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tastic conferences
tastic celebrations
tastic gatherings
tastic meetings
Plan your next event at the most striking and sophisticated venue in New York.
80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York, NY 10023. For reservations, visit www.mandarinoriental.com or call toll free (866) 801 8880.
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FOR SUSHI LOVERS At the end of January
chef Masaharu Morimoto opened New York’s
first restaurant designed by Tadao Ando, with a
sushi bar lit from below.
Now
WHERE TO GO
PHOTO: DAN HALLMAN FOR BIZBASH
the business entertaining issue
New York has so many options when you’re looking to wine and dine
a client or group of co-workers. Lunch at the Four Seasons still impresses, Le Bernardin has a lovely private dining room, and the 21 Club
holds an assortment of popular spaces—but you know this. And when executives and salespeople come looking for suggestions, they
often ask for something new and different. So for our annual guide to business entertaining, we decided to focus on the newest restaurants, bars, shows, gifts, spas, and other options. Some are so new, in fact, they weren’t even open as we went to press, so we couldn’t
check them out—but we thought you’d want to know about them. (We also included a few more established options that have expanded
their offerings recently or that we think deserve more attention.) And we uncovered a variety of different ideas, so no matter who you’re
trying to thank, impress, get to know, or sell to, you should find a fitting solution here.
Edited by Caryl Chinn, Mark Mavrigian & Anna Sekula
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WHERE TO GO FOR
Breakfast
FOR FASHIONABLE FOLKS After much delay, Sascha Lyon’s vast
restaurant Sascha is scheduled to open in the meatpacking district in
April. Since his stints at Pastis, Balthazar, and Daniel, Lyon’s culinary
skills (as well as the grandeur of his restaurant’s interior) have already created a buzz. The first floor bar area is a spot for a casual breakfast (opt for
the second floor’s more formal dining room for lunch or dinner) and people-watching. Those in a hurry can pick up freshly baked breads and sweet
things from Lyon’s bakery next door (61 Gansevoort St.), which is open
early in the morning to serve the hungry hoi polloi headed to work. (55
Gansevoort St., 212.989.1920) —Anna Sekula
TO MAKE DEALS DOWNTOWN In May last year, David Bouley
opened his trilevel Bouley Bakery & Market opposite his eponymous
TriBeCa restaurant and gave patrons the opportunity to indulge in his tasty
desserts, specialty breads, and European pastries before lunch. In the winter, the casual bakery is warm and inviting (and the wood-burning oven
fills the eatery with a delicious smell), and in the summer sidewalk seating
works for less formal get-togethers. A small dining room upstairs is available in the evening. For a tasty gift, check out the market on the lower level
that offers seasonally appropriate organic products as well as Bouley’s ice
creams, sorbets, and raw dough for breads and cookies. (130 West
Broadway, 212.608.5829) —A.S.
Brasserie Ruhlmann
Country
FOR A MORNING MEETING Here’s a calm and civilized way to start
the day: The café at Country serves a changing breakfast menu from chef
Geoffrey Zakarian. While the restaurant’s main dining room features a
Tiffany-style dome, the café’s charms includes rows of sunken sidewalklevel windows, dark wood paneling, and a lovely bar—all making for a setting where you don’t mind settling in. Baked goods include buttery pain au
chocolat, muffins, and scones, and there is a selection of fruit smoothies,
basic-to-sophisticated entrees (a recent offering was eggs with creamed
spinach baked in a jar), and hearty side dishes. (90 Madison Ave.,
212.889.7100) —Mark Mavrigian
TO BREAK BREAD Now you don’t have to pay Per Se prices to get some
Thomas Keller cachet. One floor below the fancy restaurant is the chef’s
more casual, but still elegant Bouchon Bakery. The stylish Adam Tihany-
designed 60-seat café space overlooks the glass entryway of the shopping
complex and is a peaceful spot in the morning for breakfast. A large array
of sandwiches, soups, and salads are available, but save room for dessert—
the handmade confections and pastries are the highlight of the menu. If
you don’t have the time for a sit-down meal, the bakery has a retail counter
adjacent to the café. (10 Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center, 3rd Floor,
212.823.9366) —A.S.
Bouchon Bakery
FOR MIDTOWN CONVENIENCE Located at Rockefeller Center,
Brasserie Ruhlmann opened this past January and has already garnered
attention with its detailed Art Deco interior inspired by its namesake,
designer Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, and its delectable classic French fare.
Chef George Masraff’s breakfast menu includes winter fruit compote
poached in tea and port (served with yogurt, cottage cheese, or buffalo
ricotta), creamy eggs with Sevruga caviar and salmon roe, homemade pancakes, and brioche French toast. Take a nook in the northeastern corner for
larger parties of 12 or more or one of the tables by the window away from
the bustle of the room. (45 Rockefeller Plaza, 212.974.2020) —A.S.
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More Options
TARALLUCCI E VINO This
contemporary new Italian
spot opened quietly in
November, but has been winning fans for its selection of
top quality pastries and artisanal breads, not to mention
the perfect espresso. Enjoy
breakfast in the light wood
and brick dining room, or discuss the latest soccer scores
with regulars over coffee in
the bar. (15 East 18th St.,
212.228.5400) —Caryl Chinn
OLIVES Well known for chef
Todd English’s hearty,
Mediterranean fare, Olives is
also a great morning meeting
place. Breakfast standards are
available, but pale next to signature dishes like Parmesan
and rosemary grits with Italian
sausage. The wine room
upstairs seats 40 and has windows that overlook the restaurant. (201 Park Ave. South,
212.353.8345) —C.C.
