ALCHEMIQ: NYC's Best Mixology Experience

By Peter Minkoff

ALCHEMIQ is quickly becoming the finest of what NYC has to offer. Since its inception, this unique catering service has grown into a household name in the industry and has managed to change the landscape of it. The brand has been getting stellar reviews since its first event and has gained the trust of many reputable customers. Google, Jo Malone, Cosmopolitan and Chivas are just some of the brand’s loyal customers.

This NYC-based catering service is best known for its unique offer. Unlike most catering or mixology services, ALCHEMIQ offers it all to their customers. They specialize in mixing quality cocktails as well as serving amazing food. The founder, Igor Zukowiec has dedicated his life to exploring the world of flavor pairings. His passion led him to a career in catering and cocktail mixing which ultimately resulted in the founding of ALCHEMIQ catering - a business dedicated to serving the best quality hors d’oeuvres, finger food and cocktail catering on the market. The brand is also dedicated to helping the community by contributing to various charity events.

Trendy food

ALCHEMIQ catering has an artistic approach to food preparation. Its chefs believe that there is no better way of expressing creativity than through food. The result of that way of thinking is something truly special. You can be certain that there will be plenty of delicious food at every event they host.

Everything is prepared with an exceptional attention to detail. Every season you can expect a new menu consisting of dishes prepared with seasonal and fresh, locally grown ingredients. The starting point for their menu was the American cuisine which they later expanded with the best and trendiest additions from cuisines around the world. They can also create a bespoke menu for your event. The team always has a lot of new ideas and will listen to the suggestions of their customers to create the best menu to satisfy their needs.

High-end cocktails

Their amazing food menu is always topped off with high-end cocktails. The two are perfectly paired. There was a gap between the market demand and offer when it came to event mixology that ALCHEMIQ filled. You can finally have a great cocktail menu at your private party. The brand is offering craft cocktails served at the pace that will make sure no guest is empty handed. Creating an artisanal cocktail takes time, but with the right people behind the bar, ALCHEMIQ made sure to serve the best drinks in the time it takes to fill up a mug with beer.

Seasonal menus also include different cocktails for every season. When creating the cocktail menus, the team considers the food they will serve and make the selection of the best complementary drinks to serve together. But these cocktails are hardly just great companions of the food they offer. They stand independently when it comes to quality and creativity. Made of rare ingredients, freshly squeezed juices, and homemade syrups these cocktails are treats to the senses on their own.

The “wow” factor

Trendy food and high-end cocktails are what ALCHEMIQ has to offer, but what sets this catering service apart is the “wow” factor. Every dish and every cocktail is served in a unique way. The food is served on beautifully designed plates and stations, and cocktails are given a new look with dry ice and stencil-sprayed logos. The biggest value ALCHEMIQ adds to an event is its team of experienced and dedicated artists.

In conclusion

If you want to host an event that will leave a lasting impression, hire ALCHEMIQ. Their mix of creativity, professionalism, and dedication to the customer satisfaction will ensure the success of your event. Whether you are organizing a wedding, corporate event or a birthday party, the ALCHEMIQ team will have a unique idea and execute it to perfection.

What To Do If Your Moving To Ditmas Park

via @Circahouses

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Manhattan streets and in between the chill, urban setting that is Brooklyn is Ditmas Park, a neighborhood in Brooklyn striking with small town appeal. Victorian houses line the streets on each side, each shaded by a tree reaching above the roofs remind the inhabitants and visitors of suburban America. That small town appeal continues in the main public streets with edge to edge restaurants of different cuisines and shopping stores of different cultures. Because there’s so many, visitors are often compelled to return.

            One of the best places to hang out near Ditmas Park is actually Lakeside in Prospect Park. Besides the regular picnic in the park adventure, Lakeside offers activities that residents can engage in during each season. In the spring and summer time, residents can boating on the lake in one of the paddleboats, biking around the trails, and kids can hang out in the splash pad. There’s also a skating rink where every Friday the rink is open, Ditmas Park resident Lola Star hosts a roller skating party. During the wintertime, residents can go ice skating, go curling or practice their figure skating.

