New York, New York, so good, so good. For years the Irish have been blazing a trail in the big apple and for many, the only address to stay at when in town is 687 Lexington Avenue, a.k.a. Fitzpatricks Hotel. Head honcho at the NY operations, John Fitzpatrick, jetted into Dublin last week to host an exclusive party to showcase New York and all it had to offer.
The hip penthouse of the Morgan Hotel was the venue for the champagne fuelled bash, which was in association with Delta Airlines and NYC & Co., New York’s official tourist board. Personally I didn’t think NYC needed much promotion, it’ll always be top o’ the heap in my book.
John is very excited about the massive revamps that his NY hotels are about to undertake, and rightly so. President McAleese will be dropping in soon when she’s in town, as will An Taoiseach, and I’m sure John and the team will make then feel at home. As he did with all his guests at last weeks party, who included Gerry Ryan, Sandra Byrne, Andrew Rudd and Katie Jane Goldin. Publisher Michael O’Doherty (who’s busy with plans for the upcoming VIP Style Awards) was there too, as was Glenda Gilson, Andy Boase, Rosanna Davison and Wes Quirke, who, coincidently, were just back from NYC.
After leaving the Morgan I popped into of The Porter House in Temple Bar, where Oliver Hughes was hosting the launch of the Stout Fest, which continues until March 19th in all Porter House bars. The famous Chocolate Truffle Stout makes a welcome return and among those I spotted were Roisin Tierney – Crowe, Jonothan Sultan, Malachy Geelan, PJ Gibbons and DJ Steve K. I also met Michelle Power, who runs a company called Boozeberries. Having sampled my first ever Boozeberrie a few years ago I am an ardent fan and so it was great to meet the woman who made it all happen!
No doubt there were a few booze berries at the end of last Monday nights launch party for Patrón, the premium tequila brand from the States. Not only has it been immortalised in many a rap song but it was also one of the official drinks at this years Oscar ceremony. With premium products, comes premium prices. Patrón tequila typically sells from €35 a shot in all good cocktail bars and €229 a bottle in quality off licences. Something to spend your SSIA on then.
Actor Kevin J. Ryan attended the party in Lillies (he himself making waves in the U.S.) as did the boys from DJ outfit Bodytonic, Killian O’Sullivan and model Sarah Kavanagh, despite it being a wet and windy night.
