NEW YORK - The Smith Restaurant and Birthday Surprise!I was recently heading to The Smith Restaurant at 55 Third Avenue to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday. On the way, I recalled that nearby was The Fragrance Shop New York. I texted my girlfriend and suggested that she meet me at 66 East 4th Street before she met me for lunch because I had an additional birthday special surprise for her! Fragrance Shop New York. Courtesy fragranceshopnewyork.comHere is where we met at noon. Frangrance Shop New York. Courtesy fragranceshopnewyork.com A sidewalk sign at the Fragrance Shop New York in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora VernikoffWe arrived and decided to craft our perfume scents!Here are some steps of the process:First, we needed to sample the possible scents and keep track on a pad of paper. As we completed this process, we used coffee beans to refresh our scents. Scent Samples at the Fragrance Shop New York in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora Vernikoff Coffee beans to refresh the palate at the Fragrance Shop New York in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora VernikoffAfter sampling interesting scents, we gave our lists to the gal behind the calendar. She then blended the scents we had selected using the chart below “to create a perfume.” We tested the final blends on white narrow strips to approve them. Signature Scent Blending Pyramid at the Fragrance Shop New York in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora Vernikoff Customized scent testing at the Fragrance Shop New York in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora VernikoffNext, our customized scents were blended in liquid form, and voila!, we designed personalized perfumes! I named mine Sora by Sora and my girlfriend named hers Sassy Sophisticate by Sonia.It was a wonderful experience examining scents of all prices and mixes. I recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting experience and/or to present to a friend or family member as a birthday gift.Now it’s off to The Smith. Entrance to The Smith Restaurant in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora Vernikoff Friends are ready for lunch at The Smith Restaurant in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora Vernikoff A view of outdoor seating at The Smith Restaurant in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora Vernikoff Bar seating at The Smith Restaurant in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora Vernikoff Indoor seating at The Smith Restaurant in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora VernikoffWhat to order on such a prodigious occasion?I kept it simple as I desired light lunch fare.The Grilled Chicken with burrata, tomato jam, basil aioli and toasted ciabatta were perfect. Of course, as I usually do to blend my own concoctions, I asked for additions and sauces served on the side! Grilled Chicken with burrata, tomato jam, basil aioli, and toasted ciabatta at The Smith Restaurant in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora Vernikoff Sauces on the side at The Smith Restaurant in New York's East Village. Photo by Sora VernikoffThe meal was fabulous, and I highly recommend lunch or dinner at The Smith!Overall, The Smith and The Fragrance Shop New York were perfect for celebrating a birthday or spending an afternoon with friends or family!The Fragrance Shop New York5 E 4th StreetNew York, NY 10003(212) 254-8950fragranceshopnewyork.comThe Smith Restaurant956 2nd AvenueNew York, NY 10022Closes 11 PM · More hours(212) 644-2700Menu: thesmithrestaurant.comReservations: thesmithrestaurant.com, opentable.comReaders may also enjoy our reviews of Pasta Bar in SOHO, Laser Wolf in Brooklyn, Mother’s Day at Blackbarn, Rosemary’s, Gene’s Italian Restaurant, Le Rivage on Restaurant Row, Dowling’s at the Carlyle, and Ethos Greek Restaurant.https://youtu.be/C1ZL5AxmK_A?si=_MTZNVzM7cTs321G
