I've written about the gorgeous Mixologist Stephanie O'Neill in these pages before, but it's been a while since I first met her and because she's now in a wonderful new space it seemed like it was time for an update.
When I first met Stephanie, she was working on her days off at a restaurant in Hoboken that was at one time a favorite place of mine. When Stephanie came on board there she added so much to what was already wonderful and with her innate sensibility for how to create a professional and friendly environment and her consummate knowledge and expertise in mixology combined with her excellent taste she soon led the restaurant to be awarded the best cocktails in Hoboken for three years in a row. But things change sometimes, even when we wish they wouldn't, and the restaurant went through some rearranging, and Stephanie decided to explore new places and opportunities.
Stephanie works full time at the Hyatt in Jersey City on the waterfront, and she does an excellent job there, but on her days off she likes to find somewhere to be creative and stretch her knowledge and craft. Within a very short time of beginning to look for new horizons, she contacted me to let me know that she'd found a new place. Danny Meyer was opening a new restaurant in Hudson Yards named Ci Siamo, and she was going to be training in another of that restauranteur's locations in preparation for working there.
For anyone who knows the New York City restaurant world, there are some names that are very well respected. Danny Meyer has been the owner of several top restaurants for many years and is the CEO of the Union Square Hospitality Group. To work in one of his restaurants is not only a mark of professionalism and industry knowledge, it is also a recognition of excellence.
When I had the opportunity to have dinner at Ci Siamo with Stephanie and some special family and friends, I knew it would be a wonderful evening. Stephanie and I have had some memorable dinners together, and she enjoys trying new things and pairing flavors with a connoisseur's palate. That night she ordered a banquet for us all and we enjoyed every moment of every new dish that arrived. There were so many favorites and so much to savor, and the service and care the staff took to make sure our evening was all that it could be was exemplary.
A short time later I met the Brand Manager of a new cordial company, and when we were talking about wine and restaurants I mentioned Ci Siamo. She had been there also and we joked about how we had wanted to have some of the dishes that we'd shared with others all to ourselves, and so we decided to go back together and sit at the bar for a visit with Stephanie while she was working. The night we were there was all that we could wish for in this new and very special space, and I have a feeling I'll be back there again now that Stephanie is in a new place.
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