Up On The Rooftop

Considering that the weather in New York City is getting slightly better I thought I would encourage the sun to stay by reviewing a few of my favorite rooftop bars in Manhattan.

The first is The Hudson Hotel.I first heard of this place through reading my gossip magazines and celebrity sighting web pages (no shame here, it's my thing, let it go). This hotel is Lady Gaga's favorite place to stay in when she visits New York -and knowing (and loving) her eclectic style I had to go and check it out for myself.

The entrance of the hotel is very mysterious, with translucent doors and false fire torches perched on either side. Upon walking through the only way to go is up, with an escalator shining in florescent yellow, leading the way. The reception of the hotel is incredibly original; the lighting is extremely dim, almost Gothic, with black marble desks and a large, crystal chandelier drooping from the high ceiling.

Their Library Bar is really a unique experience. I love it because it has a very English feel. It quite literally is a grand library with a fully stocked bar in one corner. The walls are covered in all kinds of books (think of the library in Disney's 'Beauty & The Beast'!)There is also a very sophisticated looking Billiards table, as well as a couple of chess boards by large, leather armchairs. It has a very cozy, traditional feel of Grandpa's Cigar and Brandy room. The bar, although expensive, makes up for it by the quality of the cocktails and wine.

But the main feature of this bar that I love - is the open terrace. Covered in couches, benches, seats and cushions, lit by candles and fairy-lights, decorated with exotic plants and stone statues, this terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a drink with your friends in the Summer air. It closes at 12am so as not to disturb the guests, so I recommend arriving early!

A totally different feel, but yet just as a satisfying experience, is the rooftop bar at 230 Fifth Avenue
The fantastic thing about this bar is that it can be enjoyed even when the weather isn't at its finest! The Rooftop provides many red, warm robes to snuggle up in when the wind gets too cold. It is such a funny sight to see girls all dressed in Chanel and Louboutins, covering themselves in the matching red robes!

The view is exquisite - the best I have seen of the Empire State Building. It has palm trees and patio heaters to keep in with the Summer feel, and the wooden benches and tables create a relaxed atmosphere for such an impressive space. The cocktails are delicious - if a little pricey - so go when money is not an issue (or at least when you'll be getting so drunk you wont notice the bill...)
I have yet to go to their Weekend Brunch, but will be planning to do so as soon as the sun comes out!

And thirdly the rooftop lounge Mad 46 at the Roosevelt Hotel is the perfect spot in the summer. Located on the 19th floor, you are right under the Manhattan Skyline and have breathtaking panoramic views. The lounge is a huge attraction for happy hour and post-work drinks. The crowd is professional and sophisticated, and despite the lounge being so elegantly decorated, the atmosphere is still relaxed and gives you the ability to unwind after the stressful day at the office. What makes Mad 46 even more perfect is that it is actually the first rooftop lounge that I have been to where you can still enjoy the ‘outdoor’ appeal and stay comfortable even when the weather is not on your side. Mad 46 not only has two indoor lounges (aptly named Uptown and Downtown) but also retractable canopies – which have been ideal this summer with the strong heat and frequent showers! The rooftop prides itself on ‘Big Drinks and Small Bites” and the menu leaves you with plenty of choice. Their specialty cocktails are delicious – especially the madMojito! However, the attractions don’t stop there. Mad 46 hold a special “Mad Monday” happy hours where those who work or live on Madison Avenue are treated to 10% off their drinks! If that doesn’t inspire you then take note of their monthly movie nights where iconic movies are shown with matching cocktails. For example, coming up on August 16th is the showing of Grease with cocktails such as the Grease Lightening and the Pink Lady Lemonade! So whether you want to go enjoy a night with the girls, a business drink at the end of the workday or even hold a spectacular private party or event – Mad 46 is definitely a space to be considered!

You've Got Cake

Have you seen that movie with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Not the one where they meet on top of the Empire State Building...but the one where they email each other a lot and both own book stores? "You've Got Mail!"

I love this movie for many reasons, but in particular because it was filmed in my neighborhood of the Upper West Side! I remember watching it the first few days of my first week in New York and recognizing the area, the park and the various blocks of the 70's and 80's on the Upper West.

