Whether it’s a great meal or a grand setting, you can appreciate the finer things.

Welcome then, to the return of an ultimate New York classic: The Oak Room at The Plaza Hotel. The luxe décor and barrel-vaulted ceilings are still the stuff of Gatsby-esque dreams. Hulking oak panels stretch across the entire space, leaving jacquard chairs, custom leather tables, and copper accents to brighten the premises.

While its interior has freshened up, The Oak Room turns the corner on one hundred years of tradition with a new culinary attitude. James Beard Award-winning Chef Joel Antunes has been lured away from his eponymous Atlanta restaurant to make his New York debut. Think American-centric fare, amplified with global ingredients and appeal. Warm up with a Nantucket Bay Scallop and Organic Corn Chowder before moving on to a “Cow Girl” Rib-Eye: a 14 oz dry-aged Rib-Eye accompanied by Crisped Potatoes Macaire and Shallot Sauce, or Dover Sole Filets Roasted Meuniere Style with Brown Butter.

Pulling up a seat at Chef Antunes’ eight-person table or commissioning the private, 18-seat dining room are added luxuries.

Indulging… some things at The Oak Room never change.

Check out more pictures of The Oak Room with our slideshow here.

The Oak Room re-opens next Wednesday (11/12).


The Oak Room at The Plaza Hotel
10 Central Park South (at Fifth Avenue)
Tel: (212) 758-7777
oakroomny.com

You can never get enough of that Rocky Mountain High.

Which is why we’re excited about Aspen Social Club, now soft-open for drinks. Brought to you by nightlife king Greg Brier (High Bar, Amalia) and designer Steve Lewis, this latest piece of nightlife is worth wading through the Times Square crowds.

Adjacent to Vikram Chatwal’s Stay.Hotel, Aspen Social is simply surreal. In the middle of it all is “The Ceiling.” One hundred thousand dollars worth of ceramic antlers twist, invert and fan out, all being made to look like Paul Bunyan’s been playing on the roof. Add a never-ending forest, arbor etched into a glass wall, hand-tooled leather stools - and you’re in a winter wonderland meets Where the Wild Things Are. Lending steak to Aspen’s sizzle will be Chef Adam Ross’ (Amalia) Rocky Mountain fare. Pass around Bison Sliders with Smoked Cheddar, Bacon, and “Gonzo” Sauce, or enjoy Pan-Fried Brook Trout Tacos accompanied by a spicy slaw and salsa fresca.

And to lend some warmth when the winter months do hit (and we know they will), partake in a Biff - a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream topped off with Chivas Regal.

It’s the favorite drink of longtime Aspen resident, Hunter S. Thompson.

And now it will be yours too…


For a closer look of Aspen Social Club, go here.


Aspen Social Club officially opens next Tuesday (10/28) but you can grab drinks there now.


Aspen Social Club
157 West 47th Street
Tel: (212) 221-7200
aspensocialclub.com

So with the weather staging a little summer comeback, maybe it’s time to switch up your dining options with something light. And fresh.

And Italian… Welcome to Via dei Mille, Soho’s new trattoria and occasional art gallery. Its name comes from Italia’s artsy avenues. For you, that translates into a little pocket of Italy on West Broadway. Steeped in the Stuzzichini style of smaller plates, Via is a refreshing departure from those heaping servings at other bistros. Pasta here is made fresh daily, and the menu as a whole reflects a Northern Italian rustic appeal. Chefs Esposito and Simenoi have cut their teeth at Italy’s finest restaurants, and most recently, Simenoi has backed UES hot-spot Barbaluc.

Not just relying on premier pasta to make a name for itself, Via also hopes to parlay its success into your new favorite brunch spot. We hear you can pair your meal with one of three different types of Bellinis (Peach, Pear, or Plum).

Then again, there’s always the Blood Orange Mimosa.


Via dei Mille
357 West Broadway (off Broome Street)
Tel: (212) 431-0080

But you already knew that.

Which is why you should meet Obikà, Manhattan’s first mozzarella bar. You may have already heard some buzz about Rome’s latest import. Obikà (pronounced Oh-bee-KA), from the word obiccà, means “Here it is,” in Neapolitan. And here it is, indeed. Nestled away in Midtown’s IBM Building, Rome’s newest innovation is your perfect lunch date. Minimalist and modern, the Obikà kiosk closely resembles a sushi bar. Ginsu-sharp lines, transparent glass, and a black and butcher-block color scheme all lend to a sense of sumptuous simplicity.

