New York City's vast array of boutique hotels now have everything from rooftop lounges and cocktail bars to retro diners and restaurants that are manned by Michelin-starred chefs.

The New Yorker Hotel - Midtown

Having opened its' doors in 1929, during the height of the city's glitzy and glamorous Jazz Age, the New Yorker Hotel has undergone many transformations before joining the Wyndham Hotel brand in 2014.

But, throughout both good times and bad, The New Yorker has always been a trendsetter in terms of ambiance, dining and decor.

Generations of celebrities, tourists, business travelers and high society have flocked to the New Yorker to celebrate life and find a luxurious oasis and refuge from the noisy hustle and bustle of the city.

Part of the hotel's timeless appeal is its' convenient location. Just a block from Penn Station, The New Yorker is in close proximity to Madison Square Garden, The Javits Center, the Empire State Building and a hop, skip and jump from Times Square.

Upon becoming a part of the Wyndham hotel family, the New Yorker was completely renovated from top to bottom. Despite getting a huge face-lift, the hotel has still managed to retain an intriguing art-deco atmosphere and old-world charm.

The New Yorker has 43 stories of modern, clean, cozy rooms and state of the art amenities. On the premises you will find three spectacular dining spaces that have something for everyone; a retro, classic New York diner, a glamorous bar and steakhouse as well as fine dining Italian style.

No matter what your day has been like, there's no need to leave the hotel's environs if you are in search of a delicious cocktail or meal. The New Yorker has got you covered and then some.

From the second that you enter the hotel's gorgeous, made for an Instagram lobby, you will feel as though you are in another world and have been transported back in time. Your first thought will be, "this is how life should be lived".

Every space here is filled with history. Oh, the stories that these rooms could tell!

When it first came on the scene, the New Yorker was considered to be one of the most luxurious hotels in America. In fact, the buzz surrounding the opening was so great, it was very nearly impossible to book a room for the first few weeks of the hotel's existence.

Whatever your heart desired, you could find it at the New Yorker. Their restaurant was said to have one of the most decadent menus in the city. The hotel even had its' own nightclub, the Terrace Room.

The barber shop was one of the largest of its' kind in the world, with 42 chairs and 20 manicurists. Other amenities included an indoor, retractable ice-skating rink, a score of private dining salons and an underground tunnel that connected the hotel to Penn Station.

Through the years, luminaries such as Benny Goodman, Spencer Tracy, Joan Crawford, John Kennedy, Muhammad Ali and Jennifer Hudson have stayed here.

Controversial inventor Nikola Tesla actually lived at the New Yorker for ten years. An episode of the History Channel's new hit series, "The Tesla Files" was recently filmed at the hotel. Viewers got a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the hotel as well as suite 3327, where Tesla resided.

Well, that indoor skating pond may long be gone and the underground passage is no longer in use, but, the hotel still has quite an impressive list of amenities.

The various restaurants that are available for your dining pleasure certainly rival anything from the hotel's glory days, back in the thirties and forties.

TRATTORIA BIANCA is just what you need to recharge and refuel after a long, exhausting day of meetings, shopping or sightseeing.

This hip, stylish casual Italian restaurant is located just steps from the hotel's magnificent lobby.

The first thing that captivates you, as you enter, is the tantalizing aromas that emanate from the kitchen. It's a harbinger of delicious things to come.

Trattoria Bianca's cool atmosphere plays a major role in the culinary show here. The design is Italian Art Deco, with a series of colorful vintage cinema, food and travel posters displayed along the walls. One of the posters depicts a very fashionable Jazz-era flapper, who looks like she is ready to go out and party the night away.

Wine bottles are situated on shelves that hang above cherry red banquettes, adding just the right Italianate touch.

Executive chef Julian Clauss-Ehlers has created a tasty modern American menu that has its' share of decidedly Italian sensibilities.

Having worked in the kitchens of no less than five Michelin-starred restaurants, chef Julian knows how to please even the most discerning customer's palate. The British born chefs' resume includes appearances on various television shows, including The Food Network.

One of the things that chef Julian relishes most about his job is the fact that he gets to serve guests from all around the globe, helping to make their stay at the New Yorker, that much more delightful.

From the " Antipasti, snacks and shares" section of the menu, there are a wealth of savory items to choose from.

You won't be able to decide between the tender beef Carpaccio, eggplant stack Parmigiana or the special recipe tomato and basil cream soup. Simple and straightforward, the Prosciutto with melon,( Honeydew or Cantaloupe) is the perfect choice on a hot and humid Summer's day.

Chef Julian's signature dish,( one of several, by the way), is Clams Bianca. This dish is outrageous with its' unusual mix of ingredients like gently steamed clams, spicy Italian sausage, white wine, just enough garlic and radicchio. It's refreshing and light on the stomach with just a little heat.

From the Grill, temptations include broiled sea scallops and New York strip steak. All grilled items are served with a Romano cheese encrusted roasted tomato. Bet you won't find that item on any other restaurant menu in the city!

A duo of out of this world pastas is the Spaghetti Carbonara and the cheese tortellini with Cremini mushrooms.

The chef and his team also do a very nice Risotto Broccolini.

When you dine here, you must try the Italian Shepherd's Pie. Beef short ribs are bathed in Venetian spices and then blended, casserole-style, with Parmesan cheese, cream and Ricotta Gnocchi.

The bar serves fourteen thirst quenching and relaxing wines by the glass in addition to a list of creative cocktails. They also have, count 'em, five variations of the classic Italian sip, the Negroni.

You do not have to be a guest of the hotel in order to dine at Trattoria Bianca. Find any excuse to bring your significant other here and plan to enjoy a most delicious and romantic evening.

