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A Last Minute Planner’s Guide to NYE with 14 Options Around Town

New Year’s Eve is coming up fast. If you’re in New York City, to stay or to visit, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to live it up NYC-style. If you’re still looking for that perfect party to ring in the new year, check out these excellent parties to spice up your night.

Tender

New Year's
Tender Lounge

 Tender (130 W 47th St) inside The Sanctuary Hotel is hosting a NYE celebration with seatings from 7pm and 9:30pm. The first three course prix fixe seating is $85 per person, and the 9:30pm seating is $110 per person and also includes dancing to follow and a champagne toast as the ball drops leading right into an after party to liven up the celebration while you’re immersed in the lively energy between the heart of Times Square and the hustle and bustle of Rockefeller Center. Reserve your spot by emailing: events@sanctuaryhotelnyc.com

 Nerai

 Nerai (55 E. 54th Street) offers a contemporary twist on sophisticated Greek dining in the heart of the city. To celebrate NYE with an elegant seated dinner, Nerai will offer an epicurean meal with the choice between a four-course prix fixe menu at $115 per person, or Executive Chef Moshe Grundman’s 7 course tasting menu at $145 per person. The four-course menu includes a Winter Salad, Tuna, or Artichokes as starters. Then choose between a Lobster Pasta with squid ink linguine in a metaxa bisque or a Black Truffle Spaghettoni with creamy truffle sauce, kefalotiri espuma with fresh shaved black truffles. Main dishes include Lavraki, a pan seared mediterranean sea bass with wild mushroom farro, horta and pomegranate reduction, and Lamb Loin with lemon potato gnocchi, honey glazed carrots and roasted Brussel sprouts. And cap off the epic meal with dessert in the form of Saragli or Karidopita. The tasting menu can be found here. Make reservations by visiting: https://nerainyc.com

 Brooklyn Chop House

Brooklyn Chop House

 Brooklyn Chop House (150 Nassau St.) offers up  Dim Sum & Chops giving diners everything from homemade dumplings and noodles to their 30-35 day dry-aged Pat LaFrieda Prime Steaks. Specialties include the 7lb LI Peking Duck, the Surf & Turf with 2 – 8oz South African Lobster Tails and a crispy 16oz Filet Mignon for two, and the Alaskan King Crab Legs

  for two with garlic and ginger. With the crave-worthy food being served, it’s the perfect spot to dine in on NYE. A price fix menu will also be available for groups of 8 or more, starting at $125 per person. For reservations, visit https://www.brooklynchophouse.com

 Beyond Sushi 

 Beyond Sushi will offer a 5 course tasting menu for $95 per person at their flagship location (134 W. 37th St.). Vegan specialties including black sesame bellinis, seaweed caviar, smoked cashew cheese, mousse lemon zest and chervil.  Entrees include white winter truffles with Arborio Italian rice risotto, topped with seared chanterelle mushroom truffle foam and nasturtium leaves, and Hot Impossible Pate on whipped potatoes, with caramelized cipollini port wine reduction sauce. Cap off the year with a chocolate lava cake. Reserve your spot by visiting: https://beyondsushi.com

 Ainslie in Williamsburg

 Come in and celebrate the new year at the beautiful 10,000 square foot, 340-person multi-level Italian wine bar, beer garden and restaurant Ainslie (76 Ainslie St).  Their menu includes wood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas, steak, free-range chicken and more. The restaurant boasts four bars and offers an extensive drink menu including 20 wines by the glass, four wines on tap and 16 beers from local craft breweries on tap. There will also be a DJ spinning from 9pm-2am. Reservations of all sizes are welcome and can be made by visiting: https://ainsliebk.com/

 Bell Book & Candle

 Bell Book & Candle (141 W 10th St) is hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner for $95 per person featuring dishes such as the Hawaiian Yellowfin tuna nachos with tempura kale, guacamole, sesame and spicy mayo, a Shellfish Bisque with rock shrimp and a Grass-Fed Filet of Beef with root vegetable gratin, mushroom ragu and white truffle oil. An optional open bar is also available from 9pm – 12am for an additional $95 per person with party favors, a balloon drop and confetti cannons and in addition to a champagne toast at midnight.

