Tag: rose

Categories
Dining NYC

Pizza and Wine Make the Best of Both Worlds

Cavit Wine and Pizza
Credit: Cavit Wine

Pizza and Wine: A Natural Duo

What goes better together than pizza and wine? While in New York, pizza has become a class get-together comfort food, its origins in southern Italy originally had it that pizza would be an artfully-crafted dish intended for the individual. Move aside, dollar pizza: at Kesté Fulton, pizza’s reclaiming its original glory.

With a wide-ranging flavor palette bringing together dough, tomato, mozzarella, and a variety of toppings, pizza’s ultimate companion can be none other than wine, which accents every meal with notes of fruit and spice. Cavit Wines upholds the important role of wine with a spectrum of options to choose from, the most popular being Cavit’s Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Prosecco, and Rosé. Of all these, Pinot Grigio is a classic favorite, while Prosecco is recommended to go with anything.

Diving into the Makings of Cavit Wine

Cavit Wines are grown in northern Italy in a region known as Trentino, where the temperate climate enhances the fruity flavors. 4,500 farming families make up Cavit’s cooperative, ensuring a sense of community is harvested with every bottle. Operations at Cavit bring together sustainable farming practices with advanced research taking place with the Institute of San Michele all’Adige, one of Europe’s leading winemaking schools. Top it all off with the most technologically-advanced winery in all of Europe, and Cavit Wines has consistently been ranked highest among brands internationally. In the U.S. alone, Cavit offers the #1 Pinot Grigio, making it a perfect choice for get-togethers.

Pairing Cavit Wine with Class Pizza

Bringing it all back to the companionship wine and pizza share, a number of pizza topping are recommended withe each wine to bring out each other’s flavors. Pair the Pinot Grigio with any cheesy pizza to balance out the heavy richness of stacked cheeses, while the Pinot Noir paired well with both meat and mushroom pizzas. Cavit’s Moscato wine brings a touch of sweetness to pizzas layered with spicy toppings like jalapeños, and Prosecco, as mentioned, goes well with anything.

To browse Cavit’s wine collection and purchase a selection for your next event, visit their website. To learn more about the ins-and-outs of pizza making, visit the Pizza Academy Foundation. And to simply pick up a pizza on your next night out, visit Kesté Fulton at 77 Fulton Street.

Categories
Dining Featured NYC Restaurants

Downtown Highlights: Tea and Sympathy A bit of British New York City

We’re sympathetic to those who have not been here for a proper British Tea. We had the pleasure of experiencing a traditional British comfort food restaurant, appropriately named Tea and Sympathy. There are basically two types: “low” tea and “high” tea. 

Scone with Raspberry jam and clotted cream

Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford and a dear friend of Queen Victoria, can be accredited with introducing the concept of “afternoon” or “low” tea to upper-class households. Her butler at her request, to bring only tea, bread, butter, perhaps even a few scones to her chambers around 5 pm, the time of day when we all feel slightly peckish, but not ready for a full meal. Eventually, the Duchess, enjoyed this on a daily basis, to the point where she invited her friends, essentially creating a new social ritual.

High Tea, the origins of afternoon tea show clearly it was the preserve of the rich in the 19th century. For workers in the newly industrialized Britain, tea time had to wait until after work. By that hour, tea was generally served with heartier dishes, such as meat, fish, egg dishes, substantially more than just tea and cakes. Workers needed sustenance after a hard day of labor, this meal is more often hot and filling, accompanied by a pot of good, strong tea to revive them from a day’s work.

No need to travel all the way to London for this authentic British ritual, Tea and Sympathy serves classic dishes including Scones with Clotted Cream, Welsh Rarebit, Bangers, and Mash, Sunday Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, and more.

We had the sheer pleasure of pairing our delights with the UK’s choice for sparkling wine from Chapel Down exclusive only to Tea and Sympathy here in New York.

