Arium

31 Little W 12th St New York, NY 10014

Cross Street: Between Greenwich Street and Washington Street
tel: +1 (212) 463-8630
fax: +1 (212) 463-8674 (Fax)

Tenor Brian Cheney performs

at ARIUM

on

June 10, 2006  at 8:00 pm

Arium is New York's newest center for the arts, hosting classical music and performances in a gallery setting.   

This quirky new arts center opened up in the heart of the Meat packing District serving both the visual arts and exhibits alongside excellent fare and the best of service.

You can take your choice.   Arrive for for lunch - to chose from an eclectic selection of soups, salads and sandwiches; or hold your breath and save your appetite for one of the finest . 'high teas' in New York.

You may be able to find such food in London or the Devon but mouthwatering scones, real sandwiches and a selection of deserts/cakes are a rare treat in the Big Apple; and since the closure of The Plaza Hotel it has been difficult for the Anglophile to reclaim the legacy of a perfect, real tea.   But this exceptional bastion of the British phenomenon is an ideal treat tea; and the service is equally exceptional,

The space is fabulous - with a grand piano in the rear - and a wide selection of teas are on offer in this charming new find.

Butit's not only music, food and art, and the prospect of a hairdressing salon to complete the experience; tenor, Brian Cheney is one of the artists performing in this unusual venue.  He is scheduled to appear on June 10, 2006 and will no doubt be one of many artists in the future to entertain the small, select audience in these intimate surroundings.

A protege of the legendary tenor Jerry Hadley, Cheney is equally adept at classical opera and operetta including Richard Strauss and Vincenzo Bellini, Pucini and Mozart.  Doors open at 6:30pm and tickets are $25 with advance reservations, $30 at the door. Light evening fare, wine and tea is available prior to the concert.

The program:

I. Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) Il fervido desiderio Dolente immagine Vaga luna

II. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) SONGS OF TRAVEL 1. The Vagabond 2. Let Beauty Awake 3. The Roadside Fire 4. Youth and Love 5. In Dreams 6. The Infinite Shining Heavens 7. Whither Must I Wander? 8. Bright is the Ring of Words 9. I have trod the Upward and the Downward Slope

-Intermission-

III. Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947) D'un prison L'huere exquise Si mes vers avaint des ailles

IV. Richard Strauss (1864-1949) Zueignung Morgen Cacilie

65 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10003
Tel: +1 212 477-5560
Fax: +1212 420-0998

has live jazz every night. With the look and feel of a true French bistro and a bar originating from Harlem, this east Village spot offers a mix of cultures!  Traditional Parisian bistro food is an established feature of the menu and it blends in well with the live Latino music.

With the jazz influence coming from the owners' early years of living in Harlem and frequenting the underground jazz clubs, Jules Bistro is a perfect example of the French's long-standing reputation for recognizing good music and loving jazz.

Live Jazz every night of the week ranges from Brazilian ragtime and Cuban vibes to Jazz and Bossa Enrique Lopez with Brunch-time music at the weekends!

Some of the better Brazilian sounds in town can be heard at Jules Bistro.  Be adventurous! Book in for a night of Choro sounds.  Choro is to bossa nova and samba as ragtime is to bebop and later forms of jazz, although it actually predates ragtime by a few decades. It began in the mid 19th century as a Brazilian take on European dance music like polka and waltz, but its identity really came together when Pixinguinha added Afro-Brazilian percussion to the mix. Like all Brazilian music, choro is infectious and easy on the ear.  Taken with a bunch of friends to celebrate a birthday, it is a sure way to may sure that the occasion is 'lively'  - to say the least!

The music at Jules is authentic stuff, played in a style you would have heard in Rio cafés in the 1920s and 1930s, with the traditional instrumentation of that period: clarinet, cavaquinho (a small, ukulele-like guitar), bass guitar, and pandeiro (Brazilian tambourine).

It's a casual French bistro with some outdoor seating, great food and a good wine list. 

If you love jazz (sometimes a little loud) with your dinner, the action begins at 9:00pm on weekdays and later at the weekends. No cover charge. Sunday jazz brunch starts at 12:00 noon and goes 'til 3:00. 

