Posts Tagged ‘beach’

14 Delicious Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Big Apple

Valentine’s Day is a day to share your love. But it’s more than that – it’s a wonderful chance to share a great meal, a cocktail and an evening out. New York City celebrates with special menus and romantic touches designed to make both of you say ahhhh and yum.

Here are 14 exciting choices where you can slip into romance on February 14.

DINNER

Courtesy Gabriel Kreuther

Gabriel KreutherMidtown West

Two Michelin-Starred Gabriel Kreuther presents a spectacular evening of French-inflected Alsatian cuisine. The fine dining experience is as romantic as it comes in the softly lit, art-adorned dining room. For Valentine’s weekend, you can celebrate your love with a special “The Gorgée d’Amour” cocktail, a mix of Hennessy VSOP, Greenhook Old Tom gin, rhubarb, Rockey’s Milk Punch and Byrrh Grand Quinquina.

Courtesy Gabriel Kreuther

Then you’ll be treated to a five-course tasting menu with indulgences for both meat and seafood lovers: Crown toro hamachi crudo, perigord black truffles with four cheese raviolis, roasted Maine lobster cassoulet, spice-rubbed Brandt beef tenderloin and a cocoa nib tart. As unusual as the menu, Gabriel Kreuther’s wine pairing has been specially curated to enhance each dish.

Courtesy Kumi

Kumi – Midtown West

A new import from Las Vegas brightened with Chef Anastacia Song’s inimitable New York style, Kumi offers Japanese-Korean fusion cuisine at Le Meridien New York . On Valentine’s Day, you’ll begin your evening of passion with a “Kiss Me Kumi” cocktail, a potent combination of plum wine, melon, raspberry, lemon and Cava. After toasting to your devotion, the celebration continues with a presentation of small plates from spicy tuna tartare with truffle oil to Hondashi rice and vegetables. The main attraction at the lavishly decorated restaurant  is a chef’s selection of sushi and rolls accompanying green-tea smoked chicken, ginger Gochujang glazed salmon, sesame watercress and greens. Pace yourself as you’ll want to save room for dessert and perhaps an after-dinner drink like the silky matcha vodka concoction. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.

Courtesy North Miznon

North Miznon – Upper West Side

For pure romance, North Miznon has the setting and the “couples” thing down pat. Israeli Chef Eyal Shani offers specials enticements for two in the romantically lit sit-down restaurant. The six-course holiday menu begins with two “couples” of East Coast oysters and another twosome, a choice of a duo of lamb chops or a duet of the “best cuts of the cow.” Shani has a following from Israel to Manhattan and it’s understandable when you see the rest of the menu with starters including golden fresh focaccia, diamond turnips in golden sauce, and local scallop grilled in its shell. If you’re not a meat eater, there’s halibut in a paper envelope. For dessert, couples can choose from a couple of desserts: apple crumble with Ronnybrook vanilla ice cream or a medley of chocolate treats. Vegetarian and kosher options are available.

Courtesy Lucciola

Lucciola – Upper West Side

If atmosphere is what you’re looking for, you have two amazing choices at Lucciola on Amsterdam Avenue. The main dining room is a valentine to Emilia-Romagna, exuding romance with dim lighting and an old piano in the corner. A wall of wine bottles adds another taste of Italy. You can make your evening even cozier by booking one of the restaurant’s heated bubbles where you snuggle together in privacy surrounded by alpaca blankets. For Valentine’s Day, Lucciola is offering a three-course prix fixe menu with lavish choices like spaghetti with Hokkaido sea urchin or tagliatelle Wagyu filet with black truffle. The wild alpine strawberry tartelette is a perfect red-toned sweet to end the meal.

La Devozione Courtesy Giada Paoloni

La Devozione – Chelsea

It’s true amore in Chelsea Market this Valentine’s Day.  New York City’s newest pasta destination, La Devozione by Pastificio di Martino, turns a traditional heart-infused Valentine’s Day into an exciting oval-shaped celebration at The Oval, a 30-seat pasta bar surrounded by shelves of pasta. The evening’s indulgence is a nine-course pasta tasting with caviar, uni, lobster and other aphrodisiacal ingredients. You’ll watch the chef prepare each dish, personalized for you. Choose a traditional Italian wine or amaro to complement, or elevate the evening with a Champagne pairing menu. For a bespoke experience, La Devozione is offering concierge service to arrange transportation, music to play during dinner, and flowers. This is truly a one-of-a-kind dining experience that your sweetie will remember for a long time.

