Best of the Buzz : Hot Blocks

It's Showtime for NYC's Lincoln Center Neighborhood

BuzzEditor — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:05:00 GMT

Time was when NYC's Lincoln Center seemed caught in a time warp. True, the neighborhood did contain some classic, even beloved, NYC eateries – but therein lay the rub: nothing much new in the way of dining or drinking ever seemed to be happening around the city’s primo performing-arts complex. When planning a pre- or post-curtain meal, a seasoned culture vulture might well have likened his options to that 30-year-old production of La Bohème at the Met: still lovely, of course – but wouldn’t a fresh experience be nice?

Now, though, as the fall arts season gets underway, the area is humming with a newfound energy – despite the unstable economy. Even as Lincoln Center itself undergoes renovation, all around it new apartment buildings are going up and traffic islands are being spruced up. Several swank stores have sprouted branches in the upper 60s and low 70s, including Brooks Brothers, SEE Eyewear, Space NK.apothecary and Reiss UK. And when a chic cupcake boutique like Magnolia Bakery chooses to open its first spin-off at Columbus and 69th Street, you know a neighborhood’s arrived.

The dining scene appears revitalized as well, with fresh faces juxtaposed among the familiar ones. At Bar Boulud, Daniel Boulud’s rustic French bistro fare now resides a few streets down from Gallic classic Café des Artistes. The drinking crowd can either head up to the Lobby Bar of the refurbished Empire Hotel, or descend beneath street level to established hideaway Shalel Lounge. The Time Warner Center, right in the center of Columbus Circle (within easy walking distance of Lincoln Center) hosts a cornucopia of venues in various price ranges, the latest being the wine bar Clo. And for those who worry about curtain times, there are some fresh options in the Lincoln Center complex itself: a new wine bar/small plates venue in Avery Fisher Hall, fittingly named Arpeggio Food and Wine, and a new Italian menu, devised by chef Umberto Montano (Florence’s Alle Murate), for the Grand Tier restaurant in the Metropolitan Opera House.

Here’s a rundown of places to dine and drink, both familiar favorites and promising newcomers. Spanning the upper 50s to the lower 70s, between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West, they are all close to Lincoln Center, and accustomed to getting you to the show on time.

– Troy Segal

Map of Lincoln Center

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Restaurants
Bars
Hotels

Restaurants

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Amber

221 Columbus Ave. (70th St.)

Asiate

80 Columbus Circle, 35th fl. (60th St. at B'way)

Bar Boulud

Broadway (bet. 63rd & 64th Sts.)

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill

308 W. 58th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.)

Bouchon Bakery

Time Warner Ctr., 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd fl. (60th St. at B'way)

Cafe Fiorello

1900 Broadway (bet. 63rd & 64th Sts.)

Café des Artistes

1 W. 67th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. & CPW)

Epices du Traiteur

103 W. 70th St. (Columbus Ave.)

Gabriel’s

11 W. 60th St. (bet. B'way & Columbus Ave.)

Grand Tier

Lincoln Center Plaza, 2nd fl. (bet. 63rd & 65th Sts.)

Jean Georges

1 Central Park W. (bet. 60th & 61st Sts.)

Josephina

1900 Broadway (bet. 63rd & 64th Sts.)

La Boîte en Bois

75 W. 68th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. & CPW)

Landmarc

10 Columbus Circle, 3rd fl. (60th St. at B'way)

Levana

141 W. 69th St. (bet. B'way & Columbus Ave.)

Nick and Toni’s Cafe

100 W. 67th St. (bet. B'way & Columbus Ave.)

O’Neals’

49 W. 64th St. (bet. B'way & CPW)

Ollie’s

1991 Broadway (bet. 67th & 68th Sts.)

P.J. Clarke’s at Lincoln Square

44 W. 63rd St. (Columbus Ave.)

Picholine

35 W. 64th St. (bet. B'way & CPW)

Porter House New York

10 Columbus Circle, 4th fl. (60th St. at B'way)

Rosa Mexicano

9 E. 18th St. (bet. B'way & 5th Ave.)

Sapphire Indian

1845 Broadway (bet. 60th & 61st Sts.)

Shun Lee Cafe

43 W. 65th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. & CPW)

Shun Lee West

43 W. 65th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. & CPW)

Telepan

72 W. 69th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. & CPW)

Vince and Eddie’s

70 W. 68th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. & CPW)

Whym

889 Ninth Ave. (bet. 57th & 58th Sts.)

Bars

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Bar Masa

10 Columbus Circle, 4th fl. (60th St.)

Barcibo Enoteca

2020 Broadway (69th St.)

Bin 71

237 Columbus Ave. (71st St.)

Clo

10 Columbus Circle, 4th fl. (60th St. at B'way)

Coliseum Bar

312 W. 58th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.)

Columbus 72

246A Columbus Ave. (bet. 71st & 72nd Sts.)