LES HALLES The breakfast
is so peaceful, you might not
recognize Les Halles as the
bustling setting of Kitchen
Confidential, chef Anthony
Bourdain’s culinary confessional. The restaurant serves
French breakfast staples like
croissants and crepes alongside heartier fare. The warm
leather banquettes channel a
classic French brasserie, and
when the weather’s nice, you
can sit outside. (411 Park Ave.
South, 212.679.4111) —C.C.
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WHERE TO GO FOR
Lunch
TO CELEBRATE Dishes
inspired by South
American favorites, a cozy
and warm environment,
and a plethora of organic
fruit-based drinks from the
refresca bar have kept casual
joint Novo buzzing with
patrons since its January
opening. Alex Garcia, currently
the executive chef at
Novo
Calle Ocho, designed a
menu full of creative ceviches, fresh pasta entrées, and customizable paellas.
Long banquettes and communal tables make the festive 60-seat space intimate, but for a little more privacy try a table at the rear of the restaurant.
Underneath the banquettes are built-in drawers to keep bags and personal
items out of the way. (290 Hudson St., 212.989.6410) —A.S.
FOR ADVENTUROUS DINERS The new restaurant Gilt teams up
British chef Paul Liebrandt, who made waves with his wildly inventive cuisine at Atlas in 2000, with French designer Patrick Jouin, a protégé of
Philippe Starck, in a historic landmark space in the Palace Hotel that
housed Le Cirque 2000. The result? An elegant and luxurious restaurant
that evokes a posh London club. Directly adjacent is the Madison Room,
which is available for private parties of approximately 75 seated, or as many
as 125 standing. (455 Madison Ave., 212.891.8100) —C.C.
Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano
TO GET TO KNOW SOMEONE Italian cinema of the 1950’s and 60’s
served as the inspiration for the decor at Gusto Ristorante e Bar
Americano, the West Village gem owned by Sasha Muniak (owner of
Mangia). Clean and elegant—a break from the neighborhood’s more
casual eateries—the interior is a mix of simple white tiles and dark wooden tables with plush black velvet banquettes, Missoni fabric striped
barstools, and a 1950’s Viennese chandelier. The front of the main dining
room is the place to draw attention to your party and watch for fans of
chef Jody Williams’s Italian cuisine, while the rear is the spot for quiet
tête-à-têtes. For a truly private conversation, book the lower level’s 12-seat
wine cellar space. (60 Greenwich Ave., 212.924.8000) —A.S.
TO COOK UP A DEAL After more than a decade at the helm of Robert
DeNiro’s beloved Tribeca Grill, Don Pintabona has struck out on a solo
venture in west SoHo. The menu at Dani includes family recipes that
FOR INTIMATE GROUPS Veteran restaurateurs Stephen and Thalia
Lofredo of SoHo staple Zoë, and executive chef Josh DeChellis, whose
résumé includes Union Pacific and Sumile, opened Jovia last October. The
reflect his Sicilian heritage and flavors from throughout the
Mediterranean. The room combines rich leather banquettes with some
industrial touches like concrete columns and aluminum fans. The Chef’s
Peninsula seats as many as nine and provides a front row seat for the
action in the kitchen. (333 Hudson St., 212.633.9333) —C.C.
bar and lounge on the first floor features a handsome wood bar and tables
where diners can choose between a bar menu, or the full menu. Upstairs,
the back room seats 30 and there’s a secluded table for eight which can be
closed off with sheer curtains for a little extra privacy. Jovia also has a lovely
garden patio on the second floor that can be booked for private affairs, or
combined with the back room as a reception space. (135 East 62nd St.,
212.752.6000) —C.C.
Dani
PHOTOS: DAN HALLMAN FOR BIZBASH (DANI), MICHAEL TULIPAN (GUSTO), COURTESY OF NOVO
FOR SOME PRIVACY—WITH A VIEW There’s more to the Time
Warner Center than that cluster of high-profile restaurants. Namely Asiate,
the Mandarin Oriental’s in-
house restaurant on the 35th
floor. The booths for four
along the north wall feel nicely
separated from the rest of the
space, and at lunchtime you
can soak in the all that daylight from the floor-to-ceiling
windows, along with the view
of Central Park (and, right
now, some serious construction around Columbus
Circle). And the three-course
bento box lunch for $39 offers
an easy-to-order taste of chef
Noriyuki Sugie’s adventurous
food. (He makes a soup modeled after Caesar salad, with
bacon foam.) There’s also a
private dining area for 10.
(80 Columbus Circle,
212.805.8800) —Chad Kaydo
Asiate
More Options
TELEPAN Bill Telepan’s
busy new restaurant near
Lincoln Center is now open
for lunch Wednesdays
through Fridays and brunch
on Saturdays and Sundays.
The dining room is comfortable, with an understated
green and brown color
palette and a menu filled with
dishes using fresh local ingredients. (72 West 69th St.,
212.580.4300) —A.S.
LE CIRQUE At press time
the new location of Sirio
Maccioni’s much-loved restaurant, which catered to a highprofile and high-spending
crowd in its last incarnation,
was slated to open in May.
