Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it. Napoleon may have been referring to war, but the same may be said of love. Emmanuelle Chiche, Managing Director of the Bubble Lounge, has observed many romances begin over a glass of champagne. First dates, anniversaries and engagement parties (and, sadly, even a few break-ups) have taken place at the iconic restaurant lounge in downtown ...

In Lebanon, the word ilili means "tell me" in Arabic and this new Mediterranean restaurant in the Flatiron district is definitely worth talking about. Chef/owner Philippe Massoud was certainly following the motto of "Go big or go home" not only in creating the cavernous, sumptuously designed space (which seats over 300), but also in the cooking, elevating what was previously considered street food to new heights. Sure you’ll find classic ...

Wine may be one thing that improves with age, but Bar Boulud (1900 Broadway, 212-595-0303), chef Daniel Boulud’s new wine bar and bistro, is already a winner at two months old. The restaurant’s wine list is every oenophile’s dream, and even the sleek décor was designed with Bacchus’ beverage in mind: the main dining room’s ceiling is vaulted like a cellar and the walls are adorned with photographs of ...

Once an antique store on a quiet cobblestone street, Il Buco (47 Bond Street, 212-533-1932) has evolved into one of New York's most treasured restaurants. Revered for its rustic Mediterranean cuisine, outstanding wine list and wonderful hospitality, Il Buco is an enduring favorite among notable chefs and restaurateurs including Alain Ducasse and Le Bernardin's Eric Ripert who have both been known ...

Calling all foodies, oenophiles and cocktail connoisseurs...the Astor Center is your new culinary playground. At the recent launch party, Baltz & Company wrangled some of the top chefs and hottest mixologists in town to prepare a wide array of savory appetizers and original drinks. Guests including downtown restaurateur David Rabin (Lotus and Los Dados), food columnist Danyelle Freeman (aka Restaurant Girl) and cocktail genius ...

Soul food nightly. That's the mantra of Tillman's, a sultry spot on West 26th street that evokes the old world charm of Harlem jazz lounges and underground speakeasies from the 1920's and 1930's. You can almost feel the spirit of music legends Billie Holiday, Miles Davis and John Coltrane nestled in the cozy alcoves of the space. Created by owner and nightlife impresario Lesly Bernard (of ...

Either you've been given the last minute task of organizing the office holiday party or you're hosting an impromptu end-of-year bash for friends. Whatever the reason, it's getting tough to find a suitable venue with availability. To guide you in the right direction, here are 3 unique private rooms that can still squeeze you in. Call now! The VIP Gallery at Amalia (204 West 55th Street) Amalia ...

Monday might just become your favorite day of the week once you visit this hidden wine bar adjacent to PUBLIC restaurant in Nolita. With over 60 high-end wines from around the world that can be ordered by the glass or bottle, The Monday Room, can please both the serious oenophile or enthusiastic wine novice. Custom wine flights can be created with 2, 3 or ...

When it comes to dinner parties, we learned long ago that the most important element can be found not on the table, but on the chairs. Tamsin Lonsdale, Founder of The Supper Club, couldn't agree more. For her, hosting a brilliant event is all about having the right mix of guests. On Tuesday night at the launch party (sponsored by Eos Airlines and Moet Hennessy USA) for ...

Hidden behind a bustling floral shop lies a secret garden. I’m sure if you ask owner and floral designer Olivier Giugni about it, he would tell you that it was enchantée. His lush garden has been artfully landscaped with an original mix of trees and plants including wax privet topiaries, Japanese stewartia, Japanese Maple (Lace leaf green), morning glories, asparagus ferns, different varieties of jasmine and even pineapples. Born ...

If you were a girl growing up in the 80's, you were most definitely a fan of Duran Duran. In my group of friends, you were either madly in love with lead singer Simon Le Bon or bassist John Taylor. Given my longtime "appreciation" for the band, I could hardly pass up an invitation to meet them at a private party (organized by Epic ...

Movie night with friends sounds like a pretty simple party to plan. Rent flick. Buy popcorn. Gather friends. It's another story if you are advertising executive turned filmmaker Eddie Shieh. Fresh off the festival circuit (screening at over 20 international festivals and counting), Shieh began fielding requests from friends who wanted to watch his debut short film, "No Menus Please," a drama/comedy about ...

It's your birthday and you want to celebrate with 50 of your closest friends. Rolling up to a nightclub is out of the question, even if you are "friends with the owner." If you feel like throwing a big birthday bash, you are better off finding a venue that can give you an exclusive area to entertain your guests. Here are two venues that are cool without the attitude ...

We're gonna party like it's your birthday. The only question is.......where? Over the years, I have been bombarded with inquiries about every kind of event planning issue. Hands down, the number one request is about birthdays. In New York, planning this celebration can be trickier than you think so each month I will give you a few of my top recommendations for different types of birthday bashes - ...

They say that after 10 years of living here, you can finally call yourself a New Yorker. I guess it means that you you are tough enough to make it on the mean streets of Manhattan. Ironically, when I hit that marker, all I felt was proud to be Canadian. Over the years, I've assembled quite the crew of Canucks in NYC - all of whom have endured the ...