The Raines Law Room

Another post dedicated to my best friend Ania for showing me another amazing place in the city! Wrote about it for Miss A but I loved it so much I want to post it on my blog too!!

I debated back and forth whether I wanted to write about this place. A part of me felt like its spark was the fact that it was so secret, but then another part of me felt like it was my duty as a future-food journalist to share my discovery.


My friend took me here on a whim last week and I have been thanking her everyday since. She kept repeating the words “secret”, “underground” and “hidden” so I was expecting some dodgy dive bar in the basement of a run down apartment building in the East Village. How wrong I was.

Just steps from Union Square on 17th Street, this sexy and mysterious lounge could easily go unnoticed. There is no sign outside that beckons you in, in fact there is no evidence whatsoever that you are steps away from one of New York’s most exciting bars. From the outside it is just steps down to what one could consider another apartment or office building service entrance. Upon going down the stairs you find you cannot open the door – instead, you must ring the doorbell and wait in the dark before you can enter.

A woman peers through the door crack and proceeds to open the door further. Immediately you are enticed by the warmth from the fire place, the velvet couches and chairs,the dark, intimate interior and the sounds of sophistication and charm. Already you know you are in the presence of an extraordinary place. You are truly transported back in time.



Once seated you can choose to pull the black, lace curtains around your individual seating area and really have a private gossip with your best friend or a romantic evening with your lover, without having to be embarrassed about a little bit of PDA. If you need your waitress to order one of many outstanding cocktails, simply pull the private buzzer by your table.

The drinks are all made in an open, marble and wood kitchen that you have to go through to find the eerie and candle-lit bathrooms. The whole experience is one-of-a kind. If you are looking for a place where you can have great conversation without screaming above the noise of other consumers and loud music – this is the place to go.



And for those of you who know The Raines Law Room well, and are shaking your fists at the screen at me for releasing the secret unto the world – don’t worry, the atmosphere there will not be ruined. If there are no seats for arriving guests, there will be sent away and called back when there is room! This is a no-standing lounge, which means no crowds and no interruptions…

WHERE:
Rains Law Room
48 West 17th Street (between 5th and 6th Ave)
New York, NY
reservations@rainslawroom.com

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday-Saturday: 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Sunday: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Reservations can only be made before 3 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays ONLY. Other days are first come, first served.

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!