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Carissa Chesanek

Carissa Chesanek

Carissa Chesanek has worked as a journalist for many years, writing for publications that include BroadwayWorldShow-Score, All About Solo, The Rumpus, Miami Herald, and Forbes Travel Guide. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and is the co-host for the reading series Sunday Salon. She's dabbled in improv and acting and is currently on the hunt to place the first play she wrote.




LEARN MORE ABOUT Carissa Chesanek

First Show:

Wicked

Favorite Show:

The Phantom of the Opera

Favorite Stories:



MOST POPULAR ARTICLES


Review: Grace by Nia: A Contemporary Supper-Club Serving Soul Food and Live Music
Review: Grace by Nia: A Contemporary Supper-Club Serving Soul Food and Live Music
October 8, 2024

Step inside Grace by Nia and you’re instantly transported back to a time of pure glamour and soul. The new supper club is located in Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut on the lower level of the Grand Pequot Tower. It is from Nia Grace, former owner of Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen in Boston.

Review: Wine Flights and Live Music Served in City Winery at Pier 57
Review: Wine Flights and Live Music Served in City Winery at Pier 57
September 18, 2024

City Winery New York City has you covered if you’re looking for a place with dinner and a show. Located along the Hudson River at Pier 57 in Chelsea, City Winery is a vast venue of 32,000 square feet that includes a restaurant with a bar and winery and a stage for musical and comedic performances.

Review: Shaggy Takes the Stage at Foxwoods Resort Casino
Review: Shaggy Takes the Stage at Foxwoods Resort Casino
August 27, 2024

Over the weekend, Shaggy took the stage at Foxwoods Premier Theater in Connecticut. The Jamaican-American reggae deejay delighted a packed room of fans with his all-time popular hits “Angel” and “Mr. Lover” among others. 

Interview: Artistic Directors Talk About Contemporary Ballet Company Konverjdans
Interview: Artistic Directors Talk About Contemporary Ballet Company Konverjdans
August 28, 2024

Amy Saunder, Jordan Miller, and Tiffany Mangulabnan are the three co-founding artistic directors of konverjdans (converge/dance), the women-led, Brooklyn-based contemporary ballet company that has been creating and presenting dance in NYC since 2016. The team recently presented its 8th season of their contemporary ballet HYPHA in Brooklyn, NY which showcased performances choreographed by each of the women. We spoke to the three artistic directors about this year’s HYPHA, their influences, and what we can look forward to next.

Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge Launches Surf Club Pop-Up in Times Square
Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge Launches Surf Club Pop-Up in Times Square
August 16, 2024

Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge is known for its rotating pop-up themes and this season it’s currently transformed its all-season space into Magic Hour Surf Club which runs until the fall. 

Maison Close: Serving Elevated French Cuisine and Much More in Soho
Maison Close: Serving Elevated French Cuisine and Much More in Soho
July 30, 2024

Nestled on the corner side of Watts Street, you’ll find Maison Close, a recent addition to Soho’s finest restaurants that won’t disappoint. Inside this chic venue, you’ll find uber-stylish decor with bold colors and sleek accents that make for a modern ambiance with a hint of old-school glamour. 

Interview: Bartender, Patty Dennison of Grand Army
Interview: Bartender, Patty Dennison of Grand Army
June 24, 2024

As the winner of the 2022 Woodford Reserve Master of the Manhattan who then went on to the National finals for the 2023 Mount Gay Taste of Home cocktail competition, Patty Dennison knows all about making a solid drink. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration. Dennison can now be found at Grand Army in Brooklyn where she is the Head Bartender. We spoke to Dennison about crafting cocktails, bartending, and what to expect when you check out Grand Army.

Review: Sip & Guzzle: A Bi-Level Craft Cocktail Bar in the West Village
Review: Sip & Guzzle: A Bi-Level Craft Cocktail Bar in the West Village
June 17, 2024

Housed in the former Cornelia Street Cafe, the once Greenwich Village hangout from 1977 with all-day dining live performances, now resides the latest cocktail bar Sip & Guzzle.

Mohegan Sun's 8th Annual Sun Whiskey Union
Mohegan Sun's 8th Annual Sun Whiskey Union
April 24, 2024

On the weekend of April 13th, Mohegan Sun held its 8th Annual Sun Whiskey Union in the Earth Expo & Convention Center. The spacious room was packed with whisky enthusiasts and distiller representatives showcasing some of the best top-shelf whisky, scotch, bourbon, and rye.

