The New York City Traveler

The face of the Bowery changed forever on December 1, 2007 when the New Museum of Contemporary Art reopened its doors to the public after a massive relocation to the Bowery.  Since its conception in 1977, the museum has become the most relevant institution with regards to contemporary art, hosting a rotation of temporary and ongoing exhibitions that feature internationally renown and emerging artists.
The building, designed by Japanese firm SANAA, has received major recognition this year from Conde Nast Traveler when it was named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the Architectural World.”  You can’s miss it …read more

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First there was Shakespeare in the Park, then there was Shakespeare Under the Bridge, and now The Drilling CompaNY, an acting troupe, has taken up residence in a downtown parking lot to perform some of Shakespeare’s classics.  
This summer marks the 13th annual year of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot.  The avant garde production employs cardboard sets, minimal props, and plenty of contemporary aspects, including a wardrobe that looks like it just came out of Sex and the City.
The season begins next week with performances of Twelfth Night, and in mid-July, continues with performances of Henry V.  
Bring …read more

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River to River, a downtown festival that stretches from June to September with various events, is will underway.  Featuring world-class performing arts and free admission, the festival takes place in a variety of Downtown Manhattan public venues, from Chambers Street to the Battery on Manhattan’s southern tip, and includes Governors Island. 
There are a number of free events virtually everyday.  Highlights of the summer festival include:

Otis Clay and Ryan Shaw June 11  Free
Sonic Youth  July 4  Free
Folk Music Festival on Governors Island  July 26  Free
The Big River Project: The Music of Johnny Cash  July 26  Free
Seaport Music Festival  …read more

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The original Old St Patrick’s Cathedral is located on a quiet residential street in Nolita and is far cry from a busy Fifth Avenue location.  The quaint old cathedral also more makes up for what St Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown lacks in charm and character. 
The corner stone of Old St Patrick’s Cathedral was laid on June 8, 1809 and the church serves as the  Archdiocese of New York until the new St Patrick’s Cathedral was opened in 1879 in Midtown.  The church still holds various masses throughout the day and visitors are welcome to check out the beautiful interior. …read more

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Café Habana seems to be going through an identity crisis. Sure, the name of the restaurant suggests Cuban food. However, above the front door of the Nolita eatery is a worn sign, “Home Cooking, Italian Pastries.” Meanwhile, the food on the menu is more Mexican than anything else. Last week, after hearing nothing but rave reviews, I went to Café Habana to try to decode the success and confusion that surrounds the popular restaurant.
In New York City alone, there are no less than 10 restaurants and bars whose names use some variation of the word …read more

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For many immigrants to the United States, the first stop was Ellis Island and the second stop was Manhattan’s Lower East Side.  The unassuming building at 97 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side was home to an estimated 7,000 people from more than 20 countries between 1863 and 1935.  The building is now a designated National Historic Site and houses the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.  The museum offers tours of carefully restored apartments with the mission to promote better understanding of the lives of the immigrant working-class and poor that lived in this gateway to America.
The LES …read more

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There is no doubt New York City’s Cuban community will be celebrating this morning’s surprising news that Fidel Castro has resigned as Cuba’s president.  
Even if you have no vested interest in this latest world event, it is a great excuse to head down to the East Village restaurant Cafecito, grab a mojito, and toast the end of a 47-year era in Cuban history.
Cafecito serves what Cuban food in Cuba would be… if they had access to all of the necessary ingredients.  The ham croquettes come out perfectly browned.  The Ropa Vieja, a pulled beef flank and tomato dish, …read more

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A couple weeks ago I posted about where to find the best cupcake in Manhattan and I thought it might be nice to follow that up with a little something for those few of you who are still following your New Year’s resolution to “eat healthier.”
I recently stumbled into the Lower East Side’s BabyCakes NYC, a sugar free, gluten free, vegan bakery where all of the treats are sweetened with all-natural agave nectar. I was initially drawn into the bakery by the cute vintage look but after trying one of the spelt cupcakes, I have a new reason …read more

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 The New Museum of Contemporary Art will reopen in its new, permanent location in the Bowery on Saturday. As part of it’s grand re-opening gala, the museum will be open for 30 continuous hours from 12 noon on Dec 1st until 6 pm, Sunday, Dec 2nd.
The New Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 1977 and is the only museum in New York City that is devoted exclusively to presenting contemporary art from around the world. The new 60,000 square foot museum, designed by progressive Japanese architectural firm SANAA, is a metal mesh-clad stack of boxes shifted off-axis. …read more

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