21’ Club, for over 80 years one of New York’s most iconic restaurants, is undergoing a bit of a makeover. This autumn, ‘21’ will unveil Bar ‘21’ (21 West 52nd Street, www.21club.com), a bar and lounge on the ground floor serving approachable yet refined bar food by Executive Chef, John Greeley.  Bar ‘21’ will feature a brand new 10-seat bar that will open up onto the current lounge area, blending an already popular watering hole with a less formal, welcoming vibe.  Spirited bartenders will be mixing classic and contemporary cocktails on a nightly basis, and for the first time, a patron can pull up a bar stool at the ‘21’ Club and order a beer on tap!

Chef Greeley has put together a delicious menu that features playful bar snacks like Fried “Buffalo” Shrimp with a creamy goat cheese sauce, Soft New York Pretzels with a jalapeño cheddar dip and Grilled Chicken or Fish Tacos with salsa verde and avocado.  Bar ‘21’ will also serve lunch five days a week from noon to four, offering patrons of ‘21’ Club an additional dining option in this multi-tiered establishment.  Chef Greeley’s lunch menu accounts for all size appetites, big and small, with an assortment of dishes including: Crisp Ale Battered Cod served with a lemon aioli, Sesame Crusted Salmon with a quinoa salad and steamed bokchoy, a Sliced Sirloin Baguette with a horseradish cream and fresh arugula and a Scallop Salad served on a bed of lightly dressed greens. One of the most highly anticipated dishes on the lunch menu is the new Bar ‘21’ Burger, an 8 oz. version of the famed ‘21’ Burger served with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, and pickles on a toasted brioche bun.

Designed by Beyer Blinder Belle Architecture & Planners LLP, Bar ‘21’ aims to stay true to the inspiration of the original ‘21’ Club space. The new bar area’s warm, lounge like feel complements the existing ambiance by blending together contemporary ideas with traditional materials. The design consists of antique pine panelling, damask floral patterned carpet, and handsome red and brown leather furnishings. The back wall of the black granite bar features a beautiful antiqued mirror with a golden patina, which aids in opening up the bar to patrons upon arrival and contributes to the life and energy of the space.

Bar ‘21’ is due to open on September 15th with lunch served Monday through Friday 12pm - 4pm, and an evening lounge menu Monday through Saturday from 4pm - close. Perfectly positioned in midtown Manhattan, ‘21’ is in the centre of it all. A short walk from the Broadway theatre district, many of NYC’s leading hotels and top sights, this iconic Orient-Express restaurant offers superb American cuisine, a Grand Award-winning wine list, and attentive service in a setting that is sophisticated yet fun.

City.Mobi

Also in US today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to New York.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

NYC.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.