No Need to Stay Home

Ah, let’s address the elephant in the cocktail bar this month— Dry January! When I first started at Hotel Greene as a junior member of the reception team, I remember my supervisor Andrej casually mentioning that he did not drink alcohol or eat sugar in January. He said that November and December gave him ample of both.

To him, abstaining was like a breath of fresh air. To me, some years, some days, it feels the opposite— like I’m holding my breath and desperately trying to count to 31. Either way, Steven has our number! Out with friends and feeling strong? A juicy NA long drink that matches your bubbly mood. Struggling after a difficult shift? An NA riff on an Old Fashioned perfect for staring into as your pulse slows.

Pictured— In the Next Future (Lyre’s American Malt, mulling spice syrup) and Nouvelle Vague (cranberry, maple, mulling spice syrup, lemon).

NEW YEAR, NEW HOBBY

Gauging Your Interest

We are considering opening up Tuesday evenings for a fauxtel golf league in March! Teams of 4, broken into pairs for duo-to-duo combat. Two rounds an evening, a schedule of 10-12 weeks, a Leslie Herman “members only” t-shirt (of course!), our satin-sashed course marshal on hand to resolve disputes, and a coveted prize of… THE GOLDEN PUTTER. At the end of the season, each member of the winning team will receive a putter DIPPED… IN… GOLD! (or at least some kind of gold plating or paint). The 4 golden putters will entitle their rightful holders to free golf until the next season of the league crowns new winners.

Please email us at info@hotelgreene.com by February 12th if you have a team of 4 people ready to commit, or if you are a single or a double looking to find other team members. For the initial season, the cost per person is $100 to join and $10 “greens fees” each Tuesday evening.

New Year, New Offerings (and Some Mainstays)

January is a fine time to schedule changes and upgrades and celebrate what already works. A few on our list for early 2025 include:

• Happy Hour: weeknights in the Lobby Bar, 5p-7p, cocktail and NA drink specials, trimmed prices on beer and wine, and salty snacks on offer. Post-work joy abounding, coming in February.

• New Brunch Menu: recipe tests are already underway, and I’m gravitating towards scrambled eggs with caramelized tomatoes, prosciutto, and grated parmesan, an updated French Toast with berry compote and creme fraiche, an open-faced mushroom melt sandwich with gruyere, and a vegan riff on a full English. We’re looking to print and start taking guest orders by the end of the month.

• Other Kitchen Menu Updates: we’re working on them and expect to launch a full roll out by February, but Teo’s Brussel sprouts are already an “off menu” regular offering— crisped and topped with pine nuts, pickled onion and parmesan. Such a pleasurable way to get more veggies in January.

• Wine Tastings and Lobby Drink Carts: Michael from Native Selections will continue to join us monthly with his informative, tasty, and life-affirming wine tastings, and Steven has the portable bar on standby for monthly cocktail carts in the lobby.

A Puzzling Meditation

Looking for time away from technology and something to distract and clear the mind? Our lobby gift shop has the tool— Hotel Greene jigsaw puzzles. We currently have three Leslie Herman graphics available, including this Date Night version. A few minutes inexplicably becomes an hour when you are focused on nothing but tiny discrepancies in shape and color. The border on this beast is so challenging that I had to forget all lessons from my grandmother and work from the center out.