Inside the Gilded Age: Where to Sip Like a Socialite in New York City

New York’s Gilded Age was a time of unbridled opulence, where high society waltzed through extravagant ballrooms, toasted with the finest champagne, and gathered in salons dripping with gold. While the era of Astors and Vanderbilts may be long gone, its spirit lingers in the city’s most refined spaces, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of a bygone age. The Gold Room at Lotte New York Palace is one such place, seamlessly blending historic elegance with modern luxury. Nestled within the Villard Mansion, this breathtaking cocktail lounge transports guests to the late 19th century with its original gilded ceilings, Renaissance-style architecture, and the kind of ambiance that makes every sip feel like a toast to old New York.

At the heart of its allure is a cocktail menu inspired by the icons of the era, including the Mrs. Astor Cocktail, a tribute to socialite Caroline Astor, known for shaping high society’s most exclusive guest lists. The Art of the Martini menu pays homage to the timeless sophistication of the drink, offering variations crafted with everything from classic gin and vodka to tequila and soju, a nod to Lotte’s Korean heritage. Pair these with indulgent small plates like black truffle frites or lobster mac and cheese, and suddenly, the past doesn’t seem so distant.

For those looking to step further into the world of the Gilded Age, the city offers plenty of opportunities to embrace its grandeur. The Morgan Library & Museum, once the private retreat of financier J.P. Morgan, remains one of the most exquisite interiors in New York, while the opulent halls of The Met’s period rooms transport visitors to the drawing rooms of the elite. But if you’re looking for an evening of true indulgence, where history meets contemporary sophistication, an evening at The Gold Room might just be the closest thing to stepping into the pages of The Age of Innocence.

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Tickets On Sale Now For The 24th Annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Annabella Pardo

Tickets are now available for the nation’s most celebrated wine and food Festival: the 24th Annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®). From February 20-23, 2025 the four-day star-studded event will return to Miami Beach with more than 105 events, Food Network’s biggest culinary icons, Grammy-winning artists, popular lifestyle personalities, and more than 500 chefs, winemakers, and spirit producers who will come together to EAT. DRINK. EDUCATE. as the Magic City sets the stage for an unforgettable culinary experience.

Photo via @sobewff

“The Festival not only celebrates the vibrant spirit of South Florida but also highlights the incredible food and beverage that has put Miami on the map as a premier culinary destination," says Lee Brian Schrager, Festival Founder & Director. “Miami’s unique setting makes it an ideal host for the annual Festival, attracting amazing local, national, and international talent, which keeps fans coming back every year. It’s incredible to see how far the Festival has come – from its beginnings on the FIU campus to now being a global event that supports the next generation of hospitality leaders.”

We also wanted to share a few of the new 2025 Festival events below. 

• Alex vs Miami hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli and Eric Adjepong

• Tournament of Champions hosted by Guy Fieri

• Sip & Swirl: A Wine Happy Hour at Casadonna 

• A Dozen Eggs and a Dream: A One Man Show and Dessert Party hosted by Duff Goldman

• Taste of Paradise hosted by Niven Patel and Mohamed Alkassar

Photo via @sobewff

We’re excited to announce FoodieCon® will return to bring together social media’s most food-loving personalities and a unique “offline” food experience. The full day of programming will feature influential digital content creators for memorable cooking demos, interactive panels, immersive activations and photo opportunities, and book signings with digital trailblazers. 

Lastly, we are thrilled to reveal this year’s Tribute Dinner will honor culinary genius Dominique Crenn and acclaimed vintner Gérard Bertrand. This exclusive event promises to be a grand celebration of exceptional talent and artistry in both the kitchen and the vineyard.

