I should start by saying that the Chelsea tops the list of my favorite hotels. A newly renovated and updated former Holiday Inn located on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ, it boasts gorgeous decor reminiscent of the 20's in America exuding style, class, and luxury. The hotel is PURPLE, yes purple, the color of royalty, and that is exactly how any guest at this hotel feels from arrival to departure.
The Chelsea located on, da ha, Chelsea Avenue, is the only non-gaming hotel on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City allowing for a truly unique experience. The air is (thankfully) smoke free and the carpets, drapes, and furniture are not trying to hide the dirt brought in from the casinos. I can honestly say, that I can go to the Chelsea in Atlantic City and NEVER leave the hotel. They have everything. The rooms, for starters, are divine and follow through completely with the 1920's vibe. As for amenities, the Chelsea has valet parking and bell service, a knowledgeable concierge, not one but TWO restaurants (Chelsea Prime to be reviewed later in the article, and diner style Teplitzky's), a lounge and bar located on The Fifth Floor, a spa complete with steam rooms, sauna, and open all year round salt water outdoor pool (YES!), another pool ON THE ROOF!, retail shop, full service beach (seasonal), bike rental, boardwalk access, and more that I probably don't even know about.
I've stayed at the Chelsea two times, once in the main tower and one in the annex. The rooms in the annex are smaller and more dated (pink 70's bathroom anyone?) and are definitely not as luxurious as the main tower, but the bed (thank goodness) is the same plushy goodness. There is no flat screen TV (but really who goes to AC to watch TV?), there is no counter space in the bathroom (disappointing), and there is no water view (unless you count the pool). All the rooms have a balcony though (which the main tower doesn't have) which is a nice feature if visiting in the warmer months. However, I highly highly recommend staying on the pool side of the annex if you chose to stay there instead of in the main tower because the sounds from the street can be loud. Also, don't take your coat off before getting in the elevator because it is NOT heated and frigid (in the winter, I would think it would be OK in summer). Other than that, the room was perfect for our use and perfect for the price ($80 less than the tower with a special promotion). The option of staying in the annex or the main tower gives everyone the opportunity to experience this great hotel (with a sister hotel in Cape May NJ which I should mention). The only downside, le sigh, is that you cannot get room comps here, as it is not a gaming hotel, which I guess in the scheme of things isn't a downside at all. Keep in mind you will likely never get a free room here, but if you sign up for their mailing list you will always know when they are offering special deals and packages (and trust me, they're worth it).
My most recent visit to the Chelsea was for a one night getaway from NY on a Friday night. The drive took about three hours (with some traffic due to rush hour and road construction). Upon arriving at the hotel, the valet greeted us and helped us with our bags and then whisked the car away while we were gloriously greeted by heat lamps at the entrance to the hotel. The desk attendant informed us of all the great perks of the Chelsea, and then proceeded to sing happy birthday to my travel companion as it was his birthday, and the reason for our getaway. It was a very personal touch. The room was FREEZING when we got in, but I'm sure this was due to energy saving measures and the room heated up in a jiffy after blasting on high at 85 degrees for a couple of hours while we settled in and got ready for our dinner at Chelsea Prime, located on the Fifth Floor of the main tower of the hotel. One of the great things about Chelsea Prime is that you don't have to put on a coat to go to dinner! You just get in the elevator. In the winter, this is a blessing as the chill from the ocean is intense.
The ambiance at Chelsea Prime is breathtaking. The restaurant is black and white with old black and white photographs taken in Atlantic City lining the walls. The decor stayed true to the 20's theme of the hotel and each table had an oil lamp with a shade adorning it. The white leather booths are the table to ask for when making a reservation. You can see the whole restaurant and out the huge windows, which at sunset must be breathtaking.
Chelsea Prime is a traditional steakhouse with a variety of cuts to chose from along with fresh seafood, salads, caviar, and a raw bar. We had the oysters from the raw bar (a combination of east/west) which were perfect, although I would have preferred a little more horseradish. I had a baby greens salad with a dressing that tasted like no other dressing I've ever tasted. It was perfectly sweet and tart and not at all soggy. My companion ordered the from the prix fixe menu and received a chicken and dumpling soup that I swear had gnocchi in it (can we say YUM). My steak, an 8oz fillet (you can also order 10 or 12 oz fillets) was perfectly prepared with a slightly crunchy crust and a very tender inside. No sauce required, just how I like my steak. From the prix fixe (which changes often) the marinated skirt steak was to die for. The marinade was not showy and used the perfect blend of spices to bring out the natural flavors in the meat. The side of mashed potatoes and string beans were also tasty and not over buttered or overcooked. Dessert, oh lord, we had a warm chocolate truffle cake the I swooned for, and I don't like chocolate (supposedly). The plate had "Happy Birthday" written on it in chocolate ganache, and we ate that too, seriously. The Vueve Cliquot "Yellow Label" champagne was a great accompaniment to the whole meal (we love our bubbly) and was on the house with a stay in the hotel (coupon received at check in). Being fans of The Palm, Bobby Vans, and other major steakhouses in NY, Chelsea Prime was a great experience and one that we will repeat on our next visit to AC and stay in the Chelsea. We don't need to go out in the cold to The Palm over in the Tropicana (smoking, cough cough) when we have Chelsea Prime!
