For this week’s The List, I would like to redirect you to my column on Chic Today. I have just published a piece about the Meatpacking District, on the west side of Manhattan. It’s a fun, colorful and quite characteristic area of NYC. Check it out in style this weekend, and impress your friends!

Oh, and while you are on the Chic Today site, do check out their latest magazine supplement “Food Porn”. N-joy!

And I am not talking about those impossibly hard and bitter cocoa nibs either!

Gnosis Chocolate is a company founded by holistic healthcare professional, Vanessa Barg, in March 2007. According to Ms. Barg, 80% of Americans have a magnesium deficiency, which makes us all more vulnerable to PMS, diabetes, joint problems and heart disease. Well, cocoa, particularly raw cocoa, is really high in magnesium, hence, solution to the problem!!!

But you know I would never mention anything good for you on my Chocolate Corner if it didn’t taste good as well! And Gnosis chocolate bars - personal favorites include Lemon Berry Rose (with real rose petals and sweetened with agave nectar) and Orange Blossom, with almonds - do taste amazing. Otherwordly. Fantastically fragrant. Well, you get the picture.

Available online, as well as at your local health food joint, this in one treat that you can truly feel good having!Va

This week, The List contains only two items. Why? Because they will fill your life and make it colorful, flavorful and absolutely fun! You really won’t need anything else this week. Lets discover them together…

The First Annual Erasing Borders Festival of Indian Dance has opened in NYC. It is your chance to see a diverse group of performers - some traditional Bharatanatyam and Kathak, some modern, some fusion - all performing in the same venue. This would be an absolutely impossible feat, were it not for the Indo-American Art Council and its Founding Member Aroon Shivdasani. Mrs. Shivdasani has managed to change the way New Yorkers view films - stay tuned for the Annual Mahindra IAAC Film Festival coming again in November - art, and literature - like the illustriously attended book launch for Salman Rushdie’s latest “The Enchantress of Florence”. Now, with the brilliant help of Battery Dance Company Director Jonathan Hollander, who also happens to be on the Board of the IAAC, and Dance Festival Director Prachi Dalal, Mrs. Shivdasani is changing the way New Yorkers watch dance. Last night’s performance, at the Ailey Citigroup Theater on 55th and 9th Avenue, was absolutely mesmerizing and I walked away feeling joyous about a world that can actually contain this much talent. Of course, I am eagerly going back for more tonight. I suggest that you do the same, since once this is all over - with tonight’s performance and a fantastic gala to follow it - you will have to travel far and wide to see even a tenth of all the beauty, talent and grace featured in this festival. Don’t delay, buy your tickets and join me for all the fun, on Thursday, August 21st at 7.30!

I recently tried out Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s latest endeavor, the African fusion Merkato 55. I must admit that I kept putting this experience off, as I had come across a couple of unflattering reviews. Not from well known food critics, but the kind you get at OpenTable.com or the online Zagat site. Turns out the Meatpacking District restaurant is absolutely amazing and the food is the most memorable I have had in a long time. The atmosphere is serene and from the moment one walks in, all troubles are left at the door. There is outdoor seating for the summer, and a cozy, well decorated dining room inside, for those chilly days and nights to come, when a good Red Stripe beer and a spicy meal will be so welcomed.

Start out with their Kidogo plate, which includes African breads, dips and chutneys to delight the senses. I then moved on to the Sweet Potato Tamale, while my dining partner had the Cod, perfectly cooked and just spicy enough to entice but not frighten. There is meat, chicken and even shrimp - these cooked to perfection in a Piri Piri sauce. To finish, I must insist on some Smoked Dark Chocolate ice cream and an Amarula Ice Cream Sandwich. AMAZING! And just in case you need any more convincing, check out the Merkato 55 website, which is a feast for the visual and audio senses as well. When you are finished with that - and still need some more - go out and buy a copy of his terrific book “The Soul of a New Cuisine”, a journey of discovery into African cooking and the Chef’s own roots.

Top two images courtesy of Peepul PR.

As I watched George Clooney navigate through his frequent flyer mileage in the film ‘Up in the Air’ I realized how much fun airports can be to some of us. An almost escapist luxury which brings us to a world in itself, devoid of family pestering us for grandchildren and people who know so much about our life and business that they feel entitled to contribute their unsolicited opinions.

