Staff Picks & Newsletters

NYC’s First Restaurant Week To Go

Where should I order from? | Arguably the most important question, and luckily, the easiest to answer! You can find the full list of participating restaurants here. Pro-tip: filter by neighborhood and cuisine to avoid hangry-mode.

When can I start ordering? | While Restaurant Week typically lasts as long as its name suggests, the delicious tradition has been extended an entire month through February, 28. You’re welcome.

Can I have my meal delivered? | Yes, of course. Check out the To Go page to have the $20.21 meals delivered to your doorstep.

Are there drinks, too? | Because we could all use a drink, or three, Restaurant Week has included the sale of to-go drinks such as beer, wine, or cocktails as an additional add-on. It’s a great way to show your favorite restaurant a little extra love.

How can I help? | Once you receive your meal, share a photo of it (with that good lighting) on social media using the hashtags #NYCRestaurantWeek and #NYCRestaurantWeekToGo. Plus, tag! The restaurants, hungry friends, and anyone looking to support local!

'Tis the Season for NYC Splendor

Visit the Country’s Most Famous Christmas Tree | In true NYC tradition, a giant Christmas tree is already on full display at Rockefeller Center and will be merry and bright for the full 24 hours of Christmas Day.

Shop at an Open-Air Market | The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park make stocking stuffing almost too easy, featuring over 170 vendors and offering handmade gifts from artisans all over the world.

Glide Across the Ice | Surrounded by holiday cheer, grab a pair of skates and take a few laps around the free admission rinks at either Bryant Park or the iconic Rockefeller Center.

Stroll Past the Window Holiday Displays | There’s nothing more magical than taking in the festive displays in the windows of the city’s favorite department stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman.

See the Holiday Lights | Attend the ultra-festive "Holiday Lights" experience at the Bronx Zoo, including ice-carving demonstrations, wildlife theater, and more.

Take in the Central Park Sights | Nothing compares to the natural wintertime splendor against the backdrop of the city. Enjoy sledding, a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride, and (hopefully snow-covered) strolls in the park with a hot chocolate in hand.

The Vestry: Now Open

Now open, the dinner-only American restaurant features an a la carte menu of both local and seasonally-driven dishes enhanced with a sprinkle of authentic Japanese ingredients. Rooted in long-standing relationships with local foragers, the unique menu largely focuses on vegetables and seafood dishes.

To give you a taste, selections such as a Black Seabream, Amberjack, and Wagyu Beef are just a few of the dishes that are prepared on a custom Binchotan charcoal grill. And, if your mouth isn’t watering already, the cocktails are a straight shake of fresh, classic, and seasonal ingredients.

With unparalleled consideration given to every aspect of the restaurant’s unveiling, the space is no exception. Nestled between art studios and modern museums on cobblestone streets, designer Jason Volenec has created a SoHo-centric setting paired with visually playful interiors that mirror Chef Hergatt’s "raw and refined" culinary vision. Even more, the exterior offers visitors an enriching look into the charm of an authentic seafood restaurant featuring ample outdoor seating.

With 25 percent indoor capacity and ample outdoor dining space, be the first to indulge in dinner and drinks from SoHo’s chic new spot by reserving a table at www.resy.com or placing an order for delivery and pick up at www.vestrynyc.com.

A Bite of The Apple

SoHo has enough creative bakeries to rival Paris, France, and it's not uncommon to find a bakery offering a specialty you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Recently, EATER - New York, highlighted bakeries in the city serving Pan-Asian pastry boxes, crusty loaves of sourdough bread, and Filipino doughnuts. But that's only the tip of the iceberg. Below, we've compiled a list of 5 bakeries near The Dominick Hotel that you absolutely must try!

1. Petit Chou | 1.8 miles
Known for creative French pastries and desserts. We recommend the Mango Eclair.

2. Dominique Ansel Bakery | 0.1 miles
At Dominique's, they offer Cookie shots. Warm chocolate chip cookies shaped like shot glasses, filled with homemade Madagascan vanilla milk.

