HotelChatter

Since this was cocktail hour, we had drinks of a different sort on our mind, and joined the crowd at Bar Seven Five. There’s no traditional long bar here, but multiple small ones that are also tables where you can sit or congregate around. This is meant to make things more friendly and social—and if it doesn’t, the cocktails surely will.

Designed by the cool kids at Alchemy Consulting, these include pre-Prohibition classics like the Dark and Stormy and a Perfect Pearl Manhattan. Since we were technically at work, we did our duty and sampled the bar’s signature cocktail, the 75 Smash. It’s made with applejack, bitters, maple syrup, lemon and mint—which all together tastes fruity but with a sneaky kick that lives up to its name.

Small plates of cheese and charcuterie will be available at the bar to accompany your booze, while upstairs at Wall & Water there’s the promise of local, seasonal, traditional dishes. And if what they were serving in the kitchen last night is any indication, this is going to be a great spot for regular lunches and dinners. Which is what the hotel hopes—tables can be rearranged easily to accommodate different sized parties and there are no tablecloths. The idea is for Wall & Water to become more of a local favorite than a special occasion spot.

That doesn’t mean the food isn’t fantastic though. The veal cheek was so tender it felt apart on our fork, and we went back for seconds on the grilled scallops. We even liked the baby carrots—and who the hell cares about vegetables at a party?

Now we've poked around the public spaces and the rooms upstairs, we can't wait to actually stay here. And now we can do it sooner than we thought. The hotel is now taking bookings a week earlier than last reported—from January 18. Rates start at $275 a night but if you book today, you can snag one for just $192.50 a night.