BUNNIES ARE NOT JUST FOR EASTER

Playboy bunnies are back at the new Playboy Club in Manhattan and it’s not just for an Easter celebration.  An insignia lies atop an awning at 512 W. 42^nd Street.  “What are you here for,” asks a man that looks like he could be a bouncer.  Unless you are a member, or have a dinner reservation, you take your chances about indulging in an elegant evening.  

 

Monday evenings bring New York’s rising Broadway stars and vocalists onto the stage to do their own thing rather than perform songs from the show that they may be presently in. Produced by Beau Speer with Music Direction by Brandon James Gwinn & the T-Shirt Tuxedo Trio, Anne Fraser Thomas was the very talented featured vocalist.  

Having said that we have dinner reservations, we entered into a Playboy Bunny decorated hallway that led to what appeared to be the main lounge with a center bar.  There was a private party in progress and told the matre’d that we were having an early dinner.  

Escorted into the next room, I saw a few areas of seating.  One area was reserved for the earlier lounge entertainment with little seating.  There were two intimate type rooms on the same level, separated by a middle wall that had an aquarium of colorful fish and a bunny rabbit insignia object in the center.   I wanted that table and sat facing the aquarium.  Although not close up to the action itself, I had a view of the entertainment.  There is also another seating area located on the viewing side of the lounge situated a few steps up.  I was able to view another large room in the back most likely used for private parties.

Table setting was done elegantly the way you would expect a “fine dining” décor to appear.  Lighting was low which for me made it a bit difficult to capture clear photos with my “point and shoot” set on “auto.”   Next time I will actually study the information in the instruction book. 

We were greeted by a Playboy Bunny cocktail waitress, Bria Fleming. As much as some of the cocktails sounded yummy, I decided to pass since I get drunk on Scotch Tape.  Our waiter arrived promptly to ask if we wanted tap, still or carbonated water.  

Executive Chef Tabitha Yeh has created food that should be nurtured to appreciate how they wonderfully affect your eyes, aroma, and palate with a menu divided into categories of Plates to Share, Sushi and Sashimi, Salads, Mains, and Sides.  

Our waiter informed us of an appetizer special; soft shell crab prepared in a tempura batter.  I couldn’t resist.  Passed up on eating the accompanying thin slices of jalapeno pepper.   Miyazaki Wagyu Katsu Sando, House Tonkatsu Sauce, Cabbage ($80).  Although it was served sandwich style, cut up in six squares, I was totally able to appreciate the tenderness of the beef along with whatever Yeh does to it!  Being a lover of sushi rolls, I ordered the Playboy Club House Roll, of Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Avocado, and Shassetra Caviar ($26).  It is certainly not your average tasting sushi roll.  My friend opted for a Chilled Prawn, five huge shrimp served with a cocktail sauce ($26). 

One main dish of 14 Oz. Gold Label Wagyu Ny Strip with Frites, Truffle Butter, and Arugula (which actually turned out to be frisee lettuce) with a cost of $79 turned out to be at least as tender as filet mignon.  Keep in mind that it is wagyu beef. 

Being a true chocoholic, I purposely saved tummy room for the Manjari Chocolate Gold Bar, which left me euphoric. Yes, there are gold flakes on the top as well as some kind of crispies, hazelnuts, and strawberries on the side that are both large and sweet ($15).  

If you want to go on the lower end of your bill just to get an idea of the quality and sharing, I would suggest the following: Two Arctic Char Tacos for two people with Goma Miso, Wasabi Aioli and cilantro, each at $8 per taco.  Add a Spicy Bluefin Tuna Roll ($15) and sharing a main of Chicken Milanese with Frisée, Baby Carrots, Shaved Fennel, and Radish ($36), or the Roasted  Atlantic Hake, with charred scallions, “Tom Yum” and golden Enoki mushrooms that are thin, tall and delicate ($37). Hake is the most common fish used when you buy Boston Scrod.  

When one orders a California Roll the term “crabmeat” does not necessarily mean that you are getting real crab meat.  They are made with what is known as “kani” with the fish being from Pollock.  Playboy’s version is made with Alaskan King Crab meat, which is one of the most expensive of the crab varieties.  

I was interested in sampling a side of the Roasted Thai Eggplant with an aged Sherry Vinaigrette ($12).  I could certainly become a fan of Yeh’s delights.

Playboy Club has quite a long beverage menu that includes wine, beer, spirits, top of the line sake and cocktails concocted by a mixologist.  Here is one called A Bunny Thing: Bacardi Cuartro Anejo Rum, Rockey’s Green Chartreuse, Pineapple Bitters.  How about Call Me: Ketel One Botanical Cucumber-Mint Vodka, Don Julio Blanco, Canton Ginger, Mint. 