The most climatic point of the movie is when the two main characters are about to meet face to face and they choose to meet at Cafe Lalo on 83rd and Amsterdam...

The cafe is extremely European in both decor and menu. The outside of the cafe has a tree covered in little fairy lights, drooping over a couple of benches. The front of the cafe is made up of large, French windows and the paintings on the brick walls are of Parisian style.
The music playing in the background consists of only instrumental versions of well-known, classic melodies. All the waitresses are dressed in lilac leggings and a stylish t-shirt with the Cafe Lalo logo and various paintings. I have yet to be served by an American waitress, so the fact that the staff are from all over Europe really add to atmosphere.

The first thing you will notice about Lalo's is the huge display of desserts. Cafe Lalo holds over 100 different cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, biscotti and other guilty pleasures. I recommend trying their varieties of cheesecake - they are all amazing!

But it is not all unhealthy, calorie ridden desserts that they offer. Lalo's serve all organic products and the only produce you will find on the menu in the meat/fish region is smoked salmon. They provide a huge menu of eggs, sandwiches, salads, soups and quiches. There is also a large selection of hot and cold drinks and every syrup and flavors imaginable! Cafe Lalo is famous for its brunches. They serve Brunch everyday until 4pm, although a lot of the menu used for Brunch are still available after 4pm - such as their delicious Belgium Waffle with Cinnamon Whip and Strawberries!

The Brunch Menu is alive with culture as each Brunch is dedicated to a country, such as France, Italy, Morocco, England, Bulgarian and there is even the option of the New Yorker or Jewish Brunch! I think it is such a wonderful and original idea - giving their customers the epitome of choice!

Sounds great, right? Relaxing, worldly, cozy, calm... Well that it is during the day but Lalo's becomes a lively bar scene at night! With the cafe not closing until 4am on most nights and a full bar to offer - there is a buzzing scene of movie and theater goers in the evenings. The lights go down, the music turns up and the cocktails are passed around!

Oh and that reminds me - notice what your food and drink is served IN. I really wish Cafe Lalo would open a store so I could buy all their cutlery. The cups that hold the coffee and tea are huge, and very Central Perk-esque from F.R.I.E.N.D.S, the colors are bright and vibrant, and the glasses for the wine and cocktails are so tall and elegant, with an element of funkiness!

Tips - they only take credit cards if you spent $25 or over and I would stay clear of their Mediterranean Salad with bell peppers if you have a slightly sensitive stomach! ( I am not the only person to advise this, I assure you).

All this and more is why I have been a loyal customer for 5 years and counting!

Ciao Pizza Lovers!

I was introduced to Numero 28 a few months ago through my Italian friends and I can easily say it is the best pizza in the whole of Manhattan. It is the closest to a true, Italian pizza that you would find in Rome or Florence. Trust me, during my month in Tuscany I ate pizza three times a week (needless to say I put on a few extra pounds that summer) so I would definitely class myself as an expert in the pizza department!

The outside of the restaurant is clearly visible on the block due to the bright red Vespa permanently parked outside the door and another, in black, is placed inside the restaurant as well. I loved this creative touch and it compliments the dark walls and furnishings. The classic tunes of the Beatles and Otis Redding play in the background, while the open wood oven burns behind the bar. What is so great about this restaurant, especially in the evenings, that it is the ideal place for a romantic date or a big, lively dinner with a large group of friends. It can accommodate large groups easily, but still allows privacy and an intimate atmosphere for couples.

But quite frankly, even if this pizza was served in a dump I would still eat it (although have it for take-out!) The crust is so light and thin that no matter how big of a portion you eat, you are not left with that horrible heavy, greasy feeling like you normally do when you indulge yourself! The ingredients are so fresh and different than your normal 'Pepperoni' or 'Ham and Pineapple'. The Italian feel is present throughout the menu, with favorites such as their special 'Numero 28' which consists of truffle cream, mushrooms and speck.

Pair the pizza with their great selection of Italian wines and beers and end the evening with their original Pistaccio Tiramasu!

