Monday “Model Nights” at China Club?

Yeah, neither do we. Thankfully, the impresarios behind China Club have been busy reinventing the former space… behold Eden Rooftop. Part of a nightlife trifecta starring Crest Lounge, Opera, and of course, Eden, the former China Club is a jack of many trades but master of one: nightlife.

On the main floor will be Crest Lounge, a soon-to-be-completed lounge accented by espresso-colored woods. Navigate up and you’ll enter Opera, anchored by an island bar and a performance stage. And then there’s Eden, a high-ceilinged indoor space complemented by an outdoor area perfect for after-work unwinding and sunset cocktails. We hear a solid beverage program is in the works when the lounge officially opens in a couple of weeks.

For now, try out the open bar by Trump Vodka to kickoff Joonbug’s St. Tropez Thursdays.

Let the Summer begin.


St. Tropez Thursdays kickoff this Thursday and runs every Thursday through September. Eden opens to the public early June.


Eden Rooftop
268 West 47th Street (between Eighth Avenue & Broadway)
Tel: (212) 398-3800

Avoid the herd mentality and head north to Grayz, the much-anticipated new cocktail lounge from superstar chef Gray Kunz. There you will graze (Grayz = graze. Get it?) on fine finger foods in a Masters of the Universe-type setting.

The secret is out. Midtown is in:



COCKTAILS. Only classy, crowd-pleasing drinks will be served in this 19th century former Rockefeller townhouse. What about Champagne, you ask? Oui. And say hello to the two-story wall of wine bottles (including sparkling wines, reds, and whites). Once you conquer that, proceed to…

CUISINE. James Beard awards. Four-stars from The New York Times. Restaurant Hall Of Fame inductee. Gray Kunz has won them all. Gorge on his evolving menu of innovative finger food, such as Salt Stone Grilled Langoustines, Cornmeal Crusted Calamari, and Saffron Lobster Linguini. Eyes wide open? Look around at the…

INTERIORS. Two levels of elegance provide a variety of settings, from the open atrium to private dining nooks and a sleek curved bar. Hints of the old (working fireplaces, exposed brick, antique flooring) mesh perfectly with the new (sharp leather fixtures, geometric lines). Opulence is in this place’s DNA.

Indulge.


Grayz soft opens today (9/24) at 5 p.m. No reservations for now.


Grayz
13-15 West 54th Street (near Fifth Avenue)
Tel: (212) 262-4600
grayz.net

Even if the drinks are world-class, like at B Flat (the speakasy from a crew of former Angel’s Share bartenders).

Spice up your restaurant rotation with their latest venture, Tokyo Bar. Conveniently located just above the lounge, this brand new Tokyo-styled café aims to please with “new Japanese comfort food”.

There are traditional dishes such as Omu-Rice (an omelet and rice dish) and Japanese-styled curry. And, then it gets really interesting: take Napolitan, a spaghetti meets ketchup marriage (apparently, everyone loves pasta in Japan), and Parmesan Flavored Pork Loin Cutlet (view the menu here).

Hydrate from the drinks menu with Hoegaarden, Stella, and Sapporo (all available on draft), and signature cocktails, such as the refreshing Tokyo Mojito (muddled shiso leaves, yuzu juice, and rum) and Giant Steps (wasabi-infused vodka and sake).

Watch out for the 10:30 p.m. last call, though.

Then it’s time to move below to B Flat.


Tokyo Bar
277 Church Street (near White Street)
Tel: (212) 966-2787

But you’re no average man.

And, lucky for you, the just opened Spitzer’s Corner is no average bar.

Sporting a whopping 30+ imported beers on tap (everything from Allagash White to Young’s Double Chocolate Stout), 15 wines by the glass, and a raw bar, the next big thing on the Lower East Side has arrived.

And big it is.

Ceiling-high windows surround and open up the Asfour Guzy-designed (Blue Hill restaurants) space. The raw, unfinished wooden plank walls and floor, and unpolished metal columns lay a simple backdrop to highlight the venue’s main attraction… the wall-length bar.

For now, drinking and a little seafood action (Kumamoto and Blue Point oysters) will have to suffice as Chef Michael Cooperman (Le Bernadin) fine tunes items like Pork Fat Popcorn, Fried Zucchini Blossoms with ricotta and truffle oil, and The PBLT (crisp pork belly, lettuce, tomato on Challah).

They call the menu “New American gastropub”.

We call it delicious.


Spitzer’s Corner
101 Rivington Street (at Ludlow Street)
Tel: (212) 228-0027
spitzerscorner.com (website coming soon)

It’s drowning in a sea of skyscrapers with few dining and drinking options.

Then there is The Volstead. Set to open next Wednesday (8/8), this new, upscale restaurant/lounge from the crew behind PS 450 and Vig 27, combines an excellent comfort food menu (preview the food menu) with a sophisticated cocktail list (check out the cocktail menu).

It’s a modern day speakeasy with all the right touches. The restaurant and lounge both embrace the swanky speakeasy feel with dark mahogany and cherry wood finishes in an underground setting. The secretive feel is flushed out with tables, banquettes and ottomans in nooks and partitioned sections.

