Hangover cures from your kitchen

It's been more than a minute since I had a cure-worthy hangover.  My life is so exciting that I'm generally in bed before the real revelers are evenh dressed and ready to head to the party. 

But it's good to know that a few of my favorite foods are cures for the dreaded hangover should need ever arise.

Ted Loos expounds on the curative and restorative powers of pancakes, bacon, chocolate, eggs and more at Epicurious.com.

Even if you don't have a hangover, these taste treats sound nummy.

 

Lucky foods for the New Year

If you're curious about why we eat certain foods to ring in the New Year, Epicurious.com gives a great overview of lucky foods that cross cultural lines.

From grapes to greens, we celebrate our plates and palates with foods that not only taste good, but set our intentions toward prosperity and well-being.

Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe makes go-to holiday cake

This is my go-to holiday and special occasion cake - Flourless Chocolate Cake made with a recipe first introduced by Gourmet magazine in November 1997.

The recipe is simple enough for a novice cook, yet special enough, with all its gooey, chocolate-y goodness, for experienced cooks to bake it again and again.

This chocolate all-star is a fixture of my son's birthday parties as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert menus. If I want to make the chocolate lovers in my life delirious with bliss, this is the cake I bake to up their serotonin levels dramatically.

There is nothing not to love about a cake that looks this good, tastes this good and is done, ready to serve in under an hour - including clean up.

I prefer to serve it with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream or seasonal fruits.

Flourless Chocolate Cake Gourmet | November 1997

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Yield: Makes one 8-inch cake

ingredients

4 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus additional for sprinkling

Accompaniment if desired: Coconut Lime Sorbet

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F and butter an 8-inch round baking pan. Line bottom with a round of wax paper and butter paper.

Chop chocolate into small pieces. In a double boiler or metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt chocolate with butter, stirring, until smooth.

Remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat and whisk sugar into chocolate mixture. Add eggs and whisk well. Sift 1/2 cup cocoa powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined.

Pour batter into pan and bake in middle of oven 25 minutes, or until top has formed a thin crust. Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes and invert onto a serving plate.

Dust cake with additional cocoa powder and serve with sorbet if desired. (Cake keeps, after being cooled completely, in an airtight container, 1 week.)

A Crystal Springs Resort Christmas & New Year's

Light the Yule log and drink up the nog with Christmas at Crystal Springs Resort.

The Grand Cascades Lodge, 3 Wild Turkey Way , Hardyston, has three options for Christmas Eve and Day. Dine at Restaurant Latour, which will serve its regular menu as well as holiday additions. The Crystal Tavern will have its regular and a special prix-fixe menus And the Springs Bistro will feature its regular menu plus holiday additions.

Kites Restaurant, located at Minerals Resort & Spa, 2 Chamonix Dr, Vernon, will be open both Christmas Eve & Day and serving a special Christmas menu on Christmas Day.

For more information and reservations call 973-827-1587 ext 3 or visit  their website.

Out with the old and in with the new - year that is.

Crystal Springs Resort offers 9 different options for New Year’s Eve ranging from romantic dinners to family buffets to a one-of-a-kind tropical party in the Biosphere Pool Complex.

Celebrate with dinner at Restaurant Latour, Crystal Tavern, Springs Bistro or party all night at the amazing tropical Biosphere Party and/or an overnight stay at the Grand Cascades Lodge.  For a family focus, with a little for Mom & Dad in the mix, try Minerals Resort & Spa. The family-focused resort offers a family party, dinner at Kites restaurant, late night parties and tons of children’s events.

A New Year’s Day brunch will be available at both hotels.

For information visit the website or call 973-827-5996 ext 3. 

Hot picks for NYC New Year's eve parties

It's not too late to buy tickets to celebrate the New Year at some of the city's hottest parties.

