By Julie Anne Russell

The scent of freshly baked pastry floats on the air nearly a block away from the Beard Papa shop, where a window full of cream puff shells entices passersby. Inside the narrow store, a smiling bakery worker quickly fills a pastry shell with a burst of custard cream, sprinkles a bit of powdered sugar on top and voila, the cream puff is ready.

Restaurant serves their eggs scrambled and turn customers’ hangovers sunny-side-up.

By Jonathan Ages

If New Year’s Eve leaves you feeling more than a little hung over, turn to one of the many restaurants that will be serving help in the form of protein and carbs.

New York Retailers Keep Wary Eye On Grinches

By Nola Weinstein
Steiff bears, Star Wars figurines, PlayStation 3s—these are the hot items among toy store thieves this season. And, according to industry experts, they are not stolen by poor parents who want to place toys under the Christmas tree. Instead, most items are stolen by petty shoplifters looking to fence them to other toy sellers or peddle them on the street themselves.

By Diana Rosenthal
As joyous as the holidays are, the season is often stressful. Spend your late December recovering from the shopping, cooking and celebrating at one of these spas.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, Japan

By Sylvie Bigar

As wintry winds blow into town, the city’s chefs are launching their winter menus.

At DB Bistro Moderne on West 44th Street, Chef Olivier Muller often looks back to his Alsatian roots for winter dishes such as the “Sunday in Alsace” menu. When you think of winter, fish does not spring to mind but Muller cooks a hearty roasted Atlantic cod he makes into a brandade and bakes in the oven. To celebrate the season, he also offers a creative chestnut orecchiette dish with venison ragout and wild mushrooms. But if you enjoy pig’s feet, the stuffed pig’s trotter is a must. Not to worry, the dish does not come with a Manolo, the meat is ground and caramelized, and served with black truffle jus.

By Lora Kolodny and Amanda Hannigan
New York City is the cultural capitol of the United States if not the universe. What’s upholding that status this winter is a bevy of heavy-hitting exhibitions, long awaited performances, and mind-bending experimental sounds. From the Upper West Side to Alphabet City, this guide highlights the finest winter arts and entertainment.

By Caroline Slaughter

If Charlottesville was a person, a doctor might diagnose it as bipolar. On one hand, it’s a college town hosting the party-loving University of Virginia. But it also has a more conservative side with polo matches and classic architecture. This split personality makes it a good travel destination for those who can’t decide whether they want nightlife or culture.

By Lee Cabot Walker

Most Americans would agree that cookies are to Christmas as hydrogen is to water: essential. But what cookbook do you need? Whether you’re hosting a cookie swap and insist that your cookies be the best, or your mother-in-law is hosting a cookie swap and you must attend (and yes, with cookies), here are some cookbooks that may fit your needs.

By Dana Lerner

It’s Tuesday night on the Upper West Side and seven young Jewish women have left their briefcases and Blackberries behind and are elbows deep in flour, mixing, kneading and braiding.

By Sylvie Bigar and Pauline M. Millard

If spending a week cooking for Thanksgiving doesn’t appeal here are some of the best places in the city to eat out.

1.) Café Gray
10 Columbus Circle