The Upper East Side Scene

Tricks and Treats on the UES

2010-10-17T20:23:00.002-04:00

Have you come up with the perfect costume but still haven't found a place to wear it this Halloween? Good thing the UES has a lot of Halloween goings-on over the next few weeks--for you, your family, and even your pets.

Halloween Pub Crawl: Hop into your costume and hop onto the Halloween Pub Crawl, a weekend-long event featuring over 100 bars throughout Manhattan. For $20 on either October 29, 30, or 31 (or all three days if you’re having trouble deciding between costumes), you can enjoy free admission to all participating bars, $2 Bud and Bud Light specials, and two-for-one Halloween cocktails. Register at one of seven bars throughout the city, including the UES’s Stir, or purchase tickets online.

Central Park Pumpkin Festival: On Saturday 10/30, head over to the bandshell area near the 72nd Street entrance to Central Park for a free festival featuring hayrides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and live entertainment. Click here for more details.

Halloween Celebration at the Museum of Natural History: Kids will love the Museum of Natural History’s 15th annual Halloween celebration, featuring trick-or-treating, live performances, pumpkin carving, and surprise visits from characters like The Cat in the Hat, Maisy, Curious George, and Danny’s Dinosaur. The event runs from 2-5 p.m., and admission is $10 for non-members, $9 for members. Click here for more info.

Halloween Howl at Carl Schurz Park: Dress up your dog for the annual Halloween costume competition in Carl Schurz Park. Head over to the hockey and basketball courts near the southern end of the park on the John Finley esplanade from 1-3 p.m. on October 24 for lots of howlin’ Halloween fun. Click here for more information.

74th Street Halloween Townhouse: Check out the Halloween decorations on the townhouse at 4 East 74th Street. Ghosts, ghouls, skeletons, pirates, mummies, and even SpongeBob Squarepants are put up by the same family every year, drawing tons of visitors and trick-or-treaters.

Halloween, Southern-Style: This year, Southern Hospitality on 76th near Second is hosting a ghoulish get-together with a $45 open bar starting at 10 p.m., plus “Liquor Treating” shots and a costume contest. Or, if you’d prefer to pay for your drinks as you go, admission is free.

Happy trick-or-treating!

Back to School at the 92nd Street Y

2010-09-15T21:41:00.002-04:00

The buses are full of bright-eyed, backpacked first-graders; come 3pm, uniformed middle-schoolers are strolling the streets; and the office supply aisle at Duane Reade has been wiped clean. All of this can only mean one thing—it’s back to school time!

If watching your neighbor’s kids go back to school has left you nostalgic for book bags, Trapper Keepers, and your eighth-grade history teacher, you may want to consider going back to school yourself by taking advantage of the new selection of courses available at the 92^nd Street Y. Here, some of the classes that I’m most interested in this fall:

Creative Beadwork: Learn to make your own beaded jewelry in time for the gift-giving season with this seven-session course, beginning September 21.

Public Speaking: A Crash Course: Hone your public speaking skills using methods that don’t involve the unpleasant task of picturing everyone in the room naked. This four-session course begins October 26.

Intro to Pilates: Strengthen, tone, and stretch your way to fitness with this 17-week pilates course for beginners. Classes start September 16, so register soon!

Poetry with Jen Bervin: Starting October 18, explore your inner poet with this eight-week class that focuses on both reading and writing poetry.

Basic Six Ballroom: Grab your favorite partner and learn the basic steps of ballroom dancing. Four-session courses begin on September 21, October 21, November 30, and January 6.

Contemporary Art Gallery Tours: Explore the galleries of Chelsea, Midtown, SoHo, and Uptown. This course features four tours of modern art galleries that meet once each month beginning September 24.

Check out these courses and more here—and then get started on your back to school shopping.

American Woman: One Last Weekend at the Met

2010-08-12T22:10:00.006-04:00

Fashion, history, and high society—can you think of a better combination? If not, be sure to visit the Met this weekend, where the exhibit American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity is on display for just a few more days. Featuring the fashions worn by American women from 1890 to 1940, the exhibit explores the evolution of the modern American woman, the influences on her style, and how that style affected her role in society.

American Woman spans a series of rooms in the Cantor Exhibition Hall: one room per decade, each donned with the clothing and décor that would have been in style among the foremost society women of the era—think the Gwyneth Paltrows and Jennifer Anistons of the last century, as these were the women who set the trends that trickled down to influence the rest of society. Yet each decade is an example not just of the clothing worn by the upper crust, but of the style archetype that defined the time period.

The first room—the 1890s—focuses on the Heiress. These women were American society’s most elite. Their wealth and status were derived from their families, and they strove to imitate European royalty—and in some cases, become royalty themselves. The room is decorated like an upscale parlor and filled with long, lavish gowns adorned with the finest lace, beading, and detailing of the day. The lush fabrics still hold a sheen and seem as though they could come to life at any moment to swish across the room or swirl to a waltz. This was one of my favorite rooms.

Moving on to the 1900s room, however, the ideal clearly changes. The gowns are replaced by long skirts and button-front blouses with a simple, sporty, yet still decidedly feminine look. Set to a seascape, this room marks the era of the Gibson Girl, the more natural, fit woman who swims, cycles, plays tennis, and enjoys the outdoors. Though the outfits are very different from what would be considered sporty today, the ideal they represent is a lot like the strong, athletic ideal that still defines the modern American woman.

Next up is the Bohemian, the artistic woman who, from 1910 to 1920, wore long, silken gowns with Eastern-inspired details. This was the most surprising of the exhibit rooms, as the robe-like gowns—loose, flowing, and uninhibited—are not a style typically associated with the early 20th century—if anything, I would have pegged them for the attire of artsy types in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Yet also featured is the more recognizable style of the Suffragette. While they marched for the right to vote, American women donned knee-length skirts and no-nonsense jackets, showing the world that they were serious about their cause, yet still—and most importantly—female.

The exhibit’s most recognizable style is found in the 1920s room. Empowered with the right to vote, American women tossed off their inhibitions in the 1920s, drinking, smoking, bobbing their hair, and idealizing the slim, boyish figure of the Flapper. Thin, shifty silk dresses with low-slung waists and sparkly beading exchanged the strictures of femininity for a style that left women feeling freer and sexier.

My favorite room was next. In the 1930s, American women idealized the Screen Siren, epitomized by movie stars like Rita Hayworth and Lena Horne. The room devoted to the style of these legendary ladies is filled with long, classically-inspired gowns that reinstate a more mature, feminine ideal after the young, boyish look of the Flapper. High waists, gathered fabric, and slinky skirts exude glamour and grace, and solid blacks, whites, and neutrals evoke the colors of the early cinema. This room spills into another, in which the women themselves are on display via a series of screens looping film clips from the era.

To exit, viewers cross a foyer-like area where modern-day images are projected on white walls to the soundtrack of Lenny Kravitz’s “American Woman.” The montage is somewhat mesmerizing, flashing photos of very recognizable women—from icons like Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly to pop stars like Madonna and Lady Gaga—that show the fruits of the style evolution captured in the exhibit.

Though the exhibit could have been a bit heavier on the history side, its short introductions at the entrance to each room make it easy to breeze through quickly—though the stunning styles will most likely entice you to stay longer.

Whatever your style, I highly recommend a visit to American Woman before it closes this Sunday. You’ll be fashionably late.

All photos copyright The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

UES Treats to Beat the Heat

2010-07-11T15:38:00.004-04:00

When your fourth-floor walkup is as steamy as a sauna,
there’s not even a hint of a breeze on the pier at Carl Schurz Park, and the cool corridors of the Met have already been closed for the day, there’s only one sure way to beat the heat on the UES: go get ice cream.

No matter where on the UES you live, there are plenty of spots serving up tasty frozen treats within minutes of your front door. Here, some of my favorites.

Alice’s Tea Cup: Fall down the rabbit hole and into an air-conditioned wonderland at one of Alice’s two UES locations: 64th Street near Lexington Ave. or 81st Street between 2nd and 3rd. Both feature light fare that is perfect for a hot summer day, like a pear and endive salad, cucumber and watercress sandwiches, and assorted pastries and scones, all of which can be nicely topped off with a scoop of seasonal ice cream or sorbet, as well as fancier desserts like mixed berries with vanilla crème anglaise or a slice of banana cake.

Ciao Bella Café: If you typically gravitate right toward those brightly colored containers of Ciao Bella gelato in your grocery store, you’ll be in heaven in the Ciao Bella Café, on 92nd and Madison. Featuring signature flavors like Chocolate Hazelnut, Dulce de Leche, Mocha Chip, and Peaches and Cream, this tiny café could easily become your home away from home this summer.

Emack & Bolio’s: My personal favorite, Emack & Bolio’s 81st and 1st location features a creative assortment of original flavors, like Caramel Moose Prints, Grasshopper Pie, Cookie Monster, and Raspberry Truffle. As if names like that aren’t enough to send you screaming for their ice cream, all their products are freshly made, contain no added dyes, and are made with milk that is free of the hormone bST.

Pinkberry: For a healthier (albeit a bit more expensive) take on frozen goodness, stop by Pinkberry on 2nd between 81st and 82nd for low-calorie frozen yogurt topped with your choice of fresh fruits, nuts, and sweets. In addition to its Original and Green Tea flavors, Pinkberry now features frozen yogurt in Pomegranate, Coconut, Mango, Chocolate, and the seasonal Watermelon flavor. Just be prepared for the line that is usually wrapped around the block on a hot summer night.

Café Sabarsky: If you like art with your ice cream, stop into the Neue Gallerie’s Café Sabarsky, on 86th and 5th. Reminiscent of old-world Vienna, this upscale spot features specialty drinks like the Eisschokolade, chilled chocolate milk with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream; or the Wiener Eiskaffe, chilled coffee with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. There is also a full German/Austrian dinner menu, plus desserts like a seasonal fruit crumble tarte, a strawberry-yogurt mousse cake, and a lemon biscuit with lemon mousse.

Sedutto: On 1st between 78th and 79th, Sedutto serves up rich and creamy ice cream and frozen yogurt in a variety of flavors that will most likely render you very indecisive. Try the Peanut Butter, Pistachio, Mocha Almond Fudge, S’mores, or Chocolate Midnight Cookie flavors.

Summer in the Park

2010-05-26T13:11:00.003-04:00

It’s that time of year again! Time for swimsuits and summer whites. Time for weekend jaunts to the Hamptons or the Jersey shore. And time for two Central Park staples: Shakespeare in the Park and SummerStage. Here, a preview of both.

Shakespeare in the Park: This summer, The Public Theatre presents Shakespeare classics A Winter’s Tale and The Merchant of Venice. Unlike in years past, however, when one production would run for several weeks before closing to give way to the next, these two tales from everyone’s favorite bard will be running in repertory, meaning they'll switch off on a nearly nightly basis from June 9 to August 1.

There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to which plays are performed on which nights, so I’ll break it down for you.

If you’d like to see A Winter’s Tale, your options are as follows:
June 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30
July 2, 7, 8, 11, 12, 17, 21, 22, 25, 27, 30, 31

If you’d like to see The Merchant of Venice, you can go on one of the following nights:
June 12, 13, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26
July 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 18, 20, 23, 24, 28, 29
August 1

All performances begin at 8 p.m., and tickets may be obtained free of charge starting at 1 p.m. on the day of the performance at The Delacorte Theater. There is also a new virtual ticketing option, through which you may request up to two tickets via an online system the day of the performance.

Click here for more information.

Central Park SummerStage: The privately-funded City Parks Foundation celebrates the 25th anniversary of Central Park SummerStage with 33 free concerts and 8 benefit shows featuring a wide variety of artists and performers. Here are some of the highlights.

June 1: The first concert of the season features the New York Pops alongside jazz vocalist Melody Gardot.

June 8: A fundraising benefit featuring the music of Simon & Garfunkel performed by artists such as Shawn Colvin, Aimee Mann, Loudon Wainwright III, Joan Osborne, Dean & Britta, The Holmes Brothers, John Forte, Paula Cole, and more. Proceeds will support City Parks Foundation’s free year-round arts programming. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Jill Rothstein at (212) 360-8170, or by email at JRothstein@CityParksFoundation.org. In addition, bleacher tickets are available for $69 here.

June 14: Popular West African musician Baaba Maal plays a concert to celebrate Senegal’s independence.

June 15: The John Butler Trio and State Radio come together for another benefit concert. To purchase tickets, click here.

June 23: CareFusion’s Jazz Festival New York featuring the Mccoy Tyner Quartet with Ravi Coltrane and Esperanza Spalding, plus the Francisco Mela & Stanley Clarke Band featuring Hiromi.

July 11: Reggae star Dr. Jimmy Cliff performs with South Carolina native Trevor Hall and Burkina Faso musician Victor Deme.

July 17: Award-winning songwriter, producer, and performer Raphael Saadiq, known for his “old school” soul sounds.

July 23: Comedy Central Park presents The Daily Show and Friends, hosted by Lewis Black.

July 25: Bassekou Kouyate + Ngoni Ba, Burkina Electric, Fool’s Gold explore the past, present, and future of West African music.

July 26: Grammy-winning rockers The Flaming Lips' show is already listed as sold out, but one of the best things about a concert in the park is that you don't necessarily have to be inside the venue to hear it. Plus, there's always craigslist.

July 27/28: Indie pop rockers The Black Keys and The Morning Benders. Ditto the above regarding the show's sold-out status.

August 4: Electropop artists Hot Chip, Hercules and Love Affair, and Holy Ghost!

August 15: Infamous rap artists Public Enemy with Blitz The Ambassador and The 7th Octave.

August 21: Contemporary R&B artists Chrisette Michelle and Mario and Tamia.

For more information and the full schedule, click here.

Happy summer!

Picasso at the Met

2010-04-27T12:03:00.003-04:00

Do you prefer the Blue Period or the Rose Period? Cubism or classicism? Or are you uncertain as to what I’m referring? No matter—a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art will help you to answer all of these questions and more.

Starting today, the Met will be featuring an exhibit devoted solely to the works of Pablo Picasso in the museum’s holdings. This means that over 300 of Picasso’s works will be on display, from paintings and drawings to sculptures and ceramic pieces, a collection which has never before been seen in its entirety.

Born in 1881 in Spain, Picasso began painting and drawing at the age of seven. In 1900, he moved to Paris, the art capital of Europe, to work and study in an attempt to further his artistic career, a move that paid off, as, by 1905, he became an established artist moving in prominent artistic and literary circles.

Picasso is best known as the founder of Cubism, a style of painting recognized by its use of one-dimensional shapes. But Picasso’s lengthy career (he lived to the age of 92) consisted of a variety of styles and experimentation. His work prior to 1901 is considered mostly realist, while in 1901 he moved on to his Blue Period, noted for its somber subject matter depicted in shades of blue and green. 1904 began Picasso’s Rose Period, classified by a more upbeat style that featured lively subject matter in warm oranges and pinks.

1907 to 1909 was Picasso’s African-influenced Period, while 1909 to 1912 marked his Cubist years. Following Cubism, Picasso moved on to neoclassicism and surrealism and, in his later years, focused on reinterpreting the works of the great masters.

Works from all stages of Picasso’s productive career will be exhibited at the Met now through August 1. Some of the most notable pieces on display include At the Lapin Agile, Picasso’s portrait of friend Gertrude Stein, Self-Portrait “Yo”, and Seated Harlequin. There are works from all of the artist’s major periods, as well as a selection of his prints.

Whether you’re a tried and true Picasso fan or someone who knows little about his life and works, “Picasso in the Metropolitan Museum of Art” is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this versatile artist and his remarkable career.

“Picasso in the Metropolitan Museum of Art” will be on display in the Special Exhibition Galleries on the 2nd floor today through August 1, 2010. Free with museum admission.

Spring Outdoors on the UES

2010-03-29T19:30:00.003-04:00

April showers bring May flowers . . . right? In this year’s case, it seems to be March that’s bringing the showers, which hopefully means that April and May will be bright, beautiful, and full of springtime blooms. With that in mind, here are a few upcoming events that will get you out to enjoy what we hope will be perfect spring weather.

Let the Games Begin: History of Sports and Recreation in the Park Tour - Put on by the Central Park Conservancy, this one-time-only walking tour of Central Park begins at 65th Street and explores the history of sports in the park, including baseball, horseback riding, ice skating, boating, and the NYC Marathon. The tour takes place on Saturday, April 10th at 10 a.m. Click here for more information.

Concern for Haiti Run/Walk: On Saturday, April 10 at 9:30 a.m., join in for a four-mile run/walk through Central Park to benefit Haiti. Sponsored by Concern Worldwide, all funds raised by the event will go toward emergency response and long-term development efforts in Haiti. Click here for more information and to register now.

Volunteer Gardening at Carl Schurz Park: On Saturday, April 17, get out your gardening gloves and help the Carl Schurz Park Association volunteers tend to the park’s gardens. Meet at the 86th Street Mall by East End Avenue at 10 a.m. And then return on May 8 for the park’s annual plant sale! For more information, click here.

Polar Circle at the Central Park Zoo: While it may not sound very spring-like, the recently renovated Polar Circle is open at the Central Park Zoo this spring, and it features four new King penguins that just arrived last month. Pay them a visit once the weather brightens up, and be sure to check out all the other animals at the zoo.

22nd Annual Broadway Spring Festival: The street fair will span 86th to 96th Streets on Sunday, May 2, providing plenty of food, games, and fun to draw you outdoors for an afternoon.

Enjoy!

The Jillian Wright Clinical Skin Spa

2010-02-26T14:51:00.011-05:00

Over ten years ago, clinical aesthetician Jillian Wright opened Glow Skin Spa right here on the Upper East Side, much to the delight of UES residents. Just this past September, Glow moved to a townhouse on East 66th Street and was transformed into the Jillian Wright Clinical Skin Spa, where clients now receive a variety of premium spa treatments under the direction of the owner and namesake herself.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Jillian Wright, and she gave me the inside scoop on her spa, its specialties, and her own favorite treatments. Read on, then make yourself an appointment.

Located on the second floor of 22 East 66th Street (between 5th and Madison), the Jillian Wright Clinical Skin Spa offers a comprehensive spa experience designed to both pamper and improve the functionality of your skin. Including Jillian, the spa has five clinical aestheticians, all with over ten years experience, as well as five licensed massage therapists, plus a manager and front desk staff to accommodate guests. There are four well-appointed treatment rooms that Jillian describes as “comfortable and relaxing.” All of these elements work together to create a personalized, boutique feel to Jillian’s spa, allowing staff to cater to customers’ individual needs. With the needs of her customers in mind, Jillian has developed a wide variety of spa treatments, explaining that her “role is to play skincare detective in order to achieve your skin’s greatest health.”

Clients can treat themselves to several different types of facials, which include elements like microdermabrasion, aromatherapy facial massage, LED light therapy, customized masks, and homecare recommendations; massages such as the Swedish, relaxation, aromatherapy, hot lava shell, or detoxifying massage; and body treatments for areas like the back, legs, neck, and eyes. Specialty products from Somme Institute, Bioelements, and Environ are used, many of which can be purchased from the spa for home use. And the names of some of Jillian’s treatments are almost as satisfying as the treatments themselves: the Muscle Melting Deep Tissue Massage, Herbology Body Retexturizer, and Wine or Blueberry Extract Crystal Eye Mask are just a few that caught my eye.Though the spa clearly has expertise in a variety of areas, their particular specialties are facial massage and extractions, which are included in all of their facials. The spa has also become known for its Signature Massage, which Jillian describes as “a combination of Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Thai, all within a choreographed massage experience.”

All of these treatments have been developed with Jillian’s personal skincare philosophy in mind. Jillian aims “to incorporate a trilogy of the heart, hands, and mind to encompass all aspects of aesthetics.” This means that she focuses on both internal elements, such as emotional and spiritual health, as well as the external goal of maintaining healthy, well-balanced skin. Jillian explains that, “If you feel good about your skin, you will feel more confident and have greater self-esteem. It’s a snowball effect that positively grows with every step accomplished.” So, you may be wondering, which of the Jillian Wright Clinical Skin Spa’s treatments are its founder’s favorites? “I love, love, love the LumiFacial!” Jillian says. “I’m all for getting the most out of your time spent at my spa and this is the way to do it. The results are instantaneous.” Jillian explained that, during the 105-minute LumiFacial, “we choose an exfoliation process suited for your skin type and texture such as enzymes, microdermabrasion or dermaplaning, use steam, do extractions, put you under the light for 30 minutes and then use a polarized current to penetrate active key ingredients into the skin.” The result? “The client leaves with radiant skin.”As for massages, Jillian says she loves the Hot Lava Shell Massage, a 60- or 90-minute treatment in which Swedish and Deep Tissue massage elements are combined with the use of lava shells, each with their own temperature control. Jillian explains that it's like a hot stone massage, but safer for both the client and the massage therapist, and a truly indulgent experience.

Visit Jillian’s spa online at http://www.jillianwrightclinicalskinspa.com/ to learn more about her treatments and to make an appointment for what promises to be a delightful and invigoration spa experience.

