For brunch, the classic dish to get is the Feijoada, but the benny is also solid (and i don't recommend a benny lightly)—you can also ask for ham and spinach together (my favorite). For dinner you can also get the same thing, or the Moqueca (shrimp stew) is incredible. Pro-tip: if you're there for breakfast on a weekday, ask for a egg and cheese (add bacon or ham or avocado) on a croissant. Not on the menu—sounds basic, tastes amazing.

Patisserie Tomoko is a French/Japanese bakery tucked away at the base of a condo building on Union Avenue. Patrons are seated at a U-shaped bar that overlooks their busy open kitchen, allowing you to feast on their sweet delights, while you sneak peeks at how pastry Chef Tomoko and her talented staff create. Known for their Prix Fixe menu that pairs wines, teas, or coffee with three courses of sweets as divinely delicious as they are beautiful, Tomoko also offers à la carte desserts like my favorite year-round pumpkin pie (unlike any you’ve tried before), or you might choose layered yuzu or green tea cakes, divine cream puffs, and a variety homemade ice creams and sorbets. Freshly baked yuzu doughnuts appear on the weekends. And no matter when you visit, Billie Holiday will likely be singing soulfully to you as you sup.

Yossi Milo is, in my opinion, the most dynamic and eclectic of the photography galleries in NYC. From portaiture to architecture to experimental digital sculptural giant animals to street photography, they show an endlessly exciting range of work. Some of my favorite recent shows include Simen Johan's mythical beasts, Ezra Stoller's architectural photographs of the TWA terminal, and Sze Tsung Leong's huge cityscapes.

An hour away from NYC, there lies a summer camp on a pristine lake which was abandoned 15 years ago. I cant tell you where this is, but some research can lead you to the right place.

I LOVE going to the movies, so the concept of a dinner-movie theater is pretty darn dreamy. Nitehawk screens the best in independent film, both past and present. This includes a brunch film series; a “Lil Hawks” series (for smaller cinephiles); a “Midnite Movies” series, and more... What a thrill it is to see film classics up on the big screen that you may have missed on their first run. We’ve watched Woody Allen’s 1973 “Sleeper” while eating waffles and seen Buster Keaton’s silent film “The General” with a live band! In addition to their main menu and freshly popped-popcorn (but, of course!), Nitehawk’s staff always offers up a cocktail, main dish, and desert inspired by the flicks currently showing. Sadly their fish tacos, have disappeared from their main offerings, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they may read this and (please!!) bring them back.