The Tarbish Take

So we are well into September and its about that time where the leaves are starting to turn yellow and Fall is fast approaching. Though the weather is not very indicative of Fall yet (its still like 80 degrees here in Washington DC!), we are definitely getting in the Autumn frame-of-mind as it is getting darker out earlier and Starbucks is rolling out their new seasonal drinks (not the biggest PSL though...).

With the change in season, we've been doing some time reflecting on the past Summer and thinking about how certain habits are specifically seasonal and can only be done in our favorite season. Though we have made some big changes, like our first collection launch in May and our A/W collection coming out very soon (more to come in the coming weeks!), there are some things that remain constant.

Here are Tarbish's top five things to do in the Summertime...

1. Vineyards (aka acceptable places to drink in nature)

The Virginia/Maryland area is quickly coming up as the "Napa Valley of the East Coast” and the proof is in the numerous, beautiful vineyards in this region. One of our favorite things to do on a weekend afternoon is pack up a picnic basket, head to a vineyard with some friends, and share a bottle of wine from one of the area’s many vineyards. We love that it combines hanging out with friends, being outdoors, and just eating some great food and sipping on some wonderful wine. Vineyards are also great to go to in the Autumn as the trees change colors and you can dress in your favorite cozy sweater! (Insider Tip: Our two fave vineyards in the area are Stone Tower Winery and Black Ankle Vineyards)

2. Brunchin’ & Munchin' with Friends and Family

We are suckers for breakfast food, but sometimes aren’t exactly up early enough to catch the worm (or something like that..). Cue, brunch! When its acceptable to eat breakfast food at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, that is very okay with us! DC is filled with so many amazing brunch places that its hard for us to really pick which is our #1, but ones with unlimited drinks/food specials (2 words - boozy. brunch.) are our go-to (such as Cava Mezze, La Tasca, and Red Rocks). 

3. Our Summer Driving Vibe

Is there anything better than just driving around on an open road with the windows rolled down, blasting your favorite music? Okay we know that whole sentence just sounded like the biggest cliche, its more like sitting in traffic with the AC on and getting honked at and fighting your way to get home, but still, you kind of get what we are saying, right? There is something about the warm Summer air and driving somewhere that makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs and feel completely carefree. Our choice of Summer album for 2017? Haim’s album “Something to Tell You”.

4. Take Advantage of the Weather - Try Working Elsewhere!

Another simple joy for us is Summer work hours and also having the flexibility to work out-of-office. When the weather is warmer, we feel so much more inclined to get out and about as much as possible (especially because Winter seems to drag on forever!). We love being able to hit up our local coffee shop, or even Starbucks, and work. We have definitely found that this actually can make us more productive with a change of scenery and, if you’re able to, its great to get re-invigorated in a new space. Everyone can definitely get in that Summer slump and working somewhere new can totally help. Also, bonus points if you order some kind of summery iced drink to keep you company as well! 

5. Fruit Picking

Our final favorite Summertime activity takes us back to when we were younger and where we usually went on school field trips - fruit picking! Of course its way easier to go to Whole Foods and just grab a box of berries, but why not for once pick them yourself?! Summer is a great time to hit up your local farm, or farmers market if you don’t have a picking farm near you, and grab whatever is in season (usually peaches and berries). This also gets us super hyped for Autumn and all the pumpkin and apple picking that is to come! There is something super satisfying about picking your own food and we’d love to do it as often as possible, but we’ll keep it to a once-a-season kind of thing (because lets be real, its a lot of work).

Summer 2017 we’ll miss you oh so much! You’ve been way too good to us, but now its onto cooler months and our journey to find the perfect Halloween costume! 

What were some of your highlights of Summer 2017 and what should we try out for next Summer?! Leave us a comment below and let us know!

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New York, New York! One of my favorite cities in the world (and yes I know everyone says that but it really is!)!

New York City is somewhere I never thought I would end up, but somehow did multiple times. I spent a gap year in NYC during my undergraduate education where I interned and worked all around different parts of the city. Later on, I moved back for a couple years to pursue a second degree so overall I’ve spent a good amount of time in this city.

