Archive for Fun Stuff
Which Spot In Central Park Was Voted Most Romantic?
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As the snow falls heavily in Manhattan, I received an update from the Central Park Conservancy. Reminding me of Valentines Day (note to self: Send flowers to Les), I did wonder which was the most romantic spot in Central Park.
The answer? Bow Bridge. Check this and see what so many have said about Bow Bridge. Even in the snow of winter! Or read about Central Park’s most romantic stories.
The story behind Bow Bridge…
- Named for its resemblance to a violinist’s or archer’s — or Cupid’s — bow, Bow Bridge’s dreamy setting over the sprawling Lake has inspired many a lovers’ stroll.
- Designed by Central Park co-designer Calvert Vaux and his assistant Jacob Wrey Mould and built in 1862, Bow Bridge is the second-oldest cast-iron bridge in the United States. The Bridge spans 60 feet across the Lake, linking the cultivated and flowering landscape of Cherry Hill with the rustic and sprawling woods of the Ramble.
- Bow Bridge is one of the most photographed spots in the Park and is provides the romantic backdrop for many wedding proposals and classic film shots.
Don’t worry spring is on the way…
The Good Old Days
Posted by: | CommentsSomeone sent this to us. Can you relate?
1974: KEG
2009: EKG
1974: Acid rock
2009: Acid reflux
1974: Moving to California because it’s cool
2009: Moving to California because it’s warm
1974: Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2009: Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
1974: Seeds and stems
2009: Roughage
1974: Hoping for a BMW
2009: Hoping for a BM
1974: The Grateful Dead
2009: Dr. Kevorkian
1974: Going to a new, hip joint
2009 Receiving a new hip joint
1974: Rolling Stones
2009: Kidney Stones
1974: Being called into the principal’s office
2009: Calling the principal’s office
1974: Screw the system
2009: Upgrade the system
1974: Disco
2009: Costco
1974: Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2009: Children begging you to get their heads shaved
1974: Passing the drivers’ test
2009: Passing the vision test
1974: Whatever
2009: Depends
Support Manhattan’s Recovery: Spend Your Federal Housing Stimulus
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Fed housing credit?
Local media has been commenting since last August that New Yorkers seem to be blasé about the Recovery Package offer of $8,000 toward a new home. However, it was so popular nationally that Congress has extended that, and added a $6,500 offer for current owners who move.
Well, I wouldn’t pass it up if I were in the home market right now, and put my team to work finding out what you might buy with that free cash. Some new furniture and décor are obvious choices, and almost everyone needs something for their new home.
Or you could use it for other kinds of fun. Given my favorite pastimes, I might figure out how many lovely restaurant meals I could savor, including cuisine hot spots my wife and I usually reserve for special occasions.
But you have many other options. For about $600 to $1,600 you could score a pair of trendy Christian Louboutin shoes or boots at Saks, which offers 96 choices at your fingertips. Or there’s the current Prada event with hot items coming up, now available for pre-orders. While at Sak’s you could also pick up a steal on men’s watches, such as Breil Milano’s stainless steel chronograph strap watch at $1,250.
Or how about a Hermes bag? For classic Hermes, you can’t go wrong with the Birkin bag, starting at $6,000. Here’s a entire blog dedicated to the Birkin.
Here’s a tidbit from a local fashion blog: “Katie Holmes & Suri: Spotted on Madison Avenue of New York, little Suri had her own pint-sized version of Mom’s orange Hermes shopping bag. Later on, Katie was seen with a rare burgundy Garden Party Handbag that looked more like a boarding bag. The Hermes handbag offset her black pencil skirt and red heels. With all the goodies that could be stuffed into that spacious bag, Holmes was ready for anything.” The Evelyne, starting a bit under $2,500, is très chic now.
You can toast your new home with a rare champagne. Dom Perignon Oenotheque 1993 is just $399.00 per 750 ml. bottle, limited to one per customer at Astor Wines. Salon Blanc de Blanc, Le Mesnil – 1997 is more expensive at $459.99, but in greater supply. You can buy a case of 6 for $2621.94.