3. Pi Bakerie | 0.2 miles
Delicious with a Mediterranean twist, Pi Bakerie offers a menu with vegetarian options like the Green Harvest Pi "Hortopita".

4. Manam | 0.8 miles
Get a bite of the favorite pastries from the South of France and North America.

5. Breads Bakery | 1.6 miles
Try handmade breads using traditional baking techniques and even get baking classes!

The Return of NYC Museums

First to set the tone is the beloved Metropolitan Museum of Art, for the museum is planning to welcome back the public by the end of August. "The safety of our staff and visitors remains our greatest concern," its president and CEO, Daniel H. Weiss, said in a statement. "We are eagerly awaiting our reopening as, perhaps now more than ever, the Museum can serve as a reminder of the power of the human spirit and the capacity of art to bring comfort, inspire resilience, and help us better understand each other and the world around us."

Following suit, the New-York Historical Society is reopening as well—but with a twist. Come August 14th, the NYHS will present an outdoor exhibition: “Hope Wanted: New York City Under Quarantine.” The installation will be located in the museum’s rear courtyard (West 76th Street between Central Park and Columbus Avenue) and, as the title indicates, will highlight NYC’s very recent traumatic past. Though it's barely history yet, NYHS has a unique way of treating the past as the present.

At the height of quarantine, the “Hope Wanted” creators, Kevin Powell and Kay Hickman, traveled the five boroughs to interview and photograph ordinary New Yorkers living during an extraordinary moment. The collection will feature some 50 images along with audio recordings.

The Historical Society is scheduled to officially reopen indoors September 11; until then, you can visit "Hope Wanted.”

A Few Facts About Manhattan You Probably Didn’t Know

1. 1. 1. • One of the most recognizable symbols of NYC, the yellow cab is simply iconic. Not known to many, however, the city’s first taxis were actually red and green before they adopted the yellow color in 1912. 
      2. 
         • Speaking of taxis, ever been driving up First Avenue and feel like you’re catching an unimaginable streak of green lights? You’re not just lucky—the city’s traffic lights are programmed to match drivers going around 28 miles an hour. 
      3. 
         • Though we’ve grown to love its crowdedness, Manhattan’s population density is the highest of any American city. With over 27,000 people per square mile, the city’s population accounts for over 40 percent of the state’s entire population. 
      4. 
         • We all know Subway’s most popular sandwich: the Italian BMT. But, did you know it was named after an actual subway? The Brooklyn Manhattan Transit, to be exact.

Experience NYC, At Home

Gossip Girl: This famed TV series, while following the lives of the Upper East Side’s typical privileged teenagers, makes Manhattan seem all the more enticing. Stream Gossip Girl on Netflix.

Girls: The 6 season series, dubbed “The Real Sex in the City”, follows the lives of four young women as they navigate Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn locations. Stream Girls on Hulu, HBO Now, or Amazon Prime.

30 Rock: The series focuses on a live-sketch comedy show's lead writer. The show is filmed at Rockefeller Center and the storyline is based loosely on the backstage shenanigans that would occur at the renowned show ‘Saturday Night Live’. Stream 30 Rock on Hulu or Amazon Prime.

Get To Know SoHo

As its name states, SoHo (“South of Houston”) is located south of Houston Street. The historic area’s borders are Canal Street to the south, Crosby Street to the east, and West Broadway to the west.

SoHo flaunts the greatest collection of cast-iron architecture in the world. There are approximately 250 cast-iron buildings in New York City, and the majority of them are located within SoHo.

Many of these buildings bear the date of construction on their cornice (the top of the facade). Those that don’t feature plaques near the facade’s base that designate the iron foundry’s name and date of production.

It was these historic buildings that attracted the artist population. The upper floors had been built as unobstructed spaces for manufacturing and other industrial uses, many of which permitted large windows admitting natural light and low rent—an artist’s dream.

Where Did “The Big Apple” Come From?

New York City earned a number of nicknames over the years. Empire City. The Concrete Jungle. The City That Never Sleeps. But there’s one that stuck over time: The Big Apple. What does this name mean? How did it begin? And how did it manage to stick over the years?

