MIDTOWN
There are only two retail spaces left in Grand Central Terminal, and for the first time in 25 years, they are up for grabs. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced this week that they are making two sizable new spots available for restaurants.
One space is roughly 12,000 square-feet and located on the west side of Vanderbilt Hall. The marble floors used to serve as the waiting room and has been used for special events.
The other section that will be available for lease is the area above the Grand Central Market. The 4,700 square-foot space that is currently being used for storage will become a place where diners can enjoy a meal and a view from the balcony looking over the market.
Never stale, New York’s atmosphere is always changing. Clubs, restaurants, and venues are evolving, revolving and dissolving at such a fast pace, sometimes you need a little held pinning down what’s actually going on. Here to help, browse this list of newly opened and soon to be opened hot spots within the Five Burroughs.
191 Chrystie Street New York, NY 10002
Ever hear of love at first sight? According to the NY Post, residents on West 30th in between Seventh and Eight avenues are seeing love alright, in the form of used condoms and other paraphernalia!
The soiled specimens are believed to be the traces of the patrons leaving Rebel NYC and Parlour Midtown, two clubs that are popular on the weekends.
The restaurant Beer Table in Park Slope is a mecca for beer lovers with appetites. They boast 25 specialty changing bottles, 7 rotating drafts, a cask ale and a cellar of vintage and rare beers - not to mention a full menu of thoughtful food.
In a huge bonus to midtown commuters, owner, Justin Philips, opened The Beer Table Pantry in 2011, a retail store in Grand Central stocked with craft bottled beers and a to-go growler bar.
We had the opportunity to talk to Justin about opening and running his beer business.
Comedian Tommy Davidson doesn't discriminate. He'll find something funny in everyone and everything, from black people to white people to Obama and even dinosaurs. This comedy vet has been doing stand-up since the 80's and is widely known for his impersonations, made famous on In Living Color in the '90s. You can also catch him in chuckle-worthy flicks like Booty Call, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls and Juwanna Mann.
Who were some of your comedy heroes growing up?
Richard Pryor number one. Bill Cosby. Eddie Murphy.
When you think of brunch, what usually comes to mind is boring buffets of dry pastries, watered down mimosas, omelet stations, and if you’re lucky, maybe some smoked salmon that’s been sitting out for way too long. When I think of brunch, I think of freshly baked maple bacon sticky buns, crispy pig ear, kimchi eggs benedict and bloody mary’s made with locally grown and freshly puréed heirloom tomatoes. Where have I been going to brunch, you ask? A little place in the heart of Miami’s Design District called Michael's Genuine Food and Drink that’s been taking Sunday brunch to a whole new level.
James Beard Award winning chef, Michael Schwartz has been doing his thing in Midtown Miami since 2007. His passion for local and fresh seasonal ingredients grown in a sustainable way is what inspires him to serve seriously good comfort food where the ingredients are the star. And since no meal is complete without dessert, nationally recognized pastry chef, Hedy Goldsmith, has got you covered. Her unique creations influenced by childhood favorites and a bountiful assortment of fresh fruits and herbs paired with her incomparable pastry skills are what make her well-known. It didn’t take much time for this place to become a hub for healthy eaters and foodies, alike, and their patronage aided in putting The Design District on the culinary map.
My Sunday brunch experience was truly a genuine one, especially since I had a reservation, which is highly recommended if you’re not a fan of waiting. The atmosphere at Michael’s Genuine is very much like that of a New York eatery: sophisticated yet casual. The décor is straightforward with colorful walls and red accents contrasted with rich chocolate-colored furniture. The exposed wood oven and kitchen makes the vibe casual and comforting. Sit at a table, booth or bar inside , or take advantage of the weather on the patio underneath an umbrella.
As anyone should, I started the afternoon with not just any Bloody Mary, but a Genuine Mary made with freshly puréed, local golden heirloom tomatoes, vodka, horseradish and a touch of honey - a sweet twist on a brunch classic. The menu is separated into different categories including snacks, meats, breads, eggs & things, savory and sweets. All dishes are served tapas style. Our server suggested we start off with some snacks and that each person should order a savory and a sweet item for a flavor-balanced meal.
As a snack, we started off with the deviled eggs and crispy pig ear. The filling for the deviled eggs was incredibly creamy and the perfect bite to get your appetite going. The crispy pig ears were cut into strips and seasoned to perfection. With a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the top, these crunchy cracklings were bursting with flavor and can make for a perfect Happy Hour snack, if I might add. In no time, the tapas began to arrive starting with the savory. The breakfast pizza was thin and crispy, just the way I like it. Bubbling with Monterrey cheesy goodness, it came topped with smoky bacon bits and a fried farm-fresh egg. Next came my choice of wood oven roasted double yolk egg with tomato and chives snuggled into a little ramekin topped with gruyere, baked and served with a sourdough crostini that is used as a spoon to scoop up the mixture of piping hot egg and cheese. My favorite of the savory dishes was the kimchi benedict. A toasted crumpet is topped with crispy pork belly, a poached farm egg and a velvety kimchi hollandaise.
