Toughest Doors in the City

1. Boom Boom Room at The Standard

The Standard’s glitzy penthouse bar sports views to rival the Empire State Building and offers a level of hospitality on a par with Ian Schrager’s Rose Bar. That’s if you can make it inside. The Boom Boom is hard on most comers, including celebrities and models. We hear that Agyness Deyn was rejected at the door last week when the bouncer didn’t recognize her. Ooops.

Who you need to know: Andre Balazs, Kamil Parchomienko

Civilian Chance of Entry: 0 %

The Standard Hotel

848 Washington St. (Meatpacking District)

2. Jane Ballroom

The former nautical flop house quickly became the hottest lounge in New York without ever really announcing that the place was open, attracting the hipster set to its sway (not dance - it's not allowed!) on its plush couches. But as the saying goes: Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems. The Jane’s issues with its neighbors are well known, and the club was recently visited by a number of New York City agencies, resulting in the Ballroom voluntarily restricting its capacity until the problems are addressed. Same demand with half of the space is never a good equation. Hope someone tells the kiddies before their cab turns down Jane Street.

Civilian Chance of Entry: 0%

Who you need to know: Eric Goode, Sean MacPherson, Matt Kliegman ( there are a few others but if you dont know them by now...you will never know them!)

Jane Hotel

113 Jane St. (West Village)

3. Simyone Lounge

Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum have expanded their mini-Meatpacking empire with the Simyone Lounge (SL), a tiny little lounge below their new restaurant Abe and Arthur’s guarded by former Tenjune doorman Aalex Julian. Simyone just recently opened to the public, but we hear they are going to keep things tight at the door for a good amount of time. Early reports say the room is “well done” and “kinda small”, but it looks like it could be a winner. But beware – getting inside means you are going to be dropping at least $20 for a whiskey. Exclusivity has a steep price!

Civilian Chance of Entry: 25%

Who you need to know: Eugene Remm, Mark Birnbaum, Aalex Julian

Simyone Lounge (SL)

409 W. 14th St. (Meatpacking District)

4. Rose Bar

The Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel is sticking to its guns. Nur Khan loves his little baby, and he and doorman Damian still delight at dropping the hammer on would be customers who think that enough time has passed to get inside. Think again. But it is a hotel bar, so the staff is often required to accommodate guests who wouldn’t get in if it was a standalone business.

Civilian Chance of Entry: 40%

Who you need to know: Nur Khan, Damian Luayie, Ian Schrager, the hotel employee who guards the bathroom door.

Gramercy Hotel

2 Lexington Ave. (Gramercy)

5. Aveune

New York's first gastro-lounge debuted this summer, but almost four months in, this place isn't known for its cuisine. Avenue has become New York's premiere bottle buying destination, as the biggest whales spend serious money to drink in the company of celebrities and their posses, and civilians line up to attempt to get past actor/hardass Wass Stevens. A major coup was hiring the homeless Beatrice crew to run Tuesdays and Thursdays, bringing their customers to a club that they normally wouldn't be caught dead in. Lucky for you, the place is nicely sized, giving you a better than average chance to get inside. Just remember that admission is never guaranteed.

Civilian Chance of Entry: 60%

Who you need to know: Noah Tepperberg, Jason Strauss, Wass Stevens, The Beatrice Crew

Aveune

116 10th Ave. (Chelsea)

Travertine

Last night I was going to go check out Joseph Leonard on Waverly Place and Grove but once I got there, we realized that this space is super tiny and they literally have one table that seats 4 people. So we turned our efforts to Travertine.

It took us a quick second to find this place but once you see the bright white wall, you cant miss it. Travertine is branded to the side of the marble wall and right next to it is a dark wood door. Upon entering the restaurant the hostess stand is directly to your left and you see the bi-level space in all its glory. Decorated in sea green mosaic tiles and champagne colored drapes and dark woods make the space very cozy. There will be a sub level to the restaurant come early 2010. Right down a decedent black chandler hangs over the stairwell downstairs.

We sat up on the "step up" second level. It was nice because we could see the entire space and watch people coming and going. The place was pretty busy the entire time we were there.

For appetizers we had the Crostini with mozzarella di bufalo, heirloom tomatoes and fava beans. Also we had the beef Carpaccio with bone marrow, goat cheese and roasted beets. Everyone at the table would agree that the Crostini was far better then the Carpaccio. The mozzarella is so creamy and fresh. Just delicious.

For our entrees, all of us stuck to pasta. I had the stuff Fagotini. It was a stuffed pasta, with sheep's milk ricotta, spinach with brown butter and a cauliflower puree. Very tasty and for a stuff pasta it was light. Also at the table was a paradelle with rabbit ragu and gnocchi with lemon zest. The paradelle was really nice and had the essence of the rabbit. It was done perfectly. The gnocchi was really different because of the lemon zest. It was surprising to get that flavor with the gnocchi. Really good but surprising. All were really good.

