LYRA MAG.

Maybe it was the perfect night (freezing damp cold) to embrace the buzzy charms and delicious BISTRO MODERNE cuisine of UES (NYC) restaurant staple Demarchelier -for the first time... But afterwards...we wondered why this ideally located gem- a few blocks from Manhattan's 'Museum Mile' (and mass transit) wasn't  a regular dining destination...as it clearly was for the patrons partaking the recent Tuesday evening we went.

Personal wellsprings of self care are popping up  -for populations focusing on a life lived, well . Subjectively interpreted of course. 21st century attributes and expectations- in a connected world constantly measured/monitored by metrics...often needs  to also include just how to slow down and enjoy the moment, no numerical feedback required. Part One: WELCOME: A VIP Movie Going Leisure pursuits outside of the home are in competition with...screen time inside...like Netflix and video games. Hence the re-think of  cinema experiences...which we got to check out recently in the Big Apple, at the latest CMX cinemas venue-CMX CinéBistro. Manhattan, and NYC in general does not lack for fun pursuits-day or night...so any new venture better deliver unique options to succeed. Question-therefore...does this outlet-one of 37 dine-in movie theaters-accomplish its 'mission'? Answer -yes, PLUS a perfect date night destination, escape from a winter hibernation, an...

The 80's stretch of Second Avenue-newly accessible -thanks to the Q train...(upper east side Manhattan)...doesn't lack for eateries...including the spacious La Pulperia -with its festive outdoor bulbs lighting up its entrance. Still ...that may not be enough to beckon passersby inside. " That would be a big mistake ," opined my dining companion-a confirmed gourmet foodie...who's earlier in the week -had lunch at the fancier Jean George-deeming it  "meh." What had both of  us gushing about every itty bitty morsel of food...was Chef Carlos Burroz's winning ways with sustainable seafood, inventive pairings of textures and spices...and welcoming service-with a no rush, aim to please MO.

In the past-NYC's 'it' steak restaurants catered to power players - wearing power suits - surrounded by power dark wood panels- located ( mostly ) in power zipcodes. To start ...  power drinks or bottles power label wines or power scotches, followed by power (humongous) portions for power appetites... Yada yada yada. Now-preferred steakhouse dining- is lower key- welcoming-in  local spots. Lighter interiors   comfortably seat  whatever attired eaters - often with kids in tow- at earlier hours.  Food wise- a broader range of menu printed options including iconic crowd-pleasers -  satiably satisfying tastebuds craving both the namesake familiar (well rendered)- to more global (fusion) selections. picture-by TBSL Paleo please??? Today's diverse diets+eating 'rituals' from functional healthy free of   fare- to shareable portions for  hungry nibblers and grazing snackers who skip the traditional 2-3 course meal...are a dining ...

The decorative masterpieces- Howard Chandler Christy murals-restored. Relaxed elegance - bright with matte white walls and gleaming  blond wooden panels, 'simple' refined  cloth linen, shiny  china,-both white and solid cutlery-plus the professional caring, well-paced service equivalent to the interior plush environment. For many - natives and visitors to New York, the landmark Hotel Des Artistes ground floor restaurant-Café Des Artistes-was THE pre Lincoln Center destination... for a meal with the grown-ups-and later on, a cocktail with friends. And that was pretty much it -as far as late 20th century visits go. What took us so long to re-experience- this iconic space- now the Leopard at des Artistes  with a revived decor- post a painstaking nine month renovation -and its tasteful menu of classic and modern southern Italian culinary staples -overseen by restaurant veterans (Paula Bolla-Sorrentino and Gianfranco Sorrentino and acclaimed Executive ...

33 West 54th Street, Midtown Manhattan, NYC Even walking at an uncharacteristic for midtown Manhattan  leisurely pace, it's easy to miss the small windowed street front to Mozzarella E Vino . However-past the entrance -a big hearted casual eatery, and a welcoming staff- attributes for a fine dining experience for solo eaters-or a crowd- wonderfully exists ...tempting enthusiasts of Italian food  willing to forgo showier dining non-essentials in order to concentrate on the most delicious 'rustic' cuisine, delivered professionally.

Setting: With a clever address (in the landmark 9 West 57th Street building-right off Fifth Ave.) and a grand entrance (a wide sweeping spiral of a  staircase- down) ... ... Brasserie 8 ½ 's first impression is that of a glamorous ocean liner-  transporting guests to a Parisian 'modern slice of la belle époque' or civilized Mediterranean seaside enclave -but decidedly on land- in a spacious midtown eatery -with a dedicated luxe lounge (perfect for cocktails), multi-seat bars made for conversation ( sans TV screens) -and a plush leather banquet lined main dining room-elegantly adorned with framed Matisse prints and original artwork by Marco Del Re and dramatically partitioned from the kitchen by a striking stain glass artistic  tour de force. From our welcoming greeting at the street level-to the last sip of after dinner espresso-our experience was intuitively well paced-with professional service as befits an upscale dining experience...and relaxed ...