The crowd is young and enthusiastic and their are some old favorites on the menu such as escargot and steak frites.

In the warmer weather there are a few outdoor tables and reservations are recommended, particularly for the weekends.

Put this one on your New York list for great entertainment and good value!

nearest subways: TRAIN: 6 to Astor Pl; L to 1st St

CHOCOLATE CAFÉ OFFERS A CHOCOLATE GOURMET MENU

AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

through September 7, 2003

 

The American Museum of Natural History and Restaurant Associates (RA) have opened the Chocolate Café in conjunction with the new exhibition, 'Chocolate', which tells the delicious story of this popular treat, from its humble beginnings two thousand years ago in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America to the present day.  

For chocolate lovers this gastronomic delight is located on the fourth floor, near the 77^th Street elevators.

And the best thing about this chocolate bar is that it has 'cooked up' the best of all the competing chocolate products under one roof.  So you can indulge yourself in many of the wide and delicious array of delights, from Zazi hazelnut chocolate chip biscotti and Balthazar’s chocolate croissants to assorted beverages including Serendipitea chocolate flavored teas and Brooklyn Brewery’s Rogue Black Chocolate Stout, a traditional Russian Imperial stout.

Or if you prefer Young’s Double Chocolate Stout - a dark, ruby-colored brew with a smooth and velvety finish .....just pull up a stool........ 

            Visitors can sip and savor these treats and much more in the festive atmosphere of the Chocolate Café, accented with colorful French chocolate posters.  Choose from the menu of assorted delicacies and desserts to take home or to give as gifts.  

Bruce Barnes, Executive Chef for RA, has created a special indulgence:   the Museum Hot Chocolate Bread Tramezzini made of Balthazar’s renowned chocolate bread, Belgian chocolate chips, Nutella, fresh bananas and raspberries, and topped with dark melted chocolate and whipped cream.

This bar shuts its doors on September 7, 2003 so what are you waiting for?

 

(check museum for opening hours!)

 

the editor

Grand Central Station's
Métrazur Bar and Restaurant.

 

A room with a view... or in this case, a terrace with a view is Grand Central Terminal's Métrazur Bar and Restaurant.  

The terminal's grand lobby was renovated in the late ninety-nineties and this is one of its best additions to the station, taking up the whole of the East Balcony.  

This in-place, which quickly established itself as one of Manhattan's most popular destinations for both New Yorkers and out-of-town visitors is a low-key, high-up American brassiere overlooking the bustling main concourse and the famous clock. 

With a view of Grand Central's spectacular sky ceiling and dramatic windows this is a must lay-over, whether you're waiting for a train that never arrives during those cold wintery months or a friend who is always late on hot, steamy summer nights. 

Try watching the world go by at this very unique location, at least once in your lifetime!

the editor

Bar 10 at the Westin Hotel

 

One of the latest additions to the New York panorama is the new Westin Hotel.  Designed by internationally renowned Arquitectonica of Miami, the 863-room, 45-story glass prismatic tower, located at 43^rd Street and 8^th Avenue, beckons visitors with a beam of light soaring into the Manhattan skyline.  And 'calm' is the feeling you get as you leave the busy sidewalks of Manhattan to enter the cool, discreet lobby.

The Westin New York at Times Square, which premiered in the Fall of 2002, showcases a beam of light that begins in the nine-story interior atrium before breaking through to the copper, blue, and silver glass façade. The beam gives the illusion that it splits the tower as it arches to the top and beyond. And the same earth and sky palette, in glass and light, is repeated in the dramatic open space of the north lobby.

Leave the frenetic street-life of Manhattan and head up to the lobby of the hotel.  Then cross through the main lobby to Bar 10.  And no, don't make the same mistake I did and go to the 10th Floor!  Bar 10 has nothing to do with location. It's all to do with the best 10 martinis in town!

