Tag Archives: holiday

Let’s Celebrate Women!

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It’s International Women’s Day today, and we love the women of New York. All of them. But today we’d like to remember a few of New York’s finest that, while no longer with us, impacted our lives in wonderful ways.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was born in New York City in 1884. FDR’s wife distinguished herself in her own right; she was a champion of social reform and racial equality. Mrs. Roosevelt is honored with a playground in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn and a monument in Riverside Park.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929-1994) Her efforts to save and renovate Grand Central Station resulted in a plaque inside the terminal acknowledging her role in its preservation. The reservoir in Central Park was renamed the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in 1994 in recognition of her contributions to the city.

Diane Arbus (1923-1971)  Arbus believed that a camera could be “a little bit cold, a little bit harsh” but its scrutiny revealed the truth; the difference between what people wanted others to see and what they really did see – the flaws. With this philosophy, she visited seedy hotels, public parks, even a morgue to document the people of New York.

Nora Ephron (1941-2012)  Nora, Nora, Nora. What can we say?  New York was the backdrop for some of her most memorable movie moments. Remember the Empire State Building at the end of Sleepless in Seattle? You’ve Got Mail highlighted the best of the Upper West Side: Zabar’s, Barney Greengrass and Gray’s Papaya. The faked orgasm scene at Katz’s deli in When Harry Met Sally is now a movie classic. Let’s face it–Nora was as New York as a bagel with a schmear.

We hope everyone celebrates all of the incredible women in their lives today!

 

 

It’s Cheaper Than A Psychiatrist…

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It’s President’s Day and if you’re visiting New York, or a resident with a free day and a little bit of cash to burn, check out some big sales happening:

Alessi: The Italian home design store is holding a warehouse sale at their Soho store,130 Greene St. by Prince in Soho. You can expect deep discounts (up to 70 percent off) on discontinued, slightly irregular items and floor samples. Hours are 11 am-7 pm.

Fjallraven:  Head to 21 Howard St. (between Crosby and Lafayette) and snag a bargain. The Swedish outdoor clothing brand is holding a sample sale on both men and women’s merchandise. Markdowns are up to 85% off retail. We’re talking down coats from $50 to $175 and pants from $40 to $90. Hours are 11 am – 7 pm.

Junelle: Hop the subway to Williamsburg for this cool boutique’s sample sale. Up to 75% off high-fashion duds. Labels include Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, Rachel Comey, A Détacher, Mayle, Raquel Allegra and VPL, The shop is located at 148 Bedford (between N. 8th and N 9th Sts. Hours are 12 pm – 7 pm.

Broadway Panhandler: This kitchen store has been a city favorite for over 30 years, and they’re offering up to half off on their cookware and culinary goods. (Wusthof bread knives for only 50 bucks? Yes, please!)  East 8th between Greene and University. 11 am – 7 pm.

And the grandaddy of them all…the Barney’s New York warehouse sale. Every native New Yorker has at least one story of the best bargain ever–and I mean ever–landed at Barney’s. (Mine is a beautiful suede jacket.) Yes, it’s crowded, but we know that you’re strong. Head to 255 W. 17th (between 7th and 8th Aves.) Open 10 am – 9 pm.

 

9 Foods You May Not Know Are Natural Aphrodisiacs

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We all know that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. (Turns out it’s scientifically true…I honestly thought it was just the best excuse ever to eat chocolate: “It’ll renew our relationship!”) And it’s common knowledge that red wine is too; it relaxes you and lowers inhibitions–sometimes to the floor. But I didn’t know about these everyday love foods, and plan to incorporate at least some of them into my V-Day dinner.

Asparagus: Apparently it increases circulation downthere, leading to increased sexual desire. Mama always said to eat all your vegetables!

Ginger and Cinnamon: Both warm you and your partner up by literally producing heat within the body.

Honey: Organic, raw honey (not the kind in the little bear) supports both testosterone and estrogen production.

Garlic: It contains allicin, which increases blood flow and improves stamina. Clearly make sure that you both eat it so that you can stand the smell of each other.

Basil: One of my favorite herbs and now there’s more reason to love it, as it increases heart rate and improves blood flow.

Pine Nuts: Chock-full of zinc, which produces testosterone.

Avocados: It seems that because it’s packed with tons of nutrients and the “good” fat, eating a lot of it makes you healthy and…um…energetic.

Bananas: It’s not just the suggestive shape (although that certainly doesn’t hurt). They’re loaded with potassium, magnesium and B vitamins, plus special enzymes and minerals that specifically enhance the male libido.

