manhattan digest

Get Down And Grub With Friends at Brother Jimmy’s BBQ

In my two years of running Manhattan Digest, I have reviewed a bajillion different types of restaurants but have never actually test-drived any BBQ-style places. Even though I have been to this restaurant before, Brother Jimmy’s BBQ is worth not only talking about but giving a good review to as well. Brother Jimmy’s BBQ has six different locations based in the New York City area- Murray Hill, Yankee Stadium, 8th Avenue by Madison Square Garden, 2nd Avenue, Upper West Side and Union Square. So you really have no excuse when it comes to good southern style BBQ and hanging with some friends for a good night out and to watch the game or two. Here are some “facts” about this fantastic establishment.

Brother Jimmy's BBQ, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Brother Jimmy’s BBQ

Per the site– Brother Jimmy’s has celebrated over 20 years of legendary North Carolina, slow-smokin’ barbeque. As suggested by the restaurant’s slogan – “Put Some South in Yo’ Mouth” – Brother Jimmy’s mission was, and still is, to bring “down-home” cooking, hospitality and merriment to the heart of the Northeast.

Over the years, Brother Jimmy’s established itself as the home away from home for A.C.C. Alumni. Homesick alums from Duke, UNC, N.C. State, Georgia Tech, U.V.A., Clemson, Maryland, and Wake Forest began to flock to Brother Jimmy’s to catch the big Duke/UNC game, or to watch the Demon Deacons take on the Terps. By opening in Manhattan’s most popular neighborhoods, Brother Jimmy’s found a home in the hearts of New Yorkers. It has become the restaurant in NYC that reminded Southerners what good ‘ol Southern hospitality was all about and showed Northerners just what they’d been missing all these years.

Since 1989, Brother Jimmy’s business has grown from a simple BBQ hangout into a refined brand that embodies consistent, quality Southern specialties for brunch, lunch and dinner. It has also become a staple nightlife venue consistently rated at the top of multiple categories in the Zagat Nightlife Survey, and serves as a local haunt for everyone from sports fans to celebrities.

A couple of nights ago a friend and I tried out their Murray Hill location, which was the first time I have ever experienced that particular location as I usually go to the one outside Penn Station on 8th Avenue. This one is spacious, with a huge bar and restaurant area for all types of patrons. Overall, Brother Jimmy’s in my opinion really is a sports bar type place but backs it up with really delicious southern BBQ. Normally a sports bar atmosphere has basic food that doesn’t go the extra mile in order to retain that type of business outside of the beer sales but Brother Jimmy’s really puts together the additional effort for both aspects and does it really spectacularly.

So let’s say you are with your boys, enjoying the game, and want to get your grub on. This is what I would recommend the next time you are in one of their neighborhoods and want to stop on by. For appetizers, something classic yet delicious like their Hush Puppies with warm maple butter and Hot Buffalo Wings. The maple butter compliment the hush puppies really well, and no one can deny how epicly delicious wings can be. Their wings come in buffalo, chipotle or crispy naked. You can also elevate to a bucket o wings if you feel like it. It’s worth it.

They have a bunch of great stews and salads, however I would recommend trying out their massive platters as they are big enough to feed two people (or one for me. Because I don’t share). The platters come with pickles, tasty cornbread and choice of two amazing sides. I would recommend the Carolina Pulled Pork which is slow smoked & pulled with Brother Jimmy’s original BBQ sauce. The taste is incredible and I paired it with their fresh coleslaw and warm mac n cheese that really elevated the flavor of the pork. You can’t go to a BBQ place and not get ribs. I mean come on, look at that photo above? You can get Northern Style which are smoked & then grilled w/ brother jimmy’s original bbq sauce, Southern Style which are smoked w/ brother jimmy’s Memphis-style rub, Baby Back style- smoked & finished on the grill w/ a sweet & tangy sauce or a combo of all. Fall of the bone good.

They also have a great line of sandwiches from BBQ, Turkey, Portobello and Blackened Catfish as well as a great line of sides which I previously discussed. Definitely a place you should try out to satisfy your BBQ cravings. For more information on menus, locations and more check out the official site.

In The Mood For A Cruise Around Manhattan? Try Bateaux New York

by Ryan Shea

The warm weather is finally upon us after a dreary winter that never seemed to end. Now that New Yorkers & Manhattanites are trading their overcoats for skirts and shorts, we have several wants and needs to get out of the house and enjoy this weather that seems severely overdue. Why not start… with a cruise? Although several of us tend to go far and away to experience an amazing cruise and its amenities, there is one in particular that is right here in New York City that provides all of that and then some. This is Bateaux New York, which is located right in the heart of Chelsea Piers on 11th Avenue between 20th and 21st street. If Chelsea Piers doesn’t work for you geographically, they also depart from Lincoln Harbor Marina in Weekhawken, NJ. Here is some facts on Bateaux itself.

