Il Gattopardo Italian Restaurant is located on a beautiful block on the main floor of the Rockefeller townhouse across the street from the museum of Modern Art. Walking into the restaurant I felt an old world ambience along with a sleek layout/warm lighting and noticed real foodies serious about authentic fine Italian cuisine. Il Gattopardo imports most of their ingredients from Italy and offers a large variety of fine Prosecco, wine, beer and liquor from Italy’s family estates and independent Italian winemakers.
Dedicated Diners frequent Il Gattopardo including diplomats, celebs and museum goer’s for the food created by acclaimed Southern Forte Executive Chef Vito Gnazzo. Even though food is the most important part of visiting this restaurant the rate of service here nicely completes my dining experience where I was both impressed and indulged by my career waiter who attended every need starting with excellent dedication of service, knowledge of menu selection including preparation, Italian ingredients, liquor and vineyards.
All my choices were satisfying but my favorites were the Homemade gnocchi moist and flavorful with Vesuvian Piennolo tomatoes from Campania for a sweet yet full bodied taste. The Herb crusted Colorado rack of lamb extremely tender full of juicy flavor served with complimenting potato croquettes and brown sauce. The Codfish was light, lemonly and smooth served with tomatoes and organic potatoes that rounded out the plate.
For a weekend gastronome retreat in the City enjoy Il Gattopardo’s Brunch & Lunch Neapolitan dishes menu 11:30–3pm with Live Jazz/Bossa Nova music included on Saturday. Weekday lunch is also available 12-3pm.
Vito Gnazzo is the creative Southern Italian culinary artist for all 3 restaurants – Il Gattopardo, The Leopard at des Artistes and Mozzarella & Vino. Go for brunch, lunch or dinner your taste buds won’t be disappointed.
Il Gattopardo 13-15 West 54th street. New York NY 10019
(212) 246-0412 IlGattapardonyc.com
Hotel Chantelle opened in 2010 on the trendy Lower East Side in NYC has a wonderful little known gem – 85 seat Rooftop Dining and bar perfect for dates and joining friends where you can bask in the beauty of this outdoor eatery without draining your wallet. The food is created by reality star Executive Chef Seth Levine Chef – CBS Hell’s Kitchen Season 5 who also creates the menu for Hotel Chantelle and Ravi Patel’s Penthouse808 rooftop.
I visited this rooftop eatery in June for the weekly special to indulge my seafood craving fix called “Catch Of The Day” with fresh Maine lobster, steamed Little Neck clams slightly cooked for a pop of flavor, sweet corn on the cob, rich red russet mini potatoes all for $29.92 a person. My speciality rum cocktail was refreshing, light and not too sweet with no skimping on the alcohol so one drink lasted throughout dinner.
Missed a special? don’t worry there are monthly specials and the regular menu that includes seafood, meat, chicken and vegan dishes are also a very good deal. so take advantage of the fine food, good weather and fun times on the rooftop of Hotel Chantelle at a great price.
(212) 254-9100
92 Ludlow Street
New York, NY
reservations@hotelchantelle.com
Travel – Windstar Hans Birkholz, president and CEO who believes “Culinary traditions are the best way to experience a new destination” visited The James Beard House to partner with The James Beard Foundation in putting together three Windstar 2016 culinary themed cruises using local ingredients shopped in port destinations, prepared and cooked by the James Beard Award Winning Chef’s on board for a destination dining experience with local wines paired from the regions of ports visited along and two local market tours and two complimentary culinary shore excursions included. Wind Surf 310-guest flagship yacht sailing from Southern Spain & Morocco and Lisbon to Barcelona with Chef Michel Nischan (founder and CEO of Wholesome Wave and Star Legend a 212-guest yacht sailing from Lisbon to Dublin with Chef Maria Hines (owner and executive chef of Seattle Tilth. I picked the Star Legend Yacht’s Windstar Best Of Europe’s Portugal, Spain & France James Beard Culinary Cruise itinerary since Spain was on my bucket list and the yacht just went through an $8.5 million stem-to-stern transformation a year ago.