Then there’s the cheese. Perfect, ivory orbs sit behind glass panes, like pieces of stunning jewelry. Fresh from the farms of the Paestum and Agro Pontino regions, the prizes are the hand-crafted Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP. Choose from four varieties, ranging from the delicate tasting Paestem to the sweet and creamy Stracciatella di Burrata. The milky globes are served in either a roll form resembling tortilla-less burritos, or accompanied by simple garnishes - from cherry tomatoes to smoked salmon.

When mozza-fatigue hits, indulge in a little Sardinian pane carasau straight from Bologna, or fresh tiramisu that’d bring a tear to Batali’s eye.

All without having to exchange for Euros.


Obikà opens soon.


Obikà Mozzarella Bar
Inside the IBM Building at 590 Madison Avenue (at 56th Street)
Tel: (212) 355-2217
obika.it

But sometimes being disconnected can be a good thing.

Like when a new restaurant, located in Midtown, goes all out with a global tapas menu, stiff drinks, and exotic interiors to match. Welcome to Haven. A nook-laden sanctuary that breaks from the suit-filled ranks of uptown Manhattan, Haven invites you to sink into one of her plush armchairs to find your respite. The two-floor space is a nod to the spoils of jet-set sophistication and a hefty passport. French baroque pieces segue into South Asian relics and crocodilian ceilings. Espresso-colored woods mingle well with maroon walls and golden accents.

Like the digs, Chef Kay Choe’s menu is pan-world. South America (ceviche) finds itself on the same page as Long Island (duck meatballs). Portuguese Octopus with spicy tomato fondue shares the menu with pork and shrimp Szechuan dumplings. Here, sharing is caring, and the menu induces socialization.

All that eating/socializing calls for a cocktail - and Haven does that well, too. Try The Jezebel, a refreshing rose-infused gin, muddled strawberries, Thai basil, and fresh Meyer lemon combination. Or a Bee’s Knees, a potent mix of lavender-infused gin, honey and lemon.

And bring your French accent.


For a closer look of Haven, check out the slideshow.


Haven
244 East 51st Street (between Second and Third Avenues)
Tel: (212) 906-9066
havennewyork.com

You just need to see it.

So, see it you will… meet Double Crown, AvroKO’s new temple of exotic food and drink. Think of Double Crown as the gastronomic equivalent of Padma Lakshmi — bold, bronzed, and beautiful. Inspired by eighteenth-century British ventures into India and Southeast Asia, Executive Chef Brad Farmerie has crafted a menu with a nod to the heyday of the British Empire. Roll up to the twenty-two seat communal table (the restaurant’s focal point) and start with a little House-Cured Streaky Ham with glazed figs and pecans, or Fragrant Seared Beef Salad with pickled green mango. Main dishes are equally adventurous: try the Pan-Fried Skate with sweetbreads and a biting ginger cabbage, or Lamb and Cashew Meatballs with shaved coconut and onion rings.

For more intimate matters, you’ll want to find your way to the Panel Room, a 40-person dining area between Double Crown and neighboring bar and lounge, Madam Geneva.

Garnish the night with The Gooseberry Smash, Double Crown’s signature cocktail, which starts out as a traditional English Sour, and evolves with muddled gooseberries, lemon juice, and British-style dry gin.


What? You want more pictures of Double Crown? Well, we can do that.


Double Crown, 316 Bowery (at Bleecker Street), (212) 254-0350, doublecrown-nyc.com; Madam Geneva, 4 Bleecker Street (at Bowery), (212) 254-0350 (same number for both), madamgeneva-nyc.com

You’re a fan of exotics (cars, derivatives, models). So you can appreciate AvroKO’s effort in bringing you Crab Omelet, Roast Half Duck with Sherry Braised Red Onions, and Braised Pork Belly with Chili Scallop. Welcome to Double Crown where the Far East (India, China, and Singapore) meets the Lower East. It’s in soft-open mode until next Tuesday…

Double Crown, 316 Bowery (at Bleecker Street), (212) 254-0350, doublecrown-nyc.com

… and so is it’s sister lounge, Madam Geneva. Indulge in a decadent list of small plates, (Pigs in a Wet Blanket with Lychee and Coconut Sauce, Duck Steam Buns, Miso-glazed Bone Marrow), and a gin and vodka-driven cocktail menu. Cheers, indeed.

