If the day is beautiful and sunny, don’t even think twice and run to the Croque Madame located at the Avenida Del Libertador… What a beautiful and charming place! There you will also find beautiful stylish people! We had to wait about 30 minutes, but the place is so beautiful and it was such a nice area that we didn’t even realize that it took so long! The place is so incredible that I forgot that I was in Buenos Aires and could only think of Paris! Perfect for a nice lunch around a beautiful garden full of trees… It has some delicious sandwiches, but we decided to take the risk and ordered a saffron risotto with a Woki Meat that was just amazing (already tried to repeat the recipe at home and it was really good…)! Since I am a big fan of desserts, I asked for a scoop of ice cream from Persicco (better than the famous Freddo…)!

Another place we loved was the Cabaña Las Lilas… No doubt it was the best parrilla that we ate in Argentina (somewhat ironic, because the restaurant is part of the same group of Rubayat here in Sao Paulo… and the owner of it, for those that are already “wondering”, is not Argentinean nor Brazillian, he is Spanish…)! The food is exceptional, the price compared with the Rubayat in Sao Paulo is almost a bargain and the view of Puerto Madero is simply spectacular! Ask a really cold Quilmes and eat a lot without hurry… The wait is usually about 40 minutes, but it is super worth it. We eat many soufle potatoes (fantastic and hyper crispy) with salad and Vacio (na amazing meat cut)! If you like meat, think twice before asking for the plates alone beacuse they are huge (you can definitely share!)… Be sure to ask for coffee or tea (which by the way is really good) just to eat the famous Rubayat selection of cookies, truffles and other delicious little sweets!

Original post in Portuguese.

About the author:

Camila Penteado Cilento graduated in Business Administration in 2005 and works in the financial market (“the job that pays the rent”)… But the real “Cami”, as she is called by her closest friends, hasn’t found her dream job yet, but she just knows that her real passion is the aesthetics that she finds in fashion, in architecture, in gourmet, and in visual arts. In 2008, she finally had her dream come true and moved to New York City, where she learned that to feel alive you have to run after your dreams! In the end of 2008, she started a blog called “I am leaving today” (http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com), where she writes about all the discoveries made when she was living her dream for real. While blogging she realized that writing is one of the best ways to communicate her ideas to the world and by doing this she has the opportunity to talk to people that are as far as they are close. Stay tuned…

Buenos Aires: places to have lunch is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

This post was submitted by Camila Penteado Cilento.

Related posts:

1. Buenos Aires: places to have lunch
2. Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores!
3. Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs!
4. Buenos Aires: Home Hotel
5. NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery
6. NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010
7. NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…)
8. NYC Restaurant: Tartine
9. New Section: Guest Blogger!

The Eterna Cadencia Libreria is in Palermo and reminds me of one of those old bookshops with endless shelves of books! It is a super charming store: that left me just ecstatic, I had the sensation that I entered at that bookstore that shows off at the beginning of the movie “Funny Face” with Audrey Hepburn… It has fantastic books and for those of you who like to read it should be the very image of paradise! Inside there is also a small coffeeshop called Croque Madame (which is great for a Nice simple lunch). And come on, what on Earth are those fixtures? Just amazing!

When I asked for tips for my trip on Twitter on the week before the trip, the El Ateneo bookstore, that is located in Recoleta, was the most recurrent one! When I started the planning I could not help but include this fantastic bookstore that is located within an old theater in the itinerarie. It was fully renovated to house the El Ateneo! I cannot believe how fantastic the environment is: the idea to turn a theater into a bookstore is so terrific! On one hand, the Eterna Cadencia is more intimate. On the other hand, El Ateneo can be compared to a Fnac with the difference that it is in a spectacular place! Really amazing and both a must see!

Original post in Portuguese.

About the author:

Camila Penteado Cilento graduated in Business Administration in 2005 and works in the financial market (“the job that pays the rent”)… But the real “Cami”, as she is called by her closest friends, hasn’t found her dream job yet, but she just knows that her real passion is the aesthetics that she finds in fashion, in architecture, in gourmet, and in visual arts. In 2008, she finally had her dream come true and moved to New York City, where she learned that to feel alive you have to run after your dreams! In the end of 2008, she started a blog called “I am leaving today” (http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com), where she writes about all the discoveries made when she was living her dream for real. While blogging she realized that writing is one of the best ways to communicate her ideas to the world and by doing this she has the opportunity to talk to people that are as far as they are close. Stay tuned…

Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores! is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

This post was submitted by Camila Penteado Cilento.

