Walking around NYC I came across a variety of elaborate gardens that allowed me to transition from the “concrete jungle” to a more green haven. Keep your eye open as you never know where you will encounter a small square footage of life. I found this one in May 2013 in LES
and this one more recently in Brooklyn
This time last week, I really didn’t know too much about Switzerland or the Swiss culture other than the K-Swiss sneakers I had to have in Middle School and my admiration for the hot and talented Roger Federer. The closest I came to traveling there, was my layover in the Zurich airport (the landscape that I flew over was gorgeous!) on my way to Finland. Celebrating Swiss National Day in the Central Park Zoo, I learned that the Swiss culture as an entirety embodies the cultures of its bordering countries – Germany, Italy and France – with these other countries having influence over their food, their wine and their language – no wonder Roger can speak 5 languages!
At Swiss National Day, many came out to bask in their Swiss pride sporting many variations of red attire. I was in my glory not having to go too far from home (just another borough) to feel like I was abroad in Europe. Individuals with Swiss accents were queuing up for a dish (or 2) of their favorite native food from the food tasting prepared by Reto Mathis of MATHIS FOOD AFFAIRS. Non-English speaking natives flocked to the wine tasting tables to sample wines that were similar to Rieslings, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noirs. A few of the many dishes they had that we tasted were the Veal Zurichoise w. Rosti {a mushroom sauce and potato latke}, a pretzel, and a cheese tartlet {above}. 
Since recently
beginning to train for the Marine Corps Marathon, my body has been craving yogurt so I was really drawn to this “parfait” (as I incorrectly continued to called it) which was amazing. AND to add to the list of things I learned that night it isn’t really a parfait but a Switzerland invented Muesli!
A NYC event wouldn’t be complete without the adorable children’s activities {above} and some activities for the grown ups – opportunities to play dress up Swiss style clothing and contribute to the Swiss economy here in the States through their silent auction {below}.
AND of course a trip to the Zoo wouldn’t be complete without a Sea Lion show. Children and adults alike enjoyed watching their cute antics of jumping, clapping and splashing around in the water.
It was a fun, cultural and learning experience and fabulous way to spend a beautiful Summer evening. Thank you Swiss Benevolent Society for sharing your world with us.
When I think of the name Economy Candy, I think of economies of scale = large quantities, and that is exactly what this store is. This old candy store on Rivington in LES has been around since 1937 selling 
candy upon candy. Anything you can think of, they have. Hand dipped chocolates, nuts of all kinds, every flavor of M&M’s and jelly beans – and of which they have sugar free and kosher varieties of all of these. All the colors from the different candy boxes make it seem like you’re in the middle of a beautiful piece of graffiti. But what I enjoyed most about the store is their wide selection of the candy that we had growing up. For exactly, they have Pez candy and dispensers in all sizes and characters; they have Sugar Daddy’s; they have Nerds and they even have Nik L Nips! It’s a fun fun store to 
peruse through their stock candy displayed from floor to ceiling AND a great store to pick up a novelty gift for someone. 
A few weeks ago, I attended the Saturday session of the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor’s Island. With all of the hype of The Great Gatsby film and the roaring 20’s parties that supported it, I was particular interested to see to what extent New Yorkers would “bring it” for this party and of course they did. As I overheard a guy behind me in line say “It is like playing pretend for grown ups” and that it was. It’s a one of a kind event and not one to miss. This was the 8th annual event and if you’ve never been, I recommend that you attend a party to check it out for yourself.
We were able to take a free ferry from BK Heights to Governors Island where the eating, drinking, dancing and socializing began at 11am. I took my fair share of photos to post here on the blog until of course I saw THE man himself and thought there is no way I can compete with Bill Cunningham. Although I included a small collage of the pictures that I took, rather than give any further details of the day, I will do him the honors of allowing him to shine with what he does best in his “Flapper’s Delight” story in the NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/video/2013/06/21/fashion/100000002294752/bill-cunningham-june-16.html
I do have one follow up piece of information. Bill mentions that it costs an entrance fee 
of $30 which you can purchase to enter the grounds. You can do this and bring your own picnic, however, I purchased a ticket through Gilt Group for $50 which included 5 alcoholic drinks (St. Germain was there serving up a sangria and a bubbly cocktail as was Brooklyn Brewery beer) and a lunch box that included a sandwich of your choice, a side salad and a dessert. Look for that deal to come around again for the parties in August.
However, right now Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra are selling tickets to their 4th of July Riverboat Ball where you can drink dance and dine along the Hudson and under the fireworks. (hint: you might even be able to find discounted tickets on Urban Daddy!)
Happy Flapping!
Having lived in Battery Park City for 3 years and having had our wedding hotel, our rehearsal dinner (Stella which is still closed – pictured at right), and our after wedding celebrations (at Meade’s) all take place in South Street Seaport, my husband and I have developed a fond admiration and loyalty to the area. As we all know, many businesses, restaurants and retail stores have suffered huge set backs since Hurricane Sandy, some may never even reopen. It’s really sad to think about the devastation South Street Seaport’s commerce has endured.