An event in New York can be anything from a new Broadway show, to a fabulous exhibit, to live entertainment in one of the city's great bars........ But sometimes you just want some simple, plain old serenity in your life and Bar 10 gives you that feeling from the moment you slide into one of those fabulous leather chairs.  Great architecture and design blend with sensational style.  With a first class cocktail in you hand, Bar 10 at the Westin is a top 10 pick on the city's nightlife list.

I particularly liked the bar because it was quiet, spacious, comfortable, tasteful and most of all relaxing.  And although our editorial policy is to always write about bars that have an 'event hook', Bar 10 captured my imagination because of the combination of simple good taste (but not stark) whilst still remaining hip.

Earthy colours in marble and leather gives the bar a look and feel unlike many of Manhattan venues. Subdued is the word which jumps quietly into your head as you listen to tasteful, low key jazz.  Nothing intrudes, including the quiet conversation and clinking glasses which may surround you.  

There is little to distract you. 

Indeed, an event in itself! 

Sophisticated, simple, tasteful luxury gives this bar an edge.  The top ten Martinis are all literary rather than liquid.....  (see below)......  and the bar food comes straight from the kitchen of the restaurant downstairs which is home to New York City’s first Shula’s Steak House.

Named after its owner, Don Shula, coach of the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1996, Shula’s is themed after Coach Shula’s 1972 perfect season with the Miami Dolphin’s.  The menus, which feature custom-cut, aged Certified Angus Beef^® and seafood, are hand-painted on official NFL game footballs. All diners who order and finish Shula’s Steak House’s famous 48-Ounce Porterhouse will be inducted into the 48 Oz. Club. 

However, I suggest more modest fare from Bar 10, where drinks run at a reasonable $6 for a beer and $9 up for a glass of white wine. 

And the 10 best Martini Quotes are......

 

"I never go jogging, it makes me spill my Martini.", George Burns "One Martini is alright, two it too many and three is not enough", James Thurber "Happiness is a Dry martini and a good woman… Or a bad woman.", George Burns "I should never have switched from scotch to Martinis.", Reputedly Humphrey Bograt’s last words "I like to have Martini… two at the very most,…after three I’m under the table, after four, I under my host.", Dorothy Parke According to Groucho Marx, W.C. Fields kept about $50,000 worth of booze stashed in his attic. "Don’t you know that Prohibition is over?" Groucho asked. "Well, it may come back!" Fields replied. "We walked into the bar with that defiant feeling that characterizes the day of departure and ordered four Martinis. After one cocktail and a change came over him – he suddenly reached across and slapped my knee with the first joviality I had seen him exhibit for months.", F. Scott Fitzgerald "Shaken not stirred, of course.", James Bond "I never drink anything stronger than gin before breakfast.", W.C. Fields "Let’s slip out of these wet clothes and into a Dry Martini.", Robert Benchley

So for sheer relaxation, drop into Bar 10 and check out dramatic elegance and cool chic. And as you leave, don't forget to marvel at the dramatic architecture of the hotel. 

Certainly a landmark on the Manhattan skyline, the Westin New York has a look and feel which exemplifies everything about the city in this new millennium.  Described as the newest achievement of form and function, of architecture and art, the soaring beam of light, beckons visitors in the 'city that never sleeps.'

the editor

 

 

La Belle Epoque

827 Broadway
Between 12th and 13th Streets.
tel: +1 212 254 6436

 

One of the best aspects of living in or visiting Manhattan is that it really is the ultimate melting pot.  So when you meet an Argentinean man who has been living in New York for three years, you certainly expect that he will be able to take your hand and swirl and twirl you round the dance floor to the rhythm of the romantic Argentine tango.

But life's little mysteries have a way of playing tricks on you. 

My glamorous Latino, born, breed, raised and educated in Buenos Aries, had never placed either of his feet - on the dance floor either in a club or on a street corner - to step out and tango.

It was one bitter-sweet lesson!

This cute Argentinean had asked me to join him on a Friday night at the centrally located, just off Union Square venue, which every Friday invites you to tango with the best of the Argentinean talent.  As a preamble to the evening, beginners are taught the basics and I quickly found out that Fabiano was 'basically'.....a complete beginner.