After you have gone through Rome’s Fiumicino and Newark’s Liberty International in Part One of my Guide, do check out the very best offered on the other side of the world. Here in Part Two, I explore an airport that is truly dear to my heart - Singapore’s Changi Airport. I could probably live there, if they offered affordable housing. It has absolutely everything, of every kind, for every budget and it is a one-of-a-kind place, many times imitated but never accurately duplicated. The ultimate escape for the ultimate escapist. 

In fact, Singapore Changi Airport is where I want to start this adventure. This week, travel with me to the point of entry - and exit - to any nation… Only in Singapore, they have made it into an art. A truly painless experience of duty free shopping, luxury goods, trinkets and delightful food to suit even the most discerning of palates. Not a single grumpy customs agent in sight, no wasting time around the baggage claim, only shopping, great coffee shops, fun transportation and smiles all around. Come on, lets explore Singapore Changi Airport together. It’s bound to happen one day, I am sure you’ll pass through it. After all, Asia is becoming the center of the world and Singapore is its epicenter…

If you are arriving into Singapore from the US or Europe, on a Singapore Airlines flight, you’ll most certainly step foot into Terminal 3. This will be your fantastic first experience of the wonder that is Changi. If you’ll be arriving on United, Qatar, Jet Airways or most international airlines, this will also be your initial point of entry. But most flights from Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa arrive into Terminal 2. The great thing about Changi Airport is that it’s all so well connected, you have the time to see all three terminals, if you so fancy. Their Skytrain comes every three minutes - tops! - and takes only about four minutes to the farthest point. So, discover it all, buy it all, taste it all and N-joy a mini slice of Singapore.

Whether is transit, upon arrival or before your departure, you must give this airport a chance. There is so much to do here, I almost wished I had more time. I secretly prayed for my flight to be delayed… Of course, that did not happen, but I can save you some time by giving up some of my “discoveries”. Number one, pick up a copy of their “inhouse” magazine, the Changi Class. It’s cool, fun and insightful and will provide you with a complete map of the airport on the last couple of pages. A word of advice: if you are in transit, be careful about buying liquids such as perfume or liquor, as they’ll count towards your “Quart Bag - 300 ml each” allowance now in effect. Don’t get stuck with some great perfume which will end up going home with the security officer at the next terminal… Either check it, or don’t buy it.

Terminal 1 is used for short haul flights so it doesn’t have the greatest perfume and cosmetics duty free shop. What it does have is a branch of the famous Chinese medicine store Eu Yan Sang. A wonderful place to explore with some time on your hands. Ask to try a couple of their brewed teas, they’ll gladly let you sample some Jasmine or even medicinal Ginseng. I enjoyed stocking up on the “Soups” made with all traditional ingredients, for ailments like “dirty blood” and “congestion”. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Chomel is a favorite of mine, for cool hair ornaments and costume jewelry. I found a hair clip like the French ones they sell in Barneys for hundreds of dollars, and paid little more than $10. Complete with rhinestones and in the color of the season. My kind of place. Burberry, Bally, Celine, Gucci and Ferragamo all have mini shops here, though I didn’t find the prices amazingly convenient. I find that if you must have a fantastic Gucci bag or some gorgeous Ferragamo shoes, it’s better to buy them back home. OK, so you spend a little more, but they are truly what you always wanted and if they are not… you can return them. Make sure to check out the MAC, Bobby Brown and Origins counters inside the terminal. As far as food, expect Singapore street food at higher prices in food court M, but move to other terminals for other options. There is a foot reflexology spa here, but I did not get a chance to try it. Maybe next time. There is also a movie theater on Level 3, a gym, a swimming pool and a transit hotel.

