Big thanks to Dianne and Courtney of One Source Worldwide, Inc. for hosting and organizing an excellent day! They arranged tours of great venues in Manhattan for a group of event planners. We started at the new and very swanky Lucky Strikes Lanes and Lounge. This new bowling “alley” is a great destination for a Friday night with friends or perfect for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Next stop: lunch at Etcetera, Etcetera. We were treated to a delicious meal. We sampled roasted Atlantic salmon with a pistachio crust, parma prosciutto and parmigiano stuffed chicken breast and vegetable risotto. The dessert made me to oooooh out loud. The meal was delicious. The service was warm, welcoming and efficient. The private room upstairs was beautiful, it’s a pre-theather treasure. I recommend this venue to those hosting rehearsal dinners, bridal luncheons, birthday parties, business functions and more. I look forward to trying their sister property Vice Versa on 51st Street.

Urban Ride chauffeured us around all day in a comfortable van.

Then we went to the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum.
This was a first for me, they closed for two years and have now reopened stronger than ever. This is a great family day activity; interesting and educational. It’s huge, and they are fully equipped to handle events of any size. I look forward to returning with my next young and curious visitor.

After a quick walk through of the IAC Building, pictured above, and designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry we were welcomed at City Winery. This large, woody but beautiful space marries wine and music. The stage houses bands and since the owner ran the Knitting Factory, the acts on stage will be worth the trip. If by some chance the music sucks, you can drowned your sorrows in one of 300 bottles of wine they hope to offer very soon. They have a partnership with my beloved Murray’s Cheese who will move their cheese classes to this new home. Private dinner in a barrel room or where the wine is being made, of course: no problem.
You can also buy a private barrel for $5000, this promises you 250 bottles of wine, the perfect gift for the couple who has everything or or a bride and groom looking to serve something special to their guests at their wedding. After selecting the grapes, the process takes about one year. Clearly, I was impressed with this place and plan to return to this Soho newby again. They opened on New Year’s Eve.