As we joined in on a tango class at the fabulous La Belle Epoque, SHOCK  HORROR, as he stepped (out )on my feet !

But not all was lost.   Alongside an eclectic melting pot of other beginners, we all closed our eyes to sway to the melody of the tango.  And the atmosphere was so great that to my surprise all at once we felt that we were lighter on our feet and authentic, romantic Latino lovers.

La Belle Epoque is a jewel in Manhattan.  Located in a 19th century building, it served as an artist's studio in the mid-20th century (Willem de Kooning worked there for years). In 1981, Howard Kaplan redesigned the space, and for ten years it was available for private parties only. Today, it is open to the public.

Real Paris Metro signs, French cafe chairs, dim lighting and a great bar and dance floor make this the ideal choice for the local Argentineans to hold their weekly Tango night.

It's one of the those Manhattan 'must go see how to add instant magical romance to your life' experiences.

I recommend the restaurant, (the menu, changes weekly, and features an eclectic mix of French, Creole, and American dishes) and the bar from where you can watch - from a safe distance - the amateur talent at around 8.00pm on a Friday night.  As the evening progresses, the real dancers take to the floor and you are then treated to music- often live; dancers - often excellent; and the romance of a terrific bar/restaurant on Broadway between 12th and 13th Streets.

See you there. 

And by the way, Fabiano is practising for his first public, professional performance.  You can catch it in the year 2010.  Until then.............................

 

the editor

 

 

34 West 22nd Street
between 5th and 6th Avenues

If you are in the mood for some comedy with a drink in your hand, look no further than the Gotham Comedy Club.  The Gotham Comedy Club, located on West 22nd Street in Manhattan is a drop-in venue for the likes of Gerry Seinfeld (when he wants to try out a few gags). The night we went - Saturday - was typical of the line-up you would expect from one of New York's top comedy clubs, and what's makes it different is that this place has a little slice of style.

I asked my companion not to wear jeans, but this was a mistake as the crowd was definitely casual. 

After a couple of drinks in the club room downstairs and watching football on the TV monitors, we moved upstairs to the main room for the evening's official entertainment.

We shared our table with some of the other guests who had only one thing one thing on their mind: to eat, drink and laugh at the jokes delivered by some of the top comedians in New York. 

If you're not a New Yorker, you might not get all the jokes, and certainly the comedy is targeted to the largely American audience, but the best laughs as far as I was concerned came from 'a send-up' of the Antiques Road Show (that famous British TV programme) and a few political comments about present and recent past presidents, provided by a star from Saturday Night Live.  So don't be concerned ..... because most of the humor has an international flavor!

According to the owner, "Gotham Comedy Club has ushered in a new era of comedy entertainment appealing to the more distinguished tastes of its New York clientele."  Step aside drab, uninspired clubs!  Gotham Comedy Club is 3,300 square feet of style, comfort and elegance, located in a landmark building on West 22nd Street at Sixth Avenue in the heart of the chic Flat Iron District.

Chris Mazzilli and Michael Reisman spared no expense -- from custom designed bars made of solid oak and copper to the antique, turn-of-the-century bronze chandelier gracing the entrance.

Mazzilli, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, designed Gotham Comedy Club from top to bottom. Although we chatted, he discretely kept from me the fact that he was not only founder of the club, but also a comedian!

You can wine and dine on good quality fast-food and be entertained by some high quality stand-up.  And an evening for two costs no more than the price of a single Broadway show ticket.  It's a good investment to combine barfly life by arriving early, with entertainment - and an opportunity to share a table with some of the locals.  Who knows who may soon be your next best friend?

Be advised, the program changes and different nights offer different types of comedy, so be sure to check the schedule in advance.  And at the same time, you may wish to ask why New York is often called Gotham and you'll get this bar's position on the subject....
-

Here was the line-up from Saturday, September 21:

William Stephenson--from the Chris Rock Show and the movie, "Pootie Tang"

Buddy Fitzpatrick--from the movie, "The Business of Strangers"

Darryl Hammond--from Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central Presents

Sherrod Small--from the Chris Rock Show.

and the lone female

Sue Costello:

Sue has appeared on Politically Incorrect, NYPD Blues and most recently as the host of NBC's Later. Sue has also appeared on Fox in her own sit-com Costello.

