Today’s Video of The Day takes us all the back to the year 1938, when New York City was ‘The Wonder City’. Watch this video through to the end and take note of all the changes you see. Not only is New York City very different these days than it was back then (even more people, even more speeding cars), but, naturally, the people of New York are different these days, too. But the differences, after they have been accounted for, aren’t actually what I find to be so striking about this video. It’s the similarities that get me. Watch as the video guides you through the Statue of Liberty and Wall Street, take note of how easily you connect with the traffic on the streets. If you have ever lived in or visited NYC, this video takes you back in time but simultaneously serves to show that NYC is, as always, pretty timeless.
For a limited time, New York pastry-lovers have the chance to be crowned royalty
Until January 15, people who dine at any three of Pastry Chef François Payard’s locations in New York will have a chance to be crowned king or queen for the day. The critically acclaimed Payard will be serving a traditional Galette des Rois, or King’s Cake, which is a flaky, buttery-rich pastry with flavors of Tahitian vanilla and Valencia almonds. The delicacy stems from a 14th century tradition in northern France that celebrates The Epiphany where people bake the cake in honor of the Three Kings who visited baby Jesus.
Another interesting part of the custom that Payard is reenacting is hiding a treasure inside of each cake. Whoever finds the trinket, in this case a ceramic macaron, inside the massive cake will be crowed king or queen for the day, literally, as each cake comes served with a paper crown. For those on a lucky streak, if you collect all six macaron colors you can tweet a photo of your good fortune or bring the trinkets into the shop for a free 24-piece box of (edible) macarons.
The Galette des Rois are served in three sizes, 4p ($24), 6p ($33) and 8-10p ($46), and, in order to ensure availabilty, it is advised to pre-order the cakes by calling (212) 995-0888 x 131.
Pastry Chef François Payard’s three locations include:
- FPB – 116 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012; Tel: 212.995.0888
- FC Chocolate Bar at The Plaza – 1 West 58th Street, Concourse Level, New York, NY 10019; Tel: 212.986.9241
- François Payard Bakery – 210 Murray Street, New York, NY 10282.; Tel: 212.995.0888
Live like your favorite ‘Downton Abbey’ character with this chic hotel package
Fans of the Masterpiece Classic PBS program ‘Downton Abbey‘ have even more reason to be excited. Not only did the cult fave show return to television in the states for its second season last night, but now you don’t even have to escape to the UK to live like your favorite characters.
New York‘s Oheka Castle, located on the historic Gold Coast, is offering a special “Aristocratic Escape Package,” that includes overnight accommodations, afternoon tea, a bottle of Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries in your room, continental breakfast and a copy of Season I of the show on DVD. The overnight package $695 and includes an optional $100 upgrade per room category.
Here’s the real question – have you already managed to sneak a peek at the rest of the season online?
Trump International celebrates 15th anniversary with $15,000 hotel package
Trump International Hotel & Tower New York (the only Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond Hotel with a Five-Star, Five-Diamond restaurant in New York) is celebrating their upcoming 15th anniversary in lavish and traditional Trump style, with a $15,000 Crystal Anniversary Package.
While normally we’d make fun of such a package, the price of the accommodations and jewelry alone make this a pretty good “deal,” if you can call anything that’s $15k a deal. The package includes:
· Two nights in a one-bedroom Central Park-view suite (normally $1,000 plus per night)
· A 750ml bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne
· Rock Crystal Jewelry from Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, including the 16″ Rose Gold Chain With Rock Crystal Center Stone, Long Rose Gold Rock Crystal and Diamond Drop Earring on Diamond French Wire, and 7.5″ Rock Crystal and Diamond Chain Bracelet
· A Shonbek Crystal Chandelier (so you can glitter like Trump at your own home)
· A pair of Christian Louboutin “Fifi” pumps, cloaked in crystals, with a 100mm heel (want to send us your pair if you don’t like them?)
· Dinner for two at Jean Georges, the hotel’s three-Michelin-Star restaurant, including a bottle of premier Champagne
· Breakfast for two daily at Nougatine
“Crystal is the traditional 15th anniversary gift, and we certainly have our share of it here at Trump International,” said General Manager Suzie Mills, who has worked at the hotel since its 1997 opening.
The Crystal Anniversary Package will be available as of the 15th anniversary of the hotel’s opening – Jan. 15, 2012 – through Jan. 15, 2013.
Getting ‘Sweet Revenge’ in New York’s West Village
Located in the West Village of New York, at 62 Carmine Street, is a sweet shop that puts a new spin on wine pairing.
Walking into Sweet Revenge, you will become instantly immersed in the warmth of freshly baked desserts, the cozy ambiance of the small room, smiling servers, and intimate lighting set by tiny Christmas bulbs. And, you won’t see anybody with a sweet Bellini or a full-bodied Malbec.
Instead of pairing wines with traditional cheeses and meal courses, Sweet Revenge features an extensive list of gourmet, internationally-inspired cupcakes, each offering a wine and beer suggestion next to it. Four signature options are always available, including:
- Sweet Revenge– Peanut butter cake with a ganache center and peanut butter fudge frosting paired with Juan Benegas Malbec, Argentina, or Weihenstephaner Hefe Weiss, Germany
- Pure– Mexican vanilla cake with Mexican vanilla buttercream paired with Principato Pinot Noir, Italy, or Kwak, Belgium
- Dirty- Valrhona chocolate cake with dark chocolate truffle paired with Pinotage, South Africa, or Kopparberg Pear Cider, Sweden
- Crimson & Cream– Raspberry red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting paired with a Raspberry Bellini or Belhaven, Scotland
There are also rotating cupcake selections each day, like Cafe Mocha, Dulce de Leche, Malaysian Coconut, and Mayan Chocolate, to name a few. While you don’t need to choose their suggested drink pairing I would highly recommend it, as they tend to keep the flavors in balance. I opted for the Crimson & Cream with the Raspberry Bellini and was really impressed not only with the size of the cupcake and generous amount of cream cheese frosting, but also with how well the raspberry flavors in the drink complemented the fruity red velvet cake. My companion and I also tried the Pure paired with the Principato Pinot Noir which was also very tasty, although we both agreed the Crimson & Cream had a lot more to offer in terms of palate excitement.
Happy hour is from 4-8 PM, Monday-Friday, and includes select discounted drinks and a $10 cupcake and wine/beer pairing. If you don’t go during happy hour, expect to pay $10 for the drink and $3.50 for the cupcake, which is still a great deal for the excellent service and unique experience. Also, for those without a sweet tooth, breakfast, brunch, lunch, and late night munchies, like sandwiches, salads, and fruit and cheese platters, are available. The savory cakes with wine and beer pairings are also a delicious option, especially the Jamaican Curry, which includes West Indian curry spices, chic peas, and ricotta cheese cake and coconut curry dripping sauce paired with Redcliffe Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, or Palma Louca, Brazil.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 7AM-11PM, Friday 7AM-12:30AM, Saturday 11AM -12:30AM, and Sunday 11AM-10PM. Subway: 1 to Houston or the ACE/BDFV to W.4th. Phone: (212) 242- 2240