Monday Night Winter's Eve

Dec 1 was Winter's Eve, a fun evening celebration of music, food, and cheer around the Columbus Circle / Lincoln Center area. I have been to my share of tree lighting ceremonies in the past few years but was attracted by the sheer number of music groups advertised in this festival. and who doesn't love to go out on a Monday night!? 

Stars

After work, I took the subway to Columbus Circle. Got hit by the cold rain as soon as I walked above ground. Needless to say, I needed to warm up somewhere and headed towards Time Warner Center. Time Warner Center Stars are definitely crowd favorites around the holidays. Those spectacular stars change color and also dance to holiday music as part of a show. The best place to see them is on the 3rd floor. 

Eats

After warming up inside, I went outdoors again looking for food. Many local restaurants set up bite-sized foods in stalls around the center. I avoided the extremely long lines and still managed to have a 3 course meal courtesy of the following establishments. Total bill was $11. 

• appetizer - duck soup from Asiate
• main course - delicious pasta from Landmarc (also found a recipe online!)
• drink/desserts - mulled cider and ginger cookies from Whole Foods. 

Tree

After dinner and fighting the rain with my umbrella flipping open every second or two, I walked to Apple Store to check out Hot Sardines. Then on my way back, I heard a great brassy sound coming from the Christmas tree. The music from Raya Brass Band was so warm, friendly, and festive that most of the audience started dancing despite the rain. 

You know a band is playing well when people opt to brave the cold outdoors to listen instead of going to a dozen other indoor performance offered throughout the night. I'm actually listening to their album on spotify as I write this. I've discovered that I like anything with a good brass section (tuba gets bonus points).

Jazz

I met up with my friend D. near the Christmas tree and we walked towards Time Warner Center to see a jazz flute show I read about on the program. Elena Pinderhughes and her group gave a great performance. I recently got back into playing the flute again so was very inspired to hear her play. Everyone had a chance to show off their moves (bass, piano, flute, and drums).  

There are so many other bands to look up (and the website will likely get updated next year) but wanted to share the link anyway: http://www.winterseve.nyc/entertainment/

Juggling and Summer

Before the start of this summer, I joined a juggling group in Bryant Park. If practice made perfect, why not gain a skill or awesome “hidden talent” this summer? I made a point to block out an hour every week to join the fun and told everyone I know (friends, colleagues, random strangers) about this group to keep myself motivated.

While I didn’t keep count of how many sessions I attended (more than 5 but fewer than 10), I realize it is getting close to end of summer season and I have indeed gained insight into this seemingly difficult yet fascinating activity.

The best part is always meeting people. A. and J. are both extremely patient and friendly instructors. Before the end of summer I hope to buy them a round of drinks for the countless number of one-on-one coaching sessions and endless encouragement (I still don’t know how they put up with me).

Some lessons / observations / comments:

• smile!
• go barefoot
• invite spectators to become participants
• give midtown recommendations to visitors
• free yourself from the smartphone madness
• meet people and have fun

Two ideas for the group (if A. or J. is reading?):

• end of summer variety of all newly minted jugglers (with music!) I suppose this may take some coordination/practice/promotion
• featuring “meet the juggler” bio (no photos necessary) once a week where we ask a lucky participant a few q’s (i.e. what’s their favorite NY spot and how did they get into juggling and what do they do when they’re not juggling).

Check the Bryant Park Jugglers Blog:
http://bryantparkjuggling.blogspot.com/
and
Bryant Park Jugglers Twitter: BPJugglers

Food Roundups Oct/Nov Edition

For the places where I picked up business cards from but didn't have to a chance to review, I've listed their vital info below. Ordered from uptown (more like mid) to downtown.

//Hell's Kitchen Area//
Delphinium Home (home decor, not food related)
653 Ninth Ave NYC
212.333.3213.

