Manhattan Digest

Places To Stay While In Manhattan- Hotel Giraffe

Sometimes things come best in a set of three. TLC, Bacon Lettuce & Tomato, and of course those guy triplets that make you giddy whenever you see them (hehe). Another shining example is the Library Hotel Collection, which has allowed me the privilege to stay in three of their four wonderful hotels (Casablanca Hotel Soon!). The first was The Library Hotel two weeks ago, followed by The Hotel Elysee last week, and finally I had the amazing experience by rounding it out with their last hotel, Hotel Giraffe.

Of all the hotels that I stayed in with the collection, this one happened to be the most current and modern just by way of design, architecture, and sophistication that it brought throughout. Whereas Elysee was more “Old New York” and Library felt like a “Posh Reading & Sleeping Experience”, Hotel Giraffe was a more modern take on the three. Located in the heart of Gramercy, which is now known by NoMad, I truly got to experience what a fantastic place this was. I loved how the room was designed, and it featured splashes of red (my favorite color) throughout. The bed itself was super comfy as well as the other amenities in the room such as the big couch, the beautifully designed bathroom, and beyond anything the lovely hospitality to which I was treated.

During my stay I sat down with Director of Sales & Marketing Ashley Van Goehring about how Hotel Giraffe started and what it has going on for the hot summer months. Take a look.

When was the Hotel Giraffe founded?

Hotel Giraffe opened its doors to the public in December, 1999. This December marks our 15^th birthday.

What does your hotel pride itself upon?

Like each property in the Library Hotel Collection, Hotel Giraffe prides itself on our excellent customer service and our ability to create a unique and exciting experience for our guests. From the minute you are greeted at the front door, we want you to feel like you’re at your ‘home away from home’. We were so proud to receive a 2014 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor because it really reinforces how important the guest experience is for people visiting New York City!

I got a very modern, sleek type feel when I stayed there. Is this what guests should expect upon their stay?

The style and architecture of the hotel is inspired by the Art Moderne period, so there is absolutely a sophisticated grace in the lobby, rooftop and guestrooms. I personally find that though our style exudes that subtle sophistication, it’s the warmth of the hotel that bring people back!

You are located right in the heart of the NoMad district. What restaurants or places do you recommend your guest see when they stay at Giraffe?

We are delighted to be a part of such a vibrant neighborhood, which is now commonly referred to as NoMad. We always recommend the rustic-Italian inspired Bread & Tulips, located in Hotel Giraffe. Guests of the hotel receive a 20% discount when dining in the restaurant! And because we’re in the warmer months of the year, we are happy to boast about the Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Giraffe, located on our 12^th floor. It has become quite a popular neighborhood destination for cocktails and appetizers! Of course, we are also so fortunate to be located near the famous Shake Shack in Madison Square Park!

What are some of the awesome amenities that your hotel provides?

We proudly offer Library Hotel Collection’s Signature Guest Amenities:

Continental style breakfast buffet in the Grand Lobby

Selection of coffee, tea, juices, cookies, and fruits throughout the day

Wine & cheese reception evenings from 5pm-8pm

Wireless high speed Internet access

Evening turndown service

Passes to nearby New York Sports Club

Is this the only Hotel Giraffe in the world or are there more?

There are no other Hotel Giraffe’s in the world, but we are happy that our LHC family is expanding! The Aria Hotel Prague which we launched 10 years ago has rejoined our collection and are excited to open the Aria Hotel Budapest in late 2014. We are also going to be opening Hotel X Toronto in Canada in 2015, it’s a wonderful time to be a part of this collection

Do your rooms have particular themes like some others in the Library Hotel Collections?

Though our rooms are not individually themed, in each room our guests will absolutely enjoy a relaxed atmosphere featuring captivating photography. And if you look closely, from the room number plagues to the copy of Tall Blondes located in each room, you’ll find quite a few subtle hints of giraffe!

What else can you tell my readers about your fabulous hotel?

