If you are a cocktail lover, then this post is totally for you! I attended a tasting in the city for a really cool vodka company called Our/Vodka that will be launching in New York in 2016. 

The concept is really interesting too. Our/Vodka is a global brand that has gone local with partners in select cities around the world. Here's where it gets even cooler too.. While there is a global recipe, each location sources local ingredients creating a unique product that brings out the character of each city. Neat right!? Our/Vodka has already opened distilleries in Berlin, Amsterdam, Detroit and Seattle and will be adding New York next year in Chelsea. Another cool fact? It is going to be the first legal distillery in Manhattan since prohibition, yes really!

The event took place downstairs at a neat location in Nolita, which set the tone for the brand. It was an intimate event, which was great because it really gave you the opportunity to get to know the product.

To be completely honest, generally when I'm drinking vodka I'm drinking it in cocktails and not straight so it was interesting to go through the tasting. We started with a blind test of a competitor premium vodka. The first taste wasn't too surprising.. tasted just like your traditional vodka with the predictable bite. From there we tasted the Detroit version of Our/Vodka, which you could immediately tell a difference from the first brand. It proved to be much smoother with less bite and more flavor notes. Next up was the Seattle version, which was similar but there was definitely a distinct difference in the flavor notes from the Our/Vodka Detroit. While similar, it was cool to taste first hand of how the different local ingredients affected the flavor palette and even the alcohol content.

After the tasting, it was time to taste the product in a more familiar manner.. cocktails! They had 3 carefully chosen cocktail options that were created our of fresh juices and flavors to complement each city's vodka. Of course I had to go with the Seattle one, which highlighted rhubarb. 

Something that really came across during the event is that Our/Vodka has been very well-thought-out. This isn't just another spirit brand to come to market. They really seem to have put in the time to partner with the right people, and choose quality ingredients to create a truly different product with a story that has depth, which I found very appealing.

It was a really nice event and I'm glad I was invited to check it out! Definitely stay tuned for their 2016 New York launch. All of my fam and friends in Washington can check out their Seattle location too! Talk about cross-country connection ;-) Cheers to that!

Did I just eat Short Rib and Bone Marrow Agnolotti at the Village Idiot? Or, did I long ago drink $5 pitchers of Miller Lite while signing along to Waylon Jennings songs at Scarpetta?  The answer to both questions is sort of, yes.

I started this column to tell the story of how I discovered some of my favorite New York City foods and what led me to try them for the first time.  I learned about Scarpetta in the most uninteresting way possible.  I saw it on the Food Network.  Not that there is anything wrong with the Food Network.  I've half watched enough Diners Drive Ins and Dives marathons to make my eyes bleed.

After watching Chef Scott Conant demonstrate for Ted Allen on “Best Thing I Ever Ate” how he makes his famous spaghetti I was sold.  I knew Scarpetta was a restaurant that I would soon need to try.

As I waited for my girlfriend outside the building at 355 W 14th it became readily apparent to me that Scarpetta occupies that same space that once housed a great dive bar called the Village Idiot.  In late 1990s and early 2000s I witnessed/participated in countless drunken fights and sloppy hookups at the rowdy tavern where patrons drank straight from their own pitcher. Who needs a glass when the whole pitcher is only 5 bucks?

At the Village Idiot broke college kids, grizzled bikers, and Wall Street bankers all drank the same piss and played the same Johnny Cash songs from the jukebox. Completely pretense free dives like the Idiot are a dying breed in New York City.  One is not going stay on business on a prime corner of the Meat Packing district in 2015 when your main product is under-priced domestic beer.

Once inside I was able to ignore the ghosts of past savagery long enough to enjoy a terrific meal.  The basket of bread included two slices of excellent stromboli, one with meat, one vegetarian. The olive oil and marzipan whipped butter that were provided for dipping both were delicious.

