Whether it’s a favorite restaurant, favorite hotel, or favorite site to see, I want to start documenting some of Jet Set Smart’s “favorites” for our destinations. I’m kicking it off with Capri, Italy- an island off the southern coast of Italy near Naples. It’s one of the most spectacular islands I have ever been to! Some of my favorites include:

WHERE TO EAT: Da Paolino Restaurant: This restaurant is a beautiful dinner spot and really represents what Capri is about to me…lemons! In fact, the tables are set within their beautiful lemon ... Read More »]]>

Whether it’s a favorite restaurant, favorite hotel, or favorite site to see, I want to start documenting some of Jet Set Smart’s “favorites” for our destinations. I’m kicking it off with Capri, Italy- an island off the southern coast of Italy near Naples. It’s one of the most spectacular islands I have ever been to! Some of my favorites include:

WHERE TO EAT:
Da Paolino Restaurant: This restaurant is a beautiful dinner spot and really represents what Capri is about to me…lemons! In fact, the tables are set within their beautiful lemon garden and there is an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work. Sitting in the lemon garden while you eat just makes the food tastes fresher and the overall experience more incredible. You must try their lemon profiteroles for dessert and wash it down with a glass of their delicious homemade limoncello.

Ristorante La Capannina: This restaurant is located pretty much in the heart and downtown of Capri. The food is amazing- it’s one of the best spots to try all different sorts of Capri-style cuisine. I would head here for dinner.

I highly recommend their Ravioli Alla Caprese, which is ravioli stuffed with ricotta and mozzarella and topped with tomatoes and fresh basil…to die for!

I also think you should try their gnocci with shellfish in tomato sauce.

Torres Saracena Restaurant: This is a great spot for lunch. The restaurant is completely hidden, and unless you ask you will most likely not stumble upon it, and that would be an absolute mistake. The restaurant is set right on the water, so after your incredible meal, you can head right to the private little beach and take a dip in the Mediterranean. You must try their Rigatoni with squash and shrimp, but all of their seafood is great!

La Palette: A wonderful little restaurant with good food and great views!

Tavola Calda: This is a little pastry shop located in downtown Capri. Make sure to stop in and try their lemon cookies!

The Grand Hotel Quisisana: This is a very pretty hotel with a patio right on the Piazza- so you can go, have a drink and people watch. I recommend trying one of their Princessas which is prosecco with wild berries.

Lemon Granita Stand: You will see them all around the island- make sure to try one, it’s so good and refreshing!

WHERE TO SHOP: There is so much great shopping in Capri, but two of my favorite shops are Carthusian Perfumery: A very pretty perfume shop where you can buy a lovely fragrance reminiscent of Capri. I bought a bottle of their Fiori di Capri which smells like lemons.

And, Antonio Viva: He is the oldest and best sandal maker in Anacapri. They measure your feet, you chose your style, and the next day your tailored sandals are ready…it’s so cool!

WHAT TO SEE:
Monte Solara: Take a chair lift ride from Anacapri to the top of Monte Solara for some of the most incredible views in your life! The ride is quite scary, but it’s a lot of fun!

Anacapri Churches: There are many of them, and they are all so beautiful!

Stay tuned for more JSS favorites from different destinations!

When speaking to other guests at one of the two infinity pools overlooking Condado Beach at La Concha Renaissance Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, your conversation always turns to where you stayed B.L.C. (Before La Concha). You will get a variety of answers, yet everyone agrees that with the renovation of La Concha, San Juan finally has a chic, 21st-century-style star on the hotel scene.

There was a lot of hype about the landmark La ... Read More »]]>

Where: La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort , 1077 Ashford Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00907

When speaking to other guests at one of the two infinity pools overlooking Condado Beach at La Concha Renaissance Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, your conversation always turns to where you stayed B.L.C. (Before La Concha). You will get a variety of answers, yet everyone agrees that with the renovation of La Concha, San Juan finally has a chic, 21st-century-style star on the hotel scene.

There was a lot of hype about the landmark La Concha Renaissance Resort re-opening in 2008. It now is considered the newest upscale hotel in San Juan, but its beginnings date to 1958, when it first opened during what was called the Tropical Modernism Movement. So, my family and I decided to stay at this Condado property for a week during our most recent trip to Puerto Rico this summer.