Landing in Lisbon Portugal a very old city that is understated and priced to explore; a city that charmingly reminds me of how NYC use to be; raw and affordable with an artistic character was a wonderful first impression of my trip. Arriving at the Dock I was both surprised and glad that the Star Legend was conveniently in port of call in the center of the city. The advantage of Windstar cruising is that since their fleet of yachts are small enough to dock in the cities visited you can simply walk from the ship right into the city for a tour and/or if you want to take advantage of the night life it’s right in your neighborhood across the street, sometimes same block and that is freedom.
the excursions I went on were of fairy tales touring a neighborhood feel in Porto Portugal and Ferrol Galicia Spain a city built on hills, taking walks on picturesque village roads to the Trabanco Cider Apple factory in Gijon Spain, touring the walled city of St Malo Northern France, vising an oyster farm along with tasting and market in the Port of Cancale – oyster capital in Brittany France. Château Kirwan Vineyard for a hosted wine tasting party and regal city of Bordeaux France, breathtaking French Riviera and the charming Green Venice Canal excursion in la Rochelle France. There is plenty to do on board when transatlantic crossing or to unwind with ships pool, jacuzzi, spa, gym, table/board games, movies, regional shows/entertainment, lounges and more.
The culinary part of this experience was a foodies indulgence ordering breakfast, lunch or dinner in your room or bauquet /sit down service, excursion traveling with chefs to local markets while they pick food for the evening cuisine. cooking demonstrations with guest Chef Maria Hines. Wine tasting/seminar of the regional wines with Sommelier William Davis in every port, Chef pairing dinner extravaganza, Formal dining every evening with wine, ship deck barbecue with tons of raw seafood, cooked meats and all the fixings.
I also had a chance to sit down and talk about the history of the James Beard Foundation that has raised over & 6.5 million in scholarships over dinner with Marilyn Platzer – CFO/COO and her husband Kenneth Platzer also on this cruise.
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- Shrmp tomato Risotto
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- Seafood broth
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- French Coast Mussels La Rochelle Fish Market
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- Tuna Crusted Asian Pacific Blue Fin Seared Tuna
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- Seafood Pasta
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- Pan Roasted East Coast Scallops
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- Vegetable Lasagna
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- Passion Berry Duo
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- Red Velvet Cake
Take a look at these publications awards, best and top mentions for Windstar James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruises: Condé Nast Traveler – 2016 21st Annual Gold List of “Our Favorite Cruise Lines /BRIDES Magazine 2016Celebrated Living Top 10 Cruise Lines for Couples 2016 Platinum List Best Boutique Cruises /Cruise Critic Online – Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards 2016, Best Service on Star Breeze /Cruiseable Online – Best Cruise Lines for Honeymoons Award /2016Smarter Travel Online – 10 Best Cruise Lines for Foodies.
Windstar Cruises operates a six-ship fleet of boutique sail and all suite yachts on seasonal cruises throughout Europe including the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Adriatic, Scandinavia, Baltic and British Isles; to the small harbors of the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Panama Canal; and sailing year-round in Tahiti and the South Pacific. With private yacht feel cruising all over the world it’s easy to explore lands, cultures and cuisine in a luxurious way and in a quarter of the time just by walking off the ship.
For more information please visit: www.windstarcruises.com www.jamesbeard.org
All pictures except ship owned by FashionsDigest.com
Natsumi Tapas NYC Restaurant Tasting Menu Review @natsumi_nyc
Natsumi Tapas NYC restaurant opened it’s doors this year to serve an original concept of popular dishes – fusion cuisine from Japan and Italy. The Chefs at Natsumi Tapas know how to prepare these dishes with plenty of experience since Restaurateur and Haru owner Barbara Matsumura had pioneered large, sumptuous pieces of sushi at Haru along with Sushi Chef Hiroyuki Nagaothe and for the Italian preparation Chef Andrea Tiberi from Italy is on board. Deserts are prepared by pastry Chef Delfina Marinez and the Beverage program that includes beer and sake is designed by Shawn Tomassi. The menu is put together to experience traditional and surprisingly eclectic cuisine that will excite the taste buds.
