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Celebrate National Watermelon Day Everyday with Haru Sushi!

There seems to be a holiday for everything these days, and one of my favorite types of fruit just celebrated one yesterday- the Watermelon! Yes, National Watermelon Day occurs on August 3rd every year, and one of my favorite hotspots for all things sushi and more celebrated in a big way with two great new options for you to try. Haru Sushi, which I have given a stellar review to in the past, just developed a delicious new Watermelon Roll and Watermelon Lemonade to celebrate the occasion and keep it going throughout the summer.

Manhattan Digest, Haru Sushi — Credit to: Haru Sushi

Want to know what goes into both to amp up your taste buds the next time you go to this fabulous joint? The Watermelon Roll consists of Snow Crab, Green Onion, Mint and Watermelon and is topped with Shrimp and served with a Lemon Dressing. Sounds absolutely fantastic! On the flipside of things, the Watermelon Lemonade has Absolut Citron Vodka, Ty Ku Silver Junmai, St. Germain Elderflower Liquer, fresh watermelon, lemon and thyme syrup. Kind of their own take on a spiked lemonade. Sounds refreshing and tasty especially with the humidity that we have been experiencing lately!

Don’t just take my word for it though! Make a reservation for Haru Sushi tonight and experience the watermelon explosion and so much more that they have to offer! With locations on Amsterdam Avenue, Times Square, Wall Street, Third Avenue and Gramercy Park, you leave yourself with no excuse about traveling when you can find one in your own area. Check out their official site for more information on hours, menus and so much more.

Happy Eating and Drinking 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!!

Haru Sushi Yummifies Taste Buds, Times Square & More

by Ryan Shea

Haru Sushi Breathes New Life Into Times Square

When you are a native New Yorker and have been around so many areas of New York City, you start to become familiar with what each area has to offer, one in particular being food. Seeing as Times Square has turned itself into the number one tourist hot spot with national chains taking over what used to be a really cool and hip area back in the day, it is hard to find anything unique and tasty in a sea of Red Lobster & Olive Garden type establishments. That point was proven to be false when I took myself and my friend to Haru Sushi’s flagship location in the heart of Times Square, located on West 43rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. Times Square itself doesn’t have many locations devoted to all things sushi, so when I got word that this brand new location was opening up, my taste buds and general excitement took itself there on Thursday night to see if the food, decor and service was worth the walk through the battlegrounds of TS.

I have to say that overall I was quite impressed by what Haru Sushi had to offer. Even though it was in the midst of Times Square appropriate, it wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded to the point where you felt claustrophobic while you were downing your third piece of California Roll. Matter of fact, it was quite roomy and spacious allowing it to be a great place to go after work or if you are visiting a nice place to bring your friends and family. Located right when you walk into Haru Sushi you will find a large bar, serving top of the line alcohol and mixed drinks which bodes well for the bar type person who just wants the delectable after work cocktail. I absolutely loved the way the unique blend of greys, yellows and blues really adorn itself throughout the establishment and give Haru Sushi a quite warm environment upon entry. This is quite inviting especially with the cold weather that we have been having lately.

Haru Sushi, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Myself

Now onto the food of course! Haru Sushi is known for its sushi of course, but there are other options that I would definitely recommend anyone trying. So let’s hypothetically say that you are going with a friend and want to do the following- two appetizers, two sushi rolls and one dessert per. This is what I would recommend. For appetizers, I would go with the Beef Negimaki, which is grilled slice beef with a scallion roll. The other that I would recommend is their Lobster Gyoza with a side of soy sauce. Both have great flavor and texture and are the perfect bite to start your meal off perfectly. Now onto the rolls. If there were two I would severely recommend in the Special Roll option of Haru Sushi’s menu it would be the Perfect Fantasy Roll, which is Avocado-Wrapped Shrimp Tempura and Asparagus with Spicy Mayo. The other would be their Rainbow Roll, consisting of Shrimp, Striped Bass, Yellowtail, Tuna and Salmon wrapped around Kani & Avocado (Both are pictured in this article). Spectacularly delicious in many different ways for both and have a great price point for what they are serving you (Under $20 for each. Pretty good deal). If I were to recommend a third it would be on their specials menu and called the Shogatsu. The Shogatsu features Tuna, salmon and albacore tuna-wrapped spicy snow crab and asparagus roll, topped with cilantro, mango, strawberry, tobiko and wasabi tobiko sauce. Complex flavors but they blend really together into one really delicious bite. To end things, why not try their Mochi Green Tea Ice Cream, adorned in whipped cream and chocolate sauce? A great way to end a perfect meal.

