Monthly Archives: July 2012

Summer Bucket List

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This past weekend Tom and I were able to cross a few things off of our summer bucket list!  With access to all of the wonders of New York City, I sometimes forget to take advantage of them.  But sometimes, it’s ok to be a tourist and experience the city for all it has to offer.

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The many macaroons at Macaron

So on Saturday we paid a visit to Central Park.  I’ve actually never gone for a good, long walk through the park and it was time I took the time to enjoy it.  Tom had also wanted to take me to Macaron – a French macaroon cafe that was on my restaurant bucket list.  It’s only a few blocks from the southeast corner of Central Park and of course the macaroons were AMAZING.  At $2.50 each, they were a little pricey so we each had a dark chocolate one and iced coffee.  I felt like I was back in Paris, sitting in the park with a macaroon and a cafe au lait in a city I love.

We walked almost to the reservoir and then took the subway down to Chelsea.  We intended to go to another NYC restaurant bucket list stop – the Rare View Rooftop bar that I mentioned in my last post.  Instead, we got caught up in Chelsea Markets (how have I never been here?) and walked around the adorable indoor shopping market.  I never realized it was such a cute, classy (and pricey) place.

Tom had never walked the High Line (another check off the list!) so we started our walk from the market and headed north along the outdoor park.  We eventually realized how tired we were (we had both gone on a very long run before walking Central Park) so skipped the Rare View and headed back to Hoboken.

While we checked a decent amount off our summer list in just one day, there are still plenty of activities for us to complete in the next 2 months!  I’ll be checking them off as I go!

  • The Standard Beer Garden
  • South Street Seaport
  • Visit Central Park and Macaron
  • Walk the High Line
  • Chelsea Markets
  • Eat some Mac n Cheese at S’Mac
  • Go to a comedy club
  • Red Bulls Game

What’s on your summer bucket list?

Have a Drink on the Roof!

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On this gloomy afternoon I thought I’d share some picks for the best rooftop bars in NYC.  I can’t say I’ve visited them all but they come highly recommended online and from friends.

  • Gallow Green at the McKittrick Hotel [542 W 27th St, between 10th and 11th] – UrbanDaddy highlights this rooftop bar above the venue for Sleep No More (Gossip Girl anyone?) and calls it a “floral-and-cobblestone dreamscape.”  UD also hints at an upcoming “perk” for grabbing a cocktail at this dreamy spot.
  • STK Rooftop [12 Little West 12th Street] The meatpacking location of STK (right across from the Standard Biergarten and hotel) has a great view via the cozy couches.  Be careful how you’re dressed, however – we once attempted to go in shorts and were not-so-politely denied entry.
  • Rare View Rooftop Chelsea [152 West 26th Street] This rooftop discovery is courtesy of NYC PR girls – one of the happening NYC blogs.  Check out this rare view of the Empire State building from atop this drinkery.
  • Birreria - Eataly [200 5th Ave.] This rooftop is above the new(ish) Italian marketplace.  Located in the Flatiron District, this rooftop bar has a retractable roof and is open year-round.
  • 230 Fifth [230 Fifth Ave.] You can’t forget the address on this one and the atmosphere is just as memorable.  Great for a drink after work or even a classy, low-key gathering.
  • Hudson Terrace [621 W 46th St] This rooftop is on my to-do list.  A chic space for day or night, the rooftop garden is worth a drink or two.

Have any others you would add to the list?

Summer in the City that Never Sleeps

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In this city, sometimes I’m amazed that I ever get sleep.  The fact that I’m aging and I’m not my party-hard college self anymore is increasingly apparent when I start yawning at the bar…. at 11:00.  I moved to this area to sustain my youth and feel ok about acting like a 20 year old with a fake ID.  To some degree, I’m succeeding (except I only get carded about 50% of the time – that’s another sign of my aging self).  It’s weeks like this past one that make me so thankful I live in the city that never sleeps…especially on holidays.

Last Tuesday was a rushed trip to Queens for the Mets-Phillies game.  After was the special fireworks show which was way better than I had anticipated – they were synchronize to the music and tied in with some Mets history.  Afterwards the 7 train let us off near Grand Central, perfect location for stopping into Bierhaus for a beer.  As it turns out, you get a FREE drink with a same-day Mets or Yankees ticket!

Beekman Beer Garden

Drinking in front of the Brooklyn Bridge at Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club.

Wednesday was a big holiday. It started with an all-you-can drink brunch at Il Bastardo (food was “eh”, drinks were ok but they were bottomless so WORTH it).   The food doesn’t make it worthy of my Eat & Drink NYC map, but the atmosphere was insane for 1:00 in the afternoon and for that, I would recommend it.

