The Upper East Side Informer

Father's Day Specials

2012-06-15T12:32:00.001-04:00

Sunday, June 17, 2012 is Father’s Day and everyone celebrates this occasion in their own way… you may agree with everything he says, you may finally take him to those garage sales, or get him a nifty tie or pair of socks. If you’re fortunate enough to be in New York at this time the best option maybe to bring him to Upper East Side where there is a great deal of activities and especially brunch specials to celebrate that special guy in your life:

Bistro Chat Noir
22 East 66th Street
New York, NY 10021
Patron and Ultimate Vodka have created fantastic cocktails for our Father Brunch! Treat Dad to our Lobster Benedict or Black Cat Burger! Meow!

Cavatappo Grill
1712 First Avenue
New York, NY 10128
In addition to our regular menu, we'll be serving a Father's Day 3 courses price-fix for $42* per person, choice of: appetizer, main dish and dessert *plus tax and gratuity.

Fig & Olive – Uptown
808 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Come celebrate Father's Day at Fig & Olive with our new brunch 3 courses prix fixe menu ($28) including one brunch cocktail or juice and tea, coffee.

Hi-Life Restaurant & Lounge
1503 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10075
Dad deserves the high life everyday but to be 100% sure Dad is getting special treatment this Father's Day join us at either Hi-Life location for Brunch or Dinner!

IL Tesoro NYC
1578 First Ave.
New York, NY 10028
Enjoy a Complimentary glass of house wine to all Fathers.

Jacques Brasserie
204-206 E 85th Street
New York, NY 10028
Jacques Brasserie will be serving the regular menu for brunch and dinner as well as some Father's Day specials

Match 65 (formerly Paris Match)
29 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10065
Enjoy no corkage fee and bring Dad his favorite bottle of wines or have him bring his best bottles from his cellar and we will open them up & celebrate father's day with you.

Petaluma
1356 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Celebrate Father's Day with exclusive Wine Pairing and Wood Oven Grill specials at your neighborhood restaurant. Complimentary Deserts to all Fathers.

Atlantic Grill
1341 Third Avenue
At 77th Street
New York, NY 10021
Join us on Father’s Day and enjoy some of our specials that have been chosen specifically to meet the standards of every father’s pallet!
Start the day off right with brunch when we are featuring grilled prime steak and eggs, cooked to perfection with a side of grilled asparagus and béarnaise. Every father out there deserves only the best, and here at Atlantic Grill that’s the only type of food we know how to serve.
Bring dad for dinner and indulge in our special appetizers, fit to share amongst the family. Start your meal with spiked gazpacho, or be a little more adventurous and try our surf and turf maki roll, prepared by our world renowned sushi chef. Featured entrees include the freshest seared halibut, served with lobster risotto, fava beans, and summer corn emulsion. Fresh from the farm, we are also featuring a classic New York strip steak.
Dine with us on this special day and let dad eat like the king he deserves to be treated like!

Brasserie Julien
1422 3rd Avenue
(Between 80 & 81)
New York NY 10028
Treat your dad with a 3 courses menu prix fixe and live jazz music played from 2pm to 6 pm
http://www.brasseriejulien.com/fathersday/

Show Your Support for UES Schools!

2012-06-08T10:46:00.000-04:00

EveryBlock.com is a website that follows neighborhood news and allows its visitors to connect with neighbors in 16 U.S. cities. Their goal is to help its residents be better neighbors, by providing frequently updated neighborhood news, plus tools to have meaningful conversations with neighbors. All its users have to do is create an account and choose which places you'd like to follow (i.e. home and/ or workplace). This will create a custom EveryBlock homepage, updated throughout the day, will show you what's been happening near your followed places, plus what people in those places are talking about. Join in the neighborhood conversation when you've got something to contribute — a question for your neighbors, a news report, an event listing, or just a heads-up about something people in your neighborhood should know about.

In April, EveryBlock.com agreed to donate $1 to DonorsChoose.org for each new neighbor that signed up for the site. EveryBlock.com is proud to announce that they recently made a $10,000 donation which directly benefits three classrooms in Harlem, Washington Heights and the Upper East Side. DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need.

Because of Everyblock.com success, three New York Classrooms Benefit Following Successful Neighborhood Recruitment Drive. EveryBlock, the place for all your neighborhood news and talk, will proudly donate $10,000 to DonorsChoose.org, which supports their classroom fundraisers in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle. The donation, which resulted from the recent EveryBlock neighbor recruitment drive, will help to fund classroom project requests made by local public school teachers to help students in need.

In New York, EveryBlock awarded $1,808 to three classrooms, which allowed them to purchase their requested materials:

Harlem Link Charter School

- LCD projector, portable projector, biographical text books

Support Upper East Side Schools Today!

Street Fairs

2012-05-04T15:16:00.000-04:00

One of the highlights on New York City in the spring and summer time, aside from street side, patio and rooftop seating, is the fairs that take place on the streets every year. That time of the year is now! and nothing is better then hunting for unique little treasures of some strangers fold-up table: hats, clothing, food, sunglasses, jewelry, psychic readings, tie dye, spices, scarves, multi-cultural artifacts, bags is just some of the things you will find at these lively little makeshift marketplaces. They usually start in April and continue until October; running from about 11 am to 6 pm. Street fair schedules may change without notice due to inclement weather. Below is a list of all Street Fairs on Upper East Side and all around Manhattan:

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

March of Dimes Parade, 10AM-2PM.
West 62nd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, Columbus Avenue between West 62nd Street and West 65th Street, West 65th Street between Broadway and Central Park West, East 65th Street between Fifth Avenue and Lexington Avenue, Lexington Avenue between East 65th Street and East 23rd Street, East 23rd Street between Lexington Avenue and Madison Avenue.

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Cinco de Mayo at Grand Central Fair, 10AM-4PM
43rd Street
between Lexington and Third Avenues.

Saturday, May 5th, 2012
Lexington Avenue Festival
Lexington Avenue
between 60th and 66th Streets.
Romania Day Festival Festival
Broadway between

Fulton Street

and

Battery PL.

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

Amsterdam Avenue

Fair, 11AM-

5PM
Amsterdam Avenue

between 96th and 106th Streets.

24th Annual Broadway Spring Festival
Broadway between East 86th and 96th Streets.
Saturday, May 12th, 2012

Second Avenue

Festival
Second Avenue

between 14th and 4th Streets.

Times Square Fair, 10AM-6PM
Broadway between 47th and 57th Streets.
Sunday, May 13th, 2012
Broadway Festival
Broadway between 14th and Eighth Streets.

Upper Broadway Festival,br. Broadway between 60th and 65th Streets.
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Grad Alley, 5PM-8PM
Laguardia Place between West 3rd Street and Washington Square South, West 4th Street between Mercer Street and MacDougal Street, Greene Street between West 4th Street and Waverly Place, West 3rd Street between Mercer Street and Laguardia.

NYRR- Wall Street Run/Tour, 6:45PM-8:30PM
Greenwich Street between Murray Street and Warren Street, Murray Street between West Street and Greenwich Street, Greenwich Street between Murray Street and Warren Street, Warren Street between Greenwich Street and Church Street, Church Street between Warren Street and Liberty Street, Liberty Street between Church Street and William Street, William Street between Liberty Street and Pearl Street, South William Street between William Street and Broad Street, Broad Street between South William Street and Pearl Street, Pearl Street between Broad Street and John Street, John Street between Pearl Street and Water Street, Water Street between John Street and State Street, State Street between Water Street and Battery Place, Battery Place between State Street and 3 Place.

Saturday, May 19th, 2012
Waverly Place

Festival
Washington Square North

between University and Sixth Avenues.

Lower Spring Avenue

Third Festival, 10AM-6PM

Third Avenue

between Sixth and 14th Streets.
Sunday, May 20th, 2012

Fabulous Fifth Avenue

Festival
Fifth Avenue

between St. John and

12th Street

.

Stonewall

Veterans Greenwich Avenue

Fair, 10AM-6PM
Greenwich Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Avenues

Annual Murray Hill Festival & Taste of

Murray Hill
Park Avenue Avenue

between 34th and 40th Streets.
Friday, May 25th, 2012

Church of St. Agnes Block Festival, 10AM-4PM
43rd Street between Lexington and Third Avenues.
Saturday, May 26th, 2012

Sixth Avenue Festival
Sixth Avenue between 23rd and 14th Streets
Lexington Avenue Spring Festival
Lexington Avenue
between 42nd and 57th Streets.
Sunday, May 27th,

2012

The Annual Spring Jubilee, 10AM-6PM
Lexington Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets.

25th Annual Livable West Side Festival
Broadway between 73rd and 86th Streets.
Monday, May 28th, 2012

Fleet Week- TSD, 6AM-7PM
Broadway between West 43rd and West 44th Streets

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Electronics Recycling Event
10:00 am- 3:00 pm
30 Waterside Plaza, East River waterfront at East 25th St

INTERNATIONAL CULTURES FESTIVAL/GLOBAL ROLE MODELS
AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS between WEST 42 STREET and WEST 56 STREET
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce 3rd Avenue Community Benefit Festival
12:00 pm- 5:00 pm
3 AVENUE between EAST 66 STREET and EAST 86
Pride Goes East Pride Month Launch Party
12:00 pm- 5:00 pm
ORCHARD STREET

Neighborhood Street Fair
9:00 am- 4:00 pm
EAST 111 STREET
Neighborhood Street Fair
EAST 87 STREET
Neighborhood Street Fair
WEST 26 STREET

Neighborhood Street Fair
WEST 44 STREET

Neighborhood Street Fair
WEST 93 STREET between COLUMBUS AVENUE and AMSTERDAM AVENUE
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Housing Works Open Air Street Fair
Crosby Street between Houston and Prince
Autism Speaks Parade10:30 am- 2:00 pm
SOUTH STREET between FULTON STREET and PECK SLIP, PECK SLIP between SOUTH STREET and PEARL STREET, PEARL STREET between PECK SLIP and FULTON STREET, FRANKFORT STREET between PEARL STREET and PARK ROW, SPRUCE STREET between PARK ROW and NASSAU STREET, NASSAU STREET between SPRUCE STREET and ANN STREET, ANN STREET between NASSAU STREET and GOLD STREET