After years of being served at Buckingham Palace (including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding), Chapel Down was introduced to NYC with a partnership with the quintessential British restaurant Tea & Sympathy in Greenwich Village. 

Tea & Sympathy has been serving traditional British comfort food to the West Village since 1990. Their traditional menu offers classic British favorites including Afternoon Tea, Bangers and Mash, and even the beloved Shepherd’s Pie. Now customers can pair the experience with a bottle of either Chapel Down’s rose or Bacchus-based Brut sparkling wine.

Chapel Down Rose Sparkling Wine
Scrumptious Fish and Chips from A Salt and Battery

Tea & Sympathy opened its doors in 1990 and has been a staple for Brits living in the US and us American’s who truly love all the UK’s favorite foods. Next door you can find A Salt & Battery one of the best fish and chips shops in all of NYC!

Tea & Sympathy Store

Afternoon Tea

High Tea

In this episode, Sam enjoys a superb British Afternoon Tea. This meal came on a two-tier platter with tea sandwiches including egg salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad sandwiches.

These sandwiches were delicious, comforting, and light.

Sandwiches the British way

This lunch also included various cakes and baked goods like the sticky toffee pudding cupcake and scones with clotted cream. We also had the pleasure of trying Tea and Sympathy’s signature black tea. It was delicious!

Gluten-Free Lunch with Tea

Marley tried the Absolutely Fabulous Salad, one of the gluten-free lunch options at Tea and Sympathy This mixed green salad is complete with chicken, avocado, a hard-boiled egg, bacon, tomatoes, and a delicious vinaigrette dressing.

GF Salad with Chicken, Egg, and Bacon

Tea and Sympathy are currently searching for a new place to purchase gluten-free bread from. They’re hoping to offer a gluten-free Afternoon Tea option soon!

Visiting Tea and Sympathy felt like visiting London. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss. When you visit, be sure to check out the adorable shop next door that sells British treats, teapots, and more.

Sunday dinner Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding
Tea & Sympathy famous car

For the last episode of Downtown Highlights, click here.

Categories
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.

See More

Brooklyn Chop House Celebrated its 1st First Year in FiDi

Clinton Hall Turns Its Tables Into Canvases for 20 Local Artists

The Meatball Shop: Flavorful Dishes, Zero Waste

Upcoming Event: 10TH ANNUAL TASTE OF THE SEAPORT

Categories
Bars Dining Events Featured

Get Your Tickets to This Summer’s Bigger and Better Rosé Mansion Today

Rosé Mansion, the wine tasting experience dedicated to the history and allure of the pink-hued, warm-weather favorite, launches an all-new experience for 2019. Building off of last summer’s sold-out run, guests looking for a shareable and fun experience that takes wine tasting and education to a whole new level will have multiple opportunities to dive into the 7,000-year history and resurgence of rosé, one of the most popular wines on the market today.

The all-new ​Rosé Mansion​ will bring the pink from around the world to a picture-perfect experience in New York City. Taking over 32,000 square feet (over twice the size of last year’s Mansion), Rosé Mansion will feature a labyrinth of 14 rooms for wine lovers to explore, learn and ‘gram, including Cleopatra’s Palace, a 1960s-themed Acid Test, and a vintage Airline Lounge.

Photo by James Coletta

Following a self-guided tour, guests can enjoy the Mansion’s “RoséLand.” Expanded extensively for 2019, RoséLand is part playground, part party space, where New York’s largest selection of Rosé wine meets the ultimate celebration destination. Attendees can purchase bottles and glasses of their favorite wines and other beverages while enjoying private cabanas, a tree house and picnic area, tacos, and snacks from Taco Dumbo​, and interactive elements such as chandelier swings and photo booths. A retail space and gift shop, open to the public, rounds out the experience.

Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the new rooms in Rosé Mansion NYC:

Vineyard Installation​: Soon after arriving, guests will be transported right into the middle of a vineyard, surrounded by rows of grapevines. After walking through a mirror-lined maze, each guest picks up their own, personalized Govino wine glass for their tasting journey.

