Distracting your Children with Shiney Things

Luckily, NYC, has just about all there is to offer in terms of attractions, restaurants and shops (..and everything else....), so finding activities for children to do isn't too difficult. And, I've found, that if your child is well behaved the doors are open to them just about everywhere (bars and club excluded- a shame, I know). I thought I'd make a list of fun things for kids, and parents alike, to do. If your child is not well behaved... May I suggest leaving them at home?

1. Museums

Sure, kids may think they don't like museums, but if you take them to the right one they'll have a great time! My father lived in NYC when I was younger and we would go to museums and galleries all the time and look how cool I turned out! The best, in my opinion, is the American Museum of Natural History. Filled with reconstructed dinosaurs, taxidermied animals (not as creepy as it sounds), butterflies and a planetarium any child or adult is guaranteed a great time.
Other great ones are the Children's Museum of the Arts (where your child can participate in creating different art projects- a great way to stimulate the mind!), the Children's Museum of Manhattan and, if you find yourself in BK, The Brooklyn Children's Museum.

2. Central Park

While it might not be the warmest place to venture, Central Park is a must see for any one's visit to the Big Apple. Not only is it an incredible forest amongst the hustle and bustle of the skyscrapers and touristy shopping of 5th Avenue, but there are also fun things to see and do! The first stop should be the Alice in Wonderland sculpture on the East side- fun to climb and pose with and we all love the story of Alice!
While it might not be the largest zoo in the world, the Central Park Zoo is one of my favorites. You can take a leisurely stroll through it and see seals, monkeys and birds without the hassle of trekking it to the larger and more impressive Bronx Zoo.
In the summer you can float miniature sailboats in a fountain and go row boating, in the winter ice skating at Wollman Rink.

3. Broadway

Seeing a Broadway show is a great attraction in New York, and one children can appreciate as well! Shows come and go so it's best to check out websites like Broadway.com to see what is playing while you are in town.  but The Lion King has been playing for quite some time and is a visually innovative and original take on the Disney cartoon. Wicked, the story of Wizard of Oz as told by the Wicked Witch, is very funny and Mary Poppins is another Disney classic worth a re-visit. And then there's Spiderman....

4. The High Line

When the weather's nice The High Line is a great place to take the kiddies. Originally an above ground subway track, it has now been transformed into a fun boardwalk. Starting at Gansevoort and ending at 30th Street, it has water fountains, benches, foliage and artwork. The view of the West Side is interesting if you want to talk a walk along the boardwalk, or you can just sit and relax on one of their lounge chairs. During the summer The Lot, an area underneath the 30th Street entrance, has different pop-up events such as a roller skating rink and food and beer trucks. Fun and Games!

5. Fun Restaurants

While most children can eat at any restaurant without a problem (maybe not Hooters...) there are a few that are extra special!

Serendipity 3 is known for their kitschy decor, gigantic hot chocolates and long lines. Definitely a good time.

Jekyll & Hyde Club Club is a one-of-a-kind experience. While the food is hardly gourmet (burgers and fries) the atmosphere takes you to a creepy other-worldly time. With cool decorations and actors dressed in costume throughout the place it is an experience. The-tongue-in-cheek comedy throughout takes away the scary factor.

Benihana is a Japanese restaurant that specializes in hibachi while entails the chef chopping up veggies and meat on a grill and cooking it right in front of you. They play around and toss food about in an entertaining way which adds to the enjoyable experience.

 Ninja is another Japanese restaurant, this time with...Ninjas! Prepare yourself for surprises as people dresses as ninjas pop out in corners and make you jump with glee!

NYC might seem like a cold and busy city sometimes, but we're all heart! Whether in a park, museum, restaurant or even just meandering down the street, your child will have just as good a time (if not better!!!) as you!!!

Five Faves of 2011

There have been some great restaurants popping up lately, conveniently enough below 14th street so I don't have to step outside my comfort zone! Although I have mentioned a couple of them previously I would like take a moment to highlight my favorite new restaurants that popped up in 2011 and thank them for filling my belly with deliciousness!
In no particular order...

