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Breakfast, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, New York

A Stay at Crosby Street Hotel New York

May 20, 2013 by cheriecity

Crosby Street Hotel is one of downtown New York’s most desirable design hotels and a little corner of London in the Big Apple.

The first US hotel by British boutique hotel brand Firmdale, Crosby Street Hotel is nestled on a quiet cobbled street in SoHo, between Prince and Spring Streets. It’s perfectly positioned for a spot of shopping at Opening Ceremony, a chic lunch at Balthazar or gourmet munchies at Dean & Deluca.

Design director Kit Kemp’s unique style is what draws A-list celebrities and well-heeled travellers to all eight Firmdale hotels and Crosby Street Hotel is just as covetable and luxurious as its London cousins. Think riotous colours expertly paired, exquisite prints, ethnic touches and an enviable art collection.

Arrival

On entering the spacious lobby, there is something interesting that meets the eye in every corner. As we waited for an early check-in, we marvelled at a 10-foot metal sculpture of a human head made up of letter by Jaume Plensa, papier-mâché Beano dogs by Justine Smith and a spectacular Anselm Kiefer painting.

New Yorkers famously love their dogs and Crosby Street Hotel pays tribute to them with dozens of pooches ruling the roost – from the hotel’s stylish logo to artwork throughout the hotel. A portrait of noble Jack Russell Simone watches over guests in the Drawing Room while the lifts feature charming ‘Dogs of Soho’ montages, snapped by Kit and Tim’s daughter Willow Kemp.

The Drawing Room is a residents lounge designed in rich colours with fireplaces, plush embroidered sofas, objects from around the world, an honesty bar and complimentary bites for guests – mini lemon and yoghurt muffins were offered when we were there. The Drawing Room leads on to a leafy courtyard garden for hotel guests only – a perfect retreat in the warmer months.

Crosby Street Hotel features 86 bedrooms over 11 floors and all boast high ceilings and loft-style floor length window.

The Room

Our spacious Luxury Room was vibrant and elegant with an apple green statement wall, large flat screen LCD TV, Tivoli radio, iPod player, DVD/CD player, free wifi, minibar, comfy seating, a large writing desk, mother of pearl dresser and two window seats to enjoy the great views over the Lower East Side.

The sumptuous king-size bed featured a stunning candy stripe headboard, Frette linen and a beautiful hand-made white quilt. A Firmdale signature is the beautiful embroidered silk dressmaker’s form – ours was designed in a pretty chartreuse colour.

A Welcome Treat

We were kindly welcomed with a hand-written note and a special Crosby Street Hotel candle by Miller Harris in a scent created exclusively for the hotel – Le Jardin 10012. It has a seductive, smoky aroma and is available to buy from the hotel as a very stylish souvenir.

Turndown

At turndown, a cotton mat was placed next to the bed and we were given complimentary bottles of Voss water and a Temple Spa Calming Mist to spritz on pillows. In the morning, the The New York Times was delivered and waiting for us by the door.

The Bathroom

The marble bathroom was an absolute delight, with a Lefroy Brooks double sink, a fabulous walk-in shower with the strongest water pressure I’ve ever experience in a hotel, heated towel rails, underfloor heating, bathrobes and slippers, a fun neon stool and a full set of Miller Harris Citron Citron amenities.

Breakfast

After a blissful sleep, we went down to The Crosby Bar and Terrace for a leisurely breakfast. The colourful bar is a real destination restaurant, offering all-day dining, afternoon tea and great cocktails. The charming terrace is a leafy oasis in the middle of SoHo and during the summer, it’s sure to be a hit with both hotel guests and New Yorkers.

The breakfast menu is a real treat and offers everything from Brioche French Toast to an indulgent Champagne Breakfast. I ordered the Crosby Breakfast – a cooked English Breakfast with orange juice, seasonal fruit, yoghurt and pastries from the buffet.

The cooked breakfast was large, filling and perfectly cooked using high quality ingredients. I particularly liked the delicious poached eggs, crispy bacon and the buttery bubble and squeak.

Steven went for the American Breakfast – free range eggs, buttermilk pancakes and sausage. The large pancake was excellent and was served with a jug of maple syrup.

Brits will be delighted that the bar serves excellent loose leaf English Breakfast Tea in a China pot, served boiling hot with a jug of chilled milk. There is even a Warhol-esque portraits of The Queen, pleasing the US fascination with all things royal and referencing the hotel’s British heritage with a dash of eccentric humour.

The Cinema

Like many of the London Firmdale hotels, Crosby Street Hotel has a state-of-the-art screening room and a Sunday Night Film Club. There is also a gym open 24-hours a day, private dining and meeting rooms and a spa treatment room.

Families are also well cared for with a special children’s menu, DVDs and popcorn, children’s books and babysitting service.