Review: Momoya Offers Modern Japanese Cuisine With Unique Sake Pairings in Soho
Review: Momoya Offers Modern Japanese Cuisine With Unique Sake Pairings in Soho
April 18, 2024

Off bustling Prince Street on the corner of Mulberry, you’ll find  Momoya SoHo, an uber-chic Japanese restaurant offering sushi specialties and a vast sake selection. 

Luxury Whiskey Tasting Class at The Flatiron Room Murray Hill
Luxury Whiskey Tasting Class at The Flatiron Room Murray Hill
April 3, 2024

Each month, The Flatiron Room Murray Hill hosts a fun and informative whiskey-tasting class held in a private event space with rotating expressions and taught by whiskey sommelier Sarah Valvo. 

Review: The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel Offers New Happy Hour With a Stellar View
Review: The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel Offers New Happy Hour With a Stellar View
March 20, 2024

The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel recently launched its brand new happy hour, giving guests deals on food and drinks while offering some of the best views of the city.

Review: Cedars Steaks & Oysters at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut
Review: Cedars Steaks & Oysters at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut
February 21, 2024

If you’re craving American steakhouse eats served in a relaxed setting, Cedars Steaks & Oysters at Foxwoods Resort Casino is a great choice. Whether you’re taking a break in between gaming or grabbing a bite before a big show at the Premier Theater, this timeless hotspot won’t disappoint. 

Review: Boyz II Men Swoon The Audience at Foxwoods Resort Casino
Review: Boyz II Men Swoon The Audience at Foxwoods Resort Casino
February 14, 2024

Over the weekend, Boyz II Men took the stage at the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut and captured the crowd with their romantic hits and more. 

The Standard Grill Hosts New Monthly Wine Dinner Series in Meatpacking
The Standard Grill Hosts New Monthly Wine Dinner Series in Meatpacking
February 12, 2024

The Standard Grill in New York City’s trendy Meatpacking district recently launched its brand new wine dinner series which kicked off at the end of January. On the last Wednesday of each month, the bustling American bistro welcomes 20 guests in its wine room located off the main dining room.

Review: Sake No Hana: Modern Japanese Cuisine Served in a Swanky Setting on the Lower East Side
Review: Sake No Hana: Modern Japanese Cuisine Served in a Swanky Setting on the Lower East Side
January 17, 2024

Head over to Moxy Lower East Side, where you’ll find Sake No Hana, a stylish Japanese restaurant. Located on the lower level of the hotel, you'll step down the cascading stairway to find yourself in the lounge area with comfy, intimate seating, candlelit tables, and an illuminated bar. Here, you’ll also find the hostess stand where you’ll check in for your table. Heads up: you will need a reservation to get one. 

Review: Midnight Plus One: Nolita's Underground Italian Bar Serving Late Night Cocktails, Crudo, and Live Music
Review: Midnight Plus One: Nolita's Underground Italian Bar Serving Late Night Cocktails, Crudo, and Live Music
December 29, 2023

Delicious Hospitality Group, who brought us Charlie Bird and Pasquale Jones recently opened its brand new concept in Lolita called Midnight Plus One. A cocktail lounge paired with a crudo bar and live music venue, Midnight Plus One offers the perfect go-to for the after-dinner crowd. 

Review: Théâtre XIV and Cocktail Magique Theatre: Two Captivating Spaces for Fun Shows and Sultry Sips in Bushwick
Review: Théâtre XIV and Cocktail Magique Theatre: Two Captivating Spaces for Fun Shows and Sultry Sips in Bushwick
December 19, 2023

If you’re looking for exceptional shows in anything but ordinary settings, both the Théâtre XIV and Cocktail Magique in Bushwick will surely do the trick and then some.

Review: Mesiba's Israeli Cuisine Served in a Lively Williamsburg Setting
Review: Mesiba's Israeli Cuisine Served in a Lively Williamsburg Setting
December 8, 2023

Located on the lobby level of the always popping Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg hotel you’ll find Mesiba, a Tel Aviv-inspired restaurant with a name that translates to “party” in Hebrew. The concept comes from the lifestyle consulting and management agency, Bar Lab Hospitality, and its founding partner Elad Zvi's nostalgia for the various flavors Israeli food has to offer.

Review: POPULAR Serves Authentic Peruvian Cuisine in a Lush Setting
Review: POPULAR Serves Authentic Peruvian Cuisine in a Lush Setting
November 22, 2023

Inside the Lower East Side's super sleek Public Hotel, you’ll find POPULAR, a tree-lined Peruvian restaurant that is a must-try. Enter through the hotel's main entrance and walk back past the iconic glowing elevators. Here is where you’ll find a tropical oasis with lush greenery and tan accents that have you believing you’re anywhere but in New York City. 



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