Tag: Nomad

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Dining Featured Restaurants

Bourke Street Bakery Travels from Sydney to Nomad

With all the Australian cafés around the city, do we really need another one? When the new addition is Bourke Street Bakery, which already has eleven locations in Australia, the answer is yes. Bourke Street Bakery is sure to be a destination spot due to its open-concept kitchen where everything is baked from scratch daily. We talked to founder-chef-baker Paul Allam about the move from Australia, why he edited the menu for NYC, and what sets Bourke Street Bakery apart.

Downtown: What made this the right time to come to New York City? 

Paul Allam: We loved NYC and were ready for our next adventure. It helps that people love to eat here too!

Downtown: Why did you decide to edit dishes for an American audience?

PA: So much food from Sydney is international in feel that there’s a lot of crossover. We didn’t realize certain recipes we’ve developed over the years are even “Australian” until we moved here. Recently we started making our dark chocolate honeycomb – it’s a twist on a confection we’d eat after school as kids called Violet Crumble – we made it because we love it, and then when we served it to our American friends they said they’d never tried it before! Sydney and the Australian food scene has shaped us in our focus on produce and ingredients, but our travels around the world have also influenced us as well as the multicultural nature of Australian society, so I’d say we are just being authentic with our approach to food.

Downtown: How has New York inspired the menu?

PA: We will have drip coffee here, which is not typical in Australia being such an espresso culture. We have lived here in NYC now for close to two years setting this up, so we have really gotten to explore the local produce and palette. It comes naturally to evolve the food to the people around you…my kids were eating and making s’mores all the time last winter with their new friends so I’ve made a s’more tart –  we hand make the marshmallow and it sits on top of silky chocolate ganache in a lovely personal tart made from sweet pastry.

Downtown: How did you end up in The James Hotel?

PA: When we arrived from Sydney, we were looking all over NYC for the right site. We wanted something special where we could make everything on site. We wanted that immediacy that our customers could see us making everything they bought. It’s a fast, busy city, but when they come and eat our food they can see us making it by hand – milling grains, making cheeses, pulling the sourdough loaves out of the oven…they can smell everything and see the process of laminating and folding the pastry. It’s not only lovely to watch, but it’s wonderful for our bakers as well to have that interaction with the public. So much time and effort goes into what they make, it’s rewarding to see people enjoying it. This particular spot that we settled on in Nomad is actually the same building as The James Hotel but is a separate entrance on 28th Street. It really has something special about it. The building is landmarked for a reason – beyond the street frontage, inside the empty space we fell in love with the lofty high ceilings and industrial beams and there was enough room for us to build a bakery and café. You could feel a bygone era and it just spoke to us.

Downtown: What makes your spot different from other Australian cafes in the city?

PA: Bourke Street Bakery is the first Australian-born bakery café to come to NYC.

Downtown: How will the New York location differ from the Australian ones?

PA: Each location in Australia kind of feels different. We always build and design in conversation with the space and the neighborhood that way every location is very local and feels special. Our NYC location is back to our roots in a way as everything you eat here is being made in the kitchen in front of your eyes. I am back in the kitchen, too, which I love. You can smell the Viennoiserie, pastries, sourdoughs, cakes and cookies, the sauces and spices, we make literally everything we sell. That’s a bit unusual in this type of place in NYC – we make our own marshmallows and confectionary, we even make our own ketchup and cheese. We cure our own fish, we pickle and brine, we churn house butter. We make our own pasta. We are so much more than a bakery café…we have an after hours menu that steps it up a notch where you can have a beautiful duck liver pate with sourdough miche. We have natural wines and craft beers. Another exciting development for us in NYC is we are milling interesting American grains and using that flour in many of the specialty sourdoughs. So I suppose we are very serious in our approach to food but when it comes to service we are friendly, casual, welcoming and unserious – that’s very Australian!

Downtown: What are you most excited for in the city?

PA: I love the energy and vibrancy of NYC. I love the enthusiasm of the people. We have received such a warm welcome. I’m excited to introduce New Yorkers to Bourke Street Bakery food and casual approach – serious food but very relaxed and causal service.

Visit Bourke Street Bakery to pick up fresh loaves of bread, sandwiches, sweet and savory pastries, and especially sausage rolls at 15 E 28th Street.