Concierge were excellent and advised us on the quickest way to get uptown that day – the New York Subways routes can sometimes need an insider to decode. All of the staff we met were friendly and addressed us by our names every time.

Crosby Street Hotel also has some serious green credentials – it is certified gold LEED by the US Green Building Council. The kitchen garden on the 12th floor has an urban vegetable patch managed by head chef Anthony Paris and a Tudor style chicken coop with four Araucana chickens producing pale blue eggs. The Meadow Suite also boasts a woodland meadow with over 50 varities of native flowering plants.

Crosby Street Hotel has it all – a cool downtown location, gorgeous design, a warm atmosphere and lots of character. Whether it’s staying overnight or hanging out at the bar over smart cocktails or brunch, Crosby Street Hotel is a New York address that you need to know about.

Room rates at Crosby Street Hotel start from $555 per night, based on two sharing a Superior Room. For more information and booking, visit: www.firmdalehotels.com

Chérie City was a guest of Crosby Street Hotel

Photos by Chérie City and Crosby Street Hotel

Cafes, Newcastle, Patisserie, Stores, USA

Sprinkles Cupcakes Midtown East, New York

May 13, 2013 by cheriecity

All shopping trips in New York should end with a cupcake and if you’re around the designer department stores of Fifth and Madison Avenues, it has to be Sprinkles Cupcakes. Just a few steps away from Bloomingdales, Sprinkles Cupcakes is known as the world’s first cupcake bakery – founder Candace Nelson opened the original store in Beverly Hills in 2005.

Sprinkles Cupcakes has a small number of high end boutiques across America – just one in New York – and there is even a Cupcake ATM offering cupcakes days and night in Beverly Hills.

The Manhattan Sprinkles is sleek, minimalist, colourful and covered in its trademark modern dots. The selection of cupcakes is overwhelming, with a mix of classics and daily specials to choose from, alongside coffee and teas.

I ordered the Black and White cupcake – Belgian dark chocolate cake with creamy vanilla frosting. The dark cake was moist and rich with a thick layer of dense, sweet high quality vanilla frosting and dark chocolate sprinkles.

Steven went for the Triple Cinnamon cupcake – lightly spiced buttermilk cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting dusted with cinnamon sugar. The cupcake was deliciously spiced and it went well with the lighter cream cheese frosting with the signature Sprinkles dot.

All cupcakes are $3.50 each and are quite substantial and decadent without being too sugary. I liked that the cupcakes are handcrafted and don’t taste artificial in any way.

If you think you have what it takes to recreate a Sprinkles cupcake at home, home-bake mixes are available to buy in different flavours – what could be a better NYC souvenir for cupcake lovers?

For more information, visit: www.sprinkles.com

All photos by Chérie City

London, Restaurants

Tavolata Brunch At Cucina Asellina – London

May 10, 2013 by cheriecity

Cucina Asellina on Aldwych brings Italian feasting to London with its indulgent Tavolata Brunch.

Based on the popular Ristorante Asellina in New York, Cucina Asellina is contemporary with an industrial-luxe feel, designed in warm, earthy colours with white and chocolate brown leather seating and clever lighting. Given the location and the slick interiors, you might expect overly sophisticated dishes, but Cucina Asellina is all about rustic, authentic Italian home cooking at its very best.

At the weekend, the menu features brunch classics with an Italian twist but also tavolata sharing plates served between 2 and 8 people. Inspiration comes from convivial Italian family meals where the table is filled with large dishes and everyone serves each other. There were a few large parties doing exactly that when we visited, alongside couples enjoying one big sharing dish.

When we were seated, our friendly, charming waiter explained the tavolata menu and made personal recommendations, all of which we ordered.

We began brunch with a short, strong and expertly-mixed Negroni (£9). This was followed by a wooden board of artisan breads – Italian crisp bread, grissini and freshly-baked foccaccia that was springy and salty yet not too oily.

To start, we tried the Square spaghetti, pomodoro, fresh basil and olive oil (£9). The perfectly al dente medium-thick spaghetti was smothered in an excellent home-made sauce – richly roasted with a clean basil taste – and topped with freshly-shaven Parmesan. It was an Italian classic done extremely well and the portion size was very generous – in fact, it could have easily been a main course.

We also tried the Oven baked eggs, pane Carasau, tomato, Pecorino cheese (£8). This was almost like a lasagne with torn pieces of Sardinian bread that asorbed the tangy tomato sauce. The eggs were cooked with the yolks quite well done and the Pecorino added an intense, salty kick – definitely a unique dish worth ordering.

After a short rest, we were brought an enormous sharing platter of Lemon and rosemary organic chicken, truffle crushed potatoes, pancetta and braised cabbage (£17 per person). I would find it hard not to rave about this chicken, as it really was heaven on a plate.

The whole chicken was deconstructed into four sections and roasted until golden brown and crispy, with large wedges of lemon and torn rosemary. The meat was tender and juicy while the skin was covered in a zesty, sticky glaze.