Long before Sandy, the Seaport started to undergo major transformation. Development projects improved the waterfront between the Staten Island Ferry and Peck Slip, added dog runs and the “new” Pier 15 featuring a double level observation deck {pictured left} and I’m even hearing about an overhaul to Pier 17’s shopping center.
More recently, in an effort to speed the Seaport’s recovery, the city has made a tremendous effort incorporating their SEE / CHANGE marketing campaign to bring business and patronage back to the area. This campaign will host the Seaport Music Festival F
ridays throughout June; a film series called “Front Row Cinema” during July and August {you can see the screen at the far end of the picnic tables pictured at right}; and currently in full swing – Smorgasbar – another offshoot of Brooklyn Flea’s food vendors where you can get Asia Dog‘s amazing Bulgogi Burger 
(pictured left); not to mention the seasonal Fulton Stall Market and the family friendly Beekman Beer Garden complete with sand and ping pong tables. This See / Change campaign has been revitalizing efforts using similar shipping containers as they had in Brooklyn’s DeKalb Market to house the retail shops and food vendors. South Street Seaport has been a staple and a 
long standing historical area for commerce to NYC. With, of course, the annual River to River Festival there are so many ways to bring culture and consumption to your life south of Canal Street. If you’re looking for some food, some drinks or some free entertainment, please please please don’t hesitate to head downtown. It is so important to keep this historical neighborhood vibrant and healthy!
Memorial Day weekend was made up of many LBT in NY, one of which I almost skipped right over. Somewhere along the line, my partner in crime found out about The 18th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts and put a reminder in his phone just in case we were interested. After our wine tasting class at NY Vintners (more to come on that), we had some time to kill before attending the Mermaid Parade Benefit Concert at the Bowery Ballroom. While having some espresso in the East Village, a reminder for the LES Festival popped up on my husband’s phone calendar and we said “why not”. As we stood in front of this not very uninviting old building, I was wondering where exactly he was taking me and what we were getting into.
What we walked into was the Theater for the New City. The space is a cultural center designed to be used for a wide variety of theatrical performances for the surrounding community.
We found ourselves downstairs in the small basement movie theater watching a documentary film called “It Just So Happens” by Jeff Sumerel about a 74 year old New Yorker’s unhealthy obsession with sex, weather and maps and how he struggles to purge the publications he hoarded from his apartment in an effort to avoid being evicted.
I know you’re probably thinking that I should have never walked in the theater LOL but this short film was actually very cute and very humorous and totally endearing. This “old” man was very cute and you found yourself feeling the struggles of his friend as he did his best to guide and encourage him to clean up his apartment and found yourself gravitating towards the old man’s idiosyncrasies. The film was quite enjoyable AND the 2 men 
happened to be in the audience and stayed for a short Q&A!
Yes we walked out recognizing that the 45 or so minutes we spent in there was very unexpected which is the point of this post – in NY, you never know what you are going to get into which is why you should be open to it all. All sorts of fun is always lurking around in NYC.
As the saying goes, “If we build it, they will come”; it was 
built and they did come to to Brooklyn Bridge Park and the waterfront area. So much as been “built”, that it was jumping Saturday night. As part of the World Science Festival, BBP hosted the “Dance of the Planets: An Evening Under the Stars” in which they brought in telescopes and an astrophysicists to guide you through a visual stimulation of Saturn and planets alike.
It was a gorgeous night to just hang out among the energy of the solar system and the tremendous crowd that congregated for all of the activity of the telescopes and the DJ the World Science Festival brought to accompany the dancing of the stars.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a recipient of one of the 88 artist designed Sing for Hope pianos placed around the city June 1 – 16th. There was no shortage of talent lining up to play a tune or two. Nor was that talent short of an audience to hear what they had to play for us.
It was a gorgeous night to experience all of the things that Brooklyn Bridge Park has built to bring us there including the wine bar and beer garden, the BargeMusic Floating Concert Hall and the new Squib Park Bridge which is more like a swaying walkway that is a shortcut over the BQE that connects the Park to the Promenade.
Although we live close by, it is rare that we would find ourselves in this park 2 days in a 
row – until now. Brooklyn Flea’s Food Market Smorgasburg has a new home on Sunday’s in the old gorgeous Tobacco Warehouse under the Brooklyn Bridge which is exactly where we had lunch Sunday afternoon. (This post is from 2013 and since then Smorgasburg has moved to Pier 5) With vendors from all NYC, there were some vendors we had eaten from before – my husband went straight for the Porchetta Sandwich from Porchetta (see my “porchetta with a hard k” post) and some new ones we were introduced to – I loved the Polish Kimchee Falafel I had from Saucy by Nature. A meal wouldn’t be complete with dessert which included an ice cream sandwich from The Good Batch and a chocolate covered frozen banana from The Big Banana.