When it does open in its new
digs (in the Midtown complex
that houses Bloomberg LP),
the same elite crowd is sure to
be back. (1 Beacon Court,
151 East 58th St., 212.644.
0315) —A.S.
CIPRIANI DOLCI Is it possible to be off the beaten track
yet in the center of everything
at the same time? Cipriani
Dolci manages to do both.
The menu features all the
classics of its sister restaurant
downtown at substantially
lower prices, like the artichoke and avocado salad and
all the house-made pastas.
Reservations are accepted
and a snap to get, and diners
can enjoy the view of Grand
Central Terminal’s busy concourse. (Grand Central
Terminal, West Balcony,
212.973.0999) —C.C.
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WHERE TO GET Fun
FOR FANCY SANDWICHES Starwich has a wide selection of options
including unusual signature items like fish-and-chips sandwiches (baked
Atlantic cod, herbed potato chips, and roasted tomato rémoulade on challah), and soft shell crab BLT’s (Virginia soft shell crab with applewood
smoked bacon, heirloom tomatoes, smoked pimento-rosemary aioli on
sourdough). For the health conscious (or just particularly picky), all sandwiches can be made with low-carb bread, and low-carb and low-fat salad
dressings are available. Starwich delivers in Manhattan, and can provide
lunch packages, platters, and wait service. (212.736.2868) —Anna Sekula
Food for a Meeting
Palá
More Options
JAMBA JUICE Energize
your team with fresh and
healthy smoothies, juices,
and snacks from this
California import. “Boosts,”
shots containing dietary supplements, can be added to
drinks to target specific
needs like energy, immunity,
or performance. Catering or
delivery is available, or you
can telephone your order in
and pick it up from the nearest location. (For contact
information of all 17
Manhattan locations go to
www.jambajuice.com) —A.S.
FOR NAME-BRAND BITES Burke Bar Café, the stylish 40-seat eatery
from star chef David Burke that debuted inside Bloomingdale’s in
December, also delivers its casual fare. Burke in the Box is a range of tasty
take-out items (hot and cold) packaged in colorful custom-designed boxes
and pinstriped bags. On the menu are fun dishes like “Millionaire's meatloaf” served with lobster whipped potatoes and lobster bordelaise, roasted
“angry ‘hen-in-law,’” and “chefster’s asiago truffle fries.” Breakfast, lunch,
dinner, and dessert options are available and can be delivered. In the works
is the “Burkemobile” delivery and catering van. (150 East 59th St.,
212.705.3800) —A.S.
FOR PERFECT PIES Pizza doesn’t have to be downmarket. Try Palà, the
latest pizza joint that foodies flock to. Owners Gigio and Edena Palàzzo
spent two years researching the perfect recipe and these are their results:
dough allowed to ferment for two to five days—which makes it easier for
your body to digest (and thereby healthier)—and Roman-style pies (sold by
the foot) baked in controlled temperatures in brick-lined electric ovens.
And the menu is a playground of gourmet toppings. Although Palà is
located on the Lower East Side, the company delivers orders of $300 or
more (which can also include antipasti, salads, drinks, and desserts) to
most Manhattan locations. (198 Allen St., 212.614.7252) —A.S.
Burke in the Box
FOR A NOT-SO-SERIOUS MEETING Break the boardroom stuffiness
with buckets of cereal dropped off for a tasty break. Cereality puts together
specialty blends, using top quality brands of
cereal—ranging from the healthy to
the sugary—you can even custom
blend your own cereal. The company also makes cereal bars for snack
time. The grainy goodies all arrive
with the company’s signature utensil,
called the “sloop,” a spoon that doubles as
a straw to sip up every last drop of milk—
which, by the way, you’ll need to order from a
separate vendor. (Don’t forget to have a variety of
dairy, soy, and rice milk on hand.) Orders require a fourday advance notice with a $100 minimum. (312.893.4156,
www.cereality.com) —Mark Mavrigian
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Peanut Butter & Company
FOR NOSTALGIC TYPES For a
fun alternative to fussy food,
order some classic peanut-butter
sandwiches from Peanut Butter
& Company. This all-American
joint in the West Village creates
an array of sandwiches like the
peanut butter BLT, peanut butter
with marshmallow Fluff, and the
Elvis, a scrumptious peanut-butter sandwich with bananas,
honey, and bacon. Of course a
simple PB & J is always an option.
Take-out orders require a $6-perperson minimum and a few days
notice. (212.677.3995, www.ilovepeanutbutter.com) —M.M.
THE SODA SHOP This
TriBeCa candy store offers
old-fashioned candy and
retro sweets like Sugar
Daddies, Pop Rocks,
Charleston Chews,
Doschers Taffy, Necco
Wafers, and wax bottles.
Pick up the sugary delights
yourself, or have them deliver the goodies in baskets or
grab bags—with sufficient
lead time the store can
accommodate large orders.
(125 Chambers St.,
212.571.1100) —A.S.
BEARD PAPA This shop’s
fresh and tasty cream puffs
have only been
in Manhattan
for two
years,
but are
still an easy way
to satisfy sweet tooths
and dessert lovers—and a
tastier alternative to standard office fare like donuts.