 Clinton Hall

 End the year the right way as you say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020 at one of Clinton Hall’s locations in FiDi, E. 51st Street or Williamsburg. Grab your friends and watch the ball drop while enjoying a 4 hour open bar, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight in addition to pass hor d’oeuvres. Tickets begin at $50 and can be purchased by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-lure-group-8949803130?aff=odeimcmailchimp&mc_cid=dc728dbf2a&mc_eid=3ad4141e22

 Sir Henri Penthouse Rooftop’s NYE Bash Hosted by Joonbug

Sir Henri Penthouse Rooftop

 Sir Henri Penthouse Rooftop (37 W. 24th St.) will host a Joonbug NYE bash from 8pm – 2am complete with a 5 hour premium open bar. One of New York City’s top DJ’s will provide a lively soundtrack as guests dance nonstop to their favorite Top 40, Hip Hop, House, Dance, and Mash Up hits. As midnight approaches, get ready to raise your glass in a complimentary champagne toast and count down live with the whole room as you ring in the New Year. General admission tickets begins at $99 and can be purchased by visiting: https://joonbug.com/newyork/newyearseve/sir-henry-rooftop-new-years-events-new-york

 Bob Moses Headlines at Schimanski in Williamsburg 

 Bob Moses, the Vancouver-bred, Brooklyn based deep house duo Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance will cap off the year with an epic New Year’s Eve club set at Schimanski (54 N. 11th St.) in Williamsburg on Tuesday, December 31st. The Grammy winning duo came to life in the Brooklyn underground scene in 2012. In May 2018 they announced their headlining US tour in addition to the release of track “Heaven Only Knows”, which was quickly followed by news of the duo’s second full-length album Battle Lines and first single “Back Down”.  Tickets begin at $59 and can be purchased by visiting: https://www.schimanskinyc.com/calendar/2019/12/31/nye-2020-bob-moses-club-set

 DEG Presents Above & Beyond at New York Expo Center

 There is no place on the planet as exciting to spend NYE as New York City.  On Tuesday, December 31, titans of the electronic music genre ABOVE & BEYOND will ring in 2020 with a special headline show at an incredible cavernous location in the Bronx–the 60,000 sq foot New York Expo Center. Presented by Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats label and New York nightlife impresario DEG Presents (formerly RPM Presents), Jono, Tony, and Paavo return to one of their favorite cities for the biggest party of the year.  Watch for news regarding friends who will support in the festivities. Tickets begin at $79 and can be purchased here.  

 Ten Hope in Williamsburg

 Ten Hope (10 Hope St) is offering up a 3-course price fix menu with early seatings from 6 pm – 7:30 pm at $55 and late seatings between 9 pm – 10:30 pm for $75. Leek soup will be featured for the amuse bouche. Starters offer a choice between Scallops with chickpea mash, dill oil, and romesco, and Crispy Octopus with Israeli salad, and nigella aioli. Entrees options include Filet of Steak with Pomme Puree and Roasted Broccolini, a Wild Mushroom Pasta with truffle butter and breadcrumbs and Poached Halibut with parsnip purée and braised leeks. For dessert enjoy gooseberry marmalade Creme brûlée. Make reservations by visiting: https://www.tenhopebk.com/

 Zeppelin Hall’s NYE 2020 Party

New Year's

 Come as you are to Zeppelin Hall’s (88 Liberty View Dr.)  New Year’s Eve party with absolutely no cover in addition to free hats and noisemakers for all. Watch the ball drop on one of their many Hi-Def Screens while you dance the night away to a live DJ and ring in the New Year without spending your life savings.  For more information visit www.zeppelinhall.com

 Ring in 2020 on the Water at Molos

 Ring in the New Year at Molos (1 Pershing Rd) in Weehawken with a live DJ, party favors, and dancing – all the necessities to kick off the new decade. There will also be a 4-course dinner for $125 per person. Enjoy Greek and Mediterranean inspired seafood dishes with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

 The Springs in Greenpoint 

 Say hello to 2020 from The Springs (224 Franklin St) Ho Ho Holiday Lounge in Greenpoint without breaking the bank. Doors open at 9 pm with no cover required and complimentary party favors will be doled out. Drink and dance your way into the new decade with DJ Alanna “That’s So” Raben beginning at 10 pm. RSVP by visiting: https://www.thesprings-bk.com

See More

The Best Restaurants for New Year’s Day Brunch

Holiday Break Family Fun in Downtown NYC

Le District is the Place to be to Ring in the 2020 New Year

Categories
Dining Featured Restaurants

Downtown’s Areppas Survival Guide

Areppas
Photo credit Oleg March

A second Areppas restaurant has opened in Downtown Manhattan. We at Downtown are offering our readers an Areppas survival guide to help you celebrate.

What are arepas?

Every culture has its flatbread food. If you’ve heard anyone argue whether “tacos are sandwiches,” that is the truth they’re approaching. Arepas are a flatbread food common in Columbia and Venezuela. It’s a bit like an english muffin made from corn, but more flat and less crumbly. Arepas are cut open into pockets and stuffed with…well, let your imagination soar.

What is Areppas?

Areppas with two p’s is a restaurant in the sandwich shop style: Bread -> Protein -> Toppings -> Sauce. You pick as you go down the line. In addition to their signature arepas, they also have a number of other snack options, as well as arepa bowls. Arepa bowls work a lot like burrito bowls, except that you can add treats like platanos (plantains).