Madam Geneva, 4 Bleecker Street, (212) 254-0350, madamgeneva-nyc.com

That crisp autumn air goes well with Japanese barbecue and cocktails. Savor a little of both at Mr. Jones on 14th Street. The crew behind Tillman’s and B Flat are joint-venturing to bring you sublime yakitori (you know, Japaneses-style grilled meats on a skewer) by Jean-Georges alumnus Bryan Emperor, and refreshing cocktails to pair it all with.

Mr. Jones, 243 East 14th Street (between Second & Third Avenues), (212) 253-7670, mrjonesnyc.com

Everyone loves a sweet deal. The season’s best? Try Ralph Lauren’s Exclusive Online Sale. Score select threads from the men’s and women’s collections at up to 75% off. Through next Monday.

Browse the virtual racks of RalphLauren.com.

That hottie on the upper left? Her name is Tara Stiles. She’ll be your new yoga instructor next Wednesday at Peak Fitness. And yes, she is a model. A Ford Model to be exact. Classes start next Wednesday.

Yoga with Tara Stiles at Peak Fitness, 54 West 21st Street (off Sixth Avenue), (212) 229-3670, peakperformancenyc.com

Luckily, you won’t have to.

Introducing The Libertine at Gild Hall. A pocket of English (Todd, and British) tucked into Manhattan’s Financial District, The Libertine feels more “across the pond” than it does American Psycho. Located in the impossibly hip Gild Hall, Gold Street’s new gastropub is an exercise in comfort and class. Rustic tastefulness greets you on the first floor, where the space lends itself to sharing Chef Eben Leonard’s caviar sliders or Berkshire pork schnitzels highlighted by sweet peaches and peppery greens.

Navigate upstairs and you’ll be rewarded with the Library Bar and its rich, burgundy banquettes and shelves of aged texts. Settle down at the communal table where you’ll want to indulge in the dinner menu including Steak Tartare & Roasted Bone Marrow or Rack of Lamb. Polish it all off with something from the bar’s extensive spirit and cordial menu.

Finally, a luxe dining destination in FiDi.


Check out the slideshow, with the largest pictures of The Libertine on the web.


The Libertine at Gild Hall
15 Gold Street (at Platt Street)
Tel: (212) 232-7700

And in return, Mexican cuisine keeps on loving you back.

Case in point: the soon-to-open Mercadito Cantina in Alphabet City. Cantina replicates the food and feel of the classic Mexican taqueria without neglecting the neighborhood’s penchant for nightlife. Start your evening at the salsa bar, offering eight guacs and ten salsas featuring ingredients from local organic and green markets.

Then it’s time for tacos and heartier fare: try one of the eight new, exotic tacos never tasted at any of Cantina’s sister establishments, or indulge yourself in grass-fed skirt steak, barbacoa chicken, or pork-belly carnitas. But the highlight of the night could be… Tric-quila™ - a sake-based, brewed Tequila substitute that might just fool your seasoned and refined margarita palate.

And don’t worry about getting there late - Mercadito Cantina is open till 1 a.m.

Perfect for fueling your post revelry recovery.


Mercadito Cantina opens Monday (June 30th).


Mercadito Cantina
172 Avenue B (between 10th & 11th Streets)
Tel: (212) 388-1750

The kind that makes you hungry just thinking about it. You know, Buffalo mozzarella, fresh pastas, lavender-crusted swordfish.

So when we heard the news that Cacio e Pepe’s talented chef Salvatore Corea was heading uptown to start Alloro, a family-style Italian restaurant, we car-serviced up to a tree-lined block on East 77th Street to take in the scene.

And what a scene it is… inside you’ll be greeted by an adventurous decor to match adventurous fare. Start off with fresh cheese and cured meats platters (just like a snack in the old country), and fried spaghetti (a twist on the classic). Pair it with a selection from the all Italian wine list or a cold Peroni. Then move up to heartier selections like Filet Mignon with marinated bell peppers and a side of jasmine tea potato purée, or loin of lamb in a fresh mint reduction with eggplant purée.

Or maybe even that lavender-crusted swordfish steak with spinach.

Oh look, we’re already hungry.


Alloro opens next Tuesday, June 24th.


Alloro Restaurant
307 East 77th Street (off Second Avenue)
Tel: (212) 535-2866
alloronyc.com (website coming soon)