Rainbow Room and Top of the Rock, New York

I rearranged our whole itinerary around this booking. Gone are the days where Michelin stars excite me (been there, done that, bought the guides), rather now I get giddy by chic cocktail bars. I only found the Rainbow Room about a month before we flew to New York, but managed to snaffle a booking that would mean we could see the sunset from the Top of the Rock, and then watch the city by night as we ate dinner.

We had been ridiculously excited about this booking, and I had donned a 'New York' dress to mark the occasion. No exaggeration, it was like people had never seen such an item! Locals were already tickled pink by my hair (which swagged us free drinks), but the themed dress was definitely a good choice. You know what its downside was? It was windy as hell up there, and that circle skirt inflates far too easily...

We booked our 'Top of the Rock' tickets for 7.30pm, so we could watch the last of the sunshine, the sunset, and then nightfall at the top of the Rockefeller Centre. I had been to the Empire State Building on my last trip, and I have to say it's true that this is so much better! There's a viewing platform where you have the option to see the same beauty from inside, or you can venture out, if you are wearing appropriate dress... 

Sunset up there is the weirdest thing. It literally goes from full daylight, to pools of light hitting specific spots in the distance, to dark. Sixty five stories up boasts some of the most stunning views of the city, spanning from Central Park right down to Lady Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. 

Once darkness had almost descended, we went down one floor to the Rainbow Room restaurant. There aren't many views better than this. We were a little early, so we had a cocktail in Bar 65 before our meal, and enjoyed some amazing views of the city. Happiness is a cocktail in hand, great company, and a beautiful city.

Once settled in our seats on the best side of the building, we reflected on what had been the most wonderful day stomping around New York, drinks being sipped and menus in hand.

Oven-roasted flatbread - Burrata, caramelised onions, crispy Brussels sprouts, prosciutto: A fancy pizza of sorts. Cheesy, naturally salty, and incredibly tasty.

Poached pear salad - pomegranate, winter greens, maple-sherry dressing: The perfect lighter option whilst still being packed full of flavour.

We finished our evening with another cocktail, and a chat to two chaps who had also found themselves walking round the city all day. Seems the Rainbow Room is the perfect way to end a day in the Big Apple.

Go here for Don Draper style glamour. It's a place for dressing up, treating yourself to fine cocktails, and taking in the view.