The Best Bet
There’s nothing wrong with rewarding yourself for making it through another year. One way to burn out the bank account is on a phenomenally expensive, but very memorable, rare wine. This 1945 Château Haut-Brion, from the first great Bordeaux wine harvest after World War II, is considered by many connoisseurs to be one of the best bottles of wine ever made. Eighty percent of the grapes were destroyed by frost, but what survived of this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc is transcendently delicious, with hints of tobacco and ripe fruits and a touch of spice. Jean-Luc Le Dû, owner of Le Dû’s Wines and former sommelier at Daniel, suggests letting the bottle stand for three to four days to allow the sediment to settle. Decant just before drinking, preferably paired with roast duck and one or two very good friends ($3,500 at Le Dû’s Wines, 600 Washington St., nr. Morton St.; 212-924-6999).
For Postprandial Puffing
Partagas’ hand-rolled cigars are wrapped in Cameroon tobacco for a full-bodied smoke ($292 for a box of twenty at Nat Sherman, 500 Fifth Ave., at 42nd St.; 212-764-5000).
It’s a Work Investment
Manolo Blahnik’s alligator pumps come in a variety of colors ($3,100; 31 W. 54th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-582-3007).
Buy Your First Heirloom
James de Givenchy’s cushion-cut garnet-tourmaline-and- diamond brooch is one of a kind ($120,000 at Taffin; 212-421-6222; by appointment).
Toss Your MetroCard
Manhattan Motorcars has the Porsche Carrera 4S Coupe in stock for immediate delivery ($103,000; 270 Eleventh Ave., nr. 27th St.; 212-594-6200).
For the Occasional Binge…
Butter Everything
Land O’ Lakes Ultra Creamy butter, a premium blend, is creamier than fancy French equivalents ($3.49 at Gristedes, 549 Third Ave., nr. 36th St.; 212-685-2550).
While You Watch Netflix
Crunch ’n Munch popcorn-and-peanut mix ($1.49 at Associated Supermarket, 917 Ninth Ave., nr. 58th St.; 212-586-8784).
Test Your Lactose Tolerance
Order one of Artisanal’s cheese flights, then take some home from the in-restaurant shop ($15 for a flight of three; 2 Park Ave., nr. 32nd St.; 212-725-8585).
Forget About Portion Control
Lonesome Dove’s grilled Tomahawk Chop is 32 ounces of rich, juicy beef for two, but you don’t have to share ($85; 29 W. 21st St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-414-3139).
Let Loose at City Bakery
Have a pretzel-croissant-and-hot-chocolate breakfast ($7, 3 W. 18th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-366-1414).
Redeem Yourself…
Say “Thank You”
Write notes on proper stationery ($40 for a box of twenty cards at Dempsey & Carroll, 136 E. 57th St., nr. Lexington Ave., fourth fl.; 212-750-6055).
Commit to Fitness
Exhale’s six-week body-transformation program includes yoga, cardio, and check-ins with a nutritionist ($2,000; 150 Central Park S., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-561-7400; and 980 Madison Ave., nr. 76th St.; 212-561-6400).
Get Your Finances in Order
Enroll in NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies’ Fundamentals of Financial Planning classes ($695 for spring 2007; 212-998-7200).
Take Your Vitamins
Solgar Omnium multivitamins come in formulas for all types and diets ($36.79 for 90 tablets at LifeThyme Natural Market, 410 Sixth Ave., nr. 8th St.; 212-420-9099).
Heed Your Hygienist
Glide Comfort floss doesn’t shred and has a minty taste ($4.79 at Food Emporium, 10 Union Sq., at 14th St.; 212-353-3840).