Exhibits to Explore This Weekend

2010-02-12T13:32:00.003-05:00

Whether in celebration of President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or just a day that you’re no longer snowed in, take time this weekend to visit some of the fantastic exhibits at our local museums.

The Drawings of Bronzino: Now on display at the Met are approximately 60 drawings from Italian painter, draftsman, teacher, and poet Agnolo Bronzino, who lived and worked in sixteenth-century Florence. A warm exploration of human figure and form, this would make an excellent choice for Valentine’s Day. On display until April 18.

Quicktake: Rodarte: New this week at Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum is an exhibit devoted to clothing designer Rodarte. Founded in 2005 by Kate and Laura Mulleavy, Rodarte won the 2009 Womenswear Designer of the Year award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The exhibit takes a look at Rodarte’s unique yet dynamic style and stunning creations.

With Love from New York City: Head to the Museum of the City of New York for a special exhibition featuring approximately 45 valentines, all handcrafted or manufactured between 1840 and 1940. Sweet vintage sentiments and classic art styles make this a one-of-a-kind exhibit perfect for sharing with your Valentine. Open through February 26.

Paris and the Avant-Garde: Modern Masters from the Guggenheim Collection: The Guggenheim explores how such artists as Marc Chagall, Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Fernand Léger, Joan Miró, and more lived and worked in Paris during the early twentieth century, developing their own techniques, customs, and styles. On display until May 12.

Collecting Biennials: As the Whitney gears up for its Biennial celebration, which kicks off February 25, visit the works of Biennials past in this historical survey that features Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Willem de Kooning, Cy Twombly, and more. The exhibit runs until November 28. Added bonus: Admission is only $8 through the month of February.

Tim Burton: Get ready for Tim Burton’s new Alice in Wonderland movie with a trip to the Museum of Modern Art. This Burton-themed exhibit features drawings, storyboards, puppets, photographs, costumes, and more from Burton’s films, including Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Beetlejuice. On display through April 26. But be aware: timed tickets are strongly suggested, as admission is limited and has been selling out. Click here to purchase tickets.

Enjoy!

The Wright Choice at the Guggenheim

2010-01-17T16:09:00.005-05:00

On Friday night, I had the pleasure of dining at The Wright, the restaurant that just opened at the Guggenheim and serves as the newest addition to the Upper East Side’s fine-dining scene. The Wright only debuted its dinner menu last Thursday, yet its menu has been finely tuned and its dinner service is already running smoothly, promising patrons a fantastic meal in a chic new space.

Designed by Andre Kikoski (and named after legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright), The Wright is sleek and modern, the perfect complement to the Guggenheim’s contemporary design. Upon entering, the eye is immediately drawn to the bright oranges and yellows of artist Liam Gillick’s sculptural installation, The horizon produced by a factory once it had stopped producing views (2009), which consists of horizontal strips of colored aluminum mounted to the curved walls and illuminated with fiber-optics. The colors of the installation, evocative of a sunrise, are contrasted with the plush blue banquette that runs along the same wall, and all are set off by the smooth white surfaces that cover the rest of the 1,600-square-foot space, which seats 58 and features a communal table with full menu service and a European-style bar that offers small plates, panini, and specialty drinks.

Stepping into The Wright feels somewhat like stepping into a futuristic spaceship, albeit a very hip and trendy one. "Inspired by and created within an institution renowned for its art, architecture, and innovation, The Wright will extend that experience to food and service," explains Aaron Breitman, director of The Wright. That philosophy was clearly conveyed by The Wright’s attentive staff and unique menu, created by chef Rodolfo Contreras, a protégé of David Bouley.

After selecting a lovely pinot noir from The Wright’s extensive wine list, my friend and I explored chef Rodolfo’s menu and were impressed to find a varied and original selection of modern American fare. Appetizers include parsnip soup with Romanesco cauliflower; seared diver scallops with gently cooked shrimp and lump crab meat in a sea urchin sauce; and angus beef tartare with an herb salad topped with shallots and chives and brioche toast.

Meanwhile, entrées such as crispy skin striped bass with fennel, potatoes, and baby calamari in a sweet paprika sauce; Colorado lamb loin with beet and goat cheese gnocchi, eggplant, pine nuts and lamb jus; and 28-day dry aged beef sirloin with a bone marrow port shallot marinade and beef jus caught our eye.

We made our choices and were presented with a selection of warm rolls: cranberry walnut, olive, and French brioche. The cranberry walnut was rich and comforting, the olive extremely tasty, and the brioche perfectly crispy.

Our server then brought over an amuse-bouche consisting of a layer of avocado mousse, a layer of tomato mousse, and diced shrimp, topped with a dollop of cream sauce and beautifully presented in what was the equivalent of a tall shot glass. It was light, refreshing, and very well prepared, and it left us eager for the rest of our meal.

Next up was a selection of appetizers. We each tried an exquisite pair of Kumamoto oysters topped with caviar before moving on to marinated yellowtail with ginger oil, sweet white onions, apple, and cucumber. The yellowtail was tasty and delicate, and the onions served as an especially delightful complement. We also tried roasted red and golden beets topped with sheep’s milk cheese, citrus, and pistachio, a beautifully prepared dish that was full of flavor.

As we received each dish, our knowledgeable server carefully explained to us how each had been prepared. He was especially enthusiastic as he presented us with a sample of Maine lobster served with black trumpets and Marcona almonds in a Clementine sauce, an entrée that turned out to be our favorite dish of the evening. The ample serving of lobster was plump and tender, and the sweet, citrusy sauce provided the perfect contrast to the stronger almond and trumpet flavors. Simply put, it was amazing.

Next, we tried the pan-seared Alaskan halibut topped with Manila clams, scallions, and prosciutto nage, and the butternut squash risotto served with winter black truffles. The halibut was moist and flaky and practically melted in our mouths, and the rich and hearty risotto was well-paired with the sweeter-tasting truffle sauce. Excellent choices, both.

After our entrées were cleared away, we were brought an intermezzo consisting of a Clementine, lemon, orange, and kumquat purée topped with Greek yogurt sorbet. It was light and refreshing, with a slightly sweet, slightly tart taste to cleanse our palates.

We then sampled a selection of three desserts: a dark chocolate soufflé topped with Tahitian vanilla ice cream; a spiced pumpkin and chocolate cake served with pumpkin sauce and pumpkin seed oil ice cream; and a poached apple mille feuille served with nutmeg caramel, apple cider sorbet, and cream chantilly.

The soufflé, similar to a chocolate lava cake, won the award for richest and most flavorful, while the pumpkin cake was lighter, very tasty, and by far the most original dessert we had seen in quite a while. The apple mille feuille, meanwhile, was the lightest and most exquisitely prepared of the three, with thinly-sliced apple wrapped in tiers around the cream chantilly. All three desserts went well with a glass of sweet Muscat dessert wine and served as a satisfying culmination to a brilliant meal.

With such a creative and high-quality menu, a unique and modern atmosphere, and friendly, attentive service, The Wright is a perfect fit at the Guggenheim and a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

All photos courtesy of Philip Greenberg.

"American Stories" at the Met

2010-01-08T13:32:00.003-05:00

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to check out the Met’s “American Stories” exhibit. If you haven’t been yet, I highly recommend visiting before the exhibit closes on January 24. Spanning the years 1765 to 1915, “American Stories: Paintings of Everyday Life” is a collection of paintings that detail the social, political, and home lives of Americans during the exciting and often tumultuous time between the American Revolution and the start of World War I. Stepping into the exhibition galleries is like stepping back in time.

“American Stories” features the work of such talented American artists as William Merritt Chase, Charles Wilson Peale, John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, and Thomas Eakins. All of the works on display illustrate everyday life for Americans during this defining time period, whether on the frontier or in the city, fighting in the Civil War or spending time with family.

The paintings in the collection are organized by theme, with one gallery focusing on portraits, including John Singleton Copley’s portrait of Paul Revere and Charles Wilson Peale’s self-portrait; another gallery deals with the switch from portraiture to pictorial storytelling. There is a gallery that highlights life on the frontier and another that focuses on the Civil War, both at home and on the front; and galleries that feature American home life and the lives of Americans abroad.

And now, the highlights.

I particularly loved the inside look at American home life shown through paintings like William Merritt Chase’s “Ring Toss,” in which the artist’s three daughters play in their parlor, and “The Open Air Breakfast,” which features Chase’s family breakfasting in an idyllic backyard setting. Frances William Edmonds’ “The City and Country Beaux” shows a young woman deciding between two very different suitors; and Henry Mosler’s “Just Moved” highlights a family getting settled in their new home. This segment of the exhibit offers a candid look at the small pleasures and intimacies afforded Americans while their country was going through such transformation.

A recurring theme in the exhibit is American political life, and one of the most memorable works to embody this theme is George Caleb Bingham’s “The County Election,” a skilled portrayal of the energy and mayhem surrounding a small town’s polling place on election day and an insightful look at the nature of American politics in the early 19th-century.

Americans abroad are featured in John Singer Sargent’s “In the Luxembourg Gardens” and “A Street in Venice,” two of my favorite works for their evocative brushstrokes and romantic moods. Meanwhile, I found another favorite in Lilly Martin Spencer’s “Reading the Legend,” a whimsical tribute to American literature that features a young couple falling in love over the novels they share.

The highlight of the exhibit, however, is Samuel F. B. Morse’s “Gallery of the Louvre,” a striking piece that takes up nearly an entire wall in one gallery. Painted between 1831 and 1833, a time during which many fake European works of art were on the market and there was little training for budding artists, the work shows Morse and his friend, the author James Fenimore Cooper, discussing art in a gallery at the Louvre. Yet the gallery does not feature the works that were actually featured there at the time; rather, Morse filled it with the works of the Italian Old Masters in an effort to note what true masterpieces really were. His replication of over 20 such works is masterful.

On a side note, I paid $7 for the audio guide to the exhibit, which offers commentary and interpretations on a selection of paintings from a variety of sources. While this was at times insightful, the most interesting information it provided was also listed on the placard beside each work, and the commentary did not add anything particularly substantial. I would recommend putting your $7 toward a glass of wine in the café afterward.

The exhibit itself was simply delightful, however, and I’m contemplating one more visit before it closes on January 24.

Snowflakes and Sugarplum Fairies

2009-12-13T21:54:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the New York City Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. Composed by the great Russian composer Tschaikovsky in 1891, The Nutcracker was based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” The ballet first premiered in 1892 but, though a Christmas classic today, it was poorly received and did not have much success until legendary choreographer George Balanchine adapted it in 1954. Balanchine’s Nutcracker was a huge hit, and it is his version that is such a staple of the Christmas season today—and which I was lucky enough to see the New York City Ballet perform.

Seated in Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, a magnificent space that just went through a multi-million dollar renovation, my friend Tracy and I watched the curtain go up with as much excitement and awe as the little girls in adorably frilly dresses who were scattered all around us, eagerly nudging their parents as the show began. Over the next two hours, we were entranced by the stunning display that leapt and swirled and pirouetted before us. Every moment of the show was wonderful and memorable, but I’ll share a few of my favorite highlights.

First off, the set and its mechanics were amazing. From the Christmas tree that rises all the way to the ceiling and the flurry of snow that sparkles around the Snowflake dancers, to the sweetly glittering gingerbread-like backdrop of the Land of Sweets and the sleigh that takes Marie and the Prince up and away at the close of the second act, the scenery is spectacular, as is the complex rigging that keeps it all operating on cue.

I absolutely loved watching the children in the performance, of which there were many more than I had remembered. Some looked as young as six or seven, but all were charming as they flitted across the stage in an assortment of roles, looking both extremely talented and incredibly adorable.

Also amazingly talented was the orchestra, led by conductor Maurice Kaplow. They brought Tchaikovsky’s brilliant yet familiar score to life, capturing all of its whimsical nuance and vibrant force and providing the perfect accompaniment to the dancers’ movements. The dancers, meanwhile, perfectly complemented the music, performing with grace and vitality that brought the show wonderfully to life.

There were the dynamic steps of the soldiers in their battle with the mice, and the graceful twirls of the Snowflakes. Tea’s mid-air splits were exhilarating, as were Candy Cane’s spins and multiple jumps through his hula hoop. And the grand finale performance of the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier was a stunning display of grace and strength as the duo executed flawless pirouettes, lifts, and leaps, the Sugarplum Fairy spinning, balancing, and even sliding on her tip-toes (an ability that never ceases to amaze me). And all were synchronized to the orchestra’s music with precision.

When the curtain rose, the audience’s heartfelt applause showed that Tracy and I were not the only ones who had been captivated by the show and impressed by its amazing performers. We left the theater full of holiday excitement, eager for Christmas cookies and candies and stockings and snow, and inspired to attempt a few pirouettes of our own.

The Nutcracker will be running through January 3 at Lincoln Center. Click here for tickets and more information.

Don't Forget to "Break the Mold" Tonight!

2009-11-21T08:37:00.003-05:00

Tonight and tomorrow on the UES, a group of artists come together to Break the Mold. As Jocelyn detailed in her latest Upper East Side Informer post, Break the Mold is a group of young artists who will be putting on two shows this weekend right here on the Upper East Side. Both shows will feature performances by a variety of musicians, dancers, and actors, all of whom have come together in an effort to maintain integrity in the arts and provide young artists with a venue through which to collaborate with one another and perform for a larger audience.

Says Melinda Marie Heitzman, one of the group's coordinators, "We are taking the power of art seriously by promoting dignity, integrity and quality in the arts through many styles, including rock music, opera singers, classical piano, tap hoofers, musical theater ballads and more."

Fantastic performances, all with a such a worthy goal in mind? Count me in. Here are all the details so that you can Break the Mold this weekend, too:

When: Saturday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m.
Where: Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 230 East 90th Street (between 2nd and 3rd).
What: Each show will be an hour long, followed by a reception where you can meet and mingle with the artists.
Who: The shows are open to everyone, including kids and families. There will even be on-site child care provided for the little ones.
How Much: The suggested donation is $8.

The 23rd Annual Goddard Book Fair

2009-11-16T21:02:00.001-05:00

This past weekend, I did something many people are currently dreading. No, I did not visit the dentist; nor did I contract the swine flu. Even though Thanksgiving hasn’t arrived yet, I ventured out to get started on my Christmas shopping.

Now, despite what you may be thinking, I am not a super early shopper determined to beat the crowds by buying my Christmas gifts before I even buy my turkey. While I think Christmas decorations should be safely tucked—and perhaps even locked—away after Halloween at the very earliest, there are benefits to starting your Christmas shopping once November arrives. For one, you avoid the crowds. But most importantly, shopping becomes much more manageable when there are nearly two months before you in which to accomplish it all, rather than just a few days in which to select 25 thoughtful gifts from a pile of picked-over sale items.

And so, in the spirit of making everyone’s holiday shopping a bit more manageable and a lot more enjoyable this year, I’m excited to share with you the information about an annual shopping experience that has continuously proven to be the perfect place to kick off the holiday shopping season: the Goddard Riverside New York Book Fair.

Now in its 23^rd year, the Goddard Book Fair takes place each year the weekend before Thanksgiving, when it sells hugely discounted books—from chick lit to historical fiction, cookbooks to children’s books, and everything in between—as well as cards, CDs, calendars, and other gift items, all of which have been generously donated by publishers. All of the books featured are new, popular titles, and, if that’s not enough motivation for you, all proceeds go to the Goddard Riverside Community Center, an organization on the Upper West Side that provides affordable housing, cultural and recreational opportunities, and community outreach to children, the homeless, and the elderly in the area.

The Goddard Book Fair kicks off this Friday with the Book Bash, a party that features food from local vendors, cocktails, a raffle, and first dibs at the fair’s selection of books. The Book Bash is a major part of the weekend’s fundraising efforts. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.

On Saturday, the fair opens to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and again on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. But get there as early in the weekend as possible, as I’ve learned from experience that the event gets crowded and the best selection of books goes quickly.

Both the Book Bash and the Book Fair take place at the Goddard Riverside Community Center, located at 593 Columbus Avenue at 88^th Street. Click here for more information, and then head over to the UWS this weekend to get started on your shopping—and support a good cause in the process.

Where to Watch the World Series

2009-10-27T22:05:00.003-04:00

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

2009-10-12T21:10:00.002-04:00

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

2009-09-25T21:01:00.004-04:00

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

2009-09-11T15:33:00.003-04:00

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!

2009-08-28T11:11:00.003-04:00

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

2009-08-07T16:38:00.005-04:00

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

2009-07-21T17:03:00.004-04:00

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.

Racing for the Cure

2009-07-07T13:08:00.004-04:00

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

2009-06-23T20:45:00.005-04:00

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

2009-06-10T14:01:00.005-04:00

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

2009-05-29T11:48:00.002-04:00

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

2009-05-18T22:08:00.003-04:00

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

2009-05-08T16:47:00.003-04:00

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

2009-04-26T21:59:00.002-04:00

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.

Walkers, Beware!

2009-04-17T17:01:00.003-04:00

There is perhaps nothing that draws New Yorkers outdoors in larger numbers than the first hint of a sunny spring day after a long and chilly winter. As soon as the city starts to thaw, brightly-colored coats begin to populate the streets, Frisbee-toting twenty-somethings congregate in Central Park, and pedicured toes can be seen peeping out of pumps—even if it’s only 50 degrees and said toes go numb within ten minutes of leaving the house. Tired of being cooped up indoors under layers of fleece, New Yorkers jump on the first opportunity to break out of their winter duds—and their apartments. And, with sunny skies and highs in the 70s expected this weekend, there are sure to be plenty of New Yorkers pouring outdoors.

While it’s always enlivening to see so many people celebrating the onset of spring, the warmer weather does pose a bit of a challenge in that it creates more of a crowd on the city’s already-crowded streets. Now, when the crowd is moving along in sunglass-sporting swiftness, there’s not a problem. But that’s not typically the case, as the city is plagued with several kinds of walkers who, though they may be sporting sunglasses, are not at all swift. Oblivious, preoccupied, or just plain slow, they are the cause of troublesome traffic jams on many a city sidewalk, and they often pose the risk of a dangerous collision that can involve crushing the afore-mentioned toes, or worse.

Here, for everyone’s springtime safety, is a list of such walkers to watch out for.

The Zig-Zagger: The Zig-Zagger might walk at an efficient pace, but her route is anything but, and there is nothing quite so frustrating as walking behind her. She starts in the middle of the sidewalk. When you try to pass her on the right, she goes right., nearly driving you into the corner bodega’s vegetable stand. When you try to pass her on the left, she goes left, and you almost trip over a planter. Right, then left again. Your best bet is typically to hop off the sidewalk and sprint your way around her. Just watch out for oncoming traffic.

The Stopper: Perhaps the most dangerous walker of all, the Stopper moves along at an impressive pace and appears to be helping rather than hindering the sidewalk’s flow of traffic. But then he comes to an abrupt halt, causing you—and the three or four people behind you—to smash into him, or collide off someone else in a last-ditch effort to swerve around him. The Stopper can cause scuffed shoes, squashed groceries, and even broken noses, depending on just how short of a stop he comes to.

The Stander: Oblivious to the fact that there are people on the street other than her, the Stander stops sidewalk traffic by refusing to move at all. She might be checking a street sign or a cell phone; or she could be waiting for a friend or the next bus. Whatever the circumstances, she for some reason prefers to stand right in the middle of the sidewalk—or right on a corner, where you’ll typically encounter her just as the “stop” hand begins to flash and you’re trying to catch the bus across the street—forcing pedestrian traffic to slow down and merge in order to avoid bumping into her. Of course, when she inevitably does get bumped, she shoots dirty looks and “Watch where you’re going”s in all directions. Keep your eyes peeled and try to spot her early enough to avoid her. Then again, a harmless bump or two might encourage her to stand somewhere else.

The Techie: Consumed with his cell phone, Blackberry, or iPod, the Techie is too busy texting, messaging, and attempting to communicate with Russian space stations to pay attention to where he’s going. He may behave as a Stopper, a Zig-Zagger, or a Stander, but it’s more likely that he’ll just crash into you—and then keep right on going without looking up from his nifty handheld device.

The Smoker: Though he usually moves pretty quickly, most likely because of the nicotine coursing through his limbs, the Smoker is easily the worst walker to get stuck behind. He looks and smells like a smokestack, and his trail of smoke will leave you sucking fumes or holding your breath until you’re blue in the face—neither of which are particularly pleasant ways to spend a spring afternoon. When you encounter a Smoker, speed up and sprint around him as quickly as you can—preferably while using exaggerated gestures to wave away his smoke, letting him know just how obnoxious it is.

Grandma and Grandpa: The little old couple out for a stroll almost always finds themselves stuck in the middle of a busy thoroughfare when a quiet side street would be safer for everyone involved. The Grandma is usually in the lead, and she becomes a Stander when she turns around to check on the Grandpa, who’s usually shuffling along behind. Too cute to get mad at, they may just need an arm to hold onto as they’re ushered to a less congested route.

