Rangoon: Burmese Garlic Noodles

Located in Chelsea, Rangoon has a comfortable, inviting interior and sensational menu full of classic Burmese dishes, including crispy squash tempura, served alongside a garlicky tamarind sauce, and Burmese egg curry, where boiled eggs come swimming in a chunky tomato sauce. The real highlight on the menu, however, is the garlic noodles, called kyarsen si chet in Burmese. Made with light and fresh thin rice noodles, the dish is bursting with the flavor of garlic in every strand. Shards of stir-fried cabbage, a handful of chopped green onions, and a sprinkling of fried shallots bring color and texture to the dish, serving as just the right contrast to the silky noodles. Garlic lovers, this dish is calling your name.

Le Bernardin: French Truffle Pasta

The truffle pasta at Eric Ripert’s French Le Bernardin is nothing short of extraordinary. The house-made tagliatelle is infused with Perigord black truffle, cooked to perfection, and then swirled in the most sinfully creamy black truffle butter sauce. The noodles will literally melt in your mouth. Savor every single bite.

Soda Club: Italian Bucatini

Soda Club offers up a host of delicious pasta (insider tip: you can sample all of them if you do their six-course pasta tasting, which is $75 AND includes a bottle of wine!), but the most comforting of them all is their bucatini. The hollow noodles are smothered in a bold arrabbiata sauce and then topped with crispy breadcrumbs and shards of vegan parmesan cheese. It’s a classic comfort dish that never gets old.

Hao Noodle: Chinese Dan Dan Noodles

The sunlit, plant-filled dining room at Hao Noodle is the perfect spot for enjoying a bowl of dan dan noodles. The thin noodles are tossed in a gorgeous, heady sauce comprised of peanuts, sesame, chili oil, and scallions. Each bite is full of the nutty flavor of peanut and sesame, the spicy warmth of chili oil, and the chewy goodness of the noodles.

Suram: Japanese Impossible Tan Tan Ramen

There is nothing not to love about ramen, and the impossible ramen at Suram is particularly divine. The chewy, springy ramen noodles are soaked in a smooth miso broth and crowned with spicy impossible meat, meaty mushrooms, and crunchy bamboo shoots and scallions. It is so warm and flavorful that you will keep eating well beyond being full!

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About the Park Hyatt New York

Amenities are not in shortage the venue has a pool, bar, room service, fitness room and spa on site. Basically, you never have to leave!

The Room: When you arrive at the Park Hyatt you will be warmly greeted at the door, and then whisked upstairs in the elevator. Upon check-in your bags will be taken to your room, which will be impeccably clean, spacious, and have stunning views. Our king size bed was piled high with fluffy pillows, and the sparkling free-standing tub in the bathroom is right by the window so you can enjoy the view while soaking in bubbles (and hopefully drinking bubbles!) The bathroom also had double sinks and a huge shower. Needless to say, we never wanted to leave this hotel room!

The Special Touches: Knowing it was my husband’s birthday the staff presented us with a chocolate mousse dessert, a box of truffles and a bottle of sparkling wine as soon as we arrived in our room. It made the occasion especially memorable.

The Food & Drinks: We grabbed a quick lunch before the Broadway show and then headed back to the hotel to enjoy coffee with our complimentary chocolate mousse. It was as decadent as it looks! Before dinner, we went to the hotel bar, called The Living Room, where we enjoyed a glass of bubbly and a hand-crafted cocktail. The next morning we ordered room service to enjoy with our bottle of bubbly. Marco and I shared crisp Belgian waffles with fresh whipped cream, berries, and powdered sugar. It was the best possible start to the day!

The Verdict: Park Hyatt New York is luxury at its height! You won’t want to stay anywhere else after a night at this gem.

Park Hyatt New York, 153 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019, Website 

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About Izakaya NoMad

The Scene:  Izakaya NoMad is everything you expect a Japanese gastropub to be: a bit of sensory overload (at least that’s how I feel every time I visit Japan).  The servers happily greeted us upon entering, the scent of barbeque filled the room, and the beautiful bottles of sake lining the bar quickly captured my attention.  The dining room is narrow, with a semi private dining room, a bar where guests can eat, and a seating area that goes deep to the rear of the building. The crowd, mostly Asian, is young, lively, and very stylish.

