November is here and with it comes the reality of the Holidays. In retail, the holiday prep starts in the spring with pre-booking overseas specialties to ensure our inventory (i.e. — so we don’t run out of your favorite candy!). Every year when I am ordering organic candy canes and mincemeat tarts in late April, I experience a unique sense of disorientation planning the fourth quarter while enjoying the arrival of spring — but that is the life of a...

If it weren’t for the fact that Winter is around the corner, Autumn would be my favorite season. There’s just a slight chill in the air while still a few gorgeous, sunny days with beach potential. This time of year, my thoughts turn more to cooking and comfort foods. This is probably because each October my husband and I attend the international food show, Anuga. This year, it was in Cologne, Germany. On the way we actually snuck in two beach days in Mallorca, Spain first. After all the stress of opening our new store in Industry City, we were due for a little sunshine and a lot of fresh-caught seafood with local wines. The best thing about the area we stay in in Palma is its delicious local seafood. You just pick from the case and tanks and they cook it for you with extra virgin oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The catch of the day is always amazing and simply prepared.  No wonder Spain is famous for their bocarones! The grilled razor clams and the scallops in shell tasted as incredible as they look. And I can’t say enough about the squid in its...

This Sunday September 29 will be our 45th Atlantic Antic, one of the largest street festivals in NYC and arguably the one with the most diverse food selection. Though I date myself by admitting it, I have been at each and every one. I was only 7 for the very first Atlantic Antic and as I have grown so has the festival. Even with all the other competing events in NYC, the Atlantic Antic is a must-do. This giant party is almost always the last weekend in September, and in all these years we have been lucky enough to never get rained out. The weather this weekend looks like it'll be perfect...