Back in the 1920s, “The Big Apple” was first coined in horse-racing articles by a sportswriter named John J. Fitz Gerald. It was meant to portray New York City as “the big leagues”. The name then appeared in jazz songs throughout the 1930s, often in reference to the Harlem Renaissance.

However, the name didn’t grow in popularity until the 1970s, when NYC’s marketing and tourism organization - now known as NYC & Company - reintroduced it in a promotional campaign. The campaign proved a success, and even today, the title is commonly used in exclusive reference to New York City.

Marvel at the Macys Flower Show

Every year, the Macys center picks a theme and designs an entire floral world around that idea. Last year we were dazzled with an outer-space theme and this year we take a “Voyage to Oceanum.” This underwater story follows an R.H. Macy as he traverses the ocean depths to recover a lost family heirloom.

Visitors will see professionally-crafted floral sculptures and designs that feature numerous flowers from all over the world. Some varieties are rare and especially beautiful and they’re all waiting to be admired! Stop by once, twice, or a dozen times as you make your way around the city and come celebrate spring blooms with Macy's.

The Best Way to See New York City

Hop-on hop-off bus tours offer you a unique way to experience the city. You can stay on as long as you would like and learn the rich history of this magnificent city. If a destination seems particularly fascinating or you just want to grab some lunch, hop-off at any time and you’ll be able to get on when the bus makes its loop back to you later on in the day.

One of the largest bus tours around is the Big Bus New York. With over 25 stops all around Manhattan, you can really see everything and get to anywhere. City Sightseeing New York is another popular company that features an open-top double-decker and a ferry tour included with a ticket.

If hop-on, hop-off tours really speak to you, consider an annual purchase of The New York Pass, as this pass allows for unlimited free tickets year-round.

Three Fun Things To Do on a Cold Day

Ice Skating—Grab your warmest mittens and hat and plan an outing at one of the city’s top ice skating rinks. Skating at the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center is a time-honored tradition. Lace-up for an afternoon a Wollman Rink in Central Park, where you can enjoy the surrounding snow-covered landscape and skyscrapers. Coinciding with the popular Winter Village, the Ice Rink at Bryant Park is completely free. 

A Drink at 230 Fifth Rooftop Igloo Bar—Make most of this beautiful outdoor space during the winter by tucking into a heated PVC igloo. Get extra cozy by ordering a festive treat from the hot drink menu while enjoying breathtaking views of the city. 

City Bakery’s Hot Chocolate Festival—For the last 25 years, this Flatiron eatery has celebrated delicious winter beverages by hosting the City's Bakery Hot Chocolate Festival. Each day in February, the restaurant serves a different flavor—think peanut butter hot chocolate, salted caramel hot chocolate, white chocolate waltz, and more. 

Light Up Your Holidays With A Broadway Show

A Christmas Carol – The Musical:  An immersive experience brimming with Christmas spirit, this celebrated Christmas story is brought to life with costumes and scenes designed by Tony-award winner Rob Howell. You’ll want to sing along to 12 of the most cherished Christmas carols, including “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” and “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” The show will be playing until January 5, 2020. 

FROZEN The Musical: Disney’s Frozen is the famous story of two sisters torn apart by a family secret. Combine this tale with sensational special effects, incredible sets and costumes, and memorable performances, and you have a perfect holiday musical. There will be multiple showings throughout the month at the St.James Theatre.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular:  The gloriously glitzy costumes and the leggy high kicks of the Rockettes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular are practically synonymous with New York during Christmas. The Rockettes perform their famous “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” as well as a variety of other numbers. If you’re spending Christmas Day in New York, it’s the perfect day to go see the show since many shops and other attractions are closed on December 25th. 

Thanksgiving Weekend in NYC

On Wednesday before Thanksgiving, you could snag discounted Broadway show tickets at the ticket box office in Times Square. Another option is to watch the giant balloon inflation on the Upper West Side.

