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BLACKBARN Launches the Den and Hudson Valley Location

by Megan D'Souza
written by Megan D'Souza

On Thursday night, we returned to one of our favorite spots in the city: BLACKBARN threw a celebration to launch their new intimate event space: the Den. The Den sits at mezzanine level, a step above the lively dining room below but still enveloped in the restaurant’s cozy barn-chic aura. 

 

An exciting new launch, the Den was introduced as the perfect location for intimate dining affairs, birthday dinners, business meetings (it’s equipped with a wall-mounted TV). With its sliding full-length glass doors and hidden satellite bar, the Den is a welcome addition to BLACKBARN’s other event spaces poised to host every occasion. 

For those who aren’t familiar, BLACKBARN is an American restaurant situated right by Madison Square Park, home to gorgeous views overlooking the park. Its event spaces and coveted vistas are only the beginning of what the restaurant has to offer, though. Their farm-to-table menu delights clientele with local ingredients, artisan flavors and techniques, and a cozy “modern barn” interior that feels like a special treat and makes you feel right at home. We’ve been in the past to sample their summer menu and their wine collection, but this was the first time we got to try their winter selection. 

When we arrived at the restaurant, we were escorted upstairs and greeted with fresh wines and their signature apple whiskey cocktail while we took in the calming atmosphere of their Loft event space. An array of wondrously delicious appetizers floated around the room during the entire night: fried artichoke with goat cheese, black truffle egg yolk souffle served in eggshell cups, breaded lamb-stuffed olives, and many more.

Halfway through the event, Chef / Owner John Doherty came out to tell us about some of the exciting initiatives they are undertaking. A recent event with Netflix’s Blue Zones documentary inspired the kitchen to create more plant-based, gluten-free, and vegetarian menu options. Their new Hudson Valley location at Diamond Mills Hotel in Saugerties offers a dazzling experience: from spa treatments with non-toxic, science-backed products from Comfort Zone to a waterside massage to a personal ferry ride from the spa to the restaurant. We can’t wait to make the trip upstate to try it out!

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The Historic Paris Theater is Now Home to Queen Miami Beach

by Avyana Chapman
written by Avyana Chapman

At QUEEN Miami Beach you can indulge in the same ultimate immersive dining experience as Will Smith, Jeff Bezos, Dj Khalid, and more! Enjoy the seamless blend of superb Japanese cuisine and world-class hospitality, with today’s bold modernity of elevated nightlife to evoke a new era of posh Miami has yet to see. With renowned architect Carlos Rodriguez of ModPlay Studio at the helm of Queen Miami Beach’s unrivaled design, you will be amazed at the awe-inspiring reimagination of the space. 

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Restaurant Review: Parma Nuova Enchants the UES

by Megan D'Souza
written by Megan D'Souza

Tucked into a beautiful corner in the Upper East Side, Parma Nuova is the latest creation from the minds of restaurateurs Giorgio Manzio and La Masseria Group’s Enzo Ruggiero, Giuseppe Iuele and Chef Pino Coladonato. We stopped by on Monday night to sample some of their menu items!

When you walk into the restaurant, you’re greeted with the quintessential, comforting scene of an elevated New York Italian restaurant: white tablecloths, cherry wooden chairs, a tall candle stand on every table. We sat down before the dinner crowd rushed in, so got to see the ambiance transform from quiet to bustling yet warm. 

 

For our first course, we chose the BURRATINA CON MELANZANE, PEPERONI ARROSTOE POMODORI SECCHI. Served with sundried tomatoes, marinated eggplant, and sweet roast peppers, this preparation turned the typical, but still delicious burrata starter found on every menu in the city, into something bright, unique, and delicious. Our second dish was the INSALATA PARMA, a medley of arugula, radicchio, tomato, peppers, olives, and endives, topped with sheets of parmesan. It was the last day of the heat wave, and we needed a cool salad to revive our bodies – this hit the spot.

