Norma's

Bedecked with fresh flowers, Michael's simple, spacious design and elegant clientele combine to convey an impressive atmosphere to dine. Since opening in 1989, Michael McCarty has built his reputation as a hotspot for business meetings, and celebrity gatherings including those of markedly high profile shoulder-rubbers. For larger events, there is an expansive back room that leads into a stunning sculpture garden. The cuisine at Michael's is Californian, based on the original location in Santa Monica that debuted in 1979. Its wine list is a particular point of pride, including over eight hundred labels from California, France, Italy, and elsewhere, and targeted to please everyone from novices to connoisseurs. The real showstopper, however, is the phenomenal collection of art that hangs quietly on the walls, including pieces by Frank Stella, Jasper Johns, David Hockney, Robert Graham and, of course, Michael's wife, Kim.

I love Little Beet and there is no doubt that many others do as well. It has been a rare occasion that I have come by without seeing a line winding out the door. A hugely popular lunch spot, this gluten-free eatery prides itself on using local, fresh and healthy ingredients while preparing simple and flavorful recipes.

Stepping inside this iconic restaurant, after having not been for quite some time, the first thing I noticed was the dazzling array of colors. Red and green conjured up images of a dramatic Christmas party and the gold-leafed ceiling reflected the large collection of samovars placed atop the booths. Almost every inch of wall space was covered in dance-themed art and photography, likely a tribute to the restaurant's 1927 founders, who were members of the Russian Imperial Ballet. Ken Biberaj, the Vice President, took the Manhattan Sideways team on a tour of the enormous restaurant, which includes three private dining rooms and seats up to 450 people. Upstairs, I marveled at the sixteen-foot crystal bear aquarium, filled with gold fish, and felt like I was walking into a fairytale. Back downstairs, I learned that the glass-encased decorative replicas of the Faberge eggs, were made entirely of sugar by Zhar-Ptitsa Troika. As the chef continued to present a variety of Russian dishes, I recalled my dinner some three decades ago where I tried chicken kiev for the first time. When I commented about the array of food including the warm buckwheat blinis, red borscht made with pickled beets, the house-cured salmon gravlax and the beef stroganoff, Ken was quick to respond, "People come to the Russian Tea Room for more than the food - they come for the whole experience. " Indeed, a meal or high tea at the Russian Tea Room can be a momentous event as visitors join a crowd that spans generations. We had the pleasure of joining Ken Biberaj and Manhattan Borough President, Gale Brewer, to discuss the official launch of the. nyc web domain. Watch our interview here.

An eatery that specializes in grilled cheese, featuring bright yellow picnic tables and walls plastered with tongue-in-cheek witticisms, Melt Shop has mastered the art of the playful fast casual aesthetic. And although the line appears daunting, the staff move their customers along at a steady pace with great efficiency — so people can get in and out, having made their day a little better with a quality American sandwich. Speaking with one of the partners, Josh Morgan, I learned the company is continuing to grow as this location marks the third of numerous eateries that have sprouted up under the branding since its foundation in 2011. “It is all about the experience and serving the best quality product, ” he explained. Josh’s personal favorite happens to be the fried chicken sandwich with loaded tots. Next door, The Little Beet is under the same ownership and has garnered similar success with an emphasis on produce.

Guy Vaknin and his wife Tali opened Beyond Sushi in July of 2012 with the goal of producing healthy, beautiful and earth-conscious food. After learning of the depletion of fish in our oceans – not to mention the health benefits of a meatless diet – Guy set out to be the “first to pioneer the fish-less sushi movement. ” He views “sushi as a vessel that carries the perfect amount of flavor to just grab it in one bite. ” He also praises sushi for its consistency, which gives him room to play around in creating interesting and perfect balances of vegetable's flavors and colors. When describing his extensive background in the restaurant industry, Guy told us, “I had a dream to cook since I was young. I’ve always loved food. ” He grew up on a Kibbutz in Israel - and came to New York after serving in the Israeli army - to help out in his father’s restaurant. He went on to work at numerous other restaurants in New York doing every possible position, and after a brief dalliance with computer engineering, returned to the food world by studying at the Institute of Culinary Education. Fresh out of culinary school, Guy became the executive chef at his father’s kosher catering company. When a request for a sushi station popped up, and knowing that meat and fish are restricted in some areas of the Jewish world, he decided he wanted to create something “cool and innovative - and not fish. ” It took two years to develop his vegetarian sushi, but after selling out at the Vegetarian Food Festival two years in a row, Guy decided to open a business on 14th street. Within three months - working solely with the help of his sushi chef - the growing popularity of his beautiful, healthy, and delicious food quickly enabled him to expand into the thriving company that Beyond Sushi is today. One of Guy’s main goals is to balance sustainability and accessibility to encourage people to choose the healthy option of Beyond Sushi, and the passion that sustains this goal is his creativity. Even now that he has grown Beyond Sushi into a consistently expanding company, Guy still spends around fifty percent of his time cooking, and loves adding new dishes to his menu. He thinks of his business expansion in terms of community impact and wants to be “as big as possible. "

Everything at Norma Kamali's eponymous store feels distinctive, from the layout to the designs of the clothes. In the years since the designer opened her first shop on 53rd street in 1968, she has carved out a style all her own. Her flagship store's aesthetic is striking - white walls, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and fluorescent lighting that feels intentional and welcoming. Racks are placed at different locations throughout the store, showcasing Norma's three core collections - Activewear, Swimwear, and Kamali Kulture. The first includes Norma's iconic sweatsuits, which revolutionized women's activewear when the line appeared in 1984. The Swimwear collection prominently features the Bill Mio bathing suit, a rucked, old Hollywood-esque one-piece. Finally, the Kamali Kulture line was created so that a wider variety of women could enjoy Norma's signature designs; every item in the line is under one hundred dollars. The store also features sunglasses, including Norma's signature cat-eye shades. While being given a personal tour by Marissa, a representative of the Norma Kamali Brand, we learned that Norma's flagship location houses the Wellness Cafe, where women are invited to take a break from their shopping, sit down, and help themselves to some green tea and popcorn - sprinkled with Norma's own line of olive oil. On display is a "curation of products Norma loves, " including health snacks, supplements and weights. Marissa went on to explain that Norma frequently hosts events at the cafe featuring members of the medical community as well as tarot readers. "We invite people with a range of backgrounds and expertise, " said Marissa. Norma has achieved significant recognition in the fashion world and beyond, but many people who come into the store are merely drawn in by the display window. Customers stop by "whether they know that it's Norma Kamali or they're just curious, " Marissa told us. Though Norma's collections are featured in most major department stores, including her Fifth Avenue neighbors, this location on West 56th is the only one devoted exclusively to her. Because of their "small but mighty" status, Norma is able to keep a hand in everything that goes on at her boutique and wellness cafe: she styles the display window and chooses what clothing is showcased. Her virtual presence is strong as well: she narrates her own website, providing the stories behind various pieces of clothing. Towards the end of our time spent here, an exhilarating moment occurred when we had the pleasure of catching a glimpse of the grand lady, herself.