18th Annual Spring Crafts Festival
BROADWAY between WEST 66 STREET and WEST 72 STREET

Annual Children's Day Block Party
HENRY STREET

SEAFARERS INT. HOUSE - THIRD AVENUE FAIR
THIRD AVENUE between EAST 14 STREET and EAST 23 STREET
Salute to Israel Parade 2011
11:00 am- 4:00 pm
5th Avenue between 57th and 74th Streets
Neighborhood Street Fair
EAST 92 STREET

Neighborhood Street Fair
WEST 95 STREET
Street Fair Cultural Festival
12:00 pm- 6:00 pm
MADISON AVENUE between EAST 26 STREET and EAST 23 STREET

World Science Festival Street Fair
LAGUARDIA PLACE
Monday, June 6, 2011
Taste of Times Square
West 46th Street between Broadway and 9th Avenue
Friday, June 10, 2011
WEST BROADWAY FAIR
WEST BROADWAY between CHAMBERS STREET and WORTH STREET
St. Ignatius International June Street Fair
5:00 pm- 8:00 pm
EAST 84 STREET between PARK AVENUE and MADISON AVENUE
Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12, 2011Big Apple BBQ Block PartyMadison Square Park, Madison Avenue between East 23rd and East 26th Streets
Saturday, June 11, 2011
116th Street Festival
EAST 116 STREET between LEXINGTON AVENUE and 1ST AVENUE, 3 AVENUE between EAST 106 STREET and EAST 122 STREET
2011 Hispanic Festival
EAST 106 STREET between 3 AVENUE and LEXINGTON AVENUEFestival of Young Artists
EAST 4 STREET
LENOX HILL NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE 1st AVENUE FESTIVAL
1st AVENUE between EAST 68 STREET and EAST 79 STREETOLD ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL - ANNUAL VILLAGE FAIR
BROADWAY between WEST HOUSTON STREET and GRAND STREET

STUYVESANT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SECOND AVENUE FAIR
SECOND AVENUE between EAST 14 STREET and EAST 23 STREET

St. Mark's Church Festival
HAMILTON PLACE
Lexington Ave. Summer Fair
Lexington AvenueHare Krishna Parade
12:00 pm- 2:30 pm
5 AVENUE between EAST 59 STREET and WASHINGTON SQUARE NORTHSunday, June 12, 2011
National Puerto Rican Day ParadeFifth Avenue between East 44th and East 86th Streets
34th Annual Plantathon and Crafts Fair
BROADWAY between WEST 73 STREET and WEST 86 STREET

Eggrolls and Egg Creams Block Party
12:00 pm- 4:00 pm
ELDRIDGE STREET

Neighborhood Street Fair
WEST 18 STREET

TILDEN MIDTOWN DEMOCRATIC CLUB
THIRD AVENUE between EAST 23 STREET and EAST 34 STREET

CB1 FINANCIAL COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY
BROAD STREET between WATER STREET and SOUTH STREET

Neighborhood Street Fair
WEST 20 STREET

Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Museum Mile FestivalFifth Avenue between East 82nd and East 96th Streets
Saturday, June 18, 2011
NY Young Republicans - Times Square Expo
Broadway, Times Square

COOPER SQUARE between EAST 7 STREET and ST MARKS PLACE, 3 AVENUE between ST MARKS PLACE and EAST 14 STREET
Sing for Hope Pop-Up PianosAt street fairs all over New York City
Neighborhood Street Fair
6:00 am- 6:00 pm
EAST 96 STREET
VILLAGE REFORM DEMOCRATIC CLUB WAVERLY PLACE FESTIVAL
WASHINGTON SQUARE NORTH between UNIVERSITY PLACE and 5 AVENUE, WAVERLY PLACE between BROADWAY and UNIVERSITY PLACE
Sunday, June 19, 2011
21st Annual Columbus Ave Summer Fest
COLUMBUS AVENUE between WEST 91 STREET and WEST 96 STREET

21st Annual Columbus Ave Summer Fest-
COLUMBUS AVENUE between WEST 86 STREET and WEST 91 STREET

Neighborhood Street Fair
2:00 pm- 8:00 pm
W 28TH STREET

Neighborhood Street Fair
WEST 108 STREET Between BROADWAY and AMSTERDAM AVENUE
TURTLE BAY FESTIVAL LEXINGTON AVENUE between EAST 42 STREET and EAST 54 STREET
Saturday, June 25, 2011
International Immigrants Parade
12:00 pm- 3:00 pm
6 AVENUE between WEST 43 STREET and WEST 56 STREET

BAMRA BLEECKER STREET FESTIVAL
BLEECKER STREET between 6 AVENUE and BROADWAY

CHURCH OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST - SIXTH AVENUE SUMMER FEST.
SIXTH AVENUE between WEST 23 STREET and WEST 33 STREET
Sunday, June 26, 2011
LGBT Heritage of Pride March and Parade
12:00PM-6:00PM
Down Fifth Avenue from 56th Street to 8th Street, 8th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, Greenwich Avenue between 6th Avenue and Christopher Street, Christopher Street between Greenwich Avenue and Greenwich Street

Heritage of Pride Street FestivalHudson Street between Bethune and 13th Streets
THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY - TIMES SQUARE BLOCK PARTY
WEST 46 STREET between BROADWAY and 8 AVENUE

For July through October Calendar check out: http://manhattan.about.com/od/eventsandattractions/a/streetfairsmay.htm

A Day of Beauty on The UES

2012-04-18T10:40:00.013-04:00

Sunday afternoon was not my typical lazy Sunday at home. I attended an event at the Dex New York Townhouse Studio “Beauty and Baubles Garden Party.” It was a day filled with beauty style and friendly faces. We were surprisingly delighted with a day of pampering and gorgeousness, as the warm weather emerges and we take in the fabulousness that Manhattan has to offer.
As we were one of the first to arrive we were quickly greeted with warm welcomes and bright smiles. A lovely display of jewelry from the Stella & Dot Jewelry Collection was showcased to the right side of the room. Instantly, away we were offered refreshments and beverages and made comfortable as we were able to walk about freely and try out anything that peaking our interest. The light and airy studio with a beautiful backyard garden patio was elegant and serene.
We met the fabulous Dex Phillip who is the founder and CEO of Dex cosmetics with over 20 years experience in the industry he has created his own empire and a fabulous private makeup studio with a red-carpet touch. DEX New York Cosmetics is a healthy makeup line with good-for-your-skin ingredients, high performance standards, and photographic qualities that both the fashion industry and general consumer can all benefit and enjoy.
Dex products are a professional line of “camera-ready” mineral makeup established since 2008. It was like every girls dream to walk in and experiment with all the beautiful shades and colors while drinking champagne and nibbling strawberries- Not to mention having your makeup applied by such talented artists as Dex and John. My friends and I left with new looks, gorgeous new makeup and a little bit of bling on our wrists.
As of that Sunday I have officially become obsessed with Dex and his amazing products. Please check out the website or attend an event at http://www.dexnewyork.com/
Dex Studio
46 East 65th Street
(Between Madison & Park Avenue)
212-643-6600
http://www.dexnewyork.com/
Twitter: dexnewyork
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/DEX-New-York-Modern-Mineral-Makeup/16152815138

See of a guest getting her make-up done by the amazinf Dex in this quick video clip from "Beauty and Baubles Garden Party" here:

Fitness in the UES

2012-04-11T12:48:00.011-04:00

As summer quickly approaches, you may be actively seeking to amp up your fitness routine to get in tip top shape for the season. As an alternative to traditional fitness or to be used as a supplement to the mundane gym routine, here are some enjoyable and unique activities offered locally around the Upper East Side:

Asphalt Green

Offers a wide array of programs and classes for adults and children, some of which include:
Pool and Fitness Membership
Triathlon
Spinning
Pilates and Yoga
Martial Arts
Download 3-Day free fitness pass: http://www.asphaltgreen.org/pdf/3_days_of_fitness.pdf

Asphalt Green
1750 York Avenue
(At York Avenue & 92nd Street)
212-369-8890
http://www.asphaltgreen.org/

92Y Uptown

Offers a traditional fitness center as well as:
Aquatics
Personal Nutrition Counseling
Basketball
Racquetball
Spinning
Kickboxing
Yoga
And a complete group class schedule: http://www.92y.org/92StreetY/media/DOCUMENTS/Uptown/Calendars/Spring12/AdultActivityschedule_5.pdf

92Y Uptown
1395 Lexington Avenue
(At Lexington Avenue & 92nd Street)
212-415-5500
http://www.92y.org/

Exceed Fitness
The latest trend popping up all over the city are the 1st rate Boutique Fitness Studios. Exceed is one of the newest ones in the neighborhood.

This new Upper East Side's fitness playground, offers high end fitness training complete with a gym, personal training, and group fitness studio.The studio adopts the philosophy that your body responds to movement, not machines.

This facility offers such activities as…
Monkey Bars
Rope Climbing,
Swinging of Kettle bells
Pushing Weighted Sleds

These exercises are preferred over your standard chest presses or lat pull downs; as well as some of the toughest TRX classes (TRX is a form of suspension training which uses total body resistance).

Class Schedule: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=23266

Exceed Fitness
1477 3rd Avenue
3rd Avenue between 83rd & 84th Street)
212-481-5300
http://exceed-fitness.com/

All For 1 Fitness
Similar to classes offered at above, the All For 1 Fitness (AF1F) Studio is offering an Open House on April 16th, with FREE classes all day long!!!

Some of the classes offered include:
Zumba
TRX Suspension Training
Boxing and Conditioning for Kids & Adults!

Are you looking for a great gym deal for Summer/Spring 2011? Come down and try the best gym on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and see for yourself why we have the best personal trainers in New York City.

Open House: http://boxinggymnyc.com/2011/04/05/all-for-1-fitness-open-house-is-april-16th/

All For 1 Fitness
177 E 87th Street, Suite 300
(At 3rd Avenue & E 87th Street)
Tel. (646) 242-4624
http://boxinggymnyc.com/

Soul Cycle NYC
Soul Cycle’s full-body workout has revolutionized indoor cycling and taken the world of fitness by storm. Combining inspirational coaching and high-energy music, Soul Cycle offers an engaging workout that benefits both the mind and the body.

