Some cool spots are opening up in Midtown, of all places. Check out Forty Four, the lobby bar inside the Royalton Hotel, which spans the entire hotel, one city block!

"The Royalton recently launched a new concept, Forty Four, headlined by a world-class group of bartenders known as “The Cocktail Collective”. The new food menu, created by Royalton’s Executive Chef Scott Ekstrom, is ingredient-focused and celebrates the longstanding, hotel lobby ritual of accompanying a cocktail or two with a spontaneous meal. Royalton's iconically cool interiors, its ground-breaking “Cocktail Collective”, combined with Ekstrom’s technique, appreciation for simple high quality food, and a devoted following will make Forty Four a high profile, effortlessly-luxe New York destination."

I was there last week and couldn't agree more. Perfect place for an after-work cocktail! Don't forget to try their version of a cheeseburger and duck confit flatbread!

44 at The Royalton
44 W. 44th Street (bet. 5th and 6th)
New York, NY 10036
212-869-4400
www.royaltonhotel.com