Racing for the Cure

On Sunday, September 13, I’m going for a run in the park. Why have I planned this so far in advance? you may be wondering. Because this won’t be just any run—it will be a race. A Race for the Cure, to be exact.

This September will mark the 26th year that the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure has brought thousands of people together to raise funds in support of the fight against breast cancer. A series of 5K run/walks that take place all over the world, the Race for the Cure is the largest event of its kind, with over one million participants since 2005 alone. This year, the Komen NYC Race for the Cure will take place on September 13 in Central Park, raising money to fund national breast cancer research programs and breast health services in New York City, as well as on Long Island and in Westchester and Rockland counties. And I’ll be participating as part of the phenomenal Team Caroline.

This past February, my good friend Caroline was diagnosed with breast cancer. A healthy and vibrant 28-year-old, Caroline was caught completely off-guard by her diagnosis. Yet she has taken it, not just in stride, but in courageous, awe-inspiring leaps, tackling treatment with grace, wit, and an outlook so positive it rivals most healthy persons’. She has even been keeping a blog—Comedy, Class, and Chemo—where she’s been documenting her treatment in hilarious and heartrending detail.

Just last week, she finished her very last chemo treatment (hooray!), and so a group of us have put together Team Caroline and will be taking on the Race for the Cure in her honor—with her right there with us, as she’ll be participating, too.

If you’d like to participate in this year’s Race for the Cure, there is still plenty of time to register. In fact, if you register before July 15, you’ll save $5 on your registration fee ($25 before the 15th, $30 after). There is no minimum fundraising requirement, and you can sign up as a team or as an individual. And, if you’ll be out of town on the 13th or just don’t think you’ll be able to get out of bed in time for the 9:00 am start time, you can even sign up to Sleep in for the Cure. Click here for more information and to register.

In the meantime, if you’d like to support me and Team Caroline as we prepare for race day, you can do so by clicking here to donate or to join our team.

I hope to see you on race day!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Last weekend, I took off for a long weekend trip, not to the Hamptons or the Jersey shore or any of the other typical get-out-of-the-city-for-the-weekend jaunts that one is likely to hear about now that we’re well into the post-Memorial Day summer season. Instead of hopping on the Hamptons Jitney or the Garden State Parkway, I hopped on a plane to Texas.

Now, the great state of Texas is not necessarily the first place that comes to mind when considering a long weekend—but, after my visit, I’m convinced that it should be. The destination of this particular long weekend was San Antonio, the city in south Texas known for its Mexican heritage, its restaurant-riddled River Walk, and—who can forget?—the Alamo.

When I landed in San Antonio, I received a warm greeting from the locals and an even warmer greeting from the weather. Though it was only early afternoon, temperatures were already in the mid-80s and were expected to climb to 100 later in the day, a welcome respite from the chilly and rainy weather that has plagued New York this spring. I happily shed the sweater I had been wearing on the plane and headed to San Antonio’s downtown area, where I checked into the historic Gunter Hotel before setting out to explore the area.

As I mentioned, one of San Antonio’s most well-known attractions is the River Walk, and for good reason. The River Walk consists of a series of walkways that run along both sides of the San Antonio River one level below the city’s main streets. Connected by footbridges and open only to pedestrians, the River Walk is a picturesque slice of San Antonio, with lush flowering plants dotting the winding paths and towering trees reaching across the lazy river, giving the area a quaint, almost Mediterranean feel in spots. The River Walk is home to dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops, making it popular among tourists and locals alike and the perfect place for outdoor dining—especially if you’re in the mood for Tex-Mex and margaritas, which I certainly was.

While some might tire of Mexican food after a few days, that problem does not apply to me. Over the course of the weekend, I had Grand Marnier margaritas and sizzling fajitas on an upstairs balcony at Café Ole, a River Walk staple whose claim to fame is—no surprise here—margaritas and fajitas. I munched on chips and salsa at most every meal. And I had more margaritas and amazing enchiladas at Mi Tierra, a restaurant/bakery/café in downtown San Antonio that is open 24 hours and features a tequila bar and a display case full of tantalizing Mexican treats, including pastries, sweet breads, and heaps of assorted cookies.

In between eating and strolling the River Walk, we managed to squeeze in a road trip to Austin. Only an hour away from San Antonio, the state capital is a lively city with a vibrant music scene and a hip country feel. Austin also boasts a gorgeous capitol building, and last weekend it featured some sort of biker fest, with gleaming, muscled-up motorcycles and their very colorful riders all over the downtown area. Or maybe that was just typical Austin.