Choose Your Own Adventure Sweet Wine:​ Guests will follow a flow chart to find their own biological preferences for sweet or bitter flavors. At the end, each guest’s tasting sample will depend on how they answered the questions.

Cleopatra’s Palace: ​Go back in time to Ancient Egypt to learn about Cleopatra’s penchant for Brachetto wine and live like a queen. Guests will lounge on thrones while they sip Brachetto in a truly luxurious sensory experience, as the scent of spices and oils from Ancient Egypt mingle with lush fabrics, art, and artifacts.

Celebration Room: Rosé is made for celebrating, whether it’s birthdays, weddings, graduations, or just every day. Glitter cannons, a giant cake, giant furniture, bright colors, firework imagery, and other surprises will make each guest feel like the life of the party.

Traditional Winery:​ Drink wine straight from the tank as Rose Mansion ambassadors share details on how wine is produced. This room will have giant wine barrels and the look and feel of a traditional wine tasting room, with infographics and dioramas explaining the wine-making process.

Photo by James Coletta

In addition to the wine tasting tour and access to RoséLand, Rosé Mansion will offer an ongoing series of wine tasting workshops, touching on rosé varietals, unusual grapes, Wines from New York State, France vs California, Southern Hemisphere Favorites, and an Exclusive Champagne Tasting.

Rosé Mansion’s new home takes over the entire second floor of the Manhattan Mall, where it will have a private entrance and address at 1​11 W. 32nd Street,​ near Penn Station.

Tickets are on sale today, April 16th, and range from $35–$45, but if you buy before April 21st you get a $10 discount on all ticket purchases. Food, wine, and private cabanas in RoséLand can be reserved for an additional fee. Tickets include access to the Rosé Mansion experience, eight wine tastings, a Rosé Mansion collectible pin, a Rosé Mansion wine glass by Govino​, as well as access to RoséLand.

Categories
Featured Living

Your Valentine’s Day Gift Guide is Here

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Friendly reminder: it’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is the next thing you can’t forget to buy a gift for. But don’t fret, we’ve got you covered with presents for everyone from your best friend to your significant other. Read on for Downtown’s favorite gifts this season!

Lord Jones High CBD Gumdrops

lord jones

What’s more on trend that CBD gummies? These are the finest you can buy, with 20 mg per gumdrop and no artificial colors or flavors. This limited edition box features passion fruit and raspberry confections and is only available until February 14th. Snatch one up for your friend with pre-date jitters and another for yourself!

 

Bouquet Bar

bouquet bar

Let Bouquet Bar take all the guessing out of gift giving for you this Valentine’s Day. Their boxes include everything from flowers to chocolate to bath bombs, and they have ten holiday options for both the men and women in your life. The signature “Love Box” (pictured above) contains a mini-bouquet of red spray roses, lavender dark chocolate drops, sugar coated gummy hearts, caramel corn, gummy bears and a lavender scented candle. Plus, they’ve got free shipping and next-day delivery for all you procrastinators.

 

Fine & Raw Chocolate

 

fine & raw

Keep your box of chocolates local this year with Brooklyn-made truffles from Fine & Raw. They are made with sustainable ingredients from around the world and come in flavors like sea salt, orange and hazelnut. For even more fun you can visit their factory in Bushwick to see how your gift is made!

 

Couples’ Classes at the Institute for Culinary Education

 

If you’re looking for something hands on head to ICE, located in Brookfield Place, for some special VDay classes. Learn how to make French macarons or sear the perfect steak. If you don’t want to work so hard for your dinner sign up for the Champagne Gala, where you’ll sip on bubbles while learning about the history of sparkling wine and enjoying classic dish pairings. ICE offers couples classes through their recreational program all year long, so be sure to check out their other classes like homemade pizza and pasta.

