Tagged: Derek Koch

New York Nightlife Happenings: January 10th 2013

MonopolyA lot has happened in the nightlife world this week. A few clubs have announced special guest performances, some new parties have began, a new clubby restaurant has popped up downtown and one popular venue reopens it’s doors after a short break. Check out all that and more in this week’s New York Nightlife Happenings! [Photo via]

199 Bowery#1. Zedd is Slated To Perform At Finale – After being named one of MTV’s artists to watch in 2013, many people were thrilled to hear that Zedd would be performing at EMM  Group’s latest nightclub Finale next Thursday, January 17th. This high energy club at 199 Bowery has one of the best sound systems we have heard in New York City and with a 600 person capacity we expect there to be huge crowds both inside and outside of Finale. While this is a ticketed event, we do suggest arriving early and just in case tickets aren’t your thing there is always bottle service! [Photo via]

You can purchase tickets here!

image_968#2. Provocateur is Reopening To The “Public” Tonight – We use the term “public” very loosely. While the house music heaven Provocateur is reopening after a short post-new years hiatus, a new year does not mean a more lax door policy. The club is kicking off their reopening tonight with their resident DJ Nadav Vee. We suggest arriving early as this is your best bet of getting in without a reservation. And if the doorwomen are particularly kind and let you inside, make sure to grab a drink at the lounge as the cocktail menu contains drinks that are crafted to help your skin and aging process!  [Photo via]

199 Bowery#3. The General Opened To The Public- This week has been a huge week for 199 Bowery. The modern Asian restaurant located at EMM Group’s 199 Bowery, The General, has finally opened its doors. Top Chef Alum Hung Huynh created the menu which consists of an array of Asian inspired dishes many of which are prepared to share. After this opening, 199 Bowery seems to be a one stop shop in the Lower East Side. The General appeals to New York club goers as a whole while Finale attracts the Meatpacking/finance crowd and Bow attracts the more Chinatown/Lower East Side crowd.  None the less we’re excited to check it out! [Photo and Menu via]

View the menu here!

Audien#4. Audien is Performing at This Saturday’s Day & Night Brunch - The Koch brothers have done it again! After bringing this season’s brunch to the Highline Ballroom, the space has allowed them to draw in larger crowds and book bigger names in house music. This week, Dual Groupe has the increasingly popular producer Audien performing at one of the best brunch parties in New York City. We expect this brunch to be one of the best of the season so don’t miss out this Saturday! Reservations can be made via email at Party@DayandNightlife.com. [Photo via]

Marquee NY#5. Marquee Announces Its Grand Reopening – Probably the biggest nightlife reopening of 2013 is Marquee. This once popular club is looking to regain it’s momentum it had back in the early 2000s. With a complete new design, Marquee looks to rebrand itself as one of the few big nightclubs in New York City that cater to house music. And since we all know Strategic Group knows how to throw a great party, they have booked the well known house artist Dubfire to perform at the grand opening next Friday, January 18th. Tickets are on sale for this event and currently start at $30. [Photo via]

Tickets can be purchased here!

Le Bain#6. Le Bain Hosted The Bromance Records Party – In addition to their weekly Mercury Nights Wednesday party, Le Bain also hosted the Bromance records party last night. Electro artists Gesaffelstein, Brodinski and Louisahhh!!! performed at the Parisian record label’s party. These artists drew a huge crowd which resulted in a tougher than normal door policy. This is just another example of how the French are beginning to take over New York Nightlife! [Photo via]

 

Day & Night Season 5 Coming Soon

It’s that time of year again! Derek & Daniel Koch have posted on Twitter last night that the kick off to their famous Day & Night brunch party and it is projected to be on September 29th. This year brings upon us the 5th season of their brunch and their parties have only grown more popular throughout the years (we even remember going to the twins’ first brunch at Merkato 55 which seems like such a long time ago)!  Day & Night has taken over New York landmark venues such as the Oak Room and Ajna Bar (formerly Buddha Bar) so it will be interesting to see where Derek and Daniel will head to next. We always thought it would be interesting for the brothers to take over Nello on the Upper East Side since it’s a small though beautiful restaurant and they would be able to charge through the roof for tables since there is limited space. But like always, the Koch brothers know what’s best for their brand and they always choose excellent venues to host their brunches. Check back for more updates when the venue of the brunch is announced! [Photo via]

UPDATE – According to @NYNightlife, the venue for Day & Night will be an existing venue that Dual Groupe will remodel to make their own. The capacity will be 800 people spread out over two levels.

2nd UPDATE: According to @NYNightlife, rumor has it that the brunch will be held at Highline Ballroom this season. We also hear that the first brunch may be reserved only for “friends & family”.