The accompaniments are what elevated the chicken from tasty to incredible. The crushed potatoes were soft and herby with a scattering of black truffles and truffle oil. The braised cabbage was buttery and flavoursome, mixed with meaty and authentic pancetta. The dark, rich and slightly sharp jus really added the final tasty touch.

Each tavolata sharing dish comes with the scrumptious house bread and a large bowl of fresh salad. The Italian manager encouraged us to tuck into more of the bread, so there’s really no possibility of leaving brunch feeling peckish.

For dessert, we went with another of the waiter’s suggestions, as he’d led us to some good choices already – the Gianduja Semifreddo (£6). The luxurious hazelnut frozen cream was rich and smooth and topped with gianduja curls, strawberry sauce and crunchy candied hazelnuts. These crunchy pieces of caramel and hazelnut were scattered throughout the semifreddo – a lovely surprise and very indulgent.

We also shared a much lighter Sambuca Panna Cotta and Balsamic strawberries (£6). It quite didn’t have the wow factor of the Gianduja Semifreddo, but the panna cotta was cool and creamy with just a hint of anise and the juicy strawberries went well with the balsamic vinegar and fresh mint.

The rich coffee aromas from other tables were tempting, but we both ordered the Fresh Mint Tea (£3.50), which came served in elegant glass teapots with a pot of honey to sweeten.

Cucina Asellina is perfect if you want a sociable, relaxing Mediterranean brunch where you can indulge in exquisite food at surprisingly reasonable prices. For the melt-in-the-mouth lemon and rosemary roast chicken alone, it’s an absolute must!

For more info and booking, visit: www.togrp.com

Chérie City was a guest of Cucina Asellina

Photos by Chérie City and Cucina Asellina

Beach, Cherie Soleil, Cyprus

The Best Things To Do In Ayia Napa

May 8, 2013 by cheriecity

Ayia Napa has the reputation of a hedonistic party town – an alternative to Ibiza where the UK garage scene migrated and took over the beach bars and clubs in the summers of the late nineties. The clubbing scene is still going strong in the summer – it’s now all about dubstep – but there’s so much more to Ayia Napa than raving and cheap fishbowl cocktails…

Out of the high season, Ayia Napa is peaceful, quiet and warm without being blisteringly hot. There are few tourists, so it’s a chance to enjoy the uncrowded beaches, get a decent table at the best restaurants and chat with the ever-so-friendly locals.

The main strip on Nissi Avenue is very commercial and not the prettiest resort centre I’ve visited, but there are plenty of hidden gems and picturesque spots to be found in Ayia Napa…

Ayia Napa Monastery

This is a must-see for its beautiful, historical architecture and tranquil courtyards. Originally built around 1500AD, the monastery is dedicated to ‘Our Lady of the Forests’, referencing the ancient Greek word for wooded valley, ‘napa’. A newer church was built around a cave where an icon of the Virgin Mary was said to be found and the ancient sycamore tree in the grounds is believed to be 600 years old.

Agioi Anargyroi-Konnos Trail

For an exhilarating yet easy walk with breathtaking views of the coast, try the Agioi Anargyroi-Konnos Trail at Cape Greco. Discover sea caves and vegetation such as wild asparagus and Phoenician juniper along the 1.4km route – a leisurely 30 minutes walk. Finish with a picnic of traditional Cypriot delights at Konnos Bay, prepared by the nearby Grecian Park Hotel.

Take a Boat Trip

A stay in Ayia Napa wouldn’t be complete without a boat trip. Of course there are the typical ‘booze cruises’, as seen on Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents, but our half-day on board the Agia Trias III was a much classier affair.

We set sail from the Golden Coast harbour in Protaras and cruised, with ice-cold beers and Cypriot coffee in hand, to Cavo Maris for watersports, followed by a barbecue lunch on board. Sailor Lambros is a real hoot and looked after us well. If you’re lucky, you might see dolphins jumping out of the water alongside the boat.

Ride a Crazy UFO

Watersports are a must in Ayia Napa, as the jewel-coloured water is so inviting and calm. I loved zooming across the waves on a jet ski followed by chilling in the sun on a pedalo. The braver ones in our group tried parasailing and held on for dear life on a Flying Fish. I was coaxed into joining the others on a Crazy UFO and found it terrifying yet thrilling – not for the faint-hearted (here I am, second from the left).

Visit a Museum

Back on dry land, a fun, educational activity for the family is the Thalassa Municipal Museum of the Sea. Located in the centre of Ayia Napa in a cool, contemporary building, the museum explores the importance of the sea in Cyprus.

Visitors can marvel at ‘Kyrena II’, a life size exact replica of the ancient ship of Kyrenia, of the Classical period. Also on display are Cypriot antiquities, fossils and taxidermy models of seabirds, fish and enormous sharks.

