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Environment

Baaa Goes the Basilica

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NOLITA THE BASILICA of ST. PATRICK’S OLD CATHEDRAL….A new flock of sheep is being welcomed by the Church in a wonderfully NY patriotic celebration.  According to , Church Administrator, this is:

“one of the most anticipated happenings in the neighborhood.  People line up six to seven deep on the sidewalk to see them.”

This will be the first trip to New York for the three 5 month old ewes – appropriately named Houston, Prince and Spring. They were transported from Hudson Valley to Manhattan and when they arrived received quite a few blessings.  First, from Sakano and then from 5 or 6 members of staff.  One of their biggest fans in 37 year old filmmaker and parishioner Andrew Shermin, who has named himself “Shepherd of NoLiTa.”

While this is Buckwheat’s second year collaborating with the Old St. Patrick’s, it’s the first trip to the big city for Houston, Prince and Spring. The 5-month-old ewes — named for three famous streets in their new neighborhood — put up little fuss during the hour-long ride from the Hudson Valley to Manhattan, but were eager to get on the lawn and begin munching on grass. They better get used to the attention: The wooly creatures will not only get a blessing from Sakano, but also a staff of five or six catering to their every need, including self-proclaimed “Shepherd of NoLiTa” Andrew Shermin, a 37-year-old parishioner and filmmaker who is the animals’ biggest fan.  Perhaps he has something to do with the recent Sheep Throat article…

The Evelyn

Lunch with Leonelli!

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Shimmie Horn’s Evelyn Hotel is now serving lunch at the Leonelli Taberna.  Anytime from 12pm you can enjoy the wonderful creations of chef Jonathan Benno who has “had a love affair with Italian food since [he was] a kid.”  Making Italian food today “reminds [him] of eating [his] grandma’s eggplant parmesan. [And it is that ] feeling [that he] want[s] to recreate for guests at the Leonelli Taberna.”

For the full menu, click here. And in the meantime, just dream of the wonderful Stuzzichini and “Taberna Burger” that are just two of the many options.

Frederick Hotel

Go Italian at the Frederick

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A year ago, Serafina Tribeca opened up at the Frederick Hotel.  Offering “authentic Italian fare set within an upbeat and energetic atmosphere,” guests can enjoy eating in or take out/room service directly from their hotel phones.

If “fresh clams and dente linguine,” go for something more traditional like a filet mignon burger.  The Serafina takes that to the next level by serving it with gorgonzola cheese and caramelized onions.  Serafina is also known for its Tartufo Nero pizza which comes with hand-picked Italian truffles.

If you do decide to eat in the actual restaurant, check out the décor; with select, brightly-colored paintings from Pato Paez the Argentinian-born NY artist’s beautiful depictions are testament to his “commitment to producing colorful work for people’s walls.”

Frederick Hotel

The Latest Hot Spot: Primo’s

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Nestled inside Shimmie Horn’s Frederick Hotel is Primo’s, “a veritable hot spot.”

On a recent Thursday night, the nostalgia-steeped bar was filled with hip downtown types, who lounged on velvet banquettes and sipped classic cocktails (try the “Double Dirty” martini, laced with white anchovy and piquillo pepper) at the marble bar. And while the Tribeca spot feels wholly original (where else can you play out Mad Men fantasies and rub shoulders with Jake Gyllenhaal?), the brothers [Noah and Aisa Shelley] insist that it’s a nod to the city’s great drinking dens of yore.

According to Noah:

Primo’s couldn’t exist without icons like Bemelmans We wanted Primo’s to similarly communicate the idea of a great city called New York.

And thanks to The Frederick, they got what they wanted.

Uncategorized

New York City’s Theater District

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NYC’s theater district is a great place to vacation.  And for those looking for a luxurious place to do just that, the Washington Jefferson boutique hotel is a good choice.   You can be in the center of Midtown Manhattan but enjoy a quiet escape and just before you go out for your show at any of the thousands of theater options nearby, get into Japanese culture with the hotel’s finest Shimzu Sushi and Shochu Bar.

From Hamilton to Pretty Woman, To Kill a Mockingbird to Boys in the Band, there really is something for everyone…and then some at NYC’s Theater District. For more information and ticket booking, click here.

Triumph Hotels

Triumph Hotel Recognition

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Exciting news for the Triumph hotel brand. With its top class amenities set in a luxurious environment, the Triumph hotels – and their contribution to New York – have now been recognized with their own Wiki page.

 

Featuring six unique hotels, the first of Shimmie Horn’s Triumph brand was built in the 19th century.  Originally known as The Cosmopolitan Hotel – Tribeca, today it is called The Frederick and is decorated in a combination of old and new, and a meeting place for both style and comfort.

 

Over the years, a number of famous people have stayed in one or two of the Triumph hotels.  This includes: Mark Twain and James Dean.  Of the latter – who stayed in The Iroquois – there is now a James Dean Suite. Hotel Edison was where, at its grand opening, the building’s namesake – Thomas Edison – turned on the lights.

 

Today, the Hotel Belleclaire offers both business travelers and vacationers a comfortable spot right by some of New York’s most popular attractions such as Lincoln Center, Central Park and the Beacon Theater.  Restaurants, boutiques and bars are in close proximity also to this Upper West Side delight.

 

Located at 7 East 27th Street, The Evelyn Hotel (built in 1903) is certainly keeping up with modern times.  Featuring a fantastic restaurant with offerings such as Cannolis filled to order with Foccacceria e Pasticceria thanks to LeonelliNYC, this makes for the perfect holiday indulgent spot.

 

With a wonderful breakfast package offered through Giorgio’s Restaurant, the Washington Jefferson Hotel offers guests valet parking, this NYC Theater District hotel offers a true respite from the hubbub of Times Square.

 

New York City is a central theme to many from all parts of the world who want a taste of the Big Apple.  The Triumph Hotel brand does not take this responsibility lightly.

 

 

The Evelyn

The Elevation of the Evelyn!

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We always knew that the Evelyn was an exquisite hotel featuring great service and wonderful food. But now part of that has been recognized in Grub Street’s Power Rankings, with Leonelli Taberna – chef Jonathan Benno’s creative works – making it to Number 5 of the list!  Here it was described as:

“Former Lincoln chef and one-time Thomas Keller protégé Jonathan Benno is going for a more unbuttoned spirit and Roman-ish food in the newly renovated Evelyn Hotel. Just in time for 90 degree–plus days, there are cold spritzes and a beautifully chilled frutti di mare.”

Yes, the New York weather right now definitely calls for some airconditioned delights!

 

The Edison Hotel

Eating at the Triumph Hotels

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At the Triumph hotels in New York, as well as being centrally located in the hubbub of the city, for those looking for quiet kickback time there are a variety of eateries to choose from.

Take a look at the Hotel Edison for example.  The Bond 45 New York Italian Kitchen & Bar is a dream. The restaurant is the original former historic Bond clothing Store (1948-77) which re-opened in Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Edison.  Over the years there, it earned a reputation for its delicious “rotating selection of market vegetables,” but for those carnivores among us, don’t worry, the veal chops are to die for.  And then of course there’s the delicious pizza and homemade pasta too.

Moving over to Bryant Park, we have the Triomphe Restaurant, conveniently located in another one of Shimmie Horn’s hotels, the Iroquois.  It’s comfortable and relaxed and boasts an “understated elegance” in its design relaxing diners as soon as they enter.  You can order any meal from there and choose from a wonderful French-based selection including the Epicurean Tasting Menu.

There are more of course, offered at the Triumph hotels, but excuse us for just giving you a “taste” of what is on offer.