summer doesn’t have to end so soon…

Posted on September 5, 2012 by cara protzko

Fashion Week kicks off tomorrow; the students having been filtering back into the city and taking over the subways; the US Open is coming to the end of its 2012 season; and Summer Friday’s no longer exist.  It all sounds so depressing.  Ok that may be a little extreme but if you’re like me, you are so sad to see the summer come and go.  The positive outlook is that we still have plenty of sunshine and jacket free warm days ahead of us.

My husband recently saw that Eater reviewed Brooklyn Crab and thought I had already posted this post (since I had it on my mind to do so) and was proud that I had beat the NYMag to it – unfortunately I did not, but I can say “it’s all about timing” as Brooklyn Crab is the perfect way to relish the last few days of good weather and to keep the Summer going a few more weeks before the Fall season is upon us.

BK crab barBrooklyn Crab has a main level out door patio adjacent to an 18-hole miniature golf course, 3 cornhole courts – perfect for kids to run around while you eat as well; as well as two decks (one for the bar and the other for the dining room) both of which have descent views of the New York harbor – a useful tool to help pass the time away and avoid being frustrated by the slow service.

BK Crab RoyaleThe menu, of course, is of a seafood fare with a descent raw bar and dishes that are either fried or steamed.  Jayson and I shared the Brooklyn Crab Royale for 2 which was more than enough for both of us and probably one of the “healthier” choices from the menu.  Although the food satisfied my craving for beach town eating, it didn’t exactly satisfy my low pricing expectations of a no-frill fish shack – be prepared to spend more than you had hoped to.

BK crab usBrooklyn Crab is located in Red Hook, Brooklyn across the Street from the Fairway, so not easily accessible if you don’t have a car.  However keeping with the boating / summer state of mind, you can take the IKEA NY Water Taxi which drops you off a few blocks away!

Brooklyn Crab, if anything, is a great place to hang by the water, grab a few drinks, play some mini golf and eat from their raw bar.  It could be a great date destination as you take the water taxi and watch the sunset – maybe even crack a few crab legs together.

Please contact me if you need any other ideas to help make your summer last a few more weeks.  Happy September!

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diner en blanc

Posted on August 19, 2012 by cara protzko

(8/22/12 – and now for my full report)   By now, you’ve probably seen a ton of press regarding Monday night’s flash mob secret all white dinner party.  My report is that yes, it was THAT exciting, it was THAT elegant and it was THAT fun!

gear    us

We prepared for days – choosing out outfit, buying groceries, renting our table and chairs, even purchasing dinnerware and finally cooking.  We arrived at our meeting place in Tribeca on time at 5pm to find Susan our group leader whom, at the time, was still in the dark as to our dining location. Just before our departure time from our meeting place, Susan’s leader informed her as to where we were going – still not informing us.  All we knew is that we were getting on the last car of the 1 train headed uptown.  As most of the NY metro area now know, our secret dinner destination was Lincoln Center, perfectly suited for this French avant-garde very chic event as it’s the new heart of NY Fashion Week.

main courseWe quickly set up our dinner table and 4 course meal (salad, shrimp cocktail, cauliflower mash, roasted asparagus & carrots, scallops for me, duck breast for Jayson, and finally pastries from Citarella) jumping on the long line to pick up our pre-ordered bottles of wine.  Dinner and drinks abound, 3,000 Diner en Blanc participants moved into fun conversation with our dining neighbors and dancing to the DJ’s high energy songs under the light of the NYC sky.

LC      dancing

We had a great time getting to know and sharing our dinners with the random strangers that we blindly and inadvertently chose to sit with.  This annual event was everything I thought it would be and look forward to taking part in it next year.

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indoor rock climbing

Posted on August 17, 2012 by cara protzko

auto belay BK bridge climbI purchased a Bloomspot deal to Brooklyn Boulders almost a year ago and finally cashed it in last weekend.  The package included the Learn the Ropes class, 2 – one day passes with all of the gear and a drink (non alcoholic) for both Jayson and I.  We had read all of the FAQ’s and were prepared for it all.  We were the only “students”  in our 11am class which of course I loved – one on one attention and going straight for the meat of the lesson.  This guy was great, he played into the husband – wife thing and within minutes we were belaying away our fears from 12 – 15 feet above.  Although, the FAQ’s recommended that you come alone, climbing encourages communication and a whole lot of trust and I recommend climbing with a significant other.  Not too many “dates” can bring you together like fear and/or trust in the other persons rope.

