Tagged: Butter Group

Tonight’s Top Pary – August 15th 2012

We’ll be honest by saying that we never know what to do on Wednesday sometimes. Often we find ourselves at the same venues and end up bored. But tonight there seems to be something brewing downtown that we definitely don’t want to miss. And with that we bring you tonight’s top party which is…

1Oak (453 W 17th St): While we normally don’t go to 1Oak on Wednesdays, Butter Group has a very special evening planned for tonight. In addition to the already stellar DJs performing, Kayper and Sam French, there is a surprise hip hop performance slated for tonight as well. So get there early and be ready to party all night because we all know the parties at 1Oak last way after 4 AM.

The Darby

The Darby on Urbanspoon
Originally I made my reservation at Butter for Restaurant Week but since they were closed for the evening due to construction, they moved my reservation over to The Darby. The Darby is the newest restaurant opened by the Butter Group which also operates Butter, 1Oak and The Darby Downstairs. The restaurant is 1930s themed and features a live band each night on the built in stage. The Darby has gotten a bad rep for being an overly expensive mediocre restaurant that’s all about the scene but serves sub-par food and for the most part I believed everything I was hearing. Normally entrees are about $35 and on the weekends there is a $25 cover (per person) in addition to the already high priced entrees and appetizers. Then The Darby got some more bad press for having a $2 ice charge for all drinks served on the rocks which even I must admit is a bit absurd. However, though it is not advertised, The Darby is participating in Restaurant Week and does offer a three course pre-fixe menu for $35. Once you first walk into the space, it does seem a bit cheap and touristy. The red walls and sliver laced ceiling only look appealing once the stage is all lit up and the performers arrive. But of course, what makes The Darby work is its live entertainment. On the night I went Kate Manning performed 1930s songs alongside her band and I must say, all of the performers were quite talented.

The menu is simple American food that one would get at an expensive steakhouse such as Oysters and the famous 30 Oz Tomahawk Steak. Like I stated earlier, the menu is incredibly expensive even for the area and don’t expect to leave The Darby without spending at least $100 per person. However during Restaurant Week, the $35 pre-fixe menu was a great bargain considering you get three courses for the price of one entree off the normal menu. Not only was the menu discounted but there were actually normally high priced items on this discounted menu as well such as the $21 Half Dozen Oysters and the $38 Blackened Shrimp. To start I did get those Half Dozen Oysters and then the Flank Steak as an entree. To be honest, from all the bad things I heard about The Darby I was expecting food poisoning from those oysters but to my surprise they were actually some of the best oysters I have had in New York. All of the oysters were big, flavorful and, most importantly, fresh. The chili dipping sauce added a refreshing flavor to the oysters as well. The Flank Steak was well cooked however the meat was seasoned a bit too much. The pepper could be smelled from across the room but the quality of the steak was this dish’s saving grace. The Strawberry Shortcake was also a great way to end the dish as it was sweet but the tart flavors of the raspberry sorbet balanced the sweetness of the cream and strawberries.

I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but I did enjoy my dinner at The Darby. While normally it may be to expensive for what it is, the $35 pre-fixe menu is one of the best bargains in the city. The live music is also something different that you normally don’t get to experience in the Meatpacking District or in most other trendy neighborhoods for that matter. The food is much better than the disaster everyone else makes this place out to be and the performances help make the dinner a fun experience. Even at their high prices, I’d recommend trying The Darby out at least once even if it’s not during their Restaurant Week promotion.

Ambiance: 7

Food: 7

Service: 7

Overall: 7

Verdict: Oasis

[Photo via]

Top Tuesday NYC Parties

Let’s be honest, New York is pretty much alive at night every day of the week. With the bridge & tunnel crowds flocking the clubs on weekend nights, operators have been forced to create newer parties to satisfy the more upscale crowds that would rather party during the week. But then comes the next question, which places are actually open on Tuesday and if so, what parties are actually good? Don’t worry, Oasis or Mirage has done some, should we say fun, research to bring you the top Tuesday parties in New York City. [Photo via]

 

 

