While we’re all watching the “Jersey Shore,” a hankering for Italian food may be unavoidable. Now, one well-loved Italian eatery has re-opened its doors in Midtown after a six-month renovation. Destino is best known for its tennis-ball sized meatballs (now that’s a “Situation”) and its build-it-yourself pastas. The home-style food has the neighborhood and after work charmed.

Cascabel Taqueria is bringing the heat to the city as the weather cools down. The restaurant moved to 80th Street and 2nd Avenue last week and Haute Living visited to see how the neighborhood favorite is doing.

Restaurateur Todd English has traveled the food universe, boasts two dozen restaurants around the country, and yet continues to be fully grounded. Todd and I met at a magazine party in May. He casually sauntered up, knowing that I cover food, and said, “We should talk restaurants sometime,” and thus a friendship was born.

Diane von Furstenberg’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection had all the elements that we consider classic to the label: patterned prints, signature dresses and beautifully draped fabrics.

New York fashion week is well under way, and the designers have pulled out all the stops to bring to audiences outstanding designs and shows. Lacoste is one of the brands whose runway show pleased guests with their ever so chic basic designs and splash of color. Their Spring/Summer 2011 collection was shown on Saturday and included celebrities such as Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh and Sarah Lerfel of Colette.

On Wednesday, Sept. 8, designer Minnie Mortimer kicked off the party during New York Fashion Week at New York City hot spot 1Oak.