Experience stunning simplicity or outrageous grandeur at privately owned boutique hotels and their eateries.
The Standard Grill
Standing proud riverside in the Meatpacking District, The Standard Hotel serves an urban clientele with sister locations in LA and Miami. Boasting 337 rooms with breathtaking views of the Hudson via floor-to-ceiling windows, The Standard Hotel attracts patrons from all five boroughs with their in-house bar, Biergarten, and the renowned The Standard Grill. The Standard serves guests at all hours of the day, offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and an after hours selection. Acclaimed Executive Chef Dan Silverman, previously of Union Square Café, focuses on market fresh ingredients to revitalize simple yet elegant plates that are sure to meet all expectations. Revitalizing items such as the sesame encrusted diver scallops served with an avocado remoulade indicates Chef Silverman’s intensive care of serving creations as fresh and clean as his ingredients. As per the hotel’s neo-classic setting, The Standard Grill welcomes patrons with a classic yet updated surrounding.
NoMad
Designed by interior designer Jacques Garcia, The NoMad Hotel operating in Midtown is a sight to behold. Housed in an original Beaux Arts building, The NoMad Hotel is New York meets classical Europe. Luxury is interwoven with original pieces throughout the hotel’s 168 different rooms; it continues on at NoMad, the hotel’s restaurant and bar. Swiss Chef Daniel provides a collection of creations that will please everyone and anyone. From foie gras to bone marrow grantineé, NoMad is sure to earn praise from all sorts of patrons.
Maialino
Nestled in the Flat Iron District is The Gramercy Park Hotel, a bohemian infusion of luxury and history. Opening its doors in 1925, the Gramercy’s Renaissance color palette and classic, yet luxurious style draws guests to the museum-like residence, adorned with countless art pieces and unique items. Along with the hotel’s popular in-house bars, The Rose Bar and The Jade Bar, Gramercy Park Hotel hosts Roman trattoria Maialino. Organized by Union Square Hospitality and brought to life by Executive Chef Nick Anderer, Danny Meyer’s Maialino offers 24/7 service for guests and busy New Yorkers alike. The menu draws its inspiration from classic dishes found throughout Rome, and features fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the Greenmarket and other local farms. Eclectic and old-age dishes such as the ‘Coda alla Vaccinara’ (oxtail, tomato and celery) surprise in a new-age setting.
Asellina
Amongst Midtown lies the ever chic Gansevoort Hotel Park. The Gansevoort Park Avenue offers 249 luxury rooms to their guests complete with lofty ceilings, Juliet balconies, and five fixture bathrooms. The three-story atrium lobby boasts herringbone granite floors with an awe-inspiring hearth complimented by aubergine chandeliers. The Gansevoort also plays host to Asellina, an intimate lounge and restaurant named after an ancient Roman tavern in Pompeii. Casual fare such as half portions and hors d’oeuvres dominate the menu by award-winning Chef Marco Porceddu.
Blue Smoke
As far as barbecue joints go, restaurateur’s Danny Meyer’s high-end, with a skylit dining room and a swingin’ jazz club downstairs. Pit master Kenny Callaghan offers salt-and-pepper beef ribs, salmon, and – be still my heart – pit-smoked foie gras. The must-haves for this restaurant include the Memphis-style baby back ribs, the pulled pork sandwich, and the macaroni and cheese. Sounds like a well-rounded meal to me. Great beer and a lively vibe make Blue Smoke a must for every BBQ fan in the city. www.bluesmoke.com
Ed’s Chowder House
Influenced by all things New York, the Empire Hotel, operating on the outskirts of Central Park, is catered to each and every guest. With over one hundred amenities, The Empire Hotel is an elegant yet functional space perfect for visiting businessmen and tourists alike. The Empire Hotel is special for its rooftop pool and lounge, along with in house culinary services and bars. Bringing a piece of Northern New England to the heart of the city, Ed’s Chowder House features a casually welcoming nautical layout serving New England’s finest. With dishes such as tuna steak frites, lobster rolls, and crab cakes, New England is only a short distance from New York’s busy streets. Signature chowders along with oysters and more from a raw bar complete the space.
The Breslin
You might find the hipster-type at The Ace Hotel, a multi-fariously designed space located in the heart of Midtown. Although the reasonably-priced Ace isn’t as grand as The Plaza, the hotel’s management is sure to book the hottest talent for the on-site guest accommodations. The Breslin Bar and Restaurant is a playpen for the city’s up and coming social circles, enjoying late night entertainment. Owned by April Bloomfield and Ken Freidman (The Spotted Pig), The Breslin’s hearty, meat-centric menu emphasizes artisanal products, small growers and farmers, and seasonality. Value and a good-ol’ time go hand in hand at the welcoming, yet edgy, Ace Hotel.
Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya
Retro meets hipster meets outrageous at The Thompson Lower East Side. The hotel’s glowing headboards and Andy Warhol filmstrip pool bring something different and unique to tourists from the world’s other leading cities. A playground for the elite social ring of New York’s young and restless, Thompson LES keeps the nightlife in motion with recently opened Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya. A member of the Blue Ribbon family, Sushi Izakaya serves up sushi and Japanese appetizers, as well as yakitori and a range of entrees with intentions of being shared. Favorites include fish flown in daily from Japan and the fried rice dishes.
Ai Fiori
Luxury is an understatement at the renowned Setai Fifth Avenue. Sophistication at its finest, The Setai hosts both visitors and residents of NYC with over 150 suites and 57 apartments, including three penthouse spaces. State-of-the-art spa services along with fitness centers and every concierge service in the book, the breathtaking Setai is home to urban masterpieces Bar on Fifth and Mediterranean haven Ai Fiori. Michelin Star winner Ai Fiori is operated by the well known Altamarea Group and acclaimed Executive Chef Michael White. Situated above the grandiose entrance to the Setai, Ai Fiori combines cuisine from the Italian and French Riviera with a selection offering modern interpretations of traditional regional dishes. An exquisite rack of lamb en crepinette served with goat cheese panisse envelopes your taste buds in pleasure. Fiori’s ambiance is elegant yet welcoming.
Braai
New York’s first South African BBQ restaurant has an exotic, urban-club look with bamboo-lined ceiling arches over flickering candles and strewn flower petals. To match the unique décor, Braai serves some unique barbecued fare like ostrich, venison, and deviled chicken livers. Enjoy unique combinations you won’t find elsewhere, like ostrich skewers or Sosaties with papaya-coconut or apricot chutnies, or pork with crisp asparagus. Wash the decadence down with excellent cocktails like the Zulu Bubble Bath, a potent mix of rum and peach. www.braainyc.com