A Grand Opening at Tavern on the Green

 

The re-imagined Tavern on the Green has undergone a total re-do--I hardly recognized it--and I'm happy to report that the old New York City classic has been dusted off and shines merrily into the stratosphere. This new journey, after a brief closing, is modernized and vastly different, while still paying homage to its highly historied, deeply steeped past. And the environment actually feels like a cozy tavern now, and locavore cookery is helmed by Katy Sparks, some of which I sampled. I practically hyperpalpiventilated at the grand reopening; I was so overwhelmed and it is only on rare occasion that I am whelmed at all. Martha Stewart swooped past me, Regis Philbin was spotted at the bar and I chatted with the divine Fran Drescher by the stunning new fireplace. Ms. Drescher, currently starring in Cinderella is such an amazing, incredibly gracious lady who gently held my hand as we spoke together. It was a grand night for singing as well with legendary Marilyn Maye, who I have had the absolute pleasure to meet before. The jazzy songstress (who had the most appearances on Johnny Carson) held court in the shimmering, dangling lamp-lit courtyard, slaying the crowd with a few numbers accompanied by Billy Stritch at the piano. How we all longed for a few more songs--it was all brilliant. Later, as the bar that anchors the space became somewhat of a cabaret, I found the nerve to get up and sing with Billy Stritch as my accompanist and a fantastic trumpet player to send it all soaring. Imagine? I did pretty well and what a thrill--I floated all the way home in the cab! 

Bustling barmen pouring prosecco and creating cocktails for thirsty elbow-benders!

The chefs were hard at work too, of course, serving up a range of things including quail, smoked salmon and caviar, blue corn chips with guacamole and salsa and filet mignon from the open kitchen.



More cocktails poured, out of doors! What a swell party it was! Congratulations to Tavern on the Green and thanks to Hall PR for the invite!

Next Magazine Review - Asia De Cuba

Asia De Cuba
237 Madison Ave (btwn 37th/38th Sts)
212-726-7755
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On a recent trip to Miami, I had the pleasure of dining at Asia De Cuba in the newly opened, gloriously fantasy-scaled Mondrian hotel overlooking the bay. The coolly chic setting and extravagant dinner equally conspired for a wonderful evening. I thought I should revisit the restaurant’s first fusion-fueled location in the Morgans hotel, here in New York. I hadn’t been since somewhere in the 90’s, when it was a sheer revelation in its Philippe Starck-ness décor. Asia De Cuba still sets quite a table and quite a scene.

A bracing Mai Tai ($14) was first up, made with Bacardi O, Gosling Dark Rhum, a host of juices and almond syrup. Then the food arrived, like a delicious culinary landslide, served family-style to feed roughly four (also can be tailored for larger parties). Tunapica ($24) is a must, with tuna tartare, Spanish olives, and coconut in soy-lime vinaigrette, stacked on wonton crisps. Crispy Calamari Salad ($25) was a risky but triumphant gathering of hearts of palm, banana, cashews, bitter greens and sesame orange dressing. Sumptuous Lobster Shiitake Potstickers ($30) are my favorite, in vanilla rhum and lobster coral sauces.

Rare Pan Seared Ahi Tuna ($43) was quite good, served over crunchy wasabi mashed potatoes, made so by wasabi peas! Delicate Miso Cured Alaskan Black Cod ($38) is richly, melt-in-your-mouth good, served with black bean and edamame salad. Asia De Cuba ‘Mar y Tierra’ ($79), their version of surf n’ turf, presents nicely done slices of wagyu striploin and huge tempura shrimp sprouting outwards like Cuban cigars. Avocado pineapple salsa and spoonfuls of spicy chipotle béarnaise go with. For sides, we ordered the fantastic Lobster-Boniato Mash ($16) with great lobster chunks and Plaintain Fried Rice with Avocado Salad ($12), another clever union that suddenly made sense.

Desserts are divinely decadent, utterly ruinous combos. The jaw-dropping Bay of Pigs ($19), a super-hyped banana split, practically covers the table, knocked over the top with coconut “sushi.” We also practically stabbed each other’s hands with our forks going for the Piña y Crema ($14), a gorgeous vanilla cheesecake with caramelized pineapple and passion fruit syrup. Simply fusion-fabulous!

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