Where to Watch the World Series

It’s been six years since the Yankees have made it to the World Series. And so, when the Yanks step onto their still-new field for Game 1 of the World Series tomorrow night, there will certainly be cause for celebration. If you’re not up for shelling out several hundred dollars for tickets, head over to one of these local sports bars for tasty food, drink specials, and a great spot to cheer on the Yankees.

Jack Russell’s Pub: With eleven high-definition TVs scattered throughout the bar area and ten booths featuring their own programmable screens, Jack Russell’s, on 2^nd between 82^nd and 83^rd, is a prime spot for watching the game. A fireplace and dark mahogany booths create a classy, cozy atmosphere, and menu items like mini burgers, jalapeno poppers, and spicy curly fries make perfect game-time fare. Plus, if you get there a little early, you can catch the $4 happy hour drink specials.

The Bullpen: Located on 1^st between 87^th and 88^th, The Bullpen is a tried and true sports bar, with seven HD flat-screen TVs scattered throughout the bar, plus one giant projection screen. The menu features items like Cuban sliders, a pulled pork sandwich, a chicken finger melt, and hot pastrami on rye. Plus, Wednesday nights feature $10 buckets of Bud and Bud Light and all-you-can-eat mussels for $12.

The Stumble Inn: In addition to a clever name, this bar on the corner of 76^th and 2^nd boasts 14 HDTV plasma screens and three big screen TVs; a menu featuring chili, a variety of wraps, and The Stumble Inn’s famous stuffed burger; and drink specials every day of the week.

Kinsale Tavern: On 3^rd between 93^rd and 94^th, Kinsale Tavern is serious about its sports, its food, and its beer. The Irish-themed menu includes Shepherd’s pie and Irish sausages with mashed potatoes, and there is an extensive list of beer, scotch, whiskey, and bourbon.

Ship of Fools: With 42 TVs and 13 big screens, you won’t miss a second of the game if you watch at Ship of Fools on 2^nd between 82^nd and 83^rd. The bar menu includes standard pub fare like quesadillas, potato skins, and chicken fingers, and the following specials are always available: 32 buffalo wings and a bucket of five Miller Lite bottles for $30; bucket of five Miller Lite or MGD bottles for $16.

Let’s go, Yanks!

Way to Pick 'Em

Nothing says fall better than a fresh bushel of sweet, crispy, slightly tart, and very juicy apples—especially when you’ve picked them yourself. But you may have noticed that apple trees are a bit difficult to come by here in the city, and it is not advised to eat anything that grows on the trees in Central Park. So does that mean that you have to forego your own freshly-picked apples this season? Not at all. Here are a few places just outside the city where you can pick apples and get into the feel of fall.

If you don’t have a car, try the following:

Outhouse Orchards: Located in North Haven, NY, Outhouse Orchards features Red Delicious, Macintosh, and nearly ten other varieties of apples, plus pumpkin patches, fresh cider and doughnuts, and a farm with goats and chickens. To get there, just take Metro North to the Croton Falls station stop and then cab it to the orchards. For more information, including hours, click here.

Maskers Orchard: If you have little ones in tow, you may want to consider Maskers Orchard in Warwick, NY, where you can visit baby animals, go on wagon and pony rides, and run loose on 200 acres full of ten-plus types of apples just waiting to be picked. If this sounds like your bushel of apples, take the 196 or 197 New Jersey Transit bus from Port Authority to Willowbrook station in Warwick, and then walk the short half-mile to the orchard. For more information, click here.

Fishkill Farms: At Fishkill Farms in Fishkill, NY, you can pick pears, pumpkins, and fifteen types of apples and then return from the orchards for hayrides, live music, barbecues, a hay maze, and an animal farm. Fishkill also features a farm store with fresh produce, eggs, cheese, pies, and doughnuts. On weekends, a café serves breakfast and lunch made fresh from items from the farm. To get there, take Metro North to the Beacon station, then take a cab to the farm. For more information, click here.

