The Premium Life

Personally I prefer dining at the bar area of a restaurant as opposed to a table. I believe the overall experience is more interactive: the bartender often has good recommendations, you end up socializing with other patrons, and usually you can linger as long as you desire. I often compare it to the experience at a blackjack table…

So for this entry I decided to share a few spots that I recently visited.

Scarpetta (355 west 14^th street) is a fabulous place to satisfy your Italian cravings with some pasta and wine while being tucked away in the borders of theWest Village. Living in Italy I experienced my fair share of pastas, polenta, and pancetta but  chef  Scott Conant’s focus on the ingredients and tribute to the native cooking is what makes his dishes stand out. The bar area occupies the entire front of the restaurant with an L shaped bar and seating options both at high top and two top tables. Your can order from the entire menu that is offered in the main dining room. Conant did a great job capturing the comfortable and rustic downtown style while maintaining the sophistication of  staff wearing tobacco colored uniforms and cover plated entres.

It is a terrific spot to meet a friend for a drink and a nibble. The Primi’s range from a raw yellowtail seasoned with spiced oil and flaked sea salt to creamy polenta with truffled mushrooms. The pastas are delicious; if you decide to share, the kitchen splits them and serves them in small white porcelain dishes. The statement “simple is best” is demonstrated with Conant’s spaghetti with tomato and basil which received the New York Magazine best pasta award in 2009. The bar area attracted many diners who sought after quality food “after hours” so the Scarpetta team created a Late Night Bites menu offered from 10am-1pm Tuesday through Friday.

I recently tried Resto (111 East 29^th street) for their authentic Belgian casual fare. Chef Ryan Skeen prides himself on the emphasis on seasonal local farm fresh ingredients to serve to his Gramercy Park neighborhood patrons. The bar is cozy and inviting with 10 bar seats to accommodate walk in guests.

Resto serves up classic dishes like short rib carbonnade, moules & frites and their pan fried burger… that can be of comfort in any season. I branched out and tried the chicory salad, served with dandelion, escarole, frisee pigs ears, spring beans, soft egg, and warm vinaigrette. The variety of textures, the runny egg yolk combined with the crispness of the ears blended marvelously.

With a menu like Resto’s that you don’t see everyday it is helpful to ask the bartender’s suggestions. The hanger steak was generously seasoned with a crisp char juicy center. I paired it with local sautéed snap peas…and of course the frites. The frites are served with a choice of dipping sauces that compliment the crispy outside and the starchy center- (mayo, sweet chili, lime pickle, cocktail, mayo & onion, gribiche, lemon & smoked paprika, sriracha, yogurt, cumin, roasted garlic.

Don’t under estimate eating brunch at the bar…how can you go wrong with a frosty cold  Duvel beer, Belgian frites and a classic grilled cheese served on a waffle with Vermont cheddar, gruyere, bacon, pork belly and greens. Save room for dessert with a variety of Belgian chocolates (dark, milk, and white) to chose from. I promise it will be a sweet end to the meal.

Five Points (31 Great Jones street) My last pick is a classic and one that I have been venturing to since its doors opened in 1999 and almost always opt for a seat at the bar. Five Points is a place that can become your local hangout…with a friendly approachable staff, a seasonal menu with Mediterranean accents and a wide range of spirits, it is just the place you want to hang your hat and stay a while.

The char grilled grass fed burger served with Vermont cheddar, smokehouse bacon & French fries and the wood oven pizzette (fontina cheese, sliced yukon gold potatoes & white truffle oil) are constants on the menu.

Whether you opt for one of their fresh salads made with local herbs and ingredients such as the marinated beet & mutsu apple salad with Greek style yogurt, watercress & spiced almonds or fish dish like the wood oven roasted dayboat merluzza served with white bean ragout, watercress, tangerines & gremolata you are sure it will be complimented by a perfectly made cocktail. The experienced bartenders know how to fix one of the best Martinis around and the white and red Sangria are popular choices. With the airy ambience and the wood tones the Five Points style sets an ideal ambience for all seasons.

I hope this helps next time you are looking for a spot to meet a friend, or even grab a bite for one…regardless of your circumstance– sitting at the bar offers a different perspective on your dining experience. You might even make a new friend.

For more information and reservations, and to plan your next experience be sure to check us out on www.premiumlg.com.

Eat well!