Prophet Elias Chapel

If you’re feeling limber, climb the steep 153 steps to Prophet Elias Chapel in Protaras, where you will be rewarded with stunning views over the region. Look out for the tree of remembrance and visit later in the day to watch the sunset.

For more destination ideas, read my post on Dining in Ayia Napa, from the best traditional tavernas to stylish poolside cocktails.

All photos by Chérie City

Chérie City was a guest of Visit Cyprus

Beauty, London, Spa

Spa LONDON Ironmonger Row Baths Islington

May 7, 2013 by cheriecity

Going to a spa in London is the perfect indulgence for a little ‘me time’, however high prices can make it a very occasional treat. Spa LONDON, the public sector spa group, is one to put in your address book for luxurious yet affordable treatments and facilities.

Recently, Spa LONDON opened its fourth spa – Ironmonger Row Baths – in Islington, just a short walk from Old Street Station. The splendid Victorian building was once a wash house and later a traditional Turkish baths, which has been restored in a major £16.5m renovation project.

I visited on a weekday afternoon and was surprised to see just how many people were there having a leisurely spa day – they were obviously in on the secret sharpish. When I arrived, the spa receptionist asked me to fill in a health questionnaire and exchanged my shoes with some rubber slippers, an oversize bath robe, large towel and a locker key. The changing room is small, but there’s an adjoining vanity room where you can dry your hair and use GHD hair straighteners.

The spa was much larger and high tech than I expected and it was fun to work my way through the different facilities. The three Aroma Steam Rooms were the most spacious I’ve ever seen in a spa, with wide marble seating, and each had its own essential oil fragrance and lighting based on colour therapy. My favourite was the eucalyptus room, as the menthol helped me breathe more clearly.

The two saunas were set at different temperatures and both were pristine and powerful. The three hot rooms were a new experience for me but the only one that felt really effective for me was the Laconium room with hot marble seating to relax and unwind the muscles.

For cooling down, I particularly liked the Ice Fountain, where you can pick up small shards of ice to rub across your skin – cooling the body temperature and helping firm the skin. The Monsoon Shower and the Hammam also offer relief from the intense heat – and if you’re brave enough, the Bucket Shower and ice-cold Plunge Pool.

After I’d explored all of the facilities, I showered and headed to the Relaxation Room for a few moments before being called for my treatments. Guests can sip on herbal teas and chilled water infused with fresh limes, or order a light lunch of meze platters, while lounging on the comfortable spa beds with blankets.

My lovely therapist took me to one of the four treatment rooms for a Spa LONDON Back Massage (£35 for 25 minutes). As I lay on the spa bed, a bowl of Elemis spearmint essential oil water was placed on the floor, so I could breathe in the aromas. The massage was effective and my therapist used exactly the right pressure – I almost drifted off.

This was followed by an Elemis Clarity Facial (£37 for 25 minutes), which included a cleanse, tone, exfoliation, mask, massage and moisturise. My skin felt very soft and plump afterwards and the right products were used for my skin – nothing felt too heavy or oily.

Spa LONDON Ironmonger Row Baths facilities are so advanced and spacious that it can compete with many of the city’s high end spas. Treatment prices are very reasonable – many are less than £1 per minute – and the results are effective, particularly after using the spa facilities.

There are a few finishing touches that Spa LONDON doesn’t offer such as bath products in the showers or a machine to dry your swimsuit, however, avoiding sometimes unnecessary extras helps keep prices low – just go prepared with everything you need.

The spa operates on a single and mixed sex basis throughout the week, so you can plan your visits accordingly. Treatments start from just £10, while a three hour visit to the thermal suite costs just £8.75 for concessions, rising to £17.50 for local residents and £25 for others.

For more information and booking, visit: www.spa-london.org

Chérie City was a guest of Spa London

For more spa ideas, read my reviews of:

Airlines, Designers, Fashion

Vivienne Westwood Designs New Virgin Atlantic Uniform

May 2, 2013 by cheriecity

Virgin Atlantic staff always catch my eye in the airport with their striking red suits and immaculately groomed appearance – they even have their own exclusive Bare Minerals red lipstick. Now, the cabin crew are set to look even more stylish in the sky with a brand new uniform designed by Vivienne Westwood.

The new uniforms are signature Westwood – form-fitting with bold lines, exaggerated curves and exquisite tailoring. While the uniforms have a futuristic look, her design references were 40s French couture cutting techniques, Savile Row and the enduring glamour of luxury air travel.

This exciting partnership between the two innovative British brands focuses on original design and particular sustainability. Many items of the new uniform will be produced using recycled materials, using recycled polyester yarn made from used plastic bottles and fabric with a special nano finish to extend the life of garments.

Vivienne Westwood has also designed recycled bags for the ground staff which will be produced for Virgin through the Ethical Africa Programme using various discarded materials, made in the Kibera slum, Nairobi.