Kids Gone Wild: Sometimes they’re running full force right at your shins, while others they’re barreling down the street on a bike or scooter they haven’t yet learned to stop, their fiberglass helmets at the perfect level to take out your kneecaps. Whatever their method of transportation, kids who move faster than their parents can pop out from any direction—and cause serious damage to your lower extremities. Stay alert, or start wearing kneepads on a regular basis. And try to catch any speedy kids that look like they’re headed toward a busy intersection.

The Biker: Though not a walker, the biker poses just as much of a threat to pedestrians as anyone else on this list. He may be a deliveryman more concerned with delivering his pad Thai on time than taking out innocent bystanders, or a cyclist too afraid to ride in the city streets on his way to the park. Where did he come from? No one knows. But he suddenly appears on the sidewalk—bicycle and all—forcing pedestrians to jump out of his way (because he of course doesn’t think of slowing down). All you can do is hope that he rings his bell first.

The Sightseer: This one goes without saying, but no rundown of troublesome walkers would be complete without mention of the tourist who risks injuring oncoming pedestrians with pointing fingers, outstretched maps, and a surge of camera flashes. Like the Techie, the Sightseer can be a Stopper, a Stander, or a Zig-Zagger. But instead of an electronic device, he is usually absorbed with souvenirs and subway maps. If he asks you for directions, be kind and help him out. Your fellow pedestrians will be grateful.

Enjoy the spring weather this weekend, and walk safely!

Vespa: A Tried and True Favorite

2009-04-03T21:30:00.004-04:00

When it comes to restaurants, I try to frequent places I’ve never been rather than returning to the same tried and true favorites over and over again. But favorites are favorites for a reason, and when a restaurant has consistently proven itself, sometimes you just have to go back—again and again. Such was the mentality that prompted a recent visit to Vespa, my favorite UES Italian spot.

Vespa greets visitors with an inviting bar and an eclectic European vibe. On the restaurant’s left side, ambient red lighting and exposed brick walls surround a cozy, café-style set-up; in a room on the right, creamy white walls decorated with classy framed prints reflect flickering candlelight as visitors peruse an extensive menu that changes seasonally.

On this most recent visit, Lauren and I were seated on Vespa’s right (or creamy white) side and greeted by a server with a charming Italian accent and a fresh basket of warm and crispy bread. We ordered glasses of wine and, though both rather familiar with the menu, we took a look at our options.

Of course, with any favorite restaurant come favorite dishes, and I have several at Vespa. One is the thick, doughy gnocchi, which is served with a basil and parsley pesto, gorgonzola cheese, and walnuts—rich, creamy, and delicious. The whole wheat taglierini with a lamb ragu is mouth-wateringly hearty, as is the chicken cacciatore, a chicken dish with sweet sausage, mushrooms, and roasted peppers. I also love the black linguine with shrimp, calamari, spicy tomatoes, green olives, and capers; and then there’s the Atlantic salmon with a harissa-honey glaze and grilled leeks, and the sweet potato and ricotta ravioli with golden raisins and sage butter . . . I think you get the picture.

This time, however, I decided to try something new (surprisingly, there were still a few items on the menu I hadn’t yet tasted), and so I ordered the cavatelli with pancetta, radicchio, pecorino cream, and herbed bread crumbs. When it arrived, I wondered why I had never ordered it before, as it was simply delicious. The cavatelli were cooked to a perfect al dente finish, and the sauce was luscious and creamy, yet at the same time not too rich or heavy.

Meanwhile, Lauren ordered an item from the list of specials: spaghetti squash with shrimp in a tomato sauce. A unique entrée, the spaghetti squash looked and tasted like actual spaghetti, twirling right around my fork as I sampled a bite. Light, fresh, and topped with large, succulent shrimp, the dish was another excellent choice, and Lauren and I both added two more selections to our list of Vespa favorites.

Despite nearly cleaning our plates, we did have a bit of room left for dessert, and so we decided to share a slice of cheesecake topped with a scoop of raspberry gelato. Smooth and velvety yet still light and almost fluffy, the ricotta-based cheesecake was amazing, and the gelato complemented it perfectly.

Now stuffed—and happily so—we left Vespa having experienced the best of both worlds: new and delicious dishes alongside the comfort of an old friend.

An Observant Eye on a Friday Evening

2009-03-21T13:11:00.002-04:00

After a very hectic week, what better way to unwind than an evening at the Met? Those were my thoughts exactly as I left my office last night and made my way up to the museum, where I could easily have wandered through the vast collection until the 9 p.m. closing time. When I arrived, however, I resisted the urge to drift aimlessly from gallery to gallery, as I actually did have a particular destination in mind. A few weeks prior, I had signed up for the Observant Eye program, and so I headed down to the Carson Family Hall, where I met a group of twenty-five or so young professionals just as eager to explore the museum as I was.

Typically held twice per month, the Observant Eye offers visitors the opportunity to study a work in the museum’s collection with a curator, who chooses one piece of art to discuss over the course of a 90-minute session. I had attended the Observant Eye once before, and so I knew what to expect—or so I thought, until curator Felicia Blum arrived and told us that she was going to mix things up a bit.

After instructing us each to grab a portable stool, Felicia informed us that she was going to break typical Observant Eye protocol. Rather than staying in one location for the entire session, we would be moving around quite a bit as we studied the museum’s collection of period rooms, which she explained were rooms—or portions thereof—that had been reconstructed to match their original state. Some period rooms were completely authentic, featuring the original walls, flooring, ceiling, and décor, while the museum had built others around several original pieces, such as paneling, columns, or archways.

“I hope you have on your walking shoes!” Felicia announced before leading us to our first destination, a cubiculum (or bedroom) from a Roman villa circa 50-40 B.C. Though over 2,000 years old, the room’s original wall frescoes were almost perfectly preserved, allowing Felicia to point out distinctive features such as rich red columns, whimsical green palm fronds, and a bowl of fruit she referred to as the first still-life. She showed us where the resident’s bed would have been placed and described what his window would most likely have looked upon (farm animals), sharing with us a wealth of knowledge—as well as a healthy dose of wit—to which we would not have been privy had we merely visited the display on our own.

After ten minutes or so, we picked up our stools and moved on to the Vélez Blanco patio, a reconstruction of a patio from an early 16th-century Spanish castle. While the walls, floor and ceiling of the room were built by the Met, the patio’s original marble fittings were all reassembled into carefully-crafted archways, columns, windows, and porticos. Felicia gave us the patio’s history, which included a stint in a Park Avenue townhouse, and then pointed out the intricate details adorning each piece of marble, from a pair of dolphins drinking from a fountain at the top of a column to a series of ornate flowers, a variety of gargoyles and lion’s heads to a family coat of arms, enabling us all to envision the patio in its original state.

Our next stop were two French rooms, one a state bedroom from the palace of Louis XIV featuring four embroidered wall hangings that were a gift to the Sun King from one of his assorted mistresses; the other a salon from the era of Louis XVI featuring gilded wall paneling. Felicia pointed out the differences between the two styles, explaining that “early was curly, and late was straight”—meaning that the style predominant during the reign of the earlier Louis was an ornately swirling Baroque, while the later Louis reigned over a straighter Classical style. Felicia also called attention to various symbols throughout the décor, including the four seasons theme, which was repeated in both rooms.

Next, we moved on to a dining room from the English estate Kirtlington Park, built in the mid-1700s and featuring a series of ornate stucco details and moldings. Felicia explained that the stucco designs had been sculpted right onto the room’s warm yellow walls, creating a bright, elegant atmosphere (in which I would not mind hosting a dinner party). She also detailed the elaborate process required to remove the walls from the original estate, which involved cutting beneath the paneling and carefully packing each piece in hay, and pointed out details in the sculptures that included the four seasons (once again), Dionysus, and Bacchante.

Last but not least, we visited a bedroom from the Sagredo Palace in Venice, built in the early 18th-century and decorated with lush, swirling fabrics and gilded furniture. The highlight of the room, however, was a series of at least twenty-five sculpted cherubs adorning the walls and ceiling, which Felicia explained indicated that this would most likely have been a child’s bedroom. She also let us know that this was the room that Claudia and Jamie, the young runaways in E. L. Konigsburg’s children’s classic, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, were said to have spent the night—a fact that I took great pleasure in.

Shortly after 8 p.m., we returned our stools to their closet in the Carson Family Center and thanked Felicia. Her impressive knowledge and signature wit made the experience not only informative and enlightening, but a lot of fun to boot, and I left the Met with a renewed appreciation for both the museum’s holdings and its curators—and with several ideas for my next home-decorating project.

Upcoming Observant Eye sessions will be held on April 3, April 17, May 1, and May 15. All sessions meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and are free with museum admission. Email observanteye@metmuseum.org to register.

Spring Break Inspiration

2009-03-14T09:29:00.005-04:00

This past week, I was on spring break. No, I was not in Cancun, partying with college students, nor was I on a cruise to Cozumel, or any of the other typical spring break destinations. I stayed right here in the U.S. and took what ended up being a very last-minute trip to the West coast--San Diego, to be exact. With weather in the low 60s, yet very sunny, it proved to be the perfect escape from March in New York--and the perfect weather for exploring the area's museums, doing a bit of wine-tasting, playing tennis, and going for a several sun-filled runs.

Here, as I'm getting caught up on all that seems to have piled up in my inbox while I was away, are some of the highlights:

Balboa Park

The San Diego Museum of Art

My favorite winery

If you're feeling inspired, you too can get a great deal on a spring break--even a last-minute one--as airfare is amazingly low right now. Take a look at Travelzoo for fabulous package deals, or visit Farecast to compare rates, track fare history, and be advised on the best time to buy.

Happy travels!

An Evening at the Opera

2009-03-02T20:50:00.002-05:00

I have always considered myself rather well-versed in New York City’s artistic culture. I keep track of what exhibits are opening when at nearly all of the city’s major museums (many of which I am lucky enough to live within walking distance of). I visit the Met often and can navigate its permanent collection with the skill of a racecar driver, as well as the speed—even during weekends and holidays, when tourists waving museum maps like flags of surrender seem to outnumber the works on display. I have seen most of the major Broadway shows, as well as several off-Broadway pieces, and I even found a production of Jane Austen in the basement of a church in my neighborhood several years ago (a gem of a discovery). I’ve been to every ballroom from Bowery to Hammerstein, sat in the refined Beacon Theater, and stood in the drafty and imposing Terminal 5. Yet there was one staple of the New York City arts and entertainment scene with which I was not familiar: the Metropolitan Opera. Luckily for me, however, that changed last week.

When my friend Ruth let me know that she had an extra ticket to the opera, I jumped at the opportunity. I didn’t yet know how much the ticket was, when the performance would be, or even what opera I’d be seeing—I just knew that I had been wanting to go to the opera for quite some time, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. The thought of the exquisite costumes, the sweeping arias, and the elegance of Lincoln Center were enough to sell me on the idea even before I found out that the ticket was only $15 (thanks to a student discount). And so, last Thursday evening, I found myself walking across Lincoln Center’s distinctive courtyard, on my way to see the Met’s performance of Puccini’s La Rondine.

“Hurry! Hurry!” Ruth and I heard as we strolled up to the front entrance, taking our time to admire the structure’s grand architecture. We noticed that, all around us, people were rushing—some even running—toward the glass entrance doors.

“Oh, gosh—it’s almost eight, and I’m pretty sure they don’t let you in until intermission if you arrive late,” Ruth said, explaining a well-known opera rule of which we were suddenly aware. We began to scramble toward the doors along with everyone else, flashing our tickets on the way in before climbing a majestic staircase . . . and another . . . and one more.

A bit out of breath, we found our way to our seats, which, despite being in nearly the last row of the theater’s highest tier, afforded us an ample view of the stage—as well as of the theater itself. With plush seating, ornately-detailed woodwork, rows of private boxes on either side of the stage, and a magnificent, sparkling crystal chandelier suspended over the orchestra, with other smaller chandeliers surrounding it, the theater was as elegant as I had pictured. As we took in our surroundings, the chandeliers began to rise toward the ceiling, the lights dimmed, the orchestra began to hum in preparation for the opening of the curtain—and a small electronic screen lit up in front of each of us.

Thanks to the Met’s website, I knew that the performance would be sung in Italian with subtitles, which I had naively been expecting to appear on some sort of screen near the stage. As it turned out, however, each seat came complete with its own subtitle screen embedded in the railing that ran down each aisle, able to provide subtitles in English, German, or Spanish with the push of a button. Ruth and I turned our screens on and settled in to watch the performance.

La Rondine, which means “the swallow” in French, is one of Puccini’s lightest and least well-known operas. Originally set in the mid-19th century but updated to the 1920s, La Rondine is the story of Magda, a woman who risks all for a chance at true love. Featuring Art Deco sets and costumes, the backdrop was beautifully done. In three acts, Magda moved from a luxurious Paris home filled with fashionable gowns and exquisite décor, to a raucous and rowdy Parisian dance hall, to a bright and breezy hotel on the French Riviera. I was amazed by the strength and range of all the performers’ voices, most notably those of Angela Gheorghiu, who played Magda, and Giuseppe Filianoti, who starred as her lover, the young Ruggero.

The real star of the show, however, was the music that told Magda and Ruggero’s story. Light and lively melodies intermingled with soaring, romantic pieces, and playful scenes full of dancing and laughter alternated with dramatic moments filled with longing and anxiety, perfectly complementing both the physical and emotional setting throughout. The subtitles were essential to my ability to follow the plot; yet, had they not been available, I would have enjoyed the performance just as much, as the music was really the most compelling element of all.

When the performance came to an end—after a total of two hours and fifteen minutes, including an intermission—Ruth and I took our time climbing back down the majestic staircase, taking in the elegance of our surroundings.

“You know,” she said, “we just went to the opera for about the same price we’d pay to see a movie.”

“Wow, and we got so much more,” I replied, glad to have experienced such a wonderful and elegant event—and a valuable piece of New York City culture.

While our low ticket price was thanks to a student discount, there are other ways to get such a deal at the Met. Tickets in the family circle tier are typically available for between $15 and $40, while standing room tickets are available on the day of most shows for $15 to $20. For more information on ticket prices and the Met’s current performance schedule, click here.

Several Slices of New York History

2009-02-21T11:28:00.004-05:00

Located on Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, the Museum of the City of New York stands guard over Central Park—and over a large piece of the city’s history. Though I’ve been a New Yorker for quite some time, I had never taken the opportunity to explore this charming museum chock full of the city’s life and legacy. On a recent sunny Sunday afternoon, however, I put on my walking boots and headed up Fifth Avenue for a dose of New York history.

After a lovely walk alongside the park, I entered the MCNY and waited on a short line to pay the $9 admission fee before being let loose in the small but well-filled space. The MCNY does not have a permanent collection on display, instead featuring a handful of special exhibitions at any given time (à la Cooper-Hewitt). And I knew which one was first on my list to explore.

“Paris/New York: Design, Fashion, Culture, 1925-1940” was set up in a gallery on the museum’s first floor, where it examined the cultural exchange between New York and Paris during this period of high energy and creative output. Well-organized, the exhibit explored each cultural area in which New York and Paris influenced one another. Photographs, furniture, and decorative objects showed New York’s adoption of the French Art Deco style in architecture and design, as well as the Parisians’ fascination with New York’s soaring skyscrapers and functional, utilitarian styles. There were souvenirs, silver, and other items from the French luxury liner Normandie, which docked in New York throughout the 1930s, alongside paintings, posters, and video clips of American entertainer Josephine Baker, who became a French citizen in 1937.

My favorite part of “Paris/New York” featured a collection of dresses, gowns, suits, shoes, jewelry, and other fashionable pieces from designers like Coco Chanel, Paul Poiret, and Cartier, showing the influence of French haute couture on American fashion, as well as that of American materials and production methods on Parisian styles. All in all, the exhibit was a walk through a creative, flourishing time period—and two of my very favorite cities.

Inspired by the fashions featured in “Paris/New York,” I was excited to find the next exhibit at MCNY, “Valentina: American Couture and the Cult of Celebrity.” An immigrant to New York in the early 1920s, Valentina became a pioneer of the city’s fashion industry, outfitting the likes of Greta Garbo, Katherine Hepburn, and Gloria Swanson in sweeping gowns, classic suits, and Renaissance-inspired styles, a large selection of which are all on display now through May 17.

During a time when boxy shapes, simple styles, and short, flapper-inspired skirts were all the rage, Valentina designed long, gauzy gowns, elegant coats, and full, feminine skirts, nearly all of which I would gladly don today. On display are the gown worn by Katherine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story, a selection of pieces from Valentina’s personal collection, which she cultivated as carefully as those of her clients, as well as photographs, news clippings, and personal letters and mementos that shed light on Valentina’s role as New York celebrity in addition to that of celebrated fashion designer.

After poring over nearly every item in “Paris/New York” and “Valentina,” I made my way up to the second and third floors of the museum, where I browsed several intriguing exhibits. “Eudora Welty in New York: Photographs of the Early 1930s” featured a comprehensive selection of black-and-white photographs of New York and Mississippi, highlighting the effect of the Great Depression on each state—and showing that the renowned author also had quite an eye for composition. Meanwhile, “Broken Glass” was a selection of gritty yet eye-opening black-and-white photos of the South Bronx taken by Ray Mortenson between 1982 and 1984.

In a departure from the black-and-white photo documentary, “Perform: A History of New York Theater and Broadway” featured a vibrant collection of items from Broadway shows like Beauty and the Beast, Avenue Q, Les Miserables, and Rent, as well as an excellent overview of Times Square and Broadway itself. “New York Toy Stories” displayed a wide collection of toys, games, piggy banks, dolls, puzzles, and more, all either owned or created by New Yorkers over several generations. I found myself fascinated by a series of carefully detailed doll houses, the most elaborate of which was the prominently displayed Stettheimer doll house, which even included miniature replicas of each piece of art in the Stettheimer family’s New York mansion.

Other interesting exhibits included “New York Interiors: 1690-1906,” which featured replicas of rooms in New York homes over the centuries; “Trade: A History of New York City Ports and Commerce;” “Protect,” a history of fire and firefighting in New York City; and “Growing and Greening New York,” a look at how the city can ensure a more sustainable future.

As my feet were beginning to protest in anticipation of the twenty-plus-block walk home, I wasn’t able to devote as much time to each exhibit as I would have liked. Yet I left the MCNY having spent time in the exhibits I was most interested in, taking away some new knowledge and several slices of New York history.

To see all of the exhibits currently on display at the Museum of the City of New York, click here. Is truly has something for everyone—just like the city itself.

Sunflowers and Sangria at Samalita's

2009-02-12T14:00:00.002-05:00

Last week, my friend Jess and I were craving Mexican. After mulling over several tried-and-true Mexican go-to spots on the UES—Cilantro, Canyon Road, Blockhead’s, Mustang—we decided to give Samalita’s a try. And what we got was Mexican with a tasty twist.

On the corner of 87th and 1st, Samalita’s stands out with its lively yellow awning and signature sunflower logo on the front door, both of which served as beacons of warmth and welcome on what turned out to be a cold, wet night. Perhaps because of the rather inclement weather, Jess and I had our pick of tables in the spacious yet cozy dining area, which featured warm wood paneling, mellow lighting, and a long, inviting bar. We chose a table alongside the floor-to-ceiling windows toward the front of the restaurant, and our host thoughtfully positioned our chairs so as to give us both prime people-watching views.

Neither of us had had much time to browse the menu online beforehand, so we were surprised—and impressed—to find a wider variety than most Mexican restaurants offer. Samalita’s is, in fact, a Mexican/Californian restaurant, which means that it features cuisine from both northern and southern California. So while there were typical Mexican dishes like burritos, fajitas, and enchiladas on the menu, they were listed alongside entrées that could be classed more Italian than Mexican—pizza, pasta, and the like. Suddenly our craving for Mexican turned into a partial craving for Italian as well.

Unsure whether we were more in the mood for a margarita or a glass of wine, we settled on the perfect combination of both—sangria—and began some serious decision-making. The southern California offerings on the menu included appetizers like fresh guacamole, chile relleno, quesadillas, and a Mexicana salad; and entrées like chicken ranchero, a roasted half-chicken marinated in spices and chiles and topped with almonds and green olives; plus the standard burritos, fajitas, and tacos.

The northern California portion of the menu featured appetizers like beef carpaccio, fried calamari, and mozzarella in carozza, with entrées like a variety of thin-crust pizzas; tortelloni pasta filled with artichoke hearts, black truffles, and parmesan cheese; a honey-glazed roast duckling; pork chop Milanese; and a tuna filet crusted with poppy seeds. Needless to say, the sheer variety of our choices was a bit overwhelming.

Still in the mood for Mexican, I chose rather quickly: the Samalita’s enchiladas, filled with shrimp, mushrooms, and raisins, sautéed in dry sherry, and served with green mole and sour cream. Jess had a bit more trouble with her decision, but finally decided on the chicken breast rollatine filled with ricotta, provolone, spinach, artichoke hearts, and shallots, sautéed with pinot grigio and mushrooms, and served with cheese mashed potatoes. And, so she could still have a taste of Mexican, we ordered the fresh guacamole appetizer.

