Tag: Date night

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Bars Dining Featured Restaurants

Sir Henri Changes Things Up

Sir Henri Changes Things Up

Photos courtesy of the Hotel Henri

This week, Downtown got to check out the new food and drink menu at Sir Henri Penthouse Rooftop, the Jazz-age speakeasy hidden atop the Hotel Henri. We enjoyed Moet & Chandon champagne, delicious mixed drinks, and fabulous bar food. 

For those unacquainted, the swank 18-story-high Sir Henri is an intimate date spot perfect for celebrations or after-dinner drinks. It is open year-round to guests, locals, and visitors, with retractable glass windows that can pull back in warm weather to reveal balcony seating. Its old-school aesthetic–all wood, glass, and mirrors–hides nooks and alcoves for privacy while keeping larger, open areas for groups. The view is expansive, showing off downtown manhattan and One World Trade.

The mixed drink menu is a long list of jazz-themed puns. Pun quality may vary, but the drinks themselves are solid. The Margarethra Franklin was a classic with a kick, and the Cold Porter was a deceptively sweet scotch drink. For the most part, the drinks were well-balanced, and everything we saw came with a beautiful presentation.

We tried the shrimp tacos, chicken wings, sliders, and a trio of dips with warm pita bread. The focus, far and beyond, should be on the wings and tacos. Not that there is anything wrong with the sliders or dips. The spicy mayo, for example, went a long way in flavoring the sliders, but otherwise they were…well, they were sliders. They were palm-sized, simple, beef patty–you know the type. The dips and pita were the same: tasty, but not unique. 

The barbecue wings were a standout addition. They were deliciously smoky and tangy without being messy. There are plenty of places where messy wings are fine, but Sir Henri isn’t the place to get sauce on your sleeve. And then the shrimp tacos. The tacos were substantial, juicy, flavorful–the opposite of everything that’s ever disappointed you about a shrimp taco in the past. I had to do a double-take. 

Sir Henri is your place if you’re looking for post-dinner drinks or an upscale hangout. They have great drinks, great food, and a great view of the city. I’m convinced that the puns make the drinks taste even better, but I’ll leave that for you to decide. 

Sir Henri

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Bars Dining Featured

Seaport Food Lab – a different gastronomic experience at a cocktail party

Seaport Food Lab - a different gastronomic experience at a cocktail party

Seaport Food Lab, a pop-up cocktail party, took place at Pier 17 Rooftop bar R17, from October 22nd and November 23rd. Attendees taste drink mixtures by acclaimed mixologists, as well as unique food creations by chefs Mark Ladner and Wylie Dufresne (Du’s Donuts owner). A new mixologist takes over each week, and the chefs design new menus to match the drink menu.

Downtown Magazine had the chance to experience the last week of Food Lab. The mixologist in residence was Ivy Mix, co-owner of Brooklyn’s Leyenda and named Best American Bartender in 2015 by Tales of the Cocktail. She celebrated her passion for Latin America with great mixes.

The flavors selected by the chefs created an amazing and fun gastronomic experience with dishes like “Puffed Cheddar Cheese Doodles” and the “Foiecamole,” a combination of foie gras, avocado, and other seasonings. Also, check out chef Wylie’s Dufresne’s tequila donut, which was definitely a hit! Chef Mark Ladner even challenge people to experience shots of a special olive oil – and it actually tastes good! 

Check out the video with some of the event’s highlights:

 

 

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Dining Featured Restaurants

Mondrian Alpine Terrace is a cozy spot for the season

Mondrian Alpine Terrace is a cozy spot for the season

by Fernanda Mueller

Photos from Mondrian Alpine Terrace Instagram

Mondrian Park Avenue‘s 15th floor Rooftop is completely transformed for the season. Inspired by Club Med’s 17 all-inclusive resorts in the Alpine regions of France, Italy and Switzerland, the immersive pop-up transports guests to a winter wonderland. Last week I had the chance to check out the spot and I really enjoy the coziness of the space, with frosted windows, twinkle lights, artificial snow, birchwood and pine accent décor. 

