December 03, 2008
The Hot List
Holiday Party Spots
We heard about what happened to your holiday party. So we've dug up five little under-the-radar spots where you can get merry on your own terms, from catacombs in Chinatown to the biggest dinner table south of 14th St. You deserve this. Happy holidays...
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THE BOILER ROOM
The hidden corner of Serge Becker's empire has its own hidden corner, although you probably
don't know about it unless you made a wrong turn on your way to the bathroom. Peeling walls and
exposed floorboards clash with a sleek liquor cabinet and a lush sound system to make this the coolest
boiler room in Soho. You won't find a better $45 prix fixe, a better bring-your-own-wine spot
(there's a $30 cork fee) or a more intimate place to tuck into some bratwurst.
411: Holds 30 for dinner or 45 for drinks, reservations must be made a week in advance, 212 Lafayette St (between Kenmare and Spring), 212-925-9322 |
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THE OLD WORLD BACCHANAL
Underneath this rustic Italian spot (and past the downstairs bar), you'll find three rooms of
candle-lit catacombs filled with ancient brick, bare beams and the warmth of fire and wine: perfect for your
winter solstice bacchanal. We suggest bringing in some smoked mozzarella, some Montepulciano
and 40 friends to take care of both.
411: 7pm or 9:30pm, $50 prix fixe and $15 per person per hour for open bar, 136 Division St (between Orchard and Ludlow), 212-941-5060 |
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THE LONG TABLE
You've sat in the indoor "patio" at this sceney Bowery restaurant, but a staircase in the
middle of the fray takes you down to a low-key oasis of Arabic arches, rosewood columns and the longest
private dinner table we've seen outside of Kill Bill. The main draw here is the
kitchen—particularly the Tandoori Foie Gras—but the jam cocktails (yes, made with
spreadable fruit) should convince you to stick around past dessert...
411: $3,000 food and drink minimum, room holds 50, 316 Bowery (at Bleecker), 212-254-0350 |
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THE SECOND FLOOR
Little Branch
Sasha Petraske's basement speakeasy has everything you'd want for a night of
sophisticated, cocktail-fueled euphoria—expert mixologists, paneled wood and a well-managed dimmer
switch—but duck past the curtain and up the stairs (back to ground level) for a secret floor
that's managed to stay under the radar for the more than three years LB has been open. Keep the group
small for this one and make the most of having your own private bartender. (In other words, no martinis
allowed.)
411: Open bar costs minimum $400 per hour, holds 25, 20 7th Ave (at Bedford St), 212-929-4360, book at littlebranch@nyc.rr.com |
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THE HOTEL FRIDGE
You've probably seen the glass-topped "garden" at this sunny Nolita scene magnet, but we
bet you didn't notice a sliding panel in the timber-lined hallway that rolls back to reveal the
bistro's secret weapon: a banquette-lined "minibar" with hotel room-sized bottles covering
the walls, a full-sized bar to itself and a private entrance that will let you dodge the crowds
upstairs...unless of course you prefer to be seen.
411: $1,500-$3,000 minimum, holds 50 for drinks and 20 for dinner, 54 Prince St (between Lafayette and Mulberry), 212-226-0211 |
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