Vivienne Westwood said: “I am always trying to find fabrics that are more friendly to the environment – working with Virgin Atlantic they managed to research into this and find more eco fabrics”.

Richard Branson also said of the collaboration: “When we were choosing the designer for this project, we wanted to work with a group of people who share our spirit of adventure, who believe in challenging the status quo and creating something truly memorable.”

Virgin Atlantic travellers can get a sneak peek of the uniform being trialled from July 2013, before the full launch next year. I’m looking forward to seeing Vivienne Westwood’s creations next time I fly with Virgin Atlantic and am curious to see the ways that recycled materials will be transformed into chic, wearable garments.

Watch this video to hear more on the uniform from Vivienne Westwood and Richard Branson…

To explore the Virgin Atlantic uniform project, visit the Pinterest board at http://pinterest.com/VirginAtlantic/New-Red-Threads/ and join the conversation on Twitter using #newredthreads.

Brunch, Hotels, Hotels - Design, Hotels - Luxury, London, Restaurants

Dim Sum Brunch at Asia de Cuba, London

May 1, 2013 by cheriecity

Weekend brunches seem to have replaced Sunday roasts as my new favourite London dining habit. Really, what could be better than a lazy Sunday afternoon filled with delicious dim sum, exotic cocktails and a live Cuban band?

Sunday Dim Sum Brunch at Asia de Cuba, St Martins Lane Hotel, is fun and sociable with baskets of steamed or fried treats to share. I adore the design of Asia de Cuba – it’s bright and airy and has the atmosphere of an art gallery, with black and white photographs adorning the walls and plush booth seating.

We started with cocktails and ordered a Dragon’s Twist – Aba Pisco shaken with fresh lychees, dragon fruit & elderflower liqueur, finished with a dash of ginger beer (£12.50). This juicy cocktail was very easy to drink and had lots of tiny crunchy black seeds from the the dragon fruit – for an alcoholic drink, it tasted rather healthy.

We liked it so much that we went for the same again, but another signature brunch cocktail is the Spiced Mango – Chinese pear infused Sake shaken with fresh mango, home-made chilli, basil sugar & a hint of lime (£12.50).

I’m not a huge fan of ceviche, but if you want to start with something light, the Ceviche Tasting (four for £28) looked colourful, fresh well-presented. Instead, we saved room for basket after basket of scrumptious dim sum served in threes.

My favourites were the Chicken, Spring Onion & Ginger Wontons (£5.50), Pot Roast Pork Belly Buns (£5), Lobster Chive & Coriander Shu Mai (£6.50) and Tiger Prawn Potstickers (£6). The moreish little parcels were packed full of succulent meat and seafood and weren’t at all greasy or heavy like dim sum can sometimes be. They were served with a trio of mouthwatering dipping sauces that complemented the flavours.

Another highlight were the plump and crispy Crab Croquetas with jicama, mango and mirin infused slaw and roasted red pepper rémoulade (a slightly pricey £19).

We also enjoyed the Miso Black Cod & Snow Pea Spring Rolls (£6.50) and Shanghai Vegetable Spring Rolls (£5) – they were light and crunchy with a nice grainy coating. I wasn’t so keen on the texture of the Steamed Oxtail & Kimchee Dumplings (£6.50) and found the Bok Choi, Bamboo Shoot & Chilli Potstickers (£5) overwhelmingly aromatic, but I loved all of the other dishes that I tried.

It’s essential to leave some room for dessert – you wouldn’t want to miss the heavenly Mexican Doughnuts – sweet brioche donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar filled with butterscotch sauce (£6.50).

The light and fluffy bite-size doughnuts were filled with oozing, warm butterscotch sauce – a light and satisfying treat to end the meal. Having an allergy to coffee, I could only stare longingly at the Cuba Coffee Brownie with fudge sauce, Kahlua glaze and fudge brownie ice cream (£6.50) – it looked wickedly good.

Dim Sum Brunch at Asia de Cuba is perfect if you like to graze leisurely on small dishes and indulge in some expertly-mixed cocktails. The dim sum are so tempting that you could easily keeping ordering more and more to try them all and revisit favourites. The sunny sounds of live Cuban jazz trio Son Yambu bring a touch of Havana to London, delaying that Sunday ‘end of the weekend’ feeling a little longer.

Dim Sum Brunch take places at Asia de Cuba every Sunday from 12pm-5pm. For more information and booking, visit: www.stmartinslane.com

Chérie City was a guest of Asia de Cuba

Photos by Chérie City and Asia de Cuba

New York, Restaurants

Breakfast At Pulino’s, New York

April 30, 2013 by cheriecity

Pulino’s is the more low-key, downtown sister of Keith McNally’s Pastis and Balthazar – it’s certainly more affordable too. Located on the Bowery and just a short stroll from our hotel, Thompson LES, we decided to have a leisurely breakfast there to set us up for the day.

