Shake Shack Coming to Grand Central Station

Yep, it's coming to Grand Central Terminal. Danny Meyer's Shake Shack will be located in the space that was formerly occupied by Mexican restaurant, Zocalo.  I browsed through a few blogs to see if there is a target date for opening.  AMNY reported on May 8, 2013 that it should open by the end of October.  

More to come!

Wafels & Dinges--Finally!

The cart with the Dinges listed 

I was hanging out in the Union Square area this afternoon to do some shopping at the Greenmarket when I spotted the Wafels & Dinges food cart.  Because my doctor has alerted me to my high sugar problem,  I ended up ordering one of their mini wafels with spekuloos spread and banana dinges (toppings) and a small iced coffee to wash it down.   The spekuloos spread had the texture of peanut butter but with the taste of gingerbread--it was like eating a combination of melted peanut butter and cookie dough.  The portion was just enough to entertain my curiosity.  For more info or where to find your nearest truck in NYC, visit www.wafelsanddinges.com.

My order came in a box pictured below and the iced coffee came with a gingerbread cookie.  I saved the cookie and gave it to my daughter when I got home. She loved it and happily ate it with her milk.

I would definitely order from this food cart again, but maybe after my blood sugar levels drop-- hopefully in a few months.  

Gaga's Workshop at Barney's This Holiday Season

Photo Credit:  Barneys.com

This Christmas Season, don't forget to add Barney's New York's Madison Avenue flagship store on your "Must-See"  Christmas Shop window tour.  During the Holiday Season, Barney's New York is collaborating with Lady Gaga, and a team of artists to transform the fifth floor and the front windows into a unique interpretation of Santa's workshop. Titled "Gaga's Workshop," the installation will include limited edition artwork and designs which will be seen not only on the fifth floor and windows, but also on the holiday shopping bags and packaging.  Lady Gaga also teamed up with Nicola Formichetti, Mugler Creative Director and Lady Gaga Fashion Director to create special small gift items available for a limited time only. 25% of the sales of these products will be given to a charitable cause of Lady Gaga's choosing.

For more information, please visit:  http://thewindow.barneys.com/lady-gagas-workshop/

Barney's New York is located on  660 Madison Avenue New York NY 10065

A Blog That Has the Inside Scoop on Luxury Brands Sales

"Madison Avenue Spy" has its finger on the fashion pulse.   This blog tracks some of the most coveted sales in New York City and online.  When you scan this blog, you will find a wealth of information, including sales by Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Pucci and Dolce and Gabbana, just to name a few.  "Madison Avenue Spy" also reports whenever price increases on Chanel's purses take place.  She also reports on other categories within shopping such as Friends and Family sales by stores like Sephora, Saks, Seven for All Mankind and Bloomingdales.  "Madison Avenue Spy" does all the legwork for you and all you need to do is subscribe to receive the information and shop whenever the mood strikes you.

This blog was founded by Hayley Corwick, aka "Lila Delilah," a former fashion journalist. She is frequently mentioned in the New York Times in the "Style" Section.   If you are interested in reading or subscribing to her blog, visit: http://madisonavespy.blogspot.com/search/label/Budget.

Bronx Brewery is Launching its Beer in Manhattan on November 10

Photo Credit Bronx Brewery

If you are curious about what Bronx beer tastes like, you can now check out their product at their Manhattan Launch:

Thursday, November 10, 6PM-10PM

Amity Hall

80 West 3rd Street

New York, NY

RSVP via Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=282598715094168

Enjoy and Bring Your Friends!

Birdbath Neighborhood Bakery

photo credit: www.newyorktimes.com

As I was trying to figure out where to eat lunch down in Stuyvesant Town following a doctor's appointment, I passed by the Birdbath Bakery on 13th Street and 1st Avenue.  Birdbath Bakery on 13th Street is one of four eco-friendly branches under City Bakery, a New York City fixture known for its hot chocolate. 

According to its website, Birdbath is "wind-powered and built from recyclable, vintage and sustainable materials."  The baked  goods ingredients are made of organic, regionally grown and seasonal.