1. Sauce

From the same owners as the ever-popular Frank, Lil' Frankie's and Supper, the newest addition to the family, Sauce, opened just a couple of months ago in the LES and I was lucky enough to have dined there recently. This casual (no reservations, cash only policies) Italian restaurant was bustling when I went on a Saturday night so my friend and I sat at the small bar and had a glass of amazing Barbra D'Alba while we waited for a table. I'm not usually a red wine drinker but this was light and smooth and we ended up bringing the rest of the bottle to our table. The menu was extensive with many salad, pasta and meat dishes. They actually have their own butcher on site which adds to the atmosphere. We squeezed in at a little table, sandwiched between a few other tables- the place was packed! And noisy! Not a good first date spot (there were alot of repeated sentances, leaning over the table and "what?" moments during our meal) but a place with great energy and livliness. We shared an amazing Kale salad with a mustardy dressing and delicious buttery croutons, followed by Tagliatelli Bolognese. Amazing! The portion looked small but it was filling and we noticed other tables had gigantic sharing style plates that looked fun. We skipped dessert because we were too full, but I will definately go back. Writing this is making me hungry....

2. Saxon + Parole

I have reviewed this restaurant before but I still highly recommend it. Their options of seafood and meats were all eye catching and I loved that the flavors were all really clean and fresh. Whenever a guest is looking for a trendy but delicious restaurant in the area I send them to Saxon + Parole and they are always very happy to have gone. The way the rooms are set up, you can sit at a cool looking bar, have a more upscale experience with white table clothes, be in the middle of the fun in a booth or be tucked away in a romantic corner with candlelight. Something for everyone!

3. The Wren

I mentioned The Wren in my last post but I think it's a great place to visit. Whether for a meal, a light snack or for drinks, the warm atmosphere of this Gastropub is inviting and cozy. I love the wood tables and walls and their lighting, as well as their mix of modern and old school tunes. The selling point for me, however, is the friendliness of the staff. Always smiling and welcoming (but not in an overbearing or false way) they make you feel right at home...which is probably why I have gone so many times....

4. Buvette

This cute little French bistro is on one of those little West Village streets I rarely find myself on but always enjoy myself when I do. I came to meet my friend at Buvette a while ago for a late snack and was pleasantly surprised at the simplicities and complexities of the dishes. We sat at the bar and enjoyed some wine while taking in the quaint atmosphere reminiscint of the little cafes in Paris. The bartender was pleasant and we were surprised when after we ordered our food, he began preparing it. My friend ordered the steak tartare and it was "Awesome". I had the pate with little toasts and cornichons. Also very good and authentic Frenchie food. The bistro is a little small and unually packed without taking reservations. Worth the wait or go late night styles like I did. Although their breakfast looks really good too....

5. Parm

Everybody in NYC is obsessed with Torrisi Italian Specialties (alright, maybe a slight exaggeration) so when rumors started swirling that they were opening another restaurant next door excitement rang through the streets. Parm is a more casual version of the now prix-fixe only Torrisi, executing delicious fare such as their famous Turkey sandwich that tastes like heaven on a bun. Even the simplest items, like their Meatball or Chicken heros will change the way you look at sandwiches forever. Their sides are delectable as well, with brussel sprouts, poppers and cauliflower that will make even a vegetable sceptic a fan. And don't miss out on their homemade Ice Cream Cake. Maybe my favorite thing on the menu.The atmosphere is 50s diner style, only cooler with vintage-looking patterned wall paper and red bar stools. It is also easier to get into than Torrisi, there may be a wait for a seat but you don't have to wait in line for hours to guarantee a seat. They also do takeaway that you can call in ahead of time if you're in a rush. Either way, I suggest you sample their goods.

If you can only have one meal in NYC, Sauce, Saxon + Parole, Buvette, The Wren or Parm will beautifully illustrate the way cuisine is heading in New York. No longer, for the most part, do restaurants have to rely on overly elaborate design or stuffy service with ridiculous prices. Normal people can have a great time too!