Categories
Culture Featured Hotels NYC Travel

Renowned Illustrator Kirsten Ulve Brings her Talents to the Lobby of INNSIDE by Meliá New York Hotel

INNSIDE

innside lobby updated

We are all about a good hotel lobby, and the amazing Illustrator Kirsten Ulve has just made the lobby at INNSIDE by Meliá New York Hotel in NoMad one of our favorites! Marking her first hotel partnership, Kirsten Ulve’s Lobby Art Installation at INNSIDE by Meliá New York features five of her original illustrations that are on permanent display for guests to enjoy, including NYC, Catwalker, Flatiron, Liberty, and Bad Larry.  Each piece is crisp, graphic, and inspired by Kirsten’s love for New York City, which she made her home in 1996.  The artwork compliments INNSIDE by Meliá New York’s stylish and contemporary interiors designed for the modern city visitor. Some of Kirsten’s previous work has been feature in The New Yorker, Vouge Japan, adidas and Target. Check out the art and what Kirsten has to say about it below, and be sure to stop by INNSIDE to get a peek for yourself!

NYC kirsten ulve
NYC

This is a very condensed take on the heart of New York City: Times Square flanked by the iconic Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. These two always felt like brother and sister to me, being roughly the same vintage. There are more sets of opposites too: day and night skies, a peaceful protest with flashing police car, a limo and a hot dog cart, a gathering rainstorm, and a glowing New Year’s ball about to drop. And the teensy people are dwarfed by the towering height of the city. I wanted to show all of this contrasting energy with “at-a-glance” simplicity to reflect the City That Never Sleeps vibe.

 

 

cat walker kirsten ulve
Cat Walker

 

I love bringing an element of fantasy into fashion illustration. And NYC is teeming with beautiful inspiring people everywhere!  Everyone has a unique story. Once I saw a woman walking her cats in Madison Square park under cover of darkness, and the cats were so happy to walk in the evening grass with the smell of flowers and the sound of insects in the moonlight. Magic moments like that make me so happy to live here.

flatiron kirsten ulve
Flatiron

 

I see this beautiful building in my neighborhood every day, and I love when it’s dramatically lit by sun and shadow. If you’ve ever walked past it you also know how windy it can be there, where the breeze sweeping down Broadway and 5th avenues is suddenly cleaved by it’s skinny wedge. I also saw the total eclipse of the sun (while wearing “eclipse googles”) last summer standing in front of it, looking up. It’s like a vortex in the city, and it’s my favorite.

liberty kirsten ulve
Liberty

 

She represents the best sentiment of New York City and, once upon a time, of our country. Compassion. Love. I wanted to re-emphasize this message with a modern Liberty. The real Liberty may be holding a book of ancient wisdom, but the core of that message is love. We need it now more than ever.

bay larry kirsten ulve
Bad Larry

 

I see street hustlers every day selling whatever they’ve got – old records, counterfeit designer purses, marijuana – to get by. I like to think Bad Larry has just rescued this kitten. He might be trying to make a sale, or just show you how cute it is.

 

 

Categories
Featured Travel

Flatiron: Manhattan’s Hospitality Hotspot

Flatiron Manhattan’s Hospitality Hotspot
Flatiron, New york

Manhattan’s Flatiron District has long been a popular destination for tourists to spend an afternoon or evening. But in recent years, thanks to the neighborhood’s rapidly increasing number of hotels, more visitors to the Big Apple are spending their nights in the neighborhood too, according to a new report.

The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District just issued its eighth annual Flatiron: Where Then Meets Now report showcasing the significant development and growth of the hospitality sector in the district, which goes from 21st to 28th Streets, and Sixth Avenue east to Third Avenue.

 

“Flatiron Manhattan’s Hospitality Hotspot”

 

As New York City’s tourism boom continues—with a 19.8% growth in visitors in the last five years and 65.1 million tourists expected citywide this year—the Flatiron District’s hospitality sector has grown substantially. The number of hotel rooms in the neighborhood increased by 93.8% since 2011, bringing the total number to over 4,650—and an additional 1,620 are currently under development, according to the report, which provides a snapshot of how hotel development on both Broadway and 28th Street have been catalysts for business growth, paving the way for other new and trendy dining and retail offerings nearby.

“The growth of the hospitality sector in the Flatiron District has been remarkable, as this report demonstrates,” said Jennifer Brown, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership’s Executive Director. “It’s easy to see why hotel developers want to be in Flatiron. With the neighborhood’s central location, proximity to historic and cultural sites, a plethora of restaurants, and easy access to public transportation, Flatiron is a popular destination for tourists and local visitors alike. The report also shows that Flatiron is a dynamic neighborhood with an irresistible mix of commercial and residential sectors.”

