New Openings in NYC: Chef's Pass

Imagine being invited to dinner at David Bouley's home with seven of your closest friends.  And while Bouley prepared the meal,  you perched on a chair in the kitchen watching his every move while he talked you through it. At Chef's Pass, it's a reality. Bouley chopped off a section of the Bouley dining room for his new pet project: an eight-seater restaurant where he plays host and chef. He shares the floor via Skype with farmers, artisans and wine makers who are all involved in the making of the five to 20-course tasting menu and welcomes diners to admire his in-house herb-filled greenhouse. Throughout the meal (which  Bouley assembles, composes and delivers to diners), a video feed displays photos of food market scenes from all over the world. Think mom and pop shops, farmer's markets in Europe and Asia and even a sneek peek at the Bouley kitchen team in action.  Don't forget your gift bag on the way out, full of a tasting of ingredients, recipes and a signature Bouley lemon teacake. 

New Openings NYC: Allswell

Williamsburg is getting the gastropub treatment courtesy of Spotted Pig alum Nate Smith. A giant “reservation only” table anchors Allswell, his new Billysburg pub where wallpaper makes a comeback on the design front and is garnished with brass hunting horn chandeliers and a reclaimed pine wood bar. As for food, hearty fare like roasted lamb stew and smoked trout make for an ideal winter meal. Small production wines, craft beers and seasonally inspired cocktails are the bar’s specialty. see more

New Openings in NYC: Saxon & Parole

LES resto double crown is no more. but design team avroko transformed the bowery space into the just-opened equestrian-themed dining desto, saxon & parole. 

empty liquor bottles line the walls of a dim dining room. they’re bottles of S&P’s house-crafted whiskey brand, parole (named after a thoroughbred owned by tobacco heir pierre lorillard). you’ll find this tincture in bevs like the house manhattan, as well as their sig whiskey ice cream. bottles aside, the spot is outfitted with extra-long banquettes, dark leather booths, a cozy fireplace, reclaimed wood, and equine art and bric-à-brac (a nod to the numerous stables that once populated the hood).

along with the promise of grilled meats, you’ll find other offerings by exec chef brad farmerie. think dry-aged angus burgers with pennsylvania havarti and maple bacon, whole-roasted and stuffed branzino, PEI mussels and guinness-glazed short ribs. if you’re in need of a night cap, head to madame reneva (the adjacent gin joint and relic of the double crown days). as for saxon? another prize-winning racehorse.

saxon & parole. 316 bowery. at bleeker. 212.254.0350. now open.www.saxonandparole.com

New Openings: New York

september 13, 2011 new york | new restaurant openings.

with fall comes the end of fasting in the name of bikini season. celebrate autumn in new york with a burger on bowery, allegretti's rich french fare, john delucie's crown jewel, and then some. and the new restaurants this month are: delucie-ous.   john delucie (think waverly inn and the lion, pictured) has turned what was once bruno jamais into crown, his version of upper east side american. that means a wood-paneled lounge, mirrored bar, lots of vintage pics and drawings circa the 1890s, all surrounded by luxe velvet, leather, and loads of candlelight. as for food, the menu is executed by former gotham bar and grill chef de cuisine jason hall, with desserts by heather bertinetti (marea). now open. 24 east 81st street. between fifth and madison. 646.539.4880.     dream cuisine. indie film fare.   chef and neurologist miguel sanchez (of michelin-starred l'esguard in barcelona) seeks to satisfy your stomach and your senses at romera. expect a raw-centric menu and signature "aqua gourmand" pairings (arty water options, we think). the zen space is showered in white with a hanging herb garden, and custom light canopies over each table. the rooftop holds another garden and "estudio," a place to reflect with nature. opens mid september. at the dream downtown hotel. 355 west 16th street. between 8th and 9th. 212.929.5800.www.romeranewyork.com   jason denton ('ino, 'inoteca, corsino and betto) is running the david rockwell-designed eatery indie food and wine at lincoln center's new film forum. but it's chef rebecca weitzman (of park slope's thistle hill tavern) sending out the italian focused cafeteria-style lunch and dinner plates. think olive-oil poached tuna and slow roast beef in a sleek and minimal room with lots of wood accents. and for those who must have their popcorn fix, indie is offering up parmesan black truffle and salted caramel varieties at the concession stand. now open. 144 west 65th street. at broadway.     parlez-vous anglais. fine diner.   chef alain allegretti (petit maison, pictured) named his upcoming resto after a prominent boulevard in his native nice, france. naturally, the décor and menu follow suit. sea blue velour banquettes and murals brighten up la promenade des anglais which is also adorned with rich dark wood, brass, and a black-and-white marble floor. try scallops and zucchini provencal, plus snacks like lamb sliders on the bar menu. opens mid september. 461 west 23rd street. between 9th and 10th. 212.255.7400.www.lapromenadenyc.com   he mastered pizza at motorino. now, michelin-starred chef mathieu palombino is set to sling burgers, grilled cheese, belgian waffles and his favorite diner dish, the reuben, at the bowery diner. the 140-seat space is an ode to americana: red leather booths, giant globe lights and formica furnishings trimmed in stainless steel. a glass dessert case houses homemade doughnuts and mile-high meringues. opens late september. 241 bowery. at prince. 212.388.0052.www.bowerydiner.com

