Sweet and Midtown

From 8:30 until 11 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, the lounge at Brasserie 8½ becomes After 8.5, a dessert bar that the restaurant launched in mid-June. A bevy of sweets from pastry chef Martin Howard are on the menu, including a sampling of cupcakes (red velvet, berry vanilla, devil’s food, and banana praline), milk-chocolate cannoli, and other tempting choices such as a trio of brownies (peanut butter, walnut, and German chocolate). Special sweet cocktails, dessert wines, and champagne are offered as pairings.