articles tagged:

Brooklyn

Nacho Noche with Mighty Margaritas

May 5, 2011 By Ashley Nuñez Leave a Comment

*Originally Published on February 8, 2011*

A night in NYC doesn’t require high heels or a button down shirt. The best nights are the ones in your favorite jeans with great company, in your choice of foot attire because there is no dress code to comply with. If you’re looking to add a twist or a great spot to play catch up with an old friend, opt for a Nacho Night.

And well if you want to have great nachos, Mexican is definitely the way to go. So select a margarita and devour those nachos on a self-proclaimed Mighty Margarita and Nacho Noche day. 

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Save the Date: Food Truck and Beer Tasting @ Brooklyn Brewery

February 28, 2011 By Ashley Nuñez Leave a Comment

New Yorkers sure do love their food trucks and they love their beer even more. Whether you’re checking your Twitter to meet up with Mexicue or logging on to Facebook to invite your friends to happy hour, combining the two is instant salivation. The Brooklyn Brewery and Edible Manhattan are putting together a 5-course menu event on March 23, 2011.

If you haven’t already taken a tour of Brooklyn Brewery and tasted their superb beer, then consider this an open invitation to head into Williamsburg. If you are from Brooklyn and have never been to the brewery (shame shame) you have no excuse and it is imperative to visit soon! Mexicue, Rickshaw, Souvlaki Gr and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will all be featured in the menu compliment by Brooklyn Brewery’s beer. Details of the event can be found below. Check back closer to the event to find out how to purchase your ticket.

Date & Time: March 23, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Cost: 40.00
Venue: Brooklyn Brewery
Phone: (718) 486-7422
Address: 79 North 11 Street, Brooklyn

Single in the City? Pick From These First Date Hot Spots

February 5, 2011 By Ashley Nuñez Leave a Comment

Carrie Bradshaw proved that being single in New York City is something to be excited about. So don’t feel pressured to secure yourself in someone’s loving embrace because the Hallmark holiday has invaded every store possible, first dates are tough even without the looming love forecast. Here are a few first date spots
Time-Out New York asked a handful of New York Singles to share their first date choices. Each provides a laid-back atmosphere ideal for first date conversations.

Jerry Dial from Williamsburg, Brooklyn shares this about first dates, “First dates can be awkward and uncomfortable, so I like to go to places where not only do I know the people, but I feel at ease.” He suggests Whiskey Town for some first date comfort. “At Whiskey [Town], I can knock back shots of Jameson’s like an Irish poet.”

Whiskey Town
29 E 3rd St at Second Ave
(Between 2nd ave and Bowery)
NY, NY 10003
212-505-7344

Who says pizza isn’t a great first place date? Frequent dater Molly Cronin thinks it is. “Can’t go wrong with fancy pizza!” According to Cronin, Roberta’s is cheap, “easy to get to, they have great food, and it’s not too private. Oh, and they have drinks, in case things really start to go down the tubes. They usually think it’s cool if they haven’t been there, or they are comfortable because they have.”

Roberta’s
261 Moore St
(Between Bogart and White St)
Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY
718-417-1118

Brooklyn Neighbor, Josh Owens has had four dates in the last four months. He chose Walter Foods as his go-to spot for a first date. “The food at Walter is great and the service is even better.”

Walter Foods
253 Grand St
(Between Driggs Ave & Roebling St)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY
718-387-8783

James D’Ambrosio from Huntington, Long Island suggests Royalton New York as an upscale lounge perfect for conversation. “It has a quiet atmosphere for conversation, and we need face time to have a meaningful talk and learn as much as possible about each other.”

Royalton New York
44 W 44th St
Between Fifth and Sixth Aves
212-944-8844

Babecitybabes.com co-founders Mina Karimi and Kara Suhey agreed the popular Williamsburg spot Iona. First date worthy because of Iona’s great music and flattering light fixtures. Mina says that Iona is “a casual, convenient environment allows for natural conversation and that can transition smoothly into a range of platonic to sensual banter depending upon chemistry.” Kara feels that the Europeans hanging out across the street provide a great back up plan. “If your date sucks, there is always another hot man/babe-in-waiting at this location. You just wait until your date leaves, then reapply lipstick and get yourself another one.”