Bateaux New York, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Bateaux New York

Built in 1998 in Tidewater, Virginia, Bateaux New York measures 185 feet from bow to stern. Currently owned by Entertainment Cruises, Inc., this impressive vessel has hosted over half-a-million guests. With a unique all-glass design inspired by the river boats of Europe, Bateaux New York delivers the best of New York serving 360-degree views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty directly to your table. Creative plated cuisine. Gracious service. Live jazz. And more. All in the most chic and sophisticated atmosphere. All of that is a severe understatement until you experience Bateaux itself.

Here are some great unique features that Bateaux provides for its customers upon arrival-

Curved glass ceiling and walls offering a 180-degree skyline view

Two dining rooms that can be adjoined for up to 300 guests or separated for private occasions

Hardwood dance floor and rich nautical accents

Open deck layout assures every table a view of the entertainment

Uniquely designed seating arrangements create an inviting and intimate dining experience

State-of-the-art sound system with customized volume levels

Flattering halogen lighting throughout

Two outdoor strolling areas offer fresh-air views

Handicap-accessible boarding and restrooms

So essentially if you want to see all of the incredible landmarks that New York City is known for, Bateaux is the way to go. If you take a look at the above photo, Bateaux gives you full access to view everything from The Statue Of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Brooklyn Bridge and so much more. With the weather being as beautiful as it has been lately, you would get a clear view of these amazing places and take several photos to encompass a memorable evening with your loved ones.

Bateaux runs three different types of cruises on the regular- brunch, lunch and dinner. Myself and a friend were treated to their dinner cruise which boarded at 6PM on Saturday night and set sail at 7pm. The entire trip was about three hours long, and not a moment was to be missed as we were treated VIP status throughout. The views throughout were spectacular beyond the glass windows and it was smooth sailing (literally) throughout. The food and beverages we were provided were top shelf, and were treated to complimentary champagne during our stay on board. The dinner menu itself was quite impressive, as we indulged on savory treats from Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Chowder, Braised Short Rib, Roast Wagyu Strip Loin and so much more. Dessert was just as tasty as we both had the S’More Bread Pudding and New York Style Cheesecake. The dinner entertainment featuring a wonderful vocalist accompanied by a baby grand piano, acoustic bass and jazz guitar added some groove and flavor to the night. They performed some classic hits as well as more modern ones such as Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” and Alicia Keys “Empire State Of Mind”. Kudos to them as they did a phenomenal job. During the cruise we were able to head outside and get a better view of the city itself, take some photos, and enjoy what was overall a very relaxing evening.

Bateaux New York also offers specialty cruises outside of the brunch, lunch and dinner ones that they already provide. Starting on April 18th, they are offering New York Sightseeing Lunch Cruises. Come aboard the glass-enclosed, European-style Bateaux New York for the ultimate sightseeing experience. Float along the Hudson and take in amazing views with narration by our pianist of notable New York City sights like the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and Freedom Tower. You’ll enjoy a delicious, three-course plated lunch and live music from an onboard pianist during your cruise. It’s the most sophisticated, special way to see the best of NYC from the water. With the upcoming holidays there are specialty cruises they have setup for Mother’s Day, 4th Of July and Fleet Week just to name a few. If you need more information on these, you can check out this link.

I would highly recommend anyone trying Bateaux as it really is 10/10 when it comes to quality in what you are signing up for. They have a great variety of affordable options for you and your friends, family and loved ones and encourage a great time had by all upon arrival. For more information on them, check out the official site.

Why You Should Try Irvington In The W Hotel

by Ryan Shea

When a restaurant opens up in New York City, they can either be a flash in the pan and fail within a couple of months, succeed and become something longer than a trend, or be another Chipotle/Panera that seems to be populating the city. The hope for Irvington Restaurant is that it becomes the next big thing in cuisine in New York City and sticks around for as long as possible… because it is that damn good.

Irvington, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Gerber Group

Irvington, which is located right in The W Hotel on East 18th and Park Avenue, recently opened its doors a mere two weeks ago on March 24th. The brand new space is headed by brilliant chef David Nichols, who is also the executive chef & nightlife leader of The Gerber Group. He was also runner up on Food Network’s big hit show “Chopped”, where he worked alongside recurring judge Marc Murphy at Landmarc Tribeca. Quite the impressive resume if I must say so myself. For Irvington, his specialty is market-to-table fare and fresh rotisserie offerings, which after we went there proves that he excels in both and then some.

For the location just being opened you get the sense that there is a buzz throughout the room based off of how new the location is. It is something me and my friend definitely felt upon entry. Spacious as can be, the high ceilings and wood carvings across the room really made the entire experience that much better, even before we ate any of the delicious food we were about to be presented with.

Onto the food now. The menu itself had a very rustic and warm vibe, which I believe will bode well for Irvington in the summer months as much as it will when the dreaded winter time approaches us again. It is chock full of hearty and tasty dishes in all categories, however these are the ones that I would recommend trying- from start to finish. For appetizers, I would recommend the Charred Octopus with sweet potato, jalapeno yogurt & beet chimichurri. As someone who recently tried Octopus for the first time a couple of weeks ago, I was delighted that this was cooked perfectly and didn’t have that rubbery taste that they can have. Pairing that with the yogurt, chimuchurri and sweet potato really elevated the taste level of the octopus itself. Other good starters are the Croquettes which were stuffed with rotisserie chicken, chorizo and romesco. Great flavor profile that bursts in your mouth. Finally, the Roasted Market Carrots and Asparagus can dual well as a starter and side dish for the entree as they tasted absolutely delicious and light on the flavor palette.

