BlogTourNYC : Day 1 (Part 3)

The fact that it has taken me three posts just to tell what happened on our first day in NYC is testament to the fact that we had a pretty hectic schedule. But that meant we got to see loads of great things that I am now able to share with you.

After leaving the D&D Building we had an appointment with BlogTourNYC sponsor Miele for a tour around the sales office for One57, a building that is currently under construction, but when complete will be the tallest housing highrise in NYC. Situated on 157 West 57th Street, the building is being constructed by the Extell Development Company in collaboration with French “starchitect” Christian de Portzamparc.

 

At 1004 ft tall, One57 will be a new landmark in the Big Apple and will transform the iconic skyline that is recognised across the globe. The luxury highrise is comprised of 90 floors, with the bottom third of the building featuring a 210-room Park Hyatt hotel. From floor 39 to 90, there will be 95 condos, the interiors of which have been designed by New York-based Thomas Juul-Hansen.

 

At the sales office we were shown into a series of rooms that had been designed as exact replicas of how the final interiors will look. The kitchens are designed by Smallbone of Devizes and are handmade in Wiltshire, UK. And they feature state-of-the-art Miele appliances. I did try to take photos of the kitchen whilst I was being shown around but the high gloss finish made it practically impossible for an inexperienced photographer such as myself to get a good shot.

The building, which is scheduled for completion in late 2012 to early 2014, will certainly be an impressive statement towering above Central Park. For anyone who can afford the astonishing price tag – ranging from just over $7 million to $115 for the penthouse – One57 certainly is the lap of luxury.

Following this impressive visit, we were ushered off again by Miele, this time to their showroom back in the D&D Building. There we were treated to a much-needed glass of chilled champagne and we were given a more detailed insight into Miele and its product offering. But there is no better way to get to know a brand than to experience it firsthand. So we were delighted to learn that we were being cooked for by Miele Table Artist, and rising chef Adam Schop, whose restaurant Nuela specialises in food from South America. By cooking us a fabulous meal, Schop was able to share with us the unlimited possibilities of what can be created with Miele Culinary appliances.

Now I must say, I was so eager to sample the delights that Adam Schop was serving up that I didn’t even pause to photograph the food before I tucked in. Luckily though fellow blogger Katie Treggiden of Confessions of a Design Geek was far more organised than me and took some lovely snaps of the dishes that she has kindly let me use.

First up we enjoyed some delicious Ceviche, which is a dish made with raw fish that is marinated in citrus juices and spiced with chilli peppers. It was the first time I had tried this dish but I have already made it at home for myself as it was absolutely delicious.

We were then treated to some scallops served with cauliflower that had been cooked in the Miele Steam Oven. Whilst cooking with steam is not something that has really caught on in Europe just yet, it is far more popular in other parts of the world. But it is gaining in popularity here due to the health benefits it offers.

For our third course, we were served the most succulent, moist and tasty lamb I have ever eaten. And I am not exaggerating! Cooked in a Miele Convection Oven, the rack of lamb was basted in honey and lavender that turned into a tasty crust. It really was out of this world.

And for dessert we were served up a coconut dish that had been set with gelatin and was topped with some kind of orange dressing and chopped pistachio nuts.

Our first day in New York was pretty full on, but we got to see so many great things. By the end of it I was pretty exhausted but I was also really looking forward to our visit to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show the next day. Stay tuned if you want to read my round-up of all the amazing products that were exhibited at the show. It’s worth waiting for.

Keep your eyes peeled for more posts featuring the fantastic sponsors of BlogTourNYC: Samuel Heath, BLANCO, Scholtes, Miele, Poggenpohl, Spirit of Sports, Big Ass Fans, Victoria & Albert Baths, Modern Aire, Jenn Aire, Rotsen Furniture, Vitra, Axor, Wallunica and Ethan Allen.