Posted in October 2011

pencil it in: laugh out loud

If the recent cold front in NYC has you bummed out, fear not. Get ready to laugh out loud all week long as the New York Comedy Festival rolls into town November 9- 13th. Tracy Morgan, Sarah Silverman, Kathy Griffin and Norm Macdonald are just come of the comedians scheduled to perform. For a full roster and schedule of events visit the festival’s official website.

Festival tip: NYCgo is hosting Laugh More NYC, an exclusive Comedy Week event hosted by Elvis Duran at 4pm on November 13 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, featuring the comic talents of Kurt Metzger, Mike Vecchione, Dan Soder and more. Tickets to the event will be granted through sweepstakes only… enter the competition  here.

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pencil it in: halloween, aside

October 27-29: White Light 2011

Lincoln Center’s second annual fall festival celebrating the spiritual power of the arts continues this weekend with Necessary Weather, a silent study in movement and light. As written in the New York Times: “The dancers glow like incandescent beacons; the viewer’s perception is that light and movement are perfectly fused, that one cannot be considered without the other.” Tickets to the performance are $25 and can be purchased hereBaryshnikov Arts Center, Jerome Robbins Theater, 450 West 37th Street

October 26- January 15, 2012: experience…

… the Carsten Höller Experience. With a doctorate in biology, the Brussels-born artist worked as a scientist until 1993 when he quit to focus on art, but his scientific roots remain a definite part of his craft. The highlight of the New Museum exhibition is Höller’s light installation, a sensory deprivation pool and a twisting, 40-foot-high, 102-foot-long slide—built from transparent plastic—that extends from the museum’s fourth floor to the second. The installation invites visitors to ride the slide, fully equipment with helmets and elbow pads provided by the museum. The New Museum, 235 Bowery (at Prince Street), Wed & Fri-Sun 11AM- 6PM, Thurs 11AM- 9PM, general admission $12

October 29: Need a mid-day pick me up amongst the flurries?

The MUD Truck is going to be parked in Chelsea from 1- 4 PM, dishing out free java to gallery hoppers this Saturday. The truck, described by Zagat as being “Caffeine bliss”  will be parked outside the Luhring Augustine Gallery. 531 West 24th Street (between 9th and 10th Aves)

November 1- 13: Restaurant Week travels North

The first annual Savor the Bronx Restaurant week is set to launch. Showcasing the boroughs best eateries deals will include prix fixe 3-course meals, complimentary coffee and dessert or 20% off the check. Be sure to check out the deals to be had at savorthebronx.com.

November 1- 21: performa

Performa presents its fourth biennial, Performa 11, which will feature more than 100 contemporary artists, including 12 Performa commissions along with premieres and a multitude of new works by up-and-comers. This year’s biennial takes place at more than 80 venues throughout New York City. Full event information can be found here.

November 3: Swine Humor

Catch a showing of “Pig: A Restaurant,” a hilarious one-woman parody by former New York writer Leila Cohan-Miccio. The comedic play features characters with echoes of David Chang, Gael Greene, and a bunch of other NYC food clichés we’re all guilty of and tickets cost an economical $5. Reserve here to experience the ultimate pig roast. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 307 West 26th Street, 8PM

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just because: before i die

Construction turned art: check out Candy Chang’s “Before I Die” project in Brooklyn. Taking over the Brooklyn site, Candy has transformed what was to be an eye-sore into an interactive art piece. The installation (on the site of what will be a Shake Shack) invites spectators to note down their aspirations on the giant blackboard.

According to Ms. Chang:

“It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day life and forget what really matters to you. With help from friends and neighbors, I turned the side of an abandoned house in my neighborhood into a giant chalkboard to invite people to share their dreams in public space. “Before I Die”transformed a neglected space into a constructive one where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us. It’s a question that changed me over the last year after I lost someone I loved very much.”

409 Fulton Street, Brooklyn

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that find: old world, new year

LivingSocial is on a role with another hot travel deal for those itching to get away. This weeks find included a seven night escape to Cairo with airfare included from NYC. Added bonus: trip dates include the New Years holiday, a time usually blacked out with most deals. The trip for one costs $1977 and includes all the necessities for your whirlwind getaway such as hotels, transfers, daily breakfast and sightseeing.

The escape is already mapped out through LivingSocial… you’ll see the Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum and all the other “must sees” of Cairo in the first few days. Part two of your journey will take you down the Nile on a three night river cruise featuring modern amenities. Full trip details can be viewed here.

welcome to cairo!

Dates and rates for booking:

  • December 19-27, 2011 or December 26, 2011- January 3, 2012 from $1977
  • January 16-24, 2012; February 13-21, 2012; March 5-13, 2012; May 7-15, 2012; August 27- September 4, 2012; September 3-11, 2012 from $2277
  • April 2-10, 2012 from $2427

Hurry up and purchase soon.. this hot deal ends Tuesday!