Iona
180 Grand Street
(Between Bedford and Driggs Ave)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
718-384-5008

New York City Artists Mini Collection

January 17, 2011 By Ashley Nuñez 1 Comment

Like the colors of oil in pooled street water, New York City artists bring a beauty to a city that city dwellers so many times overlook. There is a magic that lingers just under the city’s smog. Sprinkling itself on the dreamers that believe in New York City anyone can be anything. Those artists who are immersed in the magic of New York can testify that developing an art that rises above the city’s millions can prove a difficult task. But such is the beauty about New York. In such a concentrated area of inhabitants living one on top of another, the known and the unknown artists can one day find a platform for their medium.

Stephen Wiltshire climbed into a helicopter and took a twenty-minute ride over Manhattan’s historic skyline. From those twenty minutes, Wiltshire began producing an 18ft sketch referring only to his memory. Diagnosed with autism at an early age, Wiltshire found that he communicated best with pictures.

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Stress Less During the Holidays

December 6, 2010 By Ashley Nuñez Leave a Comment

December has boosted the bustle of New York City into a holiday high. Christmas lists, holiday shopping, greeting cards and the careful arrangement of holiday feasts can pile on some unneeded stress. Before you get as strung out as high as those holiday light decorations, take some much needed time for yourself and avoid burning out your bulb. Here are some YNY tips on how to keep the holiday cheer in and the holiday stress out.

Yoga

Yoga is great for many reasons but most anyone can do it. Stretch your tense muscles and focusing on yourself (instead of how much UPS is going to charge you for sending your Aunt Betsie’s present that you haven’t gotten yet and she lives all the way on the West coast.) Many yoga practices also include meditation. So escaping from the never-stopping frenzy of the holidays proves a much needed rest for your body as much as your mind. YNY has a list of great Yoga centers scattered across midtown and lower Manhattan that host free or donation based classes.

Check them out here: Free Yoga in Manhattan

Hot Chocolate + Movie = Serenity

Nothing beats battling the frostbitten winter wind better than a cup of hot chocolate. Marshmallows make a great addition to every cup but pairing your hot coco but give your stress less moment a promotion with a movie that melts you further into your seat. There are plenty of holiday movies on repeat during the season so just turn on your TV and settle in. If you feel like you’re on holiday overload with all the music and decorations that are sprinkled throughout New York City, check out YNY’s 10 New York Romantic Comedies.

Spa Deals

Participating in your office’s Secret Santa? Playing Santa for your Kids? Slowly checking off your Christmas gift list one person at a time? Then you deserve to spend some of that holiday bonus on yourself! What a better way to gift yourself during the holidays than with a spa massage. If your spending has left you with a tight budget, try calling NYC massage schools and inquire about available appointments with students who need to complete hours for certification. These schools offer large discounts for senior students that are close to becoming certified. If shopping has exhausted you mentally from venturing out to find a spa in your area, here are a few sites that can do the finding for you: Spafinder, Spa Addicts, Spa-NYC, and Urban Savings.

Ice Skating at The Pond

Skip the crowds at Rockefeller Center and skate with the bundles at The Pond, Bryant Park’s Ice Skating Rink. The Pond offers free admission skating, free lockers to hold extra belongings (be sure to bring your own lock), and good deals on their rental skates. Enjoy snacks at Ice Bites or sit down for dinner at Bryant Park’s glass enclosed restaurant, Celsius. And before you draw your night to a close, support local artists and entrepreneurs and visit any of the 100 boutique-style shops. For additional information about The Pond, check out the FAQs section of their website at Thepondatbryantpark.com.

Christmas Carols

What would Christmas be without caroling? To revive your Christmas spirit that may be hidden under all that stress, attend one of the many caroling sessions across NYC.

