As the sun starts setting earlier and a breeze begins to blow, it becomes known that the autumn season is approaching. What better way to spend an early fall evening with rooftop drinks during sunset followed by a delicious dinner? At the Grayson Hotel in Midtown, you can experience both just a few floors apart. Bar Cima takes a rooftop bar to the next level, providing impeccable views of the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center and an extensive drink menu. Harta, on the bottom floor of the hotel, is a New American brasserie delivering a chic atmosphere and wide-ranging menu full of excellent dishes. With the convenience of being in the same location, these spots are perfect for any occasion, from a relaxing night with friends to date night.

I began my evening at the Grayson Hotel on the 28th floor at Bar Cima. My friend and I sat outside, enjoying a beautiful view of the sunset along with our cocktails. Bar Cima has a wide variety of beers, wines, cocktails, and mocktails, as well as small bites. I went with the Cima Special, one of their signature cocktails, which consists of Cazadores Tequila, passion fruit, pineapple, honey, and lime with a tajin rim. This was a perfect pre-dinner cocktail, not overly sweet. My friend tried another popular cocktail of theirs, the Spicy Mezcal Paloma, which had Ilegal Mezcal, lime, grapefruit, agave, Fire Tincture, and grapefruit soda. This drink took the standard paloma up a notch with a smokey flavor and a hint of spice. The atmosphere at Bar Cima was amazing, with nice music, great views, and very friendly staff.

Rooftop at Bar Cima, photo courtesy barcimanyc.com.

Following our delicious cocktails at Bar Cima, we headed back downstairs to have dinner at Harta. With a very wide food menu ranging in seafood, pasta, salads, and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy. They also provide vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, and staff were very attentive to any dietary restrictions or allergies. To start, my friend and I ordered the crispy calamari and salmon crispy rice to share. Both dishes were delicious. The crispy calamari was paired with pickled peppers, which really enhanced the dish. This being both my friend and I’s first time trying salmon crispy rice, which has been a hot topic on social media recently, we were very excited and we were not disappointed in the slightest.

Harta’s Salmon Crispy Rice, photo courtesy Harta.

For dinner, I indulged in the shrimp scampi dish, which exceeded my expectations. The shrimp was cut and seasoned perfectly, mixed with delicious noodles and a buttery-garlic sauce and topped with breadcrumbs and basil. Being a big fan of shrimp scampi, this has to be one of the best dishes I’ve had. My friend ordered their steak frites, which was black canyon skirt steak served with french fries, and her dish was also amazing. Struggling to find room for dessert, we decided to share their affogato latte, consisting of vanilla soft serve, ground espresso, and caramel latte sauce. This dish was the perfect after-dinner treat, with a drool-worthy creamy coffee and caramel flavor. As if the delicious food wasn’t enough, the waitstaff was incredibly kind and attentive.

Harta’s Steak Frites, photo courtesy Harta.

My evening at the Grayson Hotel was amazing, with Bar Cima providing delicious cocktails followed by a delectable dinner at Harta. Aside from the food and beverage selections, both places provide exceptional atmospheres and waitstaff. Whether you’re looking for a spot for girls night out, date night, or family dinner, Bar Cima and Harta at the Grayson hotel will deliver without fail, ensuring to leave with a satisfying experience. If you’re looking to book either venues for the holiday season, book before September 30 for 15% off. For Harta, visit hartanyc.com. For Bar Cima, visit barcimanyc.com.