Irvington also has a line of great flatbreads available at your disposal. The one that we tried was the Merguez Sausage Flatbread with red onion, romesco & ricotta. A great Italian flatbread that didn’t overdo it when it came to being heavy especially with the ingredients on top of it. Onto the mains, if there is one you should try above all it was the Duck Confit Pot Pie with wild mushrooms and black kale. Besides my mother’s pot pie, this was hands down the best pot pie I have ever experienced. Usually when you experience pot pie it is made with chicken, so the fact that this was substituted with duck was really such a change in flavor profile and the sauce inside was simply splendid. For another meat option, try out the Marinated Lamb with flageolet beans, pickled shallots, cured olives & herbs. Much lighter than the pot pie yet still fills you up overall with the lamb and sides it comes with. Overall two great entrees worth trying.

Irvington is also excelling in the rotisserie world and have three great options for you to try out in that category. Free Range Chicken with marble potatoes, grilled leeks & gremolata, Glazed Muscovy Duck with scallion crepes, bibb lettuce & baby radish and Porchetta with spring onions & cherry agrodolce are all fantastic choices to try next time you go to Irvington. To finish off in the dessert area try the Warm Fudge Brownie and the Strawberry Trifle. Yummy and delicious on both ends. They also have a great line of retro and modern cocktails like The Grasshoper (Stoli Vanilla, Creme De Menthe, White Cream De Cacao, Light Cream) pictured above. Wee.

Don’t just take my word for it though! Check out their official site for more details on their menus, location and so much more. Happy eating everyone!

Irvington (Inside The W Hotel)

201 Park Avenue South

212-677-0425

Why You Should Take A Look Into Out Professionals

by Ryan Shea

With the economy seeming to get out of its slump that it was in roughly 5-6 years ago, now is the best time to get yourself out there and promote you in any which way, shape or form. When you are a part of the LGBT world, finding common minded individuals to network with can seem to be a bit of a hassle even in the New York City culture that we all live in. Luckily, there is a fantastic organization that has all of that and more, and at little to no cost.

Out Professionals, an organization that has been around for thirty plus years now, is the nations leading LGBT non-profit network. Hosting various events each month, they invite you to engage with fellow professionals in hopes that you will strengthen your presence in and out of the working and LGBT community and develop relationships that can further your pursuit for professional ubiquity. Beyond the events, Out Professionals has a ton of valuable resources for the everyday LGBT professional from culture to professional development in order to ensure that you are on the up and up with whatever you are trying to achieve. Seeing as I am one of these types of people, I can ensure that this organization is doing the right thing in helping this community out and getting yourself out there to the extent that you want it to be. The events itself are well organized, held in great locations, and really allow you to connect with like minded people who can be a great benefit for you in the long run.

I recently spoke with President of Out Professionals Charlie Conard and founding member Jack Schlegel about the organization at hand, where its future lies and why you should ultimately try it out. Take a look.

Thanks for sitting down with us! So tell us about the history of Out Professionals. How did the organization begin and what was that like?

Charlie- “Out Professionals started in 1983 as a place for LGBT professionals to meet and advance their careers. Early on, membership was driven by word-of-mouth invitation. Since it was not uncommon for people to be fired if outed, meetings were private, almost secretive, and photography forbidden. Indeed, the original name of Out Professionals was NYACN, the New York Advertising and Communications Network, which catered to people in advertising, marketing, and communications.”

Jack- “Like the organization’s original name (NY Advertising & Communications Network), early meetings were fairly closeted. Attendees enjoyed the option of identifying themselves by a first name, a full name, an occupational specialty and even employer. Our founding idea was that an LGBT network provided job applicants with a valuable insider’s take on a potential workplace.”

Charlie- “In 1999, the board decided to “out” the organization with the new name, Out Professionals. OP also started to cast a wider net to other professions. In 2004, we continued our evolution by creating OP.LYNX, our women’s network within the organization.”

“We also launched OP.PRIME in 2011 to help attract and serve younger professionals just entering their prime. With the sour economy, professionals just starting out have faced unprecedented challenges. We wanted OP to help them realize that meeting other LGBT professionals face-to-face is important. You just can’t do that on social media. Today, with more and more out and proud professionals, we have an active face on social media and a wider public impact on the community.”

Your organization has been in operation for quite some time. Have you seen a shift upwards in terms of how gay men and women approach the business world?

Charlie- “Today, LGBT employees are more likely to be considered equal, and are often sought-after by companies who embrace the value of diversity in their organizations. In the end, we want the same thing as anyone else: a chance to be valued for who we are and our contributions.”

