Happy 10th Anniversary, Shake Shack!! #DecadeofShack

A friend and I stopped by Shake Shack for the first day of the #DecadeofShack collaboration burgers, and of course there was a line, but it was actually not much longer than how it is normally (maybe the rain helped).  While the lady in front of us complained to the staff about the 2pp burger limit, up to the 1,000 max ("it should only be one so more people can get one" - I can go either way on this, but the person after the 1,000th burger was purchased would for sure agree with her), we still kept our fingers crossed as we slowly moved up the line.

About an hour's time passed - and we finally made it to the window to place our orders.  And success!  Still 27...no wait, 40?...Decade burgers left (apparently the #s kept going back and forth).  We got 3, either way.

About the "Piggie Shake" (Shack beef-blend topped with DBGB’s BBQ pulled pork, jalapeño mayo, Boston lettuce and mustard-vinegar slaw) - The pulled pork added juiciness and sweetness on top of the beef patty, and the jalapeno mayo was tolerable (from someone who doesn't like peppers - if you do, you might have wanted more!) and gave it a memorable taste .  The signature bun held everything together nicely, and I really liked the slaw.  Before we got one, we asked the staff if it was better than the normal burger, and she secretly nodded her head: ).  Total came out to $9.25 ($8.50 + tax, of which $1 goes back to @MadisonSquarePark) and still falls within @MidtownLunch lunch standards, but maybe not the wait time depending where you work.

All of the staff were nice, and it was overall well managed in terms of the line and burger expectations (there was a "remaining burger" count put up on the signs, which helped.   We did good work today - CHECK to Day 1 @danielboulud "Piggie Shack"!

Quick tips for the rest of the week (collab burgers until Fri 6/13)!

• No surprise - get there as early as possible (opens at 11am!), recommend latest around 2pm - the last burger was sold by ~330pm!  Instagram friend got there at 8am and was happy with the burger, and I'm sure it will only get more busy as the week goes on (especially on Thurs the 12th, the actual anniversary day).
• Like all NY events where waiting is involved, take a friend or two with you!  It increases your chances and makes it more fun.  It also doesn't hurt to make friends with people in front of you, just in case.  We wait for about an hour.
• Patience is a virtue.
• Cheese fries. Yes. You can share or not (my friend was nice enough to share: ).
• Don't give up hope - unless it's EOD Friday 6/13, because it's back to normal (still delicious: ) burgers after Friday.
• Have any others to add? Let me know! nycolorislife@gmail.com

Let's see how many more we can get this week (want all but especially Wed Andrew Zimmern + Thurs Daniel Humm burgers: ) - enjoy!! 
More Info

RECAP: 2013 NYChar Pumpkin Crawl!

What a delicious day!

We had an ambitious list of places to go to, and I think we earned our PUMPKIN (7 letters, 7 spots!).  See below for where we went, and feel free to follow or make your own day of pumpkin eats this Fall!  Thanks to all my pumpkin friends who came out to join me.

NYChar Pumpkin Crawl

• Cafe Medina (17th St bt W Union + B'way) - Pumpkin Corn Bisque, $4.50 - It was a bit of a chilly day, so it was perfect to start with a soup.  This one has a little kick to it, and we love the corn kernels inside!
• Heartland Brewery - Smiling Pumpkin Ale, $2.50 (5oz - sampler size) - We missed the pumpkin and cinnamon notes, but it was still refreshing.  TIP: Just order from the bartender and don't try sitting, esp if you're just drinking - he's a lot more helpful than the rest of the staff.
• Union Square Greenmarket (Open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, 8am-6pm) - We walked through to take pictures with the pumpkins and enjoy the bustle of the market.
• Cafe Orlin (St. Marks bt 1st and 2nd Ave) - Pumpkin Pancakes with Cinnamon Yogurt, $11 - An East Village staple, it was busy even at 2pm!  Pancakes were fluffy and so delicious.  Definitely shareable for 8 - it's so big!
• Klong (St. Marks bt Cooper and Astor Pl) - Right down the street from Cafe Orlin, the Pumpkin Chicken Curry, $13 was absolutely delicious and just what I was hoping for on our P-Crawl.  It has the right sweet/spice and large pumpkin chunks to top it off!
• Sundae & Cones (10th St bet 3rd + 4th Ave) - Finally made it to this "ice cream paradise", and I loved it!  Not only did the Pumpkin Ice Cream, $3.75 taste just like pumpkin pie, the Thai Iced Tea, Guava, and others we tried were amazing - and there's a taffy? sort of texture that makes it extra fun to eat.
• Sugar Sweet Sunshine (126 Rivington bt Norfolk + Essex) - One of my fave bakeries in the city, if not just for the name itself!  "The Nog" pudding with egg nog + pumpkin was rich with Fall flavor, $2.50 for a small.  It's seasonal so you have to get it now.  Try the Spicy Pumpkin Cupcake as well, only $1.75!  