Related posts:

1. Buenos Aires: places to have lunch
2. Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores!
3. Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs!
4. Buenos Aires: Home Hotel
5. NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery
6. NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010
7. NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…)
8. NYC Restaurant: Tartine
9. New Section: Guest Blogger!

Every Sunday, the famous Antique Fair of San Telmo takes place and I must say I was very surprised at the amount of fantastic antiques that you can find there! I saw lots and lots of silver cutlery, many fantastic decorations, and I was in love with a wooden old office chair… You have to negotiate to get the best price and I have to confess that if you are looking for something specific, such as pieces of silver by Christofle, find out before exactly how the real pieces should be marked, not to end up buying something that has no value… I saw in one of the shops nearby amazing travelling trunks from Louis Vuitton that were absolutely amazing! Well, you have to go there!!!

About the author:

Camila Penteado Cilento graduated in Business Administration in 2005 and works in the financial market (“the job that pays the rent”)… But the real “Cami”, as she is called by her closest friends, hasn’t found her dream job yet, but she just knows that her real passion is the aesthetics that she finds in fashion, in architecture, in gourmet, and in visual arts. In 2008, she finally had her dream come true and moved to New York City, where she learned that to feel alive you have to run after your dreams! In the end of 2008, she started a blog called “I am leaving today” (http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com), where she writes about all the discoveries made when she was living her dream for real. While blogging she realized that writing is one of the best ways to communicate her ideas to the world and by doing this she has the opportunity to talk to people that are as far as they are close. Stay tuned…

Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs! is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

This post was submitted by Camila Penteado Cilento.

Related posts:

1. Buenos Aires: places to have lunch
2. Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores!
3. Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs!
4. Buenos Aires: Home Hotel
5. NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery
6. NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010
7. NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…)
8. NYC Restaurant: Tartine
9. New Section: Guest Blogger!

When I began to plan my trip to Buenos Aires, it couldn’t be different: I found the most amazing “boutique hotel” that was perfect for the occasion, since we’re in the middle of summer and it was the only one that offered a swimming pool! The Home Hotel is located in Palermo Hollywood (a super charming neighborhood of BAs) and it is so gorgeus that I had to show to you!

The hotel won the award for design of the Wallpaper Magazine in 2007, soon after it was renovated… The decor is retro and the entire mixture of several wallpapers, that sometimes is applied directly on the wall ando n other times is framed (a charm!)! They mix well with the concrete and wood and the result is just amazing…

Our room was also fantastic – small and cozy – it had everything we needed: cabinets to store clothes, a comfortable bathroom, space for luggage and little shopping, lcd tv… The bathroom was all finished in cement: just loved it! The attention that the hotel staff give guests is amazing: it was the only hotel I’ve ever been that every day, at dusk, delivers together with cookies a weather forecast for the day after in a very cute card! How has no one had this idea before?!

The breakfast that is included in the daily rate is also very special: it is served in small shots of all the things that are on the menu a la carte… They serve everything in small plates and cups and the selection changes every day which means you will have to wake up early for breakfast every day! Two types of juices are served in special small long glasses, an omelet or scrambled egg is served together with a bread basket accompanied with a special butter, a home made cream cheese, a creamy dark chocolate and jelly… Finally they still serve a special sweet bread (always chose the ones that are stuffed with “dulce de leche”!) The home made yogurt is fantastic! Simply brilliant!

The pool area gives you the impression that you are at a friend’s pool and not a hotel! The chairs are super cute lined with fabric that resemble the patterns of the different wallpapers that are around the hotel! It is right next to a beautiful garden! But be prepared for the mosquitoes that even in the heat of the day insist on attacking: the repellent even in the pool is essential!

For more information on Home Hotel.

Original post in Portuguese.