Today, I tried their  chocolate chip cookie and chocolate croissant.  Both selections, were delicious!  If you like a straightforward chocolate chip cookie without the big chunks of chocolate chips, this one is for you.  I find those types of cookies to be overly sweet and it really kills my eating experience, not to mention my teeth.  Bird bath's cookie was thin, about 6 inches in diameter and had just the right sugar content, with lots of buttery goodness.  It's chocolate croissant was the same--not as sweet as your conventional varieties and I believe, they used the darker proportion of chocolate for the filling.

They have baked doggie treats too!

To check them out, visit:  www.buildagreenbakery.com.

Robots are Taking Over Manhattan One Hotel at a Time

Yotel, which is opening this summer, conjures up shades of the Jetsons' with its robotic operated hotel.  Guests check in at terminals located at the lobby, much like those that you find in an airport and baggage is then then transported to your room with the help of a robotic arm.

Check-in desk.  Photo credit www.yotel.com

The rooms, also called "cabins" are of a futuristic style complete with Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast in a "galley" that is located on each floor.

Premium Cabin.  Photo credit:  www.yotel.com

Yotel operates other hotels in London's Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and in Amsterdam.  The branch in New York is the first in the United States to open and in addition to the "space age" technology, it is offering rooms at an introductory price of $149.  I did a practice booking for July 4th weekend, and this rate is applicable.  Where in New York City are you going to find a posh room at this price??  If you do, let me know.



Yotel also will also house club lounges and a Japanese restaurant for those of you who wish to see the hotel just to hang out.



Check out:  http://www.yotel.com/Hotels/New%20York%20City.aspx to learn more.

Back By Popular Demand: Free Korean Food in Central Park , Tuesday, 8/16

Photo Credit:  Taste of Korea:  http://yfrog.com/z/kgf1latj

Are you hungry for more free Korean Food?  Go to the Central Park Naumberg Bandshell on Tuesday, 8/16 from 11AM-7PM to sample free dishes. As a bonus, there will be performances, including a K-POP Contest.  Check out:  http://www.facebook.com/TasteofKoreaNYC?sk=wall for more information.  Happy eating!

Market Crash Got You Down? Have A Free Drink on Bierkraft

Photo credit: www.bierkraft.com 

Bierkraft, located in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn holds free tastings with nibbles every Tuesday at 7PM.  This evening, Bierkraft will feature strong golden Belgian ales containing somewhere around 9% alcohol.   Check them out if you're in the area.

Bierkraft is located 191 Fifth Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217, (718) 230-7600.  Closest subway is the R train to Union Street.

Zang Toi Fashion Show Featuring His Greatest Hits

So, it's kind of been awhile.  While I have not been truly on hiatus--I've sampled a few restaurants; visited a few places; tried on some products; and attended events, finding the time to write about them was a bit of a challenges.  The workload picked up and I am just beginning to find some time to write again, even if it's a brief blurb.

Anyways, last night, a few friends and I attended a special fashion show entitled "Haute Couture."  The show featured highlights of Zang Toi's designs set in the New York Surrogate Court downtown.  "Haute Couture" was a special event held during the annual OCA National Convention in New York City.   OCA stands for the Organization of Chinese Americans, a nationwide advocacy  group that focuses on preserving the rights of Asian Americans in the United States.   Coupled with Toi's fashion show was a food tasting of different Asian purveyors in the New York City area.  Among my favorite purveyors were the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory which presented samples of black sesame and pandan ice cream, to name just two; "Fresh Ginger" ginger ale, an unfiltered drink so pure, there are ginger bits in the bottom.  For women who are in their first trimester battling morning sickness, this is a great product! There were also mini cupcakes and delicious dumplings.

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory goodies

"Fresh Ginger" ginger ale

Now, for the fashion show itself.  The words elegant drama characterizes the event.  The venue, with its architectural features coupled with the fashion transformed into a scene where the models are socialites, counts, and countesses entering a ballroom to be presented to the audiences in the style of movies like the ball in "My Fair Lady."   One of my favorite dresses was the green gown which inspires ladies at the opera and even Czarist Russia, just to name two thoughts that came to my mind when I was watching the model descend the staircase.  The fashion show's finale showcased a cape of the New York City skyline all hand-made.   Following the finale, the designer, Zang Toi who donned a kilt which is one of his trademarks.