The interiors resemble many of the other restaurants in the group with high ceilings, checkered floors, booth tables and brasserie-style wooden furniture. The walls are lined with hundreds of spirit bottles and there are baskets of Balthazar bread to tempt you as you walk in, as well as a rack of magazines and newspapers to catch up on some reading.

The restaurant was quiet when we arrived, with just a few other tables finishing their morning meetings. We both went for the very reasonably priced Breakfast Special ($10) – two eggs any style, potatoes, choice of white or wheat toast, a freshly-squeezed orange juice and a cappuccino.

It took a long, long time for the breakfasts to arrive, but when we eventually got to eat, they were delicious. The scrambled eggs were creamy and plentiful while the flavoursome potatoes were sauteed in sweet onion, chilli, spinach and garlic. The only thing I didn’t like was the thick white toast that tasted like the long-life bread that you might find in a supermarket. It was disappointing for a restaurant that uses Balthazar bread, which I hesitate to say that it was.

The English Breakfast Tea (Twinings) was served piping hot in a tea pot, however we weren’t given any milk or even lemon and Steven was also brought tea, despite ordering a cup of Stumptown Coffee Co. Balthazar Blend. The orange juice was very good and high quality, although it didn’t appear to be freshly-squeezed in the restaurant.

On the whole I liked Pulino’s and enjoyed our breakfast, but there were a few annoyances. The waiting time to receive our food was far too long, considering there were only two other tables present and preparing scrambled eggs is far from time-consuming.

Our first waitress was fine, but another member of staff managed to serve us without saying one word throughout. I’m a regular at Balthazar Bakery in London for a pastry fix and always find the staff charming, chatty and helpful – I didn’t experience this at Pulino’s. It was also noted that this was the only restaurant we visited in New York where our tip was counted out in front of us before we left the table.

I would go back to Pulino’s to try the pizza at dinner when the restaurant is busier, with more atmosphere and a better standard of service (hopefully). I want to like Pulino’s, so I’ll give it another shot.

All photos by Chérie City

Hotels, Hotels - Budget, Hotels - Design, New York, Restaurants

Futuristic Luxury At YOTEL New York

April 28, 2013 by cheriecity

YOTEL New York is one of the city’s most forward-thinking design hotels, combining cutting edge technology with home comforts.

Following the success of YO SUSHI’s airport pod hotels, the group launched YOTEL New York, its first city hotel. Inspiration for this innovative, minimalist hotel came from the luxury of first class airline travel and micro-living Japanese capsule hotel rooms.

Location

The hotel is located in a quiet, regenerated part of Hell’s Kitchen, just a few blocks from Times Square and close to arty Chelsea. It’s impossible to miss the shiny, glowing white and purple exterior and vertiginous glass tower.

The ‘airport chic’ entrance is lined with automated check-in computers for a hassle-free check-in. It is there that you will meet YOBOT, the world’s first luggage robot who stores guests bags in different sized compartment draws.

The Room

YOTEL New York is a large-scale operation with 669 over 27 floors, from the very affordable Premium Queen Cabins through to the impressive VIP Suites. Our Premium Queen Cabin was slick, stylish and just the right size for a short stay.

Designed simply in white, beige and purple with light wood highlights, the cabin features a techno wall with flat screen TV, a work desk with iPod connectivity and multi power point sockets, open hanging space and a motorised queen bed that transforms into a sofa. The bed was slightly harder than I’d expected once it was flat – perhaps due to its mechanical features – but the linen was crisp and high quality.

Space is used intelligently, with secret storage spots and cup holders around the room, and never once does the room feel too small or claustrophobic. Thoughtful touches such as complimentary wifi, free calls within the US, an iron and ironing board, a good hairdryer and YOTEL-branded pocket tissues made all the difference.

The Bathroom

We found the open-plan bathroom quite spacious, boasting floor to ceiling views of the Manhattan skyline. It features a walk-in monsoon shower, large white towels and face cloths, heated towel rail and YOTEL’s own brand of rather nice rejuvenating and relaxing aromatic body wash/shampoo (no conditioner or body lotion, so plan ahead).

The Penthouse

For longer stays, try the more spacious First King Cabin (some feature a spacious terrace and outdoor soaking tub) or the indulgent yet competitively priced VIP Suite. This plush pad features 180-degree views of the city, a terrace with outdoor soaking tub, Apple Mac, Bower & Wilkins sound system, a dining table that converts into a billiards table, kitchenette with Lavazza coffee machine and fridge freezer, rotating king bed, luxurious bathroom and a separate room with a queen sofa bed.

Complimentary Treats

At YOTEL New York, there are a number of complimentary treats that give it that extra edge. Each floor has a self-service galley with purified water, ice and a Lavazza espresso capsule machine offering cappucinos, lattes, mochas and hot chocolate for the room or to take out. Tea lovers are also taken care of with hot water and boxes of Celestial English Breakfast Tea and Chai.

