Lobster Bolognese at Oceana / Photo Credit: Noah Fecks
It’s a rare occasion for a restaurant to successfully be all things to all people, but Midtown landmark seafood restaurant Oceana is more than capable of filling that difficult bill.
Located in a new massive — yet somehow intimate and warmly-welcoming — room on the ground floor of the McGraw Hill Building on Publishing Row, it is a friendly destination for diner of virtually every stripe. Nestled in a business district that borders theater alley, Oceana draws customers from every corner of the city…and the globe.
The beautiful décor featuring high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows and lush baquettes and beautiful aquamarine lobster tanks provides both comfort and a stylish environment for those seeking a serious night out. The expansive dining room allows for a festive and friendly atmosphere, but each table seems to be its own cozy universe. The experience is made all the more delightful by the staff that is both helpful and friendly without ever being intrusive.
And then there’s the food.
Executive Chef Bill Telepan / Photo: Noah Fecks
Prepared by Chef Bill Telepan, classically-trained at the Culinary Institute Of America — and the former owner of the critically-acclaimed, Michelin-starred Telepan Restaurant on the Upper West Side — the dishes each offer unique tastes and presentations without sacrificing traditional flavors.
“I have been inspired by many influences and chefs,” Telepan said when speaking to Downtown. “I try to match all the things that I’ve learned and experienced and see what I come up with — and seafood is a fabulous foundation to start with.”
The Valentine’s Day experience at Oceana was a tremendous microcosm of the warmth, quality and excellence the restaurant has offered daily in its more than two-decade, two-location history.
The four-course menu offered both simple and inventive presentations of a wide array of offerings with the option of an exquisite wine pairing chosen by an expert house sommelier, who provided perfect complements that took EACH dish to yet another level of excellence.
Such traditional fare as crab cakes tuna tartar were enhanced by clever flavoring and and pairings with spicy cole slaw and pickled mushrooms, respectively. A delicious lobster Bolognese leapt out of the mundane with sprinklings of light herbs and garlic in a traditional tomato broth. An amazing wild striped bass was expertly coupled with a stirring lobster potato hash and red wine sauce. A wide offering of desserts was crowned by a hypnotizingly-delicious Chocolate Sphere — helmed by Chef Douglas Hernandez — as packed with a luscious mousse, white chocolate and tasty Nutella powder.
But perhaps most delicious was the charming surroundings and staff that made the romantic atmosphere palpable and something worth returning for any day of the year!
Oceana is located at 120 West 49th Street. For more information, please go to www.oceanarestaurant.com.
The Addison Hospitality Group’s founder Ric Addison
Addison Hospitality Group owner Ric Addison began a career in hospitality well over two decades ago. Originally from Ireland, Ric got his start in New York hospitality working alongside nightlife legends like Ian Schrager and Rande Gerber. The first notable establishment of his own was the AVA Lounge at the Dream Hotel, which he opened in 2002; New York Magazine would go on to name it “Best After Work Drink” spot in a Best Of New York issue. Further acclaim would come quickly from other establishments of Ric’s, like the Inc Lounge at The Time Hotel — which once hosted Lady Gaga and Madonna in its VIP “Pool Room” — and THE BAR at the Dream Hotel.
Four years ago in 2013, Ric opened the Monarch Rooftop & Indoor Lounge. Located 18 floors above Herald Square, the beautifully-decorated Monarch was designed by Natalie Todorova of Gene Kaufman Architects. Beyond its signature cocktails, Monarch offers an immaculate view of the Empire State Building and other parts of Midtown. Not just ideal for a summer visit, Monarch uses heat lamps when necessary, welcoming evening visitors to experience its Scandinavian-style décor throughout the year.
Downtown spoke with Ric in December 2016 to learn more about Monarch and other Addison Hospitality Group establishments. More info can be found at www.addisongroupnyc.com, while Monarch itself can be followed on social media via accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
You are the owner of the Addison Hospitality Group. What inspired you to start your own hospitality group?
Ric Addison: My background in hospitality dates back from my roots in Ireland. My entire family has been in the hospitality business in some way or another. My father was the manager at an Executive social club in Ireland. When I came to the United States, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in hospitality. I worked my way up all the way from a barback, learning from the likes of the venerable Ian Schrager and Rande Gerber. I knew from then on that I wanted to bring a level of hospitality that the New York elites expect, but make it available to everyone.
RA: There is no typical day and never a humdrum moment. Everything is constantly changing at a rapid pace, and that is part of the reason why I love it. From finding and transforming new spaces into nightlife destinations, working with my team to develop ideas, and just meeting new customers, I consider myself fortunate to enjoy going to work every day.
