La Villette: Classic French cuisine in the West Village

by Louise, Director of Operations

Greenwich Village is not lacking in restaurants. In fact, it is fairly overwhelming to make even a simple food choice, whether you’re looking for pizza, a bagel, or an ice cream cone – the sheer volume of options can leave even the hungriest visitor feeling a bit lost. When you’re looking for a nice, relaxed sit-down meal it can be even tougher.

Allow me to narrow it down for you: next time you find yourself in the West Village, you’ll want to check out La Villette. This newcomer to the Village restaurant scene occupies a cozy, beautifully lit space at 10 Downing Street filled with rich reds and clean whites. The warm ambience is complemented nicely and unexpectedly by lively, pulsing music that is remarkably unobstrusive despite being not unlike the style you’d hear in a club.

We were warmly greeted by charismatic owner of La Villette, Angelo Peruzzi, upon our arrival and led to a fantastic table that offered a view of the whole restaurant and the floor to ceiling windows looking out on 6^th avenue. We started with a couple of the restaurant’s signature cocktails – refreshing, invigorating and expertly-crafted – while we pondered the menu and discussed how many of the enticing selections we could dare to try in one sitting.

For our first course, Chef Christophe Bonnegrace brought us one of his signature dishes: Le Poireaux Vinagrette Janick (slow braised leeks with mustard vinagrette). The presentation of this dish is simple, clean and elegant, and the flavors match. It’s the perfect way to whet the appetite and start off a wonderful meal. Next, out came a selection of seafood, all expertly prepared (unsurprising considering Chef Bonnegrace’s upbringing in Provence). The tiger shrimp with lemon and cayenne pepper was particularly fantastic – the shrimp perfectly tender and the cayenne offering exactly the right amount of spice to make the flavors pop without overwhelming our palates. Dishes like these always make me particularly joyful – a few simple ingredients are all you really need to make magic happen, and many chefs tend to forget that.

Next up was a selection of house-made charcuterie. The pate de campagne was incredibly delicate for a country-style pate, and the foie gras terrine made my day, especially when I paired its rich lushness with the perfectly sweet fig compote that arrived along with it. I could have eaten several of these terrines, and I’m sure I will when I visit again in the future.

For our entrees, we sampled two of La Villette’s signature dishes – La Lapin a La Moutarde (braised mustard rabbit with green olives) and a cajun-rubbed chicken breast served with french fries and a side of beurre blanc, poured over the chicken tableside. The rabbit was tender supple with wonderful flavor, complemented beautifully by the accompanying mustard sauce. This is a classic dish in Provence, but one that many Americans may never have tried. If you haven’t had rabbit, this is the way to try it for the first time. There is no doubt that Chef Bonnegrace knows how to highlight its natural deliciousness that is really unlike any other meat. The chicken could be considered a fairly mainstream dish, but the addition of the beurre blanc really sends it over the top, taming the cajun spice and bringing out the chicken’s underlying sweetness.

But oh – we were far from done with our meal as of course, you can’t dine at a French brasserie without dessert. Two French classics were presented to us – a simple but perfect crème brulee (nothing irks me more than when chefs add unnecessary flavoring to crème brulee, as it is absolutely perfect in its essence) and a gorgeous apple tart, the puff pastry crust perfectly crisp and supple without a hint of toughness. By this point we were well into happy food delirium, but when our server mentioned cheese I just couldn’t say no. Cheese is a serious weakness for me, and based on the impeccable selections we’d seen so far I had a good feeling that this would be a cheese plate worth sticking around for, and I was absolutely right. The board features five phenomenal French cheeses, with portions much more generous than what you often see (another pet peeve of mine).  We lingered over the plate and a final glass of wine for a long time, already so sated but knowing we weren’t going anywhere until that cheese was gone.

