July 4, 2009
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 WTC Aftermath Now that the former World Trade Center site, aka Ground Zero is in various stages of being rebuilt, there are still many questions about not only what happened on that fateful day but how survivors are coping now. From a visitor’s perspective, September 11, 2001 is history. Everything appears to be healed, except for that huge crater that’s now a construction site in the Financial District. While it’s true that our city is looking forward and not ruminating on the past, 9/11 was a defining moment for NYC. You really can’t appreciate this city without confronting the gruesome reality of the attacks. Exhibits at the Ground Zero Museum Workshop non-graphically examine death and destruction, the heroism of Ground Zero’s rescue workers, as well as the courage and resilience of everyday New Yorkers. All of this is done in a tasteful way making it completely kid-friendly. So do yourself a favor and pay a visit even before making a trek to the former World Trade Center site.
Admission is well worth the $25 per person for this 2-hour tour since a portion of the proceeds are donated to the FDNY and various 9/11 charities. If you’re wondering why the word “workshop” is included in the museum’s name, it’s because the exhibits are interactive. All tours include a historical introduction by a trained guide; a 12-minute video presentation; an interactive walk-through history of select WTC artifacts, including the opportunity to pick up and hold World Trade Center steel and window glass; and a self-guided audio tour which details the history behind 80 stunning images from the Ground Zero Recovery.
All these images packed into this 1100 sq. foot loft space museum were taken by Gary Marlon Suson, museum founder and Official Photographer at Ground Zero for the Uniformed Firefighters Association. Suson, one of only two sanctioned photographers with all-access privileges at Ground Zero, also recorded audio commentary for most of the photos revealing the stories behind them.
420 West 14th Street
2nd Floor
212 209 3370
July 2, 2009
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 Dirty Bird To-Go Fried Chicken First of all, this tiny place is half way between a take out joint and sit down restaurant. If you’re lucky enough to find a seat, of which there are only two tables along with small counters on either side of the door, you’ll get real silver ware, cloth napkins, and a tiny candle. If it’s packed like usual, you’ll be taking grub to go. After all, you don’t come to Dirty Bird To-Go for the ambiance, you come here for the fried and rotisserie chicken that’s genuinely finger licking good!
Their free range, non hormone raised birds imported straight from Pennsylvania’s Amish Country are brined, dipped in buttermilk and double-fried in olive oil for extra crunch. This process produces exceptionally juicy meat and a greaseless coating. The other mainstay here is rotisserie chicken with a crisp well-seasoned skin. Even the white meat is moist and succulent right down to the bone. Every order comes with jalapeno vinegar and honey mustard dipping sauce if you so choose.
Don’t forget the sides…they’re sturdy enough to hold their own with the stellar main dishes. Just-right helpings of creamy white cheddar mac n’ cheese, seasoned mashed potatoes with real chucks of hearty potato, and veggies like roasted brussel sprouts and broccoli hit the spot. My favorite, the simmered kale, is marinated in a lightly garlic infused olive oil instead of sopping in butter.
Make sure you try a tall cold glass of their unsweetened organic peach ice tea and for dessert, grab a bag of their homemade chocolate ginger snap or molasses cookies. Even if you’re too full, tuck them away for your journey home!
204 W 14th St
212-620-4836
Subway: A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 to 14th St; L to Eighth Ave
June 29, 2009
 Chelsea Wine Vault Enter this cavernous yet intimate brick-walled wine shop in Chelsea Market and it’s easy to feel as if the wine selection here is handpicked and reserved for serious oenophiles. But after some more careful examination, you’ll find deals mixed into their stock, anywhere from 700 to 1,000 labels at any given time. Their latest offering called “99 Bottles of Wine on the Wall” has slashed 99 bottles to $9.99 and less throughout the store. Bargains like Trapiche Pinot Noir from Argentina for $7.99 or a biodynamic Anakena Merlot from Chile at $6.99 are often side-by-side with $50 plus trophy bottles. In stark contrast is a 1995 Chateau Haut-Brion set at $1,999.99.
Beyond these individual finds, recession busting values are rooted in the Chelsea Wine Vault’s regular programming. A great example takes place on July 9th and 10th when Vault staff will be hosting the following Frugal Forums:
Viva Italiano!