Since the lounge is named after Prohibition founder Congressman Andrew Volstead, a classic-meets-modern cocktail list is presented. Ladies will love the Cantaloupe Daquiri (fresh cantaloupe, simple syrup, fresh lime, light rum, dark rum), and the Strawberry Caiproska (lime, strawberries, simple syrup, Level Vodka, club soda). Gents will gravitate to the The Original Dry Martini (Plymouth Gin, sweet vermouth, orange bitters, orange zest garnish) and just about everything else on the menu.

They will feed you at The Volstead, too. Bring on the Mini Tilapia Fish Tacos, the Buffalo Pops (buffalo wings served on a stick), and the Lobster Roll Sliders. And leave room for the Chocolate Fondue or Banana Ice Cream Sandwich.

The only thing missing is you.


The Volstead opens next Wednesday (8/8).


The Volstead
125 East 54th Street (between Park and Lexington)
Tel: (212) 583-0411

We think not.

The recently opened Cachaça offers a classy, low lit ambiance you can enjoy with late set times and cover charges much more reasonable than others in the nabe.

Since you can’t always get out of work or dinner in time for those 7:30 sets, Cachaça lets you chose from 9 p.m., 11 p.m., and 1 a.m. performance times. A perfect after dinner place to bring a date.

Sure it may be on shoe shopping row, but you’ll easily be able to pick out the polished storefront. The warm staff will welcome you past a narrow entry by the bar to an open space with ample seating and good stage views.

With apricot and exposed brick walls, candle lighting and a sleek, airy vibe, Cachaça offers a taste of Brazil and a sound of international jazz acts.

Regardless of the group playing, the piano always makes a beautiful visual, especially when you sip the signature Brazilian beverage: a Caipirinha with cachaça, lime, and sugar.

So slick your hair and wear your buckle shoes.

And all that jazz.


Cachaça Jazz ‘n’ Samba Club
35 West 8th Street (Fifth Avenue)
Tel: (212) 388-9099
cachacajazz.com

You’ve got a lot of reasons to be bullish.

Add Johnny Utah’s to the list. Opening today, this smokin’ Southwestern experience delivers everything you love about the Wild West to midtown west. Sure, there’s a mean-looking, mechanical bull ready to toss you on your rump. And those candles surrounding the bull, symbolizing “rings of fire”, provide a perfect photo-op for your next office party.

But, it’s the food that just might steal the show (view the menu). Succulent smoked meats and barbeque specialties are expertly prepared by Marlon Manty and Jeffrey Held (both of Blue Smoke). For starters, go with the BBQ Shrimp Wrapped in Bacon with Avocado Cocktail Sauce and the Braised Short Rib Flouta “Poblano Style”. Entrees include an excellent Smoked Chicken Pot Pie, Beer-Braised Pork Belly with Onion Pickles, or a good ol’ Black Angus Beef Burger with Steak Fries.

Drinks are also a big deal at ‘Utah’s: an extensive Whiskey Menu and Tequila Menu provide the opportunity to get you liquored up before your mandatory bull ride.

So break out your boots.

There’s a new spot for urban cowboys in town.


Johnny Utah’s
25 West 51st Street (Fifth Avenue)
Tel: (212) 265-UTAH (8824)
johnnyutahs.com

Which is great when you find yourself hungry on the Lower East Side. Just be sure you’re dining at The Stanton Social.

Sure, you know about the gorgeous interiors of the duplex designed by the award-winning design firm AvroKO (Quality Meats, Public). You may have even heard about their Kobe Beef Sliders or the Spicy Lobster Pasta (yes, they both rock).

But, did you know that you could order any item from Stanton Social’s full menu until 2 a.m. on weeknights and 3 a.m. on weekends? That means more time to ponder: will it be the Duck Confit Empanadas with blood orange dipping sauce or the Lobster, Chorizo & Artichoke Paella Cakes.

While those choices begin to marinate, consider chef Chris Santos’s new Summer dishes, such as BBQ Pork Sliders, Caramelized Peach & Brie Quesadilla with chile honey, or Herb Crusted Hanger Steak with ‘blackened’ potato salad & crispy buttermilk Vidalia onions.

And because the menu is of the share-friendly variety, everyone gets a fill and a thrill.


The Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street (Ludlow & Orchard Streets)
Tel: (212) 995-0099
thestantonsocial.com

Get it all packed into the smallest lounge in Manhattan at Smith & Mills.

So tiny that you might just miss it, this new Tribeca spot is marked by a single antique bulb with the street number “71″ painted in bright red. It’s a hint of what’s inside - what this bar lacks in space it more than makes up for in detail. Cozy wrap-around banquettes are surrounded by turn of the century architectural drawings and fixtures, including decades-old hardhats.

The wall length bar features authentic apothecary bottles and hardware. But it’s the bathroom that’s the signature piece: built into the building’s original freight elevator car. The owners of Smith & Mills salvaged the car and decorated every inch - from the original door on sliding hinges, to wrought iron work, and even added an antique, foldable train car sink.

Expect the same level of attention in the lounge’s offerings, too. The fully stocked bar includes a menu featuring homemade canned and preserved foods, and a Summer perfect picnic lunch complete with chicken and sides.

Let the season begin.

Smith & Mills opens this Thursday.



Smith & Mills
71 North Moore Street (Greenwich Street)
Tel: (212) 966-2764
smithandmills.com