If you do have a car:

Applewood Orchards: Just an hour outside the city, Applewood Orchards is located in Warwick, NY and features eight types of apples for picking, plus pumpkin picking, wagon rides, and herb and rose gardens. On weekends, there are puppet shows and live music, and the farm store offers fresh apple cider, jams, pies, honey, flowers, and more. And did I mention that Applewood also has its own winery? For more information, including hours and directions, click here .

Alstede Farms: Located in Chester, NJ, Alstede Farms has plenty of activities for the whole family, with apple picking, pumpkin picking, an ice cream parlor, hay rides, pony rides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, a hay pyramid, a train ride, and more. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are Family Fun Days, and there will be a Harvest Moon Hayride and Nighttime Corn Maze on October 16, 17, 23, and 24. Click here for more information.

Sun High Orchards: At Sun High Orchards, located in Randolph, NJ, you can pick your own apples and pumpkins, then experience the warmth of a 200-year-old bee-hive oven, visit a mini-donkey and an alpaca, shop in the General Store, and eat homemade ice cream. For hours and directions, click here.

Happy picking!

Pink Inspiration

Almost two weeks ago (sorry for the delay, it’s been a busy fall so far!), a flurry of pink took on Central Park. No, there was not a festival featuring gobs of cotton candy, nor did a little girl’s princess party run wild. Sunday, September 13^th was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a 5K run/walk to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.

As you may recall, I took part in this year’s Race for the Cure as part of Team Caroline, a team put together in honor of my friend Caroline, who’s been bravely fighting breast cancer since this past winter. Our team—Caroline included—met in front of the Museum of Natural History on the morning of the race, feeling invigorated by the gorgeous, sunny weather and the huge crowd that had already arrived.

There were over 25,000 people participating in this year’s race, and everyone appeared to be in the best of spirits, bright and energized and excited to be out in support of such a worthy cause. And there was pink everywhere—pink hats, pink shirts, pink spray-painted hair, pink motorcycles, even a pink dog, as everyone did their best to don the color that represents breast cancer awareness.

As for our team, we were thirteen members strong, and we were ready to get started. After introductory remarks from a group of notables that included Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Paterson, Uma Thurman, Cyndi Lauper, Judge Judy, and Stephen Colbert, the runners began, followed by the walkers.

I and several other team members headed out with the runners, while the rest of the team set out with the walkers. As I ran, I couldn’t help but think how amazing it was that so many people had turned out in support of their friends, family members, and the millions of women who have been affected by breast cancer. Particularly inspiring were the breast cancer survivors, shining brightly in pink survivor t-shirts and hats that showed us all that they had fought breast cancer and won. And I found myself getting chills each time I passed a runner or walker wearing a tribute bib in honor of a friend or loved one who was either currently fighting the disease or who had sadly been taken away by it.

But nothing was more moving than crossing the finish line and then cheering Caroline on as she made her way across. Despite the ordeal she’s been through over the past few months, she crossed the finished line looking fit and fabulous and wearing a huge smile on her face—and that was worth more than all the money raised that day.

I’m proud to say that Team Caroline raised over $2,000 toward the fight against breast cancer. But the Race for the Cure isn’t over yet! Donations toward the race are being accepted until October 31, so please click here if you’d like to donate.

Fashion's Night Out

If you were anywhere in the vicinity of Fifth Avenue last night, you may have noticed that the area was a bit more crowded than usual. Or maybe you noticed that there were glasses of champagne flowing out of nearly every store and live models posing in entryways. What were all the festivities? Last night was Fashion’s Night Out, a global initiative coordinated by Vogue to promote retail and celebrate fashion. And quite a celebration it was, with over 700 retailers and fashion designers in New York taking part—and partying.

From 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., participating retailers were open to the public and essentially hosting a party, with complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, desserts, DJs, and live models. Some stores offered special discounted prices, while others featured guest appearances by celebrities and designers, encouraging shoppers to come out in droves. And that they did. There were young folks and old folks, super trendy design types and business casual office workers, people in flip-flops and jeans and others in cocktail dresses and suits.

