4/30/10

Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza

Ladies and Gentlemen are cordially invited to enjoy a connoisseur's evening featuring over 100 rare & exceptional single malt and Scotch whiskies. The evening includes a delicious dinner buffet as well as a selection of premium imported cigars for our guests' later enjoyment.

The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza brings the discerning enthusiast the opportunity to sample the participating whiskies in a sophisticated and elegant environment with genuine camaraderie and knowledgeable representatives from each participating distillery.

The Roosevelt Hotel
Madison at 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
Thursday, May 20, 2010
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tickets: $120 with promo code "NYCSW10" (reg $135)
Call 800-990-1991 or http://tinyurl.com/ygosofb

Business Casual Attire. Jackets Preferred. (no denim or athletic wear)

http://www.singlemaltextravaganza.com/
http://twitter.com/SMExtravaganza

Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar

Also parked Rickshaw Dumpling, Go Burger, Bistro Truck and Steak Truck

4/29/10

Kentucky Derby at Mad 46

And, they're off... but who will win by a nose?
Awesome Act, Ice Box, Mission Impazible, Lookin At Lucky

Mad46 Rooftop Lounge Hosts Kentucky Derby Party!

Walk the Red Carpet, watch the horse race on flat panel and projection screen TV’s throughout the roof while enjoying Mint Juleps and other great specially priced cocktails from Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort, Bonterra Wines
.
Wear your bonnets and best Spring attire as prizes will be awarded for the Best Dressed! Prizes include tickets to the Belmont Stakes, complimentary bottle service at mad46.
Date: Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: mad46 Rooftop Lounge
Street: 46th Street at Madison
RSVP:  mad46@rooseveltnyc.com
LIBRARY GALA INVITATION

Manhattan Cocktail Classic Kick-off Gala Event
The New York Public Library
Friday, May 14
9PM-1AM

100 Top Mixologists Shake Up Scores of Artisanal Tipples,
Celebrity Chef Fare, Live Music and Sensory Explorations.
Sipping your drinks quietly is optional.
Dressing to kill is mandatory.

The most anticipated cocktail event of the year is about to rock the hallowed halls of the New York Public Library. The 2010 Manhattan Cocktail Classic will kick off with an exuberant Gala that will bring together Gotham’s cocktail enthusiasts with more than 100 leading mixologists who will ply them with scores of artisanal tipples. There will be equally enticing eats prepared by world renowned celebrity chefs, live musical performances, interactive exhibits and sensory explorations. Surprises are in store in this fabulous fête that will span four stories and two city blocks of space. Dress code: Extravagant self-expression.

WHERE
The New York Public Library
Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street

WHEN
Friday, May 14, 2010
9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

TICKETS
Library Gala $100
Cocktail Seminars $50
(25% off promo code MCCPARTNER)
http://2010tickets.manhattancocktailclassic.com
www.manhattancocktailclassic.com

4/24/10

LUCKYRICE


ASIAN-INSPIRED COCKTAIL PARTY
hosted by Kelly Choi

BUDDHIST CUISINE
Chefs Eric Ripert + David Chang Conversation
with Buddhist Authority Dr. Robert

NIGHT MARKET
hosted by David Chang

MAKING DUMPLINGS
with Anita Lo

GRAND FEAST OF ASIAN FLAVORS
hosted by Lisa Ling

AFTERNOON TEA + ASIAN DESSERT PAIRING
hosted by Chef Pichet Ong

LUCKYRICE FESTIVAL is an 11-day celebration of Asian food and culinary culture. The festivities include exclusive dinners with chefs, cocktail parties, lunar new year tastings and more. Following the festival, LUCKYRICE will present a week-long Asian Restaurant Week, with participating restaurants selected by the LUCKYRICE Culinary Council, offering prix-fixe lunches and dinners. Visit there cool website and get tickets: http://www.luckyrice.com/festival

4/23/10

Austria Uncorked


Tribeca Rooftop
2 Desbrosses Street
New York City
May 5th, 2010
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Celebrate Austrian Wine, Cuisine and Culture with over 100 Austrian vintners paired with cuisine from New York City’s finest restaurants including: Wallsé -Gordon Ramsay’s at the London - Seasonal Restaurant - Aldea - KLEE - BLT Prime - 10 Downing - Food & Wine - Salumeria Rosi - Telepan NY - Recette -15 East - Grandaisy Bakery

Tickets $55 in advance - $70 at the door http://tinyurl.com/345kdpq

*Proceeds benefit the GrowNYC "Learn It, Grow It, Eat It" program, a local education program helping teens take control of their health through hands-on gardening, nutrition education, and community outreach.