If you’re in the Brooklyn Heights area, join the First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, December 17th at 7 pm. They’ll be starting at 124 Henry Street and then venturing out to different Brooklyn Heights points, with a post caroling party held at the church. In case you happen to miss their send off at seven, the route will be posted in their church doors.

For those in Manhattan, on Friday December 18th at 7 pm., carolers will be meeting at 487 Hudson Street in the St. Luke’s cafeteria. A group of about 150 singing children and adults will be winding their way around the West Village. Ending where the carolers commenced, refreshments will be served in the St. Luke’s cafeteria to sooth those singing voice boxes.

Step out of the house on Christmas Eve and join locals in some Christmas songs beside the Washington Square Park Tree. Beginning at 5p.m. on December 24th, those from the neighborhood invite students, travelers, and all those in the NYC area to join in voice in celebration of Christmas spirit.

The Upperclass Men Invade Webster Hall: Video Coming Soon

November 20, 2010 By Michelle Kaplan 2 Comments
[caption id="attachment_6560" align="alignleft" width="452" caption="photo courtesy of: The Upperclass Men"][/caption]

On Thursday, November 18, The Upperclass Men “invaded” The Studio at Webster Hall. This hip-hop group originated in Brooklyn and have since taken New York by storm. There are three members of The Upperclass Men: Mr. Harris (left), RS (middle), and HD (right).  HD and Mr. Harris met in school and began rapping together and RS later joined the two to become the group they are today.

From the moment they stepped on stage, it was clear that The Upperclass Men were ready to have a good time. The first thing that I noticed was their incredible stage presence. These three guys are definitely not shy, and were cracking jokes from the very beginning. When the music started, they seemed to enter a world of their own; they were so immersed in their music and lyrical content that there was not a moment where they weren’t completely on and jumping around the stage. The music is refreshing and their lyrics are clever; they involved the audience by explaining each song’s meaning, trying to get everyone to identify with their own life experiences. The group is backed by a band including a lead guitarist (Evan Lawrence), bassist (Gregory Aaron), DJ (Suga Ray), keyboardist (Yanick St. Juste), and drummer (Raymond Stone).

Based on their performance at The Studio at Webster Hall, it is clear that The Upperclass Men bring something new to the music scene and I predict that they will achieve much success.  If I had to use one word to describe this group, it would be charisma. Yeah New York sat down with the guys of The Upperclass Men before the show to learn a little bit more.  Stay tuned to yeahnewyork.com in the upcoming days to see the video interview, pictures, and footage from their live show.  The Upperclass Men will definitely make a splash soon, so be sure to learn about them here at Yeah New York!

Review: 14th Annual Gowanus Art Studios Tour

October 17, 2010 By Diamond Bradley Leave a Comment

Art can be anything. Proven, case-in-point, at the 14th Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour that took place October 2nd. The event lasted from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., showcasing various kinds of art from all different kinds of artists in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn, NY.

Twenty-eight studios spread across 19 blocks housing artists and art aficionados; along with the smell of red and white wine, cheese and chocolate loading the hallways.

Of course there were your painters, like Kit Warren, who affirmed with paint that there’s beauty in a virus, Denise Deleray, who showed that there’s beauty in every woman, painting faces of females of all different races, placed together like a puzzle.

Beatrix J. Piesh, showed there is beauty at the bottom of a teacup. No, really…

Art can be anything, and Piesh’s display of a wall filled to the brim with pictures of paper stained with the circles of dried tea that drips to the bottom of your cup after sips. Most hues of the tea were brown, but in the calendar-like portrayal that took place over a year, one could spot green circles from green tea and hues more yellow than brown from honey-lemon tea.

… Not to mention a couple tea-bags here and there.

Graphite and conté crayon artist Karen Schmauk, Brian Petro and Laura Lee-Georgescu were more names that represented the painting posse well.

[caption id="attachment_5092" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Lee-Georgescu and Crevice."][/caption]

Petro, a traveling artist, who’s gone from Brazil to Italy and back, exhibited his 10+ wonders of the world, including sun-dried store market signs (which gave them a 1950’s look); scrunched-up jeans that he painted on, portraits with newspaper and paper currency from all over the globe mixed into his subject’s faces.