The guacamole was indeed fresh, though it was a bit heavy on the lemon juice, and we found the tortilla chips to be somewhat on the greasy side. What the guacamole lacked, however, our sangria certainly made up for. Not too strong, not too sweet, it was fresh, fruity, and just right.

Our entrées, meanwhile, proved to be just as unique as the menu. My enchiladas looked like standard Mexican fare, but the added mushrooms, raisins, and sherry gave them a slightly sweet taste in addition to the tanginess of the green mole sauce. They were definitely different, but I ate every bite, as did Jess with her chicken rollatine, which had been artfully arranged on her plate and packed quite a variety of tastes in every bite as well.

While Samalita’s might not have fully satisfied our craving for classic Mexican, its unique variety of California-style fare left us feeling very satisfied indeed.

"Art and Love" at the Met

2009-02-03T17:22:00.004-05:00

Last week I finally made my way over to the Met to see an exhibit I’d been eager to see since it was first announced: "Art and Love in Renaissance Italy." Featuring over 150 works, from paintings to sculptures to pieces of jewelry created to celebrate love and marriage during the period from about 1400 to the mid-16th century, the exhibit is not only a tribute to the romantic, but an exploration of the role of love, marriage, and family during the Italian Renaissance.

Upon entering the Special Exhibition Galleries on the 2nd floor, I was immediately struck by the deep red color the exhibit’s entrance had been painted, a color that immediately evokes images of love and romance. I made my way into the first gallery and was pleased to discover that the layout of “Art and Love” had been well-planned, in typical Met fashion. Each gallery focuses on one aspect of Renaissance love, then moves the visitor along fluidly to the next segment of the exhibit.

The first set of galleries deals with the Renaissance wedding, showcasing items used during a ceremony or given as a gift to commemorate a union. Full of pomp and ritual, Renaissance weddings were elaborate social affairs, especially when the bride and groom were members of wealthy merchant or ruling families, such as the de Medicis or the Bentivoglios. The variety of items associated with the Renaissance wedding are all beautifully crafted and highly symbolic, and it was fascinating to see so many on display. There are an assortment of plates, bowls, jugs, and other ceramic pieces, all hand-painted with intricate designs that include the fede motif, a pair of clasped hands representing faith; garlands of myrtle, a symbol of love; various representations of virtue and chastity; as well as images of the couple to be wed, along with their families’ coats of arms. Beautiful gold rings, brooches, and other pieces of jewelry also carry these symbols, as do delicate hand-blown glassware and unique items like an inkstand featuring busts of the couple alongside the fede motif. Particularly interesting is an ornate Jewish betrothal ring, to be worn only on the wedding day, featuring a gabled top that opens to reveal the words “good luck.”

After the wedding comes the start of married life, and this is the focus of the next segment of the exhibit, with a particular emphasis on childbearing. Couples typically had portraits painted after their marriage, featuring both husband and wife, often gazing at each other or seated together and staring out in the same direction. These portraits were meant to commemorate the union while also calling to mind the virtues that each individual brought to the marriage. An especially intriguing work is Fra Filippo Lippi’s “Portrait of a Woman at a Casement,” in which a woman who appears to be dressed in the extravagant garb of a newlywed stares out a window, past a man who is looking in at her from the other side. Because their gazes don’t meet, art history scholars have raised many questions about the nature of their relationship, as well as the purpose of the work.

Another trend involved the decoration of the couple’s bedchamber with a series of paintings in panel form depicting a variety of Biblical and allegorical tales. Marco del Bruno Giamberti’s “The Story of Esther,” featuring the Biblical tale of Queen Esther, evokes images of marriage, faith, and chastity meant to encourage the couple to embrace such virtues. Paintings depicting symbols of fertility were often hung over the couple’s bed, and the room typically contained at least one cassone, or marriage chest, a large, ornately-carved trunk painted with elaborate scenes in much the same style as the panels that adorned the walls. There are several of these on display, and their size, combined with the intricacy of their design, makes them quite impressive.

When a couple bore children, the occasion was commemorated with paintings, ceramic pieces, and other decorative items, the most common of which was the childbirth tray. Large and elaborate, these trays were meant to celebrate the birth of a child during a time in which childbearing could be extremely dangerous for both mother and infant. The selection of trays on display feature highly detailed scenes, some mythical, others depicting the act of birth itself and the very private confinement room. Also on display are several portraits of children and newborns. One particularly beautiful piece is an ornately carved walnut cradle from the 16th century. All of these serve to emphasize the importance of the family during the Renaissance era.

In a departure from the marriage and family theme, two small galleries focus on “erotic love.” The mood in these galleries differs significantly from the others, as much of the work is explicit and was considered pornographic during the time in which it was produced (and could still be classed as such today). While the same level of skill and attention to detail can be seen in these works as in the others, they lack the elevating, inspirational air of the rest of the exhibit, and they detract from the themes at the core of "Art and Love." Note that you’ll definitely want to skip this section if you’re visiting with small children.

The final gallery—and quite possibly my favorite—showcases a selection of paintings meant to represent the highest ideals of love and marriage. Lorenzo Lotto’s “Venus and Cupid” shows a playful Cupid and an idyllic Venus adorned with symbols of marriage and fertility. One particular highlight is a work by Titian featuring a male musician gazing at a reclining Venus, showing the interplay between love and music. Another Titian work, “Venus Blindfolding Cupid,” is also a stunning allegory. In this gallery, the themes that run throughout the rest of the exhibit—love, marriage, beauty, virtue, fertility, family—come together beautifully, providing the perfect ending to a lovely—and love-filled—exhibit.

“Art and Love in Renaissance Italy” is on display at the Met through February 16—which means there is just enough time for a Valentine’s Day visit.

Finding Warmth in Finestra

2009-01-24T10:30:00.003-05:00

On a bitterly cold winter night, when not even your warmest hat, scarf, and gloves are protection enough against the wind as it whips around buildings and tears through intersections, there is nothing better than a warm, hearty meal in a cozy little restaurant. And perhaps it’s the red wine, the steaming plates of pasta, or the thick, creamy sauces, but an Italian restaurant always seems to do the job best. This was certainly the case earlier this week, when I met my parents for dinner at Finestra.

On the corner of 73rd and York, Finestra is marked by a red and white awning that, during the summer months, protects a charming patio, and, during the winter months, serves as a beacon of warmth on a brisk, chilly night. My parents and I huddled through the front door to Finestra’s small but inviting interior, where exposed brick walls are decorated with plants, paintings, and a selection of brightly colored ceramic plates. We were seated right away by a friendly hostess, and, just as we sat down, an acoustic guitar player set up at the front of the restaurant and began to play.

As we were softly serenaded by a selection of cover songs from artists like The Beatles and Stevie Wonder, our waitress brought over a basket of warm, crusty bread, a bowl filled with hunks of fresh parmesan cheese, and a dish of olives, all of which went perfectly with the bottle of Beaujolais my dad chose for us. Wine in hand and plenty to munch on, we began to browse the menu, a lengthy list consisting mainly of traditional Italian fare, with a few more unique selections mixed in.

There was, for example, a fried calamari appetizer, as well one featuring grilled chicken sausage and sautéed spinach. There were also a variety of soups and salads to choose from, including a fresh mixed seafood salad with chopped tomatoes and lemon dressing, and a stracciatella soup featuring spinach, eggs, and parmesan cheese. For entrées, we could chose from an assortment of pasta dishes like cappellini primavera, tortellini alfredo, and fusilli with sausage, tomatoes, and garlic sauce. There were three types of risotto, plus several shrimp and salmon dishes. There were also a variety of chicken and veal entrées, like the pollo contessa, chicken breast sautéed with prosciutto, peppers, sage, and mozzarella in a sherry wine sauce, or the veal scallopine with mushrooms and shallots in a light pink sauce.

Despite all the options, I knew with one look at the menu what I wanted to order—gnocchi in a fresh pomodoro sauce, the perfect warm and hearty meal for such a cold night. My mom chose the rigatoni ortolana, rigatoni with eggplant, zucchini, ricotta cheese, and tomato sauce, while my dad went with the classic chicken marsala. For an appetizer, we selected the crostini di polenta, polenta with mozzarella and mushrooms in a white wine sauce.

The polenta turned out to be a warm, cake-like creation held together with melted mozzarella cheese. Delicious yet surprisingly light, it was the perfect prelude to the substantial entrées we had each ordered, which were all served in ample, steaming portions. My gnocchi was fluffy yet filling, and I had enough to take home for dinner the following night. My parents were both pleased with their meals as well. We were all so pleased, in fact, that we didn’t have room for dessert, though we couldn’t help peeking at the menu, which featured a variety of sorbets, gelatos, tartufos, and Italian pastries. Next time, perhaps.

After we (or, I should say, my dad) paid what turned out to be a very reasonable bill, we bundled up to brave the cold once more, armed with full stomachs and memories of a delicious meal in a warm and cozy atmosphere. And somehow it didn’t feel quite as cold on the way home.

One Lovely Blog Award

2009-01-12T22:48:00.003-05:00

I’m always excited when readers leave comments on my blog, but I was especially excited last week when Suzee of Chez LaFleur in Manhattan, nominated me for the One Lovely Blog Award. Thanks so much, Suzee! I am pleased to accept the award—and pass it along to these blogs with a New York City focus:

Miss Menu: The restaurant adventures of a “walking Zagat guide.”

The Upper East Side Informer: New Upper East Side Informer Jocelyn Jane provides an insightful look at UES goings-on.

Postcards from New York: Postcard-perfect glimpses of the city and all it has to offer.

Home Sweet NYC: NYC happenings with heart.

I Could Not Stay in Strawberry Fields Forever: A fabulous NYC photoblog.

NYC Foodie: Eating out in NYC from a foodie's-eye view.

StrumErika: Another great take on NYC restaurants.

These awardees just need to follow these simple rules to receive this award and pass it on:

Add the logo to your blog.

Link to the person from whom you've received the award.

Nominate seven blogs of your choice.

Leave a message on the nominees’ blogs.

Enjoy!

A Fresh Perspective for a New Year

2009-01-07T22:12:00.004-05:00

After nearly two weeks off, a vacation filled with family, friends, rest, relaxation, and large quantities of baked goods, I am ready for 2009. Determined to make this year my most productive and fulfilling yet, I decided to take on the challenge of a new hobby. No, I am not building the world’s largest ball of yarn, nor am I growing a family of sea monkeys. Instead, I have taken up painting.

Though my resume includes only a few walls (the baseboards of which needed touching up when I was done), I went to the art supply store last week, my much more artistically experienced father in tow. With his help, I chose several tubes of watercolor paint, a set of brushes, and a book of techniques—plus a nifty little carrying case to store it all in. My dad purchased some supplies as well, and the next day we set up our acquisitions on the kitchen table and got to work.

An hour or so and a few spills, splatters, and splashes later, my dad, after experimenting with several techniques and color combinations, had painted a lovely little beach scene. I, meanwhile, had filled a piece of paper with several mud-colored streaks and then painted a flower that looked more like a pastel sea anemone than the orchid it was supposed to be. Technique, I discovered, is everything—and I had a lot to learn.

While practice makes perfect, so does patience, perspective, and observation, whether you’re learning how to paint, teaching yourself a foreign language, or nursing a sick sea monkey. And one of the best places for such patient observation is a museum, as few other spots feautre so many fresh and talented perspectives under one roof—especially now, as many of the museums in our area are or will soon be featuring brilliant new exhibits. And I'm sure my new hobby could benefit from all of them. Here are some of the highlights:

Art and Love in Renaissance Italy: Now at the Met, this exhibit explores the themes of love and marriage during the Italian Renaissance with approximately 150 objects that range from portraits and paintings to jewelry and glassware. “Art and Love” is on display until February 16—just in time for Valentine’s Day. In addition, curator Andrea Bear will be giving a lecture on the exhibit next Thursday, January 15 at 7 p.m. in Wallace Hall at the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola (on the corner of 84th and Park). The lecture is free and open to the public, and it will be followed by a wine and cheese reception.

Masterpieces of European Painting from the Norton Simon Museum: Starting February 10, the Frick will feature five master works from 16th-and 17th-century artists Peter Paul Rubens, Guercino, Francisco de Zurbarán, Jacopo Bassano, and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, none of whom are currently represented in the Frick’s collection.

The Third Mind: American Artists Contemplate Asia, 1860 to 1989: Opening at the Guggenheim January 30, "The Third Mind" will explore the impact Asian art and philosophy have had on the American art scene. With approximately 260 works by 114 American and Asian-American artists, this exhibit is sure to be a lesson in perspective.

Paris/New York: Design/Fashion/Culture 1925-1940: On display through February 22 at the Museum of the City of New York, “Paris/New York” explores the themes in art, design, architecture, film, fashion, and theater brought to the forefront in—where else—Paris and New York during the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. Featuring drawings, photographs, costumes, furnishings, and more from the likes of Coco Chanel, Salvador Dali, and Josephine Baker, the exhibit delves into our creative and culturally rich history.

Eudora Welty in New York: Photographs of the Early 1930s: Also at the Museum of the City of New York are author and photographer Eudora Welty’s Depression-Era photos of both her home state of Mississippi and New York, now through February 16.

Artists Making Photographs: Opening January 16 at the Whitney, this exhibit features photographs by artists like Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha, and Robert Rauschenberg, alongside their works in other mediums. Perhaps they ventured into photography in an attempt to take on a new hobby for a new year as well.

No matter what your New Year’s resolution, interest, or hobby, these exhibits are sure to provide fresh new perspectives and a healthy dose of inspiration.

Lemongrass Leisure

2008-12-18T21:19:00.007-05:00

Last week, I found myself craving panang curry. In fact, my craving was so strong that it led me to brave the wind, the rain, and the cold—all with a severely dysfunctional umbrella, no less. That is the power of panang. Well, that and dinner plans I had made with my friend Kathy, whom I had planned to meet at Lemongrass Thai Grill on 2nd Ave. between 81st and 82nd Streets.

I had never been to Lemongrass before, but it had always looked like a cozy and casual spot to grab a quick yet quality pad thai or massaman curry. In that respect, it lived up to its expectations; yet, in others, it was a bit of a disappointment.

Since the restaurant was nearly empty when we arrived (understandably, considering the weather), Kathy and I were seated right away. Lemongrass has ample space, with small tables scattered throughout, a row of bench seating along the far wall, plus two fair-sized bars—one for drinks, the other for sushi. The ambience was a bit different than I had expected, though, with warm lighting and rich wood paneling to create an inviting feel, yet industrial tables and wall mirrors that evoke a diner-style element, and several flat-screen TVs to add a dash of sports bar. Despite the somewhat incongruous atmosphere, Lemongrass was warm and dry, and, after coming in from such stormy weather, we were happy.

We shook off our wet coats and umbrellas and ordered glasses of Shiraz from a drink menu that featured a variety of reds and whites, plus a number of specialty drinks and quite a few kinds of sake. Our server arrived right away, ready to take our food order—he was so quick, in fact, that we had to ask him for a few more minutes to look over the menu.

Lemongrass features a wide selection of standard Thai fare like pad see yu, pineapple fried rice, pad thai, a variety of curries, plus meat and seafood dishes, as well as a few teriyaki selections; and there is also a full sushi bar boasting sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls. Kathy and I decided to share an order of steamed dumplings stuffed with ground pork and shrimp. For an entrée, she chose a beef teriyaki dish, while I chose—no surprise here—the panang curry.

Ready to order, however, our previously prompt waiter was nowhere to be found. After a few minutes of craning our necks as we attempted to locate him in the nearly empty restaurant, we finally managed to flag him down from across the room. He took our order, delivered it shortly thereafter, and that was the last we saw of him until much later in the evening.

Our food was delicious, the dumplings plump and piping hot, the panang the ideal balance of spicy and sweet, and the beef teriyaki tender and juicy. The portions were the perfect size—filling yet not too large—and we were more than satisfied with all that we had ordered, which was a good thing, as we were not given the opportunity to order anything more. Our waiter never returned to check on us, to bring us new drinks, or even to ask if we were interested in dessert.

Caught up in conversation, Kathy and I realized after at least an hour and a half had gone by that our empty plates were still sitting in front of us, and our waiter was nowhere to be found. We didn’t mind too much, as were having such a lovely discussion, though it would have been nice if he had made at least one reappearance.

When we finally began to grow tired (and a bit chilly, as there was a draft coming from the front door), Kathy managed to hunt down our waiter on her way to the restroom, a difficult task considering she no longer remembered what he looked like. Her mission was a success, however, and our long-absent waiter soon reappeared with our check—which, at just over $30 per person for a drink, an appetizer, and an entrée, was very reasonable.

Our time at Lemongrass provided us with the two most important elements of any dining experience: good food and good conversation. And it certainly satisfied my craving for panang.

If you’re in a hurry, however, you may want to order take-out.

Babar...and a Beer

2008-12-11T22:25:00.003-05:00

Now on display at the Morgan Library is an exhibit of elephantine proportions. No, the building that once served as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan is not undergoing an expansion, nor has it agreed to house wildlife. But it is home to one very special elephant—an elephant who walks upright, wears a trademark green suit, and goes by the name of Babar.

Created in 1931 when French painter Jean de Brunhoff first illustrated the baby elephant regularly featured in bedtime stories his wife had been telling their two sons, Babar became the starring character in a series of picture books that are now unquestionably children’s classics. Both written and illustrated by Jean de Brunhoff, the first seven Babar books were instantly popular. Jean, however, passed away at the age of 37, at which point his son Laurent picked up where he left off, seamlessly continuing the Babar series from 1946 to the present day.

The de Brunhoff legacy is now on display at the Morgan in Drawing Babar: Early Drafts and Watercolors, which gives visitors the opportunity to view the entire collection of sketches, working drafts, and final watercolors for Histoire de Babar, le petit elephant, Jean’s first Babar book, and Babar et ce coquin d’Arthur, the first Babar book by Laurent. This past Saturday, I hopped on the 6 train and explored the exhibit with my friend Ruth, immersing ourselves in the magical world of Babar for the afternoon.

Taking over three ample rooms at the Morgan, Drawing Babar begins with the display of first edition copies of several of the earliest Babar books, including Histoire de Babar (1931), Le Roi Babar (1933), and L’ABC de Babar (1934). Featuring anecdotes on each work, this first room provides visitors with a good introduction to Babar and the de Brunhoffs. The remaining two rooms, however, are really the heart of the exhibit.

The first is devoted to Histoire de Babar, displaying Jean’s notes, sketches, and early drafts side-by-side with the finished watercolors for each page in the book. Every spread is set up storyboard-style, with the French and English text featured below, so that viewers can see how the story developed as Jean worked on it, while also reading the final story themselves. The second room is set up the same way and features Laurent’s sketches, notes, and final watercolors for Babar et ce coquin d’Arthur.

Ruth and I spent over an hour taking in the exhibit, moving from spread to spread and observing the sometimes subtle and sometimes major changes to Babar’s story as the text and art were developed. Also quite evident—and very impressive—is the similarity between Jean and Laurent’s style of illustration and of working, which allowed for a near seamless transition from Jean to Laurent after Jean’s death. This is clearly a case in which the phrase “like father, like son” holds true—and thankfully so.

After we had had our fill of Babar, Ruth and I went around the corner for drinks at The Ginger Man, a quaint and cozy beer bar on 36th Street between Fifth and Madison. Featuring seventy beers on tap, over 160 bottled beers, plus wine, various other spirits, and a pub-like food menu, there is certainly something for everyone. With pints of Anchor Christmas Ale and Elysian Bifrost Winter Ale to get us in the holiday spirit, plus a plate of assorted cheeses, The Ginger Man proved to be the perfect place to warm up on a chilly December day—and discuss Babar, of course.

Hurry on over to the Morgan Library to catch Drawing Babar before it closes on January 4. The Morgan is on 36th and Madison (accessible via the 4, 5, or 6 train to Grand Central) and is open every day of the week except Monday. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children, seniors, and students; but, if you visit on a Friday between 7 and 9 p.m., admission is free.

And, once you’ve spent some time with Babar, stop by The Ginger Man for a post-museum drink.

Skating Season

2008-12-05T21:40:00.003-05:00

The weather outside is, well, cold; little white lights and snowflakes are twinkling along Fifth Avenue; and the tree in Rockefeller Center has been lit. What does all of this mean? That the holidays are just a few weeks away, of course, and that the city is abuzz with the shoppers, sightseers, and show-goers who flock into town to experience the magic that is Manhattan during Christmastime. And while it may not be the best time of year for finding a non-metered parking spot on the street, it is the perfect time for an activity that, for many of us, is associated with fond childhood memories; for some of us, is considered impossibly frightening; and, for all of us, is a sure sign of winter. That activity is none other than ice skating.

As a child, I owned a pair of white ice skates that I eagerly anticipated lacing up as soon as the pond in my town froze over, prompting the “No Skating” sign to be flipped to its “Yes” side and summoning swarms of local kids who couldn’t wait to slide, glide, and practice the occasional (and unsuccessful) triple lutz. While tricks involving jumping or excessive spinning weren’t exactly my style, I was quite proud of my ability to skate backwards, and I gladly stayed on the ice until my fingers began to feel frostbitten or my mom said it was time to go, whichever came first.

