Entries from January 2008 ↓

Strip House Offers Organic Filet On Valentine’s Day

Strip House announces that it will offer its first organic cut of steak this Valentine’s Day with a 10 oz. filet available on February 14. Available in all Strip House locations for the holiday, the grass-fed filet is raised in New Zealand, from the farms of the renowned Noel Turner. Additionally, the restaurant will send its guests home with complimentary miniature boxed chocolate cakes on Valentine’s Day.

These organic filets will be prepared in signature Strip House style, charred to juicy perfection. Other special dishes prepared for the holiday will include Maine Lobster Salad and Burnt Orange Chocolate Crepes with Bruléed Oranges, Toasted Almonds and Cointreau Caramel. All the classic Strip House dishes will also be available.

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OHEKA CASTLE CELEBRATES VALENTINE’S DAY WITH ANNUAL
DINNER AND DANCE

Huntington, NY – The most romantic setting for an unforgettable Valentines Day dinner is at OHEKA Castle Hotel & Estate in Huntington, New York, just 45 minutes outside Manhattan.

OHEKA Castle will hold its annual Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance on Thursday, February 14, 2008 from 7:00 –11:00 pm.

The exclusive event includes a cocktail hour with complimentary champagne cocktails from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, a five course dinner, and music and dancing from 8:00 pm through 11:00 pm for $200 per person plus tax and gratuity.*

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Eureka . . . A Great New York Steak House

Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse – Midtown
44 W 56th St
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 245-1550
Cross Street: Between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue Hours: Mon-Wed 11:30am-11:00pm , Thu-Sat 11:30am- 12am , Sun 3pm-11pm

The place to meet, eat and enjoy the finer things in life. Specializing in 21-28 day dry aged USDA Prime meats, Kobe beef, Australian lobster tails and offering a wide array of seafood and wines. Old world charm and impeccable service.

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Cuisine: Steak
Neighborhood: Midtown West
Cross Street: Between 5th and 6th Avenues
Price: $50 and over
Website: http://www.unclejacks.com
Phone: (212) 245-1550
Hours of Operation:
Lunch: Monday – Sunday: 11:30am – 4:00pm
Dinner: Monday – Wednesday: 4:00pm – 11:00pm, Thursday – Saturday: 4:00pm – 12:00am, Sunday: 3:00pm – 11:00pm
Payment Options:
AMEX, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
Executive Chef: WILLIAM JACK DEGEL
Dress Code: Business Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Offers: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Parking: Public Lot
Parking Details: Public lots are available near the restaurant.
Banquet Contact: DENNIS BORYSOWSKI (212) 245-1550
Private Party Facilities: Uncle Jack’s offers private dining for groups of 20 to 100 guests.
Private Party Contact: Dennis Borysowski (212) 245-1550

You can also visit the butcher and gourmet shops online at www.unclejacks.com.

REVIEW FOLLOWS

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A ONE-OF-A-KIND NIGHTLIFE DESTINATION LOCATED IN ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE SPACES IN NEW YORK CITY

The Campbell Apartment- Cocktails From Another Era

A truly classic, sophisticated cocktail lounge with a unique and compelling location, heritage, interior and ambiance, The Campbell Apartment has proven to be the “crown jewel” of Grand Central Terminal.

The Campbell Apartment at Grand Central Terminal is owned and operated by Mark C. Grossich, the hospitality and marketing trailblazer who introduced the most successful chain of upscale cocktail lounges in New York City, Bar and Books, and opened the very first dedicated cigar smoker’s lounge in the country, The Cigar Bar.

Its storied history as one of the most unique private office spaces ever built caused The Campbell Apartment to be the most sought after space in the Terminal as a major retail center in the heart of Manhattan.

The Campbell Apartment is noted for serving – from the 1920’s through the 1940’s – as the private office / salon of John W. Campbell, a well-known tycoon of the era. At the time, it was considered one of the most remarkable offices New York had ever seen and remains one of the city’s most grand and unique spaces.

“The Campbell Apartment may be the most interesting locale for a cocktail lounge the city has ever seen and I believe we have returned it to its circa-1920’s grandeur as the ‘crown jewel’ of the terminal,” remarked Mr. Grossich. “We provide a sophisticated nightlife experience that includes first-rate service and an exciting, contemporary ambience but, also one that has the flair of New York City at the turn of the century.”

The breathtaking interior of The Campbell Apartment has been very well preserved and features intricate architectural details and craftsmanship including extensive woodwork, a balcony, a decorative beamed ceiling, an immense leaded glass exterior window, and a massive stone fireplace. Combining its spacious ground floor and second level balcony, The Campbell Apartment totals 3,500 square feet and can accommodate up to 150 patrons.