One of the things I love the most about New York is that you can find everything and anything at all hours of the day, including food! I am a total foodie and NYC is high up there on my list of cities in the world that I love for food. You can find every type of food for any budget, which was great as a struggling student, but also great when I wanted to indulge for a special occasion.

Below are an assortment of some of my favorite eating spots in NYC, including some well-known and maybe not-so-well-known places: 

1. Two Hands Cafe (164 Mott Street) - For when I want a healthy, quick meal that has a ton of flavor. The food here is always so fresh and really tasty. The staff is super friendly, adding to the bright happy atmosphere. If you eat in (you can also pick up!), they don’t take reservations so the wait tends to be long, so try going on off hours but, if not, its usually quicker than they estimate. My picks are the Acai Bowl and Sunday Morning juice. Bonus: While you wait, check out Cha Cha Matcha around the corner from here for its super instagram worthy interiors and matcha items 

2. Balthazar (80 Spring Street) - This place is huge but somehow always crowded no matter the time of day. I have been here numerous times and am never disappointed with the food, drinks, service, and atmosphere. Its quite nice, but never stuffy, great for a more upscale dining experience, but still casual. You usually need a reservation, but if you walk in, you can try the bar area (which is just as nice but a little tighter). My picks are the eggs benedict for breakfast/brunch and the escargots (I promise, SO GOOD) and pan-roasted salmon for dinner. The menu changes seasonally, but these all are usually staples on the menu.

3. Olio e Piu (3 Greenwich Ave) - Now this place isn’t exactly my favorite for food, though their pizza is pretty decent, but I absolutely love the atmosphere and vibe. I went here one time for dinner which was okay and another time for drinks, which was much better. Its a great place to just grab a drink, relax with some friends, and people watch. I love the decor and florals in this place and its super easy to find, right on Greenwich Ave. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating so every time I have gone I’ve never had to make a reservation.

4. Best Bagel and Coffee (225 W 35th Street) - If you want the best bagel in NYC, GO HERE! I have tried so many bagels in my life (I. love. carbs.) but these ones really do live up to their name as the “best”. They’re soft and chewy, taste great, and huge! They have recently expanded this place so there is more seating and just overall more space, which is so nice as the line used to wind out the door. Best is, I can go in the middle of the afternoon at 3PM and still get a egg bagel sandwich. I used to go here at least once a week and every time I visit NYC I still make it a point to visit. My pick is sausage, egg, and cheese on a sesame bagel toasted and sometimes scooped*. *I love my carbs but sometimes feel it gets too heavy so scooped is a great way to have the bagel but less of the doughy bread.

5. Rosellas Pizza (164 William Street) - Back when I lived in Battery Park, Rosella’s was my go-to pizza place to order from. To me, their pizza feels like a real New York slice. Between the thin perfectly cooked crust, slightly sweet and carefully spiced sauce, and delicious mozzarella cheese, Rosella’s is a pizza winner to me! My pick is a classic cheese pizza with extra sauce, mm mm mm! 

6. Joe Coffee (Multiple locations city-wide) - I would always hit up Joes after late nighters or when I just needed a quick caffeine fix. Their coffee is delicious and one of the few coffees that would truly wake me up in the AM! Any of their locations are great to do work from and chill or grab on the go. Love their quality coffee and definitely beats the huge chains.

7. Shake Shack (Multiple locations city-wide) - Last but definitely not least, is one of my fave fast food restaurants in the world. Where do I even begin with Shake Shack… Its high quality fast food that doesn’t break the bank and is oh so delicious. There are so many debates between In-And-Out and Shake Shack but personally I have got to give my pick to the latter. Everything I have had here is pretty great, the Chicken Shack, Shack Burger, Cheese Fries, Milk Shakes… I love it all! There can definitely be a wait at times for the food but its definitely worth it! My pick for location is to check out the one in Battery Park, get your food to go and, if its nice out, eat right outside Brookfield Place with a view of the Marina and Hudson River. Perfect.

I am drooling so hard over here thinking about all these foodie spots...

Have you tried out any of the places on the list? What are some of your fave NYC eateries?

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