Initial Reaction: When we pulled up to the perfectly located La Concha, it was rather unassuming, yet clearly had maintained the traditional characteristics of Puerto Rico’s architecture. Once inside we found a beautifully designed lobby pulling us in three directions. To the right is the check-in and the seaside Casino del Mar, to the left are the plush couches of the lobby lounge and beyond that, you can follow the staircase to the large, open courtyard called El Batey (the Taino Indian phrase for an open recreational area), which contains a multi-level infinity pool (there are four pools total at the resort) and Jacuzzis, casual seating and a tapas restaurant called Solera.

Check-In: Check-in was not so much of a breeze. This is where you can clearly feel the difference of staying in a five-star resort in the U.S. versus a small Caribbean island. The English speaking staff is polite, and accommodating, but they operate on “Puerto-Rican time”…a.k.a….slowly! Also, room service and housekeeping were slow on cleaning the rooms in the morning and bringing you fresh new towels when you called for them. However, these are really the only negative things I would have to say about our stay overall.

Room Reaction: Once we crossed the threshold of the ocean view room, we found an open area where our attention was immediately directed to the unobstructed view of Condado Beach. The combination of modernism and comfort creates an ambiance of total relaxation, while the blends of whites, blues, greens, and oranges, couple with the panoramic view of the beach and sea make these rooms the ultimate seaside escape. All rooms have iPod/MP3-player-compatible alarm clocks, 37-inch flat screen LCD TVs, digital on-demand entertainment and high speed Internet access.

Note: When staying at La Concha, room selection is very important. There are 248 spacious, modern guestrooms all with spectacular ocean views in the original La Concha building. There is also a newly constructed building that has suites. The suites are beautiful and ultramodern, but not every room faces the ocean (who wants a city view when you are staying in the Caribbean at the beach?) In addition, the building itself is very hot temperature-wise because the hallways are enclosed (not like in the original building, where the hallways are open and overlook the pool.

Where to Dine: La Concha’s six restaurants include Perla, the signature seafood restaurant of well-known chef Dayne Smith, resting under the resorts trademark beach side shell dome. Solera is a pool grill by day and tapas bar by night. Level 25 serves breakfast and dinner, offering Pan-Pacific food and prime cuts of beef. Aroma, in the lobby is a great place for coffee and pastries in the morning. Sidewalk Cafe is a casual place that serves breakfast and lunch. Komokai is a sushi bar located in the lobby.

Bottom Line: La Concha Renaissance Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico is by far my favorite hotel in the San Juan area, and with a couple of tweaks to service, it could be one of my top ten favorites in the world! By the way, when we were staying at La Concha, so was Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets, as well as Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and the cast of The Fast and the Furious because they were in Puerto Rico shooting The Fast and the Furious 5…so if it was the choice for all of these celebs, I guess it wasn’t a bad choice for the Jet Set Smart crowd either! Room rates start at $239 per night.

Written by Lori McNally for Chic Galleria magazine.

I’ve spent the last week tweaking the recipe to make it just right and have it taste most similar to my Abuela’s Avena, and I think I finally got it!

If you enjoy rich and creamy, stick-to-your-ribs oatmeal, not the watery or instant kind, try this homemade recipe…you too will quickly get hooked! (I must warn ... Read More »]]>

Translated from Spanish to English, Abuela’s Avena means grandma’s oatmeal. On my recent trip to Puerto Rico, I enjoyed many bowls of oatmeal (sadly not my grandma’s, but very close it), and since I’ve come back, it’s the only thing I’m craving for breakfast these days.

I’ve spent the last week tweaking the recipe to make it just right and have it taste most similar to my Abuela’s Avena, and I think I finally got it!

If you enjoy rich and creamy, stick-to-your-ribs oatmeal, not the watery or instant kind, try this homemade recipe…you too will quickly get hooked! (I must warn you, it is made with whole milk, evaporated milk and sugar- so if you are counting calories, you may want to substitute for skim milk and sugar substitute, but I guarantee it won’t taste the same). I think my Abuela would be very proud!

ABUELA’S AVENA RECIPE: Courtesy of Grandma Lydia
(Makes 4-6 servings)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick

How to Make:
Soak the oats in the water for minimum of 30 minutes, and if you have time, as much as overnight. Next, take the soaked oats and water mixture and blend in a blender for 1 minute. Add that mixture to a pot on medium-high heat, then add the rest of the ingredients. Bring everything to a boil while stirring constantly, then reduce heat to medium and let simmer for another 3 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and discard. Serve immediately and enjoy or in Spanish…Buen Provecho!

