From Virtuoso Travel Week to New York
Proud as we are to be part of the Virtuoso network, Untamed Travelling was present again at the annual Virtuoso Travel Week in August. This is a very exclusive event that takes place in Las Vegas and brings together travel professionals and providers affiliated with the luxury label worldwide. It turned out to be a very successful trade show where personal networking appointments once again yielded plenty of new products and collaborations. For me, a perfect kick-off for a renewed acquaintance with New York City. 
Mandarin Oriental
After a four-hour and 15-minute flight I land in New York – the time difference from Las Vegas is three hours – I take up residence at the fabulous Mandarin Oriental New York. It has 244 rooms with a suite on every corner with insanely beautiful views of either the Hudson River or Central park. Check-in is on the 35th floor, where a wonderful restaurant overlooks Central Park. I stay in the Oriental suite on the 52nd floor with New York “on my feet. The view is spectacular, the pool delightful and the tranquility serene. 
The concierge arranges my reservation at Le Jardinier on Lexington Avenue. After a ten-minute cab ride, I enjoy a very cool dinner here. Price/quality is top! Reservations are a must anyway. For example, I also wanted to go to chef Junghyun Park and his wife Ellia’s highly sought-after underground Atomix in Manhattan, which didn’t work out because it was overbooked. One can only book most restaurants one month before departure, as well as museums. Only then does their calendar open up and it is hurry hurry hurry to get availability.
Ritz Carlton Central Park
choseThe next day I stay at the comparatively somewhat pricey classic Ritz Carlton Central Park which is only a ten-minute walk from Mandarin Oriental. I visit MoMa, which is highly recommended, and then go to The Modern, a two Michellin star restaurant that is part of the museum and offers three different experiences; The Kitchen Table, The Modern and The Bar Room. I chose the bistro. Reservations again a must. 
For dinner I slide into Fifty Three which is housed in a beautiful three-story modern building in the heart of New York. Great ambiance, place to be. Oriental cuisine, chef is from Singapore. Very tasty menu.
The Beekman
The next day I visit the Met in the morning. Again, an art institution of note. Keep in mind that because of its size, either a guide is recommended or one is well prepared as to what one wants to see. Today I choose The Beekman in western Manhattan, a great special bites hotel. Art deco, funky arty decor and five minutes from the “9/11 memorial. Cool neighborhood, totally different from around Central park. 
Lunch I use not far from the Met, at Match 65, an up and coming French bistro. Delicious steak tartare with fries as it should be, without the bells and whistles. In the evening I dine at the Korean two-star Michelin restaurant Jungsik, again a WOW experience, and taste the best octopus ever. 
Ritz Carlton Nomad
New day, new hotel. Ritz Carlton Nomad. This is the newest of all the aforementioned hotels, beautiful. Everything is right. It has no pool but it does have a fantastic bar and two top restaurants. For authentic and innovative cuisine, slide into Zaytinya and for a sophisticated menu from Michelin-starred chef José Andrés at The Bazaar. 
In the evening, I eat at Cosme, the best Mexican in New York. A high-level culinary experience! The next day I check out for a final lunch at a simple bistro David Burke Tavern. Delicious and good food. New York is a gem with something for every age. I’ll be back!