Each Soul Cycle ride delivers an intense FULL-BODY workout with a fun and energizing atmosphere. Not only do riders burn calories and get their hearts pumping, but using the Soul Cycle® Method, riders also work their core and use hand weights to tone their upper bodies. In all of our studios, we ensure that Soul Cyclists are treated to the country's best instructors and staff, trained to deliver unique services and personal attention to all levels of riders.

In select studios, we also offer Soul Bands, our REVOLUTIONARY class that challenges the entire body by using resistance bands that hang above each bike. The 60-minute workout includes several anaerobic intervals and trains the WHOLE body, toning the abs, oblique’s, shoulders, triceps, biceps and back - all while maintaining fat-burning cardio levels.

Beyond providing an intense cardio workout, Soul Cycle also incorporates a mental component of inspirational coaching. By keeping the lights low and riding by candlelight, Soul Cycle creates a cardio sanctuary where riders can come to clear their heads.

Class Schedule: http://www.soul-cycle.com/reserve-east/index.cfm?action=Reserve.chooseClass&siteid=3&n=EAST%2083RD%20STREET

Soul Cycle NYC
1470 3rd Avenue
(3rd Avenue between 83rd & 84th Street)
212-639-1300
http://www.soul-cycle.com/

Should Companies Have the Right to Require Facebook Passwords from their Applicants?

2012-03-27T16:10:00.006-04:00

The Boston Globe was one of the first to print a story about a man who was on a job interview when the company asked him to furnish his Facebook log-in username and password, while they attempted to look it up while he was sitting across from them interviewer. Since then many more articles/ blogs have published stories relating to this event; which has clearly enraged a multitude of people as well as peaked the interest of Washington. Although it definitely violates individual’s privacy; it is uncertain if it actually breaks a particular law, and now Facebook themselves has weighed in on the situation.

According to Reuters, Facebook executives are also opposed to this violation of privacy and have threatened to sue these employers; stating that sharing a Facebook password, or asking for someone else's password, violates Facebook's user agreement. An employer who requests such information may face "unanticipated legal liability," Facebook executives said in a statement.

The act of employers prying onto peoples Facebook pages and reviewing their personal information can unleash further acts of discrimination, especially if that company fails to hire this applicant as a result. Personal details such as gender, race, religion, and age can all be displayed on one’s page and are all protected under federal employment law. It seems evident that it would be difficult to prove discrimination in this instance, especially if the company explains they did not hire you because “they decided to go with a more qualified applicant,” and fails to tell you “the real” reason why they did not hire you.

Asking for a user's Facebook password in a job interview is not illegal. Interviewers should be prohibited from asking any question that is discriminatory in nature. Senators are turning to the Justice Department and Equal Opportunity Commissions to investigate the legality; but it is still very uncertain. This practice by employers, however, could be violating the Stored Communications Act or the Computer Abuse Fraud Act; which protect unauthorized user access. Similarly, verdicts in past lawsuits are also being looked at as a benchmark for this issue as well.

In a time of economic distress and an unemployment rate of approximately 8.3%; it’s apparent that companies are going to have the upper hand when it comes to the hiring process. If you are in that percentage bracket, you don’t have a job and positions are not easy to come by in your industry or area; employers can be as demanding as they want when selecting a candidate. Employers are best positioned to seek those with the highest credentials, and without having to offer top dollar or those signing bonuses that they did a few years ago. Is finding that job and pulling yourself out of these financial struggles also worth relinquishing your private information? Relinquishing a log-in and password also allows employers to view information and conversations that you may exist within your account but can also hidden from others when all personal settings are set to private.

The only concern of the company should be is that no individual is tarnishing the reputation of the company by displaying themselves or the company in an inappropriate manner. Many companies require their employees to sign an ethics and/ or compliance agreement which prohibits certain behavior or inappropriate representation of the company. So why is there a need to take it one step further? The more thoroughly I review this case, the less I am able to see how the other side to this argument is justifiable; this is extremely unreasonable. At the end of the day it boils down to if you are in this position and a corporation that does not respect their employee’s privacy is not a company anyone should be working for, especially if they have respect for their own privacy.

St. Patty's Day Parade ON UES

2012-03-19T11:20:00.026-04:00

Last Saturday’s festivities in New York gave the Upper East Side a very different look and feel as New Yorkers and tourists alike congregated to partake in the 251st annual St Patrick’s Day Parade. All nationalities gathered in green to watch this event and it was a spectacle. The parade travelled up 5th Avenue from 44th Street to 86th Street, although this event is to recognize the brave men and women who have served in America’s Armed Forces, it is also a time for debauchery and mayhem as not only were the streets flooded, but so were their local watering holed. However, this is just one of many holidays that are designed for overindulgence; as we have seen on New Years, Fourth of July and Halloween (just to name a few). This year the city had a very different feel as the weather turned freakishly warm and sound of bag pipes at 10 am filled your eardrums. Its weekends like this that make me love this city so much. Here are some images of this cheerful day…

Photography by Oronde Bell
http://www.glophotos.com/

The UES Gets Irish

2012-03-15T14:31:00.021-04:00

There’s an old Irish saying that says,
“There are many good reasons for drinking,One has just entered my head. If a man doesn't drink when he's living, How in the hell can he drink when he's dead?”
And on Saturday March 17th it’s certainly a great reason to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather and enjoy some drinks after a long and grueling work week. Finally everyone can enjoy the holiday because it finally fell on a weekend. There is a plethora of events and parties this weekend, and if you haven’t planned them yet here are some great ideas for you to experience…

1) St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest and biggest of its kind since 1762, travelling up 5th Avenue from 44th to 86th Streets. Regardless of the disallowance of floats, autos or exhibits, you can either join one of the over 150,000 marchers every year or just be a spectator. The New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 17, 2012 beginning at 11 a.m. on 5th Avenue around 44th Street.

The best time and location if you want to avoid the crowds that mob is to wait until later in the day when and catch the end of the march around 86th Street, between 2 and 3 p.m. Areas around 62nd and 64th Streets are only accessible with a ticket. The largest crowd gathers around. Patrick's Cathedral but thins out as the parade travels further towards the 70’s.

For more details see: http://nyc-st-patrick-day-parade.org/

2) Saloon NYC

Hosting the best St. Paddy's day party on the UES! 3 Full Bars, Two Rooms, Dj & the best crowd around! Come before, during, or after the parade! Party starts early and goes late!

Saloon NYC
1584 York Avenue
http://www.saloonnyc.com/

3) NYC Pub Crawl!
There are plenty of holidays around the year that have us hitting the bar and partying all day long, but once March rolls around, everyone's ready for St. Patrick's Day! New York City is one of the top destinations in the country for all things St. Patrick's Day, but this year it's only going to be even bigger as the producers of the World's Largest Pub Crawls put together yet another colossal event in the Big Apple - The Luck of the Irish New York City Pub Crawl! After they managed to get together over 12,000 guests for a Halloween pub crawl that's still being talked about, the sky's the limit for this year's St. Paddy’s Day pub crawl.

PubCrawls.com does not joke around when it comes to these massive parties, enlisting the help of the most popular bars in New York City, guests will be able to enjoy variety in safe and social environments. Be prepared to enjoy drinks specials and meet new friends at some of the top bars that NYC has to offer. The best part you ask? It's the specials! By getting your NYC St. Patrick's Day pub crawl tickets, you'll enjoy the following specials:

$1 [10oz] domestic draft
$2 domestic bottle
$3 well drinks
$4 Jameson's

After 9PM, the party and specials keep rolling on as guests can enjoy:

$3 [10oz] domestic draft
$4 domestic bottle
$5 well drinks
$6 Jameson's

That's one hell of a special if you ask us. What more could you possibly want? Essentially, it's a happy hour that lasts throughout the day (but only if you have our exclusive wristband). This year's Luck of the Irish pub crawl might be the biggest yet, so make sure to be a part of history and get your tickets now!

Need a little more action? Then make sure you follow the Leprechaun to the POT OF GOLD! How? Just visit these PubCrawls.com exclusive venues to have the time of your life!

Time: 1pm – 12 am
Tickets prices vary go to: http://www.pubcrawls.com/index.php for more details

4) Southern Hospitality
Hours: 11AM-6PM
$2 Coors light drafts
$3 Domestic bottles
$3 Green Jell-O Shots
$4 Guinness drafts
$4 Killians
$5 Jameson shots
$7 Irish car bombs
Smoked corned beef and cole slaw specials all day

Southern Hospitality
1460 Second Avenue
(Between 76th & 77th Streets)
http://southernhospitalitybbq.com/

5) The East End Bar & Grill

Hours: 9AM- 12 PM
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Kickoff Kegs n’ Eggs at The East End Bar & Grill

$25 Wristband gets you Unlimited Coors Light and Miller Lite Pints and all the eggs you can eat!

The parade is also only 5 blocks away so it’s easy to get to and from the parade... The wristband also lets you get: $4 Bushmills Shots$5 Jameson Shots$4 Guinness Pints

For more details see: https://www.facebook.com/events/387746801236767/

The East End Bar & Grill
1664 1st Avenue
(Between 86th & 87th Streets)
http://www.eastendbar.com/

6) Sober St. Patrick’s Day

This is a family friendly event for all who want an alternative way to celebrate, featuring contemporary Irish music, dance and comedy. 3-7pm at Regis High School.

Many New Yorkers in recovery, who have long since abandoned this holiday, and those who also want an alcohol-free, family-friendly event, will gather to enjoy the best of Irish culture. Irish step dancers in colorful costumes will twirl around the floor to live traditional music. Actors, pipe bands and musical guests, like KT Sullivan, John Whelan (eight time “All Ireland Champion” button accordion player), and Brian Conway (five time “All Ireland Champion” fiddle player) will serenade the crowd with soulful and lively Irish tunes. Light food and soft drinks will be served.
Tickets are $12 per person
For more details see: http://www.soberstpatricksday.org/

Regis High School
60 East 85th Street
(Between Park & Madison)

7) Watch 6 Nations Rugby: Ireland vs. England:

Kinsale Tavern
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at New York's most authentic Irish pub! Hailed by the New York Times in their feature article "The Lost Art of the Irish Pub", the Kinsale Tavern is ready for St. Patrick's Day.
Begin the morning with the GAA Finals and just a few blocks from the parade route, join us throughout the day and night for Rousing Irish Music and as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day! D.J. Tim Tubridy, will be joining us Live and In Person.
Among other items, our menu will feature Traditional Corn Beef & Cabbage and of course Guinness, Guinness, Guinness (as well as your usual favorites).

