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Sunday Brunch at Peacock Alley: a Culinary Journey

2/9/2015

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By Jorge G. Zavala | Creative Director

The great Miguel de Cervantes was quoted saying, "All sorrows are less with bread." If this is the case, the delectable brunch at Peacock Alley within the renowned Waldorf Astoria New York will transport you to a time when the mind, heart, and soul only knew and embraced joy, grace, satisfaction, and elegance. The Peacock Alley, which hosts one of the most superb brunches in all of New York City (and beyond), boasts a feast that blends the classic with modern sophistication.
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As you step into the halls of the historic Waldorf Astoria, you can't help but feel the hospitality of the handsome staff and l'air d'etre of one of New York City's most dignified spaces. Peacock Alley, which serves brunch on Sundays from 10am until 2pm (final seating), boasts a heritage of culinary excellence that exceeds expectations.
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Guests are graciously seated and select an elixir of their choice before engaging in the gastronomic experience. The coffee is bold and flavorful, the jus d'orange is freshly squeezed and divine, but the real experience takes other forms. The Bloody Mary, which is an iconic brunch favorite, takes an entire new level of delicious at Peacock Alley. Generously infused with the right amount of vodka and graced with the freshest tomato juice, black pepper, and Tabasco sauce, this Bloody Mary serves as a "Hello, Good Morning!" to what will become a true culinary journey.
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The brunch delivers a divine raw bar with caviar, clams, oysters, lobster and shrimp, which is only enhanced by the smoked fish (we encourage the diverse offerings of salmon) and the meat carving stations. Our personal favorites were the clams, caviar, and plump shrimp, which were some of the freshest we've tasted in New York City.
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If the raw bar or savory variety of seasoned meats were not at the top of a guest's list, one of Peacock Alley's charming cuisiners was ready to prepare an omelet of one's choice, full of fresh and palatable ingredients. Additionally, the best of traditional fare americain, which included buttermilk pancakes and lobster bisque, were also popular among guests.
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In between savoring the seasoned meats and indulging in the raw bar, we needed to take a moment to observe and truly embrace the ambiance and joie d'etre of the experience. The crowd, which reflected a diverse-array of upwardly-mobile individuals, appeared quite content, perhaps attributed to the fine selection of gourmet desserts.
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As we were getting ready to indulge in some of sweet delights, a fine gentleman insisted on a second Bloody Mary. With such hospitality (and flavor), we simply couldn't afford to negate the possibility of a second brunch cocktail. This time, the mimosa was the elixir of choice. Attributing the qualities of the mimosa to very fresh oranges and premium champagne, my palate was completely refreshed and ready for both dessert and additional sips.
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With over 100 gourmet delights to satisfy even the pickiest of dessert connoisseurs, this brunch experience would not be complete with such delicacies.
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While walking past the chocolate fondue fountain, we overheard an elderly woman describe the desserts on her plate in detail to one of her gal friends. "Everything I've tried (at the dessert bar) is delicious...these little chocolate cakes are some of the best I've tried outside of Paris."
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Dessert, mimosas, and a beautiful crowd adorned our experience at Peacock Alley. An added charm to brunch was the gorgeous voice of a young painist/chanseur that enchanted guests with her talent. The live performance added an extra dose of appeal that was only heightened by the hospitality of those working diligently to make brunch at the Waldorf Astoria a moment to remember.
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When in New York, the brunch at Peacock Alley is highly-recommended and PdM-approved.  Reservations are a must as this culinary soiree is popular with both locals and visitors wishing to treat themselves to an experience like no other.

For additional images from Prestige du Monde's brunch experience at Peacock Alley, find us on Facebook and Twitter. xo
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The ACT is More than a Standardized Test: It Determines Your Child's Future

2/6/2015

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By Emma Wilson | Guest Contributor

The ACT
is a college entrance exam that evaluates a student's readiness for college. Through the ACT exam process college admissions boards can judge a student's current level of knowledge, as well as their ability to reason and think logically. The ACT is one of the most important exams in a students educational career, and is a part of most colleges and universities admission requirements. It is also one of the most challenging and can make, or break, a student's chances of getting into a top school.

What is the ACT?

The ACT is an achievement test that determines a student's current level of knowledge. Students are tested on a variety of subjects, including Mathematics, Science, and English. The test is designed to gauge a student's understanding of these topics, and their ability to apply their knowledge and reasoning skills to a standardized set of questions. It heavily shapes a student's eligibility to enter college and obtain certain scholarships.

Scoring

The highest achievable score on the ACT is 36. A students score is determined by awarding points for all questions answered correctly. No points are deducted for wrong answers. Each section of the ACT is graded separately, and these scores are averaged to create a composite score for the entire exam. This is your final score, and it is this score that provides college admissions boards with a standard measure of a student's skills in the various areas that have been tested.

This test will determine your child's future.

Taking the ACT can be a valuable experience for students planning to continue on to college. While the thought of one more exam may seem frustrating at first, the value of the ACT should not be dismissed. With a solid ACT score and a good high school academic history you can face the college admissions boards secure in the knowledge that you are a good fit for their institution.  Most students will take the exam 3-4 times: most universities do not super-score your exams, so you are welcome to send the highest of the scores.

It is important to seek early preparation for the ACT as the exam weighs heavily on a child's academic portfolio. Some schools weigh the ACT as 35% of a student's portfolio when applying for college while others can weigh the exam up to 78%, depending on the program.

Parents and educators alike are encouraged to begin prepping their students as soon as possible, and a private tutor is usually the best approach. Most tutoring and preparation for the ACT ranges between $60-$120 per 1 hour session, based on student needs. The most challenging for students are the English, Reading, and Science sections as pacing and time are a challenge for many students.

While we'd like to encourage students to have a well-rounded background for college, the reality is that the ACT will determine a great deal of your student's success in college and the experience truly begins now. Don't wait until it's too late to invest in your child.

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About Emma

Emma is an administrator and former educator of 20 years in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She received her master's of education from Northwestern University and has worked with the ACT Board to develop programs benefiting students everywhere. She currently dedicates herself to working with high school students to develop their college-ready skills and preparedness. She lives in Palatine, IL with her husband and dog, Andy.
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