Governor's Island

I realize it is a little late in the summer, but go to Governor's Island!

on the western shore of Governor's Island

This particular island is just south of Manhattan.  There is a free ferry Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and free bike rentals on Fridays.  Governor's Island is lovely and flat, so it is the perfect way to enjoy those last few days of pleasantly warm weather before the chill creeps in.

More importantly, there many different events on the island throughout the summertime.  (Here is a list of this summer's activities, free and otherwise.)  My favorite by far is the Jazz Age Dance Party.  I accidentally stumbled upon this 20s jazz festival when I first visited Governor's Island.  Dozens of people dressed up as flappers and philosophers swarmed the island and danced on the grass to fantastic music.  The whole affair is presented by Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra.

Some things to look forward to as summer slips away: Rock the Bells Concert, the NYC Unicycle Festival, Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival, and Vendy Awards (for foodies!  foodies everywhere!).  If you cannot make any of these, mentally note Governor's Island for next summer!

view of Manhattan and Brooklyn

The High Line: Revisted

Remember this post?  Well thanks to the strategic Jack (who was actually the original person to tell me about the High Line), I read an article in the New York Times called "Walking On Air" about the High Line and the culture there now.

As it so happens, I had my own experience with the High Line and her artists.  During my first spring in New York, my mother visited me and we toured the city together between those pesky midterms.  We strolled through Union Square one day and spotted a man selling tiny photographs of the city.  It turned out that he made his own pinhole cameras (aka camera obscura) with little tins and old film canisters and then sold his work.  An amateur photographer who once developed her own film, my mother eyed the photographs and, probably remembering our string of extravagancies and acting with her usual consumer's hesitation, moved on.  I mentally noted the man and his wares and resolved to come back at a later date.

For the better part of a year, I made sure to glance at the artwork in Union Square on my way to dumplings or Italian pastries or the occasional performance.  Then, my roommate and I hauled our weary feet up the two flights of stairs to the High Line and slowly meandered above the street.

He was there!  I gushed and jabbered and told him of my search.  It would seem that Union Square had become too commercial for him (unsurprising, especially after six years of vending in the same location) and the High Line is now is regular spot.

The photograph I ultimately bought for my mother is black and white and was probably taken in Brooklyn.  Two adjacent apartment windows form dark frames, capturing the Brooklyn Bridge in one and the Manhattan skyline in the other.

mom with soon-to-be cousin Andrea

Places I Wanted to Eat: Philadelphia & DC & Baltimore

Thanks mostly to my grandmother's wanderlust and tendency to settle in remote villages and my parents own traveling aspirations, I am fortunate enough to be twenty years old and fairly well travelled.  However, this is the first trip that I have planned, paid for, and embarked on by myself.

Notice the "paid for" part.  As a direct result, I managed to survive eight days on $32.04 worth of food.  In other words, I passed up on eating out.  It was not that difficult...  My meals were perhaps not balanced, but I was always satisfied (rice goes a looong way).  Still, here is a list of places to eat that I have yet to sample, although their reputations DO precede them:

(There may be a few cultural events or bookstores thrown in here as well because I cannot resist..)

so many books! so many books
that I am now carting across the coast!

Washington, DC

• Ben's Chili Bowl (apparently they ship to all 50 states as well)
• Julia's Empanadas
• On the Fly (a fleet of eco-friendly SmartKarts)
• Johnny's Half Shell
• Chinatown Express
• Dukem Ethiopian
• Sundays 3-9pm in Meridian Hill Park for a drum circle and African dancing
• The MLK Dedication.  I was heartbroken that Irene ripped this experience from me.

I actually did eat at Dukem Ethiopian

Philadelphia

the good men of Tommy Dinic's

• Tommy Dinic's
• The Book Corner

Mercifully, Mary and Margaret were there in Philly to impart their wisdom and experience, so I will have to go again to expand my bucket list!  If that makes sense.