The Festival’s iconic open-air tasting tents will return this year – American Airlines® North Venue and Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village – for two days and four nights with the country’s most talented chefs and popular lifestyle personalities, supported by over 1,500 students from Florida International University. Returning fan favorites that guests can expect to see include:

Photo via @sobewff

● Rachael Ray will return to host the 18 th annual Mike's Amazing® Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons® on Thursday, February 20

● Aarón Sánchez will host the wildly popular Tacos & Tequila presented by Tequila Cazadores, featuring chefs serving up various iterations of one of Mexico’s most iconic dishes on Saturday, February 22

● 135,000 sq. ft. culinary playground featuring LIVE cooking demonstrations from Food Network personalities, 1,200+ products for sampling, over 45 restaurants and more at the Goya Foods' Grand Tasting Village on Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23

From highly competitive cooking competitions to exclusive one-night-only pop-ups, the Festival team has programmed a diverse lineup of new events that will keep guests entertained throughout the weekend. Highlights include:

Photo via @sobewff

● Alex vs Miami, hosted by Alex vs America’s Alex Guarnaschelli and Eric Adjepong on Thursday, February 20, will be a late-night dance party during which participating chefs will go head-to-head, competing to create the best dish of the night inspired by local flavors.

● Inspired by his hit series of the same name, Guy Fieri will host Tournament of Champions, an epic culinary competition where four teams—each led by a past TOC winner will battle it out on the sands of Miami Beach for top honors on Friday, February 21.

● Tyler Florence will host the new Masters of Fire, celebrating the art of grilling and outdoor cooking, on Saturday, February 22.

● Duff Goldman will host a comedy show and dessert party, A Dozen Eggs and a Dream: A One-Man Show and Dessert Party hosted by Duff Goldman, on Saturday, February 22.

● A new grand finale event, Asian Night Market hosted by Andrew Zimmern, Jet Tila and Aarti Sequeira, will feature a special performance by Rev Run and close out the Festival weekend on Sunday, February 23.

Photo via @sobewff

From Miami Beach to Kendall and everywhere in between, the 2025 Festival offers a carefully curated lineup of events that celebrate the vibrant local cuisine and culture of these neighborhoods and their significant role in shaping South Florida. Event highlights include:

● A Taste of Italy hosted by Giada De Laurentiis part of the Miami Design District Event Series on Thursday, February 20

● Steak and Whiskey hosted by Michael Symon part of the Miami Design District Event Series on Friday, February 21

● The Cookout hosted by JJ Johnson presented by Stella Artois on Saturday, February 22

● A Sunset Feast sponsored by Grove Bay Hospitality Group & Friends hosted by Belkys Nerey & Dan Le Batard part of The Hangar Event Series presented by Capital One on Saturday, February 22

● Noche Cubana hosted by Michelle Bernstein, David Martinez, and Gio Gutierrez on Saturday, February 22

● Taste of Paradise hosted by Niven Patel and Mohamed Alkassar on Saturday, February 22

● Miami Bakery Brunch hosted by Zak Stern on Sunday, February 23

● Overtown Eatup! hosted by Marcus Samuelsson on Sunday, February 23

● Drag Brunch featuring Mistress of Ceremonies Athena Dion on Sunday, February 23

The 2025 Tribute Dinner, part of The New York Times Dinner Series, will take place on Saturday, February 22 at the Loews Miami Beach. The prestigious event will honor renowned chef Dominique Crenn and acclaimed vintner Gérard Bertrand, celebrating their exceptional talent and artistry. The unforgettable evening will be dedicated to their passion, innovation, and excellence in both the culinary and wine worlds.

