Ma(i)sonry

A forewarning that after your visit to Ma(i)sonry on Yountville’s main drag, Washington Street, you may, like me, want to move in. A restored “maison,” hence the name, the property was built in the early 1900s by an Italian immigrant-vineyardist, and later became the seven room Burgundy House Inn until the team behind Blackbird Vineyards bought it in 2007.  The beautiful and charming space now serves as a unique collective: a place to taste a rotating selection of wines from nearby artisan wineries, including a range of Pomerol-inspired vintages from the proprietor’s Blackbird Vineyards, an artistic, elegant venue to host a private event, such as a family style garden dinner with seasonal dishes placed along the rustic wooden table on the back patio, and, a place to be inspired by design, the works of independent artists, and striking, one of a kind vintage pieces featured in the ever-changing, handsomely curated rooms. Aesthetically pleasing on many levels, it is not only fueled by creativity and quality but by warm hospitality and a casual, “retreat-like” atmosphere. If dinner at the French Laundry wasn’t calling on the night that I was there, I would have settled back into one of the patio chairs and created my very own zen garden party on the spot. Ma(i)sonry emulates the enviable Napa lifestyle at its finest!

Uptown “Word of Mouth”

Image courtesy of A Voce Columbus

Boasting a light-flooded interior, this sleek and handsome twin to A Voce Madison, which was previously home to Cafe Gray, commands attention. And rightfully so. Italophile chef Missy Robbins, most recently of the celebrated restaurant Spiaggia in Chicago, has come to NY to steer the A Voce ship and offer tasteful, “refined rustic” Italian to compliment the thoughtfully selected wine list by the charismatic and talented Olivier Flosse. The re-design of the space (also by David Rockwell) has repositioned the kitchen to allow for more expansive views of Central Park, as well as included a small private room dubbed La Tavola, enclosed behind panels of wine racks, and a private event space which can seat up to 66. It’s sophisticated and lean, and though thoughts of a modern conference room space may creep up as you sit back in your cream-colored Eames chair, hopefully they will soon dissipate upon delving into a dish of Spaghetti alla Chitarra: hand-made spaghetti with crab, leeks, lemon and sea urchin butter.

Salt Water Farm’s “Maine Event”

Last weekend in Lincolnville, Maine marked the first ever “Maine Event” at Salt Water Farm, a lovely property on the coast with a state of the art kitchen in an antique barn. The weekend was dedicated to celebrating the art of butchering, cooking, shucking, roasting, pickling and preserving the finest in farm fresh, local foods with classes led by masterful chefs from some of our favorite Brooklyn, New York haunts: Tom Mylan from Marlow and Sons, Dennis Spina from the Roebling Tea Room and Millicent Souris from Egg.

The weekend began with a chef demonstration on how to butcher a pig, a lamb and six chickens, before preparing them into the evening’s meals accompanied with vegetables from the farm’s garden of over 100 seed varieties.  It then segued into seafood, and what better place to indulge in the delights of the sea than the the coast of Maine?  Prior to the seafood feast, which included a traditional lobster bake, smoked trout, Pemaquid oysters, mussels, and steamers, the chefs hosted classes on how to shuck oysters, and organized a trip to the beach to hunt mussels. In this culinary DIY era, with an emphasis on all things green and sustainable, the weekend was as wholesome as it was educational. 

I found out about this year’s event too late to attend, but the feedback was sensational and word is it will surge forward as an annual if not bi-annual event. Accommodations in the area abound, from cabins in the woods to charming New England inns, all in close distance to farmer’s market bounty, hiking trails and the Penobscot Bay. A true foodie’s haven, this weekend might serve as a crash-course stage for the gastronomic enthusiast or aspiring chef. Did I mention there was also a class on distilling whiskey and brewing your own beer? Now, all the bases are covered!

Who’s cooking at Hotel Astra?

On the stunning island of Santorini, nestled in the slope of hotels along the Imerovigli cliffside, sits Astra Apartments and Suites, boasting a glorious view of the seemingly infinite Aegean sea. Lucky for me, I arrived to this boutique hotel at dusk and was welcomed with hugs from friends, and a brown sugar mojito. I was instantly overwhelmed with the feeling of pleasure and gratitude as I sat on the terrace, sipping, and digesting the expansive views, the soft, salty wind sweeping my face. As the air turned cooler and the sun fell into the sea, the starry lights from the neighboring town of Oia glittered; it was then that the said romance of the island made itself quite heard.