Do you find that the world we live in today is more tolerable of open LGBT employees? Where do we have to improve on?

Jack- “Although I haven’t sought a staff job in advertising since 1993, when I took early retirement, my sense is that in New York one’s sexual orientation doesn’t matter much to employers, particularly in hiring for creative fields — writing, graphic design, TV production, etc.”

Charlie- “While the LGBT community has made more strides in recent years than I ever thought I would see, we have a long way to go during a time of especially negative, divisive politics. As we’ve seen in Indiana and other places, there is always risk of a backlash when we are making headway towards fair and equal rights. We must remain vigilant and not become complacent.”

I checked out your site and it looks like you have weekly events, looks great! Can you let my readers know a little bit more on what they are about and if they are tailored to a particular persons liking?

Jack- “Out Professionals’ networking events cluster within three broad categories. Career; with seminars and workshops on professional development and career transition. Community; with relationship-building breakfasts and after-work mixers. Finally Culture; with theater parties, screenings, gallery visits, walking tours. wine tastings and author appearances.”

Charlie- “All our events are about creating a friendly, low or no stress environment that is welcoming to all attendees. For many, networking can feel terrifying. With a dash of fun and a warm atmosphere, OP is often the catalyst for people to meet.”

Out Professionals, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Blandon Belushin

If one becomes a member of Out Professionals, what benefits are included that would be of use to them in the long run?

Charlie- “Membership includes an entire year of discounted and free events. I like to emphasize that attending events is key to making OP work for new and existing members. While we have other benefits, it’s face time with other LGBT professionals that is more important. You can see all our benefits here: http://www.outprofessionals.org/join.”

Is this something that is affordable?

Charlie- “We work hard to keep the organization affordable for both aspiring and established professionals. Often, corporate support in terms of sponsorship or venues, helps us keep the cost down.”

“Membership is still only $65 (Business Memberships are $125/year), and entitles members to a year of low or no-cost networking. Most events are $10-$20, depending on the costs involved. We have started to have premium events, such as last Fall’s winery tour to the North Fork of Long Island.”

What overall would you say is your mission statement for OP?

Jack- “We are a nonprofit, membership organization run by volunteers. We offer supportive networks for professional women and for the up-and-coming LGBT professional. As we continue to grow, we have become known as the nation’s leading LGBT networking organization.”

Any future events you feel worth noting in this article?

Charlie- “We always have a number of exciting events on our schedule:

Mixers where professionals can meet others, often at hotspots or rooftop clubs, even museums.
Historical, art, and culture walking tours with mixers afterwards
Curated seminar series for small business topics
Job search and career advancement seminars and workshops
B2B networking groups and referral circles

– Soon we will launch a series of industry-focused mixers (Advertising/Marketing/Communications, Tech, Financial Services, Small Business Owners & Consultants, Real Estate.

– Our marquee monthly event, OP Lounge, has grown substantially over the last year. Even in this harsh winter, where OP Lounge fell on two nights with -10°F wind chill and another during a huge snowstorm, we had 120+ attendees at each event. We can’t wait to see how successful our summer rooftop series will be!”

Manhattan Digest, Out Professionals — Credit to: Blandon Belushin

What are your biggest hopes for OP going into the rest of this year and beyond?

Jack- “The continued growth in our membership will soon require growing our board as well. So we are always eager to talk with Members eager and ready for a greater roles within Out Professionals.”

Charlie- “With 32 years under our belt, we definitely have had to continue evolving to stay a vital part of the community. In the last few years, we’ve made great strides towards renewing and refreshing the organization for today’s world. Memberships are up 45% in the last year alone, and we’ve had more and more interest from corporate sponsors, which is now becoming a focus to help finance our continued growth and evolution.”

For more information on Out Professionals, log on to their official site.

Where To Go For Easter Brunch in New York City This Sunday

by Ryan Shea

As if Manhattanites don’t celebrate the weekend brunch as is, they have an even bigger and better reason as it is Easter Weekend and many fab locations across the New York City area are offering some pretty great incentives to get you to dine and dish with your friends and family. The Waldorf Astoria, Corkbuzz in Union Square, Bateaux New York, and Spirit Cruises all have great amenities lined up for you to experience, enjoy and leave with a smile on your face. Having been to some of these before (Waldorf in particular) I know that each will provide a great time to have for all. Check out to see what each is bringing to the table and then some.

