Whether Boston is in your blood or you are Boston outsider looking to take in this Revolutionary city, a weekend retreat at XV Beacon will make you fall in love with every step of America’s Walking City. XV Beacon is a premier boutique hotel nestled into the hills of the cozy luxury of Beacon Hill, steps from the gold dome of the State House and the lush green of the Boston Common and Public Gardens. The hotel features one of the city’s best steak houses, aptly named Mooo…; private dining in the Wine Cellar, with the city’s greatest selection of top quality wines from around the world; as well as a chance to bring cocktails up to the lush tranquility of their roof top deck, boasting beautiful vistas of the city below.

The hotel offers a bevy of packaged retreats including their Linger Longer, Summer Escape and Bed & Breakfast for Two packages.  One of our personal favorites is the VIP at the Museum of Fine Arts which includes an overnight stay in one of their amazingly comfort-filled rooms (you’ll never miss your bed at home), breakfast for two, transportation to the museum in the hotel’s chauffeur driven Lexus and VIP passes to the Museum of Fine Arts, perhaps one of the most fascinating and diverse art museums in the world. Be sure to find your way to the Egyptian artifacts and the Impressionistic art, particularly the Monet original paintings, as you get lost in the remarkable pieces displayed throughout the museum’s marbled hallways.

If you are looking to capture (or re-capture) the romance, the Romance on the Hill package is a page out of the Romance 101 handbook. Enjoy an overnight stay in one of their well appointed rooms (think waterfall showers and gas lit fireplaces as square one), a bottle of champagne, white rose petal turndown service, chocolate covered strawberries, and, perhaps the most convenient feature, 2PM late check out. And, if you need additional help unwinding, a couple’s massage is also available.

A weekend at XV Beacon will surely be an experience you will wish to re-live again and again.

Diners in the Hamptons flock to The Beacon not only for the incredible view (especially at sunset) but also for executive chef Sam McCleland’s creative cuisine. His food’s flavors are summery and often sensational, and seasonal favorites include the steamed mussels “Beacon style” with garlic, white wine, fresh lemon-thyme, cream and tomatoes and oven-roasted chicken with julienne carrots, braised shallots and smoked bacon-pecorino risotto. Some dishes have an Asian twist, like the sesame-crusted tuna with Napa cabbage-jicama slaw and Asian glaze. Additional popular dishes include the guava baby back ribs with grilled asparagus and potato hash and the sautéed local flounder with tomato, leeks, capers and Yukon mashed potatoes.

Originally from Illinois, McCleland is a graduate of Johnson & Wales College. He was sous chef at The Beacon prior to taking the reins of the kitchen in 2001 as executive chef. Prior to The Beacon, he worked at the esteemed Hamptons’ restaurants 95 School Street and Nick & Toni’s, The Black Pearl in Vero Beach, FL and as a personal chef. His culinary inspiration comes from both his up bringing in America’s heartland and the flavors of the Caribbean Islands where he served for many years as a chef aboard yachts.

Haute Living: What’s new at The Beacon?
Sam McCleland: Lots of crudos and ceviches. Right now, I love the local fluke crudo with jalapeno pesto, pink grapefruit and micro greens

HL: What are some of your favorite dishes at your restaurant?
SM: Absolutely our pork chop Milanese with frisee, caramelized onions, oven-roasted tomatoes and creamy truffle vinaigrette, and, of course, our crispy fish tacos w/ salsa verde and tomato emulsion

HL: Where do you like to dine when you’re not working?
SM: I’m usually grilling at home with my family, or it’s red/bar brasserie in Southampton or Fresno Restaurant in East Hampton.

HL: What’s your ideal meal?
SM: Grilling a great steak at home with my family.

HL: Where do you like to dine for a special occasion?
SM: I’m usually cooking for our special occasions.

HL: What’s your favorite NYC neighborhood?
SM: I love to explore new restaurants in the West and East Villages of Manhattan.

HL: What do you like to do in the city on your days off?
SM: Restaurant hop and sample good food. Some of my favorite places are Balthazar, Joseph Leonard, Perilla, Marea and Momofuku.

HL: Your favorite vacation destination?
SM: Our home in Vero Beach, Florida or Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.

HL: What’s your most memorable meal?
SM: 13 course tasting menu at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris.

HL: What are your five favorite ingredients?
SM: Local corn, local bay scallops, local heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and truffle oil.

The Beacon is located at 8 West Water St, Sag Harbor; 631-725-7088.

To reach Tracey Ceurvels, visit her blog, The Busy Hedonist, or email her.