Baltimore

• Red Emma's (a cafe and bookstore)
• Faidley's crab cakes in Lexington Market
• Free music IN Lexington Market
• Batimore Farmers' Market
• Zeke's Coffee (it truly is unbelievable what $14/lb coffee grounds can do)

motto? read, revolt

If you are ever in a position to do any of these things, do not hesitate!  These are recommendations from international travelers, hostel (hostile? hah!  No, everyone was really nice!) staff, and the local city-dwellers.

Marin Greek Festival

the dancers
(particularly the astounding Alexis)

Go to the Greek Festival!  The music is fantastic, the people are wonderful, the dancing is splendid, and the food is to die for.  Seriously, this food is the food that I compare all other Greek food to (and everything else always falls short).  It ends tomorrow and won't be back until next year, so get on it!

Just to explain a little, the Marin Greek Festival is an annual event that the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church puts on every year.  This is actually the fortieth festival (since 1971).  Anyway, the festival takes place at the church.  The inside/rec room is full of food and various merchants selling everything from gorgeous earrings to ouzo candy (SO. GOOD.).  Outside they sell more food and there are tons of tables under the trees and live music.  The church also participates in many folk dance festivals throughout the year, so every hour or so one of their dance groups dances traditional Greek dances decked out in full, handmade, traditional Greek costumes.  This year their eldest group won second place at FDF (the folk dance festival) so they are clearly fantastic.  Make sure you go!

the desserts 

too many things to name
(including dolmathes and pilafi)

tiropita and souvlaki

the youngest dance group

galaktobouriko and baklava

Fridays and Saturdays at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

So on Fridays and Saturdays at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (HAH... that's the title of the post....), the powers that be open up the so-called Great Hall Balcony Bar where you (and your parent/big money spender) can be waited upon and served cocktails and appetizers which is accompanied by live classical music.  If you're not willing to pay (me), it is lovely to just stand by and listen to the music as you look out over the Great Hall.  (It is not exactly a concert situation, so don't get too excited.  But it is a nice stop on your way out the door.)  Check it out.

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Yes, this is the one with Daniel Radcliffe in it.  If you have the chance to see this show, you should definitely make the effort.  Daniel Radcliffe does a superb job, as does the rest of the cast, the dialogue is flawless and hysterical, the songs were spectacular, and the choreography was amazing.  Yes, I realize this is finals week, but I am a firm believer in well-deserved study breaks (and even notso well-deserved study breaks), especially when there are theatre tickets at a great price.  Such a treat!

The High Line

The High Line is this fantastic park.  It runs from Ganesvoort St. in the Meatpacking District to 34th St. between 10th & 11th Ave.  It was previously an elevated subway that transported food to restaurants.  The story is that this particular stretch of track was the most dangerous track in the city with the most fatalities.  So the track was abandoned and eventually transformed into a park.

You can access the park from Gansevoort St., 14th St., 16th St., 18th St., and 20th St. I would suggest just wandering around. The park boasts some of the best views of the Hudson and Hoboken on the West Side and is lined with benches that are perfect for reading in the sunlight. It is green and lush and there are pieces of art and amazing artists selling their stuff along the path. Check it out!

The Normal Heart

I realize this blog is about food, which is totally awesome, but I've decided to occasionally make quick posts about things going on in the city.  The other night I saw a whole bunch of really talented actors in The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer.  It's a semi-autobiographical play that is centered around the AIDS crisis in New York City between 1981 to 1984.  I thought it was extremely powerful and emotionally jarring.  The production is here for the next 12 weeks (something like 96 performances) and if you have a chance I would strongly recommend seeing it.

Here is a letter from Larry Kramer about the production and here are some ways to get involved.

The windiest militant trash 

Important Persons shout

Is not so crude as our wish: 

What mad Nijinsky wrote 

About Diaghilev

Is true of the normal heart; 

For the error bred in the bone 

Of each woman and each man 

Craves what it cannot have, 

Not universal love

But to be loved alone.

              -from W.H. Auden's "September 1, 1939"