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New York in Autumn

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Autumn is the best time to visit New York, the weather is mild but bright and the city has calmed down after the summer craziness. As this was my second trip to NYC, I had already ticked off most of the must-see sights and so we were able to indulge, seeking out aspects of the city that most interested us, including food, cocktails, nail bars, coffee shops, art and design. Following recommendations helped us find our way around while also discovering hidden gems, here’s what we found:

Sleep

Sherry Netherland – a palace of style and sophistication, located on the corner of Central Park amongst the gorgeous designer outlets of 5th Avenue, this hotel defines luxury and offers sensational views of the impressive city skyline.
Giraffe Hotel – a cute and quirky boutique hotel: a cosy place to stay with a relaxing lounge to hang out in and have breakfast. Stylish enough to earn a place in the Sex and the City film (one of the suites was used for Big’s office!)

Eat

The Breslin – this super cool restaurant and bar is located inside the Ace Hotel, and is fun even just for a drink. Try the cocktails, indulge in a British classic dish and have your photo taken in the retro booth… a memorable haunt.
The Burger Joint at Meridien Parker – inside a posh hotel behind a red velvet curtain is a humble burger joint… offering perhaps the best burgers in town for just six dollars. Only in New York would you find such a crazy juxtaposition, and such insanely good burgers.
Prospect – if you are travelling into Brooklyn, this trendy eatery is well worth a try… offering indulgent dishes and cool drinks with a jazzy soundtrack.
The Modern at Moma – a magical Michelin star restaurant adjoining the brilliant modern art museum. Indulge in beautiful food and exceptional cooking. The lunch menu is particularly reasonable.

Drink

Employees Only – a secret bar near Bleecker Street with divine cocktails… sit at the bar for people watching and to pick up tricks of the mixology trade. E.O won best cocktail bar a few years ago, a well deserved accolade.
Death & Co – a moody prohibition cocktail bar serving up exquisite cocktails and great bar food.
Blue Bottle – the best coffee in Brooklyn, creamy, smooth, divine.
Black Book – our favourite coffee shop in Williamsburg, oodles of character and charm and great coffee too.

Shop

I must admit our shopping was not as successful as we had hoped, both prepared to break the bank if we couldn’t resist NY steals…
Dylan’s Candy Store – the ultimate sweet shop
Victoria’s Secrets – for pretty underwear
Mast Brothers – a chocolate empire… wondrously big bars of dark chocolate in a variety of flavours, packaged up in patterned paper.
We found the most intriguing boutiques in Williamsburg, Brooklyn… visit on a Saturday morning for the weekend buzz when the independent shops and vintage stores are all open and ready to bargain with you.

See

High Line – a transformed railway track allows keen walkers to see the city while wandering down a lovely new path.
9/11 Memorial – a poignant memorial of America’s traumatic attack is realised on the site. Two thunderous waterfalls mark the loss.
The Met Warhol Exhibition tells the tale of this famous pop artist while also illustrating his influence on contemporary artists.
Guggenheim – Picasso Black & White – the current show at the great Guggenheim, a monochrome treat for Picasso fans.
Sex and the City Tour – the girlies’ guide to New York… follow in the four fashionistas’ footsteps, travelling by coach to their most familiar hang-outs.
Spiderman musical on Broadway – the most extravagant show in town… though damned by the critics, no-one can deny that it has the wow factor.
A gig at Le Poisson Rouge – we were lucky enough to catch British band Michahu and the Shapes at this hip Bleecker Street venue. Join the students at Le Poisson Rouge where there is always an intriguing band to discover.

No city moves faster than New York, so any write-up feels instantly out of date… at least if you are visiting soon, you will have a few thoroughly modern tips to get you started.

Hotel Elysee, New York

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The Hotel Elysee is steeped in traditional and elegance. This glamorous building was once home to artists, writers and movie stars but now commoners like you and me are able to stay in the refined rooms and enjoy the luxury.

Located on 60 East Street between Park and Madison Avenues, it is a lovely area to explore during the day and in the evening. I was immediately aware of the cosy and secluded feel to the hotel despite the crazy madness outside, it is an oasis removed from the hubbub and yet is conveniently close to all the main attractions of NYC.

The staff are particularly likeable at Elysee, going out of their way to chat to us, help with restaurant bookings and advise us on transport routes. Little did we know that upstairs an entire apartment awaited us… with grand piano (though it was severely out of tune), writing desk, kitchen, and living room. After a brief walk (well dance, we were very excited) round the rooms, we began rearranging plans to allow more time for enjoying the hotel.

The grand bedroom provided enough space for a whole family but within minutes our clutter was spread over the floor and surfaces… we definitely felt at home. The giant bed was made up with the softest of duvets and ample cushions for lazing. Outside a small balcony provided views of the skyline, though sadly the rainy weather stopped us from using this romantic mini terrace.