Kyotofu (Japanese tea house and sweets, tofu specialty)
705 Ninth Ave (btw 48th and 49th)
212.974.6012
website
notes: Loved their black sesame sweet tofu and tea. The chef's selection was a work of art. You have to try it to believe it. and I'm not even a vegan or anything. Just a curious foodie.


//Time Square//
Tony's Di Napolis (family style)
147 W 43rd St
212.221.0100
website
notes: make a reservation early! great place with huge portions for share. can't remember what I got but their calamari and pasta were superb. will take Bob here to see if the Italian restaurant meets our Italian restaurant expectations.

//Greenwich Village//
Varsano's Chocolate
172 W. 4th St
212.352.1171
website
Note: randomly ran into this place. As I was browsing, the owner handed me a chocolate dipped pretzel. Amaaaazing. I actually bought a small box of fish shaped milk-chocolates for Bob. He finished it in a few days and had only the best reviews. Just went the website, which was a bit on the casual side (with the flashing text and whatnot). But apparently they also take orders for delivery. Here's the number to call: 800.414.4718

Greenwich Letterpress
39 Christopher St
212.989.7464
website
Note: I found so much stationery and pretty stuff here that I swore I will go there more often. It came close to replacing Papyrus as my favorite stationery store, if not for the fact that Papyrus is everywhere. Definitely a fun place to explore and get unique gifts! Their website is more geared towards customizing as opposed to reflecting the store inventory.

//LES?//
Papabubble
380 Broome St
212.966.2599
website
With all the hype in the media, Gothamist, and Daily Candy, and one failed attempt to locate the store, I did not find this place all that amazing. Sure, the ready made candy is awesome since it's warm and still a bit soft. The other stuff is quite overpriced although pretty to look at. I eventually bought a small bag of the citrus mix because each individual candy looks like a cross section of orange/lemon/lime. Pretty neat. The website is beautiful. Maybe it will just take a while for the NYC shop to look chic like the other locations.

More Food Round Ups

Nick & Toni's
100 W 67th St
212.496.4000
website

I miss the midtown/uptown restaurants that always seem to manage crowd and not be too loud. Some days I hate shouting across the table when having dinner in the city. Kudos to Suhxie for doing research for post-opera food. I had been too careless, but hey, I provided the entertainment, and she gladly found this place for us when we were both starving after attending the outdoor Plazacast of Lucia de Lammermore.

It's been a while since we dined there. I only dug out their business card today while organizing my room. I remember loving the attention we got since the restaurant was practically closing down for the night and we were perhaps the only people there. I think Suhxie got some pasta thing that was really yummy. I had either a soup or salad or both. The bread and olive oil was also good. Carb fest was definitely needed.

The other day I realized just how lazy I am getting when it comes to researching for food. I guess I just feel uninspired lately. I'm more interesting in finding good recipes and actually sitting down to make them. Made winter melon soup again last weekend. I never get sick of that stuff. There's something quite magical about cantonese style soups that are cooked in claypots with only a spoonful of salt. You don't need to overdo the spice, the slow cooking process brings out the natural flavors of the wintermelon and meats. Ginger is key for them.

Pershing Square
90 E. 42nd St (across from Grand Central Terminal)
212.286.9600
review in ny mag

I found this place totally by accident. I had researched food and given up last weekend when I finally decided to just go for a random restaurant in Grand Central. Of course, when I got there, the bartender told me they were only open for drinks, the kitchen is closed for Sunday. Angry that my research and plan had been ruined, I walked out of the Grand Central and looked far down the street to see if I could spot anything. I saw quite a few fast food joints which made me shudder. and since I was too lazy to walk and explore more, I decided to go across the street and check out Pershing Square.

The decor and service immediately got an A in my book when the hostess showed us to a booth. What a beautiful place it was too. The chicken pot pie arrived rather quickly. It was delicious. The filling inside went great with the bread they served us. My two friends ordered salads. Yes, if you know me, I did indeed roll my eyes a little bit. I got the better deal by far.