Surrounding San Antonio and Austin is the Texas Hill Country, which is full not only of cattle ranches and family farms, but of crops of wineries as well. On the way back to San Antonio, we first stopped at a farm stand to sample some homemade peach cobbler. Heaped on a paper plate and topped with a large dollop of vanilla ice cream, it was rich and gooey and utterly delicious. Our fingers still a bit sticky, we then managed to visit two or three wineries to do some tasting. There were Reislings and Chenin Blancs, Muscats and Merlots, which we sampled to the backdrop of the rolling Texas hills and sun-drenched fields. We spotted plenty of cattle and various other forms of livestock, and even sipped glasses of wine while spying on a nearby family of cows.

Back in San Antonio, the sun-soaked days gave way to warm, breezy nights, and the sounds of live jazz and roaming mariachi bands brought the River Walk to life. Each night we strolled up and down the meandering walkway before stopping for drinks and jazz at the legendary Jim Cullum’s Landing, founded in 1963 by—you guessed it—jazz great Jim Cullum. It was the perfect way to end a day full of sun, sightseeing, and lots and lots of food.

And Texas, from the San Antonio River Walk and the Hill Country wineries to the bustling streets of Austin and the welcoming heat, proved the perfect way to get away for a weekend—or maybe even longer.

Summer in the Park

Summer is just around the corner, and that means that a slew of fabulous events are right around the corner as well—literally and figuratively—as another season of concerts, comedy shows, orchestra, opera, and, of course, Shakespeare is about to kick off in Central Park. So pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and funnel your favorite bottle of Riesling into a thermos, then head over to the park to check out these fantastic—and, for the most part, free—events.

SummerStage
The 20th anniversary of Central Park’s SummerStage festival kicks off this Friday, June 12 at 8pm with a performance by singer and songwriter Josh Ritter, who will be accompanied by the New York Pops. Here are some more of this season’s highlights:

June 17 at 7:30pm - Readings from bestselling authors Wally Lamb and Zöe Heller
June 19 at 8pm – Comedy night with Gabriel Iglesias and Pablo Francisco
June 25 at 5pm – Reggae with 311, Ziggy Marley, and The Expendables
July 8 at 7pm – Argentinian and Brazilian artists Juana Molina, Curumin, and El G
July 9 at 5:30pm – The unique beatbox sounds of Matisyahu with Umphrey’s McGee
July 13 at 8pm – The Metropolitan Opera’s Summer Recital
July 18 at 3pm – Hip-hop with Q-Tip, Chester French, Little Dragon, and Benji B
August 1 at 7pm – The acoustic sounds of M. Ward and Nels Cline, with Yuka Honda and Dougie Bowne
August 3 at 7:30pm – A music and film screening with Béla Fleck and Toumani Diabaté
August 14 at 8pm – An evening of dance with the Wheeldon Company and musical guest Martha Wainwright
August 16 at 3pm – Alternative rockers Dinosaur Jr., The Walkmen, and Saviours

SummerStage events are held at Rumsey Playfield, accessible by the 69th Street and 5th Avenue entrance to the park. While most events are free, some serve as benefit concerts for the season and do require advance tickets. Click here for more information and the full lineup.

The New York Philharmonic
On Friday, July 17 at 8pm, the renowned New York Philharmonic will perform its annual free summer concert at the Great Lawn bandshell, which is easily accessible by the 5th Avenue entrance to the park between 85th and 86th streets. If you’d like seats near the stage, plan to arrive at least two hours in advance. And be sure to stay until the very end, as a fireworks show will follow the performance.

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts
Located just south of Bethesda Terrace, the Naumburg Bandshell has hosted such legendary performers as Duke Ellington, The Grateful Dead, Irving Berlin, and John Phillip Sousa. This summer the historic spot will host another season of free classical music concerts, all featuring young composers and conductors in an effort to promote new talent. Here’s the lineup:

June 23: The Knights orchestral group with acclaimed violinist Lara St. John Lodin
July 7: The Naumburg Orchestra featuring clarinet soloist Alexander Fiterstein
July 21: The Jupiter Symphony Chamber players featuring clarinet player Vadim Lando and cellist David Requiro
August 4: Grammy-nominated wind quintet Imani Winds

All performances begin at 7:30pm. For more information, click here.