Tuna Avocado Tatki with spicy miso vinaigrette – fresh and pleasantly spicy, Sashimi Tacos – wonderful texture of crunchy and soft, Tempura cheesecake drizzled with berry sauce that melts deliciously. For more information contact Natsumi Tapas at 212 889 2182 www.natsumitapas.com
Anisette NYC – Country French Bistro & Wine-bar restaurant located in Gramercy Park at 226 3rd Ave & 19th street recently opened it’s doors to serve Country French cooking from the Bordeaux, P’erigord, Gascony, and Basque regions. Anisette is also a Wine bar & Cafe with an extensive wine list. The food is prepared by Chef/Owner Sommelier Suzanne Letulle & Executive Chef Mercedes Bautista with Delfina Marinez as the pastry Chef. Anisette is in the same spot where La Follia an Italian restaurant with a good following of customers was located; owned by same owners and will be opening their doors a few blocks away soon.
Anisette has a wide variety of specialty appetizers found in the Southwest of France I enjoyed the Tuna Tartare with added texture of fennel and pine nuts and Truffled Burrata tasty grilled crostini on a wooden server accompanied with a large portion of cheese, bread and extra virgin olive oil. The French Provencal Specialties Entree’s I enjoyed was a Mushroom and Ricotta Agnolotti – wild/strong taste of mushrooms and sauce and the Steak Au poivre – moist even when I ordered it prepared at medium cook accompanied with rich tasting potato purée. There are numerous wines to choose from and a good amount of beer and drink choices. One of the specialty cocktails of the restaurant that I enjoyed is THE 226 Cocktail made with grand marnier along with other spirits; smooth with a citrus taste not too sweet and delicious. For a cozy laid back atmosphere where you don’t have to get dressed up for fresh Country French food that won’t break the bank Anisette NYC serves Brunch Sat. & Sun. and Dinner 7 days a week is the place to be.
Related Posts: https://fashionsdigest.com/love-cafe-bar-authentic-eastern-european-nyc-thelovecafetn37/
Miami Swim Week is the largest swimwear show in the world where swimwear, resort and accessories designers want to be. Miami Swim Week is 5 packed calendar days of shows, presentations, parties and VIP lounges held around luxurious pools, gardens, suites and roof tops at the W Hotel, 1 Hotel Faena Hotel, Soho Hotel and Edison Hotel with the trade shows for press and buyers at Hammock and the Cabana Tent all within a few miles from each other on Collins Avenue. Miami Swim Week is just like Miami – luxurious, hot, wild and exciting. Take a look at my roundup of all there is to see, taste and do during Miami Swim week.
Art Hearts Fashion 2017 Show –
Kai Liani Swimwear 17 Fashion Show & Anna Kosturova 17 Collection Show at the Funkshion Tent – Read more → ∞
Mount Airy Casino & Resort is a casino and hotel located in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. No longer the Lodge from the 1970’s and 80’s that was touted in advertisements to honeymooners and romantic couples for having heart shaped hot tubs and kitschy mirrored honeymoon suites. Because of low maintenance standards, bills unpaid and Poconos trending down as a hot spot vacation the property was auctioned off in 2005. When the property was bought by the new owners in 2007 it was completely torn down with only a portion of the name kept. After the buildings were leveled and the property grounds and resort were redesigned from the ground up the new 2007 AAA 4 Diamond property was built called Mount Airy Resort and Casino with 188 hotel rooms, 62,000 sq ft Casino with 1,800 slot machines and table games, gym, spa and salon, four restaurants, nightclub and an 18-hole golf course
Mount Airy Casino’s room accommodations are spacious and luxurious with balconies overlooking the mountains/slopes, grand bathrooms & tubs that come with high end beauty products, robes and slippers and 24 hour service perfect for returning from skiing as well as other outdoor activities available including dog sledding or summer activities from Kayaking to horseback riding or indoor activities such as the sprawling deluxe full service casino, 4 restaurants and Live top show liners and celebrity entertainment at the 2,000 seat Chrystal Room
Mount Airy’s Resort has dining options for everyone from a casual and almost endless menu with world renowned Chef Guy Fieri at Guy Fieri’s Mt Pocono Kitchen for comfort food and his famous BBQ dishes. For the pan Asian cuisine and sushi lover there is Lucky 8 with a variety of fresh sushi, sashimi, specialties roles and other Japanese fare that satisfies an experienced palate. For a fine dining experience there is Bistecca by Il Mulino for prime surf and turf and the comforts of a modern steak house with home made pasta, fresh fish, vegetables and more.