The baked (not fried) goodies have a crispy shell of
choux pastry filled with
whipped cream custard in
various flavors. The
Japanese company has two
cafes in the city—each with
its own delivery policy. Large
orders can be placed ahead
of time and Beard Papa is
developing a catering division. (Upper West Side:
212.799.3770, Astor Place:
212.353.8888) —A.S.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF DAVID BURKE AT BLOOMINGDALE’S, COURTESY OF PALÀ
Starwich
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WHERE TO GO FOR
Fun Activities
FOR A STRESSED-OUT CLIENT Deepak Chopra’s well-being center inside the
Dream Hotel offers an alternative to the typical spa with holistic ayurvedic healing
techniques. The Chopra Center & Spa at Dream opened in November and has yoga
classes, facials, massages, therapeutic body treatments, and morning and evening meditation classes in a beautifully designed space. Taking inspiration from India, the tranquil interior includes rosewood, soft red and yellow accents, a 20-foot tall fresco, a
three-foot stone centerpiece for the meditation area, and unique artwork painted on the
walls. Treat a client to a spa package or book a group for one of the classes or treatments. (1710 Broadway, 212.246.7600, www.chopracenterny.com) —Anna Sekula
TO TREAT SPECIAL GUESTS
G Spa
PHOTOS: ARTHUR JULIAN (G SPA), JENNIFER MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY (CELLAR 72)
Heading to a spa together isn’t
the right palling-around choice
for every client, but it can be a
relaxing way to cozy up to
someone. (And for people not
considered robe-ready, there are
always gift certificates.) Here are
three new options. G Spa (18
Ninth Ave., 212.660.6733) is a
daytime health haven at the
Gansevoort Hotel that converts
to a nightclub. The new space
has infinity-edge hydro pools, private treatment rooms that convert to lounges, and a bar
area for cocktail receptions for 100 people. Space rental starts at $2,500 per hour, and
China Grill Management provides food and beverage. For men, there’s the newly
minted Okeanos spa (211 East 51st St., 212.223.6773, www.okeanosclubspa.com), which
pays homage to the czars with traditional Russian therapies, barber services, and a vodka
bar. The masculine spa is available for private events, where powerbrokers indulge in
body treatments, relax in the eucalyptus-infused banya (wet sauna), or get a taste of
Petrossian caviar. Group packages start at $250 per person, and includes a sports massage, traditional platza treatment (a revitalizing massage with birch leaves), and lunch. If
you’re entertaining expectant mothers (why not?), give them an extra dose of pampering
at Edamame Spa (575 Madison Ave., 212.588.1990, www.edamamespa.com), a Zen den
for the pregnant set that offers specialized treatments like lower-back massages, prenatal
yoga, and hormone-tempering facials. —Jeralyn Gerba
FOR A GROUP OF GAMBLERS Place a
wager on the Poker Room, a 1,500-square-
foot SoHo retail space that offers gaming
furniture like poker tables and roulette
wheels to betting types. For small groups,
the Poker Room offers craps and poker lessons in two-hour sessions at $100 per person. For a $10,000 base fee, they’ll also
make the space available for high-end priPoker Room
vate events complete with dealers and
croupier. Up the ante with customized details like catering, liquor, and prizes. (110
Wooster St., 212.625.1170, www.thepokerroomnewyork.com) —J.G.
FOR THE DISCRIMINATING PALATE If a group is serious about wines, set up a private tasting at the new Upper East Side wine store Cellar 72 (1355 Second Ave.,
212.639.9463, www.cellar72.com). Owner and sommelier Guy Goldstein brings restaurant-style wine service to this retail establishment, with a roster of sommeliers from
restaurants like Barbounia, Per Se, and
Cellar 72
Nice Matin able to assist with selection. The
private tasting room seats 14 around a rustic
wood table. And in Midtown, you can hold a
private tasting for as many as 18 in the barrel-enclosed room at Crush Wine & Spirits
(153 East 57th St., 212.980.9463, www.
crushwineco.com). —Mark Mavrigian
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WHERE TO GO FOR
Cultural Experiences
By Mark Mavrigian
THE SIDNEY AND HARRIET JANIS COLLECTION, THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, © 2006 ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY, NEW YORK/ADAGP, PARIS/ESTATE OF MARCEL DUCHAMP
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF FISHER LANDAU CENTER FOR ART; MARIA VALENTINO/MCV PHOTO (JOHN GALLIANO, SPRING 1994); MARCEL DUCHAMP “BICYCLE WHEEL,” 1951,
The Fisher Landau Center
FOR THE ARTSY AND ADVENTUROUS Once offlimits to the general public, the Fisher Landau Center for
Art (38-27 30th St., 718.937.0727, www.flcart.org) is a hidden treasure of contemporary art that includes work by
Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly, and Kiki Smith
inside three floors of a revamped industrial building in
Long Island City. Convenient to Midtown—seriously—the
collection’s home is situated near the entry of the
Queensboro Bridge. Scope out the art, and when you’re
done, snap up souvenir T-shirts featuring an Andy Warhol
image of collector Emily Fisher Landau. If you want to
explore more of the area, the Long Island City Cultural
Alliance (917.548.9501, www.licarts.org) can arrange tours
of nearby attractions like the serene Noguchi Museum,
the riverside Socrates Sculpture Park, and the Museum
of the Moving Image.
FOR THE STYLE-CONSCIOUS It’s time for the
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual big-ticket fashion
exhibition kicked off by its Costume Institute gala. This
year brings
“AngloMagnia,” a
survey of imaginative
British fashions created between 1976
and the present that
exemplify the street
culture and aspects of
the punk movement.