The Andaz 5th Avenue

Fresh ingredients from the stove to the pantry, pipping hot coffee and networking to make a media maven’s day before noon a networking dream, the Andaz 5th Avenue is the ultimate breakfast spot for New York City. Enjoy delicious hearty luxury treats like feather ridge farm poached eggs, kielbasa sausage and griddle bread. You will find locally sourced goods like russ & daughters lox with a bagel or bialy from kossar’s bakery. Don’t forget a side of bone-in virginia ham (a homage to my motherland). And keep your eyes open for celeb watching, Katy Perry was just spotted here.

Andaz Fifth Avenue is located at 485 5th Avenue New York, NY 212.601.1234

Joseph Leonard

I find nothing better than starting a morning off right with creative types and amazing food, enriches the mind and fuels the soul for the rest of the day. Joseph Leonard in the West Village, recently noted by the NY Post, is the fix for this. Menu items like lox on rye, asparagus and cheddar frittata, oatmeal with mixed berries and toast and jam hit the spot.

Joseph Leonard 170 Waverly Place New York, NY 646.429.8383

Le Caprice

Enjoy a crisp Wall Street Journal over waffles and strawberries with warm maple syrup or buttermilk pancakes at this conveniently located breakfast hotspot where industry insiders are known to make deals before the rest of the city has their first cup of coffee.

The laundry list of early rising celebs includes: Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony, Kathy Griffin, Joan Rivers, Lucy Liu, Jane Krakowski, Donald Trump with Melania – Ivanka and Jared Kushner, Anna Wintour, Glenda Bailey, Diane Sawyer. Talk about some powerful bacon and eggs. Le Caprice is in the Pierre Hotel, one of my fav spots in the city as a haute hotel and for after hours at Two E.

Le Caprice is located at 795 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 212.940.8195

540 Park

Where the power breakfast practically originated, you may find yourself enjoying eggs and bacon next to Donald Trump or Mayor Michael Bloomberg at 540 Park, located at the Loews Regency Hotel on Park Avenue. Menu highlights include local flavors like Old Chatham New York State Yogurt with seasonal berries, poached eggs with smoked salmon and caviar, and breakfast meets like hickory smoked bacon and chicken sausage.

540 Park is lcoated at 540 Park Avenue, New York, NY 212.759.4100

Maialino

According to the NY Post, power player Bloggers like Amanda Kludt, editor, Eater.com and Daniel Maurer, editor, GrubStreet.com, enjoy their first bites of the day at Maialino. Breafast menu highlights include Ricotta Pancakes with maple syrup, Pancetta al Pepe Nero (Thick Cut Black Pepper Bacon), Chocolate Croissants and rich creamy latte.

Maialino is located at 2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 212.777.2410

As we know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And a great breakfast spot is the best way to start your day off in Atlanta. Whether you have a business meeting, choose to dine solo or have a Sex & The City-type standing date for breakfast with the girls, here are the best places in Atlanta to get your morning breakfast fix.

White House Diner

If you are looking for an old Atlanta institution to get your day started, White House Diner is your best bet. The walls are covered with Presidential photos and memorabilia, and most importantly the menu has just about everything you could possibly crave for an All American breakfast.  While it may not look all that great inside, established Atlanta business men and politicos have been doing their deals here for years.

White House Diner is located at 3172 Peachtree Rd. 404.237.76.01

 The Highland Bakery

Highland Bakeryis worth the wait….in line that is.  What started as a bakery has morphed into a favorite breakfast and lunch spot for people all over Atlanta. With everything, including the bread, made fresh daily, there is really no way to go wrong with your menu choice.  Favorite dishes on the menu include Peanut Butter French Toast, Sweet Potato Pancakes (pictured above) and Crab Benedict. Make sure to grab some of their freshly baked muffins, scones and cinnamon roles on your way out. For those who are turned off by the long lines, you are in luck because they just opened a second location in Midtown.

The Highland Bakery is located at 655 Highland Ave #10 404.586.0772

 The Silver Skillet

Another Atlanta institution, The Silver Skillet is the home to true Southern cooking. This spot is famous among the nation and has had its share of celebrity customers (like Katie Couric pictured above).  Get your Southern fix with the world-famous country ham and redeye gravy. This specialty is made with a secret recipe but has been a favorite since they opened in 1956.  So bring out that Southern drawl and enjoy Atlanta breakfast at this diner, or even better, at the famous counter. And don’t forget to try the coveted biscuits.

The Silver Skillet is located at 200 14^th Street 404.874.1388

Goldberg’s Deli

Atlanta’s best New York-style Jewish breakfast in Atlanta is Goldberg’s Deli.With a few locations around Atlanta, I personally like the one on Roswell Road for its dine in or take out options. The extensive menu has all the traditional fair courtesy of your jewish grandma, including Potato Latkes, Cheese Blintzes and Matzah Brie.  But along with those, you can order a fresh New-York Style bagel served with just about anything, including schmears of cream cheese, scrambled eggs and a customer favorite: lox. And because of its loyal clientele, you are guaranteed to see at least three people you know. 