They also have dessert options.

The arepas and more

There are plenty of protein options for your arepa, from beef and chicken to short rib (I had the short rib). There’s also a veggie option that I was grateful to see was a lot more involved than “we cut up some vegetables for you.”

You have to be careful when you reach the toppings. The rigidity of the arepa means limited space. The number of arepa combinations is a little intimidating, especially with options that you might not be familiar with in a sandwich, like beets and chickpeas. If you’re not familiar with arepas, I would recommend going with one of the premade options, all of which looked delicious. If you’re the kind of person who loves to load up on toppings, I would recommend the bowl instead. If you’re already an expert, then you do you. Don’t let me stop you.

While you’re there, don’t forget to grab something on the side. Check out the empanadas and tequenos (think South American mozzarella sticks).

Dessert

Dessert is here so that I can talk about one thing and one thing only: the churros. Oh boy. This might be one of the best churros of my life. This would be true even if it wasn’t drizzled with chocolate sauce and sprinkles and then jammed into soft-serve ice cream. It is rich and substantive while still keeping a nice crunch. The ice cream is pretty standard fare, but it’s really just there to be scooped up by the churro. 

Conclusion

Areppas is a treat that I didn’t know existed. It’s a small chain that works to stay authentic to the food’s roots. The arepas themselves can get over-packed, but that is as much because of the number of options as it is because of the nature of the bread. Check out the new Areppas location at 115 East 23rd Street, New York, NY. 

Categories
Featured Living

DOWNTOWN’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones? DOWNTOWN has you covered with our 2014 Holiday Gift Guide.  From bikers to techies, you’re bound to find the perfect gift for just about anyone on your list. Click through below to view some of our favorites!

For Her
For Her  Save 30% on Martha Red Dress Promo Code: LOVEDT

For Him
For Him

For The Children
For The Children

For The Cyclist
For The Cyclist

For The Chef
For The Chef

For The Geek
For The Geek

Categories
Fashion Living

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

It happens every year on the second Sunday of May. Sons and daughters all across the United States try to plot the best way to show their love for their Mothers on their very own day, aside from doing chores. We’ve asked the sons and daughters of the DOWNTOWN Magazine’s team to make it easier on you and toss some ideas in the air on how to get your mom to smile all day long. We’ve picked the perfect gifts that would fill any mother in New York City with glee and joy.

Take a look at all the different ways we’ve found to say “I love you, mom!”

Gift ideas for… The Puppy Lover

BOTTEGA VENETA Intreccio Scolpito Dog Collar. $520. Get it here.
BOTTEGA VENETA Intreccio Scolpito Dog Leash. $470. Get it here.
BOTTEGA VENETA Woven Dog Bowl. $640. Get it here.

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 Gift ideas for… The Chocolate Addict

3 Months of GODIVA chocolate delivered monthly. $100. Get it here.
Travel The World Through Chocolate Steamer Trunk by VOSGES HAUT-CHOCOLAT. $1,045. Get it here.

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Gift ideas for… The Fashionista

PROENZA SCHOULER Tapestry Clutch. $2,295. Get it here.
DIOR Small “Lady Dior” bag in embroidered satin. Price on request. Get it here.
LOUIS VUITTON NN 14 PM Belle de Nuit. $24,700. Get it here.

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Gift ideas for… The Accessories Aficionado 

HERMÈS Collier de Chien PM. $7,650. Get it here.
CARTIER Amulette Necklace. $4,450. Get it here.
HARRY WINSTON Lily Cluster Diamond Ring in Yellow Gold. Price on request. Get it here.

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Gift ideas for… The Charity Giver

MICHAEL KORS Hunger Stop Oversized 100 Series Watch. For every sale of the 100 Series watch, the United Nations World Food Programme will deliver 100 meals to children in need. $295. Get it here.
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna Lipstick. Every cent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM goes toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. $16. Get it here.
SSEKO Mother’s Day Sandals Gift Set. Sseko Designs uses fashion to provide employment and scholarship opportunities to women pursuing their dreams and overcoming poverty. $89.99. Get it here.

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Gift ideas… The Homemaker

THE WHITE COMPANY Chunky Family Blackboard. $350. Get it here.
LINNEA’S LIGHTS 18-ounce Cashmere Candle. 85-95 hour burn time. $50. Get it here.
IWOODESIGN Standing Paper Divider. $195. Get it here.

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Gift ideas for … The Foodie

ROYAL COPENHAGEN Blue Fluted Mega Footed Cake Plate. $195. Get it here.
LE CREUSET IN RED 12-piece Stoneware Set. $199.95. Get it here.
Brunch at THE GARDEN in the Four Seasons Hotel. The Garden offers a prix-fixe menu at $135 for adults and $65 for children. Reserve a table here.

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