New Yorker and star of The Tamron Hall Show, now in its sixth season, Tamron Hall is one of those mythical Manhattan beings that looks flawless all day, every day. She's always busy, though, especially now with a brand-new book, A Confident Cook, co-authored with Lish Steiling. "The cookbook came to me as a way to send love to my father who passed away in 2008," explains Hall. "I was a causal cook, but never confident. My dad loved the whole experience from start to table." The results of Hall and Steiling's efforts are recipes meant to inspire and build confidence in the kitchen.
For the Texas native, barbecue and grilling were her first foray into gastronomy. "My favorite food memory surrounds my visits to the meat department where my grandfather was a pit master," shares Hall. "It was a small grocery store in the tiny town where I was born [and] it's long gone, but the memories and smell of the smoker linger in my mind and heart." To that end, Hall and Steiling have made cooking fun with recipes like a pan-seared ribeye for two with lemon and love, the triple B—that's burger, butter, and brioche—and even breakfast with tasty pairings like baked French toast with sparkling berries.
However, A Confident Cook extends the culinary repertoire beyond the kitchen and into the bar. "My favorite drink is the Wisconsin Meets Texas Grasshopper," says Hall. "It's a mix of all the things we both love and a nod to our roots. Mine is of course Texas, so that's why we used Blue Bell ice cream." The drink is both visual poetry and a tastebud touchdown easy to please everyone as the ideal post-meal digestif. And for Hall, it's about equipping everyone with the ability to be the consummate host or hostess. "While [my dad] enjoyed his own cooking, his true love was watching us devour his creations," adds Hall. "I wanted to honor his love and create this new journey for myself." And she's done this with delicious results.
What is the perfect spot for a date night?
The Dining Room at the RH Guesthouse is one of our favorite date night spots. It is such an alluring and sophisticated experience that never disappoints.
What is the perfect spot for a solo night?
From a perfect solo experience, my go-to for years has been Casa Mono. A seat at the chef’s table along with the awe-inspiring menu and divine wine list counts as self-care for me any day.
What’s the ideal family friendly spot?
Marks off Madison is the perfect family spot. We are there almost every week for lunch or dinner. My son loves it, and Mark is always there – it’s so classic NYC.
What's the best place to be seen?
Best place to be seen is Polo Bar
What's the best place to hide?
Best place to hide is the Lower East Side or East Village. People there are too cool to care. We love Noon East Village.
What's the best place for a perfect cocktail?
Perfect Cocktail is the new Harlem Renaissance Hotel on 125th street. So many new things are happening in Harlem.
The Hotel Chelsea is a magical drink spot to wrap up any New York night. My friends and I spend hours people watching and sipping one of the most detailed cocktail menus in the city.
What defines New York?
You can’t define New York which is why it is so great.
Which museum is your must see in New York?
It’s not a museum but the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx holds my heart. My son had his first outing as a newborn there. We spend holidays there and my garden, albeit small, was inspired by the gardens; they’re like no other in the world.
Where’s your hidden gem in the city?
Honestly my hidden gem is any spot where you can sit, and people watch. I now understand why people dedicate park benches to loved ones or even themselves. It is a true NYC moment to sit in Central Park with coffee on an early Spring morning. I love the city, especially between 7am and 10am on a weekend. It is surprisingly peaceful.
Address Book:
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458
Central Park
79th Street & 85th Street, New York, NY 10024
RH Guesthouse
55 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014
Mark's Off Madison
41 Madison Ave Ground Level, New York, NY 10010
The Polo Bar
1 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022
Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel
233 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
Hero image: Courtesy of Disney Entertainment Television/ Fadil Berisha