My one complaint about the entire evening was that it took a really long time in between courses. It was like...how long does it take to cook pasta? Gees! Besides that everything was really great. I liked the food, the space and the service. I would recommend this to a wide range of people. Young fashionisat, the blue button down types, date night couples, you get the idea.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Travertine
19 Kenmare at Elizabeth
212-966-1810

Le Cubain

I went to Le Cubain last night and I loved it. Its like a Pastis with a Lower East Side feel. Meaning slightly darker with more better music. Located right on the corner of Ludlow and Broome, this Cuban restaurant is a refreshing space for the LES. On the radio was everything from Nancy Sinatra and Roy Orbison to The Presets and The Tings Tings. It was a little early when we got there and we were the only ones there. However, as the night progressed the place started to fill up.

The food is not traditional Cuban food either. I think its more of Latin food in general and not specifically Cuban. I had chicken tacos, a side of yellow rice and black beans and a calamari appetizer. The chicken tacos were awesome. There were served with cilantro and the tortillas where homemade and grilled. The tortilla was so delicious. It set the tone of the entire taco. The calamari was really nice because it was fried and served with a spinach and mango salad. Hands down though the best thing I had was the goat cheese flan! It was the perfect texture and just oh so yummy. I could've had 7 of them, they were that good!

Also this place doesn't brake the bank. Its very reasonably priced. The appetizers are around $6 and the entrees around $14. The happy hour menu is prefect too. Its only drinks but its mostly $5 mojitos/ margaritas and $5 glasses of wine. Also happy hour goes until 7 PM. Moreover, there is sidewalk seating that's good for people watching.

Overall: I loved this place. The scene is very unpretentious and you want to hang out there. The food is good. Its not mind blowing but its good. The staff is an eclectic bunch. I plan to come here often and become a regular.

Le Cubain
81 Ludlow at Broome St.
212.677.9383

Hope you enjoyed it!

Ten Bells

After I went to Le Cubain, I wondered across the street to Ten Bells. The aromas of chorizo and the sight of oysters had me salivating even though I just came from dinner. The brick walls are covered in chalkboards with a list of the daily menu and wines. This is strictly a wine and beer bar. The dark nature of the space makes this a great date spot. Even on a Monday night, this place was full of people enjoying themselves. I ordered the only Pinot Noir by the glass they had. It was very earthly and light. In other words it was very nice, especially after a meal I just ate.

I really like this space for a wide range of people. Older couples, family visiting, girls night out...it works for all sorts of people. This isn't a place to have a full meal though. Its only small plates (think meats, cheeses, shrimp nachos, empanadas, etc.)

Overall: If anyone is in the LES or waiting for a table at Barrio Chino this is a great spot to sit, enough a glass of wine and listen to music like the Brazilian Girls.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Ten Bells

247 Broome Street at Ludlow

212.228.4450

http://www.thetenbells.com/the_ten_bells/index.html

Hotel Griffou

So the other night I went to dinner with my sister and her boyfriend to Hotel Griffou. Here is my overall thoughts of it...

The space is great. Its very unique and sort of has an exclusive feel to it. There are 3 different dining rooms and a bar space. I had the Writer's Block to start off with before I had my wine with dinner. The drink was with pomegranate and champagne. It was really tasty. My sister liked it too.

The service was great. After all of the mixed reviews I was surprised. Our waitress was very attentive and so was the bussers and water guys. Overall, I thought it was way better then expected and better then...hmmm....other restaurants...wink.

The food was alright. The cauliflower soup was outstanding. I dont even like cauliflower but I wasnt feeling well so I wanted soup and ordered it. It was really great. Both Nick and I had it and it was yummy in the tummy. I had the scallops which was very mediocre. Not impressed at all. Nick had the burger and thought it was good. However, after having the mind blowing Black Label Burger at Minetta, no other burger will taste that good! My sister had the Griffou pork chops and peas. She loves peas and that sort of stuff and really liked it. Overall, the food was good but not WOW!

The crowd/scene was dynamic. Everyone from the blue buttons to Jonathan Alder himself. It hits a large group of people. I think thats what I liked about it the most is that you really couldnt be like....only finance guys or fashionistas or celebrities. Its a good change of pace compared to most restaurants that I have been to lately.

Overall, I liked the space and thinks its a great spot to get drinks. I wouldnt necessarily eat there again but I would definately go back!

Hotel Griffou

21 W. 9th Street

212-358-0228