Marta — Restaurant in New York

You know how in high school and college you have friends you SWEAR you’ll stay in touch with but never do? YEARS of getting to know these people, gone in no time. I made a deeper friendship with our server, Daniel, in 60 amazing minutes of culinary perfection, than I have with any high school or college “friend”. After being warmly greeted at the door and seated promptly (despite arriving a little earlier than our reservation time), Daniel came and took our drink order. Not only was it delicious, but we arrived just before happy hour ended so we were able to snag a great deal on some amazing drinks. Soon after, the octopus that we ordered as an appetizer arrived. Wow. I thought I knew what octopus was supposed to taste like, but I was VERY wrong. The way the artists in Marta’s kitchen prepared the dish was, dare I say, the only way to eat octopus, ever. The heartiness of the octopus danced in my mouth, and sweet, sour, and salty flavors, as well as soft and crunchy textures, all danced in my mouth in a way that I could’ve enjoyed for much longer than I did. The worst parts of this dish were having to share with my girlfriend and accepting that it was over once my plate was, quite literally, empty. My girlfriend ordered the steak, which was cooked a perfect medium rare, and I had the scallops. From the one piece I was able to wrestle off her plate, the steak was amazing. As for my scallops, they were as light and buttery as you could ever hope for, perfectly complemented with some acidic greens. All the while, Daniel consistently made sure we were happy, hydrated, and had all our needs catered to. Overall, the saddest parts of our meal were having to share and having to say goodbye to Daniel. We left full, happy, and more than satisfied with the service, food, drinks, and ambiance that Marta has to offer at an unbeatable price. I’d consider coming back just on any one of these things, but the combination of them all tells me I’ll be back here, reluctantly sharing octopus with my...

I just finished lunch with 3 others. It was my treat as two of my guests were celebrating their birthdays.

To start, 3 of us ordered the butternut squash soup, and while it was very tasty, the portion size didn't justify the cost and more importantly it was just barely warm and no where near hot. I was very surprised. The waiter after delivering the food was not to be found.

For an entree, 3 of us also ordered the Artic Char. I was asked how I liked mine. I asked for medium-well. It came near sushi temp. Again our waiter was difficult to find and after waiting to see if I could get this fixed, I gave up and just picked at the edges for the cooked portions, eating more raw portions than I desired. Another one in my party has the accompanying vegetable, a sweet potato, actually cold in their dish. Not luke warm, but actually cold. My potato, while not cold, was merely warm at best.

For desert we all ordered 2 coffees, a cappuccino and a latte. First the coffee comes, without and milk. Then my cappuccino comes but she delivers it to the other side of the table. I tell her that it was for me.. and she just leaves it there waiting for my guests to pass it along to me after she leaves the table. Meanwhile the two coffee drinkers are still waiting for milk and begin to ask every other service member for assistance, when the milk finally comes the coffee is cold, but they too gave up.... meanwhile the desert we ordered still didn't arrive and doesn't arrive until the coffee is all done. The latte never arrived at all and when we complain, my guest just said forget about it, just give me a coffee.

All in all, the place is very attractive and has potential, but frankly, I was expecting a much better experience. Our bill for the 4 of us for lunch was just under $400. and frankly I feel like I was "taken".

We walked a few blocks back to the office and the consensus was unanimous - we were all surprisingly...

The Martha Washington Hotel, originally opened in 1903, is a notable landmark in New York City's rich history. Designed by Robert W. Gibson in the Renaissance Revival style for the Women's Hotel Company, the hotel was a pioneering establishment exclusively for women, a rarity at the time. This 13-story structure was one of the first of its kind to cater specifically to professional women, serving this unique clientele until 1998 when it transitioned to a regular hotel​​​​​​.

Located in Midtown Manhattan, the hotel provided affordable lodging with rooms ranging from $3 to $17 per week and offered amenities like a drug store, tailor shop, and manicurist. Reflecting the progressive spirit of the early 20th century, the hotel helped accommodate the growing number of women seeking professional opportunities in New York City. The strict policy of no male guests underscored its commitment to providing a safe and exclusive space for its female guests​​​​.

Over the years, the hotel has undergone several name changes and transformations. After its stint as the Martha Washington Hotel, it was renamed Hotel Thirty Thirty in 2003, Hotel Lola in 2011, and later King & Grove New York in 2012. Despite these changes, the building's historical significance remains, highlighted by its designation as a New York City landmark​​.

The Martha Washington Hotel's legacy is a testament to the evolving role of women in society and the urban landscape of New York City, marking a significant chapter in the city's history of accommodating diverse social...