Other happenings

Odds ‘n ends posts about things happening in NYC area , plus leftover posts from original BIte of the Best site

Amata, Midtown, NYC + Carlton Fine Arts

COVID had kept us apart, so we had lots of catching up to do, including a belated birthday celebration. Before dinner at Amata, we met at the Carlton Fine Arts gallery on Madison to see their Pop Art Festival, having read about it in a friend's real estate newsletter. We headed west to Amata being the first seated in the dining room at this midtown Italian restaurant serving Neapolitan fare. We started with cocktails, my friends each having their Le Grand Fizz ($17) with Grey Goose Poire and St. Germain liqueur and I had their Old Fashioned ($17). We then split their white salad with endive, artichoke hearts, hearts of [...]

By |2022-03-28T18:12:42-04:00March 16th, 2022|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Boqueria West 40th, Midtown, NYC + Spectacular Costumes

We headed to the immersive pop-up "Spectacular Costumes From Stage and Screen" exhibit in Times Square featuring more than 100 of the industry’s most beautiful and complex garments. This exhibition offered close-up looks at Hamilton, The Lion King, The Marvelous Mrs. Mazel, Moulin Rouge and more. The proceeds from this exhibition raised money for the Costume Industry Coalition Recovery Fund, an alliance of over 50 NYC-based independent artisans and small businesses.  If you missed it, keep an eye out for next year's opening of the Museum of Broadway. After the exhibition, we walked a couple of blocks south for lunch at Boqueria for some Spanish fare. We sipped their Sangría [...]

By |2021-11-04T13:15:41-04:00October 27th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Zia Maria, Chelsea, NYC + The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain

"The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain" recounts the story of an African American veteran killed during a conflict with White Plains police officers who were sent to check on him when he accidentally set off his medical alert device. I recommend this hard-to-watch movie. It won the audience and the critics' awards when it premiered at the Austin film festival in 2019; it just opened in theaters. Faison's haunting performance of Kenneth Chamberlain deserves an Oscar nod. With the buzz it's creating, the White Plains District Attorney is reviewing the case. After the screening and talkback with actor Frankie Faison and actor-producer Enrico Natale, we headed across the street to Zia Maria [...]

By |2021-10-29T11:34:18-04:00October 19th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Wagamama, Midtown, NYC + MoMA Cézanne’s Drawings

After visiting the vast Cézanne Drawing exhibition at M0MA, we headed to lunch in the area. This show, open through September 25, consists of more than 250 rarely shown works in addition to some of Paul Cézanne's paintings. After the museum, we headed a few blocks to wagamama, the Asian chain from London, with consistently good service and food. I hadn't yet tried this Midtown location as it opened right before the city closed for the pandemic. Their crispy wok-fried bang bang cauliflower ($8) coated in firecracker sauce is one of my favorites. I also like their steamed, then grilled, pork dumplings (gyoza) with a soy sauce-based dipping sauce (five [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:27:03-04:00August 18th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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A Mexican Floating Restaurant at Pier 81, La Baraca, NYC

About 10 years ago, I introduced the Bite of the Best community to The North River Lobster boat. This year, the Circle Line added a new floating restaurant serving Mexican fare. Like the lobster boat, La Baraca sails multiple times per day from Pier 81 on the Hudson River at 41st Street. You'll need to purchase a pass ahead of time. The vibe is relaxed, many of the drinks are tequila or mezcal based and the food is classic south of the border. After boarding and being seated by one of the staff, we settled in and perused the menu. My sailing partner sipped the classic margarita served on the [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:28:07-04:00July 23rd, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Back to The Lightship Frying Pan, Chelsea, NYC + Classic Harbor Cruise

After twenty of our group of ex-expats took the Classis Harbor Architecture Tour, some of us walked the few blocks north from Chelsea Piers to The Frying Pan for something to eat and to continue the fun afternoon.  Our tour had taken us around Manhattan island as we sipped bubbly while the tour guide, a member of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA),  provided insightful narration covering New York’s iconic landmarks, modern architecture and engineering masterpieces. Their new way of ordering is great for a large group wanting to split the bill. Each person scans, orders and pays from the QR code unique to each [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:28:23-04:00July 19th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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City Winery at Pier 56, Hudson River Park, NYC + Ex-ExPat High Line Tour

