As You Like It

One of my favorite summertime activities is catching some of the live outdoor performances in Central Park.

This last weekend, my BF and I enjoyed a production of Shakespeare's As You Like It presented by Boomerang Theatre Company. This production had all the requisite elements of good outdoor theatre; live music, comedy, physical action and good actors who are able to project. It also didn't hurt that As You Like It is one of Shakespeare's most popular (and easy to follow) plays.

It is not always easy to perform outdoors. The weather of course is a wild card and then there are constant distractions such as other park goers, snack vendors, city traffic, playful children laughing and screaming, etc. etc. However the Boomerang cast was up for the challenge. Wandering minstrel, Scott Williams entertained the crowd as we found seats and continued to add to the buoyant atmosphere throughout the show. Jessi Gotta was the anchor of the production with her fully realized portrayal of Rosalind the quick witted heroine and Matthew Trumbull turned in a wonderfully humorous and unexpected performance as the pretentious know-it-all Jaques.

Director Matt Johnston cleverly pared down the production to the essentials of the story and let the script and the actors do the rest. A large rock and tree surprisingly provided the perfect setting for the romantic comedy. Set in contemporary times and with few props, the cast quickly grabbed the attention of the assembled audience and entertained us throughout the very quick 2 hours.

As You Like It runs through August 10th and is Free to attend.

Insider Tips:

• Check out Boomerang Theatre Company's website. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary and have a great season planned.
• Bring a blanket or lawn chair, water and a snack.
• Check out where the bathrooms are located before the performance begins
• Central Park offers a ton of fun outdoor performances check out these links for information
  Summer Stage
  Sandbox Stories & Music
  Marionette Theater
  Delacorte Theatre

The Best BBQ in NYC

For the last 15 years, I have been conducting a very scientific study of the best barbecue joints in New York City. I have conducted exhaustive research and have employed a myriad of methodology for this study. I am proud to now present the findings to you.

TOP 5 BBQ JOINS IN NYC


DINOSAUR'S BAR-B-QUE in Harlem
Summer time is the time for barbecue and Dinosaur's Bar-B-Que on 131st Street and 12th Avenue offers the best in town. The roadhouse atmosphere and hot live bands are just garnish for the amazing cuisine. The food is spicy, surprising and comfortable. Their menu includes some southern favorites along with a few Cajun delights and even some worldly dishes such as churrasco chicken steak and Korean style beef ribs. They have a great bar and you have got to try their fried green tomatoes. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it. The menu is moderately priced and their staff is very friendly and quick. Make sure to make reservations on the weekends because the joint is hopping. Check out their website for a schedule of entertainment and special events. http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/

SPANKY'S BBQ
From blackened catfish and gumbo to juicy burgers and succulent ribeyes, Spanky's offers anything and everything you could want from a barbecue joint. Their slogan is "Big butts, we got 'em" and if you ate there on a regular basis you'd have one too. The food is so good you will definitely want to wear pants with an elastic waist. Located in the middle of Times Square at 127 West 43rd Street they are very conveniently located and very reasonably priced. This is the perfect spot for folks looking for delicious down home food in the heart of NYC. Their rather entertaining website can provide you with a look at their menu and other helpful information. http://www.spankysnyc.com/

DALLAS BBQ
Admittedly he décor is a little cheesy. It looks like my grandfather decorated it, but the food is tasty and the portions are huge. The down and dirty, no-frills barbeque will leave you licking your fingers. My father loves the beef ribs and I always enjoy the brisket or the pulled pork. And believe it or not, their salads are good too. Of course Dallas BBQ is famous for their "Texas Sized" frozen drinks because really who doesn't enjoy a giant frozen, fruity, girly drink? Their plates are very inexpensive and there are lots of locations. This chain is quite popular in NYC so the atmosphere is often crowded and a little chaotic. Go to their website to find the location nearest you. http://www.bbqnyc.com/

VIRGIL'S REAL BARBEQUE
A traditional American barbeque restaurant you will leave Virgil's full and happy. Their menu draws inspiration from around the country offering Memphis pork ribs, Owensboro lamb, smoked Maryland ham and Texas brisket to name a few. With sides and appetizers that include hushpuppies and buttermilk onion rings any barbeque lover would enjoy the bill of fare. The atmosphere is pure small town Americana. Virgil's offers a moderately price menu and is located in Times Square at 152 West 44th Street just East of Broadway. For more information check out their website http://www.virgilsbbq.com/

HILL COUNTRY BARBEQUE AND MARKET
If you want an honest to god barbeque experience you should try Hill Country Barbeque. Nothing pretentious, nothing fancy, just some of the best barbeque you will ever have. Mostly smoked or dry-rubbed, their entrees are served on butcher paper and priced by the pound. And they know that the only thing better than good food is good music. Located at 30 West 26th Street they are easily accessible by public transportation. Get there early as they are often very crowded and sometimes literally sell out of food. http://www.hillcountryny.com/about_hill_country.php

Insider Tips:

• Don't wear a white shirt but do wear loose fitting pants.