I jumped into the mix right at 6 p.m., when I dropped in on Banana Republic. Upon entering, I was informed that all full-price items would be 25% off until 11 p.m., at which point I bypassed the complimentary wine and appetizers and made a beeline for the new fall collection. There were plenty of beautiful items and great deals to choose from, but I decided to refrain from purchasing anything and instead scooped up a few guacamole-covered hors d’oeuvres before heading to Cartier to meet a friend.

At Cartier, the red carpet was rolled out, and guests were greeted by waiters handing out complimentary Cartier-branded champagne as soon as they entered the front doors. I gladly helped myself to a glass and began to browse the dazzling jewelry collection. In addition to the waiters at the door, more came around offering generous refills, while others carried trays of brightly colored macaroons in flavors like chocolate, passion fruit, caramel, fig, and pistachio. We helped ourselves to several before heading back out to explore what other stores had to offer.

In Fendi, there was more complimentary champagne, as well as a sales associate who encouraged us to try on furs that cost more than my parents’ house. Bottega Veneta was a bit quieter, while Escada felt like a dance club, with bright lights, blaring music, and cocktails.

DeBeers had a wonderful selection of finger sandwiches and miniature desserts, and Prada was packed with shoppers taking pictures of the store’s new wolf-themed display, which I found more frightening than fashionable. Next, we attempted to go to Bergdorf’s but were deterred by a line that wrapped all the way to the park. What kind of desserts were they serving in there? we wondered, before discovering that the line was due not to tasty treats but to Victoria Beckham, who was inside signing autographs.

We skipped that line, opting instead for Tiffany’s, where iced tea, coffee, and lemonade were being served alongside delicious petit fours that looked like the store’s signature blue box. On the third floor was a candy bar, where shoppers could fill their own goodie bags with more robin-egg-blue treats.

Beginning to crash from the sugar high that several glasses of champagne and piles of petite desserts are sure to induce, I decided to call it a night after Tiffany’s. But as I left Fifth Avenue, I could tell that, for many shoppers, the night was just beginning. I have no doubt the celebration continued until 11 p.m.—and possibly long after.

And I hope that the success of this year’s event means that they’ll do it all over again next year.

Courtyards, Period Rooms, and Maelstroms...Oh, My!

On a recent Friday afternoon, I finally had the opportunity to head over to the Met to see the newly-completed phase two of the American wing renovation: the Charles Engelhard Court and the American Period Rooms.

Two of the Met’s most beloved staples, the Court and Period Rooms have been under construction for nearly two years. They were finally unveiled this May with the promise that the wait was worthwhile, and, after visiting, I wholeheartedly agree.

Upon entering the Engelhard Court, a friend and I were immediately met with the open, light-filled space for which the pavilion has always been so well known. Yet the post-renovation Court looked even brighter and more impressive than ever before. Light streamed into the majestic space via floor-to-ceiling glass paneling, highlighting the Court’s newly-displayed sculptures, stained glass, and sweeping columns.

On the new main level is the beautiful loggia that Louis Comfort Tiffany designed for his Laurelton Hall estate, while a lower level features the front façade of Martin E. Thompson’s Branch Bank of the United States, which was originally located on Wall Street. Surrounding each of these impressive fixtures is a sculpture collection featuring the works of such renowned American sculptors as Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Paul Manship, and Hiram Powers. Daniel Chester French’s famed Milmore and Melvin memorials are now on the main floor, as are two bronze fountains that are part of the pool’s redesign.

Meanwhile, in the balcony galleries, the museum’s collection of American jewelry, glass, ceramics, silver, and more is brilliantly displayed. There is jewelry by Tiffany & Co., including a flowered coral brooch and earring set that I absolutely loved, silver household pieces by Paul Revere, Jr., and over 200 pieces of pottery that have never before been displayed to the public.

