Lu's NYC Drinking & Dining Hot Sheet
Some recent highlights from the city that never sleeps!
The Nomad lived up to the buzz and even exceeded my expectations. I missed tasting the famed chicken, but indulged in sampling a decadent feast: Fruits De Mer "Le Grand Plateau," Strawberry salad with cucumber, goat cheese and basil, Hamachi with beets kombu, beets, wabsabi, Scallops with English peas, carrots, and lemongrass; Suckling Pig with apricot confit, arugula, and bacon marmalade. They also have an extensive wine list featuring many unique bottles. What I loved most was the set up of the space - clusters of intimate, elegant dinning rooms with rich fabrics and accents that managed to be warm without being dark and overpowering.
Don't miss the Nomad Bar, which just opened three weeks ago and is accessible from West 28th Street or through the hotel's Library Bar. A fun more casual gathering spot with inventive cocktails including the Red Light (Nicaraguan Rum, Aquavit, Campari, Velvet Falernum, Vanilla, Grapefruit, Lime, wormwood bitters) and it's getting a reputation for its hot dog - bacon-wrapped with celery and black truffle!
Mary had a divine dinner at Estela earlier this summer and so I had to go and see for myself what all the fuss was about. Estela is a hipster, happening restaurant in Nolita that actually serves sublime food and wine. Mingling with the younger attractive hipsters, the former chef from Chez Panisse was spied dining with several gentleman in the north of 65 age bracket. Everything is a delight, especially the beef tartare, burrata and ricotta dumplings.
Emmett's is a quaint watering hole at 50 Macdougal Street (between Prince & Houston), owned and run by Chicago's handsome Burke brothers - there are four of them, Emmett being the oldest. They pay homage to their hometown roots by featuring deep dish Chicago pizza. Burgers are also available and beer and wine flow while they are working on their liquor license. Opened in February...
Cute wine bar near Tompkins Square Park, with good vibes and apparently good food. Only made it for wine, but would return for more as I liked the space...
