Entries Tagged 'Entertainment' ↓
March 12th, 2010 — English, Entertainment, Feed Syndications, London, New York, Resorts, Restaurants, Reviews, Travel, Wine, bar, hotels
Online Reservations

Image by James McDonald, Courtesy of Martin Brudnizki Design Studio”. At The Pierre, New York City
Address: 795 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10065
Telephone number: + 1 212 940 8195
Website: www.capriceny.com
Location: Upper East Side (Central Park at Fifth Avenue). Le Caprice’s entrance is on Fifth Avenue opposite Central Park (Fifth Avenue and 61st Street)
The Pierre: Part of the Taj Hotel Group, owned by Indian company TATA and has just undergone a $100 million renovation. The hotel re-opened to the public on 1 June 2009
Covers: 90 (ie 74 seated and 16 at the bar on bar stools)
Services: Breakfast, lunch and dinner / 7 days a week
Opening times: Breakfast: 7am to 10.30am
Lunch: 12 noon to 3pm
Dinner: 5.30pm to 11:30pm
Sunday brunch: 11.30am to 4pm
Opening date: 26 October 2009 (Reservations open 15 October 2009)
Designer: Martin Brudnizki / www.mbds.net (previous work includes Wentworth Grill, The Club at The Ivy, Rivington Dubai, J Sheekey Oyster Bar)
Senior Restaurant Director: Marco Fazzina (previously General Manager at Daphne’s London)
Executive Restaurant Chef: Michael Hartnell (previously Head Chef at Daphne’s London)
Maitre d’: Allan Basaran
Art work: David Bailey series of Jean Shrimpton photos / www.davidbaileyphotography.com
Menu: Similar to the London alma mater, but reflective of the NY market. It will include classics like Thai-baked sea bass, dressed Dorset crab with celeriac rémoulade, Scandinavian iced berries with hot white chocolate sauce…
Caprice London: Originally opened in London in 1947 by Mario Gallati a former Maitre d’ of The Ivy and was reopened in 1981 in its modern day guise
Le Caprice New York brings the classic London brasserie to the heart of Manhattan.
Le Caprice New York is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week with bar dining available from midday. Sunday brunch is a specialty.

At The Pierre, New York City
Image by James McDonald, Courtesy of Martin Brudnizki Design Studio”. At The Pierre, New York City
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Award-winning website, Punchin-dot-com, features the Walman Report and reviews of restaurants, travel, wine and theater.
Over the course of the past 62 years, Le Caprice has established itself as a social institution in London with its effortless style, coveted cuisine and well-heeled crowd. Generations of diners have enjoyed the unique atmosphere and unsurpassed service of the avant-garde eatery, making it a firm favorite among a discerning international clientele. Le Caprice is delighted to announce the opening of its first New York restaurant in October 2009, in a prime location at The Pierre, one of the City’s landmark hotels.
Of all the captivating cities in the world, New York was the natural choice for Le Caprice’s first foray outside London due to the City’s classic style, charisma and distinguishing taste. The opening is also in homage to the many New Yorkers who have become regular visitors of the London restaurant over the past 30 years.
Located at the iconic Pierre Hotel with an entrance on Fifth Avenue, overlooking Central Park, Le Caprice New York captures the simple elegance of the London original, serving long-standing modern European favorites within a specially designed New York menu.
The dining room captures the monochromatic spirit of the original, with a series of photographs of iconic sixties model Jean Shrimpton by legendary British photographer, David Bailey. The seating is spacious, with crisp white napkins and tables set with glorious flowers. Le Caprice New York is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week with bar dining available from midday. Sunday brunch is a specialty, but we’ll have to report on that next time.
Over the course of the past 62 years, Le Caprice has established itself as a social institution in London with its effortless style, coveted cuisine and well-heeled crowd. Long-standing favorites from the London restaurant such as Thai-baked sea bass, salmon fishcake with buttered spinach and sorrel sauce, dressed Dorset crab and 
Scandinavian iced berries with hot white chocolate sauce (Pictured Above) appear beside the newly designed New York menu which offers remarkable Nantucket Bay scallops, served in the shell on a bed of sunchoke puree and trompettes (one of the best dishes I’ve had in New York in recent memory), a lovely Smoked haddock and poached quail egg tart would have been perfect if it were a tad less salty, (both appetizers). Salad lovers will enjoy a composed salad of mixed beets with goat’s cheese and walnuts. (Below).
