Lounge

Ilili

Ilili
236 5th Ave
New York,NY 10001
(212)683-2929
Official Site

Lebanese cuisine is rarely mentioned in the same sentence as high-end dining in New York City. It’s mostly associated with small falafel shops and food carts. Up to this day there are still only a handful of venues, such as Al Bustan and Almayass. So in 2007, when Lebanese born chef, Phillipe Massoud opened the restaurant Ilili steps away from Madison Square Park, in the Flatirion District, it was an ambitious undertaking that was eventually followed by success and consequently was embraced by the dining public.

Visible along Fifth Avenue passerby’s can’t help but notice the bustling dining room of Ilili, occupying a huge space that can seat at least 200 diners. Guests are greeted by a spacious lounge with wood panel walls, suede benches, and long bar in back with a thick stone top. The main dining room is designed with an abundance of wood and dominated by uncovered large round tables with cherry red armless chairs. The room’s high ceilings create an echo that can get loud on busy nights but that’s what gives Ilili its fun atmosphere. Tucked in the corner of the room is chamber that has more of an intimate settings and much quieter compared to the main dining room, the tables are covered in white cloth are setup for two people.

Leading the kitchen at Ilili is Chef Massoud. He left Beirut for New York at a young age to escape the civil war and after college; his love for Lebanese cuisine led him back to Lebanon cooking with some of the country’s best chefs. He returned to the US in the late 90’s to head the kitchen at Neyla in Washington D.C. before settling in New York.

Ilili offers a la carte lunch and dinner menu to go along with their $25 lunch pre fixe special and the lounge offers small bites and drinks. Small plates or Mezzes are separated in hot and cold. For the hot mezzes I had an excellent Octopus-lamb bacon, Piquillo peppers, garbanzo beans, eggplant. Firm but tender octopus meat was flavored beautifully with the intensity of the lamb bacon. Meanwhile the grapes gave it a touch of sweetness along with the vegetables creating a balanced dish. The Riz-Lebanese rice, toasted vermicelli, mixed nuts was more of an accompaniment with the main dish and exuded wonderful aromas. Cold mezzes to dip Ilili’s freshly baked warm pita bread were the Mouhamara- walnuts, sundried peppers, pomegranate molasses and the Hommus-chickpea puree, tahini, lemon and olive oil. The Mouhamara’s has a complexity that includes some tanginess and sweetness while the hommus was slightly refined than a regular one. Presented neatly before being mix by the server the Chankleesh –feta cheese, onions, tomato and zaatar . The assortment of spices and herbs, tomato and onions had the character of a salsa and with the addition of the feta cheese giving it another dimension.

Some of the entrée that I’ve had were the Mixed Grill-chicken shish taok, beef kebab, kafta lamb chops, garlic whip trio, seasonal grilled vegetables, a carnivore delight for two. It’s a plate of nothing but perfectly grilled meats. With both beef kebab and lamb chops that are extremely moist and flavorful and the chicken and lamb sausage was terrific. Chicken Taouk Duo-chicken breast & thigh, sumac, tender juicy chicken skewered and grilled with aromatics seasonings.

Served as a whole from head to tail, Citrus Trout-citrus cells, orange tahini, arugula, smoked almonds, was grilled perfectly and placed on top of a light cream citrus sauce. The orange and grapefruit cells added another level of acidity that went well with the trout. The lone non-meat entrée was the Semolina Gnocchi-yogurt, pine nut, orange zest. It had an excellent hint of orange that paired delightfully with the sourness and thickness of the yogurt used to blanket the gnocchi. A garnish of pine nuts was added for extra texture.

Warm Date Cake with coconut sorbet, carob, chocolate was the one sweet plate that highlighted the dessert. The duo of warm and sweet with refreshing cool sorbet played on the palate in both temperature and flavors without being muddled. Pieces of carob and melted chocolate were brushed on the plate where the cake and sorbet sat on top and added some sweetness.