Thursday, July 09, 2009 — 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm $25 per person
Since Italy has over 20 wine growing regions and over 2,000 indigenous grapes, more than any other wine growing region in the world, this country’s exciting and diverse world of wines needs some demystifying. So come sip some of Italy’s classic, as well as some of its many obscure and esoteric grapes and experience “La Dolce Vita” first hand!
Get Your Island On - Taste of the Caribbean Rum Tasting
Friday, July 10, 2009 — 7pm to 8pm $30 per person
Just the word “rum” conjures images of warm sun, cool breezes, steel drums and a mellow buzz. Whether it’s light, dark, spiced or aged, this magical elixir can’t help bring a smile to one’s face. Join resident experts David Hunter and George Summer, as they unveil the mysteries of this island nectar and compare it to Chile’s Pisco and Brazil’s Cachaca.
Chelsea Wine Vault
75 Ninth Avenue at 16th Street
Monday – Saturday 10am to 8pm
Sunday 12pm to 6pm
212 462 4244
June 26, 2009
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 BAM Cinema Fest This year’s BAM Cinema FEST offers the New York premieres of several well-received Sundance titles like the political satire In the Loop with James Gandolfini, the romantic comedy Humpday, and black comedy Big Fan with Patton Oswalt.
The festival opened on June 17th with Cruz Angeles’ post-9/11 Latino romance Don’t Let Me Drown. set in a Brooklyn with residents grappling with the aftermath of 9/11. But the centerpiece of this 16-day festival may just be Fritz Lang’s 1927 sci-fi classic Metropolis, accompanied by an original score performed by the Irish rock collective 3epkano.
Other Highlights Planned:
- All-night marathons (one is devoted to the films of Diana Ross) and a pair of outdoor screenings.
- Films created by younger, emerging local filmmakers establishing their collective status as an emerging crowd. Examples include:
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Tze Chun’s Children of Invention and Dia Sokol’s Sorry, Thanks both directed by New Yorkers but not set in the city yet reflecting situational chaos.
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Director Jody Lee Lipes’ Brock Enright: Good Times Will Never Be the Same is a simultaneously absurd, and relentlessly obscene look at a young artist’s uneasy preparation of an audio-visual exhibit. The main character, Enright swindles money from his girlfriend and other investors as he constantly searches for what he wants his work to do, but pursues the unknown with shockingly steadfast determination. In one scene he paints himself white and runs nude through the woods.
- Bradley Rust Grey’s The Exploding Girl focuses on fragile college student Ivy over the course of an aimless summer in the city. Primarily visual, this film provides a constant feast for the eyes, with striking shots of the city and rooftop scenery. Ivy’s epilepsy provides the movie with its namesake, but Grey’s visual language truly unearths her alienation by situating it in a world much larger than her miniscule personal concerns.
Festival takes place June 17 through July 2, BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave. (at Ashland Pl.), Brooklyn, 718-636-4100, times vary, $11 per film.
June 24, 2009
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 NY Botanical Garden Heirloom Tomatos Starting June 27th, the Edible Garden at the spectacular 250-acre NY Botanical Garden will kick off a summer-long celebration of locally grown food. This event promises delectable exhibits and mouth-watering programs designed to inspire folks to grow, prepare, and eat garden-fresh produce.
The Edible Garden includes two Festival Weekends, seven Edible Evenings, and a Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Weekly demonstrations will include daily docent tours pointing out a broad range of edibles from heirloom fruits and vegetables to tropical spices.
Not to miss attractions throughout the summer include:
- 2 Festival Weekends - June 27 & 28 and September 12 & 13, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. - celebrating local, sustainable food choices and global cuisine
- 7 Thursday evenings, July 9-August 20, featuring wine & beer tastings and exhibits like Martha Stewart’s Culinary Herb Garden, a Beginner’s and Seed Savers Heirloom Vegetable along with Tropical Fruits, Roots, and Shoots.
- An audio tour, narrated by Mario Batali with commentary by James Beard Foundation 2009 Outstanding Chef Award-Winner Dan Barber, showing visitors where their food comes from and how it gets to their table.
- Cooking Demonstrations in the Conservatory Kitchen showcasing renowned and up-and-coming chefs using the latest kitchenware. Visitors will learn about “farm to table” cooking along with new and exciting ways of incorporating fresh produce and herbs into everyday meals.
