Sunday, January 27, 2008
celebrating the new year !
First weekend in NYC - shopped around for deals in the new year, had a brunch at bryant park, picked up some books and on the way back, met an interesting person on the Path train, who quickly became an acquaintance.
Second weekend in Seattle - The goal was to meet my friend(s) and spend some quality time with them. The walking tours of Seattle were great and are well described in another blog on Seattle.
Third weekend in the Bay area - long weekend. I got to catch up with my high school buddy in San Jose area, his other buddies in Mountain View, and then an undergrad acquaintance in Stanford. On top of this, I got to explore San Francisco further. The details on this visit to Bay area is here.
Last weekend - firm's QSM at Sheraton; later followed by an evening at Divine Bar in UWS, a fun dinner at Le Colonial in UES, and finally, some shaking-a-leg at Azza Lounge.
More details on the last weekend:
Sheraton doesn't have anything distinct from a hotels perspective for the mid-Manhattan area. The whole day we spent there was a good relief for me as I got to make some interesting observations and I got to network some more.
The promoters of Divine Bar West claims to be one of the city's most unique places. However, putting some ruby red lightings, orange walls, zebra barstools, and a rooftop may make it unique but all these inclusions do not make the place creative. The finger food (such as the Milano bruschetta) was good and the ambience was relaxing. However, those are basic requirements for making of a good lounges and do not make the lounges extra-ordinary. It's a great place for birthday dinner.
Le Colonial, an upscale authentic Vietnamese din, surprised me with fine dining at relatively affordable prices. The table had a champagne connoisseur, who ordered the 1996 vintage Brut - a champagne which is crisp and dry with a fine persistent sparkle. Apparently, Le Colonial is a chain in the major cities in the major US cities of NYC, Chicago, and SF (they covered all their bases - lol!)
We went into Azza with great expectations due to referral from the Le Colonial manager. We got a free entry. However, the place was relatively low key that night - a Friday night in a slowing down economy!
On Sat, the day began late and later, caught up with few friends in the neighborhood and later extended way past in the night almost till the morning. On Sunday, the day started late again - but caught up with friends at the La Maison Du Chocolat place at Rockefeller Center with some acquaintances for a quite Sunday evening after the skating rink in Central Park.
All in all, the new year has begun well. I am not sure if a similar momentum will continue in the direction of pure hedonism as the efforts will now be focussed in the direction of pursuits for a larger cause.
Second weekend in Seattle - The goal was to meet my friend(s) and spend some quality time with them. The walking tours of Seattle were great and are well described in another blog on Seattle.
Third weekend in the Bay area - long weekend. I got to catch up with my high school buddy in San Jose area, his other buddies in Mountain View, and then an undergrad acquaintance in Stanford. On top of this, I got to explore San Francisco further. The details on this visit to Bay area is here.
Last weekend - firm's QSM at Sheraton; later followed by an evening at Divine Bar in UWS, a fun dinner at Le Colonial in UES, and finally, some shaking-a-leg at Azza Lounge.
More details on the last weekend:
Sheraton doesn't have anything distinct from a hotels perspective for the mid-Manhattan area. The whole day we spent there was a good relief for me as I got to make some interesting observations and I got to network some more.
The promoters of Divine Bar West claims to be one of the city's most unique places. However, putting some ruby red lightings, orange walls, zebra barstools, and a rooftop may make it unique but all these inclusions do not make the place creative. The finger food (such as the Milano bruschetta) was good and the ambience was relaxing. However, those are basic requirements for making of a good lounges and do not make the lounges extra-ordinary. It's a great place for birthday dinner.
Le Colonial, an upscale authentic Vietnamese din, surprised me with fine dining at relatively affordable prices. The table had a champagne connoisseur, who ordered the 1996 vintage Brut - a champagne which is crisp and dry with a fine persistent sparkle. Apparently, Le Colonial is a chain in the major cities in the major US cities of NYC, Chicago, and SF (they covered all their bases - lol!)
We went into Azza with great expectations due to referral from the Le Colonial manager. We got a free entry. However, the place was relatively low key that night - a Friday night in a slowing down economy!
On Sat, the day began late and later, caught up with few friends in the neighborhood and later extended way past in the night almost till the morning. On Sunday, the day started late again - but caught up with friends at the La Maison Du Chocolat place at Rockefeller Center with some acquaintances for a quite Sunday evening after the skating rink in Central Park.
All in all, the new year has begun well. I am not sure if a similar momentum will continue in the direction of pure hedonism as the efforts will now be focussed in the direction of pursuits for a larger cause.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
dining in the city ...
