RareDaily.com

Montauk, Redefined by the Cain/GoldBar Crew

Editor — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:19:10 +0000

It’s been said that this will be the summer of rooftop bars.

And that’s fine when you want a little outdoors.

But sometimes you want big waves with your big sky. Fortunately for you, the nightlife gods behind Cain and GoldBar are also feeling the great outdoors… welcome to The Surf Lodge in Montauk. Located on beautiful Fort Pond, just a half-mile from the beach, The Surf Lodge is a modern, 30-room destination with impeccable style and captivating lake views.

The boutique experience begins the moment you enter The Lobby Lounge (perfect for an ice cold beer after surfing) and continues to The Bar at Surf Lodge (perfect for a Long Island Iced Tea). The Restaurant at The Surf Lodge will be cheffed by none other than Sam Talbot (former Top Chef contestant), which means you can count on excellent, seasonally-driven fare and lots of fresh seafood (it is Montauk after all).

You can also unwind at The Spa, watch an outdoor movie after sunset (just like summer camp!), and even catch a live performance by a local group.

Or you can do nothing at all.

At The Surf Lodge, you’re on vacation.

The Surf Lodge Montauk opens to the public Memorial Day weekend.

The Surf Lodge Montauk
183 Edgemere Street
no phone yet
surflodgemontauk.com

Made In America.

Editor — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:58:17 +0000

You’ve always been a fan of the finer things in life.

We’ve certainly noticed.

That’s why we are inviting you to sign up to RareDaily National, our new, indulgences edition of our popular email newsletter series.

This time, instead of taking you inside Manhattan’s best restaurants and nightlife destinations, we’re navigating across the country (and the globe) to bring you starter jets (weekend in Miami, anyone?), bespoke vacations, and custom colognes.

And that’s just the beginning…

Hey, everyone could use a little luxe.

Introducing RareDaily Los Angeles

Editor — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:00:20 +0000

The Hills. Melrose Place. Rodeo Drive.

We’ve been fascinated with Los Angeles for, like, forever. So we hit LAX (the airport, not the club) and rounded up a West Coast team of cool hunters for our newest edition… RareDaily Los Angeles.

Count on us to keep you up on what’s next in fine dining, nightlife, and style on the Left Coast. From the hot spots to see and be seen to the latest in culture, we’ll deliver it to you first on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Whether you’re partying in your second hometown or living large on a weekend trip, we’re inviting you to sign up and start spreading the news.

Welcome to the wild, wild West.

The Last Minute Valentine’s Day Guide

Editor — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:56:24 +0000

Maybe you were too busy. Maybe you enjoy procrastinating. Well, whatever the reason… time’s just about up. So we the did virtual legwork and rounded up 14 V-Day options for you in our Last Minute Valentine’s Day Guide.

You’re welcome.

Show her a potent expression of your fondness with the world’s sexiest fragrance, Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Voile de Fleur. With notes of black truffle, honeysuckle, and sandalwood, how can you go wrong? From $45.

Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Voile de Fleur, available at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Indulge her with a Tiffany Hearts Pendant made of platinum and .86 carats. $4,000.

Tiffany, 727 Fifth Avenue (near 56th Street), (212) 755-8000, and Tiffany Wall Street, 37 Wall Street (between William & Nassau Streets), (212) 514-8015, tiffany.com

What’s better than a box of fine chocolates and a few short stories? Both. La Maison Du Chocolate’s Book of Love offers six new flavors (passion fruit, anyone?) smartly packaged to look like a book. From $38.

La Maison du Chocolat, 30 Rockefeller Plaza (at 49th Street), (212) 265-9404, and 1018 Madison Avenue (at 78th Street), (212) 744-7117, lamaisonduchocolat.com/en

There are strawberries. And then there are luscious, perfect strawberries imported from Japan’s Kyushu Island. Get yours, for a limited time, at Butterfield Market. $45 for a box of seven to twelve.

Butterfield Market, 1114 Lexington Avenue (near 78th Street), (212) 288-7800, butterfieldmarket.com

Give her a heart of gold. Literally. With Love Rocks NY’s Heart Pendant made of 14k gold and 22 micro pave diamonds. $600.

Love Rocks NY, available online at loverocksny.com.