This year’s Festival will feature a variety of intimate gatherings, including seated Brunches & Lunches, Master Classes, and exclusive one-night-only Intimate Dinners, alongside a handful of Family-Friendly Events and Late Night Parties. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to dive into the art of gastronomy, engage in meaningful conversations, and connect with their favorite chefs, local restaurateurs, vintners, and mixologists. Each event will feature a curated selection of premium wines and spirits from the Festival’s exclusive provider, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Highlights include:

● Table of Ten hosted by Bobby Flay at Casa Tua on Thursday, February 20

● Dinner hosted by Niven Patel and Maneet Chauhan at Ghee Indian Kitchen Wynwood on Thursday, February 20

● Dinner hosted by Michael Solomonov, Stephanie Izard, and Adeena Sussman part of The New York Times Dinner Series at Aviv at 1 Hotel South Beach on Friday, February 21

● Cigars & Spirits hosted by Guy Fieri presented by Cigar Aficionado on Friday, February 21

● Croissant-Making Master Class hosted by Casa Bake part of the Master Class Series presented by Capital One on Saturday, February 22

● Delilah Miami presents Jazz Brunch hosted by Michael Symon and Michael Teich on Saturday, February 22

● Lunch hosted by Susur Lee and James Wright at Klaw Miami on Saturday, February 22

● Vietnamese Cooking Master Class hosted by TÂM TÂM part of the Master Class Series presented by Capital One on Saturday, February 22

● Dinner hosted by Andrew Zimmern and Diego Oka part of the American Airlines® Dinner Series at La Mar by Gastón Acurio on Saturday, February 22

● BBQ-Making Master Class & Lunch hosted by Apocalypse BBQ part of the Master Class Series presented by Capital One on Sunday, February 23

● Farmers Market Brunch hosted by Michael Schwartz part of the Miami Design District Event Series on Sunday, February 23

● Dim Sum Brunch hosted by Dale Talde at Hutong on Sunday, February 23

● A Sushi Omakase Collective hosted by Uchi, Kissaki, MILA Omakase, Mr. Omakase, and Sushi by Scratch Restaurants at SGWS Wynwood on Sunday, February 23

To date, the Festival has raised more than $40 million in support of its educational mission to provide an invaluable real-world experience and an interactive educational platform for future leaders of the hospitality industry at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU). Between SOBEWFF® and its sister NYCWFF, more than $53 million has been raised to benefit the respective charities of each Festival. Beyond the funds raised, both Festivals draw attention to the vibrant dining cultures of their respective cities, provide economic stimulus in their communities, and serve as a platform to drive awareness and engagement for a wide array of philanthropic activities.

Photo via @sobewff

Tickets for the Festival are On Sale NOW, with plenty of options to suit your taste and budget at sobewff.org. Stay up to date all year long by following @SOBEWFF on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

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7 Must Stops for Food & Drink in LA

Gabriella Pryor

While the pandemic has stopped the usual way we dine out, that hasn't stopped these spots from continuing to cater to the public. Whether you're a local, traveling for work, or safely escaping your regular quarantine location, these are some places you should definitely check out for a memorable afternoon or evening outing.

EP & LP - West Hollywood

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When cruising through busy West Hollywood looking for a multi-versed stop, EP & LP  has you covered. Although Asian Eating House, EP,  is temporarily closed,  that doesn’t stop their outdoor LP rooftop from flourishing 4 pm - 2 am, Monday-Friday and 12 pm-2 pm Saturday & Sunday,  serving refreshing drinks and bites to enjoy a prime view of the Hollywood Hills and Sunset Boulevard that will leave you feeling like a local and tourist all in one.

ADRIFT Burger Bar LA - Venice

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If milkshakes are your forte, ADRIFT Burger Bar is the stop for you. Featuring Michelin starred David Myers’ burgers to pair them with and the beach just steps away, there isn’t much to be upset about. Open 11:30 am-9 pm Monday-Sunday, the combo options are truly limitless. ADRIFT is just classy enough to make you feel that you're meeting all your aesthetic desires while inducing yourself into a burger and milkshake food coma. 

The Lighthouse Cafe - Hermosa Beach

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If you have seen the once Oscar nominee, La La Land, this hot spot probably looks pretty familiar. Established in 1949, The Lighthouse Cafe now offers outdoor dining in addition to their regular space for guests looking to enjoy a variety of food and drink options all while basking in live music anytime after 4 pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 12 pm Saturday-Sunday.

