Kicking off the year with a meaty one, Rachel Harrison Communications is now the AOR for a number of brands across the hospitality sector.
Bars and Restaurants
SIP & GUZZLE (NEW YORK, NY)
Sip & Guzzle, is a bi-level bar from industry icons Shingo Gokan and Steve Schneider offering two unique drinking experiences; inspired by a story of 77 samurai returning to the U.S. to merge both New York and Tokyo bar culture. Speakeasy-style, basement-level Sip is equipped with an intimate five-seat bar where Gokan offers his signature style of technique-driven cocktails. Constructed of distressed white oak, Sip’s design pays homage to the Kanrin Maru, the ship that was said to have carried the samurai to the U.S. One level up, Schneider oversees the more casual, ground-floor Guzzle, offering classic cocktails and updated takes on familiar favorites. Guzzle’s feel is a New York saloon, circa 1860, when the samurai made their historic journey and imagines the bar they would open to perfectly blend their two homes. https://www.sipandguzzlenyc.com/
PRESS CLUB (WASHINGTON, DC)
Located in the Historic Dupont Circle neighborhood, Press Club is a soon-to-open record bar and cocktail lounge from the award-winning team of Will Patton, Devin Kennedy, and Hive Hospitality. With the vibes of a 70s cocktail lounge and the aesthetics of a 90s record shop, Press Club brings a unique imbibing experience. Press Club nods to the pressing of the records to be played and the pressing of the ingredients used to craft exquisitely balanced cocktails. www.pressclubdc.com
DEAR STRANGERS (NEW YORK, NY)
Founded by industry veterans from renowned New York City bars, Dear Strangers is a newly opened cocktail concept in the heart of the West Village. This modern Latin American-inspired bar and restaurant fosters meaningful connections and unforgettable moments through world-class cocktails and innovative dishes. The drink menu reimagines classics, featuring a dedicated section for Gin & Tonics that showcases various interpretations of this beloved drink. Meanwhile, the food menu celebrates Latin American flavors with a contemporary American twist, highlighting standout dishes that pay homage to the region’s rich culture. Inside, Dear Strangers invites guests into a beautifully designed space adorned with velvety textures, leather accents, and deep navy tones, creating an inviting atmosphere perfect for socializing and exploration. With its unique blend of creativity, ambiance, and exceptional hospitality, Dear Strangers promises an unforgettable experience celebrating connection, culture, and quality cocktails. https://dearstrangersnyc.com/
COSMO NIGHT CLUB (NEW YORK, NY)
Cosmo Night Club is a New York-based luxury entertainment destination opening in December 2025. The concept hinges on melodic house and electro music appealing to a sophisticated globally-minded crowd who value cultural experiences and an atmosphere that harkens to Manhattan’s golden age of nightlife. Located in the iconic Bowery neighborhood, the sub-terranean space was envisioned by a powerhouse team of established hospitality professionals and South Village Hospitality founders, AJ Bontempo and Sergio Riva, who tapped emerging entrepreneurs and brand builders, Mathieu Deminge and Vladimir Perez who represent the next generation reshaping the nightlife scene. Cosmo Night Club will feature a curated menu of classic cocktails, zero-proof offerings and a robust champagne program including “surprise and delight” champagne shots offered to guests at 1AM. Cosmo will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 11AM to 4AM. https://www.cosmo-nyc.com/
CHATTI (NEW YORK, NY)
Chatti, a vibrant culinary celebration of Kerala’s toddy shop culture, marks the international debut of renowned Chef Regi Mathew, who is celebrated for his acclaimed restaurants in India. Located in New York City, Chatti introduces the rich, aromatic flavors of Kerala to a global audience. The menu is designed with an emphasis on communal dining and showcases the diverse tastes of Kerala – from the seafood-rich backwaters of Alleppey to the hearty meat specialties of Malabar and the High Range regions. Guests can indulge in small plates like Toddy Shop Beef Fry and Duck Mappas, alongside signature seafood dishes such as Pearl Spot Parcels and Clay Pot Fish Curry. Also designed for sharing, the menu features Kerala’s distinctive breads, including Hoppers and Puttu, and complemented by indulgent desserts like Bird’s Eye Chilli Ice Cream and Cloud Pudding. The restaurant’s design incorporates earthy tones, teak wood accents, and tropical artwork, creating a welcoming atmosphere that evokes the lush landscapes of Kerala. Located at 252 W 37th St, with seating for 80 guests in the main dining area, an intimate private dining room for 10, and a mezzanine-level party room for 70. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 5 PM to 11 PM, and Saturday to Sunday from 12 PM to 11 PM. www.chattinewyork.com.
KOYN LONDON (UK)
A multifaceted Asian dining destination located in the heart of Mayfair, off Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square, KOYN reflects the duality of two culinary realms: KOYN Japanese, serene and verdant, known for its umami flavours, and KOYN Thai, which brings home style cooking inspired from the Kingdom of the North, South and Central Provinces in Thailand. KOYN Japanese is a contemporary izakaya and Japanese dining space, inspired by the nature-spirited roots and duality of Mount Fuji. Honouring Japanese traditions and culinary artistry, its design embraces Japan’s ancient appreciation of balancing modernity with tradition, alongside simplicity and harmony. KOYN Executive Chef Rhys Cattermoul (formerly of NOBU) presents a menu inspired by this duality, showcasing the broad spectrum of Japanese cuisine through rich umami flavours. His trademark plates include Chilean Seabass, shiso salsa verde; and Grilled Nasu, aubergine, karashi su miso. On the sushi counter, the resident sushi master serves signature classics, including a Shrimp katsu roll with Umami dressing, a Yellowtail roll with a creamy wasabi, cucumber and garlic flower. Fresh grilled options include A5 Wagyu ‘Hot Stone’ ishiyaki – served on a sizzling hot stone with a side of wasabi.