Courtesy Vestry

Vestry – SoHo

Shaun Hergatt’s new Michelin-starred Vestry is sure to wow your sweetie with the restaurant’s elegant design and Valentine’s Day “menu of aphrodisiacs.” The usual love-inducing suspects are included but Chef Hergatt’s penchant for drama and creativity is unmistakable – there’s Wagyu beef, Berkshire pork belly with foie gras, wild mushroom soup with black truffle, Kaluga caviar with potato blinis and crème fraîche, and much more. The prix fixe feast finishes with a sweet dessert for two, Baked Alaska surrounded by rose petals.

Courtesy Lindens

Lindens – SoHo

You would never imagine that there are cabins for dining in the back courtyard of the Arlo SoHo hotel. Lindens goes après ski with these individual “rooms” for two and a special Valentine’s Day dinner. The modern American restaurant adheres to a “nature within the city” ethos, now reflecting the winter season with comfort dishes including kabocha squash ravioli, roast chicken, hanger steak and luscious lemon & bourbon donuts. A wine pairing is available.

Courtesy Lure Fishbar

Lure Fishbar – SoHo

You may not have booked a cruise for Valentine’s Day, but the yacht like design of SoHo’s popular Lure Fishbar seafood restaurant can transport you to the Adriatic or even the Maine coast. Everyone knows that oysters have aphrodisiacal superpowers, especially when combined with a bottle of pink Champagne. Lure Fishbar takes this concept to new heights with its seafood tower, dressed up with rose petals for the evening. The Valentine’s Day menu continues the seafood extravaganza with fluke crudo, baked oysters, vanilla butter-poached Maine lobster, potato-crusted halibut, lemon meringue and more.

Courtesy Industry Kitchen

Industry Kitchen – The Seaport

Impress your date by booking a private glasshouse for two at Industry Kitchen and cozy up as you watch dusk settle over the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges. Alongside the East River, the restaurant will entice you with Chef Haffman’s special Valentine’s Day Champagne dinner. Clink glasses to the colors in the sky and enjoy the evening’s gastronomic indulgences: steak tartare, Hudson Valley duck risotto and chocolate fondue for two with red velvet cake, macarons, green apple, grapes, strawberry and pineapple for dipping.

Courtesy Serafina

Serafina – Meatpacking District, Tribeca, Broadway, Upper East Side and more

The popular Italian date night restaurant adds some holiday whimsy to their February 14 menu with heart-shaped ravioli on a special menu featuring burrata to share, starters like crudo and winter citrus salad, Serafina’s signature black truffle pizza, and surf & turf.

Courtesy Serafina

A wine pairing from Serafina’s extensive collection is available to complement each course including an amaro digestif for dessert to enjoy with a decadent tiramisu for two or a Valentine-perfect red berry tart with shaved chocolate.

COCKTAILS AND OTHER LIBATIONS

Courtesy Ophelia

Ophelia – Midtown East

Add a trip to the moon with a cocktail in the “Snow Globe in the Sky” atop the historic Beekman Tower at Ophelia. The Art-Deco-inspired lounge always has the right holiday touch and this year’s Valentine’s Day special is a his-and-her cocktail and sweets celebration. For him, it’s a Buffalo Trace bourbon perfect for a wintry evening with sugar, bitters and citrus oil. She gets the tiki rum cocktail, sweetened with crème de fraise, coconut cream with a contrasting swirl of Nardini amaro. The cocktails are specially designed to accompany Ophelia’s “Sweets for the Sweet” menu of chocolate-covered strawberries, heart shaped macarons, mini berry tarts, chocolate truffles and tiramisu.

Courtesy Loulou

Loulou – Chelsea

A romantic nightcap to your night on the town, a “Valentini” at Loulou will elicit Valentine’s Day sparks. Served in a heart-shaped glass, the red-hued vodka cocktail has muddled raspberries, mint leaves, lemon juice and simple syrup, with a splash of yellow chartreuse and topped with Prosecco.

