NewYorkCity

Surrey Hotel Rolls Out Bar Cart Service

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services, Spirits

In an ingenious twist on the classic cocktail craze, the recently reopened Surrey hotel in Manhattan is now offering in-room bar cart service for its guests.

While missing the modern Art Deco splendor of the hotel's Bar Pleiades is not recommended, neither is spending too much time away from the rooms' Duxiana beds. The logical compromise is the Surrey's cocktail program. "The inspiration came when I was at Dukes in London," says Director of Restaurants and Bars, Sims Foster. "They go through this very simple, but classic, way that they pour their martinis."

Here's how it works: guests first order whichever base spirit is to their liking, whether it's Hudson Baby Bourbon, Bombay Sapphire gin, Grey Goose vodka, Patrón Silver tequila or Gosling's Dark Rum. Then, your personal Surrey bartender will arrive accompanied by a fully stocked bar cart-modeled after an Italian mid-century original-and its attendant supplies, among them bitters, fresh fruit, ice and the implements of the trade. He'll demonstrate for you the proper way to make classic cocktails with your chosen spirit, say a Moscow Mule (vodka) or a Vanilla Old Fashioned (bourbon). And then, he'll leave.

From there you can pretend you're Nick and Nora, using the vintage Boston shaker glasses to mix, muddle and strain your day away. With several rounds of ammunition in you it's only a brief sway to the Whitney Museum of American Art, Central Park or Daniel Boulud's Café Boulud (the chef also operates Bar Pleiades). But now that you're so close to figuring out the elusive tequila-bourbon cocktail combination, there isn't much of a reason to decamp. Especially when a fresh cart rolls in so easily.

Tags: bar cart, bar ware, BarCart, BarWare, classic cocktails, ClassicCocktails, hotel, hotels, new york city, NewYorkCity, shakers, spirits, surrey hotel, SurreyHotel

Roosevelt Hotel Opens Vander Bar

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine

Banking of the success of its popular Mad46 rooftop bar (set to reopen for the season this week), Manhattan's grand Roosevelt Hotel has recently unveiled Vander Bar. Taking its name from the Lilliputian avenue that runs parallel to Grand Central Terminal-along the Roosevelt's backside-Vander Bar makes a serious play for the mid-town clientele who frequent both of these New York City institutions. Whereas Mad46 is meant to compete with stylish downtown al fresco drinking options like those found at the Hudson or Thompson hotels, Vander Bar aims more for the local happy hour crowd, where Hermès ties become loosened before the Metro-North train ride back to Westchester. Offering a fully stocked bar, along with beers on-tap, the property's small-plates menu of contemporary favorites, such as burger sliders, lobster rolls, and mac and cheese, should provide ample ways to spoil dinner. Of course these days a bar is only as good as its signature drinks, and Vander Bar gives a knowing wink to the neighborhood with a Belvedere black raspberry vodka and lime juice concoction, known as "The BlackBerry."

Tags: bars, beer, drinking, manhattan, new york city, NewYorkCity, roosevelt hotel, RooseveltHotel, spirits, wine

Where to Eat Now: James Beard Award Finalists Announced

by Carrie N. Culpepper (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events

Chefs, sharpen your knives, the food community is abuzz with news of the 2010 James Beard Award nominations, which were announced earlier this week. Aside from Michelin stars and positive restaurant reviews, these awards are the biggest recognition in the food world. Chosen by a non-profit made up of food and wine enthusiasts, the awards take a nationwide look at the dining scene pulling out the stars of today and tomorrow. What that means to you is: Make your reservations now -- especially at Robert DeNiro's latest New York restaurant, Locanda Verde (right) -- these places are about to get hotter.

Anyone can attend the black-tie Chef and Restaurant Awards which take place on May 3 at Lincoln Center in New York. Tickets are $450 for non-members and include the awards ceremony hosted by The Food Network's Alton Brown, Wolfgang Puck and PBS chef Lidia Bastianich (whose cookbook "Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy" is up for a nomination). But the best part will be the gala reception afterward where guests can sample food by notable chefs from around the country who were chosen by a past Outstanding Chef winner.

And the nominees are ...

