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Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City

In 1932 Conrad N. Hilton wrote “The Greatest of Them All” onto a photograph of The Waldorf Astoria in New York City. It was his dream to own this hotel and include it in his prestigious collection of hotels. In 1949 he realized his dream and extended his version of “the light and warmth of hospitality” to the legendary New York landmark. Today, the hotel is the inspiration for the distinctive hotels of The Waldorf Astoria Collection where discovery and unique experiences are inherent in some of the most desirable destinations around the world.

William Waldorf Astor, heir to John Jacob Astor III, built the original 13-story Waldorf Hotel on the site of his Fifth Avenue mansion. Opened in 1893, the Waldorf immediately became the gathering place for the world’s wealthy and society’s elite.

Four years later, Waldorf’s cousin, John Jacob Astor IV built the adjacent 17-story Astoria Hotel. Separate, yet equivalent in grandeur and prestige, both The Waldorf and The Astoria were designed by acclaimed architect, Henry Hardenbergh, who in an act of great foresight added a three-hundred-foot-long marble corridor connecting the two hotels. This corridor, built to connect the two buildings, became an enduring symbol of the combined Waldorf and Astoria hotels – it is represented by the “=” in The Waldorf Astoria.

The Arizona Biltmore Hotel, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Scottsdale

The vision is global, their luxury resort accommodations are gracious. This is an exciting time of dynamic growth for Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts. Their expansion is two-fold. In addition to welcoming existing significant luxury hotels and resorts around the world, they are building brand new Waldorf Astoria hotels and residences in premier destinations.

Waldorf Astoria Hotel (left) and Beverly Hilton Hotel (right) in Beverly Hills.

Each celebrated hotel joining the Waldorf Astoria Collection will retain their name while adding The Waldorf Astoria Collection designation as a mark of their exclusivity. Collection hotels currently include The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa and The Boulders Resort, both in Scottsdale, The Bentley Hotel in London, The Boca Beach Club and The Boca Raton Resort both in Boca Raton, Casa Marina Resort, Dakota Mountain Lodge & Golden Door Spa, El Conquistador Resort, El San Juan Hotel & Casino, Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, La Quinta Resort & Club, Las Casitas Resort, Naples Grande Beach Resort, Saudi Arabia’s Qasr Al Sharq, The Reach Resort, Rome Cavalieri, The Roosevelt New Orleans, Trianon Palace Versailles.

Waldorf Astoria Hotel (left) and Hilton Hotel (right) at the Bonnet Creek Resort in Orlando.

Additionally, Hilton Hotel Corporation, Waldorf Astoria’s parent is developing brand new Waldorf Astoria hotels and residences in gateway cities around the world. Waldorf Astoria hotels scheduled to be built include a hotel in Orlando FL at Bonnet Creek near the Walt Disney World Resort. A new Waldorf Astoria hotel and residences will also joint the current legendary Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts click here.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts click here.

Mark Ronson and his Gucci Sneakers.

Mark Ronson, The DJ and music producer is teaming up with Gucci to design an exclusive line of athletic shoes for the label’s new pop-up “trainer” (sneaker) store.

Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini has created the pop-up store that will travel to different locations, beginning this October in SoHo. Other stops are to include London, Paris, Berlin and Tokyo – with the store remaining in each place for just a few weeks.

The stores will stock 18 sneaker designs in their stores—16 for men, 2 for women—and Mark will design a unisex pair that’s unique to each city. The sneakers will be priced from $500 to $600.

Ronson told WWD, “I spent many, many years as an avid sneaker collector, so I wanted to make sure these Gucci shoes were truly special from an aesthetic and collectable point of view.”

By David Haines

Tonight’s dinner at Ze Café was interesting. What could have been a somewhat low-key experience was anything but that. I went with my friend Rosa. She’s never boring. She’s the life of the party, and when nothing’s going on, she creates the fun. She’s captivating and beautiful, witty and charming, elegant and sweet; but she’s also a trouble maker – all at the same time.

As we walked in, we were taken aback by the simple beauty of the restaurant. So delicately appointed – a skylight in the center of the room, rustic walls, tables, and floors with flowers and plants all around. It’s a very small and intimate space, and it’s very inviting. It was a little empty upon our arrival, so this was Rosa’s signal to have a little fun with the wait staff.

She started by asking the waiter his wine recommendations. When she saw the prices, she asked for a discount. He smiled with shy curiosity. He didn’t know what to think. Was she serious? After Rosa asked if there was anything he could do, he smiled with a resigned affirmation of the fact that he couldn’t give a discount. But he could let her try the two wines she was considering. Sauvignon blanc was Rosa’s choice over the Sancerre.

After hearing the specials of the evening, we made our choices. As her appetizer, Rosa ordered the jumbo lump crab brandade on toasted garlic baguette slices and roasted sea bass with mild mushrooms, baby carrots, and tatsoi as her entree. I chose the poached Mayan shrimp with avocado, horseradish, garlic chips, and lemon as an appetizer, and for my entrée I chose the gnocchi special of the evening.

While waiting for our appetizers to arrive, Rosa asked our waiter why he spent so much time at another table while we went wanting for bread. She was teasing, but she meant it. He laughed and smiled, and then returned quickly with the bread and olive oil. I didn’t care for the olive bread, and my appetizer was bland. The avocado “dip” was unimpressive, and the poached prawns were almost tasteless. Rosa’s jumbo lump crab brandade was somewhat good, however. It wasn’t that tasty, but it was good.

By the time our entrees had arrived, the restaurant was filling up and becoming more fun. The music had faded, but the vibe had begun to build. Rosa’s sea bass was very good. It was well cooked and beautifully plated. My gnocchi was so so. It looked good, but there wasn’t a lot of taste.

For dessert, we each had pie. Rosa had the apple caramel with vanilla ice cream, and I had the mixed berry a la mode. I mainly tasted blueberries and black berries, but there could have been some raspberries in there. Both pies were very good, but Rosa’s was better.

Overall, we had a good time. I would go back, but maybe not to eat much. Or maybe, I’d just get everything Rosa ordered. She made all the better choices. And for the record — Rosa didn’t get a discount, but our waiter poured us each a glass of wine on the house, and someone else on staff brought us each some limoncello as an aperitif, which proves yet again — Rosa’s charms are irresistible.

Ze Cafe
398 E 52 Street
New York, NY 10022
212-758-1944

Bowling alley Bowlmor Lanes is in the process of leasing 70,000 square feet at 229 West 43rd Street, the New York Post reported. If the bowling alley comes to the building, which is the former home of the New York Times, there will be three bowling alleys in Times Square. Bowlmor reportedly scouted other Times Square locations, including 1540 Broadway. The former Times building has no commercial office tenants, and its only current tenant is Discovery Times Square, which has some of the building’s ground floor and lower-level retail space.

www.bowlmor.com