Two more on the list that we didn't have any more room for (will plan another time to go):

• 12 Corners (155 E Broadway) - Apparently an amazing new latte spot, especially for the Pumpkin Pie Latte!
• Four + Twenty Blackbirds (3rd Ave bet 6th + 7th Ave, Brooklyn) - Another bakery that has been on my list to go to for Pumpkin Pie and many other treats.

Happy eating!

NYChar Weekend Fun: Oct 5+6

Here are a few more fun things to add to your weekend plans!  It will be a challenge to fit everything in, but I'm going to try: )

• KOREAN FESTIVAL - 12pm parade starts at 42 + B'way, street fest with food, performances, + k-pop stars!  My 2nd home. [9am-6pm Sat -32nd St bet 5th + B'way]
• SMORGASBURG - Brooklyn Flea Food Market of local eats!  Sat in Williamsburg (going at 11am! Record Fair happening too) and Sun in Brooklyn Bridge Park - note this new location, this weekend thru 11/24 [11am-6pm Sat-Sun]
• LOCAL FOOD AND TRAVEL EXPO - Tons of samples and vendors from local food + getaway tour groups, FREE (but need to register here) [12-5pm Sat - BK Borough Hall]
• OKTOBERFEST MUG HOLDING COMPETITION - After W'burg Smorgasburg, stop by Radegast  Hall for live music, pig roast, and the mug holding competition to celebrate Oktoberfest! [1-9pm Sat - W'burg]
• RTR SAMPLE SALE - It's back!  RenttheRunway.com sample sale has designer dresses up to 95% off, YES!  Party time. HOT TIP - Based on the other 2 times I went, all dresses will go on sale for $25 the last hour (2-3pm Sun: ) .  [Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 11am-3pm - 5th bet 28th + 29th]
• HOPPER DRAWINGS Exhibit [Whitney Museum/Madison + 75th - ends Sun 10/6]
• LINSANITY, the movie is playing at AMC Village 7 now!

NEXT WEEK

We set a date for one of the jazz nights I posted about earlier - join us on THURS 10/10 from 8-10pm with Victor Lin at Irving Farm Coffee Co (79th + B'way)!

Enjoy!
NYChar

HAPPY OCT + I'm Back!

Hi friends,

HAPPY OCT!  It has been almost a year since my last post, and thanks to a few people asking/still believing!, and my work schedule recently freeing up - I decided to try and start things up again (slowly: ).  Let's go!

NYCHAR EVENTS - Two Fall events I'm planning (so far: ) - Email me to RSVP and find out more details!

• SAT 10/19 - PUMPKIN EATS (to celebrate the "Sweetest Day", perfect)- We love everything pumpkin, and it's finally the right season to enjoy it in all it's glory! We are going to find and try some of the city's best pumpkin eats - from curry to ravioli to pie to beer and more - come along!
• SAT 11/16 - THRIFT SHOP + KARAOKE - After a certain night of watching all of Macklemore's YouTube videos, we were inspired to have our own $20 thrift shop afternoon and karaoke (in our new outfits, of course).

UPCOMING - I'm planning on going to most of them in the near future!  Let me know if you want to come, and we'll figure out the best date to go.

"Son of a Man", Rene Magritte, 1964

• Thru this Sun 10/6 - Pizza Time! Inspired Art [Broome b/t Bowery + Christie]
• Tues 11/5 - Punderdome3000 - The next monthly pun competition! [$6 in adv, 8:00pm, Littlefield/622 Degraw St, BK]
• Thru Nov 23/24 - Smorgasburg (food! Sat or Sun) + Jane's 1922 Carousel ($2)
• Every Wed - Live Jazz @ Apotheke Prohibition Sessions (8-10pm), 9 Doyers St (Thanks Andrew C. for sharing: )
• Every Thurs - Live Jazz @ Irving Farm Coffee Co. - Jazz & Coffee with Victor Lin & Dan Stein (8-10pm), 79th + B'way (Goooo Victor!)
• Thru 1/12/14 - MoMa - Magritte Exhibit "The Mystery of the Ordinary" 

WHEW.  Excited!  More soon: )

-- 

NYChar

Follow along! 