About the author:

Camila Penteado Cilento graduated in Business Administration in 2005 and works in the financial market (“the job that pays the rent”)… But the real “Cami”, as she is called by her closest friends, hasn’t found her dream job yet, but she just knows that her real passion is the aesthetics that she finds in fashion, in architecture, in gourmet, and in visual arts. In 2008, she finally had her dream come true and moved to New York City, where she learned that to feel alive you have to run after your dreams! In the end of 2008, she started a blog called “I am leaving today” (http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com), where she writes about all the discoveries made when she was living her dream for real. While blogging she realized that writing is one of the best ways to communicate her ideas to the world and by doing this she has the opportunity to talk to people that are as far as they are close. Stay tuned…

Buenos Aires: Home Hotel is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

This post was submitted by Camila Penteado Cilento.

Related posts:

1. Buenos Aires: places to have lunch
2. Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores!
3. Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs!
4. Buenos Aires: Home Hotel
5. NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery
6. NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010
7. NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…)
8. NYC Restaurant: Tartine
9. New Section: Guest Blogger!

Blue Ribbon Bakery
33 Downing Street
212.337.0404

Original post in Portuguese:

http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com/2010/01/nyc-restaurant-blue-ribbon-bakery.html

——————————————————————-

About the author:

Camila Penteado Cilento graduated in Business Administration in 2005 and works in the financial market (“the job that pays the rent”)… But the real “Cami”, as she is called by her closest friends, hasn’t found her dream job yet, but she just knows that her real passion is the aesthetics that she finds in fashion, in architecture, in gourmet, and in visual arts. In 2008, she finally had her dream come true and moved to New York City, where she learned that to feel alive you have to run after your dreams! In the end of 2008, she started a blog called “I am leaving today” (http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com), where she writes about all the discoveries made when she was living her dream for real. While blogging she realized that writing is one of the best ways to communicate her ideas to the world and by doing this she has the opportunity to talk to people that are as far as they are close. Stay tuned…

NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

Related posts:

1. Buenos Aires: places to have lunch
2. Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores!
3. Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs!
4. Buenos Aires: Home Hotel
5. NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery
6. NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010
7. NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…)
8. NYC Restaurant: Tartine
9. New Section: Guest Blogger!

I always like to remind people of this event because there is no better week in the year than this one to go out to eat! Every year in late January NY hosts the Winter Restaurant Week: many, many great restaurants of the city participate in this event that offers a selected menu with three courses (appetizer, main course and dessert) at a more affordable price (Lunch on $ 24.07 and Dinner $ 35)!

My first recommendation is that you make reservations now, because for sure you are not going to be the only one that will have the bright idea of facing the cold harsh winter to go out and take advantage of the Restaurant Week! (the site of the event provides an on-line reservation service for some restaurants)

This time I decided to do something different – besides reminding you about the Restaurant Week, I thought of recommending 10 restaurants (all of them are usually super expensive and exquisite, so if you didn’t have the courage to check them out yet, this is your chance)! Remember that not all participating restaurants offer both lunch and dinner, so check the website to be sure!

The Restaurant Week runs from January 25 until February 7 (excluding Saturdays and participation on Sunday is optional, check before booking!)! Another point to make note, I recommended that you check the restaurant’s dress attire as well.

Here are some recommendations (that I have never commented about in the blog before) to take advantage of Restaurant Week (I promise to write individual posts about these restaurants throughout the year!)

   1. 21 Club (21 W. 52nd Street between Fifth & Sixth Avenues – 212.582.7200): Have you ever wondered what those cute little jockeys are doing outside this beautiful townhouse in Midtown?? This restaurant offers a traditional American food that is absolutely amazing…
   2. Aquavit (65 East 55th Street between Park & Madison – 212.307.7311): This restaurant offers one of the most delicious Scandinavian food in town!
   3. Aureole (One Bryant Park, 135 W. 42nd Street, corner of Sixth Avenue – 212.319.1660): Contemporary food, always delicious! Just moved to this new address (before they were on the Upper East Side) and I heard that the new site is a charm, right in front of Bryant Park …
   4. Bond St (6 Bond Street – 212.777.2500): For those who want a fun place full of beautiful people combined with a sensational Japanese food, this is the place! 
   5. Butter Restaurant (415 Lafayette Street between Astor Place & East 4th Street – 212.253.2828): Another extremely trendy restaurant that always have a long waiting list … The décor is very surreal!

