At the heart of Midtown, the brand new par excellence of Ramerino Italian Prime Restaurant takes you into a Tuscan escape through a great selection of Italian haute cuisine.

The newly debuted restaurant opened its doors earlier this month by industry veteran and owner of San Marino SoHo and Antica Ristorante Sammy V. Gashi. The Tuscan-styled restaurant is located adjacent to the Hyatt hotel and is minutes from Bryant Park and the New York Public Library. Their rooftop is set to open later this month.

The name, Ramerino translates to Rosemary commonly found in Tuscany and one of the many main ingredients for the perfect herbal touch.

Upon arriving, you’re met by the hostess and escorted into an open, warmly lit dining room, with a corner adorned with wine bottles to build upon that Italian aesthetic – very traditional and charming. The tables are draped in white linen and livened by an eclectic bunch of centerpieces; by this, I mean a plate with salami, and aged parmesan, paired with a choice of white or wheat bread and home-made butter. One can snag seats in the tranquil outdoor patio for an al fresco experience.

Cocktails are recommendable (don’t forget to try the off-the-menu chocolate martini), specifically the Watermelon cocktail for a sweet pick-me-up, perhaps even better to drink as a dessert. Ramerino offers a great selection of wines from Italy and California that you can indulge in, whether seated or by the front bar. But the star of the night, and will always be, is a lightly iced Aperol Spritz that just hits the spot while nibbling appetizers – a nostalgic feeling of nights in Italy and Italian cocktail culture.

Other cocktails included Paloma, Espresso Martinis, Manhattans, and Old Fashioneds.

We were greeted by Chef Vilfredo Hodai, who was in energetic spirits despite being in the kitchen on a summer day. His experience in the culinary arts comes from years of working for La Giostra. He was excited to share his homemade recipes topped with a traditional flair. Hodai comes from a full arsenal of authentic Italian cuisine.

He comments, “It’s great to see how many visitors we’ve had come through the doors since we opened. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

The Carciofi E Avocado appetizer was perfect. Resting on a bed of arugula and topped with thirty-four-month-aged parmesan cheese. The first bite is refreshing and balanced as creamy avocado meets tender sections of artichoke. Not heavy.

The light char on the Polpo Alla Griglia really amplified the octopus’s meaty & mild profile. It was paired with a bright chickpea purée that reminded me of a Mediterranean dish I’d find along the coasts of Santorini.

The special appetizer of the evening is scallops nestled into a zingy mix of broccoli rabe, cherry tomatoes, olives, and peppers. However, the scallops took a backseat to the vegetables sautéed to perfection, and the peppers added the right amount of heat. I could have eaten an entire plate of vegetables alone.

Tartar Di Fileto fresh and delicate. The creamy burrata only adds to the rich mouthfeel and flavor that felt addicting. The kicker for the night was the Cacio e Pepe made of homemade tonnarelli, Pecorino Romano DOP, tellicherry black pepper, and grated 24-month age Parmigiano-Reggiano. The pasta melts in your mouth instantly with each bite leaving you with a strong heritage of Italian tradition. Did I mention all the pasta is house-made?

I loved the numerous tableside offerings. One of my favorite dishes of the night, and an entree of choice, is Ramerino’s Branzino. I watched as our waiter skilfully carved and deboned a plump sea bass, roasted and stuffed with garlic cloves & rosemary, before placing it onto a hot plate for its final presentation – the sizzling! A generous dousing of clarified butter and even more garlic sizzled and fragranced the air, flagrant, before being set in front of me. Each bite was tender, flaky, and sweet.

Reporting by Alison Andrea Lopez

LOCATION: 16 East 39^th Street, New York, NY 10016

WEBSITE: ramerinoprime.com

PHONE: (646) 880-7885

INSTAGRAM: @ramerinoprime

HOURS:

Monday – Friday: 12 pm – 3:30 pm; 4:45 pm – 10:30 pm

Saturday: 4:45 pm – 11 pm

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Events

All You Can Eat Free Lobster At Red Lobster’s Endless Lobster Event In Times Square

Published

3 days ago

March 19, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Red Lobster is offering select customers an all-you-can-eat lobster at its flagship New York City location on Tuesday, March 28.

The first ever “Endless Lobster” event will treat 150 customers to as many 1¼-pound lobsters as they can handle, as well as broccoli and one side of choice.