Our ex-expat group met at King Nyani, the giant bronze ape in Bella Abzug Park, earlier this summer to begin our High Line art installation tour. Julie and I researched the current High Line art installations. From the Plinth on the Spur to the newly installed Retainer, we shared what we had learned about the ever-changing art. We exited the High Line at 14th Street to dine in the Hudson River Room at City Winery. We were seated at one long table. Everything looked amazingly fresh. A few ordered the Kale Caesar ($14, +$8 for added chicken), a few others tried Sophia's Poke Bowl ($18) with tuna, quinoa, kale, carrots, [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:28:57-04:00July 5th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Miss Korea BBQ, Koreatown, NYC + Pin Cushion Art Installation in the Fashion District

Before lunch at Miss Korea BBQ, I stopped by The Garment District Alliance information kiosk to see how it had been transformed into a giant pin cushion composed of 50+ bales of curly willow, nine wisteria bales, and hundreds of silk flowers and butterflies. There's also an enormous bronze needle and large button in this public art sculpture, one of the many ever-changing art installations on the streets of Manhattan.  The giant pin cushion, created by Patricia Gonzalez and Carlos Franqui of Floratorium, will be there through the summer. The 8-foot bronze "Garment Worker" by Judith Weller nearby is currently a permanent installation.       If you go see [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:29:11-04:00June 21st, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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An Local Institution: Donohue’s Steak House, Upper East Side, NYC

Trying to keep the restaurant reviews on BiteoftheBest fresh keeps me from developing relationships with neighborhood haunts as I don't return that often to local places. One of my upper east side friends shared her favorite local place, Donoghue's Steak House, a midtown institution with devout regulars. Donoghue's is a neighborhood place you know about, not one you discover visiting their website. There isn't one. It's been around since 1950, offering good, fresh pub food.  It also was featured on Billions — season three, fourth episode on Showtime —  when some of the show's characters met at this locale to decide how to handle one of the other characters. My friend [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:29:33-04:00June 13th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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The Pop-Up: Thaimee Love, West Village, NYC

Thaimee Love is a pop-up restaurant in the West Village from Thai Chef Hong Thaimee. She serves market-driven Thai comfort food. I was looking forward to sampling, especially after visiting Chiang Mai, her city, just before the pandemic lockdown. Take note if you go that they have no liquor license. There is a liquor store up the street, which is where we got a Gruner Veltliner thinking it would go nicely with the cuisine. It did. We couldn't decide among the three small plates offered and so chose the sampling Ruam Mit Platter for two ($28). It included slices of fried yams and Kabocha squash — "Chiang Mai Fries" — [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:29:42-04:00June 11th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Mission Ceviche, Upper East Side, NYC + Central Park

After a visit to the blooming conservatory gardens, we walked downtown through Central Park, stopping at the Met for a quick trip to the roof to see Alex Da Corte’s Enchanting Commission for the rooftop. He created a kinetic sculpture featuring Sesame Street's Big Bird with an aesthetic of Alexander Calder’s standing mobiles. The installation will be on view through October 31, 2021. We were able to get a reservation for dinner at Mission Ceviche, a Peruvian place on Second and 72 Street at the last minute, although we needed to dine inside. We perused the Pisco-focused cocktail menu as that's the classic white brandy from Peru. My dining mates [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:13:21-04:00May 29th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings, Rooftop|1 Comment
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Last Time at The Comfort Diner, Midtown, NYC

When working at Parade Magazine years ago, my editor and I stopped by The Comfort Diner for a quick bite to eat. It's around the corner from their offices. The restaurant had a fun vibe. It was quick, the food was good and was reasonably priced, especially considering its location! When I met a friend there recently for breakfast, the only thing that was the same was the prices. We sat down at 12, had to flag down the waitress to order, did so by 12:15 and didn't get our food until well after 1 pm! The huevos rancheros were the worst rendition I've ever had ($11) with a tortilla [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:32:15-04:00May 23rd, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Rosa Mexicano, Lincoln Center, NYC + Brian Clarke at MAD

The Museum of Art and Design (MAD) offered an immersive exhibition of more than 100 works of stained glass, compositions in lead and related drawings showcasing British artist Brian Clarke's work. There were more than twenty free-standing, glass screens animated by the changing light on display through the end of April 2021. After the exhibit, we headed a couple of blocks north to Rosa Mexicano for brunch. While deciding on what to order, we shared a pitcher of their white sangria ($45). We were starving (not literally) so none of us could resist the mild guacamole ($15) and chips served already prepared as during COVID Rosa's does not do it [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:31:39-04:00May 17th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Num Pang Kitchen + MvVO Ad Art Show

Earlier this month, I attended an in-person press event at the Westfield World Trade Center to see the opening of the MvVO Ad Art Show displayed on the ~27 massive digital screens throughout the Oculus. The art show shares the space with real ads, alternating frequently. The show, now in its fourth year, celebrates the talented artists of advertising and related fields. These artworks are also online on Artsy—where you'll find the works for sale (https://www.artsy.net/mvvo). After the show, we walked to Brookfield Place looking for an outdoor place to eat. Nothing was open. We ended up at their food court on the second floor, stopping by Num Pang sandwich shop. [...]