3rd UPDATE: Day & Night has officially began accepting reservations and break out those check books because it ain’t cheap! We hear that they want $400 a head this year which is double what Dual Groupe has asked previous years (The Oak Room, Ajna Bar and Gurney’s brunches all asked $200 a head). With the monstrous 800 person space, let’s hope they can fill it up given these astronomical prices! Be sure to check back for more updates!

4th UPDATE: It looks like the rumors were true! Day & Night will be held at the massive Highline Ballroom and the first brunch will feature music by Chris Lake. Again the brunch is this Saturday and reservations can be made by calling 212.201.1222.

[Photo via]

Dual Groupe Restaurant Chateau Did Not Open Last Night

Contrary to what you may see on Opentable, the new Dual Groupe restaurant and wine bar will not be open this weekend. I tried to make a reservation for last night on Chateau‘s Opentable website for 7 PM and saw that there were tables available. However once you do make the reservation, you will receive an email from Dual Groupe stating:

“I just left you a voicemail regarding your Chateau Reservation for this evening. Unfortunately we are not yet open. I would love to send you to our other restaurant, TOY, located at Gansevoort Hotel Meatpacking.

http://toyrestaurant.com/

Please let me know if you would like to attend.”

The representative also noted that:

“Chateau should be opening any day now”

Though Dual Groupe is being very accommodating by offering a seating at Toy during this awkward opening period, it would be helpful if they fixed their Opentable account to avoid further confusion. Never the less, be sure to check back for further updates regarding the opening of Chateau.

UPDATE: According to Eater, Chateau does plan to open tonight to the public.

[Photo via]

 

Anyone Want a Membership to Toy?

If you just can’t have enough of the new Chinese/Japanese fusion restaurant Toy in the Gansevoort Hotel then you’re in for a treat. After looking at Toy’s website, I noticed a “Membership” option and wondered what on Earth this could mean. After speaking to a representative of the restaurant, it is confirmed that a membership option for Toy is in the works. While it is not fully set up, it will be interesting to see what Derek and Daniel Koch (along with the rest of Dual Groupe) will come up with as the members option for their new trendy Meatpacking restaurant. Hopefully it includes a free $400 Toy Sushi Boat on every visit (one can dream can’t they).

 

 

 

Dual Groupe’s New Restaurant Chateau Is Open For Friends and Family

Chateau Cherbuliez, or Chateau for short, is now having its soft opening for friends and family. This would be Dual Groupe‘s second restaurant, since they are no longer affiliated with MPD, and they have Chef Todd English as the executive chef. While Mr. English is known for his commercial cooking in clubby restaurants (such as Juliet Supper Club), it’ll be interesting to see if he will be able to step it up in this new venture backed by one of the best hospitality groups in the city. Chateau will be a restaurant and wine bar which will feature over 300 wines.  The restaurant is set up in the old Crobar space and will be taking reservations via Opentable.

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Day & Night Independence Day Brunch at Gurney’s Inn Montauk

Derek & Daniel Koch are responsible for bringing Saturday brunch parties to New York. After starting their first party at the late Merkato 55, which opened to rave reviews even from the New York Times, their Saturday brunches became an instant success. In New York, the brunch changes venues each season and has been hosted at some of the top venues in New York such as the Oak Room and Ajna Bar. In the Hamptons, Day & Night originally started at Pink Elephant in the Capri hotel and eventually moved on to East Hampton Point. Now the brunch has found a new home at Gurney’s Inn and Resort in Montauk and is only hosted on the Saturdays during holiday weekends (Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day). This brunch is having Mysto and Pizzi of Ultra records provide the sounds and Moet & Chandon is sponsoring the event along with Vie Vite. To make a reservation, email party@dayandnightlife.com and since this is sure to be one of the hottest 4th of July parties in the Hamptons, I’d suggest making reservations as soon as possible.





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Toy

Toy on Urbanspoon

Derek and Daniel Koch are the dynamic duo behind the big New York brunch hit Day & Night. The brothers started their nightlife careers at the Upper East Side French restaurant Le Bilboquet after graduating from Ohio State University. After bringing the South of France party brunch concept to New York at Merkato 55 the brand Day & Night instantly became known not just around New York City, but around the world. The brunch in New York relocates every season and has been hosted at some of the city’s best venues such as the Oak Room at the Plaza and Ajna Bar (formerly Buddha Bar). The Koch brothers have now ventured off into the restaurant business with their first establishment MPD, of which they are no longer affiliated with, and now with their new restaurant Toy.

When one thinks of a Meatpacking District restaurant they automatically think of a loud and clubby restaurant that lets the food take a backseat to the atmosphere. While we can’t deny that Toy is a showy restaurant that could double as a nightclub, it certainly is one of the more serene restaurants in the neighborhood. Sure you have your elevated DJ booth in the front of the restaurant and the silk screen photo of a tattooed Japanese model wearing headphones is certainly something a bit more “out there” than most other places in the city but for the most part, Toy is a restaurant where you can come in, have dinner or a cocktail and talk with your friends. Don’t expect any sparklers, bottle service or table dancing here, for that head to Day & Night brunch at Gurney’s Inn in Montauk.