 

Ettitude’s Love Bundles

 

ettitude

The quickest way to end up in bed with someone is to gift them sleepwear! Ettitude, the luxury sleepwear and bedding brand that uses 100% organic bamboo lyocell fabric, has two bundles sure to have you jumping for joy. The Eye Love You Bundle includes two adorable, special edition sleep masks for you and your love, and the Big Love Bundle adds two cozy robes to the mix.

 

Murray’s Cheese

 

murray's cheese bacon
Photo courtesy of Murray’s Cheese

That’s right, we’re giving you permission to gift someone bacon for Valentine’s Day! Murray’s Cheese has tons of great boxes and baskets for everyone in your life, but we can’t get over the Bacon Me Crazy, which features three types of bacon adding up to 2.5 lbs of meat! Other favorites include the luxurious Burrata Lover’s Collection, the Champagne Lover’s Collection, which does almost all the work for you, and the Cheese Tower for Two that encourages you to skip right to the cheese plate.

 

Bokksu

 

bokksu

Book a trip to Japan, for your tastebuds! Bokksu will send you a collection of Japanese snacks along with a tasting and culture guide to introduce you to the culinary delicacies of the Land of the Rising Sun. February’s Love Story Bokksu is filled with red, pink and heart shaped snacks to help you cuddle up and stay warm during the cold month. Bokksu and its CEO Danny Taing promote cultural sustainability by seeking out traditional, artisanal snack makers throughout Japan to use in Bokksu all year round.

 

Sprinkles Cupcakes

 

sprinkles day

Whether your celebrating Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day, everyone in your life deserves something sweet! Head to a Sprinkles location for limited edition flavors such as Raspberry Chocolate Chip and Stuffed French Toast or pick up a BE MINE or mini I <3 U box set.

 

Moët & Chandon Impérial Rosé Living Ties

moet & chandon rose

This limited edition, non-vintage rosé is what we’ll be sipping on no matter what we’re doing this Valentine’s Day. The beautiful pink bottles can be purchased in a celebratory gift box, in a full sleeved bottle, or as a mini Moët. This bubbly is sure to make your night a memorable one!

 

Ambrella x Spiritual Gangster UR ALL U NEED Apparel

 

umbrella x spiritual gangster

Philadelphia and LA-based street artist Ambrella and activewear brand Spiritual Gangster have partnered up to remind us all to love ourselves first. The collection includes a muscle tank, t-shirt and hoodie featuring Ambrella’s artwork.

 

Petrossian x Luke’s Lobster Caviar Lobster Roll Kit

 

caviar lobster roll

 

After the success of their in-store caviar lobster rolls, Petrossian and Luke’s Lobster teamed up for this extra special Valentine’s Day kit. Each package includes half a pound of lobster meat (enough for two lobster rolls), 50 grams of classic Baika caviar, 6 pieces of Petrossian fudge, 2 serving spoons, and a gift box. Why go out for this decadent meal when you can enjoy it in your pajamas at home?

 

 

Categories
Dining

3 Rooftop Bars Worth Checking Out Soon

Mr. Purple / Photo courtesy of Gerber Group

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3iYcn8T5Ko

When the weather is cooperative in Manhattan, one of the most fun things to do is visit a rooftop bar. New York has no shortage of rooftop bars, but Downtown had the pleasure of speaking with representatives from three of the city’s better establishments with rooftops:

  • Brenda Alvarez, Bartender at Mr. Purple
  • Kia Williams, Bartender at The Roof
  • Roman Tartakovsky, Beverage Manager at North River Lobster Company

    How would you describe your rooftop bar to someone who hasn’t been there?

    Brenda Alvarez, Mr. Purple: Mr. Purple gives great aesthetic pleasure to all who get to experience the space. It’s a very exciting rooftop bar and super fast-paced, not to mention the phenomenal views from our not one, but two terraces!