Though it has been quite a while since I’ve last owned a pair of skates, I do get the urge to skate—forwards and backwards—right around this time every year; and, this year, I’m determined to do so once again. Whether you’re feeling the same way, or you’ve resolved to finally overcome your fear of hovering over a frozen body of water on a pair of sharp metal blades, there are a number of spots where you can don a pair of skates and hit the ice here in the city.

Rockefeller Center: This is definitely the go-to spot for skaters—and tourists—during the holiday season. While the crowds and the cost can be quite a deterrent, nothing compares to skating beneath the towering Rockefeller tree. Just be prepared for long lines and high prices. The rink is open daily through January 9, with 90-minute sessions available from 8:30 a.m. to midnight. Each session is $19 for adults, $12.50 for seniors and children under the age of eleven, and skate rentals are $9 per session.

The Pond at Bryant Park: A fun, festive, and, most importantly, free alternative to Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park features skating daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (midnight on Fridays and Saturdays) now through January 25. While admission to the rink is free, there is a $12 charge for skate rentals, as well as a fee to use the lockers that are provided. And when you’re done skating, you can browse the holiday shops or warm up over a drink at Celsius, the elevated restaurant and lounge that overlooks the pond, the park, and the holiday tree.

The Polar Rink at the Museum of Natural History: For the first time ever, the Museum of Natural History has opened an outdoor skating rink on its Arthur Ross Terrace. Replete with a café and a seventeen-foot-tall polar bear, the rink is open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and holidays, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays now through February 28. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children, and $9 for students and seniors and include skate rentals, with discounts for members. Just a warning, however, that the rink’s recyclable synthetic surface may not feel quite like the ice you’re used to.

Wollman Rink: Located in Central Park near the 59th Street and 6th Avenue entrance, Wollman Rink provides a more spacious, outdoorsy skating spot on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Prices (for a full-day of access) are $10 for adults, $5.25 for children, $4.75 for seniors, and $6 for skate rental Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday, the prices go up to $14 for adults, $5.50 for children, and $8.25 for seniors. There are lockers available for rental. Oh, and spectators beware, as Wollman Rink charges a spectator fee.

Lasker Rink: The more ice-hockey-friendly alternative to Wollman Rink is located near the 110th Street and Lenox Avenue entrance to Central Park. Though hours are limited (see the website for details), prices are only $6 for adults, $3.50 for children, $2.25 for seniors, and $5.25 for skate rental.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers: For the cold-weather-averse, Chelsea Piers’ indoor skating facility provides a warmer alternative to the outdoor rinks. Rates are $12.50 for adults, $10 for children, and $7 for skate rental. Click here for the extended holiday session schedule.

Seaport Ice: Located on South Street Seaport’s Pier 17, the brand-new Seaport Ice Rink opens to the public this month and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. General admission is only $5, with a $7 skate rental fee, and the rink promises free lockers, live music, and a snack shop.

Happy skating!

Friends, Wine, and Warmth

2008-11-25T22:03:00.003-05:00

Never one for shameless self-promotion, I do not inundate the inboxes of friends and family members with links to my blog every time I write a new post. Yet I do share posts that I am particularly pleased with from time to time, or those that I think someone would especially appreciate. What I especially appreciate, however, is anyone who takes the time to read my articles, and I take it as quite a compliment when one of my posts compels a reader to visit a restaurant, bar, museum, or other venue that I’ve written about—which is why I was especially excited when my friend Michele, after reading several recent posts, suggested that a group of us get together to visit a place I’ve written about, one that peaked her interest and, subsequently, that of a number of our friends.

The place was Vero, the wine bar on 2nd Avenue that I wrote a post on a few weeks ago. After a flurry of emails sent in an effort to coordinate the who, what, when, where, and how, our group of seven—five of whom had driven in from northern New Jersey—met at Vero on Saturday night.

Possibly the coldest night of the fall so far, Saturday did not provide the most enticing of weather for leaving one’s apartment—or fleeciest sweatpants. Lauren and I bundled up in preparation for the ten-minute walk to Vero—a walk that, once we were hit with a very wintry wind, we decided to forego in lieu of a cab. But we warmed up as soon as we walked through Vero’s front doors and were greeted by a very welcoming hostess who led us to the table I had called to reserve just a few hours earlier. We sat down, ordered glasses of wine, and were sufficiently thawed by the time the rest of the girls arrived a few minutes later.

As greetings and excited chatter bounced around the table, we ordered drinks and picked out an assortment of plates to share amongst ourselves. With seven of us, I was able to experience more of Vero’s menu than on my previous visit. Several of the girls ordered a flight, in which they were able to choose three wines to taste. Our very accommodating waiter kindly brought the flight selections out one at a time, as there wasn’t very much free space on our tabletop, and I was pleased to see that each glass, though smaller than a regular wine glass, held an ample amount of wine.

We all enjoyed at least one type of wine we had never tried before; for me, this was a Rioja, a crisp Spanish red with plum and dried cherry flavors. Something else I had never tried before, yet had heard a greal deal about, was Vero’s panini. I ordered one with prosciutto, figs, gorgonzola, and rosemary oil; and a few of the girls tried the prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, and basil aioli combination. Warm, crisp, cheesy, and utterly delicious, they complemented our wine, as well as the meat, cheese, olive, and bruschetta platters we had ordered. More than enough food for the seven of us, our choices turned out to be perfect for sharing on a chilly almost-winter night.

Once we had gotten our fill of wine, cheese, and Vero’s warm and cozy atmosphere, we decided to venture out into the cold in search of a place for dessert. We walked just a few steps when my friend Sue pointed across the street.

“Kristen, didn’t you write about that place, too?” she asked, aiming her gloved hand at Hi-Life, the bar and restaurant just up 2nd Avenue from Vero—and another venue I had written about just a few months ago. “Let’s try that—it sounded good!” she added.

And so to Hi-Life we went, where we ordered an array of cold-weather drinks and desserts: Irish coffees, chocolate martinis, chocolate cake, vanilla and chocolate gelato truffles—all were heavenly. Having seated ourselves in a different configuration than at Vero in an attempt to catch up with everyone, we all enjoyed our desserts, our drinks, and our company.

After such a lovely evening—and probably because we were still somewhat stuffed from all we had consumed—we all felt just a little bit warmer on our way home.

Books Galore!

2008-11-20T20:48:00.004-05:00

This holiday season, budgets are tight, and wallets are being clutched even tighter. But there is one gift that is always in style, always a pleasure to receive, and always affordable: a book. And this weekend, books are even more affordable than usual, as there are two book fairs in our area that are offering great deals—and for good causes.

First, there is the Barnes & Noble Book Fair benefiting East 82nd Street’s St. Stephen of Hungary School. Held at the Barnes & Noble store located on 86th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, the fair will run from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22, and St. Stephen of Hungary School will receive a portion of the proceeds. Stop by on the way out for your Saturday-morning workout or your Sunday-morning Starbucks to check out the selection and support a neighborhood school in the process.

Next up is the Goddard Riverside Community Center’s 22nd Annual Book Fair. A settlement house on the Upper West Side that has provided food, shelter, and educational programs to New Yorkers in need since 1959, Goddard has held this major fundraiser every year since 1986 and has raised over $7 million as a result. And each year’s fair is more highly anticipated than the last, as it promises discounts of 50% or more on brand-new books, from current bestsellers to classics, children’s books to cookbooks, all generously donated by area publishers.

The fair kicks off tomorrow with the Book Bash, the opening night celebration that gives ticket holders first dibs on thousands of books before the fair opens to the public. Featuring spreads from local restaurants and bakeries, wine and martini bars, and a raffle with prizes like a $1,000 Barnes & Noble gift card, theater tickets, spa packages, and much more, the Book Bash is a fun and festive start to a positive—and positively literary—weekend. Tickets are $125 in advance or $150 at the door. To purchase tickets, click here.

On Saturday morning, the fair opens to the public, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The earlier in the weekend you arrive, the wider your selection of books will be; the later you show up, the more picked-over the selection, but the deeper the discount you’ll receive. By late Sunday afternoon, prices are slashed so drastically that you could easily walk out with an armful of books for under $10. Tempting, no? Goddard is located at 593 Columbus Avenue at 88th Street—just a quick cross-town bus ride away. Click here for the admission card.

And then book it on over to both fairs this weekend to pick up some good reads for some very good causes.

An Uninvited Guest

2008-11-14T12:54:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago, Lauren and I began to notice that something in our apartment was amiss. While making breakfast one morning, I spotted what I hoped were a few flax seeds, or perhaps chocolate sprinkles, scattered across our kitchen table. I looked at them for a while. Then I looked a little closer, trying to convince myself that they were probably just some sort of seed that had fallen off a bagel or a sandwich Lauren had prepared recently. I swept them up, firm in my resolution that they were nothing to be concerned about, and went on with my day.

The next morning, however, I again noticed more of the same mysterious seed-like specks. Considering that Lauren had been away since my finding the previous morning, and that I had not eaten anything containing seeds or sprinkles or any other small brown particles, I was pretty sure I knew what I was dealing with. Yet I still tried to convince myself otherwise, sure that Lauren would dispel my fears later that evening when she got home. Surely she had eaten something with seeds, and I had just missed a few when I cleaned up the morning before. Yes, that was it. I let the specks be so that she could inspect them later on.

“Okay, you need to look at this,” I began almost as soon as I walked in the door that evening. Somewhat startled, Lauren followed me hesitantly over to the kitchen table. “These little brown things—you didn’t make anything with seeds recently, did you?”

“No,” she replied. We were now both staring intently at the half-dozen or so little brown specks scattered about the table, and the realization of what they most likely were began to dawn on Lauren. “Uh oh. Are those what I think they are?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m pretty sure they’re mouse droppings.” There—I had said it, one of the most dreaded words in the apartment-dweller’s vernacular. “I think we have a mouse.”

We left a message with our super and, while waiting to hear back from him, hoped that the little brown specks would just go away on their own. They didn’t. Each evening we wiped them up, and each morning there were a few more—just three or four, not enough to suggest our apartment was being commandeered by an army of rodents. But enough to know that we did, indeed, have a visitor.

Any doubts we may have hopefully clung to were dispelled one evening last week when I pulled a Reese’s peanut butter cup out of a package that we had been keeping on top of our microwave since Halloween. There, in the middle of the wrapper, was a carefully nibbled hole that revealed the contents inside—or what was left of them, because someone or something had eaten half of the peanut butter cup that I had been looking forward to. And I was pretty sure it wasn’t Lauren. I tossed the entire package into the trash, and Lauren left another message for the super again the following day—still to no avail.

We soon realized that our super was on vacation, and that, if we wanted to catch our uninvited guest in the act of raiding our snacks, we would have to do so on our own. But then, one evening this week, before we even had the opportunity to debate the merits of sticky, snap, and have-a-heart traps, we caught our visitor quite by accident—or, he caught himself.

Having picked up garbage bags on my way home from the gym, I reached into our recycling bin to put one inside—and there, at the bottom of the bin, was our mouse. He was curled up on his side, his little tail splayed behind him. And he was most certainly dead.

I jumped backwards and let out a scream that I’m sure was heard by everyone in the building, a scream that continued as I ran through the apartment and into Lauren’s room, where she had been sitting quietly at her computer until just a moment before.

“What is it?” She looked at me in fear, her eyes wide with concern, as though preparing for the news that our kitchen was on fire. While I wanted to dispel her fears, all I could get out were a series of “oh no”s and “ugh”s as I jumped around her room, shuddering and shaking as though there were five live mice crawling over me, rather than just one dead one that at this point was over ten feet away.

“There’s a dead mouse in the recycling bin!” I finally managed to shout, commencing a new series of squeals and shudders from both of us.

“Okay, okay,” I reasoned when we had both managed to calm ourselves a bit. “It’s only a mouse. Can you just go look at it to make sure it’s really dead?”

“Okay,” Lauren replied hesitantly. “Hold my hand.”

And so we crept back to the kitchen, clutching each other’s hands as we neared the plastic can and its fated inhabitant.

“Just peek in,” I prompted. “He’s in the far corner.”

“I don’t want to, I don’t want to,” Lauren repeated, attempting to retreat back to her bedroom while I pulled her toward the bin.

“You can do it,” I encouraged. “I’ll look with you.” We tiptoed toward the bin, our knuckles now white from gripping each other’s hands so tightly. We leaned forward and peered in, both hoping that my earlier sighting had just been a figment of my imagination.

Nope. The mouse was still there, and he was still dead. After more screaming and jumping and shuddering, we realized that the critter was actually kind of cute—and, feeling sorry for him, we tried to figure out the cause of his demise.

“Maybe he just climbed in there and couldn’t get out and then died of starvation,” I offered. “But he wasn’t there this morning. Can mice starve to death that quickly?”

“I think he was on the kitchen table, walking along like this.” She demonstrated with her fingers as though a rodent CSI detective. “There was no food up here, so he peeked down there and slipped and fell. And then broke his neck.”

“Maybe he felt guilty after gorging himself on Reese’s peanut butter cups and jumped on purpose,” I suggested.

After resigning ourselves to the fact that we may never know what really happened to our dead little mouse, we began to consider our options for his disposal.

Flushing him down the toilet was mentioned, as was a burial service in Carl Schurz Park, before we narrowed our options down to two more manageable ones: we could try to dump him from the recycling can into the regular garbage, thus salvaging our plastic bin; or we could just throw the whole thing out. We opted for the latter.

After getting the entire bin into a garbage bag, a process that took nearly ten minutes due another wave of screaming, jumping, and shuddering, I volunteered to bring the whole thing down to the trash.

“Hey,” I called on my way out the door. “Do you think mice are recyclable?”

“This one certainly thinks he is!” came the reply.

Fabulous Fall Foliage

2008-11-08T10:10:00.003-05:00

Just a few days ago, I returned home from a trip to Indianapolis, where I was treated to spectacular weather and stunning fall foliage. Fiery reds, florescent yellows, ripe oranges—the leaves were showing off their peak colors in what seemed to be a grand finale to the fall. If you have not yet witnessed such a show of fall brilliance, there are still a few spots in our area where you can do so.

Bear Mountain: Whether hiking the trails for the day or relaxing at the rustic Bear Mountain Inn for the weekend, this Hudson River Valley state park is the perfect fall getaway. The leaves will be reaching their peak colors this weekend, so hurry up and plan your trip.

Piermont: This quaint little town right on the Hudson is home to antique shops, art galleries, cafés, wine bars, restaurants, and—this weekend—peak fall foliage. For directions, click here.

Long Island: Hop on the LIRR and head out to Long Island, where the leaves will be reaching their peak this weekend as well. It may be a bit chilly to hit the beach, but it will be perfect weather for sipping hot cider under a magnificent canopy of reds, yellows, and oranges.

Staten Island: Just a quick train ride away, Staten Island’s foliage will be reaching its peak this upcoming week. Can you think of a better reason to play hooky from work?

Princeton, NJ: Like much of central and southern New Jersey, Princeton is experiencing peak fall foliage this week. Hop on NJ Transit and, in just over an hour, you can shop in Palmer Square, stroll through the Princeton University campus, or hike the trails in Princeton Battlefield State Park—all under a stunning array of reds, yellows, and oranges.

Mohonk Mountain House: Treat yourself to a stay in this Victorian castle on Lake Mohonk in the Hudson River Valley, just 90 minutes from the city. This mountaintop resort and spa features hiking, tennis, boating, rock climbing, and much more. And, for at least another week or so, it will also feature some of the most spectacular foliage in the area. For more information, click here.

Hurry up and take in the splendor of this foliage season!

Watercolors and Wallpaper at Cooper-Hewitt

2008-10-27T22:25:00.005-04:00

On a blustery, rainy Saturday, the best place to be is indoors. Better than indoors in your apartment, however, is indoors in a museum. And best of all is when admission to said museum is free. That was the case this past Saturday, when my mom and I ventured to Cooper-Hewitt, taking advantage of the museum’s last day of free admission in honor of National Design Week.

Upon entering the Carnegie mansion, the historic home turned innovative museum on 91st and Fifth, we were immediately welcomed by rich wood paneling, comfortingly creaky oaken floors, and a staff member who greeted us with two free admission tickets. Our coats and umbrellas checked, we were immediately drawn into the main exhibition room on the first floor, in which "House Proud: Nineteenth-century Watercolor Interiors from the Thaw Collection" is elegantly displayed. Featuring nearly seventy watercolor drawings, "House Proud" provides a glimpse into the everyday lives of the European middle- and upper-classes during the nineteenth-century, a time during which the home became not just a dwelling place but a source of status, inspiration, and pride.

During this time period, interior design evolved from a matter of function to one of fashion, and the upper and middle classes began not only to express their tastes through the décor of their homes, but to commission watercolors of their finely appointed interiors that could then be collected in family albums, given to friends and family as gifts, or put on display. The drawings included in "House Proud" are a result of this trend. All meticulously done, they showcase the rooms found in most middle- and upper-class nineteenth-century homes: the sitting room, salon, library, study, and bedroom, to name a few. Some rooms, meant for the lady of the house, possess a delicate feminine design; while others are clearly intended to be masculine spaces. All, however, convey the era’s appreciation for the arts, featuring exquisite furniture, ceramics, sculptures, and paintings; intricate woodwork and wall patterns; and extensive resources for the furthering of one’s own studies, whether musical, literary, or artistic. Each watercolor captures every detail of the featured room with precision, making the exhibit an inspiring peek into a time past.

After making our way through "House Proud," my mom and I went up to the second floor, where we found "Wall Stories: Children’s Wallpaper and Books." A whimsical exhibit that examines the relationship between wallpaper design and children’s books, "Wall Stories" was a pleasure to explore. The exhibit traces the origins of the children’s wallpaper industry, which began in the 1870s as families started to expand into larger homes and give children their own rooms. At the same time, books designed specifically for children began to grow in popularity, and the book and wallpaper industry converged in order to provide children with stimulating environments and quality entertainment.

Classic children’s book characters such as Peter Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, and Alice in Wonderland, as well as a variety of fairy tales and fables, have been the influences behind the children’s wallpaper industry from the turn of the century through present day. The enchanting illustrations and captivating friezes that resulted from this collaboration of book and home interiors graced the walls of many a nursery for the amusement of some very fortunate children, and, fortunately for us, they are now gracing the walls of Cooper-Hewitt. From Dick Tracy to Mother Goose, Popeye to Cinderella, the museum has chosen a delightful assortment of characters and designs, many of which I wouldn’t mind having on my own walls. In addition, the exhibit examines the evolution of the children’s book from instructional guide to fictional piece of entertainment, and includes a number of the earliest moveable and pop-up books, which were simply amazing to see.

With "House Proud" and "Wall Stories," Cooper-Hewitt managed to turn a dreary afternoon into a fascinating adventure, and my mom and I left with quite a bit of inspiration for interior design projects of our own.

"House Proud" is on display at Cooper-Hewitt until January 25; "Wall Stories" until April 5.

Wine-Tasting...Right in Your Kitchen

2008-10-20T13:24:00.002-04:00

For many of us, wine-tasting is a favorite fall activity. Yet getting to the city’s nearest wineries upstate, on Long Island, or in New Jersey requires the careful coordination of train schedules, cab fare, and car rentals—and often means that more time will be spent in transit than in the enjoyment of your favorite varietals. So, rather than trekking out of the city for a tasting, why not bring the wine-tasting to you? This is what my friend Michele did on Friday night, in what turned out to be a fun and clever event.

Around seven p.m., twelve women poured into Michele’s kitchen, six with bottles of red wine and six with white (Michele asked us each what we’d be bringing beforehand to ensure that reds and whites would both be well-represented). We gathered around her kitchen table, where she had a spread of at least ten different kinds of cheeses. On one side of the table, to go with white wines, there were Brie, fontina, goat cheeses, and goudas; on the red side of the table were sharp cheddars, blue cheeses, and gorgonzola; and in the middle was an assortment of crackers and olives. We settled in, trying to refrain from doing too much damage with the cheese knives before Michele finished explaining to us which cheeses went with which wines.

Next, we were given slips of paper that Michele had prepared so that we could rate each wine we tasted. On the left side were the letters A through E, which would correspond to the six whites we were about to taste. On the right were blank spaces in which we could give each wine a rating from one to five, where one meant “I don’t care for this wine at all” and five meant “I love this wine!”

Once we were all set up with pens and rating sheets, the tasting began. Michele came around with several Rieslings, a few pinot grigios, a sauvignon blanc, and a chardonnay, and we swirled, sniffed, and sipped, then rated, nibbling on cheese and crackers in between. We weren’t told which wines had been brought by which guests, and, once we were done with the whites, the ratings were tallied, and the winner of the highest rated white—a Kris pinot grigio—was given a wine stopper as a prize.