- A Good Food Garden sponsored by the Food Network demonstrating the essential role that the Botanical Garden plays in researching, understanding, and educating the public about the significance of edible plants.
Getting Here:
By Train: Just 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal, take the Metro-North Harlem local line to Botanical Garden Station. Walk across Kazimiroff Boulevard to the Garden’s Mosholu Gate entrance.
By Subway: Take the B, D, or 4 train to Bedford Park Blvd Station. From the station exit:
• Take the Bx 26 bus east to the Garden’s Mosholu Gate entrance.
• OR walk eight blocks down the hill on Bedford Park Blvd to the end (approximately 20 minutes). Turn left onto Kazimiroff Blvd and walk one block to Mosholu Gate entrance.
Open year-round, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
June 22, 2009
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 Empire State Building at Night I’ll admit it….it’s really hard to find the best nightlife that matches your expectations and personality here in NYC. If you’re a tourist, it’s even more of a challenge. Uncle Sam Tours’ pub crawls take the guesswork out of hunting down a favorite neighborhood pub or historic brew pub that you may not discover on your own. Go with a tour outfit that’s completely run by locals.
A great example is the East Village Pub Crawl covering the Old Town Bar, Pete’s Tavern, Cooper Union, and McSorley’s Old Ale House. Guides weave stories, some of them personal accounts, as a narration while visiting these watering holes once frequented by cultural icons and key personalities at the vanguard of social movements.
Or perhaps you’re staying near the Empire State Building, planning to take in a few sights before heading to the top observation deck. Maybe you want to check out a local bar or two. With so many options and so much to see, why not do both? Their Empire State Pub Crawl held every Saturday at 5:30pm begins at Heartland Brewery located at the base of this iconic skyscraper. Try one of their seasonal ales brewed onsite like the Summertime Apricot Ale Then it’s across 33rd Street to Jack Dempsey’s. Originally opened in 1935 by the reigning world heavyweight champ from 1919-1926, you can sample a Guinness or spot of Jameson before heading to one of the best rooftop bars in town simply named 230 5th. This bar’s plush rooftop patio offers one of the best, free views you can have of the Empire State Building with a drink in hand.
Here’s where the value kicks in…..for the sticker price of $90, the Empire State Pub Crawl includes admission to the Empire State Building’s virtual roller coaster, NY Skyride, fast-tracked access to the world famous observation deck and one drink at each of the three bars you’ll visit. Individually, these activities would cost close to $70, so for a little extra, you get your own private guide for 4.5 hours.
Other nighttime tours include the Hell’s Kitchen Pub Crawl taking you through the Theatre District to bars where famous stars and playwrights used to relax and talk shop. From there you’ll head west to the infamous headquarters of the Westies gang members. Or if it’s glam nightlife you’re craving, take the Chelsea Nightclub Tour with VIP admission and no lines to some of the hottest clubs on the circuit.
For more specific info. on individual tours including meeting locations and prices, check out Uncle Sam’s New York Tours
June 19, 2009
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 Real Men Cook Do something different this year to celebrate Father’s Day. Head over to Real Men Cook, the nation’s largest Father’s Day celebration held in major cities across the country. Launched in 1990, NYC celebrates its 20th Anniversary on June 21st.
Real Men Cook brings men together for a cause drawing not just fathers but coaches, teachers, celebrities, and even Barack Obama who don aprons, roll up their sleeves, and voluntarily share their culinary skills with the common objective of promoting the value and contribution of males to healthy families and communities. So show your support by getting some tickets to this food tasting family celebration in the heart of Harlem. All ticket proceeds are donated to local non-profit groups.
In addition to the food, there’s live entertainment featuring artists like entertainer Paul Rivers Bailey, powerhouse soul singer Jaguar Wright, and Hip Hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa. There will be numerous activities for kids at the children’s pavilion as well as giveaways and prizes throughout the day.
Father’s Day Sunday June 21, 2009 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building
125th St. & Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.
Purchase tickets: $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12 at Ticket Web or by calling 866-468-7619.