Fashion Week Cocktails

New York Fashion Week is officially in full swing and what better way to celebrate than with couture cocktails!

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The Empire Hotel

Some may call the Empire Hotel Fashion Week’s unofficial headquarters. It’s located just steps away from Lincoln Center where all the shows are taking place and fashion brands like Victoria’s Secret, Spanx, Lia Sophia and others have all set up shop at the iconic hotel. And with couture cocktails created especially for the week long event, can you blame them? First up is the fan favorite Don’t Feed the Models. Made with Organic cucumber  vodka and sweet mint, it’s a low cal cocktail, perfect for making sure you can zip up your dress for the after party. Craving Some Couture is another of the hotel’s creations. This is made with gin, Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit & fresh Lemon. And in honor of Moises De La Renta – who has designed a signature dress to be worn by the hotel’s Fashion Week Ambassadors – there is the Moises Fashion Fix. But to get that recipe, you have to head over to the lobby bar. And just in case you are having too much fun to actually make it over to Lincoln Center, a live feed of all the shows will be streaming at the hotel’s entrance.

Elle Style 360

You can visit elle.com to get a 360 degree look at the making of a fashion show and to check out the winner of the Fashion Forward Originals contest. But we can tell you what the VIPs will be drinking at the 360 after parties. Stoli Chocolat Razberi, of course. The spirit will be released for sale later this month, but attendees of the Sachika fashion show on September 13 will get first sip of Stoli’s decadent new spirit that combines the rich taste of chocolate with the fruity zing of raspberry.  Mix it with peach nectar for their Choco Raz Nectar or with mango juice and seltzer for the Chocolate Raz Mango Fizz. For a true treat, mix it with pomegranate juice for the Chocolate Raz Pome Twist (recipe below).

Trump SoHo

You didn’t think the Donald would pass up an opportunity to fill his Trump SoHo lounge and rooftop with models, did you? Here, they are pouring Consider the Catwalk – a mix of pear vodka, lemon juice, cranberry juice and a splash of Champagne. Not sparkling wine, but Champagne. This is a Trump property, after all.  The Sweet Velvet is another of the lounge’s specialties. This made with Zacapa rum, velvet falernum, grapefruit juice and a hint of lime juice. And since men have to drink too,  the Bowtie (recipe below) is a classic bourbon daisy dressed up with blackberries and mint as garnish. As an added bonus, guests who check in with FourSquare get 15% off their order.

Signature Cocktail: Stoli Chocolat Raz Pomegranate Twist

Created by Charlotte Voisey, Portfolio Ambassador, William Grant & Sons

2 parts Stoli Chocolat Razberi Vodka

1 parts Promegranate Juice

1 Squeeze of Lemon

Shake with ice and strain into martini glass

Garnish with lemon slice

The Bowtie

(served at Trump SoHo)

         2 parts Bourbon

         1 part Simple Syrup

         1/2 parts Fresh Lemon Juice

         4 Blackberries

         Mint Sprig

Combine bourbon, simple syrup and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with mint and blackberries.