If you're looking to move to Ditmas Park you may want to check out 416 Marlborough Road. This large, 2,500 sq.ft., legal 2 family Ditmas Park, Victorian house, contains 3 floors, plus a full basement of original details including hardwood floors, stained glass windows, pocket doors, fireplaces, and 4 separate outdoor porches.  Sitting on a tree lined block, this home offers both historical charm, plus all the modern and trendy accessibility of Cortelyou Road.  This 100 year old, 2 family house, has 7 bedrooms, 3 baths and has been lovingly cared for by the same family for over 25 years.  It preserves an abundance of original details and is in strong mechanical condition.  

The home rests on 4,000 sq.ft. of land with a beautiful backyard highlighted by a free-standing meticulously built gazebo that easily seats more than a dozen guests.  In addition, for many options to personalize this beautiful house, there is also room to add a driveway for private parking.  Priced to sell, with low annual taxes and with two legal apartments that can be rented, this house would yield a highly desirable cap rate return in excess of 4.5%.  

The Brooklyn Center for Performing Art in Brooklyn College is an art place for music and theatre performance. They deliver performances with reflection to Brooklyn’s communities as well as encourage creativity with exposure to different cultures. The building hosts four different spaces for performances and practices, though the Walt Whitman theatre is closed for repairs until June 2018.

            With so many restaurant favorites from the residents as well as visitors that stop by Ditmas Park, it’s hard to mention just one, so here’s a few. Grab a slice of tres leches cake at the La Nueva Union bakery or head for brunch at Hunger Pang serving dishes like Shrimp Po’ Bao or Okonomiyaki. For curry and roti with Caribbean influences, head to Shayna’s where most of her food is super affordable. Lastly, check out Cafe Tibet for favourites like dumplings and thenthuk, a Tibetan soup. These are just a few restaurants to check out at Ditmas Park. You should head there yourself to see what you can find!

At Your Table: A Personal Chef Experience While Planning an Event Abroad

By Peter Minkoff

Newyorker in London? Planning an event? In need of a catering service? We got it covered!

At Your Table is an established artisan personal chef catering service with the style and creativity only world renowned culinary experts are able to bring to life. Being around for almost a decade, the brand has already made a name for itself in the bespoke dining industry, attaining stellar reviews from numerous satisfied companies and individual clients in the UK and Australia.

The company currently services the UK regions of London, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds as well as every major city in Australia. You can organize private dinner parties, intimate settings or even large-scale events requiring substantial catering for numerous attendees.

An adventure of style and taste

The renowned service of the At Your Table staff is characterized by the need to serve your unique wishes and cater to your specific needs, allowing you to tailor your menu in preparation for the event. The chefs do not only cook your meals in a divine display of artisanship and experience, but the accompanying team of waiters will ensure your private setting is transformed into an intimate and relaxed ambiance.

The private sommelier provided to your by the At Your Table staff will make sure to present the best wine options to complement your meal, either by securing exquisite tastes for the party or even serving the best options from your private collection.

The fine culinary art

As for the food itself, the At Your Table chefs certainly are the masters of their trade. Ranging from a wide variety of fusion dishes all the way to modern European and Italian cuisine, there is no shortage of innovative and dazzling flavours to satisfy every palate.

A chef of your choice will be able to offer you their signature recipes, crafted with years of culinary experience under the tutelage of renowned culinary institutes around the world. The interesting detail that makes for a unique experience is the fact that the chefs tailor their menus according to the season, making sure the ingredients are fresh and of top quality at all times.

This is where the bespoke experience of At Your Table truly shines, as you will be encouraged to get in touch and fine tune every detail in order to create a unique menu that complements your specific tastes and the unique palates of your guests. You can choose from a variety of options, ranging from ten-course tastings to exquisite three-course meals.

These culinary experts consider their trade to be a true art form, and although open to various suggestions, they will remain steadfast in maintaining the integrity of their signature creations. You can inquire about vegetarian and vegan cuisine and tailor the menu to your liking, as they say, within reason.

Remember, it is best to leave details to the professionals, and let them tailor an unforgettable dining experience, imbued with taste and aroma, accompanied by stellar service and professional conduct.

In conclusion

At Your Table is the best possible solution for escaping the hectic nature of the modern world and creating an intimate, bespoke and unforgettable experience abroad, tailored to complement your every need. Whether you are organizing a formal gathering or planning a rekindling of an old flame for two, the culinary artisans behind At Your Table will allow you to create cherished lifelong memories, imbued with vibrant tastes and passionate aromas.

