It could be a 1930s movie set. Photo courtesy Empire Room | NYC.

Soaring more than a quarter of a mile above the heart of Manhattan, the Empire State Building is an Art Deco masterpiece and perhaps the world’s most famous office building.

On May 1, 1931, President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in Washington, D.C., which turned on the Empire State Building’s lights and officially opened the now-iconic building.

Observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors offer unmatched views of New York City to some four million visitors each year. On a clear day, they can see to New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

But what about lunch, before or after the observation decks? The Empire State Building is surrounded by fast food outlets and Irish bars—not exactly the type of ambiance one craves after the high of spectacular views.

Thank goodness for the Empire Room. On the ground floor of the West 33rd Street side of the building, the space, which opened two years ago designed as a 1930s-era swanky cocktail lounge, is now serving lunch.

The menu comprises classic American luncheon favorites: popular sandwiches, flat breads and panini; salads; and a chicken breast with sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, bacon and honey Dijon. For a bargain $3.00, you can add a glass of wine or a beer; or a more pricey but delicious house-designed cocktail.

We lunched there recently and wanted to try everything on the menu. We ended up with an excellent starter (chili, a special house recipe with flavors deepened by 100% cacao chocolate and a pinch of cinnamon), the chopped salad main course (top-quality feta cheese, garbanzo beans, roasted peppers, tomato, onion and grilled shrimp) and a delightful miniature cheesecake.

The highest compliment we can pay is that we would gladly have returned to eat the same meal for dinner. At our earliest opportunity, we’ll be back for more.

The 3,500 square feet of brushed stainless steel, curved marble bar, tufted banquettes, glass-topped tables and Art Deco chandeliers looks like a movie set. It accommodates up to 150 guests and is often rented for private parties.

HOW TO GET THERE

A popular cocktail lounge, the Empire Room now serves lunch. Photo courtesy Empire Room.

 
For more information about the Empire Room, visit HospitalityHoldings.com.
  

Pick up a Living Wall planter from WoollyPocket.com. It’s available in seven colors.

All it needs is a wall space that’s 13 inches x 18 inches.

Fresh basil, dill, parsley and other favorites will soon be yours for the snipping!

Make a pumpkin spice latte at home (photo © Krups USA).

Want to develop latte art skills? All you need is a steady hand, some perfectly foamed milk, and of course, practice!

For Halloween and the Thanksgiving season, try this Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe, courtesy of Krups.

Here’s the simple recipe; the technique for making latte art is below.

> Pumpkin Spice Day is October 1st.
 
 
PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE RECIPE

Ingredients

Preparation

1. In a coffee mug, combine espresso coffee with flavored syrup.

2. Pour in steamed milk and frothed milk and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and vanilla powder.

MAKE LATTE ART

Now it’s time to try your hand at latte art. You’ll need a steaming pitcher—the kind that comes with espresso/cappuccino machines—or a milk frother shown in the photo, from Krups, which creates smooth, velvety milk foam at the touch of a button.

Step 1: Pour enough cold milk for one cup into the steaming pitcher. Steam milk with the wand deep in the pitcher, then directing the milk in a counterclockwise fashion until the liquid heats to 150°F. Or, simply push the button on a milk frother.

Step 2: Allow the milk to sit while you add one or two shots of freshly brewed espresso to a coffee mug. Use a conventional mug with curved sides; the art doesn’t work well with squares and other shapes.

Step 3: Swirl the milk vigorously. If you see any bubbles, tap the pitcher on the counter several times and go back to swirling the milk for 20 to 30 seconds.

Step 4: Slowly start pouring the milk into the espresso, first in a circular pattern around the edge of the cup. Slowly move toward the center as the foam rises.

A milk frother makes perfect steamed milk in seconds. Photo courtesy Krups.