The Food:  Hmmm… where do I start. My first visit to Izakaya NoMad was more casual so we sat at the bar and ordered a selection of chicken skewers. This time, me made a reservation (you can make them via Open Table) to have the full dinner experience.  We started with a selection of starters to share.  We told our server to “surprise us” with a few starters to share.  We started with the pork belly (one of my favorite, very succulent with a side of greens to curb the guilt. That was followed by bacon wrapped mochi and brussels sprouts that were equally amazing. I never had mochi (rice cake) wrapped in bacon, but must say this is the best idea ever… We then moved on to the ginko nut.  These were served on a skewer and resemble small olives. It’s supposed to be a super food. We tried, we really tried to like them but we all agreed it was not our thing….

We moved on to grilled veggies… the grilled avocado was one of my favorites.  Grilled avocado is one of my favorite izakaya dishes, I try to replicate at home with no luck-there must be magic in the Izakaya grills… We ended our dinner with a gorgeous plate of sashimi. The fish was fresh and the platter was the right size to share between three people.  I also loved that they were generous with the tako (octopus), which is one of my favorites.

The Service: Both times we’ve been to Izayaka NoMad, the service is friendly, fast, and consistent.  Mike, who lives in the neighborhood is a regular, he says that is one of the things that keeps him coming back.  The menu at the restaurant can be a intimidating for those not familiar with the cuisine but the staff does a great job at helping guests choose from the menu.  Dining Traveler Tip:  Look into late night ramen starting at 10pm.  My friends rave about it. On my list for my next trip to NYC.

The Verdict:  If you’re looking for a unique yet casual dining experience in New York City, head to Izakaya NoMad.  Look to spend between $30-$40 per person including a few beers or sake.

Izayaka NoMad, 13 W 26th St, New York, New York. Website: http://www.izakayanomad.com/

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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!

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The Scene:  As we arrived to the rooftop of Pier 92, we were taken by the delicious scent of smoked meat.  The venue had an amazing view of New York City.  One thing is for sure: we didn’t even know where to start!  That being said, we grabbed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and got the party started.  The crowd was diverse, from young to old, there was one common denominator: everyone loves food.

The Setup: The venue was set up in three different areas. The first one is the outdoor area where I witnessed whole split cooked pigs and smokers working overtime.  There was a huge bar area with plenty of beer, wine, and cocktails to choose from.  The second area was indoor with a live brass band, several bars (yeay), and more vendors. The last station had awesome music (all of our college classics were playing), more booze, and more delicious food.  One of the things I have noticed from many food festivals is that you spend more time waiting in line than eating. Not the case with Meatopia NYC.  The lines moved very fast and there was no wait for drinks.  Best organization I have seen in a food festival so far.

The Food:  There was plenty to taste at Meatopia NYC and not enough space in our bellies.  There were local favorites such as Hill Country Barbecue and others who came as far as Vieques, Puerto Rico such as El Blok.  We loved the take on the cubano  sandwich at Asia de Cuba with juicy pork and plantain chips.  Another fave was the brisket from El Blok.  From the juicy hot beef tongue sandwich from Harry and Ida’s Meat and Supply Co. to smoky chicken tacos from Johnny Sanchez, there was plenty of variety for the meat lovers out there.  Vegetarians need not apply….

The Verdict:  Meatopia NYC is definitely worth the $175 price tag given that you will have three uninterrupted hours of delicious food and drinks.  My best friend said about the event: “the people were so friendly, you felt encouraged to eat”.  I agree 100%.  Great views, friendly staff/guests, open bar, and endless meat… what else can you ask for?