We are currently offering a quirky and romantic Summer package, Summer Fling! Upon arrival, guests who reserve this package receive 2 express tickets to the Empire State Building, a $20 gift certificate to Shake Shack and voucher good for 2 complimentary cocktails on our Rooftop Lounge. This special is available through August on our direct website, www.hotelgiraffe.com.

The Hotel Giraffe

365 Park Avenue South

212-685-7700

Louie – Season 4 Review

by Peter Foy

Ever since Breaking Bad ended last fall, it’s been a hot-button issue among TV heads to ask what the best show on television currently is. Alright, so this is frequently discussed no matter what the television climate, but Breaking Bad’s premiere turned out to be somewhat prophetic, as it aired during the near end of The Wire’s final season. Therefore it would only feel systematic that another show would crop up around now that could take on the title of torch-bearer. Many will say Game of Thrones is, as its most ardent fans will make a case that besides the unbelievable scale of its production values, it carries a mythology and story to it that truly makes it masterful. Those less inclined to fantasy, however, might argue that Orange is the New Black is a valid contender, having just released it’s excellent second season all in its entirety, and shown viewers that the series isn’t afraid to shake up formula from time-to-time. Others would also point out that True Detective’s freshman year was both stellar and unique for the TV landscape, and it will be intriguing to see how it will make its mark on anthology-format shows.

Still, as great as all these shows are, there’s one ostensible factor that causes them to automatically jump to the top of people’s must-see lists: They’re all hour-long dramas. Keeping that in mind, that’s probably a good reason why FX’s Louie isn’t brought up as much it should be, in regards to discussions of contemporary television’s most elite. We still live in an age where the dramatic is considered more prestigious and weighty than the comedic, but that’s why my personal choice for “best-show” on television is so relishable. Not only does Louie flip that distinction on it’s head, but it also finds humor in the melancholic, and vice versa. It’s the type of film-making and writing you usually find in independent and foreign cinema, certainly not for a show on cable, but Louie is just the sort of bitter-sweet stroke of brilliance that television has just never aired before-hand, and in its fourth year the show has only gotten better with age.

Ever since the show premiered back in 2010, much consideration has been giving to how much the series resembles Woody Allen, and I don’t think there’s still any reason to argue with such. With it’s “New-York-for-New-Yorkers”-vibe, jazzy soundtrack, and musings on philosophy, Louis C.K. is every bit the heir to the king of neuroticism (only with more dick jokes), and in a sense the show is funniest when it is at its most derivative. Episodes like “Model” and the six-part “The Elevator”, adopted a format that was almost European, coming off as both whimsical and dreary, but Louie never lost his own voice, with his singular comic timing, and relatable sad-sack stories. Still, the show also plays as something of a satire for city life, with this season opening with a hilarious scenario, that involves Louis C.K. trying to explain an unfunny joke to a stereo-typical working-class New Yorker. Better still, the show remained as intellectual as ever, with some of the season’s best lines coming from new-comer Charles Grodin as Louie’s new doctor. Replacing Ricky Gervais’ cheerfully sadistic Dr. Ben from previous seasons, Dr. Bigelow proved to be an even more hilarious allegory for Louie’s personal woes, giving him advice both sound yet abstract (“Know what’s the only thing happier than a three-legged dog? A four-legged dog.”) fittingly for his dead-pan stance.

Still, the most impressive moments in Louie come from those that stem from Louis C.K.’s personal experience. One of the most endearing running gags for Louie is how his character is always so eager to meet and elope with beautiful women, but his un-attractive body type and neurotic sensibilities usually keep his success rate low. For this reason, this season’s third episode, “So Did the Fat Lady”, came off as particularly memorable, as it involves an overweight girl (played by Sarah Baker) showing strong interest in romantically pursuing Louie, yet he shrugs her off. When the episode climaxes with a torrential outburst from Baker’s character (complete with what I think is the first case of “fuck” being uncensored on FX) about her life long struggle with being a “fat girl”, then you realize that this season has entered a whole new realm of provocation previously unexplored by the series.