I have grown up my whole life in Manhattan and experienced some of the best restaurants and nightlife in the world within New York. Having recently moved out to Los Angeles from New York to open a new office, the hardest thing has been finding a restaurant with both a great scene and food…Until now. About the same time I moved out to LA (4 Months Ago), this amazing restaurant opened. As a member of The Soho House in New York I knew this restaurant would be up my alley and I was not mistaken. On any given day and night you will see a great looking crowd and A –List celebrities. Just the other week on a Friday night I spotted Ryan Seacrest, Gordon Ramsey, and Simon Cowell all dining together.

Cecconi’s was built at the old Morton’s space. It has become a new lunch hot spot, power scene dining, fun/networking bar scene, and unforgettable dinner spot. The restaurant offers seating outdoors, indoors, and a private room called The Butterfly Room. Cecconi’s is the perfect environment for a corporate dinner, which can seat up to 40 guests. The outside is impressive with beautiful hedges and foliage surrounding the tables. The marble floors are laid in glossy black-and-white tiles in a zigzag pattern amongst white paneled walls and ornate crystal chandeliers. The space is divided between a main dining room with powder-blue freestanding sofa, long white marble bar with banker barstools and outdoor terrace soon to give nearby.

Cecconi’s offers an eclectic menu with great lunch and dinner options. For lunch try the Cecconi’s Cobb, maine lobster spaghetti, foccaccia panini and wild mushroom pizza. Dinner options include delicious veal meatballs, eggplant parmigana, osso bucco, veal scallopine, lemon swordfish, and more. Later in the evening the menu takes a brasserie twist with lengthy crudo menu, selection of salmon or beef carpaccios and hmeade pastas topped with sausage or Maine lobster.

For reservations or corporate events visit www.premiumlg.com.

It seems like every week I get calls and emails from our clients and friends wanting to know what the new “hot spot” is and where they should grab drinks after a hard days work. I start going down the list of places and locations (mostly in the West Village, Meat Packing District or Lower East Side) and the reply is always the same. “Sounds like a great place but I don’t feel like going all the way downtown, are there any cool places in mid town?”

Well after my second excursion to the new Monkey Bar last week, I am happy to report there are. The revamped Monkey Bar is located in the Elysee Hotel on 54^th between Madison and Park. It was previously owned by The Glazier Group until Graydon Carter, the editor of Vanity Fair and an owner of the Waverly Inn in Greenwich Village, and two other partners, Jeff Klein, owner of the City Club Hotel, and Jeremy King of The Wolseley bought it and decided it to overhaul the cuisine and overall feel.

The Monkey Bar reopened in May and still has the same swanky feel of a 1930’s Supper Club – rich red-leather banquettes, brass trimmings, monkey lamps and a 65-foot mural of New Yorkers along the walls. Most of the servers wear white steward jackets with long tails and striped patches on the shoulders. The dining room has balcony and orchestra-level seating.

I did not sample the food the first time I was there, but there was plenty of eye candy to make your mouth water. It is a pretty looking crowd, mostly coming from their midtown  office right after work and many staying until very late in the night. I quickly became friends with one of the main waiters (Pete) who took care of me and my clients for the rest of the night. We sampled various cocktails and sat around chatting and enjoying the talent.

I decided to go back a second time and sample the food. After a few Martini’s we ordered the oysters of the day (with lime and Tabasco, of course) and also sampled the Peeky-toe crab cakes and the soft shell crab. All of the food was delicious but let be clear about one thing–the main attraction here is the scene.

It certainly helps to get there on the early side to secure one of the few tables near the bar. Or if you prefer, you can always make a restaurant reservations and take a table in the restaurant area. Whatever your choice maybe, just be happy to know that you no longer have to schlep to all four corners of the city to find a good after work hangout. As always, if you need help planning your next experience let us know at www.premiumlg.com. Bottoms up!

Often hotels streamline their décor to create a consistent look…in the lobby, restaurants and bar. The Le Parker Meridien NY does the exact opposite and the daring boldness pays off.

I enjoy bouncing around the city on the weekends experiencing a variety of venues in various neighborhood of Manhattan. It makes you appreciate the diversity and splendor of our beloved city.

One of my repeat spots is the Parker Meridien. I really enjoy the contrast of the opulence of Knave and the grittiness of the Burger Joint (which are located across the lobby from each other.)

We lounged at our favorite table in the Knave bar to kick off our weekend with some of the best Bloody Mary’s and coffee drinks the city has to offer. Every detail is done with complete care at knave. The bar snacks are even differentiated, as they serve to crisp warm fried olives along with the more common bar snacks at high end properties.

