Category: Washington Jefferson Hotel

Shimmie Horn, Washington Jefferson Hotel

The West Side Wonder of DeWitt Clinton Park

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DeWitt Clinton Park War Memorial

Snuggled among the businesses and residences on the Manhattan’s West Side, between 54th and 52nd Streets and 12th and 11th Avenues, is a lovely bit of green known as DeWitt Clinton Park.

Named after ten-term New York City mayor, and New York State Governor of eight years, the park memorializes this visionary and life-long politician. Perhaps Clinton’s most inspired idea was to implement the innovative Manhattan grid-system in 1811; but what he is best known for is his planning and promotion of the great, State-funded, Erie Canal.

Park facilities include a dog run, baseball fields, a garden of perennials, basketball and handball courts and the Erie Canal playground which was newly renovated in 1996.

DeWitt Clinton Park is a great oasis of green to visit if you happen to be staying at Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel, which is just a short distance away on 51st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Shimmie Horn, Washington Jefferson Hotel

Casellula for a Unique Wine and Cheese Experience

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It’s always exciting to find something a bit different to do in New York City. How about an eating experience that is almost sure to please, but is not your ‘run-of-the-mill’ latest fad cuisine? Check out Casellula Cheese and Wine Café, and you might just get that unique experience.

Unique Cheese and Wine at Casellula

Casellula is located at 401 West 52nd Street, so if you happen to be a guest at Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel on West 51st Street, you are only a short stroll to this fab café which specializes in handmade and farmstead cheeses, but has a lot more to offer.

This place is serious about cheese, with over 40 varieties from around the world, from the most obscure; to the mildest and strongest; from fresh to washed to blue. Each cheese is served with its own particularly well-suited condiment, and there is a wide variety of wines and beers to pair off with the cheese you choose.

There is also a wonderful food menu which includes a list of eight kinds of meats to pick from; salads; elegant sandwiches like goose breast Reuben; and assorted other surprises such as mac and cheese and rabbit and Chanterelle mushroom pie.

Note that Casellula does not take reservations, and does not require any special attire to dine there. So go on over and discover something new in the neighborhood.

Washington Jefferson Hotel

Porgy and Bess at the Richard Rogers Theater

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Porgy and Bess at the Richard Rogers Theater

Renamed the Richard Rogers Theater in 1990 in honor of the great composer of Broadway musicals, the theater was originally opened in 1924 as the 46th Street Theater. In 2006 a major renovation was conducted and today the theater contains a gallery which displays historic objects from the career of Rogers.
Such spectacular hits as Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls and Damn Yankees were performed in this historic theater, and today lucky theater goers can treat themselves to a remake of one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals, Porgy and Bess. The classic story, written by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward was set to music by George and Ira Gershwin.  For the first time in over 35 years Porgy and Bess can be seen in all its former glory, and then some.
Guests visiting New York and staying at Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel are perfectly situated to enjoy this exhilarating musical, just a few short blocks away. There are few activities as enjoyable as seeing a Broadway musical; so take advantage of your New York stay and your convenient location at the Washington Jefferson Hotel, and go see Porgy and Bess.

Shimmie Horn, Washington Jefferson Hotel

Try Arriba Arriba for Traditional Exciting Mexican Cuisine

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Down the street from Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel is a wonderful

Arriba Arriba Mexican Restaurant and Bar

Mexican restaurant and bar, Arriba Arriba. Located at 762 Ninth Avenue at 51st Street in Hell’s Kitchen, you will be in for a real treat when you walk half a block west from the Washington Jefferson to enjoy authentic and delectable Mexican cuisine.
Arriba Arriba specializes in great drinks, amazing food, and a lively, fun atmosphere. Try their famous frozen margarita, with a sumptuous Mama Burrito while enjoying the live DJ to keep everyone there in a great mood. Staying at Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson? Then just saunter on over to Arriba Arriba for an unforgettably exciting dining experience.

Shimmie Horn, Washington Jefferson Hotel

Studio 54 A New York Landmark

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Studio 54 in 1977

Studio 54, located at 254 West 54th Street, is just a five minute walk from Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel. This theater has a fascinating history which in many ways tells the story of New York’s ever evolving entertainment world.

In 1927 what is now Studio 54 was originally opened as the Gallo Opera House. It was transformed into the New Yorker Theater in 1930, until it was bought by CBS in 1942. The theater then became the home of the original late night talk show, “The Johnny Carson Show.” At the end of the 1970s, after the studio was sold by CBS, the TV studio became the most iconic nightclubs of the disco-era and took the name Studio 54. In 1986 the club closed and became a place for rock concerts for a few years until it finally closed down all together at the end of the 80s. The space went unused and empty until 1998, when the Roundabout Theater Company moved in and produced the famous re-make of Cabaret.

Today Roundabout is still in the premises with a new production in the works. Due to open on May 18, a limited engagement of the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy Harvey will be performed until August 5, 2012.