Even more impressive though, comes in the season’s mega-episode “In the Woods” which looks at Louie’s formative years as a teen. Delivered with virtually no laughs, and running at 90 minutes with commercials, this episode takes a sentimental look at youth, exploring Louie’s problems with his parents, peers, and marijuana (in real life, Louis C.K. had said that he had dabbled with even stronger drugs than pot), all while being a good student, and narrowly escaping a prosecution. While the show has always been so affable for how it’s been able to tell thoughtful and satisfying stories in brief increments, you can tell that this very personal episode necessitated having a feature-length running time to it. Topped with guest appearances from the likes of Skipp Sudduth and Jeremy Renner, it was the season’s biggest surprise, and the fact that it ended with a dedication to Philip Seymour Hoffman (who was supposed to have a role in the episode as well) made it all the more heart-felt. This might very well be the show’s finest hour to date.

Honestly, I could just go-on-and-on about how special this season was. To the guest appearances of Louie’s comedy pals Sarah Silverman and Todd Barry, to the growing chemistry that he has with his children, to the three-part concluding arc that ends on a note between Louie and his love interest Pamela that verges on the serene, this is what all comedic television should aspire to. Throughout it’s run, people have compared Louie to previous off-beat comedies such as Seinfeld, or Curb Your Enthusiasm, or The Office. Louie may very well have garnered plenty of influence from those series, but by now it’s amassed an identity far more transcendent. If anything, I would compare Louie to shows like The Sopranos, The Wire, and Breaking Bad, not just because they are in vogue, but because they’re all series that have broke out of any genre base they might have had, and formed into something far more qualitative.

Hotel Elysee- Old New York In The Modern Era

by Ryan Shea

When we live in such a modern world that we do with all the technology available at a moment’s notice, sometimes it is good to just stick with the classics. So when you are looking into a nice hotel to stay in, why not one that boasts the stay of legends like Marlon Brando, James Caan and Tennessee Williams? This is of course, The Hotel Elysee. This legendary establishment, which has been around for almost 100 years, is located in the heart of midtown and is surrounded by beautiful scenery, restaurants and so much more. I got the opportunity to stay one night over the weekend and had a wonderful time.

Manhattan Digest, Hotel Elysee — Credit to: Hotel Elysee

The room itself was gigantic. Like mind-blowingly huge! But it was filled with so many beautiful items. The grand piano (which actually worked) was magnificent and really added such a nice touch to the entire experience. I loved all of the beautiful portraits that was on the walls and coffee tables, as well as the incredible furniture that covered most of the room. The bedroom itself was super comfortable, and included my very own terrace!

As an avid television watcher, I was happy to see that there were two separate ones in the bedroom and the living room. This space is large enough to entertain multiple guests, so I would recommend that instead of going out for the night why not stay in at the Hotel Elysee and host your guests? Overall, with the hospitality and the amazing room it was a fantastic stay that I hope to experience again.

While I was there, I got to interview Cheryl Golde, Director of Sales & Marketing, about the Hotel Elysee and what makes it so unique and awesome.

When was the Hotel Elysee founded?

It was founded in 1926.

What does your hotel pride itself upon?

Our customer service and our staff for sure 🙂

I got a very classic, old fashioned type feel in my particular hotel stay. Is this what guests should expect upon their stay?

Yes, we are absolutely “old world, old New York”

What restaurants or places do you recommend people check out that are nearby to Hotel Elysee?

We definitely recommend the Monkey Bar located in the hotel as well as Cellini, just across the street.

What are some of the awesome amenities that your hotel provides?

Complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary nightly wine & hors d’oeuvres reception from 5-8pm, complimentary wifi, complimentary passes to NYSC, 2 complimentary bottles of water upon arrival and a Belgian chocolate bar.

Is this the only Hotel Elysee in the world or are there more?

There are other Hotel Elysee’s, however they are not affiliated us.

Do your rooms have particular themes like some others in the Library Hotel Collections?

Each of our Presidential Suites is themed after an individual. We have the Presidential Suite honoring Vladimir Horowitz (which houses his piano), the Presidential Suite honoring Tennessee Williams and the Presidential Suite honoring Vaclav Havel.

What else can you tell my readers about your fabulous hotel?