June 17, 2009
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Herald Square was named after the newspaper, The New York Herald. Stanford
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 New Times Square In case you didn’t already catch the buzz…..and this is big……Times Square, aka the “Crossroads of The World” or “The Great White Way” is now closed to vehicles. Imagine that….this conflagration of perpetual horn leaning and extreme jaywalking is now a pedestrian playground instead of a traffic-clogged thoroughfare! As part of a larger effort to cut down on pollution, traffic and pedestrian accidents citywide, portions of Broadway from 42nd Street up to 47th and from 33rd to 35th are now off limits to anything on four wheels. It all kicked off with a block party in Herald Square complete with beach chairs lined up on the asphalt and a movie playing on one of the many big screens towering above blazing with ads.
This isn’t just a crazy feel-good “going green” gesture to tourists either. It’s actually projected to improve traffic flow by increasing traffic rates by 17% faster on Seventh Ave. and 66% faster on Sixth Ave. due to eliminating complicated three-way intersections and creating normal two-way setups.
Last summer, the city converted part of Broadway from 42nd Street to 35th Street from a four-lane into a two-lane street creating a promenade for pedestrians and cyclists complete with tables, chairs, and planters. This year with this additional space in Times Square, pedestrian plazas will host street festivals and other events. If this experiment, scheduled to remain in effect throughout 2009, works, it will become permanent.
A similar proposal was shot down by Macy’s in the 1980s because executives feared the pedestrian islands would be overtaken by the homeless. Now, most businesses are in a wait-and-see mode. Pedestrian space where people can linger in front of stores may drive up business but on the other hand, some cabbies are disappointed because they’ll no longer be able to deliver shoppers to the area’s iconic stores. Come test it out for yourself!
June 15, 2009
 3rd Annual Food Film Festival (Courtest of aesis on Flickr) The NYC Food Film Festival is already celebrating its 3rd year and 2009’s week long festival (June 13th – 19th) promises to be the best yet! Where else can you watch screenings of food related films and then sample the delectable starring morsels you just admired? This festival launches with Know Your Mushrooms accompanied by a Flaming Lips soundtrack, followed by a wild mushroom tasting menu put together by chef Brad Farmerie.
Founded by George Motz of Hamburger America and Harry Hawk of NY Water Taxi, this festival’s events will be held at the following 3 venues: Astor Center in the East Village, Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City, and at South Street Seaport. Then it’s on to sampling the Tennessee buttermilk featured in the film Buttermilk: It Can Help and mutton from RUB while watching Mutton: The Movie, illustrating how Kentucky barbecue is made. Heck, there’s even a documentary about Peeps, those lovable little yellow marshmallow treats. Yes, these will also be available for sampling making the perfect dessert!
When thirsty or seeking appropriate parings: beer, wine, and an onsite mixologist is included!
June 12, 2009
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 BBQ in Progress at the Big Apple BBQ Block Party Who says you can’t have an authentic, down-home barbecue on concrete surrounded by skyscrapers and urban bustle? This Sat. and Sun, Madison Square Park hosts this finger-licking festival of gargantuan proportions that’s free to enter and just $8 per plate. It’s best to come with an empty stomach if you plan on buying a $100 Fast Pass to skip the lines. 14 of the country’s top pitmasters will be firing up a wide array of award-winning regional barbecue styles, Including smoked sausage by Drew Robinson of Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q in Birmingham, Alabama and whole hog by Patrick Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in Nolensville, Tennessee.
Since there will be so much to choose from, it helps to be well versed in the language of ‘cue”. Since barbecue is specialty cooking at its best and the selection will be endless, plan to sample the best of each kind. Here’s a cheat sheet to get what you want:
- When ordering pulled pork, ask for some of the crusty exterior of the pork butt (shoulder) called the “bark”.
- For brisket, ask for some deckle, the tender rich and flavorful cap muscle.
- “Carolina style” means the meat is served with a light vinegar dressing and centers around pulled-pork shoulder.
- “Texas style” is meat smoked over oak wood seasoned with salt and pepper.
- And if you’re in a quandary between getting spareribs or baby-back, spareribs are bigger but less tender than baby-back.
Big Apple BBQ Block Party
June 13 – June 14, 2009
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day
Madison Square Park
Broadway at 23rd St
subway: N, R, W, 6 to 23rd St
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Central Park, NY