To See: Rooftop Parties

Roof Garden Cafe (Yelp)

Summer, wherever did you go? As the cold is starting to creep into the city (and we enter that season where I feel a little less ridiculous for wearing a blazer every single day) the age of the rooftop party is ending. If there's an especially warm night you decide braving it, several options remain. The lucky among you will have a friend with a roof— hissssssss. But as far as the bar scene goes, two viable options staying open are Salon de Ning at The Peninsula hotel and the defiantly more laid-back Delancey.

Salon de Ning (NYMag)

If you prefer something even more low-key, the Met's Roof Garden Cafe has unbeatable views... unless of course a tourist is blocking them. Additionally, more and more galleries in Chelsea hold weekend events up above for an alternative crowd.

x-initiative Gallery

Salon de Ning at The Peninsula

700 Fifth Ave.

The Delancey

168 Delancey St.

Roof Garden Cafe

Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave.

To See: New York Fashion Week

Okay, okay— so it's almost over. But if you have an invitation in hand (or are a crafty one) get thee to Lincoln Center. Even sentimental me was won over by the obvious location upgrade, free manicures and Bon Appetit pop-up cafe.

However, this year I was underwhelmed by the collections themselves. You know it can't be good when Marc Jacobs only gets a "moderate" amount of praise from the press. Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang and Rodarte were my clear favorites. Chris Benz also impressed me, if only for the fact that his clothes were so refreshingly colorful in the sea of white.

I do love the celebration though. New York provides a home to some... interesting... individuals year-round, but let's be honest, when else do you get to see this on the street?

Photos, all mine. Collection, Chris Benz.

To Shop: Opening Ceremony (à la française)

"You know, I wouldn't be broken hearted if we left."

This declaration came from my friend on Fashion's Night Out, as we realized that the line stretching around Opening Ceremony at The Ace Hotel was longer and more vicious than those at the Lincoln Center tents— except with far more painful examples of "ironic" hipster-y.

Luckily for us, what we came to see was lining the sidewalk, in imitation of a Parisian flea market, honoring OC's newest international celebration with France. The trendy powerhouse is teaming up with more traditionally cool brands such as agnes b., Repetto, Carven, K. Jacques and Jean-Paul Gaultier. While the Colette trinkets came across more as knock-offs than the real deal (but then, Colette's draw has always been its sartorially expert buying— not its souvenirs), other merchandise proved to be truly satisfying. I adored the kaleidoscope-effect Deyrolle scarves, as well as the nostalgic toile-printed Ked's. Even the OC sweaters emblazoned with France tempted me with their thick fabric and retro feel. I'll wear mine while pretending I'm Catherine Deneuve on the set of Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.

More surprises will be introduced to the OC stores throughout the year. Here's hoping that the Ladurée creation will be edible.

Opening Ceremony

35 Howard St.

Ace Hotel

20 West 29th St.

http://www.openingceremony.us/entry.asp?sid=5&filed=usa+vs.+france

Photos courtesy of Opening Ceremony

To Eat: Ápizz

Stuck in the unassuming basement of a typically grungy LES building, Ápizz serves up the type of fare one would normally expect from a restaurant that's.... well... stuck in the unassuming basement of a grungy building. Except in Italy. Everything brought to the table reminded me of my favorite restaurant in Florence, hidden in a particularly dusty corner of the city, and cooked by an authentic (if unusually elegant) mama. We started with the crispy prosciutto, bartlett pear, parmigiano-reggiano, roasted herb walnuts and port-balsamic glaze. And after sharing the caramelized butternut squash open ravioli and gnocchi with honey-braised short ribs, dessert wasn't even a faint possibility. I'll be returning for 95.6% of the remaining menu.

Ápizz

217 Eldridge St.

http://www.apizz.com/

Photos courtesy of NYMag.com

To Drink: The Cabin Down Below

Formerly hidden below a pizza parlor, this two-part bar is more bobo rocker hangout than den of questionable inequity these days. But with a cozy layout and attractive crowd, I always find it hard to resist when I'm in the neighborhood. The main section, where almost famous celebrities often throw parties, is the place to be— though the tiny cocktail lounge next door provides a quieter, more upscale alternative, with expertly mixed specialty drinks and some of the friendliest bartenders I've ever met. Personally, I'm still working out how to replicate the Astrol, the perfect combination of gin, champagne and herbs.

The Cabin Down Below

110 Ave. A

Photo snatched from Yelp.

To Eat: Jane

"Zis is good—but it is so American!"

My French dining companion (and former boyfriend, who, after bashing several of my favorite haunts, received his walking papers) got the point, even if he failed to appreciate it. With its brunch starring a country breakfast of ham steak, cheddar grits, biscuits, scrambled eggs and gravy, Jane is definitely an advocate of comfort food favorites. Yet this restaurant is so much more than a haute Cracker Barrel. More modern menu choices include the Benedict Johnny and my personal achilles heel, toasted ricotta gnocchi with a truffle cream sauce (an appetizer that can be super-sized for your meal, if asked nicely). Even if it weren't for the laid-back atmosphere and almost alarmingly kind staff, I would be back again and again for that dish. If you don't believe me, I have back-up:

Between the reasonable prices and high quality, I'm shocked this place isn't on more lists. It's woefully overlooked, in my opinion. More for me— and I'm a greedy lady.

Jane
100 West Houston Street

Photo courtesy of Jane.

To See: Hester Street Fair

Coming away from a semester abroad, I've turned into something of a street fair junkie. My best time in Prague? Easter Market. The go-to spot in Paris? Richard-Lenoir. Where I fell for Barcelona? Boqueria. So far New York, bless its fast-paced soul, just hasn't been scratching that itch. Something about setting aside a prime piece of real estate to hawk spices and fresh pig feet doesn't seem to appeal to this city. But then I heard about Hester Street Fair.


Actually, I was lured there to sample the wares of the Macaron Parlour (for if there is one thing I miss more than markets, it is the sweet, sweet taste of a true macaron). Talking with the charming Simon Tung at the booth, he explained to me how his girlfriend and co-founder Christina Ha studied at Pierre Hermé back in Paris. Biting into a candied bacon maple cream cheese, Thai chili or red velvet cookie, it's easy to see her training in the unexpected but addictive flavors.



I found myself clamoring for more, but was soon distracted by other offerings— the sign of a good fair. Guerrilla Ice Cream had plenty of top-shelf ingredients and cheek, brûlée-ing bananas for my Libertação-inspired sundae. Other popular food vendors include Luke's Lobster Roll, La Newyorkina and Sigmund Pretzels.

Tearing me away from my path of raging hunger was the impressive vintage selection. No doubt it's tiny, but with plenty of YSL, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, retro glasses and chunky jewelry to make it worth the trip. And if you're way up, up, UPtown like me, the fair often holds Stylist Tent Events to bring in even more temptation. Just like any real market, it's a living, breathing organization made-up of the people who come and go— so move quickly and return often.



Hester St. Fair
Hester & Essex St.
Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

http://www.hesterstreetfair.com/
http://www.macaronparlour.com/
http://www.guerrillaicecream.com/

Photos courtesy of Hester Street Fair and Macaron Parlour.