It may come as no surprise that our beloved Ronnie Jenkins knew immediately which foods are aphrodisiacs. (Seriously–he nailed it on the first try.)  Ronnie came up with a list of dishes that he would serve his beloved on Valentine’s night:

Cinnamon sugar cookies with ginger
Avocado crostini and a glass of bubbly
Asparagus quiche
Pine nuts, toasted in a spinach salad
Strawberries and honey

So have a little pesto and garlic sauce or bananas foster or roasted asparagus and have a wonderful and romantic Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Dinner For Two

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Chef Yoel Cruz and consulting pastry chef John Cheng have revealed their Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu. Feast your eyes and tummies buy cialis online on this:

For the first course, there is a choice of:

RAW OYSTER TRIO
malpeque, yaquina and wellfleet

MINI LOBSTER & CRAB CAKE
seaweed salad and thai coconut curry sauce

EGGPLANT ROLLATINI
ricotta & manchego cheese, orzo, roasted tomato & basil sauce

Next, you can select one of these:

ROASTED TOMATO SOUP
grilled shrimp, crispy potatoes

CORN CHOWDER
peppers, crab meat, cumin foam

KALE SALAD
hubbard squash, gala apples, manchego cheese, roasted pumpkin seeds, cider vinaigrette

RADICCHIO & BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD
roasted beets, goat cheese, honey spiced pecans, blue cheese dressing

TUNA TARTARE
avocado, ginger crudo vegetables, lemon-lime vinaigrette

PAN SEARED FOIE GRAS
roasted butternut squash, apple & celery salad, grand marnier sauce

Put down your fork for a minute before moving on to one of the following entrees:

FILET MIGNON AU POIVRE
grilled vidalia onion, steak cut fries, spicy mustard, bourbon au jus

ROASTED PEKIN DUCK BREAST
sautéed shiitake mushrooms, pea greens, soba noodles, kumquat & tamarind sauce

SEARED VENISON
swiss chard, herb späzle and roasted beet au jus

HERB CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB
brussels sprouts with bacon, potato leek galette, rosemary au jus

ROASTED LOBSTER
rice noodles, vegetables, thai curry, lemon grass broth

GRILLED MONKFISH
baby vegetables in saffron broth, red bliss potatoes, tomato aïoli

And, of course, you can’t forget dessert. There’s a choice of pumpkin cheesecake, key lime pie, mocha bread pudding, butterscotch creme brulee or a red velvet chocolate heart for two. (Personally, I would order the latter and pray to God that my partner was full, but that’s just me.)

Four courses for $55 per person…a seriously great deal on one of the biggest dining out nights of the year! Call 212-254-1200 now for your reservations…or click on the “Feed Me” button above.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

 

Happy Birthday To Ya…Happy Birthday To Ya

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“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to

justice everywhere.”

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

“There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.”

 

Say Cheese!

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Anyone who knows me that as much as I love my wine….I love my cheese even more. Yes, that much. And for fromage freaks like me, Sunday is a day to bow our heads, give thanks, and chow down on the creamy, the veined and the stinky. It’s National Cheese Lover’s Day, people!

So where do I go to stock up on my favorite nosh? The best place in New York is Murray’s Cheese right here in Greenwich Village.  Why? Because it’s awesome, that’s why.

The variety is incredible and the knowledgeable staff can educate you on the difference between cialis online a Roquefort and a Cabrales or a Parmigiano Reggiano and a Pecorino Romano.

They even have a shop online, with a virtual cheese counter where, under categories like “I’m Entertaining”, “I’m Cooking” and “Find My New Favorite Cheese” they list a bunch of adjectives to describe what you might be looking for in your purchase. You click on the description, and…voila!

Want a wacky cheese? That would be Up In Smoke, a smoked goat cheese.

How about an over the top ingredient for homemade mac and cheese? Use Sottocenere, a flavored cow’s milk to blow diner’s minds.

It’s so much fun–and you can discover so many new flavors, like my personal favorite under the “stinky” category: Pont-l’Eveque.

Yummy!
Have a Happy Cheese Lover’s Day!

 

O Christmas Tree…

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Ever wonder what happens to all those 10-foot Christmas trees online pharmacy in a densely-populated city where one square block can probably host over a thousand firs and evergreens? Christmas tree recycling began on the 2nd, so for the past week or so, I’m sure everyone has encountered the carcasses of holiday past on their curbs. Like this:

And this:

Or this:

Our neighbors by the shore have a bit of a different experience:

The NYC Parks Department organizes Mulchfest, (scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday) in which they will recycle Christmas trees into wood chips, which are used to nourish trees and plants on streets and gardens citywide. (Being a huge fan of the city parks, to me, this is the way to go.)  But jeez, get another mascot, guys–this one just freaks me out.

