New Poké Restaurant in New York City

Standing on the corner of Third Avenue and 38th street -- a part of New York City I could call my virtual home -- I stared at a curb sign declaring “Sons of Thunder” with an arrow pointing east on 38th. It was barely 9 am and I hesitated following the arrow, wondering if this was some after hours club that forgot to take down their sign. (I hadn’t bothered to read the rest of the sign: poké.)

For those not in the know, poké is the ubiquitous Hawaiian thickly sliced, raw fish side dish that’s typically served atop rice with a soy-based or other sauces. It can be found anywhere and everywhere on the Hawaiian islands, from convenience stores to gas station markets.

That morning, I ended up circling the neighborhood, doing errands, and, intrigued by the curb sign, made my way back to 38th Street where I met John and his brother James, the delightful owners of Sons of Thunder, a name referring to a childhood nickname for the brothers.

James told me, “The idea for the restaurant was for it to be like a Hawaiian beach shack serving burgers, and chili dogs; poké would be a special." (The Hawaiian theme is a result of their grandparents emigrateing from South Korea to the U.S. via Honolulu; much later the family moved to San Diego.) But because of an unforeseen problem with the gas lines, Con Ed couldn’t turn on the gas for awhile. That meant no grilled chicken, burgers or fries. So it became poké all the way. “It was a blessing. If we had had the gas, we would never have explore it,” said James.

Yes, the menu is limited for now, but it’s a yummy one. (You can choose from among salmon, ahi tuna, steamed octopus or tofu.) My favorite dish is the salmon tostada made with chopped sashimi grade fish, baby greens, avocado and chili dust served on a warm corn tostada  that’s drizzled with baja salsa. Another dish -- it’s not on the menu -- is a bowl of brown rice and house-made beef chili paired with edamame, diced tomatoes, warm cheddar cheese sauce, onions and avocado slices. (If you're really hungry or if you stop by with a friend, order both.)

The brothers are very much attracted to a green ethic. Their ice cream is organic and locally sourced. The salmon is shipped in from the Faroe Islands -- yes, you heard right, all the way from the pristine Faroe Islands [you gotta love these guys] -- where the fish is farmed sustainably in its natural habitat using no chemicals. They have one white and one red wine on tap -- I prefer the bright, red berry notes of the red -- from the Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Meat eaters clamor for the chili cheese dog -- you can ask for fresh jalapeno for an added kick; or the banh mi dog served with mayonnaise, cilantro and jalapeno.

I prefer eating in since light streams into this sparsely furnished, informal space, thanks to an immense skylight in the rear dining room.

If you’re in Midtown East -- or even if you’re not -- this is a restaurant worth checking out. Even without the grilled items, you’ll delight in the fresh food, the creative preparation and the hospitality of the staff.

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A Unique New York City Souvenir

How ordinary: a simple wooden cube.  At least that’s how it appears at first. But pull it apart into two pieces, lay these side by side and you’ll be facing the New York City skyline, complete with four of the city’s iconic buildings: Empire State, Chrysler, Flatiron and the newest, the Freedom Tower aka Tower One World Trade Center. And, when it’s back in its cube form, rotate it to view the two empty slots, representing the missing footprints of the Twin Towers.

Referred to as the New York Cube, this hand crafted work of art is the brainchild of Aid Rifatbegovic, an artist in Bosnia who’s noted for his sculpted wood objects. The cube is constructed of different types of recycled hardwoods and softwoods, such as oak, cherry, ash and various conifers. The woods vary from cube to cube; each piece is unique. And this medley of woods beautifully reflects the diversity of New York City. This New York City souvenir is so unique, even native New Yorkers -- like me -- find them appealing.

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Good Looking Winter Boots With Traction

So here I sit at my home in a New York City suburb where three feet of snow awaits just outside my door. Now three days post blizzard, the streets of the city are swirling in ice water, the bus stops are piled with five feet of snow, and the sidewalks are a slick, slippery mess. People slide and drop to the asphalt around me. But I jog -- yes, you heard correctly -- past ‘em. In fact, on the night of the blizzard when there was a travel ban, turning our frenetic traffic-laden avenues into desolate corridors, I chose to jog a couple of miles literally in the middle of Madison Avenue. Because how often can you do that and do it safely?

