Kitchen Arts & Letters New York is rich with gorgeous little independent bookstores, but this is the best place for cookbooks and other food- related books (you can even find some autographed copies). I can spend hours in their small shop without ever getting bored. If you can't get to NYC, you can order online—or call or email—and they'll ship right to your door.

I’ve always been drawn to the Gramercy Park area [the park is one of only two private parks in NYC], because there are many great restaurants there.

Family vacation Italy. We went to the Amalfi coast—ate well, drank well, and played a lot of backgammon.

I loved Bali for many of the same reasons. You've got wonderful food, abundant local culture, natural beauty, a little bit of great nightlife. There's something for everyone.