1. The Tuesday House Party At Avenue: Avenue is known to host some great parties in New York City in a gorgeous setting. Strategic Group‘s answer to all of the downtown boite Chelsea/Meatpacking clubs, Avenue sits right on the corner of 10th Avenue and 17th St. The club consists of two floors and a lofted area right above the DJ booth and on Tuesday one might say that Avenue turns into another Strategic venue, Lavo. The house music driven party has brought in some top DJs such as the Chainsmokers and David Berrie. The new lighting system allows Avenue to almost have a split personality, one minutes it can be an elegant calm room for sipping cocktails and the next it can turn into a high energy party. But get there early as this party is always packed. [Photo via]

 

 

2. On Top Tuesdays at Le Bain: On Tuesdays the famous Susanne Bartsch of Vandam Sundays at Greenhouse takes over the sleek nightclub Le Bain, located the the top floor of the Standard Hotel, along with the The Zand Collective. This is probably the most gay friendly party you will find in the Meatpacking so please expect the shirtless men in the hot tub and their female friends watching them. The upstairs lounge area is more reserved but still just as packed and boasts some of the best views of the Hudson River in the city. [Photo via]

3. Le Tuesdays at Le Baron: The New York outpost of this famous nightclub chain brings us one of the more exclusive Tuesday parties. Simonez Wolf hosts this party which often draws the likes of models and socialites to 32 Mulberry Street. Spinning red strobe lights and chinois wall paper give off a very European seductive and a very…well…red vibe. Le Baron usually doesn’t get packed till later in the evening and doesn’t end till early in the morning so get ready for a long night. But don’t worry, it’ll be a great reason to call in sick Wednesday. [Photo via]

 

4. SL: Simyone Lounge (SL) often gets overlooked on Tuesdays, but the ICrave designed nightclub actually draws in a good crowd. If you’re not into the super packed SL that most of us find on weekend nights and special event nights then Tuesdays are just for you. Head right below the restaurant Abe & Arthur’s into this X-Ray filled club equipped with an excellent sound system. After a few renovations, which include LED light displays and colored strobe-lights, SL is looking better than ever and the guests who party there are looking just as stunning as the decor. [Photo via]

 

 

5. Riff Raff: The Where The Wild Things Are party at Riff Raff was probably one of the first well known Tuesday party in the city. Around the corner from The Hurricane Club, this Hawaiian themed club has recently been attracting a huge crowd of patrons mainly purchasing bottle service. Bottle girls come equipped with face paint just in case guests are feeling a little tribal and some drinks even come in coconuts. It’s a small space so either know a promoter, reserve a table or get ready to shell out cash for a bar minimum. But at least with the bar minimum you can get cocktails crafted by the world’s quickest bartender, Sheldon Wiley. [Photo via]

 

 

6. 1Oak: I was a bit hesitant about putting 1Oak on this list because while Butter Group has done a great job at bringing in top talent at their Tuesday party, such as DMX and Theodopolous London, the crowd that 1Oak draws is just massive. It takes about 10-15 minutes to even get acknowledged by the doorman, who is doing a great job managing the crowd, all while getting pushed by the people next to you online to get inside and being told by security to step back too many times. Once you are inside it’s a totally different story, but getting in is too much of a hassle personally. If you enjoy hip-hop then this party is well worth the wait as many hip hop celebrities often make surprise appearances such as Busta Rhymes, Jermaine Dupri and Maino. [Photo via]

 

Sunday Night New York City Parties

Forget Friday and Saturday, now Sundays and even weeknights are becoming the new nights to go out in the city. Clubs have been realizing the trend that the “better crowd” is trying to avoid the bridge and tunnel hoards that tend to pack New York City clubs during the weekend so they have began to throw parties on other days of the week to appeal to a better clientele. All though Sundays have been a popular night to go out in New York, with wildly successful parties such as Karaoke Night at Cipriani Downtown, many people often don’t really know where to head off to as a lot of people assume clubs just aren’t open on Sundays. To help everyone out a bit, I bring you some of the better Sunday parties in New York City! [Photo via]

 

1. Le Bain (Éte D’Amour): Le Bain, located in the Standard Hotel, is known for its wild parties and the hot tub in the middle of the dance floor. But on Sundays, Nouveau York hosts a more relaxed party at this sleek European Meatpacking nightclub. While you still get the thumping Euro-Dance music that you get on any other night, the crowd at this party is more into conversing and Le Bain almost has sort of a lounge atmosphere. But don’t worry, there are still the wild ones who love to get into that hot tub…even on Sunday! Also, check out the new cocktail menu that was created this summer (I suggest the Grapefruit Gimlet)! [Photo via]