As we prepared to leave, we noted with little surprise that four and a half hours had passed since we’d arrived. That’s just the kind of place La Villette is – you can get lost in the food and ambience for ages, barely aware that the time is passing. So be careful if you have theater tickets, or better yet – make your reservation when you don’t have anywhere else to be, take off your watch, turn off your phone and enjoy.

Want to try out La Villette for yourself? Feel free to contact me for your preferred reservation!

Check out La Villette’s amazing New Year’s Eve menus below!

La Villette’s New Year’s Eve menu – 5-6:45 PM seating

La Villette’s New Year’s Eve menu – 7-8:45 PM seating

La Villette’s New Year’s Eve menu – 9-11:45 PM seating

A perfect family dinner at Alfredo of Rome

by Tara, New York Guest Concierge

Before our trip to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, my friend, her mother and daughter, my aunt and I went to dine at Alfredo of Rome. Despite being a little late for our reservation (gotta love NYC traffic!) the hostess was very courteous and sat us right away. It was very busy for a Friday night in the city, as Rockefeller Center at Christmastime is bound to be, but we were greeted and had our order taken fairly quickly. My friend and my aunt split the Pailiard di Pollo with spinach and potatoes (They are both light eaters, and the entrée was enough for both of them and even to share some with me!), her mother had the Insalata Riccia (which I will be ordering on my next visit!), and I had the Trittica di Pasta. Her daughter is a picky eater, but they were able to accommodate us with penne and marinara.

While waiting for our entrees we were given a bread basket with 2 dipping sauces, my favorite was the sweet chili (not too sweet and not too hot!) and my friend absolutely loved the tapenade. No sooner did we finish the bread when the entrees arrived (maybe 10 minutes!) Everything was delicious, and the portions were generous which made for some fun family style sharing. The chicken was delicious and juicy and the salad was perfectly seasoned and dressed. I got to enjoy their famous fettuccine alfredo, along with tasty veal ravioli and lasagna with a creamy cheese filling.

For dessert we ordered the tiramisu (my favorite) and the profiteroles which take 10-15 minutes to prepare, but the wait is worth it! The profiteroles came covered with a hazelnut sauce which, as a Nutella fan, I was very happy with. It was my friend’s mother’s birthday so we were also treated to a slice of chocolate cake with a candle (she was very surprised!) Her daughter was even given a complementary dish of vanilla gelato that was creamy and sweet.

The manager is an absolute delight, visiting our table often, checking on how we were enjoying everything and even telling us about the man who makes the vanilla gelato! The waitress also kept an eye on the time because she knew we had to get to Radio City for the show, which I was grateful for because I had almost lost track of time. Everyone in my group had an enjoyable time; my friend was particularly happy because her mother had had such a good time and even finished her entire entrée (which she usually never does!) After going out to different restaurants and leaving disappointed, it has become difficult for them to eat out together, so she was happy to go to a place that her mother enjoyed. Needless to say, we would like to return during our next family outing to the city!

Did Tara’s review make you hungry? E-mail info@newyorkguest.com for your preferred Alfredo of Rome reservations!

World Yacht: A Perfect Evening on New York Harbor

by Louise, Community Manager

My two best friends and I are fairly spread out across the tri-state area, and between distance and schedules we only get a chance to all be together a few times a year. This last Sunday was one of those happy times, and we decided to spend the end of our day on a World Yacht Dining Cruise.

The view from our table as we pulled away from the dock

Dining cruises are absolutely a perfect romantic activity – in fact, the couple seated directly next to us had just gotten married! – but they are also a great outing for friends. We had a perfect table right by the window and watched the Circle Line cruises depart while we waited for our own departure time, sipping drinks brought to us by our waiter, Clayton.

The Freedom Tower

Appetizers were served before we even left the dock, which I wasn’t expecting but was awesome – no need to waste optimal cruising time eating! We all three ordered the irresistible grilled watermelon salad – juicy watermelon combined with crunchy butter lettuce, salty crumbles of feta, and aged balsamic – and it was the perfect way to start the meal. I didn’t lick my plate, but I thought about it!