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Dream Downtown Hotel:  The home screen of the room welcomes you with a montage of the celebrity sightings at the hotel. The PH-D lounge has one of the best views of NYC.  We went there for a pre-dinner cocktail on a warm early fall evening and took in the gorgeous view. Not to miss: The Electric Room. This intimate space is tricky as it requires you to enter through the loading dock of the hotel and pass a strict doorman code. We waited around twenty minutes to get in (we’re not the rockstars that we used to be) but the people watching was fun.  My full review here.

The London NYC:  One of the limiting factors of boutique hotels in New York City is space.  Not the case with The London NYC.  The all-suite hotel is just a fifteen minute walk from the lights of Times Square.  Although it is centrally located, once you enter it is like coming into an oasis of luxury.  One of my favorite parts of my stay was indulging at The London Bar where they make the perfect craft cocktails.  The menu is changed seasonally, looking forward to their mulled and spiced drinks this fall!

The Broome Hotel:  My friend Kristen from Border Free Travels raves about her stay at The Broome Hotel.  She picked the hotel for a video she shot with the brand Anje and immediately fell in love with the property. (Check out their video here)  Located in SoHo, it is at the epicenter of all things chic in New York.  Although there is so much to explore in the neighborhood, make sure to take the time for a coffee in their beautiful patio.  My friends Jaime and Mike who work near SoHo recommend Osteria Morini, Parm, and Balthazar for a great meal.

Viceroy New York:   When I asked my friend Lacy of the expate about boutique hotels in New York City, she told me about the famous rooftop bar at the Viceroy New York with a grand view of Central Park.  The rooms are beautifully designed with modern wood furniture.  Take a break from the madness of the city and explore the art in their lobby.  Central Park is just steps away from the hotel. Whether it is summer or winter, there’s always something to do at this beloved New York City park. Check out Central Park’s website for information on upcoming events.

The Condor Hotel:  For many New York City is only Manhattan but there is so much to see in the Burroughs.  The Condor Hotel is a boutique hotel in the popular Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn.  The location is perfect to discover Brooklyn and it is also a short train ride to Downtown NYC. The rooms have a modern décor of blue and chocolate, which fits perfectly into the trendy theme of the neighborhood.

The Boro Hotel:  This design hotel falls under the category of “places I want to stay” as it recently opened.  Its modern design, clean design, and killer views makes it one of the new hot hotels in NYC. One of my best friends got married in Long Island City years ago and I immediately fell in love with the views of New York City from this neighborhood.  Many people may ignore Queens when looking for hotels in New York, but think again.  With a great foodie scene with Mu Ramen, M. Wells, and Smorgasburg Queens nearby and a train ride away from Manhattan, it is a great alternative to get an authentic view of New York City.

One of the great things about a trip to New York City is that no two trips are alike. Although I have visited New York City many times, I don’t tire of discovering new hotels.  Have you stayed at a boutique hotel in New York City? Which one is your favorite?

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One:  Define your trip objective.  Is it your first time in New York City?  Is it your hundredth?  What do you see yourself doing the most?  Do you want to shop?  Do you want to eat? Do you want see a show?  As in any big city, New York City neighborhoods are clearly defined.  To save time, I recommend making reservations ahead of time at a hot restaurant or research which shows you want to see once in the city.  Dining Traveler Tip: Contact the hotel concierge in advance for restaurant or theater bookings.

Two:  Where to stay.  By defining your objective, it will be easier to figure out where to stay.  If you are headed to NYC for the first time, you will want to take in Times Square, Broadway, and of course shopping.  If you are traveling for a short period of time, it’s better to be in the middle of everything.  A great pick is The London NYC Hotel: an all-suite hotel, perfect for travel with a family or a small group of friends.

Three:  What to pack.  With baggage fees on the rise, you want to be more conscientious on what you pack.  There is plenty of walking in NYC.  If your agenda is hard-core sightseeing, I recommend comfy shoes such as stylish flats (my pick: Tod’s) or sneakers (but not running sneakers! Can you say “tourist?”).  Look at the weather. NYC can be extremely hot in the summer.  Pack loose, comfortable pieces.

