For the love of New York staycations
On staycations & the comfort of chicken noodle soup
In Manhattan’s TriBeCa neighborhood (an abbreviation for Triangle Below Canal, for those trivia lovers out there), is a hotel called The Roxy. The Roxy is like a time capsule. It’s a place where you walk through the doors and instantly feel as though you’ve been transported to the jazz age, replete with art nouveau decor. If you’re a born nostalgic like me, there is a certain magic to places that effortlessly capture the look and feel of a bygone era. From its live jazz to its champagne and oysters happy hour, The Roxy allows me to put down my iPhone and forget the decade I’m in. Now, lest you think this is a sponsored post promoting The Roxy (it’s not), let me tell you why I’m waxing poetic about this particular hotel right now.
Today, I found myself booking a staycation at The Roxy on a whim. There are many reasons to book a staycation nowadays. Perhaps you’re up against a deadline and need a quiet place to work or maybe the realities of the pandemic are weighing heavy and you need some alone time. It could be that last-minute hotel prices are so shockingly low it seems silly not to treat yourself to a staycation. Or maybe you just need a change of scenery, even if it’s only 30 minutes away from home.
For me, a combination of all of the above found me gliding through The Roxy’s revolving doors one late Monday afternoon. Did I have hesitations about booking a hotel during a pandemic? You bet I did, but I was happy to find that The Roxy (along with many NYC hotels) have stepped up their game significantly. Today, the magic of The Roxy is the same but its new safety protocols are different. From a personal protection kit (served up in an old record sleeve) to enhanced air filtration, the hotel has noticeably made efforts to accommodate guests in a pandemic.
For a full hotel review of The Roxy, including a guide to the TriBeCa and SoHo neighborhoods with women-owned places to shop and eat, consider becoming a paid subscriber.
Recipes to transport you
Chicken soup for the pandemic-surviving soul
Some recipes can transport you to a place, such as a Paris-inspired apple tart (see last week’s newsletter). Then, there are foods that transport you to a time. Oysters, for example, will always remind me of St. Martin and learning how to shuck them. Bocadillos (a Colombian dessert made with guava paste) will always transport me to my childhood and the act of unwrapping banana-leaf-covered bocadillos in the kitchen with my dad.
This week, I needed to be transported to a mood, to a time, to a feeling. That feeling is comfort, something I think we can all use a little bit more of right now. Too often chicken noodle soup is associated with being sick, but here I’m reclaiming it for comfort. Think cozy flannel pajamas on a snowy day, while the fire place roars inside — that level of comfort.
I know, I know — chicken noodle soup may not be the most exciting recipe out there, but hear me out. When made from scratch, the entire process — from boiling chicken breast to slicing rainbow carrots to stirring the soup — is relaxing. I whipped together a (somewhat) spiced chicken noodle soup recipe, replete with crisp celery, savory onions, and fiery red pepper flakes.
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Woman to Watch: Kim Haas
After 10 years, this dreamer is finally hosting her own travel show
After years of clinging to her life’s calling and raising funds, Kim Haas is now the host of Afro-Latino Travels with Kim Haas, which airs on PBS. Her show comes at a time when ushering in a new era of diversity and inclusion has never been more paramount. Afro-Latino Travels with Kim Haas is a show that celebrates the widespread impact Afro-Latinos have had on Latin America’s culture, cuisine, music, economy, and history. I had the pleasure of interviewing Kim about her new show, what it’s like to film during a pandemic and her favorite destinations.
Spooky & not-so-spooky things to do
Ghost stories, virtual film festivals, and more for this week
Watch all episodes of Netflix’s Haunting of Bly Manor and then kick yourself for doing so as now you can’t sleep. Swear you won’t watch anymore scary shows and then decide on binging Netflix’s Haunting of Hill House. Freak out when you see your cat playing with…thin air? And then realize that, even in your thirties, you still fear ghost stories.
Escape your self-induced anxiety by ordering some CBD from Plant People. I swear by their Be Calm capsules, which I basically push on everyone the moment they show signs of stress. Distract yourself from thinking there are ghosts in your apartment by supporting Heart of Dinner, which is a non-profit helping to feed the elderly Asian community in NYC. I had the pleasure of interviewing both of its founders for a Zagat article. If you’re new to our publication, pick up a copy of Unearth Women magazine or get optimistic for 2021 travel by checking out our feminist city guides. Finally, decide to take a break from scary shows and buy a virtual ticket to the Montclair Film Festival instead to watch this new movie, starring Aubrey Plaza.