I have been on the go non-stop for the past month (hence the absence of blogging). Most of my trips have involved the Big Apple.
Though I am a Phily girl through and through, I LOVE New York. The city contains an indescribable energy unlike anywhere else. The second I step foot, my walking pace quickens (often to keep up with my boss’ large stride), my gaze is focused directly in front of me (though I stop to marvel the gorgeous storefronts on Fifth Avenue and Central Park), and I wear a massive grin on my face.Â
Last week, I was responsible for organizing a 3-day meeting for our company and our partners in the city. With 15 people arriving and leaving on different dates, managing dietary restrictions, AND remaining an active participant in the meetings, I had my work cut out for me. However, the meetings were beautifully executed, the restaurants provided excellent food, wine, and service, and everyone left energized. I left exhausted, but satisfied at the success of the events. Here’s how I did it.
I booked all our rooms and meetings at the Park Central Hotel, off 55th and 7th. 3 blocks from Central Park, across the street from Carnegie Hall, and a quick subway ride from Penn Station, this hotel was perfectly located and priced (prices are subject to your date and how soon you book, but I will tell you that my nightly rate at this hotel has ranged from $85-$140. For real). The meeting rooms were comfortable, the food purchased through the hotel was tasty and delivered on-time, and the coffee and tea was refreshed to keep everyone awake throughout the day-long meetings. If you’re scheduling meetings and rooms in the City, I highly recommend this venue–they were perfect, and this is NOT the last meeting I will be booking there.
As we had vegetarians in our attendance for dinner, I booked all the dinners at Italian restaurants within 2 blocks of the hotel. Here’s where we noshed:
- Serafina Broadway: one of the three Serafinas in NYC, this one is my favorite due to the crazy red Murano chandelier and the cozy-chic atmosphere. I especially enjoyed my decadent Veuve Cliquot-black truffle risotto and bites of my father’s grilled tuna. Several glasses of Tuscan red didn’t hurt either.
- 1 Nocello: This place is as authentic Italian as they come, down to the nonna cooking up a storm in the kitchen. The restaurant accomodated us with a large table in the back room to ourselves, bottles of delicious Barolo, and a salmon with a mustard-dill sauce that was so good that I almost licked my plate clean. I was also sorely tempted to visit nonna in the kitchen to get that sauce’s recipe. Maybe next time. There will BE a next time.
- Basso 56: Our last stop in the Italian food tour of Midtown West, Basso 56 did not disappoint. I adored my artichoke appetizer with romano cheese melted on top and my light homemade pasta with shrimp and asparagus. Basso aptly accomodated the largest dinner party of that week (13 diners) with its magnums of excellent wine and special requests (cheese, extra salads, extra utensils and napkins). If only they could have provided us with our sobriety back.
I love the big communal table in the center. Makes dining alone a whole less lonely. -
Le Pain Quotidien‎: When I discovered my dear friend from my Capitol intern days and her sister were in NYC for a few days, we immediately made plans to meet up. This delightful little cafe serves up cappuccinos in bowls, refreshing fresh teas, and some of the best soups to warm your bones on freezing days. I stopped by here for lunch during my previous NYC trip, and immediately whisked Christina and Pam to this spot. Warm drinks, lots of laughs, and plans for when we would live in New York cheered up my work-intensive afternoon. This particular Le Pain sits on 7th between Central Park West and 58th Street and is a convenient half block to Central Park.