Four:  What to eat.  Eating in NYC is an experience of its own!  Step away from chain restaurants.  More than likely you can find the Olive Garden at home. Head to Chinatown for dim sum, noodles, and delicious pork buns. Are you a carnivore?  Try a Korean BBQ in Koreatown.  Take a trip around the world with affordable eats at The Gansevoort Market.  With Colombian arepas to Thai Food stalls, there are plenty of indulgent choices.  My favorite part of NYC for great eats is Downtown. I enjoyed staying at Dream Downtown last fall with a plethora of choices surrounding the hotel, from Chelsea Market to the beautiful The Park NYC restaurant.

Five:  See the boroughs!  Many visitors see NYC as just Manhattan, however, there is plenty to see in the other four boroughs.  Catch a Yankees game in the Bronx or a Mets game in Queens.  If you can catch a “subway series” (Mets vs. Yankees!), it’s an added bonus. You will see New Yorkers in their full element.  Go for a stroll along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for impressive views of Manhattan. Want to stay off the beaten path? Book a stay at The Ravel Hotel in Long Island City.  I stayed there seven years ago and still dream of the epic view of the New York City skyline from its rooftop!

Although I am a frequent traveler to New York City, I still have a long list of places to discover and places to eat.  On my list:  One World Trade Center, The Plaza Hotel Food Hall, and a Brooklyn Nets game.  Are you planning a trip to New York City? What are you looking forward to see or do or eat the most?

I enjoyed sharing my favorite New York City tips as part of the #HipmunkCityLove Project.

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The Scene:   I heard some amazing things about the restaurant but it was busy all weekend.  I was able to snag the last reservation standing on Open Table at 9:45 on a Sunday.  Thankfully, my friend lives in the neighborhood and obliged.  The restaurant is warm and cozy with deep wooden tables, decorated with succulents.  The music is dim and the diners are into their own worlds.  Upon our arrival at 9:45pm the restaurant was still full and lively. We were ready to eat.

Cocktails: We started our dinner at Cosme NYC with cocktails. I went for the “Striptease” a mezcal based cocktail with vermouth, guanabana, lime, and absinthe salt.  The key ingredient here is guanabana or soursop.  It’s such a rare thing to see it on the menu anywhere in the United States, so I had to jump on it.  It was delicious.  I wanted to order a different cocktail for the second round for the sake of this post but I was drawn back to the striptease.  Perdóname.

The Food:  The dishes at Cosme NYC are designed for sharing.  There may be some sticker shock when looking at the menu (coming from DC), followed by the waiter telling us “probably best if you order 2 items each”. Gulp.  We felt our two cocktails should suffice as appetizers.  Every other review of the restaurant talked about the Chicharrón (pork rind).  This was not your typical chicharrón.  It was light and airy yet filled with flavor.  It melts in your mouth with a savory flavor accompanied by the spiciness of the hot sauce. Delicious.

We continued to our other two dishes. The crispy octopus and the NY strip for tacos.  I am a huge fan of octopus and it was the first thing that jumped at me from the menu.  It was crispy on our the outside and moist on the inside. The hazelnut mole made you wish there was more of it left.  The steak was nicely cooked and served with warm blue corn tortillas.  We ate everything on that plate, even the charred jalapeños.

We were glad we only took three dishes as we saved room for dessert.  We had a rhubarb tamal and the meringue with corn cream.  The tamal was nice but it was outshone by the meringue.  Our server raved about the meringue and he was right. When you crack open the meringue and the sweet corn cream oozes out, you know its something special.  The airiness of the meringue merged with the sweet and creamy filling makes it truly special.

The Verdict:  I may have gulped when looking at the menu but you get what you pay for. It’s not the quantity but the quality of the ingredients and the attention to detail placed in each of the dishes.  Chef Enrique Olvera has done something very special with Cosme NYC and it’s worth the visit on your next trip to NYC.