Everything you could need for a week’s stay was hidden away in the cupboards and shelves. An indulgent bathroom with bath and power shower was en suite.

Much like the other hotels in this collection breakfast is casual and welcoming. It is served in the first floor sitting room, guests are encouraged to help themselves to the continental breakfast offerings, fresh pastries, juices, cereal, fruit and tea and coffee. With a tight schedule for the day ahead, we gulped down our mugs of coffee before dashing out to see the sights.

The Hotel Elysee offers timeless grandeur, exceptional service and relaxed luxury, we loved our time in this charming hotel.

More information here.

http://www.elyseehotel.com/

The Lambs Club, New York

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Just turn the corner off Times Square and you will find yourself at the Chatwal Hotel – the ultimate five-star New York accommodation is tucked away here, secluded and utterly unexpected. It is almost impossible to believe something so refined exists just moments away from the chaos and tackiness of the nearby tourist hotspot.

The Lambs Club restaurant and bar is known now very much in its own right, separate from the hotel, with a magical history surrounding it. The Chatwal building was designed by the Stanford White and the building originally opened in 1905 as home to the prestigious Lambs, America’s first professional theatrical club. Organised in 1874 by a group of actors and enthusiasts, the Lambs occupied a series of rented quarters before settling at 44th Street. The American club took their name from a similar group in London, which flourished from 1869-1879, inspired by drama critic and essayist Charles Lamb. Since the club’s founding, there have been more than 6,000 Lambs, with an elite crowd of stars: Maurice, Lionel and John Barrymore, Irving Berlin, Cecil B. DeMille, David Belasco, Charlie Chaplin, George M. Cohan, Douglas Fairbanks, John Wayne, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Spencer Tracy and Fred Astaire, who was famously quoted as stating, “When I was made a Lamb, I felt I had been knighted.”

The restaurant is the ideal place to meet for a brief business lunch, power meal or to catch up with friends. The vibe is smart but far from pretentious. The cosy room is arranged around a blazing fire, while pictures of old members of the club hang regally on the walls. We were thrilled to discover their impressive and inventive cocktail list. The mixologists are experts here, mixing up perfectly balanced and exquisitely flavoured drinks and using hand carved ice to suit each individual drink. I will admit we tried an embarrassing number, as connoisseurs, we felt we needed to fully experience the Lambs Club’s list. I will be honest, they were all delicious, not one disappointed and we were continually amazed by the clever and innovative recipes. Our favourites were: the fruity fresh Lambs Cup (Plymouth gin, Bianco Vermouth, St Germain, muddled cucumber, citrus and ginger) and the brilliantly simple Gold Rush (Eijah Craig 12 year Bourbon, lemon and honey).

After 5 minutes of unsuccessful bread-resisting, our shared starter arrived.  We chose the Burrata special which was good but not spectacular, a simple but punchy green rocket salad with an oozing creamy ball of Burrata placed on top. The cheese needed seasoning, but with a crunch of black pepper, a pinch of salt and a bit of bread it was a tasty combination.

The menu is sparse and select for main dishes, just as it should be at lunch. Too much choice is off-putting… better to create a few showstoppers than a selection of average recipes. Chef Geoffrey Zakarian manages to present simple ideas in new exciting and scrumptious ways. The classic Cobb Salad was absolutely incredible, a tower of layered salad components with Mantag Blue Cheese, Tarragon and Tomatoes. The grilled chicken was tender and warm providing the perfect contrast with the crunchy lettuce and creamy dressing. Best salad ever? Quite possibly.

My Lamb Gyro was insanely yummy, an array of different accompaniments complementing the seasoned minced meat, cooked to perfection and served with hot buttered flatbread. This is smart comfort food using the best ingredients and immaculate presentation. The sides were exemplary too: homemade french fries and charred broccoli were moreish and delicious.

Desserts were more experimental than I expected: Pumpkin Seed Oil Semifreddo with butternut squash and spiced vanilla ice-cream and Pear Clafoutis with roasted black mission figs and Concord grape sorbet. I must admit, though beautiful to look at, I didn’t take to the Semifreddo, the strange flavour put me off however my friend liked it and enjoyed the original idea. The Pear Clafoutis was soft and sweet with a scoop of tangy sorbet, the perfect palate cleanser at the end of the meal. To accompany pudding the restaurant offer a huge selection of teas, delicate and distinct in taste, refreshing and soothing.
A special mention must go to our waitress Joy who was an absolute star… offering brilliant menu suggestions, bringing us extra treats and providing super slick and efficient service… she made our experience exceptional.

We loved the Lambs Club… with food this good you will want to stay for much longer than a power lunch.

More information here.

http://www.thechatwalny.com/The-Lambs-Club/The-Lambs-Club-Restaurant