Posts Tagged ‘Jean-Georges’

New York City Restaurants Open Indoor Dining Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

Outdoor dining resumes in New York City on February 12, giving you another option if dining outside is too cold for you. But, please note, outdoor dining, indoor dining, takeout and delivery options vary by restaurant and can change based on weather and other factors. Be sure to call ahead to confirm your choice of indoor or outdoor seating.

Born in the U.S.A.

Courtesy Brooklyn Chop House

For Valentine’s Day, Brooklyn Chop House will have you seeing red in a good way with their over-the-top Red Velvet with a Side of Red Velvet special. The menu begins and ends with a Red Velvet creation, first a Red Velvet Frozé and then an oversized slice of Red Velvet Cake. Your dinner is equally colorful, in a figurative sense – order the L.S.D. (Lobster, Steak, Duck), a decadent array of Salt & Pepper Lobster, Ginger & Garlic lobster, dry-aged Porterhouse steak and Peking Duck served with lobster and chicken fried rice.

From New York to the Continent

Courtesy Socarrat Paella Bar

In Spain, Cava is the beverage of romance and Socarrat Paella Bar pairs it with heart-shaped churros dipped in chocolate. You’ll also tuck into a four-course dinner with a shareable Campero board of Spanish charcuterie followed by a tapas selection of red prawns, croquetas and datiles and duck or lobster and seafood paella.

Courtesy Mercado Little Spain

Take a stroll along the High Line and pause to look at the Hudson River and the magnificent New York skyline. Exit at 30th Street for José Andrés’ Spanish Diner at Mercado Little Spain, a second option for those who equate Valentine’s Day with a trip to high-spirited Spain. On the open-air patio, you’ll be treated a Valentine’s Day prix fixe dinner highlighted by the José taco with jamón Ibérico and caviar, croquetas de marisco, and grilled Ibérico pork shoulder. A Cava toast is the perfect precursor to the double-chocolate Nuestro Cardenal, a crispy meringue topped with raspberry chocolate and filled with chocolate ganache.

Courtesy Extra Virgin

West Village favorite Extra Virgin has created an aphrodisiacal Valentine’s Day menu with a dose of whimsy. The Mediterranean-inspired dinner includes hors d’oeuvres like shrimp and Jonah crab cocktail and foie gras mousse and the aptly named Love Bird, a whole roasted jerk chicken to share. As everyone knows, chocolate is de rigueur on Valentine’s Day, and you’ll have a mix of two of the best for dessert with the white and dark chocolate mousse parfait. Playing off the restaurant’s somewhat-ambiguous name, Extra Virgin is selling a limited-edition “Extra Love” red t-shirt. Buy a large so you can cozy up in bed after dinner.

Courtesy The Mark Restaurant

Just steps from Central Park, The Mark Restaurant’s green-and-white striped tent takes on a red tinge with a prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu of Jean-Georges favorites. At the tony Upper East Sider, tuna tartare with caviar is a perfect beginning to sea bass or grilled NY strip. The Linzer tart is as delicious as it is pretty – a heart-shaped sweet finish to a wonderful meal with your sweetie. You won’t need to order a bottle of wine – the sommelier will take care of the perfect pairings.

Courtesy Frevo

Chef Franco Sampogna welcomes you to the re-opening of Frevo for Valentine’s Day. Unusual and romantic, the restaurant is hidden behind an art gallery. It’s like entering Oz — you walk through a painting to find the dining room where a Valentine’s Day playlist sets the tone for Chef’s luxe multi-course dining fête. Artistically plated dishes include lobster cappuccino with Kristal caviar, celery root tagliatelle and black truffle, and quail with foie gras, All ingredients are seasonal, sustainable and locally sourced. The evening’s wine experience is brought to you by sommelier Quentin Vauleon, named Best Young Sommelier in France of 2017.

Courtesy Nice Matin

At Nice Matin, Chef Eric Starkman serves up a special three-course prix fixe menu in their heated, streetside café. The Provençale menu offers starters including lobster bisque, farro risotto and smoked salmon. Entrées appeal to all dining preferences with Filet Mignon, duet of lamb, bucatini Mentonnaise or scallops à la Marseillaise. Dessert is pure rouge decadence: Red Velvet cake with raspberry purée and dark chocolate glaze.