Shakespeare in the Park
Another season of a favorite Central Park event kicks off tonight with the premiere of the legendary bard’s Twelfth Night, starring Anne Hathaway. Twelfth Night runs through July 12, and then Euripedes’ The Bacchae begins August 11 and runs through August 30. Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays at 8pm. Tickets are free and can be obtained starting at 1pm on the day of the performance at the Delacorte Theater, or online via a virtual ticket line. For more information, click here.

Happy summer!

Crumbs Leaves No Crumbs

A few weeks ago, I was charged with bringing dessert to a friend’s dinner party. Though I love to bake, I didn’t have time this particular Saturday afternoon to pull out my mixing bowls and cookie sheets to whip something up. And so I knew exactly where to go: Crumbs.

Crumbs Bakeshop first began serving their Signature cupcakes in 2003, when their Upper West Side location opened. About four years later, I tried my first Crumbs cupcake, and, as I sank my teeth into a soft and spongy chunk of yellow cake topped with a heavenly smear of buttercream frosting, I was hooked.

Now, six years after the original Crumbs opened its doors, I must not be the only one who is hooked, because Crumbs currently has ten locations here in the city—and the franchise is growing like, well, someone who has been chowing down on way too many cupcakes.

At last count, there were three Crumbs Bakeshops on Long Island, two in Connecticut, two in New Jersey, and five on the West Coast, all in and around Los Angeles. Traveling coast to coast like a celebrity who has just hit it big, these are some popular cupcakes—and rightly so.

On this particular Saturday, I made a trip to Crumbs, eager to pick out an assortment of cupcakes to share with friends, some of whom had never tried the rich and creamy deliciousness that is Crumbs before. I walked up to 78th and 3rd—and my jaw dropped in horror when I saw that Crumbs’ Upper East Side location had been boarded up. Utterly disappointed, I was on the verge of shedding tears when I happened to notice a little handmade sign with an arrow pointing to the left. I followed the arrow and, lo and behold, there was a brand new Crumbs just a few doors down.

After shedding tears of joy and relief, I pulled myself together and entered the new Crumbs. The bigger and brighter space lit up the cupcakes, cookies, and other treats, allowing them to be displayed in all their glory. It also afforded room for twice as many tables up front, where patrons can enjoy their treats over Crumbs’ various coffee and tea concoctions. I made my way to the counter and began the arduous task of deciding which of Crumbs’ many cupcakes to choose.

The Crumbs Signature cupcake is a mound of moist cake topped with creamy icing in a variety of lively colors and flavors. At $3.75, it is bigger than my fist (and probably the fists of people who are much larger than me, as well) and the perfect size for sharing—though you’ll surely be tempted to eat it all yourself. My original plan was to purchase three or four of these, to be shared between five people. But when faced with all of Crumbs’ marvelous flavors, I began to second-guess myself.

There was chocolate, vanilla, chocolate-covered strawberry, devil dog, fluffernutter, cappuccino, cookie dough, peanut butter cup, red velvet, vanilla coconut—the possibilities were really endless. My head spinning—and my stomach growling quite loudly—I tore myself away from the oh-so-enticing display counter and instead selected a package of assorted minis.

With twelve pint-sized cupcakes, including a black-and-white, a red velvet, a vanilla coconut, an Oreo cookie, and classic chocolate and vanilla, the pre-assembled pack looked to be the perfect size for our party of five to share—and it was. It was also the hit of the dinner party. After we had all dug in, cutting the tiny cupcakes into quarters so we could each taste a bit of every one, there was not a single crumb left.

But five very happy Crumbs fans remained.

From UES Brasseries to LES Bistros

This past Friday, a group of friends and I decided to venture down to the Lower East Side to check out something called the 2009 Rooftop Films Summer Series. Held on a rooftop either in the LES or Brooklyn, where viewers are invited to get cozy with blankets and picnic fare, Rooftop Films screens a variety of new and independent films, both feature-length and shorts, on a weekly basis from May through September. The event also features live music before the screening, as well as an open bar after. The best part? Tickets are only $9. For that price, we thought Rooftop Films sounded well-worth checking out.

Before heading downtown, I met my friend Ruth at Brasserie 360, the Parisian-themed bar and grill on the corner of 60th and 3rd recognizable for its dark wood exterior and upstairs balcony, as well as its location across the street from both Bloomingdale’s and Dylan’s Candy Bar. Since it was a warm and sunny spring afternoon, we were hoping to sit at one of the front tables, near Brasserie’s wide windows that open out onto the sidewalk. We made our request to the hostess, but it was subsequently denied when we revealed that we were there only for drinks, not dinner, and we instead seated ourselves at the long oaken bar.

