Review of The London NYC Hotel:

The Location:  The London NYC Hotel is located on W 54^th Street (Between 7^th and 8^th Ave).  Although Times Square is a short walk away, the street is very quiet, which is a perfect escape from the madness of the city.  There are also several metro and bus stops nearby, which is a biggie if you’re out and about in New York City.  Central Park is also walking distance to the hotel, which is perfect if you’re looking to go for a run or a simple stroll around the city.

The Rooms:  The hotel is an all-suite hotel, which means that all of their rooms have a separate living room area, bedroom, and full bath.  It’s literally bigger than most of my friend’s apartments in the city. Some of the suites have a view of Central Park (unfortunately we couldn’t get one of those… boo) but make sure to ask if there’s one available during check-in.  Both Kristen and I were happy with the separate living room which also had a work area. That gave us the opportunity to follow up after we spent the day at the New York Times Travel Show.

The Food:  My first encounter with The London NYC Hotel was a cocktail hour at The London Bar back in the fall of 2014.  I must admit, the experience made me fall in love with hotel bars all over again.  The London Bar is a very intimate space; the cyan leather booths remind me of a haute diner. The cocktails are all hand-crafted by expert bartenders who have been working at the hotel for years.  These guys are pros, this is their profession, unlike other bars in NYC who have aspiring actors who could care less about a craft cocktail.  Jean-Carlos, one of the head bartender says that they work closely with the restaurant chefs in order to come up with original cocktails that can be paired with their dishes.  I tried both their bar and breakfast menu and must say there are some delicious gems to indulge in such as caviar topped deviled eggs and a delicious breakfast buffet which includes fresh smoothies.

The Gym:  After all the indulgence in NYC, the hotel has a great gym to work those calories off.  We liked that it had a lot of natural light, which is rare in an NYC hotel.  It has a combo of cardio, free weights, Pilates, and everyone’s favorite thing: the punching bag. Tough business trip? You can work off your frustrations there!

The Service:  Whether it is at The London Bar or the concierge desk, the staff at The London NYC Hotel is very hospitable.  I also enjoy that even though they host celebrities (I spotted Damian Lewis on the lobby), the staff is classy, poised, yet very down to earth.

The Verdict:  I’m digging for points of improvement for The London NYC Hotel to be objective but must say that both my stays have been superb.  I have also had other friends who have stayed in the property who have had similar feedback.  Bonus:  the hotel is reasonably priced for being an all-suite hotel in NYC: keep your eyes out on social because sometimes they post specials starting at $249 / night.

I recommend The London NYC Hotel for: business travel, girls’ trips, wedding parties, and small families. http://www.thelondonnyc.com/

Disclaimer: I was hosted at The London NYC but as always, opinions are my own. 

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Chelsea Market:  If you love food and design, Chelsea Market is the place for you.  Upon entering, you’re taken with the scents of the many eateries of the market and the rustic design.  With everything from crepes to lobster rolls, there’s something for everyone.  It’s perfect if you’re traveling with a group who cannot agree on a cuisine.  One of my favorite places is the Doughnuttery, which makes deliciously decadent mini doughnuts which are tossed in a flavored sugar. My last time there was in the fall. Of course I had to indulge in the pumpkin spice. Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011. Nearest Subway Stop: 14^th St and 8^th Ave

Gansevoort Market: Located steps away from Chelsea Market, Gansevoort is much smaller, with more of an intimate vibe and less crowds than its bigger neighbor.   There you can indulge in Colombian arepas, spicy Thai noodles, and mouthwatering whoopee pies.  In true market vibe, there is also a flower market where you can have flower arrangements made on the spot.  Make sure to pick up a delicious pastry at The Bruffin Café. Gansevoort Market, 52 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014. Nearest Subway Stop: 14^th St and 8^th Ave

Gotham West Market:  This is my latest addition to my New York City food markets adventures.  This Hell’s Kitchen food hall is small but packs in a wide spectrum of vendors.  From tacos to ramen, it was difficult to choose where to eat.  We ended up at Cannibal, just as the name implies, it specializes in cured meats and sausages.  Cannibal is a favorite of my two local NYC friends who took me there.  Not to miss: the hot dogs.  I sampled the “Jimmy The Tulip”.  The toppings of ranch, kale, and pork rinds may sound like an oxymoron, but it was an appropriate hangover treat! Gotham West Café, 600 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036. 15-minute walk from Times Square. Although there are no subway stops, there are several buses that stop very close to the market.

Eataly:  I must admit I was a bit conflicted at first about going here because it seemed so touristy from afar.  However, there’s a reason why crowds come to this place. It is a foodie heaven. You’re welcomed with the warm scent of Nutella as you navigate through a labyrinth of cheese, wine, and homemade pasta.  I could probably spend a whole day reading through the vast collection of cooking books.  Escape the crowds by heading upstairs to La Bierreria, an Italian inspired beerhall and restaurant.  Dining Traveler Tip: You can make reservations ahead of time via Open Table. Eataly: 200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010, Nearest Subway Stop: 23^rd Street.

The New York City food markets I shared are just a small glimpse of the culinary offerings of the city.  Check out my Chinatown post in which my BFF Jaime (who also happens to be fluent in Cantonese) gives me a tour of her beloved spots.  Sometimes is fun to ditch the guidebook and discover that perfect café or restaurant that may be right around the corner from your hotel.   Looking for a place to stay? The London NYC is my go-to place.  Tucked away on 54th street, you have all the attractions nearby without the chaos. Stay tuned for my full review from my most recent stay.

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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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