With our homemade kale, apple  and beet juice waiting for us in the provided lockers, it is a great way to spend a rainy (or hot and muggy) day.  I thought that I’d get bored quickly, but really there are so many different “climbs” to tackle on just one wall.   And then there are the automatic belays and the walls that you can climb without ropes.  Should you not want to climb, there is a ping pong table, yoga class (which you will for sure need after a day’s worth of climbing) and even a section to screw around on a tight rope and gymnastic rings.

As always in NYC get there early or go during the week (I believe they are open until midnight).  Happy Climbing!

feel free to contact me for any other suggestions for fun dates.

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sleep no more

Posted on August 10, 2012 by cara protzko

snmI had seen Sleep No More (ok “seen” isn’t the most accurate description), more like attended the Sleep No More show shortly after it first opened in March 2011, knowing that it wasn’t going to be in NYC too long.  I walked out of there energized and ecstatic – it was and still is the coolest, most unique show I’ve ever seen.  I haven’t thought too much about this off broadway experience until last night when my co-worker had asked me if I had “heard” of it, that she was going and was apprehensive as to what she was getting into.  Rightfully so, as there are very few photos or videos of what it’s really about.  I was SO excited for her, and reassured her that she is going to LOVE it – and she did!

Punchdrunk, an English theater company, has meticulously reformed the old McKittrick Hotel which has been an old Chelsea warehouse since the 1930’s, into the fictional 6 floor “McKittrick Hotel” in which actors rush in and out of the various rooms, throughout the hotel, beautifully (and sometimes erotically) performing scenes from Macbeth.  The masked and silenced audience is encouraged to experience the “show” with all 5 of our senses (although I did read that some things could be ingested, I wouldn’t recommend it).

It is based on the story of Shakespeare’s Macbeth mixed with the “darker psychosexual corners” of Hitchcock with references to his Vertigo and a touch of “Eyes Wide Shut”-esqness.  A little history, for you…. according to the blog Scouting NY, the original hotel “was completed in 1939 and was intended to be New York City’s finest and most decadent luxury hotel of its time. Six weeks before opening, and two days after the outbreak of World War II, the legendary hotel was condemned and left locked, permanently sealed from the public”.

All of these years later, the hotel has been restored and each room is staged to support some performed scenes of Macbeth.  The audience is encouraged to immerse themselves into the detailed theatrical rooms by opening drawers, peering into boxes and touching the furniture, all while eerie music is playing in the background.

I recently read that has extended its performances from its “limited engagement” and are now selling tickets through November 3rd (possibly longer).   For those of you that know all about it and have experienced it – experience it again – and again! For those of you who don’t really know what it’s all about – go experience it before it’s too late!  There is SO much to experience, you can’t experience it all in just one visit.

Oh and remember – you can’t talk!

If you need another fun out of the box suggestion, don’t hesitate to contact me…..

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joseph leonard

Posted on August 1, 2012 by cara protzko

Thank goodness for NYC brunch.  I lived in Boston for 8 years and brunch isn’t something that is necessarily “done” there.  As all New Yorkers know, brunch in NYC is the perfect way to spend the day of rest – hanging out with friends, having a light afternoon cocktail.

This past Sunday, Jayson and I made our way to Joseph Leonard for brunch.  We’ve been to Fedora and loved it but haven’t been to Joseph Leonard.  We arrived to a 30 minute wait – not too bad.  The waitress took our mobile number and gave us full rein to leave the premises to wander and she called when our table was just about ready.

We had strolled over to Jeffrey’s Grocery with the intent to pick up something for dinner later on.  We hadn’t been there for a good few months but had remembered that they had a refrigerated display case of prepared food for those that didn’t want to wait for a table.  Apparently it had been a year since we had strolled by because they removed that part of the business to add more tables and expand their menu – and business (and future business) is what they received from us.  Although we had a glass of Brut, we wished we had the “Bloody Caesar” that the gentleman sitting next to us was drinking.  It comes with an artichoke, a clam and a shrimp! It looked delicious!  Also on the menu was a Maine Crab & poached egg dish that also looked amazing.  Sticking to the plan we returned to Joseph Leonard but made a promise to ourselves that we’d be back to Jeffrey’s Grocery for brunch another day.

josephleonard(photo courtesy of nymag.com) I didn’t realize how small Joseph Leonard was.  I think it probably only has about 50 seats.  We were lucky to be sat in the back in a cozy corner at the “chef’s table” which is always nice to be able to chat with the cook and have your food served directly from him to you.

Now – let me preface, we ordered very typical items for both of us and I was very curious as to what the hype was about this place.  One reason it has taken us this long to check out Joseph Leonard is because I thought it was just another “see and be seen” hot spot in the West Village.  Conclusion?  It is by NO MEANS a typical brunch and I will make sure I am seen there more often!