Recommended entrees include juicy steak house quality prime NY strip steak that melts in your mouth. Aged 28 days, the flavor was extraordinary. And let’s not neglect the best fish and chips in the world, here beer battered cod,on an amazing chunky puree of fresh peas and mint..
Rice pudding with a dollop of berry jam in the center is delightful finish. The macaroons are noteworthy as are the excellent service and well chosen wine list. (carafes offer especially good value) and superb cappuccino.
Le Caprice, 795 Fifth Avenue at 61st Street offers one of NY’s most civilized dining experiences and the ideal melding of well executed London and Manhattan contemporary cuisine.
Copyright 2010 By Punch In International. All Rights Reserved
Disclosure
Notes
Le Caprice was originally opened in London in 1947 by Mario Gallati, a former Maitre d’ of The Ivy. It was then reopened in 1981 in its modern-day guise. With its contemporary black and white décor, David Bailey photographs and long bar, the style was deliberately fashioned to break the mold of established restaurants and offer flexibility in the menu, but with a high level of quality and service. "For nearly two decades a table at Le Caprice has been the stock exchange for the arts”… AA Gill (Sunday Times Restaurant Critic).
Le Caprice, now part of Richard Caring’s Group (including The Ivy, Annabel’s and Wentworth Club, among others), and The Pierre, which has just undergone extensive renovations, have joined forces to recreate the restaurant within this iconic hotel, capturing the atmosphere and setting made famous by Le Caprice over the past decades.
The Pierre, on Fifth Avenue overlooking New York’s Central Park, was acquired by Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces as the luxury chain’s U.S flagship in 2005. With its distinctive design, superb location and outstanding service, The Pierre is regarded as one of the world’s finest luxury hotels. Located just steps away from the famous Fifth and Madison Avenues, the hotel is a stroll from the most fabled attractions of New York. The Pierre offers exceptional personal service, accompanied with the charm and comfort of a European residence.
Martin Brudnizki, who can list Scott’s, Wentworth Grill, J Sheekey Oyster Bar and The Club at The Ivy among his considerable achievements, has been brought in to design the restaurant. Brudnizki has exhibited a special talent for giving a contemporary perspective to a traditional model, while at the same time reflecting a feeling of luxury. The main body of the dining room will stretch along 61st Street and will hold 80 guests; a long bar, specifically designed for up to 14 diners, will run down the side of the restaurant. Mirroring the London restaurant and maintaining its deep-seated commitment to the art world, Le Caprice New York will house a series of photographs of iconic sixties model Jean Shrimpton by legendary British photographer, David Bailey.
he restaurant’s philosophy will always be to focus on the customer’s needs. The chef is continuously striving to reinvent classics with interesting new combinations that both delight and excite the guests. Long-standing favorites from the London restaurant such as Thai-baked sea bass, salmon fishcake with buttered spinach and sorrel sauce, dressed Dorset crab with celeriac rémoulade and Scandinavian iced berries with hot white chocolate sauce will continue to appear within the newly designed New York menu.