Does your new co-op or condo allow pooches? How about using your savings for today’s most expensive, pure bred, a Samoyed, starting at $3,000 or an English Bulldog at around $2,500. On the other hand, if you adopt a nice homeless puppy from a shelter approved by the Humane Society, you’ll have lots of money to buy dog food and a really fancy collar, $18 and up from wwww.muttropolis.com.
And let’s not forget the sports fans. How about season tickets to the Yankees next year? Despite the World Series victory, top prices will actually decline, with field level seats at $250 per game for season ticket holders, down from $325 this year.
How much more stimulated could you get? Check out my November 2 post for housing stimulus dates and details. Go, Feds!
Do You Sous Vide?
Posted by: | CommentsWhile checking out the food blogs this morning, I saw this wonderful little video on the Chow.com The “sous vide” style low boil described in the video is a simplistic, yet effective variation on the much more precise method used by some professional chefs. (I tried it and the eggs poached that way-but for a little less time- are really excellent!)
Sous vide literally means under pressure vacuum (thanks to Addélice’s comment) and refers to a cooking technique in which the chef seals food into an airtight plastic bag with a vacuum-packer (like a food saver or Seal-A-Meal) and then simmers it in water at a low and precise temperature.
The sous vide cooking method is memorialized in the book Under Pressure: Cooking Sous Vide by Thomas Keller, famed chef-proprietor of Per Se in the Time Warner building in Manhattan’s Columbus Circle and The French Laundry in Yountville, California, in the Napa Valley. The book includes commercial preparation of receipts like Compressed Watermelon and Hayden Mango “Yolk”; Salad of Heirloom Beets, Anjou Pear, Mache with Candied Walnuts and Blue Goat Cheese Coulis; Air-cured Waygu, Treviso Leaves, Compressed Asian Pear and Whipped Pine Nut Oil.
The secret to sous vide is discovering the exact temperature required to achieve the most sublime results. My wife and I discovered these sublime results when we celebrated our anniversary last august at Per Se.
Harry Potter Buys Townhouse In West Village
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Daniel Radcliffe buys Manhattan townhouse in West Village
Daniel Radcliffe, the 20-year-old Wizard in Broadway’s Harry Potter production, has purchased his third New York City property, a five-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot West Village townhouse. The price: $6.4 million.
Celebrity publications report Radcliffe now owns more than $16 million in Manhattan area condos and apartments, plus a luxury condo in his home United Kingdom neighborhood of Fulham in London.
As reported by Real Estate Channel
Toast to Ghosts with the Midori Spider’s Kiss
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Midori Spider Kiss Coctail for Halloween
Americans spend an estimated $7 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday. And in recent years, more adults have taken to the holiday by dressing up and celebrating at parties. This year, after all the little superheroes, pirates, witches and bumble bees have tucked into bed, make a grownup toast to ghosts with this new Midori Spider’s Kiss.
Created by award-winning Mixologist Victoria D’Amato-Moran, this festive cocktail not only stands as a refreshment, but decor as well. “The colors and details of the Spider’s Kiss add a dramatic flair to the occasion,” says D’Amato-Moran who suggests using frosted glasses for an added ghostly feel or grenadine for a bloody spider bite effect.
Midori Spider’s Kiss
1 oz. Midori® Melon Liqueur
1 oz. SKYY® Vodka
Fresh Lemon
Garnish with an orange slice
Draw a chocolate web into a martini glass. Place in freezer and chill for a ghostly effect. Shake all ingredients and strain into glass. For a blood effect, drizzle grenadine down the side of the glass. Garnish with a chocolate dipped orange slice.
For information on Midori and additional cocktail recipes, please visit their website.
It’s Halloween, Charlie Brown: A Few Tips for the Night of the Great Pumpkin
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Yes, Halloween is Saturday, so it’s time to finalize your Trick-or-Treat plan if you are old enough to give out candy, under 13 or the parent of same.
Here are some tips for celebrating All Hallows Eve in the city:
- If you welcome visits from all the little superheroes, pirates, witches and bumble bees in the building, make sure you’re apartment number is included on the list that should be posted in the lobby of your building.
- If your building doesn’t have such a list, suggest one to the super. It ensures that those who don’t welcome visitors won’t be disturbed.