Café des Artistes/The Parlor

1 W. 67th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. & CPW)

Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola

10 Columbus Circle, 5th fl. (60th St.)

Empire Hotel Lobby Bar

W. 63rd St. (bet. B'way & Columbus Ave.)

Empire Hotel Rooftop

44 W. 63rd St., 12th fl. (bet. B'way & Columbus Ave.)

Hudson Hotel Bar

356 W. 58th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.)

Hudson Hotel Library

356 W. 58th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.)

MO Bar

80 Columbus Circle, 35th fl. (60th St.)

Peter’s

182 Columbus Ave. (bet. 68th & 69th Sts.)

Shalel Lounge

65 W. 70th St., downstairs (bet. Columbus Ave. & CPW)

Stone Rose

10 Columbus Circle, 4th fl. (60th St.)

Tavern on the Green

Central Park W. (bet. 66th & 67th Sts.)

Hotels

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Empire Hotel

44 W. 63rd St.

Mandarin Oriental

80 Columbus Circle

Six Columbus

6 Columbus Circle

Trump International

1 Central Park West

Jumeirah Essex House

160 Central Park South

Cocktails in the Clouds in NYC

BuzzEditor — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:42:00 GMT

Mad 46 is one of many rooftop bars open in the city.

photo: Evan W. Miller

In Manhattan, summertime drinking is looking up – way up. Skyscrapers are the new boardwalks, it seems, with rooftop bars like Mad 46 and Highbar popping up across the Midtown skyline. But all those lofty terraces can blur together after awhile, so we've put together a map to help you avoid altitude-induced disorientation. So take an elevator to the clouds, grab a cocktail, soak up the view and imagine you're king or queen of the world – or at least Midtown.

Rooftop Bars in Midtown

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Bars

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Ava Lounge

210 W. 55th Street (between Broadway and Seventh Avenue); 212-956-7020

With "awesome views" down Broadway, this "small yet sophisticated" Midtown “aerie” merges a penthouse lounge with a roof deck for those willing to "pay a premium" in both bucks and "attitude."

Bookmarks

299 Madison Avenue (41st Street); 212-983-4500

Reminiscent of the (imaginary) “rooftop of your own Manhattan apartment”, this “oasis above the Midtown fray” is “expensive”, but the “tight quarters” are still thronged with “Euro tourists” and other “cosmopolitan” types.

The Eagle

554 W. 28th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues); 646-473-1866

“You can’t find more machismo” in Chelsea than at this “trashy, trampy” tavern where “rough-and-tumble” “daddies, bears” and assorted leathermen are on the “prowl”; Still, nobody can resist the “friendly” Sunday afternoon beer blasts on the roof deck.

Highbar

251 W. 48th Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue); 212-956-1300

Hell’s Kitchen’s latest rooftop, this velvet-ropey newcomer is a sleek double-decker that employs bamboo shoots, tropical plants and Hudson River views to draw its cool-cat crowd; much of the medium-size space is covered so inclement weather is never a problem here, and there’s a totally enclosed downstairs den for VIPs.

HK Lounge

405 W. 39th Street (Ninth Avenue); 646-354-9062

A “trendy place” in a “weird location” behind Port Authority, this slick bi-level venue "on the pricey side" lures a “cute”, “decidedly gay” crowd with an “airy” space equipped with “upscale” extras like an “amazing” loftlike lounge under a retractable roof.

Hustler Club

641 W. 51st Street (between 11th and 12th Avenues); 212-247-2460

Spread out over an entire city block in Way West Hell’s Kitchen, this mammary mecca is a mix of “quality” strippers, “neon lights” and ultrapricey cocktails; of course, no one’s “really there for the drinks” anyway, so sit back with the “high rollers” and “bachelor party” attendees and “enjoy the scenery.”

Local

1 Penn Plaza (33rd Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues); 212-629-7070

The newer Garment District satellite of this "twentysomething" bar is more arresting than its sibling thanks to a “cool rooftop” deck where “sloshed commuters” are entertained by “amazing Penn Station people-watching.”

