By Nicci Jordan Hubert

Table is all set for our Godiva V-day dinner!

To commemorate the newest induction into the Godiva Spirits hall of fame: Godiva Vodka (yes, you read that right). Godiva Spirits hosted a gorgeous dinner and cooking class at the beautiful International Culinary Center on Crosby street. Led by chefs Brooke Parkhurst and James Briscione (of Chopped fame—he won twice) and mixologist Beate Kiser (a star barkeep, previously at Beauty & Essex), guests were treated first to a cocktail hour, featuring Godiva Vodka, and then a cooking class, with each course featuring the vodka as well.

The chefs: James and Brooke

James and Brooke featured a Valentines-day themed menu of a luscious crab salad, a filet mignon which was crusted with espresso and soaked in a chocolate vodka sauce, and a layered bavarian sponge cake with chocolate vodka in every layer. One of the best parts of the event, along with the ever-flowing amounts of chocolate vodka, was the dinner that came after the cooking class, at which we ate what we had just learned to cook. Needless to say, everything was delicious. If you put liquor that tastes like chocolate in just about anything, it’s going to elevate the flavors, as they say. But the very best part of the party was that since it was a Valentines-day themed event, I got to bring my hubby Chad along. We both enjoyed the food. And the vodka. A lot.

Chad's double fisting the Sweet Cinnamon

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When I was invited for a “Holiday preview” of the delectable chocolate offerings at the Jacques Torres NYC store, I thought we’d be given some samples and maybe a quick run through by the famous French pastry chef…which, by the way, I would have been MORE than honored for in and of itself. But when I arrived at the store on Hudson Street in Manhattan, I could hardly contain my excitement when I realized that we’d actually be making chocolate with THE Jacques Torres himself!

Inside Jacques Torres Chocolate - downtown Manhattan

We were first taken to the back of the Willy Wonka-esque kitchen to see all the chocolate molds for Halloween and Thanksgiving. They’re even as far ahead as having treats ready for your Valentine, retailing from $3-$25 for most (my quick girly input: an edible gift like these are always a good idea!).

Holiday chocolate

Then “Mr. Chocolate” (as Torres is also known) came out to greet us. “This is the first time we’re opening our kitchen doors to bloggers,” he told us. “And get ready, because we’re going to put you to work!” That he did, but Torres probably knew this was going to be more fun for us than anything! After putting on some not-so-glamorous hair nets and white paper coats, we went straight to the back to create our own Halloween chocolate.

Halloween chocolate on the drying trays

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Waffle with Speculoos spread

Belgian waffle from the Wafels & Dinges truck. Raspberry Ripple ice cream. Sliced strawberries. Whipped Cream. and Spekuloos spread*.

*Life-changing

Butter Lane cupcakes for Divanee

Here’s one way to get into the Ramadan spirit (and for a good cause too!): South Asian webzine, Divanee, has partnered up with NYC-bakery, Butter Lane Cupcakes, to create these Ramadan-inspired treats (available from now until August 29th). They cost $4 each of which $1 will go straight to benefiting Save A Mother, a nonprofit dedicated to maternal health.

Hope you consider ordering some for those iftar (fast breaking) dinners you may be hosting — or for your favorite fasting friend (pick me!). Trust me, after a 16-hour fast, it’d be considered one exceptionally sweet gesture.

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I recently spent a weekend in DC to attend my friend Ritu’s gorgeous wedding in Potomac, but also to visit another friend, Anum, and her hubby in their new digs (which HAPPENS to be only a mile away from Georgetown). I’ve passed by the area before by car (doesn’t count), but never really wandered around. On a pretty scorching Sunday, we decided to make a day of it. And also because Anum still doesn’t have a couch. First stop: Zenobia Lounge for lunch.

Zenobia Lounge

It’s so refreshing to get out of NYC sometimes, because the restaurants EVERYWHERE else have so much more room. This Middle Eastern restaurant is interesting because it calls itself a “multicultural cafe and bookshop.” It has loads of literature on all the different Arab countries, and even a small gift shop by the entrance. They also host Arabic classes and other workshops year round.

Inside Zenobia

We made our way to the back garden, where people were already smoking hookah in the afternoon. We ordered the mint lemonade which is the “mintiest” you’ll probably find on this side of town — so much so, it’s actually GREEN.

Mint Lemonade

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Happy Fourth of July!

The cake at our family BBQ

Hope everyone’s having a relaxing holiday…have a safe and happy 4th!

x
Shy