By |2021-10-31T10:06:18-04:00May 8th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Rooftop Happy Hour at STK Downtown, Meatpacking District, NYC

Once nice weather hits, rooftop cocktails are de rigueur. That's why we headed over to STK in the meat-packing district for a happy hour drink to celebrate my friend's birthday.  First things first. We ordered our cocktails (regularly $21, hh pricing $11), my friend selected their Spiced Watermelon made with Patrón Silver, St. Germain, watermelon, lime and jalapeño.   I ordered their Not Your Daddy's Old Fashioned made with a hearty pour of Woodford Reserve. The old fashioned has become one of my pandemic go-to cocktails. I'd recommend STKs. My friend ordered their beef tartare ($7) simply served in three crispy wonton-like cups for easy snacking. I tried their sauteed mini-salmon [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:05:23-04:00May 6th, 2021|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings, Rooftop|0 Comments
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A Flight at Birreria Rooftop, Flatiron, NYC

After a long walk on one of the first gorgeous spring days, I decided to stop by a rooftop restaurant for a cocktail. I wanted to continue to enjoy the weather.  Figured I'd respond to texts and emails. I ended up at Eataly's open rooftop restaurant Birreria. Great space. None of their cocktails talked to me. I decided to step outside my drinking comfort range to sample their Negroni flight. I say that, as a Negroni was never my drink. I was so glad I did. The Negroni flight ($25) contained three 2-ounce smoked Negronis made from Campari, Carpano Antica Vermouth and Blood Orange, with each one better than I [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:05:53-04:00April 9th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings, Rooftop|0 Comments
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Dulce Vida Cafe, Upper East Side, NYC + Met Costume Exhibit

About Time: Fashion and Duration, the Met's black and white costume exhibit, ended early February. I was lucky enough to see it before that.  (Scroll down to see one costume!) After the exhibit, where folks were socially distanced, we walked over to Lexington Avenue to have brunch at a small Columbian restaurant. Sadly, they were out of their spicy fig margie that we each wanted to sample. Instead, we each ordered the jalapeño pineapple one ($12) with orange liquor, jalapeño and pineapple juice. One requested no peppers, one regular and one double the jalapeños (that's spicy-lovin' me). Wanting to sample their arepa ($9.75), a corn pancake that's eaten in Colombia, [...]

By |2021-11-01T09:51:14-04:00March 12th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Cheap Eats at Three Times, East Village, NYC

A seated lunch for two in Manhattan for $20? It's true. I ended up at 3 Times on Broadway as I had read about it serving the Chinese snack of shi bing tong commonly enjoyed at festivals and wanted to sample that dish. When I arrived and didn't notice it on the menu, I asked the server about this pan-fried wrap filled with pork, squid, rice noodles and lots of veggies. Sadly, they no longer offer it. We stayed anyway as I had brought a bottle of chilled Loimer Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal to enjoy with our meal as 3 Times didn't have a liquor license. We ordered one lunch special [...]

By |2021-11-01T09:51:47-04:00March 3rd, 2021|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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A Mistake That Landed Me at Glur Eating Thai, Chelsea, NYC

I blame my COVID-blurs brain for my mistake. I arrived at a restaurant in Chelsea to meet friends for dinner on the wrong day. Laughing at myself (what else could I do?), I headed toward my home. I walked past Glur, a small Thai restaurant on West 19th, noticed the "A" in the window and decided to stop for a meal, sitting in their tiny heated tent. I began with their crispy "Vegetable Spring Roll," which contained four small rolls filled with carrots, cabbage, corn and vermicelli noodles. Delicious, especially when dipped in their homemade pineapple sweet chili sauce ($8) with some of their hot sauce that I added. I [...]

By |2021-11-01T09:53:52-04:00February 28th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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NYC Installation at GCS + lunch at Benoit, Midtown, NYC

We met at Grand Central to see the new permanent art installation that's located above the entrance to the subway. This mirrored-glass pop of color with over 5,000 individually cut pieces of glass in more than 70 colors is the work of Jim Hodges, called "I dreamed a world and called it Love." Sadly half of the installation was covered with plastic as there is construction in the station. I don't suggest heading there to see this unless you're there to take a train or subway. Our visit took only a couple of minutes, basically as long as it took to descended and then ascended steps to the subway entrance. [...]

By |2021-11-08T07:34:22-05:00February 26th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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