Come on, Irene!

How is your hurricane day going, friends?

Irene is a true lady keeping us all in waiting, haha, but I hope you are making the most of it (and staying safe and dry, of course!)

Here's a question for you: what kind of foods did you stock up on?  I'm sure we all got about the same kinds of things - foods that don't require cooking or heating, can last for a while.  The problem is, I just want to eat it all at the same time because it's here!

This is what I did with some of the things I bought (in a crazy long line at Pathmark last night...), very simple ingredients that you should already have around the house:

• Peanut Butter (I like a little crunch in mine)
• Honey
• Banana
• Bread

Put it all together and enjoy!

But take it one step further and stick it in the toaster, and it brings it all together even more (thanks to Chris C. and Michelle S. for the idea - we talked so much about it that I had to try it: ).

Note - one thing I would do differently next time is to put the bananas on AFTER toasting - I found it to be a little dry after the heat.

As my own final little touch, I sprinkled some granola, almond, raisin cereal on top for added texture.

And that was my little Hurricane Irene treat for today (with a cup of kumquat and honey tea: )  Feel free to share your ideas too! Heart!

Last July Sat Fun!

Hola,

Quick fun things to do tonight (7/30)!

• 5-10p: Jam to 60s girl bands @ Lincoln Ctr Out of Doors/The Ponderosa Stomp, She's Got the Power (Damrosch Park Bandshell, FREE)
• 8p: Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot presents Hamlet.  Ludlow and Broome, FREE.  Seats are first come first serve.
• 11a-10p: The Highline Rink is now open at The Lot on 30th and 10th Ave!  Note that adult admission is $12 and is not waived if you bring your own skates.  Skate rental is included.
• FYI: On Saturdays from 730-11p, it's 21+ for those of you who are afraid to run over kids...or more likely fall on them: )

Come find us tonight: )

I'm off to San Diego for the next few days, any good eats or places to see (besides the San Diego Zoo, I'm for sure going there)?

Have a great weekend!

Catch-Up Time

With August just a few days away, I just couldn't go on without posting and seeing how your summers are going!  As you probably figured out by now, the frequency of my posts reflect how much free time I have, and the past 2 months have been, well, really busy.

Lots of changes, all that worked out for the best, and it'll only get busier for me until my project is over in mid Sept - BUT, still no excuse to not stay in touch.  I do appreciate so much how many of you still send things my way when you see something fun that I'd like or can share with others, and my hope is that you have continued on to enjoy NY, because the summers here really are so precious.

Quick RECAP on the more fun things I've done recently (and forgot to tell you about - sorry: )

•  SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK, All's Well that Ends Well: We were FIRST in line @ 530am, can you believe it?  We realized the trick is to go during opening weekend!  
• You have 3 more days left to see the second play, Measure for Measure - do it!
• BIG APPLE BBQ FEST: Always delicious.  That fast pass is key.  I tried ribs from St. Louis, brisket from Austin, and pulled turkey S. Carolina style.  Strangely not so packed this year, but not complaining about that!
• BDAY WEEK: I do feel bad about not sharing my bday plans with most of yall, but bday week was fun this year.  This year's theme was, bows + bowties!  Cute times.
• MERMAID PARADE: Mermaids, Mermen, Oysters, Unicorns (? yes)...and Nathan's hot dogs and cheese fries!  All ocean friendly.
• 4TH OF JULY PICNIC @ THE HIGHLINE: We made RWB drinks and desserts and had a picnic in the new part of the Highline!
• Check out the new part between 20th and 30th and 10th Ave - it's a great walk, and you can also pick up some gelato or People's Pops on your travels.
• NATIONAL TAPIOCA PUDDING DAY: We celebrated by having dumplings with tapioca pudding (naturally), and playing Dance Central to burn it all off.  Any excuse to celebrate is a good one.
• SAVAGE BEAUTY @ THE MET: A beautiful and emotional exhibit showcasing over 100 of McQueen's work.  We went early morning around 10am and only had to wait about 10 min or so.  Pay as you wish, so you should go as many times as you can before it's over (Aug 7).

...just a a few things, and more to come (will work on letting you know in advance: )

Happy Memorial Day!

Hope your Memorial Day Weekend has been going well!  One more day to enjoy + a short work week, during which June kicks off and other fun to come = lots of things to look forward to: )

I am making my Memorial Day plans very late, but here are a few things I want to try to do today - come meet up anytime (times are approximate):

• 1230p - Stop by Shake Shack for a corndog: they only have it on the menu 3 times a year, apparently!  Ends today, UWS location only - 77th and Columbus Ave (thanks to Lauren and Robyn for the heads up!).
• 2p - Check out some public art:
• Jaume Plensa's Echo, Madison Square Park - sculpture of a nine-year-old girl from Barcelona.
• Silver Andy Warhol Statute, NW Corner of Union Square
• Giant Roses on Park Ave bet 57-67, up until 5/31
• 5-11p - FREE Beer/Open Bar (5-6p) + BBQ Party @ The Empire Hotel (W 63rd bet Columbus + B'way) - RSVP here!
• 817p - Try to catch Manhattanhedge, which is only happening today and July 11th!  I've been wanting to go!  What is it? "...when the setting Sun aligns precisely with the Manhattan street grid, creating a radiant glow of light across Manhattan’s brick and steel canyons, simultaneously illuminating both the north and south sides of every cross street of the borough’s grid." 
• 8p (will go late: ) - Go to the FREE NY Philharmonic Memorial Day Concert, St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave)

Here are a few other quick things you can consider checking out as well:

• NYC Fleet Week - Last day to see some sailors and big ships! 
• The Met is open!  Hours are same as other Met Holiday Mondays, 930a-530p.  Check out the Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" exhibit, which I hear is awesome.
• 2p - Largest Memorial Day Parade in the U.S....is in Queens (Northern Blvd)!
• Free public kayaking @ Downtown Boathouse

No matter what you do, don't forget to put on some sun screen: ) and go enjoy the day!

