Posts Tagged ‘Brooklyn’

Food Truck Rally at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Kicks off Spring and Summer Season

You know it’s truly spring (and almost summer) when food truck events kick into high gear.  This weekend marks the start of the beloved Brooklyn Food Truck Rally in Prospect Park.

Food Truck RallyOn Sunday April 14, head to Grand Army Plaza for some of the best outdoor eats in New York. Brought to you by the NYC Food Truck Association in conjunction with Prospect Park, the Food Truck Rally will be held from 11am-5pm, with dishes representing the diversity of the city’s cuisine and population. (Other food truck events are scheduled through the fall on 4/26, 5/3, 5/17, 6/7, 6/28, 7/12, 7/19, 8/2, 8/16, 8/30, 9/20, 10/4, 10/18).

Twelve to sixteen trucks will participate per event including Andy’s Italian Ices, Brooklyn Organic, Carl’s Steaks, Carpe Donut NYC, Coolhaus, DUB Pies  - The Pie Truck, Gorilla Cheese NYC, Kelvin Natural Slush Co., Kimchi Taco Truck, Milk Truck, Neapolitan Express, Nuchas, Papaya King, Phil’s Steaks, Ponti Rossi, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Snowday, Taïm Mobile, Toum and more.

Some of my favorites:

Coolhaus

Cool HausHailing from LA, the Coolhaus ice cream-sandwich truck has entrenched itself into New York City foodie culture. Coolhaus has an “out there” menu of all-natural handmade ice creams of classic and seasonal varieties with flavors like horchata (vegan), dirty mint chip, and lychee martini, packed between two cookies that are equally as creative (think gluten-free peanut butter miso or red velvet, for example).  All this comes wrapped in an edible paper made of potato with soy ink.  How cool is that!  http://www.eatcoolhaus.com

Red Hook Lobster Pound

Red HookAnother truck shaking up the food truck world again, Red Hook Lobster Pound brings its Big Red truck to Prospect Park.  With lobster bought fresh from Maine every week, the Pound’s lobster rolls are sweet and delicious and served correctly, IMHO, on a J.J. Nissen roll from Portland, Maine. You can add a sweet finale with another Maine delicacy, homemade whoopee pies.

Kelvin Natural Slush

Kevin SlushThis continues to be one of my absolute favorites and one with some of the longest lines of all (a hint: head there first).  With their distinctive slush flavors including Spicy Ginger, Tangy Citrus or Green & Black Tea, combined with your choice of real puréed fruit, fresh chopped mint and basil, pomegranate seeds and other natural mix-ins, Kelvin’s all-natural slushies are the perfect accompaniment to the day.  If they’re offering their “special” of the day, definitely go for it.  And, happily, it’s another blue truck!  http://www.kelvinslush.com/

Milk Truck

Milk TruckIf you’re hungering for a taste of your childhood, or if you brought kids with you, the Milk Truck is the place for you. Serving up delicious, fresh grilled cheese sandwiches, the Milk Truck has a varying menu of sandwiches, some purely cheese and others with ham and other goodies thrown in.  http://www.milktruckgrilledcheese.com

Foodie Events for Labor Day and the Weeks After

Labor Day weekend and the weeks beyond means all sort of fun foodie events in New York City.  Here is a compilation of some that you might want to sample:

Pig IslandPig Island, September 6, 11:30am-4:30pm; Showcasing the best of New York State local farmers, chefs, brewers and vintners all dedicated to bringing home the bacon, Pig Island returns to the Red Hook waterfront, a.k.a. home to exclusive beer provider, Sixpoint Craft Ales.

Pig Island pairs NY State hogs with NYC chefs to bring the best of New York State to NewYork City. http://www.eventbrite.com/e/pig-island-2014-tickets-11423697587 , Waterfront at Erie Basin Park, 1 Beard Street, Brooklyn

TASTE Williamsburg GreenpointTaste Williamsburg Greenpoint, September 7, 1pm-5pm,; TASTE Williamsburg Greenpoint is an outdoor celebration of North Brooklyn’s local flavor. Featuring more than 40 of the neighborhood’s best restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries, along with live music and more all with beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop. http://tastewg.com/ , East River State Park, Brooklyn

