EAT & DRINK | NYC
Lavaux Wine Bar
Continuing with my NYC Winter theme, we walked a few blocks to Lavaux for dinner after a visit to the Whitney. This Swiss outpost serves up mainly wine and cheese in the form of fondue, boards, and raclette. There are other items on the menu, but why? You’re here for the steaming vats of cheesy goodness. If there is a more delectable meal on a wintry day, do tell, but we gleefully swirled our baguette bits and petite potatoes in the blend of melted Gruyere and Vacherin with a dash of truffle while sipping Champagne cocktails. We were just tipsy (and crazy) enough to order a chocolate fondue for dessert, accompanied by strawberries, bananas, and waffles. We waddled out into the snowy night among the other cheerful cheese-eaters! Worth every single calorie.
630 Hudson Street
SEA
I’d heard wonderful things about this newcomer in the unlikely Penn Station neighborhood, helmed by Chef Jungsik Yim, whose fine-dining Korean restaurant, Jungsik boasts 3 Michelin Guide stars. We headed over for an early dinner and were led to the back of the house, a serene oasis from the clamor of W 30th Street.
Wow. From the warm hand towels that literally popped out of their saucer to our server’s sweet and helpful menu navigation, we knew we had found a gem. Especially since, by 6pm on a Sunday night, the entire room was full of happy eaters. We ordered greedily and feasted on The Chef’s Crudo: slim slices of yellowtail, topped with tomato and paper-thin kumquat in a citrusy sauce that we sipped by the spoonful; crispy Prawn Rolls with mung beans and pork, sweet and spicy Sriracha Ribs that fell off the bone; a bowl of crab fried rice covered in a delicate omelet, and a mammoth plate of fried Heritage Chicken. The flavors are exciting yet approachable, and every bite is downright yummy. We hated to miss the Coconut Sundae with Vietnamese coffee and Valrhona dark chocolate, but just could NOT. We still walked away with a doggie bag big enough for dinner for two.
If you’re flummoxed about where to eat before a concert at Madison Square Garden, absolutely reserve here.
151 W 30th Street
AND JUST FOR FUN
Oscar Wilde
After a day of furniture browsing for my new house (ABC Carpet, Crate and Barrel, Design Within Reach, West Elm, Ann Sacks, and more are a short walk from the hotel), we rested our aching feet at Oscar Wilde. This bar most definitely qualifies as Wilde, with a Victorian theme and abundant Chinese New Year’s decorations. The scene is lively, the drinks are strong, the environment is over-the-top, and the people-watching is excellent.
45 W 27th Street