Though we weren’t sitting by the windows, we were still able to enjoy the gorgeous afternoon from the bar, as the sun came streaming in and brightened the charming, European-style space. We also enjoyed happy hour prices, which generously allowed us to order glasses of wine from Brasserie’s rather extensive list for just $6 each. While we didn’t order food, we did spy a few dishes that looked quite tasty—including a basket of fries that were mistakenly placed in front of us for just a minute before being tauntingly taken to their proper patrons—and we agreed that we would have to return to Brasserie again for both happy hour specials and dinner.

When we finished our glasses of wine, we hopped on the 6 train to meet friends at the Rooftop Films location, where we were planning to purchase tickets and then pick up sandwiches and snacks for our picnic. We arrived right at 7pm, the time when tickets would be on sale at the door, to find that quite a few people had the same idea as we did. The ticket line stretched around the block, making it clear that we should have ordered tickets online beforehand—or arrived much earlier. Within a few minutes, an announcement was made that all tickets were sold out, but that there might be a few spots available at 8pm, when the doors were scheduled to open, if some advance ticket purchasers didn’t show up.

Rather than wait around for an hour on the slim chance that a bunch of people wouldn’t show, we decided to take the opportunity to explore the Lower East Side, an area I’m not particularly familiar with—and one that tends to leave me a bit turned around every time I visit, what with its lack of numbered streets and all. We wandered around for a while, browsing the area’s slew of quaint and eclectic restaurants, and, suddenly hit with a craving for Spanish food, we wound up at Paladar, the self-described Pan-Latino restaurant on Ludlow.

With bright Latin-themed décor and a lively and original menu, Paladar cured us of any disappointment that may have been lingering from our failure to get into Rooftop Films. A pitcher of sangria, several margaritas, and an assortment of tapas-like dishes later, we were quite pleased that our night hadn’t turned out exactly as we had planned. Instead of a sampling of short films, we instead sampled chicken empanadas, Venezuelan corn cakes topped with tomato and chorizo, swordfish tacos with avocado and mango salsa, wild mushroom quesadillas, and pork spare ribs with guava barbecue sauce. The food was delicious, the service excellent, and the prices very reasonable.

While we do plan to try Rooftop Films another time, it’s reassuring to know that, should we not make it in once again, we have plenty of other options.

Mother's Day Brunch

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, a holiday that always poses a bit of a gift-giving challenge. When I was little, Mother’s Day gifts were typically made in school and featured pieces of dried pasta that were spray-painted pink and glued to a picture frame made out of popsicle sticks, or handprints set on paper with fingerpaints and signed with a name, a date, and an “I Love You, Mom.” These gifts might not have been very practical, but they came from the heart and were pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself.

As I’ve gotten older, however, gifts made from miscellaneous household items no longer seem appropriate, and I don’t know that mom would find as much charm in a 28-year-old’s fingerpainting skills as she did in an 8-year-old’s. But somehow it also doesn’t seem right to give her a regular old grownup gift. “Thanks for reading to me, wiping my nose, feeding me, clothing me, and shaping my character for countless years—here’s a sweater” doesn’t exactly sound very grateful. And what purpose is a gift that doesn’t show our mothers just how thankful and appreciative we are?

This Mother’s Day, instead of trying to figure out whether your mom would prefer flowers, a sweater, or a bottle of perfume, give her what she would most appreciate—time spent together. And what better way to spend time together on Mother’s Day than at a lovely Sunday brunch? Here are a few spots that are sure to please both you and your mom this Mother’s Day.

Alice’s Tea Cup: With its whimsical Alice in Wonderland murals, delectable menu, and ample amounts of fairy dust, Alice’s Tea Cup is a mother-daughter dream come true. Treat your mom to tea and scones, crepes, eggs Florentine, smoked salmon, and maybe even a pair of fairy wings at one of Alice’s two UES locations.

David Burke Townhouse: Formerly davidburke & donatella, the upscale restaurant on 61st between Park and Lexington, the newly-renamed David Burke Townhouse is featuring a posh prix-fixe Mother’s Day brunch. For $48 per person, you and mom can enjoy a three-course meal featuring dishes like a pretzel-crusted crabcake, a lobster scramble, a chocolate-chip pancake sundae, and something intriguingly called a cheesecake-lollipop tree. Call 212-813-2121 for reservations.

Fred’s at Barney’s: Head to Barney’s for a little shopping, followed by brunch at Fred’s. Featuring huevos rancheros, steak and eggs, and challah French toast, among many other delicious-sounding items, Fred’s is sure to satisfy.