After dinner, and a bad decision to walk in the cold over to the Tropicana (a block away) to give some money to the casino (yes, we lost) we decided to go back to the Chelsea and spend the rest of the night there because, well, we love it. We went to the Fifth Floor where they have a lounge and bar which is super fun, and it's unfortunate that not more people coming to AC know about it! There is a coat check if you're coming from another hotel (which you should). There is a DJ playing hot tunes (and oldies!) which are great to dance to. You can order from the bar or get bottle service and you can sit anywhere you want, unlike those stuffy exclusive clubs in NY (which I am sorry to say I've frequented too often). I ordered a raspberry cosmopolitain (signature) which was perfect (it even had some OJ in it, just how I like it) but the margarita came (gasp) without salt and with too much sweet stuff (bleh). Oh well... I recommend a more experienced bartender. But, the best thing about the Fifth Floor lounge is that there is a PURPLE pool table, yes I said purple, and board and card games! So, while it's a "non-gaming" hotel, you can play your own way! We played "Man Bites Dog" a clever card game where you create news headlines and rack up your points until you win. Yes, we know we're dorks. They also had classics like Clue, Monopoly, and Backgammon. Unfortunately, we couldn't find writing utensils to keep our score, but it was still fun to come up with funny headlines. There is a balcony where people go to smoke (cough cough) and probably enjoy the weather when it's nice enough to enjoy. We went to the Fifth Floor New Year's Eve party last year and had so much fun that we probably shouldn't talk about it on the internets... Yes, it was that fun.
The next morning after oversleeping and being awoken by housekeeping (oops!) we ate brunch downstairs at Teplitzky's, a diner style restaurant. my eggs were perfect (over easy) though my bacon was a wee cold (maybe because I was in the bathroom when they brought it to the table) and my English muffin was late. But, the coffee, omgosh the coffee, is SO good, so good, so so good. And it comes in a big mug, not a little tea cup. Delicious.
Leaving the Chelsea is always the worst part, but, we know we'll be back again. I'm already planning our next visit!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Mad River - Not the Ski Mountain
Apparently Mad River is a bar and grill, but I would know nothing about the grill aspect of this establishment as I went there late on a Wednesday night for the bar scene, and let me tell you, it was a SCENE! This place has all kinds of specials every day of the week, so definitely check out their website to see what is going on when you plan on going. They have trivia on Tuesdays, $20 open bar and $30 beer pong tournament on Thursdays, football deals on Sundays, and DJs nearly every night. You can have a private party here or even be a guest bartender. This place has everything and is a must go on any trip to NYC or even just up to the Upper East Side.
Mad River is located at 1442 Third Avenue at 82nd Street, in the heart of the Upper East Side's bar scene. The website lists that they are open until 4:00am (except on Sundays when they close at 12am), if that gives you any indication of what a hopping party it hosts. Dress however you want, just don't look like a bum. I was coming from a dinner with friends and we were all dressed to the nines and maybe stood out a little bit (which wasn't a bad thing!) but most poeple were in more casual duds, though I don't recall seeing any sneakers or baseball caps. There are doormen/bouncers but I don't think they'd turn you down for wearing sneakers, unless they were really dirty.
There is a large main bar and a small back bar on the ground level. The area in the back serves as a dance floor at night, where everyone crowds in and either dances or doesn't, but the DJ is so good you will find yourself tapping your feet at some point. I wasn't all that impressed with the flavor or quality of the drinks (keep in mind they're served in plastic cups), except that they did the job (they were strong, like whoa). It got very very hot with all the people so dress appropriately! Also, don't wear anything white or light colored as you will get drinks spilled all over you (and maybe someone will apologize about it).
Even though I left covered in booze, sweaty, and slightly wobbly in my wedges, I had the most amazing night, of course aided by good company. I will definitely go to this place again and can't wait to try some of their mid-week drink specials.
Mad River is located at 1442 Third Avenue at 82nd Street, in the heart of the Upper East Side's bar scene. The website lists that they are open until 4:00am (except on Sundays when they close at 12am), if that gives you any indication of what a hopping party it hosts. Dress however you want, just don't look like a bum. I was coming from a dinner with friends and we were all dressed to the nines and maybe stood out a little bit (which wasn't a bad thing!) but most poeple were in more casual duds, though I don't recall seeing any sneakers or baseball caps. There are doormen/bouncers but I don't think they'd turn you down for wearing sneakers, unless they were really dirty.
