Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Best Rooftop Bars in NYC to drink wine


Wonder where the best outdoor spots to drink wine and a cocktail in New York City? Here goes:

As this weekend firmly assures us, Spring really is here. But in usual New York fashion, we'll probably enjoy the gentle breezes and 70' lazy days for two weeks before the oven-like heat of summer subways kicks into full gear. When the heat hits, escape the crowds at Central Park and take in one of these rooftop establishments where you can (legally) sip on more than an unnamed glass of Chardonnay while soaking in some rays and working on that St. Barths-like tan.


Salon de Ning When only the exotic and glamorous will do, explore the glass-enclosed bar at Salon de Ning on the rooftop of The Peninsula Hotel. The lounge is inspired by the fictional "Madame Ning" who apparently prefers taking in her creative cocktails on silk pillow-filled day beds. Elegance abounds so don’t be shocked by the high-priced wine list and creative signature cocktails. The luxe setting makes it a nice choice when impressing out-of-town guests. The East and West Terraces officially open May 1 and stay open from 4:00 PM to 1:00AM 7 days a week, but the staff's been known to open early on balmy days. The Peninsula Hotel, 700 Fifth Avenue, 212-903-3903, salondening.com


The Crow's Nest Complete with tiki lamps and obligatory palm trees, The Crow’s Nest at The Water Club easily tempts you to while away the day overlooking the East River. The no reservations, seat yourself demeanor is such a turn from The Water Club's formality that you half expect Jimmy Buffett to start crooning away in corner. Burgers, hot dogs and a nice-sized bowl of guacamole ensure you and your friends can spend the good part of the day sampling from the well-priced wine by the glass menu or choose from any of the bottles on restaurant's complete wine list. Fully open May 23rd with soft openings on nice Spring weekends, the regular hours are Monday-Friday 4-11PM, Sat 1-11PM, Sun 12-close; The Water Club, East River and FDR Drive via the East 23rd St. walkway, 212.683.3333, waterclub.com


Mad 46 Sitting 19 stories high on the top of the Roosevelt Hotel in the heart of Midtown, Mad 46 is the place for young professionals to meet post 12-hour work days and vent about their bosses while flirting with the exec at the next table. Their by the glass selection is well-rounded and the by the bottle list includes a surprising number of Champagnes. Open in April Wednesday through Friday from 5-10PM and Monday through Friday till Midnight starting in May. Entrance is at the 46th St side @ Madison Avenue; 212-885-6095, mad46.com

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Posted by Anu Karwa at 11:14 AM

2 comments:

Andrea Henderson said...

This is great information! I am planning an event in June and plan to contact all of these places to see if they can host! Thanks Anu!!

May 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Unknown said...

New York country is the perfect place for roof top bar parties. There are numerous event venues are available in New York within the budget.

best roof top bar nyc

March 2, 2014 at 12:57 AM

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How to Pick a Summer Wine: The Gentler, Lighter Side of Wine

Summer’s soaring temps beg you to step away from heavy Cabernets and check out the gentler, lighter side of wine. When choosing the perfect summer wine for your outdoor engagement party or wedding, think light, crisp, refreshing--and because people tend to drink more in the heat--lower in alcohol. Nothing more prettily suggests summer than a dry (i.e. not sweet) rose. Avoid the simple, syrupy versions and try French roses from the Mourvèdre grape or roses made using the Saignee method for more complexity. Pick wines from countries where you imagine the locals sipping leisurely at sidewalk cafés while basking in the sun, like Spain. A Spanish fave is Albarino from the Rias Baixas region. Made to drink young, Albarino is a crisp, white wine with intense fruit, lively acidity and generally a lower level of alcohol. It pairs perfectly with summer foods from seafood to grilled vegetables. But you don’t need to swear off red wine for summer. Look for light bodied wines like Pinot Noir from Oregon or a Valpolicella from Italy, both capable of standing up to barbequed foods. And don’t be afraid to put a slight chill on your red wine. It is summer after all!