The live band was awesome and played great standards like Stand by Me, The Way You Look Tonight, and of course New York, New York. The pianist and singer had an amazing soothing voice, the perfect accompaniment for dinner. We thoroughly enjoyed their performance as we tucked into our entrees – mahi mahi with fresh pineapple salsa for me and skirt steak with purple potatoes for my friends.

When we finished our entrees the band had taken a break and we decided to go check out the outdoor lounge on the upper deck of the ship. It was completely gorgeous upstairs, especially with the beautiful weather and the striking sunset that was taking place. The deck has plentiful chairs and loveseats for those who wish to make themselves comfortable with a glass of champagne or a cocktail. We spend quite a while up there watching as we sailed past the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges and headed for Lady Liberty herself.

Even though I’ve lived in New York City my entire life, I am still struck by the beauty of the Statue of Liberty whenever I get close enough to really see her. She was particularly beautiful against the backdrop of the stunning sunset, and nobody on the ship could stop taking pictures.

After giving our cameras a workout, we headed back downstairs for dessert and coffee. We ordered all three desserts – the fruit tart, a cheesecake, and a warm chocolate ganache cake. All three were delicious. The band struck up again and drew all the couples on board on to the dance floor with a few romantic tunes as we headed back to the city.

Being able to spend quality time with my favorite ladies is a priceless thing that I wish I got to do more often, and World Yacht was the perfect venue for us to spend an evening together. Whether you’re in town with a significant other or with friends, I absolutely recommend it! You can contact me directly for help with your booking at lgeller@newyorkguest.com.

6 NYC Dishes that SHOULD be Iconic

by Louise, Community Manager

There are certain New York City foods that everyone feels inclined to try – Magnolia Cupcakes, Shake Shack burgers, Katz’s pastrami sandwich, pizza from Joe’s or Grimaldi’s, frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity, the list goes on and on. If you go to these places, you’ll usually find them jam-packed with tourists looking for that iconic experience, while nearby there are other fantastic places making amazing food that is in some cases even better, going unnoticed by too many people. It is my mission today to tell you about some of these wonderful, unforgettable NYC food experiences that you won’t have to wait for an hour to enjoy!

1. The Meatloaf Sandwich at Dickson’s Farmstand

Chelsea Market – 75 9^th Avenue between 15^th and 16^th/ www.dicksonsfarmstand.com

I don’t know what it is about this sandwich but I am basically incapable of walking by Dickson’s without getting one. Dickson’s locally sources all of their meat, so you know it is true New York food you are eating, and that the animals were humanely raised as well (it’s so hard to know at so many butchers). The meatloaf is moist and tender and exactly the same size as the bread, so there are no bread-heavy bites and no meat tumbling out of the sandwich. There is mayonnaise on both pieces of bread and pickles to give you crunch and acidity. It is totally filling and so, so good. Buy one and take it to the nearby Highline for a picnic!

2. 3-in-1 Cream Pie at Peel’s

325 Bowery at 2^nd Street http://peelsnyc.com/

It’s a mystery to me why this is the case, but it is surprisingly hard to find good pie in New York City – however, Peel’s is a delightful exception. This southern-inspired joint serves a lot of great food both to-go from their counter at the front and in their dining room. They also boast a really wonderful cocktail list. But whatever you do at Peel’s, make absolutely SURE you save room for the 3-in-1 Cream Pie. This pie is ridiculous and should probably be illegal. The perfectly flaky crust has a layer of dark chocolate cream on the bottom, topped with caramelized bananas, topped by coconut custard, and THEN topped by a healthy layer of whipped cream sprinkled liberally with toasted coconut. I can barely type this because I so badly want to get up and go down to the Bowery and order it. TRY IT.

