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    Steak and Cigars

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    A Good Hair Day

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    Hang with Hipsters

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    A Wicked Good Time

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    High Standards

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    Night at the Museum

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    Aww Shucks! Oysters

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Featured NY Project: Aww Shucks! Oysters Night

Featured NY Project: Aww Shucks! Oysters Night

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Mindy Kobrin, Lifestyle and Celebration Expert

NY – Midweek frigid temps have your soul in a slump and romance-o-meter running low on fuel?  Not to worry, your internal flames will flicker again with this triple threat love potion:  Oysters, Wine/Champagne and Cheese.

1. When out painting the Apple red, you can’t go wrong with two of my favorite down-the-hatch oyster-frenzy eateries: West Village’s Pearl Oyster Bar and Soho’s Aquagrill, where you’ll find a most impressive “Seafood Plateau Royale” that’s really worth its weight in gold.  For luscious oysters to-go, I can always count on the Lobster Place Seafood Market inside famed New York city’s Chelsea Market.

2. What’s best to drink with oysters you ask?  There’s no better way to wash down these juicy delicacies than with a well-paired libation: Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc or Champagne.

Hint, wink, wink: Champagne is the can’t-go-wrong choice with oysters.  Those bubbles scour the palate and make you look forward to more tasty nighty-night nibbles.

2. Le Du's Wines in the West Village

Le Du’s, a top-notch attitude-free West Village wine shoppe is a real gem with an incredibly vast selection.  You can impress your friends and drink like a Rock Star by becoming a member of its Wine Club or using the services of their Master Sommelier Concierge.  Each month their team of wine experts will select bottles to satisfy your wine fancy. They’ll even make it simple by delivering your vintages straight to your doorstep the first week of each month.

3. Murray's Cheese Shop in the West Village

3. The final Musketeer of your aphrodisiac triumvirate is creamy-n-dreamy cheese.  At Murray’s Cheese Shop, where being cheesy is a good thing (there are five caves worth of cheese below the store), your fromage passport palate will fast become a First Class world traveler.  Their Cheese U Bootcamp, a 3-day series (complete with lectures, demonstrations and tastings), will have you pairing like a pro.

So, pack your grocery bags, turn up the Barry White tunes and prepare for a playful evening of good eats and cuddly drinks. For more on Mindy, click here.

 

Photo Credit Le Du’s Wines:  Shanna Ravinda

By: tdpnyc Category: Date Night, Featured Project, NY Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Featured NY Project: Night at the Museum

Featured NY Project: Night at the Museum

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Linda Francis Lee, Author

For a night that is both romantic and magical, I love the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

1.  To start, I love walking through the endless halls lined with everything from Knight’s armor to Egyptian Art, even charcoal drawings by my cousin Suzi Davidoff.

2.  Then, since art is best absorbed in sips rather than gulps, I head upstairs for a different kind of sip — either a glass of champagne at the Garden Café on the roof as the sun sets over Central Park, or stay inside for a Cosmo at the Great Hall Balcony Bar, where music swells against the old museum walls.

3.  After the sun goes down there is a light dinner in the Petrie Court Cafe and Wine Bar. Or even more magical is to have dinner in the Members Dining Room looking out over treetops in the park.

But the best part of the evening is saved for last when you leave through the empty museum, the lights slightly lowered – just you, your date, a few guards . . . and centuries worth of art.    For more on Linda, click here.

 
By: tdpnyc Category: Date Night, Featured Project, NY

Steak and Cigars

Steak and Cigars

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NY - Our guys like a good shoe shine and a well done steak and what red-blooded metro-sexual doesn’t?  Here’s a project to share with your guy, or better yet take him out for a night he’ll always remember.

1. Truman's

1. This isn’t your Mama’s hair salon. Send your guy to grab a shave, shoe shine and even free booze while he gets a haircut at Truman’s Gentleman’s Groomers.

2. Renowned for the finest and most extensive cigar selection in New York City, Club Macanudo is the perfect place to make a deal over a handshake and a smoke.

3. There have been tons of new steak houses popping up in the city, but we’re still faithful to The Post House.

3. The Post House

Connected to the Lowell Hotel, this cozy steakery keeps a low profile on the UES and consistently serves up the best in steak and fish, delivered to your table by a team of white jacket wait staff.  Make sure to save room for dessert: the signature coconut cake will knock your socks off.