NYChar

Review: Red Hook Lobster Pound Truck

I just had the most amazing lunch to celebrate today being a Friday (because every Friday is worth celebrating!).

REVIEW: Red Hook Lobster Pound Truck

I got a tip from Thomas C. about a new truck in our area that sells lobster rolls, and I was not interested at first, because I haven't liked the lobster rolls I tried in the past (usually too much mayo, icy cold, dry bread). 

He said it was "so good" though, so I thought I'd go for a walk and check it out.

LINE:

There was a longer line of people waiting to get cash to buy something from this truck than actually in line!  The wait wasn't bad at all, though there was a little bit of a back-up since more people ordered the Connecticut style (warm, in butter) than the Maine style (chilled lobster, w/ mayo), which I was told is usually more popular (it's not as sunny today).

FOOD:

There are really only 2 options - lobster and shrimp.  I've read the shrimp roll is good as well, but today we were all about lobster.  I went straight for the Connecticut style lobster roll that comes with a pickle, and I got the "Hook Up" combo like everyone else that included the Cape Cod chips (sea salt + vinegar) and Maine Root soda (blueberry!), for $2 more, so it's worth getting.  Everything together really was "so good" and absolutely delicious.  It was packed with lobster chunks, and the bread was toasted and buttered up as well.  Every bite was great (I had to use a fork, as a heads up!)

PRICE:

While it costed $18 for the combo ($16 for the lobster roll alone; well over Midtownlunch.com standards: ), it was perfect for a Friday treat!

YAY OR NAY:

This one is for sure a big YAY, especially in Tribeca, but I don't think I could (or should: ) frequent it more than 2 times a month - again, it's a little pricy for a weekday lunch and healthwise might not be the best idea.  Still, I hope it comes back to our area because I definitely want to have it again (and so do my co-workers, after they saw what I brought back!)

Still around today - catch them if you can!

http://www.redhooklobster.com/

Happy Friday, all: )

Sat 5/14 - Justin's Rubgy Game!

Happy May!

Despite the allergies, I hope you all are having a nice Spring so far and are enjoying the nice weather that's here, finally!  I can confirm that it's for once nicer here than in CA, at least this past weekend, and I am hopeful that the sun is here to stay.

It's good to take advantage of it while we have it, in any case - and our Saturday event below is the perfect way to enjoy sun and sport with friends old and new, so bring some sunscreen and come out!
 
NY Rugby Club Friends + Family Day, Free!
Sat 5/14
1-4p @ Randall's Island

• We're going out to support our friend Justin, Invictus style: )  He plays on the NY Rubgy Club, which interestingly enough is the oldest rugby club in the U.S.!  This will be my first live rugby game, so I'm excited to check it out.
• FREE BBQ and drinks + Justin will have a special area just for us.
• Click HERE for more details and to RSVP or let me know if you're coming so we can look out for you.  It'll be fun!

Hope to see you,
NYChar

Weekender: 4/30-5/1

This weekend should be nice, so come out and play!

  

SAT 4/30

• 10a-6p, Through 5/1: Cherry Blossom Festival @ BK Botanical Gardens [$10 student tix, $15 adults, buy tix online HERE]
•  Meet us there!  Email me for details.
• 10a-6p: TFF Family Festival Street Fair - FREE screenings, activities, b'way and other performances, local restaurants and merchants, etc. [Greenwich and Chambers St]
• Stop by, I'll be around after 330p!

SUN 5/1

• Happy May! April showers bring May flowers, right?

OTHER

• April is Grilled Cheese Month, I can't believe we almost missed it!  Try the grilled cheese @ Melt Shop (Lex + 53rd), Murray's (Bleeker b/t 6th and 7th), or 'wichcraft (many locs); you have a few days left before May!
• Tribeca Film Festival also ends this weekend! 
• Get 50% off tickets by buying tix HERE and entering code: BUYTFFME11. 
• Here are recommended films that you can still see this weekend (read more about each on the film guide):
• Fri 4/29: Let the Bullets Fly, Janie Jones, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, The Perfect Family, Beyond the Black Rainbow
• Sat 4/30: The Trip, The Carrier, Roadie, The Good Doctor, Jesus Henry Christ, Newlyweds (closing night film)
• May 6th is National Public Gardens Day! Get free admission to BK Botanical and NY Botanical (closest ones in NYC) and enjoy a day in the gardens.  Sign up HERE to get your pass for 2, or email me, and I'll send you the voucher (Thanks to Jen K. for sharing!)

Have a good one!

NYChar