Tags: best new chefs, best new restaurants, BestNewChefs, BestNewRestaurants, Daniel Boulud, DanielBoulud, james beard, james beard awards, james beard foundation, james beard nominees, JamesBeardFoundation, JamesBeardNominees, new york city, new york city restaurants, NewYorkCity, NewYorkCityRestaurants

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American Ballet Theater Cancels New York Fall Season

by Deb West (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events

In another example of how the arts have been suffering during the economic downturn, the Wall street Journal reports that ABT will not be doing a fall season in New York this year. The dance company does not have its own theater and has previously conducted its fall run at the New York City Center. One of America's leading cultural institutions the company offers touring productions including performances in Chicago and Los Angeles this spring and summer. The company will also be in New York City at the Metropolitan Opera House for its traditional spring season.

American Ballet Theater is still planning to come to New York area but not until December and this time to Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Academy of Music has committed to a five year contract of ABT's new production of "The Nutcracker" choreographed by Alexi Ratmansky. Traditionally "The Nutcracker" is a big money maker for regional dance companies around the country and ABT is looking to cash in on that more predictable revenue source. David Koch, the Vice Chairman of ABT's board has already donated $2.5 million dollars towards funding the production.

New York City already has one "Nutcracker" performed annually since 1954 by the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center. It is considered by many to be the traditional holiday dance performance to which on should take children, both who live locally and those who are visitng family, during the holiday season. It will be interesting to see how the competing versions of "The Nutcracker" fare against each other given the already limited interest that exists in classical dance.

Tags: ABT, american ballet theater, AmericanBalletTheater, ballet, BAM, dance, New York City, NewYorkCity, NutcrackerBallet

Expert-Guided Prom Shopping in New York City

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Services

If you know a young lady who deserves the very best for this year's prom, ShopNYC Tours has created a specialized prom shopping experience for her which is budget-conscious, fun and guided by a New York City shopping expert, Natasha Malinsky. Here's more about what the tours include:

Watch videos highlighting the hottest prom trends for 2010
Visit a variety of boutiques that carry Contemporary Prom Dresses, Vintage Prom Dresses and Celebrity Consignment Prom Dresses
Enjoy spot-to-spot transportation while sipping "teeny" (alcohol-free) cosmos and enjoying world-famous cupcakes
Sightsee some of the hippest NYC neighborhoods with a savvy tour guide
Get a prom make-up tutorial at Makeup Forever with a professional make-up artist

Natasha was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about shopping tours and how she stays in touch with what's cool for school:

Luxist: What inspired you to create a prom shopping tour?

Natasha Malinsky: Our Teen Fashion Tour is extremely popular and a lot of the people interested in that tour started to inquire about prom shopping in NYC. I thought it would be cool to not only offer a tour for prom dress shopping, but for everything prom including dresses, accessories, and even makeup. Shopping for prom in NYC gives teens the opportunity to stand out and have something unique that no one else will have, which is really exciting to them.

L: What kind of girl is this for?

NM: I'm hoping to attract a wide range of teens -- everyone from NYC locals to domestic tourists. And since the tour is so diverse, covering everything from contemporary prom to vintage prom to consignment prom, there will be an opportunity for everyone to find something that fits their own style and, more importantly, budget.

L: How do you keep up with teen fashion trends?

NM: Teens look up to a lot of celebrities, so it's important to keep the red carpet in mind when researching teen trends. It's also important to keep the youth factor in mind. Teen fashion should be young, fun and affordable. The runway shows can be an inspiration for teens, but often times, ready-to-wear is too sophisticated and definitely too expensive. Fashion magazines like Teen Vogue and shows like "Gossip Girl" are great sources for teen fashion trends along with shows like Extra and Access Hollywood. Oh -- and giving Teen Fashion Tours helps me to stay on top of what teens want to wear.

Where was Natasha when we were in high school? (We mean that figuratively ... she was in high school.)

If you'd like to send a teen on the prom shopping experience of a lifetime, the cost is just $59 for groups of 10 or more, and $99 for smaller or private tours. Visit ShopNYC Tours or call 1-800-619-2795 for more information or to book.

