Our party-throwing skills can always use a few fresh touches. Which means we’re in luck – the event planning pros at the new Avery Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common and CZERLONKA-LAROCHE event design and management have pooled together five tips to help us host an award-winning Oscar party. Check them out, then start planning your must-invite list.

TIP #1
Stylishly invited.
Research the forecasted 2012 Oscar fashion trends and incorporate them into your invitation.

TIP #2
The Best Dressed list.
Ask your guests to arrive “red carpet ready.” Who isn’t waiting for an excuse to dress up? Maybe take it a step further and begin the celebration with an afternoon trip to the spa for hair, makeup, and mani/pedis with some of your guests.

TIP #3
“And the award for Best Cocktail goes to…”
Get guests to participate in “The Best Picture (Cocktail) Contest.” Ask them to choose a title from this year’s Best Picture nominees and create a cocktail worthy of its namesake. Throughout the evening, have guests sample and vote. At the end of the night, present the winner with their very own version of the Golden Statue.

TIP #4
Dust off the cookbooks.
The most celebrated Oscar event in Hollywood is the Governor’s Ball, catered by Wolfgang Puck. Create your own version of the menu: this year’s includes one of Wolfgang Puck’s signature salads (artichoke salad with confit tomato; heirloom beet salad with oranges and almonds; asparagus with Iberico ham, black truffle aioli, and mizuna leaves) and serve it along with Dover Sole or a similar white fish, and follow up with an amazing dessert. Opt to serve buffet style so that you can prepare in advance and spend more time with your guests.

TIP #5
The swag bag.
Everyone loves a party with a takeaway. Instead of a paper gift bag, consider a box, fabric pouch, or small basket. For the girls: pick out sample items of lotions or perfume, gourmet olive oils, candles, and maybe a cupcake from your favorite local bakery. For the guys: include a cigar, a nip of their favorite scotch, and a pocket square or bow tie (they’re so back in Boston).

Rue-Exclusive: The Art of the Cocktail…Party hosted by the Avery Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common is open until February 17, 2012 for Rue Boston Members.

Whether you forgot to make a reservation or you need dinner in a pinch, these Lincoln Center-area spots will satisfy any craving.

7AM, BREAKFAST:

Cafe Luxembourg
200 West 70th Street (corner of Amsterdam)
This neighborhood bistro offers a comforting French-American breakfast.

If you’re in a hurry: Bomboloni
187 Columbus Ave. (between 68th and 69th)
Grab a latte to go and pair it with a sweet, flaky, Italian pastry.

1:30PM, LUNCH:

Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway (between 63rd and 64th)
Grab a three-course prix fixe meal for a well-rounded taste of the incredible French fare.

Rosa Mexicano
61 Columbus Ave. at 62nd
The margaritas and fresh guac will have you dreaming about lunch for the rest of the day.

If you’re in a hurry: Nanoosh
2012 Broadway (between 68th and 69th)
Organic hummus plates, wraps, and salads make a quick takeout stop.

9PM, POST-SHOW DINNER:

Il Violino
180 Columbus Ave. (corner of 68th)
Our best-kept secret, this hidden Italian gem dishes out the richest sauces and pasta.

Jean-Georges
1 Central Park West
Upscale, Asian-fusion cuisine caps off the luxury of Fashion Week.

If you’re in a hurry: Amber West Side
221 Columbus Ave (corner of Columbus and 70th)
Call ahead for fresh sushi and Asian-inspired takeout.

We’ve heard lots of resolutions lately (it is that time of year, after all) and one of our absolute favorites is making an effort to treat yourself. And this is just the ticket. Head over to our Facebook page for a chance to win one of three Relax and Renew Packages, packed with beauty supplies and rejuvenating goodies.

Tell us – what’s your New Year’s resolution?

From fresh produce at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market and a $1 cup of Legal Seafoods’ famed chowder, to Local 149’s resolution dinner and the reopening of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, here’s a look at the many ways January in Boston is kicking off 2012 in style. (Let’s just hope there isn’t over 70 inches of snow, like last year.)

We can’t believe it either – 2012 is almost here. But before we hastily ring in the new, we’re celebrating the past year and all its highlights with the return of our most exciting Local Picks from 2011.

