Rare Weekend 10.02.08

This weekend is breaking out the fall jacket.



In the crisp days of fall, a hearty Lebanese/Mediterranean meal goes down easy. Score yours at NAYA Mezze & Grill in Midtown. We’ll admit it’s a little north and east. But Chef Hady Kfoury (Daniel, Payard) will make the trip worth it with perfect tabboulé, Kibbé NAYA (Lebanese-style Steak Tartar), and Samké Harra (fresh Striped Bass topped with spicy tahini). The Mini Tasting Menu, at $28, is a steal. Opens next Wednesday.

NAYA Mezze & Grill, 1057 Second Avenue (between 55th and 56th Street), (212) 319-7777, nayarestaurants.com

Rugged. Tailored. The threads that stud Operations, the work wear boutique in Soho, have been flying out the door. So it only makes sense to expand to Chelsea. Look for more of the same sartorial pleasures.

Check out more interior shots, a close up of NAYA, and the new lounge at Classic Car Club.

Operations Chelsea, 50 Ninth Avenue (between 14th & 15th Streets), (212) 924-1971, operationsny.com

Drew Nieporent brings his magic touch to the former Montrachet space in the form of Corton. Named for the Corton hill in Burgundy, the largest area of Grand Cru (Drew always thinks big), expect innovative French cuisine by rising star chef Paul Liebrandt (formerly of Gilt). Great date spot, too.

Corton, 239 West Broadway, (212) 219-2777, cortonnyc.com

The auto enthusiasts behind Classic Car Club have a new way to take the edge off… The Clubroom. Test drive the new lounge and its full-service bar, custom furniture, and race-inspired graphics. Or just test drive a Lamborghini.

Classic Car Club, 250 Hudson Street (off Dominick Street), (212) 229-2402, classiccarclubmanhattan.com

More vanilla cupcakes. More red velvet. More German chocolate. And now at Rockefeller Center. The newest Magnolia Bakery is the ultimate sugar rush for Midtowners.

Magnolia Bakery, 1240 Sixth Avenue (at 49th St), no phone yet, magnoliabakery.com