3. Sisig at Maharlika

111 1^st Avenue at 7^th Street / http://maharlikanyc.com/  

Just a few blocks north of the famous Katz’s Delicatessen sits Maharlika, a remarkable Filipino restaurant whose understated exterior does not quite hint at the awesomeness contained within. The mind-blowing traditional Filipino dishes are meant to be shared and I have never been disappointed by anything I’ve ordered, but you HAVE to get the Sisig. Okay, it might sound a little weird – pig ears, belly, cheek and snout boiled, then  grilled and finally sautéed with onions, garlic and lemon served over garlic rice – but there is a reason why this is such a popular Filipino dish: it is DELICIOUS. On one visit my waitress told me it is often used as a hangover remedy. I’ve never had the pleasure of testing that out but I believe it would work. Even if you’re not up for an assortment of pig, definitely get the garlic rice – it is more delicious than rice has any right to be.

4. Pistachio Cupcakes from Sugar Sweet Sunshine

126 Rivington Street / http://www.sugarsweetsunshine.com

You can tout Magnolia or Crumbs all you want, for me Sugar Sweet Sunshine is where it’s at as far as cupcakes are concerned. Opened by two friends named Peg and Deb in 2002, this spot on the Lower East Side is may not be teeming with people the way Magnolia is, but it is teeming with love. As a professionally trained pastry chef (I am! It’s true!) I like to think I can tell when a baked good is made with love, and these baked goods are. I am pretty obsessed with the pistachio cupcake, though there are a variety of flavors available and even some things that aren’t cupcakes if for some strange reason you don’t want a cupcake.

5. Watermelon Pickle & Crispy Pork at Fatty Crab

643 Hudson Street or 2170 Broadway / http://www.fattycrab.com

Yes, I am a proud omnivore – you have noticed by now that I am partial to my meat. This dish at Fatty Crab is absurdly amazing. Pork belly (which is really just a thicker cut of bacon, for those who haven’t experienced its transcendence) is combined with watermelon that has been soaked briefly in vinegar to create the world’s best party in your mouth. The acidic crunch of the watermelon combined with the fatty crunch of the pork belly will make every previous mouth-closing of your life seem like a waste of time, and the topping of fresh herbs and ginger put it over the top. Again, I’ve never been disappointed by anything I ordered at Fatty Crab and eating there is an experience in and of itself, but ordering this is a must.

6. Burgers at Joy Burger Bar

361 6^th Avenue at Washington Place or 1567 Lexington /  http://joyburgerbar.com

In my opinion, Joy Burger Bar could take Shake Shack in a burger-off any day of the week. There are those that would disagree with me, but I would tell them that even if the burgers were inferior in flavor (I believe they are, in fact, superior) the fact that you won’t have to wait in line for an hour and will be able to find a place to sit to eat your burger from Joy puts it over the top. Combine that with the fact that you can choose your patty size (3 oz, 5 oz, or 8 oz – all exactly the right moist, yielding texture for a burger), choose from 5 cheeses, a bunch of sauces (including offbeat ones like chimichurri and mango chutney) and many extra toppings, sweet potato fries and zucchini sticks in addition to the standard French fries and onion rings, shakes, fresh juice…and everything is amazing. My default is a 5 oz patty with garlic mayo, cheddar cheese and a fried egg (and this is why I limit my visits), but there is something for everyone.

Obviously I have a lot to say about food, so if you’re looking to plan a food-centric trip to  New York I’m your girl! E-mail me at lgeller@newyorkguest.com for more suggestions or to start planning!

Dans Le Noir – Dining in the Dark

by Alexandra, Concierge Manager

I am so excited to share with you the most memorable experiences I have ever had in my life. Recently I and one of my colleagues attended a concierge event at the New York City restaurant Le Dans Noir, where you dine in pitch black.