Tags: Natasha Malinsky, NatashaMalinsky, New York, New York City, NewYork, NewYorkCity, NY, NYC, Prom, ShopNYC Tours, ShopnycTours, Shopping, teens

Fashion Week Comfort Food At 10 Downing

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

For Fashion Week fuel ups, 10 Downing Food & Wine in Greenwich Village has extended its prix-fixe Restaurant Week menu through NYC Fashion Week, February 11-18. The restaurant has already seen some attention from the fashion world, designers who have dined there include Peter Som, Cynthia Rowley, Christian Siriano and Erin Fetherston. The prix fixe three-course menu of "Farm to Table" cuisine created by Executive Chef Jonnatan Leiva (a rising star from San Francisco who joined the restaurant last fall) uses fresh locally sourced ingredients. The menu, which costs $24.07 includes a celery root and apple soup, a rosemary roasted pork shoulder sandwich with cabbage, apple and celery slaw and a desert of butterscoth pot de crème. The full menu is after the jump.

Tags: 10 downing, 10Downing, food, greenwich village, GreenwichVillage, new york city, NewYorkCity

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Harold Ford's New York City Apartment For Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Harold Ford Jr. has been in the news a lot lately over his potential New York U.S. Senate campaign and Gawker has drawn our attention to his New York City apartment which is on the market. Ford served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee's 9th congressional district from 1997 to 2007. He ran for a Tennessee Senate seat in 2006 and lost.

He married Emily Threlkeld and moved to New York City in 2008 where the pair took up residence in her colorful Fifth Avenue two-bedroom apartment. She bought the apartment in 2006 at which time it was listed at $1.597 million. An old listing from Corcoran reveals a very different look for this apartment. The bright yellow and vivid turquoise color scheme seems to be a recent addition. The apartment has a open floor plan but has a proper foyer that leads into a living area which is over 30 feet long and has separated dining and living room areas. The master bedroom includes a walk-through dressing room and custom bath. Listing information from Brown Harris Stevens reveals that the apartment recently had a $90,000 price cut and it is now for sale at $1.4 million.

Gallery: Harold Ford In New York City

Tags: fifth avenue, FifthAvenue, Harold Ford, Harold Ford Jr., HaroldFord, HaroldFordJr., Jr., new york city, NewYorkCity, senate

Valentine's Day Packages and More

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

If Valentine's Day baffles you as much as 90% of the rest of the country, sometimes it's best to just pony up and let the professionals handle the day. That way, if your date goes sour, you always have someone else to blame. Here are a few ideas we're confident will guarantee you a night to remember.

2 Nights 2 Legends at the Carlye

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, in Manhattan's Upper East Side has always been a symbol of decadence and refinement. This year, they're offering 2 Nights, 2 Legends to share with your loved one. The package includes a romantic suite for the 14th and 15th, nightly legendary cabaret entertainment (Sunday features Broadway best Christine Ebersole) a candle-lit dinner for two with Carlyle Syrah wine both nights, and to top it off, a couples massage at in-house spa, Sense. If you're flying in to New York for the occasion, this package is sure to give you the best uptown has to offer.

Package begins at $1395. To book, head to The Carlyle.

Tags: new york city, new york city valentine, NewYorkCity, NewYorkCityValentine, soho house, SohoHouse, spice market, SpiceMarket, the carlyle, TheCarlyle, valentines day ideas, valentines day reservations, ValentinesDayIdeas, ValentinesDayReservations

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Cabbage Patch Kid King Snaps Up Madoff Penthouse

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Two down one to go. As we first heard a couple of weeks ago, Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff's New York City penthouse, the place where he spent months under house arrest, has finally been sold. The NY Post has the scoop on the buyer. It's Al Kahn, the CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. You may not know the name but you know his brands which include Cabbage Patch Kids, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Pokemon as well as the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association. The sale price hasn't been revealed but the apartment was most recently listed at $8.9 million, $1 million off the original price. As with Madoff's Montauk house, which sold for $9.41 million last year, proceeds will benefit those swindled by Madoff.

One property remains, Madoff's Palm Beach, Florida house. A quick peek at Corcoran's listing reveals that the house has had another price cut. Just a couple of weeks ago it was listed at $7.9 million but is now listed for $7.25 million.