Waldorf Astoria, Easter, Easter Brunch, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Waldorf Astoria

Waldorf Astoria Sunday Brunch

Known for the country’s top Sunday brunch, the Waldorf Astoria New York will offer a special Easter brunch on April 5^th. Laid out in Peacock Alley, the renowned lobby restaurant, special Easter additions include citrus smoked salmon, smoked sturgeon, lobster & asparagus salad. Additional gourmet options incude cold dishes such as caviar and a seafood bar (crab, oysters, and more!), as well as hot dishes like made-to-order Eggs Benedict (originated at the hotel!) and numerous carving stations. The array of specialty desserts includes favorites such as Red Velvet Cupcakes (another hotel original!) and Baked Alaska. Brunch cocktails (including the Bloody Bunny, a carrot take on the Bloody Mary) are also available. $98 per person

Corkbuzz, Manhattan Digest, Easter Brunch — Credit to: Corkbuzz

Corkbuzz’s Union Square

The location is celebrating Easter Sunday with a brunch buffet featuring an egg station, French toast, ham carving, granola, and an assortment of meats and cheeses. Signature brunch favorites including the Grilled Cheese (mahon, saffron-apricot chutney) and Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes (apple chutney) will also be available to guests. Additionally, the champagne will be flowing with Corkbuzz’s Champagne Campaign – meaning half-off bottles of all champagne!

Bateaux New York

This Easter, families celebrating Easter can choose a Champagne Brunch Cruise or Easter Dinner in the all-glass dining vessel, Bateaux New York. Inspired by European river boats, guests who choose brunch will enjoy Quiche Du Jour, Roasted Banana French Toast and Amish Roast Chicken, while guests who prefer the dinner cruise will feast on Stuffed Pork Roulade, Braised Short Rib and Roast Wagyu Strip Loin. Starting at $69.90 per adult and $41.95 per child, guests will also enjoy live entertainment, attentive service and stunning NYC skyline views. In addition, those using the promotion code Easter20 can save 20%. To book, call 866-817-2463 or use the website here.

Spirit Cruises, Manhattan Digest, Easter Brunch — Credit to: Spirit Cruises

Spirit Cruises – New York Metro

Departing from Chelsea Piers, NY and Lincoln Harbor NJ, Kids can hop on Spirit of New York or Spirit of New Jersey brunch or dinner cruises for free this Easter! Cruisers will enjoy an engaging family friendly DJ, dancing and beautiful views of One World Trade, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and more. In addition, the contemporary buffet includes items like organic spinach and kale salad, roast salmon and tilapia, chicken parmesan meatballs, and kid friendly options like pizza or chicken fingers. This offer is limited to one free child per paying adult, with a maximum of two children per order and reservations must be made via phone by MARCH 22^ndfor this offer. To book, guests can call 866-483-3866 or use the website here.

Happy Eating Everyone!

Manhattan Digest’s First Fundraiser A Big Success at Gymbar!

by Ryan Shea

This past Saturday night, Manhattan Digest held its first fundraiser at the best gay bar in New York City- Gym Sportsbar in Chelsea. The event itself was held from 7-9 PM in the basement part of Gymbar, and included great giveaways like T-Shirts, Dog Tags and Trial Memberships from Scruff App. The room was packed throughout with not only friends of mine and fans of the website but a ton of great people who came down and got in on the bidding action & donating for a great cause. A month of hard work, promotion, donations and all of that paid off and the event was a huge success not only for the website but for raising money for cancer research and patient care.

Manhattan Digest Fundraiser — Credit to: Steve Alb

A big thank you to the following people and organizations as they helped tremendously to make the night a big success. Rick Schmutzler, co-owner of Gym Sportsbar, for letting us have the event at your fabulous establishment and Serge Sturbois for being a fantastic and amicable bartender throughout the night and helping all of our participants out with a smile. Thank you to my best friend in the world Nixon Saget who stepped it up ten fold and worked the front desk, encouraged people to donate and helped collect the donations throughout the two hours. You are an amazing guy and friend and I really do appreciate what you did. Thirdly, my buddy (and amazing photographer) Steve Alb for his amazing photography he took throughout the night. Definitely give him a shout for your next event you are having, worth it!

I would also love to thank the following companies and organizations who generously donated an item(s) for people to bid on. We raised hundreds of dollars for this event with more coming in the next couple of days, and the general response from the people who showed up for the event was gleeful & excitement when they saw what they could bid on for a good cause-

Best Barber in Hell’s Kitchen

Blue & Black Apothecary in Carroll Gardens

Hustlaball New York

Haru Sushi

Ugg/Deckers Outdoor Corporation

Out Professionals

The Jolly Monk

New York Beer Company

House Of Brews

Coopers Craft & Kitchen

The Guerlain Spa

Upstairs at The Kimberly Hotel

Top Shelf Premium

Kenta Long Island

Buffboyz

Hard Rock Cafe: Times Square

We will be doing another fundraiser hopefully in the next month or two, with more fab prizes you can bid on for another great cause… to be determined! Thanks again to everyone who came and participated!!

Manhattan Digest Fundraiser March 28th At Gym Sportsbar!

by Ryan Shea

After two years of being in business, I am happy to announce that Manhattan Digest will be throwing its first ever fundraiser this coming Saturday night at Gym Sportsbar in Chelsea! Gym Sportsbar is a great location to hold an event like this as it has a great and lively atmosphere, friendly staff, variety of music and is spacious in size. The fundraiser will be held from 7-9 PM in their basement downstairs, and a portion of the proceeds will be going to cancer research and patient care which I am very proud of. This site has been a labor of love for such a long time and the fact that we are finally able to throw an event like this is truly spectacular so I am hoping that many of you are able to attend. If you aren’t able to attend, I am including special instructions below on how you can donate outside the event.