Set within the contrasting environment
of the Met’s English
period rooms, the
show runs through
September 4. After the show, take guests to absorb all that
style with a drink on the museum’s Iris and B. Gerald
Cantor Roof Garden, with sweeping views of Central
Park. (1000 Fifth Ave., group tours: 212.570.3711)
A John Galliano dress at the Met
More Options
FILM SOCIETY OF
LINCOLN CENTER
Forget about the megaplex,
and soak up some unique
offerings you can’t see anywhere else at the society’s
Open Roads: New Italian
Cinema festival May 31 to
June 8. And in July, the society opens its annual celebration of digital media, with the
New York Video Festival,
which runs from July 26 to
30. (212.875.5600, www.filmlinc.com)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE
PARK The Public Theater’s
free performances are a summertime tradition, but come
August 8 there’s an even better reason to spend some
time in Central Park, as
Meryl Streep takes to the
stage in Mother Courage,
which closes September 3.
(212.539.8500, www.joespub.com)
DADA AT MOMA Get
acquainted with a group of
avant-garde artists who challenged the boundaries of art
and turned the world upside
down with their work at the
Museum of Modern Art
June 18 to September 11. (11
West 53rd St., group sales:
212.708.9685,
www.moma.org)
FOR A LAUGH This comedy was a hit at the Public
Theater two years ago, and now it has come to Broadway.
Directed by Leigh Silverman, Well was written by and
stars Lisa Kron, who delves into her family’s medical his-
tory and along way is interrupted by her mother, played
by Jayne Houdyshell, who offers her opinions from a LaZ-Boy onstage. (Longacre Theatre, 220 West 48th St.,
Telecharge group sales: 212.239.6262)
Duchamp’s “Bicycle Wheel”
flowers
SURROUNDINGS
& EVENTS
224
WEST
79TH
STREET,
NYC
800.567.7007
SURROUNDINGSFLOWERS.COM
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Page 78
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905.789.0911
www.floraldesigns.ca
D&D Florals’ unequalled creativity and committed service have added a touch of beauty and
magic to special events since 1998.
75 Derry Road West
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5W 1G3
905.564.1920
www.mississaugaconvention.com
The Mississauga Convention Centre boasts
more than 30,000 square feet of unobstructed
convention and meeting space.
Ginger Island Cuisine
National Trade Centre
2635 Eglinton West
York, Ontario, Canada M6M 1T6
416.657.7957
www.gingerisland.ca
Our cutting-edge cuisine, stylish presentation
and attentive staff will add a new dimension to
your next catered affair.
100 Princes Blvd., Exhibition Place
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6K 3C3
416.263.3000
www.ntc.on.ca
With more than one million square feet, the
National Trade Centre is Canada's largest exhibition and convention facility.
IceMan
Premier Coach
782 Adelaide St. West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6J 1E4
416.504.6615
www.the-iceman.com
A leader in specialty decor, the IceMan team
creates innovative, dynamic, and creative ice
sculptures. Our goal is to exceed our clients’
expectations with every project.
20 Grampian Ave.
Maple, Ontario, Canada L6A 2A3
905.303.1307
www.premiercoach.ca
Premier Coach is a full-service ground transportation company based in Toronto. We provide
a full range of vehicles that can accommodate
any size conference or meeting.
Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery
Rainbeau Creative Concepts Inc.
2145 Regional Road 55
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada L0S 1J0
866.589.4637
www.jacksontriggswinery.com
Imagine hosting your guests at the exclusive
Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery, where
world-class wines are surpassed only by our
service. Host your next corporate event at our
state-of-the-art winery.
339 Lesmill Road,
Toronto Ontario Canada M3B 2V1
416.391.4553
www.rainbaucreative.com
Your Canadian connection for: thematic décor,
production, entertainment, custom choreography (fashion shows and stage shows), team
building, and corporate event and trade show
management.
Liberty Entertainment Group
Under Wraps
25 British Columbia Road, Exhibition Place
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6K 3C3
416.542.3789
www.libertygroup.com
Liberty Entertainment Group has created many of
Toronto’s landmark restaurants and entertainment
venues, including the Liberty Grand, Rosewater
Supper Club, and Courthouse Market Grille.
8611 Weston Road, Units 26 and 27
Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada L4L 1P1
905.265.9928
www.underwrapsdecor.com
Beyond the realm of an ordinary rental company,
Under Wraps will become your “architects of
style.” With over 30 styles of chair covers to
choose from and hundreds of exquisite table
linens, Under Wraps is your only source!
Contact us:
Kyle Hosick
phone: 416.425.6380x220
email: [email protected]
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P 79 BUSENT_Gifts.si.FINAL
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the business entertaining issue
WHERE TO GET Gifts
FOR A TRIP Taking people out of town? Help them record all the
fun they’re having with the Philips keychain digital camera (available
from the Discovery Channel store, www.shopping.discovery.com).