Goldberg’s Deli is located at 4373 Roswell Rd NE 404.252. 1114. For other locations, make sure to visit their website.  

J. Christopher’s

Although there a number of these breakfast spots scattered throughout Atlanta, I am partial to the Midtown location of J. Chritopher’s for breakfast. Once you become a regular at this spot, it is hard to choose anywhere else for your breakfast feast. From the traditional menu and seasonal specials to the best servers in town, you will find yourself here in the mornings whether you or not you have a partner in crime. The fun and friendly atmosphere gives customers a bright start to their day. Menu highlights include the Blueberry Crunchcakes and Strawberry Waffles (pictured above).  Another all-time favorite is “Eggs Christopher”, two poached eggs nestled on a bed of smoked turkey, crispy bacon and sliced tomato atop an English muffin with hollandaise sauce and served with fresh fruit and oven-roasted potatoes. For those who watch their waist lines, you can choose something from the “Lighter Side” portion of the menu.

J. Christopher’s Midtown is located at 950 W. Peachtree St. 404.917.1790. Visit their website for other locations.

This remarkable 2 story palatial estate offers over 14,000 SF & is set on exclusive & guarded Palm Island halfway between the business center of downtown Miami & the pleasure center of South Beach. This 60,000 SF property hosts 4 separate buildings, 200 ft. of bay frontage, downtown views along with a private dock & lift. Embraced by tropical plantings, this nearly 2-acre lot is enveloped in seclusion. This exclusive and impressive villa boasts 6BR/7.5BA main residence, a separate 2BR/2BA, kitchen & living room staff or guest quarter above the 3 car garage. A separate 1BR/1BA house to be used as a message/spa area. The pool house is an entertaining space with an onyx bar, his/her baths, steam shower, 2 entertaining areas & a fully equipped gym.

Offered @ $20,000,000

Contact The Jills @ 305.341.7447 or info@thejills.com. Or visit www.thejills.com.

Life’s simple pleasures often stop short in the city of Boston. Puritanical values continue to reign in the form of Massachusetts’ egregious Blue Laws, which tend to end the party before it even starts. Those seeking a slice of hedonistic relief – and a finely rolled Romeo y Julieta – will find just that at Cigar Masters.

Owned and operated by the Salomon family since 1996, Cigar Masters is a cut above your average cigar bar, and is one of the few places patrons can legally enjoy cigars in the city. Rich leather, wood and drapery accents abound in its dimly lit Boylston Street location (their sister spots are in Providence and Worcester, respectively), set off by the venue’s crown jewel: a cavernous, on-site humidor, attended to by a staff of cigar aficionados and offering a vast variety of rare cigars for sale.

Those who wish to enhance their Cigar Masters’ experience may elect to enroll in the company’s VIP membership program, which not only allows guests store their personal cigar inventory in private cedar lockers within the humidor, but also keeps guests privy to services such as personal shopping for hard-to-access cigars and supplies, custom labeling for their cigars and boxes, and instant access to the venue’s VIP room and reserved seating.

Sink into the sumptuous sanctity of a leather sofa, please your palette with a pour of a fine port, and enjoy the ambiance: Cigar Masters is the perfect place for the discerning to enjoy a cigar and good conversation alike.

Cigar Masters is located at 745 Boylston Street, Boston, 617.266.4400

Extraordinary 42+/- acre gentleman’s farm by noted designer/builder Jeffrey Colle with imposing, newly constructed 7-bedroom manor home blending premiere custom craftsmanship with the finest rare materials, finishes and details. From stone fireplaces collected from French castles and country estates to hand-carved marble and limestone bathtubs to wide plank antique black walnut floors and doors, every aspect of this magnificent, one-of-a-kind residence has been superbly executed with thoughtful detail to produce one of the Hamptons’ finest estates. Adjoining 184+/- acres of reserve that offer protected views of farmland and natural beauty, this estate also features an over-sized gunite pool with separate pool house, and a barn suitable for horses.

Offered @ $34,950,000

Contact Beate Moore @ 631.537.6000 or Beate.Moore@sothebyshomes.com. Or visit  www.sothebyshomes.com.

As Dubai gets ready for Ramadan we are looking for ways to give back. If you have a few fashionable items which you don’t need anymore then you donate them to Fashionation. The private online fashion club will then find a new owner for your luxury goodies and all the proceeds will go to the Al Noor Training Center for Children with Special Needs.

This is a fabulous way to exchange unwanted items to make room for new stylish pieces and at the same time do good!

Here is what you need to do:

1) Group together your unwanted clothes

2) Take a picture of yourself wearing the clothes as an outfit and then a picture of each individual piece against a white background.

