has it all , shopping, superb accommodations and fine dining

The lobby of the New York . By Mike Cohen is available. While they offer to mail the tickets ago, having won the 2013 Tony Award for Best with commanding views of . While The Suburban at least 48 hours before the show, we recom- Musical Revival. It tells the story of a young the bed in our main bedroom was as comfort- mend that you either print them out online or prince on a death-defying journey to find mean- able as can be, the sofa bed also got very high ask to pick them up at will call. In some cases ing in his existence. Will he choose a happy, but marks. Seldom have I seen a hide a bed mattress My family and I recently returned from a busy you can even buy cancellation insurance. simple life? Or will he risk everything for a sin- as perfect as this one. There is excellent cup- four day stop in New York City If you want to save some significant money, gular flash of glory? It arrived on Broadway board space, bathrobes and slippers to use dur- (www.nycgo.com), where we saw some spectac- consider lining up in at the TKTS direct from an acclaimed run at Boston’s ing your stay and an in-room safe with plenty of ular Broadway musicals, stayed at a sensational Discount Booths which offer tickets to American Repertory Theater. This captivating room to place your valuables. luxury hotel (The Sofitel) and enjoyed a restau- Broadway and Off Broadway musicals and plays new production is directed by Tony winner Elegantly decorated with Paris-meets-New rant experience (TAO) we won’t soon forget. at up to 50 percent off. With dozens of produc- Diane Paulus (Hair and The Gershwins’ Porgy York motifs, all guestrooms have a spacious Of course, New York is also one pretty terrific tions on sale every day, there’s something for and Bess). It features sizzling choreography in marble bathroom, three telephone lines, broad- place to shop, from the boutiques of Madison everyone the style of Bob Fosse and breathtaking acro- band Internet access and fully stocked mini- Avenue, the iconic department stores on Fifth Kinky Boots and Pippin represent two “can’t batics by Les 7 doigts de la main of Montreal. bars. Room service is available 24 hours along Avenue, the world’s largest Macy’s, the two bar- miss” choices. These Tony Award winning with international newspapers; nightly turn- gain-packed Century 21 locales and the fashion- musicals were so good you can count me in to Where to Stay down service with Evian water; and imported forward shops in SoHo and the Village. There see them again if the opportunity presents itself. My family and I have indeed experienced French bath products. There is a fully equipped are many great museums to choose from, but In Kinky Boots heaven. That is because we spent four nights in fitness centre on the basement floor. on this trip there just was not any time for that. (www.kinkybootsthemusical.com), Charlie a gorgeous luxury suite at the Sofitel New York The Sofitel New York first opened on July 14, Among the most popular tourists stops in the Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe (www.sofitel.com), located at 45 West 44th 2000. It caters to upscale business and leisure Big Apple are the 9-1-1 Memorial, the Empire factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Street, a very short walk from Times Square and travelers seeking a classic, yet contemporary, State Building, the Museum of Civilization, Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save Broadway theatres. For us, the location could “home away from home” while travelling. From Ellis Island, The Statue of Liberty, Central his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in not have been better. the moment you check in, via a series of Park/the Zoo and the Bronx Zoo the form of drag queen Lola. A fabulous enter- This elegant 30-storey “Bonjour,” you are treated like royalty. The tainer some sturdy stilettos, Lola turns out to be hotel is just a stone’s throw from . lobby is large, warm and welcoming, with the Securing Broadway Tickets the one person who can help Charlie become There are 398 spacious rooms on 30 floors, concierge ready to guide you. Staff here speaks Unquestionably “the draw” in New York City the man he’s meant to be. As they work to turn including 52 suites and one presidential suite 52 different languages and there is a French- remains its extraordinary Broadway produc- the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that all featuring Sofitel's luxurious feathertop and speaking ambassador in each hotel department. tions. Be prepared to pay big dollars, even for a they have more in common than they ever duvet sleep system - SoBed. The executive Upon check-in, the hotel will valet park your car seat that is the second to last spot in the house dreamed possible and discover that when you suites encompass a bedroom with a separate at the Hippodrome facility across the street and at the top. Here is a tip though. Go online via change your mind about someone, you can seating/work area, which can be closed off from have it ready for when checking out. Ticketmaster or Telecharge, check out the pre- change your whole world. each other for in-suite meetings. Most suites The hotel boasts seven meeting rooms per- cise availability and call the toll free number so Pippin, meanwhile, is back on Broadway for have southern exposure, s offering a downtown fect for small to mid-sized meetings, with that you can get a more accurate route of what the first time since it thrilled audiences 40 years view. Five terrace suites have outdoor terraces rooms ranging from 365 to 760 square feet. Rooms are designed to meet specific meeting puccino, with truffle oil and fleur de sel. This bar, lounge and two bars needs, from video-conferencing to breakout was followed by a unique spring lobster salad, at which to enjoy the work sessions and computer access for com- featuring some sumptuous lobster, fruits, food and the show. Be pany training sessions. The Grand Ballroom avocados and greens. There were two main sure to make reserva- offers 2,500 square