The Hotel Elysee is on East 54^th Street between Park and Madison Avenues and is walking distance from the world’s best shopping such as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, just to name a few. The Hotel Elysee has been home to movie stars such as Marlon Brando, Ava Gardner, Sidney Poitier, John Barrymore and James Caan as well as to artists such as Maria Callas and Vladimir Horowitz, whose personal piano still stands in the Hotel’s Piano Suite. In addition, famed writers such as Tennessee Williams, Harold Robins and James Clavell and legends such as Joe DiMaggio and Tallulah Bankhead have called the Elysée home over the years. The original concept of the European-style hotel was to offer “discreet and uncompromising” personalized service, which it continues to do each and every day. The Hotel Elysee has been home to the Monkey Bar since it opened. Today, Graydon Carter, the editor of Vanity Fair and owner of the Waverly Inn is the new owner with his partners Hotelier Jeff Klein and Jeremy King.

Hotel Elysee

60 E 54th St

(212) 753-1066

Official Site

Theater Review: “Macbeth”

by Ryan Leeds

Rob Ashford is the last person I would have expected to helm a broad and brooding production of Macbeth along with Kenneth Branagh. This is to not to question his competency. After all, the eight time Tony nominated director walked off with the top prize for Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002. Following that, he went on to direct Curtains, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Evita, and other large scale, splashy musicals. Ashford, however, was also the director of Anna Christie at London’s Donmar Warehouse. Alex Poots, artistic director of the Park Avenue Armory, had seen the production and loved it so much that he tapped Ashford to work with Branagh.

The result of their collaboration premiered at the Manchester International Festival in July 2013. Now, they have brought their sprawling production of Macbeth to the cavernous drill hall of the Park Avenue Armory. Even before steping foot into the Armory, there is a sense of majesty for what awaits. Majesty will indeed be served in this Scottish feast, with side orders of madness, malice and murder. It’s practically an alliterative meal of destruction, but one that will leave you fully sated.

As audience members wait for the doors to open they are divided into various Scottish clans, the purpose of which refers to the clan system in 11th century Scotland. Once you enter the performance space, an immediate eeriness is felt. Cobblestones, moss and dirt cover the hall floors and torch-lit guides lead patrons past a large formation of Stonehenge-like rocks to their stadium style seats. Then the production begins. Macbeth’s (Kenneth Branagh) Scottish army is at war with the Irish and Norweigan troops. It is intense staging that will literally shake the rafters.

Once the battle is over, Macbeth is visited upon by three witches who prophesize that he eventually will become the King of Scotland. Charlie Cameron, Laura Elsworthy, and Anjana Vasan offer some of the creepiest and most effective witchcraft I’ve ever seen.

Macbeth has a conversation with his wife that goes something like this: “Dear, I just saw these three witches who tell me that I’m going to be King.” Lady Macbeth (Alex Kingston), equally as power hungry says, “Oh! That’s terrific, honey. Be sure to kill anyone who stands in your way.” So, the dutiful husband listens and takes out Duncan (John Shrapnel) and Macduff (Richard Coyle). It doesn’t get any better. Guilt washes over the ambitious couple to a tragic finale. Granted, Shakespeare was thousand times more eloquent, but you get the point.

Branagh and Kingston lead a huge cast in this well-oiled, bold and showy production. Scoring a ticket may be as difficult as seizing a royal throne, but to those who are fortunate enough to acquire one, you’ll be in for a bloody exciting time.

Macbeth is now playing through June 22nd at the Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, at 67th Street. For tickets, call 212-933-5812 or visit armoryonpark.org.

Fathers Day!

by Brian Connolly

To the two best dads on fathers day! A day with a new meaning, now that gay men can adopt children, have children without prejudice from agencies and raise children as straight couples would. How do we celebrate this hallmark occasion now? EASY! Hallmark have released its first gay fathers day card. This comes just 4yrs after Hallmark created wedding cards for homosexual couples. This fathers day seems to have a highlight on more inclusion of the LGBTI community as President Obama has also invited two gay fathers to join him at the White House to celebrate fathers day with other fathers from across America. Where the White House recognizes both men as fathers of their child, their home state of Michigan does not, still only one parent is legally a father to the child, while the other father is not. As always with every triumph we are still reminded there is a still a long way to go to equality.