Mondrian Alpine Terrace

Alpine inspired cocktails and bites

The menu is also Alpine inspired, serving Cocktails with seasonal winter flavors and traditional sips like mulled wine (served hot). I’m that kind of a person that wants to try all spiced beverages during cold season, so I picked the “spiced cranberry collins” (tito’s vodka, cranberry cordial, baking spice and seltzers). It was delicious! Not too strong, but very spicy. 

Some of the bites served include Swiss raclette fondue, assorted meat and cheese boards and burrata. I tried the “Delton’s winter truffle & prairie breeze grilled cheese”, served with miso broth – which is all you can expect from a truffle grilled cheese and more.

WHAT: Mondrian Alpine Terrace by Club Med pop-up  

WHEN: Pop-up is open now through Feb. 1, 2020

WHERE: Mondrian Park Avenue, 15th floor, 444 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016

Guests also have a chance to win a Club Med all-inclusive ski vacation in the Alps. Link to enter HERE.

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Culture Events Featured Living Movies

Throwback Thursday Movie Night: What to Know And Where to Go

Photo by Leah Kelley from Pexels

Looking for the perfect Thursday night plan? Catch Throwback Thursday Movie Night in Union Square Park before summer ends. Next week, August 8th, they’ll be showing Ghostbusters. If you’ve seen it, you can always go back for another watch. If you haven’t, you can now. I went to their showing of Space Jam yesterday, so I’m here to tell you how you (yes you) can turn a free movie into a full night with your friends, family, or with strangers. 

Throwback Thursday Movie Night is a part of Citi Summer in the Square, an umbrella event with free entertainment throughout the week. August 8th has workout classes (Yoga, Boxing, and Tai Chi) from 7-10am, and then children’s programming from 9-5. 5 pm is when the adult-friendly fun starts, with a performance of Dueling Drummers with the NYU Steel Band. There are also more workout classes going until as late as 8:30. 

Union Square Park is one of the most accessible parks to get to. The 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, and W, all meet at the park. There are no tickets needed, just like the rest of Summer in the Square. Movie Night isn’t where you think it would be. Maybe it just wasn’t where I thought it would be. It’s on the North end of the park, opposite from all of those steps where people sit and watch smaller performances.

Throwback Thursday Movie Night. Photo courtesy of #summerinthesquare.nyc

The website says that Movie Night starts at 6:30 pm, but that’s just when you can start gathering. It’s also when they start offering food. Union Square has delicious food all around it, but Summer in the Square is partnered with Bocce USQ, an Italian eatery, which will be selling seasonal pizzas in the park. There is also free Honest T, popcorn (Pret A Manger), and snacks from the local Whole Foods, while supplies last.

There is nothing wrong with heading straight to the movie, putting down a blanket, and hanging out with pizza and snacks until Ghostbusters starts at dusk (which will be 8:33 pm on the 8th). Likewise, you have plenty of time to do the 5:30 pm Dance Cardio and the 6:30 pm Cardio HIIT before sitting down for pizza and a movie. But Union Square is also a hub for great shops, restaurants, and reasonably-priced food carts. Feel free to wander, as long as you’re back in time for the movie. 

The movie experience itself is pretty low maintenance. The screen is a giant inflatable monstrosity, so you’ll have no trouble seeing the film no matter where you sit. It’s free-for-all picnic seating, so bring a blanket to sit on. Limited space is available, but there was plenty of room when my friends and I arrived close to dusk.

Last note: To the volunteer who danced through the opening Space Jam theme song, you made our night.

What you’ll need:

– A blanket

– Money for pizza

– Some friends

What you won’t need:

– A ticket or RSVP

– Alcohol (it’s forbidden in the park)

– Drinks (unless you hate Honest T)

– Binoculars to see the movie

  • August 8th at Union Square Park. Photo courtesy of IMDB
  • August 1st at Union Square Park. Photo courtesy of IMDB
Categories
Culture Events Featured Movies

Rooftop Films: The Great Hack

The Great Hack
Photo Credit IMDB

A cloud of unease has surrounded social media for as long as it has existed. An AOL screenname could hide all kinds of nefarious characters. Anyone can look at your myspace. Pictures posted to Instagram could be used to disqualify you if you run for president (or is that one just me? My mother thought very highly of me when I was a teen.).