We ordered two pasta dishes to share, the above mentioned agnolotti and spaghetti that is Ted Allen's favorite.  I don't believe I'd ever previously had a pasta that was stuffed with beef short rib and bone marrow.  The delicate house made noodle, similar to a mini ravioli, was dressed with garlic chips and horseradish.  It was a really inventive and tasty plate.

The much hyped spaghetti did not disappoint.  It seemed as if it was the chef's intent to take a simple and classic dish and elevate it through the use of great ingredients cooked perfectly.

We finished the meal with a fabulous dessert called Limoncello Semifreddo. The pistachio cake, macerated berries, and blackberry basil sorbet all worked together in sweet harmony.  Overall it was a great meal and night in lower Manhattan. Though I truly miss my wild nights at the Village Idiot, I'm glad that Chef Scott Conant is doing noble work in the space.       

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Chris Sandstrom - Is a graduate of Columbia University and the author of the debut novel, "Reality TV and Hookers" a satire on the reality TV industry. You can keep up with Chris on Twitter at @ChrisSandstrom8.

Finding Food in NYC Is a series highlighting how Chris discovered some of his favorite food spots in New York City.

Raise your hand if you're a fan of Warby Parker! I can already see a lot of hands up out there! If you've had any experience with the brand you know that they're seriously awesome. Not only are they known to have super cute frames, but people also love them for their Home Try-On program that let's you have frames shipped to your home to try our for 5 days for free! Another reason people love them? They're seriously loyal to their customers and take customer service serious! I mean have you seen their social media accounts!? They kill it! And working in social I like to think I know a thing or two about that ;-)

While I've always admired the brand, this was actually my first experience with them directly so I was pretty excited when I connected with their team about their #FallSyllabus campaign. My friends have been singing Warby Parker's praises for years, but since I don't wear glasses I've never really had a direct experience with their products -- which btw if you didn't already know they also sell sunglasses no prescription necessary! 

To celebrate Warby Parker's Fall 2015 line I got out and about in some of their frames for my #FallSyllabus photo shoot to celebrate some of my favorite parts of the season! 

Reilly in Marzipan Tortoise :: starts at $95

Ellison in Whisky Tortoise :: starts at $145

Banks in Sea Smoke Tortoise :: starts at $95

Fall has always been my favorite season in NYC. The weather is just perfect.. Boots are back in season and hellooo fall colors!  Here's a look at some of my favorite things about fall.

Pumpkins

After a long spring and summer, fall marks the first part of the year where we can start decorating again, which I clearly love! As soon as October hits you can count on seeing pumpkins placed upon people's stoops and in their windows and I just love it! In case you missed my post last week too I have a seriously fun DIY pumpkin project for you. Yay pumpkins!

Time at the Park

I'm really lucky to live half a block from one park and only a short walk to Central Park so I really enjoy spending a lot of time at the park in the fall. I love watching the colors of the leaves change and now that the weather is more bearable Scooter enjoys having extended walks!

Hats

I haven't always been a hat kind of girl, but I really can't get enough of them this fall! Felt hats, knit hats, straw hats.. count me in for all of the above! So perfect for the city! 

Fall Flowers

One of my favorite parts about living in the city is that there are flowers on almost every block. Bonus, they're surprisingly pretty affordable here which might surprise you..  $12 for two dozen roses?! Oh yes! I always look forward to fall's sunflowers being they're something a little different than my normal selection and they always brighten up my space (because it's not bright enough ;-))

And there you have it! Some of my favorite things about fall! I had so much fun taking these Warby Parker styles for a spin and I really fell in love with the Reilly in Marzipan Tortoise pair! To find out more about any of the styles I tried out or to check out some of the other selections that Warby Parker offers make sure to check out their website!

**Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this review. I partnered with the Warby Parker team to be apart of their #FallSyllabus campaign and used their Home Try-On program to try the frames for my post. This post and all opinions stated are based on my own ideas and honest experience with the products.