Earlier this year, I spent a weekend in New York City with Kristen of Border Free Travels as we networked our way around the New York Times Travel Show. When in New York, one must work hard and play hard (or in our case… eat hard). That’s why decided to start our Friday night at the Viceroy Central Park New York at The Roof, the Gerber Group’s beautiful rooftop bar followed by dinner at Kingside Restaurant.
All about Viceroy New York’s The Roof NYC and Kingside Restaurant:
The Roof NYC: We started our evening with a few cocktails at The Roof NYC, the rooftop bar at the Viceroy New York. Although it is one of the busiest spaces in the city, it has a very relaxed vibe for pre-dinner drinks. We arrived there around 7pm and it was perfect for catching up and catching some great views of New York City without the crowds you may experience later in the evening. Although it was January, the weather was quite mild which allowed us to enjoy the views of the city from the beautiful patio. We had two versions of their margaritas: a cucumber and a jalapeno. Although the cocktails were great, I wish they would’ve offered more seasonal cocktails on the menu like hot toddy’s or spiced ciders.
Kingside Restaurant: I had already heard good things about Kingside Restaurant from my friend Mike who lives nearby. What immediately drew us in was the decor of the restaurant. It had the feeling of a luxe diner with the rich red leather chairs lining the open kitchen, inventive lighting, and beautiful staff in chambray shirts smiling at their guests. Despite the beautiful decor and creative menu, the mood was stylishly casual. A great place to come by after a day of meetings or wandering around the city without worrying about dressing to the nines.
The Food at Kingside Restaurant: The menu is made up of a selection of small plates to share and a selection of mains. We chose to start the evening with a selection of East Coast oysters ranging from PEI to Long Island paired with sparkling rose. Our server encouraged us to order the special: Kung Pao brussels sprouts. Where do I start? The brussels sprouts were smothered in a beautiful spicy savory sauce. This gem is not on the regular menu, this is a public plea for Kingside Restaurant to make it a permanent fixture!
After indulging in seared scallops and braised pork shank, we made room for dessert. We concluded our dinner with caramel pudding which was exquisitely rich. The melange of flavors between the bourbon whipped cream and salty pretzel crumble hit the right balance of savory and sweet.
The Verdict: Now that I am a few years short of 40 (gulp) my idea of a fun city night is beautiful cocktails and a long, decadent dinner with good friends. Having cocktails with the lights of New York City as a backdrop followed by a beautiful meal is my idea of a perfect night out in the city. Whether you’re staying at the Viceroy New York or live in New York City, I recommend dining at Kingside Restaurant. The staff is friendly, the prices are reasonable, and if you’re lucky, they will have the Kung Pao brussels sprouts on the menu!