Written By: Lori McNally of Chic Galleria

Here’s a list of the wineries I visited over the July 4th Holiday weekend out on the North Fork, and a little about what I thought of each of them. My two favorites were McCall and One Woman. Shinn was also very cool, but more for its indoor space ... Read More »]]>

Many jet setters are unaware that the North Fork of Long Island in New York is considered Wine Country (basically our own version of California’s Napa Valley or Santa Barbara’s Wine Country but in New York). In fact, there are more than 30 wineries to choose from, each with its own personality.

Here’s a list of the wineries I visited over the July 4th Holiday weekend out on the North Fork, and a little about what I thought of each of them. My two favorites were McCall and One Woman. Shinn was also very cool, but more for its indoor space than outdoor which is a waste if you get a nice day. I like Bedell (and its related property Corey Creek). The one to stay away from on this list, in my mind, would be Raphael as it’s too corporate. I hope to visit more of them in the near future…so stay tuned for Jet Set Smart’s next North Fork Wineries List.

1- Shinn Estate Vineyards: This place has good wines and a nice laid back feel. It’s located on Oregon Road which is a pretty road, and is not on one of the two main roads on the North Fork, so I feel like it’s more secluded. Tasting hours are Monday-Sunday 12pm-5pm.

2- Raphael: The setting here is as if you are in an old Italian villa in Tuscany. It’s beautiful and is considered (by many of the locals) to be one of the best tasting rooms on Long Island. They have very good quality wine at a reasonable price. Tasting hours are Sunday-Friday 11am-5pm; Saturday by appointment only.

3- Bedell Cellars: Bedell has a huge outdoor deck complete with a tasting bar and a great view of the vineyards. The inside is decorated in a modern style with some interesting art. If it’s a nice day, I’d highly recommend grabbing a seat outside, grabbing a bottle, and just enjoying the setting. Tasting hours are Monday-Sunday 11am-5pm.

4- Corey Creek Vineyards: This is the sister vineyard of Bedell at only a fraction of the size. The view from the porch at Corey Creek is one of the best on the North Fork. The rows of vines seem to extend endlessly. The tasting room itself is fairly… should I say “intimate”? While Corey Creek doesn’t lend itself well to large parties (buses are not allowed), I’d definitely recommend it for smaller parties or couples. Tasting hours are Monday-Thursday 11am-5pm, and Friday and Saturday 11am-6pm.

5- Laurel Lake Vineyards: This is a must stop on your wine tour. It is a very small place and not on the very fancy side but the wine speaks for it’s self, plus the two outside decks face right out onto the vineyards. Tasting hours are Monday-Sunday 11am-6pm.

6- Pellegrini Winery: I would say this winery was okay. Most of the sitting area is in a large patio area that’s pretty much enclosed by the tasting room building. There are only a handful of tables that actually taste the vineyards. As for the wine itself, nothing to rave about. Tasting hours are Monday through Saturday 11am-5pm.

7- Pugliese Vineyards: Pronounced (pull-yay-zee). The scenery here is nice, you can sit outside and look out onto a pond filled with koi fish while you are sipping your wine. We enjoyed a nice bottle of Sparkling Merlot, something I’ve never had before, and it was refreshing and light. Tasting hours are Monday through Sunday 10am-5pm.

8- One Woman: This winery has only been open for a little over a year. It is a winery and vineyard run by one woman and her daughter. It’s definitely rustic and beautiful, and the wines are fantastic. Tasting hours are Friday through Monday 12pm-6pm.

9- McCall Vineyards: This is also a new winery; their tasting room (set in a beautifully restored barn) just opened in May of this year. They only have three wines so far and they are all very good.