Vendy Awards, September 13, 12:39pm-5pm; The Vendy Awards presents the 10th annual Vendy Awards at Governors Island. Cheer on and sample from New York City’s best food trucks. http://www.vendyawards.streetvendor.org/newyorkcity

Beer for Beasts, September 13, The 4th annual Beer for Beasts charity event hosted by BeerAdvocate and Sixpoint Brewery will take place at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY. The celebration will feature dozens of exclusive beers, some of New York City’s best food vendors, and creative entertainment to promote compassion toward animals. All net proceeds go to the Humane Society of New York. A day session and a night session are offered.  http://www.beeradvocate.com/b4b/ 149 7th Street, Brooklyn

Exploring Latin American Jewish Cuisine, September 14, 2:30pm-5pm; Latin American Jewish cuisine is heating up restaurants and kitchens throughout the Americas. Hear a lively and mouthwatering conversation about the cuisine’s journey from early Sephardic influences to the Jewish food landscape of today. Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, https://webformsrig01bo3.blackbaudhosting.com/898a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=a5870498-401e-4ac7-a135-287ffbe9eb16

Nordic Hot Dog ChampionshipsNordic Hot Dog Championship (part of the North Food Festival), September 15, 6pm-10pm; This is your chance to have some of the best chefs in the world cook up delicious Hot Dogs for you in the comfort of the bar at Brooklyn Brewery. At this first ever Nordic Hot Dog Championships, Chefs battle it out for the prestigious title of Nordic Hot Dog Champion.

Wash down the delicious dogs with equally delicious craft beer courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery and their Swedish sister brewery Nya Carnegiebryggeriet – and vote for your favorite creation. May the most creative, delicious and exciting dog prevail! 1 Brewer’s Row, 79 N 11th St., Brooklyn, http://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-festival-hot-dog-championships-at-brooklyn-brewery-tickets-12434009457 Tickets include sampling of all participating hot dogs and open beer bar.

Beer Festival Takes on NYC: August 23-29

One Mile Bar

One Mile House

From August 23 – 29, Third Rail Beer will be introducing their craft brews throughout the city in a brew-centric party. Beer lovers should not miss these events which not only give you great drinks but also take you to some of the city’s finest watering holes.  Third Rail Beer is a New York City-based craft brewery. http://www.thirdrailbeer.com/about-us.html

The itinerant schedule of events:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23OFFICIAL THIRD RAIL BEER LAUNCH PARTY |  5pm on

One Mile House on the Lower East Side is the setting for Third Rail’s official launch party. Both Bodega American Pale Ale and Field 2 Farmhouse Ale will be tapped that evening. 10 Delancey Street (between Bowery & Chrystie Street).

The Pony Bar

The Pony Bar

MONDAY, AUGUST 25 | THE PONY BAR UES – 6pm

Move on up to the Upper East Side for day two of launch week at the Pony Bar. (1444 First Ave. at 75th Street).

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 | THE JEFFREY NYC -  6pm

Third Rail’s Midtown launch takes place at one of the best beer curators in NYC, The Jeffrey (311 East 60th Street).

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 | TOP HOPS BEER SHOP – 7pm

The launch takes on a different twist on its fourth day, as it meanders back to the Lower East Side.  Enjoy Third Rail Beer and melt bakery ice cream sandwich pairings at Ted Kenny’s Lower East Side beer palace beginning at 7pm. Top Hops is located at 94 Orchard Street.

Pacific Standard

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 | PACIFIC STANDARD – 7pm

Third Rail Beer’s launch party ventures into Brooklyn at one of the County of Kings’ finest, Pacific Standard (82 Fourth Avenue), starting at 7pm.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 | JUDY & PUNCH – 7pm

The final event of Third Rail Beer’s aunch week takes to Queens to visit NYC’s newest beer bar, Astoria, Queens’ Judy & Punch (34-08 30th Avenue), also beginning at 7pm.

Bike Brooklyn, Baseball and Street Art Tours — Offered through July

Gotham Sidewalk ToursCollage artist and founder of Gotham SideWalks tours, Rich Garr, spent this winter refining two tours that blend specific cultural history with the fabric of rapidly evolving neighborhoods. These mash-ups of art, history and architecture utilize local characters and props that are both new and old. The tours are similar to his art process: a visual representation of surroundings. But while his studio art is two-dimensional, the tours offer something for all senses. Sights, sounds, and smells of New York City mix with music (yes, there’s music on these tours) and voices from past and present. The results are extraordinary, and on display this through July. www.GothamSideWalks.com. For more details or to book, call 718-938-1400.