Metro Grill Roof Garden

45 W. 35th Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues); 212-279-3535

This “surprise” rooftop crowning a Garment District hotel boasts a roomy if “plain” setup “overlooking the nearby Empire State Building”; a low-maintenance spot to meet “after work”, though the unimpressed protest it’s “a little too shabby” for the “pricey” tabs.

Patroon

160 E. 46th Street (between Lexington and Third Avenues); 212-883-7373

There’s “atmosphere” galore on the rooftop bar of this Midtown steakhouse where “pricey”, “top-notch” cocktails and “finger food” draw “after-work suits and ties.” Sadly, there’s “no late-night fun” to be had since they close fairly early (and they’re also closed weekends).

Rare View

303 Lexington Avenue (37th Street); 212-481-1999

Like the name says, “beautiful” Midtown panoramas are the draw at this “relaxed” seasonal rooftop bar that’s just the ticket on a “breezy summer night”; expect the usual “pricey drinks”, long lines and “tightly packed elevators”, so for best results “go early to avoid the craziness.

Red Sky

47 E. 29th Street (between Madison and Park Avenues); 212-447-1820

“Three floors with different themes” (a bar, a “curtain-draped” lounge and a tiki-themed “outdoor deck”) make this Gramercy Parker a “solid” enough destination; surveyors split on the vibe – “loads of fun” vs. “loud and crowded” – but most agree the “decor is pretty cheesy.”

Salon de Ning

700 Fifth Avenue (55th Street); 212-903-3097

A slight reworking of the Peninsula Hotel’s former Pen-Top bar, this ritzy rooftop offers inspiring Midtown views from its two outdoor terraces and glass-enclosed bar, now redone with a vague ‘Shanghai deco’ look (think lacquered screens and Chinese daybeds); of course, skyhigh tabs come with the lofty territory.

Sutton Place

1015 Second Avenue (between 53rd and 54th Streets); 212-207-3777

An “awesome” roof deck is the “main attraction on summer evenings” at this longtime Midtown triplex, while the lower floors are pretty “generic” and “personality free.”

Tonic East

411 Third Avenue (29th Street); 212-382-1059

The "solid roof deck" at this “stylish” Gramercy “mega-bar” boasts views of the Empire State Building; the crowd is “young”, and the decibels “loud.”

230 Fifth

230 Fifth Avenue (between 26th and 27th Streets); 212-725-4300

This “sprawling”, vaguely “tropical” deck crowning a Chelsea office building is “swamped” with “suity” “mingling singles” marveling at the “awesome cityscape” vistas and disregarding the “snooty service” and “steep” tabs; the upstairs “top-of-the-world” scene is the “only place to be during the summer.”

Mad 46

45 E. 45th Street (between Madison and Vanderbilt); 212-725-4300

The latest arrival in the burgeoning rooftop-bar genre, this new Midtown nest is perched on top of the Roosevelt Hotel near Grand Central Station; look for a block-long, runway-narrow space featuring western skyline views, waitresses in itty-bitty black dresses and the usual pricey specialty cocktails and snacks.

Eden

268 W. 47th Street (Eighth Avenue and Broadway); 212-398-2188

Further evidence of the Theater District’s nightlife renaissance, this revamped rooftop (formerly known as Jade Terrace) may lack sweeping city vistas, but its open-to-the-sky atrium design does offer ample drinking-by-starlight opportunities; it’s already an after-work destination thanks to some hard-working party promoters.

Hot Blocks: NYC's Meatpacking District

BuzzEditor — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:04:00 GMT

By Randi Gollin

Not only has NYC's Meatpacking District still got it, but the shopping's better than ever. Here's our short list (and a map) of stores, bars, restaurants and hotels.

The too-cool-for-school crowd may scoff that NYC's once-stealth Meatpacking District has lost its achingly hip luster, morphing into a nocturnal playground for tourists and the bridge-and-tunnel crowd. And in some cases, like the imminent closing of pioneering French diner Florent, they may be right. But the influx of new hot spots like Bagatelle, Merkato 55, Kiss & Fly and Tenjune show that these cobblestone streets hold a charisma that won't quit, and the popularity of evergreens like Lotus, Pastis and Spice Market hints that the glitterati and night owls probably never left. Chances are that forthcoming attractions like the High Line Park and a satellite branch of the Whitney Museum of Art, plus the Standard Hotel, will further ramp up the MPD's buzz factor.

While the still-gritty Meatpacking District may lack SoHo's bustle and breadth, it remains a must-shop destination for fashionistas drawn to luxe labels with edge. Much like Jeffrey, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and other early arrivals, many of the latest retailers traffic in exclusivity – or, at the very least, require major bucks to burn – and despite the economy, seem to be going like gangbusters.