From Boston to San Francisco and each Rue city in between, we’re treating Members to our cities’ most beloved spas, restaurants, and services one more time before the calendar turns over. In every way, our 2011 Top Picks show what it means to be at the top of the game. From impeccable service and standout cuisine to a devoted following and legendary reputation, each Top Pick makes its mark as one of the spots we’ll keep coming back to through the end of next year and beyond.

The Top Picks of 2011 series began with Rue Boston on Monday, December 5. Keep an eye out all month for Top Picks from Rue Chicago, Rue Miami, Rue New York City, Rue Philadelphia, Rue San Francisco , Rue Seattle, Rue Los Angeles, and Rue Washington DC.

Earlier this fall, I spent a few days hanging out in Philadelphia, thanks to my husband, who had won a three-night stay at the swanky Le Méridien. Along with the usual shopping/art/sightseeing trifecta, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a thriving culinary scene in downtown Philly, with an amazing array of great restaurants serving all sorts of inventive and delectable cuisine.

At Zavino, an intimate wine bar and pizzeria on the corner of South 13th and Sansom, you’ll find homemade pastas, small plates made from fresh seasonal ingredients and delicious pies in the Neapolitan style. Nab a seat at one of the tables in front of the floor-to-ceiling French doors and peruse the well-priced wine list, with additional vino specials listed on a chalkboard over the bar. We accompanied our wine (Callia Alta Malbec for me, Primarius Pinot Noir for the mister) with a serving of the homemade ricotta stuffed meatballs and a selection of incredibly satisfying cheeses (standouts included the earthy Truffle Tremor goat cheese from California, the pleasantly malodorous Point Reyes Bleu and the soft, tangy Kunik from New York). On a subsequent visit, we had the garden pizza from the Daily Feature Board (topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, broccoli rabe, roasted peppers, onions, and roasted fingerling potatoes). Yum!
Continue reading “Chic Eats in Philadelphia” »

Nothing beats the holiday cheer and dazzle of winter in New York City, so we’re suiting up and heading outside for some of the month’s finest holiday fun. From lighting the world’s largest menorah to Christmas caroling in Greenwich Village, we’ll certainly be in good spirits for the whole of December and beyond.

It’s finally the holiday season in Boston, so we’re taking advantage of our favorite winter activities. From outdoor musts (think ice skating at the Charles Hotel and seeing the lights at Stone Zoo) to indoor excitement (catch a Rockettes performance or attend Teddy Bear Tea at the Taj) – we’re celebrating the holidays in our finest city style.

As of late, the bulk of Rue’s water cooler chatter has been related to turkey day plans (family reunions, football, and extra pumpkin pie). So when we heard talk of the Macy’s  Thanksgiving Day Parade, we jumped at the chance to ask Rue Local Copy Director Cassandra, a parade veteran, for her tips. Here’s what she had to say:

The best place to watch the parade is somewhere between 66th and 68th street on Central Park West. It’s at the beginning of the procession, so as soon as the last float has passed, you can easily make your way to turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Make sure to choose a place on the park side as once the cavalcade begins, they’ll close down the street and you’ll be stuck.

You’ll want to show up early, in the ballpark of say, 6:00 to 6:30 AM. And keep in mind if you’re traveling in twos, you can come on the tail end – but if you’re in packs of sixteen, go on the earlier side. Also if you want to sit on the curb, think early.

Bring a blanket for sitting, at least until the parade kicks off. Check the weather, to make sure you dress appropriately. Layers. Layers. Layers.

And that said: Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the show!

Parenting waters can be tricky to navigate, and no one knows this better than our Little Rue Roundtable panel of experts. Tune in to our Facebook page at 1PM ET on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 to hear from them all.

Lisa Gatto, Toddler Development Specialist, Isis Parenting
A graduate of Wheelock’s Child Life Specialist program, Lisa worked for several years at Boston Children’s Hospital helping children cope with their hospital stay and medical treatments using therapeutic play. As the program lead for Child Development at Isis Parenting, Lisa oversees a dozen different programs for children 6 – 36 months and their caregivers. When not at Isis Parenting, she’s busy singing pop tunes in the minivan with her daughters, ages seven and nine.

“Focus on your own child; don’t compare them to others or compare yourself to other parents. You’re the one in the day-to-day and you know your child best. In the end, the answer to how to react to a situation has to be yours. You know what’s best for your child.”

Nancy Holtzman, Infant Developmental Specialist, Isis Parenting
Continue reading “Little Rue Roundtable: Meet The Experts” »