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: 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. 

Interview: Meet the Team from ODE TO THE WASP WOMAN
Interview: Meet the Team from ODE TO THE WASP WOMAN
November 13, 2023

Ode to the Wasp Woman opens November 9, 2023, and runs until January 31, 2024, at the Actors Temple Theater in New York City. We caught up with playwright and director Rider McDowell, stage manager Matthew Palmer, and actors David Wenzel, Jonathan Hartman, Douglas Davis, and Payton Georgiana to discuss what we can expect, the inspiration, and what's next for the two.  

Review: Todd English's Tuscany at Mohegan Sun offers authentic Italian cuisine in a rustic setting
Review: Todd English's Tuscany at Mohegan Sun offers authentic Italian cuisine in a rustic setting
October 31, 2023

If you’ve been to Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Todd English's Tuscany restaurant. It is hard to miss with its massive rock exterior and cascading waterfall. It’s an impressive space, not only in how it looks but what it offers: upscale authentic Italian fare with impeccable service to match. 

Review: BRIC JazzFest 2023 Opens in Brooklyn
Review: BRIC JazzFest 2023 Opens in Brooklyn
October 20, 2023

Last night marked the official start of BRIC JazzFest in Brooklyn. The weekend-long event is now in its 9th year and runs from October 19-21 showcasing a wide variety of musicians on two separate stages. 

Review: The Shipwright's Daughter Serves Award-winning New American Cuisine in Mystic, Connecticut
Review: The Shipwright's Daughter Serves Award-winning New American Cuisine in Mystic, Connecticut
October 19, 2023

Part of The Whaler’s Inn in Mystic, Connecticut, The Shipwright’s Daughter aims to please locals and visitors alike with its charming nautical vibe and incredible “farm and sea to fork” fare. The venue has won numerous awards, such as Restaurant of the Year with Connecticut Restaurant Associations, and is the 2023 James Beard Foundation Smart Catch Leader, all for good reason. 

Lauryn Hill Celebrates 25 Years at Mohegan Sun
Lauryn Hill Celebrates 25 Years at Mohegan Sun
October 16, 2023

Over the weekend, Lauryn Hill took the stage at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. The performance by the legendary rapper and singer celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Grammy-winning album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Review: Public Display of Affection (PDA) Serves up Veggie-Focused Pizza in Brooklyn
Review: Public Display of Affection (PDA) Serves up Veggie-Focused Pizza in Brooklyn
October 4, 2023

New York is not shy of pizza places by any means. However, many tend to serve up the classic cheese or pepperoni while Public Display of Affection (PDA) is all about its veggies. Chef/owner Robert Guimond -(Speedy Romeo and Jean Georges) teamed up with his sister Emi Guimond to open this Brooklyn eatery back in 2020 to give Brooklyn patrons fresh pizza offerings that are not only geared toward those who love their veggies but who are vegan, too.

Review: Pappardella Serves Authentic Italian on the Upper West Side
Review: Pappardella Serves Authentic Italian on the Upper West Side
September 11, 2023

If you like hearty, home-cooked meals that are consistently good (who doesn't?), then Pappardella is your jam. Located on the Upper West Side close to the Museum of Natural History, this Italian hotspot has been going strong for 40 years, serving its local clientele and tourists, too. 

Review: Elevated sips and plates at the Lobby Bar at The New York EDITION
Review: Elevated sips and plates at the Lobby Bar at The New York EDITION
September 1, 2023

Siting inside Flatiron’s The New York EDITION hotel, the Lobby Bar is pure elegance. Matching the overall stylish and historic feel of the building itself, which dates back to 1909 with its iconic clocktower, this upscale watering hole is one worth checking out.

Review: PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown serves up trendy cocktails with a view
Review: PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown serves up trendy cocktails with a view
August 21, 2023

In the middle of the hustle and bustle, you’ll find PHD Terrace sitting high atop Dream Midtown. It’s a tourist destination for sure, due to its prime location and overlooking Times Square, but one a local can also get behind. 

Review: Alligator Pear is The Garment District's new multi-tiered venue for cocktails and Nola-inspired fare
Review: Alligator Pear is The Garment District's new multi-tiered venue for cocktails and Nola-inspired fare
August 7, 2023

In between the hustle and bustle of Midtown and the large crowds spilling out of Penn Station, you’ll find Alligator Pear. The charming new restaurant is tucked away from the chaos of the area and offers a relaxing but hip getaway that'll take you far away from the city.

Interview: Olivia Atwood Chats About Her New One Woman Show Liv, LIVE
Interview: Olivia Atwood Chats About Her New One Woman Show Liv, LIVE
July 5, 2023

As a comedienne, matchmaker, writer, and fitness instructor, Olivia Atwood is pretty busy. Her latest project, Liv, LIVE, is Atwood's Off-Broadway debut and set to run at the SoHo Playhouse in July. We sat down with Atwood to discuss her unique background, her love for comedy, and her upcoming show we can't wait to check out. 



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