There are various nights of live entertainment, some of which you have to become a member and present your key.  If you go to their website, you can get some of the information, but not all. I found some that needed clarifying and not up to date. That’s what phones are for (212-644-8227). 

Speer told me that they are planning a lot of events for world pride, which says that this Playboy Club is open to the LGBTQ community. He is also looking into doing a Drag brunch and other charity events. 

You never know who’s going to be seated near you and in this case I was introduced to The Amazing Kreskin. I will be interviewing him live on Tuesday, the 16^th on my internet radio show which is taped for a podcast.  He must have read my mind that I wanted to meet him. 

Unrelated, May 1, 7:30 to 10:30 pm, has a scheduled event here called Magic and Mayhem billed as “An enchanting 3-course dinner served with intimate tableside trickery and grandiose magic.” The dinner is curated by the chef. 

As for membership, the most expensive is $100,000 on the Mansion level while the least is $5,000 on the Lounge level.  The 5G includes: VIP Access to Playboy Club New York for Member and their guests; Personalized Playboy Club New York Membership Card; Iconic Playboy Key giving entry into The World of Playboy and its Member Only Events; $1,000 House Account loaded onto your Personalized Playboy Club Membership Card at the Playboy Club New York; Cocktail master class for 10 people hosted by the Playboy Bunnies and Playboy Mixologist; 2 complimentary tickets to the Exclusive Playmate of the Year Event in NYC; 2 complimentary tickets to the Playboy Club Masquerade Ball; 4 complimentary tickets to the Playboy Club New York Movie Night with the Playboy Bunnies; Access to Playboy Club London; and Access to the Bunny, Grotto and Mansion Lounges Within Playboy Club New York. 

For further information go to: www.playboyclubnyc.com  Come on…hop to it! 

IF YOU INVITE THEM, THEY WON'T COME

For those of you old enough, the name Joe Franklin will stir up memories.  In fact, the name of his talk show of years ago was called, “Joe Franklin’s Memory Lane”.  I think just about everyone in show business was invited to appear on his tv talk show or interviewed on his long time radio show.   He’s close to 90 years old now and still maintains a radio show.

He had recently appeared at a jazz night club called The Metropolitan Room, where occasionally there is a non-jazz artist.   The ad listed the “Invited Guests” as: Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Julia Roberts, Liza Minnelli, Woody Allen, Pat Cooper and Michael Feinstein.   Bernie Furshpan was there as his “side-kick” and not one of “the invited” showed up.   The audience had many entertainers who appeared with him.

The Metropolitan Room, located at 34 W. 22^nd Street, is a pretty decent sized club…bit smaller than Below 54 with the same sort of set up regarding seating… cabaret style with some oval booths and long tables.  Like most of the clubs, there is a cover charge and drink or food minimum.   Acoustics are fine and so is the service.  Check out their schedule.

Films of old shows were shown behind the piano player and a setup of Joe doing his radio show was the focus.  He did tell jokes…some “blue”.   Christine Pedi who has been seen often in the Forbidden Broadway shows, sang a few.  A few other performers entertained.   Everyone was given a copy of Joe Franklin’s Great Entertainment Trivia Game.  

As for me, I was on his tv show once in the late 60’s and again sometime in the 70s.   I seem to recall his son Brad doing his first talk show on HBO and having both myself and dad as the guests.   All was memorable.

CAN'T DEN-Y THE TASTE OF LAIR

My buddy Teri and I went to this cool place in an area of NYC known as Soho/Nolita. It's a combo of a restaurant-lounge-bar and called Lair, located at 201 Lafayette Street between Broome & Kenmare Streets.

We were introduced to owners Michael Levin and Illarion Parmit (better known as Larry). It was described to me as a "chicly rustic interior of exposed brick, distressed wood, hand-painted ethic art work are accented by the earth tone color palette and lavish throw pillows" and that's what I saw.

The front of Lair is where the main decor and dining is located. Pass that area to view a long bar and a few more tables for lounging. Into the back to the "hang out" space (or event space as needed).

Time to check out the menu and order a drink. Michael (who has had years of experience in bar tending) has what I found to be the tastiest sangrias. Teri preferred the red while I preferred the white.

Michael and Larry hired Chris Cheung as the Executive Chef who decided on a fare of Asian fusion tapas better known as Dim Sum. Here is what we ate.

