With Beer Here: Brewing New York’s History opening May 25 at the recently renovated New-York Historical Society (in which you’ll learn that home-brewing has been around in New York City since the 17th century), now is the perfect time to check out some of the city’s newest brew-centric spots.
Top Hops Beer Shop(pictured): A former distributor for Anheuser-Busch/In Bev, owner Ted Kenny is the mastermind behind this Lower East Side beer emporium. The 700- bottle selection fills refrigerators in the back, while the custom wood-and-polished aluminum bar up front offers 20 beers on tap (tip: order a flight). The menu is limited, so don’t come hungry—just really thirsty. 94 Orchard St.; 212-254-4677.
In Bravo’s latest culinary competition show, Around the World in 80 Plates, 12 up-and-coming chefs crisscross the world, battling each other in challenges of both skill and strength. (Yes, it takes a certain type of strength to scarf down excessive amounts of kidney pie.) Here, co-host Cat Cora (the Iron Chef America star-cookbook author-restaurateur-philanthropist shares duties with Australian celeb chef Curtis Stone) dishes on the action-packed show, reveals her ideal family meal, and more.
Q: How would you define Around the World in 80 Plates?
A: The competition is very much like Top Chef, but in a fresher sense. The challenge is in the style of Amazing Race, and the elimination part is Survivor. I think someone even threw in American Idol. It’s such a new take on a competition show that also there’s nothing like it out there.
The tall, dark, and handsome actor—who will always be Denny Duquette from Grey’s Anatomy to me—returns to the small screen in Starz’s latest original drama Magic City. Call it the Mad Men of Miami Beach. Set in 1958, the show (which has already been picked up for a second season) recreates a turbulent time, complete with mafia, CIA agents, and a flashy and ambitious hotelier named Ike Evans (played by Morgan). Here, the actor gives us a little history lesson, reveals why he thinks the show will be a success, and more.
Q: What made you want to get involved with the show?
A: First and foremost, as an actor, you want to go where the writing is. I read three or four episodes going into having lunch with Mitch Glazer, the writer and executive producer. Within 10 minutes of sitting down, I agreed to do it, and the rest, I hope, will be history.
It may not be faster than a speeding bullet, but Italy’s new Italo—which connects Turin and Salerno, as well as Rome and Venice—sure looks like one. The sleek design is no surprise: Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo and Tod’s owner Diego Della Valle are behind the project. Prices mimic the tiered structure of airlines—but perks such as free Wi-Fi for all and a cinema car are better than what you get in the sky.
Brooke Porter is an associate editor at Travel + Leisure.
Madison Square Garden has scored big with new offerings from top New York restaurateurs. Here’s a taste.
Simply Chicken Who: Jean-Georges Vongerichten What to Order: The organic chicken sandwich, kicked up a notch with spicy mayo that includes sambal oelek, an Asian chili sauce.
Sausage Boss Who: Andrew Carmellini What to Order: Cheddar cheese bratwurst, made with Hoegaarden-braised sausage and Weinkraut cooked in Riesling—all on a buttered potato bun.
Daily Burger Who: Drew Nieporent What to Order: It’s a tough choice between the classic burger and the one topped with bacon-onion jam. All patties are a blend of Angus chuck, short rib, and brisket.
Lobster Shrimp Roll by Aquagrill Who: Seafood guru Jeremy Marshall What to Order: What else but Maine lobster and wild Pacific Ocean shrimp on toasted New England bread? Related Slideshow: Best Baseball Stadium Food
Walking down Collins Avenue in South Beach last weekend, the
first thing that came to mind (besides not getting the memo about wearing
five-inch-heels) was that—minus those name-bearing neon signs—the hotels
essentially look the same. This didn’t
come as a surprise, of course, since the art deco style of the 1940’s has been
so well preserved—but I’d never
really thought about how hard hotels need to work to distinguish themselves on
the inside.
It was with this in mind that I stepped into the gleaming
white lobby at the Shelborne South Beach,
a landmark hotel since 1940, when Ava Gardner was a regular. It recently reopened
following a $20 million renovation spearheaded by hotelier Keith Menin (whose uncle
has owned the hotel since 1983). Some highlights: 50 redesigned rooms (50 more
will be completed this spring), GuyandGirl Boutique (selling South Beach
essentials like sunglasses, swimwear, and eco-friendly sunscreen), and the
speakeasy-style Vesper
Café (the only way to enter is through the kitchen).
With three dining spots—Shake Shack, Blue Smoke, and North End Grill—anchoring the new Conrad Hotel(102 North End Ave.; 212/945-0100; doubles from $369), Danny Meyer is making his mark on New York’s Battery Park City. (His company Union Square Events also has an exclusive food and beverage partnership with the Conrad.) Here, he reveals his top hotel-restaurant picks.
Louisville, Kentucky “The winsome art collection, happening bar, and Michael Paley’s gutsy cooking make Proof on Main at 21c Museum Hotel a restaurant you don’t want to miss. Try the charcuterie plate, and anything Chef Paley does with pork is outstanding.” Dinner for two $75.
New York “Choose a window table with a view of the whole room at Adour Alain Ducasse in the St. Regis, and tuck in to some of New York’s most refined cooking, such as a tiny, roseate pork chop along with a lovely Aloxe-Corton—a surprisingly good value on the list.” 2 E. 55th St.; 212/710-2277; dinner for two $300.
Paris “The formerly bohemian Hôtel Pont Royal is now a swank setting. The menu at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon changes frequently, but I once savored langoustines and thyme-roasted lamb chops with a glass of Château de Fonsalette.” 5 Rue de Montalembert, Seventh Arr.; 33-1/42-22-56-56; dinner for two $270.
London “David Linley’s Dining Room at the Goring is stunningly lit by Swarovski chandeliers at night. The menu is a winning cross between modern and classic British. The lobster omelette alone is worth the trip.” 15 Beeston Place; 44-20/7396-9000; dinner for two $160.
Fresh from the launch of its first stateside property—New York City’s Hôtel Americano—Grupo Habita returns to its roots for this eco-friendly retreat set in Mexico’s emerging wine country, just 40 minutes from Ensenada. The 20 mountainside bungalows—part of a 99-acre gated development—have minimal impact on the rugged terrain, and are steps from a winery run by a Napa Valley enologist, plus a Slow Food restaurant. Doubles from $200.
Sip on Haute Chocolate: St. Regis Aspen Resort Looking for something sophisticated to do post skiing? The latest offering at this newly redesigned resort is just your cup of tea, er, hot cocoa. The program features a flight of three kinds of hot chocolate, created by Vosges Haut-Chocolat exclusively for the resort (Australia lemon myrtle, lavender flowers, vanilla and white chocolate, anyone?)—plus gourmet grilled-cheese finger sandwiches. For those who still want a little booze après ski, go for the Spiked Flight.
Head to the “Beach”:
Ski Beach at Canyons Resort in Park City, UT This mountain hot spot—located between the base terminal of the new direct-connect gondola and the “Orange Bubble” enclosed heated-seat chair lift—comes complete with beach chairs, lifeguard stands, and fruity drinks (courtesy of The Farm restaurant). Sure, there’s no ocean, but if you use your imagination, that snow will start looking like sand in no time.
When researching his thrilling crime novels, acclaimed author Marcus Sakey stops at nothing to get the real story—he’s learned to make nerve gas, gone shooting with Special Forces soldiers, and shadowed homicide detectives. And as the host of the Travel Channel’s new show Hidden City, the former ad man visits 12 cities, digging up the dirt on some of the most notorious events in their histories. Here, Sakey reveals his most surprising discovery, his favorite crime story, and more.