Chef Massoud reinterpreted classic Lebanese cuisine using non-traditional ingredients and incorporating his creative approach with a Mediterranean twist while keeping the flavor profile. Cooking contains a lot of grilling and searing, yogurt, fruits and vegetables appeared constantly on the plate. Paired wines and drinks are tailor fitted with Ilili’s food. It’s vast list was curated with wines from different parts of the globe while also focusing on local Lebanese wines and “Arak” traditional spirits in the Middle East. Its cocktail program is another strong point. The drinks are creative, one of my all-time favorites “From Beirut with Passion” a refreshing fruitiness that also can be dangerous if you don’t take note on how many you’ve had.

Visiting to dine or to have drinks Ilili’s staff shares an enthusiastic approach to each guest. The front of the house greets everyone that comes through the door with a huge smile while the dining room personnel provides service that is efficient and personable without being too patronizing. With a packed dining room that can get a bit loud, confusion and not being on the same page can occur but the staff is able to handle this without any issues.

This restaurant had polished a humble cuisine with sophistication and with a price tag to go along with it that New Yorkers are willing to pay. For the past eight years they have created a following of locals and celebrities alike. Its kitchens cooking techniques, mixologists artistic libations draw inspiration from Lebanon and the restaurants urbane atmosphere make Ilili one of the finest in the city for haute Lebanese dining places.

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est 1986 Wine Bar and Lounge

est. 1986 Wine Bar and Lounge
@ Hotel Stanford
43 W 32nd St
New York, NY 10001
(212) 563-1500
Official Site

On 32nd St, between Broadway and 5th avenue, also known as “Little Korean Way”, is the Hotel Stanford. During the hours of 6pm-2am the hotel opens its doors to everyone for their lounge, est. 1986 Wine Bar and Lounge. This little gem seems out of place, yet it is the perfect spot in an area where you would least expect it to be.

As you walk into the lobby of the hotel you can see the foldout sign with brightly colored chalked writing with the lounges happy hour specials and hours of service written in brightly colored chalk. Continue further inside the hotel until you reach a small set of stairs on the right of the elevator and up the narrow staircase into what is an impressively styled space.

est. 1986 Wine Bar and Lounge is dimly lit. Dark wood bookcases decorate the far right wall as they embrace sleek metallic silver leather sofas and sitting chairs. Matching dark square wooden side and coffee tables accent the sitting area. A communal table is centered in the bar surrounded by high-back cushioned dining chairs and three round laced chandeliers of different sizes hanging above it. To add to the space and decor is a Grand piano near the bar itself on the left. You would think the lounge would be lacking in space to fit anything, but this place is roomy and spacious enough to hold its regulars as well as groups. The wine bar gives an intimate and sophisticated feel with its dim lighting and minimalism, yet it is contemporary enough to keep the atmosphere casual and humorous by placing pictorial drawings with witty sayings along the right side of wall.

Although wine is what est. 1986 Wine Bar and Lounge is best for when coming here—their wine list consists mostly of French wines such as the Malbec and Pinot Noir which you can buy by the glass or bottle—they also serve cocktails and beers, as well as the prerequisite cheese and meat tapas, East-Asian inspired plates, and desserts. A glass of wine runs at an average of $12 but a happy hour special daily from 6PM to 8PM cuts the prices in half. Being a white wine drinker I enjoyed the Château St. Jean Fume Blanc. It has a fruity and acidic taste that is very similar to a Sauvignon Blanc.

On the several occasions that I’ve had the opportunity to visit the lounge, it has never been overly crowded. The noise level is at a minimal and the music is not overpowering throughout the space, allowing patrons to have an intimate conversation. Because of its location, est. 1986 Wine Bar and Lounge attracts mostly the after work crowd that empties out after 7PM to catch their scheduled train at either The Path or Penn Station. It’s a great place to meet up with friends and family for a nice relaxing glass of wine.

Hidden wine bars and lounges are no stranger to New York City as there are quite a few of them and more that I haven’t yet discovered. In the case of est. 1986 Wine Bar and Lounge it was recommend by a friend and I have since enjoyed coming here.