Pacific Delights

Courtesy Nami Nori

Temaki sensation Nami Nori invites you to its outdoor room for a special Temaki Set. The menu of high-level taco-like creations includes five of Chef’s most popular: toro kama with yuzu kosho chimichurri, grilled akamutsu, avocado with pickled goji berries, X.O. scallop with tobiko and lemon, and tuna poke with crispy shallots. A caviar layer dip makes an indulgent appetizer. Drawing on Japan’s cherry-blossom heritage, the meal is finished with a Sakura parfait, a Valentine-pink confection of cherry blossom mousse, hibiscus gêlée, elderflower panna cotta and sponge cake; and “The Cherry Bomb” cherry-red cocktail made with Crémant sparkling wine, cherry sage cordial and soju.

Courtesy 15 East @ Tocqueville

French-Japanese hybrid 15 East @ Tocqueville debuts its first Valentine’s Day menu with a spread to impress. Created by Chef Marco Moreira, the three-course prix fixe meal includes Hudson Valley foie gras custard, butter-poached Maine lobster, duo of Wagyu-beef cheeks and strip loin, and dry aged hay-smoked Magret duck breast. You can choose one of four desserts including baked Fuji apple with passion parfait. If you’d prefer to order strictly Japanese, the Chef’s Sashimi & Sushi Omakase is also available. The red “Enzo and Valentina” with Nolet’s Silver Gin, Campari, St. Germain, Cocchi Rossa, prickly pear and lemon juice is your Valentine’s Day cocktail. Adding to the romance, the inviting (and dimly lit) outdoor space is draped in a sheer pink overhang.

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These: Where to Order Your Holiday Desserts

Bakeries, restaurants and chocolatiers are encouraging you to leave the dessert creation to them during this unusual holiday season. Many ship nationwide, some require in-store pick-up, and others will deliver to your home.

Chocolatiers and Bakeries

Sugar Plum’s

Decidedly different, Sugar Plum’s Breakable Chocolate Christmas Wreath Gift Set (complete with mallet) is sure to bring a smile and maybe a surge of passion. This wreath has nothing to do with pine needles; it’s 12 ounces of decadent milk chocolate carefully molded into a gorgeous wreath shape as imagined by these Pennsylvania chocolatiers. Designed for sharing, the wreath breaks into specifically engineered pieces. Depending on the energy of your bubble, you may want to order several of these.

andSons

If there are true chocoholics in your household, you’ll be happy that second-generation LA chocolatier andSons ships everywhere.  Kriss Harvey knows her stuff. She was formerly executive pastry chef for the inventive The Bazaar by José Andrés.  Joy is the name of the game with andSons’ Holiday Joy Chocolate Boxes. Filled with hand-crafted bonbons, the box is seasonal all the way with an assortment of Eggnog, Spiced cinnamon caramel, Fresh Mint & Berry, and Marzipan & Saffron goodies along with signatures such as Speculoos Cookie, Pop Rock Praline, Passionfruit Caramel and 64% Dark Madagascar. The box itself is a keepsake, designed by pop artist Angela Chrusciaki Blehm. Supersize your dessert box with a Holiday Joy Gift Collection, adding holiday delights such as Eggnog Snowmen, Chocolate-coated Nuts and Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Cranberries.

La Monarca Bakery

La Monarca Bakery has been a staple in Los Angeles for almost 15 years. Started by two Stanford graduates who grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, La Monarca brings the sweet flavors of Mexico anywhere in the world. For the holidays, order their scratch-made orejitas, wedding cookies and cinnamon cookies, all made without trans fats or preservatives.

BakeMeAWish

Have you totally forgotten to order dessert (or just don’t feel like baking)? No worries – there’s BakeMeAWish.com to the rescue. This NYC gourmet company guarantees overnight delivery of a toothsome variety of holiday desserts that are as festive as they are delicious. You can order jumbo and mini holiday cupcakes, the playful and adorable Santa’s Bag filled with holiday cookies and chocolates, a tin of Candy Cane or Snowman cookies (also adorable) or a sinful Chocolate Peppermint Bundt cake. Can’t decide? Order a tower of fruit and sweets to combine with a mix of cookies and cakes. You’ll also be doing a good deed — 5% of all purchases will be set aside to benefit small businesses affected by COVID through the Bake Me A Wish! Business Empowerment Fund.