The resort’s amenities include a heated 51,000 sq. foot indoor pool with a passage to the outside pool, whirlpool, daybeds, private cabanas, poolside bar, fire pits & nightlife that overlooks the resort’s expansive views of lake and golf course and a gym 16,000 sq. feet Salon and Spa that has all the bells and whistles of a swanky Manhattan day spa for a body wrap, message pedicure, new hairstyle and more services available.
The Mount Airy Casino & Resort is not your parent’s lodge; this resort is an all activity luxury experience for adults and families that will completely take you by surprise leaving you thinking “why didn’t I know about this sooner”?
Kitchen Sink Food & Drink Restaurant located at 157 Main Street, Beacon NY – Duchess County in the Hudson Valley a town that has gone from sleepy, blue collar community to weekend getaway with restaurants, cafe’s specialty breweries, food trucks, world-class art and boutiques; all walk-able.
Chef/Restaurant owner Brian Arnoff is a Duchess County native who believes in giving back to the community by sourcing the food locally (farm to table) for the freshest/nutritional value and to support the farmers that make up the foundation, history aka roots and economy of the community.
Before arriving at the kitchen sink I was tipped off by a friend that lives in the Hudson Valley that 1 day before I was to do a menu tasting Chef Brian Arnoff and his restaurant were reviewed in the Poughkeepsie Journal on February 6th with the title of article that read “Chef gives back to school, community”. The article continued with how Chef Arnoff gives back to the community by sponsoring charities and benefits to raise money for communities in need. Going back to the roots really is a physical thing since Chef Arnoff has experience in other states such as owning a lucrative Food truck business and working at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resort as a cook.
Stepping into the restaurant I noticed they do a lot of take out; the surroundings are cozy & quaint with a Williamsburg Bklyn feel and the menu has fish/poultry and meat dishes done up with vegetables in an interesting way. I didn’t do the full menu tasting but what I did sample my favorites appetizer would be the Chicken Liver Pate with Hard cider gelee, apple butter and pikled beets -smooth & creamy pairing well with the accommodating crunchy cracker. My favorite main course is the special plate of the night – scallops with vegetables and sauce that were succulent, tender and naturally sweet followed by the Beer Braise Pork Lasagna plate with b’echamel Provolone, greens, sundried tomato and strong pork flavor resembling European grown pork farming and the Spiced Lamb Meatballs plate with Maple Glace, panisse, goat cheese and sweet potato for an eclectic reproduction of taste fusion explosion. The beers were local and fresh and the wine menu was pleasing. My desert choice was the Crispy Dough ball served with jam that I still crave to this day. Go visit this healthy and eclectically savory restaurant after enjoying the county shops and mountain scenery for it’s not the Beacon you remember and say hi to Chef Brian Arnoff for me. Please visit www.kitchensinkny.com www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/greattastes
Lovecraft Restaurant & Bar East Village NYC Review
The Lovecraft Restaurant & Bar located in trending Alphabet City is artwork in a deldritch interiored eclectic space designed by artist… read more