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!