world’s hottest rooftop restaurants

In May I was assigned to travel to Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn to shoot Alma Restaurant for Travel + Leisure’s online package featuring the World’s Hottest Rooftop Restaurants.

Even though I didn’t get the opportunity to dine at Alma, it is definitely on my New York City bucket list. I met with one of the co-owners during the afternoon, who was extremely nice and opened up the restaurant early so I could shoot. With a background that almost looks fake from the cozy comfort that the owners have built from scratch, Alma definitely looks like it would be up my ally. The pollo fajitas and cucumber margaritas don’t seem to hurt either. Below are a few more sneak peaks from the shoot that didn’t make it to TravelandLeisure.com:

The roof is covered, so whether sun or rain Alma is open for business.

Busting the roof open early for the T+L shoot.

Update July 19th:

I finally visited Alma! Had a beautiful birthday dinner there with a fresh watermelon margarita and Poblano Relleno con Picadillo de Puerco. I also discovered that the image I took for Travel + Leisure’s feature on them is the main image on Alma’s press page on their website:

america’s best comfort foods

In January, Travel + Leisure pitched a new slideshow that was perfect for the cold and dreary winter months — America’s Best Comfort Foods. I culled all of the art for the feature, which ranged from Fried Chicken with Waffles in Maryland to Chili in Seattle to Mac ‘n Cheese in Detroit. However one of the best comfort foods is also home to New York City, so I headed down to Jacques Torres on Hudson Street near SoHo to snap a few images of their perfect (and still warm) Chocolate Chip Cookies. After admiring and photographing the gooey cookies stacked into columns larger than my head, I did get to take one back with me after the shoot. And I must say, it did make me feel like I was right at home. Below are two more images of Jacques Torres’ specialty:

one if by land, two if by sea

My latest assignment for Travel + Leisure was a shoot at the Manhattan restaurant One if by Land, Two if by Sea on Barrow Street. The second I walked in the door I was greeted with a warm and gorgeous interior, and I instantly realized why it was being featured in the America’s Most Romantic Restaurants package.

Here are a few more shots:

the buff: serving boulder’s best breakfast

On a recent trip to Boulder, a local friend asked that all-important brunch question: Was I was looking for local, light dishes—or a more traditional hearty breakfast? I chose the latter and ended up having a delicious (if indulgent) meal.

Dorsey and I enjoying the exact same meal. It was that good.

The Buff is a cozy space on 28th Street, with booths ready to house the weekend crowd and accommodating servers happy to swap out side dishes. The menu is sprawling: gooey pecan caramel quesadillas, a variety of homestead skillets, and the famed Saddlebags (pancakes stuffed with diced meat and topped with two eggs—seriously). The Two Step (blueberry griddle cakes, eggs, potatoes, and bacon, shown above) is perfect for those mornings when a big breakfast is essential to bouncing back from the night before. Or, you can always go the traditional route with the eggs benedict. For 99¢, add a Bloody Mary or Mimosa to your entrée.

Originally known as the Golden Buff Grill, the Buff was purchased by the current owners, Christopher Meyer and Jacquelyn Sproul, in 1995. Ever since, they’ve been dishing out stellar meals, many of which include gluten-free options. Their philosophy is based on a “genuine desire to please the people who walk in the door” and revolves around fresh produce, a hot grill, and a welcoming atmosphere.

They may serve more than just bacon, eggs, and pancakes, but there’s one indication that breakfast is the Buff’s true passion: this joint is only open until 2 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Andie Diemer is an online photo assistant at Travel + Leisure.