6. Del Posto Restaurant (85 Tenth Avenue, between W15th & W16th Streets – 212.497.8090): For those who like "big scenes", this Mario Batali restaurant is ideal! The Italian food is very good … Always crowded and fashionable! 
7. Jojo (160 E. 64th Street between Lexington & Third Avenues – 212.223.5656): Never miss an opportunity to have dinner in one of Jean Georges restaurants, renowned French chef… That is it! 
8. Le Cirque (151 East 58th Street between Lexington & 3rd Avenues – 212-644-0202): Extremely luxurious… Very traditional french cuisine that is worth checking! 
9. The Modern (9 West 53rd Street between 5th & 6th Avenues – 212.333.1220): This is the last french call, this restaurant is located inside the MOMA overlooking the sculpture garden of the museum! You have to try… 
10. The River Café (One Water Street, Brooklyn – 718.522.5200): A classic NY restaurant: you are never going to believe the view that this restaurant has to Manhattan … As for the food, I don’t remember, the view has overshadowed everything else!

For more ideas of restaurants, visit their website! Several that I have already indicated in the blog including Matsuri, the August, the Fig & Olive, among others, are participating!

Original post in Portuguese:

http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com/2010/01/nyc-winter-restaurant-week-2501-ate-702.html

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About the author:

Camila Penteado Cilento graduated in Business Administration in 2005 and works in the financial market ("the job that pays the rent")… But the real "Cami", as she is called by her closest friends, hasn’t found her dream job yet, but she just knows that her real passion is the aesthetics that she finds in fashion, in architecture, in gourmet, and in visual arts. In 2008, she finally had her dream come true and moved to New York City, where she learned that to feel alive you have to run after your dreams! In the end of 2008, she started a blog called "I am leaving today" (http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com), where she writes about all the discoveries made when she was living her dream for real. While blogging she realized that writing is one of the best ways to communicate her ideas to the world and by doing this she has the opportunity to talk to people that are as far as they are close. Stay tuned…

NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010 is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

Related posts:

1. Buenos Aires: places to have lunch
2. Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores!
3. Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs!
4. Buenos Aires: Home Hotel
5. NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery
6. NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010
7. NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…)
8. NYC Restaurant: Tartine
9. New Section: Guest Blogger!

Anyway, since I am trying to keep my blog in synchrony with Kristraveler, I am going to start backwards and start with a post about “Mary’s Fish Camp“, another little restaurant in West Village that serves a similar “Lobster Roll”…

This is not going to be my last time talking about my love for “Lobster Rolls”, so for those of you that have never eaten this delicacy, let me start explaining what this plate is all about – a lobster sandwich that is served in a hot dog bun, generally with french fries on the side. It is absolutely fantastic and I am fanatic for them… We don’t have them in Brazil, so every time that I have the chance to eat them, I feel that I am in heaven!

Mary’s Fish Camp is located only few blocks away from Pearl Oyster Bar and have few things in common: they don’t accept reservations and serve delicious “Lobster Rolls’! I think that the main difference between the two is the place itself: I prefer Pearl’s environment (but that is only my preference, of course…) because in my opinion it is more charming and the place is always surrounded by nice music… To be honest, when I first went to Mary’s I was a little mystified, but I have to admit that the Lobster Roll was just as good as Pearl’s, including the fries that were as thin and crispy as the ones from my all time favorite. What I did not like was the music that was louder but maybe I was just not lucky on that day… The restaurant was opened by a former employee from Pearl, which maybe explains the similarity of the dishes served. The next time that the waitlist is too long at Pearl, you know where to go…

I bet that now you wondering and wanting to know more about Pearl Oyster Bar, right? Well, stay tuned…

Mary’s Fish Camp
64 Charles Street
646.486.2185

Original post in Portuguese:

http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com/2010/01/nyc-restaurant-marys-fish-camp.html

——————————————————————-

About the author:

Camila Penteado Cilento graduated in Business Administration in 2005 and works in the financial market (“the job that pays the rent”)… But the real “Cami”, as she is called by her closest friends, hasn’t found her dream job yet, but she just knows that her real passion is the aesthetics that she finds in fashion, in architecture, in gourmet, and in visual arts. In 2008, she finally had her dream come true and moved to New York City, where she learned that to feel alive you have to run after your dreams! In the end of 2008, she started a blog called “I am leaving today” (http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com), where she writes about all the discoveries made when she was living her dream for real. While blogging she realized that writing is one of the best ways to communicate her ideas to the world and by doing this she has the opportunity to talk to people that are as far as they are close. Stay tuned…

NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…) is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

Related posts:

1. Buenos Aires: places to have lunch
2. Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores!
3. Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs!
4. Buenos Aires: Home Hotel
5. NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery
6. NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010
7. NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…)
8. NYC Restaurant: Tartine
9. New Section: Guest Blogger!

