It was only two weeks ago at JG Black Book that we were celebrating the opening of the summer's hottest destination: Bridgehampton's Topping Rose House. We've introduced you to Tom Colicchio's stellar cuisine,  the property's picture-perfect party spaces, and now we're introducing you to Pradeep Raman. Bolstered by his extensive experience with luxury hospitality brands such as The Ritz Carlton & Peninsula Hotels, Pradeep is the backbone of Topping Rose House's detail-oriented, elegantly personalized home-away-from home experience. In addition to announcing the opening of Topping Rose House's contemporary cottages, Pradeep shares his vision for the newest slice of heaven in the Hamptons:

Q: Pradeep, you’re relatively new to Topping Rose House. Could you give us some insight as to what your favorite parts of the physical property are?

A: The House, its architecture, especially the view from the entrance where I get to see the House complemented by the adjoining new buildings, our Studio and Cottages. It really speaks volumes of how lovely the property is. I like to call them, the Grand Dame and the Future. I really enjoy watching the farm and standing by the driveway and looking at the overall property.

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At JG Black Book, we get the intimidation factor of navigating a brand new city without the comforting voice of a local friend, a tour leader, or your loyal GPS. In the past couple of years, however, we've been turning to City Walks as our trusty travel guides and navigation saviors. With these brilliant deck of cards- each deck of 50 representing a city around the world- we've been led to the cutest cantinas, the most glorious gardens, and the chicest of shops. Each card outlines a self-guided walking adventure, with a detailed map on the front and information on the back filled with insider tips. And the best part: you go at your pace, whenever you'd like, however you'd like!

City Walks-Paris with Kids

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At JG Black Book, we’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of summer. Daffodils, outdoor patio seating, and Memorial Day plans in-the-making mean that warmer weather is finally here to stay!  We are especially looking forward to this summer as it brings the opening of Topping Rose House.

While the restaurant has been open since September, Topping Rose House welcomes its first hotel guests this week!  Although the beauty of Topping Rose House can’t be properly captured in text, we can tell you that like the restaurant, accommodations in the House, Studio and Cottages are elegant and luxurious, with impeccable attention to detail.  Just two hours from our home in NYC, we’ve spend enough time on the beaches of the East End to know that Topping Rose House is sure to become an instant Hamptons classic.

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What we at JG Black Book love most about Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton, New York, is how perfectly it captures the essence of home. Each component of a guest's stay is carefully tailored to create a luxurious home-away-from-home experience.

Although run by celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, highly-esteemed kitchen veteran, chef de cuisine and Hamptons local Ty Kotz artfully prepares dynamic dishes that highlight the colors, smells, and tastes of a home garden. Fully embracing the Farm-to-Table movement, Kotz offers the freshly picked, juicy cherry on top of the Topping Rose House experience.

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At JG Black Book, while we love the romance of New York City blanketed in snow, come late March we are more than ready to kiss Frosty the Snowman bye-bye and usher in the Easter Bunny. In honor of the warm weather to come, we've gathered a few favorite festivals to get you out of your monotonous routine and into the fresh NYC spring air. Whether amongst kilted bag-pipe players or lower east side art lovers, press pause on errand-running and e-mail checking to enjoy an afternoon escape in your very own city:

Tartan Week

- Scottish culture festival: April 3rd-12th

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In honor of spring break, we at JG Black Book have rounded up six great getaways for your spring and summer family vacations. From the canals of Venice to the majestic mountains of Peru, these hospitality hot spots welcome entire families - grandparents, children, and all - to join them as they open their doors, balconies, and pools to wonderful weather. Featured last but certainly not least is The Quin, our fellow Manhattanite, prepping to greet guests for the first time this summer. So, gather your good times and your laughter too, 'cause these hot spots are gonna celebrate this spring and summer with you!

Luna Hotel Baglioni Venice, Italy

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An awesome travel blog can yield some of the most inspiring content online. If you're like us at JG Black Book, you want in on the action. What's the funkiest undiscovered South East Asian city, the most unusual European dining experience, or the ultimate South American beach getaway? For those of us non-nomads, the following bloggers provide a beautiful glimpse into the world of expert adventure, motivating us to gear up for our next vibrant voyage. Check out five of our favorite travel blogs here and follow them for your daily around-the-world digest:

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Just in time for summer, the Hamptons first full-service luxury hotel and JG Black Book partner, Topping Rose House, prepares to fully open its doors this May. Joining the House and Barn, both open since September, venue options grow to include the sleek new studio. Whether an intimate celebration or an executive retreat, three stunning spaces, paired with Chef Tom Colicchio's farm-driven cuisine, create the perfect setting for unparalleled  moments and memories.

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At JG Black Book, we believe that the next best thing to traveling is participating in a forum that allows us to share our adventures with others. In addition to mantaining the amazing high that follows us back from a trip to Uruguay's southern coast or Italy's capital of couture,  engaging in the world of online blogging opens doors to the most authentic up-to-date travel tips and ideas. That being said, choosing which of the gazillion travel blogs to follow can be dangerously dizzying, so we've come up with five of our favorites to quench your thirst for global getaways:

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While Valentine's Day is the ultimate excuse for unleashing our inner googly-eyed cupid, celebrating love is certainly not an activity limited to February 14th. At JG Black Book, our partners constantly remind us of the inevitable romance that accompanies such glamorous retreats. Whether savoring an elegant dinner isolated amongst nothing but Tanzania's wildlife or cuddling on a chaise, sipping champagne with a panorama of Paris, the following are amongst the most exquisite destinations for your next I love you!

Hotel de Vigny Paris, France 

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