 

“Sixty restaurants, bars, cafes, and retailers operate within Flatiron’s 25 hotels”

 

Flatiron is a prime illustration of a broader citywide trend: one out of every five dwelling units now under construction in New York City is a hotel. The number of New York City hotel units in the construction pipeline has doubled between 2013 and 2018. Among the seven hotels currently in development in Flatiron include the Renaissance Hotel, Moxy Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Virgin Hotel, and Springhill Suites Marriott.

Sixty restaurants, bars, cafes, and retailers operate within Flatiron’s 25 hotels, offering both tourists—as well as New Yorkers—more than just a place to stay. Flatiron: Where Then Meets Now takes a deep dive into the rich history, beautiful architecture, luxurious amenities, and diverse dining options at five of the district’s most exciting hotel developments: Freehand Hotel, The James New York NoMad, The Evelyn Hotel, The New York EDITION, and The NoMad Hotel.

 

“It’s easy to see why hotel developers want to be in Flatiron”

 

“Flatiron is a welcoming destination for global travelers who want to experience everything that comes with one of Manhattan’s most dynamic neighborhoods—world-class arts and culture, rich history and architecture, and exciting dining and nightlife,” said Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization for the five boroughs of New York City. “With everything the neighborhood has to offer, including its wonderful and growing array of hotels, Flatiron’s hospitality is an integral part of the New York City tourism landscape.”

Categories
Dining Featured Health Nutrition

3 Neighborhoods, 3 New Lunch Break Options

It’s a new year, and while we’re back to our old stomping grounds, we don’t have to fall back into old habits. A habit we’re practicing this year is savoring our lunch breaks. Lunch should be a welcome break, a chance to re-energize your mind and body, and most importantly be healthy and taste great!

We’ve rounded up a few of the new places opening up in three different, busy neighborhoods of NYC, so you’ll be sure to find one that’s close to your office.

 

maman Opens in NoMad

Photo: Courtesy of Victoria Morris/maman

The popular — and beautiful — café, bakery and event space, maman is opening at a new location — in NoMad! They already have three successful locations in the city, SoHo, TriBeCa and in the Meatpacking District — not to mention their outpost in Greenpoint and Toronto. This location will have a dedicated catering pick-up counter to pick up fresh salads, sandwiches, their famous nutty chocolate chip cookies of course and much more, making it the perfect spot to grab lunch in the warm and cozy aesthetic they’re known for. And PSA for all the businesses, it’s great for catering group lunches, too.

Opening date: Tuesday, January 16th
Address: 22 w. 25th st, New York, NY 10010 (NoMad)

 

Tender Greens Opens in Flatiron

Photo: Courtesy of Tender Greens

The fast-casual restaurant chain from California, Tender Greens is coming to New York City this spring. Taking over the old Craftbar location, this first East Coast spot will be a perfect stop for healthy and delicious meals. Whether you’re bringing lunch back to the office or eating in, the chain has something for you. By serving seasonal and responsibly-sourced food, it’s not only the variety and flavors that’ll have you coming back — the feel of doing good will be present, too.

Opening date: February
Address: 900 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 (Flatiron)

 

Dig Inn Opens in TriBeCa

Photo: Courtesy of Dig Inn

Dig Inn has quickly won over our hearts as a great, healthy option for both lunches and dinners in the office. The concept is easy, the food is fresh and flavorful, and the servings are generous. With 15 locations already in NYC, it’s sure to say that New Yorkers can’t get enough of Dig Inn — and now TriBeCa is getting its own location. This will be a prime spot to ensure a healthy and delicious lunch that will easily keep you full all through your remaining work hours.

Opening date: TBA, Spring 2018
Address: 412 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013 (TriBeCa)

Categories
Living Real Estate

In The Heart of NoMad Comes 277 Fifth Avenue

In the very heart of NoMad, where the elegance of uptown meets the energy of downtown, 277 Fifth Avenue soars toward the clouds.

Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Rafael Viñoly, with luxuriously appointed interiors by Jeffrey Beers International, the commanding 55-story tower of 277 Fifth Avenue, offers 130 distinguished one to four-bedroom residences showcasing thrilling panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Flatiron Building, One World Trade, and beyond. With a distinguished Fifth Avenue-address and an ideal NoMad location at the epicenter of Manhattan’s most sought-after restaurants, parks, shops, and hotels, 277 Fifth Avenue residents are poised to enjoy the very essence of what makes living in New York extraordinary.