Everything went that extra step to satisfy every taste bud in our mouths with just one bite.  We DEVOURED all of it and enjoyed it so much that I forgot to take pictures of what we were eating.

friedchickensandwich(photo courtesy of sweetcarolineinthecity.com) Jayson ordered the fried chicken sandwich (shocker!) and on it was mayo, tabasco, honey and bread and butter cucumbers.  He also ordered a side of the bacon which was also fried and drizzled with honey and tobacco.  The chicken and the bacon looked like it was burned or over fried by the dark-colored crusting of it.  NOPE it was perfect! A perfect combination of sweet, salty, citrus and just enough bun to keep it all together! YUM!

srirachabrusselssprouts(photo courtesy of chubbyhubby.com)  I ordered the grilled chicken salad with the mustard vinaigrette dressing on the side (I know – another shocker!) and the side of sriracha brussel sprouts.  For those of you that don’t know what sriracha is, it is a Vietnamese red hot sauce almost as thick as ketchup.  It’s sold in a most grocery stores.  My salad was so flavorful, it really only needed a tiny bit of the dressing. And brussel sprouts tasted just like what Jayson makes at home.  Cooked to the perfect crunch, not too hard and not too soft.

As you can tell I am so excited about this meal and can’t wait to go back for dinner.  I’d love to hear what restaurant exceeded your expectations or email me for another suggestion that I can’t wait to get back to!

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restaurant week summer 2012

Posted on July 28, 2012 by cara protzko

I usually don’t participate in Restaurant Week because I rather not be limited to any particular menu options.  I feel if I’m going to pay to eat at the restaurant, I want to choose the most popular dish or the dish that the restaurant is known for.

However, I had been to Ai Fiori in the Setai Hotel for drinks with my coworker and he raved about how good his dinner was at Ai Fiori a few months prior.  We agreed to get some food the next time we went out for drinks. Coincidentally, Ai Fiori participated in Restaurant Week and agreed to go on an “early Summer Friday” for a late lunch.

gazpachoStill craving the “gazpacho” that I had in Spain, I ordered the chilled zucchini soup as my appetizer hoping it would satisfy my palate and it did.  The light texture and the crisp fresh flavor with a drizzle of olive oil on top was perfect for a summer afternoon.  I ordered the skate wing as my entree and I wasn’t disappointed. It again had the perfect texture, not too tender and the white bean puree was tasty.

ai fiori dessertThe pièce de résistance was the dessert.  Between the 2 of us, we ordered both of the choices so that we could try them and we are glad that we did.  They were so good I wanted to dive right in to the center of both of them. The chocolate “tart” had salted caramel center, so gooey and good, with a dark chocolate coating and the other is an olive oil cake with a lemon confit.  It was really hard to decide which one I liked better as they each satisfied the sweet and the savory.

This restaurant wouldn’t be on the top of my list to try out but I am for sure glad that I went.  Great company, good wine and a view of 5th avenue was exactly what the doctor ordered on a rainy summer Friday.

Question: Where did you go for restaurant week?

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anniversary dinner

Posted on July 23, 2012 by cara protzko

Jayson and I recently celebrated our 2nd anniversary with dinner at Saxon & Parole on Bowery.  We had been to the gin based “speakeasy” bar Madam Geneva that is adjacent to restaurant when the restaurant was still Double Crown, but for some reason I didn’t have any interest in having dinner there but had heard many good things about the new and improved menu under S&P so we decided to give it a try.

bardining roomThe front room upon walking in, consisted of a large inviting bar and a tall skinny island separating the bar from a few booths, offering plenty of space to go there just for drinks. The bar area was so inviting and pleasant, you forget that you came to sit down for dinner.  The decor appeared to remain consistent with that of its predecessor’s British and horse stable theme with “weathered wood and whitewashed brick”.  This feel would normally give off a stuffy cold feeling however the fun old rock music encouraged a lighter more fun atmosphere.

S&P served their cocktails in a cute test tube like carafe with a miniature cocktail glass allowing you to pour your own cocktail.  We were ready to order some, but fortunately our friends surprised us with a bottle of rose champagne which was of course “beyond” sweet!

bone marrowChatham codJayson had the bone marrow appetizer (picture on the left) with miso glaze and the steak as his entrée.  Of the two, Jayson preferred the bone marrow.  Although, the miso glaze was a too salty, once he scraped some of it off, the marrow itself was delicious.  I ordered the scallop appetizer with roasted cauliflower puree, golden raisin relish and the Chatham cod in a lobster sauce (picture on the right) as my entrée. The cod was so juicy and flavorful and just tender enough so that it didn’t slide down your throat, there was something there to chew on. I prefer to be able to chew my food and feel all that it is. In contrast, but along the same lines, the scallops were cooked perfectly in that they weren’t too chewy. Both the scallops and the Cod were equally delicious.