CHICKEN ‘PILLOWS’, CRISPY CHICKEN SKIN, JOHNNY BLUE SAUCE
ROASTED BONE MARROW, X/O MARMALADE, SCALLION PANCAKES
OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL, SEARED SCALLOP, TRUFFLE ESSENCE
MANGO ‘NOODLES’ SALAD, ROCK SHRIMP, CHILI LIME
LOBSTER, BACON, AVOCADO SALAD IN CRISPY WONTON ROLLS
DRY AGED BLACK ANGUS BEEF DUMPLINGS
CHICKEN AND FOIE GRAS SAN JIN DUMPLINGS
EGGPLANT AND MUSHROOM SUI MAI

And for dessert:
SHANGHAI WALNUT CRUSTED MARSHMALLOWS
CARAMEL APPLES,’CRISPY PLUM’

JUNOON PREVIEW

I went to an Indian restaurant this evening called Junoon where Vikas Khanna is the Executive Chef. Having reviewed Purnima a few years back, I got word that Vikas would be heading this one. Rajesh Bhardwaj is the owner who told me that he gave up ownership of others for this one. The restaurant has a great atmosphere of being spacious and a more subtle East Indian decor. Junoon is located in Manhattan at 27 W. 24th Street. My friends Deveka and Ernie Leibovitz went with me to sample some of the menu.

I say, "some of the menu" because there are so many items to choose from there would have been no way for me to taste even a quarter of the offerings.

I'm calling this a preview because I want to comment on what made this place so special aside from the food itself. You know how one describes the service as being "impeccable"? Junoon absolutely defines the dictionary meaning of the word.

When seated, the chair was pulled out for me and assistance was given to help push it back to the table. The first person to come over had hot wet towels to cleanse your hands before eating and later came over after the dinner with hot wet towels. Great for both a cold night and not having to wash up before dinner.

There was one waiter who not only took the drink orders but was able to assist Ernie on which Cognac to choose and what to expect with the Japanese rice beer. He also made it a point to have our water glasses filled at all times.

Our waiter, Michael, was not only able to describe the contents and cooking methods of each item presented, but gave us a tale on why a particular lamb kabob came about.


After each set of sample dishes were eaten, all silverware and plates were immediately removed. The busboy would come over to clean the tablecloth of any food and when the food bit produced a stain, he brought over a cloth napkin to cover it up as the napkin matched the tablecloth.

If any of us got up to go somewhere, a waiter was there to refold the napkin and place it on the table.

Okay, it gets better. Deveka and I needed to use the restroom. Come on, you know that women never go alone if there are any other women at the table. Deveka asked the waiter for its locale and he simply said that he would walk her to the direction of where it is. He then pointed to a manager who would be taking her. However, when I got up the manager noticed that I had a bit of a limp and asked if I preferred to go upstairs or downstairs. Well, just outside of the downstairs bathrooms is the Spice Room, so I opted to take those steps. The manager extended his arm and assisted me down the stairs and then described the Spice Room. Would you believe that he was waiting for us so that he could escort me up the stairs and back to my seat?

Now I'll comment on the food. It appears that the herbs and spices are mixed each day so they can bring out the flavor of the particular menu item. That means that if you are having something with "curry" and you are allergic to cumin, it can be simply eliminated. I had noticed not only the array of spices, but tools such as a pestle and mortar and a few different types of grinders.

Having eaten Indian food, I expected my taste buds to bring back memories. They didn't. Every morsel of food had flavors that were unrecognizable probably due to the way the herbs and spices were mixed. In fact there was not one piece of food that was overpowered by the flavor of one particular spice.

Peppery, spicy, hot...don't give that to me. A few things were a bit like that just due to my palate. I simply tolerated it and concentrated on the other flavors. Deveka and Ernie are used to peppery, spicy, hot and for the first time did not request some type of sauce, etc. to heighten the hot.

Ernie said that he was spoiled and that he would find it difficult to eat at another Indian restaurant. Deveka agreed. I rank the food as being a number 10 out of 10. I had a chat with Rajesh to find that he was a former chef so he designed the menu. I will have him on my radio show this week!

McCORMICK & SCHMICK'S TASTING

I decided to "go into the city" today. You'd think I didn't live in New York City when I say that. Whether you live in one of the four other boros of NYC or even in the tri-state area, it means MANHATTAN. I was spending the day with my friend Joanna and it was time to chow down for lunch. When it comes to midtown Manhattan the only place I could think of is McCormick & Schmick's as they have the freshest seafood going.

Executive Chef Christopher Sellati always seems to come up with some fantabulous items for the menu. I simply said, "Chris, bring it on. I want to do a tasting" Servers Megan Davis and Scott Woltz got the word from Chris and the menu items appeared.

We began with an amuse bouche of a this thin slice of rare filet mignon with wild mushrooms. That was followed by beer battered soft shell crab with a mango aioli. The crab was perfectly cooked to have the bit of crunchiness on the outside while retaining the juiciness of the not so tiny crab.

Next came the Ahi Seared Rare that was served with a Yuzu Vinaigrette, a grapefruit citrus flavor with Aisan influences. There's a wasabi dressing, Asian slaw, some fried won-tons and avocado salsa.