Overall I would give Haru Sushi a high rating for sophistication, taste and overall appeal of the location itself. Even if you are a Times Square hater, I would highly recommend trying this place during the winter season and beyond as you will leave feeling full and happy. For more information about the Times Square location as well as the others they have plastered throughout the New York City area, log on to their official website.

Haru Sushi: Times Square

229 West 43rd Street

212-398-9810

Places To Stay in New York City- Casablanca Hotel

by Ryan Shea

One of the main reasons why tourists and people come to New York City has to be the inevitable location of Times Square. Known for its glitz and glamour for historic locations such as FAO Schwartz & Radio City Music Hall to its seemingly gritty aspect that still remains over the course of its existence, it is one place that people love to check out, take photos in, and enjoy the day or two seeing the sights. As someone who works semi in this district, I find myself surrounded by a bevy of different hotels, both boutique and chain, offering many types of amenities for your upcoming stay. So which one should you choose when you are visiting New York City? I recommend the Casablanca Hotel, located right in the heart of Times Square on 43rd between 6th and 7th Avenue. As part of the fabulous Library Hotel Collection, this of the four boasts the most frequented of the four areas where the others are located and has a clever and unique aspect that drive the others to be some of the most successful hotels in New York City.

Casablanca Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Casablanca Hotel

Just for our readers, here is a bit of history about the Casablanca Hotel. The hotel is of course inspired by the 1940’s Academy Award winning movie “Casablanca” starring screen legends Humphrey Bogart & Ingrid Berman. An oasis of luminous Moroccan glamour and hospitality, The Casablanca Times Square is only outshined by its talented and eager to please staff. I recently stayed for a night at Casablanca, and was truly impressed by the look and feel of the hotel, from its beautiful and vibrant colors, and what struck me the most was the true inspiration that this hotel gets from the movie of the same name. As someone who is big into hospitality, the staff couldn’t have been anymore gracious or helpful in my short stay there, from the check in to check out I felt like a valued customer who would come back at a moments notice.

The great thing about the Casablanca Hotel is that just like the other hotels in the Library Hotel Collection, they offer several great amenities that make it worth the stay for sure. Take a look at these fabulous offers-

A lavish continental breakfast including hot oatmeal, boiled eggs, bagels and cream cheese, fresh whole fruit and fruit salad with berries, assorted cereals, yogurt, pastries, muffins, juices, freshly brewed coffee, tea, espresso and cappuccino served daily in Rick’s Cafe;
The New York Times, the Daily News and the New York Post are also available each morning.
Cookies, fresh fruit, coffees and teas throughout the day.
Prosecco, fine wines, imported and domestic cheeses, and hors d’oeuvres each evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wireless High Speed Internet access throughout the hotel, with a computer for guest use in the Rick’s Cafe.
Daily passes to the nearby New York Sports Club, which features a full range of cardio and strength-training equipment; aerobic, cycling and body-sculpting classes; and sauna.

They also have some great offers outside of the fantastic ones listed above to enhance your stay while you are in New York City. Here are a couple of really awesome ones-

The American Museum of Natural History Package-

Skip the line with 2 VIP passes for the American Museum of Natural History including special exhibitions, the planetarium and IMAX, along with great savings on your prepaid accommodations.

Top Of The Rock Package-

Enhance your stay with a trip to the Top of the Rock and enjoy a bird’s eye view of NYC! Stay 3 nights or more in 2014 and receive up to 20% off our standard rates, plus 2 tickets to the Top of the Rock observation deck. Enjoy the breathtaking views of New York City from the 69th floor of this iconic New York City venue.

So the next time you are visiting New York City or have a friend or family member that is doing so, why not recommend The Casablanca Hotel? It will sure be an experience they won’t forget. To learn more about these special offers as well as rates and much more check out their official website.

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

Tryp Hotel In Times Square South- My Review

by Ryan Shea

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

When it comes to lodging in New York City, the options are plentiful, luxuriating and for whatever price point you pay should leave you feeling happy that you stayed. You can stay at a hotel chain that is worldwide known or even one that is only local to the Manhattan area. I was lucky enough to find a bit of both in The TRYP Hotel, located at 345 West 35th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue, conveniently in between Times Square and Penn Station. TRYP, which is part of the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, just celebrated its second anniversary in New York City, and is still the only TRYP location in North America (excluding one in Quebec, Canada). Already a hit overseas in Europe, TRYP Hotel sits conveniently adjacent and somewhat front and center of the trendiest parts of Manhattan, from Hell’s Kitchen to Chelsea, and packs a great punch with it in its hospitality, color, vibrant look and overall satisfaction that each guest gets.