3) Suggest a price in US Dollars for each piece

4) Send an email with all pictures, prices, size and your name to info@fashionation.me with “Fashion Loves Charity” in the subject line.

5) Fashionation will then collect your fashion goodies.

Have fun with this project and delight in the fact that the proceeds will finance all operational expenses for children at the Al Noor Training Center for Children with Special Needs. Get ready to do to a fashionable and charitable exchange!

Majid Al Futtaim properties, owner and developer of Mall of the Emirates, has recently announced that come September the mall will open a Fashion Dome. The new space will house around 40 luxury stores and sophisticated food and beverage shops. The dome will be situated in a wing encompassing an Italian style piazza complete with a two-story hand-carved fountain in the center. Shopaholics get ready because this new lay-out will glamorize your shopping experience.

Inside the new 10,500 square foot fashion wing you will discover greatly cherished fashion brands including Christian Louboutin, Cartier, Canali, Boutique 1, Paul Smith, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Galliano, Versace, See by Chloe, Bottega Veneta, Missioni, Diane von Furstenberg, Sephora as well as the largest Dolce e Gabbana store in the region. Already established stores within the mall, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Gucci  will expand to larger premises inside the new Fashion Dome.

Now we know why we’ve had such difficulty accessing Mall of the Emirates over the last few weeks. As excited as we are for such an exciting and luxurious fashion haven, we can’t help but compare it to Dubai Mall’s prestigious Fashion Avenue. Surely, both will serve as zen points for the luxury shopper but the new Dome seems to offer as well a new place for extravagant socializing something the Italians do so graciously within the Piazza.

Top Spots for Breakfast in Honolulu

In Hawaii we are very early risers. Often we are up at the crack of sunlight to get that pre-work surf when the waves are right. Or some prefer to hit 18 holes before the hot Hawaii sun starts to blaze. Either way we are hungry and looking to tuck into a savory breakfast Hawaiian Style!

Big City Diner - Original Location - 3565 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu * Phone 808.738.8855 * visit website for all locations

The Very Popular Big City Diner Fried Rice

Big City Diner is Hawaii’s closet thing to a real diner in terms of atmosphere but in terms of food – let’s call it local style dishes meets gourmet diner cuisine. Big City Diner has grown over the years and now has four locations on Oahu. One of the reasons it is very popular with residents is the amazing service and wait staff that make you feel like you are eating at Mom’s kitchen. Owner Lane T. Muraoka has put his many years of experience working for some of Honolulu’s top restaurants into good practice as he creates some very clever items. They add a Hawaiian twist to many dishes like roasted Macadamia nut pancakes with Haupia crème sauce and turn it into a gourmet breakfast experience. Having a full bar at each location can also enhance the breakfast which may be why they say – there is no diner finer than Big City Diner. While this is a top breakfast spot, Big City is also open for lunch, dinner and for that late night snack. www.bigcitydinerhawaii.com

Vida Food for Life - 2933 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu

If you are looking for a lighter start to your day, Vida Food for Life offers healthy fare. Located right by the ocean, this casual spot is popular for people fitting in a quick run or surf before work and looking for something to go. Chef Norman makes all his items with care and the Acai’ Bowl with Spirulina, granola and fruit is a great way to start your day.

Coffee Talk - 3601 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu * Phone 808.737.7444

Another place that offers fresh nibbles and amazing coffee is Coffee Talk. A neighborhood establishment long before Starbucks got it’s hold on the islands, this landmark is a relaxed and often displays art featuring local artists. Owner Liz Schwartz and her team are always smiling as they take your order. Coffee Talk is a fantastic spot to read the paper, meet a friend for a hot morning beverage and enjoy one of their freshly made bakery creations.

Duke's Restaurant & Barefoot Bar - 2335 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu * Phone 808.922.2268

If you are looking for place to start the day with a beautiful ocean view, head to Duke’s Restaurant and Barefoot Bar. Many people are not aware that Duke’s offers a great breakfast-brunch buffet from 7 – 10:30 a.m. so close to the water it could touch your toes! This is an ideal place when you have people on many different time zones as the menu items are very diverse and Duke’s has a full bar. They also validate parking and is a fantastic jumping off spot to explore Honolulu. www.dukeswikiki.com

Town Restaurant - 3535 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu * Phone 808.735.5900

Rounding out the top five picks is – Town Restaurant located in the hip neighborhood of Kaimuki. Executive Chefs Ed Kenney and David Caldiero have expanded service within the past few years to include breakfast. Their cuisine motto is to keep it “local first, organic whenever possible and always served with aloha”. That means they create daily specials around what the best local products are in season. Town is a self-proclaimed unpretentious neighborhood bistro that offers outstanding dishes that are sure to please even the most jaded of palates. Town is a fabulous place to enjoy breakfast on the outside patio that is dog friendly. www.townkaimuki.com