For more details see: http://www.kinsale.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=75

Kinsale Tavern NYC
1672 3rd Avenue
(Between 93rd & 94th Streets)
http://www.kinsale.com/

Subway Inn, A.S.

Come watch the Rugby game here!

For More details see: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Subway-Inn-AS/122663307823573?sk=wall#!/pages/Subway-Inn-AS/122663307823573

Subway In, A.S
143 East 60th Street
(Between 3rd & Lexington Avenues)

8) O’Flanagans Bar

Enjoy live music & dancing from the following bands:

Desi & Marie (during the day)
Spoiled Rotten (during the evening) at

For more details: http://oflanagans.com/music.htm

O’Flanagans Bar
1215 1st avenue
(Between 65th & 66th Streets)
http://oflanagans.com/

9) Dannie & Eddies Bar

Hours: 10:00AM -4:00AM

Drown the Shamrock with all of us at D&E`s this St Patrick’s Day!!We’ll be playing Great Irish Music from Traditional to U2, Slinging $4 Knock your Socks Off -SHAMROCK SHOTS!All Drafts $5 and $6 All day and Night long!... $10 Bloody Mary’s and Long Island Pints- All Day and Night!Doors open at 10am.Let’s make this St Pats day one to remember! :)
For more details: http://www.facebook.com/dannyandeddies#!/events/188681301243221/

Dannie & Eddies Bar
1643 1st Avenue
(Between 85th & 86th Streets)
http://dannyandeddies.com/

10) Dorrian's Red Hand

Hours: 10AM – 11PM
Falling on a Saturday this year, we are more than ready to see and host our favorite friends, families, and locals as we honor our heritage abroad and at home in the most spirited way! We'll have plenty of Guinness, Jameson’s, or whatever your favorite drink is, and a special S., Pat's menu featuring ham and cabbage!Hope to see you!
For more details see: http://www.facebook.com/dorrians?ref=ts#!/events/185571998223264/

Dorrian's Red Hand
1616 2nd Avenue
(Between 84th & 85th Streets)
http://www.dorrians-nyc.com/

11) Johnny Foxes
Join Us on Saturday & Sunday for Brunch 10am-4:30pm for $11.95 Includes Two Complimentary Drinks
Well drinks $5 all night

Johnny Foxes
1546 2nd Avenue
(Between 80th & 81st Streets)
http://www.johnnyfoxesnyc.com/

12) Mad River Grille

Hours: 9AM – 12PM

Keggs & Eggs
$30 All-You-Can-Eat & Drink! Domestic Beer & Breakfast
Drink Specials 12 PM – 4 PM
$5 Bushmills & $5 Paddy Shots

For more details see: http://www.facebook.com/MadRiverNYC#!/MadRiverNYC

Mad River Grille
1442 3rd Avenue
(Between 81st & 82nd Street)
http://www.madrivergrille.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmG7uDDa83Q&feature=player_embedded

13) Sessions73

Live music all day and night featuring:
1-4 PM Afternoon set Morgan Clamp
5pm – Late Night Daddy Nobux

Festivities St Patty’s Grub:
Corn Beef Sliders
Fish & Chips
St Patty’s Skins
Doors open at 10 am

Sessions73
1359 1st Avenue
(Between 72nd and 73rd Streets)
http://www.session73.com/

14) Tin Lizzie NYC

ST. PADDY's DAY LIQUID BREAKFAST SPECIAL!GET STARTED EARLY THIS SATURDAY $30 ALL YOU CAN DRINK FROM 10am -1pm!

12pm-7pm$3 Bud and Bud Light Drafts$10 Pitchers of Bud and Bud Light$35 Domestic Draft Beer Towers$5 Mixed Drinks$5 Orange Chaos Drinks$4 Sweet Tea

10 Pitchers of Bud and Bud Light$5 Mixed Drinks

*Show us your cab fair receipt and your first beer is on us!

Tin Lizzie NYC
1647 2nd Avenue
(Between 85th & 86th Streets)
http://www.tinlizzienyc.com/

Bloomingdales Events

2012-03-05T13:10:00.003-05:00

One of my all time favorite stores on the Upper East Side has launched a new customer loyalty program called “Loyallist.” This program takes place for all Bloomingdales retail stores in the U.S. as well as online shopping. Become a member of this program and you can now accumulate points. Reach up to 5,000 points and a reward card worth $25 dollars will be issued to you immediately. The rewards card can be used on all merchandise (except gift cards).

There are three different ways in which shoppers can earn points: For every dollar spent in-store, on bloomingdales.com and at outlet locations, shoppers will earn one point towards their Loyalty Rewards.

An even better deal is extended to shoppers who use their Bloomingdale’s credit card. They will earn three points per dollar for each purchase.

Customers who have spent $3500 or more annually at Bloomingdale’s on their Bloomingdale’s card will earn four points per dollar and will be recognized by their black Bloomingdale’s Reserve card. The best part of this program is that Loyallist members can also earn double points on every cosmetics and fragrance purchase...

The program is launching along with many special events March 8th -18th. This massive promotion on starting on Thursday March 8th will allow shoppers who come in this day to earn triple points on purchases, as well as enter to win a million point giveaways. Some of these highlighted events on this day include special makeup tutorials and demonstrations, free henna tattooing, live jazz music, demonstrations by Magnolia Bakery, even special guest appearances by designers such as Derek Lam (just remember that some of these events require you to call and RSVP in advance):

HOT BUMBLE HAIR TRENDS
March 8, 2012, 11am - 7pm
Come check out Bumble & Bumble's backstage top 10 looks from NYC's Fashion Week. Call 212-705-2899 now to reserve your spot today. With a $50 appointment*, receive a full size Spray de Mode plus a fabulous tote**.* Includes $35 style and $15 towards a Bumble and Bumble product purchase.**One per customer, while supplies last.

RUNWAY TO REALITY - SPRING 2012 BOBBI BROWN FEATURING: ALISON, BRIDGETTE, DILLON, ROBBIE
March 8, 2012
Join us at the Bobbi Brown counter to experience high fashion makeup translated into wearable, beautiful looks for the everyday woman! Meet with the elite artists that helped Bobbi and the designers bring their visions to life on the models at Fashion Week! Choose from various looks from fashion icons such as Tibi, Whit, and Rachel Roy. Please call 212-705-2055 or 212-705-3341 today to book your appointment as space is limited.

MAC: CHEN MAN LOVE AND WATER
March 8, 2012
Introducing MAC's new collaboration with Chinese fashion photographer Chen Man. Man has created a sensual, courageous and playful color collection inspired by her fascination with love and water. Please call 212-705-2615 for more details.

CLARINS MODELS WANTED
March 8, 2012
Join us at Clarins and book your new look today. Receive personalized skin care tips, make-up tricks and receive a tres chic fashion photo. Please call 212-705-2891 to book your appointment.

LANCOME NATIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST TAREK
March 8, 2012
Put away your winter coat and come see Lancôme's hot Spring 2012 collection. Created by renowned artist Aaron DeMay and demonstrated by National Artist Tarek Abbas and his team, you will get the looks from runways and fashion magazines from around the world. Call 212-705-2886 to book your appointment.

SHISEIDO'S PSYCHIC KIM ALLEN
March 8, 2012, 3pm - 6pm
Did you know there is a reason you are drawn to particular colors? Everyone has particular "life colors" that are completely in tune to who you are! Our makeup experts will apply Kim's recommendations for you for a truly customized makeover! Appointment qualifier is 150.00 redeemable in Shiseido products. Please call 212-705-2890 to reserve your makeover and reading as spaces are limited!

MAGNOLIA BAKERY DEMONSTRATION
March 8, 2012, 5pm
Magnolia Bakery's President and Chief Baking Officer Bobbie Lloyd is delighted to demonstrate some of Magnolia's cherished baking techniques. Bobbi will provide tips for creating some of our favorite classic American desserts. Magnolia serves over 120 varieties of baked goods, including cakes, banana pudding, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, pies and our wide variety of classic and specialty cupcakes. Magnolia Bakery, known for it's nostalgic baked goods and vintage decor, now has eight locations worldwide, including on the first floor of Bloomingdale's 59th Street!

BALLOON AND FACE-PAINTING FUN!
March 8, 2012, 5pm - 8pm
Celebrate the Loyallist Party and bring your children for fun balloon shapes and face-painting from the Twisted Balloon Company! Young World on 8

DVF HOME HENNA TATTOO ARTIST
March 8, 2012, 5pm - 9pm
Come explore the latest collection of DVF bedding, especially the Graphic Batik Bed which is inspired by Diane's travels in Bali and receive a complimentary Henna Tattoo.

DEREK LAM PERSONAL APPEARANCE
March 8, 2012, 6pm
Come meet designer Derek Lam as he introduces his new collection, 10 Crosby Derek Lam, new at Bloomingdale's. Y.E.S. Contemporary Sportswear on 2

AKRIS PUNTO EVENT WITH HARPER'S BAZAAR
March 8, 2012, 6pm - 8pm
Please join Joyann King, Harper's Bazaar Senior Web Editor, and Gigi Stone, Bloomberg News Correspondent, for a special evening to celebrate the launch of the Akris Punto shop at Bloomingdale's featuring a fashion show of the Akris punto Spring/Summer 2012 collection and panel discussion. Akris punto will donate 10% of the event's sales to The Opportunity Network, a non-profit organization that provides access for high-achieving, underserved high school students to college and careers.

For more event listings go to: http://www1.bloomingdales.com/store/event/index.ognc?action=search&storeId=40002&Go=Go

Bloomingdales
1000 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10022
http://www.bloomingdales.com/
http://www.bloomingdales.com/loyallist
Twitter: @Bloomingdales

Are You Gel’ in? Important Facts that You Should Know

2012-02-28T16:54:00.010-05:00

I dream of world where products will exist that women can have perfect hair and nails with very little maintenance involved; oh and of course world peace…And then I thought maybe one of these prayers had been answered: enter the creation of the gel manicure. I cannot tell you how nice it is to find a service/ product that do not require weekly visits to the nail salon, nails polish that does not chip.

