Greetings and Happy 2010! We were in New York last week for the Gift Show. We must have walked 20 miles a day, and we have the merchandise to prove it! (It should be in the shop by the end of the month, so come visit us soon!) We did almost as much eating as we did shopping.

Several days we dashed out from the Javits to  lunch at our favorite French bistro, Artisinal. Everything on the menu is divine, but we always seem to gravitate to the fondue and mesculin salad. We alternate with the cheese plate for 2 and the salad frisse. Cristiana discovered a wonderful rosé with enough body for the winter, Chateau de Pourcieux.
Artisinal
2 Park Avenue (ent. on 32nd street) 10016
(212) 725-8585

Now, dinner was a different story. We both have family and old friends in New York, so we decided to “divide and conquer” the restaurant scene.  We covered lots more ground this way, and we’re happy to report that we can recommend every place we went. We hope you are in New York soon to try some of these fantastic spots!

Friday night, Stephen and I had dinner at an old favorite, Cafe Boulud, in the newly renovated Surrey Hotel, which was designed by Houston architect, Lauren Rottet. Joining us for dinner were our dear friends designer, Cathy Chapman and her husband Paul, the badminton pro. We were given a wonderful tour of the very hip and gracious guest rooms. We ended the tour with a drink in the fabulous new “it” spot, Bar Pleiades. (Great people watching here.) Dinner was fantastic, especially the wild mushroom ravioli and pork tenderloin.
The Surrey Hotel,  20 East 76th Street New York, New York 10021 (212) 288-3700

That same night, Cristiana dined at a the hot spot, Le Caprice (newly arrived from London) which is in the lobby of the Pierre Hotel. If you have never been to this classic NY hotel, this is an excellent reason to visit. In the midst of all that old world style, Le Caprice has a very fun atmosphere, with especially good people watching. The menu was rather straightforward and not too innovative but the food was excellent.  C. notes the watercress and beet salad followed by tagliatelle with wild boar ragu. “Our table was not quite ready when we arrived, so they brought me a glass of champagne on the house…very nice touch!”
Le Caprice at the Pierre, 795 5th Ave. (212) 940-8195

Definitely one of the dining highlights of this trip was at Robert, on the 9th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design. We were out  with some old fashion friends from our Paris days, and found the atmosphere truly inspired, modern chic. The meal was memorable, but not as memorable as seeing Michael Kors a few tables away. Not that we drop names or anything. Oh yeah, the scallops were terrific.
Robert, 2 Columbus Circle, (212) 299-7730

Casual yet chic, Perilla is our latest favorite. We especially loved the brussel spouts, risotto, roasted speck-wrapped organic Chicken, Baby Lola Rosa salad and the young egg yolk ravioli. The desserts were INCREDIBLE. Of special note are the chocolate-covered doughnuts and chocolate souffle. Pack some stretch pants!
Perilla, 9 Jones Street (at West 4th) New York,  New York 10014 (212) 929-6868

Sunday we ate at Mario Batali’s Lupa Osteria Romano, and dined on fantastic pasta dishes, inventive salads, and incredible bread. The decor is warm, charming and especially welcoming. It’s like dining in an old, favorite neighborhood joint. (One where you might run into movie stars and celebrity chefs.)
Lupa
170 Thompson Street New York, New York 10012
(212) 982.5089

We love The Breslin for its authentic-feeling New York charm. This place feels as if it’s been here for 75 years, yet it’s only 6 months. What’s not to love about comfort food? In mass quantities, yet? Fried chicken, onion and bone marrow soup with parmesan toast, “huge” steaks, pork belly roulade, and yes, pig’s-foot-for-two. All served in “medieval proportions”. It sounds kind of over-the-top, and it is and we loved it. For those with a milder palate the grilled cheese is great! Order some scrumpets at the bar while you wait for a table.
The Breslin, Ace Hotel, 16 W 29th St at Broadway (212-679-1939)

We loved Marea, which is the most talked about new fish restaurant on Central Park South in the space vacated by San Domenico (see below.) It is slick, sophisticated and perfect for an expense account! The Ventresca (bigeye toro tartare, ligurian olivada, fried capers) was excellent, as was the Passera (Long Island fluke, lemon thyme, ligurian olive oil). Also of note are the Branzino (seared wild striped bass, marinated salsify, roasted brussel sprouts, fresh pancetta, saba) and the Mezzaluna lobster ravioli, with chanterelles, asparagus. No room for dessert, but next time the panna cotta!
Marea, 240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019, (212) 582-5100

On the same night, Cristiana ate at the new impossible-to-get-in San Dominico, SD26, near Gramercy Park. The food was wonderful, the wine list was great, and the atmosphere is modern with cool lighting and artwork. The different seating areas break up the big space quite nicely, and there’s a vibrant bar scene. The open kitchen creates a lot of atmosphere and hustle and bustle as well. She recomends the watercress, carrot and pomegranate salad (very nice), the beef cheeks in a red wine reduction sauce (lovely) and the tiramisu.
SD26, 19 E. 26 on Madison Square Park, 10010 (212) 265-5959

Bon appetit!