One last note - the staff of Numero 28 are so friendly and welcoming that they are actually a huge factor as to why I keep going back. I cannot praise this place enough. I just wish they would open more, preferably in my beloved Upper West Side!

Sushi - Splurge or Save?

A Little Antidote for you...

I am at dinner at the BEST steakhouse I have ever been to - Maestro's (more on this in a future post)- in Scottsdale, Arizona with my fiancee, his best friend and his girlfriend. It was the first time I had met the girlfriend properly and I loved her after this tale. She is from Mexico and her entire family rarely branch out of their native cuisine. She managed to get her family to a sushi restaurant, however, and when their first roll arrived, her father reached out and took a whole glob of wasabi. After his face had regained its normal complexion, his eyes had stopped stinging and his nose had finished tingling he exclaimed; "That guacamole is really spicy". Bless.
I thought that was rather amusing.... anyways...

Let me introduce to you the famous Nobu.

Nobu 57 holds a very special place in my heart due to the fact that it is where my fiancee proposed to me on Valentines Day of this year! But I am not going to bore you with the details of that but instead tell you of their delicious cocktails and exclusive menu.

What is so unusual about the location of this particular Nobu (West 57th Street) is that is so hidden.It is on a well-known block but it's secluded under an archway between two buildings. You would expect it to be so prominent on the block but in fact, I still easily walk past without noticing it! It's very mysterious in that way - with darkened out windows so outsiders can't see the amazing architecture of the restaurant.There are two floors, the lower consisting of the marble bar with its sexy bartender - and a small arrangement of leather couches and tables to enjoy appetizers and cocktails. The ceiling is fascinatingly high with huge, asian inspired, drooping chandeliers that hover over the bar.
Upstairs is a whole other world. The tables swamp the floor and there are three different sections that hold different moods. There is the quiet corner to the right of the staircase, the romantic corner that is closed off from the rest of the diners right at the back, and then the loud and bustling middle section which has a great view of the sushi bar itself. Here is how I suggest you plan you're evening:

Enter dressed to the nines ( have no fear, this restaurant is home to the Upper East Side Princesses and stiff-suited Lawyers). Order their signature 'Emporio Martini' - a smooth and satisfying mix of Tanqueray Gin, Hokusetsu Sake, Cranberry,
Lychee and Fresh Lime Juice. You will only need one, the contents are lethal! In regards to food - in my opinion, the best sushi meal should consist of the following:

-Edamame
-Sushi
- a handful of Regular Rolls
- and one or two Special Rolls
- and something you have never tried before.

So, in the case of Nobu 57 you need their warm Edamame with lashings of their rock salt, which goes perfectly with a crisp glass of their Chardonnay,
'Rully' Deux Montille 2008 or Chablis,'Montmains' Patrick Piuze 2008 (coincidentally both from Burgundy).

For the Sushi you have to experience the following - their tuna, salmon, shrimp, yellow tail and eel. Very simple, very regular but sometimes getting the simplest is the best way to go - even if you are at one of the best sushi restaurants in the world. I actually hardly ever eat Eel Sushi unless it is at Nobu! That should tell you how good it is.

A Bigeye Tuna Hand Roll is a must, I don't know why, but it just tastes better in a hand roll. As for your guilty pleasure of the evening, try not to count the calories and enjoy their delicious Shrimp Tempura Roll.
I'll leave the choice of Special Rolls up to you, the whole fun of dining is picking from the menu!

*** But if you are looking for something that is signature at Nobu get the Nobu Sashimi Tacos or Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing.***

Now for the down side - $$$ Dollars $$$. This place is not cheap and I am not going to sugar coat it by saying it's the best sushi restaurant in the city: as quite frankly, I have eaten great sushi elsewhere. New York is also home to other fantastic sushi restaurants that are much more affordable such as Amber, Sushi Samba and Sushiya.

BUT what is so unique about Nobu and worth forking out your latest paycheck on, is the experience, the class, the cocktails, the wine, impeccable service and the want for more that makes you just keep coming back. You won't find another restaurant that has the longest reservation line on weekends, that is usually home to several celebrities a night as well as a grand decor that only makes your heels and dress look even more fabulous!