We sipped on summery aperol spritzes and enjoyed our appetizers while we excitedly browsed Parma Nuova’s decadent pasta and entree menus. After debating over traditional and modern dishes, we finally settled on GNOCCHI ALLA SPUMA DI PARMIGIANO E TARTUFO, a gnocchi in parmesan sauce with fresh truffles. When the pasta is brought to your table, the server comes with a precious truffle in a glass jar and shaves it directly onto your plate! I’d never seen this done before, and as a truffle-obsessed foodie, I was awestruck. If you’re a fan of truffle, and I’m thinking that applies to almost every single person reading this, you definitely need to try it fresh. Our decadent pasta helpings were completed by their daily special, the Branzino, with roasted carrots and potatoes. The fresh fish was deboned and plated, cooked with a deliciously simple seasoning and the perfect complement to the rich, cheesy pasta. 

Before we finished our meal, we had to try some of their desserts – the TORTA DI MAMMA PAOLA, a flourless chocolate cake, and the MISTO BOSCO CON SORBETTO AL FRUTTO DELLA PASSIONE, a passion fruit sorbet topped with fresh summer berries. Offering something luscious and something refreshingly light, these desserts left us very full, and very happy. Before we left the restaurant, we caught up with Giorgio and Enzo to learn a bit more about Parma Nuova’s launch and vision. Officially opening just a few weeks ago, the restaurant offers a similar menu to Masseria dei Vini, just with a few more regional specialties from the Parma region. The La Masseria team is hoping to offer the Upper East Side a taste of the authentic Italian cuisine that has delighted Rhode Island, Palm Beach, and Midtown West for years.

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Restaurant Review: 12 Chairs Cafe

by Megan D'Souza
written by Megan D'Souza

Nestled streetside into the dreamy restaurant-lined blocks of west Soho, 12 Chairs Cafe brings gourmet Israeli food to New York. It started out as a small cafe, and evolved into a neighborhood favorite drawing in crowds of patrons day after day. As you walk by groups of laughing friends and families, you get the easygoing sense of summertime and the scent of fresh cooked food wafting through the air. In the late evening, you might even be able to hear the sound of tambourines and traditional music filling the streets as the dining experience turns into a party. We stopped by on Tuesday night to try some food we haven’t had here before, and fully experience their day to night vibe.

 

First up, we had the pita with a few small dips: the Babaganoush and Labaneh. As the energy of the restaurant started to build around us, we dipped warm pillowy pita breads into creamy labneh and spiced olive oil, and babaganoush topped with fresh herbs and blended to the perfect chunky-creamy consistency.

 

After our appetizers, we tried their Shipudim and Arayas. The Shipudim consisted of impossibly juicy chicken skewers topped with tomatoes and served with crispy potatoes and spicy tomato salad. Each bite of hot, spiced chicken paired with the fresh tomatoes and salad captured the beauty of Mediterranean flavors, and reminded us why 12 Chairs is such a beloved neighborhood staple. The Arayas, which are grilled pita filled with minced lamb, were served with the same spicy tomato salad that seems to complement all meat dishes. These packed a punch of substance, and each little triangle really fills you up! These delicious bites were more than enough to satisfy our hunger and then some, but of course, we had to grab some dessert.

 

First up on the dessert menu, their take on a classic cheesecake. The Israeli style cheesecake served at 12 Chairs is much lighter and fresher than American versions, and a bite of this topped with strawberries really captures that summer feeling. Our second dessert was Malabi, a dish I’d never tried before. It’s a coconut milk pudding covered in pomegranate syrup, and topped with coconut flakes and pistachios. A bit like panna cotta in texture, this creamy dessert was also a refreshing end to our delicious meal at 12 Chairs.

 

I’m so excited to keep coming to this restaurant to continue trying all the items on their menu as the summer goes on and beyond. If you haven’t tried this spot yet, be sure to put it on your list! And if you go as often as we do, hopefully you’ve discovered some new dishes to sample on your next visit by reading this. Check out 12 Chairs’ website and menu here!

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