Amongst the local specialties we ordered that night was, of course, octopus. And, it was the best octopus I’ve tasted in my life. We unraveled the parchment paper that concealed the juicy, giant sea creature with great care, and relished each bite, the soft texture of the octopus pulling into delicate strands like that of buffalo milk mozzarella. Unreal. The next day, poolside, we ordered up a lunch (pictured below) of an open face tuna sandwich, and a Greek salad, which became a daily, if not twice daily, ritual for the rest of the trip.  Simple as these dishes were, they were outstanding, the sizable block of creamy feta dusted with oregano sat atop the classic mix of Kalamata olives, cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. The standout additions, which set this salad apart from every other Greek salad, besides the delicious local cheese, were the juicy, blood red Santorini tomatoes, and the capers, which swam at the bottom of the bowl in a light pool of spicy Greek olive oil, and brought characteristic herbal notes to each composed bite. The chef at Astra, Chrisostomos Prasatzis, also the man at the helm at Mamacas, a beloved Greek taverna in Athens, has certainly demonstrated in his traditional cuisine, respect for the best raw ingredients one can find, and in turn has made this slice of paradise that much sweeter.

Hudson Terrace

Image courtesy of Hudson Terrace

On the edge of west side midtown Manhattan, this dual floor venue boasts an exclusive modern space with all-season indoor and outdoor use suitable for a multitude of private events. On the second floor, The Salon mimics the design of a nightclub with a hint of old-world opulence, decked with a DJ booth, low slung leather couches, a built-in bar and an adjacent dimly lit terrace. The sprawling, breezy rooftop terrace on the third floor resembles a hip hotel with fantastic wrap-around views of the Hudson, heated floors for year-round events and a cabana like haven where falling back into the garden lounge chairs while sipping a sunset cocktail could induce sheer city bliss – and the best thing is, it’s all yours.

Scaling to New Heights

By day, Ramscale Gallery is a working contemporary art gallery and consultancy for the art world housed in an historic landmark NY building. By evening, it functions as a stunning penthouse event venue – city lights popping through the floor-to-ceiling windows and harbor views visible from the adjoining 1000 sq ft sculpture terrace. Its dual function fuses together handsomely and smartly and ensures that each event is one of a kind, offering a blank canvas to stage a spectacular party.

Email info@esse-consulting.com for more info.

Greener Pastures to Tie the Knot

Biking through Southampton in a fervent hail storm last week, out of the corner of my squinched eye, I caught the sign for Nova’s Ark Project. The weather precluded my exploration until the following day, with a dear friend who was looking for a site to have her wedding out east. An “integral art and sculpture park” situated on 100 acres of farmland, the Ark Project is one of the most impressive sites I’ve seen all year. Not only does the artist who owns the land provide an inspiring setting to work and make art but he seeks to organically tie nature, architecture and art into a unified form. Horses graze in the pastures amidst towering modern sculptures in a breathtaking landscape of the Hamptons.

The barn, pictured below, (a refurbished dairy farm) is a wonderful venue for a dinner after a ceremony on the lawn, featuring dark wooden beams, a stage for music, and an adjoining terrace for cocktails beforehand. A unique and moving venue for those looking for a wedding in the country.

Take me to the Sea

The newly revamped Montauk Yacht Club situated in the marina offers the classic with a twist for your next event. Whether a cocktail party, rehearsal dinner or wedding, the fresh, breezy setting with spruced up nautical themed overnight rooms, sprawling green lawn, and sliver of private beach, presents a sophisticated but relaxed feel for a daytime or evening event.

320 Studios Skys the Limit

In the heart of Manhattan’s fashion district comes this gorgeous event and production space in an historical building with 360 degree views, brilliant light, and an adjoining 1000 sq foot terrace. Perfect for photo shoots, fashion shows, private parties and weddings. A fresh, exclusive addition to the roster of NYC venues. Contact me for availability and info.

Bacaro

In the core of Chinatown, this new restaurant from the owners of Peasant, combines urban sensibility with rustic country-house design (think: Eurpoean wine cave) while featuring an all-Italian wine list and menu (inspiration: Venetian cicchetti).

The downstairs room, divided into a labyrinth-like layout has several private communal tables that can be reserved for dinners for large groups.