The minute I walked into the restaurant I was impressed with how the Koch brothers took the old Tanuki Tavern space and improved the layout tremendously. Despite being one of the cheaper options in the Meatpacking, Tanuki Tavern was always known to have a well designed yet awkward space. It was good to see that Toy was able to fix that problem by opening up the back area on the first floor for more tables and putting in two communal tables in the front of the new and sleek restaurant. There is also an outdoor patio for those who opt to dine al-fresco in the warmer weather. Grey Goose kicked off its Summer Punch program at Toy so of course the cocktails were stellar. Though the Lakeshore Punch (Grey Goose La Poire vodka, red grape juice, lemon juice, whole star anise finished with fresh blueberries, grapes and oranges) seemed to be to be the crowd favorite, I personally preferred the Hamptons Punch (Grey Goose Cherry Noir vodka, fresh squeezed white grapefruit juice, strawberries and basil simple syrup). Since Grey Goose is affiliated with the Slow Food movement, all of the ingredients in the cocktails were locally and organically grown.

At around 2:45 PM, most of the guests were beginning to be seated for brunch. While guests were offered the regular brunch menu, there was a pre-fixe menu available to those who wanted to sample a little bit of everything. To start there was the French Toast stuffed with Vanilla Mascarpone Cheese followed by the Poached Eggs and Short Rib Hash with a Béarnaise Sauce finishing with the Chinese Chicken Salad with Napa Cabbage, Crispy Wontons and a Citrus Vinaigrette. There was also a bartender going around creating bespoke cocktails infused with Grey Goose vodka and fresh ingredients such as cucumber, strawberries and blueberries. The staff at Toy are very helpful and cordial, not to mention beautiful, but also are excellent at handling food allergies. Guests were able to mingle at the communal table and DJ Cassidy provided the music for the seated brunch. Everyone seemed to have a great time at the opening of brunch at Toy and it is definitely a great option when trying to escape the craziness of the other party brunches in the neighborhood.

Ambiance: 7

Food: 3

Service: 7

Overall: 6

Verdict: Mirage

 

Photo via

You can also check this story out here

I Tre Merli

 Last Saturday I ventured off to I Tre Merli for brunch. After being turned down by Bagatelle for a seat at their beloved Saturday brunch service I luckly made back up reservations at I Tre Merli in Soho. I Tre Merli is the  new home of Day & Night‘s Saturday Brunch Parties in New York City (It was first Merkato 55 which closed down, then they moved to Revel and now they’re at I Tre Merli). On days other than Saturday, I Tre Merli is kind of overlooked due to the power house Cipriani Downtown not too far down West Broadway but Day & Night is planning to change all that. The Koch brothers have taken over the restaurant for the Saturday afternoon implementing a new drink & food menu and reservation system. You can’t call I Tre Merli directly for a reservation but instead you must call Day & Night directly (212-755-1222) to get a table. The Day & Night menu is more based on drinks than food. The food menu consisted of a small page worth of appetizers (all priced $15), a pizza ($18) and three pastas ($20) but the drink menu took up an entire clip board ($475 for a 3L bottle of Rosé and $3000 for a bottle of Dom Pérignon with sparklers are just a few of the options for bottle service). The restaurant begins “brunch mode” at 3 so be sure not to make a reservation earlier than that (make it at 2:30 the earliest). For the brunch that I went to DJ Serebe, the famed DJ who also played at Merkato 55 numerous times, was spinning pulsating house music that could be heard two blocks down. By 3:15 a table of 6 was dancing on their table and by 4, when they dimmed the lights, only a few remained in their seats. [Photo via]

Though I Tre Merli is a restaurant, their food during their brunch service isn’t the main focus. With that said it isn’t too bad. The Pizza Margherita was average though not exactly worth $18. But my Porchini Ravioli with Truffle Sauce was actually good, if not a bit heavy. The Fried Calamari were also decent and up to par with Da Silvano. But to be honest no one really cares about the food here. I’d say only about a half of the restaurant ordered food and less than half of them ordered an entree. The patrons here only care about the four liter bottles of Rosé with sparklers for the whole tables and the latest dance songs being blasted at super high decibels. Its truly like going to a club in the afternoon.

Though I’d say Merkato’s brunches had more of a buzz, I Tre Merli is the next best thing. The atmosphere is perfect and the food is a lot better than expected. The service is also great and you don’t get the usual snobby attitudes that you get at these types of places. The pretentiousness may be too much for some and those searching for good food may want to skip this restaurant all together, but those looking for a party have come to the right spot with Day & Night’s brunch at I Tre Merli!

I Tre Merli on Urbanspoon