After our table was cleared out and we were given clean plates and utensils, on came the sweetness. The sticky buns came first: two rolled buns topped with a truly sticky maple and bacon glaze. Sugar and pork fat never tasted so good together. The lemon ricotta pancakes were light and fluffy, topped with fresh ricotta and a side of cranberry vanilla compote for the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. We also ordered a sweet and rich coffee cake, which was topped with a sour cream sauce to cut through the sweetness. Last, taking me back to my childhood weekday mornings were chef Goldsmith’s reinvented pop-tarts, which arrive as two flaky little pouches stuffed with strawberry and passion fruit fillings. You will never look at pop-tarts the same way again! Finally, the ultimate test for a restaurant is how good their coffee is. In my opinion, if they take the time to ensure good tasting and fresh coffee, that says a lot about their standards. My steaming hot cup of organic coffee was bold yet smooth and obviously fresh. Well done, Michael’s Genuine!
So, the next time you want to change up your Sunday routine with a perfectly balanced and wholesome brunch, have a special occasion to celebrate, or are just in the neighborhood, give Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink a try for food that is local, fresh and straight-up delicious!
Brunch at Michael’s is only served on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
130 NE 20th Street Miami, FL 33137
(305) 573-5550
http://www.michaelsgenuine.com
Culture Club threw its grand reopening party last night, and they certainly did it right! With a Michael Jackson impersonator, non-stop '80s music, and themed drinks like "Vanilla Ice," "Bon Jovi," and "Smurfirita," attendees were cutting a rug like they were the stars of Footloose. The multi-level club featured Saturday Night Fever inspired floors, paintings of yester-year, and plenty of neon colors. With the help of partner Debbie Gibson, VnC Cocktails, and South Beach Smoke, the bash was one of the most colorful (literally and figuratively) so far this year. We even got a surprise live performance from Debbie Gibson of Shake Your Love and Only in my Dreams. Notables in attendance included Kourtney Kardashian, VnC ambassador Scott Disick, Nanette Lepore (who also designed the club's uniforms!), Project Runway’s Joshua McKinley, DJ Kiss, DJ M.O.S, and Mick Boogie.
You may not be exactly sure why Brittany Murphy giggled and cried uncontrollably over her bowl of noodle soup in “Ramen Girl.” You may be hungry and a bit chilly as the Fall weather hits and can't decide what to do about it. You may be saving up for a seat or two at the Yankee's next game. You may even be an unfortunate combination of all three.
Menchanko Tei is the solution. Just a quick subway trip to one of two midtown locations—one on 45th between Lex and 3rd, the other on 53rd between 5th and 6th—will solve all three dilemmas at once. These two cozy, bustling noodle houses provide diners with a variety of soul-warming, affordable soup options sumptuous enough to make anyone smile (if giggling isn't your style).
There is a reason why the doors of LAVO, the dining and nightlife concept brought to you by the Tao Group, are always jam packed. While it's impossible to pick just one, we would venture to guess that the Kobe Meatball might have something to do with this hotspot's popularity.
Made from fresh ground A-5 Kobe and accompanied by creamy ricotta cheese (made in house), the LAVO meatball may just be the best thing you ever eat, ever. It was packed with flavor, perfectly juicy, and melted in our mouths in a way that could only be understood by tasting it yourself.
Hubba hubba. Cute? Check. Successful? Check. Smart? Check. Able to cook? Check. Single? Hope so.
Okay, so this blog is not all about super hottie Chef Sosa (but damn, who isn't weak in the knees for men who can cook?) it's actually about something bigger and more important...the love for food.
Well, this man, Angelo Sosa, restauranteur/chef and Top Chef runner-up, is the brainz behind the kitchenwork at the rave-reviewed restaurant, Social Eatz.
The eclectic menu can be described as "mouthwatering", "like a drug", and "orgasmic." After hearing these bizarre yet curiosity-inducing reviews, we decided to check the place out. (Plus, we're complete foodies--bad characteristic for beach body season!) The restaurant was modern, well-furnished, had a mixed crowd, very busy but-not-overwhelmingly-loud-where-you-can't-even-hear-the-person-next-to-you, had a friendly staff and most importantly, had a well-stocked bar. We decided to order the most rave-reviewed menu item: the bibimbap burger.
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