I am a person that eats with her eyes: I have to see what I’m eating and if it doesn’t look appetizing, then I don’t want to eat it. So at first when I heard this experience would take place in total darkness, I was nervous because i didn’t know what to anticipate. But then as the host and owner spoke about their success in London and Japan and how they employ blind or disabled waiters, hosts, Maitre d’, etc. the excitement began to build. Ten percent of the profit goes to charities. Beyond their do-good efforts, they strive to create an experience where your other senses are heightened.

So you’re probably asking, “how do you order?” It’s simple. They have four menu choices based on color:

• White for chef’s choice
• Green for vegetarians
• Blue for seafood lovers
• Red for meat lovers.

Based on your choice, you receive an appetizer, and entree and dessert. I chose the seafood menu.

After placing your order, you are given a locker where you must leave your cell phone, purse and any and all belongs that give off any sort of light. You are then escorted to the special dining room by your blind guide and seated next to complete strangers. This is great because you lose your inhibitions and do not judge people by their looks. You feel as if you have known your new friends all your life. Conversations swell, the noise level does go up a bit… more than normal. It’s like a roller coaster experience once the food comes out. The food was amazing. Of course, the ingredients have to be incredibly fresh because your sense of taste is heightened. You use your fingers and your sense of smell and you have to guess what your eating, nobody tells you. It’s just an overall amazing, unforgettable experience.

We were told that celebrities love places like this because they aren’t scrutinized and can enjoy their meal in peace. William and Kate often eat at the sister restaurant in Paris. Wow… who knows who you could be seated next to!

At the end of the meal, the lights were turned back on and the chef came out and showed us a set up plate of everything we eat!!! WOW. Most of our guesses were very far off!

If you’re an adventurous eater this is an experience you must have for yourself!

Say Yes to Arno!

by Sal, New York Guest Concierge

If you want casual dining, or if you simply desire a glass of wine with great appetizers, Arno is the place. Upon walking in one immediately notices an environment that is a clean standard for fine Italian dining: plenty of table space, dark tone wood textures and a divine wine display at the bar.

My first visit to Arno was intended to be a short lunch stop for a glass of wine and perhaps a snack at the bar, but this was not the case. One of the managers, Marian, had stepped away from her table to welcome me and my guest to Arno and she offered up a suggestion for the cheese platter, served with an eclectic choice of cheeses and a small ramekin of honey. DELISH! I wish I had taken pictures. I was there during their lunch hours and the restaurant area was quiet, but very tranquil. It was the perfect space for the mood that I was in. Small talk about wines and cheeses kept me entertained and then the enthusiastic Marian insisted that she take me and my guest on a tour. She could not have been more proud of her restaurant, and it showed her through grace and smile. She showed us the upstairs private dining area that offered the perfect amount of seclusion if one wanted to have a private party and still stay a part of the main dining area. There are still some changes that are happening to the upstairs table section that Marian was ecstatic about and I am eager to see the end result on my next visit!

After the tour from upstairs, I was amazed that the two very large dining rooms have an beautifully designed wall of panels that open to make the two rooms become one very large space. I thought it stopped there and I was already excited to know that there were options for privacy for whatever size group of 2 or 20, but then there was downstairs. This place is HUGE! She took us down the stairs and showed us a few more private dining areas that were always available for hosting the largest of events or dinners. And the amazing thing was is that they do not charge to use the space, just for the food. I accused Marian of sitting on a throne of lies, there is no way a restaurant of this size does not charge for the VIP privacy downstairs and not charge extra, but they in fact don’t.