Dinner Menu
Appetizers
Watercress soup with Cheddar straw
15.00 Endive salad with fennel, pear and Stilton
16.00 Smoked haddock and poached quail egg tart
17.00 Mixed beets with goat’s cheese and walnuts
19.00 Crispy duck and watercress salad
24.00 Nantucket Bay scallops, sunchoke puree and trompettes
19.00 Dressed crab
with celeriac
Sautéed foie gras with caramelised apples
9.00 / 14.00 Eggs Benedict
12.00 / 18.00 Risotto nero
16.00 / 24.00 Steak tartare
17.00 / 26.00 Pappardelle with wild boar ragù
18.00 / 27.00 Grilled tiger prawns with lemon, chili and garlic
Entrees
Caprice burger
with tomato relish and fries
21.00 Char-grilled onglet steak
with Bluefoot mushrooms and Tuscan kale
25.00 Grilled octopus
with chorizo, peppers and fingerling potatoes
26.00Chicken alla Milanese
with parsley, lemon and garlic
28.00 Fish and chips
with minted pea puree and tartare sauce
28.00 Fillet of steelhead trout
with roasted radiccio and balsamic
32.00
Thai-baked sea bass
with fragrant rice
40.00Rack of lamb
with Welsh onion cake and buttered greens
44.00 Prime New York strip
28 day aged, with fries
45.00Grilled veal chop
with sautéed chanterelles and cipollini
Desserts
Cheeseboard:
Shropshire Blue, Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire, Ticklemore
14.00 American Cheeseboard:
Penterman Farm Gouda, Bon Bouche, Old Chatham Blue
10.00 Rice pudding
with blood orange jam
10.00 Treacle tart
10.00 Brooklyn ricotta cheesecake with citrus compote
10.00 Bakewell pudding
10.00Honeycomb ice cream with hot chocolate
Apple pie with vanilla ice cream
12.00 Chocolate fondant
with pistachio ice cream
14.00Scandinavian iced berries with white chocolate

March 12th, 2010 — Entertainment, Feed Syndications, Resorts, Reviews, Travel, Wine
Technorati Tags:
wine,
Malbec,
Argentina
UNVEILING NEW LINE OF HIGH QUALITY 100% SINGLE VARIETAL WINES
IN ADDITION TO NEW VINTAGES FROM ITS EXISTING LINE
Urraca Malbec 2008 and Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Set for Debut at Retail Later this Month
Along with Urraca Familia Langley 2007 Bordeaux Blend and Urraca Chardonnay 2008
Urraca Vineyards is expanding its Argentinean portfolio by adding a new line of high quality wines at accessible price points starting with its first two 100% single varietal red wines — Urraca Malbec and Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2008 vintage. The announcement was made today by John Langley, co-owner and co-founder, and Jean-Pierre Bieri, general manager of Urraca Vineyards, who also disclosed the winery’s next vintages of Urraca Familia Langley and Urraca Chardonnay will be released concurrently along with the new wines.
The Urraca Malbec 2008 consists of 100% single vineyard Malbec from the winery’s own holdings in the Agrelo area of Argentina’s famed Mendoza wine grape growing region. Urraca has produced 12,900 bottles of this new Malbec that have been aged for 9 months in a blend of new French and American oak barrels. With just the right amount of fruit on the nose and palate the wine at this stage is well-balanced offering nice depth and elegance. Suggest retail price: $24.99.
The other new red varietal is the Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. Produced from grapes grown at the winery’s the Cabernet is also a single vineyard product. Using a blend of predominantly new French as well as American oak barrels, some 12,600 bottles of this initial vintage have been produced. Well-rounded and balanced with incredible fruit and already integrated tannins, this wine is accessible now, but is also anticipated to have the structure to age gracefully for another 9-10 years providing quality long-term pleasure for those who can wait. Suggested retail price: $24.99.
Urraca Vineyards is also readying the release of the second vintage from its terroir-driven premium line. A highly awarded (the 2005 vintage received 91-points in from many leading critics) and regarded traditional Bordeaux blend that is also true to its Argentinean roots is the Urraca Familia Langley 2007. Partially produced from locally sourced grapes this is a Bordeaux blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Malbec, 17% Cab Franc and 11% Merlot. Made exclusively from premium grapes, this special blend was aged for 18 months in French oak and 7,980 bottles were produced. Suggested retail price: $57.99.
Urraca Chardonnay 2008 provides discerning palates with the best of both worlds — new world style chardonnay coupled with pronounced Burgundian notes. Only lightly oaked by Urraca’s Mr. Bressia, this chardonnay is now delivering a crisp, clean and refreshing Meursault-like experience. The wine is produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes exclusively from the winery’s Agrelo vineyard and was aged six months in new French Oak Limited production at 4,895 bottles. Suggested retail price: $33.99.
Remarked Mr. Langley, “Jean-Pierre and I were very pleased with the quality of the first terroir-driven vintages released last year as well as the reception by the industry and the consumer at both the retail and restaurant level.” He added, “While Urraca, under the unwavering guidance of winemaker Walter Bressia, will continue to produce some of the best handcrafted premium wines available today from Argentina, it was always part of our broader strategy to produce a broad spectrum of wines in a variety of styles.”
Added Mr. Bieri, “In every business, it is important to listen carefully to the response of the marketplace. Following the release of our first vintages we heard a resounding approval for our wines, but we also heard a call for wines do not compromise on quality yet are in tune with today’s realities at a very accessible price point. Hence the upcoming release of the new single-vineyard Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon bottling.”
