June 30, 2015

Things To Do In July in NYC

There are always so many "What To Do In July" posts that always have the same, summery suggestions that I see every year (go to the beach, have a picnic in the park, see the fireworks, blah blah blah). So I thought I'd write a list of stuff that I'd actually like to do (and most of it I will do! Not all, 'cause of budgetary restraints, but most). Off we go.

Wednesday July 1st (Canada Day) - What better way to spend the holiday than by watching Alive, which arrives on (American) Netflix today?! (Okay, there are probably tons of better ways to celebrate the day - but I really can't wait to watch this movie again. I only saw it once when I was a kid and I feel like it might be a good time?) But if that's not up your alley, I recommend getting a poutine from Mile End to celebrate the day.

Wednesday July 1st - Today also marks the re-opening of the Guggenheim Museum's Kandinsky collection, which has been closed since April 1st and features some of the most important woodcuts and paintings in the artist's entire body of work. The exhibit re-opens today at 10am at the Guggenheim Museum, 1071 5th Ave, Manhattan, admission is $25 (or you can wait until any Saturday to go since it's Pay-What-You-Wish from 5:45pm - 7:15pm on Saturdays).

Saturday July 4th - Astoria Greenmarket has re-opened for the season, so I'll definitely be heading over here for the best goddam corn-on-the-cob OF LIFE. Open from 8am - 4pm.

Monday July 6th - Saturday July 11th - Lincoln Center Presents: Danny Elfman's Music From the Films of Tim Burton (!) - I know the tickets for this are a little steep since it's at Lincoln Center ($90+), but there's a sale right now where they're $49/per person over at Goldstar.

Tuesday July 7th - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is having a book signing & reading at Barnes & Noble (555 Fifth Avenue store) to promote his new book, A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety. You can arrive at 9am to purchase the book and receive a wristband for the 12pm event.

Tuesday July 7th, Tuesday July 14th, Tuesday July 21st, Tuesday July 28th - Stargazing on the High Line - There are telescopes set up and anyone can join in for free. From dusk until 11pm at West 14th Street.

Sunday July 12th - Bastille Day in NYC - Held on three avenue blocks closed to traffic, the day offers French classics like crêpes, cheeses, macarons & more as well as musicians and other French-centric activities. East 60th Street between Fifth Avenue and Lexington Avenue, 12pm - 5pm.

Tuesday July 14th - Astoria Bookshop is celebrating the release of one of 2015’s most anticipated books, Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee, with a Southern-inspired cocktail hour from 5pm - 7pm.

Sunday July 19th - Barkfest - It's basically a dog block party of sorts. Kind of sounds amazing or terrifying, I can't decide. Runs from 2pm - 9pm.

April 17, 2015

Palm Beach, Florida

by Liz Heather in Food, Personal, Travel

The infinity pool at the Tideline Resort

My vivacious friend Jenn and I decided to celebrate turning 30 by going on vacation. When deciding where this little jaunt would be, we agreed that we would have just as good a time as Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt if we decided on Palm Beach in Florida. (It's normal to choose your vacation spots based on semi-popular movies from the early aughts, yes? YES!)

Here were our highlights:

The Tideline Resort & Spa

This was one of the very best hotels I've ever stayed at - providing you get a good room. The first room we stayed in had one bed, so we changed that to one with two beds and the second room was EONS more nice (and on a higher floor). The hotel also had direct access to the beach and an outdoor infinity pool. What the hell else could I possibly need? OH! And they made this drink (a Coffee Colada, a coffee version of a pina colada) that I will dream about for the rest of my life. Such a great hotel experience. And it's located right in the heart of Palm Beach, amongst all the ridiculously wealthy homes that line the shore.

Meat Market

We went here solely because of the list of sauces they had on their menu. If that seems like a dumb reason to choose a steakhouse, I don't think you know very much about how to properly eat a piece of meat. The meal was, as expected, amazing.

Rocco's Tacos

We had dinner here on our only night spent in West Palm Beach and the food was ridiculously good. West Palm Beach itself was, well, way livelier than Palm Beach. And by that I mean that it was filled with a younger crowd, a bit rowdier and a completely different experience. I'm happy we stayed where we did since it was a quieter/generally-nicer area where we were, so I'm glad we lucked out in staying at The Tideline. (Did I ever say the word rowdy in my twenties? I can't remember now.)

Pistache

This French place gave us the best meal of the trip. I had their rock shrimp linguini with a Pernod saffron cream sauce and I'll never forget it. I know a detail like that really doesn't affect you in any way, but I'm noting it here incase I ever find myself in this restaurant again some day. I thought I hated saffron-anything, so you can see why I won't shut up about how good this all was.

Is it acceptable that most of these highlights are food based? Of course, you beast! Great vacations don't exist without exceptional food.

March 23, 2015

Le Train Bleu

by Liz Heather in Best of NYC, Food

There's a restaurant hidden in Bloomingdale's (on the sixth floor, to be exact) and it RESEMBLES AN OLD-FASHIONED TRAIN CAR!

There's even an overhead compartment for your purse! Is it just me or is this place adorable? I'm a little shocked that I've lived in New York for as long as I have without knowing about it.

To be quite honest, the food was just okay. But honestly, the fact that it wasn't terrible is the reason that I'd want to come back here. Does that make sense? The really great part about the whole place is, obviously, the surroundings. I was also struck by how quiet it was - in a good way. It's kind of nice to know that this little tucked away spot is still a bit of a secret in this city. Definitely the kind of restaurant I'd want to take my parents to if they came to visit me. The next time you're near Bloomingdale's, you should definitely check it out.

*UPDATE: it closed in 2018! Noooooo!

October 27, 2014

New York's First All-Éclair Bakery

by Liz Heather in Food

Owner Thomas Cardaccia and chef Antoine Pelhate will soon debut Les Jardins de la Duchesse at 138 Orchard Street in NYC. Who the hell knew there were éclair aficionados? You can see a sample menu they have on their website over here.

They'll have sweet as well as savory éclairs (like the bacon-wrapped goat cheese one pictured above). Have you ever heard of a savory éclair? Is that a thing? Am I not French enough to have that kind of knowledge? Either way, they look phenomenal. I will definitely give this place a try when they open.