    Kia Williams, The Roof: I would describe The Roof as a yacht in the sky, with its anchor right in front of Central Park. You can people watch, gaze out on the unobstructed view of Central Park, and catch up with friends, while enjoying a delicious cocktail made with market fresh ingredients.

    Roman Tartakovsky, North River Lobster Company: The rooftop is probably one of the most unique rooftops in the city. It has two booth-style rows that run along the sides of the boat and a long communal table that acts like a spine in the center. There is some coverage from the sun towards the front and bar area however most of the deck is a sundeck. It’s a fun roof with basically nothing to block your views on all sides, considering you’re on the third deck you also have a sustainable amount of height off the water which I feel adds a little thrill. Wood tables and trim complimented by white railings and red/navy details give the look and feel of a New England lobster shack while still having some very nautical theming. Concept has a strong coastal community atmosphere while still appealing to the modern millennial with fun music and casual dress codes. You will catch families recluse from the heat inside as millennials bask in the sun on the rooftop with buckets of beer and glasses of rosé. All of this balanced out by quintessential North/East American fare really gives an authentic and unique feel to the vessel without being pretentious or overbearing.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rY7OI6jG70

    What’s your favorite item on the menu there?

    Brenda Alvarez, Mr. Purple: My favorite item on our cocktail menu is the bottled Negroni. It’s our signature negroni recipe, but carbonated and bottled in-house. The bottle is absolutely the cutest, no ice is needed! From our food menu, I’d have to say the sliders with smoked gruyere, three to an order with fries — cannot go wrong.

    Kia Williams, The Roof: My favorite item on the menu is the GG Old Fashioned; mine in particular (laughs). I haven’t been to many places that can compare.

    Roman Tartakovsky, North River Lobster Company: The rosé is the best choice for me. There is nothing like a glass of Cloud Chaser after a long day at work. To be able to enjoy this on a boat is even more special considering the festive atmosphere and valiant seafood options to pair with. In reference to food I would defiantly go with a new England classic lobster roll. You truly haven’t experienced NRLC unless you have a nice tasty sweet and buttery roll here. The marriage of sweet lobster, creamy sauce and buttery roll really completes the coastal feel of the concept.

    When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?

    Brenda Alvarez, Mr. Purple: In my spare time I study bees! One day I hope to be a full time beekeeper.

    Kia Williams, The Roof: When I’m not busy behind the bar at The Roof, my husband and I check out other cool bars and restaurants around the city. People call us the Jay Z and Beyonce of hospitality.

    The Roof / Photo: Gerber Group

    Roman Tartakovsky, North River Lobster Company: Lately I’ve taken a huge liking towards photography. I never realized what an incredible release you get from immortalizing moments into frames. The patience in waiting for the perfect moment stabilized by the careful focusing of the lens. Holding your breath for that last moment as you begin to apply pressure to the trigger. The satisfaction of losing the visual for a split second and the sound of the exposure being captured. Finally releasing that pent up breath and looking at the preview of the exposure. It almost feels like elements of creation, I can’t explain it with anything less than a rush.

    Finally, any last words for the kids?

    Brenda Alvarez, Mr. Purple: Come by Mr. Purple to have a drink or two, and take some great, unforgettable pictures of our view!

    Kia Williams, The Roof: When ordering a drink from your bartender or sever, I always recommend that guests look over the menu and first find their spirit of choice. I also suggest finding two cocktails that sound good and to ask your bartender or server to describe each one instead of asking, “What’s better?” Taste is subjective.

    Roman Tartakovsky, North River Lobster Company: North River Lobster Company​​ is an interesting product in the sense that we aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel but give you the best possible wheel we can give you. There isn’t a huge menu or a crazy amount of things to choose from. Just the right things to choose from to make you feel as though you have been transported on a mini vacation. With all the hustle and bustle in the city it’s hard to forget your in Manhattan. However, on The Destiny it can really feel like you’ve been taken away for a bit.