“Currency is, all trust, in the world. Its cotton fiber; product. All it is, is trust, just for purchasing. So, your dollar bill is worth really like two cents of product, but mentally, its worth so much globally,” said Petro.

Lee-Georgescu, another traveler, dipped and dabbed in different color experiments, as well as photo-etching and woodblock painting. One piece in particular called Crevice was a wet-on-wet; (wet paint on wet paper), brushed upside down for a dripping effect at the top with a mix of spray paint at the bottom. Rose, pinks, and dark greens in Crevice drew a volcanic eruption in the minds of onlookers, as well as a depiction of Hades, and even the entering of the first circle of Hell in Dante’s Inferno.

Luckily, we were still on Earth for now at least, where art was in the form of installation in sound and video, thanks to Michael Clemow and Amy Khoshbin, respectively.

Khoshbin could have gotten an Oscar nod for the representation of her father, who is Iranian, choosing to act as him in his answers to different questions she’d ask him over long phone conversations.

This particular version of The Father Tapes dealt with his response to how he felt about the holidays. Christmas was the topic, and her display included ripped wrapping paper and ornaments on a carpet, next to a huge brown chair that a Christmas stocking laid on top of.

A television was in perfect view from the chair, showing the video of Khoshbin costumed in her father’s big round glasses, short hair-cut and 5 o-clock shadow.

Not to be over-shadowed, photography also played a part in AGAST. Cecilia Schmidt’s exhibit of bird watching looks like anything but bird watching from afar.

[caption id="attachment_5095" align="alignleft" width="452" caption="Cecilia Schmidt."][/caption]

Schmidt, a digital media photographer, takes photographs of nature to show its raw beauty. One image in particular was a still-shot from a series of birds that she put in a grid with an addition of pixels to enhance the digital elements while maintaining a brush-stroked appearance.

“They’re very painterly,” said Schmidt of her work. “And I think it’s another thing about visual literacy. There’s so much visual media coming towards us…”

Photographs that look exactly like paintings when stilled. Wings looked like the bodies, some bodies looked like the wings, and Schmidt’s photograph stood out.

Kinetic artist Joseph Morris and steel welder Martha Walker’s showings of sculpting were also eye-catching.

Morris, being a huge fan of motion, created machines that performed simple movements such as turning a wheel, pushing and pulling a nail before it falls; all with the help of a little electricity and a small plank of wood. No hands Ma! Morris also constructed two simple skeletons with pieces made from real dog bones and flexanol, otherwise known as muscle wire. Using a microprocessor to control the movement, sections of wire short electricity to the creature when heated; making it to move.

Martha Walker, is a sculptor who has made her mark in the art world over a 10-year-period by taking steel rods, heats, and bends them into different shapes. Reminiscent of the symbiote from Spider-Man, Walker melts metal into things like octopuses. One of her works called Dance of the Spirits will be on Gossip Girl for four episodes in the upcoming season. Tikkun Olam (Heal The World in Hebrew) is another piece that Walker made, and it’s the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. With a shape similar to Cinderella’s carriage, Tikkun Olam is a piece that Walker hopes to use as an avenue to convey the powerful saying.

[caption id="attachment_5098" align="alignright" width="452" caption="Walker sitting inside of Tikkun Olam."][/caption]

“I named it that so people could sit here, and think about making the world a better place,” said Walker.

There were also other exhibits of ceramics, glass, collage, and works on canvas present at different studios.

The Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour is an event that comes around every October, confirming that art can truly be anything. Even the author of this article took a picture of some garbage with maps of the tour while touring the studios.

Why?

Because it looked beautiful.

[caption id="attachment_5106" align="aligncenter" width="452" caption="I have artistic creativity too!"][/caption]

Review: Gimme Shelter, Irish Haven

October 6, 2010 By Tim Kennedy 4 Comments
[caption id="attachment_4465" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Irish Haven (58th Street and 4th Avenue, Brooklyn) is worth the trip."][/caption]

Every time I make the trek to Irish Haven in Sunset Park I stay longer than intended.  This either makes it the best bar in New York or the most dangerous.  Maybe both.  In any case, it’s hands down my favorite place to grab a drink in the entire city, a spot so good I’m hesitant to share it with the Internet at large. Be grateful.