All in all, it was a good meal, we enjoyed the atmosphere and if we found ourselves in the neighborhood looking to have drinks we would definitely stop in; however, for an anniversary meal, we are sorry we didn’t step it up for something a bit more decadent …. thankfully we will have another anniversary next year!

Feel free to contact me should you need a suggestion on where to go for your special dinner or are curious as to what other restaurants we had in mind!

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mini broadway performances

Posted on July 16, 2012 by cara protzko

broadway in bryant park(photos courtesy of playbill.com) Beginning this Thursday July 10th through August 14th, from 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Bryant Park is hosting a series of brief performances of Broadway musicals.  This weekly lunchtime fun is hosted by and 106.7 LiteFM includes performances of Pippin, Matilda, Heathers, ONCE and more.  It’s a good excuse to step away from your desk, to get outside and enjoy the sunlight.

For a listing of performances, check out the event schedule here through BryantPark.org

One of these Thursdays, I will step outside to defrost from the powerful A/C in my office and report back my findings of this free lunchtime event.

Interested in seeing a Broadway / Off-Broadway show?  Feel free to contact me for any suggestions or opinions.

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dinner and a movie

Posted on July 5, 2012 by cara protzko
top floor bar

I don’t go to the movies very often, but when I do, my new go-to spot is the NiteHawk Cinema in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  What’s great about this theater is that you can enjoy food and drinks while sitting and watching the movie.  For every 2 seats, there is a table in between large enough for 2 plates and some drinks. The theater seats you 30 minutes before the movie giving you plenty of time to find your seat and to put your order in.

inside 2nd floor bar
inside theater

inside the theater

They have 2 bars, one that is street level with outdoor seating and 1 upstairs inside, offering a place to hang out should you arrive way in advance of the screening or want to grab something else after the movie. They only have a few theaters but they do show new movies.   This cinema also has shows old movies.  Each month, movies are chosen based on a specific theme.  Each month, Friday nights at midnight Nitehawk is screening old movies consistent with a different theme.  For the month of July, the Nitehawk is showing movies specific to what they have chosen as “Hot Summer in the City” screenings.  Saturdays at 12 noon, they screen another set movies.  In July, this theme of movies is “Screaming Technicolor”.

The menu is extensive and the food is good.  They offer entrees for brunch, lunch and dinner.  Nitehawk gets cute with their menu, customizing drinks and food offerings to compliment the theme of the month.

It’s a fun place to see a movie and the $11 ticket price isn’t bad for NYC.

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mind over madness yoga

Posted on June 23, 2012 by cara protzko

broadway Wednesday evening, the first day of Summer, I participated in the Athleta sponsored Solstice in Times Square with thousands of other yogis.  Beginning at 7pm, it was an hour and a half long yoga class set up along Broadway between 43rd and 47th streets – thankfully the sun had already set enough behind the buildings so that we weren’t sitting in the direct sunlight.

meOur class commenced with a shout-out to ourselves as we cheered and aum’d, awakening our minds and our awareness of all of the possibilities in our lives and in our spirit.  As with all yoga practices, the instructor guides you to ignore your crazy world outside of the studio (in this case it was bustling Times Square and the onlookers from the sidewalk and tourist buses) in order to focus on yourself as you transcend and find tranquility. Our class was led by Dana Flynn from Laughing Lotus and she was terrific!  Dana encouraged us to focus on ourselves but to also recognize and to be grateful for where we were, in the middle of Times Square.  As we posed and stretched and strengthened our bodies in the heart of the world, Dana spiritually led us to open our hearts to ourselves, to our friends and loved ones and to embrace opportunities given to us, beginning with the one that was given to us that night.

yoga screenThroughout the class, Dana led us through the basic poses while encouraging us to free our minds and our bodies as we shook our bodies to the fun music DJ Prasanna was playing, dancing and singing freely throughout our poses.

Wednesday night was truly magically and energizing.  I had a great time as I listened to my heart and my body.  This was an experience unlike any other I’ve had in NYC.

If you are interested in watching the live streaming of the night, you can watch it here:  http://livestre.am/3YLrv.  You can also find Dana’s inspirational quotes and play list on her FB page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/cosmicdana

Thank you to Dana Flynn with the help of the Times Square Alliance.  I went home mentally and physically stronger.

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