Summer Travel Roundup
For the beginning of summer, we've rounded up some upcoming travel specials. From cocktails at rooftop pools and seafood dinners to relaxing brunches at hotels, check out these options:
The Bryant Park Hotel's Cellar Bar
This summer, The Bryant Park Hotel's Cellar Bar will be serving "Caribbean-style" cocktails. These drinks, invented by head bartender Esther Gonzalez, are named after tropical beaches. Choices include the "Akumal Beach, Mexico," a mix of tequila, elderflower liquor, orange bitters, lemon, lime, and orange; "Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica," which combines gin, grapefruit juice, orange purée, grapefruit, and basil; and seven others that the hotel hopes will "encompass the feel of being on a tropical island."
The Gansevoort Park Avenue Hotel
The Gansevoort Park Avenue will be taking advantage of its tri-level rooftop this summer with three special events. Every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests and bar patrons alike will have the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail by the hotel's rooftop pool at "Liquid Summer Sessions," with special table packages available starting at $100. On Saturdays, the hotel will be offering a $30 brunch at their rooftop bar from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests and non-guests alike will be invited to the "Sunday Day Party," a gathering by the rooftop pool complete with cocktails and DJs.
The Crescent Hotel Beverly Hills
This summer, the Crescent Hotel has revealed its new renovations. The restaurant and bar will be offering a breakfast that is complimentary to guests, but available to non-guests as well, including typical, homemade breakfast fare like warm turnovers and freshly brewed coffee, as well as a variety of vegan options. In addition, the restaurant will be open for dinner, with a menu offering seasonal dishes, wines, beers, and cocktails. Every month, the hotel will pick a wine and food pairing. June's wine is a 2011 Cahors Mas del Périé "Les Escures" Malbec, and the featured dishes will be a pulled brisket sandwich with sweet potato gratin, smoked halibut with sweet pea purée and tomato relish, and malbec sorbet with anise shortbread.
The Hungry Cat Santa Monica
On July 23, 2013, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Hungry Cat will host their Pacific Seafood Fest. Chef and owner David Lentz has chosen a menu of fresh seafood dishes, which will be served family-style. The event will feature a variety of cocktails, as well as live music. Items on the menu include Pacific Coast ceviche with sun gold tomato gazpacho, lime, and cilantro; chorizo-stuffed squid; ale-steamed clams; ridgeback shrimp; Santa Barbara rock crabs; and fresh stone fruit cobbler.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, New York
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York will be offering a special afternoon dim sum menu from June 26 to July 7 from noon to 4:30 p.m. The menu will be created by award-winning Hong Kong chef Man Sing Lee of Man Wah, and will feature items like tiger prawn dumplings, Wagyu beef puffs with black pepper sauce, and scallop shumai. In addition, there will be a variety of Chinese teas.