Location and Contact Info

481 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268-8444
www.newyorkerhotel.com

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The Tick Tock

The TICK TOCK DINER lays claim to being the largest diner in New York, with over 280 seats. With such a huge capacity, that means that there's always a place for you at the Tick Tock Diner.

If you just got off a plane and out of a taxi or Uber, simply check in, go up to your room, flop down on the bed and call the Tick Tock Diner for superb room service. You will want for nothing. The helpful staff gets the orders right the first time and your food will be delivered hot and fresh.

However, it might be an even better idea for you to take a quick nap and a shower, then take the elevator down to the lobby and head over to the Tick Tock Diner.

They've got everything you want in a diner, from delicious comfort food and a classic, retro diner ambiance to generous portions and meals that are served around the clock.

Best of all, the Tick Tock is open 24 hours, seven days a week.

The atmosphere is, to say the least, quite colorful. From the neon electric Tick Tock Diner sign and peach toned booths to the caricatures and drawings that line the walls, you will have something to look at every minute of your stay here.

Starters and good things to share include the kitchen's classic take on Disco Fries, which come smothered in melted Mozzarella and rich, beef gravy.

One of their most popular appetizers is the Great Balls of Fire, crispy mac and cheese balls that are fried to a golden brown and served with Sriracha sauce.

Their sandwiches and wraps are truly deserving of the word epic, particularly the Tuna and Avocado melt, the hummus-veggie wrap and the classic Rueben, which is piled high with meat and sauerkraut.

Some other tasty items that you might very well be interested in are the beer battered fish and chips, spaghetti Bolognese with Whipped Ricotta and their scrumptious burgers.

All burgers are made with a flavor bomb that is comprised of 50% bacon and 50% ground chuck, topped with chipotle mayo and real American cheese.

Throughout the Boroughs, diners have achieved a stellar reputation for their unparalleled omelets. Diners originated the concept of breakfast any time of the day or night long before McDonald's ever did.

Served with crispy on the outside and soft on the inside hash browns, Tick Tock's omelet selections include a traditional cheese version that is positively packed with your choice of American, Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella or Blue cheese.

Specifically designed for hearty appetites is the Denver Omelet which consists of tons of diced ham, onions, peppers and gooey melted Swiss.

They also have a deliciously satisfying Monterrey Jack and pulled pork omelet on the menu.

The Athens omelet (with feta, tomatoes and spinach) is a respectful nod to Astoria's legendary Greek-owned diners.

And, of course, whenever you visit a New York diner, you expect to get a great milkshake as part of the deal. The ice cream creations here do not disappoint. Nor do the house-made cakes and pies. So double down on the willpower and leave room for dessert.

Location and Contact Info

481 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268-8444
www.newyorkerhotel.com

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Butcher and Banker

BUTCHER and BANKER have to be one of the most unique and visually captivating restaurants that you will ever have the pleasure of dining in. This is a special occasion and first date make-a-lasting-impression dining at its' best.

This dazzling steakhouse is located far beneath the streets of Gotham, inside what used to be the offices and bank vault of Manufacturer's Trust Company.

To get to Butcher and Banker, one enters through the lobby of the New Yorker Hotel. Once inside the steakhouse, you will be enveloped in a trendy, lounge-like ambiance.

The decor is sleek and sexy with a cool factor that is way off the charts. The amazing centerpiece, though, is a huge, painstakingly restored open vault. You can actually walk into the vault area and take a look around.

Manufacturer's Trust Company occupied these premises until the 1980's. The vault itself is open to the public for the first time in 37 years!

The kitchen is under the time-tested leadership of noted chef Scott Campbell. Scott and his sous chefs have put together an enticing menu that goes way beyond the usual steakhouse fare.

One of Scott's signature non-meat dishes is his Spring Vegetables Bounty, a dish that is composed of steamed and sauteed veggies in a delectable warm tomato vinaigrette.

The chef also does a very tasty Cauliflower steak that is dressed with sweet peppers, golden raisins and capers.

One of their most popular date night meals is the very special "Filet Mignon of Tuna"; a succulent cut of tuna steak that is accompanied by fava beans and sweet corn succotash with crisp bacon bits inside of a superb chive sauce.

The Kan-Kan Pork for Two hits it right out of the ballpark. The taste is incredible. Chef Scott's Kan-Kan consists of a grand arch of double loin chops together with pork belly and cracklings in an apple cider reduction. The whole feast is topped by caramelized Catskill apples.

If you're any kind of a steak-lover then, you owe it to yourself to check out Butcher and Banker. The steaks are sourced from some of the best artisan butchers in the city.

They've got it all, from a humongous porterhouse and cowboy rib-eye to succulent sliced hanger steak and Roumanian tenderloin.

Forget the A-1 steak sauce, as good as it may be. Butcher and Banker have a list of one inventive and delicious sauce after another for you to choose from.

Elevate your steak by dipping it in a Meyer Lemon Hollandaise or Port Wine Sauce. Also available are tempting options such as a Cognac-Roquefort cheese sauce and a divine Johnnie Walker butter blend.

Nothing goes better with a good steak ( or anything else for that matter) than an ice cold beer, a soothing glass of wine or a buzz-worthy cocktail.

The bar has a full line-up of speakeasy-themed cocktails that are designed to elevate your evening.

A touch of class in a glass is the Proper Manhattan, a drink that consists of Ragtime rye, Punt e Mes, sweet vermouth and bitters.

A potent mixture of Gin, Cherry Heering, Curacao, Benedictine and pineapple juice make Raffles' Singapore Sling one unforgettable cocktail.

You'll get a real kick out of the Jack Rose, which is comprised of Laird's Apple Brandy, lemon juice, lemon oils and Grenadine.

Location and Contact Info

481 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268-8455
www.butcherandbankernyc.com