Then it was on to the reds. While pouring the wines one by one and tasting together had worked well for the whites, the increase in volume and chattiness that is bound to occur when twelve females are plied with six bottles of wine led Michele to take a different tactic with the reds. She marked each bottle with a letter from A through E and then set them up on her counter and let us help ourselves. We tasted at our own pace, trying several pinot noirs, a gamay noir, cabernets, merlots, and a zinfandel and then giving each wine a rating on a new set of sheets just like the ones we had used for the whites.

By the end of what turned out to be a delightful evening, we had tasted an ample assortment of wines, each of us finding at least one new favorite, and some of us even going home with prizes.

So, the next time you’re in the mood to do a little wine-tasting, consider hosting a tasting of your own.

Your friends will be glad you did.

Vero Vino

2008-10-08T22:02:00.005-04:00

This past Sunday evening, I finally made it to yet another of the UES wine bars that I’ve been eager to try. Vero, a wine and panini bar on 2nd Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets, was the perfect place to meet my friend Cari, a New Yorker who recently transplanted to the Midwest and was back in the city for the weekend.

Vero’s tiny entrance gives way to a long and narrow space that gives patrons the option of sitting at the black granite-topped bar or at one of a number of small round tables surrounded by a leather banquette. Harvest-orange walls and dark wood paneling create a warm and cozy ambiance that is complemented by soft, low lighting and, at least on Sunday, what sounded like some sort of smooth French jazz.

Cari and I found a table, where we were brought a pair of book-like menus that listed Vero’s wide array of martinis, sangrias, specialty drinks, appetizer plates, bruschettas, salads, panini, and, of course wines. Faced with a much wider variety than we had anticipated, we browsed over items like the spicy passion fruit margarita, mango bellini, and watermelon mojito. There was a caramel appletini, a passion pineapple martini, and a key lime martini; plus watermelon, tropical fruit, and white sangrias.

The wines, meanwhile, were grouped by type and region, with several sparkling wines and champagnes, a nice selection of whites, a few roses, and then reds from Italy, Spain, Australia, France, Argentina, California, and Oregon, plus a few ports and selections of grappa. Most wines were available either by glass or by bottle, with prices ranging from $9 to $13 per glass and $30 to $80 per bottle. Flights of three wines were also an option, for $18 each.

And then there was the food. Featuring mostly light fare, Vero offered selections that paired well with wines. There were several meat, cheese, olive, and hummus plates, plus warm appetizers like braised mushrooms, truffle egg toast, or the Vero pizza. We could choose any three types of bruschetta for $10 from a list that featured braised chicken and arugula; roasted zucchini, tomato, and goat cheese; fig and prosciutto with ricotta fresca; and three cheese, among others. Also extensive was the list of panini, which included selections with spinach, olives, roasted tomatoes, fontina cheese, and cumin aioli; smoked turkey with fontina, pesto, and beefsteak tomatoes; braised chicken with frisee, sweet onion, and pancetta; and Portobello, tomato, balsamic onion, and basil aioli. If that wasn’t enough, there were also several main dishes, which included stuffed meatballs, Mediterranean couscous, and yellowfin tuna. That’s a lot of options for a little place.

Undaunted, Cari and I tackled the menu and made our choices rather quickly: a glass of Montepulciano D’Abruzzo for me, red sangria for her, and a plate of assorted meats and cheeses to share. More than enough for the two of us, our platter was artfully arranged with sliced prosciutto, sopressata, and salami; ricotta, provolone, asiago, pecorino, and fontina cheeses; plus dried apricots, sliced apples, toasted pita triangles, and honey for dipping. Each item was delicious whether alone or paired with something else on the plate, and everything went well with our drinks.

All in all, Vero was the perfect place for catching up on a crisp fall evening. And, this fall, if that evening happens to be a Monday, Vero features a free panini with the purchase of any glass of wine, beer, specialty drink, or martini.

On Saturdays, Vero offers a Weekend Wine School, a wine-tasting class that includes two hours of guided tasting along with a selection of appetizers for $55 per person. For more information, visit Vero online at http://veronyc.com/.

Whether for panini, wine-tasting class, or just drinks with a friend, I will certainly be heading back to Vero before this fall is over.

"Conventioneers" to Air this Weekend

2008-10-03T13:21:00.001-04:00

The Upper East Side has got talent. And, this Saturday, Channel Thirteen/WNET will be showcasing that talent when it airs "Conventioneers", an independent film written and produced by UES native Joel Viertel, as part of its REEL 13 series.

Released in 2006 to highly favorable reviews, "Conventioneers" is the fictional tale of a romance that ignites between a Republican delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention and an old college friend, a Democrat who is in town to protest the event. Co-written and directed by Mora Stephens, who also happens to be Viertel's wife, "Conventioneers" was shot during the convention and uses real people, places, and action to enhance its fictional storyline.

In many scenes, lead actors Matthew Mabe and Woodwyn Koons were filmed in the midst of actual protests and police round-ups, infusing the film with the dramatic tension and raw energy of the controversial events. In fact, the crew was so close to the action that many of its members—Viertel included—were mistakenly arrested during police sweeps and spent time in jail alongside protestors.

Also featured in "Conventioneers" is actor Alek Friedman, who served as the real sign language interpreter for President Bush at the 2004 convention. Friedman plays sign language interpreter Dylan Murtaugh, and Viertel and Stephens have woven actual convention footage of Friedman into the film.

The result of Viertel and Stephens' collaboration is a fictional tale with a documentary feel, one that explores the results of the partisan divide in American politics and clearly captures the passion and energy of both sides involved in the history-making event.

"Conventioneers" premieres on Saturday, October 4th at 11:15 pm on REEL 13.

Now Showing at a Museum Near You

2008-09-27T10:04:00.004-04:00

With two days full of gray and rainy skies ahead of us, this weekend is the perfect time to check out some of the new fall exhibits at the museums in our area. Here is a rundown of some of the highlights so that you can get out of your apartment this weekend—without getting too wet.

Giorgio Morandi, 1890-1964: 20th-century Italian painter Giorgio Morandi came to be known as a master of still-life and landscape paintings, many of which are featured at the Met now through December 14. On display in the museum’s Robert Lehman Wing are 110 paintings, watercolors, drawings, and etchings that span the course of Morandi’s career.

House Proud: Nineteenth-century Watercolor Interiors from the Thaw Collection: Now on display at Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum is a collection of nineteenth-century watercolor drawings by Eugene and Clare Thaw that showcase the English, German, Italian, French, Russian, and Austrian interior decorating trends of the era, giving visitors a glimpse of the values and trends that dominated nineteenth-century European domestic life. "House Proud" is on display through the end of January.

Campaigning for President: New York and the American Election: Now through Election Day, visitors to the Museum of the City of New York can explore the key role that New York City has played in elections past. The exhibit features the history of New York politicians in the presidential race, as well as a wide variety of campaign memorabilia, including a coat button from George Washington’s inauguration and a “Robert Kennedy for President” paper dress.

Politics ’08: From now until October 4, the Society of Illustrators presents original art revolving around this year’s presidential election. From caricatures to collages from such publications as Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, and TIME Magazine, this is sure to be a timely and entertaining exhibit.

Drawing Babar: Early Drafts and Watercolors: The Morgan Library on 36th and Madison is now showing over 170 items, including manuscript drafts, sketches, and watercolors, that went into the making of 1931’s Histoire de Babar, le petit elephant, the first book by Jean de Brunhoff to feature the lovable elephant Babar, and 1946’s Babar et ce coquin d'Arthur, the first Babar book by Jean’s son Laurent de Brunhoff. An in-depth look at the development of the adorable Babar, as well as the working methods of his creators, this exhibit will delight both parents and children. "Drawing Babar" runs until January 4.

Frick’s Vermeer’s Reunited: For the first time in nearly ten years, three mainstays of the Frick collection are on display together: Vermeer’s Officer and Laughing Girl, Mistress and Maid, and Girl Interrupted at her Music. Accompanying the paintings is a history of Henry Clay Frick’s interest in the works of Vermeer.

Signs of the Time: This is the first of three exhibits in The Whitney’s Sondra Gilman Gallery to explore the different roles photography has played in the museum’s collection since it began acquiring photographs in 1991. "Signs of the Time" features the work of such photographers as Sam Durant, Gordon Parks, and Sara VanDerBeek.

With something for everyone, there is plenty to explore even on such a rainy day.

Bemelmans Bar

2008-09-24T21:38:00.004-04:00

Cocktails and kids’ books. These items, though both treats in their own right, don’t typically go together. Yet, in one classic Upper East Side institution, the two go hand in hand, like vodka and tonic, or green eggs and ham.

Founded in 1930 on 76th Street at Madison Avenue, The Carlyle Hotel made history as the destination of various Old Hollywood celebrities, socialites, and politicians, most notably President John F. Kennedy, who owned an apartment on the tenth floor. And, in The Carlyle, artist Ludwig Bemelmans made history when he was commissioned to paint large-scale murals on the walls of what has since become known as the Bemelmans Bar.

If Bemelmans’ name is not immediately familiar, the children’s book character he created certainly is. Madeline, the smallest of twelve young girls in a Paris boarding school, is best known for her broad yellow hat, blue dress, and vivacious spirit. The heroine of a series of picture books, the first of which was published in 1939, Madeline is Bemelmans’ most well-known creation. As such, it is only natural that she is featured, in Bemelmans’ signature style, at the Bemelmans Bar.

Tucked away into a corner of The Carlyle’s well-polished lobby, the Bemelmans Bar immediately brings visitors back to the 1930s. Upon entering the plush, dimly-lit lounge, one is greeted by a baby grand piano spilling jazz over a long, black granite bar and a generous smattering of glass-topped tables surrounded by a rich leather banquette and topped with a 24-karat gold leaf ceiling. Yet most noticeable are Bemelmans’ murals, his only surviving commission open to the public, which also happens to be one that he refused payment for. Instead, he created the murals in exchange for a year-and-a-half of rent-free residency in The Carlyle for himself and his family. The Carlyle certainly made out well in that deal.

Featuring Madeline and her boarding-school mates, lined up as on the cover of the original book, plus picnicking rabbits and other fanciful Central Park scenes, Bemelmans’ murals are a pleasure to share a drink over. When my friend Ruth and I arrived at the bar the other night, we were sorry to see that there were other people there, as we wanted to walk around the room and examine every inch of Bemelmans’ artwork. But, sure that other guests wouldn’t appreciate having us leaning over their romantically-lit tabletops, we refrained and examined the drink menu instead.

With names like the Agave Gingerita, the Gin-Gin Mule, Pear-adise, and The Old Cuban, the Bemelmans cocktails were as classy as the establishment itself. Ruth and I both chose the Carlyle Punch, made with a secret recipe that changes everyday. Unsure what exactly we had ordered, we were pleased when the very gentlemanly bartender presented us with two tall, tropical-looking drinks that were fruity, flavorful—and filled with generous amounts of liquor. And we were doubly impressed when he gave us a heaping portion of very delicious chips and nuts.

Most impressive, however, was not the elegant décor, the live jazz-era soundtrack, or the tasty drinks. The best part of the Bemelmans Bar was the handiwork of Bemelmans himself.

And, of course, Madeline.

The Hi-Life at a Low Price

2008-09-17T21:38:00.004-04:00

Last night, I met Kristin for dinner and drinks at an Upper East Side staple about which I had heard promising reviews but had yet to experience for myself. Running a bit late, I walked into Hi-Life, on 2nd Avenue at 78th Street, and found Kristin seated at the dark mahogany bar, surrounded by art deco lamps, vintage mirrors, and several patrons who looked just as pleased with their drinks as she did. Slightly swanky, slightly divey, the bar area had a comfortable yet classy feel, making it a throwback to the 1930s-era lounges that had inspired the décor.

After exchanging hellos, Kristin and I made our way over to the hostess, who led us to a table right next to the open floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out on a bustling 2nd Avenue. We situated ourselves and then picked up our menus, which were jam packed with martinis, hi balls, champagne cocktails, tropical cocktails—we were overwhelmed before we had even moved past the drinks page. There was an orange blossom martini, a whiskey smash, a champagne julep, a passionfruit caipirinha, a fruitsickle-tini, and a long list of wine and beer as well. Kristin already had a drink from her wait at the bar, but I did not—and I had no idea what to order.

“Do you have any drink specials tonight?” I asked our waitress in the hope of narrowing down the selection.

“Cosmos are five dollars until seven o’clock—you still have a few minutes,” she replied.

“Perfect. I’ll take a cosmo,” I ordered, still eyeing the candy-store-like list of cocktails with dismay.

Drinks in hand, we moved to our next task: tackling the food menu, which was even more extensive than the drink list. Classic American-style fare such as pork chops and applesauce, penne with grilled chicken, a New York shell steak, a variety of burgers, and a thin-crust pizza, was featured next to more exotic Asian dishes like Thai green curry, pad Thai, and an Oriental stir fry. To mix things up even more, there were also seafood dishes like blackened swordfish and yellowfin tuna, Maryland crab cakes and California king salmon, plus a lounge menu featuring such chic items as Geisha ladyfingers, spicy tuna sno-cones, crab cake lollipops, and Moroccan lamb kebabs.

Oh, and there was also a full sushi and sashimi bar. We had no idea where to begin.

Lucky for us, however, Hi-Life’s nightly specials menu helped us to at least choose a cuisine type, as all sushi was half-off. And so sushi we ordered.

Selecting the rolls we wanted to share was a piece of cake after having attempted to narrow down the massive menu. Within minutes, we chose a shrimp tempura and avocado roll, a Philadelphia roll (smoked salmon, cream cheese, and avocado), a Jamaica roll (tuna, avocado, and mango), and the eponymous Hi-Life roll (shrimp, crab, and avocado). Each one was delicious and, best of all, each was under $4.

With a tiny bit of room left after our half-price sushi feast, we peeked at the dessert menu and couldn’t help but order a raspberry truffle—vanilla gelato and raspberry sorbet encased in a dark chocolate shell. It was heavenly.

After such an amazing meal, we certainly did feel as though we were living the high life—until our bill arrived. At only $62 for several drinks, an assortment of sushi, and an ample dessert, we discovered that the Hi-Life did not come at a high price.

Hi-Life’s nightly specials are as follows:

Monday and Tuesday: all sushi and sashimi is 50% off, plus $4.50 Kirin pints and $10.95 Bud Light pitchers.

Wednesday and Sunday: all Big Bowl pastas are $11.95, any bottle of wine is $5 off, and all champagne cocktails are $5 for ladies.

Thursday and Saturday: popcorn shrimp or fried chicken is $14.95, domestic drafts are $4.50, and the martini of the day is $5.

Friday: the prime rib dinner is $18.95, and all frozen shots served tableside are three for the price of two.

And happy hour is every day from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., featuring $4 draft pints and $5 cosmos.

So go and enjoy the Hi-Life!

Calorie-Count Me Out

2008-09-07T20:52:00.003-04:00

Last Thursday, my friends Kristin, Kerry, and I made plans to meet at the quick and conveniently-located Chevy’s in Times Square for drinks and possibly dinner, depending on how hungry we were feeling after a margarita or two. After exchanging hellos and ordering drinks, we opened the menus our very friendly waiter had just dropped off—and suddenly lost our appetites.

Since I don’t eat in chain restaurants very often, I had not yet encountered the results of the regulation passed by the New York City Board of Health back in January requiring chains to post the calorie content of each and every item on their menu. Frankly, I had forgotten all about it. But I remembered pretty quickly when faced with a menu full of massive calorie counts.

“A salad is 1600 calories?” exclaimed Kristin.

“Wow,” I replied. “There’s nothing on here that’s less than 1000 calories.”

“Oh, wait,” said Kristin as she pointed to the appetizer portion of the menu. “The black bean soup is 800. And that would be it.”

“This is awful,” said Kerry. “I don’t want to know any of this!”

Now, I realize that, in order to be healthy, one needs to be aware of what he or she is eating and how high in fat and calories that item may be. However, I think we can all agree that, when we go to a restaurant like Chevy’s—one that, because it’s a chain, features high quantities of preservatives and, thus, high quantities of calories—we’re aware that we’re not dining on the healthiest fare. And so we enjoy our Super Cinco combo or smothered burrito and then compensate by, say, running a bit further the following day, or eating a lighter lunch. But, no matter how many miles we plan on running or the number of vegetables we promise to eat for our next meal, knowing the exact—and, at least in the case of Chevy’s, extremely high—calorie count of said burrito takes the enjoyment out of the meal that is supposed to be a treat.

As the three of us looked over the menu, all we were able to see were numbers like 1250, 1620, 1860—numbers that we may have appreciated as high school seniors opening our SAT scores, but that did nothing to excite us when paired with our dinner options. And so we did the only thing that appealed to us: we decided to share.

Two high-calorie appetizers shared among three health-conscious diners seemed a reasonable option—and, truth be told, one that we probably would have decided on even if we hadn’t been privy to each and every calorie count on the menu.

But, next time, I think we’ll make that decision in a restaurant where the menu is calorie-free, even if the entrées are not.

School Days

2008-09-03T21:25:00.003-04:00

As I waited for the bus this morning, I got a tiny bit nostalgic. Up and down my street, elementary-school-aged children decked out in crisp new skirts and polo shirts, stiff and spotless new shoes, and brightly colored backpacks featuring characters from the latest Saturday morning cartoon lineup, hopped and skipped their way to the bus, about to start their first day of school. Hand in hand with parents who checked to make sure that shoelaces were tied and lunches were packed, these kids didn’t have the glum and gloomy faces that the passing of Labor Day weekend tends to bring about in the corporate world; instead, they looked fresh-faced, eager, and excited to return to the classroom—or at least to crack open their Dora the Explorer notebooks.

Watching them, I was brought back to the days when I was in that brand new pair of sneakers, with my perfectly organized pencil box and my shiny new Trapper Keeper zipped safely into my purple polka-dot backpack, and I couldn’t help but think something that my ten-year-old self never would have admitted to—that I actually missed that first day of school feel.

Yet, just because the days of picking out the perfect outfit for the class picture are over doesn’t mean that the first day of school has to be a thing of the past—especially on the UES. With the 92nd Street Y offering what just might be its most enticing array of classes yet, the first day of school is still a very real possibility. Here are some of the Y’s options this fall (click on class titles for more information on each).

Learning from the Masters: A drawing class that helps you to improve your own skills by studying the masters.

Photography: Inspiration and Vision: A seven-session workshop to help you get a bit more artistic with your camera.

Basic Six Ballroom will teach you and a partner the basics steps of the waltz, fox-trot, tango, swing, rumba, and cha-cha.

Tai-Chi Chuan: Learn the basics of the ancient Chinese martial art in a seventeen-session course that meets Monday evenings.

Lunchtime Yoga lets you take a break from your busy day on four Mondays from November through December.

Fall into Winter Reading: Read and discuss books like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Devil in the White City, and One Hundred Years of Solitude over the course of five Tuesdays this fall.

Animation: State of the Art: Animated films like Shrek no longer appeal only to children. Study the art of animation and the current state of the genre.

Jazz Workshop: If you can read basic chords, you can learn to improv like some of the city’s greatest jazz musicians over the course of thirteen sessions starting in October.

Beginning Knitting: Learn the basics of this hot new hobby in eight sessions beginning in October.

Languages: Brush up on your high school-level French, or learn a new language altogether. The Y offers courses in French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew, Arabic, and Yiddish.

For the Y’s full list of classes, click here—then pack up your new bookbag and enjoy your first day of school!

Free Books!

2008-08-27T22:31:00.003-04:00

Since the age of about eight, I have been a voracious reader, flying through books the way an elementary school classroom flies through Kleenex. From the Babysitters’ Club series around the fourth grade to the conclusion of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series just a few weeks ago, I have always been quick to get lost in a book and just as quick to finish it—and this is most especially true in the summer.

Yet, as I learned by the time I reached Babysitters’ Club book number five, being a serial reader can add up not just in terms of the books on your shelf, but in terms of the cash that makes its way out of your wallet (or piggy bank, if you’re the age I was when I first realized that books cost money). Reading, especially reading several newly purchased books each week, can be an expensive habit. If you, too, are constantly tempted by the display window at Barnes & Noble and the crisp, pulpy scent of the brand new books inside, there is somewhere for you to turn—and it’s called the library.

While the main branch of the New York Public Library draws quite a bit of attention with its vast, stately appearance, its Bryant Park location, and its iconic lions, the smaller branches scattered across Manhattan and the outer boroughs are much easier to miss—especially when there is a bright and shiny Borders, complete with a café full of lattes and low-fat muffins, right around the corner. But those smaller branches really are there, and they are just as quick and convenient—and much less expensive—than your favorite bookstore. Here’s all you need to know to take advantage of the branches in our area.

Where: The NYPL has seven branches on the UES: the 58th Street Branch, the 67th Street Branch, the 96th Street Branch, the 125th Street Branch, the Aguilar Branch, the Webster Branch, and the Yorkville Branch.

What: All you need is a library card, and you’ll be able to borrow from (and return to) any of the 85 Branch Libraries. As long as you live, work, or attend school in New York state, you can get a library card for free by filling out an application. For more information, and to apply for a card, click here.

