India, Dec. 16 -- "The Mark is a landmark," said Martha Stewart. "It has the best artichokes in New York City, which I come to eat at least once a month."

High praise, from the high priestess of entertaining, but unsurprising considering the Mark's stature in New York hospitality, and the white-glove niche it has come to occupy in the city's social imagination, as well as its mythology.

Stewart had come to celebrate the publication of "The Mark," the latest addition to Assouline's Hospitality Collection. Ideal gifts for both seasoned and aspiring travelers, the collection includes "Belmond Splendido: The Radiant Stage of Portofino", "La Colombe D'Or", "Raffles" and "The Connaught." Naturally, the Mark stands out as a New York institutio...