Written By: Lori McNally of Chic Galleria Magazine

Day 2 and up bright and early (not yet adjusted to the 13-hour ahead time difference)! I started the day off with a morning walk around Cheongdam Park in the Cheongdam-dong area of Seoul. This park is absolutely gorgeous- it’s like a forest right in the middle of this concrete metropolis! This certainly helped me build up an appetite, and I was lucky enough to find a street vendor right outside of the park (I love eating street food in other countries).  I ordered what everyone else was eating- something called special toast. Special toast is an omelet ... Read More »]]>

Day 2 and up bright and early (not yet adjusted to the 13-hour ahead time difference)! I started the day off with a morning walk around Cheongdam Park in the Cheongdam-dong area of Seoul. This park is absolutely gorgeous- it’s like a forest right in the middle of this concrete metropolis! This certainly helped me build up an appetite, and I was lucky enough to find a street vendor right outside of the park (I love eating street food in other countries).  I ordered what everyone else was eating- something called special toast. Special toast is an omelet with scallions and carrots which is served on grilled white bread with ketchup, mustard, and sugar! Yup, sugar! Who knew it would taste so good on eggs??? It was amazing! I washed it down with coffee flavored milk- again, just like the locals were drinking.

Next, into a cab and onto Rodeo Street…Rodeo Street is also known as the “Fashion and Art Street” or “Yuppie Street” since a lot of professionals who are in their 30′s are mostly the ones who shop here. On Rodeo Street you can find more than 50 shops for imported foreign name brands (like Louis Vuitton and Gucci), local fashion designers’ shops, and 30 art galleries. Just be aware that you will find high prices for clothes and coffee which can be 3 or 4 times much as in other places! I found a little handbag that wasn’t terribly expensive at a little boutique called Boy + Supermarket (it’s inside the black shopping bag).

After a morning of walking and shopping, it was time to head to the Noryangjin Fish Market for some really fresh fish. Noryangjin Fish Market is Seoul’s largest and oldest fish market, with more than 700 shops inside. You can find every kind of fish you could imagine- all pretty much caught just a few short hours before. The place is very cool to see! We went to a stand that Danny and Lilac know about, and they ordered a huge flounder and a small octopus.

We walked downstairs to a small little restaurant where we sat on the floor and were served our fresh fish. The octopus is still moving when it’s served to you ( a testament to how fresh it really is)…very weird! I have to say, other than the squirming sensation which is a bit bizarre, it was quite good. I felt like Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel! This was also my first sashimi experience- it was AMAZING! What have I been missing out on for all of these years? I would never have thought to order the flounder, but it was so fresh- like butter! Our lunch lasted for two hours and included all the sashimi and a fish soup (made with the bones and the fish head)- it was very spicy, but very good!

After lunch, we walked through some of the stands outside of the fish market, and of course had to try one of the popular things you will see for sale on the street everywhere here, a pastry filled with sweet bean paste…yummy!

From there, on to the 63 Building or 63 City- one of Seoul’s tallest buildings. It’s pretty cool to see. When you go, you get into a glass elevator and you can look out on to the entire city on your ride up. The view at the top is incredible! Seoul is huge- 10 million people, but it is such a wide, spread out city- it seems like the city never ends when you look out from here!

On the first floor of the 63 Building is a coffee/dessert place called Beans & Berries. We stopped in here for a Korean specialty- a bowl of shaved ice that has milk in it, and comes topped with ice cream and fresh fruit- delicious!

After the 63 Building, we went to the Hyundai Department Store. I know, you are probably thinking, “department store,” why would you fly half way around the world to go see a department store??? But, if you are anywhere in Asia, it’s something you must do! That’s because the department stores in Asia are nothing like the department stores back in the U.S. The stores in Asia are large , multilevel stores, with the bottom floor being a grocery store and a food court! The first floor is where you can find cosmetics and jewelry, the middle floors clothing, furniture and home goods, and the top floor is reserved for restaurants. If you want to see where Seoul’s fashions will be heading, then check out the Hyundai Department Store.

Dinner that night was at Phil Kyung Jae-a fancy traditional Korean restaurant where we were served a dinner fit for a king! This restaurant is located in the south part of Seoul. You wouldn’t really notice it from the street, but once inside, the place is gorgeous! The grounds of the restaurant are these beautiful gardens with trees and flowers. The restaurant used to be someones home, so there are different rooms, each decorated in stunning Korean decor.  It’s good to go with a large party because you get your own room. We got a room where we sat on the floor- the traditional way!

Dishes just kept on coming out- everything from beef to fish to pork to soup to raw crab and even steak tar tar- every kind of traditional Korean dish you could imagine! Our dinner was an experience that lasted almost three hours! It was incredible!!! What a great day in Seoul! Stay tuned for Seoul, Korea- Day 3 for more on Danny & Lilac’s wedding!