How: You can check the NYPL’s holdings via LEO, the online catalog system, which you can access once you are registered card holder. When you find the book you’re looking for online, you can then request that it be sent to whatever branch is closest to you, and you’ll be notified by email when it arrives. Once you’re done with it, you can return it to whatever branch you like.

Why: Because whether old, new, or borrowed, books are always a good thing.

A Capital Weekend

2008-08-21T22:23:00.003-04:00

This year, I took my Labor Day long weekend a little bit early. Rather than fight the stream of traffic that is sure to pour out of the city starting at the end of next week, I decided to head out of town this past Sunday instead to spend a few days in the nation’s capital.

A straight shoot across the George Washington Bridge and about four hours south on I-95, Washington is a relatively quick and easy trip from the city, which makes it perfect for a long weekend. And heading down on an off day—a Sunday or a weekday, for example—is your best chance for a smooth and hassle-free drive that will have you seeing the sights of D.C. in no time.

Washington is like New York in that it is a city full of history and alive with the energy of its inhabitants, both locals and tourists alike. Yet D.C. has a vast, majestic feel that sets it apart from any other city, astounding visitors with its grand monuments and dignified architecture. And, in three days or so, you can easily see all the major sights, as well as do some exploring in order to get a feel for the city—which is exactly what we did. Arriving mid-afternoon our first day, we had just enough time to walk from our hotel to the Capitol, stopping along the way to admire the city’s lush landscaping. Though the renowned cherry blossoms are not in season, bright pinks, purples, reds, and greens provide a sharp and tropical contrast to the pure white grandiosity of D.C.’s historic landmarks. The Capitol building, majestic from afar, has a Mediterranean feel up close, complete with potted palms, blooming flowers, and even a European-style fountain, inviting visitors to linger in its courtyard.

After a quick rest and much-needed showers (Washington is on the hot side this time of year, with temperatures in the upper 80s), we drove into Georgetown for a late dinner. Both a college town and a quaint, historic village, Georgetown has, from what we could tell, the best selection of restaurants and bars in the area, as well as some excellent shopping venues. We wandered around for a bit before finding the perfect place to dine—while watching the Olympics, of course—and we liked the area so much that we wound up returning for dinner the following night as well.

For our second day, we had a pretty ambitious plan: to tackle at least two museums, plus all the major monuments. And, for the most part, we were successful. Walking what was easily a total of seven or eight miles over the course of the day, we visited the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, the National Archives, the Washington and Lincoln Memorials, plus the Mall and reflecting pool, taking in as much history as we could along the way—history that is easily found in a city with such a rich past.

Before getting on the road on our third and final day, we headed to the White House for a tour, which not only required advance reservations but compliance with a slew of security measures (for details, click here). But the slight hassle was worthwhile, as we were able to explore about ten rooms on the first floor of the historic home, seeing firsthand where John Adams used to eat breakfast and Jackie Kennedy used to share tea with visitors, as well as a magnificent collection of artwork and furniture. After our tour, we made one last stop in the Smithsonian’s Museum of American Art, where we viewed works from the American masters, visited the Presidential portrait gallery, and grabbed a quick lunch in the museum’s outdoor café before getting on the road.

All in all, it was a perfect Labor Day-esque long weekend. And, if you’re still looking for something to do over the actual Labor Day weekend, Washington just might be the perfect place for you as well.

Olympic Viewing Venues

2008-08-11T20:58:00.003-04:00

The 2008 Summer Olympics kicked off this weekend with an astounding opening ceremony and several broken world records, promising to provide plenty of action-packed competition, stunning skill, and healthy sportsmanship over the next two weeks. While no television can do justice to the sheer scale and energy of these games, here are a few places on the UES that will most likely provide better viewing opportunities—and drink specials—than your living room.

Mustang: With TVs strategically placed around the bar, and happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 2 to 7pm, Mustang, on the corner of 85th and 2nd, is fun spot to celebrate the Olympics with some Mexican spirit.

Ship of Fools: Forty-seven TVs means you won’t miss a single event at this pub on 2nd between 82nd and 83rd. Also not to miss are the happy hour specials featured every weekday from 4 to 7pm.

Jack Russell’s Pub: With $3.50 drafts from 12 to 7pm daily, twenty-one plasma-screen TVs, including a flat screen in every booth, Jack Russell’s, on 2nd between 83rd and 84th, is a viewing location where you could easily spend the entire afternoon.

Brother Jimmy’s: On 2nd between 77th and 78th, this sports bar and BBQ spot features all-you-can-eat ribs and all-you-can-drink drafts for $22.95 on Sundays, and all-you-can-eat rib tips and hot wings with all-you-can-drink Bud and Coors light drafts for $14.95 on Mondays. Just remember that there is a two-hour maximum.

Murphy’s Law: With daily specials and an assortment of TVs, this pub on 70th between 1st and York provides a laid-back viewing atmosphere.

Swig: The relatively new pub on 2nd between 84th and 85th features happy hour specials every day until 8 pm. And on Monday and Tuesday, you can take advantage of $10 beer and burgers.

East End Bar & Grill: On 1st between 86th and 87th, in the space formerly occupied by Fiona’s, this new bar and grill features a slew of specials.

Stumble Inn: A great spot to stumble upon the games and wide selection of specials, this bar on 2nd between 75th and 76th features fourteen flat-screen TVs and three large-format projection TVs, all in full HDTV.

Bar Coastal: Kick back with ten TVs, one large projection screen, and daily drink and wing specials at this beachy pub on 1st between 78th and 79th.

Go Team USA!

The Temperature for Tapas

2008-08-06T21:51:00.002-04:00

On a hot and humid summer night, the last thing anyone typically wants to have for dinner is a big, heavy meal. Steak and potatoes, chili and beans, spaghetti and meatballs—while appetizing in their own right, the thought of any of the above on a steamy summer evening is stifling, causing me to sweat just a bit more than I already am. Yet there are many types of cuisine for which the sultry summer air whets the appetite perfectly, and perhaps none more so than tapas.

Which is why, when my friend Caroline and I made plans to meet for dinner last night, I suggested we go to Casaville, a French- and Moroccan-influenced restaurant on 2nd Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets, just a quick walk from the 6 train stop on 33rd and Park. Featuring fresh tapas, homemade sangria, and wide open patio doors that let in the summer evening air, Casaville’s lantern-filled dining area has a rich yet airy European feel. With a long oaken bar (where you can order half-price tapas and two-for-one glasses of wine and sangria until 7 p.m.), Casaville is the perfect place for a light yet flavorful summer meal.

We met at the bar, where we ordered Casaville’s freshly-made sangria, a fruity red concoction filled with a generous helping of apples, oranges, pineapple, and several other unidentified fruit slices. When we were ready to take a look at the menu, we—or, rather, our attentive bartender—transferred our drinks to a nearby table, where our waitress met us with a fresh basket of bread and gave us a minute to mull over the menu. Though French and Moroccan cuisines could potentially be difficult to pair together, one look at the menu ensured us that Casaville had fused the two well.

Casaville offers a selection of entrées like filet of salmon and seafood paella, but the menu really centers around small plates of hot and cold tapas—and rightly so. From a list of dishes like the spicy shrimp cigar filled with rice noodles and cabbage, wild mushroom gratin with spinach and goat cheese, and seared tuna in ginger soy vinaigrette, we narrowed our choices down to four: the briwatts, crispy pastry-like triangles stuffed with chicken, almonds, and cinnamon; small pieces of grilled baguette topped with olive oil, tomato, garlic, and chorizo; warm brie cheese with fried grapes and honey; and avocado hummus with cucumber and warm pita bread.

Our selections arrived two at a time, along with our second complimentary glasses of sangria, giving us time to enjoy each without being overwhelmed by an abundance of options and lack of table space. For each dish, the flavor combinations were paired to perfection, creating unique and mouth-watering tastes. The smooth and creamy avocado enhanced the typical hummus flavor, while the briwatts struck the perfect balance between savory and sweet. Four dishes turned out to be just the right number to share, and our selections, though light, left us satisfyingly full.

And not once did we break a sweat.

A Food-Filled Birthday

2008-07-30T21:21:00.003-04:00

This past weekend, I celebrated my birthday with the three Fs that make getting older much easier to do: friends, family, and lots and lots of food.

On Saturday, my college girlfriends and I celebrated with our usual birthday ritual—a gathering that typically involves lunch and presents and gives us an excuse to see each other every other month or so. My friend Tracy hosted this time around, and I was treated to a luncheon luau and pool party featuring a full spread of mouth-watering tropical fare. We soaked up the perfectly sunny day on beach chairs in her backyard while sipping homemade sangria and digging into pineapple-rum chicken, Hawaiian pasta salad, mango salsa, and fresh watermelon in between dips in the pool. Though the day alone was more than enough of a birthday treat in itself, I was also treated to thoughtful gifts, as well as delicious birthday brownies and cupcakes. What more could a birthday girl ask for?

Really, nothing. But there was more to come as I celebrated on Sunday (my actual birthday) with my family—and more food. In keeping with the tropical theme of the weekend, we went to dinner at a restaurant near my parents’ house in northern New Jersey called Joel’s Malibu Kitchen. A quick walk from the Ridgewood train station, Joel’s features colorful, 60s-themed décor and an eclectic menu that boasts an array of California-style seafood and pasta dishes with Mexican, Italian and even Asian accents. Being able to gather around a table with family is yet another birthday treat, one not to be taken for granted. And I certainly appreciated every minute of it, eating every last bite of my pecan-covered Mahi Mahi—and still managing to find room for the ice cream cake my mom had waiting at home.

A birthday weekend that went above and beyond in every way possible turned into even more when Lauren, just back from a month of traveling, offered to take me out for a birthday dinner on Monday night. Not having seen each other since mid-June, we were eager to be roommates again and to catch up on each other’s various vacations. Looking for something a bit on the lighter side, I suggested a relatively new sushi restaurant I had been wanting to try: Ko, on York Avenue between 85th and 86th Streets.

With its navy blue awning and light wood trim, Ko’s welcoming exterior is just as appealing as its interior. Bigger than most sushi spots on the UES, Ko features a roomy dining area with an assortment of amply-spaced tables and a very friendly wait staff. Lauren and I settled in and requested glasses of sauvignon blanc and an order of edamame before we dove into the menu, which featured an extensive assortment of teriyaki, tempura, and hibachi entrees, noodle bowls, and a section full of special lobster dishes in addition to a long list of sushi, sashimi, and special rolls.

Unlike some sushi restaurants, where all of the menu items can begin to sound the same, Ko offered a wide variety of rolls, each one differing from the rest in a unique way. From these creative combinations, we managed to choose several rolls to share. Our highlights were the Fashion Roll: tuna, salmon, cucumber, avocado, and masago; the Manhattan Roll: shrimp tempura and spicy tuna inside, scallops and tobiko outside; and the Spicy Spider Roll: soft-shell crab wrapped in avocado, scallion, and masago. After dinner, we were able to linger over our wine and a complimentary bowl of fresh pineapple and honeydew melon. I think I found my new go-to sushi spot.

After three days full of food and, most important of all, family and friends, I think my birthday celebration is complete.

The Bryant Park Grill: Outdoors and Overrated

2008-07-24T22:09:00.004-04:00

Many Manhattan restaurants receive a lot of hype. For some, this hype is warranted; for others, it is simply hype. This week I dined in a restaurant that, unfortunately, falls into the latter category: the Bryant Park Grill.

With an expansive, umbrella-covered patio, classy wicker chairs and forest green awnings, a sleek European-style dining room, a rooftop garden, and – most importantly – a choice location perched atop Bryant Park, the Bryant Park Grill certainly has a lot going for it. And, like the smooth-talking banker you’ll often find positioned in the most visible spot on the restaurant’s patio, it knows it. Thus, the well-heeled hostesses who greet you with a glare, and a menu featuring fare that costs more than double its worth.

I stopped at the Grill for the first time a few weeks ago, for after-work drinks on the rooftop garden, an endeavor that required me to fight my way through a standing-room-only crowd of aspiring young business-folk eager to see and be seen. Though the view of the park was grand, I was too busy guarding my glass of wine from the elbow-rubbing – and often elbow-bumping – circles to take the time to enjoy it. Needless to say, I was not impressed.

I decided, however, to give the Grill a second chance this week. Attracted by the peaceful twilit patio and lush, summery setting – and not sure where else to go – my friend Kristin and I stopped in for a late dinner on Tuesday night. And I must say that this experience was much better than the last in most ways. The patio was quiet and not at all crowded, which meant that we were seated right away and received prompt and attentive service all night. And we were treated to views of the park, alive with the buzz of a summer evening, and the fully-blooming flower baskets situated around the patio. For the duration of the evening, these highlights did not disappoint.

But when it came to the menu, the Bryant Park Grill just did not measure up. Featuring an array of salads, seafood, pasta dishes, and other traditional American cuisine, the Grill doesn’t offer anything especially unique, yet they charge quite a price for their very standard fare. The stir-fry that I chose featured ginger shrimp, Portobello mushrooms, and white rice, and, while it was definitely tasty, I could easily have made a similar dish at home for much less than the $27 the Grill was charging. Kristin’s penne primavera was similar; featuring shrimp and an array of vegetables, it was good – but I don’t know that it was quite worth the $24.75 she paid for it.

One could argue that the outdoorsy atmosphere and park views are worth the extra cost, and for some they very well may be. But, next time, I think I’d rather grab a sandwich and just sit in the park instead.

Vacation Inspiration

2008-07-18T17:26:00.008-04:00

Being on vacation for nearly two weeks is, well, wonderful. But, with a long, relaxing vacation typically comes a long period of playing catch up once said vacation comes to an end. After having spent close to two weeks on the West Coast on what turned out to be quite an amazing trip, I am still trying to dig out from under the piles that accumulated in my inbox while I was gone. So, while I finish getting caught up, here are a few photos from my trip. I hope they inspire you to take a nice, long vacation of your own.

I spent July 4th on the beach in San Diego, where I helped to make the best sandcastle ever (well, almost):

Next up was a road trip to Las Vegas, where I strolled the strip, lounged by the pool in nearly 110-degree weather, spent an afternoon at the spa...and had such a fabulous time that I actually forgot to gamble.

Best of all, however, was a camping trip on Catalina Island. Never having been camping before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, and I was certainly surprised - but very pleasantly so. Catalina was absolutely gorgeous, and the dry, mountainous island's amazing views made it the ideal location for hiking, kayaking, swimming, sunbathing, tracking wild bison (yes, I really did that - they are all over the island), and roasting marshmallows under the stars. It was truly a perfect trip, and one that made me eager to go camping again.

All in all, it was an amazing trip - and one that was completely worth the amount of catching up I had to do when I got back.

To Cab or Not to Cab

2008-07-03T09:29:00.004-04:00

That is the question that most New Yorkers face on a daily basis, and one that I’ve been pondering over the past few days as I get ready to head to the West coast for vacation on a flight that leaves from JFK, quite possibly the most inconvenient of airports.

Sure, a cab would be the easiest and most likely the quickest way to get out to Jamaica, but it is certainly not the most cost-effective means of transportation. From the Upper East Side, a typical fare to JFK runs about $45 to $50, plus tip and tolls. When all is said and done, cabs to and from the airport can tack upwards of $100 extra on to the cost of your trip. Suddenly, that great deal you found on Expedia doesn’t look so great anymore.

But what are the alternatives? While it may seem as though a cab is the only reasonable option, there are actually several other ways to get out to JFK. Some are more convenient than others. All are less convenient than a cab. But they are all much more affordable. Here are your options:

Subway: The JFK AirTrain connects the airport to the subway system via the A and the E trains. From the UES, your best bet is to take the 6 train to 51st Street, where you can switch to the E. Once on the E, it’s a straight, albeit somewhat long, shoot to the Sutphin Blvd./Archer Ave./JFK Airport stop, where you can pick up the AirTrain.
Time: Prepare for at least 90 minutes total.
Cost: $7 total ($2 for the subway, $5 for the AirTrain, which you can pay for with your MetroCard as long as it’s a pay-as-you-go rather than an unlimited card)

Bus and Subway: If, like me, the 6 is a bit of a hike for you, especially with a large piece of luggage in tow, the M31 bus provides an alternate route over to the E train. Pick up the M31 anywhere on York Ave. below 96th Street, and take it to the 57th and Broadway stop. Walk just four blocks, down to 53rd and Broadway, where you can hop on the E without the hassle of having to hike to the 6 and then switch trains. Then, take the E to the AirTrain as above.
Time: Give yourself at least 90 minutes to two hours for this one, depending on where you pick up the M31, just in case the bus hits traffic.
Cost: $7

LIRR: From Penn Station, you can take the Long Island Rail Road to the Jamaica Station stop, where you can pick up the AirTrain. The only problem here is getting to Penn Station, which, from the UES, can sometimes be as much of a hassle as getting to JFK. But if you’ve made it to the E train and are looking for a slightly quicker and more comfortable trip, the LIRR is the way to go.
Time: The LIRR only takes about 20 minutes to get from Penn Station to Jamaica. But you’ll also have to account for the trip to Penn Station, which can take up to 45 minutes from the UES.
Cost: The LIRR to Jamaica is $12 during peak hours, $10 off-peak. However, you can save almost 50% by purchasing WebTickets through the MTA website. Add to this the $2 ride to Penn Station and $5 for the AirTrain, and you’ll spend somewhere between $12 and $20, depending on when you go and how you purchase tickets.

I’m off to sunny San Diego for the next week and a half, the longest vacation I’ve taken in a while, and one that I’m very much looking forward to. While I’m still weighing my options before my flight later this afternoon, as of now I’m leaning toward taking the M31 to midtown and picking up the E.

Unless, of course, a cab happens to come by as I’m waiting for the bus…

A Day at the Beach

2008-06-30T14:00:00.003-04:00

Despite the threat of a thunderstorm or two on Friday, my mom, my sister, and I went to the Beach. No, we did not take a road trip to the Jersey shore or out to Long Island. Instead, my mom and sister took a trip into the city, and I took advantage of summer Fridays to have lunch with them—at the Beach Café.

“It’s hot in here,” my sister announced as she climbed to my fourth-floor walk-up, dragging my large suitcase—the one that is too big to keep in my apartment, but that I will need for an upcoming vacation—behind her.

“Oh, it’s not that bad,” I replied, trying to subtly create a breeze by fanning the door to my bedroom. “Come on. I have the perfect place for lunch in mind.”

Glad to not have to spend more than a few minutes in my admittedly stuffy apartment, my mom and sister followed me to the corner of 70th and 2nd, where the Beach Café is located. At nearly 2:30, we had missed the lunch rush, and the corner patio was fairly empty, leaving us with our pick of tables.

Situating ourselves right in a corner that provided the perfect vantage for people-watching, we sipped (okay, gulped) the waters that our waitress brought over and began to browse the menu.

Featuring light lunch fare like a crab and avocado appetizer, poached salmon salad, and an assortment of burgers and sandwiches, the menu was exactly what we were looking for, and we quickly decided what we wanted.

My mom ordered the California Cobb salad, while my sister and I both went with sandwiches—egg salad for me, chicken salad for her. When our food arrived, my mom’s salad was piled with generous portions of avocado, chopped egg, blue cheese, and bacon bits, while my sister and I received plates full of thin, crispy fries with our sandwiches, which were served on toasted wheat bread. We dug in right away and came as close to cleaning our plates as we could before heading out to walk off our light yet filling lunches.

After paying our very reasonable bill, we made our way up 2nd Avenue, then cut over to 3rd for some shopping. First we stopped in Papyrus on 73rd and 3rd for a few graduation cards (it’s that time of year), then we headed across the street to browse in Scoop for a bit. Next, we helped my mom make a few summer sale purchases in Ann Taylor, then searched for sandals for my sister in Jubilee and Eric (where a going-out-of-business sale has all shoes marked down to only $10), between 76th and 77th, and The Shoe Box, between 77th and 78th. Finally, we stopped in Delfino, the designer bag shop that is also between 77th and 78th—and where we were excited to find a large selection of Longchamps bags on sale for 30% off.

Several shopping bags in hand, we made our last and most anticipated stop of the day: Emack & Bolio, where we each cooled off with a scoop of delicious homemade ice cream.

All in all, it was a perfect Beach day.

What Is a Pudding Stone?

2008-06-23T20:51:00.004-04:00

In the wine industry, pudding stones are smooth, rounded stones that are brought together in large slabs to cover the floor of a vineyard. Pudding stones retain heat, and their ability to warm a vineyard’s fruit and soils makes them a valuable asset to a vintner. On the Upper East Side, however, pudding stones make a valuable asset for another reason altogether—they’ve lent their name to a fairly new wine bar that brings fine wine and gourmet cuisine to the neighborhood.

Located on 3rd Avenue between 82nd and 83rd Streets, Pudding Stones offers a classier alternative to its slightly rowdy and more casual neighbors (Gael Pub, Wicker Park, etc.). Its cool, dark, and very sparse interior has the feel of a trendy wine cellar, with a plush banquette lining one wall and a long and spacious bar wrapped around the other. When I arrived the other night, slightly ahead of the friend I was meeting for drinks, I took a seat at a small table right next to the set of wide doors that opened on to the street, and was promptly greeted by a waitress with a glass of water and a stack of menus.