One83: On 1st Ave. between 83rd and 84th Streets, One83 offers a breezy back deck and a classically ambient interior, where you can indulge in an extensive brunch menu that features dishes like smoked salmon eggs benedict, Tahitian vanilla French toast, chicken Milanese, and rigatoni with yellowfin tuna meatballs and broccoli rabe. Oh, yes, and a complimentary mimosa, bellini, or bloody mary. Need I say more?

JoJo: The Jean-Georges creation on 64th between 3rd and Lexington is currently featuring a brunch special well-worth taking advantage of. For $24.07, you can choose two small plates from a list of dishes that includes a warm asparagus salad, spinach ricotta ravioli, buttermilk pancakes, and a goat cheese frittata, plus a dessert. Sounds like a deliciously good deal to me!

Sarabeth’s: No mention of brunch would be complete without a mention of Sarabeth’s, the restaurant on 92nd and Madison known for its heavenly—and very generous—brunch portions. Porridge, omelettes, frittatas, burritos, salads, and an assortment of “sweet breakfasts” like lemon and ricotta pancakes, pumpkin waffles, and cheese blintzes are all eye-catching items on the substantial menu. Top one off with a milkshake or an ice cream float, and you and mom and sure to go home happy.

So forget the sweaters this Mother's Day and take your mom to brunch. It's a treat you'll both be sure to enjoy!

And you could toss in a handmade popsicle stick frame, too. Just for old time's sake.

Springing into a Museum Near You

In addition to warmer weather, blooming flowers, and the occasional allergy, spring also brings a batch of fresh new exhibits to the museums in our area. Here are a few of the highlights:

The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion opens May 6 in the Met’s Tisch Galleries. Sponsored by Marc Jacobs, the exhibit will explore the relationship between high fashion and the twentieth-century models who have influenced it. Featuring both haute couture and ready-to-wear pieces alongside photos and video clips, this is sure to be a fascinating—and quite stylish—collection.

The New American Wing: Also at the Met, part two of the brand-new American Wing will be opening on May 19. In the second phase of a major renovation, the Charles Engelhard Court and the Period Rooms have been upgraded to better display the many sculptures, paintings, stained-glass windows, and other pieces of classic American art they house. The Court will now have new glass barrier walls and a mezzanine that adds over 3,000 square feet of space, while the period rooms will be more spacious and easier to access.

Intervals: Now through July, the Guggenheim has invited a group of contemporary artists to take part in its “Intervals” exhibition, a series of solo presentations featuring works that “propose an alternative notion of temporal experience as a shifting and unquantifiable state.” I’m not quite sure what this means, but, thanks to the Guggenheim, it’s sure to be intriguing.

2009 Student Scholarship: Starting May 6, the Society of Illustrators will be featuring the works of over one hundred of today’s top illustration students from colleges all over the country. Chosen by a group of professional illustrators and art directors, these works are sure to be insightful, inspiring, and extremely skilled. And who knows—you just may discover your new favorite artist.

Mannahatta/Manhattan: A Natural History of New York City: Starting May 20, New Yorkers can explore the history of the island they now call home in a new exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York. "Mannahatta/Manhattan" will use historical artifacts, maps, and multi-media to show the lush forests, rolling hills, wetlands and wildlife that Henry Hudson would have met with when he first explored the island of Manhattan.

Fashioning Felt: I bet you didn’t know that felt—that fabric you used during arts and crafts hour in kindergarten—is currently being used in everything from chairs to carpeting to designer clothing. You can learn all about the new uses of this versatile material in fashion, architecture, furniture design, and more in an exhibit on display at Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum now through September.

Extreme Mammals: The Biggest, Smallest, and Most Amazing Mammals of All Time: What creature had the strongest bite? The biggest claws? Or the fastest legs? Find out in this new and exciting exhibit that opens at the Museum of Natural History on May 16.

Portraits, Pastels, Prints: Whistler in The Frick Collection: Opening June 2 at the Frick is a special exhibition dedicated to James Abbott McNeill Whistler. The museum will be displaying four of Whistler’s full-length portraits, including his “Harmony in Pink and Grey: Portrait of Lady Meux,” alongside his masterful seascape, “Symphony in Grey and Green: The Ocean,” as well as several pastels and etchings, none of which have been displayed together in over twenty years.

Be sure to stop in to explore these fascinating new exhibits as you’re out and about this spring.