There is a large main bar and a small back bar on the ground level. The area in the back serves as a dance floor at night, where everyone crowds in and either dances or doesn't, but the DJ is so good you will find yourself tapping your feet at some point. I wasn't all that impressed with the flavor or quality of the drinks (keep in mind they're served in plastic cups), except that they did the job (they were strong, like whoa). It got very very hot with all the people so dress appropriately! Also, don't wear anything white or light colored as you will get drinks spilled all over you (and maybe someone will apologize about it).
Even though I left covered in booze, sweaty, and slightly wobbly in my wedges, I had the most amazing night, of course aided by good company. I will definitely go to this place again and can't wait to try some of their mid-week drink specials.
Carvel
I haven't been to Carvel in what feels like forever. I don't know why but I was craving a "Flying Saucer" (a fancy ice cream sandwich). So, I stopped into Carvel #2185 in Bridgehampton, NY, went to the freezer, grabbed a package of 6 already made Flying Saucers with vanilla ice cream and sprinkles of course, and took them home. I enjoyed, immensely. I cannot wait to eat the rest that are sitting in my freezer. My suggestion, invite 5 friends over for a Flying Saucer feast. Enjoy!
Townline BBQ
Townline BBQ is a Texas take-out style barbecue joint located on Townline Road (I wonder how they got their name) in Sagaponack, NY on the East End of Long Island. Townline BBQ is completely unpretentious so feel free to show up ready to get messy, because you will have BBQ sauce dripping down to your elbows.
To get to Townline BBQ take Montauk Highway (East or West, depending where you're coming from). If you're taking the highway West, then Townline BBQ will be on your left immediately after Wainscott. If you're taking the highway East, then it will be on your right right before you enter Wainscott and after passing the Poxabogue Golf Course on your left. You can't miss it, seriously, it's the only building on the edge of a farm (so East End). There is a parking lot and street parking but also feel free to ride your bike if you live or are staying close by.
As I mentioned before, this is a Texas take-out style joint, which means first, that the ribs are dry rubbed (omgosh amazing) and not wet and smothered (you do that yourself with their homemade sauces) and second, that there are no waiters, you order at a counter, and the food comes on a try in plastic and paper containers. Townline is a pretty busy place, so make sure you have someone holding or waiting for a booth while the food is being ordered at the counter. Also, make sure your booth is clean. The second time I visited Townline the bus person neglected to clean my table and so I self-served it, which was slightly irritating.
The interior is all wooden and country feeling with a large center communal table usually overcrowded with people under the age of 10. If you chose to eat outside there are picnic tables on the back patio overlooking the farmland. There is a full service bar on one side with good happy hour specials, a pool table, a dart board, and a giant flat screen displaying whatever sporting event happens to be on at the moment. The most expensive thing on the menu is the full rack of 12 ribs (I got 13 once!) at a reasonable price of $25. Keep in mind this is enough food for two or three people. The sides are all under $5 and the desserts are all under $4. You will not break the bank here, yet another good reason to keep coming back for more. Townline is open weekdays from 11:30am to 10:00pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day (closed Tuesday and Thursday between Labor Day and Memorial Day) and until 11:00pm on Friday and Saturdy nights. With hours like that, you have absolutely no excuse not to go here.
You cannot go to Townline BBQ and not order the ribs, unless of course you don't eat pork, then you can order the giant beef short rib or chicken. They even have a vegetarian chili and meat free sides for you vegetarians out there who go to BBQ places to confuse everyone. I haven't tried anything else but the ribs and I don't plan on doing so becuase the ribs are so mouthwateringly delicious. I have daydreams about them, no I am not kidding. I'm sure one of the secret ingredients in the rib rub is a highly addictive drug, and that's why I keep wanting to go back for more. Not to mention, the baked beans are so flavorful that a fight might break out over who gets the last bite. The corn on the cob is slathered in sweet butter and is cooked to a perfect popping crunch. The fried mac and cheese while tasty, was too fried and not enough mac and cheese for my taste. I would have liked it better had it not been fried (and yes I know that defeats the whole purpose of fried mac and cheese). The cole slaw was pretty general as cole slaw goes, nothing outstanding but not bad either, although you do get a lot of it. I can't give you any desert suggestions as I've always been so completely stuffed by that point, but I can tell you that the desserts sitting on the counter have received many an alluring stare from others in my party.
One of the smartest things I have ever seen, is a hand washing station in the main dining area so that you don't leave with sticky fingers. I would like to point out that the water is the perfect temperature.
The last thing I will say about Townline BBQ is regarding their attempt at being "green". While I cannot properly comment on their behind the scenes efforts, their attempt was kind of schizophrenic. The drink cups are bio-friendly, but the plastic utensils and food containers aren't. This seems a bit contradictory to me, but maybe there is something going on that I don't know about. If it were me attempting to have a "green" restaurant (and keep in mind I'm not sure if this is even one of their goals), I would make sure all the plastics were vegetable based from the cups to the utensils to the containers. By no means is this a deal breaker for me, and it is definitely a better attempt than most take out places, the inconsistency just seems odd.
