Ariel Palitz Appointed NYC Nightlife Mayor

Last September Mayor Bill DiBlasio created the Office for Nightlife for New York City, and this weekend named Ariel Palitz as its first Executive Director. Ariel, a former bar owner was also a member of Manhattan Community Board 3. The Office for Nightlife will be part of the Office of Media and Entertainment headed by Commissioner Julie Menin. In a post she wrote after her appointment, Ariel said “I look forward to working together with the Advisory Board, and hearing feedback from nightlife operators, curators and community to ensure that New York culture is not only preserved, nurtured and protected, but respected.” We congratulate our friend, Ariel, and look forward to working with her team on nightlife issues.

Bernstein Redo Clients in Conde Nast Top 31 New York Hotels

On February 27, 2018, Conde Nast Traveler published its list of the 31 Best Hotels in New York City. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to represent 16 — more than half — of those hotels on this exclusive list, including Soho House, 11 Howard, Public, The Beekman, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, The Nomad Hotel, Ace Hotel New York, Standard High Line, Hotel Americano, The Williamsburg Hotel Gramercy Park Hotel, Peninsula New York, among others. Congratulations to our clients who made the list.

Butter Group and Marc Forgione Take Former Spice Market Space

Richie Akiva’s Butter Group, whose holdings include 1 Oak, was approved by the New York State Liquor Authority yesterday for a planned new restaurant in the basement of what was Spice Market on Ninth Avenue and 13th Street. Butter Group will partner in the new space with chef Marc Forgione, who is also an owner of American Cut. The new Meatpacking District restaurant will feature Italian-Mediterranean fare. At the SLA hearing yesterday a number of residents as well as a representative from Manhattan Community Board 2 opposed the application. It was approved however with restrictions on the proposed method of operation, including hours.

Tom Valenti Takes Reins at Oxbow Tavern

Famed chef Tom Valenti has come back to the Upper West Side with the newly opened Oxbow Tavern. Formerly Café Tallulah, the restaurant at 240 Columbus Avenue between 71st and 72nd Streets will be a casual neighborhood spot. Chef Valenti, the author of a number of cookbooks, had for years brought high end dining to the Upper West Side with Ouest, Cesca and The West Branch. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be part of the Oxbow Tavern team.

1928 George Washington Reopens as Freehand New York

The recently opened Freehand New York at 23 Lexington Avenue in Flatiron has begun welcoming guests. The hotel, the newest addition to the line of Freehand hotels already operating in Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles, spans an entire city block and contains multiple food and beverage outlets including The George Washington bar, and restaurants The Studio at Freehand and Simon and the Whale. The building, which was originally built as the George Washington hotel in 1928, has been restored to its original details and beauty to once again become a must-visit destination in Manhattan. Additional food and beverage outlets prepare to open within the hotel in the coming months. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be part of the Freehand New York team.

Scarpetta moves to James New York-NoMad Hotel

After ten years on West 14th Street on the cusp of the Meatpacking District, Scarpetta is moving into the newly designed James New York-NoMad hotel on 29th Street and Madison Avenue. John Meadow’s LDV Hospitality owns Scarpetta, its signature brand, and is taking along chef Jorge Espinoza who started with Scarpetta when it ordinally opened. Scarpetta also has outposts in Montauk, Miami, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Newport. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to a part of the LDV Hospitality and Scarpetta team.

Camilla Marcus’ West-bourne

The former Navy at 137 Sullivan Street was sold to Camilla Marcus last year and the space has now re-opened as West-bourne. Camilla has worked at Union Square Hospitality Group, as well as other hospitality companies, and is partnering with culinary director Amy Yi of Upland in her new space which features an open kitchen. Through a partnership with the Robin Hood Foundation, one percent of every purchase will go to Soho neighbor the Door, which provides free youth-development services. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be a part of the West-bourne team.

Salt Bae Opens First NYC Location

Nusret Gökçe, the Turkish celebrity chef known as Salt Bae, opens his first New York restaurant, Nusret Steakhouse, located at 51 West 52nd Street in the former China Grill space. This is only the second location in the United States for the Turkish restaurant chain. As one of the sector’s leaders with its top-quality steaks, Nusret is the number one choice for meat lovers at its many locations in Turkey, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be part of the Nusret team.

Donald Bernstein To Teach A Continuing Legal Education Class on Retail Liquor Licenses

On Friday February 9, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. Bernstein Redo, P.C.’s Donald Bernstein will teach a three hour class sponsored by the National Law Institute on New York Retail Liquor Licenses at 1585 Broadway in Manhattan. This class will be for 3 continuing legal education credits, though it is not limited to attorneys. Anyone interested may attend. The class will review all aspects of the licensing law and process, including who may be licensed and who may not, the tied-house rule, the 200 foot rule, and the public interest test of the 500 foot rule, the legal and practical challenges of licensing a hotel, issues regarding licensing private members clubs, temporary permits, the community board process, and other issues. Registration is through the National Law Institute website, www.nationallawinstitute.com.