No Matter Where, No Matter When, You Will Find me at The Wren

I have been finding myself frequenting the new Irish bar/gastropub The Wren as of late. By frequenting, I mean three times in three days. Don't judge me! This new spot opened up across the street from The Bowery Hotel last week in the space that once was Sala (you might not be familiar with Sala since I don't know anyone that's ever been there before).  

The Wren is a beauty! White on the outside, with two large picture windows, one on either side of the front, it is an inviting entrance to a cozy pub. Currently there are wreaths in the windows and a Christmas tree inside which adds to the warm atmosphere, I'm guessing they won't be there year round though.  The interior is wooden, with a long bar and communal tables both in the front (near the windows) and in the back (a larger seating area). I've heard rumors of an upstairs but I have yet to see it.

The first time I went, I was greeted by many friendly faces with Irish accents (score!) who all seemed super eager to please. It was early afternoon and there were only a couple of people inside. My friend and I sat in the back and ordered some Cauliflower and Bacon broth soup. It was original and warming on that cold and dreary day. The rest of the menu has twists on typical English/Irish fare, such as Guiness Braised Steak and Silton Pie and a Pork Sausage Sandwich with Pickeled Fennel. We were both a little under the weather so we didn't stay long but I enjoyed the atmosphere enough to come back the next night.

Caught in the rain, my friend and I were lured in by the doorman of The Wren who promised us it would be dry inside. He was right! We sat in the window this time, giving us a view of the numerous amorous couples in the room, and shared a bottle of delicious Chenin Blanc. The place was pretty crowded, although it still maintained the cozy ambiance from before. We then sampled some of their signature cocktails, I had The Gamble (gin, cranbeery cherry marmalade, lime and soda-yum!) and my friend had a Wren Old Fashioned (reminded me of a Negroni). The music was a mixture of old Doo Wop and Jazz with some Black Keys thrown in the mix. We stayed until we were gently nudged out the door after last call.

Again, I found myself at The Wren yesterday early evening when my friend wanted to get a quick drink in the area. He hadn't been to The Wren yet so we decided to go there. We sat at the bar and were served by a friendly bartender who described the drink we were getting, the North Country, as a cider drink that didn't taste like alcohol but contained only alchohol. An easy choice and he was right!

The Wren is a warm and comfortable place to have a drink in an area where the options are either divey bars or swanky lounges. The atmosphere is great, but the staff is what has sold this place for me!

Too Cold? Park It!

Although New Yorkers claim to enjoy having four seasons, we also like to complain about them. In the suffocating heat of the Summer, we daydream about Winter, in the grey and dreary subzero temperatures of Winter, we mutter under our breaths for the day we can whip out our tiny tank tops and Summer dresses. And Spring and Autumn, well thanks to our friend Global Warming, we only get about a week each of both of them so while we enjoy them when they're here, we can't really remember what they're like.

The folks at OpenHouse Gallery have done something great for us grumbling New Yorkers (and all visitors alike) by creating an installation entitled Park Here. A recreation of a park- complete with AstroTurf floors, faux plants and trees, and the sound of birds in the air- it is a refuge from the increasingly cold city streets.



Blankets are set up on the floor, tables, chairs, benches and bean bag chairs are strewn about giving the feel of a real NYC park (although cleaner, I'm sure). People really seemed to be enjoying themselves too, playing bean bag toss, working on their computers and lounging about without a care in the world.

Another fun detail is the rotating cast of vendors selling different treats to enjoy while lounging in the park. The day I was there, there were four or five different stands, selling jams, iced teas and cupcakes. I had a delicious rice ball from local tea shop, Yaya Tea Garden, filled with cooked "Yaya" chicken and seaweed, as well as a Mango iced tea with little star shaped jellies swirling about the bottom.

On the way out, I grabbed some goodies from Filled With Sweets, a brand new company by Owner/Baker Terry Chen to bring back and share with my co-workers (i.e. buying friends). Little sweets with Asian flavors, I got Honey Jasmine Raspberry and Chocolate Five-Spice mini cupcakes, as well as Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Cheese Cake Whoopie Pies.

