Today is the perfect day: no plans, gorgeous weather, and, no plans. The last few hundred weekends have been over-flowing with plans: brunches, play dates, birthdays, moving, errands, out-of-town guests, you name it we did it. I'm not complaining, mind you, we are very grateful to have a wide array of friends and activities to enjoy said friends. The city pace is just like it seems in the movies: GO GO GO GO GO GO! Everything must be PLANNED lest some city-dweller think it is acceptable to do something (gasp!) leisurely or spontaneously. I am just as busy now with a family as I was when I was single with, well, a lot of wine. Speaking of alcohol, last night was Baby Daddy's 33rd birthday outing, all of which I planned for him as a surprise. First, I took him to a lovely little wine bar in the East Village that you must try called Terroir Wine Bar (413 East 12th Street, NYC). They tout themselves as "The Elitist Wine Bar for Everyone" which is fairly accurate. They have an enormous wine list and the staff is super friendly and knowledgeable.

Afterwards, I had a group of friends surprise him for a fabulous dinner at The Smith which was only a few blocks away (55 3rd Avenue, NYC). That place? Amazing. The food, the service, the drinks, all of it was fantastic. I can barely finish a glass of wine these days, but their French 75 cocktail was so good I just had to have two. You should try it! Here is a recipe similar to theirs:

MAKES 1 DRINK (although you will want more, obviously)

INGREDIENTS
1 oz. gin
½ oz. simple syrup
½ oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
Brut Champagne or a dry sparkling white wine
Lemon twist, to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled and strain into a glass. Top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist to serve.

Happy Saturday! Cheers to doin' some maxin' and relaxin'!