My professional life takes me to different cities and to many places within the cities I visit.
My base office New York has been fun in the socializing dimension ever since I joined. I regretfully missed out on the Waldorf Astoria holiday party recently due to my latest project (the first one out of town and a significant one for me). Here are some quick review notes on some of the places in the city that I've been to:
Marquis - at Times Square
This place is run alike any other Marriott flagship property - professionally !
The decor was pretty up to date. ....though I would still love to have some NYC taste to it.
We were mostly in the ballroom for our event. As I had done some quickie research in advance, I knew that they had New York's only revolving restaurant and lounge - The View. I decided to visit it for dinner. Food wasn't as great but the revolving view is refreshing.
It's a tourist magnet ! Consider it as a New York hour for the tourists. Yea baby, 58 min/ revolution. The range of people I could interact with were not only from throughout US but also from Europe.
Service was satisfactory and one of my friends admired the signature drink the bartender provided ( the Floradora). I realised that this was a good place to come and kick back after the vexations of a long work day or after shopping in Manhattan !
Hilton , 1335 Avenues of Americas-
The ballroom in the middle east part of the city was plain vanilla. It wasn't as well-decorated as the Marquis one. However, the place was much more spacious vis-a-vis the Marriott Marquis.
The facade needs renovation as it projects an old image, and lacks the energy that must radiate with a Hilton at New York. It consumes a prime chunk of real estate piece and hence, shouldn't be an eye-sore!
I didn't get a chance to explore their restaurant as I was busy networking. btw, I got to know that we had a band and I got to meet our band's manager at this place.
Gansevoort , Meatpacking district -
Exceptional rooftop bar that I adore in the meatpacking district. I liked the energy exuberated by the place and the kind of crowd it attracted. Sweeping views will leave any visitor with a lasting impression of the New York City Skyline.
Surprisingly, during my second visit to this place, I ran into Conan O'Brien at the entrance :). This was when we had a social event at the Garden of the Ono for financial services practitioners. Ono was a dimly lit, sleek, sophisticated, and Asian-inspired wonder world.
I love the outdoors more (both the rooftop and the Garden) and hence, would recommend this place only for the summer or early fall ! Visit the place well dressed - trendy, hip, and fun ! Suits or work clothes are fine too...
Trinity Place - financial district area
A financial district restaurant/bar with a difference. The service was great. Finger food was tasty. We had a whole room booked for us and we were about 20 people. I couldn't spend too much time here as I had to join some friend's bday party for sake-bombing (as their DD)!
Zanzibar -
Tell the waitress I'll come back to Zanzibar.... Billy Joel in his album 52nd Street, the first ever album on a Compact Disc (CD) in Japan in the early 80s.
This drove me to this classy midtown eastern place for an evening social despite of hectic schedule that workday.
The structure of the building is old but the decor is creative to make it look trendy hip. There is a total of 4 rooms to hang out at.
1 st room - huge circular fireplace ( anybody wanna make some smokes?)
2nd room - Suede chairs with tiny red ottomans to eat.
3rd room - large bar with a DJ
4th room - sarfari afica theme room to lounge.
We had booked the whole of the 2nd room for about 20 people.
An acquaintance liked their vodka gimlets....It's a good happy hour place as the food wasn't great. Also, I despised the service quality. Apparently, cost pressures have led the joint-owner to employ curt, non-service-oriented employees.
Mesa -
Cramped! is what I remember the first thing about the seating arrangement we were provided for our dinner place. We were about 12 and accordingly, reservations were made. Not only did they not do any reservations or planning (as we had to wait more than my tolerance limit) but also we were given a place of 8 and asked to fit in 12. It was awful !
The food was not great - didn't have many healthy or vegetarian options. I had a starter of a pumpkin soup and main course again had some pumpkin element. Their desert platter is a must-taste.
Rio Di Zio Tribeca Churrascaria - Tribeca/SoHo
Ambience:
Decor is bright and trendy. Liqor serving is good. One of my colleagues enjoyed the frosted beer glasses they had. Red wine choice was good.
Food options:
It's a steakhouse - so its a big meathouse ... ! Salad bar was awesome ! Delicious vegetarian specialties abound and they even have sushi (which is actually really good). The main course barely had healthy options. I am a vegetarian and the chef could make up a primavera pasta for me.
Misc comments:
This was my first time at a Brazilian steakhouse. The cooked meat is brought in full to the table and you are asked if you wanted a slice of it. I got to know a new system of cards (green or red) by which you would indicate the server about whether you are full or not.