Interiors are graced with oversized windows and ceilings reaching ten feet, in addition to a selection of warm woods and elegant natural stones. This residential tower, with a light-filled suite of amenities, designed by Jeffrey Beers, spans two floors and offers residents carefully curated spaces for relaxation, socializing, and recreation with a lobby library featuring a double-height bookcase wall, an entertainment suite featuring a bar and private dining room with catering pantry, a fitness club opening onto the furnished Fifth Avenue Terrace, a games lounge, and a kids’ club.

Categories
Culture Entertainment Music

Queensrÿche co-founder Geoff Tate to play City Winery on Feb. 20, talks to Downtown

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When it comes to Geoff Tate, forget everything you would expect from a hard rock vocalist. He has a multi-octave vocal range. He is very well-read. He makes wine. He enjoys the house restoration process. And 35 years after he co-founded Queensrÿche — whose hits like “Silent Lucidity,” “I Don’t Believe In Love” and “Jet City Woman” remain classic rock radio staples — Geoff is still touring and recording in peak form.

Geoff Tate makes a return to New York City on Feb. 20 with a headlining appearance at City Winery. As part of The Whole Story “Ryche” Acoustic Tour, Geoff will be fronting a seven-piece acoustic band and playing songs from all 17 of his albums. Downtown spoke with the Washington native about his City Winery appearance, his history with New York, and what else he has coming up. Beyond www.geofftate.com, more on Geoff Tate can be found by following him on Twitter via @GeoffTate.

Where was the first concert you ever played in New York City? What do you remember about it?

Geoff Tate: My first concert in New York City was at the Beacon Theatre in 1983. It was my first tour and everything was new and exciting. The theatre, at that time, was fairly run down and dirty. It smelled of stale beer, vomit, urine, cigarette smoke and sweat. The audience was young, angry and physical, punching the air with their fists in a staccato rhythm while my band baptized them with 115 decibels of metal.

You’ll be performing acoustically at City Winery. Does that change your vocal warm-ups or how you prepare for a gig?

GT: This Acoustic Tour is one of the most enjoyable tours I have ever done. The intimacy of the venue really showcases the players abilities and talent. The audience experiences the true emotion of the song in such detail. Every note and each breath is on display.

There are more people in your acoustic backing band than in your typical backing band, yet most artists perform acoustically in a scaled-down format. Is this your first acoustic tour?

GT: When I was in Queensrÿche, we regularly performed acoustically. In fact, almost every song I’ve written, was first written on acoustic guitar or piano. What I wanted for this tour was to have acoustic instrumentation that could creatively represent the songs. Orchestra instruments play a major role in my recorded music, so I wanted to have violin, cello and acoustic bass for the tour.

Another notable thing about your City Winery show is that you make wine. Where did your interest in wine begin? Was it always in your tour rider?

GT: I made my first wine when I was 14 and I’ve been into it ever since. When I became a traveling musician and began visiting the great wine making regions of the world, I was inspired and decided to release my own wine, and in 2007 my brand Insania was released. We make a red which is a Pinot Noir and a white, which is a Pinot Grigio.

There is a stand-up comic named Geoff Tate who I often hear on podcasts. Have you ever encountered him?

GT: Yes I have.

You were a part of Hear ‘n Aid. Looking back, was that an enjoyable experience? Or at least as fun as the music video made it look to be?

GT: I was very honored to be part of the Hear ‘n Aid project. It was a very challenging project to lead and Ronnie Dio did a fine job of bringing many great musicians together for a wonderful cause.

When not busy on tour, how do you like to spend your free time?

GT: When I’m not making a record, touring or working on my Insania wine project, my wife and I enjoy house restoration. We recently acquired our second project home. It’s a 110-year old Dutch Colonial Revival. It’s all original, which is rare. We are modernizing it with thought and restraint.

Is there something you wish more people knew about Geoff Tate?

GT: No, not really. It seems my life is an open book.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

GT: It’s a tie between Nomad, because of the roast chicken and The Rolling Stones inspiration, and Trattoria Trecolori for some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had.

Finally, Geoff, any last words for the kids?

GT: Thanks to everyone who has come out to my shows throughout the years and bought my records. I hope to see you at the show at City Winery.ᐧ