I managed to not only stay upright but move speedily down snowy, icy streets thanks to my new IceBug boots that have a special traction technology. (My boot model is the RYUMZ BUGrip.) The traction depends on BUGrip, a trademark name for the numerous (16 to be exact) carbide steel tip studs imbedded in the rubber outsole. The traction system is referred to as dynamic, meaning that it adapts to the surface and the amount of pressure your foot exerts on the ground. (Each stud is acting independently. How cool.)

The boot is so light and comfortable -- it’s lined with fleece -- that it doesn’t resemble any winter boot I’ve ever worn. It rolls well as you walk or job, making it easy for me to stay fit in the winter. And it looks good -- as good as you can look when trying to withstand brutal conditions. I’ve worn them with Merino wool sweater dresses to various networking events and no one had a clue my boots had steel cleats. (They look pretty ordinary.)

I’ve tested the boot on asphalt, ice and snow and found it provided a completely stable grip. But, of course, once I walk indoors across varied surfaces like tile or marble, I had to either walk very carefully or take the boots off. (This is completely expected with steel studs.)

My boot is said to insulate to -4F. But, during the morning of the blizzard when I waited in a snow bank for more than an hour, not only were my feet not toasty, they were quite cool. Nonetheless, standing immobile in a snow bank may be an extreme situation for the IceBug insulating system. Under other conditions, the boots kept my feet comfortable.

As far as waterproofness is concerned, the boot is supposed to be 100% waterproof and breathable. And, while my feet didn’t sweat when I’m wearing them even for 10+ hours a day, there were times -- as I crossed a river of ice water on Park Avenue -- when my socks got wet. (It’s hard to say if the water entered through the slip-on opening or through the fabric itself.)

Despite these caveats, the IceBug now rates as my favorite winter boot. And, if the weather continues to be inclement, I may be wearing them until spring.

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Innovative Micro Travel Bag for Women + Men

 

Tired of toting around a heavy bag that gives you neck and back pain? 


A bag you have to rifle through to dig out just about anything?

A bag that sets you up as a target when you travel?

Or, are you someone who, instead, crams your vitals -- credit cards, money -- into a fat wallet or cell phone case that you have to dig out of your pocket (or bag) where more rifling ensues?

atta-Bag is for those women or men who travel the world or their neighborhood, going from home to work to night spot, who want to be hands free. It’s simple, stylish and low-profile.

This unique uni-sex bag can be worn seven different ways, including over the shoulder, slung low around the waist or looped through a belt. It's a far cry from the geeky fanny pack that can label you as a tourist.

My inspiration for designing this bag came a few years ago after being robbed of all my valuables from my tiny backpack. It was the middle of the day, in a capital city, in front of a popular museum. The perpetrators were very skillful, able to unzip and re-zip my backpack without me feeling a thing and, within 30 seconds, they walked (or ran) away with my passport, credit cards, cash, plane ticket and more.

atta-Bag sells for $65, and 10% of annual net profits will go toward supporting the efforts of She's The First, a non-profit that sponsors girls’ education in 11 low-income countries (including Nepal, Guatemala and Sierra Leone) with the goal of creating first-generation graduates and the next generation of global leaders. (After all, I’m a first-generation graduate of Barnard College, and a former educator.) I couldn't be happier to partner with this inspiring organization that has made it their mission to increase the number of female graduates around the world.

The first samples of atta-Bag have just arrived. For more information on how to buy this innovative travel bag, contact me here.

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Quirky Plush Doll -- Angry JCreatures®

Meet the “Angry J.” She’s the first of my JCreatures® line of quirky, plush dolls. Whether kids or adults, we all have moments when we’re angry: at our mom or dad, a teacher, boss, friend, partner, spouse, or postal worker. (The list goes on and on...)

