Ryn Walling 5/21/16 Ryn Walling 5/21/16

Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails

It’s crazy how fast a year goes by! Just one year ago, Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails opened its doors on the streets of Kips Bay. Known for its rustic décor, extensive and elaborate drink menu, and creative takes on popular dishes, Handcraft has been a leader for change in the community. To celebrate the success and hard work of the past year, Handcraft hosted a party with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and more drinks!

The restaurant was dimly lit and by the time I got there, pleasant chatter had already started to fill the restaurant. The interior was decorated in what the owners described as “industrial chic,” and the warm tones of the wood tables and exposed bulbs definitely matched the atmosphere.

There was a nearly constant crowd around the bar, eager for the locally sourced drinks on tap and the delicious cocktails created by none other than co-owner, Alex Mouzakitis. Now I normally hate drink-based parties because when you’re under 21 the most interesting your drink tends to get is water with a slice of lemon, but Alex was more than willing to make me a Berry Lemonade without the vodka.

Before things got too crazy, I got a chance to talk with the two owners, Chad Gaudet and Alex Mouzakitis, and ask them a few questions about the past year. They describe the past year as a rollercoaster. Alex says they have to “go month to month, week to week, sometimes day to day,” because like anything else in life, there are good days and bad days.

As for the next few years, they obviously hope to keep up the success of the past year as well as potentially opening more locations. For now, they hope to encourage the shift toward higher quality of dining going on in the surrounding neighborhood.

When asked about the inspiration for their food, Chad directed me to their Executive Chef, Giancarlo Autenzio. He describes their food as “worldwide cuisine” which is inspired by his travels, though he admits that Southern cuisine is probably the strongest influence and that the Louisiana Gumbo is his “heart and soul.”

Giancarlo is actually the executive chef at two restaurants, so the last year has been understandably stressful for him, but he really enjoys the freedom he has at Handcraft to experiment with food. He says he has “no doubt the food will only get better” because they welcome critiques from their customers and “cater to the community.”

The food really was incredible. Waiters waded through the thick crowd of people, carrying with them roasted cauliflower, prosciutto and watermelon, and the most succulent meatballs I have ever had, and while I only had a few small bites here and there it definitely got me craving to come back for more. So here’s to a successful year at a spectacular restaurant and many more anniversaries to come.

Ryn Walling 5/13/16 Ryn Walling 5/13/16

Seaport Studios Opening Night Street Party & VIP Reception

To kick off the Seaport Studios Design Market – a part of the two week Downtown Design Festival, a celebration of creative innovation and design – the Seaport District held an Opening Night street party and Seaport Studios hosted a private VIP Reception. The cobblestone pavement of Fulton Street was awash with music, dancing, excitement, and food trucks of all shapes, sizes, and flavors. I personally decided to go with fried mac & cheese from Mac Truck before taking a look around at the shops along the street, one of which being in the Fulton Market Building that is set to open later this year.

Inside the Seaport Studios Opening Night Reception, there was a fantastic layout of various design objects highlighting what the market was all about, such as an array of cookbooks and Otis & Eleanor portable speakers. The interior design alone was mind boggling; the space was created by GUILD using natural materials creating an impossibly chic atmosphere. It was the perfect environment for up-and-coming designers.

To get the party started, David Weinreb, CEO of the Howard Hughes Corporation, spoke to the crowd about the history behind this project and their commitment to the continued growth of the Seaport District’s success. Fulton Street offered him the perfect back-drop of success and potential.

After his presentation, the party really got into the swing of things. Guests could mingle over drinks and delectable ice cream sandwiches and browse the seemingly endless supply of fascinating merchandise.

Among the many supporters of the Design Festival, there were a few notable guests present: Maggie Gyllenhaal and Sarah Flint to name two. Maggie Gyllenhaal, famous actress and activist, stole the show in her multi-print maxi dress and matching neon blue shoes.

Young up-and-coming shoe designer Sarah Flint is one of a number of artists and designers who were featured in the Design Market. I was fortunate enough to have Sarah answer some questions on her recent successes.

How does it feel being so successful at such a young age?

“There are so many exciting things happening right now, and it’s amazing to see all of the love and work I’ve put into the collection reaching new people. I think we’ve found that women like our point of view and it’s so inspiring to see them fall in love with the brand.”

Where do you see the shoe industry trending style-wise in the next few years?

“My line is inspired by a need that I saw in my own closet for shoes that were sexy and wearable at the same time. I am such a believer in mid-heels, kitten heels, and flats and I think that the future lies in shoes that women actually love to wear.”

I can certainly see why Sarah recently won WWD’s Ten of Tomorrow and was named on Forbes’ 30 under 30. Several of her own fashionable flats were on display on the first floor and her Espadrille line will be available at Seaport Studios until July.

The rest of the festival will include Impact! a showcase of design projects from Parsons School of Design, as well as a speaker series called “Downtown Dialogues,” and so much more. The Downtown Design Festival lasts from May 3 until May 17 in the historic Seaport District on Fulton Street.

Special thanks to Dara and Lexi from Alison Brod PR and Bailey Thomas from Full Picture.

Jason Gao 4/26/16 Jason Gao 4/26/16

Dos Equis Most Interesting Man Estate Auction

One man's mission to Mars has made Earth a lot less interesting. What do you say about a man who has lived through it all? If you haven't been living under a rock for the past decade, you will definitely have seen the Most Interesting in the World. Whether it's on TV or in internet memes, Jonathan Goldsmith has made sure that everyone stays thirsty. It’s impossible to forget a beer whose spokesperson is The Most Interesting Man in the World.

The marketing team at Dos Equis has always been on point with their ads starring this character, but sadly he will no longer be gracing our television screens and billboards. The Most Interesting Man in the World is planning to Stay Thirsty on a completely different world now, and is on his way to Mars. He’s not leaving the inhabitants of this planet empty handed, though. Us less-interesting individuals can bid on his items, many of which have been used in commercials, at Coveted Collection. Dos Equis is also offering fans an opportunity to win an all expense paid trip to Mexico. Now I’d say that’s something worth staying thirsty for!

In celebration of the iconic pitchman’s nine year tenure, Dos Equis held a press only estate auction at 632 on Hudson to bid a proper farewell. This immersive auction-themed event allowed friends of The Most Interesting Man to participate in interesting challenges, where attendees were rewarded with denominations of “Dositas,” which they then used to participate in the auctioning off of his Coveted Collection. The highest bidders at the auction took home items that belonged to The Most Interesting Man himself.

The auction had many of The Most Interesting Man’s items including a prized art piece, a leather elephant, and a huge shield-like crest. The night was full of fun festivities and the beautiful crowd were treated to endless Dos Equis and specially made cocktails.

The event was part of a series called the Coveted Collection Estate Auction Tour which started April 18th and is running through May 5 (Cinco de mayo). The tour will continue to make stops in Dallas, Austin, Houston;, Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

There are more than 25 other items up for auction on Dos Equis’ website, most of which have been prominently featured in those famous commercials. Items include the tuxedo the Most Interesting Man wore to his last Masquerade, his Spanish guitar and matching mariachi suit, and even his astronaut suit from his 2010 stratosphere jump.

To participate in that auction, fans must be at least 21 years old and live in the United States. The auction runs through June 30. Fans who visit Coveted Collection daily for bids and other activities will have more chances to win.

Two charitable projects will receive all proceeds from the auctions: The Impact Plan's mission to rehabilitate endangered animals in East Africa through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and The Impact Plan's continued mission to rebuild Himalayan villages in Nepal after the devastating earthquake in 2015.

Special Thanks to Edelman and Dos Equis.

Amios Amigo! and Stay Thirsty!

Jason Gao 4/14/16 Jason Gao 4/14/16

HOPPR by ABSOLUT Launch Party

The ABSOLUT brand has always been synonymous with magnificent parties. So it's only appropriate that they launched their own party mobile platform, which connects party-goers and throwers alike. Famous Instagram meme couple Elliot Tebele (FuckJerry) and Jessica Anteby (BeigeCardigan) hosted a launch party with DJ Vashtie spinning away.

How many times has this situation happened to you: It’s a casual night in NYC, and you are sitting at home pre-gaming with a couple of friends but there are no plans after? You guys want to go out but you do not want wander the streets. Don’t you just wish that you had someone to tell you all of the parties that are nearby? The extravagant party people at ABSOLUT have created a SOLUTion for this frustrating but common problem.

The cleverly named HOPPR is a new mobile platform that connects party throwers and party goers like never before. The digital program essentially works like Tinder, but instead of swiping for potential mates, you swipe for parties. To use HOPPR , simply log into your Facebook account and choose whether you want to host or attend a party. Then the party throwers can publicly invite party -goers to RSVP. All the attendees have to do is swipe right for the parties they want to attend, and if both are interested and mutually agree, then the address will be revealed. There's no need to fear being on the other side of the town either.

The GPS technology makes sure every party is nearby. If the relation to Tinder hasn't been obvious enough at this point, know the program also helps you make sure the parties have just the right amount of men and women, depending on your preference. Your special someone could be just a party away.

Press and media were invited for an early VIP preview of HOPPR. If this party was a sneak peak of what other HOPPR parties are like, then I will be using it every day. The festivities took place at Mr. Purple, one of my new favorite spots. Not only does this hotel bar have a breathtaking view of the city, but it also features an outdoor heated pool.

A fantastic ABSOLUT mixed open bar and Hors d'oeuvre style food kept all the guests very happy. After waiting for the press to settle down, the HOPPR marketing team introduced HOPPR on a more detailed level and stated that this program will evolve social interaction and the way people will party.

After the marketing presentation, the music got louder and the drinks got stronger. The rest of the guests were now allowed into the event, and the mingling of all the people really showed the potential HOPPR can have in this party-fiend society.

After socializing for a bit I found the hosts Jessica and Elliot sitting there staring at their phones. At first I assumed they were just updating Instagram for their combined following of ten million people, but they were checking out HOPPR.

FuckJerry and BeigeCardigan Photo credit: Joel W. Henderson

So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to AbsolutHoppr.com on your mobile device and either host your own party, or check out what is going on tonight right here in NYC!

Special Thanks to ABSOLUT and Weber Shandwick

Jason Gao 4/12/16 Jason Gao 4/12/16

Trademark Burger Launch Party

A homely and economical burger joint has recently sprung into the vibrant neighborhood of SoHo. This new meat destination is called Trademark Burger and located on Thompson Street; it’s intimately small but delightful. Trademark Burger had a Launch party where exclusive guests got to sample Chef Sebastien's complimentary menu. For the past few months the chef/owner of Cocotte and executive chef/partner of Good Bytes has been quietly working on improving everyone's favorite meal: the burger.

The restaurant only has a handful of seats and is about the size of a NYC studio apartment. With the place being so small, the menu is understandably minuscule.The food tasting sample consisted of mini versions of all of the items on the menu. All of the burgers were juicy and flavorful. The beef was sourced from a Colorado rancher whose cows get to live 34 month long life which doubles the typical 14 months that most cows get. This ensures a tastier and more enriched flavor.

I was able to grab a seat by the bar and starting tasting some of the shakes. My favorite was the vanilla.

The best part about Trademark burgers is the price. A burger will set you back only 7 dollars, and a hot dog will cost you 4 dollar bills. These prices are nearly unheard of at SoHo, and for the quality of food you are getting in return, this place should definitely be on your radar the next time you're in the area.

Jason Gao 4/6/16 Jason Gao 4/6/16

No Kid Hungry Kickoff Party

When people hear stories of kids going hungry, they tend to immediately think of third world countries. However, that is the far from the truth. Did you know that 1 in 5 kids in America go to school hungry in the morning? In fact, more the 16 million kids in the United States struggle with hunger every day.

Childhood hunger detrimentally affects children both short and long term. These kids tend to have trouble learning and are more susceptible to emotional and behavioral problems. We cannot just stand by and let this happen. Just imagine how you would feel if your kids went to school every day with a half empty stomach. An amazing Organization called No Kid Hungry wants to make sure bright kids will not go to school hungry again. No Kid Hungry is a non-profit campaign devoted to ending child hunger in America by promising that all children get the healthy food they need. The organization hopes to achieve that goal by launching school breakfast programs, recruit summer meals sites, and empower families to shop for and prepare healthy meals.

On Monday March 28th, Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign kicked off with a campaign party at Bagatelle. The high-end French restaurant located in the heart of cobbled stoned meatpacking district provided an elegant décor with impressive chandeliers. The party was already started when I arrived with my plus one, Sarah. We checked our coats and headed for the bar in which we both settled for some specialty bourbon drink Ol Buddy by Virgil Kaine . It was my first one of about 4 or 5 that night.

Amazing selections of food were also being passed around, my favorite was definitely the tartar fish, and Sarah really enjoyed the meatballs.

After meeting some people in the room, we decided to sit down and chat. The amazing food never stopped coming to us.

We casually drank and listened to the presentation. It was Sarah's first event, so she was just taking everything in. There was also a photo booth which is a must do at any party event.

After all that, they still provided some delicious desserts. It was a magical night full of food, fun, and good causes.

Special Thanks to Colu Henry for the invite and Henry Oh for the photos.

No Kid Hungry Campaign has a culinary event coming up called "NYC Taste of the Nation" which will take place April 25, 2016. Guests will mix, mingle, and enjoy food and drinks prepared by more than 50 top chefs and bartenders. To donate or purchase tickets for this event please Purchase Tickets

Jason Gao 4/6/16 Jason Gao 4/6/16

La Marca Prosecco Tower of Teacups High Tea

Whenever people go to The Glasshouses in Chelsea Towers, it’s usually for a glamorous event or an intimate evening. This night had both. Gilt City, the website offering exclusive local experiences, and La Marca Prosecco hosted The Tower of Teacups High Tea event, where exclusive guests were invited to an extravagant evening of traditional high tea and La Marca Prosecco with a stunning view of Manhattan.

My anticipation peaked when in the elevator going up to the event and I could already hear the music. The moment those elevators opened, my guest and I were greeted to an electric violinist who was playing the tunes of “Rather Be”. The beautiful violinist did a splendid job keeping the room entertained and upbeat the entire night.

If the music wasn’t good enough, the view of New York really made the night worthwhile. Being located in Chelsea Arts Tower meant I had unparalleled views of the Hudson River and downtown Manhattan. We were there at the perfect time because we were able to see the skyline in the day, during sunset and at night when it was brightly lit up. There is no place I would rather mix high tea with happy hour!

Now this may seem like an odd concept, but La Marca Prosecco paired shockingly well with the array of high tea sandwiches and Macarons offered, among other foods available to nibble on. I guess that’s to be expected of something made in the Treviso region of Northern Italy and rated 90 points.

While sampling all these delicious flavors, the guests had a chance to win their own high tea service set featuring hand-blown crystal champagne flutes from Tiffany and Co. Even those who didn’t win were given a teacup-inspired gift bag to bring home, which definitely eased the sting. Megan Harlem (winner), whoever you are, I envy you.

Some memorable, sparkling aspects of the evening included the “sparkle bar”, where guests were given the opportunity to create their own wine charms using an assortment of rhinestones and other baubles. My plus one had a great time decorating her bottle with crowns and other designs.

My personal favorite part of the night was without a doubt the selfie stick with flying confetti. Every guest was able to take a picture while someone threw confetti in the air so it looked so much more magical. My plus one and I took a few of them and they were instantly printed, so we had a good laugh looking at them the next day.

Overall, a wonderful night

Special Thanks to Gilt City

Jason Gao 4/6/16 Jason Gao 4/6/16

NYC Beer Festival

Looking for a place to sip on your favorite craft beers while devouring some delicious bar food? Look no further than New York City Craft Beer Festival. This event took place at the historical Lexington Armory; a landmark that fit the bill of an armory with stock piles of weapons and glass framed army uniforms filling the space. On March 25 & 26, the Armory was a battlefield for hundreds of beer thirsty mongers, then their weapon of choice was a two-ounce souvenir glass. Armed with the glass, guests had unlimited access to more than 175 brews from across the country.

A huge perk of being the press is that I was treated like a VIP ticket holder which means that I got to arrive an hour earlier and skip the general admissions line which was wrapped around the block. I highly recommend the VIP tickets for those who are looking to attend this event in the future because they save so much hassle and there is a VIP only section which significantly beats the GA crowd. Once I was settled, and with the all-powerful glass in my hand, I began my own tour into beer heaven.

One thing I learned right off the bat is that you need to have a blueprint to get the most out of a beer tasting. Every vendor you go to will fill your glass up all the way, and I was foolish enough to actually finish them. After about 15 beers, I was feeling kind of full, and realized how big of a mistake that was. Finish only half of your glass, trust me, and do not feel bad because you are there to try as many flavors as possible.

One of my favorite things about the whole experience was definitely the Cocktail Guru Lounge which featured Jonathan Pogash as the Guru serving up cocktails mixed with beer. I tried all four of the “Hop-Tails” and each one of them was delicious. This guy really knew what he was doing.

A funny thing happened at the VIP area which I would feel remiss if I did not share. While I was walking around to each table sampling every beer I could, I happened upon a table with the sign “Free Will”. With a name like that; I had to have a taste. I kindly asked the man behind the counter for a sample, and he replied “I wish I could, but I cannot open the bottle because it’s blocked by a cork”. Ironically, a beer called “Free Will” was not so willing to be tried.

Once I was finished with all the tastes in the VIP area, I went upstairs to sample rest of the pack. At first the lines looked very hectic as this was the general admissions crowd, but honestly, it was not bad at all, rarely did I have to wait more than a minute in any of the lines.

Besides the walls of beer stands, there was also food in this area. They had a number of very interesting beer foods like jerky, and bacon jams, both of which I tried and loved. Remember to bring cash if you want to grab a bite, because most of the food vendors are cash only. Overall, it was a great night of fun, the only thing I do regret is not bringing an extra friend. I had way too many good beers to name. Would I do this festival again? Without a doubt, and I will bring a crowd of people with me next time. Whether you are a casual or avid beer drinker, you will leave the festival much more appreciative of craft beer.

Cheers to the hoppy weekend. Till next time!

Special Thanks to Hand Crafted Tasting Co.

Jason Gao 3/23/16 Jason Gao 3/23/16

STK Midtown 4th Anniversary

What do you get when you combine great music with tasty food? Two words; STK Midtown. Last night, the world-renowned global hospitality company, The One Group, celebrated the 4th anniversary of their primary restaurant brand STK located at Midtown Manhattan. Positioned right below the Grace building, the place can be a little difficult to find. Fortunately, a multitude of people and an illuminated "Happy Anniversary" outside the restaurant received all of its guests.

Upon entering, I was instantly awed by the beautiful décor. The place was elegant and the atmosphere was buzzing to the beat of a live DJ. A beautiful woman dangled in a circus act to entertain the room, and while there was food, drinks, music, I continually found myself glancing at her act. Naturally, I caught myself staring too much and started wandering over towards the bar. The service was understandably delayed due to such a big event. After a few minutes of waiting, I left the line for the bar and went into the press area to find another bar with no line.

The featured White Gold which was very flavorful but a bit too sweet for my taste.

After trying all the specialty cocktails, my favorite was without a doubt the Cucumber Stiletto. The most interesting however, was "...Not Your Daddy's Manhattan" since it was a little embarrassing to order at first, but I give STK a thumbs up for their use of bulleit bourbon on this one.

Of course, STK did not keep the guests on a empty stomach. All night long, mouth watering appetizers were floating around hors d'oeuvres style.

The slides were unquestionably the best plate going around. I had at least 4 of those little things; the taste was savory and the sauce melted in my mouth.

The thrill from the restaurant floor never faded and the place became more of a party atmosphere. People were now dancing to the eclectic tunes of the DJ.

When you come to STK Midtown, you expect great dining, but the whole entertaining aspect of the place will surprisingly delight you. Overall, it was a wonderful night filled with delicious food, fascinating drinks, and the usual chic NYC crowd. STK Midtown is a MUST.

Make Reservation Now

Special Thanks to STK and Amy from Magrino.

Jason Gao 3/21/16 Jason Gao 3/21/16

Matter of Taste Wine Tasting

Imagine being on the 36th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, overlooking central park and sipping some of the finest wines in the world. Sound like a unlikely scenario? That's exactly what guests got at the Matter of Taste presented by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. With more than 180 wines all of which are rated RP 90 points and higher, I entered into wine heaven.

The wines at this event were carefully selected by esteemed wine advocates including Robert Parker Jr. himself, who is considered one of the world's foremost wine critics. Wines were imported from all over the world but we also had some of the finest from our backyards. I naturally went to all the 100 RP rated wines first, and they were just spectacular. There is an art to wine tasting; I had to see the color and texture of the wine, smell the wine, and then finally taste it.

Of all the wines I tasted, ironically my favorite one was not RP rated 100. I could not get a picture of it, but it was a 2012 Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Grenache (RP 96). The Cayuse was a little bit bitter, which is just how I liked my wine.

More and more people were coming into the tasting. It did not surprise me at all how friendly they were after having sipped on wine for few hours.

After trying most all of the wines, I had to slow down and put some food in my system. The tasting took care of that with this amazing spread of cheese and prosciutto. Overall, I really enjoyed the event. It is definitely worth attending if you have not done a wine tasting. I know most people would not taste the difference between a $5 dollar wine and a $5,000 wine, but this event will change the way you see, smell, and taste wine.

To find future tasting or to become a member of eRobertParker.com please visit Matter of Taste

Jason Gao 3/21/16 Jason Gao 3/21/16

Taste of Waldorf Astoria

For the second year in a row, five chef teams went head to head to create the next "iconic" dish. These dishes were tasted by guests and judged by an panel of esteemed judges, including Questlove, Susan Ungaro, David Posey, Adam Sachs, and Wylie Durfresne.

I quickly made my way through all five tables and found each and every one of them to be equally delicious. At first, I was envious of the judges for having the best job in the world, but after tasting the food, I did not want to be them. It would have been impossible for me to pick a favorite as they were all equally amazing.

This dish was prepared by Stefan Kauth, Executive chef from The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The shrimp were to die for; I am a huge fan of seafood and Cajun sauce, so I really loved this dish.

This dish was prepared by Sidney Schutte, Excutive chef from Restaurant Librije's Zusje Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, a two Michelin Stars restaurant. The dish looked sophisticated and tasted just as delectable.

This dish was prepared by Itzik Mizrachi Barak, Executive chef from King's Court and Palace Restaurant at Waldorf Jerusalem. It was mouthwatering; I especially enjoyed the garnish with pomegranate seeds.

This was prepared by Bernard Fiemeyer, Executive chef from Waldorf Astoria Orlando. As I professed a love off seafood in the dishes above, you know I loved this dish. The black cod and mussels melted in my mouth and the "Florida Truffles" were just the icing on the cake.

This dish was prepared by Benoit Chargy, Executive chef from Waldorf Astoria Beijing. As much as I love seafood, I love steak even more. This dish was crowned the "iconic dish" by the judges and I definitely agree. The minced Wagyu beef dipped in chinese chili peppers was honestly one of the best dishes I ever tasted.

This event was fine dining at its best. I am so glad I was part of it. I also got to met one of my favorite people on the planet- Questlove.

For more information about future tasting, or recipes to the dishes mentioned above please visit: Taste of Waldorf

Jason Gao 3/16/16 Jason Gao 3/16/16

Black Tie & Black Jack

The BTBJ Gala was such a fun night that even James Bond would have been envious. Everything you expect from a grand event was made available to the guests. The night consisted of an open bar, hor d'oeurvres, buffet style dinner, open bar, an ample selection of desserts, casino games, silent auction, raffle prizes, photo booth, as well as music and dancing. All the proceeds from the casinos games and auctions were going to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Every guest was given $15 in chips to start out the evening on the casino games. Being a casual poker player myself, I naturally found myself at the Texas Hold'em table. After an hour of holding and folding them, I found myself down about $100 dollars, and that's when I quit them.

I walked around and checked out the auction, and I saw a beautiful young women with a tiara on her head. I walked up and realized it was Miss New York.

Jamie was such a sweet young lady; we chatted for a few minutes about her journey to become Miss New York. She told me a funny story about how she could not drink for a whole year because it would ruin the Miss NY image.

After endless desserts; came the icing on the cake, literally.

I am so glad I came to this event because it supported a cause that I truly believe in. Last year, someone very close to me in my family passed away from Leukemia. It was the first time I lost someone in my life and it was devastating. Charity events like this one really do save lives, so please do whatever you can to help fight blood cancer.

To go to next years gala or to donate please visit: http://events.lls.org/pages/nyc/btbj2016

Jason Gao 3/15/16 Jason Gao 3/15/16

La Chine VIP Grand Opening

The grand opening of La Chine took place in October 2015 at New York's famous Waldorf Astoria. Waldorf is hoping La Chine will eventually become the city's finest Chinese restaurant. The restaurant should be serving some of the most authentic Chinese food around town. In addition, La Chine offers a raw bar which provides amazing seafood selections including oysters, lobsters, and Tasmanian sea trout. The food is selected and carefully prepared David Garcelon, the Waldorf's culinary director, and executive chef Kong Khai Meng.

I started off by going to the bar and I got a drink appropriately named "Dream", because it was one of the best Sake mixed drinks I have had in a long time. I had around 5 of them by the end of the night. The bartender recognized me and started calling me dream man.

My favorite dish by far was the half Peking Duck. I've eaten a lot of Peking Ducks in my life and this one was comparable to the ones I had in Beijing. The duck meat was so rich and deep in flavor, and the duck sauce was one of the finest I've ever had.

This dish really blew me way. Unlike most Szechuan pepper oil dishes, it was surprisingly not greasy or salty like it would be in most other Chinese restaurants. It's obvious that they used the best ingredients for the intense flavor.

Star Anise and Soy Flavored Foie Gras Cherries

What is there to say except Foie Gras cherries.

The tasting was nothing short of amazing. All the dishes that will be served in the restaurant were served Hors d'oeurve style. I believe I would come back to the restaurant on normal occasions. I definitely recommend checking out the La Chine, although it is on the pricier side.

Photos provided by Astoria Waldorf

Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails

Seaport Studios Opening Night Street Party & VIP Reception

How does it feel being so successful at such a young age?

Where do you see the shoe industry trending style-wise in the next few years?

Dos Equis Most Interesting Man Estate Auction

HOPPR by ABSOLUT Launch Party

Trademark Burger Launch Party

No Kid Hungry Kickoff Party

La Marca Prosecco Tower of Teacups High Tea

NYC Beer Festival

STK Midtown 4th Anniversary

Matter of Taste Wine Tasting

Taste of Waldorf Astoria

Black Tie & Black Jack

La Chine VIP Grand Opening

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