The 2nd Annual Olevolos Project Cocktail Brunch Party at The General Huge Success

The Second Annual at cocktail brunch party for The Olevolos Project at The General was a huge success this weekend. Mark Birnbaum, Eugene Remm, and EMM Group couldn't thank everyone enough for coming out and showing their support. Bryan Greenberg played host for the event that played host to a number of great guests.

For those who are not familiar with The Olevolos Project: 

The Olevolos Project is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization benefitting orphans and disadvantaged children from the Olevolos Village of Tanzania, Africa. We believe all kids have a right to meet their full potential, regardless of their backgrounds. Our mission is to develop young leaders through excellent educational programs who can become role models for future generations.   

The Olevolos Project partners with Usa River Academy, an elite private boarding school outside of Arusha, to offer students the highest quality educational opportunities. Our scholarships to Usa River Academy cover all educational and living expenses. The school is dedicated to inspiring a passion for learning and developing the attitudes, skills and knowledge that will enable all students to maximize their potential as positive responsible participants in our society and global community.

The event was for a great cause and Mark Birnbaum and EMM Group are looking forward to hosting more events like this. If you're looking to make a donation, don't hesitate visit http://theolevolosproject.org/.

Happy Hour's at Mark Birnbaum's Restaurants

With Mother Nature giving us this great what feels like summer weather, we couldn't be more pleased to get our specials underway. Kicking off the season was happy hour at Lexington Brass. For a mere $30, we offered 2 glasses of sparkling wine or Beer and a dozen oysters. How can you beat a deal like that?

For those who don't know, Lexington Brass features top notch service and a simple menu of bistro favorites that will make you feel reminiscent of home. Unlike the blink-and-you-might-miss-it boites of lower Manhattan, Lexington Brass and its gleaming façade of floor-to-ceiling windows ushers in a new business backdrop where this generation of New York City minds and moguls break bread while breaking up the day, enjoying Lobster Mac n Cheese, Deviled Eggs, French Onion Soup, Braised Short Ribs and platters of oysters and littlenecks at any hour, from breakfast to lunch through dinner and late evening reprieves.

There are going to be a lot more specials announced in the near future so don't hesitate to check back here or on Facebook or Twitter. 

A Look Back At The EMM Group

It's hard to believe that the first half of 2013 is almost gone already. We've seen some amazing things happen across a number of the EMM Group's venues. From J. Cole declaring that the best meal he's ever eaten was the lobster mac and cheese at Catch to Serious Eats sitting down and chatting about The General Bakery, it's been one crazy and amazing first couple months of the year.

Here are a few great photos for a look back at the first couple months.

 

HQ Beach Club Announces World-Renowned DJ Line-up for Opening Weekend

EMM Group and Mark Birnbaum are proud to announce HQ Beach Club will be officially launching Thursday, May 23. The daylife pool party destination at Revel in Atlantic city will play host to a world class DJ line-up including DJ Magazine's #1 ranked DJ in the world, Armin Van Buuren and also feature the likes of artists R3HAB, Laidback Luke, Wolfgang Gartner, Congorock, Boris and Victor Calderone.

HQ Beach Club at Revel is Atlantic City's newest entertainment offering, introducing a signature day-to-night party experience in tandem with HQ Nightclub. The ultra-luxe, boardwalk-level pool lounge hugs the slick curvature of the resort's exterior, and features a central triangular pool, multiple levels and two juxtaposing bars.

Those looking to make early reservations can do so now! For cabana or bungalow reservations at HQ Beach Club or table reservations at HQ Nightclub, please call 609.345.2211 or visit www.revelnightlife.com. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. 

The HQ Beach Club will be open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. until close. HQ Nightclub opens doors at 10 p.m. To check out the full schedule for the events visit: http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130508-910720.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

The Jazz Room at The General Continues to Thrive

The Jazz Room at The General continues to host stand out acts and play host to a number of esteemed guests. The recent weekend, music sensation Sting stopped by to support his daughter Mickey Sumner who was in attendance for the "Missed Connections" screening that was taking place.

In case you're not familiar with The Jazz Room at The General, Mark Birnbaum explains that it's an extension of The General's 300 sear Modern Asian restaurant in downtown Manhattan at 199 Bowery. The Jazz Room does accept reservations as part of early seating that begins at 7pm or late seating starting at 9pm.

New York's Serious Eats Chats with Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva has been rather busy as of late. Not only does he run a cereal-inspired doughnut section at EMM Group's The General, but he's also busy plating up delicious warm cookies at Mark Birnbaum and EMM Group's restaurant, CATCH. New York's Serious Eats recently sat down to chat with Thiago to catch up. Here's a great excerpt from the interview below:  

Does your heritage play into your menu? I feel like I put a little of me in everything. I don't think it's necessarily noticeable but I always try to put a little Brazil into my desserts.

Like where? Like the sticky coconut cake at The General. Coconut's a big thing in Asia but it's also big in Brazil, and I use the same soak that I use in my Brazilian cakes. Sweetened condensed milk is in Brazilians' cabinets everywhere and I love to use it. You can't go wrong. Even the custards in the doughnut are Brazilian-style custard that I used to do when I was little.

What, to you, is the most important thing about knowing how to cook? It's just so gratifying. Not only when you've had a rough day and you make yourself something but also when you do that for your family or a friend—they come home and are miserable and you see how much better it makes them feel. No matter what happens, or how bad life is, people always want to go out and eat. It's just something that you have to be able to know how to do—to cook for people and see how they feel, how gratifying it is. I think if you're a chef, that's why you do it—it's a lot of hard work, but it all pays off. I just want my son to eat everything.

In case you were wondering what some of the delicious pastry's look like that Thiago puts together, below are a few photos. And yes, they taste just as good as they look.

Sticky Coconut Cake at The General: coconut water sorbet
candy pineapple, mango sauce, candied pistachios

Banana Brûlée Split: Raspberry Bombe, Gianduja Bombe, Cookie Dough Bombe (at Catch)       

(Img src)