The galleys were immaculately clean and well-stocked throughout our stay and we loved being able to grab a hot drink whenever we wished. What could feel more homely and comforting than cosying up in bed with an indulgent hot chocolate?

Free Breakfast

YOTEL also serves a complimentary light breakfast of delicious home-made muffins in different flavours with tea and coffee on FOUR (the public floor for socialising and eating). We found the muffins more than sufficient to start the day, but for something more indulgent, DohYO offers well-priced cooked breakfasts.

YOTEL New York also offers a gym, Apple Mac computers for guests to use and Mission Control one-to-one concierge on FOUR. The high tech Club Cabins are great for business meetings and the expansive Studiyo features a boardroom and cinema screening space.

Dinner at DohYO

After a long day of walking around the city, we came back to our room to relax and then downstairs for dinner at YOTEL’s restaurant DohYO (translated as ‘sumo’). The colourful, buzzing restaurant features a Latin Asian tapas menu by Richard Sandoval. The room is lined with intimate booths, but we chose to sit at the centre Japanese-style tables.

DohYO’s sharing dishes are perfect for a lighter supper, however the food is so delicious that it’s easy to keep ordering. We loved the Crunchy Shrimp ($10) with lemon sake aioli, sesame, scallion and masago, and the deliciously sticky teriyaki marinated Crispy Chicken Wings ($9).

The House Ground Beef Sliders ($9) with lemon sake aioli were succulent and nicely charred and the Shrimp & Chicken Fried Rice ($8) was plentiful with a zesty kimchee flavour. Also worth ordering is the tasty and generously sized Wok Seared Cauliflower ($5) with ginger, garlic, Thai chili and black vinegar.

The Terrace

After dinner, the Japanese-style tables are lowered and it becomes a cocktail bar. The lounge on FOUR is another sociable evening spot and in the warmer months, the expansive outdoor terrace is undoubtedly popular for sundowner drinks.

Sunday Brunch

Every Sunday, DohYO hosts the YO! Brunch with free-flowing cocktails and small plates ($40 per guest) and music from New York DJs including Roxy Cottontail, Uri Dalal and Andrew Andrew (the suited and booted iPod DJs in that episode of Girls).

YOTEL New York is a fun, inspiring place to stay with a sociable atmosphere, slick design and homely comforts that no other budget-luxe hotel in the city could possibly offer at such a competitive price. While cosy in the winter, I would be tempted to stay in the summer to enjoy the outdoor terrace and have a long, lazy weekend brunch in the sun.

For more information and booking, visit: www.yotelnewyork.com

Cherie City was a guest of YOTEL New York on a room only basis.

For more New York travel ideas, read my review of:

Drinks, Shopping, Stores, Websites

The Art Of Cocktail Making With Alexander & James

April 19, 2013 by cheriecity

An expertly-mixed cocktail made with premium spirits is one of my favourite indulgences. I adore a good Negroni, Old Fashioned or a timeless Whisky Sour in a refined London bar, but having all of the right spirits and tools to mix up a fabulous cocktail at home would be a real dream.

Alexander & James, the smart new online store dedicated to premium spirits offers everything you need to create your own home bar.

The selection of high end spirits and liqueurs is well-edited and carefully chosen, ranging from affordable cocktail staples such as Ketel One Citroen vodka and Tanqueray London Dry gin to a rare Grand Marnier Quintessence and the crème de la crème of whiskys, The Johnnie Walker (a real investment spirit at £2321.32). You can even have a bottle engraved to make the perfect gift, or to mark a special occasion.

I am particularly drawn to the Talisker 10 Year Old to make a retro Penicillin, Zapaca 23 for a rum-based Planter’s Punch, Don Julio Resposado for a classic Margarita and Cîroc vodka for an Earl Grey Martini. If you’re not sure which cocktail to make, Alexander & James suggests classic and innovative recipes, alongside expert tips in its online magazine.

The key to an impressive cocktail is mixing and serving it the right way. Alexander & James’ selection of elegant accessories include cocktail shakers, ice buckets, highball glasses, tumblers, nosing glasses, twisted spoons, muddlers and citrus presses.

Not only is the home delivery service the ultimate convenience, but Alexander & James products arrive in a luxurious claret presentation box. Drinks aficionados can also become Alexander & James members to enjoy perks including access to limited bottles, exclusive tastings and invites to UK events.

For a refined Mad Men style cocktail party, a weekend treat or a memorable occasion, let Alexander & James be your online barmen.

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Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, New York

A Luxury Stay at The Lowell New York

April 10, 2013 by cheriecity

The Lowell is a very special independent luxury hotel on the Upper East Side with the intimate feel of a private residence.