Minutes later, I was still trying to process the wine menu, which was pages longer than the food menu, when my friend Cari arrived. Though the wine menu offered several options, including tasting flights, full bottles, and half bottles, we decided to order single glasses—a South African Sauvignon Blanc for me, a Long Island Merlot for Cari—before tackling the food menu.

Featuring an extensive list of appetizers such as oysters with champagne vinaigrette, tuna tartar with chopped fennel, and a roasted beet and goat cheese salad, plus sumptuous-sounding entrées like a petite filet mignon with green peppercorn sauce and French beans, pan seared sea scallops in an avocado and tomato puree, and a burger with aioli sauce, comte cheese, and sautéed onions, the menu was no small feat. Not quite hungry enough for a full meal, Cari and I decided to share the hummus appetizer, which was made with dried chilies and olive oil and came with warm triangles of pita bread.

In the meantime, our glasses of wine arrived. We swirled, sniffed, then sipped, and were impressed with our selections, as well as the Riedel stemware they arrived in. Very classy. Our hummus came soon after, and we both agreed that it was quite possibly the best we’d ever had. Smooth, creamy, and luscious, accented with a dab of some sort of spicy barbecue-like sauce right in the middle, it was absolutely delicious, and we made sure to ask for another basket of pita bread so that we could wipe up every last bit.

Though the ladies’ room was on the first floor, behind an unmarked door, I made my way downstairs in search of it and was surprised to find a cozy candlelit lounge that also served as a wine cellar. A charming space even more dimly lit than the first floor, it was also more intimate, and I made a note to myself to remember that it was there the next time I was asked to recommend a good date spot.

As we chatted over the remains of our wine, with only a low jazz soundtrack and the faint hum of the six or seven other patrons at nearby tables, Cari and I were pleased with our selection, and she, a resident of the Upper West Side, left eager to try Pudding Stones’ UWS location as well.

Meanwhile, I left glad to have learned what a pudding stone is—and to know that one can be found on the UES.

Superheroes Invade the Met

2008-06-17T22:33:00.003-04:00

Superman. Batman. Wonder Woman. The Hulk. These are not the names typically associated with the Met, whose art-world superheroes usually bear names like Rembrandt, Gaugin, and Monet. This summer, however, the Met has been invaded, not by bodysnatchers or tourists (OK, well, maybe by tourists, too) but by comic book superheroes.

Running until September 1, the Met’s bold new exhibit, “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy,” highlights the role that the superhero has played in our culture over the years through the fashions that have been inspired by the likes of Superman, Catwoman, and the X-Men. Eager to check out the Met’s newest and seemingly most energetic offering of late, I recently donned my cape and boots (that’s superhero speak for a cardigan and flip-flops) and delved into the world of the superhero. And what a world it was.

Having heard that the exhibit featured many of the actual superhero costumes used in films like Superman, Batman, and X-Men, I was expecting it to focus mainly on the superheroes themselves. However, I must admit that I was slightly disappointed to discover that “Superheroes,” while it did showcase several authentic costumes, focused mainly on the high-concept, high-fashion, and extremely out-there designs of modern fashion superheroes like John Galliano, Dolce & Gabbana, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Thierry Mugler.

There were aerodynamic bodysuits and even what was called a “Twin-Turbine Powered Exoskeleton Wing Suit” modeled after The Flash; webbed suits inspired by Spider-Man; an outfit with padded abdominals and inflatable pectorals evocative of The Hulk; corset- and bustier-laden catsuits inspired by Catwoman; and a mutant “Chimera” dress reminiscent of the mutant forms in X-Men. While some of these were fun to look at, others were downright frightening. Most, however, were just harsh-looking and so extreme that they lost the strong, heroic feel of the costumes they had been inspired by. And not one looked to be something that anyone—designer, superhero, or everyday citizen—would ever get within fifty feet of.

Though the modern-day superhero interpretations were clearly not my favorite part of the exhibit, I did enjoy seeing the actual costumes that had been used in various superhero films. Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman suit from Batman Returns was on display, as was the outfit Tobey Maguire wore in Spider-Man 3. Rebecca Romijn’s X-Men appliqués had been painstakingly applied to a mannequin, and Christopher Reeve’s Superman costume was displayed in an awesome changeable display that morphed from Clark Kent’s drab suit to Superman’s vivid ensemble every few seconds. These, along with the stellar comic-book-inspired design of the exhibit area itself, were easily the highlights of the show.

All in all, the exhibit is certainly worth taking a peek at. It’s easily navigable and small enough to be zipped through in just a few minutes. However, if you’re looking for an authentic superhero experience, you might be better off renting Superman this weekend.

Beyoglu Goes Beyond

2008-06-10T21:27:00.002-04:00

“I want to go somewhere light and airy.”

This was my only criteria when looking for somewhere to dine on Sunday evening, after a day of walking around the city in nearly 100-degree temperatures with a friend who was visiting from out of town. Since I was pretty sure that Googling “light and airy restaurants” wouldn’t help us, I instead searched under cuisine types that I thought would fit my requirements. When I clicked on the “Mediterranean” link on uppereast.com’s restaurants page, the first restaurant to pop up was one that I remembered a friend from work having recommended quite highly: Beyoglu. With reviews calling Beyoglu and its mainly Turkish fare “beautifully fresh, simple cuisine,” “unbelievably delicious,” and “friendly and fun,” I was pretty sure I had found a place to provide the light and airy feel that I was looking for on such a hot night. And I was right.

Located on the corner of 81st and 3rd, Beyoglu, with its blue mosaic tabletops and bright orange interior, looks fresh and lively, and its menu complements its appearance. After being seated in the crisp wicker chairs on the outdoor patio, our very personable waitress helped us to choose a bottle of Turkish wine and gave us some time to look over the menu before presenting us with the evening’s specials. Items like cacik, a homemade yogurt with cucumbers and garlic; stuffed grape leaves; grilled, thinly sliced lamb and beef over pita with yogurt and tomato sauce; and char-grilled swordfish with rice pilaf all sounded summery and delicious, as did all the specials. After a bit of indecision we finally made our selections.

For an appetizer, we chose the ahtapot salatasi, or char-grilled octopus marinated in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and, for our entrées, we both ordered from the specials menu: grilled sea bass for me, and something called the Sultan’s Delight for my friend.

Though octopus can be intimidating if not properly prepared, ours was expertly done, light yet flavorful. Also potentially intimidating is a fish that arrives whole, as my sea bass did – before our very skilled waitress filleted it tableside, removing the head, tail, and bones as we – and several passersby – looked on with interest. Served over a salad, my fish was the perfect warm-weather meal: light yet filling and very tasty. The Sultan’s Delight, meanwhile, was just as impressive. Tender sliced lamb over a creamy eggplant puree provided one of the most unique – and absolutely delicious – flavors we had ever experienced.

After our well-cleaned plates were cleared, we were lingering over the remnants of our bottle of wine when the lightning we had been watching in the distance turned into a full-fledged thunderstorm. After hurrying inside, our waitress showed us to seats at the bar, where we finished our drinks and ordered from the dessert menu. We chose an almond pudding that was light and airy, the perfect complement to the pre-summer heat – just like the rest of our night.

Ciaobella...Arrivederci, Panorama

2008-05-30T16:31:00.002-04:00

As I passed the corner of 85th and 2nd a few months ago, I was very disappointed. With no warning whatsoever, Panorama Café, the Italian restaurant with spacious sidewalk seating where I had enjoyed several pitchers of sangria last summer, was closed. The sidewalk was bare, as was the building itself without Panorama’s bright blue awning. Slightly saddened by the disappearance of one of my favorite sunny-day spots, I tried peeking through the darkened windows in an effort to figure out what could possibly be replacing Panorama, but my efforts were to no avail.

Then, a few months ago, I noticed that the desolate storefront that had replaced Panorama’s popular patio looked a bit more lively. A rich brown awning read “Ciaobella” and the space was beginning to look more like a restaurant again. A few weeks after that, I noticed that Ciaobella was in fact open for business. And, just last night, I finally found myself sitting on the sidewalk patio at 85th and 2nd again.

Looking for a place to sit outside and enjoy the warm evening air over a glass of wine and a light meal, two friends and I decided to give Ciaobella a try. Though the outside seating area was crowded, we were able to get a table right away, and, as our waiter poured us glasses of water, we began to pour over the wine list. There was an ample selection of Italian reds, whites, and rosés, yet we couldn’t help but notice that they all seemed to be a bit overpriced. Most bottles ranged from $40 to $55, with a few in the $30 range and a few well above that. After some searching, we managed to find a white that was within our budget before moving on to the dinner menu.

With an impressive list of both appetizers and entrées, Ciaobella certainly seemed to have the right idea. There were fried shrimp, scallops, cuttlefish, squash, and artichokes in a spicy tomato sauce; grilled Alaskan prawns with frisee and mango salad; and melted smoked scamorza cheese with Portobello, asparagus, and honey truffle – and those were just the appetizers. Among the featured entrées were gnocchi in a truffle cream sauce; spinach and buffalo ricotta dumplings in a gorgonzola sauce; almond-crusted lamb chops with sautéed artichoke hearts; and grilled Chilean sea bass with vegetable ratatouille. And, with appetizers ranging from $12 to $18 and entrées averaging between $18 and $30, the food was a bit more reasonably priced than the wine.

Having already munched on a bowlful of slightly addictive nuts at a bar in midtown, my friends and I were not up for the big and heavy dishes we found on the Ciaobella menu, delicious though they seemed. The salads, however, looked very appealing. With a selection of over fifteen creatively assembled salads to choose from, we found the light and tasty dishes we had been craving. I chose one that featured shallots and marinated beets in Chianti vinegar over frisee and topped with warm goat cheese, and one of my friends followed suit. The other, meanwhile, ordered a chopped salad with roasted peppers, avocado, hearts of palm, tomatoes, and celery in a lemon dressing. Though our waiter appeared a bit disgruntled when we announced that we would only be ordering salads, we enjoyed our light, summery selections, which went perfectly with the bottle of wine we had chosen.

While I tried not to compare Ciaobella to Panorama, I couldn’t help but notice a few areas in which Ciaobella just didn’t live up to its predecessor: the slightly overpriced menu, for one; the pleasant but just not-as-friendly wait staff; and the way in which Ciaobella managed to pack more outdoor tables on the patio than Panorama had, creating a tighter, more crowded feel. Yet I have to admit that Ciaobella does offer a more expansive and more creative menu than Panorama did, and the quality of Ciaobella’s offerings was certainly well above par.

I'll have to see about their sangria, though.

Memorial Day Trips

2008-05-22T21:33:00.005-04:00

It’s hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend has already arrived. If, like me, the holiday snuck up on you and you didn’t have the chance to plan a Memorial Day getaway, here are a few quick and easy daytrips you can take this weekend in order to get a break from the city – without breaking your budget.

Belmont Park: Though Big Brown's big race is not for another two weeks, Belmont will be featuring live horse racing Friday through Monday of this weekend. Admission is only $2 (or $5 if you want access to the clubhouse) and Belmont is a short 45-minute trip from Penn Station via the LIRR. For train schedules, click here.

Fort Tryon Park: This gorgeously designed park sits at the top of a hill that overlooks the Hudson and features long, rambling walks and historical ramparts. Also the home of The Cloisters, this is a spot where you can easily spend the day. Just take the A train to 190th Street.

Historic Hudson Valley: Under an hour from Grand Central Station via Metro-North’s Hudson Line, the Hudson Valley features such historical landmarks as Washington Irving’s home at Sunnyside, the Rockefeller Estate at Kykuit, and the 16th-century Phillipsburg Manor, where you can stroll through the quiet streets and literally go back in time. For train schedules, click here.

Spring Lake: This beautiful seaside town on the Jersey shore features historic Victorian homes with wraparound porches and white picket fences, gorgeous swan-filled lakes, a beautiful expanse of beaches complete with a boardwalk for biking and walking. Less than a two-hour train ride from Penn Station, the Spring Lake train station is in walking distance from the beach and the quaint downtown district. Click here for train schedules.

Woodbury Commons: This sprawling shopping center in upstate New York features the outlet outposts of such sought-after brands as Barneys, Burberry, Escada, J. Crew, Gucci, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Diane von Furstenberg, and much, much more. Shop till you drop, then head back to the city via Metro-North. Click here for transportation details.

Enjoy the long weekend – whether you’re in the city or not!

Free Park-ing

2008-05-17T12:58:00.002-04:00

On a day like today, with the sun shining, a slight breeze in the air, and the temperature resting comfortably right around seventy degrees, the park is the place to be. While I took advantage of the beautiful weather this morning by running a few loops around the reservoir, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the lush green grass and flowering foliage of Central Park now and throughout the summer – at no cost whatsoever.

Take a tour. The Central Park Conservancy offers a series of free walking tours with a variety of different themes. The Conservatory Garden Tour, for example, is a 75-minute walk that focuses on the history, design, and plantings of the 70-year-old Conservatory Garden. The Waterways and Vistas Tour is a 90-minute walk that explores the unique pathway and landscape design of the park. The Manhattan Adirondacks Tour is a scenic one-hour stroll that will make you feel as though you’ve escaped to the Adirondacks, just as the park’s creators intended, while the Road Once Traveled Tour highlights the role Central Park played in American history with stops at strategic points used by American forces in the Revolution and the War of 1812. There is also the Castle and its Kingdom Tour, the Amble Through the Ramble, the Cross Park Promenade, the Views from the Past Tour, and the Seneca Village Tour. For a full calendar and information on which of these tours require reservations, click here.

Do yoga. While the park is obviously perfect for running, walking, bike riding, and rollerblading, it’s also an excellent place to get in a series of sun salutations. Just grab your mat and head to a quiet spot for a vigorous vinyasa session or a more meditative series of hatha poses. If, like me, you have a hard time remembering the proper poses in the correct order, try downloading one of the many free yoga podcasts available on iTunes (just search “yoga podcasts” in the iTunes store and a slew will turn up) and bringing your iPod with you.

Rock out. The schedule for the Central Park SummerStage Concert Series is now up and running, and there are some great – and, as always, free – shows coming up this summer. Highlights include indie rockers Vampire Weekend on June 14; the mellow sounds of French-based songstress Yael Naim on June 22; Thievery Corporation on June 26; Mexican artists Julieta Venegas, Plastilina Mosh, and DJ Bitman on July 12; country rocker Mark Knopfler on July 23; Crosby, Stills, & Nash on July 29; the big band sounds of Roy Hargrove on August 2; and Los Lonely Boys on August 14.

Or not. SummerStage is also featuring a series of literary and cultural events this summer, including a comedy show with Stephen Lynch and Mike Birbiglia on June 20; a poetry event on June 21; an evening of Latin music and film on July 9; Global Family Day on July 13; a reading from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Junot Diaz (The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao) on July 17; and a Mexican festival on August 9.

Spend an evening with Shakespeare. This year’s much-anticipated Shakespeare in the Park performances begin on May 27 with Hamlet, starring Lauren Ambrose and Christopher Bonewitz. Hamlet runs through June 29, with performances Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm.

Pack a picnic. Head up to Pier One’s 3rd Avenue location to grab a fun and functional beach mat or beach towel set, then pack a few sandwiches and a thermos of iced tea (or, if you prefer, wine), and spend the afternoon lounging, snacking, and sunning in the park.

With plenty of options, there is really no excuse not to get up to the park to enjoy the beautiful weather!

The Bentley: A Well-Kept Secret

2008-05-09T14:06:00.003-04:00

Last night, I made a discovery: not only is there a hotel hidden behind the Mobil station on the corner of 62nd and York, there is a fabulous rooftop restaurant hidden in said hotel.

Now, it’s possible that I’m just the last to know about the Bentley Hotel’s Rooftop Restaurant and Bar. But, judging from the quiet, relaxed atmosphere and very uncrowded dining room, the restaurant at the Bentley is a well-kept secret. Located at 500 East 62nd Street, the Bentley is literally right behind the Mobil station and right beneath the Queensboro Bridge. The lobby, where I met my friend Kristin last night, is small yet sleek, with courteous doormen ready to hold doors and call for elevators.

As Kristin and I rode up to the hotel’s 21st floor, we weren’t quite sure what to expect and were pleased when the elevator doors opened to a spacious dining area framed by amazing panoramic views of the New York City skyline. The restaurant has a classy, casual feel, with a large bar at one end, a smattering of tables in the middle, and a raised lounge area at the other end. There is also an outdoor patio, where visitors can get a closer look at the East River and the Queensboro Bridge.

Kristin and I were seated at a prime spot right by the window, where we began to browse the menu. Though the bars and restaurants in New York hotels are often known for their high-priced drinks and expensive entrées, we were glad to see that the Rooftop Restaurant did not fall into this category. Wines were reasonably priced, from around $25 to $35 per bottle; specialty drinks ranged from $8 to $10; and, though the menu was somewhat limited, featuring standard chicken and pasta dishes plus salads, sandwiches, and burgers, all items were between $12 and $20.

After ordering a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, we picked out our entrées: fusili pasta with grilled chicken, artichokes, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatoes in a light cream sauce for me; penne alla vodka for Kristin. When our food arrived, it was well-prepared, served in generous portions, and simply delicious.

As we sat back and took in the gorgeous view, we found that we had picked the perfect spot to relax and catch up mid-week. With no more than two other tables full during the two hours we were there, and the low sounds of artists like Coldplay, Tori Amos, and David Gray playing in the background, the restaurant was calm, quiet, and soothing, and we lingered long after we had finished our meals.

I’m not sure why the Bentley’s Rooftop Restaurant seems to be as-yet undiscovered, but the views alone are certainly worth spreading the word about,

Just try not to tell too many people.

A Vacation in the City

2008-05-05T21:07:00.003-04:00

For the past week, I’ve been on vacation. Typically, when I take time off work, I do so to travel out of the city. But this week, rather than jetting off to a warm, tropical climate, a European hotspot, or my parents’ house across the Hudson, I spent my vacation right here in New York. With a friend from out of town visiting for the week, I had the perfect excuse to take time off yet stay here in the city – something I’ve never done before but highly recommend.

Wanting to show my friend the best of the city while also getting to visit some of the destinations I’ve been eager to try but just haven’t found time to get to, I had plenty of ideas for things to do before he even arrived. Museums, restaurants, shows, wine bars…my list was very full and very exciting, and, over the past few days, we were able to check off quite a few items. But we also let ourselves stray a bit from our plans, stopping into places we stumbled upon and spontaneously deciding to explore spots that weren’t on our list. Here are just a few of the highlights.

Feist: The Canadian singer/songwriter/guitarist made an appearance at Hammerstein Ballroom last Tuesday evening, where she gave a dreamy, vocal-driven performance to a packed and very pleased house. If you haven’t seen her live, you definitely should. She’ll be playing the Prospect Park Bandshell in July. Click here for tickets.

The Cloisters: On Wednesday, the only day on which the sun made an appearance, we took the cross-town bus over to the A train and headed up to the Met’s medieval outpost overlooking Fort Tryon Park. The museum was serene, the grounds scenic, and we were able to stroll through the cloistered gardens, take in the unicorn tapestries, and examine the illuminated manuscripts at our leisure.

Public: We happily stumbled upon this trendy Nolita restaurant, which is decorated to look like a public library with its stacks of card catalogs, high corrugated ceiling, and heavy wooden doors. The menu features Australian- and New Zealand-style fusion fare, exquisitely prepared to delight the eye as well as the palate. Especially delicious were the grilled swordfish with Thai eggplant and wild ginger in a green curry sauce, the roast lamb served over a goat cheese polenta, and, for dessert, the sticky toffee pudding.

F.A.O. Schwartz: The magical three-story toy store is both a child’s dream come true and a tourist trap, but one well worth visiting. Especially if you grew up in the eighties watching Big and dreaming about playing the giant piano.

Sunday in the Park with George: The 2008 Broadway revival of Sondheim’s Olivier Award-winning musical is now running at the Roundabout Theatre’s Studio 54 space. This very aesthetically appealing show recreates Seurat’s Un dimanche après-midi à l'Île de la Grande Jatte over a series of Sundays as the artist works on his most well-known piece. The visual effects are simply stunning.

JLNY Spring 2008 House Tour: Put on every fall and spring, the Junior League of New York’s house tour opens up a series of exquisitely decorated apartments and townhouses here in the city. As someone who slows down my pace when walking past a brownstone with its blinds open, I especially appreciated the opportunity to tour some of the city’s most amazing residences, which included a beautifully restored West Village carriage house and the townhouse on East 73rd Street where scenes from “The Devil Wears Prada” were filmed.

The Met: What would a visit to New York be without a visit to the Met? Now on display are Jeff Koons on the Roof, Gustave Courbet, and Poussin and Nature.

When your next vacation rolls around, you may just want to consider staying home. I’m very glad I did.