- If you really don’t care how cute little Sara is going to be in her princess outfit, leave a supply of candy with your doorman with “Happy Halloween from 11A” taped to the side of the bowl. He’ll hand them out – and enjoy a few of the mini Snickers himself. (Be sure to mention it if you want your bowl back in the morning.)
- No doorman? Want to participate but don’t want to spend the evening traipsing back and forth to the front door? Leave a container of candy outside the door. Remember to replenish the offering as needed as long as your budget allows.
- If you live in a walkup, take pity on the frustration this causes for kids and parents – put a sign on your door to announce whether you are a treater. You might try to post a lobby list and let everyone add themselves at the appropriate spot, but messing with the list may be irresistible for kids between 13 and 30 (possibly 40 in some cases of arrested development – you know who you are).
- Make sure to give kids only store-bought, individually-wrapped candy, since wary parents will toss anything else. Trick-or-Treaters’ faves include chocolate bars, Skittles, and Tootsie Roll Pops. Kids today often are not fond of candy corn – yet another sign that times change. No one but dentists gives sugarless gum. It’s only once a year!
- In the process of shedding pounds or watching your weight? Buy only treats you dislike enough that you really, really won’t eat them, and be sure all extras get dropped off in a child household or taken to work on Monday.
Parents, here is some more information on how to Trick or Treat in New York City.
Happy Halloween!
The end of a quarter brings a blizzard of Residential Sales and Rental Market Reports; followed by a spurt of press coverage spinning and analyzing the reports. But here’s a report that’s different.
New York Retail Leasing Activity Report created by Faith Consolo Chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Leasing and Sales Division.
The Faith Report reads like a who’s who of luxury retailers.
Faith believes that “New York City luxury retail remains resilient, with new entries and expansions paving the way for a phenomenal fall.”
From Madison Avenue to 5th Avenue and the Upper East Side, across Central Park on the Upper West Side down to Union Square, the West Village, Soho, Nolita, Tribeca and to the Lower East Side, the Faith Report alerts you to the newest digs for your favorite designers and other trend-setting retailers.
The Most Annoying Words In Real Life & Real Estate
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A "Wordle" of 2br/2bth co-ops & condos =>$1M in Manhattan
In a recent Marist poll, nearly half of Americans – 47% – said they find “whatever” most annoying. The other sayings weren’t quite so loathed. 25% say they find “you know” most grating; 11% can’t stand “it is what it is”; 7% would like to ban “anyway” from all verbal exchanges; and 2% reported that they could do without hearing “at the end of the day.”
After reading thousands of Manhattan apartment descriptions, I have come up with my top list of real estate words and phrases that I find most annoying:
- Boasts
- Oversized (also ample or generous)
- Sun-drenched
- Residence
- Triple mint
Here’s a “finger-nails-on -the-black-board” apartment description:
This triple mint, sun drenched apartment boasts oversized windows and generous maintenance. You must call me for the non-negotiable price, a private showing or whatever. Anyway, if you have to ask the price this residence may not be for you. You know, at the end of the day it is what it is.
Every quarter I find it fun and interesting to read what the pundits have to say after the Manhattan Real Estate Market Reports are published. As you can see below, the 3Q Manhattan Market Overview created quite a lot of buzz. This report was prepared by Miller Samual Inc. for Prudential Douglas Elliman.
I think the discussion of the 3Q market trends is best summarized in this special report podcast on The Housing Helix by the report’s creator Jonathan Miller .
| 10/02/2009 | The New York Times | Manhattan Apartment Sales Spike in 3Q; Prices Vary | Newspaper | |
Harry Potter, Farmers’ Market, Whole Foods And The Half Blood Prince
Posted by: | CommentsIt was going to be in iMAX and 3D at the “only real IMAX, not the new fake digital LieMAX.“ We got to the AMC Lincoln Square theatre at 68th Street and Broadway about 45 minutes early so we could get “perfect seats” smack in the middle of the theater and about 3/4 of the way up.
While we waited for the show to begin, we munched lots of popcorn and I began read the NY Times article by Micha Pollan: Out Of The Kitchen, Onto The Couch about “How American cooking became a spectator sport and what we lost along the way”. It seemd to explain to me the design of so many kitchens in new developments: Kitchen Stadiums. More on this another time.
