An unusual nigiri will soon be on offer at Bar Miller, a new omakase restaurant in New York City’s East Village: the humble bluefish, sourced from the New York-New Jersey coast, served raw. “Bluefish has this reputation as being a lesser tier, like a poor man’s fish. But if you treat it with care, it’s incredible,” says Jeff Miller, the executive chef. “When it’s in season, it’s rich, fatty and buttery, with a little bit of subtle tuna iron quality.” Featuring bluefish on a sushi menu is surprising when the city is awash with omakase that, like those in Tokyo, offer prestigious (but unsustainable, according to Seafood Watch) fish like bluefin tuna, Japanese yellowtail and Japanese eel. “Sometimes I think my life would be so much easier If I’d gone that route,” Miller says in reference to the classic omakase menu for which there are standard suppliers. Instead, through trial and error, he built a menu entirely from domestic fish. Bar Miller, which is set to open on Sept. 27, serves San Franciscan anchovies, Hudson Valley eel head trout, and Long Island porgy. (The latter, Miller says, tastes sweet and “super subtle [with] a deep oceanic flavor.”) Miller’s attention to local delicacies extends beyond marine life: The restaurant’s sushi rice is farmed in the Hudson Valley; its sushi vinegar is fermented in Pennsylvania; its soy sauce comes from Connecticut. Even its sake is hyperlocal, fermented in Sunset Park and Bushwick. For Miller, sourcing locally is about expanding on his lifelong appreciation of Japanese cuisine; sustainability is an attendant benefit.
W Sydney, Hilton’s pumpkin spice waffles and other hotel news you missed last month
01.09.2023 - 16:25 / thepointsguy.com / News
If you're a Swiftie like I am, the melancholy lyrics, "August slipped away like a bottle of wine" are probably dancing around your head right now. They certainly are for me.
August was an interesting month; I spent it mostly at home in Brooklyn except for one trip to Las Vegas for Virtuoso Travel Week to meet with luxury travel advisors, hotels, cruise lines and more. While there were plenty of big takeaways, the biggest tip the luxury advisors are sharing with their clients is to book early because major hotspots, especially in Europe, are already booking up.
I was lucky enough to snag Taylor Swift tickets for Paris next May and witnessed firsthand what hotel rates in the City of Light look like around those dates — astronomical. So keep that in mind if you're planning a Euro adventure next summer.
Other big news included a budget travel brand from IHG and the launch of Marriott's 32nd brand. We also got more details on what the Marriott and MGM partnership will look like from my brilliant colleague and hotel maven Cameron Sperance.
If you're curious about other hotel developments in August, read on for some more news that I found worthy of sharing.
Marriott Bonvoy loyalists looking to spend some time in New York City's most dynamic neighborhood now have a new place to stay: Delta Hotels New York Times Square.
Featuring 310 brand-new rooms, hydration stations on every floor, a state-of-the-art gym and a chic restaurant called George's Nephew, this Delta hotel is a breath of fresh air for Times Square. Better yet, you can book it using points. This means you can save money to spend on an incredible New York City experience (like seeing Josh Groban in "Sweeney Todd," which I highly recommend).
Cash rates fluctuate wildly, according to the booking calendar. You can find some for as low as $150 a night, but most nights are more than $200. Marriott Bonvoy award bookings start at 52,000 points per night.
Fans of Hyatt and its Andaz brand also have something to look forward to: Andaz Turks and Caicos Residences at Grace Bay is set to open in 2025.
A hotel-residence combo, it will have 59 rooms and 74 residences along with beach access, swimming pools, to-be-announced restaurants and bars, and a spa. We'll keep our eyes on the construction process over the next few years, but trust that we'll be there as soon as it opens.
Hampton may not have claimed the top prizes in TPG's Battle of the Free Breakfast, but its waffles hold a special place in our hearts.
Hampton celebrates National Waffle Day every day by selling some really fun waffle-themed merch, like an insulated waffle fanny pack with a syrup holder, for a limited time online. Now that fall is right around the corner, the brand shared that pumpkin spice
Dubai Hotel Key Count to Pass Las Vegas' this Year
Size matters in Dubai, home to the world’s tallest building, the largest water park, and just because it can, the world’s largest “frame.” Already chief among the other six emirates in hotel development, Dubai is charging ahead with yet more rooms.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels Announced For 2023
Following the success of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Bars, 50 Best has just announced The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2023, marking the brand’s first global launch since 2009.
10 things you should know before visiting New York City
New York City’s world-class cultural institutions, incredible diversity and everything-goes kind of vibe make it a one-of-a-kind destination to visit.
Standby Apartments And Other New Long-Term Lodging Options You Need To Know
Scott Kelly was looking for accommodations as flexible as he is when he found a standby apartment. Actually, make that standby apartments.
Breeze triples down on Florida and adds new routes — and teases international destinations
Breeze Airways is doubling down on what it knows works best. And then some.
A Cyberattack Shuts Down MGM Resorts In Las Vegas And Other Cities
A cyberattack has breached the computer system at MGM Resorts, forcing the company to shut down operations at a dozen of the most iconic casino hotels in Las Vegas—including the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay and the Cosmopolitan—as well as another half-dozen MGM properties around the United States. The attack has left hotel guests locked out of their rooms and unable to use their digital key cards to charge goods and services.
MGM Resorts heavily impacted by cyberattack: Here’s what you need to know
Various MGM Resorts International properties across the U.S. Monday faced a "cybersecurity issue" that caused the gaming giant to temporarily shutter computer systems across the country.
My family spent $93 on lunch at Gordon Ramsay's fish-and-chips chain in Orlando, and it was worth it for the fried lobster alone
I'm a big fan of Gordon Ramsay. I've watched his shows for years, eaten at his Las Vegas restaurant, and even interviewed him for a story once — I'm happy to report he was nothing like his "Hell's Kitchen" persona in person.
Exclusive: Soho House’s founder and CEO reveals major North American expansion plans
Soho House is a brand with bona fide British celebrity and royal bragging rights: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had their first date at one in London. Soho Farmhouse, the brand's countryside inn a two-hour drive outside London, has hosted everyone from former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron to Princess Eugenie and (my personal favorite) top-selling U.K. band Girls Aloud.
Mystery Vacation Planners, Ski Resort Upgrades And Other Travel News
Most popular tourist destinations try to increase the number of visitors every year. But that’s not the case on the glamorous Spanish island of Mallorca. Faced with the prospect of losing their paradise to the growing swell of tourism, local activists have taken an innovative approach to keep its azure waters less crowded—fake warning signs posted on some of Mallorca’s most popular beaches. Seemingly ordinary to passersby, these signs bear disturbing messages in English such as “dangerous jellyfish” or “falling rocks.” While tourists are led to believe they face physical dangers, the messages actually make with bold statements such as: “the problem isn’t a rockfall, it’s mass tourism,” or the satirical note that the beach is “open—except for foreigners and jellyfish.”
Speculation Blooms After KSL/Hersha Deal: Top Stories in Hotels
Here are the top stories from the Daily Lodging Report newsletter in the past week. Get news on hotel deals, development, stocks, and career moves. Sign up here now.