Porto's Bakery - Burbank & Glendale

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Long-standing bakery and café, Porto’s family business offers multiple locations for pick up and curbside in the Los Angeles area. With freshly made pastries and meal options, the authenticity of this spot will leave your taste buds craving all the carbs and sugar. Open 7:30 am-7:30 pm Monday-Thursday 6:30 am-7:30 pm Friday-Sunday, whether you opt for a cupcake, sandwich, coffee, or pastry, odds are you will be far from disappointed.

Superfine Pizza - Downtown LA

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Newly reopened with patio dining and takeout since the pandemic via shared space, Superfine Pizza offers all the pie options you can think of. Unlike New York, good authentic pizza can be a little more challenging to find in LA. Known for their Spicy Honey and rarity of pizza by the slice for the state, the taste far exudes the bare minimum. With the intention to be fully opening mid-April, this spot is one you won't want to miss.

Bao Dim Sum House - West Hollywood

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Calling all dumping lovers alike, Bao Dim Sum will leave you struggling with which to pick first. Bao Dim Sum is a hot spot in West Hollywood for those looking for authentic eats with refreshing cocktails to compliment. Handmade food, diverse drink and happy hour menu, what could go wrong? Open 12 pm-8 pm daily and 8:30 pm on the weekends, there’s plenty of time for a fully submerge into a feast exploring the expansive menu. 

The Waterfront Venice - Venice

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If heading near the coast and burgers aren’t necessarily your thing, The Waterfront Venice offers an alternate option for dining with a view 5 pm-9 pm Thursday-Friday and 12 pm-9 pm Saturday-Sunday. With fresh food from seafood to American, craft cocktails and waterfront views what could really go wrong?

The Best Rooftop Bars and Holiday Stops To See This Holiday

Last year it was all about the best outdoor restaurants to celebrate the holidays. This year we are inside and up above New York, able to see all the glitz and glamour the city has to offer. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite rooftop bars in New York City, where you’ll be hard to miss us.

PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown returns for the unveiling of their yearly holiday installation, Midwinter Nights’ Dream. Just in time for the holiday season, the popular all-season midtown rooftop will be transformed into a whimsical dreamland of lush greenery, rich emerald & gold tones, 10,000 twinkling lights illuminating the space, florals galore, fuzzy throw blankets, and an ascending series of tiered red, purple & gold florals throughout the space.

Of course, this installation wouldn’t be complete without New York’s most famous flower tunnel - the winterized edition will take the highly photogenic moment to the next level. Seasonal food and beverage offerings will also be available including light bites, a brand-new themed dessert, plus new winter cocktails. This magical Midwinter Nights’ Dream garden at PHD Terrace was created to cure a bad case of the winter blues and will be activated from now until April 2022.

The Skylark, Midtown West’s elevated bar and lounge with New York City’s most breathtaking 30th-floor views, today announces its long-awaited reopening in Manhattan’s Garment District. The brainchild of hospitality veteran David Rabin and premier catering and hospitality group Abigail Kirsch, The Skylark is an all-season, multi-level destination for sophisticated cocktails during the week and private events on weekends. 

The Skylark features “Dinner by the Bite” dining, a mix of private nooks and communal seating areas designed by Meyer Davis Studio and a stunning, open-air rooftop terrace with breathtaking city views. In the cooler months, guests enjoy floor-to-ceiling vistas from its lounge, including the Hudson River, Hudson Yards, Times Square and the Empire State Building. The Skylark is also a coveted event space for weddings, birthdays and corporate events.

The cocktail program is the creation of Master Mixologist Johnny Swet, The Skylark’s long-time cocktail consultant and a 24-year veteran of New York City’s hospitality scene. His seasonal cocktails riff on the classics with market fresh autumnal ingredients and include the Pumpkin Spiced Mule, Warm Rum Apple Cider, Maple Walnut Old Fashioned, Coconut & Cinnamon Caipirinha and others. The crowd-pleasing drinks are complemented by Abigail Kirsch’s innovative “Dinner by the Bite” culinary program of shareable and delectable plates.