Mayor Bloomberg's idiocy.

So, I started saying that my blog was about night life, dining, bars etc. Well, after a certain encounter this week at the dog run in Riverside Park - I am stepping away slightly from my subject matter.

Smoking. Well, actually, smoking is probably a large part of partying in New York, and a Cosmopolitan and a Malboro Light are a popular combination - I AM NOT condoning smoking, nor am I promoting it, I am just discussing something that is just as enjoyable as drinking alcohol that has just as bad health affects.

BUT - I am promoting people's right to live their lives as they wish. An example of this --->

I take my two dogs out for their afternoon walk this week, and as usual, as I have done for the past 2 years, I take them to the Dog Run in Riverside Park so they run around and burn off some energy. As I always do, I sit on my bench away from the rest of the dog walkers and light up my cigarette to enjoy with my Lady Grey Tea. Now on this particular day it is surprisingly quiet and there are only 2 other women with their dogs in the run. (Please note, they are standing on the other side of the dog run to me when I choose my bench). I have only enjoyed a couple of drags when they both storm up to me and bollock me about how disgusting smoking is and how they cannot wait for Bloomberg's ban of smoking in public places starting May 23rd. See here

Let me first make something clear - Yes, I am a smoker but I am a polite smoker! I will never smoke near children, I clean up my cigarette butts and if I can see people are bothered by the smell I will move away from them. It's common courtesy. BUT, just because I smoke does not mean I should be judged, discriminated against or punished. I AM TALKING TO YOU MAYOR BLOOMBERG. If the general public are going to walk around the streets, the parks and SPIT on the side of the road, drunkenly pee on the sidewalk, drop trash, leave dog poop around, then I think it is more than fair for us to continue smoking as long as we are respectful, curteous and clean.

It is a disgusting habit, I will be the first to admit that, it's unhealthy yes - so is not exercising, eating fast food, drinking exsessively and having a lack of sleep - but they are all LIFE CHOICES and if I CHOOSE to smoke I should be able to do so without being fined or discriminated against.

I am sure there are many of you that agree or disagree with me and I would love to hear what you think.

Tre è un fascino (Three's A Charm)

So given the fact that my fiancee is Italian, of course I am going to be biased and say that there is no food better than Italian food. But, in all seriousness, there really isn't.

I was lucky enough to be taken to Tuscany last summer (my first time in Italy) and I can say without a doubt, that it was the best vacation I had ever had. I ended up staying for a whole month and I ate out - breakfast, lunch and dinner - every single day. I put on quite a few pounds that's for sure.

After returning to New York you can imagine my cravings for real Italian dining. This is when my fiancee introduced me to a trio of restaurants, which have saved my life. I feel it is my duty to make these restaurants even more well-known than they already are.

They are all owned by the same Italian Stallion and all reside on the Upper East Side, within blocks of each other. These restaurants are;

1) Bella Blu - 71st and Lexington Avenue
2) Per Lei - 71st and Second Avenue
3) Baraonda - 75th and Second Avenue

I will first give you an insight to Bella Blu. This is the more sophisticated and traditional restaurant. It is always crowded and full of animated chatter, which also comes from the waiters and bus boys! There is a beautiful, rustic Pizza Oven in the center of the room, which is made out of brick and decorated with colorful mosaics. The food is literally a masterpiece and I sincerely recommend the Branzino, it just melts in your mouth. The atmosphere is warm and engaging, the perfect place to take your inlaws, have a friendly dinner and be with those you sincerely love.

Now for Per Lei - my favorite of all three. I cannot begin to describe the decor of this place. It's just fantastic and incredibly modern. 'Per Lei' means 'for her' in Italian, and it is the perfect place for a romantic date. The paintings on the wall are of beautiful women and a few in particular are actually of the owner's wife. So this restaurant is quite literally per lei. There is always such an electric atmosphere and the wait-staff have always been amazing to chat to when your dinner date goes to the bathroom! I adore everything on the menu but if it is your first time, take the veal and porcini raviolli and indulge!

