FAJO Picks — Stylish Venues

Residents and visitors of the Big Apple can agree that there is no shortage of entertainment in this fair city. And yet, combining our love for constant titillation and the best dining experience possible is a bold task. Enter Queen of the Night, a black-tie event that is part acrobatics, circus and theatre, and part audience-engagement with a delicious meal.

We begin our journey with a warning that this is not for the shy or conservative. As butlers approach the guests, they whisk us away from fellow evening-mates, and ask about the first time we’ve ever been in love. Later, another butler whispers sweet nothings in your ear as you pass by — all while a countdown echoes loudly, and the Queen stands at the edge of the stage waiting for what is to come.

The entertainment begins, the cast makes a full dining room appear around the stage from nowhere, and you eagerly rush to your seat. Every spot is a prime seat here. A love story unfolds before your eyes — literally, on stage, and then in front of you in the form of a dinner. One main dish and several sides are served, and guests are also welcomed to barter for food with each other.

Later on, we make our way to the WestHouse, a luxury hotel emanating a home-away-from-home experience. The hotel has a partnership with luxury retailer Net-A-Porter, which treats each guest to a gift card to shop the site’s many designer goods.

Upon our arrival, the concierge invites us for a mid-afternoon and early evening “snack.” However, what is served goes far beyond a typical hotel snack: fresh charcuteries, delicious cheeses, toasts, champagne and fruit all await in the bar lounge.

Hotel staff explain that they are committed to making these regular “snack times” special, so guests could enjoy the public bar space as if it were their home. To that effect, we found we missed a few things, like in-room water bottles and a few snacks for late-night munching, but they were right: it drew us to the common areas where we dined on delicious appetizers with fellow guests.

The rooms themselves are modern with clean lines. The suite’s view of Manhattan is memorable, as it features the Times Square Ball.

Waking up after our night on the town, we once again join fellow hotel guests for breakfast, this time on The Terrace, a large space with ample seating that almost feels like multiple dining rooms, one tucked into the other. The spread includes smoked salmon, charcuteries, eggs, fruits and pastries, displayed alongside high-end cappuccino and latte makers.

With the dynamic duo that is Queen of the Night and WestHouse, a classically fabulous New York night in Midtown West comes with our guarantee.