Location: 135 West 45th St
Cuisine: American Diner
Items: 2 appetizers, 4 cocktails, 3 entrees, 2 desserts
Best Dish: The burger is hands down one of the very best in the city. The bun is soft and fresh and the meat moist and flavorful The candied bacon is an incredible add-on that must be experienced.
Overall: A delightful casual atmosphere with good food and a friendly fun staff.
Sometimes the best meals are just outside your hotel room. Some of the best hotels in the city are also home to the best restaurants and bars in New York. Last week we had the pleasure of visiting he newly revamped Bar 54 and T-45 Restaurant in the impressive Hyatt Times Square. The hotel is just a few small steps from the middle of Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping and deep in the heart of the busiest area in all of NYC. The Hyatt has over 400 guest rooms stretched out over 54 stories. Though I am sure the rooms are luxurious we were there to eat drink and be merry.
Bypassing
A glass enclosure around the rooftop lounge gives the illusion of floating among the clouds. Such a spectacular space does not come without a hefty price tag so don’t go expecting five dollar margaritas, expect instead a menu of luxury cocktails designed for the season and created by a world class mixologist.
WE started our evening with a delicious rum punch. The Kamehameha rum punch is a mixture of El Dorado 3 year rum, Coruba Jamaican Rum, Creme de Mure, Lemon Pineapple and Grenadine over ice. this refreshing cocktail truly packs a punch and is perfect for someone who prefers tropical flavors. My companion opted for the Hotel Nacional Special a spirited mix of Bacardi 8 Year, Apricot Liqueur, Pineapple and Lime. This drink while also in the tropical flavors category is a bit stronger but equally delicious.
With such a beautiful setting and amazing weather we were in no rush to head downstairs so we had another round of cocktails. The Georgia Smash is a strong but tasty mix of maker’s mark, crème de peche, mint, lemon and the Santana’s Sour is a carefully crafted fusion cabeza blanco tequila, lime and pineapple, with the surprising kick of cilantro and jalapeño syrup.
After our beverages we ventured back down from the clouds and into the modern sleek interior of T-45. At first glance the diner looks like a simple hotel eatery offering guests something quick and easy but further inspection of the menu shows a much more sophisticated experience with a unique spin on classic diner favorites. Instead of hot wings, the space offers fried quail, a dish we simply had to try. The quail is a small game bird with reddish meat even when fully cooked. The spicey batter was flavorful and crispy without taking away from the natural flavor of the bird.
Next we had the shrimp quesadillas. Succulent shrimp seasoned in Mexican are nestled within a toasted tortilla filed with queso blanco. The quesadilla was delicious but the real star of the dish was the spicy burnt salsa a perfect accompaniment to the cheesy quesadilla.
At the recommendation of our server our first entree was the swordfish. The fish comes wit an assortment of tasty veggies. Swordfish is very meaty with a firm texture and fresh flavor.
Next was a pasta dish, the Pappardelle with Rabbit Ragu. A Ragu is simply a meat based sauce often served tossed with pasta. This was the first time my companion has ever tried rabbit and it was surprisingly tasty for her. The meat is clean tasting and flavorful. Some say it tastes like chicken, but for me the flavor was more like a cross between chicken and roast pork.
As pork lovers, we could not resist the candied bacon cheeseburger, we were not disappointed, the patty was moist and savory topped with gooey melted cheese, out of this world sweet and salty candied bacon. Feel free to skip the insane long line at shake shack and drop by the Hyatt Times Square for this burger, your taste buds will thank you.
We ended our meal with a duo of sweet treats: the cheesecake and the peach tart. The cheese cake is creamy and slightly sweet with a generous helping of blueberries and whipped cream. The tart is a sweet and tart confection topped with a warm flaky buttery crust served with a side of delicious vanilla whipped cream.
Whether you are renting a room in the Hyatt Times Square or simply in the area feel free to drop by Bar 54 for amazing cocktails and a birds eye view of the city or have a quaint delicious meal in the warm and bright T-45 Midtown Diner. When visiting either establishment you can be sure you will be greeted with impeccable service, a warm and friendly environment and of course just enough items to keep your taste buds soaring.
T-45 Diner is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For those who prefer dining en suite or at home, T-45 Diner offers the option for take-out food, which can be ordered in person or by phone. For more information and reservations, visit http://timessquare.hyatt.com.
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