BIKE BROOKLYN BASEBALL: a history of baseball and Brooklyn

Sunday 6/8  *  Saturday 7/12

11:30 am – 2:30 pm, $40

Bike Brooklyn Baseball100 years of baseball in 10 miles and 3 hours of biking! Whether you’re from Brooklyn or not you’ve probably heard about the great local ball clubs of the 1950s. The Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants battled in New York to rule the major leagues. In fact, 14 of the 20 pennants from the 50’s belonged to a NYC team. But there’s so much more! Brooklyn alone holds an unprecedented place in baseball history. Far beyond Jackie Robinson and the color barrier, the quirks of Ebbets Field, or the meteoric rise of Brooklyn’s own Sandy Koufax lies the unbelievable roots of our nation’s pastime. The tour trips back in time into the mid-1800s and gentleman club “base ball” and explores into the modern era and the exodus of the Dodgers in 1957… all this while traversing along one of the finest circuits of urban bike paths in the country. Neighborhoods visited include Park Slope, Flatbush, Prospect Heights, Boerum Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Cobble Hill, and Brooklyn Heights. The rolling greenery of Prospect Park is also in the mix.

STREET / ART, Lower East Side

Saturday 5/31  *  Saturday 6/21  *  Friday 6/27  *  Sunday 6/29  *  Sunday 7/13

1-3 pm, $30

Street Art Lower East SideDiscover how the chaos of the Lower East Side has shaped—and continues to shape—the destiny of the art world. There’s an amazing amount of street art in New York City whether Banksy (English) or Invader (French) have “residencies” here or not. See and learn who and what inspired today’s fascinating mix of paste-ups, stencils, memorials, tags and throws. Get the context behind Banksy’s October street art blitz right here in the streets where hip hop and graffiti began. Besides the latest street art, the tour will also explore earlier art in and about the streets by talking early photography and painting. The tour stops into a half dozen art galleries along the way, comparing and contrasting street art and graffiti techniques with art on the gallery walls. In the areas visited, historic tenements mix with bold architectural innovation in this eclectic and ever-evolving neighborhood. This amazing morning ends at the edge of the East Village between two of NYC’s most famous street art sites. No tour is ever the same. In addition to the aforementioned street artists and samplings from contemporary art stars, we typically find Shepard Fairey, Stikman, LEE, Kenny Scharf, Nick Walker, Hanksy, and COPE pieces along the route.

More Enticing Valentine’s Day Events and Specials

I love how creative New Yorkers, especially Brooklynites, can be about how to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

New York Transit MuseumBrooklyn’s New York Transit Museum’s annual “Missed Connections” party (thank you, Craigslist) celebrates the possibilities public transit encounters.  Sexy, fun, and subterranean, the party kicks off at 6:30pm on Valentine’s Day, with refreshments provided by Brooklyn’s own Brooklyn Brewery, Brittle Barn, Brooklyn Winery, The Chocolate Room, A Cook’s Companion, and Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn.  Raffle prizes, too. Boerum Place, Brooklyn.  Tickets at https://51281.blackbaudhosting.com/51281/Missed-Connections.

Guerlain SpaJust want the spa experience? At the Guerlain Spa in the Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, couples can enjoy the “Love the One You’re With” couples’ massage, spa treatment suite shower with dual rain showerheads and private steam room, champagne and truffles.  Single ladies aren’t left out either: the “Just for the Girls” package gives you a choice of manicure and pedicure, massage, or facial, along with two Kir Royale cocktails.  Each package concludes with the spa’s signature “Final Touch” treatment, a choice of shoe shine, garment steaming or make-up refresh. www.guerlainspas.com. www.towersofthewaldorf.com.

Sugartooth ToursSugartooth Tours will feed your sweetheart cravings with a special “Sweeter than Sugar Valentine’s” tour down the High Line with hot chocolate and dessert tastings as you stroll from Chelsea to the West Village.  A finale of a wine and beer pairing can be added. Choose from two-and-a-half hours tours on four dates: February 13, 14, 15 or 16. 917-856-6761. www.sugartoothtours.com.