Free drinks. A kissing booth. What else is there to say? Hit Blue Owl tomorrow night for Hendrick’s Gin’s A Night for Unusual Romance. RSVP first, at info@blueowlnyc.com. Tomorrow (2/14), from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Blue Owl, 196 Second Avenue (at 12th Street), (212) 505-2583, blueowlnyc.com

Make a delicious decision on cupcakes for your sweetie at Magnolia Bakery. Only $2.75 each.

Magnolia Bakery, 401 Bleecker Street (at 11th Street), (212) 462-2572, and 200 Columbus Avenue (at 69th Street), (212) 724-8101, magnoliacupcakes.com

Fiamma’s three-starrred chef, Fabio Trabocchi, will be offering a luxurious tasting menu to scintillate all of your senses. Dishes include Grilled Scallops with Fennel Sauce, Roasted Lobster with Ginger and Grilled Kobe with nepitella salt and Manni extra virgin olive oil. The special tasting menu will be available tomorrow for $150 per person.

Fiamma, 206 Spring Street (near Sullivan Street), (212) 653-0100, fiammarestaurant.com

A sure path to a romantic evening: Lock in your love at Visconti Ristorante. The tale begins in Rome where a young man symbolically wraps a lock and chain around a light post to profess his adoration for his lady. Visconti has their version and some hearty modern Tuscan cuisine to go with it.

Visconti, 39 East 58th Street (off Madison Avenue), (212) 758-8600, viscontiristorante.com

He prefers Wagyu sirloin steak. She prefers sushi and sashimi. Satiate both at Megu’s six-course Valentine’s Day Set Dinner. $125 per person.

Megu New York, 62 Thomas Street (near West Broadway), (212) 964-7777, and Megu Midtown, 845 UN Plaza (at 47th Street), (212) 964-7777, megunyc.com

Prepare for an impossibly romantic evening at The Carlyle Restaurant. Indulge in a special three-course Valentine’s Day prix-fixe dinner menu with choices like Casserole of Langoustine, Dover Sole, Diver Scallop and Sea Urchin, and one-of-a-kind desserts. Plus they’ll throw in a complimentary half bottle of dessert wine. $125 per person.

The Carlyle Restaurant, 35 East 76th Street (at Madison Avenue), (212) 744-1600, thecarlyle.com/dine

You gotta love Amalia’s special V-Day menu crafted with well-known and little-known aphrodisiacs. Choose from oysters on the half shell, Black Truffle Gnocchi, Roast Quail with Rose Petals, and Pomegranate-Glazed Duck For Two.

Amalia, 204 West 55th Street (near Broadway), (212) 245-1234, amalia-nyc.com

Fig & Olive’s very special V-Day menu includes bubbly (1/2 bottle of Veuve), Grilled Lobster Tail for starters, Lamb Sirloin or Pan Seared Grouper for mains, and Pink Champagne Sorbet. $120 per couple.

Fig & Olive, 420 West 13th Street (near Washington Street), (212) 924-1200, figandolive.com

And if all else fails, there’s always the Anti-Valentine’s Day Ball at The New York Helmsley Hotel. $45 gets you an open bar from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and food. Tomorrow (2/14), 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations/tickets, call (212) 405-4222.

The New York Helmsley Hotel, 212 East 42nd Street (between Second & Third Avenues), (212) 405-4222, newyorkhelmsley.com

Decadent Dim Sum & Haute Chinese

Editor — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:01:43 +0000

Between parades and primaries (and Brazilian Carnival parties!), it’s easy to forget that tomorrow is Chinese New Year.

Fortunately we’ve compiled a short list of fine Chinese restaurants and their respective festivities for the Year of the Rat. Whether you’re in the mood for scallion pancakes or suckling pig, we’ve got you covered like soy sauce.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

WAKIYA. Ian Schrager’s little haute spot will be sporting a special 7-course menu featuring Swallow’s Nest Soup, a Chinese delicacy and rumored aphrodisiac. Pair it with a Y-4706 Martini (to commemorate Chinese New Year 4706), a mix of ginger brandy, pomegranate juice and lychee liquor topped with Pop Rocks candy on the rim, and you’re set. From $175 per person. Available thru Feb 9th.

Wakiya (at the Gramercy Park Hotel), 2 Lexington Avenue (21st Street), (212) 995-1330,
gramercyparkhotel.com/restaurant

CHINATOWN BRASSERIE. Manhattan’s finest dim sum palace has prepared a new dim sum menu featuring Suckling Pig with Pancakes & Plum-Hoisin Sauce, Gold Coin Shrimp & Scallops Sauteed with fresh bamboo shoots and beancurd skin, Prosperity Filet Mignon with Crispy fried Taro, and Peach Shaped Chestnut Buns. Best dim sum ever? You decide. $60 per person. Available thru February 10th and 2/15-17.