Seven Sisters Scones

From artisanal bakery Seven Sisters Scones, you can order a selection of savory and sweet scones in creative flavors like Fig and Goat Cheese and the holiday-spirited Strawberry Champagne. Started by Hala Yassine, one of seven sisters (with two brothers), the Georgia bakery spices it up for the holidays with “naughty” and “nice” boxes.  The boozy, “naughty” assortment has a dozen mini or large scones in Eggnog, Chocolate Kahlúa, Pomegranate Martini and Orange Mimosa flavors. The “nice” box veers to the classic with twelve Coffee Cake, Maple Pumpkin, Cranberry Orange, and Gingerbread versions.

Bread Basket

Bread Basket has curated seven sweets and bread baskets for the holidays. Mixing craft breads, brioche buns, cookies, holiday loaf cakes and other treats, baskets include the best of NYC artisan bakeries Pain d’Avignon, Padoca Bakery, Grandaisy Bakery, Amy’s Bread, Orwashers, Eli’s Bread, New Yorker Bagel and more. Think orange olive cake with a seeded sourdough bread, or Black & White cookies with “everything bagel” seeded twists, for example. Since Europe is out of reach this year, the European Basket fills in with Roman pizza Bianca, a classic baguette, Swiss Health breakfast bread and Swedish butter cookies.

Cotton Blues Cheesecakes

Move over, New York, you’ve got serious competition. Cotton Blues Cheesecakes hail from Mississippi and are as droolworthy as they come. These handcrafted cakes, created from an original recipe by Executive Pasty Chef Shaun Davis at Cotton Blues restaurant in Hattiesburg, call themselves “Mississippi Made-New York Approved.” As a New Yorker who loves cheesecake, I agree. Their strawberry cheesecake is a real knockout.

Piedaho Pie

Paris-trained baker Rebecca Bloom’s Piedaho Pies are handmade as well but this time at a family-owned bakery in Hailey, Idaho. Local ingredients are finessed to create seasonal specialties like Cherry Bourbon Crumb, Salted Caramel Apple, Ginger Pear and Chai Apple pies. You’ll likely be craving more than one pie but that’s not a problem –you can sign up for Piedaho’s Pie Club to be treated again and again. Pre-baked and flash-frozen in a vacuum-sealed pouch, these pies spark conversation and comfort.

Daddy Ray’s Famous Gingerbread

A favorite since 1983, shipping from Fort Worth, Texas, Daddy Ray’s Famous Gingerbread Bundt cakes are a thing of beauty. Lovingly baked and decorated by three generations of the Elledge family, the cakes are not only moist and delicious with a perfect balance of ginger and spice, they also add a festive touch to any gathering. You can order gingerly, pun intended, with a small cake, but you’ll probably regret not having ordered the larger version. Plan ahead to freeze some for after the holidays.

Paris Baguette

At Paris Baguette whimsical decorations like snowflakes, Santa Claus, polar bears, snowmen and Christmas Bears find their way onto Santa’s Chimney Chocolate Chiffon Cake , Rudolph the Red-Nosed Chocolate Cake, Frosty’s Chocolate Chalet Cake and the Stargazing Santa Chocolate Cake. Capturing memories of beautiful snowfalls, the Merry Berry Choco Crunch Cake is a winner with soft-cream snow drifts and berries on top.

Sully & Vanilla

Sully & Vanilla, a NYC-based women-owned bakery, has cornered the market on fun holiday treats. How can you not be obsessed with Santa hat flamingo cookies or Red and Greens, a holiday take on traditional NYC Black and White cookies?  Customizing cake pops, cake cones and decorated cakes is the bakery’s M.O.

FLOUR SHOP

FLOUR SHOP is the creative playground for cake mastermind Amirah Kassem. With color and whimsy as her inspiration, Kassem mixes rainbows, glitter and unicorns for cake magic. At FLOUR SHOP, you’ll find glitter counters showcasing the most popular treats including cakeballs and the six-layer explosion cake. Be sure to look around the website for some holiday cheer.