To create a leaf pattern: When your cup reaches half full, the foam will start to rise. Move the pitcher backwards as you pour, while moving the mug from side to side. The motion of your hand creates a leaf pattern in the top of your latte. When you reach the end of the cup, pour a small stream of milk right through the middle of the leaf pattern. Beware of using a large amount of milk; it will scatter the design.
 
To create a heart pattern: Shake your hand as you would in making leaf. However, instead of moving backwards, keep your hand in the same general area, focusing on making a ringed circle.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Here’s a video demonstration of how it’s done.

Find more of our favorite coffee recipes and pounds of coffee information in our Gourmet Coffee Section.
 
 

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

[1] Drink a Pumpkin Passion for dessert (recipe and photos #1 and #2 © Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur).

[2] Frangelico hazelnut liqueur is delicious for straight sipping, over vanilla or coffee ice cream, in coffee and hot chocolate.

[3] Flor de Caña dark rum (photo © Flor de Caña).

For Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any time in between, try this rum-and-vodka-based cocktail, enhanced with hazelnut liqueur and homemade pumpkin simple syrup.

You can also use the syrup for pumpkin lattes, and pancakes, and mixed with carbonated water for a seasonal pumpkin soda.

> Check out the different types of rum, below.

> The history of rum.
 
 
RECIPE #1: PUMPKIN PASSION COCKTAIL

Ingredients For One Drink

 
Preparation

1. PLACE all ingredients except garnish in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass rimmed with brown sugar.

2. TOP with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
 
 
RECIPE #2: PUMPKIN SIMPLE SYRUP

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE all ingredients in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.

2. REMOVE from the heat and allow to completely cool.
 
 
RECIPE #3: FRANGELICO WHIPPED CREAM

Enjoy this flavored whipped cream with chocolate, coffee, nut, pumpkin, and vanilla desserts. See more flavored whipped cream recipes.

Ingredients For 2 Cups

 
Preparation

1. CHILL the bowl, beaters, and cream thoroughly before beginning. Using an electric mixer, whip cream, sugar, and vanilla on medium-low speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until soft peaks form.

2. ADD the Frangelico and continue to beat until stiff but still creamy. Makes about 2 cups.

There are different styles of rum, based on factors such as distillation technique, blending technique, alcoholic content, and a country’s style preferences. One of the easiest differentiators to understand is aging.

 
Rum production is much more complex, with many choices made by the distiller to produce a specific flavor profile. Here’s a good overview of exactly what goes into making the different types of rum.
 
_______________

*The chemicals, which are used to extract sugar crystals from the sugar cane, can interfere with the actions of the yeast that ferment the molasses into rum.

†Black rum is so-named for its color; brown rum and red rum are dark rums described by their colors.
 
 

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

One of our friends won’t buy any appliance or gadget that has a single use. As a result, she has no bread maker, no fondue pot, no waffle iron.

We emailed her this article from Caifornia-based writer Katie Waldek. She has figured out how to make those single-purpose appliance into multi-purpose ones:
Bread Maker. Think outside the loaf to other dough-based foods: bagels, pasta dough, pizza dough, pretzels and tortillas. You can also use your bread maker to make jams and chutneys: Many models even have that setting built in, says Waldek.

Electric Fondue Pot. An electric fondue pots can easily double as a deep fryer, says Waldek. You can control the temperature without needing a thermometer. If you’re making a big dinner and run out of burner space on the stovetop, you can use it to heat soup, boil water, etc.

Rice Maker. Use it to make other grains and pulses, from amaranth, beans and lentils to quinoa. Cook oatmeal and other hot cereals, polenta and soups. Your rice maker also works as a steamer for dumplings, fish and seafood, meats, potstickers, tamales and vegetables. The Aroma ARC-1000 Professional Series 20-Cup Sensor Logic Rice Cooker is also designed to double as a slow cooker (great idea!).
Waffle Iron.W Use it to make French toast, hash browns, latkes, falafel, panini and quesadillas. On the highest setting, it can make a pizza.
 
If you have additional ideas, let us know!