But, no matter how rotten your mood, just looking at “Angry J” is sure to make you laugh. And, just like that, your frustrations vanish -- even for a brief time -- or at least they feel less important.

The “Angry J” is for kids and adults. Keep her on your bed or on your desk at the office; maybe she can sit with you on the school bus or when you’re commuting on the train.

The JCreatures® and I have a long history together: I’ve been drawing “Angry J” since I was 10 years old (as well as her companions, “Happy J,” “Mischievous J,” “Sad J,” “Hungry J,” “Surprised/Fearful J,” and “Sleepy J.”) I was a geeky little kid who had few friends and creating these Little Js was my creative way to express my feelings and deal with my frustrations at home and school.

The “Angry J” is Made in America. She sells for $25, and 10% of annual net profits will go toward supporting the efforts of She's The First, a non-profit that sponsors girls’ education in 11 low-income countries (including Nepal, Guatemala and Sierra Leone) with the goal of creating first-generation graduates and the next generation of global leaders. (After all, I’m a first-generation graduate of Barnard College, and a former educator.) I couldn't be happier to partner with this inspiring organization that has made it their mission to increase the number of female graduates around the world.

You can buy "Angry J" here. 

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Gear Review: Fashionable + Functional Winter Wear

It seems like every year when the first colorful blossoms appear on the trees in New York City -- and I don’t mean this winter when unseasonably warm weather tricked many plants to unexpectedly and inappropriately bloom -- in the spring, someone in my neighborhood will ask  if I lost a ton of weight. The answer is always “no,” (I’m as tiny as I’ve always been.) But the question arises because all winter long I’m wearing bulky clothing that keeps me toasty but makes my 104-pound frame look about 50 pounds heavier, until I shed the clothes at the first sign of a warm breeze. Those days are now over, thanks to some very cool clothing manufactured by Stio, a Jackson Hole, Wyoming company.  

As a cross country skier, snowshoer, and winter hiker and walker, whether on a trail or on city streets, I want outerwear that performs well when I’m active, giving me the warmth I crave but without sacrificing style. In fact, it’s not unusual for people to come up to me when I’m waiting on line or sitting in a cafe or coffee shop to ask me where I got the (Stio) sweater, jacket or vest. Some even ask to feel it because each item -- especially the jacket and vest -- looks (and feels) oh-so-soft.

The three items you see pictured below can be paired up, all worn together or separately. And each provides warmth without bulk. The Idyll Hooded Sweater is made of 100% Merino wool in a fashionable tunic style, making it work well whether I’m cross country skiing or lounging beside a roaring fire with a glass of wine at mountain lodge. (It looks good with jeans, leggings, polar fleece tights, sweater dresses or merino wool skirts.)

The grey-hued Lofted Sky Insulated Jacket is stuffed with PrimaLoft, a synthetic insulator that’s light, breathable and packs small -- something I value because I never check luggage. I’ve worn it in a freezing rain and found it to be water resistant and quick drying. You can put glove liners, for example, in an inside stash pocket. (The interior teal color is quite striking.)

The Marsten Down Vest is packed with HyperDry Water Resistant Down so that even though I was stuck in a freezing rainstorm, I was dry and warm. (The vest’s down hoodie and deep pockets protected my head, neck and hands from the elements.) And, the vest was quick drying once I found shelter. For Nordic skiing, depending on the temperatures, I like pairing the vest with a Smart Wool or Icebreaker Merino wool long-sleeve sweater. Like with the Ofted Sky Insulated Jacket, this article of clothing is very compressible. In fact, when flying recently, I brought along a small pillowcase that I stuffed the vest into, making a very comfy pillow. These three pieces of clothing are now my go-to winter wear items.

