Toro

New restaurants open in New York on a daily basis, swiftly becoming the new 'hot spot'. Reservations come at a premium and are only available for months in advance. The dining floor is jam packed of only A-list of celebrities and New York socialites. 

Yeah you get the picture.

Toro is one of New York's latest editions. Think Boston meets Barcelona, staking it's claim in South Chelsea. Created by co-owners and co-chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette the former Nabisco Factory has a relaxed yet rather exclusive vibe, whilst boasting a delicious menu and tantalising cocktail list. 

In typical Spanish tradition the extensive menu is comprised of tapas dishes made with regional Spanish flavours and local market-fresh ingredients. Little belly big eyes over here decided to order a few too many dishes hello New York's amazing doggy bags coming in handy at this point, but honestly it was ridiculously tough even trying to decide between the seared foie gras with piquillo pepper or the hand carved iberian jam or even the serrano wrapped rabbit paté? Everything's just so mouth wateringly good.

To top it off we chose to sit at the bar and got to watch the owners-come-chefs hard at work cooking and preparing all these wonderful dishes. 

Having studied the menu extensively before visiting I was planning my meal around that wonderful sounding paella. And by George, wasn't it fantastic.

First off, tortilla española with the most delicious garlic aioli.

The oh so decident and devilishly rich, asado de huesos - bone marrow with beef cheek marmalade. 

And now for the triumphant little number. The paella valenciana. Just unreal. 

Look at that rice, in all it's sticky gloriousness.

So sometimes corn on the cob can be pretty overrated. The actual eating time compared with the timing picking all the bits out of your teeth and getting butter dripping all over your hands. Especially in a restaurant, for me corn is normally a no no. Prior to arriving at Toro a a friend said that I had to get the corn. Well this little recommendation was greatly appreciated, literally finger-licking good. 

With Ken Oringer highly amused by how well I got seriously stuck in, I polished off every single piece regardless of the messy consequences. Thankfully he handed me a huge pile of wet towels to mop up my mucky face/chin/hands/fingers.

Find Toro at 85 10th Ave (entrance at 15th St & 11th Ave) and be sure to book well in advance (click here to book online). Or if you fancy a sponantious trip you could always be lucky and nab a spot at the bar to see the genii chef's at work.

Little Prince

This past week I was lucky enough have my lovely mummy visit from London. I'm not the type to get homesick, with FaceTime, Skype, e-Mail, it makes any long distance relationship just so easy and effortless. However, I do have to say that getting to hug my tinny 5ft nothing mummy was amazing. I don't think I realised how missed a good cuddle from my mummy. 

Anyway enough of that. 

With mummy in town what better to do than visit as many restaurants as possible, breakfast, brunch, coffee, lunch, dinner, drinks. 

It's safe to say that no eating opportunity was missed. 

First stop, Soho for a little shop and a quick bite at Little Prince. 

Now having had 'The Little Prince' read to me as a child (by my mummy no less) I thought this was the perfect place to go. 

And even better. They are famous for their french onion soup burger. 

Yes I know. How unreal does that sound. 

I'll have you know that it seriously lives up to its name also. 

Gosh I would kill for one right now.

Stepping into the cosy bistro, I was recognised instantly by the waiter who served me in my last visit and bought over a bottle of sparkling water and lemon slices completely unpromted. The English service industry has soooo much to learn. 

Only wanting a quick bite we opted for the Butternut Squash soup and of course their infamous burger.

Flavoursome and delicious. The perfect winter warmer for the cold cold winds of New York.

Next. This handsome little chap arrived to the envy of our neighbouring table. Who ordered their own burger almost instantly.

Just look at it.
Melted emmental and gooey caramelised onions on top of a perfectly cooked and succulent beef patty.

Despite it being a pretty substantial burger, I think I blinked and it was gone. Just so good. No talking, just eating.