Perhaps one day when I become a father the card aisles will be filled with “my two dads” “best dads ever” cards for my children to begrudgingly buy and give me in exchange for cash. Regardless of what we think the corporate card companies may hopefully follow Hallmarks examples and begin saturating the market with similar LGBTI cards for all to purchase and distribute.

The LGBTI community is a strong influence on business on high streets and have been referred to as the “pink currency”, it is more than likely that soon we will be saturated with LGBTI themed goods in our stores to purchase on holidays along with all the other soppy, loving, congratulatory cards, gifts and ideas we purchase to explain how we feel towards each other.

The sentiment may be fake, but I for one think its nice to be included in yet another aspect of society and see being gay normalize further.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas- Edge Gel & Schick Razors

by Ryan Shea

Edge, Manhattan Digest, Father — Credit to: Edge Shave Gel

With the endless amount of coverage that Father’s Day is getting lately and the wacky gifts that come with it, why not get your father something simple and practical that he can use on an everyday basis? Cue to Edge® Sensitive Pro Relief Shave Gel and the Schick Hydro® 5 Groomer to help your father with his everyday shaving essentials. As a big fan of both brands myself, I am excited whenever the brand comes out with something new and fun for both father’s and sons to enjoy. Here is some more information on the brands-

Bring Out Dad’s Sensitive Side: Edge® Sensitive Pro Relief Shave Gel is specially formulated for men with sensitive skin, helping to reduce irritation and friction between the razor and skin throughout each shave. Dads may be unable to guard against other moments in their lives when their sensitive sides are tested (Child’s Firsts, College Graduations, Child’s Wedding Day) but Edge Sensitive Pro Relief Shave Gel at least has their sensitive skin covered. It features a special formula of lubricating molecules, emollients and a special blend of skin conditioners to help protect sensitive skin from irritation and enhance razor glide.

Schick, Manhattan Digest, Father — Credit to: Schick

Your Dad Started The Beard Trend: It’s no secret that the popularity of facial hair among men has increased in recent years. While men look for more ways to experiment with new facial hair styles, they don’t want to over complicate their grooming routines. The new Schick Hydro® 5 Groomer is a first of its kind razor system, designed to simplify a man’s precious time in front of the mirror. The Schick Hydro 5 Groomer is a 4-in-1 performance styling tool that shaves, grooms, edges and hydrates. With a Schick Hydro 5 razor on one end and an adjustable power trimmer on the other, this all-in-one tool eliminates the need for multiple attachments, making it easier than ever for men to maintain their personal grooming styles.

For more information on Edge and Schick, check out their official websites.

Willow Creek – The Bigfoot Cometh

by Peter Foy

There aren’t too many comics that have made the sort of drastic career transition that Bobcat Goldthwait has. Known for being one of the most singular stand-up comedians of the 80s and 90s, Goldthwait then turned his attention to directing films in the 2000s. After putting World’s Greatest Dad and God Bless America under his belt, Goldthwait established a John Waters-esque identity for himself, specializing in dark comedies that were caustic, scathing, and (for lack of a better term) seriously fucked up on so many levels. Still, there’s no denying that the man’s ingenuity for off-beat concepts earned him critical recognition, particularly for World’s Greatest Dad, which can be seen as the black comedy that star Robin Williams had been looking to act in for decades now. When Goldthwait had revealed that his next film would be a found-footage horror-film in the vein of The Blair Witch Project, there was certainly a level of both shock and anticipation around the project, as it seemed like such an unlikely turn of genre for the director. Willow Creek turns out to be a film that explores both new and familiar territory for his oeuvre, although perhaps not in a manner that’s fully adroit.