Gallery: Bernie Madoff in Montauk

Gallery: Bernie Madoff In New York City

Tags: 4 kids entertainment, 4KidsEntertainment, al kahn, AlKahn, bernie madoff, BernieMadoff, new york city, NewYorkCity, Ponzi Scheme, ponzi schemes, PonziScheme, PonziSchemer, PonziSchemes

"The Best of Beef & The Beauty of Barolo" With Chef Michael Lomanaco, February 9

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Services

A few months ago New York's famed Time Warner Center opened a new culinary club, Circle of Taste, free to join.

COT has just announced its first ticketed event -- "The Best of Beef & The Beauty of Barolo" -- a dinner to be hosted within Porter House New York's wine cellar by Chef Michael Lomanaco (shown) and Master Sommelier Roger Dagorn. All the wines will be a selection of highly-sought-after and difficult-to-acquire Barolo wines produced in limited quantities.

Erpacrife Nebbiolo Metrodo Tradicionale

Bollito Misto
Tender poached filet mignon, cotechino sausage and salsa verde
La Querciola Barolo Donna Bianca 2004 'cru Costa di Rose'

Brasato al Barolo
Homemade Pappardelle Pasta, Braised Beef Short Ribs
Scarzello Barolo 2004 'cru Sarmassa'

Arrosto di Costata
Roasted Dry Aged Prime Rib of Beef
Cascina Ebreo, Torbido VDT 2001 'Novello di Monforte'

Dessert - Torta al cioccolato alle pere
Pears with mascarpone and chocolate
Ca'de' Mandorli, Brachetto d'Acqui 2008

Dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $175 per person, and the multi-course tasting menu is all-inclusive. COT members may reserve two seats. Perhaps get an early start to the Valentine's Day weekend!

Tags: beef, Circle of Taste, CircleOfTaste, food, New York, New York City, NewYork, NewYorkCity, NYC, Time Warner Center, TimeWarnerCenter, Valentines Day, ValentinesDay, wine

Old Masters Move at Sotheby's Auction

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Art

Sotheby's reached the high end of its presale estimate for its Important Old Master Paintings and Sculpture auction on Thursday. The sale was expected to generate between $38 million and $55 million, and the final result came in at $53.4 million. The top performer was "Jupiter and Antiope," a 1612 mythological scene by Hendrick Goltzius, though the $6.7 million winning bid failed to reach the low end of its presale estimate of $8 million to $12 million. The last high for this artist, though, was $1.5 million, set in 1996 when the art market was recovering following the burst of its early 1990s bubble.

Rembrandt's "Portrait of a Young Woman with a Black Hat" was also estimated at $8 million to $12 million, but the painting never made it under the gavel. The piece was withdrawn at the seller's request, Sotheby's told ArtInfo. He'd picked up the piece at a Sotheby's New York auction in January 2007 for $9 million, paying much more than the $3 million to $4 million estimate.

Source

Tags: art auction, art auctions, art market, ArtAuction, ArtAuctions, ArtMarket, auction, auction houses, auction-house, AuctionHouses, auctions, new york, new york city, NewYork, NewYorkCity, rembrandt, Sotheby, sothebys

Luxury Spa Opens in New York's Surrey Hotel

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

Are you in search of an escape from a bustling life in Manhattan? Or will you be traveling to New York and looking for a luxurious boutique European-style hotel with a spa? Look no further than the recently renovated Surrey Hotel and its beautiful new day spa on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Luxist visited this delightful gem and found it to be the consummate place to rejuvenate the skin and soul.

Spa at the Surrey is a perfect getaway for mothers and daughters looking for a little bonding time, as well as for couples or best friends wanting to relax in a tranquil environment. For New Yorkers, a few hours spent in this spa will have you feeling like you've left the city.

Consider booking a "Half-Day Escape," which is three hours of personalized treatments including a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. Those seeking a little more "me" time, might consider a "Full Day Escape" which includes five and a half hours of personalized treatments. Guests can order a gourmet lunch from the Café Boulud, which is located on the ground floor of the Surrey.

