I love being able to leave at a moment’s notice and be in another state.

Which is exactly what I did this past weekend.

Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of New York City we (me and the mister) headed out of the city to nearby Greenwich, Connecticut.  A very easy drive or a simple train ride from Grand Central on Metro-North, we were in the small town of 60,000 within the hour.

We arrived at the brand new, swanky J House Hotel in the neighborhood of Riverside. Opened in 2012, the boutique hotel is quite modern and modular (check out all the fab art work), and features 86 high-tech rooms, complete with iPads, mirror TV’s and free WiFi. The iPads allow you to order room service, adjust the temperature, turn down the lights, close the shades and find nearby attractions. It also eliminates the need for traditional printed hotel booklets.  The glass box bathroom is sexy without revealing too much (About 75% of the glass is frosted) and the Japanese-style Toto toilet, Kohler fixtures and L’Occitane products are a nice, comfortable touch.

Dinner was at eleven14. The gorgeous open space on the main floor spans from indoors to a covered outdoor bar and dining area. A clear glass box let’s you see the workings of the kitchen staff and your meals being created and artfully arranged. The restaurant uniforms of all white in the kitchen gives you the feeling of watching an episode of “Top Chef” through the looking glass.  The head chef, François Kwaku-Dongo sources locally grown seasonal ingredients, organic meats and local cheeses to create a dining experience that is exceptional as well as healthy. The options are reflected on the menu, with a strong presence of seafood and fall vegetables.  we dined on  Amish Chicken and Beef Stew, and finished with the signature eleven14 dessert bar: intricate layers of mousse and chocolate topped with 24K gold.

Upscale, easy & a total change of scenery. Thank you Greenwich.

(All photos c. Tom McGovern)