We were honored to be among the guests this week celebrating the life of the legendary restaurant critic Gael Greene. Kimberly Akimbo just opened on Broadway and Valerie Smaldone calls it “utterly refreshing, unique and quirky musical.” NYC Winter Outing starts January 17^, with tons of discounts!  Gabrielle Carlson is having an incredible blow out sale this month. Treat yourself to a luxurious facial at the Immunocologie pop up store. Our roving photographer says there is a must-see experience at the Louis Vuitton flag ship store. Head to the West Village and experience Switzerland. We love winter in NYC!

Hats Off to Gael Greene

The Three Tomatoes mother & daughter duo, Cheryl Benton & Roni Jenkins

We gathered this week with family, friends, and colleagues to honor the life and legacy of renowned writer and restaurant critic Gael Greene, founder of City Meals on Wheels and devoted New Yorker.

This beautiful, poignant and touching tribute took place at Boulud Sud with host Daniel Boulud who is a long-time supporter of City Meals on Wheels. Gael’s favorite foods were served, including bite sized meat loaf and mac ‘n cheese, and other incredibly delicious bites. The speakers were wonderful but the most touching moment was at the end of those remembering Gael, when 10 of New York City’s most celebrated chefs stood side by side at the podium for toast, by Chef’s Larry Forgione and Jonathan Waxman. In addition to Daniel Boulud, other chefs included David Burke, Jacques Torres to honor her.

Her lasting legacy is Citymeals on Wheels which she founded In 1981, when she learned that some of the city’s oldest and neediest residents weren’t receiving meal deliveries on weekends and holidays — once then the organization has delivered over 65 million meals. It has a very deserving organization to donate to and you’ll be helping our city’s vulnerable elderly.

Roni Jenkins and I had the honor of knowing Gael. She was a long contributor to our website, and we have did a couple of events featuring here. You can read our tribute we wrote shortly after death this past November.

Gael Greene, you were one of heck of a broad, and you will be deeply missed.

This is exciting. NYC Winter Outing now combines prix-fixe NYC Restaurant Week menus at nearly 500 restaurants; 2-for-1 tickets to 22 NYC Broadway Week shows; and 2-for-1 tickets at more than 40 museums, attractions, tours and performing arts for NYC Must-See Week. Also a part of Winter Outing, NYC Hotel Week is currently underway with 23% off standard retail rates at more than 140 hotels through February 12. Reservations for all programs are bookable at nycgo.com/winterouting.

If you’ve got the winter doldrums, designer Gabrielle Carlson’s January sale is the perfect cure. Get 30, 40 and 50% off including on special orders. Sale starts January 19th thru January 22nd. 1034A Lexingon @ 73/74.  gabriellecarlson.com

Experience the Immunocologie Signature Crystal Energy Facial

Our friend Karen Ballou, founder of Immunocologie a wonderful line of healthy and luxurious skincare products invites to Tomatoes to their NYC Spa Pop-Up at Knosis Wellness clinic.  Enjoy a complete mind, body, and soul experience connecting Immunocologie’s cellular science and supercharged performing ingredients.  Brings back hydration, vibrance and health to the skin.

Mondays and Tuesdays from 9am to 6pm until January 31st.

IMMUNOCOLOGIE @ KNOSIS WELLNESS | 7 W 22nd St. 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010

Book your appointment at:  VAGARO.COM/immunocologie

Louis Vuitton & Yayoi Kusama

Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens reports:

Louis Vuitton has an extensive history of collaborating with artists. In the new collection the luxury fashion house has worked with the treasured Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. This is the second large scale project with Kusama and includes leather goods, clothing and jewelry using the artist’s signature motifs: painted dots, infinity dots, metal dots and psychedelic flowers lavishly embellishing Louis Vuitton’s iconic pieces.

A visit to the New York flagship store on Fifth Avenue is a must see experience. An eerily lifelike animatronic figure “stands” in the window painting her dots on the  glass. It is absolutely mesmerizing and looks particularly real when seen in videos on social media. Inside the beautiful store which has been transformed into a unique and uplifting art installation, one becomes immersed in the display as if one in standing inside a Kusama infinity or obliteration room.

Please treat yourself and experience this inspiring collision of art and luxury fashion.

Nicole is the author of The Long Pause and the Short Breath. Follow her on Instagram@nfrconsult

A Swiss Wine and Culinary Embassy In The Heart Of NYC

Looking for unique wine bar? You’ll find it The Lavaux wine bar that features culinary delights from Switzerland, like fondues, and Swiss wines. And the fun part? You book their gondola for wine and dining experience and viola, you’re in the Alps.

Founded by three Swiss people from the Lavaux region located in the heart of Switzerland’s French-speaking region, they are devoted to sharing their love of Switzerland’s culinary and wine traditions with New Yorkers!  MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS.