Tag Archives: dinner

DRIVE YOU CRAZY – AUG 5

The boys of One Directin are back, plus catch some local hip hop or a delicious dinner.

BRISKET AND BELLION – JUNE 25

Grub with live music, or see a show this Thursday! Jon Bellion in town – or get thee to Fun Home!

TURN UP THE HEAT WITH SENSUAL TREATS – MARCH 4

Hump Dayyyy! An aroused donkey, sumo wrestlers, and more await you at BAM, plus get your rabbit on or tour a chocolate factory… today on Citybuzz.

A DOGGONE GOOD TIME 2-16-15

Have the day off this President’s Day? Try a new restaurant, check out the Dog Show, or buy a new coat! Plus a good old NYC rivalry.

Grimaldi’s

If you’re searching for THE best coal-fired brick oven, New York-style thin crust pizza in the world, look no further. Grimaldi’s offers over 100 years of pizza-making traditions and the tantalizing aroma of pizza and calzones baked to perfection in the signature coal burning oven. Why coal-fired ovens? It gives our pizza and calzones a unique flavor and a crisp crust that is just not possible from gas, convection or wood burning ovens.

Brownstown Jazz classes up Bed-Stuy at Sankofa Aban

Imagine you are transported to a 1930s jazz venue listening to some of the greatest jazz musicians in the world. Such an experience is only a subway ride away at Sankofa Aban in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Here is a place where you can listen to great musicians from the Bed-Stuy jazz scene, while enjoying a complementary fish fry dinner and some wine. Stick around late Friday or Saturday nights for Open Mic. night for the opportunity to perform with these great talents!

Pick Your Favorite Brew at Public House

If you could go to a bar where you can have any type of beer, which one would you choose? At Public House, it’s all about beer. Located in the heart of Chicago, this bar/restaurant has hundreds of different drafts of beer, a great food selection, and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. It is a great place to not only eat and drink but also socialize with other beer-lovers. Only after one visit will you want to come back for more.

Lucky Chengs For A “Unexpected” Evening

Lucky Chengs

Lucky Cheng’s is the Drag Queen Capital of the Universe!

Outrageous drag queens serve up dinner and a show featuring interactive cabaret, comedy, and karaoke at the infamous Lucky Cheng’s Restaurant. The drag staff turns up the fun as your bartenders, waitresses and performers. After a 19 year run at its downtown location, the dinner show moved on up to its new Times Square Theater District location in the fall of 2012.

See the one hour show during a delicious 3-course Asian Fusion dinner packed with flavors, textures and aromas from all of Asia. The show is included in the dinner price, but menu surcharges, drinks, tax, and gratuity are not. Expect to see several talented performers and don’t be afraid to participate in the show. Tips for the show performers are optional, but greatly appreciated. This additional gratuity can be paid in cash or by credit card when paying your check.

Plan your evening so that you can stay for our notorious drag hosted karaoke after last show. And don’t forget, the more you drink, the better you sing. Visit luckychengsnyc.com for more information.

The Dutch at the W epitomizes simple elegance

The Dutch at the W Hotel on South Beach is turning the chic, boutique hotel on its head offering an unpretentious menu and equally casual atmosphere. It’s easy to relax in the lovely, bright restaurant where the kitchen is expertly run by renowned New York chef Andrew Carmellini.

Of course, housed within a hotel, which is unusual unto itself given that most hotel restaurants really aren’t of such a high quality, they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hazelnut crusted French toast amd crab cake benedict with asparagus and a kicky chipotle hollandaise elevate the breakfast standards while entrees like short rib ravioli, roast mushroom and taleggio fonduta and pappardelle, lamb ragu, sheep’s milk ricotta and milk are great for lunch and hefty enough they could be on their supper menu. Short ribs and sea scallops make a second appearance on that menu but are dressed up differently.

The Dutch is in the W Hotel, located at 2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-938-3111, www.thedutchmiami.com

CVI. CHE 105: Peruvian classic with a hip twist

Ceviche

The small, mom and pop eatery in Downtown Miami is slowly disappearing, replaced by modern, hip restaurants and leading the trend is Cvi.che 105.

Chef/owner Juan Chipoco and sous chef and co-owner Luis Hoyos have created an incredible ambiance and menu that is indicative of their passion for traditional, delicious Peruvian cooking. The space is deceivingly large and inviting,  with a bright interior, open kitchen and ultra-contemporary furnishings and accents.

Chipoco blends sexy dishes like seafood orgy ceviche, a blend of marinated raw seafood including fish, calamari and shrimp served in typical Peruvian tiger milk with more traditional ones like Mama Ele Corvina Fish – his grandmother’s recipe of pan roasted fresh corvine fish served with a crab cake in a rocoto sauce and a homemade potato cake

 They also take great care in developing specific flavors for each ceviche depending which region of Peru it represents.

Cviche 105 is located at 105 NE 3 Ave., Miami, FL 305-577-3454, www.ceviche105.com

Sepia: Chic Design & In Living Color Cuisine

Enter Sepia and you feel like you’re stepping on set for some design show on TLC. This place is impeccably designed to perfection. As its name implies, sepia tones alight the ambiance with a sexy and chic mood lighting while elegant touches like candles, gorgeous chandeliers and warm brick walls relax you even sepiabefore the wine hits your lips.

Transformed from an old printing building from 1890 the restoration is nothing short of spectacular.

The food is just as worthy of the spotlight. Flat iron steak with potato confit, maitake with coffee and bearnaise sauces or apple and morcilla stuffed trout with black garlic romesco and white polenta – you really can’t go wrong here.

Morgan’s is great any time of day

The lilac color is immediately recognizable and helps Morgan’s in Wynwood stand out from the pack. The wooden house structure is also unique to the area. They also have another location in Miami Beach.

Brioche French toast at Morgan's

What’s great about Morgan’s is they’re good for anytime of the day. Their brunch is phenomenal and lunch and dinner are fantastic too. They bill themselves as “Miami’s Modern Homestyle Comfort Food” and on that, they deliver.

During the day, this bright and airy place offers delectable brunch items like pillow light brioche French toast, eggs benedict with smoked salmon, a cheese board with gruyere, stilton, brie, fig paste, fresh fruit and crostini and on the heartier side, Kobe style sliders with caramelized onions and cheddar. And as if that weren’t enough, there’s…lunch and dinner. The center cut pork loin with apple brandy sauce and butternut squash or the pan roasted herb chicken with gigante bean salad and preserved lemon are two great choices.

Morgan’s is located at either 28 NE 29 St. 305-573-9678 or 1787 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach 305-397-8753 www.themorgansrestaurant.com

Have a romantic dinner at Canoe

Overlooking a tranquil garden setting on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Canoe draws even the most dedicated city-dwellers to charming Vinings for big flavors in a relaxed atmosphere. The dining room may have the feel of a country lodge, but the food is generous, sophisticated and unforgettable. With a focus on game meats, Canoe’s seasonal menu features unique offerings like ostrich and rabbit, as well as classic steak and seafood dishes for the less-adventurous diner. This spot books up quickly for holidays and special occasions, with a reputation for top-notch service, reasonable prices and creating an all-around evening to remember.

Meat Market: Sink your teeth into it

The name may be a play on words for a pick-up bar but rest assured, Meat Market on Lincoln Road in South Beach couldn’t be further from that. Executive Chef and Co-Owner Sean Brasel along with sommelier Sarah Almand are a pair of pros at their craft.

The menu features signature steaks and reserve cuts as the stars, with a great selection of sauces and butters specially created to accompany them along with classic salads that make great starters.  Pork, chicken and fish entrees and yet another classic, meatloaf make the grade here too.

For an even more unique experience, their monthly wine dinner series is a fantastic way to enjoy a unique culinary evening. The four-course meals include two appetizer courses, an entree course and dessert course. Each one is paired with the perfect wine. Succulent smoke-roasted duck breast with zinfandel and rugged dry-aged prime rib eye with hearty combination reds.

Meat Market is located at 915 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 305-532-0088 www.meatmarketmiami.com

5 and Diamond Restaurant with Ereka Vetrini

This Harlem Restaurant is upscale casual with large windows, sexy lighting, vibrant floral arrangements and soft jazzy music in the background. Dine alone at the intimate bar, or enjoy a drink or meal while watching your favorite sports event. Come with friends and family to celebrate, or have a romantic dinner for two. Just remember to leave enough room for the decadent desserts, all made in-house.

Dolores but you can call me Lolita: Good eats, hip scene

It’s about more than just the food at Dolores but you can call me Lolita in the heart of Miami’s thriving Brickell area. This is a compound that encompasses the restaurant, lounge, private room and even the Japanese favorite Sushi Maki next door. They go for the warm glow of candlelight in the restaurant where the wall border close to the ceiling brims with quirky and inspiring sayings.

Then there’s the menu which is brimming with delicious selections like the appetizer called Maybe, the Best Serrano Ham Croquettes you ever tasted or the Caesar salad was created in Tijuana Parmesan cheese and croutons. Those wacky names doesn’t mean they don’t take food seriously here, entrees include pappardelle with a Kobe beef bolognese or baja fish tacos of tempura fish filets served with a chipotle-guava cabbage slaw.

Eat or party or do both at the restaurant or lounge, the atmosphere’s great at both.

Squat and Gobble Satisfys Any Craving

For a delicious and reasonably priced breakfast, lunch or dinner check out one of the Squat and Gobble restaurants in the city. There’s something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds – from a plethora of dessert and savory crepes to satisfying salads and sandwiches. They also have beer and wine options and several of the locations have patio seating for those sunny San Francisco days – a true treat for city folks.

Be sure to try out their Marina crepe with salmon or the Gobble Club which has turkey with a delightful cranberry aioli sauce. It’s like Thanksgiving year round

Squat and Gobble restaurants are conveniently located at five spots around San Francisco. You can grab a bite to eat in Lower or Upper Haight at 237 Fillmore or 1428 Haight Street. There is a location in the Castro at 3600 16th Street, one in West Portal at 1 West Portal right next to the West Portal Station and a large location in the heart of the Marina at 2263 Chestnut.

I have high standards, and I take them to Nobu for dinner

nobuweb-imagesdining-roomGiven that I lived in Japan for a long time, I have high standards when it comes to my sushi dinners. However, Nobu probably rises above everyone’s standards. Smaller than the gigantic, and glamourous location midtown, Nobu Next Door can be considered an up-scale neighborhood venue, mostly populated by Tribeca’s residents. The chef delivers authentic Japanese cuisine, with a touch of modernity. Try the black cod, rock shrimp with spicy mayonnaise, tuna tartare, and any of the sushi rolls. Decorated with natural textures, such as trees, wood, and river stones, the space looks cozy, organic, but modern and sophisticated in the same time.

Scarpetta: Italian eats at the Fontainebleau

scarpetta02

Chef Scott Conant’s empire of restaurants is ever-present in the legendary art deco Fontainebleau Hilton Hotel and his restaurant Scarpetta. His eats aren’t cheap but the taste is amazing and the ambiance unbeatable.

Housed in the star of Miami Beach’s Art Deco hotels, it’s done up elegantly in a creamy white motif and boasts incredible views, a cool bar also done in white with silver circles to add interest. But definitely the star here is the food.

Chef Conant’s belief in simple, delicious Italian food comes through in his menu. His pastas,  like the location, are legendary. Classic preparation with minimal ingredients make them delectable, like the black tagliatelle topped with lobster which is a thing of beauty. Pastas are plated elegantly in a lovely tight circle. They’ve also got a fresh made stromboli that puts anything found at a local pizza joint to shame. These are just some of the stars on the menu.

Scarpetta is located in the Fontainebleau Hilton, 4401 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

Pubbelly: Simply stated, it’s hog heaven

The gastropub has come to Miami, Miami Beach that is, in Pubbelly located around the quieter end of South Beach around 20th Street. Smart move, the space has the perfect non-Art Deco-looking Chelsea New York reminiscent look and feel. It fits perfectly with what the trio of young hip owners are going for.

High ceilings, brick walls, rustic but city like, it’s the antithesis of bubblegum, neon, pastel South Beach and the unique menu is the perfect complement. Asian-inspired Gastropub’s the concept here, an unusual blend for sure but one that works.

Try the spaghetti and meatballs with lemongrass, sommen noodles, tomato and peanuts best described as tangy with a surprising addicting flavor. The McBelly with porkbelly, kimchee, barbecue, pickles and shaved onions is a must as is the pubbelly ramen with porkbelly, lemongrass broth and a poached egg. Menu’s divided into small plates (the first two mentioned here) and larger ones like the ramen, as well as veggies, raw/marinated/cured options and sides. Brews, sakes and wines are great here too with a huge selection.

Pubbelly is located at 1418 20 St., Miami Beach, FL

pubbelly 1

The White Way to Dine: Villa Blanca Restaurant

Whether you are looking to run into the Real Housewife of Beverly Hills herself or her precious Pomeranian Giggy, Lisa Vanderpump’s Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills combines Mediterranean and Italian cuisine with Asian touches and influences. This beautiful eatery located on Brighton Way is close to major Beverly Hills boutiques and shops and is the perfect place to grab lunch on the patio for some serious people watching.

villa blanca pic

The interior is described as “sexy and comfortable” by the designer herself and brings an element of comfort and coziness to the color white. With grandiose mirrors hanging on the walls as well as exotic and elegant flower arrangements everywhere, Villa Blanca offers brunch, lunch, dinner and a fancy bar area for all your drinking and dining needs.

The dinner menu consists of Crispy Rice & Spicy Tuna appetizers with entrees such as Sweet & Spicy Butterflied Shrimp, Chicken Milanese and Japanese Mushroom Chicken. Brunch at Villa Blanca means $10 specials including Villa Blanca’s Breakfast Pizza, Vegetarian Frittata and Prosciutto and Melon.

villa blanca pic 2

Whether it’s for the food, people watching or a quick glimpse of Lisa herself, a visit to the Villa will have everyone saying, Bravo.

Dinner, Drinks and Vodka Tastings: Nic’s Martini Lounge

Nic’s Martini Lounge is one of the only places in Los Angeles where you can enjoy live music, eat dinner and take a trip to the VodBox for vodka tastings.

nic's martini lounge pic

Though Nic’s is popular for dinner with specialty dishes such as Nic’s Oyster with spinach, garlic and walnuts as well as Pan Sear Filet Mignon with crispy fried onions, it is one of the only places in Beverly Hills that doesn’t close down once diners leave. Once the dinner rush is over, Nic’s turns into an after-hours lounge featuring live music and an array of specialty martinis to choose from. Though the live music can range from a Beatles cover band to a solo acoustic singer, the specialty martinis remain the same and the most popular drink on the menu. Specialty martinis include the “Beez Kneez” made of Marani Armenian Vodka with muddled raspberries and candied pear and the “Vicious & Delicious” made of Vicious vodka, vanilla liquor and strawberry juice.

If dinner and drinks isn’t enough to get your party started, a trip to the VodBox might just do the trick. As you dress yourself in luxurious furs, a trip inside the vodka locker allows you to taste some of the finest vodkas out there as well as in-flight tastings for the true vodka lover.

In the city that is infamous for hot weather, those at Nic’s are voluntarily entering freezing territory.

Newsroom Cafe: The Other Robertson Hotspot

The Ivy may get all the paparazzi on Robertson, but Newsroom Cafe is where you’ll see the real LA locals and low-key celebs. Although it’s based around healthy, vegetarian-friendly dishes, Newsroom Cafe serves up burgers and wine and alcohol like the best of them. With a perfect location- complete with a people-watching patio, it is packed for lunch and dinner and at night, it turns into a hot bar scene. Newsroom is known for its freshly made juices, Veggie Burger, and, of course, a large magazine rack and wifi. This is the perfect place to stop for a break from all the trendy boutique shopping.

Park Grill: 4 Seasons of Fun

Millennium Park bustles with tourists and locals in the soutdoor-summerummer gawking at art installations, music concerts and taking summer strolls while the winter hosts bundled up cuties of all ages circling the ice rink with their best moves. All seasons, this park swarms with action and the perfect place to tuck in to rest your feet in between park time is where else, but the Park Grill, found in the center of it all.

Lunchtime heats up with local business power lunches while happy hours revel in drink specials while dinners are posh yet classsic, top notch yet not over the top. In other words, Park Grill is always a safe bet and has been since it and the park’s debut in ’03.

Diggin’ Deep Dish at Gino’s

ginos_pizza_chicago-0953There are two types of pizza in this world. New York thin slice and Chicago deep dish. Sorry, Italy – your pizza doesn’t really even register anymore. If you ask the DJs Deep Dish, their answer is simple – Chicago pizza takes the cake (or pie). When they moved to the USA, they fell so in love with it, that they named themselves after it.

When looking for that classic Chicago deep dish, the place to go is Gino’s East . Don’t expect the most glamorous ambiance or the best service, no, no. This is all about the checkered table cloth, simple service but amazing pizza. There’s just something about that cornbread crust.

Beginner’s beware: You don’t need a lot of pie here. One piece will likely fill you up in a beautiful way. Also, if you think you’re in a hurry – forget it! A deep dish pizza at Gino’s will run you a minimum of 30 minutes – but hey, heavenly taste don’t come easy baby, so chill.

Real Food Daily: RFD for Real Friggin’ Delicious?

Whatever you think RFD really stands for, this restaurant devoted to Vegan cuisine is one of L.A’s only restaurants that keep vegan and non-vegans coming back for more.

Thanks to Ann Gentry and her devotion to organic produce and homegrown essentials, Real Food Daily has become a popular lunch and dinner hangout for those looking for healthy meals and dishes to satisfy any appetite. With vegan signatures such as Fettuccini Alfredo and “the TV Dinner”, comprised of vegetable meatloaf with mashed potatoes and veggies, dinner goers and lunch loungers all agree that they look forward to any dish that RFD is serving.

If you think going vegan means skipping dessert, you won’t believe your eyes when you take a look at the dessert menu. Filled with heavenly treats such as Dream Chocolate Pudding and Coconut White Cake, you really can have your cake and eat it too.

Though the food at RFD is consistent and exceptional, they are always trying new ways to spruce up the menu and keep newcomers and regulars on their toes. Summer months at RFD mean changing dessert menus that alternate weekly and picnic baskets packed with fresh produce and summer dishes made ready to order.

With locations in Santa Monica and West Hollywood open seven days a week, every Angelino can indulge in some real food, daily.
Real Food Daily Pic

So Chic And So Good: Terzo Piano at the AIC

When the Modern Wing of the AIC unveiled in 2009, it gave the already gigantic museum an additional whopping 65,000 square feet of modern galleries designed by Renzo Piano. Thankfully, Chicago also got a restaurant out of it: Terzo Piano. Those who don’t have time to do the museum can still enjoy the fresher-than-fresh offerings from the restaurant as well as its striking views of Millennium Park and Chi-town skyline.Picture 6

With salads so fresh you wonder where the garden is, delectable flatbreads and entrees, taste anything they offer and you’ll realize Chef Tony Mantuano (of Spiaggia) can do no wrong! And after your main course, it’s simply a must that you indulge in the cava di stagionatura or the authentic cheese cave. Fresh picks of cheese from neighboring masters in Wisconsin and imported delights from around the globe are the perfect way to finish your extended lunch or dinner.

As for the decor, think Modern Wing baby. Just as the wing was designed, so was the restaurant. Stark, clean white is complemented by earth accents of subtle metal and wood: so chic and so, so good.

Iconic Gibsons Steakhouse is Good Enough for Johnny Depp

If there is one iconic restaurant in Chicago, it may just be Gibsons Steakhouse. This is Chicago at its best: mouth watering steaks, a bar that never runs dry and serves nothing but premium liquors and wines, celeb sightings to watch for and enough people watching to compete with your appetite.

Rounding off the “Viagra Triangle,” yes, the ‘hood really is called that because of the Ferrari driving white-haired men and their hot young things, Gibsons Steakhouse is the place to be. In case you don’t want to call its digs the V Triangle, it’s also known as the Gold Coast area where Rush Street and State Street become one. Gibsons Steakhouse is literally packed from Monday through Sunday, partly because of the financial district heads who dine there or the ladies who lunch (and linger until happy hour), but the place gets jumping early and ends late. If you want to snag a good table, you’ll want to head there at 4ish on a weekday!

As for the Johnny Depp connection? Gibsons Steakhouse was a favorite eating place for Depp when filming the mobster flick: Pubic Enemies. Johnny liked the place and its service so much, he left a $4,000 tip! So if it’s good enough for Johnny, you better believe you’re going to love Gibsons.

Tom Colicchio Knows How to Get Craft-y

Ever since Tom Colicchio made his mark on Atlanta, Dallas and New York, it was about time that the Top Chef superstar brought Craft to the City of Stars, Los Angeles. Whether it’s lunch, dinner or dessert, Craft restaurant brings swanky, sexy, simple, sophisticated American classics together without ever missing the mark.

Featuring courses of octopus and Dry-Picture 9Aged sirloin, the food at Craft truly cannot be beat and pretty much everything off the menu is worth ordering. And that’s the point, everything comes a la carte, and sides like Shitaki mushrooms will blow your palate away as much as the cooked-to-perfection NY strip steak. Though Craft is known for its fish and meat, it is probably one of the only Los Angeles restaurants with a dessert menu long enough to act on its own. Between classic beignets and fabulous dessert combinations, you truly get the full culinary experience.

Though the food is outstanding on its own, the décor and ambiance of the restaurant truly make it an unforgettable experience. If a party is in your future, make sure to book the outdoor patio that can seat up to 80 people.

In the famous words of Bravo’s Top Chef, “Please pack your knives and go” to this restaurant!

4. Great Wine at DAM Uncorked April 16-17

Screen shot 2010-03-26 at 3.22.14 PMThis is the event to go to for all wine lovers. Taking place in the Denver Art Museum, this is Denver’s premier wine festival. DAM Uncorked offers more than 350 wines from vintners around the world. There are also tasting guides and hors d’oeuvres being served during the wine tasting.

The first day of the festival is the main wine tasting, while the second day is a dinner and auction. The dinner is paired with exceptional wines, while the live and silent auctions feature travel packages, rare bottles of wine, exclusive access to private art collections, and other various items.

5. Eat Out for Boston Restaurant Week March 14-26

Picture 19Besides all the drinking this month for St. Patrick’s Day, Boston has a two-week holiday known as “Restaurant Week.” From March 14-19 and 21-26, dozens of restaurants across the city will be offering signature dishes at a ridiculously low rate: two-course lunches for $15.10, three-course lunches for 20.10 and three-course dinners for 33.10. Participating restaurants include some of Boston’s best, like The Cafe at Taj Boston, Capital Grille, Ginger Park and Mooo. For two weeks in March, there’s no better excuse to eat a three-course lunch and dinner every single day.

Don’t Break Up Over Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse

Yes, it’s true that there are several Smith & Wollensky Steakhouses throughout the US, but only one can claim fame for hosting Jennifer Aniston and hometown Chi-guy Vince Vaughn in the mega-hit The Break-up in 2006 (the restaurant is definitely recognizable in its break-out role).

With its killer views Picture 13and location in “Marina City,” Chicago’s Smith & Wollensky is proudly perched above the Chicago River in the heart of the city and surrounded by big players like Hotel Sax and the House of Blues. Smith & Wollensky is the ultimate place for a date, a steak, and/or just a glass of red.