RA: I think I truly found my niche with rooftop bars when I opened the AVA Lounge at the Dream Hotel. I noticed that Midtown professionals wanted a respite from the bustling city after a hard day’s work and AVA was a getaway in the middle of Manhattan.
RA: Gerber Group bars with Randy Gerber, Ian Schrager at The Paramount Hotel, and every major nightclub in the 80s and 90s. I started as a manager at the Whiskey Bar and rose to Director of Operations for the Gerber Group.
What can you tell me about your two newest venues, Magnolia Restaurant and Lovage Rooftop & Indoor Lounge?
RA: I am proud to be opening Magnolia Restaurant and Lovage Rooftop & Indoor Lounge in 2017. Magnolia will be the first restaurant addition to the Addison Hospitality Group portfolio. It was designed to be elegant, but comfortable; a place that you want to visit because of its quality food at an affordable price. Lovage is a continuation of our beloved AVA Lounge, which recently closed. Loyal patrons of AVA will notice a lot of the same design elements in Lovage. We invite guests of all ages to visit, from ages 21 to 91. We think there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Do you have a favorite item served by Magnolia? What about Lovage?
RA: At Magnolia, the Deviled Duck Eggs with maple horseradish, mustard, a touch of cayenne pepper, and crispy bacon bits. At Lovage, I love to sip on our Hell’s Kitchen take on a Bloody Mary. We call it the Mahola Cocktail, with Smoky Mezcal, Roasted Tomatillos, Wasabi, Fresh Lemon and a Sweet Paprika and Sesame Salt Rim that will wake you right up.
Any special events coming up at any of your establishments? Holiday specials?
RA: Yes, Magnolia and Lovage are booking up quickly for Fashion Week in February, along with a Valentine’s Day party at Lovage. Things will really heat up at Lovage when the warm weather arrives this spring and patrons can take advantage of the warm temperatures in New York City.
It’s been said that the Addison Hospitality Group aims to provide “white glove service without the white gloves.” Is there a particular entrepreneur that inspired that philosophy?
RA: I wanted to show people elegant service without being confined to the parameters of the Meatpacking District. Every guest is equally important to me. No particular entrepreneur inspired that philosophy in me, but myself. However, I do view Richard Branson as an inspiration of business.
When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?
RA: I always enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter, sailing and golfing.
Other than your own, do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
To determine the most romantic yet affordable cities for celebrating the Day of Hearts, WalletHub’s number crunchers compared 100 of the largest U.S. cities across 20 key metrics, ranging from “florists per capita” to “number of attractions” to “cost of a three-course meal for two.” WalletHub’s article also provides entertaining stats about the holiday in its Valentine’s Day Fun Facts infographic, as pasted below.
Platinum Poire co-founders Rori Sassoon & Dr. Errol Gluck
A VIP, invite-only, power couple service, Platinum Poire aims to create lasting relationships for elite singles. The matchmaking of Platinum Poire is research-based as the company’s vetting of its clients includes background checks, personality testing, and financial analysis. In turn, the Platinum Poire database has a strong reputation of being full of successful and committed individuals.
Platinum Poire was co-founded by Rori Sassoon and Dr. Errol Gluck. Dr. Gluck is revered as the top in the nation for neuroplasticity, while also excelling in the field of executive life coaching. Rori has an extensive background in image consultation and styling. In turn, Rori and Dr. Gluck’s skill-sets complement one another’s, guaranteeing that Platinum Poire’s clients are presenting themselves optimally on all ends.
Downtown spoke with both Rori and Dr. Gluck on the eve of Valentine’s Day. But as the two made clear in our Q&A, matchmaking is a year-round business, not at all centered around Feb. 14. More on Platinum Poire can be found at www.platinumpoire.com, while the company can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram.
Rori Sassoon & Dr. Errol Gluck
How did you two first meet? When did it become obvious that you needed to go into business together?
Rori Sassoon: I came to Dr. Gluck as an executive life-coaching client looking for professional inspiration on my next steps in life after successfully blending two families.
Dr. Errol Gluck: I instantly realized Rori’s high emotional acuity and vivacious spirit and discussions began for forming Platinum Poire. Creating the company had been of great interest for me as throughout my 40-plus years in private practice, I have made over 75 successfully-lasting couples; I knew I had a penchant for matchmaking to say the least. And with Rori as a partner, another match made in heaven was created!
What makes your company different from matchmaking services?
RS: A number of very important factors separate Platinum Poire from other matchmaking companies. First, Dr. Gluck’s long standing experience as a forensic profiler acts as Platinum Poire’s secret weapon. Dr. Gluck’s ability to read people and truly get into their heads, learning their past mistakes, their patterns, their goals quickly assists in forming a well rounded picture of who they would match up with based on their inside. Additionally, Platinum Poire has no expiration for the membership, this is a reflection of a belief in the process of finding real lasting love. Additionally, we offer relationship coaching as we are both qualified as relationship experts. This helps our client’s success in dating, which of course their success is our success.