Interior of the NY surrogate court lobby

 

The Green Gown

 

 

 

 

 

Model with dress and coat set

The NYC skyline cape

Detail of the cape as seen on the projection screen

Zang Toi with the models at the finale

Week 5: Free Korean Food in Manhattan

The "Taste of Korea" promo has come to a full circle.  For those of you who had the pleasure of attending these events over the past few weeks, please feel free to leave comments on your experiences so far.  Below, please find the Week 5 Calendar:

5/16: LA Galbi - 40th St. between 5th & 6th Ave.
5/17: Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly BBQ) - Columbus Circle
5/18: Spicy Pork Bulgogi - Park Ave. between 26th & 27th
5/19: LA Galbi - 6th Avenue on 52nd St.
5/20: Spicy Pork Bulgogi - Union Square (Union Square West at 15th St.)

Robots are Taking Over Manhattan One Hotel at a Time

Yotel, which is opening this summer, conjures up shades of the Jetsons' with its robotic operated hotel.  Guests check in at terminals and baggages will then be transported to your room with the help of a robotic arm.

Check-in desk.  Photo credit www.yotel.com

The rooms, also called "cabins" are of a futuristic style complete with wi-fi, a galley with complimentary breakfast on each floor.  There are lounges for cocktails and a Japanese restaurant that will open along with the hotel.

Premium Cabin.  Photo credit:  www.yotel.com

Yotel operates other hotels in London Heathrow Airport and in Amsterdam.  The branch in New York is the first in the United States to open and in addition to the "space age" technology, it is offering rooms at an introductory price of $149.  I did a practice booking for July 4th weekend, and this rate is applicable.  Where in New York City are you going to find a posh room at this price??  If you do, let me know.

Week 4: Free Korean Food

We are nearing the home stretch of the Free Korean Food promo. Here is week 4:

5/9: Tofu Soup - 40th St. between 5th & 6th Ave.
5/10: Tofu Soup - 5th Ave. at 43rd St.
5/11: Kimchi Fried Rice - Broadway at 35th St.
5/12: Kimchi Fried Rice - Park Ave. between 26th & 27th St.
5/13: Japchae - Union Square West at 15th St.

Week 3: Free Korean Food in NYC

Thinking about Korean this week?  Here is your free lunch schedule.

5/2: Jeon - Park Ave. and 59th Street
5/3: Jeon - 6th Ave. and 52nd Street
5/4: Bulgogi - Canal Street at Lafayette
5/5: Bibimbap - 58th Street between Park & Lexington
5/6: Bibimbap - Park Ave. between 26 & 27 Streets

Enjoy!

Week 2: Free Korean Food

Been sleeping in all week.  Here is the updated list of where to get Korean food this week.

4/25: Bulgogi - Park Ave. and 59th Street
4/26: Bulgogi - Park Ave. between 25th and 26th Street
4/27: Japchae - Broadway at 35th Street
4/28: Japchae - Canal Street at Lafayette
4/29: Kimchi Fried Rice - 43rd Street and 5th Ave.

Enjoy!

A Fixture in Union Square Is Closing at the End of April

Photo Credit:  www.havanacentral.com

Havana Central in Union Square is where my now-husband and I went on our first date back in May 2006.  It was a classic Cuban restaurant complete with a tropical ambiance that aimed to match what has been fixed in our minds as Old Havana.

On our first date, I ordered Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice) with a side order of tostones (green plantains)  and a glass of Sangria.  He ordered the Picadillo, a ground beef dish that resembles a stew.  We spent a couple of hours talking and learning about each other's past.  He was from Brooklyn and I was from New Jersey.  He used to be in a band for 10 years, and is now working in sales after realizing that he needs to get his life together, and I told him that I was a fundraiser working for a Catholic University.  We were both volunteers at the annual Asian Pacific Heritage Festival, which takes place on the first Sunday of every May in Union Square Park.

At the end of the night, he took the bill and he walked me back to the PATH Station (I was living in Jersey City at the time).  We went on a few more dates, and after several outings to museums, parks and gardens in New York City, we became a couple.

A few years later, we have recently gotten married and while I am happy that Havana Central has become more successful than ever in opening new venues that can accommodate larger groups of people, I am also saddened to hear that the Union Square Location is closing.  Over the years, I've brought friends to Union Square for "Sangria Sundays" to catch up with old friends and occasionally, I would go to Havana Central alone whenever I needed to appease a craving for Cuban food.

