atmosphere and food

If you go to Centro Vinoteca, I would also suggest The Little Owl, which is just around the corner. It is one of the most special spots in NYC, not too pretentious but delicious, cozy and highly sought after. There is also a great bar near both of these places called The Little Branch - it's a bit hidden and underground but a nice place to grab a pre- or post- drink.

Babbo is great, as is Otto, also a Batali restaurant.

There are so many great places to eat in NYC. Some of my favorites (and why) include:
- 202 (located in Nicole's clothing store, the restaurant is casual chic and very unpretentious.
- Cafe Brown (uses fresh local ingredients in the most delicious ways)
- Peasant (there is a downstairs no-reservation restaurant and an upstairs - go downstairs and sit at the communal tables - wood burning oven
- Cafe Cluny (best brunch spot/late afternoon snack in the West Village)
- La Esquina (best dinner - a bit noisy and a bit difficult to get in but the Mexican-fusion food is genius. The location is also fun, you have to walk down a set of stairs and through the kitchen to get in to the dining area)

202 - casual chic, set inside of a clothing boutique
green table - inside chelsea market, seats about 10 people total
crispo - delicious tapas
suenos - hole-in-the-wall mexican that is actually very lovely

A cake for how many people? There is Eleni's bakery in Chelsea Market that has large last-minute cakes available, often times on the day of or the day before. A smaller cake for 8 people or so can be purchased at any bakery, and you can always try calling any specialty cake maker to see if they've had any cancellations in the day...but if you definitely need a large cake this is your only option -trust me, I am a party planner in nyc.

Fig & Olive is my absolute favorite - there are a few locations including one on the UES. Everything is delicious and savory but light. Completely unpretentious too.

Asiate in the Mandarin Oriental hotel is also fantastic - get a corner table, and it's definitely the best publically available view in Manhattan - overlooks central park and columbus circle.

go to the yama on carmine street - its the best by far of all the yamas. seriously

PATUCA - 41 John Street
212 791 7687

First of all, this is the best little cafe find in the Financial District! Cute, quaint and the nicest staff ever.

So inexpensive with made-to-order sandwiches, salads, drink bar, soups etc. They just opened for dinner starting yesterday, so it's the best place to order from at night if you live in the neighborhood.