Milk Bar

Chef Christina Tosi’s Milk Bar puts a peppermint spin on holiday desserts. If you love peppermint bark, you’ll love Milk Bar’s Peppermint Bark Cake with layers of crunchy cocoa crumbs, chocolate fudge, peppermint frosting and crushed candy cane bits. The same decadence is available in bite-sized Peppermint Bark Truffles rolled in red and chocolate sprinkles and minty sand. Peppermint Pretzel Snaps are a sweet-and-savory combination of pretzels, peppermint, caramel and chocolate atop a chocolate wafer, dipped in white chocolate peppermint bark. Pick-up and on-demand delivery in five cities or shipping nationwide.

Baked by Melissa

Cupcake lovers will thank Melissa instead of Santa for the Baked by Melissa collections featuring bite-sized cupcakes with festive flavors like Chocolate Babka, Jelly Doughnut, Caramel Hot Cocoa, Candy Cane and Cookie Blizzard. Gluten-free assortments, too. Pick- up in multiple locations and nationwide shipping.

Restaurants and Tearooms

Angelina

Renowned Paris tearoom and pastry house, Angelina, brings the taste of the century-old patisserie to its first US location in Manhattan. With takeout and delivery of its iconic hot chocolate, powdered or beautifully bottled for transport, and a special Bûche de Noël edition of their Mont Blanc pastry, Angelina gives you  another way to bring Europe home this season. You can pretend you’re dining next to Coco Chanel and Marcel Proust, two of Angelina’s famous patrons, while enjoying sweets like caramels, jams and chocolates.

L’Avenue at Saks

Another Paris sensation, L’Avenue at Saks is the go-to for elaborate desserts by legendary Pierre Herme. If you’ve been to Paris, you’ve likely tried his famous macarons that come in a glorious rainbow of colors and tastes. You can go a step further by ordering L’Avenue’s famous Ispahan with a rose macaron biscuit base and rose petal cream, raspberries and lychees; or the Tarte Orpheo made with shortbread pastry, dark chocolate ganache and toasted hazelnuts. Available in-store or with delivery via Caviar.

Jean-Georges

Two Jean-Georges’ restaurants offer pick-up or in-city delivery of their most elaborate desserts. Order the cute-as-a-button Chef Karen’s Cookie Box, an assortment of gingerbread cookies, chocolate caramel brownies, pecan puffs and brown-butter chocolate chip cookies from ABC KitchenJean-Georges’ eponymous restaurant has the only-at-Christmas Bûche de Noël  decked out with dried cranberries, Sicilian pistachios and orange confit in organic bourbon vanilla cream, all set inside a dark chocolate mousse and devil’s food cake. For New Year’s, the restaurant’s passionfruit almond cake is paired with a half bottle of Billecart Salmon Brut Rose for a decadent finish to any meal.

Pierre’s

If you happen to be on Long Island, Pierre’s in Bridgehampton offers a sinful array of Bûche de Noël for Christmas. Offered in two sizes, you can choose chocolate made with chocolate mousse and layers of chocolate almond dacquoise, milk chocolate with crunchy French meringue coated with a milk chocolate glaze, or the very French Vosgienne which adds fresh raspberries and whipped cream to layers of chocolate sponge cake. Specifically created to capture the holiday season, the chestnut Bûche de Noël has chestnut and vanilla rum mousseline, layers of ladyfinger sponge cake and a dark chocolate glaze while the Snow Man is a pretty confection of Grand-Marnier chocolate mousse with orange candied strips and layers of Alsatian winter spice sponge cake, coated with French meringue. Order online and pick up at Pierre’s in Bridgehampton or Pierre’s Market in Sagaponack.

Izzy’s

The Boozy Cakes from Izzy’s steakhouse in San Francisco are certain to strike a happy chord. Seven cakes, inspired by Izzy’s signature cocktails and full of (premium) spirit, will help you toast to Christmas, New Year’s, or maybe to just getting through another lockdown. Flavors include Triple Layer Chocolate Cognac made with chocolate genoise and dark chocolate ganache, Lemon Drop Cake boozed up with vodka, Spiked Red Velvet with Kahlúa and Baileys cream-cheese frosting, and Grandma’s Carrot Cake with Grand Marnier cream-cheese frosting. Preparing for Dry January?  There are “virgin” versions as well.