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, The Lowell is nestled on a quiet, leafy street, just a short stroll from Central Park, MoMA, The Whitney Museum of American Art and the high end department stores of Fifth and Madison Avenues.

The charming Art Deco/Modern hotel began as a residential apartment hotel in 1927 and has maintained its homely, old world character, while also welcoming guests for short stays in the city. The Lowell is very discreet about its high profile guests, however, Madonna famously made a two-bedroom suite there her home for nine months in the late-eighties.

The Lowell is a small hotel with 47 suites and 25 deluxe rooms set across 17 storeys. The lobby is petite and quietly opulent, with soft lighting and a colour palette of soft gold, ochre and cream shades. A thoughtful touch for guests is complimentary hot apple cider and hot chocolate with cookies, to enjoy while reading a newspaper or to take out.

Arrival

We arrived in the early evening and were swiftly checked in by the warm, professional yet chatty staff. Guests are offered a welcome drink on arrival and two glasses of Champagne were delivered shortly after our luggage.

The Suite

We stayed in a spectacular Lowell Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite, which is the epitome of Upper East Side refinement. The separate living room, redesigned by Michael Smith in light beige and natural stone tones, was filled with exquisite dark wood furniture, Chinese porcelain lamps, a large sofa, comfy armchairs, an intricate tapestry rug, flat screen TV and contemporary artwork. The suite also has free wifi and we loved the delicate white roses on the table.

A unique feature is the elegant original fireplace with baskets of wood logs – in fact, The Lowell is the only hotel in Manhattan to offer this.

Staff are on hand to light the fire, offering a choice of aromas, so guests can enjoy a warm glow while relaxing in the lounge. Our stay was sadly a little brief to experience a roaring open fire in our living room, however Concierge called us in the morning to check if we wanted our fire lit – really, nothing is too much trouble for the dedicated staff.

We were also delighted to stay in one of the two Lowell suites that features a private terrace, boasting impressive views of the Manhattan skyline. Waking up to New York with a morning cup of tea on the terrace was a real treat – in the warmer months it will be a very enviable spot.

The Kitchen

An advantage of staying at The Lowell is the separate granite-topped kitchen fully set up with kitchen utensils, pots and pans, a china dinner service and The Lowell mugs. If cooking isn’t on the agenda, there is a mini bar fridge full of premium beverages, tempting Dean & Deluca snacks and a whistling kettle with a selection of teas and coffee.

The Bedroom

The spacious bedroom was classic and stylish with two built-in wardrobes, a large flatscreen TV and the most sumptuous, heavenly king-size bed. At turndown, the bed was meticulously prepared for sleeping, complete with bedside mats and slippers and bottles of Voss water.

Guests can also leave their shoes outside for a complimentary shoe shine, to be returned in the early hours. In the morning, The New York Times was delivered in a Lowell canvas newspaper bag.

The Bathroom

The beautiful bathroom, covered entirely in Selene marble, featured a double sink, a walk-in stall shower, a deep soaking bath tub with a flatscreen TV on the wall, BVLGARI thé vert bathroom amenities and little extras such as a bath mitt and a wooden nail brush.

Relaxing bath in the enormous tub with BVLGARI thé vert bath salts, followed by slipping into the oversized bathrobe and slippers was the perfect way to unwind after a long day of travelling.

The Restaurant

The Lowell’s second-floor restaurant The Pembroke Room is a New York institution, known for its refined afternoon tea. Overseen by Executive Chef Michael Fred, the civilised, dainty restaurant also serves breakfast and weekend brunch and pre-theatre dinner.

The Lowell’s steak and chop restaurant The Post House is perfect for good ole American classics. The much loved power lunch hotspot serves tempting dishes such as Maryland Crab Cake, Jumbo Gulf Shrimp and Cajun Rib Steak for lunch and dinner.

The Lowell is perfect for guests who prefer an elegant city retreat over a buzzing lobby scene. It’s an exquisite hotel where you can lounge elegantly and live the Upper East Side dream.

The Leading Hotels of the world (00800 2888 8882) offers stays at The Lowell, New York from $700 per room per night based on two sharing a room on a room only basis. For more information and booking, visit: www.LHW.com/lowellnyc

Chérie City was a guest of The Lowell

Photos by Chérie City and The Lowell

Designers, Fashion, Shopping

Summer Shoes: L.K. Bennett At John Lewis

April 9, 2013 by cheriecity

As the summer draws nearer, I’m getting ready to swap my boots and dark heels for something a little lighter. L.K. Bennett at John Lewis has some stunning sandals and elegant heels that are perfect for the warmer months, whether it’s for a sunny garden party, wedding or sundowners by the beach.

L.K. Bennett shoes are always stylish, well-made and a good wardrobe investment. I particularly like metallic leather heels, vibrant courts and elegant flats for the summer season.

Here are a few of my favourites…

Which L.K. Bennett shoes are your favourite? Do you change your shoe wardrobe for the summer?

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