For the event itself, we have over 20 incredible & fantastic prizes for you to bid on! A $20 donation gets you 10 tickets, $40 gets you 25 and $60 gets you 50. Happy to accept more than that for donations as these prizes are items you truly want to win! For the gay men and ladies out there, we will also be having two hunks from Adonis Lounge there to help out with raising money and hopefully blood pressure so that is something to look out for as well! Also on hand will be a bunch of fantastic swag from Scruff App including T-Shirts and 1 month premium memberships that will be handed out throughout the night! Take a look at the amazing prizes you can bid on this Saturday night!

The 414 Hotel- One Free Night

The 414 Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The 414 Hotel

$100 Gift Card to Amazon

Amazon, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Yahoo Finance

3 Month Membership to Crunch Gym

Crunch Fitness, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Crunch Fitness

2 pairs of Ugg Slippers- one for men, one for women

Ugg, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Deckers Outdoor Corporation

$100 gift card to Haru Sushi with amenities

Haru Sushi, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Haru Sushi

Three one-year Business Memberships to Out Professionals

$50 Gift Card to the Jolly Monk

The Jolly Monk, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: HKH Group

$50 Gift Card to New York Beer Company

Manhattan Digest, New York Beer Company — Credit to: HKH Group

$50 Gift Card to the House Of Brews

House Of Brews, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: HKH Group

Custom cake for up to 10 people for H Bake Shop

H Bake Shop, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: H Bake Shop

Cooper’s Craft & Kitchen Chelsea- $50 Gift Card

Coopers Craft & Kitchen, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Coopers Craft & Kitchen Chelsea

The Guerlain Spa at The Waldorf Astoria- 50 Minute Massage Gift Certificate

Guerlain Spa, Waldorf Astoria, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Quinn PR

Blue & Black Apothecary- Haircut & Facial Service

Blue & Black Apothecary, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Blue & Black Apothecary

Upstairs- Brunch For Two

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

Original Nintendo In Its Case- Top Shelf Premium

Top Shelf Premium, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Top Shelf Premium

A Dinner for two at Kenta in Melville, Long Island

Two free admission tickets with complimentary drinks to Buffboyz

Haircut & Shave at Best Barber in Hell’s Kitchen

Best Barber Shop, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Blake Martin

$25 Giftcard to The Hard Rock Cafe In Times Square with Amenities

Hard Rock Cafe, Manhattan Digest, St. Patrick's Day, — Credit to: Coyne PR

A great line of Fleshjacks

2 Tickets to Hustlaball New York

Looks like it is shaping up to be a fantastic night and I truly hope all of you can make it! If you cannot make it but would love to donate and win a prize, or even donate, please reach out to me directly- [email protected] or [email protected] and I will give you details on how you can donate.

Look forward to seeing everyone there on Saturday night!

Kenta in Melville Blends Modern Asian Cuisine at its Best

by Ryan Shea

As a native Long Islander we fortunately have the reputation of having the best bagels in the world (damn right) but on the flip side of the coin we aren’t necessarily known for our restaurants as a lot of people think all we are is chains. The latter part of that statement couldn’t be more false as there are a ton of amazing local eateries for anyone to divulge in when they visit or live in Long Island. One of these great examples is the brand spanking new Kenta located right on Walt Whitman Road in Melville. Only being opened for about two months, the location is smack dab in the heart of Melville and a short drive away from the famous Walt Whitman Mall which has gone through quite the dramatic improvement in recent years. Kenta is run by brothers Joseph and James Ragonese, the latter is the front of the house guy who has worked with some of Long Island’s best restaurants for years now. Running the kitchen in style is up and coming chef Jason Lee, who definitely left a culinary mark on me and my friend upon our exit.

Kenta, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Kenta LI

This is perfect location for many different reasons. It is great for the business area of Melville for your colleagues to get together for some after work drinks or appetizers, yet also has a family friendly atmosphere that you can adapt to as well. It has a relaxed and cool vibe to it that my friend and I dug immediately upon arrival. We knew we were in for a treat ahead.

Now to the food, which was nothing short of spectacular. Kenta provided us with a copious amount of options to try, and needless to say they were all fantastic in one way or another. The Modern Asian Cuisine aspect really was felt throughout the entire meal, as classic met modern in many different ways. So let’s start off with their variety of appetizers. Kenta has both cold and hot appetizers you can try from, which is great balance to begin. For the cold, I would recommend The Tuna Poke as the tuna was sliced fresh and really paired well with the avocado, sriracha, scallion and lime-ginger soy. For the Hot Appetizers, the word Kobe seemed to keep coming up as they prepared the delicious beef in two different ways. One was in meatball form with a sweet glaze, wasabi aioli and a fresh crostini to dip into the latter two. Something that I thought was fantastic about these was that the wasabi was not overpowering. Wasabi itself can be quite a lot to take in for people who are spicy-sensitive yet instead of it taking over your taste buds you are left with a simple amount that tastes really deliciously with the meatball itself. The other way they prepared the Kobe is in a slider with a Kalbi marinade with a spicy garlic aioli. These sliders do not need any ketchup as the marinade does the work for it. Perfect bite. A third bite I would try out before diving into the main courses is the Satay, otherwise known as Chicken Yakitori. The sauce in the Satay was unique in its flavoring and went really well with the chicken itself.

