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.

I Heart The Hart Agency

I am currently meant to be at work and doing a promotion downtown for Patron Tequila. But, I cricked my neck this morning and I am in so much pain and can hardly move my neck. So, I thought that instead of being at work I would blog about what I am meant to be doing!

I want to blog about my work at the Hart Agency for several reasons. The first is that I don't think a lot of people actually know what a promotional model actually does. I think it would be interesting for people to read what the work consists of. Secondly, working for Hart has actually been really helpful in my pursuit of a career in Food and Wine. I have also met some wonderful people and made great friends through the agency, for which I am really thankful!

I have been working with the Hart Agency for nearly a year and a half now and I have learned so much about the top wines and liquors on our shelves. I have been fortunate enough to work for and with some of the most prominent names in the business. Not only is it interesting and informative work, it is also a whole lot of fun! A promotional model at the Hart Agency is there to represent a certain brand, inform consumers about the product and give feedback about their responses. I mainly work at bars all over the city and promote liquors such as Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Patron, Ultimat Vodka, Pinnacle Vodka and other infamous brands. However, I have also been lucky enough to work at some really fun and special events, which have actually worked out well for my blog and my first few baby steps into the industry. Some of these events included; The Taste Of the Upper West Side, New York Food and Wine Festival and my favorite one to date; The James Beard Foundation Awards at the Lincoln Center (this is like the Oscar's of the food world!) Through these events I have met some very influential people in the business such as Food Journalist Adam Richman, as well as many editors of magazines like Bon Appétit and Food&Wine Magazine.

The bars and events that I have promoted at are all over the borough of Manhattan and even though I have lived in New York for so long now, I am still finding amazing venues and bar spots that I didn't know existed. For example, I worked many promotions at the Roosevelt Hotel, which gave me inspiration for an article I wrote for Miss A Woman's Online Magazine.

The Hart Agency has a team of fun, professional and hard-working people and I don't know many people who have such a good time at their work! Being part of the Hart Team also means you are invited to great parties and events that are held around the city; in the summer there was a Hudson River Cruise and every Christmas and Halloween parties for the models and their guests are organized.

The training is also one of my favorite parts of the job. Promotional models also learn to host Wine Tastings and many of the training programs mean we are given the opportunity to taste and sample a huge variety of wines, (it's an extra plus most of these trainings include cheese, crackers and even pizza!) I have learned so much about red and white wines from all over the world, which will be so useful to me in my future career.

Any of you who are reading this and want to be a part of the fun, email daryl@hartagencyny.com or take a look at the facebook page.

Here are some photos of me working --- not a bad job, eh?

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.

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.