Contemporary Italian Southern Cuisine- A Midtown Oasis of Culinary Art-Traditional Hospitality New to us but a neighborhood staple (est. 2001) ...the special midtown Manhattan hideaway,  Il Gattopardo -located in an historic Rockefeller townhouse across the street from MoMa--- is a worthy dining establishment that begs a return visit. ASAP. Yes, that good. "SE VOGLIAMO CHE TUTTO RIMANGA COM'È BISOGNA CHE TUTTO CAMBI." “If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.” - Tancredi Falconeri, Il Gattopardo by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, 1958  (and for cinema fans...the Visonti classic)...printed on the menu-- summarizes this modern trattoria's pasionate'mission' of serving satisfyingly 'simple' dishes of southern Italy-interpreted in the most contemporary sumptuous ways...as the top tiered restaurants do ( or should )...allowing the finest ingredients deftly presented in a seasonal menu-to shine through -flavored ...

via GIPHY In our inbox... The  Italian Championship of Pasta  will take place for the first time in New York, from March 7th to September 12th.  ITALIAN'S FOOD CHAMPIONSHIPS  and  SPEAKITALY NYC  are glad to invite you to celebrate one of the most important ingredients in the Italian cuisine and partecipate in deciding Il Campione Della Pasta! Food connoisseur  Riccardo Costa  is enthusiastically part of the team and will be gifting at every match his  Vecchia Cucina: Antique original family recipes from my grandma's secret kitchen  book   to a lucky one!

Sure, the hometown Big Apple gets most of the glory- in a way -but massive New York State offers up loads of winter fare ...from fun-active outdoor activities in this country's largest protected area in the lower 48- the majestic Adirondacks , to stimulating and/or plush-to-basic indoor options, culinary treats from the exotic to simple homemade deliciousness-and literally hundreds of 24/7 travel options for all kinds of budgets. Part One: Hudson Valley via GIPHY source blingee.com Hudson Valley: Blue Skies-easy to reach-Thunder Ridge Ski Area-with kid friendly Terrain Park For do it in a day (from NYC) outdoor fun-kid friendly Mt. Peter or Thunder Ridge Ski Area - and spa worshiper 'must' destination-AND nature- hiker's paradise, the stately Victorian 'castle' Mohonk Mountain House are easily reached via Getaway Packages from  public train transport Metro-North-including pick up/drop arrangements, lift tickets/Learn to Ski/Snowboard deals/Tub...

A bustling SOHO neighborhood is not lacking for dining choices...but the 'secret sauce' to a successful one ---we say the text book answer might the one year old MAMO ...on West Broadway...which manages to merge the sophisticated formal service of southern Italian hospitality with the relaxed elegance of a southern France establishment.  What diners get-a rare combination of incredible food, AND discreet - friendly professional service...that transports one to Provence mixed with the pleasantly buzzy vibe of NYC destination that has a mixed crowd-of  locals, patrons from the across the street's Soho Grand Hotel, pairs of pals/couples catching up- and celebrating business types-all happily fed and cared for. The charming Federalist townhouse locale is easy to get to-right off Canal Street...with the upstairs dining room-two large rooms anchored by a welcoming white marble bar-our 'hang' for the night. The atmosphere is both welcoming and hip-a...

Good Enough To Eat 520 Columbus Avenue/85th Street-NYC In homage to a Vermont farmhouse -plunked down on a bustling stretch of Manhattan's UWS 'hood, GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT...is a NYC cultural institution, brunch wise...with legendary lines (tourists/natives) on any given weekend -waiting for copious helpings of homemade-in-house breakfast classics and breads. Not a queuer or around weekends-for that matter, we never-the-less jumped at the chance to sample some eats from an establishment that is arguably-one of the first restaurants that embraced the farm to table credo of dining...sourcing local producers for a wide variety of what's on the menu...and making it all fresh-daily, in-house...as ably illustrated by this pic we took... organic and locally sourced ingredients...from iconic NYC establishments and smaller area farms-less carbon footprint in deliveries let alone guarantee-you will know that what you are eating is what it claims to be...particularly importa...

Healthy Eating-Smart Indulgences In A Traditionally Modern Restaurant FOUR CUTS STEAKHOUSE -  a swank and comfy-fairly new restaurant-offers American 'classic'  cuisine for lunch and dinner- that can EASILY accommodate  fussy diners. Since we're all about the healthy eating with an occasional indulgence. ..the success of our dining experience-- hinged on fresh succulent seafood that is reason enough to visit -this 1076 First Avenue  /NYC (Sutton Place neighborhood (between 58th/59th Streets).  FYI-an easy walk from subways/Bloomingdales/midtown. Owner:  Mirso Lekic and  General Manager:  Rodolphe Siffredi greet guests like welcomed family-whether 20 something- first timers looking for a quick cocktail at the solid wood bar (with tempting homemade potato chips-you've been warned!)-or local patrons who regularly drop in for " ...steak that's better than Peter Lugers "----as one fellow diner put it-to his congenial gr...

1221 Second Avenue -64th Street-NYC A dreary rainy cold night doesn't draw out the masses in we deliver everything  NYC...yet our evening meal at the bright CHINA FUN -an established (since 1991) full service restaurant with a long, mouth watering list of freshly prepared classic Chinese cuisines (Cantonese+Szechuan styles-featuring Dim Sum fried or steamed, sizzling hot plate entrées, many kinds of Noodles & Fried Rice, filling Mandarin Noodle Soups) AND picky-leaner leaning options  (Spa Cuisine, a complete Japanese menu- )-indicated to us that this welcoming dining fav of the neighborhood-is serving up eats to happy customers a plenty-no matter the weather.