Baraonda! This final restaurant is just pure, Italian, crazy, fun! The seating hostess is always dressed in elaborate and colorful outifts which completely set off the rest of the decor in the room. Its colorful and festive, and the ideal place to bring the girls (and the boys) for a night out of drinking and deleicious food. When it turns 10.20 pm the lights dim, the volume of the music increases, and you can continue partying and dancing with the entire restaurant- including the staff! There is also kareoke on particular nights, which I love, and makes a huge change of scenery from the dire, kareoke dive bars that swamp the city. Oh, and before I forget - the creme brulee is better than any creme brulee you will find in a French Restaurant - believe me I would know.

---- And if you want to take Italy home with you, all three restaurants sell the original, true Italian, Tuscan olive oil, used in both cooking and dressing. SOGNO TOSCANO; Super Tuscan Olive Oil.

Brunch At The Plaza

When it came to deciding what my first review should be about, I had a small checklist to keep me on the right track. Firstly it had to be something that epitomized New York. Check. Something that would kick off my blog with a boom. Check. Something that illustrated in some way what kind of person I am. Check. Something that you couldn't read about just anywhere. Check. And finally, something that mixes what my blog stands for; British In The City. Check. 

Perfect. So today, my friends, I want to take you with me on my very first, and hopefully not my last, Brunch At The Plaza. "So what?" you may be asking. Big Whoop, an expensive brunch of eggs Benedict, ridiculously over-priced, in a pink dining room surrounded by pretentious people, when quite frankly the diner over the road does the same eggs Benedict for an eighth of the price. 

Fair enough, and I am not exactly disagreeing with you. 

But I am not talking about just any old weekend Brunch, in the city, in one of the most famous hotels. This isn't just any brunch, where anyone can go. No. This is the famous and fantastic Plaza Brunch that starts exclusively at 2.30pm and finishes at 6pm. This brunch is by invite only (unless you are willing to spend thousands of dollars for a table).

Here is where I will mention that I am not some breeding, socialite of New York where I am exclusively invited to every fabulous event happening in the city. As I have mentioned before, I have been lucky enough to experience all of this quite frankly due to the people I have met. I don't know why God has granted me with such fabulous friends, but I must be doing something right. It is my model-beauty of a best friend who has an endless list of connections who invited me to this brunch along with her. 

Enough of my rambling; let me set the scene for you. 

You walk up the red, velvet carpets blanketing the stairs leading up to the Plaza's main entrance. You glance around you as you carefully try not to fall over on those new heels you bought last week. There's the wealthy, Russian couple in head-to-toe fur stepping into their white Mercedes; over there is an Asian family taking photographs of the immense building, as well as that Russian couple as they must think they are famous. The doors are opened for you in men dressed impeccably in gold and black. You make your way through the palace-like lobby and make your way to the Oak Room. There you see a long, long, line of beautifully dressed individuals. The smell of various colognes and perfumes make you feel rather nauseous (as you haven't even had your morning coffee or bagel in anticipation for today’s brunch). These people are in line for a table and glare at you as you walk past, all the females giving you the up-and-down to analyze and judge whatever designer you are wearing (It’s a mix of Club Monaco, Forever 21 and Zara ,dah-ling, but I can make anything look expensive!). You hand over your coat and in a flurry of air kisses you are suddenly whisked past the line and you've entered the Oak Room. It's straight to the bar. Free cocktails - I'll have your signature Walt Disney, please. Another flurry of air kissing as more people arrive. The air is buzzing with chatter, there's the clinking of champagne glasses and the clonking of Manolo Blahniks on the wooden floors. There are Louis Vuitton bags and Chanel clutches placed on the tables and hanging off the shoulders of an Alexander Wang dress. You are mesmerized by the wealth and the fashion in this one room. And then I spot the security guards blocking the entrance into the back room. Somehow you manage to mesh in with this glamorous crowd and enter this room with pure grace and style (well done me, I deserve another drink for that).  A new sight is upon you. Huge, round tables covered in white and pink tablecloths. In the center of the table are huge buckets filled with Rose, Champagne and other various alcoholic delights. The room is filled with stick-thin models and rich looking men. This crowd is beautiful. The music starts, and you sit and glance over the menu - lobsters, tuna tartar, sweet delights, salmon, lobster again, French toast, eggs Florentine... you name it, it's there. Taking advantage of the fact you are not paying a dime, you order the most expensive thing on the menu (don't judge me, who wouldn't do that?!) The music gets louder, the lights get dimmer and you notice a huge DJ Booth in the corner of the room. This is the Plaza, people; a Royal Family, elderly aristocrats, Upper East Side princess’s maybe.... but a DJ Booth?