The Campbell Apartment at Grand Central Terminal with a Florentine backdrop and Moroccan-inspired interior, is extremely refined, yet incredibly comfortable: soft, relaxing club chairs and couches, dark wooden coffee tables, decorative lighting and plush bar stools provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Add to that the beautifully restored, original stone fireplace with a large black safe once belonging to Mr. Campbell stationed directly in front of it and, of course, the bar, located underneath the large leaded glass window.

Offering an innovative beverage menu featuring cocktails that are currently popular as well as “traditional” favorites from yesteryear, The Campbell Apartment also offers vintage wines, champagnes and liquors.

Ideal for weddings, bachelor parties, bridal showers, engagement parties or holiday office parties, The Campbell Apartment offers a one-in-a-million, classic New York City location, private catered affairs of almost any kind. It’s also the perfect backdrop for
fashion shoots and film and television projects as it’s setting would be almost impossible to duplicate in a photo studio or sound stage environment.

The Campbell Apartment has consistently been ranked among the “Best of…” in New York City by a variety of surveys in both the media and by the hospitality industry. The New York Post cited The Campbell Apartment as having “The Town’s Best Martinis.” In addition, Gotham Magazine selected it as “The Best Bar in Grand Central Terminal, Time Out New York ranked it as “One of the 100 Best Bars in New York City” and Citysearch.com named The Campbell Apartment as “One of the Most Popular After-Work Bars in New York City.” In addition, the bar has been recognized by Playboy as “One of the 20 Best Bars in America.”

In 2007 The Campbell Apartment received a refresh from world renowned interior designer Nina Campbell. Located inside Grand Central Terminal at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, The Campbell Apartment is open from 3 P.M. to 1 A.M. Monday to Saturday, and 3 P.M. to 11 P.M. on Sunday. For further information or reservations call (212) 953-0409.

“Yuck of the Week.” Note: A Strict Dress Code is enforced, but appears to apply only to those wearing anything resembling sneakers, even if the person is wearing a $25,000 mink coat and black orthopedic shoes. Otherwise, anything apparently goes, from the look of the crowd upstairs.

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Casaville

ADDRESS: 633 Second Avenue
(Between 34th and 35th Streets)
New York, NY 10016

WEB SITE: www.casavillenyc.com

TELEPHONE: (212) 685-8558

FAX: (212) 685-8559

HOURS: Lunch: 12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM, Mon.-Fri. Dinner: 4:00 PM – 12:00 Midnight, Sun.-Wed.
4:00 PM – 2:00 AM, Thurs.-Sat.
Brunch: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Sat.-Sun.
Happy Hour
Menu: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Mon.-Fri.
(At the bar only)

CUISINE: French-Moroccan
CREDIT CARDS: All major

PRICE RANGE: Lunch (entrees): $ 7.50 – $12.50
Dinner (entrees): $12.00 – $19.00
Brunch (entrees): $ 7.50 – $14.00
DRESS: Casual

RESERVATIONS: Recommended

REVIEW

Owner/chef Lahcen Ksiyer, formerly at Café Noir, Cal’s, and La Cite, prepares classic and innovative French-Moroccan dishes, including wide variety of tapas, tagines, paellas, and cous cous.

If you visited this restaurant in its first incarnation, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The chef is hands on; the couscous is steamed to perfection and the food is stylish and affordable.

Recommended starters include Humus Maison With Feta Cheese, Tomato, Black Olives And Warm Pita and Humus A La Avocat Avocado Humus With Mixed Greens, Cucumber And Warm Pita, a nice duo.
Other options include Croquette De Jour (in our case mushroom and ham) or Warm Brie Cheese With Fried Grapes And Honey. By all means sample Briwatts: Crispy Brick Leaves Stuffed With Chicken, Almonds And Cinnamon.

For entrees, move on to a Tajine such as a tender Lamb Shank With Prunes and Almonds and that couscous Royale brimming with Lamb, Chicken, Merguez (sausage) and Vegetables.

There’s a short wine list, Sangria and good cocktails. The best dessert is Passtilla Au Lait, fragrant of orange blossom cream sauce.

Once we got the staff to lower the lighting, the atmosphere was romantic and exotic.The stylish front dining room is enhanced by a 10-foot high ceiling, candlelit oak tables, black and red-colored leather banquettes, antique gold-stucco walls, and French doors opening onto a tree-lined street. The intimate rear dining room is enhanced by a 10-foot high ceiling, oak tables, black and red-colored leather banquettes, antique gold-stucco walls, wood floors, and Moroccan lanterns. The sound track adds to the experience.

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