For this issue of Haute Living, we provide a glimpse at where the cash kings kick back. From Wall Street watering holes to luxe accommodations in Midtown, Manhattan’s offerings of what is haute are sure to entice you into spending your end-of-the-year bonus.By Kristelle Devieux
Cipriani Wall Street
55 Wall St.
212.699.4099
The world-famous Bellinis can be enjoyed on the terrace year-round, thanks to a covered heating system.
When Wall Street’s masters are in need of midday enjoyment, they flock to this haute locale. The latest establishment in the Financial District brings all the hype, fine dining, and top-notch service one would expect from the Cipriani name. The bi-level restaurant in the historic Merchants Exchange building on Wall Street features classic Cipriani fare in an elegant setting. With “La Murrina” Murano glass chandeliers, cork-paneled walls, Roman travertine marble floors, and original Peter Beard artwork adorning the dining room, guests salivate in style over Cipriani specialties, such as risotto alla primavera. In addition, the world-famous Bellinis can be enjoyed on the terrace year-round, thanks to a covered heating system.
Gotham Bar & Lounge
700 5th Ave.
212.956-2888
The Gotham Bar and Lounge at the Peninsula Hotel, is the most civilized lounge for afternoon tea, great cocktails, and ambiance. With room for only 40 guests, the Gotham Bar and Lounge’s intimacy and prime elegance is ideal for small business or personal meetings. The furnishings, drapes, and carpets reflect a quietly comfortable library theme, where moguls and financial titans delight on the legendary Peninsula Afternoon Tea, light refreshments, and evening cocktails.
SoHo House
2935 9th Ave.
212.627.9800
New York’s up-and-coming private members’ club, Soho House features six floors, plus a rooftop lounge-all available only to the club’s exclusive clientele. With each floor presenting new worlds of relaxation, from steam rooms on the third floor, to screening rooms on the fourth floor, to a library on the fifth floor, to fine dining options on the sixth floor, the only thing that might need replacing at Soho House is the elevator. But it is the roof that holds the club’s most enjoyable treasures: views of the city as you soak in the heated pool, deservedly lounging around after a hard day’s work.
Four Seasons
57 East 57th St.
212.758.5700
As the only I.M. Pei-designed hotel in the Western Hemisphere, the Four Seasons architecture is monumental. Rising 700 feet into the sky, Four Seasons is the tallest hotel in the city, and the three-story, terraced Lobby Court is one of New York’s grandest outdoor public spaces. Additionally, the artwork throughout the hotel features signed prints by Le Corbusier, Mariani, Magritte and Kandinsky. And let’s not forget: L’Atelier, Joel Robuchon’s first restaurant in the United States, is open to tingle your taste buds. There’s no better way to spend your bonus than splurging on the Four Seasons’ grandiosity.
The Strip House
13 East 12th St.
212.328.0000
For a seductive dining experience, nothing beats Strip House, the famed Manhattan steak restaurant. The indulgent menu features signature prime cuts of beef, charred to perfection, accompanied by decadent sides and desserts. The striking, siren-red interior is balanced with classic black and white images of women photographed by Studio Manasse in the early 1900s in Vienna. The atmosphere, classic décor, and impeccable food and expert service stand as a great backdrop for business meetings.
Daniel
60 East 65th St.
212.288.0033
Daniel, one of New York’s premier French restaurants, is where Chef Daniel Boulud’s renowned mastery in French cuisine comes to life, with more than 40 meticulously trained cooks preparing the chef’s seasonal cuisine. The menu celebrates nature’s bounty, taking each season’s most glorious ingredients and revealing their delicious flavors. Chef Boulud showcases his respect for French culinary tradition, infusing it with his contemporary touch. It is this combination of classic and contemporary that keeps guests intrigued and delighted. Daniel is the whole package, with elegant ambiance, gracious service, and delectable food and wines-all in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Tribeca Grand
2 Avenue of the Americas
212. 519.6600
Standing between the sectors of high finance and high fashion, the Tribeca Grand Hotel is New York’s exclusive downtown getaway. Sitting in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Manhattan, Tribeca Grand has long seduced celebrities and artists, as well as financiers and high-class world travelers. From weekend getaways to executive business trips, from relaxing to late-night reveling, the Tribeca neighborhood offers the ultimate mix of restaurants, shops, and nightlife. A mere visit to the Tribeca Grand will explain why successful international entrepreneurs, fashion models, and A-listers make it their home away from home.
Rose Bar
2 Lexington Ave.
212.475.4320
Gramercy Park Hotel’s unconventional design is prevalent in the hotel’s Rose Bar, a hot lounge for the city’s influential power players. The bar’s rough plaster walls, saturated in rose, create a Raphaelian atmosphere. Rose Bar features a stone fireplace from Italy, a custom-designed walnut bar, and a one of a kind Julian Schnabel “saw tooth” resin-cast chandelier, suspended by bronze chains. Furthermore, the curated art found in the Gramercy Park Hotel’s lobby continues in the Rose Bar, with works by Andy Warhol, among others. But don’t be fooled: The Rose Bar’s cocktails are as exotic as the artwork. For classic aperitifs in a sophisticated atmosphere, the Rose Bar is the perfect place to unwind.
Ritz Carlton
2 West St.
212.344.3804
The AAA Five Diamond hotel is a contemporary, 39-story, glass-and-brick tower. All 298 guest rooms feature an elegant 1920s Art Deco-inspired design. The hotel offers various accommodations for the financial tycoon, such as The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, a luxurious retreat for leisure guests and business travelers; 12,000 square feet dedicated to conference facilities, including several ballrooms and three multi-purpose function rooms; and business services with a state-of-the-art business center, offering a wide range of 24-hour secretarial support services, including faxing, photocopying, printing, and courier services, as well as a Conference Concierge and Technology butler for those who need the extra help.
Bull & Bear
301 Park Ave.
212.355.3000
After a long day crunching numbers and debating on risky investments, un-crunching the day’s pressures is a must! Hailed as one of the most historic and well-recognized bars in New York City, the Bull & Bear bar, at the celebrated Waldorf-Astoria, is where financial high-rollers enjoy specialty beers and generous cocktails-including the best Martini in the city-while sitting at the elaborate mahogany bar to monitor the electronic stock ribbon. This hip yet classic steakhouse attracts an international set of business travelers, hotel guests, and devotees.
