360 West December 2011 : Page 108
Destinations ,FH VNDWH�f;VKRSRUMXVWVRDNLWDOOLQd;5RFNHIHOOHU&HQWHURIIHUVPDQ\ZD\VWRFDWFKWKHKROLGD\VSLULW Photo courtesy of Bart Barlow on behalf of Tishman Speyer Ho O i GD\ s in t K e Cit \ Manhattan’s traditional holiday moments and trendy tastemakers make it merry and bright. 108 December 2011 www.360westmagazine.com T By Tess Ghilaga RH[SHULHQFHWKHPDJLFRI&KULVWPDVWLPHLQ1HZ<RUN³HYHQIRU inveterate travelers who think they’ve done it all — Rockefeller &HQWHULVRQWKHPXVW VHHOLVW:KHWKHULW·V\RXUÀUVW'HFHPEHULQWKH city or your 21st, the famed Art Deco masterpiece is a holiday feast IRUWKHVHQVHV+HUH\RX·OOÀQGRQHRIWKHQDWLRQ·VWDOOHVW&KULVWPDV trees, bejeweled with lights and reaching up to the stars; a picture-perfect ice-skating rink; upscale shops selling everything from holiday bonbons to children’s toys; and, of course, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, where you can gaze out across Central Park and
Destinations
Tess Ghilaga
Holidays in the City<br /> <br /> Manhattan’s traditional holiday moments and trendy tastemakers make it merry and bright.<br /> <br /> To experience the magic of Christmastime in New York — even for inveterate travelers who think they’ve done it all — Rockefeller Center is on the must-see list. Whether it’s your first December in the city or your 21st, the famed Art Deco masterpiece is a holiday feast for the senses. Here you’ll find one of the nation’s tallest Christmas trees, bejeweled with lights and reaching up to the stars; a pictureperfect ice-skating rink; upscale shops selling everything from holiday bonbons to children’s toys; and, of course, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, where you can gaze out across Central Park and The Manhattan skyline from 70 stories up, a stunning sunset vista. Along Fifth Avenue, a bell-ringing Salvation Army Santa Claus reminds us of those less fortunate — and the leggy Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall keep it glamorous and festive.<br /> <br /> But every visit to Manhattan also requires the Sanctuary of a fine hotel, and there are plenty to choose from amidst the shopping of Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the museums and the Theater District. This time of year, when tastes lean more traditional, consider a trip back to the majestic hotels of old New York, and make your way to the legendary St. Regis. This Beaux Arts gem, built in 1904, is just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue.<br /> <br /> In true New York style, guests at this legendary hotel may enjoy the services of a Silver Spur Bentley courtesy car along With a 24-7 English-style butler. One of the most notable attractions at the St. Regis is the King Cole Bar with its Maxfield Parrish mural, a famous backdrop for Marilyn Monroe and John Lennon, where you too can sip a stiff drink in elegant surroundings. The food at the St. Regis is some of the finest the city has to offer; Adour is an Alain Ducasse restaurant, with a modern French menu executed by longtime Ducasse collaborator chef Didier Elena.<br /> <br /> Dining in this town is taken very seriously, and there are countless other venues to enjoy food and drink. Warm up in the rustic Tuscan ambience of Flatiron hot spot Ciano, where star chef Shea Gallante’s six-course pasta tasting menu — with selections like Housemade Egg- Caper Noodles with Maine Lobster, Eggplant Caviar and Tomato — is served near the warm glow of a roaring fireplace. Wine connoisseurs will find themselves very comfortable in the hands of sommelier John Slover and his extensive collection of vintage wines, also offered by the half bottle. If you want to celebrate the Christmas tradition with classic Italian flair, then head to Madison Square Park to savor the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes at the restaurant SD26; it’s hosted by the dynamic father-daughter duo of Tony and Marisa May from Dec. 19 through Dec. 24. The four-course Christmas Eve feast, best paired with wine, includes baccalà mantecato (creamy salt cod spread); Tagliolini with Sicilian Red Shrimp Bisque; and a selection of grilled scampi, octopus, swordfish, branzino and calamari. The meal concludes with panettone served with zabaglione, petits fours and coffee.<br /> <br /> For one-of-a-kind holiday sweets, try Michel Cluizel, the only U.S. outpost of the famed French chocolatier. Here you’ll find decadent truffles and a whimsical collection of holiday-themed treats, including dark chocolate trees adorned with dried fruits, cocoa-sweetened puffed rice marbles and Edible gold-painted almond chips; a Dutch-inspired chocolate boot; and a new line of certified kosher pastries, macaroons and truffles for Hanukkah.