TAKING A BITE OUT OF THE BIG APPLE

With a non stop 2 hour Delta Flight the abundance of the Big Apple is at your feet. But with so many choices and not an abundance of time – how do you decide what to do? With New York Magazine’s Adam Platt profiling the latest and greatest eateries every week, with amazing exhibits at all the museums, and hip boutique hotels opening constantly, here are a few musts of the moment to help you plan your trip to the city that never sleeps.
New York is famous for its fabulous food and rightly so with celebrity chefs, exotic ingredients, and more foodies per capita than any other place in the world, taking a bite out of the Big Apple is much more than a metaphor. So grab your fork or chopsticks and dig into these:
Kobe Club – New York’s newest steakhouse making the cut, Kobe Club is absolutely delicious and with 2,000 Samuri swords hanging from the ceiling, it sets the scene for a dangerously exhilarating meal. Kobe Club 68 West 58th Street New York, NY 10019 212.644.5623

Next Door Nobu – Robert Dinero’s famed restaurant’s more casual counterpart, Next Door Nobu has the same menu as Nobu without the need for reservations. Incredibly fresh sushi and a variety of saketinis make this one of the best sushi restaurants in the world. The food literally melts in your mouth creating a culinary experience you will not soon forget. And of course the occasional celebrity sighting is fun, too! 105 Hudson St New York, NY 10013 212.334.4445

Sfoglia – Mediterannean menu includes generous portions of homemade pastas and sauces. But as delicious as the pasta dishes are the most impressive may be their desserts which include a butternut squash cranberry tart with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. 92nd & 93rd 1402 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10128 212.831.1402 www.sfogliarestaurant.com


ino – Once you turn on Bedford the noise of the city quiets and you feel like you are in a more intimate part of the world, but if you blink you may miss 'ino. This charming little panini café in the Village may be the tiniest restaurant on earth, but the cozy setting, delicious sandwiches, antipasta, and fresh bellinis make it well worth the squeeze. Anyways what is a little elbow bumping between foodies? 21 Bedford St Between Houston Street and Downing Street New York, NY 10014 212.989.5769

STK - Steak with a sophisticated touch, this chic eatery has a wonderful Tuna Tartare, petite cuts of meat, and Dirty Bird Martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. Don't be surprised if this joint is still jumping at midnight with late night reservations and with hot spot Tenjune downstairs you will want to make a late night of it too! 26 Little W 12th Street Between Washington Street and 9th Avenue New York, NY 10014 646.624.2444

Bar at Etats-Unis – Another small establishment this eatery off the typical foodie path nestled in the Upper East Side. Bar at Etats-Unis is the sister restaurant of Etats-Unis and carries the exact same menu but also a variety of delectable tapas. Their guacamole is so fresh and spicy, their crab dip is phenomenal, and their fondue is an unbelievable treat. Enjoy these three menu choices with a glass or their house wine or try their Margatini, and you are in for a wonderful night! 242 E 81st New York, NY 10028 Between Second and Third Ave 212.517.8826

Now that your stomach is full, what to see, what to see? There is Museum Mile with the Met, the Guggenheim, the Whitney, and more. There is Broadway with long running hits and come-and-go performances. And of course, there is shopping!
No matter how many times you visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you will never see it all. The amazing exhibits include ancient artifacts that leave you in awe, armor collections from Medieval times, and masters like Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso. Then there is the Fashion Institute with exhibits like Nan Kempner: American Chic displaying the well-stuffed closets of the fashion icon. This exhibit will have fashionistas exclaiming "I do not shop, I collect!" Met Art 1000 5th Ave New York, NY 10028
212.249.8998 www.metmuseum.org

A must see on Broadway right now is the hilarious farce, The Little Dog Laughed with Tom Everett Scott (TV's Saved) as the closeted leading man. With twists and turns that will keep audiences guessing, The Little Dog Laughed cleverly reflects our celebrity-obsessed society. www.thelittledoglaughedonbroadway.com

As wonderful as Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue are, there is something quite charming and captivating about Soho that makes it a shopper's, excuse me, fashion collector's heaven. Designer boutique after designer boutique line the cobblestone streets. Pick up a pretty frock at Betsey Johnson on Mercer, a great top at Jill Stuart, a funky tshirt at Anna Sui on Greene, and then pop into Tarina Tarantino on Greene for her unique, quirky jewelry. Don't forget to visit the sidewalk vendors for handmade jewelry and even handmade journals. Grab lunch at Mercer Kitchen and you have enjoyed the perfect day in Soho.

Now it is time to crash and it is only fitting since you are getting so little sleep to do your snoozing in style.
Ian Schager's hotel is lush, opulent, and oh-so hip. With red velvet walls, chandeliers, and elegant furniture, The Gramery Park Hotel is dressed to impress. It also houses 3 fabulous bars the Rose Bar, the Jade Bar, and the Roof Top Bar. Dripping in luxury, this hotel will make you never want to leave.
Room Rate start at $495, special packages available. www.gramercyparkhotel.com


If The Gramercy Park Hotel is a little out of your price range. Hotelier Andre Balaz's Hotel QT located near Times Square comes equipped with Egyptian cotton sheets at a smaller price tag. This hotel is rated by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the best boutique hotels in the world. With a pool bar located in the lobby, sauna room, walk in shower, continental breakfast, and 24 hour coffee bar, Hotel QT has everything you need plus a few luxe perks as well. Don't miss their hopping happy hour and special events. Prices start at $269 and up. www.hotelqt.com

Another favorite, Hudson Hotel at 58th Street near Columbus Circle. This modern hotel was designed by Philip Starke with chartreuse elevators, contemporary Hudson bar, Library, Sky Terrace, and chic rooms. Pricing is $239 per night and up. Visit www.hudsonhotel.com for reservations.

Now what are you waiting for - you know what they say "if you can make it there..."!