SEPTEMBER AND SAN GENNARO

How I love September...cooler temperatures, slashed travel prices to great destinations, and New York's San Gennaro Festival!  The Feast of San Gennaro is an annual feast that brings more than a million people to the streets of Little Italy.  The celebration really began as a way to honor the Patron Saint from Naples, but many people just know it as a fun street party, which lasts for days, in a cool neighborhood in New York City.    There's music, other free entertainment, parades, and awesome street food including sausage and pepper heroes, fried zeppoles and cannolis to name just a few of the goodies!  This year the 85th annual feast lasts for 11 days from September 15-25, 2011.  So if you are looking for something fun to do in New York for the next week and a half, jet set over to Little Italy (it's cheaper than a transatlantic flight to the country of Italy)...and it's a lot of fun!

EAT + ITALY = EATALY

Want all of the tastes of Italy without the long flight? Then head to New York City's EATALY! Created by three of the most beloved Italian-American restaurateurs and chefs (Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, and Lidia Matticchio), EATALY is basically an imported eatery filled with gourmet food and wine straight from Italy. It has even been described as a 50-thousand square foot Italian Culinary Funhouse. EATALY opened this past August, but I finally got a chance to check it out this weekend, and was truly amazed! Inside, you'll find individual retail departments selling everything from pastries, to breads, to handmade pastas, to fresh fruits and vegetables, to gelatos, to paninis, to pizzas, to coffees and wine. There's even a fishmonger and a butcher, a bookstore, and a housewares section...you name it and it's here! You could literally stop in for a quick panini, something to drink, and a gelato for dessert (like I did), or you could spend an entire afternoon roaming around, trying different foods and wine, and getting the true EATALY food experience. In the words of Mario Batali, EATALY is a "temple...where food is more sacred than commerce." Bottom line...jet set over to EATALY for a taste of Italy and skip out on the jet lag while you're at it!
EATALY
200 5th Avenue (between 23rd & 24th streets)
New York, NY 10010
212-229-2560
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 10am-11pm

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR ETS 2011

My favorite traveling fitness spa is planning ahead for next year. Escape to Shape is out with their destination list for 2011 and I wanted to share it with all of you. Basically, the program includes a vacation to a fantastic locale with luxurious accommodations, a total-body workout everyday (like pilates, yoga, hiking, biking, swimming, etc.), eating healthy delicious cuisine, spa treatments, and cultural excursions. Bottom line, you get to jet set to unique, trendsetting locations around the world to discover new food, culture and language while toning your body. Sound like a win-win scenario to you? It does to me! The price is an investment (but one that's truly worth it)- plan to shell out around $3,000.



2011 ESCAPE TO SHAPE TRIP DESTINATIONS AND DATES:
BALI: 1/29-2/5 and 3/3-3/10
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA: 7/16-7/23
PUGLIA, ITALY: 6/4-6/18
SICILY, ITALY: FALL
LAKE ATTILAN, GUATEMALA: 11/5-11/11
MARRAKECH: MAY
ISTANBUL, TURKEY: 8/20-8/27

JSS FAVORITES IN ROME, ITALY

There are sooooooooooooo many great places in Rome, but here are just a few of my favorites from my last trip there.
WHERE TO EAT:
Al Moro: This is classic Italy to me. The place is filled with locals and the food is to die for, especially the spaghetti with vongole (clams)...you will want to lick the bowl- I promise! Tre Scalini: You must try their world famous tartufo- an Italian ice-cream dessert. It's made with vanilla and chocolate ice cream with a cherry in the middle and then it's coated in a chocolate shell...AMAZING! Tre Scalini is located in Piazza Navona- a great place to sit and people watch.Ciampini: Go here for the best gelato. You must try their cappuccino with cornetti and gianduja flavors. Ciampini is located in Piazza San Lorenzo- another great place to sit and people watch and to shop. Caffe Greco: This is the oldest cafe in Rome. It's close to the Spanish steps, so go there in the morning when they open, stand at the bar and sip a cappuccino and have some of the delicious pastries.Forno: This is the best pizza Rome has to offer! The place is located in Campo di Fiori. You can watch through the window as they whip up their delicious dough and create the pies, then head inside and try their slices. WHERE TO STAY:
Hotel Raphael: I think this is the best place to stay, when you are looking to travel the Jet Set Smart way. The hotel isn't cheap, but it's certainly reasonably prices and more importantly it's located in a great neighborhood- right near Piazza Navona. If you are looking for something more upscale and more luxurious try Boscolo Hotel Exedra (also a great place to go to the rooftop for cocktails, snacks and amazing views of Rome).Other nice hotels include Hotel Eden (Their dining room has a spectacular view of the city. La Terrazza dell’Eden (restaurant) or they have a rooftop bar.) Hotel de Russie- this is total luxury! Or Grand Hotel de la Minerve- traditional, but not overly decorated.

JSS FAVORITES IN CAPRI, ITALY

Whether it's a favorite restaurant, favorite hotel, or favorite site to see, I want to start documenting some of JSS' "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!