I made a reservation for a few weeks later to actually sit in the dining hall and it could not have been more perfect. I was greeted by a hostess who recognized me and immediately brought over Marian who was excited to see me and my new guest. She sat us down and made sure we were quickly attended to. Our server was a boisterous man with a personality to match. One of the more memorable things was how he managed to pick up details about my guest and I while he took our orders. I could imagine this being a joy for any visitor of the city to have a server who showed so much interest in you and your history. This really made for an intimate dining experience with a staff that offered genuine service and care. The food itself you can tell was delicious as my guest and I kept passing our forks to each others’ plates. We shared a very large appetizer of Calamari that left me nervous that there wouldn’t be room for the entrée. But I was wrong, the portions were very appropriately sized and our server dazzled us with his presentation and excitement to make sure everything was to our liking. For such a New York staple environment that seems pretty standard, we were having a jolly good time! Now to finish up with our excitement of the evening before we left to our show, we noticed that Arno likes to play tricks on you. While you dine, they wheel a multi-level cart of DESSERTS around you and other patrons just to taunt you. Clever clever! We couldn’t have even made up our minds, so we took about 4 different desserts off that tray! On our way out we got a fond farewell from our server, the owner and finally, the lovely Marian. How could I not want to go back?

Fresh, Fun & Flavorful: Ed’s Chowder House

by Maeva, New York Guest Concierge

I almost felt like a tourist this past Sunday as I took the train to Columbus Circle for the very first time. The sun was shining, the air was cool, and the birds were whistling. It was a beautiful day for Brunch at the Empire Hotel’s on site restaurant, Ed’s Chowder House Restaurant and Raw Bar. Though it is known for its plethora of tasty crustaceans and seafood, without needing my epinephrine pen, this allergy prone gal gave the place a shot! (Pun intended). When I walked through their main entrance, the atmosphere reminded me of the charm of a renaissance coastal villa. It felt fresh, plenty of room for groups, and window corner tables for couples. Sections could even be partitioned for private dining. All that was missing as I looked out the window was the pink sandy beach and the hawking of nearby seagulls.

The menu was arranged quite simply and categorized by Raw Bar, Shellfish Platters, Chowders, Appetizers, Brunch Specials, Ed’s Favorites, and Simple Mains. I was surprised with the variety of eclectic dishes to choose from, but when my eyes landed on their Eggs Benedict (two poached eggs, with smoked salmon, Canadian bacon, and hollandaise on a bed of toasted English muffin & home fries) I felt like this would be their test. Eggs Benedict is my ultimate comfort food, especially on a weekend. As I spoke to the waiter about all my food allergies, he kindly made me aware that everything is made-to-order, so if I wanted my dish gluten free, salt free, or dairy free, all I have to do is ask. So of course I told him to keep the shellfish away, unless of course he’d want to give me the Heimlich himself! He also suggested that I should try their wild mushroom chowder with porcini cream & crispy leeks – the only soup option without clams or loaded with crab and shrimp. The soup was very earthy, and the scallions and leeks were a flavorful combination.

My Eggs Benedict almost made me cry; it was too pretty to eat. But who was I kidding, the minute I took a bite my palate was doing its happy dance. By far, this was the best Eggs Benedict I have ever eaten without feeling like a complete slob. The prosciutto was a nice addition to the dish. My fish-only vegetarian friend went wild over their medium well Tuna Steak and Asparagus. It was so good, my friend only allowed me one bite to taste. I know what to order next time I make a visit.

By the time we both finished our food, our bellies were really full. I didn’t even get to finish my Mimosa, but I didn’t want to leave without peeking at their dessert menu. The item that jumped at me from their list of sweet liquid treats and cake assortments was the Coconut Rice Pudding and Mango Sorbet- Yummy, yummy in my tummy!

It was a worthwhile experience eating Sunday Brunch at Ed’s Chowder House Restaurant and Raw Bar. I’m definitely looking forward to my next visit, this time to sample their dinner menu!

A Beautiful Brunch in Chelsea

by Louise, Community Manager

On a moderately chilly April Saturday I walked through the hustle and bustle of an unexpected street fair on 8th avenue on the way to meet my mother for brunch. As soon as I entered Gascogne the hubbub and stress of NYC on a weekend morning disappeared in favor of the calm oasis of the restaurant’s interior. Gascogne is cozy and well laid out, with enough space between tables that you don’t have to listen to your neighbor’s conversation. It is not overly ornate but instead somehow evokes the feeling of eating in a friend’s home – but that friend whose house is beautiful and always tidy in a way that makes you both appreciative and jealous.