Chinatown Brasserie, 380 Lafayette Street (near Great Jones Street), (212) 533-7000, chinatownbrasserie.com

MONKEY BAR. Chef Chris Cheung is keeping it classic for Chinese New Year. Feast on Pan Fried Black Bass with Star Anise-braised Daikon Radish, Preserved Vinaigrette and Avocado Puree and Shrimp with Lobster sauce, served with wonton noodles. Thru February 13th.

Monkey Bar, 60 East 54th Street (near Madison Avenue), (212) 838-2600, theglaziergroup.com/restaurants/monkeybar

MR. K’s. Seven is your lucky number at Mr. K’s. Starting tomorrow, you can indulge in a special seven-course meal featuring Peking Duck, seared beef medallions, Yuling chicken, sesame-shrimp toast, and fresh pastries. $70 per person, two person minimum. Through 2/21.

Mr. K’s, 570 Lexington Avenue (at 51st Street), (212) 583-1668, mrksny.com

Your Essential Super Bowl Dining Guide

Editor — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:01:00 +0000

Michael Strahan. Tom Brady. Gisele.

Whomever you’re routing for this Super Sunday, you’re going to need football party fuel. And with this year’s Super Bowl expected to be the most watched ever, scoring a great meal is essential.

Here are our gorging picks for game day:

This Sunday, it doesn’t get any bigger than Hill Country’s Super Bowl Bash. Starting with their usual lineup of superb barbecue (brisket, ribs), Beer Can Game Hen, and continuing with à la carte options like Kreuz Market Sausage Skewers (Regular or Jalapeño Cheese), Pit-Smoked Chicken Wings, and Chili Frito Pie. And don’t forget the Bourbon Pecan Pie!

Hill Country, 30 West 26th Street (near Sixth Avenue), (212) 255-4544, hillcountryny.com

Momofuku? Yes, even Momofuku is getting in the game with their Super Bowl Bo Ssäm Special. It’s a pretty good deal too: $30 per head gets you bo ssäm (whole roasted pork shoulder) with rice, bibb lettuce, Momofuku chicken wings, kewpie cole slaw, pickles, and assorted desserts. Call ahead to order at (212) 254-3500 x 109. Delivery available.

Momofuku Noodle Bar, 171 First Avenue (near 11th Street), (212) 777-7773, momofuku.com

Keep it spicy with the Los Dados Football Playoff Package. $20 per person (4-person minimum) gets you a choice of two starters: deconstructed BBQ Beef Mini Tacos (with queso fresco, handmade corn tortillas, & pico de gallo), Guacamole with chips & salsa, Organic Greens with lime vinaigrette & pickled vegetables, Tamales (chicken, black bean, pork or sweet), choice of two taco fillings, beans and rice, tacos and tortillas, and pico de gallo on the side.

Los Dados, 73 Gansevoort Street (near Washington Street), (646) 810-7290, losdadosmexican.com

A Super’ party calls for super guacamole. Get yours delivered with Rosa Mexicano’s Guac to Go Kit featuring guac’ for 5 (or 10, 15, or 20), homemade tortilla chops, multiple jars of Rosa Mexicano salsas, and fresh corn tortillas. $36.95 to $109.95.

Rosa Mexicano, 9 East 18th Street (near Fifth Avenue), (212) 533-3350, 61 Columbus Avenue (at 62nd Street), (212) 977-7700, and 1063 First Avenue (at 58th Street), (212) 753-7407, rosamexicano.com

Midtowners can count on David Burke at Bloomingdale’s for Super’ catering. Choose from signatures like David Burke’s Famous “CheeseBurker” Sliders, Burke In The Box Thin Crust Pizzas, Jack Cheese Meatloaf Sliders, Asian Spiced Shrimp Cocktails, Corn Flake Crusted & Stuffed Fried Chicken, Sam Adams Braised Shortribs, The Kobe Dog Platter, and Heidi’s Touchdown Cookies.

David Burke at Bloomingdale’s, 1000 Third Avenue (at 59th Street), (212) 705-3800, davidburke.com/bloomingdales

Style Arbiter | Coup De Coeur

Editor — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:01:59 +0000

You may not have heard of Amanda Sheppard or Lucia Tait of Coup de Coeur, but to their partners, Soho House and Hotel Gansevoort, their guided shopping tours are legendary. That’s because both ladies bring deep insider knowledge of New York’s finest retailers and designers to every client that engages them for an individually tailored shop seeing excursion.