<br /> <br /> In addition to feasting on the flavors of the city, on a holiday trip to New York you also can satisfy your appetite for the arts, literature and shopping.<br /> <br /> Marking its 10th anniversary as one of our nation’s few German and Austrian museums, the Neue Galerie hosts an exhibit of the private collection of one of its cofounders, Ronald S. Lauder, through April 2, 2012. The stunning exhibition showcases the gamut from Old Master paintings to modern and contemporary art and includes works by Paul Cézanne, Gustav Klimt, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, among others. In addition to the museum’s Viennese style Café Sabarsky — with such specialties as spätzle and Sachertorte — there is some interesting shopping to be done. The Neue Galerie Book Store has finds for art history buffs, with books on fine art and architecture in addition to literature from Germany, Austria and other Central European cultures. The museum’s Design Shop offers items based on original designs by the likes of Josef Hoffmann and Adolf Loos, including everything from wallpaper and fabric to flatware and jewelry.<br /> <br /> Back out on the streets, the irreverent and eye-popping windows of Barneys New York always have been an attraction, and this season the flagship store one-ups itself in unveiling Gaga’s Workshop, a unique collaboration with fashion icon Lady Gaga. Billed as Lady Gaga’s interpretation of Santa’s Workshop, it goes beyond the Madison Avenue store windows to include the entire fifth-floor Men’s Store; a portion of the proceeds From sales of related gift items will benefi t a charity of Lady Gaga’s choice. A few blocks away, you’ll fi nd Maison 24, a boutique import from the Hamptons. Owned by a sophisticated brotherand- sister team, this unique store adds some holiday pizazz to Park Avenue with an array of tongue-in-cheek objects and home furnishings, such as an old-fashioned-in-shape yet gold-plated POP-brand phone handset ($66) that plugs into your mobile device. The hip Art, books, music and bed-and-bath items offer a nod to the 1970s and make perfect gifts for the hard to please.<br /> <br /> No trip to New York is complete without a visit to Broadway. If you don’t have the hottest ticket in town, try Broadway’s fi rst-ever revival of the legendary rock musical, Godspell, now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Hunter Parrish (of Showtime’s Weeds and Broadway’s Spring Awakening)Plays Jesus among a diverse company of actors in Stephen Schwartz’s musical, with Tony nominated songs like “Day by Day” and “Light of the World.” <br /> <br /> The New York skyline shines radiantly this time of year with cool snowfl akes and angels hanging over the shopping epicenter of Fifth Avenue; feeling the warmth and spirit of the holidays can turn any New York naysayer into a true believer.<br /> <br /> THE DETAILS<br /> <br /> Holiday lights, shopping and a host of epicurean and cultural diversions for all ages make December a festive time to visit New York City.<br /> <br /> Getting there American Airlines, Delta, Continental and United offer nonstop service from DFW to New York’s LaGuardia Airport or JFK International Airport.<br /> <br /> Getting around The city is easy to navigate with cabs and mass transit, including subways, buses and trains; for maps and rates visit www.mta.info. The site also links to a variety of city transportation apps that keep locations, routes and schedules close at hand. <br /> <br /> Stay and dine St. Regis New York, 2 E. 55th St. (at Fifth Avenue), New York; 212-339-6777 or www.stregisnewyork.com. Ask about special holiday rates.<br /> <br /> • Ciano, 45 E 22nd St., New York; 212-982-8422 or www.cianonyc.com.<br /> <br /> • SD26, Madison Square Park, 19 E. 26th St., New York; 212-265-5959 or www.sd26ny.com. <br /> <br /> Shopping<br /> <br /> • Barneys New York, 660 Madison Ave., New York; 212-826-8900 or www.barneys.com.<br /> <br /> • Maison 24, 470 Park Ave., New York; 212-355-2414 or www.maison24.com.<br /> <br /> • Michel Cluizel, 584 Fifth Ave., New York; 646-415-9126 or www.chocolatmichelcluizel.com.<br /> <br /> • Museum Shops at Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Ave., New York; 212-628-6200 or www.neuegalerie.org. <br /> <br /> Sightseeing<br /> <br /> • Rockefeller Center, www.rockefellercenter.com<br /> <br /> • Top of the Rock Observation Deck, 30 Rockefeller Plaza (entrance on 50th Street), New York; 212-698-2000 or www.topoftherocknyc.com. <br /> <br /> Entertainment Godspell, Circle in the Square Theatre, 1633 Broadway (at 50th Street), New York; 212-239-6200 or www.godspell.com. <br /> <br /> Art Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Ave., New York; 212-628-6200 or www.neuegalerie.org. Information www.nycgo.com, www.nyc.com or www.nyc.gov.
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