feet of space to seat up to courses: oven roasted lamb loin, crusted with tions. As GM Keith 180 people. Dijon mustard, white bean puree with pump- Dorrow told us, “we are There are handicapped rooms available kin seed oil, vegetable tian gratine and always busy.” while all rooms can accommodate wheel- Harribey’s own creation called the There is a wonderful chairs as well as the visually and hearing Franburger. This was served on a crispy ambiance here, with impaired. All kosher meals are out sourced baguette with melted brie cheese, trendy music and a . The hotel is used for kosher functions. caramelized onion and piment d'Espelette charismatic serving staff. For reservations, call 1-800-Sofitel (763- pepper aioli and French Fries on the side. We The menu here is truly 4835). shared some extraordinary desserts: a crème designed for sharing. brulee, a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice Our waiter, Hutch, made Dining Out cream and a chocolate chip and raisin pud- life so much easier for On the evening we arrived we decided to ding with cinnamon ice cream. Harribey is our group by recom- dine at Gaby, a traditional French brasserie also proud to promote De-Light by Sofitel, a mending a series of and bar named for a Parisian model who gastronomic adventure in healthy eating. courses. It is as if he read made a name and career for herself in New Developed by Thalassa Sea & Spa, the recog- our minds. We started off York in the 1920s. Just off the lobby of the nized nutrition and wellness experts in with some appetizers: Sofitel, the restaurant seats 128 people. There France for over 40 years, the menu features hot edame and roasted is easy interior access for hotel guests and an an innovative array of well-balanced, low shishito peppers. That The TKTS Discount Booths offer excellent deals on Broadway tickets. entrance on 45th Street. There is a special lift calorie meals to help individuals meet their was followed by spicy at the Gaby entrance for those in wheelchairs. health and weight goals in delicious style. tuna tartar on crispy tion. The banana pudding with fortune cook- Executive Chef Sylvain Harribey has been New York City is indeed the place to dine, rice, six pieces we split among us happily. The ie crust and the lemongrass crème brulee in New York for five years, having previously with an endless array of choices to please Peking duck spring rolls, with hoisin sauce, were dandy as well. worked for the Sofitel in Philadelphia and your palate. were deliciously crispy but the outstanding There is easy street-level access by wheel- Bordeaux, France. His culinary achieve- The one restaurant we had heard a lot item of the night which I strongly recom- chair. When making your reservation, ask for ments include winning first place on the hit about was TAO (www.taogroup.com), the pio- mend was the satay of Chilean sea bass with table at the main level where there are no Food Network show called Chopped. This is a neers of the Pan-Asian trend that swept New wok roasted asparagus. I cannot remember stairs. classy restaurant, popular not only with hotel York City over a decade ago. We dined at TAO tasting any kind of fish this good. The lobster Partner Rich Wolf talks excitingly about guests but those going to a Broadway show. Uptown; the chain recently unveiled TAO and shrimp spring roll with shiitake mush- their newest downtown New York location. Pre-theatre menus do exist here. The restau- Downtown and they are in Las Vegas as well. rooms and spicy pineapple sauce was a treat, "This isn't just a 'second location' of TAO in rant is open all day, beginning at breakfast Since its inception in 2000, TAO Uptown at a bit spicy but nothing too difficult to handle. New York City; it is the next iteration of our and for lunch as well. Among its special 42 East 58th Street, has become well-known TAO has a magnificent sushi menu. You brand,” he says. “Devoted fans will still feel at menus is 30-minute business lunches served for spurring the trend of "vibe-dining," has can study the options via their menu. Hutch home, but there are many elements that dis- in bento boxes for executives on the go. been a national and international hotspot. selected some fantastic pieces for us. tinguish the restaurant from its sister loca- “I cook with my heart, and my French her- TAO Downtown is located beneath the There was still more to come. The wok- tions. This is what guests can expect from us itage,” said Harribey. “I look for new ways to . seared New York sirloin with shiitake mush- moving forward." refine classic French recipes and techniques, Upon entering the restaurant, one is rooms cut like butter and was served with TAO Downtown seats up to 400 through- trying new combinations of ingredients, immediately struck by a 16-foot Buddha some crispy roasted potato wedges. An order out the restaurant, with approximately 300 in experimenting with culinary traditions, and floating above a reflecting pool filled with of crispy orange chicken, beautifully prepared the main dining room alone. TAO Downtown procuring only the fresh ingredients from Japanese carp .The Pan Asian restaurant spe- scallops and some white rice rounded out the is located at 92 Ninth Avenue (between 16th local farms.” cializes in authentic Hong Kong Chinese, main course. and 17th Streets). You can check out We enjoyed an absolutely outstanding din- Japanese and Thai cuisines. There are three Did we have room for dessert? First came www.taodowntown.com. I guess I will have to ner at Gaby, having the great advantage of levels of dining, including the prized the sugar dusted doughnuts with a trio of put this location on my list for the next trip to meeting Harribey in person. He first prepared "Skybox" which offers views of what once was dipping sauces – caramel, chocolate and New York. I am still very happily digesting a marvellous and tasty butternut squash cap- a movie theatre. Tao has 300 seats, a sushi vanilla. This was delicious beyond descrip- my Uptown experience.

The Tryall Club in Montego Bay boasts a world-class golf course. THE TRYALL CLUB PHOTO