As we made our way from the Court to the Period Rooms, I was impressed by how fluid the setup was, with the Court leading into the Period Rooms, which then very naturally led into one another. Twelve rooms have been completely renovated, and a total of nineteen are now on display. Some of my favorites include the Samuel Hart room from 1680 Ipswich, MA, with its low-beamed ceilings and red, canopied bed; the elegant Baltimore Dining Room from 1810 Baltimore, MD; and the Gothic Revival Library from 1859 Newburgh, NY.

Each period room is like a three-dimensional snapshot of a particular time in American history, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives and styles of the people who once frequented them. I enjoyed slipping into each and imagining what it would have been like to live in, say, the quaint New York Dutch Room, or the stately Verplanck Room. I also enjoyed picking out which pieces of art, furniture, and décor I would like for my own, a task that was greatly aided by the new touch-screen computers installed in each room, providing information about all of the room’s contents at the touch of a button.

After wandering through the Court and Period Rooms for well over an hour, we discovered that it was just after 5 p.m.—the perfect time for a happy hour drink in the Met’s roof garden. We made our way upstairs and found that we were not the only ones who had been lured by the idea of sipping martinis while overlooking Central Park. The sun-soaked roof was packed with visitors eager to welcome in the weekend, to the point where I wasn’t sure if the term Maelstrom referred to the web-like stainless-steel sculpture by Roxy Paine that was sprawled across the roof, or the people who were crowded around, under, and within it. We took a quick walk around the sculpture, gleaming impressively in the early evening sunlight, discovered that there was very little empty space and lots of smokers, and decided to take our happy hour celebration elsewhere.

Despite our disappointment with the roof garden, however, the American Wing left us impressed and inspired—and very eager for the unveiling of the new American Paintings and Sculpture Galleries, scheduled to open in 2011.

Happy Hour...With a Splash of Art

Looking for a new summer happy hour spot? Then you may want to check out several of the museums in our area.

I know, I know—the words “museum” and “happy hour” are not typically used in the same sentence. Museums are serene spots where one can get lost for hours among priceless pieces of absorbing art; happy hour, meanwhile, tends to be a loud and lively event, one where there is also the risk of getting lost if you’ve absorbed too much alcohol.

But happy hour can be classy and cultural, too, as evidenced by the summer events taking place at the following museums.

Museum of the City of New York: The Speakeasy at 1220 Fifth, otherwise known as the Museum of the City of New York’s Fifth Avenue Terrace, is now open on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. For $12 ($10 for members), visitors can enjoy the Terrace-cum-Speakeasy, one free drink, and access to the museum’s first-floor galleries. For more information, click here.

Cooper-Hewitt: The National Design Museum on 91st Street shows that it knows how to design a happy hour event with its Cocktails at Cooper-Hewitt event, taking place on summer Fridays through August 14. From 6 to 9 p.m., listen to the sounds of jazz trio Ed Fuqua Group and enjoy cocktails and light fare at the museum’s Arthur Ross Garden and Terrace. Free with museum admission. For more information, click here.

The Guggenheim: On Friday, August 14, the Guggenheim’s new concert series, kicks off with music from The Walkmen, High Places, and the Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band, and readings from author Colson Whitehead, all hosted by comedian Leo Allen. The event will take place in the museum’s rotunda from 8 p.m. to midnight and does require advance ticket purchase ($40 for members, $45 for non-members). For more information, click here.

MoMA: On MoMa Thursday Nights (now through the end of August), the Museum of Modern Art stays open until 8:45 p.m., providing visitors with the opportunity to browse the collection or venture out to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden for live music, cocktails, and light snacks and desserts (including gelato and sorbetto from New York’s Il Laboratorio del Gelato). Thursdays in August will feature music from China, with performances scheduled for 5:30 and 7 p.m. Free with museum admission. For more information, click here.

The Met: And don’t forget the Met’s Iris and Gerald B. Cantor Roof Garden, where visitors can take in spectacular Manhattan views, cocktails and light snacks, and this summer’s featured work, Maelstrom, a stainless steel sculpture by Roxy Paine. The roof garden is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. For more information, click here.

