Veeder + Perman is blessed with great clients- and we’re not just being nice. They’re smart and funny and adventurous and they keep our lives very interesting. Don’t take our word for it though. Our very first guest contributor, Davis & Warshow Executive President David Finkel, proves my point regularly with laugh-out-loud emails about his culinary adventures, and has agreed to let me share the latest, weirdest one with you. After a small disagreement about the best Banh Mih place in town (see here) David emailed to say that he was thinking about going here: Looks fairly unassuming, right? David…

There’s someone special in my life who recently discovered the joys of bacon (and it’s not anyone at V+P – we’ve been down with its crunchy, salty, smoky goodness for quite some time now.) But the craze isn’t just taking over my refrigerator. Lately, this humble pork product has gained considerable prestige, cropping up in The Redhead’s bacon brittle, on scented Band-Aids that a friend showed up with for my housewarming party, and in various unlikely condiments like Baconnaise and Bacon Salt. Here are some of my top porcine picks, all clear signs that the ubiquitous cupcake is losing market…

With the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in its final throes, I’m here with a report from the inside (V+P has been stationed at Javits for the show, proudly representing Dornbracht and Turnstyle Designs) on what, in my opinion, is the finest, fab-est furniture fair in the US. There was a great buzz at the show, and the excited, always-stylish crowd swarmed booths for a look at everything from hyper-modern dollhouses to startlingly beautiful wallcoverings to Endangered Species erasers. The thought of my polar bear slowly disappearing as I use him to correct mistakes brings tears to my eyes. There seemed…

Living on the Upper East Side, I walk through construction daily and have watched the toll its taken on local businesses. But the folks at Maloney & Porcelli, located on 50th between Park and Madison avenues, really have turned around the unfortunate construction outside their restaurant for the betterment of New Yorkers, with the advent of the “Construction Club.” The tongue-in-cheek website is encouraging the construction to be completed on time with offers of an open bar for every milestone completed. For instance, there are roughly 34 days (at the time of this posting) until the foundation is scheduled to…

I’ve never purchased Broadway tickets without hearing rave reviews from friends, but a month ago I heard Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth would soon be asking “What do you get when you fall in love?” I knew right away that the answer would be a night out to see Promises, Promises. My friends and I started our Broadway night out the right way: with finger food.  You can’t go wrong with anything at Empanada Mama, where the menu boasts fillings from Colombian-style beef to tuna and jalapeño. Situated in Hell’s Kitchen, the empanada emporium is only a few blocks’ walk…

This week, V+P saw the fabulously colorful results of two years’ work at the Benjamin Moore HUE Awards, an over-the-top event celebrating 2010 Recipients Diamond & Baratta, Ghislaine Vinas Interior Design, Envision Design, Your Color Source,  Allen + Philp Architects/Interiors and Eikona Studios. Besides toasting the worthy winners, we took in the sights at The Museum of Arts and Design and restaurant Robert, dined on delicious hors d’oeuvres, and hobnobbed with the stylish, design-minded crowd. The venue was gorgeous; The company was exceptional; and the entertainment was one-of-a-kind. It was an amazing night- we can’t wait for the next one!…

One of my favorite moments in the musical Hairspray is when Link tells Tracy, “You look beautiful behind bars,” and she responds, “…it must be the low-watt institutional lighting!” So, this post is devoted to the second most important thing at a restaurant: the lighting. (The most important thing is how cool the bathrooms are, right?!) At Brooklyn’s SEA, the scene is set with its huge disco ball, casting white circles all over this modern, club-meets-warehouse Thai restaurant. The food is nummy, the music is rockin’, and the dance party really gets started at dessert time. Go for the banana-filled…

Recently, I spent an unusually large portion of the weekend sipping cocktails (and boy, did my head ache!) at two NYC hot spots;  speakeasy-style Employees Only and hotshot chef Zack Pelacchio’s new digs, Fatty ‘Cue.  I’ve never been big on mixed drinks, but the master mixologists at these places may have changed my mind with some straightforward classics (Employees Only) and exotic concoctions (Fatty ‘Cue). At the world’s coolest bridal shower, (see below- I really do spend a lot of time at these things) Employees Only’s bartender, Dushan, took us through the cocktail basics- gin martinis, old fashioneds, Pimms cups,…

There’s an ancient proverb that goes something like, “things made in miniature are super cute.” Well, maybe I made that up…but I really do believe it.  Exhibit A: mini cupcakes from Crumbs . Only about an inch and a half tall, these delectable delights are big enough to give you a case of the “Mmm’s”…but small enough to be included in any diet.  Available in a variety of flavors, toppings, and creative designs (i.e. the Tony Hawk cupcake, which is topped with an edible skateboard), these desserts will make any occasion a reason to celebrate. And since my birthday is…

Ever since my friend Josh began working directly above V+P’s offices, we’ve been having a little bit of a lunchtime competition. Josh thinks his favorite Vietnamese sandwich shop, tucked behind a cheesy cellphone and jewelry store in Chinatown, is better than mine, a casual affair a few blocks closer to home base. Recently, I gave in and made the trek to Josh’s culinary crush, Bánh mì Saigon Bakery, and I have to admit defeat once and for all. For those unfamiliar with Bánh mì, it’s a simple Vietnamese sandwich that has gained cult following in New York, thanks to its…