This year, they’re adding shopping tours for a few, good gentleman. We asked the professional shoppers for a little guidance on their favorite bespoke men’s tailors:

DUNCAN QUINN. “The only rule is: there are no rules. With bespoke, each piece is for an individual person with unique needs from the piece,” declares Duncan Quinn, perhaps the best known bespoke tailor in New York City. DQ combines the sartorial splendor of Saville Row and energetic color (midnight blue with fuschia, grey with purple). His shop also sports a fine collection of cuff links, oversized Fleur de Lys ties, and hand made umbrellas.

Duncan Quinn, 8 Spring Street (near Elizabeth Street), (212) 226-7030, duncanquinn.com

HISHAM OUMLIL. Recently nominated for Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Awards, Hisham Oumlil is a name that’s buzzing in menswear circles. “We don’t sell clothing as a necessity, we approach it as an art and Hisham Oumlil handles all aspects of the process from fittings to production to ensure the true tradition of bespoke,” explains Hisham. André Balazs and Jude Law, both long-time clients, agree.

Hisham Oumlil, 257 West 39th Street (inside Beckenstein Men’s Fabrics), (near 8th Ave), (212) 730-0720, oumlil.com

To schedule your own personal shopping tour (and score discounts), contact Coup de Coeur at (917) 464-3699 or visit coupdecoeurny.com.

The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Dining Guide

Editor — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:01:27 +0000

With Valentine’s Day coming into range (just over three weeks to go), now would be a good time to finalize dinner reservations. Here’s our short list of some of the best romantic eats that Manhattan has to offer. Enjoy.

Graffiti is celebrating their first Valentine’s Day with an 8-Course Aphrodisiac Tasting Menu. That means you start with Pop Rock Oysters, main with Fig and Honey Pork, and end with Kamasutra Chocolate. And at $80 per couple (that’s just $40 per person), it may be the best deal in town.

Graffiti Food & Wine Bar, 224 East 10th Street (between First & Second Avenues), (212) 677-0695, graffitinyc.com

Lobster bisque soup. New Zealand lamb chops. Molten chocolate cake. Bar Martignetti’s $50 per person, multi-course Valentine’s Day meal is easy on the eyes and on the wallet.

Bar Martignetti, 406 Broome Street (at Centre Street), (212) 680-5600, barmartignetti.com

Sure they have awesome fish tacos but Mercadito is so much more. And for V-Day, $60 per person gets you a five-course tasting menu (raw oysters, ceviches, botanas) with margaritas. Yes, with margaritas.

Mercadito, 179 Avenue B (at 11th Street), (212) 529-6490, and Mercadito Grove, 100 7th Avenue South (at Grove Street), (212) 647-0830, mercaditony.com

Hop over to Rayuela where Valentine’s Day begins with a Cava toast, Sopa Amarillo, and your choice of prix-fixe options, including Ribeye a la Parrilla, Bacalao Colorao, Cordero Amoroso, and Paella Para Dos. $75 per person. For reservations, please contact Event Coordinator, Rachel Japko at (212) 253-8840 or rayuela.events@gmail.com.

Rayuela, 165 Allen Street (at Stanton Street), (212) 253-8840, rayuelanyc.com

Suba is going to be special on V-Day. Starting with choices like Atun Crudo (raw Bluefin tuna) or Terrina de Faisan (pheasant and bacon terrine with candied hazelnuts), and Waygu Flatiron steak or Cochino Glaseado en Sidra (apple cider glazed pork). Four-course dinner goes for $95 per person.

Suba, 109 Ludlow Street (between Rivington & Delancey Streets), (212) 982-5714, subanyc.com

Treat someone special to Mandarin Oriental, New York’s Champagne Tasting Menu in the 35th floor Lobby Lounge featuring views of Central Park and the spectacular Manhattan skyline. Decadent caviar, smoked salmon rosettes, and velvety Foie Gras terrines are paired with fine Champagnes. Three-course Champagne Tasting Menu, $195 for two people. For reservations, please call Cleiser Calcines at (212) 805-8234 or email ccalcines@mohg.com.

