NEW THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK AFTER TRADE SHOW HOURS
Thanks to climate change, it’s impossible to be sure whether the weather will be frightful or delightful in January. Still, the odds are if you’re in town this month, whether you live here or visiting for market week, you’ll be seeking a haven of comfort during our winter nights. Here, some up-to-the-second suggestions for places to chill out even if the mercury surprisingly soars.
BRASSERIE SAINT MARC
New York isn’t exactly lacking fine French restaurants, but the recently opened Brasserie Saint Marc strives for a special level of authenticity, both in its design and its cuisine. The vast space features such truly Gallic touches as vintage Babar murals on the walls, but you’ll probably be looking down at the Escoffier-inspired dishes on your plate, which range from choucroute garnie and trout amandine to cassoulet and coq au vin. And naturally, there’s a vast list of French champagnes to choose from, along with an extensive wine list that even includes some local vintages. Bon appetit! (136 Second Avenue. 917-941-7312)
CLICQUOT CHALET AT MR. PURPLE
Here’s a simple rule to live by: Skiing can be dangerous; après-ski is not. So, ditch the slopes and head straight to the Clicquot Chalet at Mr. Purple, the funky bar atop the Hotel Indigo Lower East Side. Here, the bar’s outdoor terrace has been transformed into a larger-than-life snow globe dome decked-out in Veuve Clicquot-themed ski lodge décor, while visitors can head inside to indulge in an exclusive array of champagne cocktails, among other luscious libations, along with plenty of chocolate and cheese fondue to warm your soul. One danger, though: walking in without a reservation is not recommended. (180 Orchard Street. 212-237-1790)
ALPHABET BAR & CAFÉ
At the newest in the ever-growing chain of Marriott’s Moxy hotels, the Moxy East Village, the Rockwell Group has outdone itself again with the gorgeous Alphabet Bar & Café. This stunning multi-use space features an outdoor terrace, co-working lounge, and meeting studios that seamlessly transition from day-to-night. For extra fun, there’s a Skee-Ball game that provides a hit of nostalgia for the arcade era as well as an interactive real-time graffiti installation lets guests use a tablet to draw their own tag or sketch a bit of street art and see it projected on the wall. And yes, there are plenty of delicious drinks and nibbles on hand, including custom artisanal brews by Intelligentsia Coffee, freshly baked goods, composed salads, seasonal paninis, and tartines. Talk about an A for effort –and execution! (112 East 11th Street. 212-288-6699)
SPRING PLACE
Perhaps the next best thing (or maybe even better) than getting onto an airplane is heading down to Spring Place, where its International Culinary Collective Collaboration with Mastercard Priceless continues through January 23. They are offering up three immersive, multi-sensory environments from around the world: The Rock, Terazushi, and Lyaness. Better yet, at each unusual space, the restaurant’s nuances were replicated down to the tiniest detail: in interior design, menu items, exotic scents, and even table settings. Who could ask for anything more? (6 St. John’s Lane. 212-257-5600)
IVY LANE
Believe it or not, adventurous food can be found on NYC’s staid Upper East Side. At Ivy Lane, Korean-born chef Sung Park adventurously mixes and layers quality ingredients to create some of the most inventive food anywhere in the city, all served in a beautiful, tri-level setting. Consider chowing down on true squid ink gnocchi with a mornay sauce; an octopus terrine with caper berry, sweet and sour chili sauce, saffron aioli and olive purée; fluke meuniere with crab brandade and wilted kale; or lamb pappardelle with ginger, chili, and almond pesto. You’ll be glad you took a walk (or subway or cab) to this Lane. (116 East 60th Street. 212-641-0577)
THE CAMPBELL BAR