So go take in the art, the views, and the drinks—just try not to get lost.

Paul McCartney Rocks Citi Field

All you need is love, said The Beatles. And, at Citi Field on Friday night, there was plenty of love in the air, all directed at legendary Beatles alum Paul McCartney as he took the stage for the first-ever show at the Mets’ brand-new stadium. The historic performance was fitting, as The Beatles played the first show at the Mets’ former home, Shea Stadium, in 1965.

McCartney, looking dapper in a tailored black suit and a pair of skinny black suspenders, was clearly in awe when he came onstage to a frenzy of cheers and whistles from his eager audience. After opening up with the classic “Drive My Car,” McCartney reminisced about that first show at Shea, telling the audience how bad the acoustics were on account of the shaky sound system and the overwhelming screams of even more overwhelmed female fans, and explaining that the fab foursome couldn’t hear what they were playing.

Luckily for the more than 42,000 fans gathered in the audience for McCartney’s performance on Friday—of which I was one, thanks to an early birthday gift from my parents—the acoustics were much improved this time around. “I think we’re going to have fun tonight,” McCartney said before launching into a two-and-a-half hour set that included Beatles classics, favorites from Wings, and highlights from McCartney’s latest album, Electric Arguments.

There were rousing renditions of “Jet,” “Band on the Run,” and “Dance Tonight” and lively versions of “Got to Get You Into My Life,” “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” and “Paperback Writer.” The crowd went crazy for classics like “The Long and Winding Road,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “A Day in the Life” and “Let It Be,” and everyone was blown away—quite literally—by a performance of “Live and Let Die” that featured a surprise eruption of fireworks from behind the stage, followed by the always powerful “Hey Jude.”

McCartney got choked up while playing “Here Today,” a sweet and moving song he wrote after John Lennon’s death, to a photo montage of Lennon on the stage’s main screen. There was also a tribute to George Harrison, during which McCartney played the opening chords of Harrison’s “Something (In the Way She Moves)” on a ukulele that Harrison had given him and explained that Harrison was “really quite good” on the instrument. Both tributes made it evident that McCartney viewed Lennon and Harrison as not just band mates and fellow musicians, but as beloved friends. The most touching dedication of the evening, however, was to McCartney’s late wife, Linda, for whom he played the touching “My Love.”

Throughout the show, McCartney took time to share stories and anecdotes with the audience. He talked about that first performance at Shea, his days as a Beatle, and his memories of his former band mates, as well as other notable artists. In one particularly memorable story, McCartney recounted how, just a few days after the release of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album, Jimi Hendrix opened a show at which McCartney and Harrison were in attendance with his own version of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” which he had rehearsed only minutes before the show began. Hendrix then called Eric Clapton, also in attendance, onstage to tune his guitar. The memory was clearly a fond one for McCartney and, as he shared this story and others, the Citi Field audience put its cheers on hold in reverential silence that made it clear we were all hanging on McCartney’s every word.

The cheering always resumed, though, and at no point was it more thunderous than during McCartney’s dynamic encore. After taking a bow alongside his incredibly talented band, McCartney walked offstage only to return a few minutes later and play for at least another half hour. He did “Day Tripper” and “Lady Madonna” before being joined onstage by surprise guest Billy Joel, whom McCartney had joined last year when Joel played the last show at Shea. The pair played “I Saw Her Standing There,” Joel on the piano and McCartney on guitar, before Joel took a bow and McCartney resumed his encore with “Yesterday,” “Helter Skelter,” “Get Back,” and, finally, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” He then graciously thanked his band, his crew, and his audience before exiting the stage one last time to an explosion of red, white, and blue confetti that flurried throughout the stadium.

And his audience left Citi Field amazed, astounded, and honored to have been part of such an historic event and impressed, not only with McCartney’s skill, but with his kind, down-to-earth demeanor and affable stage presence.

Needless to say, we were all glad for the advancements in sound system technology that have been made since that first show at Shea.