The Incomparable James Hannan

I have been to New York twice, and will be back here in December for Christmas with my family, and the hot debate between us all now, is where to stay.

On my first trip, I stayed up in Midtown at the Hilton on 6th, and, I enjoyed it, but even then, over the 3 odd weeks I stayed here, I found myself down in SoHo most days.

This trip, we had daily meetings scheduled down on Broadway in SoHo, so picked a great hotel just up in NoHo called The Bowery (cnr Bowery and 3rd St). The Hotel is unbelievable, and only a 15 minute walk to our meetings, and just a 5 minute walk to Spring St.

SoHo has everything the top half of NY has, except at a slower more relaxed pace. You don’t get bowled over for taking your time wandering down a street, there are cheap eats everywhere - some of the best cafe food I have had - 2 notable contenders being Ruby’s cafe on cnr of Spring and Mulberry, and cafe Gitane on cnr of Prince and Mott.

It doesn’t stop at the cafes and the slow pace - at night, the restaurant selection are plentiful - we had a great meal at Balthazar on Spring St, and one of the best Chinese meals I have had at Chinatown Brasserie on cnr Great Jones and Lafayette. Then you have the shopping. All the shops you find up on 5th avenue, you have down in SoHo - my travelling partner, Marina Go, can speak volumes on this topic - she is by far the best shopper I have ever witnessed - truly a skill!

Got to convince the old man now that he needs to be down this way in December!

Cafe Gitane

maps.google.com

242 Mott St # 2
New York, NY 10012-3434
(212) 965-0918
Get directions

Ruby’s Cafe & Bar

www.rubyscafe.us

219 Mulberry St
New York, NY 10012-5735
(212) 925-5755
Get directions

Chinatown Brasserie

chinatownbrasserie.com

380 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 533-7000
Get directions

Balthazar Restaurant

balthazarny.com

80 Spring St
New York, NY 10012
(612) 466-2529
Get directions

A few days ago we decided we wanted to try Robert De Niro’s restaurant in New York, Tribeca Grill. I had in fact eaten here before, but was desperate to go back after such a good meal last time.

The restaurant, like Nobu is fairly unassuming from the outside, but inside, it is just fantastic. High exposed ceilings, artwork hung all over the walls - and packed with people.

Again, we are so lucky we are here in restaurant week because we had the option of a 3 course, $35 USD meal - how could we say no. I had the Fennell soup, followed by a massive pork chop - was so soft it melted in your mouth, and then finished up with a strawberry cheese cake.

All I can say, it is yet another fantastic New York meal - we haven’t had a bad one yet, my hat is off to my mate Robert - who can make a film and a pork chop. Good work I say.

Tribeca Grill

www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com

375 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 941-3900
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Well, still in New York - not for much longer now, but I had to write about our dinner at Nobu.

We thought we would take a punt and not book (dangerous considering it is restaurant week here in NY), and head down for some Japanese at Nobu.

We begged for a table, and after a few minutes, we were successful. We ordered a mix of things - everything from some Salmon Sashimi to Tempura Prawns, and some Beef Skewers in between. The Salmon was some of the best I have ever tasted - it melted in your mouth, and the beef was so so soft.

It was restaurant week, and Nobu actually have a $35 menu, but we opted for some alternate dishes, and still managed to get out under $60 USD for the 2 of us… not bad hey - fine dining on a budget!

From the outside, you wouldn’t know what was in store for you once you walked in the door - but let me tell you - it is fantastic… Make sure you go down there if you are in town.

Nobu Next Door

www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com

105 Hudson St
New York, NY 10013-2331
(212) 334-4445
Get directions

Last night, I dined at Balthazar on Spring St in New York. I think this is my favourite New York restaurant, although it would be a close call with Nobu.

The atmosphere in Balthazar is just unbelievable - you walk in and it hits you, people laughing and talking, the noise bouncing off the high ceilings - it is just fantastic.

I had the Steak Frites, with maître d’ butter or béarnaise sauce, and it was delicious and then followed it with a Crème Brûlée for dessert.

Last time I was in New York it took me 3 weeks to get a reservation there, this time, I manageed to get one in my second attempt - so very grateful for that.

Balthazar Restaurant
balthazarny.com
80 Spring St, New York,

New York

Well, here I am, back in New York - what a city this is. I flew in for business a few nights ago, and I have to say, I had forgotten how good this place is, even though it is damn hot currently.

We had a great ‘Welcome to New York’ meal at Anthony Bourdaine’s ‘Les Halles’ on Park Ave South on our first night here, and it was just as good as I remembered. It was packed, so lucky we got a table. French food at it’s best, and a great way to welcome ourselves!

We are staying down in NoHo at the Bowery Hotel - a great boutique hotel that I would recommend to anyone. It is in a great location, and the staff are excellent.

We had our first series of meetings today, so won’t have that much free time to do many things, but managed to do some shopping on Sunday - my colleague I am with can shop like no one I have ever met - a true proffessional!

We are going to have a small and cheap dinner tonight at Nobu Next Door - we have to keep it light so we don’t blow our budget - but really, who could say no to Nobu?

I am back here at the end of the year, when it will be nice and cold, so not too upset that I don’t have much time out of an office. I think I could definitely live in this city, at least for the 6 months of the year it is cold.