The original location in NYC opened its doors back in ’77 and was the brainchild of the same guy who brought us T.G.I. Friday’s. But fear not, none of the cheesiness can be found in this venture. Instead, its all about the upper echelon of steaks with The Chicago Tribune’s food critic calling it “perhaps the best sirloin of my life.” The classic interior design of dark wood, shining brass, polished wood floors and iconic Chicago views is icing on the, er, steak.

Come once and you’ll come again – with or without the person you originally came with.

5. Have a Feast During NYC Restaurant Week Jan. 25-Feb. 7

Picture 24New York City is known for having one of the best culinary scenes in the world and Restaurant Week is a time for all New Yorkers to take advantage of the incredible talent without gasping at the bill. For just $24 for lunch and $35 for dinner, people can enjoy a gourmet three-course meal that has been put together by industry heavyweights like David Burke, Mario Batali, and Bobby Flay.

Some 200 restaurants participate in the two week long event including award winning restaurants like Tabla, Megu, Nobu, Rosa Mexicana, Spice Market, and the list goes on and on and on. Reservations begin on January 12th so make sure to book for the coveted restaurants early- and frequently!

Spice Up Date Night at Fernbank’s Martinis & IMAX

salsa-nightA trip to the museum has always seemed to be a silent, introspective experience a.k.a. not a hangout spot. The Fernbank Museum has found a way to spice it up with the Martinis and IMAX Friday night movie series where guests sip on delicious cocktails, dance to live music and nibble on delectable bits all beneath the remnants of the dinosaur dynasty.

Martinis and IMAX, presented by Turner, features films such as The Greatest Places, Wild Ocean and Van Gogh’s Brush with the Ocean. This is not your average dinner and a movie; the screen is the world’s largest film format at 5 stories high and 75 feet wide. Why not opt a cocktail for a soda? Cocktail favorites include the Frost Bite Martini, Kentucky Cider and the IMAX original. And boring popcorn is replaced by restaurant worthy menu selections including specialty pizzas,  assorted appetizers and desserts.

Click here for more information.

Glenn Hotel’s Divine Downtown Digs

In a city where boutique hotels are emerging like roses from the rubble, it takes much more than a comfy bed for a boutique hotel to stand out. At the Glenn Hotel in downtown Picture 6Atlanta, they are doing just that with spacious accommodations, complimentary wireless internet access, and the city’s first rooftop bar complete with unlimited views of the Atlanta skyline.

Apart from providing luxurious guest accommodations, the Glenn Hotel is trying to limit their carbon footprint by reducing overall energy usage. The location alone is walking distance from major city landmarks, which makes for great gas savings. The hotel itself is a historic landmark that was going to be demolished until investors chose to turn the eyesore into an eye-catcher.

After a night of Hawks magic at Phillips arena, a tour of the CNN center or even a day at Centennial Park, take a few steps over to the Glenn Hotel for dinner at 30 Tables- the hotel’s “Ode to Atlanta” with delectable southern treats.

Try one of the many packages available, including the Get Luckie package in which your reservation includes a lottery ticket.

2. Have a Feast During NYC Restaurant Week 1/25-2/7/10

Picture 10New York City is known for having one of the best culinary scenes in the world and Restaurant Week is a time for all New Yorkers to take advantage of the incredible talent without gasping at the bill. For just $24 for lunch and $35 for dinner, people can enjoy a gourmet three-course meal that has been put together by industry heavyweights like David Burke, Mario Batali, and Bobby Flay.

Some 200 restaurants participate in the two week long event including award winning restaurants like Tabla, Megu, Nobu, Rosa Mexicana, Spice Market, and the list goes on and on and on. Reservations begin on January 12th so make sure to book for the coveted restaurants early- and frequently!

Martinis & IMAX

A good thing should never go away, so make sure to savor the last month of Martinis & IMAX at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History before it goes into history. There are only four Fridays left to enjoy live music, martinis, a wine bar, dinner selection, and of course, an IMAX movie.