I definitely suggest stopping by the Open House Gallery for Park Here to get rid of those Winter blues (if you don't have them yet, you will soon!). Check out their events, such as Mommy Mornings everyday from 8:30am-11:30am, where you and your little one can participate in Yoga, sing-alongs and treat eating! Also, live music, fundraisers, wine tastings- a little something for everyone!

Park Here at Open House Gallery is located at 201 Mulberry Street and is open now until February 14th (so romantic!), daily from 12pm-8pm.

Tis the Season!

There is no more magical time in NYC than Winter when everyone really steps it up to spread some Holiday cheer before the bah-humbuggery that starts on January 1st and continues until the sun comes out in April. There are many must-dos in December and here are my recommendations:

1. O Tannenbaum

Rockefeller Center

Now since the holidays are a time to spend with your friends and family, why not spend it with 2 million of your closest friends milling about Rockefeller Center? The 74-foot Christmas tree on display above the ice skating rink is a beauty and definately the most impressive in New York. It's worth a look but be prepared to stand with elbows out as you try to navigate the crowds!

The Tree at The Met

 If one isn't enough, then you should head over to The Metropolitan Museum of Art (which you should be visiting anyway, since it is an incredible museum!) and see their annual display; a Christmas tree covered in over 200 "18th century hand-sculpted Neopolitan creche figures". Beautiful and elegant.

Natural History Museum

 The third tree to visit is at the American Museum of Natural History, where their enormous Christmas tree is covered in over 500 handmade origami ornaments with this year's theme of "Discovery". An original take on the traditional light and glass balls.

2. Skate like you Mean It

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

Another holiday tradition in NYC is ice skating outdoors. The most popular location is, once again, our friend Rockefeller Center. With the backdrop of the enormous Christmas tree, in the heart of the 5th Avenue shopping, this scenic space makes for a fun and festive escape from the stress of shopping. The cost is about $21 a person, with a $10 fee for skate rental. This is the busiest of the skating locations, however, so if you do want to go I suggest making it on the earlier side. You can also check their website for advanced bookings.

Citi Pond at Bryant Park

An alternate location is Citi Pond in Bryant Park. Located behind the New York Public Library, this rink is larger and less crowded than Rockefeller Center. It is surrounded by The Holiday Shops, with many different vendors selling cute and unique gift items, as well as 'witchcraft, Top Chef's Tom Colicchio's sandwich shop. The cost of skating is free, with a $14 fee for skate rental.

Wollman Rink

Central Park also offers a scenic spot for ice skating at their Wollman Rink. Surrounded by trees with our famous skyscrapers peeking out from the tops, the rink offers ice hockey, skating lessons, and free style skating. The cost is $11-$16 depending on the day, with a $7 skate rental fee.

3. Window Shop til You Drop!

"Carnival of Animals"

What would New York be without the ornate window displays on the 5th Avenue? Boring! Every year the fanciest of fancy shops on 5th avenue have elaborate windows that are sure to blow you away. This year, Saks Fifth Avenue has a "Snowflake & Bubble Spectacular", Bergdorf Goodman a "Carnival of Animals", and Barneys a "Gaga Workshop" by our old friend (yawn) Lady Gaga. Not to be missed!!

 4. And Everything else..

I also suggest picking up some roasted chestnuts from a street vendor (don't be scared!), a fun treat to munch on while wandering around and looking at the shop windows. Visiting Santa at Macy's in Herald Square and seeing the Rockettes doing their thing in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular are both fun for the whole family!

 If you need to step out of the cold and grab a beverage to warm you up, check out Time Out New York's list of best places to grab a hot chocolate in NYC .

And last but not least, sit by a fireplace and grab a Hot Toddy! I suggest The Bowery Hotel's Lobby Lounge, but check out New York Magazine's list of fireplace bar/lounges in the city.

Happy Holidays!