Gel nails otherwise known as UV, have been around for nearly the last decade. It has even more grown in popularity in the last two years with the introduction of new shellac brands on the market, and not to mention the approx. $1.9 billion more it brings for businesses. As a result of these great product improvements with the colors, their luminous shiny appearance, plus added advantages of no drying or smudging. The process involves a specialized UV polish accompanied by the use of ultraviolet lamp. After a just a few short minutes it can relinquish these great results.

But now experts and questioning the possible affects of the light. Over the last couple of years there were articles posted in a medical journal and in Consumer Reports have been challenging this very topic, and now the Washington Post.

The outcome of which yielding that a potential risk of long-term gel manicures can leave to possible skin cancer and possible advanced skin aging. Sunscreen containing zinc or titanium oxide may help to mitigate these effects, but are not proven in preventing them.

The Food and Drug Administration categorizes UV nail lights with microwave ovens, mammogram machines, airport X-ray machines, etc. because they all emit radiation. The FDA also has compared it to the use of a tanning bed, but there has been no proven conclusions drawn as far as harmfulness.
It has also been said that the use of all these foreign chemicals in the shellac and the removal of gel in acetone can result in potential nerve damage or infection; however this is also not proven and appear unlikely. Consumer Reports also warns consumers against two chemicals ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and methacrylate. The FDA issued a warning back in the 1970’s after reports of fingernail damage, deformity and dermatitis. Products that do not contain a label or are “cheap” may contain these chemicals. Lastly, Consumer Reports also provides us 10 warning signs to be aware of:

1) Ten warning signs to watch out for:
2) Your salon uses bottles in unmarked containers
3) The technician cannot tell you what’s in the products
4) The products smell unusually strong or have a strange odor
5) Your skin is being abraded or cut
6) The salon is not clean
7) The instruments are not sterilized
8) Licenses for the salon and individual operators are not visibly posted
9) Your skin or nails hurt
10) The gels do not soak off easily in solvents designed to remove acrylics
11) You see swelling, redness or other signs of infection

Romance in Firenze

2012-02-22T15:12:00.004-05:00

With all the hoopla around Valentines Day and the excessively inflated prices of perishable goods that are sold to consumers that day; I decided to celebrate this event in at a more convenient time for my busy New York life…

I recently discovered one of the most romantic restaurants in all of Manhattan, called Firenze Ristorante. This quaint little spot was not visible (to me) due to the madness of the on 2nd Avenue subway construction and surrounded by local Upper East Side divey-watering holes between 82nd and 83rd Streets. This captivating Tuscan restaurant has staying power as it has been in business for a total of 30 years.

Heavily decorated with flowers and wine; it is also one of the only places where I have ever seen long taper candles over a white linen table cloth and orchids as center pieces. This very intimate environment soothes you with its dimly lit atmosphere, exposed brick backdrop, and faint audible melodies in the background.

My favorite thing about the restaurant was that specialized service; not only from their notably friendly wait staff but was the little extras that come along with your dining experience. From the moment we sat down we were kindly greeted and handed the coolest glow in the dark menus. We were also served several complimentary pieces of home made bruschetta, fresh olives lightly drizzled in olive oil, as well as your traditional bread slices; which dipped perfectly in that olive oil.

We started out order each with a glass of delicious Monte Pulciano (red wine). The menu has an abundance of veal, chicken and seafood entrees. My date and I both selected veal; the “Vitello Terra ed Mare,” which is veal stuffed with whole shrimp, mozzarella cheese & spinach sautéed in Mushroom sauce ($23.00) and “Vitello Fiorentina,” which is medallions of veal & prosciutto sautéed in white wine & sage on a bed of spinach ($21.00). For desert we ordered a home made tiramisu and a white chocolate cake. Lastly came another complimentary, where we were offered a choice of complimentary Grappa, Limón cello, or Sambuca with biscotti’s.

Everything was divine, the portions were just enough to fill you up (so it’s unlikely you’ll need a doggy bag to take home). By the end of out feast out entire bill was approximately $120 (including $20% gratuity), which is not “cheap” but dining at Firenze was not just another dinner date out; it was an experience.

Although many patrons often come in groups this is equally the most perfect establishment for a very enchanting date night. You will not be disappointed and neither were the many other reviews in Menu pages, Zagat, Yelp or NY Mag. Most importantly, I highly recommend it for an extraordinary evening on the town with that special someone.

Firenze Ristorante
1594 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10028
(between 82nd St & 83rd St)
212-861-9368
http://firenzeny.com/

Trendy Eats to Replace Former Famous Establishment

2012-02-09T14:23:00.002-05:00

Famous and world renowned restaurant, Elaine’s soon to be swanky new Upper East Side eatery. The New York Post reports that the developer, Robert Skolnick purchased the 2nd Avenue property in 2011; hoping to transform the establishment with a new vitality.

“As much as we love to pay homage to Elaine, the restaurant was run down and dilapidated, right down to the kitchen equipment. We will do a nice job demolishing and redoing the restaurant,” Skolnick said.

The 14,850 square foot property includes 16 residential units accompanying the restaurant on 1703-1705 2nd Avenue between 89th and 90th streets. No word yet as to a name of the new restaurant coming in, or décor. I am very enthused to see how they transform this space. Stay tuned with new updates for this place as it opens.

Super Bowl XLVI: Blue York City

2012-02-06T11:32:00.003-05:00

So the madness and anticipation is over and my beloved New England Patriots end the football season #EpicFail. Fans take to the streets in all New York neighborhoods rejoicing the marginal victory against New England in Super Bowl XLVI with a final score of 21-17 making Giants Champions. This game precedes the 2008 Super bowl when the Giants first defeated Patriots 17-14.

New York Mayor Bloomberg has announced a celebratory Ticker Tape Parade to commence on Tuesday February 7, 2012 at 11 am in Lower Manhattan, beginning at Battery Place and Washington Street and continuing north up the Canyon of Heroes to Worth Street. This had caused a rift since the Giants play in East Rutherford, NJ; and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has even referred to the team as the “New Jersey Giants.” The Huffington Post reported A Quinnipiac University poll found that 75% of New York City adults believe the parade should be in Manhattan. Only approx. 14% we in favor of the parade taking place in New Jersey.

Please feel free to comment as to which side of the bridge you think the parade should be…

So I can’t believe it Giant’s win again and the whole city is bleeding blue. DNAinfo.com had reported that Upper East Side bar known as “Brady’s Bar” on 2nd Avenue and 82nd Street even changed their name to honor the 2012 MVP’er Eli Manning over Tom Brady.

It’s tough being a Patriot in the land of Blue but it’s always amazing to see so many people unite for in the love for the game and their city. It invigorates the Manhattan with a new pulse of energy in what would otherwise be considered somewhat of a dreary month during this time of year.

Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation Breakthrough Ball Gala Event

2011-10-25T10:04:00.002-04:00

Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation Breakthrough Ball Gala

Honoring Leyla Aliyeva, Muffie Potter Aston, and Buddy Valastro

The Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation (CCBF) will host its annual “Breakthrough Ball” benefit gala on Tuesday evening, November 1st, 2011 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Proceeds from this benefit help to provide much needed medication, chemotherapy and other life-saving treatments to children at the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology of New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center.

The coveted “Key to Life” award will be presented to Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Founder of IDEA Environment Campaign. Joining her will be the “Breakthrough Spirit” award recipients Muffie Potter Aston, Humanitarian and Philanthropist and Buddy Valastro, Master Cake Decorator and Star of the Hit TLC Reality Show, who will be awarded for their inspirational dedication to supporting children in need. Past “Breakthrough Ball” honorees include Katie Couric, Ted Turner, Toni Braxton, Tiki Barber, Trent Tucker and HRH Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan. The evening will also include a special performance by popular a capella group, Straight No Chaser.

Jamie Niven, Vice Chairman, Sotheby’s will lead a live auction that will feature, among other packages, Super Bowl XLVI Tickets, a Fashion Trip to Paris and a Hampton’s Golf Package with tee-offs at the Hampton’s most exclusive and highly rated courses including Shinnecock Hills, Atlantic, The Bridge and Maidstone. The live auction concludes with a pledge item that gives guests the opportunity to support a child’s chemotherapy treatment for a year.

For nearly 60 years, CCBF has been proud to support the extraordinary team of doctors and researchers of the Division. CCBF’s support has attracted and retained a group of world-renowned experts on the treatment of multiple pediatric blood disorders and cancers, including hemophilia, sickle-cell anemia and leukemia. CCBF researchers have received international recognition for their work and are on the cusp of breakthroughs predicted to change the way the medical community treats children with cancer and blood diseases. Each year, physicians treat more than 1,000 children through more than 10,000 inpatient and outpatient visits. No child is ever turned away for services, regardless of his or her ability to pay.

Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation Breakthrough Ball Gala Event http://www.childrenscbf.org/

The Plaza Hotel
768 5th Avenue, New York
(212) 546-5300

Sometimes Money is Just Money

2011-09-15T13:01:00.003-04:00

I must admit that I am not the greatest art enthusiast; however I do believe that the most salient art is the type that has the ability to be the most interchangeable, so that every viewer can relate it to his/ or her own personal experience(s) or identity. And where installation art is concerned, some of it tends to be a little to abstract and obscure for my overly pragmatic mind and my unnerving need to find practicality in everything.

So when I read about the Hans-Peter Feldmann’s $100,000 Hugo Boss Prize awarded for 2010, which was turned into a art installation and on exhibit at the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum from May 20, 2011 to November 2, 2011- Yes, I finally got around to viewing it and writing a blog about it, better late than never, besides I wanted my opportunity to weigh in on this presentation.

Hans-Peter Feldmann is a 70 year old German artist who has made his staple in the conceptual art movement (for those who are unaware, conceptual art embraces the notion or ideology of the art as more prevalent than simply being pleasing to the eye). His work began in the late 60’s and expands through today. His repertoire of work spans from paintings, photography and installation as well as publications. In commemoration of the longevity and admiration of his work he was awarded.

The exhibit presents 100,000 one dollar bills pinned to a large airy room with columns leaving every space completely wallpapered in money. It took nearly two weeks and approximately nine assistants to create. The bills are displayed face up or down in a random pattern which overlap each other.

