Category Archives: Dining

Rooftop Roundup

By Hillary Latos

While summer is preparing for its big finale and head on its way out, New Yorkers can still catch the sizzling summer heat and passionate sunshine before fall makes its return!

Whether it is to tend to some sexy summer flings, or to simply gawk the Empire State’s sun-lit beauty, lounging on landscaped rooftop terraces against the breathtaking New York skyline is never a lackluster.

From the Hudson River to the East River and the financial district to Central Park, we searched the city for rooftop bars and lounges offering a unique vantage point of the city, creative libations, and a good excuse to take celebrate New York Summer.

La Vie en Rose

By Hillary Latos

Even if you can’t make it to St. Tropez this summer, it doesn’t mean that you can’t live like the Tropeziennes. Nothing resonates with summer more than a chilled bottle of dry Rose. While the different shades of blush tones are determined by the grape, climate, vinification temperature control and grape skin contact time, these refreshing Mediterranean “wines of terroir” pair so well with the delicate flavors of fresh summer fruits, vegetables or seafood. Here is a roundup of some of the best roses to beat the heat and truly indulge in the joys of summer whether you’re in the city or the Hamptons.

Turf to Surf

By Rory Winston It seems almost sacrilegious to settle for terms like ‘surf and turf’ when referring to the non-plus ultra in steak and seafood fare. Distinguished establishments like Benjamin Steakhouse and its illustrious spinoff, The Sea Fire Grill, have earned culinary reputations the likes of which are usually reserved for haut cuisine. This is…

BLT’s Newest Venture

By Lisa Loverro

Las Vegas is filled with glitz, glamour, gambling and lots of good food. While there are a multitude of restaurants from which to choose, the new BLT Steak located in Bally’s Hotel and Casino on the Vegas Strip is one of the best bets in town. BLT Steak, which first opened in New York in 2004 and has a sister restaurant BLT Burger at Mirage just a little further North on Las Vegas Boulevard is a welcomed addition to an already bustling restaurant scene. The size of this restaurant is 7,000 square feet and filled with almost 250 seats. A sexy bar with long curves and filled with beautiful people, greets guests as they enter the main dining room. The rich wood and neutral tones are accented with stainless steel, amber and tangerine colors. There is also a huge fireplace lighting the way for a meal that is second to none. It’s in a prime location, once home to the famed Bally’s Steakhouse. BLT kicks it up a notch with their award-winning list of 300 wines including Old World selections from the regions of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Piedmont, Tuscany, Rioja and many others.

Restaurant Roundup

By Hillary Latos
From the quaint cobblestone lined streets of the West Village to the Upper West Side, this month we focus on the thriving restaurant scene of the West Side of Manhattan. Heading into fall there are plenty of reasons to celebrate the great outdoors, the Indian summer weather, glorious fall foliage of Central Park and of course the ethnic diversity of Manhattan’s dining options.

Brazilian Indulgence

By Peizhao Sun

America’s fervent pursuit of juicy, thick-cut and grilled meat is a long-established tradition – a celebration of the carnivorous. Whether it’s a get-together barbecue, a college graduation or a wedding, the insatiable urge to bite into perfectly seared ribs and Italian sausages do not discriminate; forget about the occasion, as long as meat is present, it’s a party. This American hunt for good and hearty meat, however, is becoming more excitingly ethnic. As the new trend of meat-eating blooms, meat lovers wipe the pizza grease off and rush to their local Brazilian steakhouses to have a taste of this unique style. Among all the existing Brazilian steakhouse brands, Texas de Brazil stands out for its excellence in quality and service. Striving to continue the same excellent experience, Texas de Brazil in the Upper East Side is a worthy spot for a night of indulgence.

Handmade Excellence

By Peizhao Sun

The idea of food product brands opening flagship restaurant isn’t new; however, when Italian pasta giant Giovanni Rana opened its first restaurant in the bustling Chelsea Market amid the delightful chaos that is lower Manhattan, something was noticeably different. Maybe it’s the quaint interior design, maybe it’s the glass-encased open kitchen; but it’s definitely the delectable pasta, along with the other alluring dishes, that sets Rana apart. The restaurant not only brings Italy to New York with its authentic taste, but also with the many Italian artifacts that add to the charming atmosphere as well. Producing hearty yet elegant, handmade pasta, as well as providing welcoming and dedicated service, Rana by Giovanni Rana is a spot worthy of a visit.

La Bella Cucina

The latest restaurant to grace the iconic Pierre Hotel, part of the Taj Hotel Group, is Sirio, from legendary restaurateur Sirio Maccioni, best known for Le Cirque. But unlike Le Cirque, Sirio Ristorante is a casual, yet sophisticated eatery with to-die-for cheeseburgers (with Fontina cheese) on the lunch menu and Tuscan-inspired dishes for dinner. The restaurant’s décor, renovated by hospitality interior designer Adam Tihany, was inspired by Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita of Italy in the 1950s and 1960s. This Fellini-esque décor uses warm tones with black and white images of Italy adorning its walls. Along with the impeccable service and some of the best selection of Italian wines in New York, Sirio Ristorante is a throwback to old-world Italy in a glamorous setting.

The Latest Tessa on the Block

By Hillary Latos
Though the ancient Greek definition of Tessa is “harvester” or reaper, over the years the urban dictionary slang for tessa is asset spelled backwards meaning the beautiful and perfect female embodiment that everyone loves and cherishes. Judging by the scene at this latest UWS hotspot we couldn’t think of a more perfect name. The fresh and delicately prepared Mediterranean cuisine is only matched by the stunning décor.

Dobkin’s Rainbow

By Rory Winston “My life like a rocket makes a parabola,” wrote Andre Voznesensky in an early ballad that describes how artists often get to their intended destination but not in the way they imagined. At a symposium, the renowned poet admitted to his own life’s unique trajectory: As a student of architecture, he created…