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Feature: The 5 Best Outer-Borough Brunch Experiences

October 5, 2010 By Kiki Louya Leave a Comment

One of the silliest characteristics of a diehard Manhattanite is their refusal to ever leave the borough, as if crossing a river will rocket them through the Twilight Zone! But they’d be surprised to know a secret that outer-borough folk have been on to for years: treasures are aplenty when you venture off the grid.

Take brunch for instance. One of New York’s favorite weekend pastimes. Who knew other boroughs would be such a happening place to get your egg on an afternoon? Apparently, those outer-borough folk did; and Manhattanites, it’s time to take heed: brunch does not have to mean a 2 hour wait and a $30 meal. That is, as long as you’re willing to take a train ride to the other side.

Egg, 135 N. 5th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11211

Egg is hands-down the perfect place to heal a pickled liver from the night before. Previously operated out of the now defunct Sparky’s hot dog restaurant, Egg serves Southern-style brunch specials all day long, which for the tired and hungover mean two great things: a few extra hours of sleep and a meal filled with nothing but the basics- meat, cheese, egg and bread.

To say the menu is a calorie-counter’s nightmare would be an understatement. But for those with enough adventure to experience real food, try the Eggs Rotho. It’s a slice of brioche filled in the center with running egg sunny-side up and smothered in melted cheddar cheese. Also, the Biscuits and Gravy are an authentic Southern treat and for even more of a down-home feel, try the Country Ham Biscuit served with homemade fig jam, cheddar, and grits. It’s a little slice of heaven.

The only downside to Egg is that their lack of liquor makes hair of the dog not an attainable option. But their French-press coffee as an alternative is a good pick-me-up and for those in dire straits. Brunch mimosas are available.

Just Like Mother’s, 110-60 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, Queens, 11375

New York does Polish food, just not always well. But Just like Mother’s is a welcomed exception to the rule. Conveniently located off the Queens-bound F train, Just like Mother’s has a mean reputation for serving real deal brunch food with a yummy Polish twist. Looking for eggs and sausage? Try the Kielbasa Omelette. How about French toast? Their Babka version will blow your mind.

Best part is Just Like Mother’s serves with authenticity. Their pierogies, especially the must-have sauerkraut and mushroom, are made just right and their potato pancakes are always served the right way: with sour cream AND apple sauce. Plus, even a party of 10 will be able to saddle up to a table virtually any time of day without having to wait until dinner. In other words, good luck finding a comparable place in the city. It would be like nailing jello to a tree: impossible.

Buttermilk Channel, 524 Court St., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, NY 11231

So, you still think outer-borough brunch is nothing but glorified diner food? Well, you are clearly missing the point so let me just nail it home for you: try Buttermilk Channel. It’s a more bourgeois Brooklyn brunch adventure, but at half the price you would spend in Manhattan.

Located in lovely Carroll Gardens, Buttermilk Channel (allegedly) derives its name from either Brooklyn farmers who let their herds graze on Governor’s Island or Manhattan farmers whose milk nearly churned its way to butter on their rough journey over the water. Either way, as a bistro, Buttermilk’s message rings clear: all the food is shade grown, organic and fair trade.

Start with lighter options like the arugula and jersey nectarine salad, which is served with live run goat feta and homemade lime vinaigrette. Or get right down to the nitty-gritty with more hearty choices like the A-B-C grilled cheese, cooked with New York’s own organic cheddar cheese.

Also their buttermilk pancakes, a restaurant staple, really are quite delicious. However, the true gem on the menu is their pecan pie French toast, decadently served with bourbon, molasses and toasted pecans.