How did you go about matching people up? What is the sign-up process like?
RS: The process of on-boarding clients begins with our “inquiries” email, at which point potential clients send in a photo and bio in preparation for a phone call where they learn about the history of Platinum Poire and the logistics of membership. From there, the interested party arranges a consultation with me to make certain there is chemistry on both sides and to confirm that Platinum Poire’s existing client base is a good fit for them.
Rori Sassoon & Dr. Errol Gluck
DEG: The next step after a commitment to join is the profiling experience with me, where all notes — which remain confidential — are then used to assist in the actual matchmaking. From there, introductions are done one on one and discreetly via email, there is no online database access for clients.
RS: We have one special couple who are engaged to be married. Their story is significant because of the level of joy that their partnership brought to each other’s lives and family. Rachel was divorced after a 16-year marriage and had three children, one of which was special needs. This fact required her future partner to be a man of exception caliber. We introduced her to Dave, a wonderful kind-hearted man who had never been married and was very eager for a family to bond with. The chemistry was instant thankfully, and in very little time they took the relationship to the next level, building their own loving family unit together.
Is there a peak time of year for what you do? Is it Valentine’s Day?
DEG: Love happens as often and as mystically as death does. There is no peak time in matchmaking.
In general, what do you wish more people knew about dating? Are there particular mistakes that people make that you feel hold them back?
RS: The first mistake people tend to make frequently is to underestimate and/or overestimate themselves and their potential date. Jumping to conclusions too quickly. They need to trust the process.
For you personally, what would an ideal date look like?
RS: I love a day date that turns to an evening date if there’s chemistry. For instance, starting with a tour of a vineyard and ending up at a romantic restaurant.
DEG: The ideal date is shared communication, and a shared experience that is something outside of the box, which then ends in a romantic place without expectations.
What’s coming up for Platinum Poire in the coming months?
RS: Platinum Poire has great things on the horizon. There will be significant media exposure, as well as well attended events which increases the number of new clients, which Platinum Poire potentially absorbs. Platinum Poire is also collaborating with other luxury brands for an opportunity of mutual success.
When not busy with the company, how do you like to spend your free time?
DEG; We both continue the pursuit of the company even well after business hours. It’s a passion for us; there is no clocking out.
RS: It is a constant pursuit of networking at hotspots and researching to spread the seeds of love.
EliteSingles, the premium dating platform, is sharing the love this Valentine’s Day and offering two lucky people the chance to win a six-month subscription to the site (worth $500 USD each!) in celebration of its #itsadate campaign.
According to EliteSingles’ latest survey into U.S. dating habits, more than one in three Americans have admitted they don’t enjoy going on first dates. For the two-thirds that enjoy it, 82% don’t know what to talk about and one in five admit to being extremely nervous before a date.
The #itsadate campaign aims to equip single Americans with a digital armory of coaching tips and practical advice to improve their chances of finding love and to help them feel prepared and enjoy that all important first date.
To assist in this mission, EliteSingles is working with industry experts, such as the world’s first dating photography company Hey Saturday, dating experts Hilary Silver, Jacqueline Whitmore and Kimberly Seltzer, and the fashion experts at Fountainof30.com, covering key topics including: profile perfection, the art of conversation, dress to impress, dating etiquette, body language and the first kiss.
EliteSingles is one of the leading dating platforms in the U.S for people looking for serious relationships. So, as well as equipping you with tips and advice this Valentine’s Day it is also giving Downtown readers the chance to get a six-month subscription to the elite dating site.
To enter the contest, simply e-mail us here of where you would like to take a first date. A winner at random will be chosen.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, RetailMeNot has done some research on Americans and what they have planned for Valentine’s Day?
How followers RetailMeNot answered three V-Day-themed questions…
What would impress Americans on a first date?
· 54% say having a great sense of humor
· 50% say the way a date spends his/her money
· 24% say planning something cheap but thoughtful or fun
· 19% say paying for the whole evening
· 10% say going somewhere expensive/high end
· 8% say getting a great deal or discount on a date
Many single Americans would spend Valentine’s Day celebrating with others. In fact:
· 30% would celebrate with friends
· 28% would celebrate with family
· 19% would go on a date with someone new
· 11% would host a party
But for some, they prefer to spend Valentine’s Day alone:
· 29% would spend the day pampering themselves
· 23% would treat themselves to a nice dinner
· 21% would watch romantic comedies
· 18% would buy themselves a gift
· 13% would drink wine alone
· 9% would browse a dating website or app
· 6% would email or text an ex
· 5% look up their ex on social media
