Monica Byers

by / on May 18, 2012 at 1:23 pm / in Bars, Drink, Monica Byers, New York

FOOTBALL BARS OF NYC – NEVADA SMITHS

By MONICA BYERS NEW YORK – Nevada Smiths is, hands down, my favorite football bar in New York City.  It’s not fancy – it’s actually a bit of a dive. There’s no food.  They serve drinks from plastic cups (at the moment, anyway).  On the day of a big fixture (e.g. Champions League final), you may not get a seat. [...]

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by / on May 14, 2012 at 4:23 pm / in Bars, Drink, Monica Byers, New York

FOOTBALL/SOCCER BARS OF NYC – LEGENDS/THE FOOTBALL FACTORY

    By MONICA BYERS NEW YORK – The first thing to say is that the title of this series of posts is probably the last time you will here me refer to this sport as “soccer.”   Having lived in Europe for five years, I just can’t refer to the “beautiful game” by that name – it hurts my ears [...]

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by / on March 26, 2012 at 5:54 pm / in Drink, Monica Byers, New York

NEW YORK: GRAND BAR (AT SOHO GRAND HOTEL)

By MONICA BYERS NEW YORK, NY – I have loads of amazing memories planted in my visits to the Grand Bar at the Soho Grand Hotel.  The first time I ever visited, I was living in Los Angeles and visiting with a group of friends when we linked up with the complete strangers seated at the next table.  It was [...]

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by / on January 31, 2012 at 2:22 am / in California, Carmel, Monica Byers, Stay, USA

CARMEL, CA: CARMEL VALLEY RANCH

  CARMEL, CA – Miles removed from Highway 1, Carmel Valley Ranch is like a hideout amidst the trees.  As we drove into the Carmel Valley – seemingly miles off the beaten track – I said to my husband, “Man, this sure is far from everything.  I hope it’s worth the trek.”  It is. Carmel Valley Ranch sits atop a [...]

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by / on January 27, 2012 at 8:29 pm / in California, Monica Byers, San Luis Obispo, Stay

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA: MADONNA INN

  SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – Everyone should stay at the Madonna Inn at least once in their lifetime – especially those souls who have a sense of humor and an appreciation of retro irony.  Why?  Because it is a truly singular experience. Located just off the 101 Freeway in San Luis Obispo, Madonna Inn is essentially a motel (the [...]

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by / on January 12, 2012 at 4:36 pm / in Drink, Monica Byers, New York

NEW YORK: MADAME X

  By MONICA BYERS NEW YORK – It calls itself “New York’s sexiest bar and lounge” and that might be about right.  Madame X is downright slutty – think New Orleans bordello meets dive bar.  Though not very fancy, this joint is definitely provocative.  The whole place is bathed in red – from the walls to the lighting to the velour [...]

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by / on January 11, 2012 at 10:15 am / in Eat, Los Angeles, Monica Byers

LOS ANGELES: ORIGINAL TOMMY’S

By MONICA BYERS LOS ANGELES – I was first introduced to Tommy’s by my ex-husband on the weekend we became engaged (don’t ask).  I must admit that, on that first visit, I didn’t get the appeal.   The restaurant was populated with all sorts of miscreants, and I wasn’t sure the food was worth the weirdness.  The whole thing was a [...]

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by / on November 17, 2011 at 12:01 am / in Drink, London, Monica Byers

LONDON: THE LIGHT

  By MONICA BYERS LONDON – I think the actual name of this place is The Light Restaurant and Bar, but no one I know calls it that – to us, it’s just “The Light”.   This is one of my recommended bars for folks finding themselves in Shoreditch or The City (which is nearby) looking for a good spot to [...]

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by / on November 16, 2011 at 11:54 pm / in London, Monica Byers, Shop

LONDON: BOROUGH MARKET

  By MONICA BYERS LONDON – Borough Market is London’s oldest food market and, hands down, my absolute favorite part of London.  It’s called a “foodie’s paradise” because of its abundance of fresh and prepared food stalls, but wine, beer and merchandise are also on offer here.  This was always my go-to spot to pick up my paella ingredients, as [...]

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by / on November 7, 2011 at 10:09 pm / in London, Monica Byers, Shop

LONDON: SPITALFIELDS

  By MONICA BYERS LONDON - I always experience neighborhood envy in Spitalfields, and have pledged that I will someday reside on Folgate Street.  The atmosphere created by the juxtaposition of the area’s inescapable history, the nearby bustle of the City of London and the energetic buzz of the cafes and pubs is all rather irresistible. Spitalfields is an East End neighborhood [...]

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