The tummy yummy continues with juicy and un-fishy (you know what I mean) Steamed Wild Halibut. It's steamed in a cilantro lime broth. Capture that flavor in your mouth. Let's add that that halibut is surrounded by fresh asparagus and colossal lump crab meat!

Yes, there's more! Grilled Mahi-Mahi sitting atop...get ready...a mound of sweet potato-crab hash that's surrounded by a butter BBQ sauce and then topped with a fennel salad. Wow...all of those taste buds are dancing the horah!

They have a new dessert on their menu that resembles a Smores! It starts with a walnut brownie, topped with Rocky Road Ice Cream, housemade marshmallow that gets toasted and a graham cracker. It's also surrounded by nuts...just like Joanna and myself.

I thought that this was a great idea until another dessert appeared. OMG! This chocolate hazelnut mousse is surrounded by a group of chocolate (I think) meringue roll-ups with some hazelnut mousse in them. Not for those who dislike hazelnuts. This is absolutely the perfect dessert that full of flavor, texture and "airiness" due to the absence of cake. There's nothing to chew. It all melts on your tongue and slides around those happy little taste buds.

I think I might be able to get Chef Chris on my next radio show!

SNEAK PEEK AT SOTHYS

I had a great spa experience at Sothys in Midtown Manhattan. I will call it "Hannukah Sue Me" in order to remember the name of this body ritual. "Hanakasumi Body Ritual. Experience the ancient art of beauty with this relaxing body ritual inspired by Japanese traditions. Your journey begins with the application of a warmed exfoliating cream with cherry blossom and rice powder followed by an exfoliating towel massage to soften the skin and invigorate the body. A unique foot massage based on reflexology revives vital energy. Complete the ritual with a full body massage of melted aromatic shea butter to bring blissful relaxation."

That's Simona applying the blissful relaxation. More to come on this.

Since the Spa Event was in Manhattan and I had to be at Grand Central Station the next morning, I stayed at the GEM Hotel on 22nd Street off of 8th Avenue. I loved the lobby! It's a "boutique" hotel and although the rooms are not an large as the chain hotels, it was perfect for my needs. Loved the amenities in the bathroom, too. Bathrobe in the closet so I could relax and do my radio show with free internet.

There is a rooftop where you can bring a drink, etc and relax as well. They have a vending machine but no food service, which is not really a problem since the Chelsea are has loads of restaurants and stores.

Let Them Eat Lobster

Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating! Although it’s the official Thanksgiving here in the United States, the true date has absolutely nothing to do with turkey or Plymouth Rock. In fact, the Mayflower could have just crashed into the rock when they made there way from Provincetown, Massachusetts. Provincetown?

That’s correct. The first landing of the Mayflower took place at the tip of Cape Cod in Provincetown, on November 21st, 1620. It was there where they signed the Mayflower Compact in Provincetown Harbor and not Plymouth Rock, where they landed five weeks later, a year prior to the famous harvest feast. It was in Provincetown that the compact was about governing the new colony and they ate lobster and other fish from the waters, as well as corn and cranberries. In other words, Thanksgiving should be celebrated with an old fashioned Clam Bake!

As for that tiny rock in Plymouth, just feast your eyes on the Pilgrim Monument, the 252-foot, 7.5 inches tallest granite structure in the United States!

So, what did I do for Thanksgiving? Since I didn't get an invite and not wanting to sulk at home, I decided to go to McCormick & Schmick's in Manhattan for a lobster dinner.

I took public transportation into Manhattan. It's not unusual to find a Latino singer playing a guitar, or simply someone giving a "story" as to why he needs money, but this one was different! It was a portable magic act. The guy brings a wheelable table with stuff in it including a rabbit and dove.

Meanwhile at McCormick & Schmick's...I first had the pleasure of talking with Executive Chef Chris. Although each lunch and dinner menu are different, depending on the fresh fish that Chris gets, there were some new items on the menu as well that involved sushi and sashimi.

I started with the Salmon Lomi Lomi tossed tableside with chopped tomato, pineapple, onions and lime juice, followed by Kona Kampachi Sashimi with avocado, soy and truffle oil. Kona Kampachi is an Hawaiian yellowtail.



Then came my two-pounder! All meat was found and eaten. It came with a small ear of corn and I ordered a side of the sweet potato casserole, which was a sort of sweet potato pie. Chunks of sweet potato with marshmallows, cinnamon and maple syrup...I think. I saved it for dessert.

As I walked back to the subway I saw a group of dancers performing to hip-hop music and hoped for perhaps someone playing a violin on the way home. Wrong. It looked like we got some guy who seemed to know everything about everything and sharing it all the way to when I happily got off. What a day!