For individuals who are ordering medicines online, there are several significant factors that must be mature. Internet is an ideal practice to get medicaments. Several medicaments are antifungal medicines. There are at least some medicaments for each sicknesses. Levitra is a treatment prescribed to treat few ailments. What do you have to view about cialis vs viagra? When you buy remedies like Levitra you should ask your pharmacist about viagra vs cialis. Many drugstores describe it as viagra or cialis. Many probably sure the forcefulness of Levitra is well documented. In addition, there are some of explanations and pharmacists are mostly able to pinpoint your problem through biological tests. Ordinarily the treatment options may include erectile dysfunction medicaments or counseling. Your generic is for you only. Never give your drugs to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

K2 Lounge at The Rubin Museum of Arts

K2 Lounge at The Rubin Museum of Arts
150 West 17th St.
New York NY 10011
212 620 5000
Official Site

New York City Fridays nights are the jumpstart to the weekend where endless booze and partying is the culture of this vibrant city. What a better way to kick-off the weekend than to visit the K2 Lounge at the Rubin Museum of Art’s café (aka Café@RMA.) On Friday’s the café is transformed into a vibrant lounge with Chelsea’s chic and trendy art loving crowd who enjoy the art, the drinks and the soothing yet upbeat music from the DJ’s eclectic song list (reminiscent of the playlist at Buddha Bar.)

The mix of Himalayan artwork displayed at every corner and soft neon lights from the curved ceilings, supported by round beams wrapped in brown marble wall paper, gives the atmosphere a flare of sexiness. Uniformed gold wooden round tables and chairs set against hard wood floors enhance the artsy scene. The bamboo bar crafted with an Asian aesthetic serves some pretty expensive martinis at $17 a pop. There are only 2 in house concoctions on the menu and oddly enough I like them both. One is the “Pomarita,” made with tequila, POM juice and triple sec; a great blend of taste, you can taste the tequila but it is neutralized by the sweetness of the POM juice. The other drink is the “Buddha’s Eye,” made with Midori, Malibu rum, pineapple juice and lime; very fruity but the taste of rum remains. The food at K2 Lounge is as good as the drinks. The Asian inspired dishes served tapas style were tasty and flavorful, however I come for the drinks.

As an added incentive to enter the museum, fees are waived every Friday night so if one is not inclined toward drinking; there are 6 floors of Himalayan art to be explored. Spend $7 at the lounge and you will get a free a ticket for the museum theater.

K2 Lounge has become one of my favorite destinations for Friday evenings. I can meet up with friends and enjoy a nice drink before heading out elsewhere to party or I can just enjoy the lounge after work and turn in early for a quiet weekend. If you ever want to impress someone and show that you have culture this is it. Booze and the arts under one roof, what a combination.

For individuals who are ordering medicines online, there are several significant factors that must be considered. Internet is an ideal practice to get medicaments. Several medicaments are antifungal medicines. There are at least some medicaments for each sicknesses. Levitra is a treatment prescribed to treat few ailments. What do you have to consider about cialis vs viagra? When you buy remedies like Levitra you should ask your pharmacist about viagra vs cialis. Many drugstores describe it as viagra or cialis. Many probably sure the forcefulness of Levitra is well documented. In addition, there are some of explanations and pharmacists are ordinarily able to pinpoint your problem through biological tests. Ordinarily the treatment options may include erectile dysfunction medicaments or counseling. Your generic is for you only. Never give your drugs to other folk even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Vino Vino Wine Bar

*This venue is now closed.

I’m always looking to do something on a Sunday evening to ease my dreariness knowing that the weekend is over and its back to the grind. When I came across Vino Vino winebar in TriBeCa, I found what I was seeking.

Vino Vino is part wine store (Maslow 6) and part wine bar with one main entrance for both. The place is narrow and long with an exposed red brick wall and a glass partition at the center which separates the store from the lounge. At the end of the lounge is a bar that is hidden from the main entrance. The comfortable brown couches and stools and the lit candles on the tables gives Vino Vino a nice intimate and relaxing feel.