For reservations call Gotham Comedy Club at

+1 212 367-9000.

Location and Directions:
34 West 22nd Street ~ between 5th and 6th Avenues
(subways F, N, R, 1, or 9 to 23rd Street)

at
The Morgan Library
29 East 36th Street
New York, N.Y. 10017

For 5 days, September 11- September 15, 2002, a small exhibit "September 11th Observance", allows moments of quiet solitude in elegant surroundings on Madison Avenue at 36th Street. 

A small collection of works form the Morgan Library will be on view including the manuscripts of John Keats, 'Endymion'; Thomas Hardy's 'The Darkling Thrush', and a first edition of Walt Witman's 'Leaves of Grass'.

The glass encased Garden Court is a terrific space to enjoy light food for lunch and tea - seven days a week; and Friday is a great place to end the week in perfectly quiet, classical surroundinmgs (where light fare and drinks are served).. 

A sharp contrast to many other of our barshots. 

Relax and enjoy.

Opening Hours:
Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

tel: +1 (212) 685-0610

a jewel in the crowning tip of  Manhattan

 

Rise
Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park
Two West Street
New York, New York, 10004

When it comes to reviewing bars in New York that offer the best of entertainment, everyone who visits the city is spoilt for choice, but few if any bars can rival the pure entertainment value of one of the best views in New York.

The bar at the recently opened downtown Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park offers an unsurpassed vista of the Harbor.

Located at the tip of Manhattan - the real downtown - the Rise is perched on the top floor of the hotel and is perhaps a dramatic example of a great bar in New York.

Idyllic views of the water and waterfront permit visitors to enjoy constant entertainment.

Boats of all shapes ands sizes scuttle back and forth across the waters whether it be under bright skies, sparkling lights at night, or the very dramatic lightening from New York thunderstorms.

The bar doesn't only have a view.   Comfortable chairs invite guests to enjoy terrific cocktails and excellent food.   The Martinis are the house speciality.  As Vodka is my choice of drink, I agonized between the Libertini, Skyy Rise and Lychitini, but in the end I happily selected 'Zen Cosmo' a mix of  Sake, Cranberry Juice and Fresh Lemon Juice.  This perfectly matched the nouvelle 'Pacific Union' cuisine.  Tantalizing tiers of Japanese dishes including Soba Noodles, Seared Rare Ahi Tuna and Cured Salmon were served in a stylish and elegant manner.  But there's much more to chose from and this bar benefits from a first class hotel kitchen.

The Rise is crowded, but the ambient noise allows for comfortable conversation.  And the long, rectangular room means that almost everybody gets their piece of the 'window view' action.

As I was staying at the hotel, I had one only reservation...... which is that the bar does not take 'reservations', and hotel residents are not given preferential treatment.  And that's good news for all the visitors who take that very short trip downtown!

The venue offers the best in waterfront entertainment - with the added benefit of a terrace opening during the fine weather.   And I can say - hand on heart - that the downtown area offers a serenity that happily contrasts with the Midtown buzz. 

Rise is definitely one of the many jewels in the downtown, crowning tip of Manhattan.  And well worth regular visits!

Opening Hours:
Monday through Saturday ~ 4.00p.m. to midnight~
Sunday ~ opens early for brunch

tel: +1 212 344 0800

'all that jazz'

We asked William to pick an Upper West Side bar with entertainment.  He took his assignment very seriously and uncovered a real treat for those making the short hop up to a local bar restaurant which serves upgood food and great jazz.

He selected Cleopatra's Needle

Feedback from William:

"We enjoyed the casual atmosphere, affordable dining and a fantastic jazz trio. The music seemed to compliment the big (basketball) game on the large projection TV. Surprisingly the music didn't really interfere with the game……, or the game with the music!