Terminal 2 is bigger than the previous one, but still not as fantastically huge as number 3. More on this last one later. In Terminal 2 you’ll find more food choices. My favorite, at a moment of absolute hunger, was Cedele. A true haven for vegetarians amidst the pork and meat galore of Singapore, I had a fantastic pumpkin soup there and a cheese sandwich to die for. And I didn’t go broke in the process. The staff was welcoming and their tables quiet and away from the bustle of the airport. Internet is available, with a comfy seat. BTW, the whole airport has FREE internet access, though limited to 15 minutes at each station. But technically, you can keep accessing it as long as you need, signing in and out in the process, which can be a bit of a hassle. Shanghai Tang, Chloe, Coach and Prada have shops in this terminal as well as a pretty lovely duty free shop. The Cozee Lounge has something similar to the kind of food choices you would get on the streets of Singapore, with a favorite being Wang Cafe, where you can get red bean paste steamed buns. I would stay away from the restaurants on Level 3, as they all seem pretty sketchy. Finish off your meal with a great cup of coffee instead at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, on Level 2. A spa is supposed to be here as well, though I - again - didn’t have time to check it out. The transit hotel and movie theater is situated on Level 3.

Now Terminal 3. WOW! It’s so beautifully laid out, so amazingly conceived… The only issue I had with it was the miles and miles and miles I had to walk to get to my flight, once it was announced. And you know what, those moving walkways do NOT help! And nearly immediately after announcing it, they flashed a “Flight Closed” message across the airport screens. It was not a leisurely stroll after that, I tell you!? Anyway, my favorite duty free shop is in this terminal. I came away with some Sisley products and Guerlain gold make-up primer at a fraction of the their US prices. The Singaporean are SERIOUS about their candy. It’s not a myth that chewing gum is forbidden in this country. There are large signs displayed at the entrance points, near baggage claim, and apparently even bringing the stuff into the country is breaking the law. I had my stash for the trip and knew I could count on my “angelic” look to get away with it. But what a rush, I tell you! Walking past those customs agents with “smuggled goods” - Wrigleys! Anyway, La Perla has a fantastic shop here, as do Bottega Veneta, Tag Heuer, The Body Shop, Hermes and Sony. But tied for first price for me are Shanghai Tang and Madame Butterfly, for traditional Chinese and Asian inspired fashions and accessories. Seriously, a Mandarin dress is what we all need this summer… I could have spent hours - not to mention loads of money - inside both those shops alone. As far as food, I have to admit that I used the Business Lounge and was awed by their soup, fresh fruit and Mac computers to check email and do work. But there are plenty of good food spots like Toast Box, Bao Luo Wan Xiang for traditional Singapore street style food and even Guylian Belgium Chocolate Cafe and Mrs. Fields, for the chocolate lover in me. For the token Singapore Sling cocktail, stop by the Singapore Straights Bar on Level 2. Of course, the token Foot Reflexology parlor and movie theater, showers and transit hotels are here, on Level 3.

Once you actually venture out of the airport and into Singapore proper - after a short and pleasant taxi ride - you will see that this place’s port of entry is exactly right for the calm and order that is the city/state itself. It’s worth taking a trip to the other end of the world for the experience!

Woody Allen’s new film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” opens in a limited number of theaters this Friday. Be among the first to see the infamous kiss between the girls. Mr. Allen has been playing it cool when it comes to the subject, but you know he is smiling a big boy’s smile inside… The website is amazing - click on the title above - and the music is on my list of Must-Buy and available on ITunes. How can you possibly lose when you put Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson in the same film?!

Something about watching Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem always puts me in the mood for Flamenco. Lucky me - and you - we can catch the last couple of days of Noche Flamenca at Theater 80 on St. Mark’s Place. Soledad Barrio and Company are always worth watching and you’ll return home with extra power in your stride and a cool new straight stance as an added bonus.

“The Horse” exhibit is still going on at the American Museum of Natural History and is well in keeping with this whole Flamenco theme we’ve got going for the week. Nothing says Spanish power to me more than horses themselves. And the AMNH is quite an impressive venue for this show. Greeting all visitors are the sound of hooves and the whinnies of those majestic and magnificent animals, which is enough to draw out the child in the most jaded of grown-ups.

Check out the sunset by the water in Battery Park City at least once this summer. It’ll be gone before you know it. The best and easiest way to get there is to take the M9 bus from Union Square, all the way to South End Avenue. A quick walk over to the water and you’ll be part of the wonder that is NYC at dusk, with Jersey City shining right across the Hudson River and the slight smell of salt water from the not-so-distant bay. Have dinner or bring a picnic and N-joy a summer evening this way.