That being said, I cannot wait to go back to Townline BBQ (and I just ate their last night) for another round of ribs and baked beans, and maybe I'll save room for dessert the next time.
To get to Townline BBQ take Montauk Highway (East or West, depending where you're coming from). If you're taking the highway West, then Townline BBQ will be on your left immediately after Wainscott. If you're taking the highway East, then it will be on your right right before you enter Wainscott and after passing the Poxabogue Golf Course on your left. You can't miss it, seriously, it's the only building on the edge of a farm (so East End). There is a parking lot and street parking but also feel free to ride your bike if you live or are staying close by.
As I mentioned before, this is a Texas take-out style joint, which means first, that the ribs are dry rubbed (omgosh amazing) and not wet and smothered (you do that yourself with their homemade sauces) and second, that there are no waiters, you order at a counter, and the food comes on a try in plastic and paper containers. Townline is a pretty busy place, so make sure you have someone holding or waiting for a booth while the food is being ordered at the counter. Also, make sure your booth is clean. The second time I visited Townline the bus person neglected to clean my table and so I self-served it, which was slightly irritating.
The interior is all wooden and country feeling with a large center communal table usually overcrowded with people under the age of 10. If you chose to eat outside there are picnic tables on the back patio overlooking the farmland. There is a full service bar on one side with good happy hour specials, a pool table, a dart board, and a giant flat screen displaying whatever sporting event happens to be on at the moment. The most expensive thing on the menu is the full rack of 12 ribs (I got 13 once!) at a reasonable price of $25. Keep in mind this is enough food for two or three people. The sides are all under $5 and the desserts are all under $4. You will not break the bank here, yet another good reason to keep coming back for more. Townline is open weekdays from 11:30am to 10:00pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day (closed Tuesday and Thursday between Labor Day and Memorial Day) and until 11:00pm on Friday and Saturdy nights. With hours like that, you have absolutely no excuse not to go here.
You cannot go to Townline BBQ and not order the ribs, unless of course you don't eat pork, then you can order the giant beef short rib or chicken. They even have a vegetarian chili and meat free sides for you vegetarians out there who go to BBQ places to confuse everyone. I haven't tried anything else but the ribs and I don't plan on doing so becuase the ribs are so mouthwateringly delicious. I have daydreams about them, no I am not kidding. I'm sure one of the secret ingredients in the rib rub is a highly addictive drug, and that's why I keep wanting to go back for more. Not to mention, the baked beans are so flavorful that a fight might break out over who gets the last bite. The corn on the cob is slathered in sweet butter and is cooked to a perfect popping crunch. The fried mac and cheese while tasty, was too fried and not enough mac and cheese for my taste. I would have liked it better had it not been fried (and yes I know that defeats the whole purpose of fried mac and cheese). The cole slaw was pretty general as cole slaw goes, nothing outstanding but not bad either, although you do get a lot of it. I can't give you any desert suggestions as I've always been so completely stuffed by that point, but I can tell you that the desserts sitting on the counter have received many an alluring stare from others in my party.
One of the smartest things I have ever seen, is a hand washing station in the main dining area so that you don't leave with sticky fingers. I would like to point out that the water is the perfect temperature.
The last thing I will say about Townline BBQ is regarding their attempt at being "green". While I cannot properly comment on their behind the scenes efforts, their attempt was kind of schizophrenic. The drink cups are bio-friendly, but the plastic utensils and food containers aren't. This seems a bit contradictory to me, but maybe there is something going on that I don't know about. If it were me attempting to have a "green" restaurant (and keep in mind I'm not sure if this is even one of their goals), I would make sure all the plastics were vegetable based from the cups to the utensils to the containers. By no means is this a deal breaker for me, and it is definitely a better attempt than most take out places, the inconsistency just seems odd.
That being said, I cannot wait to go back to Townline BBQ (and I just ate their last night) for another round of ribs and baked beans, and maybe I'll save room for dessert the next time.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Mid-Week Girl's Date - CiaoBella
Mid-week is a great time to go to restaurants in NYC. There are plenty of tables available and the setting is more serene and less bustly, and you can still get the same great food likely with more attentive service.
Tuesday night I went with a girl friend of mine who I haven't hung out with one on one in a while to a CiaoBella, a delicious Italian restaurant on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 85th Street. I ambled past this restaurant on a prvious Friday night and noticed every seat on the patio and in the dining room was filled and every table covered in yummy looking food. On Tuesday, there were only 4 other tables occupied at 9:30pm when we dined.