Located on New York's Upper West Side, Cleopatra’s Needle is nestled in an area renowned for jazz and music venues. Primarily known for food and music, the jazz was exceptional. We had cocktails, starters, followed by pasta dishes which were reasonably priced. The overall atmosphere was casual and if you love music this is a great first date place. (You don't have to say too much to each other, but rather gaze into each other eyes and listen to cutting edge jazz!!)

Relaxed, informal and fun are the key elements of Cleopatra’s Needle Restaurant.  The evening was a perfect example of good food, mixed with fun conversation and great sounds."

Let’s hope you had a ‘terrifict’ evening, William…and thanks for the review.

 

Sample Music Schedule (for June 2002)

Fridays
Jun.7th- Hiroshi Yamazaki Quartet
Jun.14th-Wayne Escoffery Quartet
Jun. 21st-Andrew Peals Quartet
Jun.28th- Aaron Thurston Quintet
Saturdays
Apr. 1st- Jon Maione Quartet
Apr. 13th- Dean Moore Quartet
April. 27th- William Spaulding Quintet
Jun 22nd- Jazz vocalist Tessa Souter
Jun 29th- Nori Shiota Quintet
Every Sunday
from 2-6 PM- open mic for singers with Jon Weiss
from 9 PM-2 AM Jam session with Toru Dodo
Every Monday
from 9 PM-1 AM- Jam with Eric Lewis
Every Tuesday
from 9 PM-2 AM-Jam session with Julius Tolentino
Wednesdays
Jun 5th- Aaron Thurston Trio
Jun. 12th- Larry Newcomb Blues Trio
Jun. 19th- Hiroshi Yamazaki Trio
Jun. 26th- Jon Weiss Trio
Thursdays
Jun. 6th-Manhattan Vibes Trio
Jun. 13th-Joseph Friedman Trio
Jun. 20th-Tony Leone Organ Trio Trio
Jun. 27th.- Joseph Fr

Late Nite Jam Sessions
Wed-Sat 1:30-4:00 AM
$5.00 minimum for musicians/singers

$10 minimum per person per set.

2485 Broadway and 92nd Street
New York, NY 10025
tel: +1 212 769 6969

The Carnegie Club

 

 

the only 'my way'

The lights are low, the ambiance discrete; the seating very relaxing, the ceilings high and the bar long.  The big band starts to play.  A man at the ending of the bar - reminiscent of days gone by - wears spats, a bow tie and snaps his fingers to the rhythm of those familiar tunes.  It's big band night at the Carnegie Club. 

During most evenings it's a cigar bar, but Saturday is given up to the memory of Old Blue eyes. 

Too young to remember Frank Sinatra?

Well, this is the closest you'll get in Manhattan! 

The Carnegie Club entertains you with an evening of live, big band music with the Stan Rubin 11-piece Orchestra, playing arrangements that capture the flavor of the original Nelson Riddle and Billy May orchestrations.  Accompanied by the voice of Cary Hoffman, you step back in time to celebrate all things Frank.

It's a night of undisputed nostagia..... as Cary does it 'his way'.  Close your eyes and there are moments when you think it might the man himself as Cary walks us through the life and times of Frank and some of the old greats.

In the fifties in New York there were around 50 venues with live big band acts.   Today, there is just one, and it's in midtown on 56th Street.

This is one of a kind entertainment, as Cary and the band sing and play their way through an hour long set.  Interspersed between the songs are background notes, and some pretty 'corney' jokes, but it all adds up to a unique evening's entertainment.

The bar is a delight and the seats are definitely comfortable.  It's clear that the place is full of regulars and diehard Frank fans. 

If you are looking for an evening out in midtown, the Carnegie Club may be the answer; .......for some bringing back old memories, and for others ......a whole new experience!  And don't feel that you can't sing-a-long, tap your feet, or have a intimate dance in a quiet corner.

And when the second set of the night is over, it's a very cozy place to drink (and eat from a very limited selection of hors d'oeuvres - just 2 choices) into the wee hours!

So give it up for those sensational Sinatra songs and a long lost tradition of live big band music.