KOYN Thai
The subterranean dining space, helmed by Chef Rose Chalalai Singh– celebrates the flavours, spices and home-style cooking techniques of Thailand. The focal point of the space is the open kitchen, where the kitchen team showcase their culinary artistry with dishes cooked over live fire. This is surrounded by works of the Chiang Mai artist and printmaker Kitikong Tilokwattanotai, set against the background of black oak ceilings, handmade terracotta roof tiles, hand-painted tapestries, and lacquer antiques. Born in Bangkok, Chef Singh is a chef known as much for her home-style Thai cooking, as she is for being a new archetype of the celebrated café society in Paris. At KOYN, she creates dishes her grandmother cooked for her in Bangkok, where she grew up. Highlights include the Toasted Coconut Pomelo Salad; Wild Garlic, Green Chilli and Thai Basil ‘Escargots’; a Chiang Mai Platter with Spicy Pork Sausage and Southern Thai Crab Curry with Wildbetal Leafbush.
MIMI MEI FAIR (UK)
Set over three floors in an unassuming townhouse in London’s elegant Mayfair neighborhood, MiMi Mei Fair transports guests to old world China, within the resplendent rooms of the fictional character, Empress MiMi’s private residence. Filled with trinkets, antiques and heirlooms, each room has been thoughtfully designed with inspiration drawn from the Forbidden Palace of Beijing, ancient folklore tales and whimsical 1920s Shanghai. The menu at MiMi Mei Fair is a journey through time and taste, an ode to the boundless regions of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Highlights include the crispy golden langoustine with Perigord Truffle, the signature Applewood roasted Peking Duck with homemade pancakes and an array of condiments, and the live native lobster cooked in 3-ways. Specialty dim sum chefs also offer an array of handcrafted dumplings, including a signature creation of Xiao Long Jewel soup dimsums, presented in jewel-coloured skins made from beetroot, purple sweet potato and heritage carrot.
THE GARDEN (NEW YORK, NY)
Sunlight filters in through tall windows and acacia trees reach toward the ceiling at Four Seasons Hotel New York’s signature restaurant, The Garden. In this enchanted setting, relaxation and lively conversation come naturally, along with a menu of exceptional breakfasts and lunches made from locally sourced ingredients. Upon reopening, The Garden will reclaim its position as the power breakfast destination in Midtown, a lively lunch spot in the afternoons, and will introduce high tea service. In 2025, the restaurant will begin to offer brunch and each evening, will transform into an elegant, white tablecloth dinner experience. The all-female F&B team, helmed by Executive Chef Maria Tampakis, created an Italian-inspired menu blending traditional fare from the coasts of Italy with local and regional touches. www.fourseasons.com/newyork/dining/restaurants/the_garden
Travel
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL NEW YORK (NEW YORK, NY)
The Four Seasons Hotel New York offers a chance for guests to experience five-star hotel living in a timeless and opulent landmark. Designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, the 52-story hotel features sky-high ceilings and geometric flourishes exemplifying Pei’s signature art deco aesthetic. It also boasts a variety of classical luxury guest rooms and suites in addition to long-term stay residences featuring unrivaled privacy, space, and sweeping views of Manhattan and Central Park. The hotel’s lobby is flanked by the cocktail lounge Ty Bar on the left, and on the right, The Garden restaurant, which will offer a new Italian-inspired menu. Located on “Billionaires’ Row” at the city’s most prestigious address between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue, the property is steps from Central Park, offering easy access to world-class museums, theaters, dining, and shopping. Four Seasons Hotel New York will also return this fall with the renowned Les Clefs d’Or concierge team, providing hotel residents with a distinguished level of personalized service. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to explore unique, curated experiences and gain one-of-a-kind exclusive access to New York City’s most iconic cultural institutions and landmarks. www.fourseasons.com/newyork
THE DOMINICK HOTEL (NEW YORK, NY)
Situated where SoHo meets TriBeCa and the West Village, The Dominick hotel merges uptown elegance with a downtown edge. The hotel is steps away from world-class galleries, restaurants, shopping and nightlife, boasting unrivaled views of the city’s spectacular skyline, the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building and its surrounding neighborhoods. It is an independent Five-Diamond hotel and a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LegendCollection. The hotel features a collection of 391 residential-style guest rooms, each with spectacular floor to ceiling views. The hotel is home to Michelin-starred restaurant, The Vestry, as well as Terrace on 7, an indoor-outdoor space with a pool, restaurant El Ta’Koy and Sisley-Paris Spa. https://www.thedominickhotel.com/
THE BELLEVUE (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
On the corner of Broad and Walnut Street in Downtown Philadelphia, The Bellevue reawakens 120 years later as a lovingly reimagined, multi-faceted destination and rooted downtown fixture. The Bellevue’s 184 newly designed luxury guestrooms, including 39 suites surrounding the six-story Conservatory, offer modern amenities within living heritage as part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. The storied location hosts 30,000 square feet of event space, elevated dining at Pergola on the nineteenth floor, the premier 100,000 square foot Sporting Club, and exclusive Residences at the Bellevue. The ‘Grande Dame of Broad Street’ will continue unveiling with new, forthcoming partners in retail, well-being, and imaginative culinary concepts. www.thebellevuehotel.com