Chocolatey Goodness

The Chocolate Show melts the hearts of New Yorkers with a luscious fashion show where all of the models are dressed in mouthwatering chocolate. Includes interviews with models and designers as well as a peek at the delicacies on offer.

Back Room Dealings

Lower East Side speakeasy The Back Room was the aptly chosen locale for an intense cocktail competition last evening, sponsored by New Amsterdam Gin. Gathering eight of the industry's best-known bloggers and web entrepreneurs (including New York Insider's own Thomas Farley), New Amsterdam challenged the contestants to create a gin cocktail with a New York backstory and ingredients to match--all in under ten minutes. Presided by master mixologist Alex Ott, the night's quick proceedings resulted in a varied and delicious group of cocktails, with ingredients from cayenne pepper to elderflower.

The entries (and recipes) follow ...

Green Market Smash (WINNING ENTRY)

1 ½ oz New Amsterdam Gin

½ oz liquified honey

½ oz elderflower liquer

6-8 basil leaves

1 oz orange juice

½ oz cranberry juice

Created by Selena Ricks, The Dizzy Fizz

The GINtrification

2 ½ oz New Amsterdam Gin

2 slices cucumber

2 wedges lemon

½ barspoon liquified honey

½ oz Elderflower liquer

2 dashes celery bitters

2 dashes rose water

1 oz orange juice

Created by Carmen Operetta, Libation Diaries

The Flight Delay

1 ½ oz New Amsterdam Gin

1 oz lemon juice

1 oz orange juice

¾ oz cherry juice

Splash of Crème de Violette

Created by Christa Vagnozzi, Martini Talk

Sweet Scoundrel

New Amsterdam Gin

Liquified honey

Cinnamon

Elderflower liquer

Orange juice

Splash of soda water

Created by Christopher Koulouris, Scallywag & Vagabond

Tropical Skyline

New Amsterdam Gin

Pineapple Juice

Lime juice

Elderflower liquer

Ground ginger

Lime garnish

Created by Yvonne Lee, Socially Superlative

Spicy Elixir

New Amsterdam Gin

Pineapple juice

Cayenne pepper

Ground nutmeg

Grape juice

Tonic water

Liquified honey

Created by Laura Lee, Socially Superlative

 “238”

1 ½ oz New Amsterdam Gin

¾ oz white cranberry juice

¾ oz seltzer

¾ tsp liquified honey

Pinch lavender sugar

Created by Erin Howard, YAY! DIY

The Pick-Up Artist

2 oz New Amsterdam Gin

3 oz orange juice

Dash cayenne pepper

Dash ground ginger

Created by Thomas Farley, New York Insider TV

We highly recommend you try these at home!

For photos of the cocktail creations and the party and judging in progress, click here.

Smile, You're on SNL!

Fans of the late-night comedy show, which is celebrating its 35th season this year, have had a lot to enjoy of late. This past weekend was Betty White's universally applauded guest host appearance (prompted by a grassroots Facebook campaign, which succeeded in making her the show's oldest host ever). Then last night, an exhibit of the star portraits used during commercial cut-aways was unveiled at the John Varvatos store on the Bowery.

Taken by photographer Mary Ellen Matthews, who has been with the show for a decade, the images capture more than just likenesses....they ooze whimsy, almost always in hyper-saturated colors. Tina Fey as a Robert Palmer back-up girl. Will Ferrell peeking through a thicket of daisies. Alec Baldwin channeling Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. These photos are no mere snapshots. They are gorgeous pop art, a fact made clear when viewed close-up and in a frame rather than as pixels on a TV set.

And thus, a delightful selection of these images is now on view at John Varvatos, the former home of CBGB. Among the SNL SNL stars who turned up to salute Matthews at last night's opening included Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis and Fred Armisen.

The exhibit runs through August 3, so you'll have plenty of time to catch it before the next season of SNL starts. In the meantime, don't forget to check out the season finale this Saturday, which will star guest host Alec Baldwin. For more pix from the party, click here.