Mandarin Oriental New York, 80 Columbus Circle, 35th Floor Lobby Lounge, (212) 805-8800, mandarinoriental.com/newyork

Fabulous Tan By Travelzoo

Editor — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:01:37 +0000

As you descend into Autumn, now is an excellent time to think about a little rest and relaxation. You could spend your time surfing the Web or you could spend time surfing in the Caribbean while the vacation experts at Travelzoo do the work for you. It’s simple: just sign up for Travelzoo’s Top 20® list to get the week’s absolute best travel deals.

11 million subscribers can’t be wrong.

Join the 11 million people who have already signed up for the Travelzoo Top 20® list at top20.travelzoo.com.

Here are the deals* on this week’s Top 20®:

$393 & up - Fly to 40+ European Cities (Roundtrip) - Swiss International Air Lines

$449 - 11-Night Hawaii Cruise - Cruises-N-More

$143-$164 - 2-Day Sale: Florida from Across the U.S. (R/T) - Orbitz

$59 - Orlando Hotel near Disney at 50% OFF - Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration

$129 - Bahamas ‘Atlantis’ Resort, up to 50% OFF - Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

$599 - Paris & London: 6 Nights & Air - Air France Holidays

$189 - Las Vegas 5-Diamond Hotel on the Strip (Reg. $450) - Wynn Las Vegas

$699 - Mexico All-Inclusive Upscale Vacation, Save $300 - CheapCaribbean.com

$49-$109 - 50+ Cities on Sale; Travel into February - United Airlines

$199 - Manhattan 4-Star Boutique Hotel, Save $150 - 70 park avenue - A Kimpton Hotel

$1799 - See Antarctica: 15-Night Cruise over Christmas - CruiseDeals.com

$149 - Ultra-Chic Seattle Hotel at $100 OFF - W Seattle

$615 & up - Puerto Rico: Ritz-Carlton Vacation w/Air - Expedia.com

$99 - Stay & Ski Package in the Sierra Mountains, $75 OFF - Mammoth Mountain

$49 & up - Denver to/from 40+ Cities; Book by Thursday - Frontier Airlines

$79-$99 - Chicago 4-Diamond Hotel over Holidays - Hyatt Regency Chicago

$999 - 10-Night Caribbean Cruise in Peak Season w/Air - CruCon Cruise Outlet

$99 - Montreal 4-Diamond Hotel (Regularly $200) - Hotel Omni Mont-Royal

$279-$399 - London from Across the U.S. (Roundtrip) - Air Canada

$1199 - Israel 7-Night Escorted Package w/Air - Gate 1 Travel

Click here to get the Top 20® every Wednesday.

Prepare For Takeoff

Laura — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 05:01:02 +0000

Scheduling a vacation shouldn’t be as difficult as nabbing a table at Nobu. Here to make your life easier: Travelzoo’s Top 20® list. The Top 20 was designed with one goal in mind - to deliver to you the week’s absolute best travel deals. That means reviewing 600+ sources and running the short list through their clever Test Booking Center to ensure everything books perfectly.

All you’ll have to do is sign up, sit back, and wait until Wednesday for the deals to flow.

Hey, you gotta do something with all those vacation days.

Join the 11 million people who have already signed up for the Travelzoo Top 20® list at top20.travelzoo.com.

Here are the deals* on this week’s Top 20®:

$148 & up — Costa Rica from 20+ Cities (Roundtrip)
American Airlines

$95 — Hip Miami ‘South Beach’ Hotel incl. $100 in Extras
The Catalina Hotel & Beach Club

$349 — 7-Night Caribbean Cruise
MSC Cruises

$152 & up — Fly to Europe from 40+ Cities (each way)
United Airlines

$499 — Los Cabos: Brand-New, All-Inclusive Resort w/Air
CheapCaribbean.com

$99 — Grand-Opening of Stylish L.A. Hotel (Regularly $169)
Custom Hotel

$654 — Jamaica ‘Sandals’ Vacation incl. Air, 55% OFF
BookIt.com

$49 — Colorado 3-Diamond Lodge, incl. Lift Tickets
The Grand Lodge Hotel

$84 & up — Fly to Mexico from 11 Cities, 2-Day Sale
Frontier Airlines

$1399 — Kuala Lumpur & Penang Package incl. Tours, from NYC
Malaysia Tourism Board

$89 — Coastal California B&B Package near Hearst Castle
Orchid Inn at San Simeon

$35 — Tickets to 8 New York Off-Broadway Shows
Multiple New York City Shows