Tags: cafe boulud, CafeBoulud, daniel boulud, DanielBoulud, Daurphin, Laura Rottet, LauraRottet, LT TYA, LtTya, luxist-awards, New York CIty, New York Hotel, NewYorkCity, NewYorkHotel, sally hershberger, SallyHershberger, Spa at Surrey Hotel, SpaAtSurreyHotel, spas, Surrey Hotel, SurreyHotel

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The One Beacon Court Sell Off Continues

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Maybe they need to change the name of One Beacon Court to Once Beacon. The 105-condo Cesar Pelli designed building was hot, hot, hot a few years ago. But now most of the news about the building with the beautiful views and the high end amenities is about who is selling.

Last year disgraced lawyer Marc Drier's four-bedroom unit in the building sold at auction for $8.2 million.

Flavio Briatore's penthouse in the building remains on the market down to $23 million from the $25 million it was listed at when we checked it out as an estate of the day.

Gallery: Flavio Briatore in NYC

Baseball player Bobby Abreu has been trying to sell his One Beacon Court in New York City for a while, chopping the price from $7.9 million to $5.9 million.

Gallery: Bobby Abreu in NYC

Now Cityfile reports on a couple new listings in the building. Joe Roth, the Hollywood producer and former head of Twentieth Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios, has put his four-bedroom apartment up for sale for $21.7 million. He bought the 3,779-square-foot expanse for $13 million in 2006.

An apartment in the building that we first checked out in 2007, baseball player Johnny Damon's former place, is also now back on the market. Damon and his wife sold the apartment three years ago for $8 million and it is now back on the market for $8.9 million. A look at StreetEasy reveals that there are 14 apartments up for sale in the building with a price range of $4.4 million to $23 million.

Tags: new york city, NewYorkCity, one beacon, one beacon court, OneBeacon, OneBeaconCourt

Has Bernie Madoff's NYC Apartment Finally Sold?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Could another of Bernie Madoff's properties finally be heading for sale? The Real Deal reports that Madoff's former penthouse at 133 East 64th Street on New York City's Upper East Side may have found a buyer. Brokers have been told there is an accepted offer on the property. It is currently listed $8.9 million and the listing at Sotheby's still shows up as active. The Real Deal quotes a spokesperson for the US Marshals Service who says that the property is still being shown and that no firm deal has been reached yet. Madoff's Montauk home sold last year for $9.4 million. His Palm Beach, Florida home remains on the market, listed at $7.9 million.

Gallery: Bernie Madoff In New York City

Tags: bernie madoff, BernieMadoff, new york city, NewYorkCity, upper east side, UpperEastSide

Four Seasons, New York: Luxury in the Center of the Big Apple

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Rising over Manhattan's premier shopping and business district is the Four Seasons Hotel, a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best City Hotel.

Designed by I.M. Pei, the hotel features stunning views and gracious style. It is a remarkable luxury experience in one of the busiest cities of the world.

The hotel offers 368 generously-sized guest rooms, including 63 suites. Some accomodations have furnished terraces with views of Central Park or the downtown skyline. The décor is contemporary and understated, featuring the finest handcrafted furniture and English sycamore panelling. Signature facilities include Florentine marble bathrooms with a glass-enclosed shower stall, a deep soaking tub that fills in 60 seconds and a private changing area.

On the 52nd floor, the 4,300 square feet Ty Warner Penthouse, named for the owner of the hotel, was a collaboration between Ty Warner, renowned designer Peter Marino and I.M. Pei. With cantilevered glass balconies and floor-to-ceiling bay windows, the suite is set beneath 25-foot cathedral ceilings. The nine-room penthouse offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of all Manhattan, a private spa room, library, breakfast room, indoor-outdoor Zen garden and library. The suite was custom-commissioned in every detail, from semi-precious stone surfaces to fabrics woven with platinum and gold and comes equipped with a private chauffeur for unlimited travel during the guests' stay with a choice of a Rolls Royce Phantom or a Mercedes Maybach.

The hotel features a full-service spa with Shiatsu, hot stone, Thai ceremony and reflexology treatments (massage, facial and hand and foot treatments) in addition to whirlpool, sauna and steam facilities. There is also a 5,000 square foot fitness facility with cardiovascular equipment; fitness and yoga trainesr are also available for hire.

Nightly rates (not including taxes and service charges) start at $655 for a moderate room; suites start at $1,950 per night.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.