Tales from the Corners

The wind was whipping at me as I viewed the Big Apple from a perspective that I never experienced before. From where I was standing, Central Park, Times Square, the Hudson River, the Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge and other landmarks took on a different meaning for me. No, this isn’t the top of the Empire State Building. This is view from Rockefeller Center’s observation deck 70 stories above New York City also known as the Top of the Rock. I needed to get on the top of 30 Rock. After so many days, I felt somewhat claustrophobic in Manhattan. For some reason, the skyscrapers were “closing in on me” after spending some time here. I went through that feeling about 25 years ago when I was last here. I’m not sure if anyone else feels that way about the nerve center of New York City, but if I had to give advice, I would tell you to take a trip to these observation decks. Yes, the brochures will exclaim that you will be treated to, “expansive vistas,” but there is no much more to...

Sleek. Hip. European. Those are the words that describe Hotel Giraffe. Located on the corner of Park Avenue and 26th street in New York’s Rose Hill neighborhood, Hotel Giraffe is a sight for sore eyes and feet. If you’re looking to kick back and relax after walking, shopping or eating on Park Avenue, then this unique hotel is the answer. From its spacious lobby to it fully updated rooms, Hotel Giraffe is perfect for couples or business travelers who simply want to get away from it all. Guys, if you would like to send your “significant other” or wife on a Girlfriends Getaway, Hotel Giraffe is safe, clean and beyond comfortable. Since this is a boutique hotel, there are just seven rooms to a floor which make for quiet evenings. Ladies, this is the perfect place to recharge your batteries for a day of Manhattan shopping. Whether it’s traveling to New York for fun or work, Hotel Giraffe provides the tranquility one might be looking for in Manhattan lodging. Each room blends classic...

Just about everywhere I looked, I saw books. Handsome shelves filled with years of hardback literary gems stacked from floor to ceiling. Then I spotted something that I haven’t seen in years: a card catalogue. Was I in my public library? No, I was in the lobby of a hotel with a literary motif that goes by such an appropriate name: the Library Hotel. “What a great idea!” I exclaimed. “We agree,” said the cheerful concierge. As the concierge explained that each of the 60 rooms is dedicated to the Dewey Decimal System, I began to appreciate literature in a new light. Whether you’re staying in a “Math & Science” or “History” room, you’re guaranteed to be ensconced in a world of books. The Library Hotel offers rooms ranging from their Petite Room Full to the Junior Suite With Sofabed. This 350-square-foot suite features a large bed and pull-out sofa for extra guests. If you feel that you want to go out in the evening, but not go too far, check out the Bookmarks Lounge. This intimate hot...

Please visit Men's Traveler . Our first installment on New York is up and running. In this feature, we put the spotlight on Manhattan's Hotel Elysee. Photos by Robert J. Nebel

New York has long been known for its all-American fare, such as Nathan's Famous hot dogs or the Carnegie Deli. These staples of the Big Apple have beckoned folks from all walks of life. But beyond these culinary hallmarks are restaurants that highlight the city's melting pot characteristics. Many neighborhoods showcase Italian, Latin, Asian or healthy fare. Whether you're on vacation or just breezing through on business, you can't go wrong by sampling the variety of foods in New York. Where Rome meets New York Greenwich Village: This is where food trends are created. Restaurateurs aren't afraid to take chances here, and the result is creative, eclectic cuisine that is emulated nationwide. Nowhere is that more evident than on the village's corner of Minetta Lane and Sixth Avenue, where Bellavitae resides. What makes this Italian eatery different from so many others is its effort to import its ingredients, such as olive oils, vinegars and pastas. The restaurant...