Our favorite Mayweather vs. McGregor viewing parties in NYC

One of the most anticipated events is happening this Saturday in Vegas, being the much hyped Mayweather vs. McGregor match. While you weren't quite able to secure tickets for the weekend, you can still watch in style and still catch your Sunday morning appointments.

We've dug up some of the best viewing parties happening in NYC, to make sure you don't end up overpaying in a bad location.

You'll want to remember the match is on the west coast and will start Aug. 26 at 9 p.m. So unless you're willing to host yourself here are some of our top spots to watch the match.

Photo via @alphasportz

For those who are looking for a once in a lifestime experience  Sushi by Bou, Chef Takeshi Sato will host a special one-night-only omakase experience on Saturday, August 26th beginning at 9pm at Sushi by Bou beneath The Sanctuary Hotel. The pro-boxer turned acclaimed sushi chef will showcase his knife skills during the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor fight.  Sixteen diners will get to partake in a $250 per person all-inclusive experience, including an intimate screening of the fight complete with an unforgettable 90-minute dinner and drinks. 

The dining experience will reflect the veteran sushi chef’s philosophy and spin on the NYC-meets-Tokyo omakase and will feature 14-16 pieces, along with a hand roll, of the best fish selections from the Tsujiki market. After the fight an open sake, beer and a specialty cocktail bar will be available from 9pm-midnight. 

Located at The Sanctuary Hotel (132 W. 47th Street. To make a reservation, text 917-348-5737.

The Ainsworth will be showing the fight in both Chelsea and Midtown locations. No RSVP required, door will be first come first in with door cover of $40 per person which will include the first drink on the house.  The menu includes a selection of signature passed and stationary American fare, as well as handcrafted cocktails. If you are unfamiliar, The Ainsworth is famous for theirMac & Cheese Burger (panko crusted mac & cheese patty, beef patty, mac & cheese, sesame bun)!

• Ainsworth Chelsea:122 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001
• Ainsworth Midtown:45 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016

Ainsworth Chelsea

With 80 HD TV's, more than three dozen beers, and a completely open-air space, Bowery Beer Garden (93 Bowery) is the best place to take advantage to this Summer fight. General Admission entry is $40 and entry fee for guests with a table reservation is just $30.

For those watching with a crew, treat yourselves to a Silver Package (a bottle of premium liquor for $300 for up to 4 people) or splurge on Platinum Package (two bottles of premium liquor and Prosecco for $650 for up to 10 people). Fight aside, everyone wins with $30 Beer Buckets, the $10 specialty Knock-Out Cocktail, $35 one-hour open bar, and a $49.99 Sampler Menus that serve up Crispy Fried Chicken Wings, assorted Bowery Sliders and Mac & Cheese Bites.

If you’re more interested in a convenient excuse to go out for delicious drinks and food, head to Boulton & Watt (5 Avenue A) where the fight will be shown for just $10 for pre-reservations or $15 at the door.

Pull up a barstool or grab a table in front of one of their 7 widescreen TV’s while you and your friends bite into Crispy Chicken Sliders, Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos or perhaps their classic Mac & Cheese with bacon and wild mushrooms. They’ll also have the homemade Picklebacks lined up for just $7. Fight fan or not, whiskey and pickle juice is a one two punch everyone can get behind!

Boulton & Watt

Fight Night at Professor Thom's (219 2nd Ave) can be as low key or revved up as you please. For their upstairs VIP party you can roll with the punches with bottomless nachos and an open bar (including well drinks, draft beer and house wines) from 9pm till the end of the fight. Tickets are $75.

Otherwise you can join the bar scene and view the fight downstairs for just $20 general admission at the door.

Professor Thom's

Where is the best place to see the Seated Ballerina?

You may have seen it walking by 30 Rock or on the background of The Today Show, But where is the best place to check out Jeff Koon's "Seated Ballerina".

If you want to be able to take a good look head to Del Frisco’s Grille New York and enjoy one of their famous steak meals. Guests dining at the seasonal outdoor patio in the heart of Rock Center have completely unobstructed views of the Ballerina.

This summer’s latest Instagram sensation is already drawing some of the largest crowds to New York City’s Rockefeller Center., making it hard to take a good look at oneself.  Make sure to check it out while you can, the 45-foot ballerina won't stay much longer.

Guests dining on Del Frisco’s Grille New York’s seasonal outdoor patio in the heart of Rock Center have completely unobstructed views of the Ballerina.