The lightweight, compact gadget is smaller than a cell phone and
has enough storage for 81 photos; it can triple as Webcam
and video camera as well. Back in their hotel rooms, help
them relax with perfumed ice cubes from Kenzoki (www.kenzoki.com) in their minifridge. The ice cubes are infused with essential oils
and mineral salts extracted from rice to balance, reinvigorate, and revive—just what
they'll need after hectic traveling or a long
day of meetings. A pack of 12 cubes costs
$30. And let them plug in their iPods with
portable, pop-up speakers made of
biodegradable cardboard from MUJI, the
Japanese brand know for its innovative
designs. They store almost completely flat for easy
packing, and are available for $42 from the Museum of Modern Art’s Design Store
(800.447.6662, www.momastore.org). —Danielle Bufalini & Jeralyn Gerba
PHOTOS: COURTESY ASSOULINE ( HOTEL STORIES ), COURTESY MOMA DESIGN STORE, COURTESY KNOPF ( SPARKS IN THE KITCHEN )
DURING CRUNCH TIME When clients are too busy to
get out of the office—tax season for accounting firms,
say, or when editors are on deadline—make their day
with a giant bag of tasty popcorn from Dale & Thomas
(www.daleandthomaspopcorn.com). The party sack
includes 14 five-cup bags in all, including sweet and
savory varieties like caramel, cheddar, peanut butter with
white chocolate, and Cajun spice. Individual packages
arrive within a reusable sack that closes with a drawstring. —Mark Mavrigian
More Options
BACK AT HOME When
invitees can’t make an out-oftown trip, give them a suitcase stuffed with travel books
from Assouline (212.989.6769,
www.assoulineusa.com). The
luxe publishing company
offers a limited edition valise
(replete with vintage destination stickers) stocked with
four of its Hotel Stories titles
for $225. Further the experience with one of the publisher’s scented candles: try a
wood-scented version evocative of a paneled library or
another with rich leather
notes, redolent of bound volumes and clublike surroundings, for $45 each. —M.M.
TO TAKE TO A TRADE SHOW Offer fatigued and
cranky trade show marathoners a little TLC with a package
of soothing and fun goodies. Inject a bit of humor to a
long day on the show floor with a pack of 60
therapy flashcards from Knock Knock
(www.knockknock.biz)—the illustrated cards
give tips and tell jokes about everyday psychoses. Skin-care line Borba
(www.borba.net) now carries gummy bears
and jelly beans infused with good
things like green tea, açai, and
vitamin C that work to improve
the skin from within; candies
retail for $25 a bag. Back at the hotel, Elemis’
aching muscle super soak (www.brownesbeauty.com) soothes muscles with
extracts of lavender, birch, chamomile,
clove, juniper, and thyme, and costs
$50. And Visage de Layla's Healing
Soul (www.visagedelayla.com) packs of
Chinese herbal ingredients like houttuynia cordata, saururus chinensis, and
agaricus blazei murill mushroom are
absorbed through the feet and are meant to raise energy
levels, ease aches, and detoxify. —D.B. & J.G.
CREATIVE SPARKS Chef
Katy Sparks made a name
for herself at Quilty’s, the
defunct SoHo eatery where
she garnered honors as one
of Food & Wine’s best new
chefs. With her new cookbook Sparks in the Kitchen
(Knopf; $30), the chef presents recipes for
everything from
snacks and little dishes, to
cocktails and
desserts.
She
emphasizes the
importance of fresh ingredients and encourages creativity—and includes tips about
improvising with leftovers, or
working with alternative
ingredients. —M.M.
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WHERE TO GO FOR
Dinner
TO MAKE A DRAMATIC STATEMENT If the success of the original TriBeCa outpost is
anything to go by, the second Megu at Trump World Tower will be a hotspot for those with
deep pockets and a weakness for Japanese cuisine. Koji Imai’s second property in the United
States is much smaller than the first and offers a slightly different menu (although the emphasis is still on fresh ingredients). The main dining room’s interior—matching its swanky surroundings—was designed to impress and features lamp pillars, a 27-foot-long hand drawn picture of tigers, a 500-pound crystal chandelier, and open kitchens. The bar is decorated with
illuminated photographic art on seven-foot kimono fabric pedestals. (845 United Nations
Plaza, for more information contact the TriBeCa restaurant: 212.964.7777) —Anna Sekula
FOR A COMPLETELY PRIVATE ROOM Hudson Yards Catering is an off-premise caterer
from Danny Meyer, the restaurateur behind Union Square Café, the Modern, and other successful establishments. The catering outfit’s dining room in its west Chelsea headquarters is
available for private events. Designed like a restaurant, and accommodating as many as 20, the
space features the new American cooking of chef Kerry Heffernan, late of Meyer’s Eleven
Madison Park. (640 West 28th St., 8th floor, 212.488.1500) —Caryl Chinn
Hudson Yards Catering’s
tasting room
Buddakan
FOR AN ENLIGHTENED PALATE Philly-based uber-restaurateur Stephen Starr brings
his wildly popular pan-Asian restaurant Buddakan to New York in the meatpacking district’s Chelsea Market building, however, here the menu will be focused more on Chinese
cuisine. The 16,000-square-foot space was designed by Christian Liagre (who also did the
Mercer Kitchen) and is divided into five distinct rooms. There is an oak communal table
that seats 26, and a Golden Library for private parties that seats 44. (75 10th Ave.,
212.989.6699) —C.C.