In learning of the closure, I am literally scrambling to find time in my calendar to eat there one last time or two, or three times.  I've found 3 possible days and I hope to bring my husband there one last time, and have my last "Sunday Gathering" with friends.

Thank you so much Havana Central Union Square.  We look forward to eating at the new venue.

To visit the Union Square Havana Central location, visit 22 East 17th Street, between 5th Avenue and Broadway or call 212-414-4999. You may also find them online at www.havanacentral.com.

Havana Central Union Square will close on Monday, April 25.

Oyster Saloon at the New Amsterdam Market This Weekend

photo credit: http://www.newamsterdammarket.org/

This Saturday, April 9, from 5PM-9PM, the Old Fulton Fish Market in Lower Manhattan will be transformed into a night market with oysters, oysters, and more oysters on the menu.

The Oyster Saloon, aims to raise the necessary funding to promote economic development by reintroducing a new generation of markets in Lower Manhattan. As the title suggests, the event comprises of food tastings with oysters as the stars of the show.  The menu comprises of freshly shucked oysters, and special dishes made by chefs such as Scott Bridi of Brooklyn Cured and King Phojanakong of Kuma Inn.   Admission is reasonable at $50 and includes 20 tickets to select which dishes you would like sample. To see the menu, visit: http://www.newamsterdammarket.org/events_bill-of-fare.html

Your Part in Godspell As An Investor

Image from www.peopleofgodspell.com

I was reading through my facebook updates and something caught my eye.  The first thing was, Godspell is being revived, and the second eye-catcher was that We, the common people can be a part of its revival as an investor.

Yes!  We can invest in Godspell's production by becoming part of the Friends of Godspell, a group of individuals who have made a monetary investment in the revival.


For those unfamiliar, or in need of a refresher's course in Godspell, the musical was based on the Gospel according to Matthew, set in the late 60's, early 70's New York City backdrop (http://www.fandango.com/godspell_v93405/summary).

This Musical was waaaay before my time, but I was exposed to its music in high school when I was in our school chorus, so I am somewhat familiar with it, and I also watched a rendition in college.

Traditionally, investors in Broadway musicals are typically in the 5-6 figures range, but for Godspell, the organizers would like to bring greater community involvement in the process.

To learn more, please visit http://www.peopleofgodspell.com/.  If you invest, your name will be featured in a special edition poster and on the website.

Check it out!
As a disclaimer, please know, with all investment opportunities, do your homework first and read the fine print.  I think all my readers are intelligent, but as a precaution, I want to make sure you are aware of the risks behind investing in anything, period.

Wine and Chocolate in a Bottle

What happens when you combine wine and chocolate in a bottle?  You get Cocoa Di Vine, a blend of desert wines with chocolate and cream. 

Cocoa Di Vine is produced in the United States by the Opici Family of wines.   I found a bottle of this at the Grande Harvest Wines store in Grand Central Station.  It is very rich in flavor and texture with blends  of Torrontes, Pedro Ximenez and Moscato.  This wine and chocolate combination reminds me of a chocolate martini and it looks better served in a martini glass.

Try it out for yourself.  I bought mine at Grande Harvest Wines in Grand Central Station.

For more information on Cocoa Di Vine, please visit:  http://opiciwines.com/wine/cocoa-di-vine/chocolate-wine/

A Discussion with the CEO of Groupon Singapore

Karl Chong, CEO of Groupon Singapore is  Pictured in Front Wearing the Iconic Brooklyn Hoodie

The Trump Soho New York Hotel was the site of an informal presentation by Karl Chong, CEO of Groupon Singapore on Saturday, March 6, 2011. The event was filled to capacity and attended by many aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in the New York City area.

Chong, born in Singapore, and raised Australia, worked in investment banking prior to starting Beeconomic, an online company that offers group discounts on consumer products and services. It was one of the first of its kind in Singapore and it was an overnight success. The company, after only 6 months of existence was purchased by Groupon to the sum estimated at $24 million.

During his discussion, he talked about the trials and tribulations of starting a business and the risks that he took in leaving his job and beginning a business concept that was foreign to the Singaporean market. Chong advised any aspiring entrepreneur that the keys to building a successful business involve believing in one's idea even when many disagree with the potential for success; hiring smart people is necessary and to always be kind to one's staff and potential customers.


The discussion and networking event was presented by LUX Connections.