Red Lobster will open reservations a week in advance at 10 a.m. EST on March 21.

The event will be staggered into three windows: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with each window seating 50 guests.

Though the lobster will be free, diners will still are responsible for drinks, additional sides and of course a generous tip. By signing up for the event, guests will also “grant Red Lobster the right and license to use their names, images, and/or statements for advertising and publicity purposes,” according to fine print of the event.

Guests must eat their lobster in house and no leftovers or doggie bags.

If you get a reservation you will be given a table for two. Reservations will be non-transferrable, and diners will be required to bring their Eventbrite confirmation email to get access. Click here to get a table on March 21st.

Entertainment

Happy St Patrick’s Day: The Parade, Things To Do and Pubs

Published

5 days ago

March 17, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Saint Patrick’s Day has New Yorker’s putting on the green. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes on St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 17, 2023. The procession starts at 11am and ends around 4:30pm. The parade begins at East 44th Street, marching up Fifth Avenue—past St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 50th Street—all the way to East 79th Street.

The following streets will be closed.

5th Avenue between 42nd Street and 86th Street
Madison Avenue between 63rd Street and 64th Street
Madison Ave between 78th Street and 86th Street
Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd Street and 46th Street
43rd Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
44th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
45th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
46th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
47th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
48th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
62nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
64th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
72nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
78th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
79th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
80th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
81st Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
82nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
83rd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
84th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
85th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue

The Irish Arts Center opens its doors on Sunday, March 19, at noon for its annual Irish extravaganza filled with authentic music, dances, crafts and live piano karaoke sing-alongs of Ireland and Irish-America’s greatest hits.

You’ll also get to see a performance and group lesson by World Irish Dance Champion Tyler Shwartz. Events include the U.S. premiere of Tann Ann (an old Gaelic expression for “once upon a time”), a short film series blending storytelling, visual art, puppetry, and original music to transport all to the supernatural world of Irish folklore and mythology.

For over a century, the Irish Mob, an organized crime syndicate, was an ongoing concern in New York City. Now the one-time Irish enclave of Hell’s Kitchen has become an upscale neighborhood, but most of the spots where the gangs lived and operated are still standing. Learn about a lurid side of the city’s history on this small-group tour of the West Side of Manhattan.

Looking for the best pubs in Times Square? Try O’Lunney’s 145 West 45th, Connolly’s Pub & Restaurant 121 West 45th, The Mean Fiddler 266 West 47th, The Perfect Pint 123 West 45th, McHale’s Bar & Grill 251 West 51st, Playwright Celtic Pub 732 8th Ave, Hurley’s Saloon 232 West 48th Street and Playwright Tavern & Restaurant 202 West 49th Street.

Food and Drink

The Brooklyn Deli Where Pastrami is Delectable

Published

6 days ago

March 16, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

It use to be finding fabulous pastrami ($11.95), corned beef ($10.95), knishes, and cheese cake was as simple as walking down the street, then the Jewish deli’s started to disappear.

Now thanks to the Fireman Hospitality Group they are returning. Nestled inside of the old Paramount Building at 1501 Broadway, on the corner of West 43rd Street is the Brooklyn Deli.

The 130-seat restaurant features one of the tenderest pastrami sandwiches with Swiss cheese, butter pickles and Russian dressing, between slices of rye bread. You can also get this with Corned Beef and sauerkraut.

There’s also deep dish pizza’s ($7.95), a fried chicken sandwich ($9.95) and Burgers ($7.95).

Thanks to Eli Marcus and City Guide, I was invited to a concierge event to introduce this deli to the hotel community.

Eli Marcus

I tried all of the items I have mentioned plus a Potato Knish ($3.95) and Cheese Bread and everything was done to perfection. I was so into the Knish, I ate before taking a picture.

The Fireman Group also owns Brooklyn Deli at 200 West 57^th Street, Brooklyn Diner at 155 West 43d Street and 212 West 57^th Street, Fiorello, overlooking Lincoln Center, the Red Eye Grill at 890 7th Ave, Trattoria Dell’Arte at 900 7th Ave, Cafe Paradiso at 144 West 65th and Bond 45 at 221 West 46th.

This deli is also open for breakfast, so starting your day right is as easy as going to Times Square. This is also the perfect place for before and after theatre. Their prices are reasonable and their food will have you satisfied and content.