I have had my good share of delicious sushi, however the sushi that we experienced at Kenta was far and beyond fantastic. If you are going to a place like this, it is foolish to avoid getting sushi as they have a ton of classic and special rolls that they provide. Two that I would go with is what they call The Gracious Balance. This delight of a roll consists of deep fried eel, mango, avocado and lemon yuzu on the inside and spicy rock shrimp and scallions on the outside. All of that flavoring put into one really made for eight incredible bites. No soy sauce needed. The other is their Island Roll which consists of coconut shrimp and mango on the inside and grilled kani, wasabi aioli and mango sauce on the outside. Similar eating experience to The Gracious Balance in terms of flavor explosions in your mouth. Highly recommended.

When it comes to the main entrees, it is good to have a side dish like their chicken or pork fried rice to compliment whatever you are eating. It comes with asparagus, scallion and a fried egg on top that adds to the depth of flavor it comes in. As for the main courses, it runs the gamut however I would try their Miso Chilean Sea Bass and Spicy Jumbo Prawns. Different flavors for sure, however the sea bass and prawns were both cooked perfectly with the right amount of spice on both of them. Top notch deliciousness.

Don’t just take my word for it though. If you are ever in the Melville area and need a place to wine, dine and have fun… check out Kenta. Worth the trip in my opinion. Want to know more about Kenta? Check out their official site. Happy eating everyone.

NYY Steak Hits It Out Of The Ballpark… And More

by Ryan Shea

As someone who has been a lifelong New York Mets fan, a struggling one per se, I tend to narrowly avoid anything that has do to with the Yankees. I mean, when you grow up with the last name Shea it is sort of embedded in your system to ultimately root for the Mets even though in recent years a local high school team has a better shot at getting to The World Series than they do. I blame that on the name change from Shea to Citifield, but I digress. Luckily, I had a huge change of heart when I visited their official restaurant called NYY Steak this past Wednesday. Located right in the heart of midtown Manhattan on 51st between 5th and 6th Avenue (with alternate locations at Yankee Stadium and Coconut Greek in Florida), NYY Steak is to fine dining what the Yankees are to baseball- just great. This is their quote, which I was originally hesitant by, however after my experience I can truthfully say that statement couldn’t be… truer.

NYY Steak, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: NYY Steak

The location itself is quite grand upon arrival. The space is two floors and seeing as it is fine dining I would highly recommend not showing up in a pair of jeans and t-shirt and maybe getting a bit dressed up (nothing they said to me on their part, but I should’ve known better based off what I was wearing). Something that was fascinating about NYY Steak was that the plates that we were served on were the traditional colors of the New York Yankees- blue and white. That may not seem so spectacular but what made it cool was that each plate had a number of a legendary Yankee player imprinted on the top of it. So you had your run of the gamut of players like Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio’s numbers just to name a few while you are dining on their delectable items that they serve. The service was top notch as well, with their impeccable wait staff accommodating me and my friend at every stop and recommending the best of the best that was on their menu that night.

The menu itself for the main part is Americana at its best, from its 21 day USDA Steaks (butchered in house) to its incredible line of Seafood, NYY Steak has got you covered. Let’s go through what in my opinion you should have while you are dining there. If you are looking to start off with a soup and salad, I would recommend The Crab Bisque with cream & sherry and Ozzie’s Spinach Salad with dried cherries, pine nuts, roasted bell peppers, BACON and shaved asiago cheese in a cherry vinaigrette dressing. The bisque itself was quite warm and creamy and the Alaskan King Crab was cooked perfectly. I for one am not the biggest spinach fan however combined with all the elements it made for one tasty salad.

Moving onto the appetizers might I suggest two words- STEAK BACON. Yes, pictured about you have their steak bacon which is cured and smoked in house. Putting two of my favorite meats together in one tasty bite really is quite the treat itself, and their steak bacon is no exception. Another tasty option is of course a classic Colossal Shrimp Cocktail with a horseradish cocktail sauce and something that you can get as an entree but we actually opted to get them as an appetizer.

This is their Dry Aged Lamb Chops, which if you ordered as an entree would come as two double-cut chops and rubbed with fresh rosemary & roasted garlic. However, they were gracious enough to make them for us in a lollipop format, where we could literally pick them up and eat them off the bone. I don’t know if it was the rub or the way they cooked the meat, but honest to god this has got to be one of the best tasting meats I have ever experienced in my life. The flavor on them is insane and can dual well if you want to share with others or have for yourself as an entree. Heck, its so good it even got its own paragraph on here. So that is saying something.

