Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
burgers.
42 Central Park South (btwn Fifth & Sixth aves.).
&
212/688-7777.
www.theswearingens.com/mick/mmrest.htm. Subway: F to 57th St.
Monkey Bar
This legendary bar was recently renovated and looks
better than ever. The swanky space is dolled up like a Hollywood
supper club from the 1930s, the drinks are faultless, and the leg-
endary monkey murals alone are worth a look. Skip the dining room
and head to the piano bar for the ultimate Monkey Bar experience.
At the Hotel Elysée, 60 E. 54th St. (btwn Madison & Park aves.).
&
212/838-2600.
Subway: 6 to 51st St.
Russian Samovar
Yes it's a restaurant with Russian food, but
the main attraction of this Theater District legend is the vodka.
There are over 20 flavors of house-infused vodkas including dill, gar-
lic, ginger, tarragon and, host and impresario Roman Kaplan's
favorite, cranberry-lemon. Despite what it might do to you and how
it will affect the plans you have for the next 24 hours, it's difficult to
resist sampling them while listening to standards played by the house
pianist. You might want to soften the bite of the vodka with a few
appetizers like the Royal Fish Platter, a selection of smoked fish and
a little caviar. Don't make this a pre-theater stop—you won't make it
to the show.
256 W. 52nd St. (btwn Eighth Ave. and Broadway).
&
212/757-
0168.
www.russiansamovar.com. Subway: 1 to 50th St.
Under the Volcano
If you've been shopping at Macy's or
braving the lines at the Empire State Building and want (need?) a
drink, one of the few choices in the area, but a good one, is this Mexi-
can-themed tequila bar. The decor is Mexican folk with Frida Kahlo
undertones, but the main attractions are the 16 varieties of tequila
and smooth, potent margaritas. The bar features an excellent selec-
tion of aged rums.
12 E. 36th St. (btwn Fifth & Madison aves.).
&
212/213-
0093.
Subway: B, D, F, N, R to 34th St.
UPTOWN
Bemelmans Bar
This is my choice as New York's best hotel bar.
It has everything you want from a hotel bar: white-coated service;
lush seating with dark romantic corners to sink into; a nice mix of
locals and guests; and incredible cocktails, like the Old Cuban, a
mojito topped with champagne. The bar is named after children's
book illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans, who created the
Madeline
topics after he painted the whimsical mural here.
At the Carlyle Hotel, 35
E. 76th St. (at Madison Ave.).
&
212/744-1600.
Subway: 6 to 77th St.
Creole
Tucked away in the heart of El Barrio (also known as east
Harlem) is a relatively new and welcome addition to the uptown
Finds