Courtesy Loreley Beer Garden

Loreley Beer Garden – Lower East Side

Loreley Beer Garden goes all out on romantic décor for a three-day Valentine’s holiday. Several hundred long-stemmed red roses and 10,000 rose petals will adorn tables and floors throughout the restaurant and the heated outdoor winter garden. The Valentine’s mood becomes livelier with heart-shaped pretzels served with warm beer cheese dip to accompany your choice of brews or cocktails. Valentine’s Day brunch and dinner will keep you warm with boozy bourbon hot chocolate and Jameson hot toddies.

A VALENTINE’S STAYCATION

Margie's Restaurant Courtesy The Rockaway Hotel + Spa

The Rockaway Hotel + Spa – Queens

There’s a way to truly surprise your date on Valentine’s Day. Why not turn your holiday into a staycation by the ocean? Take the subway to Rockaway Beach in Queens where you can let loose with the Celebrate LOVE program at The Rockaway Hotel + Spa. Dinner at Margie’s with drinks and dancing on The Rooftop and a choice of the Recharge in Rockaway or Dine & Wine two-night stayovers will make you both feel like you’ve left the city for a beach holiday. Personalize your mini-vacation even further by adding chocolate-covered strawberries and scheduling a couple’s’ spa treatment.

Countdown to the End of Summer – New York City Beaches Are Still Open

With the 2020 beach season almost over, time is running out to show off your post-quarantine bathing suit and to come together (apart) for some beach social distancing. NYC beaches are still officially open with lifeguards on duty from 10am-6pm. Concessions stands may be closed so you might have to bring your own picnics this time around. Please click on the website for each beach to determine rules, openings and closings. Note, however, that beaches can be visited any time of the year but swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not present due to the possibility of riptides and strong waves. Subway and bus transportation makes having a car unnecessary, although parking lots are provided. Check the relevant subway and bus lines listed beneath each beach to determine current schedules and any relevant changes.

Coney Island Beach

Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn

For a distinctive beach experience, Coney Island is still New York City’s beach of choice. The beach is three miles long with courts for basketball, handball and beach volleyball as well as multiple playgrounds. There’s also plenty of non-beach fun for those who get antsy sitting on the sand. You’ll likely have to wait until next year to get your thrills on the Cyclone rollercoaster and amusements at Luna Park or watch the quirky Mermaid Parade, but the fishing pier is open along with the Boardwalk. The Coney Island Boardwalk has a variety of food options for a perfect takeout picnic, but beach-goers swear by Nathan’s Famous hot dogs for a delicious, cheap lunch. Stay tuned for the beach’s acclaimed puppet shows coming up in September and October. Puppets Come Home! is a series designed to celebrate Coney Island’s 150-year legacy of puppetry and provide a platform for contemporary cutting-edge puppeteers.

You can keep current with the upcoming Coney Island events at http://www.coneyisland.com/. Free on-street parking is available.  For more beach info, and updates to bus and subway service, visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/coneyisland.

BUS: B36, B64, B68, B74, B82, X28, X29, X38.

SUBWAY: D, F, N, Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue; F, Q to West 8th Street-NY Aquarium; Q to Ocean Parkway.

Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn

Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn

For a relaxing afternoon of sun, surf and beach volleyball, go to Manhattan Beach on the southern tip of Brooklyn. It’s a smaller version of Brighton Beach and less crowded than Coney Island with fewer visitors. Nearby Manhattan Beach Park also has two baseball diamonds as well as handball, basketball, tennis and volleyball areas. Concession stands offer reasonable meal choices, and parking is available at Exit 8 off of Belt Parkway. For more information, visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/manhattanbeachpark.

BUS: B1 from Brighton Beach

SUBWAY: Take Q Train to Sheepshead Bay Road. B49 to Cheapside to Oriental and Hastings Street.

Rockaway Beach, Queens

Rockaway Beach, Queens

Rockaway Beach is an ideal outdoorsy retreat for both families and individuals. Its 10-mile long boardwalk is perfect for an afternoon stroll, and kids will enjoy the area’s seven playgrounds. Teens and adults can skate or play volleyball. The beach is the only one near NYC to allow surfing: go to the designated zones between 67-69 streets and between 87-92 Streets (visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/beaches for more information about surf beaches). Rockaway Beach has also become a testament to New York’s resilience and a model for sustainable rebuilding following the extreme damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy. The beach offers free street parking, as well as free parking lots at B. 11th-B. 15th St. and B. 95th St. For further information, visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockawaybeach.

