A BRUNCH, LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINING DESTINATION WITH ON-AIR CORRESPONDENT BRIELLE GALEKOVIC
A Los Angeles-based brunch and cocktail blog by Brielle Galekovic.
A few weeks ago I had the awesome opportunity to be interviewed on Episode 11 of The Dub Podcast! I met with Kaila (aka DJ Yellowbootz) to talk all things The Gilded Bellini and how its evolved since the beginning! It was so fun to chat with this local LA podcast, and it was such a pleasure making new friends here.
Click the link below to hear the interview, and a big thank you to The Dub Podcast for having me! Xoxo
A stylish newcomer has made its way to Brooklyn in the most colorful and delightful way possible... Harvey at The Williamsburg Hotel! This new hotspot not only emphasizes its fresh seasonal fare, but also features something truly unique to the area. It's the only high tea in Brooklyn, making Harvey the talk of the town. Since high tea is basically a cousin to brunch, I knew I had to stop by on my recent trip to NYC to check it out!
Upon entering the space, I was so blown away at the beauty - it was filled with color, natural light, and abstract design! I loved that there were cool, mod hanging lights dangling from the ceiling, too.
There was a DJ playing upbeat music to enhance the overall positive, bright and youthful vibe. I came in with my best friend Shakira and couldn't wait to dive right into some yummy tea and sweet treats.
One of the things I really loved about high tea at Harvey (and high tea in general!) is that you really can have a taste of everything - from sweet to savory. The best part of course is the tea, which comes in its own tea pot which I love because I have to say I am always a little greedy with my tea when I love it - I always want more! All of the teas sounded refreshing, but Shakira and I went with Wild Persimmon (of Hadong, Korea - slight sweet with a nutty after taste as well as notes of flowers and green herbs) and Wild Pear (of Hadong, Korea - a tisane made from wild pears grown deep in the forest, with a slight sweetness, relaxing aroma, and slightly bitter yet fresh finish).
These were so light, unique and flavorful! You could just taste the quality of the tea and I loved how we had never tried this flavor of tea before, nevertheless seen it on a restaurant menu! I was definitely impressed. The teas came in beautifully designed tea pots too which made for some really fun photos!
After a few sips, it was time to indulge! Out came a three-layer tier of both sweet and savories. It was so perfect and pretty, almost too gorgeous to eat.
Avocado toast, carrot cake, Persian cucumber & salmon toast, pizza (!!!!), a lemon meringue tart, little almandine tarts and scones were beautifully perched on the tiers calling our names. Everything had a very distinct taste, and a melt-in-your mouth texture.
It was hard not to eat it all in one bite! I loved that even just looking at our entire spread, the food and set up was not so traditional, but had a super fun and edgy Brooklyn spin on it. This really stood out to me and it made the experience that more enjoyable because it was much more light-hearted and modern!
It was so hard to choose, but hands down my favorite bites were the carrot cake (literally THE most amazing carrot cake you'll ever have - spiced with a rich, sweet flavor) and the avocado toast! I have seen a lot of avocado toasts in my day, and this one is definitely up there. It was so fresh and tasty, probably because the bread is made by the Brooklyn Bread Lab!
Although there was such a wide range of flavors and aromas within the tier, they went together so cohesively! Who would have thought at a high tea you could eat pepperoni pizza (like, LEGIT NY pizza) alongside a pastry? I don't know, but I am so into it!!
I loved that the high tea at Harvey really captured with eccentric vibe and atmosphere of Brooklyn. High tea at Harvey is simply a place you want to be and what you want to be doing on the weekend - seriously, I was there on a Saturday and it was packed with high tea-goers. As a native New Jersian/New Yorker, it's always so exciting to come back home every once in a while and see what new places pop up and the cool things they have to offer. As a brunch lover, this truly was such a treat for me to see a concept that is deemed traditional, be re-worked into a way that all people will enjoy, whether they're natives or are visitors... and in a way that only Brooklyn could do!
High tea at Harvey can be enjoyed with a friend or two, or even on your own. Even though there are a lot of people there on the weekends, the space is big enough for you to just enjoy on your own and zone out with your tea. And hey, if you do a tea for one, you don't have to share all the goodies.. hehe!
I will definitely be back to Harvey in future trips back home. Considering that this is the only spot in Brooklyn to offer high tea, Harvey is a total destination. I can't wait to see what they've got in store for the future, but until then I am going to just be dreaming about my Wild Pear tea and carrot cake from all the way in California!
Photography by Sarah Peterson
I am really excited to launch this new pop-up series here on TGB where I can show you some of my favorite things that I'm currently vibing with - whether it's a brunch spot, a product, a podcast, or simply something that I'm dying to share (!!!), I will be talking about it it here! I'm not sure if this will end up being a weekly thing or a once in a while type thing... or perhaps a permanent thing, so that's why til further notice, it's a pop-up!
So... here's what I'm loving LATELY:
The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker in West Hollywood
The BBCM is so yummy (they do amazing colorful latte art which is my personal fave) and aesthetically pleasing - marble tables, bright natural light, outdoor seating right on Sunset. Also, I recently brunched 10 ft. from Ryan Phillippe so it's obviously it's a celeb favorite and I am all about that. Good for people watching too which is always entertaining in LA.
My fur!
I will be wearing this thing until June 1st (it's still cold so stop judging!) and it is hands down my best purchase I've ever made. I got it from a thrift store called Captain's Helm! I always find stuff there. SO. GOOD.
Sézane L'Appartement New York
If this isn't a moment, then I don't know what is. On my latest trip to NYC I journeyed here to get some photos - it's such a beautiful set up and it's truly hard not to snap pictures. This has definitely become a destination in NYC and makes for the best Instagram photos.