The service at Gascogne is similarly warm and friendly, and my mother and I settled into our comfortable table with a view of the gorgeous back garden. We were a little sad that it was not warm enough to sit outside, but all the better to have an excuse to return! The brunch prix fixe offered a choice of a mimosa or a bloody mary, but Mom and I are dirty martini girls (we’re New Yorkers, after all) and the ones we were brought were superb.

The prix fixe brunch (an absolute steal at $22 per person for three courses and a cocktail, by the way) offered several choices for starter and main. My mother started with the asparagus mousse – light, airy and ever so slightly warm served with fresh greens that add a great textural component to the dish. I’m not ashamed to say that she only got to eat about half of it as I commandeered the other half. My mesclun salad was also delectable – crunchy and perfectly dressed with sizeable pieces of fruit offering occasional bursts of sweetness.

Our main dishes were practically gone as soon as they were set down – I’d intended to take photos of everything we ate but they were so delicious that I completely forgot! My mother had the sunnyside up eggs with foie gras, a rich, savory dish that was simple in appearance but complex and luscious in flavor. Gascogne does right by the ingredients by keeping it straightforward. After all, with a couple of good eggs and some foie gras, what more do you really need? For my own entrée I chose the eggs benedict. I love hollandaise sauce but am not a fan of Canadian bacon, so any restaurant that offers an alternative wins instead points with me, and Gascogne offers not one but two, allowing you to choose between garlic sausage and gravlax. I went with the garlic sausage and it was perfect: all of the ingredients were of course deliciously decadent, but the acidity from the lemon juice in the hollandaise made for a nice complement to the richness of the sausage and the eggs. I made short work of it.

After a nice break to finish our martinis and chat, the waiter brought over some fresh crème caramel topped with a couple of juicy blueberries – the perfect way to end a delightful Saturday brunch.

Gascogne is a lovely choice for one of your meals on your next trip to NYC – in addition to the brunch, which I highly recommend, lunch and dinner are served seven days a week and there is a terrific prix fixe pre-theater option as well. The back garden is open as long as the weather is warm, so contact us at New York Guest for your priority reservations!

Take a Bite of Jack’s

by Julian, New York Guest Concierge

I waited in the chilly sunlight a few weeks ago for my fellow concierge to meet me at Jack’s Restaurant and Bar in Times Square. The red sign was the key to finding this great little American place. The restaurant opened at 11:30 and we had a reservation for that exact time. I was the first person to walk in and was asked if I had a reservation. In this industry I should know better than to think, “Why would I need a reservation!? There is no one in here.” Yes, even we concierges succumb to that thinking at the sight of an empty restaurant.

I had no real expectations and was pleasantly surprised to be in such a comfortable and casual environment with that great old-time New York restaurant feeling. A nice sized bar on the left upon entering and a dining room in the back with white cloths on the tables. The hall to the bathroom is lined with old theatre posters and you can easily imagine all the casts of the shows walking through that same hallway.

I like that sort of well-worn comfortable feeling and Jack’s has it in abundance. Our waiter knew everything on the menu and took delight in leading us through the options and making recommendations, of which we took all of them. The Blue Cornmeal fried Calamari were perfection but I think my favorite item was the Avocado and Ceviche appetizer. The fish was tender and well seasoned. The appetizer didn’t manage to stay on our table for more than 10 minutes. We should have ordered two of those! It came with the most savory plantain chips which were a perfect compliment to the texture of the avocado. Angie had the Thai Chicken wings and if I could have put the sauce on everything I ate I would have. All the sauces were excellent and I thought about how easy it would be to recommend this restaurant to a guest. The menu has two sections. The first is a tapas style menu where we ordered most of our items from because we wanted a light lunch. If, however, you wanted a sandwich, a burger or a salad they had that as well. They even had vegetarian entree options. Their slogan says it all. “Global food, Local address.”