I’m completely taken by this concept – chocolate is just sooo yesterday. MitchMallows, headquartered in Chelsea, are marshmallows that come in crazy flavors like banana split, pretzels and beer, churros, ginger wasabi and creamsicles.  Mitch MarshmellowUse your imagination – there’s probably a flavor just for you.  Search the “Classic,” “Whack’d” or “Seasonal” selections for your favorite hand-crafted pick.  And, for Valentine’s Day, they have sparkly mallow hearts in cherry coated in pink and red sugar, all packaged in a polka dot heart-shaped box ($16). 212-645-1121. www.mitchmallows.com

Lobster special with butter poached rutabaga and sauce Americana at Stanton SocialWhile many restaurants offer special Valentine’s Day dinners, usually with a rose and a glass of champagne as a token gift, Stanton Social is having a dance party.  Starting at 6pm, the restaurant’s DJ will spin sexy slow jams to get you in the mood. A second DJ will heat up the scene with party tunes. A special menu of restaurant classics along with aphrodisiacal treats is paired with an open bar of premium top-shelf selections for your two-hour celebration.  $125 per person. Email: Natalie@thestantonsocial.com, 99 Stanton Street, Manhattan, 212-995-0099. http://stantonsocial.com/

Where to See the Holiday Displays in NYC This Year

Of course the department stores rock when it comes to showing off the best displays of holiday (and commercial) cheer, but there’s also a fun way to see the light displays that take non-commercial venues almost as much time to put up.  Here’s how and where to see both:

Tony Muia’s Christmas Lights and Cannoli Tour

Tony Muia’s Christmas Lights and Cannoli Tour (yes…. Cannoli as well as lights!)

After you’ve exhausted Rockefeller Center and the displays listed below, this 3 1/2 hour holiday tour takes you to Dyker Heights, the Italian-American section of Brooklyn that acquires the nickname “Dyker Lights” every December. Here you’ll see over-the-top Christmas decorations that even a department store “dresser” couldn’t imagine. Think 15-foot-tall animated Santa’s, animatronic figures, life-sized Nativity Scenes and millions of lights. And the cannoli part? You can’t go to Brooklyn without a stop at an authentic neighborhood pastry shop for dessert and hot chocolate.

You’ll even be entertained on the bus with a multimedia presentation of vintage Christmas variety specials with Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and more.  Three or four busses leave nightly through December 31 (excluding December 24 and 25) from Union Square.  For more information, www.asliceofbrooklyn.com

And, the best when it comes to department store displays:

Bloomingdale's

Bloomingdale’s – Catch this one soon, as it ends on New Year’s Day. Bloomie’s windows depict shopping around the globe, with music from each country along with recognizable icons.  1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street.

Barneys New York

Barneys New York – Certainly the wildest of the windows, with a behind-the-curtains video fairyland, light shows, live models, and an interactive window-video game set, Barneys in collaboration with Jay Z have outdone themselves.  Through January 3. 660 Madison Avenue at 61st Street.

Bergdorf Goodman

Bergdorf Goodman – Save this one for last as the breakdown date is January 6.  Bergdorf’s doesn’t disappoint with its always-glam windows, this year’s showing the holidays of the year, done up in icy and fashionable renditions.  754 Fifth Ave., btw 57th and 58th sts.

Henri Bendel

Henri Bendel – If you love illustrator Al Hirschfeld, you’ll love these windows on display through January 2.  All the classic celebs are there: look for Liza Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Carol Channing among others. 712 Fifth Ave., btw 55th and 56th sts.

Lord & Taylor

Lord & Taylor – Ending the soonest of all of the displays, on December 29, Lord & Taylor remains true to its traditional holiday windows with scenes from vintage New York City.  424 Fifth Avenue, btw 38th and 39th sts.

Macy's

Macy’s – The story of a boy’s dreams on Christmas Eve, the windows also feature an interactive display where you create the movement in the background and break icicles.  151 W. 34th St., at Seventh Avenue. Ends January 2.

Saks Fith Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue – Through January 2, enjoy the 3-D light show on the building as well as the story of the SFA Yeti, a fluffy white creature that creates holiday snow.  611 Fifth Ave., btw 51st and 52nd sts.

Planning a trip to NYC?