Distribution for all of the wines in the Urraca line-up is being handled by Agrelo Imports of Manhasset, New York (www.agreloimports.com). Inquiries can also be made directly to Jean-Pierre Bieri, the winery’s general manager, at: (310)-397-0341.
About Urraca Vineyards
John Langley, reality television pioneer and executive producer of the long-running and critically acclaimed COPS (to begin its 22nd season this fall on the FOX Network), along with his sons Morgan and Zak formed the winery in 2008. Urraca Vineyard is situated at an elevation of 2,900 feet above sea level in the Mendoza and thus benefits from the cooling air provided by the nearby snow-capped Andes Mountain range.
March 12th, 2010 — Entertainment, Feed Syndications, Resorts, Reviews, Travel, Wine
Technorati Tags:
wine,
Malbec,
Argentina
UNVEILING NEW LINE OF HIGH QUALITY 100% SINGLE VARIETAL WINES
IN ADDITION TO NEW VINTAGES FROM ITS EXISTING LINE
Urraca Malbec 2008 and Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Set for Debut at Retail Later this Month
Along with Urraca Familia Langley 2007 Bordeaux Blend and Urraca Chardonnay 2008
Urraca Vineyards is expanding its Argentinean portfolio by adding a new line of high quality wines at accessible price points starting with its first two 100% single varietal red wines — Urraca Malbec and Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2008 vintage. The announcement was made today by John Langley, co-owner and co-founder, and Jean-Pierre Bieri, general manager of Urraca Vineyards, who also disclosed the winery’s next vintages of Urraca Familia Langley and Urraca Chardonnay will be released concurrently along with the new wines.
The Urraca Malbec 2008 consists of 100% single vineyard Malbec from the winery’s own holdings in the Agrelo area of Argentina’s famed Mendoza wine grape growing region. Urraca has produced 12,900 bottles of this new Malbec that have been aged for 9 months in a blend of new French and American oak barrels. With just the right amount of fruit on the nose and palate the wine at this stage is well-balanced offering nice depth and elegance. Suggest retail price: $24.99.
The other new red varietal is the Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. Produced from grapes grown at the winery’s the Cabernet is also a single vineyard product. Using a blend of predominantly new French as well as American oak barrels, some 12,600 bottles of this initial vintage have been produced. Well-rounded and balanced with incredible fruit and already integrated tannins, this wine is accessible now, but is also anticipated to have the structure to age gracefully for another 9-10 years providing quality long-term pleasure for those who can wait. Suggested retail price: $24.99.
Urraca Vineyards is also readying the release of the second vintage from its terroir-driven premium line. A highly awarded (the 2005 vintage received 91-points in from many leading critics) and regarded traditional Bordeaux blend that is also true to its Argentinean roots is the Urraca Familia Langley 2007. Partially produced from locally sourced grapes this is a Bordeaux blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Malbec, 17% Cab Franc and 11% Merlot. Made exclusively from premium grapes, this special blend was aged for 18 months in French oak and 7,980 bottles were produced. Suggested retail price: $57.99.
Urraca Chardonnay 2008 provides discerning palates with the best of both worlds — new world style chardonnay coupled with pronounced Burgundian notes. Only lightly oaked by Urraca’s Mr. Bressia, this chardonnay is now delivering a crisp, clean and refreshing Meursault-like experience. The wine is produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes exclusively from the winery’s Agrelo vineyard and was aged six months in new French Oak Limited production at 4,895 bottles. Suggested retail price: $33.99.
Remarked Mr. Langley, “Jean-Pierre and I were very pleased with the quality of the first terroir-driven vintages released last year as well as the reception by the industry and the consumer at both the retail and restaurant level.” He added, “While Urraca, under the unwavering guidance of winemaker Walter Bressia, will continue to produce some of the best handcrafted premium wines available today from Argentina, it was always part of our broader strategy to produce a broad spectrum of wines in a variety of styles.”
Added Mr. Bieri, “In every business, it is important to listen carefully to the response of the marketplace. Following the release of our first vintages we heard a resounding approval for our wines, but we also heard a call for wines do not compromise on quality yet are in tune with today’s realities at a very accessible price point. Hence the upcoming release of the new single-vineyard Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon bottling.”
