What’s Haute New York

By Kristelle Devieux

For a city as dynamic as New York, it can be hard to keep up with what is haute, and what is not. To help you navigate through all the city’s offerings, we present you with this month’s ‘What’s Haute’ suggestions, filled with the most luxurious, hottest, über sophisticated hotels, spas, restaurants, and lounges. The list is a virtual how-to guide of finding the city’s best venues, with the perfect mix of innovative newcomers and established locales that are still worthy of your time.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL
80 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10023
866.801.8880
The Columbus Circle destination exerts stunning modern design fused with Oriental flair. The 248 elegant guestrooms and suites feature breathtaking views of Manhattan and advanced in-room entertainment technology. The hotel’s vibrant restaurant, Asiate, was outfitted by noted interior designer Tony Chi. This embodiment of luxury is a favorite among high ranked officials, CEOs, and fanatics of the finer things in life.

DEL POSTO
85 10th Avenue
New York, NY 10011
212.497.8090
Del Posto has elevated New York’s dining experience to a new level. The seasonal menu conveys a commitment to Cucina Classica with an emphasis on freshness, quality, and original ingredients. The wine list showcases 1,500 bottles of great traditional Italian wines. Del Posto’s great classic Italian food, majestic setting, and impeccable service represent the embodiment of grand hotel dining.

MORANDI
211 Waverly Place
New York, NY 10014
212.627.7575
The brick arches, low ceilings, and the use of stressed wood makes Morandi the perfect rendering of the rustic feel found in old Italian trattorias. Morandi boasts a menu of authentic Italian food straight from brick ovens with a wine list of more than 200 bottles. If you’ve experienced the delicacies of Balthazar and Pastis, then you’ll love Patrick McNally’s newest addition, Morandi.

MASA
10 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10019
212.823.9800
Since 2004, world renowned chef and owner Masayoshi Takayama has been serving lavish meals. We’ve heard that Chef Masa’s fresh ingredients for the sushi is flown in daily from Alaska, Spain, and the Sea of Japan. The restaurant is a small intimate cadre designed around Chef Masa’s concept. The menu varies daily depending on seasonal availability and the chef’s inspiration. But don’t forget to indulge in Masa’s famous toro tartare with caviar and foie gras shabu shabu. If seated at the sushi bar you get the all-star experience of witnessing Chef Masa’s agility in preparing the rolls, and are lucky enough to have the master serve you himself!

STK
26 Little West 12th Street
New York, NY 10014
212.488.2110
STK gracefully blends two concepts into one: the modern New York steakhouse with a downtown lounge. Icrave Design (same firm responsible for Koi and Hyde) used natural materials to create a contrast with the building’s industrial feel. The main room features a large central lounge furnished with creamy leather banquettes and textured crocodile tiles. Each table is illuminated by theatrical lights and surrounded by smoky mirrors that offer patrons a view of the lavish surroundings while enjoying the DJ’s energetic vibes that resonates throughout the entire space. The upper level at STK is made up of private dining suites named after famous burlesque stars such as “The Tempest Storm” (with seating for 70), “The Lillie St Cyr” (with seating for 20), “The Do May” (with seating for 20), and “The Candy Barr” (with seating for 40).

G SPA
389 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
212.274.1568
G Spa is a haven for complete indulgence. The Gansevoort Spa caters to their high profile clients with customized treatments using holistic and advanced skincare approaches. It offers laser-lit purifying steam rooms and hydrotherapy infinity pools with three choices of baths, including a healing Himalayan self-infused water bath. All services can be accommodated in suites or on the hotel’s eloquent rooftop.

GOLD BAR
389 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
212.274.1568
The up and coming GoldBar is brought to us by Jamie Mulholland, the man behind the magic at CAIN, with Robert McKinley of P.M., Table 50, and CAIN fame handling the unique designs. The rest of the team behind GoldBar also has a plethora of experience running high-end nightspots across the globe, and their combined successes and know-how to create the latest place to see-and-be-seen in NYC. GoldBar, as the name suggests, looks like a room taken straight from the Château de Versailles in Paris, with an abundance of gold shades and dramatic chandeliers. The walls are lined with golden faux human skulls, adding to the unique ambiance, and cementing the idea that this place is like no other. The small venue can only accommodate one hundred people, creating the perfect cadre to enjoy great music, décor, cocktails, and succulent aperitivos.

THE CARLYLE
35 E 76th Street
New York, NY 10021
212.744.1600
This hotel is hailed as “a true Manhattan classic with a legendary following from Presidents to Princesses,” and thus has become an establishment in the Upper East Side’s social scene. Since 1930 The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel has represented the epitome of elegance with lavishly furnished and decorated suites. Among those making The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel their preferred address have been almost every American president since Harry Truman, royalty such as Diana, Princess of Wales and a roster of Hollywood moguls, business tycoons, and aristocracy that have certainly helped ensure the hotel’s place in history.

GRAMERCY PARK
2 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10010
212.475.4320
The hotel displays a chic Bohemian and unconventional style with great pieces of furniture, art, and an extraordinary use of color. The lobby will showcase an ever changing set of 20th century masterpieces from artists such as Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Basquiat. Emphasizing the hotel’s commitment to service, each guest is provided with a personal assistant to cater to their every wish. The Rose Bar and Jade Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel offer the same type of edgy sophistication found throughout the hotel. Guests have the added perk of ordering room service from the “Best Of” selection of signature dishes from New York’s most celebrated chefs including Mario Batali of Babbo, Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson of Balthazar, and Nobuyuki Matsuhisa of Nobu.