The main dining room has a very luxurious feel with crystal chandeliers adorning the ceilng and burgundy walls with mohogany wood accents. Each table is meticulously set with white tablecloths, which always makes for an elegant looking restaurant. European lounge music played quietly ensuring there was no empty silence in the dining room. The service was so eager (probably due to the lack of patrons) that we had three separate servers ask us for our drink order all in a period of 5 minutes. At least we know the servers won't let customers go thirsty or hungry.
On to the food! The bread and sun dried tomato "pesto" that comes with dinner is divine. We enjoyed it so much we asked for a second basket! Our arugula salad with carmelized walnuts and apples almost made us fall out of our chairs. I've had this salad before, but never quite this perfect, every flavor bounced off the other like an echo. I realized that I probably should have ordered my own instaed of splitting, even though there was plenty for each of us with just the one order. We each ordered our own pasta, the papardalle with veal and mushrooms and the goat cheese and spinach ravioli. Both were flavorful and rich without being heavy, which is always a plus. I can't wait to try more of their pasta dishes, especially the seasonal special lobster ravioli.
Let's talk price. I found CiaoBella to be very reasonable. The wines by the glass ranged from $10-$15 (there was also an extensive wine list which I failed to read) while the salad and antipasta topped out at a reasonable $17 for larger sharable plates. The normal size portioned pasta plates ranged from $14-$21. The entrees ranged from $21-$28 and consisted of various fish and meats. I will definitely be going to CiaoBella again on a weekend, with a reservation to ensure that I get a table. On busy nights, they open the upstairs dining room and balcony in addition to the patio and main dining room.
I heard through the grapevine, not from the restaurant directly, that CiaoBella makes their own gelato which I'm sure is heavenly, but I was so full from the pasta and copious amounts of bread, that I unfortunately did not get to try it this time. Next time for sure, because there definitely will be a next time.
Tuesday night I went with a girl friend of mine who I haven't hung out with one on one in a while to a CiaoBella, a delicious Italian restaurant on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 85th Street. I ambled past this restaurant on a prvious Friday night and noticed every seat on the patio and in the dining room was filled and every table covered in yummy looking food. On Tuesday, there were only 4 other tables occupied at 9:30pm when we dined.
The main dining room has a very luxurious feel with crystal chandeliers adorning the ceilng and burgundy walls with mohogany wood accents. Each table is meticulously set with white tablecloths, which always makes for an elegant looking restaurant. European lounge music played quietly ensuring there was no empty silence in the dining room. The service was so eager (probably due to the lack of patrons) that we had three separate servers ask us for our drink order all in a period of 5 minutes. At least we know the servers won't let customers go thirsty or hungry.
On to the food! The bread and sun dried tomato "pesto" that comes with dinner is divine. We enjoyed it so much we asked for a second basket! Our arugula salad with carmelized walnuts and apples almost made us fall out of our chairs. I've had this salad before, but never quite this perfect, every flavor bounced off the other like an echo. I realized that I probably should have ordered my own instaed of splitting, even though there was plenty for each of us with just the one order. We each ordered our own pasta, the papardalle with veal and mushrooms and the goat cheese and spinach ravioli. Both were flavorful and rich without being heavy, which is always a plus. I can't wait to try more of their pasta dishes, especially the seasonal special lobster ravioli.
Let's talk price. I found CiaoBella to be very reasonable. The wines by the glass ranged from $10-$15 (there was also an extensive wine list which I failed to read) while the salad and antipasta topped out at a reasonable $17 for larger sharable plates. The normal size portioned pasta plates ranged from $14-$21. The entrees ranged from $21-$28 and consisted of various fish and meats. I will definitely be going to CiaoBella again on a weekend, with a reservation to ensure that I get a table. On busy nights, they open the upstairs dining room and balcony in addition to the patio and main dining room.
I heard through the grapevine, not from the restaurant directly, that CiaoBella makes their own gelato which I'm sure is heavenly, but I was so full from the pasta and copious amounts of bread, that I unfortunately did not get to try it this time. Next time for sure, because there definitely will be a next time.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday Night Date Night on the UES - Dinner and a Movie
What's your perfect date? For me, a perfect date is nothing more than dinner and a movie with some frozen yogurt on the walk home. I know it sounds boring, but it really is a go-to special.
Friday night in NYC is a very busy night. People are out eating, drinking, gallivanting... you name it, people are doing it. Obviously, Friday night is so busy because for the many NYC 9-5ers (alas I am not one) there is no work on Saturday allowing for the well-deserved sleep-in. My boyfriend, Mike, and I decided that we needed a date night, despite my previous nights gallivanting and not getting to bed until 3am and then getting up for work at 6:45am (this is why Friday is much more popular).
