I Heart Amagansett

Each summer as the humidity rolls in and the New York City sidewalks heat to a melting point, we migrate East along with flocks of other twenty somethings.  The mass exodus of metallic Jack Rogers and Sperry Top-Siders has been happening long before I moved to Manhattan, but the trends remain the same.  West Hampton is reserved for beach volleyball and tanning oil, while the opposite end of the Hamptons is better known for sunhats and SPF 30.  In line with folklore, as the years pass we find ourselves further and further from the city...and closer to the End.

This summer we are in Amagansett, one stop short of the very final stop on the LIRR.  It's a small sliver of Hampton that is surprisingly low key with a tiny town that stretches just one street long on 27.  In place of a Saks and an Intermix, there is a neighborhood bar and a pizza shop.  So far, the highlight has been the Farmers Market near the fire house, even though there is not a farmer in sight and it may or may not be operated by Zabars.  However, I think this is as close to authentic beach town as you get out here! 

Lotus of Siam

I am always looking for new restaurants in the Village (West or Greenwich) because I love walking home after a great meal.  So when I read about the highly acclaimed Lotus of Siam, the new Thai restaurant that opened in the old Cru space, I immediately called for a reservation.  Cru had been a stuffy restaurant with an astronomical wine collection that was a quintessential over-priced dining experience representative of better economic times.  Lotus of Siam proves to be very 2011 in its simple, clean, natural interpretation of the space with accolades for being truly authentic Thai food.  The original Lotus of Siam's based in Las Vegas has been heralded as the best Thai restaurant in North America by critics.  Clearly hopes were high. 

For starters we had the Tuna Koi Soy, tuna tartar mixed with greens and lime juice, and Issan Larb, a salad of beef with green chilis and chopped onion.  For our main dishes we split the traditional Pad Thai, and the Kang Khiao Wan, supposedly one of the most popular curry dishes around Bangkok.  Lastly, we ordered the Amish chicken (for those that say you should never order something as simplistic as chicken while out to eat, I wholeheartedly disagree-it was delicious).  After all was said and done, the beef salad, Pad Thai, and Amish chicken were delectable, but the curry and tuna tartar were just OK.  Although I can safely say the Pad Thai was the best I have ever had, with no hint of greasiness and freshly crumbled peanuts, it came at a lofty price.  Or maybe it just seemed lofty compared to the pretty darn enjoyable Pad Thai at Spice a few blocks over for just 7 dollars.  If you would like to dress up your Pad Thai with a great cocktail in the timeless 24 Fifth building, then go for it.  Otherwise, you can get almost as good for a lot less.

Donkey of the Week

The Donkey of the Week is U.S. Rep Anthony Weiner for living up to his given name in the unfolding of Weinergate initiated by Weiner tweeting his...weiner.  In one of my personal favorite clips, he details the now infamous Twitter photos as a master-mind conspiracy theory from a successful hacker, chalking up the incident to 'what life is like within social media in our world today in 2011'.  Yes, this is just pesky 'ole social media at its best, hackers and disturbing underwear shots from a deserted gym.  That's what Twitter means to me anyway- well said Weiner.  And the good news is, he assures the public he will be returning to Twitter when all is said and done, because 'it helps him do his job', which we later found out is courting random college students, single mothers, and porn stars with crotch shots.  All in a days work in the House of Representatives!

Zumba!

I am always willing to try any sort of group fitness regimen because I love being chatty while doing my exercise.  So, when I heard about Zumba, a new crowd favorite for moms in the Midwest, I figured I should give it a try.  I am neither a mom nor a Midwesterner, but something about Latin dance for exercise sounded super fun.  So I convinced my fluent Spanish speaking besty who loves all things Latin to come along for the ride.  We waltzed into the Equinox feeling confident and ready to show our best moves.  Class began like this:  The instructor walked over to the iPod, turned it on, and without a word she along with the rest of the class began dancing in unison to intensely choreographed moves.  Clearly we were the only two in class who had not done our homework.  While everyone segued seamlessly from Samba to Indian dance into Merengue, we stumbled behind them like bumbling idiots.  I was convinced I twisted a knee during a very quick one-two step, while my equally disabled dance partner had to take a break mid Zumba for a towel and water while the grandmother in the front row shook her hips like Shakira.  So, lesson learned:  Zumba requires actual dance skills for maximum participation, otherwise you may end up hurting yourself.  Other than being shamed by older more able women, we had a great time, broke a sweat five minutes into the hour class, and I might dare say learned some dance moves we could use outside just a fitness studio.  All in all a big success, but I will be practicing with the do-it-yourself DVDs before I try and tango with the professionals again.

Four Seasons Birthday

The Four Seasons Restaurant is an iconic New York City restaurant in midtown.  The dress code is jackets required and the ambiance is classic elegance.  It is not the least bit trendy which is why its been serving its signature Grand Marnier souffle since 1959.  Sometimes its nice to get all gussied up just for dinner.  That is why its a great place to celebrate milestones, like a birthday.  Celebrations come complete with their very own gourmet cotton candy tower.  Happy Birthday to me!