Living at 555TEN means waking up in the middle of the most exciting city on Earth, where everything, from theater to pastries, is world-class. Take, for example, nearby Carlo’s Bakery, where Manhattanites have been enjoying classic Italian pastries and elegant cakes for over a century. Residents of the Midtown West apartments at 555TEN are less than a 10-minute walk away from this “Cake Boss”-approved bakery. Come with us as we explore the past and present of this iconic New York institution:

Family-Owned Excellence
Carlo’s Bakery was founded in Hoboken, N.J., in 1910 by Carlo Guastaffero, who ran the bakery for 44 years before selling to Bartolo Valastro Sr. in 1964. When Valastro passed in 1994, his wife Mary and their three children took over the business and began to expand it across the country and across the hemisphere, opening locations in Las Vegas, São Paulo, Brazil, and, of course, on Eighth Avenue in Manhattan. Valastro’s son and namesake, Bartolo “Buddy” Valastro Jr., is now the shop’s master baker and the face of Carlo’s, hosting TLC’s show “Cake Boss” and appearing on Food Network and NBC’s “Today,” where viewers voted his cake the best in America.

Tradition Meets Innovation
From classic cannoli to Americanized sfogliatelle (filled pastries sometimes called “lobster tails”) to good old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies, Carlo’s has trays of fresh-baked sweets for sale all day. The shop also features a line of cupcakes, with favorites including red velvet and carrot cake, as well as the Eastern European treat rugelach, which resembles a croissant filled with cream cheese and nuts. And, of course, Carlo’s serves delicious cups of coffee to wash down these goodies.

The “Cake Boss” Earns His Title
But if you’re heading to Carlo’s, chances are it’s for the shop’s legendary cake offerings from the “Cake Boss” himself, “Buddy” Valastro. The bakery’s wedding cakes are things of beauty, and range in size and style from smaller modern varieties to extravagant vintage centerpieces decked out in multicolored icing flowers. Carlo’s also offers a wide range of pastries for other occasions, with a line of desserts that includes a cake shaped like a bottle of whiskey, and another that looks like a stack of waffles, complete with a hovering bottle of syrup drenching the top in chocolate frosting. Carlo’s Bakery is also the perfect place to grab a cake for a gender reveal party or child’s birthday, with a line of children’s cakes featuring intricate jungle and fairy tale scenes.

Image courtesy of © Carlo’s Bakery

Just blocks away from the luxury rentals at 555TEN sits Pier 81, one of NYC’s newest entertainment destinations. This fleet of floating venues docked on the Hudson River offers a unique vantage point from which to enjoy the city. Reminiscent of many of your favorite rooftop hotspots, this waterfront social scene promises something out of the ordinary, and is sure to make your Valentine’s night one that you will not soon forget. Take in the views of Lower Manhattan, indulge in a four-course sit-down dinner, and elevate your basic Valentine’s “dinner and drinks” to a whole new level.

With Pier 81 so close to the Midtown West apartments at 555TEN, you’ll eventually want to take in all it has to offer. Head over for a casual afternoon excursion aboard the North River Lobster Company to crack lobsters and have a few beers on Manhattan’s only floating lobster shack. Or bring the entire firm, or even a few dozen friends, for a chartered event aboard the World Yacht Duchess: a blank canvas upon which to plan the ultimate luxury party on the water. However, for the sweetest day of the year, you’ll want to book a cruise for yourself and that someone special aboard Hudson’s.

The newest edition to the Pier 81 fleet, Hudson’s is a 161-foot, three-story floating seafood lounge and rooftop bar. Commissioned in the summer of 2017, this 10,000-square-foot yacht boasts 360 degree views and offers a decidedly “out of city” experience. It all begins with your 5:45 pm boarding. Enjoy sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres as you await your departure at 7. Or, indulge in one of Hudson’s creative cocktails, like the Rye of the Storm, made from Hudson Manhattan rye, oleo saccharum, grapes, strawberries, Royal Ginger KomBrewCha*, and mint.

Once out on the water, you’ll enjoy Hudson’s fabulous “Harvest-to-Harbor”menu: a four-course meal made from local, seasonal Hudson Valley ingredients. The appetizer, entrée, and dessert are your choice. Winter offerings include a starter course of selections such as pan-seared baby lamb chops with fire-roasted tomato and salsa verde, or grilled delicata squash with maple lime vinaigrette, chili flakes, and pomegranate. For your main, we recommend the braised short rib with celeriac puree, baby carrots, and asparagus, or the delectable wild mushroom pappardelle and roasted tomatoes, wild mushroom ragout, baby kale, parmesan, aleppo pepper, and tomato oil. And while dessert offers three choices, for us, on Valentine’s Day, there’s no competing with the chocolate ganache of double chocolate, raspberry sauce, and fresh berries.

Take an after-dinner drink up to the open deck. The bracing February air will quickly be calmed to a breeze as you sip a Hull of a Mulled Wine (steamed red wine, pama liqueur, agave, lemon, cinnamon, clove, and orange) or a Campfire, made with espresso, Kahlua, Bailey’s, Praline, mole bitters, topped with just the right amount of whipped cream. At around 8 pm, be sure to catch the ultimate view of Lady Liberty as the captain slows the vessel for your viewing pleasure before you move to the lounge for a final round and the sounds of a live DJ. Linger for a while after you dock to stroll along the waterfront and take in one more glimpse of city lights glimmering on the water.

For an unforgettably romantic Valentine’s Day, there’s no better choice than an evening at Pier 81.