Scantily, but elegantly clad, waitresses carry ridiculously sized bottles of Rose on their shoulders, quickly intoxicating the happily, munching crowd. You're diving in to your Lobster Salad, just listening to the chatter of skiing, runways, fashion shows and clubbing stories all around you. A man and his girlfriend sit down next to you. You notice his accent is British and decide that this is an opportunity to make some conversation rather than just sit there pigging out on the food. You introduce yourself and ask small talk about where they are from. The girlfriend happily chats along, while the boyfriend with his velvet blazer and slicked back long hair looks like he's bored. "And what's your name, again?" I ask politely. "Philippe" he replies in this terribly pretentious English drawl. "Phillip" I repeat, the Rose beginning to kick in to my mischievous side. "No. Phill-iiii-pe", he says again and then turns his back to me. 

You turn to the rest of your table and slowly build confidence. It is then you realize that all the girls on this table are struggling individuals with lucky contacts and they too are reaping the rewards of Promoters, (although you do get the impression that this isn't their first Plaza brunch and they are more than used to this luxury!)  Then a rather handsome man has stood up on the stage by the DJ. He announces a very exotic female name and a dark-haired, tanned beauty appears with her electric violin. This was my first experience of House music being played over violin. It was incredible. I couldn't even dance. I just stared in awe. 

The eating stops. The dancing starts, and for the next couple of hours you are dancing wildly like it's 3am in the meatpacking district. 

Its now 5.30pm and the Plaza needs to get ready to go back to their sophisticated, traditional, quiet self for dinner and the sweating and hyped up crowd leave the Oak Room entrance. You expect it to be dark outside and a struggle to find cabs. But it's light out, the day is young. You still have a whole evening ahead of you.http://www.oakroomny.com/ 

And with that, I slip off my shoes, get into my Uggs and head to the subway!

Why would you want to read me?

Hello World!
I have wanted to be a writer since I turned 19 (that's only three years ago) when I realized there isn't any other career that I was interested in, and in turn would be interested in having me! I attempted to start a blog a year or so ago and to be honest, had a momentary lapse of confidence and thought "who the hell would be interested in what I have to say?"
Then, this semester, part of my Media Writing course was to start a blog. Perfect! An excuse to have my opinions and ramble splattered over the web! Who could ask for a better starting point? The assignment of the blog is pretty much anything, as long as it incorporates the media.
I don't know if the following is my weakness or a strength - but my best writing comes out when I am writing about something I am passionate about. I want to write for a magazine, online, print, whatever I am given. I have a few areas that I would like to think I am bordering on experienced; they include; fashion, travel, food, night life, luxury, lifestyle, and female issues. I think the most interesting for other people to read, and that people can gain or learn something from is my experience in food and nightlife in New York City.
I think here is the perfect point to insert that I am a middle-class, traditional British woman who has lived all around the world, but has found her niche in the Big Apple. Whether it be restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges or cafes, I find and enjoy their offerings. I have a particular taste that has only become more enhanced due to luck I have had being welcomed into an Italian family through my fiancee. In blogs to come I will tell you about what I have been exposed to and I think it will be enjoyable reading - it certainly was enjoyable for me to experience it! My friends have recently compared my life to that of a movie and I am more than ready to admit that none of that is down to me, but purely down to the wonderful people in my life.

In short, this blog will be reviews of the dining and night life style in New York style, where I will provide you with the most honest and descriptive detail I can. I will incorporate my experiences and antidotes in the hope that you, as readers, can feel as if you are really there with me and will be encouraged to experience it yourself.