5 Best Hotel Culinary Experiences In NYC
When it comes to hotels in New York City, most of them are pretty luxurious. Here are five places that are serving up equally as excellent culinary experiences that will make you want to book a staycation this summer and beyond. By Carly Petrone.
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When you think of high tea, do tiny little sandwiches with cut off crusts come to mind? Step into Measure Lounge, inside beautiful Langham Place, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, and you'll certainly see a menu that's anything but ordinary. Enjoy a Warm Scotch Egg with chopped pork, chorizo, and curry mayonnaise, a miniature King Crab Roll with thousand island dressing and micro herbs, and Hummus Gougers with vegetable provencale. For dessert, you're going to want to savor each bite because the cheesecake filled strawberry (yes, we said cheesecake filled) is dipped in chocolate and absolutely delicious. Those who love macaroons will be happy to try the incredible passion fruit and chocolate cookies that are big enough to share (but you probably won't want to). Finally, the Cookies and Cream Profiterole and Nutmeg and Cinnamon Scones with clotted cream are the perfect ending to this decadent meal. But it wouldn't be high tea without…tea! Sip on a tea selection from Pursuit of Tea – our favorite is definitely the mint but those looking for some caffeine should try the Earl Grey or Genmaicha blends. Also, make sure to stop in and check out the new artwork by Alex Katz that will be on display starting in September. Happy sipping!
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Sit down at Hakubai at The Kitano and enjoy a formal Japanese dinner. Executive Chef Yukihiro Sato is serving up traditional Japanese cuisine using seasonal ingredients. We suggest trying one of the Kaiseki dinners. The Omakase Kaiseki (which translates to Put Your Trust In Me) is definitely for the adventurous eater – the chef will lead you through a multi-course tasting dinner that is based on the daily market availability. This meal includes appetizers, sashimi, a simmered dish, a dish of various delicacies, a main dish, and dessert for $190. You may also notice that each course is served on a unique plate imported from Japan, making it even more special. It's also a great place to order noodle dishes like Inaniwa or Nabeyaki Udon as well as Teuchi Soba (served cold). There's also plenty to choose from the entrée, sushi & sashimi, and appetizer menus. IN fact, when guests order the Chawan Mushi (steamed egg custard with seasonal vegetables, chicken, and crab meat), 25 cents will be donated to provide a nutritional lunch for a child in a developing country, courtesy of the Japanese non-profit organization Table for Two. Pair your meal with one of their many sakes or shochus and you'll feel like you've taken a trip across the globe. Reservations are required for Kaiseki dinners and private Tatami room or semi-private dining rooms can accommodate 3 – 20 people.
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Those looking for a hearty family-style meal should head over to Locande Verde inside The Greenwich Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Not only is the menu affordable but the décor is just enchanting. Sit outside in the courtyard and you'll feel like you're eating dinner in an Italian villa. Some standout dishes include the Sheep's Milk Whipped Ricotta with rustic warm bread, the Wood-Fired Chicken with local roasted vegetables, garlic, and lemon, as well as the flavorful Casarecce with English peas, green, olives, and pecorino. The portions are big enough to share but you might want to keep the sour cherry and rhubarb crumb with olive oil gelato to yourself. It's just that good. If you're lucky enough to stay at the hotel's Tribeca Penthouse (it's 4,000 square feet and $15,000/night in the summer), you can enjoy a personal visit from the chef and dine outside at the large dining table overlooking the Hudson. Hey, in New York, anything can happen right?
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The newly opened Baccarat Hotel exudes sophistication and class and it's the perfect place to enjoy a fancy cocktail and high quality French meal. Grab a drink at The Bar first and take in the beautiful interior design of the space. It's distinctive black and white checkerboard floors and glittering red Baccarat chandeliers are just a few of the stand outs – and this doesn't even include the cocktails! Sip on a sidecar or French 75 from Baccarat crystal glasses before sitting down for dinner at Chevalier, located just down the hall. Start with Caviar Service for $45 with traditional accouterments or a Chef's selection of housemade charcuterie and terrines for $26. Main dishes include Maine Lobster with caramelized salsify, baby leeks, chanterelles, and brown butter, Veal Loin and Sweetbread with eggplant Aigre doux, nicoise olives, and toasted pinenut puree, and Entrecote with roasted baby carrots and spinach gratin. Round out your decadent meal with their Valrhona Chocolate Souffle with Grand Marnier Crème Anglaise or Wild Berry Cassonade with Vanilla Crème Brulee and Caramelized Muscavado. Two courses cost $74, three for $96, and Chef tasting menu is also available. If you can't fly to France, get your fix by enjoying a meal here.
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It wouldn't be a true culinary experience without a good cocktail. Head over to the recently opened St. Cloud rooftop bar atop The Knickerbocker Hotel (also a member of The Leading Hotels of the World) and take in the gorgeous views of Times Square. Mixologist Michael Smith will meticulously whip up a traditional Knickerbocker Martini, which was specifically made for John D. Rockefeller at the hotel back in 1911. With just a few key ingredients - sweet and dry vermouth, London Dry Gin, lemon peel, and bitters – this drink takes you back to the pre-prohibition era of decadence and wealth. Ask about the bar's small plates menu – including the Wagyu Hot Dog (that's certainly big enough for two) and Tuna Tacos with wasabi aioli and cilantro. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a small dish of crème brulee or decadent chocolate brownie and you've got yourself one meal to remember. If you're celebrating a big occasion, definitely ask about reserving one of the three VIP sky pods they have available – you won't want to miss out on that view.
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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.
