Manhattan brings lavish luxury to hospitality and culinary scenes

With a substantial increase in tourism expected yet again this season and in the year to come, it's no wonder ambitious developers are building hotels and star chefs are opening refined restaurants. Of course, in New York, every new hotel is styled in luxury and every new menu promises a unique fusion of flavors. Here is an overview of some of Manhattan's newest accommodations and culinary delights. The Four Points Soho Village will be at 66 Charlton St. between Varick and Hudson Sts. Buzz about Robert DeNiro's Downtown Hotel at 377 Greenwich St. continues, with opening scheduled for 2008. The ultra-luxe Mondrian Hotel will soon grace SoHo, at 150 Lafayette St. A brand new W Hotel will come to 123 Washington St., with a Sheraton slated for 217 Park St. Also in the ever-transforming Financial District, Hampton Inn will open at 320 Pearl St. and Wyndham Garden at 20 Maiden Ln. When it comes to eating well, New York's restaurant scene is beyond compare. Exciting new restaurants continue to crop up all around Manhattan. From Laurent Tourondel, famed chef who boasts a myriad of bistros across the city, the newest edition is BLT Market, located just off Central Park South at 1430 Sixth Ave. Ian Schrager's Gramercy Park Hotel welcomes Northern Chinese food restaurant Wakiya to 2 Lexington at 21st St. The Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery, opened its new restaurant, Gemma, another Italian favorite. Chelsea's Texas-themed restaurant, Hill Country, is at 30 West 26th St., between Broadway and Sixth Ave. Borough Food and Drink serves classic New York recipes made from local ingredients at 12 East 22nd St., between Broadway and Park. Spanish tapas restaurant Pamplona opened at 37 East 28th St., between Madison and Park Ave. South. First season "Top Chef" winner Harold Dieterle has a new American restaurant named for an aromatic Asian herb, Perilla, at 9 Jones St. The Italian menu at Pó, 31 Cornelia Street between Bleecker and West 4th, promises classic pasta with a Greek twist. Cuban food is served at the aptly named Socialista, 505 West St. between Horatio and Jane Sts. Centro Vinoteca, opened by chef Anne Burrell, protégé of Mario Batali, serves robust Italian fare at 74 Seventh Ave. South. Mexican home cooking has never been more savory at Los Dados, 73 Gansevoort St., across from the soon-to-open High Line. Desserts are irresistible at Tailor, 525 Broome St., along with the new Soho restaurant's ambiance, which includes Paul Smith upholstered walls and lower level lounge. Manhattan is always cooking up something special, and even the most discriminating palates will be delighted by this season's new dining options. Opulent new hotels with deluxe accommodations will welcome tourists in high style, ensuring a relaxing stay in the city that never sleeps. Faith Hope Consolo is the chairman of the Retail Leasing and Sales Division at Prudential Douglas Elliman, New York, N.Y.