Springtime in New York is absolutely gorgeous but even better when you can share some of your favourite spots with friends who are first timers! This trip was all about the James Beard Media Awards and getting our friends Kevin Kossowan and Jeff Senger ready for their big New York debut but it was also a rare chance for us to enjoy a work-free weekend in one of our favourite cities.

STAY: Holiday Inn – ChelseaEVEN Hotel Brooklyn

EAT: Uncle Boons SisterDirt Candy, Gramercy Tavern, Pok PokLaRina Pastificio & Vino

SHOP: AllSaints, Union Square Greenmarket

SEE: Mean Girls on Broadway, In and Of Itself

We don’t often lose our minds and rave about stuff but please – if you’re planning to go to New York this summer – go and see In and Of Itself at the Daryl Roth Theatre before the run ends (it was extended). We were rocked to tears and we can’t even begin to explain it but it was sheer awesomeness.

It was also amazing to see our friend Chef Silvia Barban from Bravo’s Top Chef S14. Her restaurant LaRina is one of our favourites (no one makes pasta like she does) and she rocked some #teamjinhee swag to show her support for a Canadian counterpart.