New Yorkers, visitors and champagne-lovers (21+) alike can bring one of Moët & Chandon’s many offerings to the brand’s gifting chalet, located at The Lodge at Brookfield Place and receive a personalized, limited-edition giftbox with a name of your choice! If you don’t have your bottle in hand, feel free to show proof of purchase to get your giftbox and additional festive surprises and delights.

JIMMY

JIMMY atop ModernHaus SoHo’s 18th floor, best known for its legendary pool deck, now beckons guests with its roaring fireplace in its warm and intimate indoor lounge with jaw-dropping views of Lower Manhattan and Midtown.On New Year’s Eve

§  Gala Masquerade Celebration

o    Premium Open Bar and Passed Canapés, 9pm-1am

o    Champagne Toast at Midnight

o    Cash Bar, 1am-2am

o    Tickets (Single Admission, $250 and Tables, $600-$4,500) are available on EventBrite

Manhattan’s ‘it’ rooftop bar and lounge -- known for their much-anticipated holiday installs season after season -- is celebrating sky-high eating and drinking this season with a new apres-ski holiday pop-up on November 19th -- bigger and better than years prior. ‘The Pink Winter Lodge’ will be a pink twist on the posh winter slopes and ski towns around the globe.

Tao Group Hospitality collaborated with Design House Décor for this year’s theme, which will transform the all-season rooftop into a pink oasis featuring floor-to-ceiling pink log walls, a frosted flower arch glowing with custom pink faux antler chandeliers, and endless new photo moments through April 2022. The iconic carousel will sport 25,000 sparkling crystals, frosted pink flowers, and custom ski lifts to transport you straight to the snow-capped mountains. Plus, the East Terrace will feature a pink gondola photo moment surrounded by pink pine trees, pink suitcases, a sled covered in crystals, white ice skates, and diamond-encrusted skis.

Winter in New York City may be frosty and frigid, but there's nothing warmer than gathering with friends and family for some hot or chilled cocktails specially curated by Beverage Director Nikki McCutcheon

Moxy Times Square Pink Holiday Pop-Up

Moxy Times Square is debuting a new hot pink look for the holidays; head to the hotel’s atrium on the 2nd floor where you will be transported to a pink winter wonderland. The all-pink décor, including pink Christmas Trees and Menorahs, will be complimented by a life-size version of Santa’s sleigh that is perfect for gram-worthy holiday pics. Swing by December 9 – 12th (Thursday 6-9PM / Friday – Sunday 4-7PM) for the Pink Holiday Pop-Up with haircuts from Blind Barber, healthy skin checks and product trials by Kiehl’s, portrait drawings by Ian Sklarsky, free Oysters on Sunday, live music, and more. And, head to Bar Moxy for their spiked signature “Apres Ski” Pink Hot Chocolate ($18), complete with Vodka, Baileys Red Velvet, and Soy Milk. For more information and to book your stay, visit: https://moxytimessquare.com/

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is proud to unveil its inaugural  holiday window display, celebrating the new artistic guard and New York City’s creative comeback.  Though the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE holiday windows are inspired by the traditional 5th Avenue holiday window displays, these have a deeper purpose: to revitalize downtown Manhattan which was stripped of many anchor businesses and to provide a platform for emerging creatives. This avant-garde Holiday Storefront Series will take place in SoHo through December 19th, in collaboration with visual artist Shavanté Royster, the disruptive fashion designer Romeo Hunte, and New York City dancer Nicole Von Arx.

Over the past year and a half, the pandemic has decimated the livelihood of creatives, small businesses, and retail in New York and beyond. To uplift the artistic community and bring a diverse, vibrant energy to the traditional holiday displays, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, who has a longstanding history in championing equal representation in the arts and inspiring creativity, has commissioned these visionaries from diverse fields to transform otherwise empty storefronts into veritable ‘windows of art’.