Taking place in rural California, the film immediately introduces us to Jim (Bryce Johnson) and Kelly (Alexie Gilmore), an L.A. couple that’s going on an odd sort of nature hunt. Jim essentially playing the part of Agent Mulder, with his girlfriend naturally Agent Skully, has come to the wilderness equipped with a camera in hopes of capturing footage of Bigfoot. The first half of the film mostly involves these characters talking to townsfolk, and filming intellectual property related to the mythic creature, along with elongated scenes of Jim and Kelly debating on the reality of such a thing existing. The second half, however, is when the film fully adjusts into being a horror film, as the two protagonists find themselves alone in the wilderness, and things take a turn for the worst.

For a director known for bizarre concept and scathing satire, Willow Creek has an oddly pedestrian set-up. It’s a common-place idea for the genre in which a couple going on a trek in hopes of documenting a super-natural presence, and the film has a fare share of cliches in it. For me, one of the most eye-rolling scenes in the film came in a scene where Jim proposes to Kelly, as it appears to be nothing more than an attempt on the film for us to sympathize with these characters right before the shit inevitably hits the fan. Granted, there haven’t been too many serious films made about Bigfoot (Goldthwait has even referred to the film as “Scary and the Hendersons”), but that curio isn’t quite enough to subvert how hackneyed the whole film often feels. It’s also upsetting that Goldthwait casted such a typically good-looking actor and actress for the two leads, as while Johnson and Gilmore both give serviceable acting, it would have been nice to see this indie horror film featuring leads that were a bit more uncommon for the genre.

That said, Goldthwait reveals a few previously un-displayed talents here, particularly during the head-lined 20-minute long take. During this scene, Willow Creek is at it’s most suspenseful, and while it may resort to typical Hollywood-esque pop-out scares, its craft and nuance are enough to make it stand out amidst other films that use similar scare tactics. In addition, Goldwaith also does some interesting things with the style of found-footage, wisely realizing that the less gore shown the better (admittedly, a tactic that was also borrowed from The Blair Witch Project). Also, Goldthwait’s humor is very much appreciated, particularly in the film’s first half when it plays more like a mockumentary.

Despite Willow Creek’s central attempt at breathing new life into a tired horror sub-genre, the film works best when seen as a straight up horror film, rather than as any sort of social commentary or genre-film breakdown. For that reason, fans of Goldthwait’s may leave the theater disappointed, and even newcomers to the director may feel like they’ve witnessed something that was actually a bit of a lost opportunity. Still, the sprinkling of the un-conventional is what makes this otherwise normal horror movie really work, and it’s enough to make me speculate that Goldthwait has a real kick-ass film for us next time around.

Theater Review: “The Killer”

by Ryan Leeds

If you want to know what ruthless, random murder looks like, head to the Polonsky Shakespeare Center in downtown Brooklyn. Here , you will find a mesmerizing Michael Shannon confronting an unconscionable killer (Ryan Quinn) in a phenomenal staging of Eurgene Ionescos’s The Killer.

You’ll have to wait about two hours and fifteen minutes for the final showdown in this three-hour absurdist piece, but under Darko Tresnjak’s direction, each moment will be engrossing and captivating. Shannon stars as Berenger, a moderately laid back soul who has discovered the perfect city. He congratulates the architect (Robert Stanton) on building what he deems “A miracle” and a “wonder of science”. As Berenger rambles on, the conciliable creator of this “beautiful and magnificent ” town continues taking calls on his portable phone, conveniently located in his suitcoat. (Who knew how prophetic Ionesco’s use of technology would be when he created the play in 1957! )

It is only after moving into this perfect Utopia when Berenger discovers that a cold-blooded killer is on the loose in his town ; A killer who is seducing and drowning his victims in a lagoon. Each day, more victims are taken but the police are reluctant to take any action. Berenger cannot leave and is ultimately left to confront the face of evil by himself.The final portion of the show is a true triumph . Shannon pummels through an insurmountable amount of dialogue, most of which question the murderer’s motives and our collective sanctity of life. The killer’s only knee-jerk response is a repetitive sinister chuckle.

The always daffy and enjoyable Kristine Nielsen provides some refreshing quirkiness. First, as the concierge of Berenger’s apartment and later as Ma Piper, a charismatic politician who is leading a brainwashed flock of geese towards a country where there is “free soup for everybody!”