Distribution for all of the wines in the Urraca line-up is being handled by Agrelo Imports of Manhasset, New York (www.agreloimports.com). Inquiries can also be made directly to Jean-Pierre Bieri, the winery’s general manager, at: (310)-397-0341.
About Urraca Vineyards
John Langley, reality television pioneer and executive producer of the long-running and critically acclaimed COPS (to begin its 22nd season this fall on the FOX Network), along with his sons Morgan and Zak formed the winery in 2008. Urraca Vineyard is situated at an elevation of 2,900 feet above sea level in the Mendoza and thus benefits from the cooling air provided by the nearby snow-capped Andes Mountain range.
March 12th, 2010 — Entertainment, Feed Syndications, Resorts, Restaurants, Reviews, Travel, Wine

Spring is almost here! On Madison Square Park we can feel it in the air and looking out of our panoramic window we see the first hints of blue skies and warmer days to come. See below for a list of what’s happening at SD26 this season.
At The SD26WineBar
Pizza Bianca con Mortadella every night from 5pm until closing. It’s
complimentary, delicious and offered every half hour.
With Spring in the air our SD26 team designed an exciting new cocktail menu with spring ingredients such as strawberries, cucumber, chervil, and fennel. After 10PM and enjoy a Complimentary Bomboloni.
Click here for the SD26 Cocktail menu.
SD26 Delivery/Take-Out
Delivery and take out service has officially started as of March 1st!
Please click here or go to SeamlessWeb.com or Delivery.com to place your orders.
March 23 – August 15
Gormley Naked Art Lunch in celebration of
Antony Gormley’s ‘Event Horizon’. Our location on the north side of Madison Square Park at 19 East 26th Street, offers unparalleled views of Antony Gormley’s 31 self-inspired sculptures.
Take in the view surrounded by Italian designer Massimo Vignelli’s celebrated modern design and artwork from renowned fiber artist Sheila Hicks displayed throughout SD26.
$20.10 Prix Fixe in the SD26WineBar & Lounge |11:30 am – 4 pm | Monday – Sunday
Private Dining & Off Premise Catering
Click here for Private Dining & Off Premise Catering.
We just kicked off our new kosher Catering program with Rabbi Piperno presiding
over the preparations. We are definitely off to a great start!
SD26 Coming Events
Easter – April 4 – click here for our Easter menu
March 28th Sunday – we open on Sundays for lunch & dinner
Mother’s Day – May 9 – click here for our Mother’s Day menu
March 12th, 2010 — Entertainment, Feed Syndications, Resorts, Restaurants, Reviews, Travel, Wine

Spring is almost here! On Madison Square Park we can feel it in the air and looking out of our panoramic window we see the first hints of blue skies and warmer days to come. See below for a list of what’s happening at SD26 this season.
At The SD26WineBar
Pizza Bianca con Mortadella every night from 5pm until closing. It’s
complimentary, delicious and offered every half hour.
With Spring in the air our SD26 team designed an exciting new cocktail menu with spring ingredients such as strawberries, cucumber, chervil, and fennel. After 10PM and enjoy a Complimentary Bomboloni.
Click here for the SD26 Cocktail menu.
SD26 Delivery/Take-Out
Delivery and take out service has officially started as of March 1st!
Please click here or go to SeamlessWeb.com or Delivery.com to place your orders.
March 23 – August 15
Gormley Naked Art Lunch in celebration of
Antony Gormley’s ‘Event Horizon’. Our location on the north side of Madison Square Park at 19 East 26th Street, offers unparalleled views of Antony Gormley’s 31 self-inspired sculptures.
Take in the view surrounded by Italian designer Massimo Vignelli’s celebrated modern design and artwork from renowned fiber artist Sheila Hicks displayed throughout SD26.
$20.10 Prix Fixe in the SD26WineBar & Lounge |11:30 am – 4 pm | Monday – Sunday
Private Dining & Off Premise Catering
Click here for Private Dining & Off Premise Catering.
We just kicked off our new kosher Catering program with Rabbi Piperno presiding
over the preparations. We are definitely off to a great start!
SD26 Coming Events
Easter – April 4 – click here for our Easter menu
March 28th Sunday – we open on Sundays for lunch & dinner
Mother’s Day – May 9 – click here for our Mother’s Day menu