For more information: http://www.austriauncorked.com/

4/16/10

West 3rd Common

Friday night at West 3rd Common boasts a happening bar scene and lounge area, and also what seems to be happy diners. West 3rd Common has been open since December and is the latest venture by owner Dan Warren who also owns Common Ground. It took two years to look for the perfect new spot near Washington Square Park, and by gosh he's found it!



3rd West Common's L-shape space is quite accommodating, it allows for the bar and restaurant to be far enough from each other to feel private, yet close enough to allow both sides to feel each others fun energy. Let's face-it... in some places bars are packed while the isolated dining area is empty. But not here, the flow is even and people feel comfortable enough to trickle back and forth from the bar to the lounge area. The decor is warm with lots of wood, low red velvet couches and fancy chandeliers. There's a bookshelf across the wall that hosts a traditional dining area.

7:30PM and Happy Hour was still in full swing. Specials consists of $3 draft beers, $4 well drinks and wine, and $5 cosmos and appletinis everyday from 4-8pm. "Specialty Cocktails" is where it's at! The bartender Erica keeps it fresh and exciting with creations that are more than delicious! First, I panic and order my default Dirty Vodka Martini with olives. It was good, but it's a pretty simple drink.


Then, I was smart enough to order the Lynchburg Lemonade - Jack Daniels, lemon juice, sugar, soda, and sprite...Whoa Nelly is it good! Perfectly tart muddled lemons floating around in a big pilsner glass, not a fancy-tini glass, and for $10 it's a cocktail steal. All the cocktails are tempting. I can't wait to try the popular Blueberry Pie (yes, also a cocktail -made with Stoli Blueberry, Bailey's, and Butterscotch Schnapps) Sweet! On weekends $20 bucks buys you a brunch entree and unlimited Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and Screwdrivers.



The kitchen is ran by Chef David Walker who with his Louisiana roots has created a menu that can't help but have some southern elements, but that's probably why it's good.

There are 3 types of wings on the menu: BBQ Dry Rub, Chipotle Buffalo and Sweet Chili Glaze Wings with namasu pickles; this one we tried. Yes... they were fried and sticky and sweet and spicy and good, but wing king they are not.

The Duck Sliders with kim chi and sweet hoisen on the other hand were a nice change of pace in the world of sliders. The cute lil' brioche buns are too delicious not to love.

Now here's a claim: "THE BEST BURGER IN THE CITY!" What? We must try this Common Burger with cheddar, tomato, arugula, and sautéed onions. The mixed blend patty is slightly grilled then steamed creating a system where the juices penetrate the meat, serving up a medium-well done burger that is juicy juicy juicy! It's served with herbed aioli and their now famous hot garlic french fries, which are garlicky enough to savor their uniqueness, but not enough to scare off your date. This Common Burger is pretty damn good and not common at all!

Who doesn't like fried chicken? Um...nobody. (except a vegetarian, but they don't count) Here the Fried Chicken is interestingly prepared. First, it is actually roasted, this makes the bird moist; then, the roasted pieces are battered and fried. Told-ya it was different. But, it works and the end result is tasty. The Spicy Fried Chicken is served with creamy cheddar and smoked gouda mac & cheese with a mustard slaw.

For Dessert: Chocolate Brownie with Peanut Butter, Cream Brulee Banana and Chocolate Cocoa Puffs a.k.a "The Elvis". Coincidentally the song Suspicious Minds by Elvis was playing overhead when we ordered it. I know...suspicious, right?



To top off dinner, the new Espresso Martini on the Spring cocktail menu. A special creation by Erica the bartender. She infuses vodka in vanilla and espresso beans, mixes the libation with a hint of Tia Maria liqueur and serves it with floating espresso beans. As a coffee lover, it doesn't get better than this for an after dinner cocktail.