Tresnjak deservedly just nabbed his first Tony Award for Broadway’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and has brought his same artistic flair to The Killer. This gripping and meaty drama will be well worth the time invested and is a must see for anyone interested in a superior night of theater.

The Killer is now playing through June 29th at Polonsky Shakespeare Center, 262 Ashland Place between Fulton Street and Lafayette Ave. Brooklyn, NY. For tickets, call 212-229-2819 or visit www.tfana.org

The Library Hotel- A Unique Stay at a Beautiful Place

by Ryan Shea

Hard to believe that even in a city like New York you can run into a rut when it comes to finding something creative and unique to spark many facets of your mind. Well I believe I found it this past weekend when I stayed at the truthfully beautiful Library Hotel, located on Madison Avenue between 41^st and 42^nd Street. This is part of the “Library Hotel Collection”, which boasts itself on the main page as “A Novel Approach To Hospitality”. That is quite the understatement. Two things I never thought I would say in a single sentence is “Fabulous Hotel Stay” and “Dewey Decimal System”. Why would these be together? Stay tuned to find out.

I went into my experience at The Library Hotel as I do with most of my reviews with not doing too much research and going in with low expectations as my hope when I leave is that I am blown away to a certain extent. The Library Hotel met my expectations and so much more. The hotel is in a fabulous location in the first place, as it is nearby Times Square but isn’t surrounded by the exhaustive traffic that the main part of the area experiences. Upon my entrance something that I noticed, on top of the fantastic hospitality that I experienced, I noticed an assortment of books throughout the main lobby. Now this really wasn’t a shock to me as it is called The Library Hotel, but upon further investigation I found out that each floor was devoted to each classification of the Dewey Decimal System. TOTES COOL!

Library Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The Library Hotel

For instance, I was on the 5^th floor which is considered Pure Science (not my best subject in school FYI). I stayed in the epically cool Dinosaur room, which is located adjacent to the Astronomy room. The way the room was designed and colored was stunning, from its beautiful white bed and shades of brown throughout the bedroom to the variety of blues in the gorgeous bathroom. Of course there were countless books about Dinosaurs, which brought me back to my high school days but I was able to divulge in a couple of them while I stayed which made the experience that much better.

This hotel screams for a quiet atmosphere (nice juxtaposition ay). You feel as if you are staying at a hotel version of either a lovely café or an upscale Library. Something that was a bit off for me when I checked in was how small the television was, however this place isn’t designed for you to sit around and watch repeats of shows you can watch at home. I get the sense that they want you to experience all it has to offer. And boy does it have a lot to offer. When you stay at The Library Hotel, you get these fantastic amenities to go along with-

Bountiful continental breakfast buffet every morning including pastries, bagels, muffins, fresh fruit, cold and hot cereals, boiled eggs, yogurt, juices, freshly brewed coffee, tea, espresso and cappuccino.
Evening reception offering Prosecco, fine wines, imported and domestic cheeses, fresh bread, crackers, and crudités.
Selection of coffee, cappuccino, teas, juices, cookies, and fruits throughout the day served in the Reading Room.
Wired and wireless high speed Internet access throughout the Hotel.
Access to New York Sports Clubs throughout Manhattan.
Evening turndown service with bottled water and Belgian chocolates.
Access to a selection of DVDs, daily newspapers and over 6,000 books.

One of my favorite parts of the Hotel was The Reading Room, which is mentioned above. It reminded me of a Barnes N Noble type, and the assortment of food they provide was quite delectable. I sat down the other day with VP of Sales Adele Gutman (sweetest lady ever!) and Director Of Sales Ivana Bolf, to find out more about this amazing location. The hotel started roughly 14 years ago in 2000, and was able to weather the tough storm that was 9/11. Something they delightfully describe is how customers will love the vast amount of rooms they have that coincide with how the Dewey Decimal system operates. “We have such unique rooms from The Fairy Tale Room to the Erotica room and the one you stayed in. We really want the people who stay here to really love each and every moment of it”. A lot of hotels have gone through its ups and downs in the flip flop of an economy since 2000, so when I asked how has this hotel stayed so popular throughout (and even named one of the best boutique hotels in NYC), the answer was simple. “We believe in making a human connection. When people come from near and far to stay with us, we want them to know that we are there for them throughout their stay. Making eye to eye connection, taking care of whatever their wants and needs and providing an excellent experience with the amenities we provide are the reasons why we have been able to do so well over the years”, says the lovely Adele.

