November 15, 2007
The Canadian Invasion
Barely recovered from my Russian encounter I end up out again...
By Stephen Bailey

My day was floating on a blur, my teeth vibrating and legs aching from the lack of sleep, my head spinning and sugar levels spiked. I was still in a state of recovery from my Russian vodka night the night before when my friend Liz called to invite me out. Her friends Johnny and Erica were in from Canada and they were having a few cocktails at Ava Lounge (210 W 55th St, NYC). I love that place and I hadn't seen Liz since the Spring so how could I say no?

photo courtesy of avaloungenyc.com

My rattled body made its way to the Dream Hotel and up the elevator to the penthouse, then a flight of stairs to the roof. Ava is a fantastic place during the summer months thanks to this roof deck. The last couple of years they’ve enjoyed an expanded winter season on the roof thanks to a brilliantly constructed tent. Well, this is more of a room than a tent, but that’s what they call it. It keeps out the damp cold along with the help of an artificial fireplace that throws real heat.

I sat down for what I thought would be my only drink and started talking with Liz, Erica and Johnny. The conversation flowed as easily as the drinks and my one turned to several. From there, my three friends were gong to dinner and Liz asked me to join. My body may have been saying no, but my heart and my head did not want to cut the night short. While we waited for our reservation at Amalia, we stopped for another drink at Rm Fifty5, the hotel’s cozy street-level spot.

This is my first time in the spacious, sophisticated Amalia. The food is a delicious and beautifully presented Mediterranean-American fusion. The décor is a blend of modern baroque accents laid out in multi-levels, shapes and textures. Glass, wood, brick and light come together for a very relaxing surrounding. Amalia is named after Sigmund Freud’s wife which lends an interesting twist to it’s proximity to the Dream Hotel.

photo courtesy of amalia-nyc.com

We all picked around the table on various pork, bass, rabbit (yes cute animals are the tastiest) and other dishes while sipping champagne. It was a far more opulent night than I am normally exposed to but certainly not one I objected to. But after this amazing dinner, it was time for me to leave. Of course not until after being talked into one more cocktail back at Ava Lounge. After that, I was sent on my way home with a smile, happy to have survived this Canadian invasion and with an odd craving for more rabbit.

Links:
Ava Lounge
Rm Fifty5
Amalia
The Russians are Coming!
Stephen Bailey