The décor is magnificent with hints of medieval accents. Knave is a passageway for guests to enter from 56^th street to the lobby. So while relaxing in the comfort of the hand crafted red velvet and wooden couches, there is time for optimal people-watching, gazing at the bustle of the hotel patrons on their journeys. The vaulted ceiling, soaring columns, and oversized mirrors create a spiritual vibe which sooths the soul.

Even though there is a significant amount of foot traffic through the long and narrow bar, there is an immediate respect for its beauty and the church-like ambience- this environment has the effect of dulling conversations as visitors walk through.

Cocktails, pastries, sandwiches and sweets are available throughout the day and evening.

After a few cocktails we were starting to build up an appetite. What is better than a juicy burger and fries to satisfy a weekend crave. The Burger Joint!

Behind the brown curtain entrance there was a line of salivating guests, awaiting their turn to shout out their order off the straight forward menu which is written in rainbow colors on a chalkboard.

The open kitchen houses the team of masters that have their burger shtick down to a science. The legendry hang out is wood paneled with initials carved into the benches, vinyl booth and sports memorabilia tacked on the walls.

Whether you are from Timbuktu or the Upper East Side, you better know what you want…it is equivalent to the pressure in the famous Soup Nazi line from Seinfeld!

The menu sticks to the motto…”If you don’t see it we don’t have it” – Your choice of a hamburger or cheeseburger with the classic toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, sliced pickle, mustard, ketchup, and mayo. I recommend the WORKS. Trust me. The flavors just mend to perfection!

Salty and crisp fries overflow the brown greasy paper bag they are served in. If you want to go all out, order a milk shake while you are waiting in line.

The Parker properties have mastered both ends of the spectrum of taste!  Visitors should also not forget to try the best brunch in the city at Norma’s .

For more information about the park Meridien please visit www.parkermeridien.com. For assistance in planning your next experience come check out our website at www.premiumlg.com. Eat well!

Manhattan is known as the restaurant capital of America– with approximately 20 thousand eating establishments on this 23.7 square mile island, it is hard to argue that. However, in the authentic Mexican cuisine category New York City does not measure up to other cities like LA and Miami.  After venturing to Mercadito and Mercadito Cantina last week I might have to modify my statement.

I have been fortunate to sample Chef Patricio Sandoval’s cooking on several occasions and it is truly a delight. What is exceptional about Sandoval’s style is that he stays true to the authenticity of the dishes while adding some flair to the presentation.

He prides himself on serving only the freshest and finest ingredients to his patrons even if that means searching for goat to make the Barbacoa stew the way it should be prepared. The concept Mercadito, meaning “Little market”  was inspired by his experiences shopping at these local markets with his mother in his native Mexico.

We visited both Mercadito and Mercadito Catina in one evening; they are a block away  from each other. Our game plan was to sample the guacamole and tacos at Cantina, the more casual venue and then move on to some appetizers and entries at Mercadito restaurant.

They offer 6 variations of guacamole, we chose a sampling of three: Chipotle, Mole and Sandia. The Chipotle had a smoky flavoring from the pickled chiptle with unqiue hints of pineapple and mint. The Mole was smooth with plantain mixed in and the third was very interesting served with watermelon and Hoja santa a herb in the mint family. The guacamole was served with both blue and yellow warm tortilla chips.

The tacos were  fresh and each uniquely presented (two tacos per serving). My absolute favorites were The Pescado, tilapia pan fried on one side served with chile poblano and tomatillo-garlic mayo and The Carnitas, michocan style braised Berkshire pork served with cacuate salsa. At lunch and after 10pm Mercadito cantina offers “All You Can Eat Tacos” for 21 bucks!

We headed over to Mercadito to delve into more mouth watering splendors. I rarely  order off the specially cocktail menu because often the drinks are too sweet and made with artificial mixes… Definitely not the case at Mercadito: Besides the traditional margarita I enjoyed the Mercado served with teqilla blanco, pineapple, fresh lime, and chile piquin and the Pepino served with tequila, cucumber, lime, and chile de arbol. The drinks were made to order and were extremely refreshing.

Because we couldn’t stop sampling the tacos at Cantina and got full, we tested out the top loyal’s favorites at Mercadito. The ceviches are very popular—we tried the The Dorado Ceviche which was finely chopped mahi mahi, avocado, tomato, and orange-chile de arbol broth.