The art is meant to question the parallels of value and art. Dollar bills are simply pieces of paper as it’s attached to a wall but outside of that room essential reigns supreme in a capitalist environment. Let me just say that I love money and I hope to acquire a lot more of it in my life. I definitely recommend seeing the exhibit because it is a sight that you may never see again in your life; however I do not know that the message was properly relayed as it was meant. Without disrespect, I find the aesthetic to be astounding but it overshadows Mr. Feldmann’s message to the public; and therefore making the art not so conceptual. As such, I have sided with Karen Rosenberg’s June 22nd review in the New York Times entitled “Spendable Art That’s Not for Sale” (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/arts/design/hans-peter-feldmann-at-the-guggenheim-review.html)

Hugo Boss Prize 2010: Hans-Peter Feldmann
On display through 11/9/2011
Solomon R Guggenheim Museum
101 5th Avenue
(Corner of 5th and 89th Street)
212-423-3500

Off The Rails

2011-08-24T11:23:00.001-04:00

One of the great novelties of New York City living is the turnover of businesses that come through like a whirlwind. Unfortunately, lately I have grown more accustomed to seeing establishments leave the neighborhood due to all the construction. But in this entry of Upper East Side Informer, I am happy to introduce a new local hang out to my fellow Upper Eastsiders…Off the Rails.

The exposed brick, open front and mahogany bar may add to the appeal but not the uniqueness of this bar. A concept, which is rare in this neighborhood but not uncommon in other parts of the city, is that this bar actually has a DJ and not a jukebox that plays the latest hits from lame and lamer. This feature adds an element of liveliness and action, which sets it apart from the rest.

If that doesn’t encourage you to come, maybe the unpredictable crowd will. You can enjoy a low key night on Second Avenue with exceptional cocktails made to your liking by experienced bartenders, come into an atmosphere where girls dance on bar-tops and do body shots across the bar, giving Coyote Ugly a run for its money. A night at Off the Rails is a gamble but the odds are win-win.

Notable too is the friendliness of both the patrons and the barkeeps, some of whom speak in a charming brogue. Our local friendly DJ came in, instantly recognizable with his easygoing smile and manner. Watching him shake the hand of the man behind the bar, I got the sense that while OTR may not be “Cheers,” it definitely has that intimate feeling that a bar with recurring clientele can afford. At the same time, people coming in for the first time are equally treated to a smile and a frank assessment of what beers are good.

In summation OTR, is a great alternative to the Yorkville nightlife scene (that is generally Manny’s) and is increasingly becoming my favorite new resident spot. Whether you live nearby or if you just come to UES to experience one of the many fine restaurants and enjoy a cocktail out, this pick definitely gets my recommendation.

Off the Rails

1754 2^nd Avenue

New York, NY

212-369-1900

http://www.offtherailsnyc.com

http://www.facebook.com/OffTheRailsNYC

TwitterID: OffTheRailsNYC

Welcome Neely's BBQ!

2011-07-14T01:08:00.009-04:00

After many months of renovating the former Merchant's space, Pat and Gina Neely will finally be opening their 1st restaurant in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Pat and Gina host a show called “Down Home with the Neely’s” on a little network that very few people ever tune into known as the Food Network. Their show became the highest-rated series debut in the five-year history of Food Network's “In the Kitchen Weekend Block." Pat and Gina also released their first cookbook. Down Home with the Neely’s (Knopf, 2009), earning a place on The New York Times’ best-seller list.

The grand opening of Neely’s Barbecue Parlor is know upon us on July 13, 2011 and unless you seen the massive sign in front of this 1st location stating “Coming Soon” many months ago then you probably will not be able to gain entry to this very coveted event. Reservations have long been booked in advance by over 200 people per night. Perhaps when the publicity subsides and the restaurant reviews release then us "common folk" can actually obtain entry to this long awaited establishment.

Pat Neely opened up his first family barbeque restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee in 1988. Since then several other locations have populated throughout the south as well as a small country store in Nashville airport. In August 2008 they acquired a 2,000-square-foot space in mid-town Memphis coined to be the corporate headquarters for this ever expanding franchise.

The interior, a down-home southern décor as are many of New York’s barbeque restaurants and partitioned into various rooms complete with a den, a porch for outdoor seating, a fireplace. So move over infamous West Harlem famed BBQ joint, "Dinosaur" Neely's is comin' to UES!

Let us know if Neely’s Pig Parlor kept you eating high on the hog by commenting on our site and "Ya'll Come Back, Now Ye Heer!"

See below for menu highlights:

APPETIZERS

Hickory Smoked Chicken Wings Basted with chipotle BBQ 8.75

Spicy Sautéed Jumbo Shrimp & Anson Mills Grits with grilled scallions 15.75

Fried Green Tomatoes with Vidalia Onion Relish 8.95

Deep Fried Pickles with secret sauce 5.25

PEI Mussels steamed with poor man’s champagne, BBQ spices and smoked tomatoes $13.25

Pulled Pork Hushpuppies Spicy Carolina Mustard Dipping sauce $ 7.25

Candied Thick Cut Slab Bacon Brown Sugar coated and slow baked until crispy 7.00

Cornmeal Fried Mississippi Catfish Creole Remoulade 10.25

Three Little Pulled Pigs Pulled Pork Sliders on Mini Buns with your choice of sauce 9.00

SALADS
Iceberg Wedges Crumbled Blue cheese, Candied Bacon, Sweet 100 tomatoes, Ranch Dressing 8.50

Chopped Salad Romaine, Vine Ripe Tomato, Cucumber, Vidalia Onions, Pinto Beans, Smoked Cheddar Cheese,Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette 8.95

Dixieland Salad Crispy Chicken, Romaine, Hard Boiled Eggs, Grape Tomatoes, Spiced Pecans, Tupelo Honey-MustardDressing 14.95

BBQ PLATES
Served with your choice of one side and cornbreadTexas Style “12 hr” Smoked Beef Brisket Cooked low & slow over select hickory and post oak hardwoods for 12hours 15.95

Pulled Pork Potato Roll, Sweet Slaw, Tangy Vinegar Dipping Sauce 14.50

Memphis Style Baby Back Ribs Wet or Dry Full Rack 25.95 / half rack 15.50

Full Cut BBQ Pork Spare Ribs Full Rack 25.95 / half Rack 15.50

KC Style “Sweet and Sticky” Ribs Full Rack 25.95 / half Rack Basted with our Sweet & Tangy Barbeque Sauce 15.50

All Day “Beef Back Ribs Half Rack Really slow smoked over hickory & post oak Texas Style with no sauce 22.95

Pork Sampler Platter Spare Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork 21.95

Neely’s Rib Sampler ½ Rack each of Pork Spare Ribs & Baby Back Ribs 28.95

MAIN PLATES
Cedar Planked Wild Salmon with Soft Corn Pudding, Tiny Green Beans & Parsley Butter 19.95

BBQ Spiced Day Boat Scallops with Succotash and “Slow Roasted” Cippollini Onions 25.95

Grilled “Sterling Silver” Cowboy Ribeye Steak 33.95

Moonshine glazed Bell Peppers, Creamed Corn, and TobaccoOnions“Blue Ribbon” Chicken (a/k/a Pat’s Beer Can Chicken) Free Range Chicken Cooked Over the Coals with a Pabst BlueRibbon Beer Can In Its Belly, with 2 Sides of Your Choice 16.95

SIDES
Cole Slaw 3.50
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes 4.75
Macaroni & Cheese 7.95Gina’s Collard Greens 4.50
Steamed Tiny Green Beans 4.95
Hand-Cut Kennebec Fries 4.75
Southern Creamed Corn 4.95
Sweet Potato Fries 4.75
Black Eyed Peas with Pork & Bacon 4.50
Molasses Baked Beans 4.95
Spicy Pinto Beans with Burnt Ends 4.95

DESSERTS 7.00
Blackberry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream
Pecan Pie a la Mode
NY Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce
Mississippi Mud Pie with Rich Chocolate Sauce
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Neely's
1125 1st Ave
New York, NY 10021
(347) 474-7093
http://http//www.facebook.com/NeelysBarbecueParlor
http://www.neelysbbq.com/

Street Eats in the UES

2011-06-17T20:30:00.002-04:00

This week on the Upper East Side pays tribute to New York’s favorite past time… Street Food! Many people can be squeamish around the idea of eating food from a sketchy looking character off the back of a truck, however street food has come along way from pre-wrapped sandwiches around a construction site -In fact street food vendors have evolved into fine cuisine over the years.

Street food appears to be saturated all over Midtown and slowly but surely the glorious street carts are now also creeping there way to be more common and accessible to Uppereastsiders. Many now adays have a twitter or Facebook so you can follow street vendors every mobile move. There are also dedicated websites to allow you to locate the best street vendor to satisfy you salacious palette.

Every so often new advances are made to the street food truck. Most recently the Pera Turkish Taco Truck stationed by the tourist office and gift shop that used to be the old Tavern on the Green has been awarded the first liquor license granted to a New York City food truck.

Here are a few street eats around the Upper East Side to try:

Tony 'The Dragon' Dragonas

Food: Mediterranean

Address: 62nd St and Madison Ave

New York, NY 10065

El Rey del Sabor

Food: Mexican

Address: 60th St and 3rd Ave

New York, NY 10021

Halal Cart

Food: Mediterranean

Address: 3rd Ave. between 59th & 58th St.

New York, NY 10022

Halal Cart - 86th and 3^rd

Food: Mediterranean

Address: Corner of 86th and 3rd

New York, NY 10028

Nuts 4 Nuts

Food: Snack Food

Address: 5th Ave & E 72nd St

Manhattan, NY 10021

Halal Cart

Food: Mediterranean

Address: 3rd Ave & 71st St

New York, NY 10079

York and 69th Halal Cart

Food: Mediterranean

Address: York Ave & E 69th St

New York, NY 10021

Cake & Shake NY

Food: Desserts

Address: 5th Ave and 82nd St

Near the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, NY 10028

Website: cakeandshakeny.com/

Yvonne's Jamaican Food Truck

Food: Caribbean

Address: 71st St and York Ave

New York, NY 10021

Hot Dog Vendor 69th and Fifth Ave

Food: Hot Dogs

Corner of 69th St and Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10021

The Coffee Guy on Madison Avenue

Food: Coffee/ Snacks

Address: Madison Ave. between 58th St & 59th St

New York, NY 10184

Fruit and Veggie Guy

Food: Fruits & Veggies, Food Stands

Address: 77th and 3^rd Avenue

New York, NY 10021

Hot Dog Vendor at 68th and 3rd

Food: Hot Dogs

Address: 1172 3rd Avenue

New York, NY 10021

Halal Cart

Food: Mediterranean

Address: E 68th St, between Park Ave and Lexington Ave

New York, NY 10021

Other Sites:

http://newyorkstreetfood.com/

http://www.nycfoodtrucks.org/

Lets Get It Started???