 

 

2. The Darby (Brazilian Party): So the first time I went to The Darby, owned by the Butter Group which also owns Butter and 1Oak, it happened to be on Sunday which is the night the club hosts its Brazilian Night Party. While I went on one of the first weeks it was hosted, the party has became a huge success as beautiful patrons flock to the club to hear the Latin beats while wearing straw hats and other island inspired clothing. While the drinks may be expensive, even for the Meatpacking/Chelsea area, this party is definitely for those who want something different than the usual Meatpacking scene as the DJs play music that is not normally heard in most clubs and the crowd tends to be top notch. [Photo via]

 

 

3. Not Your Standard Bingo at The Standard Grill: This Miami import is finally making a splash in the New York nightlife scene. The two year old party, named Not Your Standard Bingo, is one of the hottest tickets in the city on Sundays and it is one of the most unusual parties you will ever attend in the Meatpacking. If you want something other than your typical models and bottles party, this is your place. Bingo is free as long as you make a reservation at the Standard Grill (which I suggest doing at least two weeks in advance) and drinks are quite cheap compared to most clubs. I won’t spoil the party too much for you, but trust me you want to check this out. [Photo via]

 

 

4. SL: Dubbed “Greenhouse Sundays at SL” by some, this hip-hop driven party hosted by Jessica Rosenblum has become a hit amongst those who like a more rap oriented party. The back room is where all the action happens but the front/bar area is good for conversing with friends. Celebrities such as Busta Rhymes and Maxwell have made appearances and the line to get in outside is absolutely massive. My recommendation would be to either know a promoter or get there early and speak directly to the doorman as if you get stuck in the waiting area towards the left of the entrance, you may end up spending a good portion of your night there. [Photo via]

 

 

5. 1Oak: 1Oak’s Industry Sundays is also a heavily hip-hop driven party. Though the party has been known to be 1Oak’s “promoter night”, Butter Group really has stepped it up by bringing top names in the rap industry to come and perform such as Juelz Santana. 1Oak has undergone some renovations this year that have brought a new lighting system to the club as well as new reupholstered couches and booths. 1Oak tends to be a late night spot amongst club goers as the party usually gets started around 2 AM. For quicker entry, I’d suggest going around 12:30 AM – 1 AM otherwise you have to take your chances amongst the rest of the crowd with the new doorman, Eddie Bilowich. [Photo via]

 

 

6. Le Baron: While Sunday may not be their main night, Le Baron is open seven nights a week from 11 AM till 4 PM. The downstairs area is great for grabbing a cocktail or two earlier in the evening and dancing the night away at around 3 AM when the music picks up. The seductive red interior is perfect when looking for a more relaxed night out with a bit of dancing as your night cap. The door at Le Baron is known to be one of the toughest in New York so dress and act the part especially since bottle service or bar minimums won’t help you get in here. [Photo via]

 

 

7. Electric Room: The Meatpacking’s answer to Le Baron, Electric Room is also open seven nights a week. The club, from Rose Bar‘s Nur Khan, features a Britannia theme with inked mirrors and British flags. There is a food menu if you’re looking for a quick bite during your visit and the cocktails are quite good at this small rocker club that can only fit about 100 guests. The party usually gets started here at around 2 AM-3 AM but it is nice to claim one of the couches earlier in the night and relax with friends. Also, there is seating inside of the DJ booth which is a great feature that most clubs don’t have. [Photo via]

 

 

Will Be Missed: GoldBar (SundayFunday). The original New York City Sunday party began at Goldbar. Located in Soho, owner Johnny Lennon wanted to make a place that was fun yet created an authentic New York experience. GoldBar is easily one of the best designed clubs in the city with its almost all gold interior and beautiful dark wood doors outside of the club. On Sundays, GoldBar hosts their famous Sunday Funday party which is mainly hip-hop based and music is spun by 4 AM DJ, DJ Sinatra. Unfortunately this party ended about a week ago. It will be missed and it was one of the longest running Sunday parties in New York City. [Photo via]