The Carnegie Club
156 West 56th Street
Between 6^th and 7^th Avenues
tel: +1 212 957 9676

Saturday Nights at 8:00pm & 10:00 pm

COST: $30 Cover charge
plus 2 Drink ($15.00) minimum

Bull and Bear Bar
at
The Waldorf

the almost square bar with a club-like atmosphere

Reviewing bars can be such a chore...particularly if I have to go as a guest of bar manager Robert, and take William with me.  And he is one of my favourite Hawaiian friends. 

As we sat down at the fabulous Bull and Bear Bar at the Waldorf Hotel, on Park Avenue and 49th Street it became clear to me that New York really is the center of "barworld".  And the bar is the centerpiece of a beautiful wood panelled and mirrored room.  The four (concave or convex - I can never remember which is which.  I'd bet it's convex as it's the ones that go in... ? Oh, O guess you'll just have to see for yourself) sided bar is probably one of the world's classic joints.  Home to visiting Heads of State, our '20-years in the job', Greek/Lebanese barman Edel declared that President Clinton was 'very friendly'; Margaret Thatcher did not get a good reference; but Jimmy Carter was his favorite and 'a real gent'.

Edel's list of celebrities was too long to repeat, but there is no question that this is a place where 'people are seen'.   William noted that even the bar manager Robert was a Tom Cruise lookalike. And who did we see?  Well nobody I recognized, but that's not unusual...... 

William was thrilled when Robert told us that he had been asked to be an extra in the movie "Serendipity," starring John Cusack with a scene filmed in the Bull and Bear.  I normally save "chick" movies for plane trips, but I am going to make a special effort to see this one, because it's my chance and yours to see just how great a bar can be.

Although the bar is named the Bull and Bear after the two bronze creatures which stand as the centerpiece of the whole room, I prefer my explanation.  I always wanted to know why 'suits' speak of the stock markets, using the terms bull for a "bull market" and bear for a "bear market", and now I know why.  With the stock  market tickertape running across the back wall it's clear that this ex-Gentleman's bar has a very long and important history.

Although they say that the ambience is very conservative, the first thing William and I spotted was a couple canoodling (spelling?) in the corner.  The great thing about this place is that whether you come on your own, with your favorite 'friend' or in a crowd, the Bull & Bear is just like home from home.  It's probably one of the best places in the world, particularly on a cold winters night. 

We sipped champagne and I tried the Waldorf's classic Caesar Salad, while William munched on exotic sea food. 

Unusually for a real slice of New York high-life, everything was very affordable, which made the evening even more of a pleasure.  If that's at all possible!  Unfortunately, the absence of the Wednesday and Thursday night jazz band has forced us to return in February 2002 when live music will be back in action.  But until then, I'm going to savour my pre-Christmas evening as a 2001 New York highlight. 

Happy New Year!

Hours: Bar, Smoking and Non-Smoking Restaurants.
Monday - Friday: 12.00hrs to 23.30hrs
Saturday - Sunday: 17.00hrs to 23.30hrs

Reservations: +1 212 872 4900

 

SEPPI'S

the very long bar(man) at the cosy mid-town local

Predicting the future can often be a double edged sword, but once you have spent a few minutes/hours in the comfort of the very long bar at Seppi's it's hard to resist finding out what lies ahead from one of the regular "astrologer" types who are - for a fee -  'on hand' to assist!

Kyler is a 'psychic counseler' who describes himself as a "Clairaudiant" which effectively means by volunteering a couple of topics - the usual: work and relationships, all was revealed through the Tarot Cards and clairaudiantry...or whatever!

I cannot tell you what he said but I do know that after a drink or two with a friend it is sometimes useful to get a confidential insight into "the lie of the land". 

Washed down by some serious cocktails and very enjoyable wine - I shared a starter and a delicious rack of lamb and yummy mash with a couple of friends.  The whole evening was a bargain, and the young man behind the bar - Patrick, pictured BELOW - was a font of New York anecdotes and information. 