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All-Occasion Photo Greeting Cards

In a world that’s rife with texting and other non-intimate, digital experiences, there’s a lot to be said for reaching out to others the old fashioned way: in person, with a phone call or with hand written notes and letters. That’s why, a year ago, I created a line of any-occasion photo greeting cards. They’re blank inside, giving you plenty of room to personally connect with those who touch our lives all year long -- not just around the holiday season -- for life-affirming occasions such as a wedding, anniversary, birthday, job promotion, or for events that bring sadness, anxiety or depression, such as an illness, job firing, or death. Or perhaps you just want to say “hi hi” to let someone know you’re thinking of them.

Each card features a different image -- nature, landscape and travel images -- from my around-the-world adventures. Send them to friends, family and colleagues who are avid adventurers or those who prefer to travel from the comfort of their home. 

My collection now features 22 images from such places as Bosnia, Corsica, Nicaragua, Japan, Iceland and Thailand. (I'm introducing 10 new additions to my collection. A limited supply of the original 12 are still available.)

They can be purchased singly or as a set of 5 or 12 different images, or as the complete set of 22. 

The cards are on sale here.

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Anguilla: It's More Than Beaches

Anguilla’s 33 beaches beckon with their pure, white swaths of crushed coral sand. Most visitors are enticed to the island by their picturesque allure, from the shelling possibilities at Shoal Bay West to Savannah Bay where sea turtles are known to nest. But there are plenty more activities on Anguilla to occupy those who want a break from the sand and sun.

That includes taking a guided walk with naturalist Oliver Hodge who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the medicinal and cultural uses of native plants. (You can trek with him along the lush Katouche Trail that ends at a picturesque bay.)

Or sign up with the Anguilla National Trust to explore caves on their Bats & Botany tour. When you're not bird watching along the island's brackish ponds or trekking to the arid east side of the island to spot curious cacti, you'll want to check out the creativity of the island's chefs (at De Cuisine and Hibernia) and artists, such as Cheddie Richardson at his shop and atelier, Driftwood Haven.

Find out more about the non-beachy side of Anguilla in the article I wrote for National Geographic Traveler - Intelligent Travel.

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An Unpretentious New York Wine Tour

I know so many people who can’t be persuaded to sign up for a wine class, a wine tasting or a wine tour. Is it that they abhor wine? Hardly. What they do dislike is the pretentiousness that’s almost inherent in any wine event. Isn’t it possible to enjoy fine wines in an upscale venue, learn enough to be comfortable when chatting with a sommelier in a restaurant or when selecting wine in a shop, and also garner enough practical knowledge to surprise your family and friends next time you pop a cork at home, all without a snooty air? The answer is yes, yes and yes, thanks to City Wine Tours

I signed up for their West Village tour along with 11 other people -- this intimate number of wine lovers is the max on any of their tours. Some of the participants received the tour as a gift, others saw it as a way to share two enjoyable hours on a Saturday afternoon with their siblings, spouse or friends. Sarah, our gregarious wine ambassador, met us at A.O.C. L’aile ou la Cuisse, a charming French bistro. (She’s worked in the wine industry for 10 years, including in sales as a sommelier, and as a wine writer for Martha Stewart.) Instead of just going around the table with the usual introductions, Sarah asked us to describe how we like our coffee. The responses, ranging from black, no sugar to soy lattes, offered a window into our palate. “We’re talking about tannins, body, and flavor preferences that apply to both coffee and wine,” said Sarah.

And, in case you’ve always been confused how to evaluate a wine, Sarah gave us her “foolproof” 4S method: See, Swirl, Sniff and Sip. “It’s about getting all your senses involved," she said.

We started with a sparkling wine, Ammonite Cremant de Loire, Alexandre Monmousseau, as a palate cleanser to wake up the tongue. If you like Champagne but prefer not to pay premium Champagne prices, this wine, like Cava from Spain, is made using a similar method, making it a good value. (The grape is a Chenin Blanc that grows well in South Africa also.) Then we noticed the size of the bubbles erupting in the glass. Sarah explains that the smaller the size, the higher the quality.