From there, we went to one of my new favorite spots, Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club at the South Street Seaport (yes, this one is on my map).  It’s an awesome outdoor atmosphere perfect for day drinking and meeting fun people.  The secret is to go to the cash bar closest to the river.  :)

At night, we had some exclusive access to a very cool party on the Hudson to watch the fireworks.  We had the best view in the city – I had to admit, even better than in hometown Hoboken.

So, amidst my adventures, I wanted to share a few more recos for fun in the sun in NYC.

If you’re a puppy lover like myself and my sister (who never leaves the house without her Chihuahua-Pekingese) then it’s important to keep note of the dog-friendly spots in NYC.  Check out this list from the Daily Candy:

  • The Levee – The Williamsburg hangover haven is stocked with whiskey drinks, Jim Beam creams, and addictive Frito pie — just be sure to slip your best friend a few nibbles.
  • Canal Bar – You’ve been working like a dog and are in need of a fuss-free scene. A cozy Gowanus drinking spot with Americana decor and outdoor grill is just what the vet ordered. 
  • Prospect Park Dog Beach -Summer is sweltering enough in cutoffs let alone a fur coat. Boiling fuzz balls cool off at New York’s only dog beach deep inside the park.
  • Bocce’s Bakery Biscuit Bike – New York pups love gourmet flavors like PB&J, truffle mac and cheese, and even lobster roll. We won’t tell if you sneak a taste yourself. 
  • The Park – A converted taxi garage where cats and canines can hang on the shady sidewalk patio. Plus, you can cross the West Side Highway to play at the actual park after brunch

To add to this list, a few favorite bars that allow pups are Boat Basin Cafe uptown, The Frying Pan (the boat on the Hudson), and a few more!

Also, just to keep in mind – NYC Restaurant Week is coming up!  Start planning your weeknight menus and get ready to dine out every night in the culinary wonders of NYC.  Restaurant Week is July 16 – August 10th!  (For my fellow Hudson county natives, Hudson Restaurant Week is nestled in, participating July 23 – August 3.)

Enjoy your eating and drinking!

DIY Wino Coasters

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We’re gearing up for the Fourth of July and last weekend certainly has me prepared.  On Friday I had a work outing at Monmouth Race track down the shore.  It was HOT HOT HOT but the beer was free and I didn’t have to work so there were no complaints from me.  Conveniently, I was meeting college friends down in Atlantic City so I was already half way down the Parkway and ready to have an eventful outing with some of the best drinkers I know.

Party Burger

The party burger that 6 of us split at BB’s in Atlantic Club. Yes, it’s the size of the plate.

We stayed at Atlantic Club which, as it turns out, is exactly where we stayed last time, just with a new name.  It was an awesome college reunion, complete with Harrah’s Pool partying, a freak storm that left us stranded at Harrah’s because taxis weren’t running due to flooded roads, and then a 2:30 a.m. drunk breakfast via the hotel’s backup power.  It was an awesome weekend.  Unfortunately, the next day I got freakishly sunburned while going further down the coast to Sea Isle City with Tom’s family.  I’m a little achy, but I digress…

Let’s get down to some good old DIY projects featuring the items that are easiest for me to collect – wine bottles!  I was convinced my coasters had to be homemade because they seemed like an easy sentiment to create.  So, I decided to make my wine holders coasters out of some favorite wine labels.  I admit, I had to get some help from Dad on this one, otherwise I would have had four coasters featuring Two Buck Chuck labels! :)

Here’s how it’s done!

Wine Coasters

DIY Wine Label Coasters

You will need:

  • Wine labels (the larger the better to cover the tile)
  • Plain white tiles (mine were 16 cents at Home Depot!)
  • Modge Podge (I used Puzzle Modge Podge because it was half the price for the same thing!)
  • Cork roll (or plain cork sheets – whatever is cheapest)
  • Glue gun (or any strong glue)

    DIY coasters

    For $4, you can create homemade coasters that represent your favorite wines! ($1 for 4 tiles, $3 for cork – we’ll assume you have glue and scissors laying around!)

First, peel off wine labels and stick them onto wax paper until you’re ready to use them.  To remove wine labels from the bottle, first try filling the empty bottle with warm water from the faucet.  Let sit for several minutes and try to peel off the corner.  If it still does not come easily, boil the bottle in a pot of water.  Use a flat object to gently peel the label off.  Let dry on waxed paper.

Once you have your labels, apply Modge Podge onto the tile.  Place label in the center and add more Modge Podge to the top.  Note: It looks white but it WILL dry clear!

Once dried, apply another coat of Modge Podge.

Finally, cut cork pieces slightly smaller than the tiles.  Hot glue the cork onto the tile.  Press firmly for a few second to make sure the cork is secure and flat on the bottom. (If you’re feeling ambitious you can try cutting wine works to make “feet” for the coasters.  I couldn’t get them to cut evenly but it would add a nice thematic touch!)

And voila!