By: thebitenyc Category: Guys Night, NY

A Good Hair Day

A Good Hair Day

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NY - Who says you need a guy to enjoy an evening of great hair, fine champagne and pole dancing? This GNO project is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion (think engagement or divorce) or just let loose.  Grab your besties and make it a night to remember!

1.  Everything’s better with good hair, so get your posse together and book the VIP room at DryBar for a fabulous and fun group blow out.

2. Flute Bar

2.  For a small bite and the best bubbly by the glass, head over to Flute Champagne Bar.

3. Sheila Kelley

3.  Pole dancing isn’t just for strippers — it’s a great workout!  So now that you have great hair and a champagne glow, take the evening to the next level and check out a pole/lap dance class at Sheila Kelley’s S Factor.

By: thebitenyc Category: Girls Night, NY

Hang with Hipsters

Hang with Hipsters

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NY - Hands down the LES (Lower East Side) is the coolest neighborhood in town.  It’s home to the world’s best vintage clothing shops, tastiest pickles (crossing Delancey) and most authentic ethnic markets. Check out our favorite spots and notice all the cool dudes with mustaches and dogs.
1.  Walk through a down and dirty pawn shop into a secret door and be transported to the elegant and sophisticated Beauty and Essex dining room for dinner.  It’s a tough reservation, so book early.

2. Arlene's Grocery

2.     Whether you’re into rock, alternative, jazz or karoake, there’s something for everyone’s musical taste at Arlene’s Grocery.   After dinner, head over to this converted grocery store (with multiple bars and stages) and listen to a set from an up and coming band that’s sure to be the next big thing in music.

3. babycakes

3.     Late night munchies? Feel like you’re on a movie set at the adorable, tiny and fully functioning bakery, babycakes, where all the gals wear 50s inspired uniforms as they serve up the best fresh baked treats in town.  Choose from gluten free cupcakes to vegan donuts to sugar-free chocolate chip cookie sandwiches. It’s all crazy delish.

By: tdpnyc Category: Date Night, NY

High Standards

High Standards

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NY - Trendy?  Perhaps. (Oh, come on. We’re being honest with you here). But this project in the Meatpacking District is sure to take you to new heights, whether you’re entertaining out-of-towners or want to just feel like one yourself.

1. If you like sunsets (um, and who doesn’t?), and you like cocktails (ditto), then this one’s for you: The view at the Top of the Standard–drink in hand–is breathtaking. It is on the pricey side, but so worth it for the view. Want more drama? If the weather’s nice, find the staircase to the roof for an evening cocktail experience like no other.

2. The High Line at Night

2. Take the scenic route to dinner via The High Line, the historic freight rail line that’s now an elevated walking path and park. Hint: when walking by the Standard, don’t look TOO closely into the windows (unless you’re into that kind of thing); hotel guests have been known to bare all for the voyeurs strolling by down below.

3. La Promenade des Anglais

3. Just off 23rd Street (and right off the High Line) you can stroll on over to  La Promenade des Anglais. Located in the heart of Chelsea, the cuisine is inspired by the French Riviera and regions of Italy and it’s really something special. You’ll thank us for this one…


By: tdpnyc Category: Date Night, NY

A Wicked Good Time

A Wicked Good Time

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NY - You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this Saturday outing (even the macho guys dig it)!  If you’ve never seen the international smash hit Wicked, put this one at the top of your Broadway bucket list.  If you have seen it, but can’t get enough (once doesn’t cut it), here’s a project that’ll remind you why there’s no place like Broadway.

1.  Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Wicked by two actual cast members at the Behind the Emerald Curtain tour. Every Saturday morning at the Gershwin Theater, fans can get a guided tour through the in-house museum, watch a special backstage video from an orchestra seat and have the opportunity to finally get answers to all their burning questions.  For more info, click here.

2. Before noon, head over to Ellen’s Stardust Diner, just a block away, to beat the rush and hear your favorite Broadway tunes sung by real actors, all the while enjoying an early lunch (you’ll be blown away when you see how many people are lined up to get in by the time you leave).

Ellen's Stardust Diner

3.  Then, ease on back over to the Gershwin to catch the 2pm matinee performance of Wicked.   The Tony Award winning musical has been on Broadway since 2003 and though it’s been touring the globe for years, there’s absolutely nothing like seeing it on “the great white way.”

By: tdpnyc Category: Family Time, NY
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