Next up was the Domaine Boyt Geyl Pinot d'Alsace 2012, a white from Alsace with pinot blanc grapes. Sarah directed us to the color and clarity -- it was clear and pale; with age a white wine darkens. We stared at the “legs” streaming down the side of the glass. If it crawls, it tells you about the body of the wine, the thickness and the way it feels in your mouth. This one was medium bodied.

We learned that swirling has a purpose; it brings oxygen into the wine. The oxygen releases compounds that, if you sniff after swirling, boost the aroma profile. “So much of the flavor experience is aroma. Go to the farmer’s market to train your senses,” said Sarah. That way, with time, you can more readily identify and describe the scents inhabiting your wine of choice. Some wines give off a lot of aroma. This one was not very aromatic.

Where many would-be oenophiles stammer is when it comes to describing the wine’s flavor. “Fruit flavors are in almost every wine,” Sarah said. This wine had granny smith and some floral notes. By swishing the wine around your mouth, you get an indication of the texture. With this one, you get a medium heavy feel in your mouth.

Sarah was very open to questions. When one member of our group asked about decanting, Sarah told us that delicate wines can’t handle aggressive decanting. But, more important than decanting is the wine’s temperature. “Most whites are served too cold, and reds served too warm,” said Sarah. You can drink reds at 55°-60° F. “Let a white sit outside the fridge for 15 minutes so it warms up a bit,” she suggested. And if a red is too powerful, chill it. Temperature is all important, so it’s no wonder that the stemmed glass keeps your body heat away from the wine.

Then we strolled a few minutes to Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar, a contemporary venue with light pouring through multiple windows. Two tempting truffles -- one white and one dark chocolate -- awaited each of us. Since I’m a chocoholic, this was, by far, my favorite stop where we sampled three well-crafted wines. The first was Astica Torrontes 2014, an Argentinian white that was fresh, crisp and aromatic with tropical notes. Sarah explained that people are often confused, thinking a fruity wine is inherently sweet. On the contrary, this wine was bone dry but with bright fruit. We took a bite of the white chocolate truffle and chased it with this wine. Heavenly! (More chocolate, please.) This low alcohol wine -- 12.5% -- works well with spicy food as well as fish. “You don’t drink a high alcohol wine with spicy food; it would overwhelm you,” explained Sarah.

We paired the dark chocolate with a red, Ayza Garnacha 2012, a grenache from Calayuna, Spain. Grenache is chocolate friendly, velvety and fruit driven. “Juicy and ripe, with a little spice at the end, it’s like a chocolate covered cherry when you chase the chocolate truffle with this wine,” said Sarah. Pairing the right food with the right wine enhances both.

Last, was the dessert wine, Alasia Moscato d'Asti 2013 from North Italy. This was a delightful wine -- it worked well with both the white and dark truffles -- that had a refreshing blend of flavors: apricot, rose petals, and lychee. Many members of our group at first looked afraid to try the dessert wine, concerned it would be sickeningly sweet. That was hardly the case. In fact, several of us decided that this could be our go-to dessert wine.

Our last stop was Jones Street Wine, a wee, local and very informal wine shop. The owner, Joel Zighelboim, curates the petite wine selection: reds lining one wall and whites on the other. Above each bottle hang detailed tasting notes on clipboards. Since this was the weekend before Thanksgiving, we sipped a wine from Rioja - Crianza 2011 Fernandez Gomez that works well with turkey. It’s aged for a year in oak and another year in the bottle, a process that reduces the tannins. The tempranillo grape gives the wine its vibrancy, offering a red fruit flavor with a little tartness. vibrant, red fruit. In fact, it’s lively, just like cranberry sauce, said Sarah. But it’s also got almost herbaceous notes -- kind of like a “Thanksgivingy” flavor. Sarah likes versatile wines, like this one, for Thanksgiving, because most menus are laden with myriad different foods with flavors spanning a vast spectrum. 

City Wine Tours is kind enough to offer my readers a discount on their tours that, if you love wine, you should take advantage off. Get15% off your next purchase with coupon code "Travelauthority15". More info at: www.citywinetours.com.

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