‘Cami’s Corner’ is  a section authored by a friend from college that lived in NYC for a year, but certainly got to know more places than the average resident, given her passion for the city and eagerness to discover new places. She now lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and occasionally may share her best secrets in her hometown with us as well, so keep checking for new posts!

Happy reading and please share your comments with us!!

———————————————-

NYC Restaurant: Tartine

By Cami for kristraveler.com

During my last visit to New York City, I could not resist going to this very charming French bistro located in my favorite neighborhood, the West Village! Tartine offers amazingly good French food, and thus has made it to my top 10 NYC restaurant discoveries of 2009! It is quite a small place located in one of the most charming corners of West 4th Street.

If you are going with your friends for a night out, do have in mind that they do not sell any alcoholic beverages. Nonetheless, they have a “BYOB” policy (“bring your own bottle”) which still allows you to enjoy a nice drink with your meal. (I always forget this important detail and then have to run to the closest liquor store to get a bottle of wine while everyone is waiting for me at the table…) They serve a delicious brunch during the weekend: I absolutely love their “Eggs Norvegienne” that comes with roasted potatoes! If you are going there during the summer and the weather is nice, take advantage of their outdoor seating!

Tartine
253 W. 11th St.,corner with West 4th Street.
212.229.2611

*This post is also published in portuguese. To go to the original link, click on:

http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com/2009/11/nyc-restaurant-tartine.html

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About the author:

Camila Penteado Cilento graduated in Business Administration in 2005 and works in the financial market (“the job that pays the rent”)… But the real “Cami”, as she is called by her closest friends, hasn’t found her dream job yet, but she just knows that her real passion is the aesthetics that she finds in fashion, in architecture, in gourmet, and in visual arts. In 2008, she finally had her dream come true and moved to New York City, where she learned that to feel alive you have to run after your dreams! In the end of 2008, she started a blog called “I am leaving today” (http://iamleaving2day.blogspot.com), where she writes about all the discoveries made when she was living her dream for real. While blogging she realized that writing is one of the best ways to communicate her ideas to the world and by doing this she has the opportunity to talk to people that are as far as they are close. Stay tuned…

NYC Restaurant: Tartine is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

Related posts:

1. Buenos Aires: places to have lunch
2. Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores!
3. Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs!
4. Buenos Aires: Home Hotel
5. NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery
6. NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010
7. NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…)
8. NYC Restaurant: Tartine
9. New Section: Guest Blogger!

As I had mentioned in the ‘About‘ page of this website, my main objective when building kristraveler was to have one centralized source where my family, friends and friends of friends could use as a reference whenever they traveled to a new place or just wanted to learn more about travel and get some tips here and there.

Unfortunately I haven’t had the chance (yet!) to travel around all countries in the world, and even in the ones I have, there are many and many places or sites & venues that I don’t know about, so I thought a great way to learn more would be leveraging my friends’ experiences and having them share what they know as well here on kristraveler.com.

This is why I’m now launching the ‘Guest Blogger’ section. A space created by expert travelers and friends that are passionate about one or many places, and that selflessly accepted my invitation to share with others their adventures and findings.

I want to thank each of them in advance for their time & dedication in writing a post for kristraveler.com, and hope this can inspire other readers to write what they know most about and share with others here on this website.

As you read the posts, please feel free to add your comments or opinion whether you followed any of the tips or have anything to add to the articles.

Hope you enjoy these best kept secrets and tell us what you think about it!

New Section: Guest Blogger! is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

Related posts:

1. Buenos Aires: places to have lunch
2. Buenos Aires: for those that love bookstores!
3. Buenos Aires: amazing street fairs!
4. Buenos Aires: Home Hotel
5. NYC Restaurant: Blue Ribbon Bakery
6. NY Winter Restaurant Week 2010
7. NYC Restaurant: Mary’s Fish Camp (still searching for the perfect Lobster Roll…)
8. NYC Restaurant: Tartine
9. New Section: Guest Blogger!