April had other plans.
I came into this month with a full calendar, a fresh energy after Greek Easter, and every intention of stepping back into the city in full force. But sometimes, life happens. Family came first this month — fully and without negotiation — and the city welcomed me back in small, beautiful doses when I was ready for it.
What I did show up for, I showed up for completely. And that felt like enough.
Opening Night at The New Consulate Location
Bourbon, ginger liquor, mango puree, ginger puree, lemon juice
One of Murray Hill’s most storied corners just got a new identity — and it was worth the wait.
Twin brothers Kiril and Metodija Mihajlov have built their careers around hospitality experiences that feel both elevated and genuinely alive, and their new Murray Hill location is their most ambitious yet. At 160 East 38th Street, in the former El Rio Grande space that fed this neighborhood for over 40 years, The Consulate has taken over with a 310-seat dual-concept destination that pairs their signature French Modern American dining room with At the Office, a late-night bar concept next door. Together the two spaces are designed to move fluidly — dinner into drinks, elegance into energy — in a way that feels natural rather than forced.
The Consulate itself is anchored by a menu from Executive Chef Alan Vargas and Chef de Cuisine Nestor Villafuerte that moves confidently from a raw bar and sushi program — think tuna tartare with yuzu, crispy rice with spicy tuna, oysters, caviar service — through to dry-aged steaks and short rib cavatelli. The beverage program is equally considered, with cocktails like the Jardin with matcha and jalapeño tequila and the Consulate Espresso Martini setting the tone early in the evening.
Opening night had the wonderful energy. Elegant, warm, with live jazz setting the tone and a crowd that arrived with genuine anticipation. I was feeling a bit under the weather and opted for the ginger cocktail — not too sweet, not too sharp, exactly right — and stayed longer than planned. The highest compliment I can give any room.
Open daily 5pm–11pm, with Saturday and Sunday brunch from 10am–3:30pm. An outdoor terrace seats up to 100 guests on warm nights.
First Rooftop of the Season: Golden Child
Golden Child is the new rooftop bar and restaurant from Renwick Hospitality Group, perched above Hotel Park Ave in the heart of NoMad — the group behind Park Rose, Lindens, Lulla, and a string of other stylish New York destinations. The space spans roughly 3,000 square feet on the 15th floor, combining an outdoor terrace with indoor seating, and a cocktail program broken into tongue-in-cheek sections — Core Curriculum, Study Break, Honors Program, and Electives — with drinks priced around $18 to $22. The Ivy League-meets-nostalgia concept works completely.
The space gave me that particular New York energy feeling, and after a long stretch away, it was just what I needed.
Codigo Blanco tequila, Italicus Rosolio Bergamotto, dragon fruit, lemongrass, lime, cream
A 1970s Evening at Halo 28
Halo 28, the sprawling new event space that just debuted at 28 Liberty Street in the Financial District — operated exclusively by HUSH Venues and quietly one of the most impressive new productions spaces New York has seen. More than 30,000 square feet of interior space with 16-foot ceilings, a sunken fountain at the center that doubles as a built-in stage, and a connection to Fosun Plaza that can expand capacity to thousands when the occasion demands it. The 1970s night was themed down to the last detail — sequins, red light, an ice sculpture shaped like a pair of lips, a room that committed fully to its decade. Halo is designed to disappear into whatever event it’s hosting, which is exactly what a great venue does. The city revealed something new to me that evening, which is the highest compliment I can give any night out.
New In — What I’ve Been Reaching For
With less time in the scene this month than I had hoped, I found myself turning inward a bit — and paying closer attention to what I was actually using and loving at home. A few things worth sharing:
WA:IT MIZU Body Wash and AIRA Body Lotion — These arrived from Italian botanical wellness founder Raffaella Grisa at exactly the right moment. MIZU is designed as a ritual of release — a body wash that turns a shower into something intentional. AIRA follows as a nourishing lotion that stays close to the skin like a quiet, grounding presence. Together they are less a routine and more an act of care. I have written a full piece on WA:IT and the philosophy behind the brand — you can read it here. Discover WA:IT →
L’Oréal Extensionist Mascara— A product that I have been reaching for this every single day this month. It hits all the notes, length and volume with just one swipe. Sometimes the drugstore find earns permanent shelf space.
