Which New York City Hotels Were Featured in the Green Book?

In the Academy Award winning movie Green Book, pianist Don Shirley and his driver, nightclub bouncer Tony “Lip’ Vallelonga used the titular guide book to find places that served black travelers during Shirley’s 1962 concert tour of the Deep South.

From 1936 to 1965, the The Negro Motorist Green Book, later The Traveler’s Green Book, provided a no-frills listing of restaurants, hotels and services like garages, beauty parlors and barber shops throughout North America where black travelers knew they would be welcome and safe.

That included New York City, home to Green Book author Victor Hugo Green (1892-1960), the African American postal employee, and later travel agency owner, who created the guide. Indeed, the first edition, priced at 25 cents, focused on the New York area, where Green lived. Read more

The Mark Hotel, Its Grand Penthouse and Meghan Markle’s New York Baby Shower

Score one for The Mark.

New York’s most boldly lavish hotel, to quote the Mark tagline, is known for stylish rooms devised by celebrated French designer Jacques Grange, a sophisticated bar scene and super chef Jean George Vongrichten’s glamorous restaurant The Mark, which also provides room service. Add a royal baby shower to its credits. Read more

Seven Stylish NYC Hotel Bars for Watching the 2019 Oscars with Cocktails and a Crowd

OscarFor the first time in over three decades, the Academy Awards won’t have a host when ABC broadcasts the show this Sunday, February 24 at 8 p.m. Sounds like anything can happen. What better time to drink in the annual display of theatrics, tears and dresses with cocktails and a crowd?

These New York hotel bars are serving up drinks, big screens, a party atmosphere, even prizes. Popcorn, too, if you’re lucky.

 

 

 

 

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The Best Places for Dog Watching When the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Hits Town — Hotels Included

1907’s top dog, Ch Warren Remedy, Fox Terrier (Smooth)

It’s hard to think of a better time to be a dog lover in New York. This week the city embraces man’s best friend with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, February 11 and 12, and a constellation of satellite events. From museums to hotels to Madison Square Garden, here’s where to see top dogs having their day in a city that loves them.

On February 8, the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog opened its stylish new Park Avenue home after nearly 30 years on the outskirts of St. Louis. Step inside and you’re surrounded by artifacts like a terracotta dog paw print dating from the Roman empire, celebrated pooch portraits like that of former White House Dog Millie Bush and kiosks where you can match your facial features to your favorite dog breed. Read more

So Long John Dory, Hello Milk Bar: April Bloomfield’s Stylish Oyster Bar at the Ace Hotel Will Close February 23

We don’t report every hotel restaurant opening and closing. But this week’s news that the John Dory Oyster Bar at the Ace Hotel would close on February 23 was noteworthy — and not just because we love their kedgeree.

This was our favorite restaurant at the Ace. Though it supposedly was designed as a tribute to New York’s oyster bar history,  it reminded us of something out of London’s East End — or the raw bar at Bibendum. Part of it was the fish tank globes and the building’s original 1904 tile floor. But mostly it was food like the kedgeree, a rich, delicate mass of boiled rice, smoked haddock, parsley and ribbons of scrambled egg that deftly updated a hoary old British cliche. Read more

Three NYC Hotel Bars Where You Can Catch Super Bowl LIII

It’s early February, time for the New England Patriots’ annual trip to the Super Bowl. (All best wishes to the Los Angeles Rams, making their first appearance since losing to the Patriots in 2002).

Super Bowl III unfurls February 3 at Atlanta’s two-year-old Mercedes Benz Stadium. If you love being in a crowd when you watch the big game, critique the ads and listen to Maroon 5, we found three New York City hotel bars standing ready. They’re loaded up with beer, burgers, big screens and wings.

As for us, we can’t wait to hear a Pip-free Gladys Knight, daughter of Atlanta, belt out the Star Spangled Banner. Bring it on!

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