For a main course option, outside of the lamb chops, a good classic choice would be their Filet Mignon which comes in a 6, 8 or 12 Oz. Cooked perfectly and can pair well with any of their yummy sides like Lobster Mac N Cheese & Garlic Mashed Potatoes which they provided us with. Something that they also do is that if you order a particular steak they will carve whatever you would like onto the bone of it. No kidding, look above. I was short of in shell shock when they told me about this originally and even in more shock when they presented it to me. I mean, my name and website on a steak. That I can keep, as a memento. Totally awesome.

To finish the meal off with something sweet, try their classic New York Style Cheesecake, Chocolate Covered Pretzels or Creme Brulee as it a great way to end. 10/10 in my book for so many different reasons. For more information on NYY Steak’s three locations, menus and so much more, check out their official site.

Hungry? Check Out Ibis & Bistango In The Kimberly Hotel

by Ryan Shea

Sometimes two really is better than one. And make no exception, these two restaurants fit that bill and then some. I recently had a fantastic stay at The Kimberly Hotel, located on East 50th between 3rd and Lexington. While I was there, I became aware of two great restaurants with very different cuisines at each. Bistango, located directly to the left of the hotel, is the best in Modern Italian cooking, whereas Ibis, to the right, dabbles and dazzles in Mediterranean. During my stay at The Kimberly I was delighted to experience both first hand, and they were top notch when it came to decor, quality, service and of course taste. Check out my review of both.

Bistango

Upon entry to Bistango, you get a warm and inviting sense from its environment, in particular the way the decor is set up. The color of red is splashed throughout, and mixing that with the beautiful decor and wooden floors elevates this particular restaurant to an entirely different level. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating to say the least, and for a restaurant that is very new to the NYC food scene, I would say they have a great shot of being a huge success going forward in 2015 and beyond.

As previously mentioned, they excel in all things Italian. While I dined there, I was able to try some exceptional meals from beginning to end, and I would recommend trying these out and then some. If you are at an Italian place, it is somewhat necessary to try out their Meatballs. The ones they have on their appetizer menu which is traditionally called their “Meatballs Al Forno” and it comes with a zesty tomato sauce and parmesan. Great way to start the meal off. Another starter that I would recommend is going into the Flatbread route as they have nine different & very unique selections, all different from each other. if I had to choose I would recommend the Agnello, sort of a Greek flatbread that comes with Braised Lamb, Feta, Lemon and Long Peppers. All flavors really burst in your mouth and is another shining example of why Bistango is so great.

The Kimberly Hotel, Manhattan Digest, Ibis — Credit to: The Kimberly Hotel

For their entrees, I would stick with a traditional Italian dish and head towards the pasta route. The one I highly recommend is the Fettucine with Lobster, Octopus and a Marscarpone-Marinara. As someone who has never had Octopus before I thought it was quite scrumptious and was cooked properly as I never really got that rubbery taste that Octopus can bring. If you enjoy a good mix of meat with your pasta I would recommend the Rigatoni with Short Rib and Salsa Verde Rustico. Good combination of flavors and the short rib was cooked to perfection. After such a hearty meal, you can finish light or go quite the opposite by trying their delectable desserts like Olive Oil Ice Cream with a caramel gelee or their creamy and delicious Tiramisu. Overall, 10/10 in my book.

Ibis

Ibis is a stark contrast compared to how Bistango looks. It is quite large in its space and has a theatrical vibe upon arrival, something that would’ve been popular back in the 50’s and 60’s. Upon further investigation i found out that Ibis actually used to be an opera house back in the 1920’s where legends like Lucille Ball would come and perform. Honestly, when you are in the same building as someone as legendary as that, you get the sense that this place is doing it right. This location has gone through its changes over the past century, however Ibis looks like its doing the overall scheme of things as a job well done with its food and atmosphere. I love how dark and beautifully colored the walls and decor is, and they also have a great upstairs portion where you can host a party or gathering with your friends and family. Quite grand indeed if I do say so myself.

The food itself was quite majestic as well, all with a Mediterranean theme. If we start in the appetizer category, try the Calamari as it is fresh with a great crunch. You can’t avoid Hummus when you are at a place like this, and they do not disappoint. The chickpea, sesame sauce, garlic and lemon juice really compliment each other and go well when you are dipping the fresh bread into the Hummus itself. Another two items worth dipping something into is the Smoked Eggplant pureed with garlic & olive oil and the Artichoke Heart with carrots, potatoes and green peas. Definitely a great way to start your meal off.

For the main courses, a Dry-Aged New York Steak is something one should never say no to. They cooked it to perfection and complimented it with some tasty mashed potatoes and flavorful Asparagus. My friend opted to go the fish route and try the Branzino served with an Arugala salad. Lighter, fresh and overall tasted great. Once again, another 10/10 experience.

For more information on Ibis, Bistango and The Kimberly Hotel, check out their official sites below. If you are ever in Midtown east I would highly recommend trying them out!

The Kimberly Hotel- 145 East 50th Street

Ibis

Bistango

manhattan digest

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