Social media paranoia came to a head in 2016 when news broke that a data collection firm called Cambridge Analytica may have used information gathered from Facebook to influence major election campaigns, including the 2016 US presidential election.

The Great Hack tells the story of the investigation into the UK-based company, following crucial figures and whistleblowers in real-time as the story unfolds. In a story equal parts unnervingly personal and deeply abstract, filmmakers Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim keep the story grounded in the personal and professional struggles of those who took part in the search for truth.

The film primarily followed the stories of David Carroll, a professor who was suing CA for the rights to his data; Carole Catswallldr, a journalist with The Guardian who was investigating CA; and Brittany Kaiser, a former CA executive turned whistleblower. The intertwining stories unraveled the mystery behind the military-contractors-turned-election-consultants and their roles in electing Donald Trump and the vote for Britain to leave the European Union.

The film is part of the Rooftop Films summer series. Rooftop Films airs independent films like The Great Hack on rooftops across New York and gives the audience a chance to hear from the filmmakers. Kaiser joined Amer and Noujaim in an interview/Q&A after the film. The three explained how the film had come together (a 5-year journey) and how the couple–Amer and Noujaim are married–had first reached out to Kaiser (personal introductions, facebook messages, and a last-minute flight to Thailand).

Kaiser spoke to the crowd about data rights and “psychographics,” or the use of data to predict behavior. She founded the Digital Asset Trade Association, which advocates for the expanded use of distributed ledger technology.

Rooftops Artistic Director in conversation with Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Brittany Kaiser and THE GREAT HACK’s directors Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim.

The Great Hack is a Netflix original which will be available for streaming July 24th. For more information on data and improving your DQ (Data Intelligence), Kaiser recommends visiting digitalasset.org and designgood.tech.

To purchase tickets for the next Rooftop Films showing or to become a member, check out their website here.

    Categories
    Fashion Featured

    Trend Report Tuesday: 5 Valentine’s Day Outfits

    https://stocksnap.io/photo/LGBCY0KDFK

    Happy Tuesday! For this trend report, we made it a Valentine’s Day edition since the biggest day of the year for couples is just about here!

    Couples can do a variety of things on Valentine’s Day, and since it’s the biggest date night of the year we know you’ll want to look the part. Whether you go to a movie, a fancy dinner or even spend the entire day together, we want you to look absolutely fabulous and as confident as ever.

    If you haven’t already, make your Valentine’s Day plans and find an outfit that will make your date speechless.atThese are the five outfits we came up with that we’re sure would be perfect for your date!

    Happy almost Valentine’s Day!

     

    A Classic Dinner and A Movie Date

    Photo courtesy of Polyvore

    Sweater – H&M, Boots – Nasty Gal, Pants – H&M, Hoops – Stella & Dot, Rings – Forever 21, Watch – Nordstrom Rack, Tote – Nordstrom

     

    An Active/Outdoors-y Date

    Photo courtesy of Polyvore

    Fitbit – Nordstrom, Hat – Nordstrom, Long Sleeve – Nordstrom, Vest – Nordstrom, Leggings – Nordstrom, Water Bottle – Saks Fifth Avenue, Backpack – Nike, Shoes – Kohl’s

     

    Fancy Date Night

    Photo courtesy of Polyvore

    Earrings – Stella & Dot, Lipstick – Saks Fifth Avenue, Dress – Nordstrom, Purse – Kohl’s, Shoes – Macy’s, Phone Case – Macy’s

     

    A Casual Day Date

    Photo courtesy of Polyvore

    Earrings – Nordstrom Rack, Shirt – Gap, Shoes – Nordstrom, Denim Jacket – H&M, Purse – Nordstrom Rack, Scarf – Nordstrom, Leggings – H&M, Watch – Karen Millen

     

    “He Won’t Tell You Where He’s Taking You” Date

    Photo courtesy of Polyvore

    Earrings – Stella & Dot, Rings – Charlotte Russe, Purse – Nordstrom, Lipstick – Sephora, Dress – Nordstrom, Shoes – Nordstrom