Inquiring Minds Want to Know!
With news of New York City businesses heralding their comeback amid the cautious resurgence of in-person dining, events and socializing; I received a myriad of inquiries from as far as Germany, Italy, Paris, and Switzerland about whether restaurants and theaters are fully opened and operational in New York City, and whether Covid restrictions have been liftted.
Closer to home, the art world celebrated The Armory’s announcement of its in -person September show at a new location. And with that, an out of town art market colleague wrote to announce her impending visit to New York City to scout locations and informed I should calendar a date for meeting with her and other associates over dinner. Where should we dine? She asked.
Her email fueled a bit of personal excitement and desire to emerge from the year-long rot in which I found myself - especially after contracting the nasty virus, which had me hospitalized twice in three months. To combat its continued mental effects, I now find myself taking in, deep, purposeful, labored breaths of air, to constantly remind myself what inhaling perfect gulps of oxygen feels like. After all, I am breathing in life itself.
So back to the fun stuff. And so, where should we dine? I decided a bit of research would bode well to determine if there were new policies in place at our old “watering holes,” such as if they now call for reservations ahead of time, were there capacity restrictions, and are there still Covid policies in place - such as if vaccinations or masks required for entry. After all, 70 percent vaccinations in New York City is not 100 percent, and while hospitalizations and deaths have been markedly reduced - the virus remains.
I went directly to the all time favorites:
CONRAD NEW YORK DOWNTOWN
Battery Park - 102 North End Avenue, New york, NY 10281
212 945 0100
Situated alongside the Hudson River, is the Conrad New York Downtown Hotel, with its stunning 15-story atrium lobby and dramatic entrance to the ATRIO Wine Bar & Restaurant located in the center of the Hotel - a vision which never gets old.
ATRIO is billed as a modern restaurant, plating New American, locally sourced seasonal dishes, prepared from a dramatic open kitchen which the restaurant invites you to watch as their team of chefs prepare delicious dishes created with the finest local produce and a dash of passion.”
Inquiring minds want to know. Will the pleasant Jamaican Bartender be at his station in this modern space, making recommendations for delicious appetizers to accompany the wine or the signature mix drinks he pours?
I would be remiss if I did not mention my obsession at this hotel - the extremely soft and absorbent hand and face towels in the posh, guest powder rooms. I often wondered if they possessed their very own percale count. With the shortage of paper over the pandemic period, will the hotel still be able to offer the same?
Hours: Breakfast at ATRIO runs from 6:00am – 11:30am and All Day Dining from 5:30pm – 11:00pm.
CROSBY STREET HOTEL-
79 Crosby Street, New York, NY
646 929 6307.
Nestled in New York’s chic, trendy Soho neighborhood sits the Crosby Street Hotel with its Crosby Bar and Restaurant. Pre-pandemic, welcome pleasantries were in large supply upon entering this polished hotel featuring art-filled walls and lobby, and a beautiful, plush bar and restaurant. I have with cherished out-of-town guests enjoyed Saturday brunch, dinner and drinks at this elegant space - now with traditional Afternoon Tea a featured offer.
I was happy to discover the following announcement on the hotel’s home page: “We are delighted to announce that The Crosby Bar has reopened for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served daily from 8am to 9pm. Due to capacity restrictions, reservations are recommended. Please call us at (646) 929-6307. We very much look forward to welcoming you back!”
EATALY Downtown New York
At the Oculus World Trade Center
101 Liberty Street, 3rd Floor, New York City
212 897 2895
I look forward to once again sitting at tables surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass windows, occasionally taking in the sights of picturesque images of architectural structures, while sending one last email - over coffee - awaiting the arrival of guests. Gnocchi on my mind!
For me Eataly scores extra points for its close proximity to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and YES my younger son works very close by. Oh wait, we will be hosting an out of town guest. This calls for a bit of grace and selflessness. Right.
Will there now be a time limit to peruse the wonderful gift shops, with their gourmet sauces, pasta, cheese, olive oil, specialty vinegars, wine and coffee stations, candles, soaps and more - after dinner?
Hours: Sunday thru Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
THE LUDLOW HOTEL
Dirty French
180 Ludlow Street, New York, NY
A group favorite. Remembering cocktails in the Bar Lounge with its cozy couches before being seated under elegant dimly-lit chandeliers for delicious appetizers and savory dishes. An evening dining at this Lower Eastside chic, classic French Bistro will surely feel like an experience.
Is vaccination now required for entry? Is there now time and capacity limits? Are masks required? Maybe the out of town guest will want to stop by the Richard Taittinger Gallery on the way to the Ludlow Lobby Bar Lounge.
Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 5:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Staten Island Anyone?
Maybe the group feels like taking a Staten Island Ferry ride for a bit of nostalgia. It bodes well that the Ferry is New York City’s only free transportation, offering a ride on the water with views of historic monuments along the way - such as the Statue of Liberty, Governor’s and Ellis Islands, and the Brooklyn and Verrazano Bridges.
We could select restaurants from Island favorites for their close proximity to the ferry dock and for their mouth-watering choices of appetizers, beers, sangrias, margaritas, Pinots and yes oysters, fish and steak dinners.
I know the following Staten Island haunts have been opened and serving guests:
BESO
11 Schuyler Street, Staten Island, NY
718-816-8162
Nestled in a cozy, brick-walled space, steps from the Ferry Terminal on Staten Island sits BESO, a Spanish restaurant with selections of delicious tapas and choices from traditional appetizer and entree menu.
For those who enjoy Spanish food, the Paella, tacos, burritos and flan will not disappoint. Additionally, an assortment of white and red Sangria awaits.
Hours: Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
BLU
115 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10310
718 283 7777
BLU boasts an elegant atmosphere to enjoy plates from its Mediterranean and American menus, with choice wine, Sangria and other aperitif selections. Patrons can dine overlooking the bay with the occasional ships seeming to meander by, adding to the pleasing aesthetics of the restaurant. Thoughts of the Beet and Goat Cheese salad excite MY senses.
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. - to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.. Happy Hour 3 - 6 p.m.
CRAFT HOUSE
60 Vanduzer Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
718 442 3433
A 10-minute walk from the ferry, this funky, rustic brewpub with a beer garden offers brews on tap and its signature KillsBoro beer made on the premises, with selections to match every tastebud. And if a mix drink is your preference ask for their wicked Dark and Stormy which I find matches their medley of fusion barbecues.
Meat eaters, their slowly smoked ribs with special sauce; chicken and waffles and Jalapeño cornbread are everything. The menu is curated specifically to pair with all of the local brews created on location.
Hours: Wednesday thru Friday 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2:00 - 10:00p.m. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
MAIZAL Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Bar
990 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10305
347 825 3776
With its tagline “Try one of our signature selections and see what everyone’s talking about,” from its menu of traditional Mexican favorites, I hear the spicy burritos, chicken fajitas, Enchiladas de Mole poblano - Mexico's Iconic dish - and their signature spicy margaritas are palate pleasers.
I for one can attest to the creamy, delicious Guacamole, a vegan delight, made to order on volcanic stone with the freshest ingredients.
Hours: Monday thru Thursday 12:00 - 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., Sundays 12:00 p.m - 8:30 p.m.
RUDDY and DEAN
44 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
718 816 4400
Literally steps across from the Ferry’s landing dock on Staten Island sits a classic chophouse, serving dry-aged steaks along with a menu of classic American favorites. The bar offers a line up of international beers and aperitifs.
In my steak-eating days I enjoyed mouth-watering Porterhouse dinners at this establishment, and it did not hurt that the owner came to our table to say hello each time. This could be an excellent choice steps from the Ferry for my friends who still enjoy a good steak dinner. I know some will go for blue oysters, seared scallops or seasonal catch of fish offered on the menu. A vegan in a chophouse? Stuffed mushrooms, mashed potato and steamed spinach - works for me every time.
Hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:00 - 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 1:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.
Decision, decision. Indecision. Should we break the mold and try a new recommended eatery which has been on MY list to match MY newly-found veganism taste buds? I can already see the eyes rolling and hear the moans and sighs.
That’s perfectly fine. I know a beautiful, design industry PR maven who will gladly oblige me for a vegan meet up. She has been beckoning to meet when my health returns.
I am pleased to report that with the help of visiting nurses and an effective physical therapist, I think I can begin to cautiously emerge from the Covid-driven cocoon in which I now reside. With the New York Governor announcing full opening of the city’s commercial and social establishments on June 15, 2021, I could not wait to report the progress to the Europeans - who remain guarded but anxious to once again visit New York City for its cultural happenings - beginning with theaters, art shows and restaurants.
I look forward to hearing, in-person, about everyone’s pandemic survival stories.
NOTE: for those who indulge in drinking alcoholic beverages, please do so responsibly; do not drink and drive. And, remember the Surgeon General’s advisory against pregnant women consuming alcohol. If you are an international traveler, be aware of and adhere to the drinking age restrictions in the United States, which begins at 18 years old.
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