It was an eclectic mix but it worked because everything was delicious. Our service was prompt. Nothing was lost in the transaction and again I thought about what a great job Jack’s did of offering something to everyone from business men to families.

Angie and I were seated in a booth far away from the chill outside and it turns out we were lucky we did have that reservation; by the end of our meal the place was packed and people that were waiting for tables at the bar started eyeing Angie and me in our comfortable little corner of the world. The crowd and the staff seemed to all be regulars. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken, right?

If you want great food and service in a casual but charming environment than Jack’s is a must. There was nothing pretentious about it and if it weren’t for the fact that we had to get back to work Angie and I would have happily stayed for dessert. Lucky for those bar patrons we didn’t have the time that day.

I finished my coffee and she finished her Pinot Grigio and we reluctantly gave up our table. The manager introduced himself and thanked us on our way out. Friendliness always makes me want to go back to a restaurant, not to mention I didn’t get to the dessert. So, hopefully, I will see you there!

Brooklyn’s New Way to go to the Movies

by Louise, Community Manager

It happens to all of us:  we plan an awesome vacation and then a movie that we really want to see is scheduled to come out smack dab in the middle of it. Not wanting to spend a moment of our precious vacation in a multiplex that could be anywhere in the world, we sigh and wait until we get home to see the movie.

Leave it to NYC to come up with the perfect solution to this problem. Now you can see a movie while simultaneously having a unique New York City experience. Of course, NYC has many famous theaters – the Paris Theater, the Angelika and Film Forum come to mind, but I’m referring to a relatively new spot in Brooklyn called Nitehawk Cinema. The brain child of Saul Bolton, owner of the awesome restaurant Saul, also in Brooklyn, Nitehawk brings snacking at the movies to a whole new level. They offer a full menu of elevated “concessions” – including popcorn with real butter and seasoned salt, homemade candy bars, and a queso dip with scallions and cilantro that is about a trillion times better than that neon orange stuff they pump into a plastic cup for you at a regular theater. But that’s only the beginning. Nitehawk also has a menu of small plates including homemade pickles, tater tots, and vegetable tempura or several entrees, featuring an awesome burger, and an amazing dessert menu that includes soft serve ice cream (NOT Carvel) and a root beer float. Not only that, Nitehawk has a full bar, and comes up with specialty cocktails and dishes for every movie they play. When I was there on Friday, The Hunger Games  had just opened and the featured cocktail was called “Girl on Fire” – a spicy tequila concoction.

At Nitehawk, the theater opens about 30 minutes before showtime and you are free to arrive at any time to place orders and have food and a drink in front of you before the movie starts.  There is also a bar in the lobby where you can have a few cocktails before the theater opens. In the theater, seats are set up with a table between every pair, not in your way but perfectly placed with a cup holder and space for your food. When I first heard about Nitehawk, I worried that the ambience of the movie would be ruined by people reordering while the movie was on, but the folks at Nitehawk have the perfect solution for this: every table is equipped with small pieces of paper and little pencils, and if you want to order during the movie you write down your order and post it in front of you. The waiters make several sweeps to collect orders and serve. The waiters are incredibly impressive as well – the sweeps are neat and efficient and they duck whenever they walk in front of the screen. It’s about as unobtrusive as it can get.

With only three theaters and a propensity towards indie films, Nitehawk definitely doesn’t show every blockbuster, but it is well worth checking out their schedule while you are here!  It’s a dinner and a movie experience like no other and I highly recommend it. Nitehawk is located in the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg, just one stop into Brooklyn on the L train. I highly encourage exploring the outer boroughs on your visit and this is a great excuse to do that!

Want more restaurant recommendations for your trip, or need help creating a unique NYC vacation? Feel free to e-mail me at lgeller@newyorkguest.com and we’ll get planning!