Dining

By Narbeh Minassian

Russia is a misunderstood country on this side of the Atlantic. Some of the foremost associations with this nation are snow, space stations, and an outdated link to communism; the biggest country in the world is, and has long since been, so much more than that. The Firebird restaurant goes some way in conveying this, as perhaps the most authentic Russian restaurant outside of its motherland.

By Christopher A. Pape

Expertly prepared meat, fine wine, class. If the previous sentence failed to grab your attention in all three parts, then perhaps it is best you turn the page as there is not much else to discuss when it comes to the excellence of Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse. Exclusivity is the order of the day, with only four restaurants nationwide; we are lucky that Manhattan is such a magnet.

By Narbeh Minassian

It is something of a paradox but there are so many great restaurants in Manhattan that it is difficult to find one. After all, which do you pick? It is our job to carry out this thankless yet enjoyable task of throwing the net out into the restaurant sea and filtering through to bring you the very best. Without further ado, here are some of our findings:

By Narbeh Minassian

I have only been In New York City for three weeks, and one of the first things I was told was ‘this is New York City, you can get anything you want’, by a man with a very Tony Soprano New York accent. This has stayed with me. I have, I admit, tested this claim throughout my stay, particularly when it comes to the quality of restaurants, and my visit to Vai restaurant went some way to corroborating Mr. Soprano’s claims.

Award winning Venezuelan rum, DIPLOMÁTICO, has splashed on to the scene in the Hamptons this summer as the Hamptons hottest new rum. Celebrating its 20th year of rum production, DIPLOMÁTICO produces five distinct rums including Blanco, Anejo, Reserva, Reserva Exclusiva and Ambassador with each offering its own flavor. The Blanco, or premium white rum, offers a sophisticated palate perfect for mojitos, daiquiris and other mixed cocktails. The Anejo is the youngest of the rum family offering a creamy taste perfect match for a rum punch or rum and coke. The Reserva, an 8-year-old rum, is rich and full while the Reserva Exclusiva is a premium aged (12 years) sipping rum, the most awarded of the rums. The Ambassador is a 47% ABV rum aged 14 years in sherry casks and is produced in limited quantity, only 1600 bottles made per year.

By Jackie Yin

So what’s the most exciting part about living in New York City? As a seasoned traveler, I would say it’s the diversity of gourmet food it offers. Be it haute European cuisine or sophisticated Asian fusion, you will never be disappointed. And now the culinary scene is getting even more epic. With the arrival of Brasserie Pushkin, New Yorkers can finally have a taste of noble Russian cuisine.

By Deeqa Rafle

The Perfect destination for summer dining is what Navy Beach can be referred to as according to The New York Times. Located on two-hundred feet of pure, private beach, Navy Beach is great for outdoor and indoor dining for all hours. Navy Beach has a laid back atmosphere in which boaters are more than welcome to leave there watercrafts unattended, as it is protected by the Fort Pond Bay, and come on shore for a relaxed, coastal-themed dinner. With beach-inspired décor, enjoy your meal on white picnic tables on the sand, hang out in the white and blue striped furniture, or get that perfect tan you’ve been waiting for on their exclusive sun beds. While relaxing on this luxurious furniture, feel free to choose any of the classics off the never-ending menu such as: Navy burger with bacon, marmalade, onion, Cabot cheddar, house pickles and fries. You can also pick from Buttermilk fried chicken, with cheddar cornbread, house-made coleslaw and honey drizzle or light items like hearts of palm, tuna tataki salad with tatsoi, yuzu-soy vinaigrette or grilled shrimp with arugula, avocado, sweet corn and argrumato vinaigrette. To quench your thirst choose from an array of signature drinks such as: Captain Jack with rye whiskey, Aperol Spritz with Aperol, St.Germain lime and ginger beer, prosecco and fresh orange, and La Tigresa with vodka, agave syrup, basil and watermelon.

By Maxine Albert

Master chef Amy Eubanks executes Laurent Tourendel’s inspirations perfectly in this flatiron seafood restaurant. You’re bound to have a unique experience in this elegant townhouse. A sky lit upstairs with retractable glass roof provides a sophisticated environment to savor the seafood specialties. A large open kitchen allows guests to see the food being prepared and revel in the luxurious sauces created to compliment each dish. The more casual downstairs resembles a New England fish shack.

By Jackie Yin

It seems that the hipster vortex of the Meatpacking District is seeing a little “La Dolce Vita”, with the arrival of the Italian restaurant giant Serafina. Serafina Meatpacking offers a variety of authentic Northern Italian dishes originating from family recipes. But the upscale spot isn’t just about fancy dishes and vino; its deconstructed graffiti on the walls hand-painted by artist Michela Martello and electrifying live music at night tell you that Serafina is determined to blend into the local scene and is here to stay.

By Jackie Yin

Both bold and bright combination of color stripes on the wall, the interior of Orchard House best represents the style of the restaurant – imaginative dishes that send you on a ride of rich gastronomic waves. Situated on the historic Orchard Street in the Lower East Side, The Orchard House brings continuous surprise to the community with its fresh brand of modern American plates, original cocktail creations as well as a vast selection of wine and tea.