Fingers licked and the bill was presented to us in none other thank a cute little book, adding to the ever so cute charm of the darling restaurant.
Already looking forward to a return visit, a big recommendation in my book.

New York Ephemera

What I'm Wearing: Zara Coat & Shirt, Topshop Sweater, Levi's Jeans & Office Shoes.

New York is ephemeral. 

The highs, the lows, all lasting for a matter of moments. I often feel like a mayfly in this city. One day dining in New York's finest restaurants rubbing shoulders with the likes of Leo DiCaprio in TAO Downtown and the next sitting in Starbucks for an entire day fully utilising the unlimited wifi and free refills. Sometimes it's hard to keep up. What seem like days pass by in a matter of hours and every mere morsel of time here is spent keeping busy. Perhaps that's why I love this city so much. The never ending list of things to do. With nothing but a moment wasted. 

'YOUR eyes that once were never weary of mine

Are bowed in sotrow under pendulous lids,

Because our love is waning.'

And then She:

'Although our love is waning, let us stand

By the lone border of the lake once more,

Together in that hour of gentleness

When the poor tired child, passion, falls asleep.

How far away the stars seem, and how far

Is our first kiss, and ah, how old my heart!'

Pensive they paced along the faded leaves,

While slowly he whose hand held hers replied:

'Passion has often worn our wandering hearts.'

The woods were round them, and the yellow leaves

Fell like faint meteors in the gloom, and once

A rabbit old and lame limped down the path;

Autumn was over him: and now they stood

On the lone border of the lake once more:

Turning, he saw that she had thrust dead leaves

Gathered in silence, dewy as her eyes,

In bosom and hair.

'Ah, do not mourn,' he said,

'That we are tired, for other loves await us;

Hate on and love through unrepining hours.

Before us lies eternity; our souls

Are love, and a continual farewell.' 

William Butler Yeats

Brooklyn Bridge

What I'm Wearing: & Other Stories Beanie, 3.1 Philip Lim Sweatshirt, Rag & Bone Jeans & Topshop Boots.

Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is touristy yes, but one of the must do activities if you're ever in the city. Looking at all the glorious views of Manhattan's iconic skyline just takes your breath away. Well perhaps it was the sub-zero temperatures, but who can tell. Despite the cold, I threw off my fabulous Yeti coat from ASOS to take a few snaps on the bridge, to the surprise of the bundled up tourists who looked at me with a puzzled look of utter madness. But all in the name of fashion right? 

I recently discovered a rather special little watering hole in the city by the name of The Daily, which is partner of New York's infamous Public restaurant. Complete with an old fashioned movie style cocktail menu and packed with bizarre and wonderful framed quotes all over the walls. One that particularly caught my eye is one that I feel we all should always have in mind when we're having those less than perfect days.

"Today we were unlucky. But remember we only have to be lucky once"

Damn right!

Helmut Lang Pre-Fall 2014

Nicole and Michael Colovos have created a collection that is layer on layer Helmut Lang. Signature pieces with a new element of destruction all layered in an asymmetric fashion to create yet another great collection. 

Despite it being frightfully cold in New York at the collection's preview, it is rather clear that this collection was not created in the harsh temperatures of winter but amidst a New York heat wave seeing daisy dukes, teenie bra tops and knitted tanks scattered throughout.

Layering is the key element to the story with light, soft luxe fabrics used to create multiple hems all cut at different angles exposing the unique architectural monochrome print which is used throughout to complement the black, white and navy collection.

Crisp which crepes, cut on the bias model-jerseys and super soft leathers. 

Say hello to my absolute favourite piece, the leather bomber. 

Gosh just look that that beauty. 

The signature Helmut Lang tote in complementary printed leathers now available in a new medium size. 

Photo's by Salvatore Spaltro

Although a very Helmut Lang collection, sticking to their signature oversized tailored silhouette, the layering aspect of the collection certainly brings in something new and will undoubtedly make this pre-fall 2014 just as covetable as ever.