Crab Cake Eggs Benedict at Jackson Hole
I may be partial to Jackson Hole because it's been a part of my life since before I was born, but it never disappoints! Not only do they have the best burgers in NYC (no, really - ask anyone) but they have mouth-watering breakfast items too - this creation just happens to be a new favorite. This is at the 35th street location!
“Look around you. Appreciate what you have. Nothing will be the same in a year.”
TRUST COCKTAIL #2 at Trust San Diego
My signature is any spicy tequila drink really (!!!) but this has been one of my creations available at TRUST: Jalapeño Tequila, Grapefruit, Agave, Firewater Bitters.
Teleties
I don't even use real hair ties anymore. Teleties come in so many different fun colors (the multi-color ones make me so nostalgic!!) and don't damage or leave a crease in the hair at all. They're waterproof and anti-bacterial too. Sometimes when I have to workout in the morning and go straight to work, I always put my hair up with these because my hair looks the same as it would have if I didn't put it up. Life saver!
What are you guys loving lately? Message me!!! x
Hello to all my new and old friends! As you probably know, TGB recently had its 2nd birthday (!!!). But some people may have just joined a short while ago, so I wanted to share some highlights from the last 2 years! If you're new on this gilded journey, you may not be familiar with how I typically review a brunch (with my Food Network-style brunch reviews) or that a lot of what makes up my site and my brand is the on-camera aspect! It's another pivotal branch of TGB aside from all the written content.
So, until this thing gets updated with new content, this one lives here til further notice! Check it out for highlights of my FOX 5 San Diego segment, appearance on The F Word FOX with Gordon Ramsay, my interview with Shay Mitchell, brunch reviews and more!
And if you haven't already, please subscribe to my Youtube channel! xx
It's The Gilded Bellini's 2nd birthday! Wow, I can't believe it has been two years already.
For the last two years, I've produced content each week for this blog. It's kind of crazy to think about! What started out as a hobby in the very beginning has blossomed into something a whole lot more: a business, a media outlet and my passion.
In last year's reflection on one year, I said that The Gilded Bellini was therapeutic to me and I still feel that way. Don't get me wrong, running a website and maintaining a brand is a TON of work and you can never really ever take a break. But when it's something you love, it never feels like you're really working.
The last year has definitely been a different kind of learning process than with year one. I have a better grasp on developing and maintaining my brand. Opportunities that have come my way have paved routes for me that are helping to shape my career and expand The Gilded Bellini. It's for sure no longer a hobby, but probably one of my biggest accomplishments and what I am most proud of. I am honored to be a part of the entrepreneurial space within the digital world. Even the TV world now, too! I feel most like "me" when I am delved into all things content creating and feel really grateful to have a creative outlet that plain and simply, gives me a better quality of life.
The Gilded Bellini has been something that I take more seriously now more than ever. I don't really remember what life was like without having this outlet and the freedom to constantly create and execute any visions I have, meet new people and get to do things I have always dreamed of doing... To this day I still can't believe I was on a show with Gordon Ramsay and hosted my own segment on FOX 5!!! If you told me a few years ago back in college that any of this was going to happen, I definitely wouldn't have believed it. But, it didn't just happen out of luck. It was extreme hard work and dedication, and I say that wholeheartedly. Any opportunity that has come to fruition has been a direct result of that.
It is a great feeling being able to combine everything I love into one entity that people can connect to. I am so grateful for all of the people that have come into my life that I've made a connection with. It wouldn't have been possible without having The Gilded Bellini as the liaison!
I wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who has supported my vision and work, and a thank you for all the people that have followed along and been interested in The Gilded Bellini's content over the past two years. It means the world to me and I couldn't imagine The Gilded Bellini without your continued love and support!
Some of my favorite highlights of the second year of The Gilded Bellini have been:
- Being featured on The F Word FOX with Gordon Ramsay
- Hosting a holiday segment on FOX 5 San Diego
- Being in a commercial for Skin It
- Being chosen to speak at the BevNet Live Panel as a Food & Cocktail Expert
- Interviewing Shay Mitchell of Pretty Little Liars
- Interviewing Amanda Palomino from FOX's Hell's Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay
- Attending the 2017 VMAs
- Brunched with Maggiano's in honor of their partnership with Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles and campaign, Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish
- Traveling home to NYC (for the first time in 2 years!) and making it a complete first time business trip, connecting with brands and restaurants on my own out there for a whole week
- Creating solid friendships with other people that I crossed passed with through the world of blogging
- Being able to connect with the talented people behind LA and San Diego's best restaurants
The Gilded Bellini's success would have never come this far without the support of my close friends, family and new friends I have made along the way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has read any of my posts, watched my videos, engaged with any content I have put out into the world.. If we've met this past year in person, exchanged a few words on social media, or even just said an "Oh, I think I know you!" to one another in passing, I am grateful to have connected with you. I started this blog to be able to have a platform to bring people together that goes beyond just brunch. But hey, brunch is a great way to start! And the fact that it has been the foundation for so many new relationships, collaborations and growth within blogging community/entertainment industry/hospitality realm has been such a blessing. Brunch is part of our culture, and I am so happy to be able to honor this fun lifestyle in a way most of us can relate to... at least I try my best to! My goal of all The Gilded Bellini content is for you to have a true experience and an escape, whether it's through writing, video or imagery. Thank you for all of your support since day one. I hope that you continue to join me on this gilded journey... and I look forward to another incredible year with you! Cheers!
Photography by: Rebecca Gnasso
