WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog

WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog
Hi- It's Tamara. I'm happy you've stopped by, and since 2010 I've been sharing my passion for interior design, history, art, entertaining, travel & fashion. I am an interior designer, textile designer and writer living and working in New York City and East Hampton, Long Island. My musings have taken me to international design, art, antique and epicurean events and I have lots to share. I'm grateful to have been listed as the #1 top design blog, blogs to watch, top design blogs and named and awarded Rising Star of Design by the IFDA NY industry organization. Please feel free to reach out to our team for an interior design consultation at NestbyTamara.com -Tamara

An insider's view of the decadent Soho Mondrian Hotel in New York City

Are you tired
after holiday
"nesting"
and need a break from  
cooking and entertaining house guests?
head on over to the
for an indulgent weekend...



our friends Craig Wood and Tracey Thatcher of Cape Advisors
 invited a group of us for a spectacular weekend in their fantastic hotel -
come take a look at some of the amenities. 
After reading this story
 you may be packing
 your overnight bag for a weekend away
at the Soho Mondrian

This hotel will knock your socks off...the food is a fabulous fusion of culinary styles, the rooms are chic, and that rocking club downstairs is just over the top
(and I mean over the top),
so if you are in for a fun, grown-up evening head on over. 

Our great friends Craig and Tracey conjured up something special in the Soho neighborhood on Crosby Street. 
They brought together a group of friends to celebrate their labor of love... 


room photos - Tom Sibley
we checked into our room,
which was quite stylized with interesting details and killer views,
then headed off to dinner
Restaurant Imperial 9 
photograph by Tom Sibley


it's even more dramatic and enchanting
all lit up at night, taken with my phone
 We were treated to an extravagant celebration at the hotel's restaurant Imperial 9 where a Beauty and the Beast feast inspires nightly. The garden building houses the restaurant beneath a dramatic glass roof.  The large-scale glass sculpture was created by Beth Lipman and references John Cocteau's La Belle et Le Bête story
 in which a seductive feast is prepared nightly. 
I couldn't get enough of these dripping chandeliers


Interior Design Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz created a fantasy world throughout the hotel.  Inspired by this Beauty and the Beast theme, he weaves this philosophy throughout the hotel, restaurant and rooms.  Inundated with decadence, seducing with a soothing blue palette, great music, food and drinks, one can feel the Beast's devotion as he offers Beauty a plethora of sensory experiences.  The artistic hand blown glass sculptures greets front and center at the hotel's restaurant, Imperial 9, which is just off the main lobby.

   
 We embarked upon a magical evening connecting with old friends. 
with inspiring design, delicious food and spirits,
the experience was topped off
with great company

college friends reunite
let's talk about the food
there seemed to be a little bit of something for everyone at  
Imperial 9.  We shared some delicious plates of food, and the menu starts with a sophisticated seafood foundation,
but there is a melding of styles with strong Asian influences.
As I write this they are tweaking the menu to add even more choices and
items, so stay tuned...

Both the dinner and brunch (the next morning) were delicious
but highlights include the Oysters, Beef Culotte a la Plancha with dashi,
and the Duckfat roasted peanut potatoes!

behind the beaded curtain at Mister H
Next, we head over for after-dinner festivities downstairs at Mister H
A slightly different bent than the rest of the hotel, Mister H was created by Armin Amiri (also designed Socialista in the West Village), and has an old-world feel conjuring an opium den in Beijing in the 1930s, and compliments the hotel experience.  Decorated with curated objects of interest from birdcages to Chinese rugs, the club is set behind beaded curtains.  You feel as if you are entering another era straight from a movie set.  There are plenty of cocktails to choose from, and we were generously gifted with a pricey bottle service.  There was a DJ spinning fabulous tunes and oh, a very scantily clad dancer, and the attentive bottle server kept us thoroughly quenched.  I am certain  it is a difficult club to get into with the long lines, but worth the wait... 


I say,
schedule the sitter
and make a weekend of it!
 our friend Steve an architect samples a lobby chair
hope to see you there, and until then,
"happy nesting"

hotel notes: 
hotel owners: Cape Advisors, Inc., and the Morgans Hotel Group http://www.mondriansoho.com/
Design Architect: Barry Rice Architect PC
Architect of Record: H. Thomas O’Hara, Architect PLLC
originally built: 1914
opening date: March 1, 2011
Interior Design:  Benjamin Noriega Ortiz
Hotel Features: 270 Rooms, Suites & Penthouse Apartment with Terraces