On Thursday, make sure to dress warm and get your spot early in the morning as the Macy’sThanksgiving Parade starts at 9 am.  Enjoy the parade surrounded by those who have the same level of holiday spirit as you! The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and its famous Rockettes are a must right after seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

On Friday, get ready to tackle Black Friday shopping in the city. We suggest you start at Macy’s and work your way down to Sak’s Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales. If you want to shop in a less crowded area, then Soho is the place for you. The city has so much more to offer and it is yours to discover. We wish you and your family the happiest experience during your Thanksgiving festivities!

Pixinity - Your Digital PlayGround

“Pixinity” is a digital playground of 10 pixel-perfect Instagrammable rooms with themes inspired by gaming, pop culture, and animation. Pixinity is SoHo’s new hottest thing to do—your kids will be able to explore a futuristic wonderland full of pop-up art, including sculptures, pixel art, emoji-like characters, and digital and gaming icons— from now until November 8th. Aside from snapping a bunch of Instagram-worthy photos, you and your family will also be supporting Autism Speaks. A portion of sales will be donated to support ‘BORN TO SHINE,’  Pixinity's partnership with Autism Speaks. Select your tickets here and your kids will thank you later! 

Visiting Metropolitan Museum of Art (Part Two)

The Met is open seven days a week, Sunday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s highly recommended to try to visit during a weekday. Most of the local residents will be at work, and if you visit in the early afternoon, most school trips will have finished for the day. The Met tends to be less busy for tourists in May and late October making it the perfect time to visit if you’re not a fan of crowds. A bonus to visiting then is the gorgeous autumn foliage, which can be viewed from the Roof Garden Cafe & Martini Bar. Stay tuned for our next installment of tips!

Tour SoHo's Historic Cast Iron District

The neighborhood has fostered progressive business and residential advancements, as well as an urban creativity hub, home to vibrant street art, unique architecture, and more. To amble through this historic neighborhood is an attraction in and of itself. Stroll a few blocks in any direction and see masterpieces in the making via walking and guided tours. 

SoHo’s Cast Iron District is home to the most significant number of iron constructed buildings in the world. Due to the protective petitioning of architects and artists, two hundred have withstood demolition and have been transformed into usable spaces and historic sites. Take one of the many architectural, artistic, and historic tours of our neighborhood to see how artists and community members joined forces to make SoHo the vibrant community it is today.

Don’t Miss Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks!

There are a range of free events, museums, harbor cruises, contests, and concerts held all over the city. Of these, the most talked of has always been the Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks.

This is the big one, the one they all talk about. This firework show has been around since 1958 and is considered by many to be the best in the country. In part because of the 75,000 firework shells used in the show, but also because of the amazing musical line up. This year, Ciara, Luke Bryan, Khalid, and Jennifer Hudson, among others will perform with this amazing light show. The fireworks will be held over the harbor with the best spots for viewing found between Broad Street and Water Street.

Visiting Metropolitan Museum of Art (Part One)

If you’ve never been to the Met before, you’re in for a treat—a large treat. The museum is enormous, covering almost a half square mile of a city block in addition to being nestled within Central Park grounds. Navigating the Met and ensuring you see exactly what you want to see can prove a challenge. Read on for details about how to see the Met like a local.

Because of its sheer size, it’s a good idea to check out the Met’s website and get an idea of what exhibits mean the most to you if you don’t think you’ll spend the whole day. Or go all out. One can easily spend the entire day here. We recommend starting with a side wing (Greco-Roman to the left side or Egyptian to the right side) and working your way through 5,000 years of art, history, and culture. Once you're finished with your tour, make your way Uptown to the Cloisters. As part of your ticket purchase, you also receive admission to the architecture exhibit of Medieval Europe, new to the Met family. Check back as we continue to expand on our spotlight of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

NYC WorldPride Celebration

The event spans the entire month of June and welcomes over three million people to the city to march in solidarity with the LGBT+ community. Join them in participating in over fifty events dedicated to showcasing pride and inclusion in every community.
The WorldPride Celebration marks the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots of 1969. The Stonewall Riots served as the turning of the tide for the LGBT+ community who struggled relentlessly against the oppression and violence perpetrated against LGBT+ citizens in America. Violent police raids plagued Greenwich Village in 1969. The LGBT+ community organized into coalitions to fight the oppression and spark the gay liberation movement. Today, the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots is celebrated globally with the largest event held at its birthplace in New York City. March in solidarity and celebration this June! 