Beast, 638 Bergen St., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn 11238

On the rare occasion that servers are up to their eyeballs in busy tables, service can be spotty. But at all other times Beast is a great destination for tapas and brunch entrees. Not to mention, their prices are pretty unbeatable.

For only $11.95 (with coffee/tea) or $13.95 (with a bloody mary/mimosa), diners can indulge in pan-seared scallops with white wine garlic sauce, which is paired with a baby green salad and couscous pilaf. Also, more adventurous eaters will enjoy the chorizo hash topped with chipotle spiked hollandaise and diced potato. Brunch purists can even chow down on steak and eggs for under $20, which pretty much beats the competition. Enjoy all this while dining in Beast’s cozy, medieval-inspired atmosphere, of course!

Elysian Café, 1001 Washington St. Hoboken, New Jersey

For most New Yorkers, New Jersey is a world that’s meant to be left untouched. But in the off-chance that you find yourself in the Dirty Jerz (after, say, a drunken one-night stand?) rest assured you won’t die of starvation on your train ride back across the Hudson.

Elysian Café offers the usual brunch staples- Eggs Benedict, Florentine and every other which way- as well as delicious French options like the Warm Roast Beef Au Poivre served on rosemary foccacia bread with mushrooms. Also, the Croque Madame, a warm mix of ham, gruyere, fried egg and pommes frites is especially delicious if you’re looking for something that will fill you up throughout the day.

The Elysian also serves an outstanding Cinnamon and Amaretto French Toast, drizzled in Vermont Maple Syrup and with your choice of bacon or sausage. Better yet? Whether seated inside or out, the décor of Elysian will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to Paris and are dining in a swanky street café. Bon appetite, indeed!

Feature: Film Ignites Volunteerism

October 5, 2010 By Tamara Conrad Leave a Comment

With “Waiting for ‘Superman’” recently released in New York and gaining media attention throughout the nation, viewers want to take part in the solution to fixing the broken school system. There are many children in New York City who could use additional mentorship and tutoring so that they can face the unfavorable odds of educational success not in hope, but in knowledge, strength and support. There are youth programs throughout the city that need help in providing guidance and friendship to children. Here is a list of organizations and ways to become involved in children’s lives:

New York Cares

newyorkcares.com

New York Cares has year-round volunteer opportunities. It works with partner organizations to plan and manage 1,000 hands-on projects each month. Through the organization, volunteers can tutor and play sports with children as well as help revitalize parks and schools. There are volunteer events and longer-term projects lasting from six weeks to more than a year.

Oct.15 is New York Cares Day. The organization will have teams of 7,000 volunteer s paint classrooms and murals, organize libraries and fix playgrounds at 100 public schools throughout the boroughs. To get involved, visit newyorkcares.com.

Groundwork

groundworkinc.org

This organization serves the East New York and Bedford-Stuyvesant communities in Brooklyn. Through its various programs, the organization helps over 3,500 families annually. The organization has an early childhood program preparing toddlers for school and supporting parents. Additional programs offer after-school and summer service, which focus on literacy instruction to children in elementary and middle school. The organization also offers a four-year college prep program. Outside of these programs, there are still many additional community and family services that Groundwork provides.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City

bigsnyc.org

BBBS New York City divides its volunteer programs into different categories. Community and special priority programs include the traditional mentorship program as well as others aiding young mothers, offering friendship to disabled children and preventing youth from entering foster care. Site-based programs provide interaction with youth at school and various workplaces. Juvenile justice and special population programs help youth dealing with or facing incarceration as well as children aging out of the foster care system.

BBS also has specialized groups in the Big network, including an Asian Mentoring Committee, Latino Bigs and a Technology Committee.

iMentor

imentor.org

Even while desiring to mentor youth, many abstain from doing so because they feel their demanding schedules leave them little time to commit to a child. This common problem wanes out many potential volunteers. Well, iMentor has designed a way to add flexibility in mentorship. Created to combat lack of mentors and lack of technology literacy in under-served communities, iMentor connects professionals with youth through a combination of e-mail and in-person interactions.

For more volunteer opportunities in education, visit volunteermatch.org or nycservice.org.

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