BUS: Q22 from bus terminal on Archer Avenue.

SUBWAY: A to Broad Channel then shuttle train.

Orchard Beach, the Bronx

Orchard Beach, the Bronx

Located at the end of a long, winding path in an area with lush vegetation, Orchard Beach is harder to get to, meaning that it tends to be less crowded than other New York choices although it is very popular among local residents. The Bronx’s sole public beach, Orchard Beach was proclaimed “The Riviera of New York” when it was created in the 1930s. The 115-acre, 1.1-mile-long beach has a hexagonal-block promenade, a central pavilion, snack bars, food and souvenir carts, two playgrounds, two picnic areas, a large parking lot, and 26 courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball. This summer’s Tribeca Drive-in Film Festival at Orchard Beach was a huge hit – we hope it will continue next year as well.

Parking is available. Visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/vt_pelham_bay_park/vt_pelham_08.html for more information.

BUS: Bx12, Bx29, Bx5, Bx52, and Westchester Line number 45 serve the park. During the summer, take Bx5 and Bx12 to Orchard Beach. During the winter, take the Bx29 to the City Island Circle and walk to the beach.

SUBWAY: Take the 6 to Pelham Bay Park. Connect to bus (see above).

Wolfe’s Pond Beach, Staten Island

Wolfe’s Pond Beach, Staten Island

Wolfe’s Pond Beach is an oasis far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city that the only trace of Manhattan is a distant view. Adjacent to Wolfe’s Pond Park, the manicured beach offers several fun attractions for the whole family. Two tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, basketball courts and a playground will keep the kids busy all day long. Wolfe’s Pond Beach also has dog-friendly amenities, including an enclosed dog-only area. If you’ve had enough beach time, Wolfe’s Pond Park is also a plant and wildlife preserve with several trails running through the beach and park. There are BBQ areas as well as a free parking lot on-site. Visit https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/wolfes-pond-park for additional information.

BUS: #78 to Tottenville. Get off at Cornelia and Highland Blvd, walk up Cornelia. SUBWAY: Take Staten Island Transit to Huguenot Avenue, then walk toward Highland Boulevard.

Game on! Brings Fun and Games to Lower Manhattan Through Labor Day

Game on! Brings Fun and Games to Lower Manhattan Through Labor DayDowntown Manhattan’s Water Street is turning into an outdoor playground this summer for adults as well as kids with its pop-up Game On! Series.  Through Labor Day, Monday through Friday from noon to 7pm, you’ll never lack for fun if you head to the Financial District, between Wall Street and Whitehall.  Follow the hash tag #gameonwater for updates on new programs, being added daily.  In addition to the “games,” there’s a host of food choices, beach areas, and hangout spaces.

Some of my favorites are the Giant Connect 4 game located on Gouverneur Lane where you can feel like a four-year-old all over again as you play with your friends or with actual four-year-olds.  I also love the Urban Beach Shuffleboard on Whitehall Plaza, a worthy competitor to all the shuffleboard action happening in Brooklyn of late, as well as the second shuffleboard location at 1 NY Plaza.

Game on! Brings Fun and Games to Lower Manhattan Through Labor DayMore intellectual types will be attracted to the Sudoku corner at Mannahatta Park, where you could also park yourself with your own chess board and score a feisty match (people love playing chess in this city). On Sundays, bring along your New York Times and invite a new friend to help you tackle the crossword puzzle.

If you’re thirsty, the beer garden at Coenties Slip will keep you satisfied while you play bean bag toss (cornhole), while the variety of food trucks will satisfy your hunger along Old Slip Park. Look for faves like Korilla BBQ and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.

Old Slip Park is also where you can engage in two favorite games from times past, Nok Hockey and Battleship.

Game on! Brings Fun and Games to Lower Manhattan Through Labor DayAnd, for those craving the ultimate summertime family experience, there’s mini-golf on Elevated Acre at 55 Water Street. It’s only a three-hole course, but who cares? You can play it six times!

For a full schedule of activities and to sign up for the latest news, visit http://gameon.downtownny.com/.  Water Street, between Whitehall and Wall Streets. Monday-Friday, noon-7pm. The program, sponsored by the Alliance for Downtown New York, is an effort to revitalize spaces and areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.

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