The backdrop of each window features a winter dreamscape by artist Shavanté Royster, which also graces the label of the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE new Limited-Edition Gift Pack HERE. This Holiday Storefront Series will light up SoHo during December to mimic the holiday magic of 5th Avenue through the eyes of Shavanté and Romeo, featuring live models clad in Romeo’s winter apparel against Shavanté’s contemporary picturesque snowy backdrop, along with performances by New York City dancers and local bar-hopping experiences. Romeo Hunte’s dedicated window will feature people clad in two bespoke designs that he created exclusively for the space, depicting them getting ready for a holiday show over cocktails. Featuring Romeo’s playful sensibility, the garments were inspired by Shavanté’s depiction with the color of the jumpsuit playing off the yellow snowboards, sun and hot air balloons and the billows of the garment responding to the ski slopes. His New York edge is showcased in the jacket and pants look, mashing up tailored, preppy and street styles that tie into Shavanté’s BOMBAY SAPPHIRE-inspired blue colorscape. The locations of the windows are as follows:

Cantina Rooftop is one you won’t want your readers to miss! The Hell’s Kitchen Modern Mexican dining experience helmed by Executive Chef Saul Montiel features a climate-controlled retractable glass rooftop and a beyond gorgeous skyline view perfect for those snowy nights to come.

Description automatically generated with medium confidenceGuests can enjoy fan favorites like their Guacamole, Nachos with melted Chihuahua Cheese, Black Beans, Pico de Gallo, Pickled Onion, Queso Fresco, Pickled Jalapenos, Avocado and Morita sauce, and Enchiladas Con Pollo with Chicken Breast, Corn Tortillas Dressed with Tomato Sauce, Refried Beans, Avocado, Crema, Queso Fresco & Red Onion.

These pair beautifully with signature cocktails such as the Coco Loco Mojito with Tanduay Gold Asian Ru, Coco López Cream, Pineapple Juice, Lime juice, Simple Syrup, and Mint Leaves or their El Jefe with Don Julio Añejo, Grand Marnier, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, and a splash Orange Juice.

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Online Cocktail Bar Ghost Bar Launches in Manhattan

Bars are closed and it’s getting cold outside. Sure you have a full bar at home, but the work of making a drink and it never being just right is getting to the best of us? You can get pretty much everything delivered to you, and now well made cocktails are an option thanks to Ghost Bar, an online cocktail bar that offers convenient and fairly-priced cocktails for stay-at-home New Yorkers’ mixed-drink needs, is launching in Manhattan

Born out of pandemic and based in Midtown Manhattan, Ghost Bar is a solution to customers' needs for instant access to their favorite mixed drinks at an affordable price, with the craftsmanship and convenience comparable to their once frequented cocktail bars. The drink menu offers a wide range of classic cocktails, such as Last Word and Sazerac, and creative inventions, such as silky and smooth Espresso Martini, fresh and juicy Dragon Fruit Daiquiri, and a fun twist on Long Island. Named Longest Island, it's a Baijiu-based drink mixed with complex flavors that tastes like a glass of floral iced tea.  

Ghost Bar is the brainchild of Ning (Amelie) Kang and Yishu He, owners and partners of MáLà Project. Amelie attended the Culinary Institute of America, where she developed a passion for cocktails. Prior to establishing the dry pot eateries in the city, she used to bartend at B Flat in Tribeca and an award-winning speakeasy in Beijing, called Apothecary, where she honed her mixology. "Now with respect to social distancing and many bars closing, you can only drink so many Whisky on the Rocks at home without wanting something more easygoing,” says Amelie Kang, Co-Founder of Ghost Bar. “And making drinks at home, getting a few bottles of liquor, juicing, and preparing the ice...can be quite a commitment. Sometimes I wish there's a quick and easy solution to a nice cocktail, and I think many people want the same."

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