Maybe now you are in the mood for a romantic dinner - or lunch - waterside? No worries, I have just the place for you. The River Cafe is at once famous, infamous and worth its weight in gold. Why? Because there is no view like it anywhere else in NYC. Their lunch menu isn’t as untouchable as you may think and their dinner view is priceless. So, you do the math, but give it a try. I always pictured my wedding day as a quick trip to City Hall and a leisurely lunch with friends and family at The River Cafe. Hey, a girl can dream, right?!

Speaking of which, activity number six for this week is: think up your own dreams and make them all come true, in STYLE!

One of my alltime favorite chocolate places in NYC has taken some time off for the month of August. So Verē Factory Fridays will not be possible during this month, but will resume in September. Stay tuned to this site for more info, and in the meanwhile, shop online at the Verē website.

Try a new Starbucks Vivanno© frozen drink, with bittersweet cocoa, a whole banana and fiber. By my calculations, you can’t have it better than this! It’s having your cake, eating it and feeling good too!

Top image courtesy of Verē Chocolate, bottom image courtesy of Business Week online

In today’s world, the ultimate status symbol is traveling.

Photo courtesy of Continental Airlines

I will continue to say - and write - this, at least until I find another more fabulous way to enjoy life - one that does not involve a handsome member of the opposite sex and a bed, of course. I don’t expect one will pop up anytimes soon so until then, stepping inside a terminal with the intent of transporting myself to a different, exotic and mysterious location remains my favorite activity. In my pursuit of the joys of traveling, I have accrued many, many miles but I have also familiarized myself with a few of the world’s best and biggest airports. Join me on a different kind of journey, one that will allow you to navigate these global hubs as if you were walking through your own backyard. Afterall, being a true world traveler means carrying yourself with confidence and flair even while meandering through an airport’s Duty Free shop or ordering a latte at the terminal’s coffee shop of choice. And in the process, you’ll also find out which airports provide the smoothest rides… And which ones you should try to avoid on your next journey. Because of the length of this piece, stay tuned for Part Two, coming August 21st.

Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark Airport has become my travel hub of choice. Although in recent years it has become increasingly more crowded, it is still the most spacious and well organized of NYC airports. And any place that has good coffee within fifty steps of every gate, qualifies as classy in my book! So, starting with the fantastic transportation to and from the airport, from NYC as well as most points in NJ, this place is tops in my travel diary. If you are not carrying a lot of luggage, and don’t feel like parting with approximately $65 of your dollars to get to the aiport in a car service, then I suggest using NJ Transit, connecting to and from New York Penn Station. A one-way ticket, at any time, is $15 and includes the AirTrain link to Newark Liberty Station, where you can connect to a real train to take you nearly everywhere you may want to go. If not, there are endless other options of NJ Transit trains leaving from Newark Penn Station, just a stop away. The ride is comfortable and amazingly fast. During rush our, it takes me half an hour door to door, from my East Village apartment.

Once inside the terminal, if you are flying Continental you are truly in luck. Liberty International is their special airport and nearly 80% of all flights are Continental flights. Even on a holiday, at the peak of travel time, the whole check-in/security checkpoint procedure will take half an hour at the most. If you are an Elite Continental traveler, cut that time in half.

Terminal C is where I have spent most of my time and where I’ll concentrate my guide on, but you can expect other terminals to be practically the same. Only a few restaurants, shops and locations will change. As soon as you have gone through Security, make sure to check out the Duty Free to the very left of the checkpoint, walking towards gates 120 and up. It’s great if you are traveling internationally, as the prices for perfume, cosmetics and chocolates are some of the best you will find in this country. I suggest hitting the Duty Free first, before even going to get a magazine or sitting down for some coffee, since the items will be delivered to your flight. You don’t want to end up disappointed if you shop too late and the sale cannot be processed. Of course, there is always Duty Free on the plane, but they NEVER seem to have what I want… Once you have fullfilled your shopping lust, do check out the Hudson News stands scattered about the terminal, or the Borders directly across from Duty Free. There is a cute little coffee shop there, but I suggest walking back to the Concourse and sitting down at Starbucks - directly across from Security - for a latte and some wonderful people watching. If it’s food you are looking for, than all the fast food you can dream of is yours near gate 74. I usually have a nice meatless McMuffin for breakfast and some pizza for lunch, especially if I am traveling domestic, as the food on the plane is either inedible or an all-out carnivorous feast. Shopping around for a great book, and then a nice handcream or incense - in travel sizes, of course - at L’Occitane usually completes the experience for me and makes me a calm, polite passenger, the kind you always wished would end up sitting in the seat next to yours!