Shimmie Horn, Washington Jefferson Hotel

Washington Jefferson is THE Hotel for Theater Lovers

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Neil Simon Theater

If you are a theater lover and planning a stay at Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel, then you will be perfectly positioned for a great New York visit filled with some of the best theater in the world.

One such place to enjoy an evening out is the Neil Simon Theater, just a few steps away from the Washington Jefferson. Back in 1927 the theater opened as the Alvin, but in 1983 it was renamed in honor of one of America’s most prolific playwrights, Neil Simon.

The name change came as a result of a highly successful run of Neil Simon’s first play of his autobiographical trilogy, Brighton Beach Memoirs. In 1985 the second installment was performed at the newly named theater, Biloxi Blues. Jake’s Women, Simon’s third and final segment opened at the theater in 1992.

Beginning in 2000 the Neil Simon Theater has hosted musicals with two of the best Broadway shows, the well-received revival of The Music Man, and Hairspray, winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Beginning on March 22 at the Neil Simon Theater will be a brand new production of one of Broadway’s favorite Andrew Lloyd Weber/Tim Rice shows, Jesus Christ Super Star.  The theater is located at 250 West 52nd Street, a five minute walk from Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel.

Belleclaire Hotel, Iroquois Hotel, Shimmie Horn, Washington Jefferson Hotel

New Years in New York

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If you are lucky enough to be staying at one of Shimmie Horn’s Triumph Hotels

Times Square on New Year's Eve

over the New Year’s holiday, then you are well positioned to have one of the most memorable of all possible New Year’s Eve celebrations.

You can go a New Year’s party at any number of exciting venues, from the Bryant Park Grill, two blocks from the Iroquois Hotel; to a party at Frames NYC, a bowling hot spot with a nightclub, bar and restaurant all rolled into one, just south of the Washington Jefferson Hotel along 9th Avenue; or go to a concert at the Beacon Theater on Broadway and 74th Street, just down Broadway from the Hotel Belleclaire on West 77th Street; Gov’t Mule is featured this New Year’s Eve.

Whichever way you choose to spend the holiday, if you are staying at any of Shimmie Horn’s Triumph Hotels, you are not far from the best entertainment New York City has to offer.

Washington Jefferson Hotel

Real French Pastry Five Minutes from Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel

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Enjoy real French pastries a short walk from Shimmie Horn's Washington Jefferson Hotel
5 minutes Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel

Craving some real French pastries? If you are staying at Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel, then you are in luck, because La Bergamote Patisserie is about a 5 minute walk away, on 52nd Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues at number 515. The shop on 52nd Street is the second branch of this successful enterprise. Romain Lamaze, the managing director and Stephane Willemin, executive pastry chef, also runs La Bergamote Patisserie Francaise in Chelsea in lower Manhattan, which opened its doors in 1998. This authentically French restaurant and pastry shop owes its success not only to the talented owners, but also to the consistent use of nothing but the freshest and highest quality ingredients, creating flavors which are authentic, delicious and wholesome. La Bergamote Restaurant and Patisserie in the Clinton section of Manhattan on 52nd Street is open from 7am until 10pm 7 days per week.

Shimmie Horn, Washington Jefferson Hotel

Bann for Authentic Korean Food Around the Corner from the Washington Jefferson Hotel

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Bann Restaurant for Korean Cuisine

Before taking in a show on Broadway, consider stopping at the Bann Restaurant and Lounge for dinner and maybe a drink. Just around the corner form Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel, Bann is located at 350 West 50th Street.

Bann has been serving authentic Korean cuisine at this location since 2005.

Bann is the flagship restaurant of a group of highly acclaimed eateries located on America’s two coasts. Mrs. Young Sook Choi, considered by many to be the primary pioneer in the revolution of modern Korean fare, developed the concept of Bann and its sister restaurants, creating outstanding venues for her cuisine in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, SoHo and in New York’s theater district.

Serving both the familiar and exotic foods of Korea, Bann’s approach to dining takes into account all five senses. If you are visiting New York and staying at the nearby Washington Jefferson Hotel on 51st Street, consider heading on over to Bann for a wonderful taste of Korea.

Shimmie Horn, Washington Jefferson Hotel

Birdland Jazz Club New York’s Jazz Headquarters

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Great Jazz at Birdland

In the midst of New York’s spectacular theater district is a jazz club of extraordinary stature, The Birdland Jazz Club. Located at 315 West 44th Street, it is just a few short blocks from Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel on West 51st Street.

Ever since the 1920s New York has been considered the ‘Mecca’ of Jazz; practically every major jazz style created in the past seventy years originated here. Charlie Parker, often lovingly referred to as “Bird” was one of the pivotal musical geniuses of the alto saxophone. He is the inspiration behind the Birdland Jazz Club.

The New York Times has called Birdland, “close to perfection for serious fans and musicians.” In its new midtown location jazz lovers can expect to find a music venue with excellent visibility, some ‘elbow room,’ and even a delicious, award-winning menu of classic American cuisine with a sparkle of Cajun, the culinary equivalent of jazz.

If you are staying at the Washington Jefferson, be sure to make Birdland one of your stops and take a jazzy bite from the Big Apple.