The lovely people at TRYP Hotel were kind enough to let me stay one night and experience the hotel first hand. I was instantly impressed by the look and feel of it, including the beautiful decor of the lobby as well as the restaurant and bar which is located right when you walk in. As someone who is familiar with hospitality due to many of my peers majoring in it at my alma matter, I was very impressed with the speed in which I was taken care of yet at the same time was spoken to friendly & kindly by the staff who detailed everything about my stay and let me know of all the local hotspots and amenities that I would receive while staying.

Manhattan Digest, TRYP Hotel — Credit to: TRYP Hotel

The room itself was breathtaking. I stayed in one of their premium rooms, which took class and elegance to a whole other level. Upon my entry there was a beautiful white colored couch that turned into a relaxing sofa bed in case I had extra guests. The color scheme of the wood finish with the couch and the side table really gelled well overall with the feel of the room. The bathroom was edgy and hip, with a immaculately colored red finishing on the shower that complimented the black floors. The King size bed was truthfully fit for a King yet could fit three more people in it if need be. It was very comfortable and made it that much harder to leave the room and head out with my friends. The baby blue wall coloring mixed with the black curtains had a great vibe to it, and the black headboard was really charming with its writings about famous quotes about New York City itself (the greatest city in the world, etc). The great thing about this premium room is really not just the decor but the space in it as well. If its just one person it works, but if you have a bigger party you can find room for them and then some. Here is a little more information on the history of the TRYP Hotel decor.

The hotels decor was created by New York City-based designer Glen Coben of the Manhattan-based architectural and interior design firm Glen & Company. The design, which includes sustainable elements, exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood and tile floors, colorful accents and wrought iron screens, reflects the property’s central New York City location and the TRYP by Wydnham’s brand’s Mediterranean roots.

Additional hotel features include complimentary high-speed wireless Internet (huge plus for me as other hotel stays charge. Tisk Tisk) access in all guest rooms, high-definition flat-screen televisions with international channels, concierge services, business services, 24 hour fitness center and nearly 1,200 square feet of function space that can accommodate up to 70 attendees.

I got to speak with the general manager Verdell Ekberg, who was very instrumental in making my stay a very pleasurable one. He let me know a lot of key facts about this location, such as the median for who usually stays there happens to be the Generation X/Y group of people, furthering my belief that this is a place to stay at if you are young and hip. They are also in the process of expanding their North American presence, mainly in the United States, with new locations opening soon in Long Island City and Atlantic City. Something that I noticed TRYP Hotel does that he further talked about was that each employee’s name badge didn’t have what their exact job title was under their name, but what their ultimate passion was. For instance, one employee who I developed quite a liking for due to her warm presence and candor, had “fashion” under her name plate. What is great about this in my opinion is that it gives the people that work there more than just a job title but someone you can strike up a conversation with that goes beyond the norm. That to me makes TRYP even more unique than it already is.

Before I left, I was treated to their delicious breakfast buffet that is full of filling and yummy food, fit to satisfy anyone. Overall, I would rate this hotel a 10 out of 10 in my opinion for all the reasons listed above. This is a place that I would highly recommend staying at just to see what all my fuss was about. Take a look at the official site for booking info, as well as upcoming contests and specials that TRYP is having. It’s worth the stay, trust me.

TRYP Hotel

345 West 35th Street

212-600-2440

Bottomless Brunch at KTCHN- This Includes Mimosas People!

by Ryan Shea

For anyone that lives in New York City, there is one thing that truly binds us together (and no I am not talking about the weird smells from the subway). That of course, is food. More importantly, the endless choices that we have for Saturday and Sunday brunch. Whether you are looking for a great hangover meal or a relaxing place to meet up with a bunch of friends before the day gets going, we all are on the lookout for that savory and sweet place to wake us up and keep our tummies satisfied. So where is a good place to find all of that? KTCHN, in my opinion, is the place to go.

Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne’s on April 26th!!!

by Ryan Shea

When the words “free” and “pretzel” are uttered in the same sentence, many a people like me tend to get excited and hungry at the same time! Well fear no more, because on April 26th that fantasy will turn into a reality! The beloved Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, which have been uber popular for several years across the country, will be offering one free Honey Whole Grain Pretzel at several of its Manhattan locations. I have actually tried this particular pretzel in the past, and it has a great taste to it with less calories and less of a guilt factor when having it! [Read more…] about Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne’s on April 26th!!!

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Haru Sushi Breathes New Life Into Times Square

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