Want the insiders guide to the city? Stay tuned…. my guide to your “Cairo Escape” will be blogged soon!

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that time: apples here, apples there, apples (and pumpkins) everywhere

Apple season in New England and the Hudson Valley is coming to an end but there are a few more weekends to go out and pick-your-own. On a recent weekend home in Connecticut, Randy, Krystina and I decided to take advantage our suburban surroundings and drive up to Lyman Orchards. Located in Middlefield, CT, and a two hour drive from the city, getting to the orchard requires personal transportation. Once at the orchard, however, the two hour trip will seem a small price to pay for a real country escape. Get a group of friends together, rent a zip car (or steal mom’s) and head out to Lyman or one of the other numerous pick-your-own spots before the season is over. Depending on the orchard prices on apples range from around $1.20 per pound  to a minimum purchase of a half bushel (roughly 20lbs) for around $20- $30.

At Lyman there were quite an assortment of apple to chose from. I found the Golden Delicious and Jonagold to be most tasty :) The two varieties (as well as many others) should be available to pick through early November. Call ahead to your orchard of choice before making the drive for the most up to date pick-your-own conditions. Added bonus: many of the apple orchards double as pumpkin patches. Be sure to snag one for your Halloween decor! If you do make the journey to Lyman, be sure to make a stop at the Apple Barrel for the best in fresh baked apple confections.

hellllooooo lyman
the orchard

orchard fun with randy and krystina

other pickers

pumpkin patch

my pumpkin, checking out

Lyman Orchards, 32 Reeds Gap Road, Middlefield, CT, (860) 349-6015, Mon- Sun 9AM- 5PM

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pencil it in: nyc halloween planner

October 20-30: Madame Tussauds After Dark

The lifelike recreations of the famous are creepy enough in the daylight. During the ten days before visitors get the chance to venture into the museum after dark. For more information visit www.afterdarknewyork.com. 234 West 42nd Street (between 7th and 8th Aves), 9PM- 12 AM

October 28: Bugs and Brews

Halloween isn’t just for kids. But at this event, adults can bring out the kid in themselves with spooky fun at the New York Botanical Gardens.  Guests will have the chance to indulge in artisanal beers and insect delicacies. Not into eating our creepy crawly friends? Other foods and non alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. The tasting will run you $30 ($20 for NYBG members) and can be purchased through the botanical garden website2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, 7- 9PM

Bugs and Brews find: hurry and visit Thrillist NYC for discounted ($25) tickets to the event!

October 29: Zombie Rager

Rock out your Halloween weekend at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple with their end of the world zombie dance party. Purchase tickets through Thrillist to enjoy custom horror make-up application, bottomless booze and tunes by DJ Klever. Raging on until thee in the morning, the party is sure to be a thriller! $33 VIP tickets through Thrillist, 317 Clermont Ave, Brooklyn, 9 PM- 3 AM

October 29: Drink & Hunt

Grab a costume and hit up Drink & Hunt: a boozy scavenger excursion going down on Saturday afternoon of Halloween weekend. Drink & Hunt is a competitive, web-enhanced event played in teams. The hunt combines the best elements of a Scavenger Hunt and Pub Crawl to create a unique event accessed via smart phone. Thrillist is offering limited tickets to the event to either join or create a team for $25. Tickets include beers at each bar plus wings and specials at the secret after party. East Village, 1- 7 PM

October 29-31: Tour de Frights

Biking around Manhattan is plenty scary, but add some real spooks and thrills to your Halloween tour with this terrifying two-wheel tour. Participants will ride all over the City seeking out the creepiest, most morbid spots in town, including cemeteries, abandoned homes and historic haunts. Come in costume; bikes, helmets and refreshments will be provided. Tickets are $95 and reservations can be made here. 6PM- 12AM

October 31: Village Halloween Parade

Each year 6th Ave is bombarded by more then 50,000 people decked out in the scariest, most innovative and most hilarious costumes imaginable. Numerous live bands provide tunes for the march. For all those in costume is on 6th Avenue South of Spring Street and North of Canal between 6:30- 8:30 PM

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that time: hallo austria

Last week I wrote about it, Wednesday night I did it. Take a tour through Austria (via the SoHo pop-up) with my pics below….

the scene @ openhouse

celebrated chefs and wine

requisite bread and cheese spread

yummy austrian treats

My favorites from the night?