Even if you aren’t a huge cultural or literary aficionado, I would highly recommend staying at The Library Hotel. It is such an incredible experience that anyone who is traveling near and far should stay at. Take a look at their official website for more information and check back here for future Library Hotel Collection reviews.

The Library Hotel

299 Madison Avenue (Between 41st and 42nd Street)

(212) 983-4500

We Are the Best – Is it?

by Peter Foy

We Are the Best! is a film about three Sweedish girls in their young teens who try to form a punk band, and that”s about it. It’s a concept that could have come off as esoteric, and uneventful, but the film instead speaks volumes in it’s simplicity and passion towards it’s subject matter. The film, is clearly coming from a very special place, as director Lukas Moodysson was around the same age as his three protagonists during the film’s time-period of the early 1980s, but he also is adapting his film from a graphic novel created by his wife Coco. For that reason, one would think the film would get by on authenticity and exuberance alone, and it effortlessly does!

Set in 1982, the film initially introduces us to the characters of Bobo (Mira Barkhammar) and Klara (Mira Grosin), the two protagonists that have already been drawn into punk culture. They’re ridiculed by their peers, and often uninterested in their school classes, so the two decide that they can turn their outsider-status into music. Upon realizing that they aren’t realizing their potential as a two-piece, they decide they need a third member, who they discover during a school talent show. The newest member becomes Hedvig (Liv LeMoyne) a christian girl who has been un-exposed to the punk lifestyle, but all three find themselves quite the group who will go through times both good and bad, all while keeping it pretty hard-core!

While Moodysson has directed many different types of film with varying tones, his initial works were mostly renowned for how youthful and sweet they felt. For that reason, We Are the Best! could be seen as a return to form for him, as the movie is unavoidably adorable. Despite the androgynous looks of it’s main characters (I’ll admit that when I saw the trailer I had falsely assumed the three leads to be male), the trio are just so cute to watch, and it’s actually because of their lack of musical talent. The band’s signature song “Hate the Sport”, is a haphazardly written and performed protest song against gym class, and it’s impossible not to laugh at it. Still, the movie is very meaningful too, as it addresses issues that punk bands have continuously addressed, but through the eyes of the very young. We see Klara, Bobo and Hedvig try to avoid labels or romantic disputes, but perhaps most interesting is the film’s material regarding religion. Hedvig’s Christian upbringing is much ridiculed by Klara due to her adherence to punk music’s typically atheistic proclivity, and the dialogue concerning this is some of the most provocative in the film (let it be known that Moodysson is a devout Catholic).

It’s also a piece that rings with authenticity. Shot in an unfussy style that’s reminiscent of Moodysson’s 2000 film Together, the film is shot in a low-key/low-budget manner, and it almost looks like it was actually made in 1982. The editing, however, is more kinetic, and scenes don’t tend to last long before going on to the next one (not unlike a punk album). Bravo too, towards the film’s three leads, as while none of them could have been born before 1995, they all seem to understand the era of the film, and are able to individualize all their characters, while also working synchronous chemistry upon each other.

To call We Are the Best! a coming of age story would be remiss. The three leads hardly mature during the storyline, and any problems they have are more-or-less easily resolved as their issues are the typically inconsequential ones that all young people find tumultuous at the giving moment. Instead, We Are the Best! is a celebration of the excitement of youthful exploration, particularly of those embarking out on a bohemian lifestyle. It would be more apropos to call We Are the Best! a feel good movie though, as the thought of leaving this theater with anything less than a huge grin on your face would seem churlish. A must-see, even for those who don’t favor the music genre.

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