Kern’s Kitchen

Kern’s Kitchen can lay claim to being the sole producer of Kentucky’s famous Derby-Pie®. For more than 60 years Louisville’s Kern family has held the secret recipe to this confection. All they’ll disclose is that the pie has chocolate chips and walnut pieces. You’ll have to scope out the rest of the ingredients on your own as you tuck into a slice of history.

Valentine’s Day Getaways in New York City — It’s Not Too Late to Book!

New York is rich in hotels that we New Yorkers never experience.  Why not try one of these packages for a different and really cool Valentine’s Day (or Valentine’s Day gift)?

Kimptons 70 Park Avenue HotelFor the on-again-off-again couple looking to rekindle the romance or just book a sexy rendezvous, Kimpton’s 70 park avenue has you covered with its “Exes and Ohhs” Valentine’s Day package.  Guests receive two welcome Hot and Toddied cocktails at the hotel’s adjacent silverleaf tavern to help set the mood before retreating for a two-night escape in one of 70 park’s cozy and intimate guestrooms.  Love birds will also receive two tickets to a three-course dinner and burlesque show to help add to this raunchy “staycation” weekend.  For additional seductive fun, the hotel’s on-site love doctor has a specially curated list of sensual activities to spice up the stay, from a sexy boudoir shoot to an in-room couples massage and chocolate-making classes. Available from February 13 – February 16. Priced starting at $862 for two nights’ minimum.  http://www.70parkave.com

The MarkWoo your Valentine with bubble baths on demand and a multi-course dinner by one of New York’s most celebrated chefs, Jean-Georges, at The Mark. The sexy Valentine’s Day package (from $755 per night) includes a dozen red roses, a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Rosé and a cheese-and-fruit platter upon arrival; a Frédéric Malle candle; a bubble bath;  and breakfast in bed the next day. http://www.themarkhotel.com

Langham HtoelLangham Place is stepping up its game with the “Love of the Game” package (from $755), which combines sports plus romance (yes, really). Celebrating the NBA All-Stars weekend, the package includes a Party with the Pros cocktail party, where you can mingle with top NBA players, as well as a couples’ massage at the Langham Place Spa and daily breakfast for two in Measure Lounge. http://www.langhamhotels.com/en/langham-place/new-york

A paddle, a necktie, bondage kit and spanking powder. We can’t forget that Valentine’s Day coincides with the release of “Fifty Shades of Grey”. Two Kimpton hotels, Eventi and Ink48, are offering “Shades of Grey” deals (from $450; through March 1), which includes the items mentioned above, plus massages, admission to the Museum of Sex, and a $200 credit toward lingerie at La Perla or Agent Provocateur. http://www.newyork.com/hotels/eventi-hotel, http://www.newyork.com/hotels/ink-48-hotel/ . Pretty darn hot.

Z HotelAcross the bridge, Z NYC Hotel in Long Island City is offering a “50 Shades of Z” Package.  Pretend you’ve taken a helicopter to meet Christian Grey as you overlook the Manhattan skyline from your accommodations. The rest is up to you with the box of trinkets you’ll receive upon check-in including edible underwear, handcuffs, tickle feather, blindfolds, and a book of erotic games. Chocolate strawberries, champagne, and breakfast in bed complete the package which is available until February 28.  Rates start at $245 per night.  Tickets to the movie can be arranged. www.zhotelny.com.

Where to Spend a Sexy Valentine’s Day in New York City

It’s always fun to “go away for the evening” in Manhattan for Valentine’s Day (or any other night, for that matter).  Here are some provocative and soothing ideas that will definitely inspire:

More on Where to Spend a Sexy Valentine’s Day in New York City

New York City Restaurant Week is in Full Swing through Labor Day Weekend

It’s that time of the year when cities around the country start imitating the “best”: New York City’s Restaurant Week.  Started in 1992, the annual event has grown by its number of weeks and participants and has just been extended through September 6.

More on New York City Restaurant Week is in Full Swing through Labor Day Weekend

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