BE FOREWARN: The cocktails at West 3rd Common are frisky concoctions that can induce feelings of Amore so be sure you're lucky enough to have someone special after you conjure up these love potions.

West 3rd Common
1 West 3rd Street
(btw Broadway & Mercer)
212-529-2059
http://west3rdcommon.com

Zac Posen for Target Pop Up Shop & 24 Hour Party

4/15/10

Thrillist's Springtime Bash


Thrillist's Springtime Bash at Highbar Rooftop last night was fun!

Partygoers enjoyed a gorgeous sunset while drinking spring-inspired cocktails from Smirnoff 100 and cupcakes from Baked by Melissa. As guests made their way up to the garden roof top, they were given a chance to experience the new line from Macy’s INC International Concept displayed all over the venue on handsome mannequins.

The performance from Old School Crooner Michael Arenella started the beautiful evening and guests danced through the night to the beats of super hot world class Lady DJ Kiss.

You can check pictures from last night here:
http://www.thrillist.com/rooftop

4/13/10

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant


Walking up and down 5th Avenue's sidewalks may seem glamorous, but when it's 5 o' clock and you're hungry, it's not so much. So tonight wandering around, I stumbled into McCormick & Schmick's for Happy Hour and well... happy it is!

The Bar area is large and accommodating or you can also enjoy Happy Hour outdoors on the sidewalk seating between 3:30pm-6:30pm and 9:30pm to close. Service is good, the server, a nice young lady from Atlanta will refer to you as "Y'all" every chance she gets. Here's the good news: CHEAP! The $5 drink specials change daily, but the large Happy Hour Food Menu remains very very very inexpensive every day. Keep in mind there is a $3.50 minimum beverage purchase per person. Here's what we had, but there's many more items to choose from and there's something for everybody, plus it's pretty good.

Oysters $1 each

Blackened Fish Taco, Cabbage and Pico de Gallo $1.95







Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Fried Pita Chips $1.95








Half Pound Cheeseburger with French Fries $2.95







Buffalo Chicken Wings and Blue Cheese Dressing $3.95


















Join M&S Bar on April 15th to celebrate Tax Relief Day with $10.40 entrees plus receive a $10.40 certificate for your next visit. http://bit.ly/cituZg

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
212.459.1222
http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/
Twitter: @McandSchmicks

Sippin' Scotch & Smokin' Stogies

Premium Single Malt Scotch Whisky
&
Cigar Tasting

The Carnegie Club
156 West 56th Street, NYC

Wednesday, April 21, 2010
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

$50  in advance
$65 at the door

4/1/10

Manhattan Cocktail Classic











The Manhattan Cocktail Classic is Back!
New York City’s multi-day festival celebrating the history, contemporary culture, and artful craft of the cocktail will take place on May 14-18, 2010
.
Educational Seminars will be held at Astor Center which will also host the Official Bar, a place to kick back and relax with a good cocktail in between all the seminars and events.

Stories from Behind the Bar with fabulous drinks thrown in, of course at some of NYC's best lounges; PDT, Death & Co, Mayahuel, Clover Club, Flatiron Lounge, Pegu Club, Employees Only, Macao Trading Company, Louis 649, Raines Law Room, Brandy Library, Apothéke, Double Crown/Madam Geneva, Little Branch and Dutch Kills.

Off Site Events like cocktail-fueled sunset harbor cruises, cocktail pairing dinners at some of New York’s finest restaurants, exclusive tastings of exceptionally rare hard to find spirits. The Dizzy Fizz; Death in the Afternoon; Micro Spirit Odyssey; Esquire Spring Fashion Launch; there's even going to be a double decker tour bus driving around stopping for Latin inspired libations all over the city... Aye yai yai!

Friday Night Gala at the Public Library Yes, at the "New York Public Library!"  The Gala will take over the entire landmark library, with a cocktail party that will defy expectation, convention, and just about everything else. Tuxes and top hats will be de rigueur along with feather boas, tap shoes and 1800’s clown costumes. But, I wonder if the drinks must be sipped in silence? Shhh...

Tickets to the Gala $100
All seminar sessions and off-site events are $50 per ticket. 
50% off with promo code: SUPERFAN (that means tix are $25 math geniuses)