Wine: SchellMann Ossi Gruner Veltliner 2009 (white), Umathum Zweigelt 2008 (red)

Savory Snack: Cafe Katja’s Fashierte Laberl mit Erdapfelpuree & Pfeffer Sauce (meatballs with mashed potatoes and peppercorn sauce)

Sweet Bite: Edi & the Wolf’s Kaiserschmarrn mit Zwetschkenkompott (caramelized pancake with plum compote)

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pencil it in: weekend update

October 21-22: CMJ Music Marathon

The CMJ Music marathon rocks out it’s final weekend in NYC. 1,300 bands and 120,000 fans will jam into more than 80 rock ‘n’ roll dens across Manhattan and Brooklyn. A guide to shows and venues can be found here. Highlights of the event include shows by hip-hop luminary Talib Kweli, Free Energy and Metronomy. Rock on.

October 23: Grub Street Returns to Hester Street

Grub Street will take over the Lower East Side’s Hester Street fair with its annual food bonanza. Vendors include local favorites Luke’s Lobster, Dos Toros, Asiadog, Big Gay Ice Cream Truck and more. For a full vendor list click here. The event is free and will go down between 10 AM- 6 PM at the corner of Hester and Essex Streets. To get there take the F train to East Broadway or the J,M,Z,F Trains to Delancey

and something for a little later down the line…

November 7: A World of Flavors

New York mag’s culinary editor has invited over 40 of the city’s top chefs, restaurateurs and mixologists to share their talents at Skylight Soho. Discover a world of flavors through the 40+ restaurants at the event all there to celebrate the many global influences found within the the most creative restaurants of the five boroughs. Read more about the event here as well as complete restaurant and ticket information. Tickets are $175 for regular entry and $250 for VIP. Skylight Soho, 275 Hudson Street, VIP entry 6- 7PM regular entry 7- 9PM

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that dish: to edamame heaven and beyond

Amidst the hundreds of Asian-fusion restaurants in NYC the mega dining palace, Buddakan, is a culinary destination worth a try.  Traditional Chinese selections mingle with inventive other food choices on the Philadelphia import’s menu and all are sure to delight. A trip to Buddakan is not complete until you have sampled the famed edamame dumplings ($12) or miso glazed alaskan black cod ($26). Clearly, on my most recent visit I had to try both specialties as well as an assortment of other treats.

sublime edamame dumplings... inside and out. light and fluffy they literally melt in your mouth

three views of the black cod that is the definition of buttery perfection

others goodies from our meal included the crispy calamari salad, chili rock shrimp, sizzling short rib, and almond bread pudding

reservations recommended, 75 Ninth Avenue @ 16th Street, (212) 989 6699, Sun- Mon 5:30- 11PM Tue- Wed 5:30 PM- 12 AM Thurs-Sat 5:30 PM- 1 AM

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that find: 365 beaches to choose from

LivingSocial NYC is offering all inclusive five or seven night stays for two at the luxurious St. James Club Antigua. One of the resorts Royal Suites will serve as your digs for the trip (a Premium Room if you can only get away for five nights) and all meals and drinks are included in the price. Guests choosing the seven night option get the added bonus of a half day sail to the Green Island and 50 minute massage for two. American Airlines offers multiple flights daily (1- stop) from New York’s JFK airport that hover around the $500 mark. Visit LivingSocial to purchase your escape. Booking options include:

  • Now- December 23: five night stay for two $1925
  • Now- December 23: seven night stay  for two $3200
  • January 3- March 31: five night stay for two  $2525
  • January 3- March 31: seven night stay for two $4040

antigua's coastline

What to do on your adventure?

With “365 beaches to choose from” as its tagline Antigua should top the list for any beach bum. Lounge around the properties two beaches or indulge in a relaxing treatment at the on site spa. If you feel like getting out of the resort and exploring the island (which you absolutely should!) there is plenty to do and see. The numerous reefs off the eastern coastline provide for some great scuba and snorkeling action. Dinghies, cats, cruisers can all be hired from many places around the island, and there are plenty of coves and natural harbors to explore on your own or with a group.

beach and marina

Cap your days off at Pepperz n’ Lime, a popular beach side haunt. The friendly staff serves up authentic Caribbean cuisine (the fajitas here are said to be the best on island) and killer cocktails. The upbeat atmosphere continues into the night. Dickenson Bay, St John’s, (268) 562 8235

For some truly local flavor, take some time to explore the Antigua interior and by one of the road side food stands to sample favorites like souse ( pork marinated in lime juice, onions, hot and sweet peppers and spices), callaloo (spinach soup flavored with cloves or crab), pepperpot stew (a mix of salted beef and pork with squash, okra, aubergine, spinach, pumpkin, and cornmeal dumplings), fungi ( cornmeal-and-okra pudding) and ducana (grated sweet potato mixed with coconut, sugar, and spices steamed in a banana leaf).

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