Morgans Hotel Group Announces The Opening Of Hudson Common

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the success of Hudson Lodge, New York's first-ever ski lodge themed lounge in the middle of Manhattan, Morgans Hotel Group is excited to announce the birth of its newest food and beverage concept, Hudson Common. A modern-day beer hall and burger joint, Hudson Common will feature a wide selection of local craft beers, inventive preparations of classic American fare, and soda shoppe-inspired specialty cocktails. Located off the hotel's legendary lobby, Hudson Common provides the ideal locale for imbibing on quality drinks, indulging in imaginative eats and engaging in good conversation. Nightly DJ's and entertainment will energize the expansive 3000 square-foot space with 25-foot ceilings, oversized windows, distressed leather couches, and striking marble fireplace.

The culinary creations at Hudson Common, crafted by Morgans Hotel Group's Executive Chef Steve Peterson, focus on classic and unconventional interpretations of burgers, sandwiches and fries, prepared with market fresh ingredients. Menu items are labeled as either "Common" or "Uncommon", allowing guests to indulge in classic cravings or take an adventurous approach to experience a new twist on some old standbys. The signature item at Hudson Common is the Common Burger & Fries, a custom beef blend created for Hudson by Master Purveyors, served on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and Common sauce, alongside thrice-cooked hand-cut Duck Fat Fries. Some additional "Uncommon" menu items include: Peanut Butter BBQ Ribs served on Texas Toast, topped with Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips; French Toast Grilled Cheese made with Tickler Cheddar, 2 Sisters Gouda, BK Salvatore Ricotta and Maple Drizzle; Pork Katsu BLT made with Breaded Pork Cutlet, Apple Bacon, Pancetta, Guanciale, and Tonkatsu Worchesterchire; Bloody Mary Bacon Duck Fat Fries made with Pickled Okra, Jalapenos, Cheese Curds and Fried Egg with a choice of a side sauce: Truffle Mayo, Brava's, Georgia Mustard, Velveeta Ranch and Buttermilk Blue Cheese. And for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth, Hudson Common will offer a daily selection of Odd Fellows Artisan Custards specially designed for Hudson Common by Chef Sam Mason, former executive pastry chef at WD-50.

The Hudson Common beverage program is anchored by 16 beer taps, pouring the best locally brewed beers from Brooklyn, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, South Hampton, and Pennsylvania, including Six Points Bengal Tiger IPA from Brooklyn and Southampton Publick House's Imperial Stout. Local draft selections are complimented by 30 brews available in cans and bottles, showcasing top beers of the world in each style, including the celebrated Belgian Ale Duvel and more boutique offerings such as Dogfish Head's 90 Minute IPA from Delaware.  Hudson Common's cocktail menu features a selection of signature adult soda fountain cocktails which will include "Common" choices like a Vanilla Cream Soda made with Absolut Vanilia, Tuaca, and Boylan Bottleworks Creme Soda and a Root Beer Float made with Zacapa Rum, Averna, Virgil's Microbrewed Root Beer, and a Scoop of Ice Cream; in addition to "Uncommon" choices like the Italian Soda made from Aperol, Galliano and Prosecco; French Soda made from St Germain, Creme de Mure, Grey Goose and Champagne; and Irish Soda made from Jameson and Bruce Cost fresh Ginger Ale.

Morgans Hotel Group's in-house design team, led by Verena Haller, collaborated with the international architecture and design firm, Rottet Studio, to create a comfortable, laid-back experience within a grand space dominated by exposed brick and elevated ceilings. With a color palate defined by deep woods and rich browns, the main seating area is filled with long black wood communal tables with benches upholstered in chocolate leather cushions, strapped on by vintage-inspired leather belts. Lounge areas sit on the borders of the room, with distressed leather couches and an oversized fireplace warming the space. String lights and orb chandeliers descend from the ceiling, with playful macrame shades covering the long windows that peer out onto 57^th Street.  Food will be served at Hudson Common's take-out window located opposite the bar, further embracing the relaxed campus atmosphere of Hudson.  The space also features three 100-inch drop-down projector screens behind the bar and seven flat screen TV's throughout, making Hudson Common the perfect venue for watching sporting events.

Hudson Common, located at 356 West 58^th Street, opens Monday, February 11th.  For more information please visit www.hudsoncommonnyc.com or call 212-554-6217 for reservations. The hours at Hudson Common are 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.

ABOUT MORGANS HOTEL GROUP

Morgans Hotel Group Co. (NASDAQ: MHGC) is widely credited as the creator of the first "boutique" hotel and a continuing leader of the hotel industry's boutique sector. Morgans Hotel Group operates Delano in South Beach and Marrakech, Mondrian in Los Angeles, South Beach and New York, Hudson in New York, Morgans and Royalton in New York, Shore Club in South Beach, Clift in San Francisco, Ames in Boston, Sanderson and St Martins Lane in London, and a hotel in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.  Morgans Hotel Group has ownership interests or owns several of these hotels. Morgans Hotel Group has other property transactions in various stages of completion, including Delano properties in Las Vegas, Nevada; Cesme, Turkey and Moscow, Russia; Mondrian properties in London, England; Istanbul, Turkey; Doha, Qatar and Nassau, The Bahamas; and a Hudson in London, England. Morgans Hotel Group also owns a 90% controlling interest in The Light Group, a leading lifestyle food and beverage company. For more information please visit www.morganshotelgroup.com.

ABOUT ROTTET STUDIO

Founded in 2008 by Lauren Rottet, Rottet Studio is an internationally-recognized interior design and architecture firm with an extensive portfolio of corporate and hospitality projects for the world's leading companies. Rottet Studio's philosophy is to provide innovative architectural solutions that improve the human experience through the built environment. The firm's services include architecture and interior design, furniture design, graphic design, product design, branding and art selection. Rottet Studio is WBE-certified and boasts more than 30 million square feet of built design and a vast array of award-winning projects and furniture designs. Rottet Studio is led by Rottet along with Principals Richard Riveire, AIA, Lauren's business partner of 25 years, who leads the West Coast and Asia practice; and David Davis, AIA, who oversees the firm's offices in Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Shanghai as Managing Principal. Rottet Studio's design principals have received international attention and attracted an esteemed list of clients throughout North and South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. www.rottetstudio.com

SOURCE Morgans Hotel Group Co.