We started with dinner at Jasmine on 84th and 2nd. Jasmine is your typical Thai restaurant with nothing outstanding or outlandish. We were seated in prime table location by the open glass paned doors which is perfect for people watching. The only downside of our table was that the staff kept walking past us for access to the shoddy outside patio (I do not suggest sitting out there). We were lucky we arrived at just past 8:00pm, because by 8:30pm the dining room was packed. I suggest reservations for larger parties as I saw at least two of them waiting to be seated. The food was decent with large portions and I took half of mine to go. Our dinner for two consisted of an appetizer and two entrees and an iced tea for less than $40 after tax and tip, which is a moderately priced. The service was nothing spectacular and more lazy than anything. However, we were in and out in less than an hour and 15 minutes and off to see our movie and the 86th Street City Cinemas movie theater between 2nd and 3rd Avenues to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
City Cinemas is not the greatest of movie theaters. With only four screens, this theater is considered small by American standards, but for NYC is actually a good size, as many movie theaters have only one or two screens. X-Men was taking up two screens to allow for more showings, so in actuality there were only 3 "screens" at the time of my visit. What bothered me the most about this theater was that the ceiling lights in the theater stayed on until the feature presentation started as opposed to when the previews started. It was like having a spotlight in my eye. The only spotlight should have been on the actors. The seats in this theater are comfortable enough with liftable arm rests (yay for snuggling), though the seats do not recline. Overall, the experience was average.
After the movie we strolled back down 2nd Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets to Pinkberry for some of their deliciously addicting Greek style frozen yogurt. The yogurt at Pinkberry comes in three flavors, original (tastes like Greek yogurt), green tea, and pomegranate (the last time I was there it was coffee so I'm not sure if the third flavor is on rotation or it just changed). By far the greatest thing about Pinkberry is the fresh fruit toppings. My favorite is kiwi and mango chunks atop a small original, while Mike opts usually for an original topped with bananas and chocolate chips. When we arrived at 11:45pm the line was still out the door and the four small tables inside were completely full. Pinkberry also sells quirky kitchen utensil thingamajigs like standing fly swatters, soap dispensers, and toothpick holders. They are on the shelf by the handicapped accessible entrance collecting dust and generally making for odd decor. With a small cup of original frozen yogurt with no topping weighing it an only $4.00 with 150 calories and 0 grams of fat, this a dessert that cannot be overlooked, for it's price, tastiness, and calorie consciousness.
Dinner and a movie might not be the ideal date for everyone, but I have to argue that it is a classic option that can't be beat. It is great for two reasons; 1) you don't feel like going home after work and changing into swanky clothes or 2) you don't want to risk laying down and falling asleep before you even have a chance to get out the door.
Friday night in NYC is a very busy night. People are out eating, drinking, gallivanting... you name it, people are doing it. Obviously, Friday night is so busy because for the many NYC 9-5ers (alas I am not one) there is no work on Saturday allowing for the well-deserved sleep-in. My boyfriend, Mike, and I decided that we needed a date night, despite my previous nights gallivanting and not getting to bed until 3am and then getting up for work at 6:45am (this is why Friday is much more popular).
We started with dinner at Jasmine on 84th and 2nd. Jasmine is your typical Thai restaurant with nothing outstanding or outlandish. We were seated in prime table location by the open glass paned doors which is perfect for people watching. The only downside of our table was that the staff kept walking past us for access to the shoddy outside patio (I do not suggest sitting out there). We were lucky we arrived at just past 8:00pm, because by 8:30pm the dining room was packed. I suggest reservations for larger parties as I saw at least two of them waiting to be seated. The food was decent with large portions and I took half of mine to go. Our dinner for two consisted of an appetizer and two entrees and an iced tea for less than $40 after tax and tip, which is a moderately priced. The service was nothing spectacular and more lazy than anything. However, we were in and out in less than an hour and 15 minutes and off to see our movie and the 86th Street City Cinemas movie theater between 2nd and 3rd Avenues to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
City Cinemas is not the greatest of movie theaters. With only four screens, this theater is considered small by American standards, but for NYC is actually a good size, as many movie theaters have only one or two screens. X-Men was taking up two screens to allow for more showings, so in actuality there were only 3 "screens" at the time of my visit. What bothered me the most about this theater was that the ceiling lights in the theater stayed on until the feature presentation started as opposed to when the previews started. It was like having a spotlight in my eye. The only spotlight should have been on the actors. The seats in this theater are comfortable enough with liftable arm rests (yay for snuggling), though the seats do not recline. Overall, the experience was average.
After the movie we strolled back down 2nd Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets to Pinkberry for some of their deliciously addicting Greek style frozen yogurt. The yogurt at Pinkberry comes in three flavors, original (tastes like Greek yogurt), green tea, and pomegranate (the last time I was there it was coffee so I'm not sure if the third flavor is on rotation or it just changed). By far the greatest thing about Pinkberry is the fresh fruit toppings. My favorite is kiwi and mango chunks atop a small original, while Mike opts usually for an original topped with bananas and chocolate chips. When we arrived at 11:45pm the line was still out the door and the four small tables inside were completely full. Pinkberry also sells quirky kitchen utensil thingamajigs like standing fly swatters, soap dispensers, and toothpick holders. They are on the shelf by the handicapped accessible entrance collecting dust and generally making for odd decor. With a small cup of original frozen yogurt with no topping weighing it an only $4.00 with 150 calories and 0 grams of fat, this a dessert that cannot be overlooked, for it's price, tastiness, and calorie consciousness.