While the dancing planets event was a one time occurrence, the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York will be holding solar viewings throughout NYC throughout the summer coming back to BK Bridge Park June 20th.
And should neither Barge Music nor flea market eating be your thing, BBP is showing their Syfy Movies With a View with opening DJ’s beginning July 11th, you can always catch a ride on Jane’s Carousel as well as take advantage of Saturday Kayaking and Sunset Pilates among many other activities along their piers. And should you get hungry, Luke’s Lobster and No. 7 Sub established permanent residence around the corner from Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and other waterfront staples. For some, going to Brooklyn is out of the question but sometimes “a dose of adversity is often as needful as a dose of medicine”.
While whatever we have all thought about 9/11 over the last 12 years has been expressed many times over, a picture is still worth a thousand words that we could never describe verbally. I am, however, very grateful that Memorial Day is not yet a day to celebrate my father, a Vietnam Veteran. I will relish today for the ability to speak to him on the phone.
After an amazing run in the Brooklyn Half Marathon, I was ready to begin my festivities of eating and drinking within the confines of Tribeca greatness. The Taste of Tribeca is like a neighborhood’s Restaurant Week on steroids. In exchange for only $40, the early bird special, you receive 6 tastings of your choice from any of the 75 or so restaurants with a domicile in Tribeca. Attend with a friend and you will have 12 things to try between the 2 of you! Thankfully you had 3.5 hours to this in. Enough time to walk around, allowing time for digestion and to enjoy the music and children’s 
entertainment on hand. Also participating in the Taste of Tribeca were 4 local wine shops that held wine tastings all day. Together, my husband and I mapped out our day; 
we thought we’d have a few bites to refuel us after the run, check out 2 of the 4 wine stores, having the wine act as an aperitif, finish off the remainder of our tastings off with some lighter choices and some dessert and of course head back to the other 2 wine stores for the other wine tastings.
I don’t recall the exact order in which we ate everything so instead I have grouped our tastings into the following categories:
1) fish … 2) vegetarian …
3) meat and poultry …
including a special shout-out to Tiny’s and Warren 77. Due to the rain chasing people away and the 3pm hour upon us, they were away giving complimentary tastes of their Country Pate w/ Grainy Mustard and Duck Sliders w/ Date Pate & Arugula respectively …
and of course 4) dessert …
As I mentioned earlier, we didn’t consume one after another. We did take a food break to check out the wine tastings – most of which was Rose – a perfect summer beverage.
My and my husband’s favorite dishes are each from restaurants that we are aware of but for 2 different reasons had never been to. My favorite was the hamachi taco from Tribeca Canvas. I recently read a not so great review of the restaurant so I wasn’t exactly running there, but I will now! My husband’s favorite was the pastrami sandwich on rye from Kutcher’s Tribeca. Again, we had known of it and always kept it in the back of our minds but when choosing a place to eat, always chose somewhere else. We will surely make our way there sooner rather than later.
My 2 big surprises of the day were: a) the Yorgasm Salad from Yorganic – I had never heard of Yorganic before. I’m always looking for a healthy 
snack and I am already planning to swing by there this weekend after the gym!; and b) the mystery wine bag at Frankly Wines on West Broadway. It is exactly what it sounds like. For $20, you receive a wrapped bottle of wine that you have no idea as to what is inside. It could be a red wine or a white and it could be a $20 bottle or it could be a $80 – it is just that – a mystery.
Thankfully the rain tapered off as we needed to walk off our day of lusciousness and completion.
Table Green Cafe, a Cleaver Co. outpost of The Green Table in Chelsea Market, kicked off their 2nd Summer season of their 2 food kiosks last night in Battery Park. I was invited to sample some of their food and desserts, along with their wine and beer, that they will be serving this summer.
Of the organic and sustainable delights I tried the grilled cheese with ham and pickles, which will be offered at their more lunch / dinner kiosk as well as the ginger snap cookies that will be offered at their more dessert / breakfast kiosk. The main location has a dozen or so tables and chairs to face the river and watch the sun go down. Although slightly chilly, last night was a gorgeous night to do this. Come mid-Summer, the breeze will be perfect.
I know Battery Park is far for most NYers but I can attest, after living there for 3 years, the neighborhood won’t disappoint. Especially in the next couple of months. The River to River Festival, a festival in Lower Manhattan to celebrate artists of all kinds, is from June 15th through July 14th, with many events including dance and music concerts taking place around Battery Park. I imagine food and drinks will eventually be on the brain and the Green Table Cafe is the perfect place to get them.
If you don’t make it to the River to River Festival, Battery Park as I mentioned is a good place to hang. Among the sightseeing other than the Statue of Liberty, the city has installed an East Coast Memorial to honor the 4,601 missing American servicemen who lost their lives in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. It is also building a carousel called SeaGlass with an acquatic theme. Battery Park has become a destination that NYers should take advantage of rather than letting the touists have all of the fun.
Little Big Things in NYC 