Just as the movie started there was an annoucement “…as you know, only the first 20 minutes will be in 3D…” We were pissed but when the “signal” came to remove our 3D glasses we did and enjoyed the rest of the movie in “real” iMAX. Caveat emptor!
After the show we took a walk to the Time Warner Center to visit the Whole Foods Store stopping off at a small Farmers’ Market on 65th Street rght where Columbus Avenue and Broadway cross.
Whole Foods Market at Time Warner Center
Malbec Wine Tasting at Morton’s Restaurant
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We had a wonderful bottle of Malbec while in Argentina a few years ago. I think it was called Luis Borcas. I’ve never tasted a more wonderful wine paired with beef but have been unable to find it here in Manhattan.
So when I was invited to a Malbec tasting at Morton’s Steakhouse on East 45th Street I was excited to taste these Trapiche Malbecs. In addition to the wine we were treated to samplings of food as well.
On the wine list:
Trapiche, Torrontes, 2008
Trapiche, “Oak Cask,” Malbec 2007
Michel Torino, “Don David,” Malbec 2006
Broquel, Malbec 2006
Trapiche, “Adriana Venturin,” Malbec 2006Paired with samplings of:
Sliced Tenderloin with Chimichurri Sauce
Broiled Sea Scallops, Apricot Chutney
Selection of Cheeses
Miniature Morton’s Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake
I dutifully sampled the five selections, but kept coming back to my favorite the Trapiche Single Vineyard “Adriana Venturin.” It was spicy yet soft, and after breathing for about a half hour was wonderful with the sliced tenderloin on crostini.
Not really a fan of deserts-and for some reason I didn’t think the chocolate cake would compliment the wine, took a glass of the Adriana Venturin to the bar and ordered lamb chops.
It was really was excellent.
What a great July 4th weekend! Our visit to Boothbay Harbor, Maine included lobster dinners at the Lobster Dock restaurant which has wonderful views of the bay.
Mitch, the owner buys fresh lobsters daily from the local fisherman who dock their boats in the bay near this well known lobster shack. They are boiled in sea water and are accompanied by corn on the cob and a biscuit! Don’t forget to check out the crispy onion rings.
But the Lobster Dock is not just a one trick pony. Lobster rolls, lobster stew, creamy and and fresh clam chowder and amazing crab cakes are also featured there. You might recall the crab cake throwdown between Mitch and Bobby Flay from the Food Network.
While in Booth Bay I couldnt resist checking out a few of the condos. On Trulia I found 12 listings in Boothbay Harbor. They ranged in price from a $279K 2br/1.5bth 1360sf condo to a $475K 3br 3bth 2200sf unit with water views.
We drove by four of them just ”steps away” from the Lobster Dock as we drove in for our pre fireworks dinner.
On the water 3br 3bth 2200sf condo-$475K
Interestingly, I tried to get comparable selling prices but that information doesn’t appear to be publically available. Like in the old days, I guess you have to check with one of the local brokers who are the price/information gate keepers. I didnt have time to visit the county clerks office because we were on our way to visit the town’s July 4th picnic bash.
At the picnic, my wife needed to have a taste of the cherry pie. Since it wasn’t available ala carte, I was “forced” to get the barbecued chicken which included the pie! Hmm that was good.
Midtown Manhattan Korean & Mexican Food Mashup
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We expected a taco, perhaps this short rib taco, but we got a kimchi quesadilla instead
They were serving a Korean/Mexican mashup..kimchi quesadilla out of a truck… the Dessert Truck on loan to Kogi! And it was on 56th street and Lexington Avenue, only a couple of blocks away from my office.
It seemed like a good idea when I read about it in Eater.com and even better when I read the buzz on MidtownLunch.com where, after the fact, I got the photo below. (I was without a camera since I returned my Apple iPhone yesterday. Good thing too with the new models and software update announced today.)
At $4 bucks and going to benifit CityMeals-on-wheels I couldn’t miss it!
...but the chocolate mousse from the Desert Truck was excellent!