2011-06-10T20:04:00.006-04:00

The concert for NYC to benefit Robin Hood Foundation was supposed to have been a major event on Thursday June 9th. Yours truly had tickets towhat was supposed to be a grand performance. It was the Black Eyed Peas free benefit concert in central park where 54,000 free tickets were distributed to many luckyfans (including myself). As soon as the ticket sign-up opened, I expeditiously entered my name, only to discover 2 weeks later (on May 25th) that I had won 4 free tickets to this epic show. As the days got closer to the event I discovered several guests to join the Black Eyed Peas to the stage during their show for special surprises and duets! Among them were Taylor Swift, LL Cool J, Debbie Harry (of Blondie), Carol King, Natasha Bedingfield, and more… I brought my very good friend and part time photographer as one of my guests so we could capture this celeb studded event.
Gates were supposed to open at 3 pm and I was supposed to report to the gate entrance on 72nd and 5th Avenue. As the day carried on, several alerts were sent to my phone stating “severe heat warning,” but I was determined to make it there and relish this awesome experience. So I travel to the Upper East Side to meet my friends. As anyone could have guest, there was a sea of people gathered around the corner. Police could barely manage this magnitude of people crowded and eagerly waiting for the gates to open.
The humidity was debilitating and the skies were dim and overcasting. Once I arrived, I hear the officer saying the show had been postponed from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. After waiting for hours already I figured “what the hell” I’ve already been tackling the humidity, what’s a one more hour?
As the crowd multiplied, everyone was re-routed to 71st and 5th Avenue. Once the moments grew closer, the line started to inch up to the gate and suspense was in the air. At 72nd street the thunderous lightening was finally upon us, but only sporadic droplets of rain to fall. Once the weather condition heightened, we threw in the towel. No longer can we wait! And we turned through the mob and exited towards a less congested street, and heading towards the subway. Thousands of confused patrons questioning the fate of this concert. We replied, “we didn’t know, but we had had enough!”
By the time I returned home, it was official: The concert was cancelled! Disappointed and relieved at the same time. Guess I will have to wait till next year ☹

Photos courtesy of Oronde Bell

http://www.glophotos.com/

Roofin' it Up!

2011-06-03T14:39:00.040-04:00

Who doesn’t love a great rooftop bar during the warm summer nights? Not having them on the island of Manhattan is as un-American as socialism in the United States or Speedos on a fat guy or even liking the actor Tom Cruise. If you’ve been reading my articles the past couple of months you know I love the Upper East Side and I advocate it every week. However, I do have one bone to pick with this region of the city… There are not nearly enough rooftop restaurant/ bars in the neighborhood. It’s a trade off really; many bars are below walk up apartment buildings. In order to attain more rooftop nightspots, we either need to forgo semi-affordable residences (semi- affordable when compared to prices in other regions of the city) or have a less residential neighborhood inundated with large bars and roof-top access.

The logical side of my brain obviously would prefer a place to live; however the mischievous and irresponsible part of my brain wants more outdoor fun in the coming months without having to venture to the opposite side of town to do so. With that notion in mind, I went through blood, sweat & tears to hunt down all the rooftop bars/ restaurants in the Upper East Side and all nearby areas that hug its borders; so readers and locals do not have to spend $20 on a one-way cab ride for the same amount of fun…

In the Upper East Side:

1) Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10028 (5th Avenue & 82nd Street)
http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/dining/
212-535-7710
Brief Synopsis: More sophisticated environment as opposed to crazy party spot. Menu changes frequently but offers mostly sandwiches & appetizers.

2) Surrey
20 East 76th Street, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10021
(76th Street between 5th & Madison Avenues)
(212) 288-3700
http://www.thesurrey.com/New-York-Luxury-Hotel.aspx?name=The-Surrey&page=Private-Rooftop-Garden
Brief Synopsis: Newly opened, upscale, pricey, offers food from French hotel restaurant, Café Boulud.

3) Bentley Rooftop Restaurant
500 E 62nd Street, 21st Floor
New York NY 10021
(62nd Street & York Avenue)
212-644-6000
http://www.hotelbentleynewyork.com/
Brief Synopsis: Upscale, pricey, offers full menu (Italian American), visit http://uppereastsidescene.blogspot.com/2008/05/bentley-well-kept-secret.html for more detailed review

Near the Upper East Side:

4) Salon de Ning
The Peninsula New York
700 5th Avenue, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10019 (5th Avenue & 55th Street)
212-903-3097 http://www.peninsula.com/New_York/en/Dining/default.aspx#/New_York/en/Dining/Salon_de_Ning/Brief
Synopsis: Upscale, expensive, DJ music, offers full bar, menu (Asian)

5) Sutton Place
1015 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10022 (2nd Avenue & 54th Street)
212-207-3777
http://www.suttonplacenyc.com/terrace.html
Brief Synopsis: Casual, moderately priced, DJ music, offers bar menu (American)

6) Upstairs at the Kimberly Hotel
145 E. 50th Street, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10022 (3rd Avenue & 50th Street)
212-702-1685
http://upstairsnyc.com/index.php
Brief Synopsis: Upscale, pricey, music, offers full bar, menu (Tapas)

7) Top of the Tower
Beekman Tower Hotel
3 Mitchell Place, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(1st Avenue & 49th Street)
212-355-7300
http://www.thetopofthetower.com/
Brief Synopsis: Upscale, pricey, live music, offers full bar, full menu (American)

8) Ali Baba Terrace
862 2nd Avenue, 2nd Floor
(2nd Avenue & 46th Street)New York, NY 10016
212-888-8622
http://www.alibabaturkishcuisine.com/
Brief Synopsis: Casual, reasonably priced, music, offers full bar, full menu (Turkish)

9) Aretsky's Patroon
160 E 46th Street
(46th Street between Lexington & 3rd Avenues)
New York, NY
212-883-7373
http://www.patroonrestaurant.com/
Brief Synopsis: Upscale, dressy, expensive, offers full bar, bar menu (American)

10) MAD 46 Rooftop lounge
Roosevelt Hotel
45 E 46th Street, 19th Floor
(46th Street & Madison Avenue)
New York, NY, 10017
(212) 661-9600
http://www.mad46.com/
Brief Synopsis: Cool & contemporary (after work crowd), pricey, music, offers full bar, menu (Tapas)

11) Overlook
225 East 44th StreetNew York, NY 10017
212-682-7266
http://www.overlooknyc.com/roofdeckparty.html
Brief Synopsis: Casual, reasonably priced, DJ music & karaoke, offers full bar, bar-food menu (American)

12) Bookmarks
Library Hotel
299 Madison Avenue, 14th FloorNew York, NY 10017-6298
(Between Madison & 41st Street)
212-204-5498
http://www.libraryhotel.com/dining/index.cfm
Brief Synopsis: Upscale, pricey, intimate, offers full bar

Astonishment & Atrocity: Alexander McQueen

2011-05-23T15:50:00.009-04:00

“I want to be the purveyor of a certain silhouette or a way of cutting so that when I am dead and gone people will know that the 21st century was started by Alexander McQueen.” This is one of the many quotes decorating the hallways of the “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” exhibit appearing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art now through July 31, 2011. Since his drug induced suicide in February 11, 2010, the acclaimed designer has been immortalized through his craft and now on display for anyone with a few extra dollars to drop as a donation.

The exhibit begins with two very bold garments. One bright red dress made of Ostrich feathers and glass microscope slides; another made of razor clam shells. These costume-ish dresses may seem somewhat like a train wreck that you just can’t be turned away from. On the other hand, one has to respect the ingenuity of the pieces; however if you are one that equate clothing with a functionality or a purpose, then this exhibit will leave you absconded with a feeling of bewilderment and perplexity.

The exhibit features designs from many collections over McQueen’s 20 year career. First pieces shown was from the collection titled, “Jack the Ripper Stalks his Victims,”created in1992 from his design school graduation collection. Clearly McQueen misses no opportunity to acquire shock value. From the titles of the collections to the materials used, everything about these designs is obscure and striking. One of the items on display was a pink silk satin printed thorn pattern lined in white silk with encapsulated human hair. McQueen always included a story behind his garments; he described the story behind this piece as: “The inspiration behind the hair came from Victorian times when prostitutes would sell theirs for kits of hair locks, which were bought by people to give to their lovers. I used it as my signature label with locks of hair in Perspex. In the early collections, it was my own hair.” Weaving in a filamentous biomaterial from your own body to make a jacket is either repelling or innovative, but this was the question plaguing me as I stroll through the ominous and gothic corridors at the MET.

The next room demonstrated even more bizarre pieces. Mannequin’s heads were all concealed by outlandish S & M themed masks and head treatments created by hair stylist Guido Palau. One dress sure to leave an imprint was made entirely out of duck feathers from the autumn/ winter 2009-2010 collection known as “The Horns of Plenty.” This piece embodied McQueen's love for birds and his infatuation with death. One of the consistency’s in his work was his trademark silhouette which consisted of exaggerated shoulders and cinched waists in his excessively structural designs. McQueen was also an exceptional tailor, which is apparent when you view any of the footage of the garments on the actual models from the fashion shows- this did not translate as eminently on the mannequin’s.

Of the 6 room exhibit the last was the latest collection of the late designer known as “Plato’s Atlantis,” including “The Jellyfish” ensemble featuring the notorious “Armadillo” heeled boots most infamously worn by Lady Gaga with dress leggings covered in embroidered, iridescent, enameled paillettes. McQueen was a skilled scuba diver so this collection was inspired by the sea and all things futuristic-like.

The curator, Andrew Bolton did an outstanding job selecting all (approximately) 200 pieces for this exhibit, encompassing just the right combination of beauty and morbidity; astonishment and atrocity as well as displaying the admirable craftsmanship that allows spectators to appreciate the work even if you are a fashion illiterate. If you haven’t yet been it is an integral part of New York culture and diversity. Definitely, a must see on the Upper East Side!!!

Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Avenue
(5th Avenue & 82nd Street)
New York, NY 10028
212) 535-7710
http://www.metmuseum.org/
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg0HwLAJyV0&feature=related

Adieu Elaine’s

2011-05-18T10:59:00.007-04:00

The New York Times reported Tuesday, May 17, 2011, it has officially been announced that Elaine’s restaurant will be closing indefinitely on May 26, 2011. Elaine Kaufman, former owner of this well known restaurant has passed at the age of 81 on December 3, 2010 from emphysema. The restaurant was left to Diane Becker, Manager of Elaine’s for the last 26 years, since the 1980’s, who will now place the property for sale. In addition, the affixed 5 story apartment building located above the restaurant will also be for sale. Listing price for the apartment was recently reduced from 2.95 million to 2.75 million.

The restaurant had been opened since 1963 by New Yorker, Elaine Kaufman. Over the years Elaine’s was visited by many celebrities, including legendary writers such as Kurt Vonnegut, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton and Gay Talese. Other celebrities that have visited the landmark restaurant were Jackie Onassis, Michael Caine and George Steinbrenner. The restaurant was even featured in the silver screen. Woody Allen’s "Manhattan" included an opening scene at this famed establishment. The restaurant was also noted in Billy Joel’s song "Big Shot," and writer of many mystery novels, Stuart Woods began numerous literary pieces with scenes from Elaine’s.

Elaine’s menu featured Italian & American cuisine from Rissotto, to Black Angus Rib-Eye Steak, Home Fries, Zuppa Di Pesce, Broiled Veal Chop to hamburgers and my favorite Veal Saltimbocca. Lunch prices ranged from $21 - $28 and dinner ranged from $15- $32. Some have argued this restaurant was priced to high for the value; however truth be told the business has suffered for a long time, displaying many empty tables during what should be peaking hours for the restaurant business.

Unfortunately it appears the will to restore its roots and once again become a profiting and thriving business is not longer there. As The New York Times reported that manager, Diane Becker said in a recent statement that “The truth is, there is no Elaine’s without Elaine,” She went on to include, “The business is just not there without Elaine.” As sad as this may be to those that cherish lasting memories at this Upper East Side staple, we bid adieu

Elaine’s
1703 2nd Avenue
Between 88th & 89th Streets
New York, New York
212-534-8103

Inside the 2nd Avenue Subway

2011-05-10T20:57:00.010-04:00

The 2nd avenue subway line has been in progress since it kicked off in April of 2007, but has actually been in the cities pipeline since 1929. The plan has been to run a 2-line track downtown starting in Lower Manhattan’s, Financial District (in Hanover Square) & running up Second Avenue through East Harlem at 125th Street. There will also be a transfer (to the local “Q” train) on 63rd Street to allow riders to travel cross-town to the west side in Midtown and also a connection (to the local “F” train) travelling to Brooklyn for a total of 16 stops.

Currently, we are in phase one of a four phase project. Quarterly financial report posted to the MTA website shows that out of the 4,451 billion dollars that has been budgeted for phase 1 as of 4th quarter in 2010, that 2,039.6 billion dollars has been awarded in expenditures and 1,102.7 billion dollars has been expended. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has expected that expenditures may supersede budgeted expectations and reach a possible $5.7 billion.

I am one of the thousands of “lucky” residents to live above this masterpiece of construction on the Upper East Side. Although, when I look out my window or walk by the eyesore in front of my apartment that appears to be nothing more than massive holes in the ground or trailers built for the construction crew (as shown in the photo taken by yours truly to the right) . I was actually astounded to see what lies beneath my very feet.

Until right now I thought that all that constant moving of the sidewalks was just to confuse us pedestrians and make residents feel comfortable that there was some level of progression with the infamous subway line which has been to not be completed during my youth; until I came across an interesting story published recently in Our Town by a photographer named Joseph M. Calisi (shown to the left). Astounding images displayed 2 colossal tunnels for the north and southbound tracks; and the tunnel boring machine (TBM) also called a "mole", which is a mechanism used to excavate tunnels and can drill through the solid rock and rubble are definitely a magnificent site.

As accessible as my neighborhood is I often think about how even more labor-less it would be to walk out my front door and onto a subway platform heading to the opposite side of the island. The FTA has also approximated a possible completion date for mid 2018, or mid 2017 at best so unfortunately I may have to stick around for another 7 years or so for that day.

Continue to check in Uppereast.com for the latest news on the 2nd Avenue subway
updates.

References:
http://ourtownny.com/2011/05/04/down-deep-in-the-hole/#more-12144
http://www.plannyc.org/
http://www.mta.info/capconstr/sas/documents/sas_Q4_FTAReport.pdf

Happy Cinco De Mayo

2011-05-03T19:23:00.005-04:00

Did you know that the 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day? The Mexican Independence day is actually September 16th. However arguably, maybe it should be! Did you also know that “Cinco de Mayo” is not an American holiday? That doesn’t stop many of New Yorkers flooding the streets on that day to enjoy the Cinco de Mayo festivities.

Mexico declared its independence from Spain on the September 15, 1810. My question to you all is why this day is commemorated so largely in the USA also? 4,000 Mexican soldiers overrun the opposing French and turncoat Mexican army in 1862. Five months earlier, the French, Spanish and English had invaded Mexico with the intent of collecting Mexican debts from a newly elected President. While the English and Spanish had conducted their business and soon left; while the The French leader Emperor Napoleon III attempted to stay and overthrow Mexico resulting in a bloody war known as the battle of Puebla that took place on May 5, 1862.

Ultimately the Americans joined in and behold Mexico had a solid defeat over the French.

So now you know a little bit of background about this day, you also know this is not a Mexican Holiday or an American Holiday; or even a Holiday at all. This is a totally made up day in America that is designed for consumers to go out and enjoy the festivities. So what will you be doing on this completely made-up occasion? It’s pretty safe to say that probably 99% of Manhattan Mexican restaurants will be having some type of fiesta or at least an extra special happy hour.

Just in case you can’t get any information on Cinco De Mayo events, you can always go to Uppereast.com and get a complete listing of events. Here are just a few to keep you partying:

Mad River Bar
1442 3rd Avenue
(Between 81st & 82nd St)
212-988-1832
Madrivergrille.com
$4 Margaritas, $3 Tequila Shots, $4 Coronas, $2 Nachos

Rosa Mexicano
1063 First Ave.
(At 58th St).
212-753-7407
Presenting their 9th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, Thursday, May 5th. Enjoy live music, special menu and festive decor!

Maya
1191 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021
http://www.modernmexican.com/
Tel. 212-585-1818
Cinco de Mayo- Thursday, May 5, 2011 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
3-course Prix Fix for $50 per person. Specialty cocktails. Excludes Tax and Tip. Offer valid May 5, 2011

Cinco De Mayo At Grand Central Fair
43rd Street From Lexington - 3rd Ave, New York, NY, 11109
See event at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=208872975789639

Millesima
Cinco de Mayo wine tasting. An extensive selection of Burgundian Chardonnays from the Maconnais to Cote de Beaune regions. Some of the wines include: Macon-Lugny, Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligy-Montrachet and Meursault Premier Cru.
Thursday Mat 5th. This free event goes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
1355 2nd Ave., between 71st & 72nd Sts.

http://www.millesima-usa.com/

For a complete list of Mexican Restaurants visit http:http://www.uppereast.com/: http://www.uppereast.com/mexican-restaurants

Big Weekend on the UES

2011-04-22T14:25:00.001-04:00

Presently there are a plethora of events going on in the city. This is a celebratory weekend overflowing with special holidays and celebrations from Earth Day, Passover, Easter weekend and of course Tribeca film festival. There definitely is no shortage of activities to keep you immersed in New York City culture and tradition; so much so that I for one feel very lucky to be a New Yorker at this time of year.

In observance of earth day there are tours in central park at Belvedere Castle, mid-Park at 79th Street. You can cross streams, hike through woods in a maze-like path through 38 acres of secluded land. These types of tours are offered frequently throughout the coming spring and summer months. There are a host of various events such as yoga, group runs, etc. Visit the calendar of events on the central park official website at: http://support.centralparknyc.org/site/Calendar/1138018665. You must call head for availability, fees or donations may apply. Although one of the main festivities of Earth Day just maybe an event organized by the nonprofit organization Earth Day New York, which is the annual New York City Earth Fair located inside Grand Central Terminal (Vanderbilt Hal)l from April 21-23, 2011 as well as outside of Grand Central Terminal on April 22 and 23, 2011.

On Saturday April 23, 2011 there is a street fair on East 93rd Street between Park and Madison Avenues and also on April 30th is the Lexington Avenue Festival between Lexington Avenue between 60th and 66th Streets. Visit the calendar of events on the NY.gov official website at: http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.bd175b51da17d74f472ae1852f8089a0/. Let me also not leave out the best feature at all… They are FREE!!!

If you’re in the spirit of Passover, the 92nd street Y or the Jewish museum is the place to go. The 92Y has a full roster of lectures with such celebrities as Ted Danson. Daniel Radcliffe, and Larry King; and they average approx. $30 per ticket. They also feature a wide array of classes as well as even singles events and mixers sure to please your Jewish mother. Average price also around $30, visit 92Y official website at: http://www.92y.org.

The Jewish museum always presents some interesting exhibits. One more recent was the Houdini exhibit that showcased the life and work of legendary magician Harry Houdini. Currently, the museum is showcasing an exhibit called “The Art of Matrimony: Thirty Splendid Marriage Contracts from The Jewish Theological Seminary Library” thru June 26th. The museum also has permanent exhibits such as, “Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey” which is a fascinating multilevel display of the evolution on Jewish culture and history through art. For these and other exhibits featured on the page, visit the museum’s official website at: http://www.thejewishmuseum.org/.

Not surprisingly the largest event on Sunday just maybe the Easter Parade, a grand Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival which runs up Fifth Avenue starting at 49th Street and finishing around 57th Street- Not quite upper east side but its only 2 blocks away. Don’t forget the many fabulous Sunday brunch spots on the Upper East Side as well. Visit www.uppereast.com for the best listings and reviews on for brunch on the UES.