Pembroke, Bermuda - Ascots

Located within the Royal Palms Hotel, Ascots is an award winning restaurant serving Bermudian and international dishes in a charming setting that feels like you are stepping into someone's home, surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. The service is impeccable and I can't say enough about the friendliness of the well-trained staff. Nestled a few streets away from downtown Front Street in Hamilton, Ascots was one of our favorite meals during our week-long stay.

Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Centered with fresh European leaves drizzled with basil infused olive oil and balsamic syrup. 

Accompanied with a grilled rosemary bread

Sautéed Snails

Cooked with onions, button mushrooms, garlic and thyme; 

flamed with Pernod, finished with cream and served in a puff pastry case

Pepper Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna

Pan seared tuna steak rested on a salad of arugula, orange segment, avocado and spring onions. 

Edged with a chive lemon infused yogurt

Oven Baked North Atlantic Cod

Wrapped in Parma Ham, rested on a Savoy cabbage, onions and tomatoes fricassee. 

Speckled with a herb infused olive oil

Seasonal vegetables and potatoes

Chocolate molten cake with Rum Raisin ice cream and fruit coulis

Glenmorangie 12 year scotch and some sweets

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Southampton, Bermuda - Waterlot Inn

My favorite restaurant in Bermuda is the Waterlot Inn. Located on Jew's Bay and part of the Fairmont Southampton, the Waterlot has been serving succulent steaks with an impressive wine list (brought to you on an iPad) for over 350 years. Food is served a la carte, like most steakhouses, and the service is impeccable (I was even offered a shawl when I was feeling a bit chilly). Reservations are a must. Here's what we devoured:

YELLOWFIN TUNA CRUDO

avocado . fennel . orange . micro croutons

NIMAN RANCH BEEF TARTAR

fried quail egg . brioche

COWBOY RIB EYE 

20 oz . USDA prime

FILET MIGNON ▪ 8 oz

truffled mac & cheese and garlic creamed spinach

Bermuda onion rings

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING

warm homemade toffee sauce . vanilla ice cream

BAKED NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

exotic fruit . raspberry sauce

As we were celebrating a birthday, it was such a nice touch that the entire staff signed a birthday card and presented it to us over dessert with candles and a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday in song:

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Paget Parish, Bermuda - Elbow Beach Hotel

I have just returned from a week on one of my favorite islands: Bermuda. Less than two short hours by plane from Boston and NYC, it is the perfect quick getaway for East Coasters. 

My preferred hotel is the Elbow Beach Bermuda (a Mandarin Oriental property), which as the name states, sits right on the pristine and turquoise waters of Elbow Beach. The location is idyllic and only a five minute taxi ride to the shops, bars and restaurants of downtown Hamilton. 

We stayed in a very spacious premier garden room (between the main property and the beach) that had open beamed ceilings,  a patio,  and can sleep up to three people. The room was renovated and modern, with a huge bathroom and all the amenities you could need, from an ipod docking station, to twice daily housekeeping services, free wifi, and all premier movie channels. I do love the plushness of the Mandarin Oriental beds and down pillows!

We filled our days with big breakfasts overlooking the ocean, lots of morning tennis and lazy afternoons lying on the beach with rum swizzle cocktails served right to our lounge chairs.

The best part of the island? The local Bermudians! I was blown away by the friendliness and kindness of everyone I met, from hotel and restaurant staff to taxi drivers. As one taxi driver told us, "It doesn't cost anything to be nice to people." Indeed. 

Over the next few days I will be posting about all my favorite restaurants and watering holes on the island so stay tuned ...

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B O S T O N

I am deeply saddened by the events that transpired yesterday in my hometown of Boston. 

Marathon Monday/Patriot's Day is one of the highlights of the entire year in Boston. Runners, who have been training for countless hours, line up for the challenge of a lifetime at the start of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton. The Red Sox play a day game at historic Fenway Park. The weather is just starting to turn springlike and people host parties along the entire marathon route. There are cheers of encouragement, the atmosphere is festive, there is an immense sense of pride and accomplishment for the athletes (most running for various charities) crossing the finish line in Copley Square. 

Sadly, this day will never be the same. Ever.

My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims of this terrible tragedy. 

Bostonians will overcome, but our hearts are heavy. 


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London, England - Aruna Seth Photo Shoot for Hello! Magazine

It was a very exciting day in January when an entire team of makeup artists, stylists, photographers and hairdressers from Hello! Magazine descended upon our flat in London's Chelsea neighborhood to do a photo shoot of my flatmate and dear friend, the now famous British shoe designer, Aruna Seth. Needless to say, we were tidying for days!

Here is a look at the spread they published in Hello! Magazine, which finally came out just a few weeks ago:

And here are some 'behind the scenes' shots I took the day of:

Its terribly exciting living with a "celebrity!" ;-)


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