Best bets from Joonbug, online NYC social networking and events site, are:

Capitale Rated #1 Event Space In The Country

5 Hour Premium Open Bar

9pm -2am

 

Tickets: $135-$275

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For seven consecutive years, New York City's largest New Year's Eve event producer is proud to present Capitale New York’s New Year's Eve 2009 Extravaganza.

Embrace the spirit and the energy of the most captivating night of the year surrounded in white glove glitz, glam and pizzazz! The magnificent, luxurious setting of Capitale evokes the mystery and romance of Venice, bedazzling its guests with classic European charm and sophistication. Capitale is an ultra-exclusive private event space and restaurant celebrated as the ultimate party destination of choice for the upper echelon of music, movies, fashion and runway.

 

Capitale defines New York elegance and panache. Constructed in 1893 in Beaux Arts architecture, this majestic edifice is a masterpiece of famed architect Stanford White whose illustrious professional portfolio includes prominent New York City landmarks including the Washington Square Arch, branches of the New York Public Library and Madison Square Garden. Originally built as the Bowery Savings Bank, this New York City gem has been transformed over a century later into the home of Capitale. Honored as a national landmark, Capitale is rich with decadent detailing inspired by the Italian Renaissance.

 

The awe-inspiring interior is the perfect backdrop to bid adieu to 2008 and to welcome 2009 in elegant five star fashion. This New Year’s Eve extravaganza is as big, bold and vivacious as the venue itself. Capitale boasts an immense 40,000sf, multi-level, multi-room layout including two ballrooms and three private VIP rooms - ideal for partygoers to mix, mingle, frisk, frolic and cavort the night away in supreme style. You’ll know you’ve arrived the moment you saunter into the Grand Venetian Ballroom lined with tall Corinthian columns, marble mosaic floors and stunning Venetian glass. The tantalizing beats spun by a world renowned DJ on the state of the art JBL digital sound system will surely resonate off the 65' beautifully decorated coved ceilings raising the high energy atmosphere to new heights. Impeccable service, award winning light fare, free flowing premium libations during a five hour open bar and DJ XRay tempting the fabulous crowd onto the dance floor until the wee hours of 2009 will set the night ablaze making this elegant fete an event of a lifetime!

Capitale has earned the formidable reputation as the elite party destination for "everyone who's anyone" in New York. Recent celebrity sightings include:

• Howard Stern
• Beth Ostrosky 
• Rev Run of Run DMC
• Eva Mendes
• Cindy Crawford
• Natasha Bedingfield
• Maria Menounos 
• Monica Seles
• Pharell Williams and N.E.R.D 
• Bar Rafaeli
• Clive Davis
• Christy Turlington
• Petra Nemcova
• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Beyonce
• JayZ
• Russell Simmons
• Narciso Rodriguez (designer of Michelle Obama's dress for Barack Obama's victory speech)
• Tinsley Mortimer
• Ziyi Zhang
• Grandmaster Flash

For a truly one of a kind, all-out New Year's bash like no other, celebrate in dramatic style and spoil yourself in modern luxury at the one and only Capitale.

Cipriani 23rd Street Rated NYC's #1 Most Glamorous Event for New Year's Eve 2009

6 Hour Premium Open Bar

9pm-3am

 

Tickets: $135-$250

 

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New Year's Eve Central, New York City's largest New Year' s Eve event producer is proud to present New Year's Eve 2009's Most Glamorous Soiree at Cipriani 23rd Street.
 
Manhattan allure meets Old Hollywood sophistication this New Year's Eve at Cipriani 23rd Street. Situated in the famous International Toy Center, formerly the 200 Fifth Club, this New York City icon is rich with history and architectural detailing. Its hip downtown locale in the heart of the Flatiron District, directly across from Madison Square Park, reflects the cool, sleek design of its interior's classic Art Deco style.  Prepare yourself to be spoiled by the luxury, excellence and perfection that defines the Cipriani name from the moment you step into the awe-inspiring Grand Ballroom with ornate soaring 22' ceilings. The majestic décor evokes the unparalleled glamour and mystery of  Hollywood's Golden Era when Valentino, Garbo, Astaire & Rogers reigned supreme. Cipriani 23rd Street is unequivocally one of the most sought after private event spaces hosting the most exclusive soirees of Manhattan's social elite.

