First visit to Manhattan with my niece

I have grown to love New York City over my lifetime.  What could be more exciting than to share this love with my 3 1/2 year old niece on her very first visit to the "Big City".   I can't imagine how large everything looks through a 3 year olds eyes seeing amazing buildings for the first time.  I made sure to show her my two favorites the Flatiron and the Empire State Building.  We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton in Chelsea and were lucky enough to have an view of the "Freedom Tower" 

After our one night stay I am sure I started my niece on her love of "New York City" and hope to share more visits with her in the near future!

My choice for "Best Pizza in NYC"

I am sure everyone has their own pick for best pizza in New York City.  I have to say over the years I have tried many a slice, but I keep going back for Ben's Pizza for their Sicilian squares.  I highly recommend giving it a try and let me know what you think?

Ben’s Pizzeria http://www.benspizzanyc.com/

123 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

 

Hell's Kitchen Oldie but Goodie

Not many places offer two kinds of spirits but that's exactly what Landmark Tavern (11th Ave/46th St) does. Build in 1868, this pub has an abundance of various spirits for the body as well as for the soul. The ghosts of a soldier and a little girl in a flowing white dress make occasional appearances proving that no one wants to leave Hell's Kitchen!"

Living Like a Tourist in NYC - The Ride

Yes some would call me a geek or a nerd because even though I was born and raised here in the NYC area, I love to live like a tourist in the BIG APPLE. 

My 49th Birthday I decided to hop on aboard "The Ride". 

I guess I am not the only one who likes living like a tourist in NYC, because when the group that was on board the bus was asked where they were from most were from the NYC area! 

"The Ride" bus seats are set up like a theatre to the side looking out into the streets of NYC.  The show IS what happens on the streets of NYC.  Well with a little added acting too. 

It was an enjoyable ride.....with fun entertainment. 

For more info on "The Ride"  visit their website at http://www.experiencetheride.com/

What I love about NYC

Well I love so much, but one of the many things I love about New York City is the variety of restaurants to dine at on a Spring day outside. 

What is one of your favorite things about NYC?

This is me dining outside in Little Italy

Place's I love in NYC - New Beer!

If you love craft beer than "The Pony Bar" shouldn't be missed.   Some of the finest crafted beers in America to choose from and when one runs out and a new tap begins the bell rings and every say "New Beer"

 

Two locations:

637 10th Avenue at 45th Street or 1444 1st Avenue at 75th Street

 

http://theponybar.com/



The Red Cat Restaurant - worth a visit! Great food!

During my two year stay in NYC recently "The Red Cat Restaurant" in Chelsea became one of my favorites.   I also enjoyed the convenience of being near one of the entrances of the "High Line" for a before or after dinner walk.

Make sure you order the Baked Polenta as a side dish.  I get that every time!

The Red Cat
227 Tenth Avenue
Chelsea, New York, NY
212-242-0199

http://www.theredcat.com/redcat.php

Reservations recommended - Available to do so on Open Table
http://www.opentable.com/red-cat-reservations-new-york?rid=1066&restref=1066

Spring Time - take a walk on the High Line!

The High Line is one of the best new parks to explore in NYC -  Well not so new, but now complete.  This is a worth to visit for NYers & tourists especially during the Springtime months.
http://www.thehighline.org/

A day on top of the world - my favorite NYC building

As long as I can remember I have been in awe of this building.  I can never get enough of looking at the "Empire State Building" and I always want to take another picture.

Last year I decided to go back to the top.  I have not visited the top of the Empire State Building since the late 1980's when it was common for me to go up on top during a lunch hour.  (Mind you the lines were not long back then)

Views looking down on NYC

Above - A view of where I was living 505W37th

A walk down 37th Street to Javits Center

New Yorkers I need your help!!!!  I am disgusted with the New York City that they do not do anything about a street where many "Out of Towners" use to walk to the Javits Center.  This is 37th Street between 10th & 11th.  (Closer to the 11th Avenue area) I rented on this block for the last two years on the 10th Avenue end which is a beautiful luxury rental building.  I avoid usually going to the 11th Avenue end.  I am embarrassed as I walk up this street today to go to the New York International Gift Show.  I looked at others who are not from NYC looking in disgust as they head up this block to get to Javits.  Why doesn't the city fine these businesses and landlords that leave garbage all over the sidewalk to blow everywhere in the streets.  Besides the garbage a pedestrian can't even walk all the way to Javits by staying on the sidewalk because cars, horses, and horse carriages block the entire sidewalk to make it an obstacle course.


Here is what I saw this morning as I walked up the block.  Pictures are in the order that I saw it.

 When I get to this point I decide to cross the street instead of either
A) get kicked by a horse B) step in horse poop

Now this is disgusting and I do not know why the landlord doesn't get fines for leaving his abandoned building full of garbage on the sidewalk like this!

I hope this blog post makes the Mayor aware of this disgusting embarrassment and he does something about it.  Please share this on twitter and make sure you use the Mayor's twitter account @MikeBloomberg and also @311NYC 

New York City Photo's

A collection of photo's people post on twitter or Facebook or from my collection - New York City

All you can drink Mimosa's need I say more??

Went to HK Cafe on 39th and 9th Avenue http://www.hkhellskitchen.com/ for brunch this Memorial Day weekend.  While waiting for a table head over to the bar and pay for your all you can drink mimosa, bloody mary or champagne package for 16.95 per person so you can start drinking while you wait for your table.  It is always pretty crowded so you are sure to get in at least 2-3 drinks before you get your table. 

I highly recommend the Lobster Egg's benidict as your choice for Brunch.  Our waiter was wonderful and toasted with us and also made sure our glasses were always full.  He also gave us some Ameretto shots on the house.

I only live 4 blocks a way and it was a challenge getting home.

NYers know the best places....

A couple of weeks ago I headed back to one of my favorite little places in Hell's Kitchen that makes the most delicious breads, Sullivan Street Bakery.  

If I could give one bit of advice to tourists visiting NYC, if you are in a local neighborhood and you see a line outside a door, more than likely this is the place to stop.  As you can see in the above picture this is a Sunday morning and the locals are lining up.

http://www.sullivanstreetbakery.com/

Please help me raise for a good cause...

Gem Craft Boutique is proud that we will be part of "Relay for Life" at North Shore Middle School in Glen Head, NY on June 2 at 7pm. 

The owner of "Gem Craft Boutique" , Deborah Orgel-Gordon (opening June 2012) has joined the team "Knock Out' to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.  Deborah has lost many family members to Cancer over the years and felt it was time to help give back.  Also Deborah's mother battled breast cancer for a second time in her life last fall, during a time when she couldn't help her mom due to a back injury that kept her flat on her back for 4 months.  I feel now I am back on my feet and this is a way I can give back in a different way to support my mom and others I know who have battled cancer. 

Besides Deborah being part of the team to hopefully raise a goal of $2,500 on her own, she has offered setting up a table with "Pink Ribbon" items and will give back 20% of the proceeds of what is sold at the event on Saturday, June 2nd.

So please consider either joining our team to raise funds, coming down and joining in the cause or please consider donating.   Click on the link below for donating or more info:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12EA?px=28737600&pg=personal&fr_id=36684

www.facebook.com/GemCraftBoutique

Always a pleasure to take a walk on the Highline

If you haven't been for a walk on the Highline yet, located from 30th and 10th Ave entrance all the way down to the village, it is something you must DO!

http://www.thehighline.org/about/maps

I always enjoy my walks on there with some of the most incredible views of NYC.