There are very few elegant eateries in the vicinity of Times Square that aren’t teeming with tourists. If you’re a New Yorker looking for some vino and a meal (or if you’re a tourist that hates the traps), then check out Divine Bar (236 West 54th St.). Also brother to an east side location, Divine Bar specializes in a great wine list and tapas.
The atmosphere is very hip – with dim lighting, leather seating, and a large bar on the lower level showcasing their extensive wine selections. If you’re looking for something other than pubs or sports bars in midtown west, this is the place. At my most recent outing to Divine, my friend and I each had a flight of merlot to start off the evening – a great selection of four wines for only $9.50. Since tapas are their specialty, we also shared an artichoke dip ($10.50), a brie pastry with nuts and dates ($10.50), as well as a delicious spinach salad ($10.50). The tapas are very generous and we could have easily filled up on two.
For a Friday night at 8 p.m. we were able to have a quiet meal upstairs (while a large crowd was at the bar below) but were still able to hear each other and enjoy our meal. The waiter was knowledgeable and pleasant – and gave us the thumbs up when we ordered the brie. Divine also has "vinoversity" - where you can sign up for wine tasting classes that are apparently quite popular. One thing to note: not a great place to go with a large group unless you call ahead – most tables seem to be suited for groups no larger than four. Either way, I felt the experience overall was simply…divine.
It's not often that I feel that I've stepped into the presence of something really, really cool. A Friday night at Asia de Cuba (237 Madison Ave.), however, made me feel just that. Under the management of the people that brought you China Grill, Asia de Cuba is a place to be seen.
The frosted door being guarded by guys with headsets intimidates you right off the bat, but once you're ushered in, it's as if the "cool police" has accepted you and you're treated like stars. In the middle of the main dining hall is a long table that seats about 36 with a tall photograph of a waterfall at the end of the room and white curtains flowing throughout. If you're seated at this table you're probably seated next to strangers, but you're also in the center of it all, being able to take in the fashionably hip at the tables around you and seated upstairs.
Our waitress was extremely pleasant with a great opinion of what to order and how to really enjoy the meal. Our appetizer was the calamari salad – an Asia de Cuba favorite. It was large enough to accommodate four of us (including two rather hungry males) and left us anxious for our entrees. Though this food isn't cheap (the rack of lamb was $64), everything is made to be eaten "family style" – so you can easily split an entrée and side with another person. Bottles of wine start at $30 and mixed drinks are pretty pricey.
By the end of the night, however, none of us flinched at the bill. A couple seated next to us had to wait a long time for their entrees and were personally spoken to by the manager, who then sent them complimentary drinks and dessert. I have a feeling the kind of slow service didn't deter them at all. The wait staff was excellent, the food was superb, and the overall ambiance was something you've got to try at least once. Sometimes it pays to be the cool kid for a night.
You may recognize the name from Good Morning America, and you may even pass by Bryant Park on the way to work, but have you really taken the time to enjoy this beautiful park? If the answer is no, then you must give it a try and soon.
You’ll find a wide range of people in Bryant Park – from business executives enjoying their lunches to sports enthusiasts looking to exercise or play a game of baseball. Bryant Park offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life in Manhattan and there is much to be taken advantage of in this striking location.
For you art and history buffs, there are dozens of statues and monuments set throughout Bryant Park to enjoy. Some of the more notable pieces include the lions created by sculptor Edward Clark Potter, the pediment statuary by Paul Wayland Bartlett, the fountains sitting on either side of the library’s main entrance, not to mention the statue of William Dodge – a businessman in NYC. There are many more set throughout the lawn and on the different terraces that adorn the park. Spend the day walking through the park while learning about the many New Yorkers that brought so much life and history to the city.
If you’re looking for a quiet place to get some work done, the park offers free wireless internet access as well as 2000 movable chairs.
Whether you’re here on a date, for work, or to just think things over, you’ll find a plethora of opportunities at the park. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of Bryant Park.
Getting There
Located behind the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park is easily accessible to all of the residents of New York City. The park sits between 40th and 42nd streets and only a block from Times Square. You can either walk if you live nearby or you can take the F, V, B, or D train to the Bryant Park/42nd Street station.
There are very few elegant eateries in the vicinity of Times Square that aren’t teeming with tourists. If you’re a New Yorker looking for some vino and a meal (or if you’re a tourist that hates the traps), then check out Divine Bar (236 West 54th St.). Also brother to an east side location, Divine Bar specializes in a great wine list and tapas.