I highly recommend the Ostiones Horneados, the baked oysters with manchego cheese, bits of chorizo, chipotle aioli and epazote crema fresca. The combination of the crispy batter on the warm moist oyster married so well with the creamy richness of the cheese and aioli.

Chicken is usually the last thing on the menu that I order at a restaurant but I was interested in trying Chef Sandoval’s whole adobo chicken. He cuts and grills it so it lays flat on the plate. The skin was crisp and highly flavored and the meat was tender and juicy…It was served with Three corn pico de gallo which was outstanding. The hominy, white and yellow corn was marinated in a onion, tomato and cilantro garlic sauce. ( I could eat it every day).

Mercadito has a wide variety of tequilas (Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo) The tequilas are divided by Highland (produced from agave grown in clay soil benefiting from a long growing season, these are intensely aromatic with a sweet and herbaceous notes) & Lowland (produced from agave grown in volcanic soil, these are typically drier than their highland counterparts) which I thought was quite interested and educational.

The restaurants exude a festive Acapulco cantina vibe designed with tatty walls and wicker placemats, and bamboo ceiling. The cantina has more of a simple décor, of glazed wood and spot lighting so emphasize the bold flavors in the food.

The Mercadito restaurants’ success is enabling the team to expand to Chicago and Miami. To sample their food on the west side check out the Mercadito Grove in the west village.

For reservations or more details please visit, www.mercaditorestaurants.com. And to help plan your next experience please reach out to the Premium team at www.premiumlg.com. Eat well!

New York City offers some of the best restaurants and nightclubs in the world. Noah Tepperberg adds another amazing restaurant/nightclub to the scene.  Noah has coined the term “GastroLounge,” to describe the new venture.  This will be the perfect spot to entertain clients as they will be offering gastropub type food and bottle service. Check out their innovative menu. No other spot in NYC offers great food and nightlife all in one.   After his amazing success at Marquee (Harvard business school even wrote a case study about it), Avenue is sure to be the next Hot Spot.

Avenue was resurrected in the old “Earth” space on the corner of 17^th street and 10^th ave…Around the corner from 1 Oak.  The concept combines a bar/ultra-lounge with moving lights, a lot of seating and eating. There is a DJ booth, but no dance floor, making conversation an integral part of the experience.  After a 2.5 million facelift, Avenue will officially open to the public the end of June.  They have already hosted some unforgettable private parties such as Mandy Moore’s birthday party

According to Mr. Tepperberg-The music and the lighting is very dim, it’s very mellow, and then depending on the crowd, at midnight or later, we can raise the volume and change the lighting. Then there’s a second floor, which is a straight lounge. There’s fifteen tables in one room, and then on the second floor there’s six big tables that overlook it. [The music] is gonna be really lounge-y, eighties, soul, seventies.

As always, if you need help planning your next nightclub expereince please contact us at www.premiumlg.com

Tucked away in the idyllic hills of Litchfield Hills, CT, lies Winvian, a sophisticated getaway set on 113 beautiful acres of rolling, green hills and crystal clear lakes.

From the moment you arrive, the worries of the outside world slip away; whether it’s the old-school games in the main house, or the members of the kitchen gathering fresh ingredients from the on-site gardens, it does not take long to know that the memories from this whimsical getaway will last for a long time to come.

Eighteen uniquely themed cottages capture the imagination and immerse the Inn’s guests in sophisticated luxury (cottages range from a treehouse suspended 35 feet in the air, to a mammoth compound, built entirely of stone boulders – each has modern appliances and lack nothing in the way of convenience).

The Winvian is endorsed by Relais & Chateaux, assurance that the food is set to a very high standard.  Each meal is a bespoke experience and, like all aspects of the Winvian, will not disappoint even the most demanding of clients.

A beautiful 5,000 square foot spa is highly recommended and includes specialized rooms for each particular treatment.

The Gordon Brown House is where private events and corporate meetings take place. The venue is rustic-chic with all the modern necessities. It is the ideal space to create an event for any special occasion.

Winvian touches all your senses and is a perfect place to add a remarkably individual impression to any celebration. It is a place that brings you together with nature, makes you feel carefree while always feeling taken care of as if you were a guest at a friend’s fantastic home.