Explore Hudson River Park

Located only a few blocks from our hotel, the Hudson River Park is the longest riverfront park in the United States and attracts over seventeen million visitors each year. The Park boasts a wide range of events like Arts in the Park, dining options, and kid-friendly activities. Adults can choose their own adventure with the plethora of ultimate sport and athletic resources available. Sharpen your swing at the baseball field and batting cages, get back on defense at the basketball courts and roll a strike at the new bowling alleys. There’s also mini golf for the whole family, ice skating in the colder months, and tennis for all levels of expertise. Extreme sports lovers will enjoy the trapeze, skateparks, and rock climbing walls.

How To: The New Museum

This hip, fresh, new-age take on modern art is housed in a seven-story, eight-level building designed by world-renown architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, not far from our hotel. Their mission is to help streamline a path for the important art--the art that can change lives--to flourish and grow in the hearts and minds of the public.

The New Museum is open every day except Mondays for tours and special programming from cultural organizations from all over the community. Ticket prices are $18 for general admission and include free tours of the exhibitions. The exhibitions, events, and access to the rooftop venue, Sky Room, shift often, so be sure to check out their website and ensure you are attending on a day when the pieces that speak to you the most will be displayed.

Things You Didn’t Know About Washington Square Park

Moments of Note

Washington Square Park was the site of the first labor march in our city. In 1834, city stonemasons held a rally due to the loss of work as a result of the city outsourcing labor to prisoners in Sing Sing. Only a few short years later, Samuel F.B. Morse gave the first public demonstration of the telegraph in 1838.

The Washington Arch

The Arch was constructed in 1889 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Washington’s inauguration. The interesting thing about the Arch is that it was only ever meant to be temporary. Public opinion turned the Arch from a wood and plaster mock-up to the marble piece it is today. The Arch is not solid marble. Actually, it once served as a New York City Parks office, but because of an eroding staircase and weak roof, the Arch is now only used for storage.

Discover the New York City Fire Museum

Stop by the New York City Fire Museum, not far from our hotel, and learn how FDNY went from a small water bucket brigade to the world-renown force that helped turn New York City into the bustling metropolis it is today.
Explore exhibits dating back to 1624 when our city was a Dutch colony known as New Amsterdam. Then fire department was made up of volunteer night watchmen who would patrol the city looking for any sign of smoke or fire with sound makers known as “rattlewatches,” wooden rattles that were meant to alert their neighbors to the danger. See the transition from these humble origins to the training, stories, and technology that keeps us safe today. Admission is $10 for adults and the museum is open seven days a week. Take a stroll from our hotel and learn a major piece of New York history.

A Holiday in the Stars

This Christmas season, take note of the magical sights that exist in the mystery of the stars at the “Astronomy Live” series at the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater, just a few minutes down the street from our hotel. Join an intergalactic tour of our solar system, led by legendary astronomers Ted Williams and Irene Pease on December 20, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., and learn what kinds of stellar wonders our space system has in store for us this year. Be the first to get the facts on rumored meteor showers, planetary movements and their effect our planet, and the upcoming lunar eclipse. Tickets are $15 and are available for purchase on the planetarium’s website: www.amnh.org

Live SoHo History at These Three Galleries

Peter Freeman, Inc.
Based at 140 Grand Street, art dealer Peter Freeman’s 11,000-square-foot modern gallery features permanent work and temporary exhibitions from a cast of international artists. Pop in from November 8 to December 22, and check out Helen Mirra’s latest installation, “Bones Are Spaces.”

101 Spring Street
From 1968 until his death in 1994, American minimalist Donald Judd worked and lived in this five-story building. Now under the care of his namesake foundation, his former studio is open for advance-booked guided tours, offering a glimpse into the artist’s mind.

TEAM Gallery
The brainchild of Spanish art dealer José Freire, this gallery has operated out of 83 Grand Street since 2006. Emphasizing countercultural works and New Media, TEAM regularly features emerging artists in the vanguard of contemporary art.