So whether you want to play dress-up, sip, snack, pose and/or shake your moneymaker, the Meatpacking District offers countless possibilities. Here's a short list (and a map) of spanking new shops and a selective sampling of hangouts. (Note: We've also included a few soon-to-open places for future reference.)

Map of Meatpacking District

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Shops
Restaurants
Bars
Hotels

Shops

Adam

678 Hudson St. (bet. 13th & 14th Sts.), 212-229-2838
www.shopadam.com

Chic, luxurious basics that tweak convention are the province of former Oscar de la Renta creative director Adam Lippes, who steps up the neighborhood's clothing options for guys and gals at his handsome bachelor-padlike showcase.

Iris

827 Washington St. (bet. Gansevoort & Little W. 12th Sts.), 212-645-0950

Kick along the cobblestones in high style after visiting this sleek silver-and-white shoe heaven, an Italian import that showcases the full collections of Chloé, Paul Smith, Viktor & Rolf, Marc Jacobs, John Galliano and Veronique Branquinho.

Helmut Lang

819 Washington St. (bet. Gansevoort & Little W. 12th Sts.), 212-242-3240
www.helmutlang.com

The legendary Lang is no longer the creative force behind this iconic label, but the spirit of his trademark long-and-lean silhouettes (embellished with 21st-century details by a new design team) lives on at this brick-walled, loftlike space, a stone's throw from its future home in the High Line building.

Osklen

32-36 Little W. 12th St. (bet. 9th Ave. and Washington St.), 212-727-2031
www.osklen.com

Bossa nova over to Destination, an arty mecca for edgy designers, and discover a store-within-a-store dedicated to this upbeat Brazilian brand (also found at its standalone store in SoHo) of nature-inspired apparel – and, yes, itty-bitty bikinis – made with eco-oriented fabrics.

Yohji Yamamoto

1 Gansevoort St. (bet. 8th Ave. & Hudson St.), 212-966-3615
www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Follow the fashion flock into the venerable Japanese designer's spanking new high-concept, triangular namesake flagship divided by an open courtyard. The store is sparingly filled with avant-garde men's and women's clothing, plus accessories from Stormy Weather, a collaborative line between Yamamoto and pearl powerhouse Mikimoto.

Y-3

317 W. 13th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.), 917-546-8677
www.y-3.com

Larger and more accessible than its half-sibling across the way, this new black-and-white home for Yohji Yamamato and Adidas' collaboration – a sports-inspired, super-stylish line of clothing and sneakers – is the first of its kind in NYC; another branch is set to open in SoHo.

Apple

401 W. 14th St. (9th Ave.), 212-444-3400
www.apple.com

The newest Apple in Manhattan wears its mantle of cool proudly, selling techie toys from iPhones to MacBook Air computers till the midnight hour in a galleryesque, three-story space with a concrete floor, spiral staircase and concierge service.

Hugo Boss
Coming Soon

401 W. 14th St. (bet. 9th & 10th Aves.), no phone yet
www.hugoboss.com

After recently shuttering its Fifth Avenue flagship, this German sharpshooter is readying not one, but two new Downtown stores for 2008 openings: a humongous BOSS Hugo Boss boutique in SoHo, which will open first this summer, followed by a showstopper in the radically renovated retail building that once housed Western Beef and is now home to Apple.

Moschino
Coming Soon

401 W. 14th St. (bet. 9th & 10th Aves.), no phone yet
www.moschino.com

The MPD's most visible fashion corridor will soon throw down the welcome mat for this storied Italian designer label, slated to make its Manhattan debut this spring. It may be known for its whimsical ad campaigns and designs, including a collection called Cheap & Chic, but its prices tend toward serious and scorching.

Ports 1961
Coming Soon

3 Ninth Ave. (bet. Gansevoort & Horatio Sts.), no phone yet
www.ports1961.com

Wielding insider clout among the fashion pack stateside and in the Far East, this family-owned, high-end Canadian label is now poised to reach a wider audience with the opening of its first NYC store, a three-story affair with a street-level boutique showcasing creative director Tia Cibani's modern, elegant designs.

Restaurants

Los Dados

73 Gansevoort St. (bet. Gansevoort & Washington Sts.), 646-810-7290

After gallivanting around Gansevoort, nab a seat at the communal table of this new cantina from the folks behind Sueños and Lotus and dig into Mexican home cooking.