Rías Baixas Albariño from Spain, “Exceptional with Everything” Oh Really?

There's nothing we love more than a challenge. It's in our makeup. We're two women, thirties. One Indian. One Filipina. The first, founder and CEO of a business in the arguably male-dominated wine world. The second, building experience to be a future proprietess of a wine store. Add to this: In New York City. So when presented with the opportunity to play wine and food critic for a night—to pair Rías Baixas Albariño wines, proclaimed to be "exceptional with everything" with Mercat’s offerings —it is impossible and simply against every ounce of who we are, to refuse.

Mercat means “market” in Catalan, the language of the northern Spanish region where owner, Jaime Reixach, is from and where the restaurant’s menu draws its inspiration. The albariños we’ll be drinking also originate from the northern region, and so we’re already anticipating more perfect wine pairings than tragic mismatches.

It’s a beautiful warm Thursday night—and we are tasting two Albariño wines: Alba Rosa from Martinez Serrantes and Pazo San Mauro, both 2006 vintages. We take our time with each wine—assessing them alone and then side by side. At the end, we agree that both are delightful: the Alba Rosa is sparkling with surprising depth while the Pazo San Mauro would bring life to our springtime picnic. Further, we imagine that if each wine were to be personified, they might just be these two ladies, described as such:

Alba Rosa Martinez Serantes Albariño | Scarlett Johansson: "Sparkling with surprising depth"

Alba Rosa Martinez Serantes Albariño | Scarlett Johansson: "Sparkling with surprising depth"
This golden blonde hued wine gives an almost effervescent quality that shoots racy brightness into your mouth. It has the usual grassiness and citrus qualities one expects from this wine. The reason why this wine fits Scarlett most is because it has the quality of lightness but comes with surprising depth of character and fullness in body. The comparison would be perfect were the wine to show great legs, but its light-bodied, lower alcohol nature doesn’t allow it.

Pazo San Mauro Albariño | Cameron Diaz: “Livens up your springtime picnic”

Pazo San Mauro Albariño | Cameron Diaz: “Livens up your springtime picnic”
Cameron would be a fun addition to any springtime outing. Her lightheartedness would make everyone smile and this wine does the same. The light yellow straw color gives way to granny smith apples, peaches, melon, and citrus scents that jump at your nose, smelling like springtime in a glass. This wine begs to be explored further. The crisp and pleasantly tart apple is balanced with pear and makes it the perfect brunch wine.
Now, we move on to the heart of our challenge: Exceptional with everything? Oh really? How do these two beauties handle themselves in company? After the three and a half hours of glorious sipping, chewing, and chatting, among ourselves and the restaurant staff, here are our findings:

No surprise, our lovely wines get along splendidly with their classic and traditional partners: we have raves for the nicely seasoned patatas bravas—not too spicy, not too garlicky—and the padrones/blistered shishito peppers, the char and oil offset by the tartness of the wines. One of us goes wild for the Canelons de Verdura/eggplant wrapped spring vegetables, manchego, and cranberry reduction. And then Chef Lowder sends over Trencat d’Ous/mushroom with salsa verde topped with a fried egg, which again, goes splendidly with our wines. Even the suckling pig/Cochinillo, which we think will surely clash, in fact becomes the surprise of the evening. Like the beauty and the beast, our wines and the pig make an unlikely but harmonious pair.

We ask ourselves for the last time: Rías Baixas Albariño from Spain: Exceptional with Everything?

If not for being the gluttonous bottomless pits that we are, we would certainly have answered YES with an exclamation point. But since we order those two desserts—Torrades Sta. Teresa/fried bread with lemon yogurt and Pa Amb Oli Xocolata/bread, olive oil, and chocolate, our answer must be: Almost. These two desserts with our two Albariños — are disastrous.

Rías Baixas Albariño from Spain: Exceptional with almost Everything.

--Anu Karwa and Marie Estrada

Visit http://www.riasbaixaswines.com for more info on Rías Baixas Albariños from Spain
 

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