My flight's announcement's been made and I have to leave. I will write the rest at a later date.
My base office New York has been fun in the socializing dimension ever since I joined. I regretfully missed out on the Waldorf Astoria holiday party recently due to my latest project (the first one out of town and a significant one for me). Here are some quick review notes on some of the places in the city that I've been to:
Marquis - at Times Square
This place is run alike any other Marriott flagship property - professionally !
The decor was pretty up to date. ....though I would still love to have some NYC taste to it.
We were mostly in the ballroom for our event. As I had done some quickie research in advance, I knew that they had New York's only revolving restaurant and lounge - The View. I decided to visit it for dinner. Food wasn't as great but the revolving view is refreshing.
It's a tourist magnet ! Consider it as a New York hour for the tourists. Yea baby, 58 min/ revolution. The range of people I could interact with were not only from throughout US but also from Europe.
Service was satisfactory and one of my friends admired the signature drink the bartender provided ( the Floradora). I realised that this was a good place to come and kick back after the vexations of a long work day or after shopping in Manhattan !
Hilton , 1335 Avenues of Americas-
The ballroom in the middle east part of the city was plain vanilla. It wasn't as well-decorated as the Marquis one. However, the place was much more spacious vis-a-vis the Marriott Marquis.
The facade needs renovation as it projects an old image, and lacks the energy that must radiate with a Hilton at New York. It consumes a prime chunk of real estate piece and hence, shouldn't be an eye-sore!
I didn't get a chance to explore their restaurant as I was busy networking. btw, I got to know that we had a band and I got to meet our band's manager at this place.
Gansevoort , Meatpacking district -
Exceptional rooftop bar that I adore in the meatpacking district. I liked the energy exuberated by the place and the kind of crowd it attracted. Sweeping views will leave any visitor with a lasting impression of the New York City Skyline.
Surprisingly, during my second visit to this place, I ran into Conan O'Brien at the entrance :). This was when we had a social event at the Garden of the Ono for financial services practitioners. Ono was a dimly lit, sleek, sophisticated, and Asian-inspired wonder world.
I love the outdoors more (both the rooftop and the Garden) and hence, would recommend this place only for the summer or early fall ! Visit the place well dressed - trendy, hip, and fun ! Suits or work clothes are fine too...
Trinity Place - financial district area
A financial district restaurant/bar with a difference. The service was great. Finger food was tasty. We had a whole room booked for us and we were about 20 people. I couldn't spend too much time here as I had to join some friend's bday party for sake-bombing (as their DD)!
Zanzibar -
Tell the waitress I'll come back to Zanzibar.... Billy Joel in his album 52nd Street, the first ever album on a Compact Disc (CD) in Japan in the early 80s.
This drove me to this classy midtown eastern place for an evening social despite of hectic schedule that workday.
The structure of the building is old but the decor is creative to make it look trendy hip. There is a total of 4 rooms to hang out at.
1 st room - huge circular fireplace ( anybody wanna make some smokes?)
2nd room - Suede chairs with tiny red ottomans to eat.
3rd room - large bar with a DJ
4th room - sarfari afica theme room to lounge.
We had booked the whole of the 2nd room for about 20 people.
An acquaintance liked their vodka gimlets....It's a good happy hour place as the food wasn't great. Also, I despised the service quality. Apparently, cost pressures have led the joint-owner to employ curt, non-service-oriented employees.
Mesa -
Cramped! is what I remember the first thing about the seating arrangement we were provided for our dinner place. We were about 12 and accordingly, reservations were made. Not only did they not do any reservations or planning (as we had to wait more than my tolerance limit) but also we were given a place of 8 and asked to fit in 12. It was awful !
The food was not great - didn't have many healthy or vegetarian options. I had a starter of a pumpkin soup and main course again had some pumpkin element. Their desert platter is a must-taste.
Rio Di Zio Tribeca Churrascaria - Tribeca/SoHo
Ambience:
Decor is bright and trendy. Liqor serving is good. One of my colleagues enjoyed the frosted beer glasses they had. Red wine choice was good.
Food options:
It's a steakhouse - so its a big meathouse ... ! Salad bar was awesome ! Delicious vegetarian specialties abound and they even have sushi (which is actually really good). The main course barely had healthy options. I am a vegetarian and the chef could make up a primavera pasta for me.
Misc comments:
This was my first time at a Brazilian steakhouse. The cooked meat is brought in full to the table and you are asked if you wanted a slice of it. I got to know a new system of cards (green or red) by which you would indicate the server about whether you are full or not.
My flight's announcement's been made and I have to leave. I will write the rest at a later date.
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