As we sat watching baseball - Yankees vs. Diamond Backs - and musing on the fact that Chef Claude Alain Solliard (also proprietor of Seppi's) had certainly impressed us by coming to work straight after running the New York Marathon, a couple of celebrities strolled in.  They must have followed him across the finishing line.  Or did they? 

Looking marginally more trim than Claude, stars of the day's marathon including Tesfaye Jifar - having set a new record earlier that day, and Margaret Okaya - second woman past the finish line, sat down in Seppi's restaurant to chow down…….   and perhaps to take a well-earned rest……

The kitchen - offering a Modern European cuisine - combining Alsatian, French, Italian and Swiss influences that reflect the chef/owner's heritage - proves a great draw for the international crowd. 

Opened only two years as the midtown outpost of the very downtown and eternally hip/hot Raoul's, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary, Seppi's is a family affair.  The cosy local-joint atmosphere belies the fact that it is associated with the Parker Meridan. With access between the hotel lobby and the restaurant, Seppi's stays open 'til 2.00 a.m. every night - with the nightly tarot card readers on tap 'til around 10.00 p.m. 

"Seppi" is Alsace for Joseph and was the name of Chef Solliard's baker grandfather.  Grandpa Seppi and the rest of the clan feature in weathered pictures on display.   And the family feeling also includes art on the wall by a talented member of the restaurant team.  Diners and bar flies instantly become part of the midtown late crowd any night, of the week.  

So drop into Seppi's on 123 W. 56th Street, bet. 6th & 7th - a chic mid-town family affair with a bar to remember.

 Tel: +1 212-708-7444
 

MORRELL

If you are looking for
"Resident Wine Geeks",
look no further than the personalities behind
Morrell & Company. 

They are more than happy to offer recommendations and to share their favorite wines with guests at Morrell Wine Bar & Cafe - the latest, rave revues, Rock Center location .

The bar has the feeling of  'I could stay here all night'; and once a few glasses of champagne and vintage wines have slipped down a treat, it's time to dine inside or out (weather permitting) and enjoy classic American cuisine with 'a Wine-Inspired Touch'. 

Chef Michael Haimowitz designed the menu and it's a treat for those with a passion for fabulous fresh ingredients and a watching your weight, waistline!  Incorporating wine in its preparation, the bar/cafe is a culinary delight... but at a price!

For those with a budget? check the place out on Monday when a prix fixe three course dinner accompanied by 5 different wine selections goes for a mere $50 per person.  The location is terrific and a must for a front row seat at all Rock Center events.  So watch out for those NBC celebs! 
(For those who don't know, the NBC studios are located next door!)

The wine list offers more than 2,000 selections, with over 50 wines by the glass.  Choose from Market, Reserve, and By-the-Glass. And if the whole mouth-watering experience leaves you with a desire for more, you can shop in the Morrell Wine store next door, or if you prefer, bid at one of
Morrell & Company Fine Wine Auctions. 

wine store

 

 

M Bar at the Mansfield Hotel

 

A very elegant and hip bar and one of my favorites is the M Bar at the Mansfield Hotel.  How does a hotel bar manage to maintain its exclusivity, warmth and style ......while at the same time being fun?

The answer is simple.   Great live music on a Wednesday night.

Transfer that cool, quiet elegance into a subtle but effective party scene with the addition of some great Cuban salsa music or fabulous jazz.  And if that's not good enough for you, it's certainly good enough for one of our jazz aficionado ex-Presidents.

The decor is an immaculate mix of  - and I quote the hotel - "Beaux Arts and Second Empire styles".   Worth a look just for curiosity's sake!

The recently restored, and very reasonable, centrally located hotel is a vision of good taste........ and very special clientele.  Check out the M Bar at the Mansfield Hotel,
12 West 44th Street.  Telephone for schedule of live events  +1 212 944 6050

 

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• This is just the beginning.  We are here in New York just to tell you where you can look that barman in the eye and say  "that was a GREAT cocktail.  Same again".
  
  Or perhaps you prefer to check out the ambience; the rest of the clientele; the sounds............or just the bar stools. 
  
  Come back for your barshot reviews........... starting soon............
  

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