Recent celebrity sightings:
Beyonce
Sean "Diddy" Combs
Usher
Russell Simmons
Martha Stewart
DJ Cassidy
America's Next Top Model winner Jaslene Gonzalez
 
This illustrious venue serves as the perfect backdrop to bid farewell to 2008 and to welcome 2009 in true five star, white glove fashion. Cipriani 23rd Street boasts a sprawling 15,000sf bi-level layout with ample room to mix, mingle & frolic with the fabulous on the most magical night of the year! The pulsating rhythms spun by the DJ will beckon you onto the oversized dance floor showcased by towering gold mirrored pillars reflecting beams of light from the state of the art lighting system. Marvel at the festivities below from the mezzanine or bring exclusivity to new heights in the ultra-private VIP Oak Room. The night is yours so be the envy of all!

Impeccable service, decadent light Italian fare, six hour premium open bar and a world renowned surprise guest DJ spinning sets of hip-hop, 80's, rock and Top 40 all night long will make this a truly special night to remember! You deserve the finest so for New Year's Eve 2009, surround yourself with opulence and splendor of the one and only Cipriani 23rd Street, Manhattan glamour redefined.

Home/ Guest House Rated #1 Hot NYE 2009 Nightclub - 2 Parties=2 Times The Fun

6 Hour Premium Open Bar

9pm-3am

 

Tickets: $130-$225

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New Year's Eve 2009 celebration at Home and Guest House will bring sexy back to New York at the most smoking hot party this city has never seen!

Amidst New York's sizzling, high drama nightlife circuit there lives a tale of two uber-clubs under one roof: The devilishly sexy, super chill HOME and its seductively sleek, high energy sister club, GUEST HOUSE. Two hot spots under one roof, with two vibes and two contrasting decors brimming with two times the hotness! A-listers, rockers, moguls, models, celebutantes and fashionistas all flock to this mega-hot spot located in the much hyped nightclub zone of West Chelsea. So which mega-watt star was seen exiting the exclusive doors of Home and GuestHouse this week? You'll just have to catch them in the pages of TMZ, In Style, Page Six, Ok! Magazine and People to find out!  Recent celebrity sightings:

• Kim Kardashian
• Rosario Dawson
• Kanye West
• Tommy Lee
• Donald Trump
• Beyonce Knowles
• Tiffany Pollard (VH1's I Love New York 2)
• Jeremy Piven
• Missy Elliot
• Kelly Rowland
• Entire cast at of HBO's Soprano at the official wrap party

HOME's decor is rocker chic meets Manhattan swank-with edgy sex appeal and temptations in every nook. Saunter up the staircase under dazzling red crystal chandeliers suspended from a black leather tufted ceiling, past the heavy velvet curtains into a den illuminated with red light district sex appeal. The decor is accented with red wood floors, exposed stone columns, walls stenciled with a damask pattern and tufted black leather banquettes.  Hip Hop, rock and 80's are the genres of choice spun behind a raised DJ booth commanding the entire dance floor setting this party ablaze.

GUEST HOUSE' decor is sleek, sensual and warm but don't be fooled by its demurely rich amber tones and recessed candlelit walls. The pulsating beats resonating off its cream wallpaper and the energized partygoers dancing on the brown leather banquettes will kick this party into full throttle! Guesthouse=House Music...and with a world renowned DJ's spinning sets of modern, classic and underground house, the anthem lives on in 2009..."House music all night long!"

Connected through a corridor, Home and Guest House fills your wants, desires and your wildest guilty pleasures for an ultimate New Year's party! Dance, prance, rock, revel, swagger, strut, sashay your night away...the night is yours and for two fabulous parties for the price of one...this ticket is a tremendous value!