Dinner and a movie might not be the ideal date for everyone, but I have to argue that it is a classic option that can't be beat. It is great for two reasons; 1) you don't feel like going home after work and changing into swanky clothes or 2) you don't want to risk laying down and falling asleep before you even have a chance to get out the door.
Pranna, 230 Fifth, Cain - A Long Night Out
Thursday night is usually a hopping night in NYC, especially the closer it gets to summer. This past Thursday went from fizzle to sizzle over a period of 4 hours.
The first stop for the night was Pranna on 28th Street and Madison Avenue, a restaurant, lounge, and bar with so much space it's easy to get lost. The facade boasts glass walls from floor to ceiling, giving the effect of being on the sidewalk when standing at the first floor bar, which was busy until about 8:30pm due to a fashion industry even that I was attending. Besides the fact that the event was bordering on lame and extremely quick, I decided to stay at Pranna until I figured out how to rearrange the plans for the night, not having planned on Pranna fizzling so quickly. A little exploration work revealed that Pranna is a huge venue with everything from casual bar, to sleek lounge, to nook dining, to grand dining room dining, to balcony lounge, to upstairs bar, to basement night club/bar. The place is huge, so I recommend bringing a compass. There were only a handful of people at Pranna on Thursday, but this could be due to the fact that the weather outside was inclement, and you know how New Yorkers get when it rains. The menu has something for everyone with small plates and entrees specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine and a $12 cocktail menu. While Pranna has nothing too exciting to look at with their muted and clean decor, I would expect that on a hopping Saturday night the best decoration would be the people.
Because Pranna fizzled so quickly, I had a couple of hours to fill before moving on the the final venue for the night. There is not much night life in this area around Madison Square park, but 230 Fifth at 27th Street is not a far walk. Luckily the rain held off until we got there. 230 Fifth is another huge venue boasting a rooftop and inside lounge. There were tents set up on the rooftop due to the rain, and people were gathering around the bars and and using the outside patio furniture. A coat rack filled with red robes was available for people to wear because the weather was chilly, especially on a rooftop 20 stories up! It was too cold for me to stay up on the roof and I was wary to don a robe, so I headed downstairs to the Trumpesque lounge. This is one of the only lounges in NYC that I have been to that has an actual dance floor, like the kind in a catering hall. No one, of course, was dancing on it, but it's there in case you want it. The inside lounge has continuous windows all around so one can enjoy the view, and it really is a gorgeous view. Only the main bar was open on Thursday. I ordered a French martini at $12 and decided that it was a bit watered down for my taste and money, but still flavorful. The people at 230 Fifth were a mix of older people on dates, younger people on dates, and people in groups, pretty much everyone. There also was a large amount of people on vacation from Europe trying to get the best of the NYC rooftop experience. A couple of drinks and a few hours later, we decided to leave 230 Fifth in all it's rooftop glory and move on to the real party.
The final stop of the night was Cain Luxe on 27th between 10th and 11th Streets, which is one of my all time favorite nightclubs in NYC. I wasn't on any promoter list because going to Cain was a spur of the moment decision, but my gorgeous girlfriend and I didn't have any problem getting in without waiting and without paying. Cain is extremely particular on the type of people they let in; people must be good looking, well dressed, and good looking. I also recommend getting table service as this night club as they tend to not let people in without it, especially gentlemen (sorry dudes, this is NYC nighlife after all). All decisions are at the doorman's discretion, so know that just because you're wearing expensive clothes doesn't mean you'll get in. Kindness as always is a better tactic than snobiness.
It was not yet midnight when I arrived so the club was not full yet, but the bar area was packed with people buying drinks and getting revved up for the night. The DJ played a mix of old and new dance/pop favorites, though he needs to work on his mixing skills a little bit. The smallest venue of the night has a recessed level with table service and the "dance floor" is a disaster waiting to happen. Make sure you know where you're stepping those stilettos because there are stairs all around the recessed level with no railing. This is a big oops just waiting to happen. Also, make sure not to poke your eye on the faux elephant tusks surrounding the 4 central pillars. The "dance floor" at Cain is essentially a plywood platform in between two rows of couches in the center of the club. You can hop on and dance until your heart's content, but make sure you get down when it's time for the go-go dancers to work their magic. In no club in NYC have I seen a go-go dancer so up close. Thursday night they did their job at getting the crowd going and making the jaws of men (and women) drop to the floor. When I left at a quarter past two, Cain was still going strong with the drummer keeping up with the DJ's beat, a signature of Cain that is copied at many other NYC hot spots (Pink Elephant, anyone?). If you can get in, Cain is one of the best of the best places in NYC for dancing, drinking, and being among the beautiful people.