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One of my latest experiences in the city was On Location Tours New York on . The company offers a series of tours based on filming in New York City. Tours range from Sex and the City Tours to TMZ Tour. I am not a big fan of organized tours but this year I’m becoming open to trying new things. I met one of the reps of the On Location Tours at TBEX Travel Blogger Conference and she quickly sparked my interest of the tour. Here are my impressions on the New York TV and Movie Sites Tour:

Logistics: We met our guide Elyse Brandau near Times Square  for our tour. Elyse is an energetic and beautiful aspiring actress who had more energy on a Sunday morning than our whole group combined. We boarded our bus on the corner of 55th and Broadway. The bus is pretty comfy and nothing like the hop on/hop off buses that I am adverse to. The On Location Tours New York on Film is perfect if you have a short trip to New York City and you want to cover as much ground as possible. 

The Ghostbusters Firehouse

Stops: Elyse shared movie clips that matched the places we drove by.  She shared movie trivia with us and kept us entertained with a plethora of movie facts. We learned that The Plaza Hotel is one of the most filmed buildings in the world and of course “The Way We Were” was referenced. We drove by Central Park where there are too many movie references but the one that stood out was “Elf” (one of our tour guide’s favorites). The nice part of the tour is that we had a few stops to include SoHo, Washington Square Park, and the Village to explore the city on our own. During our time in SoHo we sat at the Harney and Sons tea parlor with scones and tea, it’s such a beautiful spaced tucked in the madness of the city. I enjoyed the freedom of being able to wander around during a tour and explore on my own. 

Harney and Sons, SoHo

The Famous Seinfeld Back and White Cookie

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The Red Carpet at The London Bar NYC

The atmosphere: Contrary to many hotel bars, The London Bar NYC is tucked into the Maze Restaurant. I enjoyed the intimate feel of it contrary to some hotel bars that are exposed at the lobby. We arrived on a late afternoon at 5:30pm; perfect time to have a post shopping cocktail (located in midtown west close to the 5th Ave shopping) or pre-dinner cocktail (we went on a Chinatown eating spree). The bar has limited bar seating but there are bar tables as well if you want a more intimate experience. I’ve always been fascinated by proper mixology therefore took a front row seat to see Jean Carlos, The London Bar head mixologist in action.

Jean Carlos, the Mixologist at The London Bar

The drinks:  I began my cocktail hour with a drink called The Red Carpet. The cocktail brought together vodka, freshly muddled raspberries, lime, topped with a chili infused olive oil.  You can taste the tartness of the freshly muddled raspberry which I really liked. I wasn’t a huge fan of the olive oil on top as you taste most of it at the end of the drink. I can see how this can appeal to a certain palate but I was too focused on the raspberries. I followed with a traditional pisco sour which was perfectly made with the egg white foam topped with angostura. The Dutchman, in his fondness for all things English, decided for the London Bloom. The drink was our favorite of the offerings, it was a great alternative to the traditional gin and tonic with St Germain, muddled cucumbers, basil, and ginger. The flavors went very well together and the ginger gave it that unique touch. Lastly, I had the chance to sample the Seasonal Cider from the holiday menu. The taste transported me back to wintertime in Europe with the perfect mix for cognac, apple cider and spices such as star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and juniper berries.

Caviar Topped Deviled Eggs from Maze

The Food: Although we were invited by The London Bar to experience the cocktail menu, we decided to order appetizers to hold us over for dinner (excuse: never a good idea to drink on an empty stomach).  At the recommendation of the bar staff, we ordered the caviar deviled eggs and the seared scallops. Both were exceptional but our favorite were the deviled eggs. The caviar melted perfectly in my mouths, a lovely treat.

Experts at the Craft at The London Bar

The Experience:  If you want a perfectly crafted drink by skilled mixologists, this is the place for you. It is on the expensive side but it is the perfect way to treat yourself after a long day of meetings, sightseeing, or shopping. What we liked the most: the quality of the mixologists. There are not college kids or wannabe models trying to mix drinks. We had the wannabe model/bartender experience in another hotel bar in the city and it was awful.  These gentlemen know their spirits and ingredients to deliver a quality product. You are certainly getting what you paid for.
Tip: If you’re a cocktail enthusiast, go early to be able to interact with the staff. 

*Disclaimer: The drinks were provided by The London Bar NYC and we purchased the food. Again, I only share experiences I love and am objective in my reviews

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