Even if you’ve only been to New York once, you’ve hopefully experienced the splendor of The Campbell Bar at Grand Central Station, a gorgeously restored space that pays homage to its 1930s heritage with bold brass finishes, customized wood-and-leather furnishings, and hand-painted ceilings. But you’ve probably not had the chance yet to spend your Sunday evenings there listening to live jazz performances. And while there’s a wonderful new artist to hear each week, the Campbell’s sublime cocktail list remains the same, so you count on having a GG Manhattan or a John Campbell’s Martini to sip on while savoring the sweet sounds of this iconic musical art form. (15 Vanderbilt Avenue. 212-297-1781)
ELECTRIC LEMON
Hotel dining has definitely evolved from so-so steaks and not-so-fresh fish. Take the STARR group’s Electric Lemon, which is serving exciting American fare and creative cocktails in a spectacular space (designed by the brilliant David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group) on the 24th floor of the new Equinox Hotel. Executive Chef Kyle Knall’s mouthwatering menu includes marinated razor clams with pickled carrot and cilantro broth; soft egg crepes with beef tartare, sorrel and smoked oyster sauce; chickpea pasta with sungold tomatoes, blistered shishito peppers, and basil; and Contramar-inspired black bass with poblano, salsa verde, and warm fresh tortillas. You’ll definitely be flying high after this meal — no drugs required. (33 Hudson Yards. 212-822-9202)
MARKY’S AND HUSO
Is there any better way to get rid of the winter blues than indulging the ultimate luxury food? Yes, we mean caviar – and there’s plenty of it to be had at the beautiful gourmet shop Marky’s and its adjacent eatery Huso. Both spaces offer Marky’s own signature caviar, delivered to the shop within days of being harvested directly from its own U.S. aquafarm, along with a variety of sustainable and high-quality caviar from around the world. You can shop ‘til you drop, or if you really want to go all-in, try Huso’s rotating 7-course tasting menu (priced at $200), which highlights caviar in nearly every dish, including dessert. What an eggs-cellent idea! (1067 Madison Avenue. 212-288-0850)
BELCAMPO
We all crave a good old burger now and then (even if it’s made from turkey, lamb or veggies) and suddenly feel slightly guilty as soon as we swallow the last bite. Those days are over thanks to the arrival of Belcampo at Hudson Yards, where all the company’s meats are sourced directly from its 20,000-acre farm in Northern California where the animals have been primarily grass-fed, grass-finished, and pasture-raised. You don’t even have to feel bad about the “bread” now that all the burgers can be placed on the health-friendly (and grain-free) Keto Bun by Unbun, low in carbs but high in protein and fiber. This is the kind of news that’s really easy to swallow! (500 West 33rd Street. 212-244-7444)
ISAAC MIZRAHI AT CAFÉ CARLYLE
As a fashion designer, Isaac Mizrahi has always been consistently on point, but he’s proven to be just as successful as a cabaret performer. No wonder the ultra-elegant Café Carlyle has invited him back to debut his new show “Movie Stars and Supermodels,” from January 21-February 8. The irrepressible Mizrahi will perform songs by John Denver, Bill Withers, Cy Coleman and Stephen Sondheim, dish on model fittings, intimate dinners and exclusive parties with Hollywood’s elite, and share his hilarious musings on everything from politics to dieting to his latest Instagram obsessions. It’s the sort of don’t-miss show that should be on everyone’s hit list! (35 East 76th Street. 1-800-405-2027)
MUSE BAR
If you’re looking for a place to warm your body – and soul – while in Midtown, head straight to the enchanting Kimpton Muse Bar. Recently added cocktail highlights include War of the Roses (Tanqueray gin, pimm’s, St Germain, lime, mint, peychaud’s), the Knickerbocker cocktail (Banks 5 rum, curaçao, raspberry, lime) and the Pornstar martini (Absolut vodka, passionfruit, vanilla, lime, shot of sparkling wine), while winter menu favorites include Chicken Pot Pie and even an Irish Coffee Caramel Sundae. Talk about the best of both worlds. (130 West 46th Street. 212-485-2400)