Bagatelle

409 W. 13th St. (bet. 9th Ave. & Washington St.), 212-675-2400

Round up your Francophile pals and swan over to this chic, contemporary French bistro from the owners of neighboring STK for post-shop sustenance. If the pulsating house music is your bag, carry the party upstairs to Kiss & Fly.

Merkato 55

55 Gansevoort St. (bet. Greenwich & Washington Sts.), 212-255-8555

Aquavit's star chef Marcus Samuelsson steers a new course at his exotic two-floor destination where adventurous, moneyed hipsters feast on Middle Eastern-accented African fare and tip back unusual cocktails.

Buddha Bar

25 Little W. 12th St. (bet. 9th Ave. & Washington St.), 212-647-7314

Boasting a 17-ft. Buddha, pagodas, aquariums and koi ponds, this cavernous, Disney-esque Asian fusion phenomenon remains a spectacle to behold.

Ono

Gansevoort Hotel, 18 Ninth Ave. (enter on 13th St., bet. Hudson St. & 9th Ave.), 212-660-6766

Check into Jeffrey Chodorow's stunning Japanese destination with a sweeping red staircase in Hotel Gansevoort and satisfy those cravings for sushi and robata grill meats.

One

1 Little W. 12th St. (9th Ave.), 212-255-9717

Walking the line between sleek lounge and fashionable restaurant, this sultry spot turned out in rich browns lures an equally sexy crowd with New American small plates, interesting libations and a soundtrack that never quits.

Pastis

9 Ninth Ave. (Little W. 12th St.), 212-929-4844

Morning, noon and night, locals and leggy model-types belly up to the zinc bar and spill over to the sidewalk tables at Keith McNally's perennially bustling French bistro.

Spice Market

403 W. 13th St. (9th Ave.), 212-675-2322

Get your exotic on at Jean-Georges Vongerichten's colorful Southeast Asian stomping ground, a visual feast serving up Thai-Malay-Vietnamese street food and eye candy galore.

Bars

Kiss & Fly

409 W. 13th St. (bet. 9th Ave. & Washington St.), 212-255-1933

What was once Aer is now a swanky lounge above Bagatelle with a full-on Euro scene, DJs from far and wide, strobe lighting and Cirque du Soleil-esque performances.

STK

26 Little W. 12th St. (bet. 9th Ave. & Washington St.), 646-624-2444

Out with the steakhouse stereotype, in with this sultry, female-friendly three-level bar/lounge/meatery that dispenses with the boys club–vibe but still attracts big spenders.

Lotus

409 W. 14th St. (bet. 9th Ave. & Washington St.), 212-243-4420

The exotic, Southeast Asian–inspired club/restaurant, a tropical multilevel wonderland that practically put bottle service on the map, still draws droves of A-listers, pretty people and the eternally fashionable.

Tenjune

26 Little W. 12th St. (bet. 9th Ave. & Washington St.), 646-624-2410

Zebra-print tables, a leather-lined bar and velvet couches set the vibe-o-meter to swanky at STK's über-trendy subterranean club with a tough door policy where models, celebs and other untouchables dance the night away.

Plunge

Gansevoort Hotel, 18 Ninth Ave. (bet. Little W. 12th & 13th Sts.), rooftop, 212-206-6700

This glam pool lounge atop the Hotel Gansevoort is known for its killer views and cocktails large enough to wade through.

G Spa & Lounge

Hotel Gansevoort, 18 Ninth Ave. (bet. Little W. 12th & 13th Sts.), downstairs, 212-206-6700

A hotel spa by day and an exclusive nightspot after hours, this two-faced haunt is where the beautiful people go – but unless you're connected, chances are you'll never darken its door.

Soho House

29-35 Ninth Ave. (14th St.), 212-627-9800

Visiting Brits, European expats and Manhattan's innermost circle kick back with cocktails on the Chesterfield sofa in the sixth-floor bar area or lounge and sip around the rooftop pool at this members-only club/hotel.

Hotels

Hotel Gansevoort

18 Ninth Ave. (bet. Little W. 12th & 13th Sts.), 206-6700

After dining at Ono and swilling martinis at Plunge, why leave the premises? Instead, chill like a rock star in one of this happening hotel's cool, compact rooms.

The Standard
Coming Soon

848 Washington St. (bet. W. 12th & 13th Sts.), 212-645-4646

If Andre Balazs' hip Standard hotels in Downtown LA, Hollywood and Miami are any barometer, his 18-story baby rising high above Washington Street may just be the standard-bearer of cheap chic in hoteldom; slated to open fall 2008.