Conrad New York is working with several notable partners, including architects Monica Ponce de Leon, Marianne McKenna of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg, and Kohn Pedersen Fox, designers Jill Greaves and Peter Remedios, Herve Descottes of lighting design firm L'Observatoire, landscape architect Ken Smith, engineering firm Flack and Kurtz, catering by Danny Meyer's Union Square Events, and an art collection curated by the Public Art Fund and Elizabeth Gould Vales. Art Gallery Arrival Guests are welcomed into a soaring, sunlit, 15-story atrium highlighted by a dramatic blue and purple Sol LeWitt painting rising 13 floors above the registration desk. Conrad New York is offering unique experiences for the astute discerning traveler and providing a place where people can truly be themselves. From the custom designed seating to the two grand staircases at the East and West entries, the atrium creates an inviting atmosphere for hotel guests and local residents alike. Beyond the towering Sol LeWitt work in the Atrium, the Conrad New York is a dramatic home for contemporary art, with 2,000 selections throughout the hotel. Use the map of New York City below to get your bearings.

Fine Dining From Street Level to Rooftop Conrad New York's signature full-service restaurant, Atrio, is an inviting scene serving contemporary Mediterranean cuisine prepared in an open kitchen with a wood-stone oven. Atrio has a full bar featuring wines from around the world. Loopy Doopy, the hotel's rooftop bar, will be the liveliest spot on the Lower West Side for drinks and dynamic conversation. Open seasonally from spring to autumn, the bar will offer small plates, sophisticated cocktails and 180-degree views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, New York Harbor and the magnificent Hudson River. Directly above the bar will be a green roof designed by renowned landscape architect Ken Smith, including a garden with fresh herbs and vegetables for the culinary teams at Atrio and Danny Meyer's North End Grill, located next door to the hotel.

This neighborhood has seen tremendous change and we're proud to be part of the lower Manhattan community which we serve," said Robert Rechtermann, General Manager, Conrad New York. Meetings and Events From all-business board meetings to upscale social affairs, the Conrad New York is a prime destination for meetings and events in lower Manhattan, with more than 30,000 square feet of flexible space. The hotel's Gallery Ballroom has more than 6,200 square feet designed to hold 600 participants with high ceilings and offering cutting-edge presentation and communication technologies. Additionally, 26 guest suites are capable of conversion into 1:1 meeting space. 

Source: Hilton

Scottsdale Arizona has about 600 restaurants, ranging from the requisite Southwestern cuisine to Asian fusion. Among the best is the somewhat non-descript (except for the food) Citizen Public House.

The restaurant serves up craft beers and what its PR materials call “award-winning gastropub cuisine to a clientele hungry for exceptional food, provocative drink and new-fashioned fun.”

That sounds about right, although I dined solo so I no doubt missed out on the new-fashioned fun.

 

The restaurant’s interior is masculine, with a high cathedral ceiling lined with wood beams. Tables wreath a central bar, and family photos line walls. Named among "Best New Restaurants" by Esquire Magazine, the restaurant is in Old Town Scottsdale. 

I started with the Pork Belly Pastrami ($12), which my waiter Sam described as a deconstructed Rueben sandwich: pork belly, rye spaetzle, Brussels sprout sauerkraut, mustard jus . . .  I had remembered reading the appetizer had become somewhat of a legend – the creation of executive chef and owner Bernie Kantak. 

In truth, pork belly is in itself scrumptious, but nicely dusted as well with pastrami spices, followed by the spaetzle variation - it was smoky-good.

 

I continued with the Original Chopped Salad ($12) purely because it has its own Facebook page.  Ingredients:  corn, couscous, smoked salmon, asiago, pepitas, tomatoes, arugula & currants – all lined up side by side like somebody forgot to toss it. The dressing: a “sassy” buttermilk pesto.  It was the right side of light, and wholly addictive.

The meal finished with Porcini Filet Mignon ($32) – porcini rub, smashed new potatoes, sautéed greens, white beech mushrooms, demi-glace, black garlic butter.

I had asked Sam, the waiter for recommendations on the main course as well – he pointed to two dishes, the Filet, which I chose, and the Pan Seared Scallops, which I had also eyed. I’ll need to return for the scallops, but the Filet Mignon was both tender and earthy-rich - the perfect finish, struck with all the right notes.

• Citizen Public House: 7111 E. 5th Ave Ste. E, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

• Citizen Public House reservations.

• View the full menu.