FOR WALL STREETERS AND OTHER CARNIVORES Meat lovers are eagerly awaiting
the April opening of Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak. An evolution of his acclaimed Craft in
the Flatiron district, the steakhouse will be modeled after its sister restaurant of the same
name in Las Vegas. One-third of the new triumvirate on Tenth Avenue that includes Del
Posto and Morimoto, Craftsteak is also a large space, with 225 seats. The main dining
room will feature a two-story steel and glass wine vault which can store 2,000 bottles, and
the large bar area will serve food as well. A private dining room will seat 30. (85 10th Ave.,
212.400.6699) —C.C.
which is luxurious simply by virtue of the amount of room that abounds, has been transformed into a sedate, refined dining room. Two areas of seating are offered in the main
dining room which seats 75: a raised section on the street level, and round tables for larger parties on the second floor. Reservations are also accepted in the lounge area, which
features a separate menu and a piano player nightly. Downstairs is a large private dining
room, which seats 150, and has a foyer which can hold a prefunction reception. There’s
also a smaller private dining room on the main floor which seats 24. (85 10th Ave.,
212.497.8090) —C.C.
FOR THE ADVENTUROUS After navigating past the “Employees Only” sign, down a
staircase, and through the kitchen, guests at La Esquina find themselves in a dark, brick-
walled dining room with wrought-iron gates and plenty of candles. The speakeasy vibe
won’t be for everyone, but is bound to impress certain downtown denizens and fashionable types. The semiprivate room seats 24 around rustic farm tables for Mexican fare and
more than 100 tequilas. (106 Kenmare St., 646.613.7100) —C.C.
FOR SPANISH TOUCHES With a résumé that includes stints at Bouley, Blue Hill, and
the legendary El Bulli in Spain, Alex Ureña had foodies eagerly anticipating the opening of
his new restaurant, Ureña. The narrow room is lined with banquettes on both sides, and
has a small bar in the front, and there is a selection of tapas in addition to the regular
menu. (37 East 28th St., 212.213.2328) —C.C.
80 bizbash.com/newyork
april/may 2006
PHOTOS: DAN HALLMAN FOR BIZBASH (BUDDAKAN, HUDSON YARDS)
TO GET SOME SPACE In their most ambitious project to date, Mario Batali, Joseph
Bastianich, and his mom Lidia Bastianich have joined forces to bring their vision of an
elegant, Italian restaurant to the meatpacking district. Del Posto’s cavernous space,
P 80-81 BUSENT_Dinner.si.FINAL
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Morimoto
TO TEST THEIR METTLE Fans of Japan’s Iron Chef finally got their wish when featured chef Masaharu Morimoto opened Morimoto in New York. Although it shares a
name and owner (Stephen Starr) with its sister restaurant in Philadelphia, that’s about
where the similarities end. Tadao Ando designed the cavernous space here and gave it a
sleek, austere look. The main dining room is dominated by a wall of 17,000 water bottles that are illuminated and glow a soft white. The private dining room seats 20, and
there’s also an omakase (or chef’s table) that fits just eight perched right at the edge of
the open kitchen. (88 10th Ave., 212.989.8883) —C.C.
FOR AN ELEGANT EVENING
In February, Jo-Ann Makovitzky
and Marco Moreira moved their
Tocqueville
PHOTOS: DAN HALLMAN FOR BIZBASH (MORIMOTO), MICHAEL TULIPAN (TOCQUEVILLE)
six-year old French-American
restaurant Tocqueville a few
doors down the street. The new,
larger location offers a 75-seat
dining room, a 20-seat wenge
wood bar, and a 30-seat mezzanine-level private room, and will
continue to feature a greenmarket-driven menu with French
influences. The original location
will become a private event
space available for groups with
as many as 70 guests, but later
in the year, the couple plans to
renovate it and reopen it as a
new restaurant. (1 East 15th St.,
212.647.1515) —C.C.
Thor
FOR THE DESIGN-MINDED
Thor, the Hotel on Rivington’s
restaurant (named for the
hotel’s initials), is run by chef
Kurt Gutenbrunner, and features a menu that reflects a
European heritage yet showcases local, farm fresh ingredients. The focal point of the
dining room is a 21-foot glass
ceiling that looks up at dramatically lit views of the neighborhood’s old tenement buildings.
The second floor lounge can
accommodate 100 for a cocktail party, and there’s a private
dining room that can seat 30
for dinner. (107 Rivington St.,
212.796.8040) —C.C.
P 82 BUSENT_Drinks.si.FINAL
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WHERE TO GO FOR
Drinks
FOR COCKTAIL LOVERS Balance, the new home for the Museum of
the American Cocktail and the location for a bartending school called
Beverage Alcohol Resource (B.A.R.), is scheduled to open in April. Seated
in the bar area, patrons can take in exhibits organized by cofounder Dave
Wondrich (who serves as a contributor to Esquire, Wine and Spirits, The
New York Times, and Drinks) on the history of cocktails in New York while
choosing from the rotating menu of drinks—one for each significant period in cocktail history. The entire space holds 200 for receptions. (215 West
28th St., 917.523.8920) —Anna Sekula
FOR TREND-WATCHERS It’s taken a while, but Buddha-Bar is finally set
to open in New York in late March. The design of the new meatpacking district restaurant and lounge—the American counterpart to the legendary Paris
property—has the requisite 17-foot-high statue of the eponymous god, as well
as a collection of Buddhas imported from Thailand, India, and Paris. There is
a 175-seat lounge and a 16-seat bar, and DJ Sam Popat is manning the
venue’s soundtrack. (25 Little West 12th St., 212.647.7314) —Mark Mavrigian
FOR AN UPTOWNER DOWNTOWN Even though it’s in the East
Village, you can keep your suit on for after-work drinks at the new cocktail
haven Blue Owl. Bar manager Charles Hardwick (who’s shaken and stirred
at Mercer Kitchen, Odeon, and Pravda) has created a specialty drinks
menu heavy with gin concoctions. The bar itself has a hammered copper
surface, and informal lounge areas feature vintage touches like cocktail
tables embellished with decorative pressed tin. There’s also an intimate private room that holds 20. (196 Second Ave., 212.505.2583) —M.M.
