One Flight UP: Millesime and Ai Fiori

This month, coincidentally, both hotel restaurants I went to were on the second level, accesssed by a grand spiral staircase. Millesime, located in the Carlton Hotel, has the ambiance of a fancy French bistro from the 1800s, blending elegant and casual touches. Our table looked down over the lobby, giving it an air of an opera box. Photo above left shows the newly opened ceiling with decorative glass and the raw bar in the rear, above right, grilled romaine, topped with smoked black cod, parmesan and lime (tasty!). More photos from the dinner are here. Ai Fiori was the more upscale of the two. Michael White’s menu focuses on Italian specialties served with a French twist. My friend Mary and I did 3 courses with wine pairings and were completely wowed. Photo below left is the Trofie Nero, an inky pasta with small bits of seafood and breadcrumbs, photo right, the entrance at the top of the white spiral staircase. There was a photo shoot just wrapping up as we entered, which explains why the bar stools are creating a barrier to the right. More photos of our dinner can be found here. If you are looking for well-designed, apartment sanctuary in the sky, check out the rooms at the Setai on Fifth Avenue between 36th and 37th streets. The rooms are ample in size, beatufully laid out, with every amenity.