For more information visit the website, www.winvian.com. And for a more in depth review of Winvian subscribe to The Premium Confidential, PLG’s monthly newsletter, where a full analysis of everything Winvian has to offer appears. As always, if you need help planning your next experience contact us at www.premiumlg.com

While the LES has blossomed into one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city over the last decade, known for its grungy-chic style and booming nightlife, Oliva has been a staple for locals that crave the Latino flavor.

 Situated on Houston and Allen, the bustling corner generates fascinating people watching and heavy city traffic but when you step foot into Oliva the warm and infectious Latino vibe whisks you away for an evening of spice and passion…

 In business for over ten years, this family owned restaurant must be doing something right! Whether you’re seated at the long communal table or opt for a spot at the cozy bar, the combination of the freshly made cocktails, the scrumptious dishes and the live beats make it the ultimate One Stop Shop!

 Luckily the bartenders have mastered muddling the mojitos in a timely manner, the made- to-order Brazilian cocktails and refreshing white and red sangria are in high demand. If it is a night of scandalous behavior and tequila shots are in order don’t forget to sip the homemade Sangrita, a spicy tomato based chaser, to tame the burn of the shot.

 The menu includes hardy traditional tapas such as Croquetas de Jamon, Serrano ham fritters, Gambas al Ajillo, sautéed shrimp with garlic and olive oil, Chorizo a La Plancha, Albondigas, meatballs in a tomato sauce.

 Some of my favorite entrees range from the Grilled Skirt Steak- the perfect balance of charred and juicy sliced meat, served with crisp potato bravas, watercress and Dijon mustard. The Seafood Paella, served with fresh shrimp, mussels, calamari, and clams in a fragrant saffron rice with sautéed tomatoes is a perfect dish to share. There is an excellent vegetarian option, a whole Grilled Artichoke served with white beans, mushrooms, green beans sautéed in paprika oil. Save room for a taste of the velvety Vanilla Bean Flan with morello cherries.

 Oliva kicked off a weekend brunch menu just a few years ago and it has been a real crowd pleaser. For $15 bucks you get an entrée with the choice of coffee, tea or a cocktail. The kitchen serves up some Spanish favorites such as Huevos Rancheros and Basque Eggs, three eggs baked in terracotta with piperade & chorizo served with potato bravas. On the sweeter side, the Whole Grain Pancakes with Walnuts & Bananas are hardy with great texture and are served with pure maple and fresh fruit.

 The live music enhances the elusion that you are on holiday. Every  night there is a mix of Latin bands playing  (Sunday -Thursday from 8:30- 11:30pm and Friday-Saturday 11pm-2am). On Thursday evenings,  Yuca Seca band performs traditional Afro-Cuban Latin rythms. The restaurant is usually packed with not much room to linger but that doesn’t stop random patrons from getting up from their tables to dance the night away to the beat of the drums.

This LES haven is right on point– the flavors, the inviting ambience, and the reasonable prices make it an ideal option for any occasion. Especially for a date spot, Oliva was voted the Best date restaurant in 2007 Citysearch Best Of.

 For more information on Oliva or to make a reservation visit their website, www.olivanyc.com . To organize you next experience please contact us at www.premiumlg.com

My last memories of Disney World a few years back are not fond ones. Standing in line for hours for a 5 minute ride, hot sun beating down on you with no relief in site, terrible food, kids crying, etc…

So it was with trepidation and impending gloom that I wearily accepted my parents invitation to take the whole family to Disney. “There has to be a better way!”, I thought to myself….

Thanks to Disney VIP Tour Services there is. From the moment you arrive, your personal VIP Guide is there to take care of everything – from creating your ideal itinerary to getting you the best seats in the house for live shows, parades and nighttime spectaculars.  The cost is between $175 to $215 per hour for a minimum 6 hour tour. You get your own personal tour guide that helps you get your way around the parks, get you all your fast pass tickets in adavnce and reserves special VIP viewing areas for all Disney shows and parades.  There are eight tours that you can choose: toddlers, big kids, teens, active fun, romance and relaxation, character experiences, what’s new and good for groups. You can also customize your own experience like we did. 

We had a blend of toddlers, big kids and we wanted some active fun.  I spoke to our guide ahead of time, told her about our group, age range, experience, etc… and she created an wonderful experience that was enjoyed by everyone. It included access to the best roller coaster rides, parades, shows, dining reservations, special attractions and much more.

I know the cost of admission if high enough. However, if you truly wan to maximize you time at Disney World Parks for you and your family or group, I highly recommend going the VIP way. As always, if you need help in any of your travel plans or experiences, please contact us at www.premiumlg.com