Photo courtesy of QT Luong at TerraGalleria.com

Rome Fiumicino Airport

OK, so you read all about the calm and balance of Newark Airport. Well, now forget it and immerse yourself in the chaos and absolute lack of any understanding of personal space that Rome Fiumicino has to offer. When Italians travel, they are in constant motion. On the trains, they are constantly moving from one car to the next, in search of a better seat, that Utopia of train seats. On the road, every weekend they get into their little cars and drive for miles, only to get to the destination and argue the same way they do at home, then drive back to argue some more, possibly on the road while swirving in and out of their lanes. And in airports and planes, they need to be constantly up and about, passing you, bumping into you, checking out every single thing you are checking out and trying to cut in front of you in line. Any line - be it the bathroom, for coffee or to pay for your newspaper. I can say all this, without fear of retaliation, because I AM Italian, and probably guilty of all those faults. It’s a high and a survival skill that I have only encountered in another part of the world really dear to me: India.

So, arm yourself with patience and a good sense of humor, and embark on the strange journey that is Fiumicino. When you need to check in, the airport is divided into three terminals: A, B and C. So far, easy enough, except there is a Terminal AA, which is like Pandora’s Box… You don’t want to have to know about it. It’s used typically for Charter Flights and very small airlines that travel to places you really don’t want to go… I mean, I’ll all for a Cuban vacation, if that’s your cup of tea, but the planes that go to Cuba from Terminal AA are filled with middle aged men looking for only one thing. I won’t be so vulgar as to mention it, plus I am confident my readers are all very bright! You can see how sitting on a plane with that kind of crowd might make the trip a bit, how shall I put it, uncomfortable?!

Back to the terminals: A is for domestic Alitalia departures. B is for shorter haul European flights and some African destinations. Terminal C is for major international destinations that require large gates for those big planes. And within Terminal C there is a sparkling, new Satellite area, from which most US-bound flights depart. To check in for a flight, you must first know what terminal the flight departs from. Easy enough, it’s usually listed on your e-ticket and if not, check the Fiumicino website link above for more info. Then, once inside the terminal of choice, there are monitors that list the Check-In desks designated for each flight. Proceed to your flight’s designated area - all US-based airlines are in Terminal C, to the very far left, after a security point where your passport and travel documents will be checked by armed Polizia personnel. The good thing about flying US airlines is that the Security Check Point, after Check-In, is a separate and fairly organized deal, compared to the free-for-all you would have to go through for all other airlines.

Lets say you have absolutely fallen in love with a special Swiss sunscreen lotion you bought in a hurry while tanning in Positano, or that antibiotic salve that was kindly sold to you in Lake Como after you scraped your knee trying to climb over the wall of George Clooney’s property Villa Oleandra. Then, before checking in - you won’t be allowed re-entry to the general area after the fact - head over to the pharmacy upstairs in Terminal C, for some great prices and fun items, like bejewelled headclips and Dr. Scholl’s wooden sandals in different fashion colors. Have an espresso - or the most amazingly foamy and dark cappuccino - at the Piazza di Spagna bar there, while enjoying the company of some handsome men and well-dressed women, what Roma is famous for, after all!

Once past Security, if your flight leaves from the Satellite, then I suggest heading there, as some of the best shops are there. Among them, Etro - check out their site, if for nothing else its entertainment value! - Hermès, Bruno Magli, Salvatore Ferragamo and Liu Jo for hip, young clothing. The Duty Free there is also sublime and typically quite empty and calm. If you are flying Business, the lounges are also here, though both are two of the worst I have ever been in. Which brings me to the end of this week’s Adventure, but reminds me of the best Business Lounge in the world - the Singapore Airlines lounge in Singapore Airport… So, for more on that location, as well as London Gatwick and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, stay tuned to this column. See you soon and remember, travel is a luxury to be N-joyed, never to be taken for granted. Getting to your destination is just the icing on the cake!