The wine list is impressive, 30+ plus wines are available by the glass. The food is also good, small tasty bites that complement the wine. What I love most is that it has one of the best deals in NYC; half off on all bottles of wine all day Sunday and Monday and half off from 5PM-7PM the rest of the week. On my last visit, my friends and I enjoyed two bottles of Les Saveurs white wine for a mere $30 bucks!!! That is unbelievable in NYC.

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I’ve been here on a few occasions (mostly on a Sunday night) and my experience has always been pleasant. The service is always good and consistent. Its nice quiet atmosphere allows you the pleasure of enjoying your wine while having a conversation in soft tones, rather than yelling above noise. The funky music playing in the background adds to the cool atmosphere, it does not overpower your conversations or your solo chill time. This is an excellent place to unwind after a long days work or just to meet up with friends.

The great wine list, cool décor, relaxing atmosphere and amazing deal makes Vino Vino a treasure possessed by TriBeCan’s and envied by the rest of us. This place is officially my number one Sunday night spot.

Vino Vino Wine Bar
211 W Broadway
New York, NY 10013
(212) 925-8510
Official Site

For individuals who are ordering medicines online, there are several significant factors that must be elaborate. Internet is an ideal practice to get medicaments. Several medicaments are antifungal medicines. There are at least some medicaments for each sicknesses. Levitra is a medication prescribed to treat few ailments. What do you have to view about cialis vs viagra? When you buy remedies like Levitra you have to ask your druggist about viagra vs cialis. Many drugstores describe it as viagra or cialis. Many probably sure the forcefulness of Levitra is well documented. In addition, there are some of explanations and pharmacists are mostly able to pinpoint your problem through biological tests. Ordinarily the treatment options may turn on erectile malfunction medicaments or counseling. Your generic is for you only. Never give your drugs to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Top Of The Standard (Boom Boom Room)

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The Top of the Standard” or aka “The Boom Boom Room (BBR),” is my favorite bar in NYC. Located on the 18th floor of The Standard Hotel, the nearly mile high windows ensure breathtaking panoramic views of Manhattan, the Hudson River and Jersey. You’re further sucked into the scene with live jazz music as plush and enticing as the made-for-royalty décor. Slowly sip on a glass of wine while taking it all in and Boom-Boom-Boom you’ve been transported to higher ground.

A definite place to take a date for some drinks or to serve as an ice breaker before heading to dinner at any of the near by trendy restaurants. It’s equally appropriate for a small group of friends or for impressing a business client.

As with any gorgeous “boom boom,” you have to pay to play. Drinks are pricier than average, a lesser expensive glass of wine will run between $15-$30. And the food is equally pricy. If you need to eat, make reservations at one of the trendy restaurants in the area.

For guaranteed seating I recommend calling ahead for reservations. An 18 percent gratuity is automatically added to the bill with reservations. And while you’re there make sure you tinkle. One of the best bathrooms I’ve seen so far in NYC: I call it urinating with a view.

But time is of the essence! Try to go there while you still can, according to Page Six of the NY Post “…the Boom Boom Room is one step closer to going private. The hotel…..changed its liquor license from a public space to a private one” (article), meaning it will soon become members only. Again, get there while you still can!!!

The Standard Hotel
848 Washington St. at 13th st.
New York NY 10004
Phone: (212) 645-4646
Official Website

For individuals who are ordering medicines online, there are several significant factors that must be elaborate. Internet is an ideal practice to get medicaments. Several medicaments are antifungal medicines. There are at least some medicaments for each sicknesses. Levitra is a medication prescribed to treat few ailments. What do you have to view about cialis vs viagra? When you buy remedies like Levitra you should ask your dispenser about viagra vs cialis. Many drugstores describe it as viagra or cialis. Many probably sure the forcefulness of Levitra is well documented. In addition, there are some of explanations and pharmacists are ordinarily able to pinpoint your problem through biological tests. Ordinarily the treatment options may switch on erectile dysfunction medicaments or counseling. Your generic is for you only. Never give your drugs to other men even if their status appears to be the same as yours.