The holidays may be toast, but here’s the good news…only 69 days until spring!!!

Have A Lucky New Year!

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This Yankee gal has been advised countless of times by well-meaning Southern friends that she absolutely, positively must eat black eyed peas on New Year’s Day. The superstition–some say dating from the Civil War–has it that ingesting the little devils will bring you boundless luck and prosperity in the year ahead.

Southerners typically chow down on the two-toned legumes in a salad or with stewed tomatoes…or in Hoppin’ John, a popular dish in which the peas are cooked with rice, pork (such as chopped pork or ham, hog jowls or hambones, fatback or bacon) and

seasonings.

I’m not sure if there’s any truth to this legend, but who am I to turn up my nose at possible everlasting love or a fountain of riches? Besides that, Southern soul food rocks so the worst case scenario is that you’ll have a killer meal.

I’ve done a little research and found a few restaurants in New York that serve up the goods:

Pies ‘n Thighs
166 S. 4th St. (at Driggs Ave.), Brooklyn

Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too
366 W. 110th St. (between Columbus & Manhattan Ave.), Manhattan

Seersucker
329 Smith St. (between President & Carroll St.), Brooklyn

Sylvia’s
328 Lenox Ave. (between 126th & 127th St.), Manhattan

We here at the Washington Square Hotel and North Square Restaurant wish you a happy, healthy and yes, lucky and prosperous New Year–whatever you choose to eat!

So What Do You Wanna Do This Weekend?

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It’s a nice long holiday weekend here in

New York. Here are a few random things that might be fun to do if you’re here with us in town…

The Whitney Museum is featuring a collection of works by 18 early-to-mid-20th-century American artists, installed as a series of mini retrospectives. The lineup includes such names as Georgia O’Keefe, Paul Cadmus, Joseph Cornell. Alexander Calder and Edward Hopper.

Sandra Bernhard is in the house!  The hilarious comedian and singer is performing with her band, the Rebellious Jezebels at Joe’s Pub.

Check out the Upright Citizen’s Brigade, the improv and sketch comedy theater in Chelsea. It’s incredibly cheap–especially for the caliber of talent they have to offer. Amy Poehler is actively involved with the place and yes, I’ve seen her perform there. What more do you need to know?

Drop in on the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum’s “Ivy Style” exhibit, which celebrates the evolution of preppie-style clothing. (Apparently the Ivy league look was once cutting edge. Really?!?!?) Khakis, penny loafers, Ralph Lauren and Arrow shirts will surely be represented.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to check out the butterfly conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History. It’s beautiful and loads of fun. Butterflies, butterflies everywhere! (Okay, I may be a dweeb, but I love it.)

And finally have a cocktail at the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis. The old-time warmth of the place just screams Old New York, fancy beer nuts and all.

Forget Times Square: Revel In Central Park.

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If you’re in town for New Year’s Eve, skip Times Square. Honestly, it really isn’t fit for man nor beast and certainly not discerning tourists. It’s crowded, there’s no restroom and frankly, you’ll be more comfortable watching the ball drop on TV.  But then, I’m a tad claustrophobic and Times Square freaks me out on a good day.

Last year, for the first time, after a big celebratory dinner downtown we hopped the subway up to the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park for a great view of the park’s New Year’s fireworks. At the stroke of midnight, the pyrotechnics announced the beginning of 2012. It’s exciting, it’s fun and–get this–it’s not crazy crowded. Last year, the weather was practically balmy and even then the crowd was not dense. I loved it and am now officially hooked.

Along with the fireworks, there’s the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run. The New York Road Runners kick of the year with an un-scored

(i.e. it’s not competitive) four mile run through the park. Runners line up on the 72nd Street traverse near the fountain. The crowd (some in costume) gathers at about 10 pm for dancing to music provided by a DJ. At 11, there’s a costume parade and contest. The official run starts at midnight. I didn’t partake in the course last year–too busy digesting veal chops and champagne–but the crowd was friendly and they all looked like they were having a blast.

The fountain (which, by the way is beautiful in and of itself) is located in the middle of the park, around 75th street. Here’s a map:

If you’re coming from the Village, take the B or C train from West 4th to 72nd Street. When you get off the train, just walk into the park and follow the crowd.

As of today, the weather is predicted to be clear but chilly. Bundle up and you’ll be fine!