Double Seven
Stanton Social
FOR A CHATTY DOWNTOWNER Since its April opening last year, the
Stanton Social’s handsome AvroKo-designed trilevel space has attracted a
mixed crowd—from curious epicures, to the well-heeled, to members of
the beau monde. This restaurant and bar is always bustling with activity—
it’s a great place to show off, but it’s not the sort of place for a quiet chat.
Order the house cocktail, “Social Tea,” a mix of Stoli Citros, gunpowder
green tea, and orange honey marmalade, or sample a dish from the multiethnic menu of small, shared plates like the imaginative French onion
soup dumplings, paella cakes, or red snapper tacos. For a group of 35 to
40, book the top floor’s lounge, or try the mezzanine for a seated meal for
17 to 20. (99 Stanton St., 212.995.0099) —A.S.
FOR A LOW-KEY NIGHT OUT If fussy isn’t on the agenda, wander into
the casual wine bar and café Epistrophy (200 Mott St., 212.966.0904).
The dimly lit NoLIta space has bohemian touches, with a small rustic bar
appointed with vintage-style stools reminiscent of metal and wood schoolroom furniture, whitewashed brick walls, and café tables. The straightforward wine list matches the rustic charm of the space—it's great for an
informal discussion. There’s also a no-nonsense light menu of crostini, salads, and panini, or you can head around the corner to the sleek Room 4
Dessert (17 Cleveland Place, 212.941.5405) for a glass of bubbly or a
dessert wine paired with artfully presented sweet creations that change seasonally (the fresh brioche dabbed with hazelnut and chocolate butter and
plated with caramel ice cream is devastating). —M.M.
FOR COMFORT IN THE MEATPACKING DISTRICT The third floor of
the brownstone that houses the restaurant 5 Ninth does double duty as a
private party space and a lounge for cocktails when it’s not booked. The
exposed brick walls, wood beams, and fireplace all make for a cozy and
inviting atmosphere, and with one of the owners usually on hand, you
might momentarily forget you're not at a friend’s house. (5 Ninth Ave.,
212.929.9460) —C.C.
FOR AFTER-DINNER LOUNGING Last June, the partners in meatpacking district hotspot Lotus quietly opened a 1,900-square-foot lounge,
Double Seven, across the street with an unmarked entrance. Los Angelesbased interior designer Dodd Mitchell gave the place its masculine, yet
warm look, with eight roomy booths upholstered in deep brown, crocodile
embossed leather, and a wall covered by a sculpturally decorative glass that
gives off an amber glow. Master mixologist Sasha Petraske of Milk &
Honey developed the list of bespoke cocktails, which are paired with
Debauve & Gallais chocolates. It all adds up to a sophisticated spot with
grown-up taste, where guests can hold a civilized conversation without
straining their voices. (418 West 14th St., 212.981.9099) —Caryl Chinn
82 bizbash.com/newyork
april/may 2006
5 Ninth
More Options
CENTOVINI What do you
get when you pair up Nicola
Marzovilla, proprietor of the
charming I Trulli, with
Murray Moss, the arbiter of
chic design known for the
SoHo store-gallery-design
museum that bears his
name? This brand new wine
bar, set to open in mid-May
coinciding with the
International Contemporary
Furniture Fair. It will feature
100 wines—all from Italy,
natch—and a menu of Italian
fare to go with them.
Everything from the wine
glasses to the salt and pepper shakers has been
painstakingly selected to be
functional, beautiful, and for
sale. (25 West Houston St.,
for more information call
917.669.7372) —C.C.
JADIS With a French-leaning
wine list and a menu of meats,
cheeses, and panini, this new
Lower East Side wine bar has
a rustic, intimate feel with brick
walls and café tables. A semiprivate loungelike space in the
back replete with sofas and
low tables works for small
groups. (42 Rivington St.,
212.254.1675) —M.M.
SILVERLEAF TAVERN
Inconspicuously tucked away
on a Murray Hill block of Park
Avenue (not far from Grand
Central and Penn Station),
the 70 Park Avenue hotel’s
in-house restaurant has a dark
entryway bar, distinguished
by open areas of plush
lounge furniture and a small
section of semiprivate
alcoves. The bar features a
specialty-cocktail list (organized with the consultation of
mixologist Dale DeGroff)
and a “bottomless” glass of
wine. (43 East 38th St.,
212.973.2550) —M.M.
New Page Grid
2/21/06
10:50 AM
Page 1
WE’RE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE FULTON FISH
MARKET HAS MOVED UPTOWN.
NOW ISN’T THAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.
Excellent cuisine
•
Impeccable service
•
Wraparound terrace
11 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038
212-608-7400
www.theglaziergroup.com
•
Dramatic views