The Mother of Silly Hat Days

New Yorkers like to wear silly hats. It's true. We'll use any excuse to create and wear an absolutely absurdly gaudy headpiece; Halloween, New Years, St. Patrick's Day…. But the mother of all silly hat days has got to be Easter. If you were to stroll down 5th Avenue between 10am and 4pm on Easter Sunday, you would get an eyeful of the silliest bonnets ever created. And it's not just humans. Dogs, cats, birds, snakes and even a pig don incredibly ridiculous hats in a rainbow of pastel colors.

It may be the anticipation of the return of the warm weather, but everyone is in a good mood, full of Easter chocolate and feeling a bit frivolous. The Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is a colorful, fun and funny event that will keep you giggling.

My BF and I also took the opportunity to saunter through Central Park, have a little picnic and visit the Angel of the Waters at Bethesda Terrace. The park is full of activities such as bike-riding and ice-skating. There are also tons of statues and art installations to appreciate, paths to explore and quiet patches of nirvana to discover.

I intend to write a blog this summer about Central Park and all the activities it has to offer, but in the meantime check out the official Central Park website.

Insider Tips:

• Get to the parade early. All the best stuff seems to be earlier in the day.
  
• Take your camera. There are lots of great photo ops.
  
• Bring a lunch and enjoy the park.
  

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day

If you are in New York on St. Patrick's Day you simply must imbibe in the festivities. From 11am to 4pm, 5th Avenue is a sea of green as the shamrock festooned parade marches by. Filled with marching bands, drill teams and scores of proud Irish revelers the St. Paddy's Day parade is a joyous occasion for one and all.

Long after the parade ends however, the festivities continue on in the bars and pubs (especially the Irish bars and pubs) around the city. Many establishments offer green beer and specials on Irish brews and traditional Irish cuisine in honor of the day. Countless Irish kisses are given and a few Celtic songs may even be warbled out by the partiers.

One of my favorite Irish establishments is O'Reilly's Pub on 31st Street (Between 6th Ave & Broadway). A classic Irish American hangout O'Reilly's offers a delicious Sheppard's pie that I enjoy even when it's not St. Patrick's Day. Check out O'Reilly's on Menu Pages or call 212-684-4244

At Paddy Reilly's Music Bar it is St. Patrick's Day every day. Traditionally Irish through and through, Paddy Reilly's offers live Irish music 7 nights a week, the only beer on tap is Guinness and heated games of darts are always underway in the back. Located at 2nd Ave and 29th Street you should call (212) 686-1210 for a schedule of performances.

Near my digs is a great Irish restaurant and bar called Coogan's. A staple of Washington Heights, this establishment melds the Irish heritage of the owners with the Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage of the neighborhood resulting in the spiciest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the city. Patrons observe the holiday with hot salsa music and a cold pint. Check out Coogan's website for details.

And if you want to sample a lot of Irish pubs, you might try the "Luck of the Irish Pub Crawl." Now in its 10th year it boasts "over 5 Miles, 2 Days and 30 bars." This is a great way to meet people, see the city and discover your favorite NYC pub. Check out the Pub Crawl website for a list of bars and activities.

Insider Tips:

• Bring a camera. St. Patrick's Day is crazy in NYC and there will always be something that you will want to capture on film. If only as proof to share with your friends back home.


• Get your green on. You don't want to get caught without a touch of the Irish and the crazier the better. There are vendors on many street corners selling green hats, sunglasses, necklaces, paint, anything that a serious St. Patrick's Day participant will need to make the day memorable.
  
• Of course you want to look sensational, but you might want to wear sensible shoes. Let's be honest - you will probably be walking a lot and you might be less than completely sober. Besides being uncomfortable high heels have never been all that Irish.

Celebrating away from the crowds

If you are like me and the loud, raucous crowds of Time Square seem a bit overwhelming, you might opt for a different kind of New Year's celebration.

My boyfriend (my BF) and I spent this New Year's having a very romantic meal at the River Room which is located at 145th Street and Riverside Drive. Far from the screaming party goers of midtown, this upper west side venue is sharp and elegant. The amazing view of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge is definitely worth traveling the few extra blocks.

The special prefix New Year's menu created by Executive Chef Idris Muhammad included some Cajun favorites along with some exquisite holiday fair. The most popular item on the menu was of course the lobster, a luxurious dish that melted in your mouth and made you want to savor every single bite. The deconstructed banana split that was offered as dessert was a surprising dish that perfectly balanced sweet and salty. At $95 a person (not including drinks or tip) the three course meal was a little expensive for me and my BF, but it was only part of the experience.

Live jazz with a Caribbean twist enlivened the ambiance and soon had happy couples swinging and swaying on the small dance floor.

My only criticism of the evening was that service was slow. The staff seemed overburdened by the holiday crowd, but they kept up their spirits and were friendly despite the demands of the full house.

A champagne toast at New Year's followed by more dancing and drinking was a lovely way to say goodbye to 2007 and ring in 2008.

A lovely spot for anyone looking to have a romantic meal with one of the best views in Manhattan, the River Room is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday - Sunday with live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays. For hours and menus check out their website at http://www.theriverroomofharlem.com/.