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11/15-18: BOGO Starbucks Holiday Drinks!

We got 3 Caramel Brulee + 1 Peppermint Mocha, yum (thanks for being my sharing buddy, Jess: ).  The third choice you have is Gingerbread Latte (sorry no Pumpkin with this offer).  Grab a friend and go!

The Buy One, Share One Event

Catch up with a friend over a holiday beverage. When you buy one, we’ll give you a second one of equal or lesser value for free at participating stores.

Thursday, November 15 to Sunday, November 18, 2 to 5 p.m. at your local Starbucks.

[website]

::Happy Fall-o-ween!::

Sandy may be bringing us some tricks now (har har), but here are four super easy Fall treats to make while you're home and maybe have some time to spare - Dirt 'n Worms, Monster Mash, Mummy Hot Dogs, Spooky Spiders!    

We made these over the weekend to celebrate Fall-o-ween, but they make great Sandy-ween snacks too!

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1. DIRT 'n WORMS - A childhood classic that I've actually never made before: ).
NEED: Chocolate Pudding, Oreos, Gummy Worms, Clear Cups
DIRECTIONS: Grind Oreos in food processor if available (otherwise, good ol' mashing), and then go to town with layering with chocolate pudding in clear cup.  Add gummy worms and enjoy!

2. MONSTER MASH

NEED: Kettle Corn, Candy Corn, M&Ms, Candy Eyes (optional)

DIRECTIONS: Pop and mix!  For extra flare, you can purchase cute small popcorn boxes from Target (3 pak for only $1).

3. MUMMY HOT DOGS - I really love this one because it's so quick and easy and also has lots of personality!
NEED: Crescent croissant dough (Pillsbury or store brand is fine), hot dogs, mustard.
DIRECTIONS: Unroll croissant dough, cut into strips, cover hot dog (don't forget the hat!), stick in oven at 375 degrees for 11-13 min, take out and add mustard eyes (consider using a toothpick) - and DONE (notice what people eat first - always the head heheh). 

4. SPOOOOOKY SPIDERS
NEED: Oreos, Peel and Pull Twizzlers
DIRECTIONS: Cut Twizzlers into sections, twist open Oreos and stick "legs" in (6 legs are even spookier than 8!), add two small pieces as eyes.

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Thanks to OurBestBites.com for the easy Fall party food ideas!  See here for more.  You can also check out my Pinterest Board "Fallspiration" for others to make for another party: ) - like Donut Hole Acorns, Mozz/Almond Fingers, Apple Salad!

Do you have any other fun Fall treat ideas that we should try?  Send them over!  nycolorislife@gmail.com.

Stay safe everyone!!

Weekend On My Mind: )

Hello!

It's past midnight, one of my fave movies is on (Amelie - I also love cracking creme brulee: ), and I am already thinking about all the fun things to do this weekend - aren't you?  Here are a few picks of things to consider doing over the next few days:

• Today TUES 10/16: It's Schnipper's Quality Kitchen's 1st Anniversary - Celebrate with $1 burgers (all day) and $1 PBRs (after 5pm) [10am-10pm, 23rd St and Madison Ave].
• Until FRI 10/19: Madison Square Eats - Stop by this week before it's over to grab some food and drinks (p.s. many of the same food trucks/restaurants will be at the Grub St Food Fair on Sun too, see below) [11am-9pm, B'way, 25th St, 5th Ave].
• SAT 10/20: Thinking about - 
1. Movie ($6 before noon) - Frankenweenie
2. Brooklyn Flea Fort Greene - Haven't been in a long while!
3. Dance Practice: )
4. Broadway show - TBD (maybe ONCE, Peter and the Starcatcher, or the Mystery of Edwin Drood) - rush tix!
• SUN 10/21: 3rd Annual Grub Street Food Fair - An extension of Hester St Fair (another cute outdoor flea market) + what looks like approx 100 food trucks/restaurants all in one place to try, one day only!  Free and open to the public - go early! [10am-6pm, Hester and Essex]
• Until SUN 10/28: Yayoi Kusama's Fireflies on the Water Exhibit at the Whitney Museum of Art - I get comp tix through my company: ) [11am-6pm, 945 Madison Ave + 75th St].

I'll post any other fun events on my FB page - be sure to "like"!

Friends - make the most of this week: be happy, love, forgive, celebrate, LIVE: ).  Thanks for reading - more soon!