Walking out of Cain to 11th Ave. to catch a taxi is an experience all it's own. Party-goers are stumbling and dancing out of the streets various clubs and bars, and promoters are avidly searching for hotties to add to their lists. Come prepared to give your number out to everyone, in fact bring a business card, because ignoring these guys is not an option.
The first stop for the night was Pranna on 28th Street and Madison Avenue, a restaurant, lounge, and bar with so much space it's easy to get lost. The facade boasts glass walls from floor to ceiling, giving the effect of being on the sidewalk when standing at the first floor bar, which was busy until about 8:30pm due to a fashion industry even that I was attending. Besides the fact that the event was bordering on lame and extremely quick, I decided to stay at Pranna until I figured out how to rearrange the plans for the night, not having planned on Pranna fizzling so quickly. A little exploration work revealed that Pranna is a huge venue with everything from casual bar, to sleek lounge, to nook dining, to grand dining room dining, to balcony lounge, to upstairs bar, to basement night club/bar. The place is huge, so I recommend bringing a compass. There were only a handful of people at Pranna on Thursday, but this could be due to the fact that the weather outside was inclement, and you know how New Yorkers get when it rains. The menu has something for everyone with small plates and entrees specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine and a $12 cocktail menu. While Pranna has nothing too exciting to look at with their muted and clean decor, I would expect that on a hopping Saturday night the best decoration would be the people.
Because Pranna fizzled so quickly, I had a couple of hours to fill before moving on the the final venue for the night. There is not much night life in this area around Madison Square park, but 230 Fifth at 27th Street is not a far walk. Luckily the rain held off until we got there. 230 Fifth is another huge venue boasting a rooftop and inside lounge. There were tents set up on the rooftop due to the rain, and people were gathering around the bars and and using the outside patio furniture. A coat rack filled with red robes was available for people to wear because the weather was chilly, especially on a rooftop 20 stories up! It was too cold for me to stay up on the roof and I was wary to don a robe, so I headed downstairs to the Trumpesque lounge. This is one of the only lounges in NYC that I have been to that has an actual dance floor, like the kind in a catering hall. No one, of course, was dancing on it, but it's there in case you want it. The inside lounge has continuous windows all around so one can enjoy the view, and it really is a gorgeous view. Only the main bar was open on Thursday. I ordered a French martini at $12 and decided that it was a bit watered down for my taste and money, but still flavorful. The people at 230 Fifth were a mix of older people on dates, younger people on dates, and people in groups, pretty much everyone. There also was a large amount of people on vacation from Europe trying to get the best of the NYC rooftop experience. A couple of drinks and a few hours later, we decided to leave 230 Fifth in all it's rooftop glory and move on to the real party.
The final stop of the night was Cain Luxe on 27th between 10th and 11th Streets, which is one of my all time favorite nightclubs in NYC. I wasn't on any promoter list because going to Cain was a spur of the moment decision, but my gorgeous girlfriend and I didn't have any problem getting in without waiting and without paying. Cain is extremely particular on the type of people they let in; people must be good looking, well dressed, and good looking. I also recommend getting table service as this night club as they tend to not let people in without it, especially gentlemen (sorry dudes, this is NYC nighlife after all). All decisions are at the doorman's discretion, so know that just because you're wearing expensive clothes doesn't mean you'll get in. Kindness as always is a better tactic than snobiness.
It was not yet midnight when I arrived so the club was not full yet, but the bar area was packed with people buying drinks and getting revved up for the night. The DJ played a mix of old and new dance/pop favorites, though he needs to work on his mixing skills a little bit. The smallest venue of the night has a recessed level with table service and the "dance floor" is a disaster waiting to happen. Make sure you know where you're stepping those stilettos because there are stairs all around the recessed level with no railing. This is a big oops just waiting to happen. Also, make sure not to poke your eye on the faux elephant tusks surrounding the 4 central pillars. The "dance floor" at Cain is essentially a plywood platform in between two rows of couches in the center of the club. You can hop on and dance until your heart's content, but make sure you get down when it's time for the go-go dancers to work their magic. In no club in NYC have I seen a go-go dancer so up close. Thursday night they did their job at getting the crowd going and making the jaws of men (and women) drop to the floor. When I left at a quarter past two, Cain was still going strong with the drummer keeping up with the DJ's beat, a signature of Cain that is copied at many other NYC hot spots (Pink Elephant, anyone?). If you can get in, Cain is one of the best of the best places in NYC for dancing, drinking, and being among the beautiful people.Walking out of Cain to 11th Ave. to catch a taxi is an experience all it's own. Party-goers are stumbling and dancing out of the streets various clubs and bars, and promoters are avidly searching for hotties to add to their lists. Come prepared to give your number out to everyone, in fact bring a business card, because ignoring these guys is not an option.
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