• Ask for extra napkins or wet wipes



• If you can make reservations do. Otherwise show up early.



• Try something new. You won't be disappointed.

A quiet and introspective afternoon

My BF and I recently spent an afternoon at Grant’s Tomb. Located at 122 Street and Riverside Drive, the grounds of the stately building are a lush and peaceful. The adjoining playground and park was filled with families, students from the nearby Columbia University and folks from the neighborhood who were just out enjoying the beautiful weather.

One of the most interesting and memorable elements of the grounds is the fanciful mosaic benches that surround the monument. Pedro Silva and the City Arts Workshop sponsored the brightly colored artwork that was created by children utilizing Italian glass tiles in 1973. Some years ago, there was talk about removing the benches because they were "garish" and were devaluing the memorial. Contrary to that belief, I think the installation is actually an attraction and should be promoted as one of the unique elements of this landmark.

The quiet and unassuming memorial was erected on April 27, 1897 and the dedication parade featured over 60,000 marchers. Originally, plans had been made to bury Ulysses S. Grant at his alma mater, West Point, but he refused because his wife, Julia Grant would not be allowed to be buried next to him. Therefore Grant himself selected the alternative location where a place could be reserved for his beloved wife. Upon his death from throat cancer on July 23, 1885, his family finalized the location in Riverside Park because it was one of the highest elevations in the city and it overlooked the Hudson River. In a recess in the center of the room, stand the two majestic sarcophagi where President and Julia Grant rest side-by-side. Grant's tomb is currently the largest mausoleum in North America.

There are 2 simple displays that relate the notable incidents of President Grant’s life including his military career and significant events of his presidential terms. There are also some display cases that show a few historic mementos such as photos and remembrances given to the President from friends and loved ones.

Towards the end of his life, Grant and his family were plagued with debit from bad investments and were facing poverty and bankruptcy. Therefore, the former President accepted an offer from Mark Twain to publish his memoirs. Grant past away only days after finishing the work and it is said that his desire to complete it kept him alive. His memoirs were extremely popular selling over 300,000 copies and earning a substantial sum which provided the much needed financial income for his family.

It is generally acknowledged that a more adequate visitor's center would be needed to properly memorialize the contributions and achievements of President Grant. I agree. While there is beauty in simplicity, Grant was an incredibly important figure in American history and culture. He led the nation during one of its most uncertain periods following the Civil War and was tasked with reunifying a suspicious and war-weary population. He deserves a permanent installation that does justice to the service he provided this country.

Our trip to Grant's Tomb was quiet and introspective. The mausoleum itself is impressive and well worth the visit especially for folks with an interest in American history.

Insider Tips:

• Check out the Grant Monument Association's website for more information about the memorial and President Grant.


• Check out the National Parks Service website for special events.

Walk it out

If you really want to become familiar with New York City and dazzle your friends with shocking facts, intimate knowledge or esoteric information about of some of the big apple's most notorious events, infamous characters or remarkable structures, then I would suggest taking a walking tour.

Maybe you are interested in seeing how the other half live and marveling at their posh residences and swanky hangouts. Maybe visiting the various outdoor art installations about the city is more your speed - discovering little known frescos or world famous sculptures. Or maybe you are more interested in seeing the locales associated with some of the most legendary scandals. Whatever you're into, there is a walking tour for you.

If, for instance you were to take a walking tour of Greenwich Village, you might learn how the Dutch settlers' agricultural habits in the 1600's influenced the curvy and meandering city blocks we know today. You might learn how an outbreak of yellow fever led to the construction of the colonial rowhouses or how the close quarters of Italian, Irish and German immigrants in combination with the establishment of NYU led to the bohemian atmosphere that the Village is famous for.

Are you really interested in structural design? If so then there are tours that explore the myriad of architectural styles here in NYC including: Romanesque, Classical, Baroque, Queen Ann, Gothic, Renaissance, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modern and Post Modern architecture. All of which can be seen in walking tours of different neighborhoods. There is a great tour of the Brooklyn Bridge that reveals how Emily Roebling, the world's first female engineer, and her family built the engineering marvel. There are even tours about the gargoyles in the city.

Speaking of gargoyles, perhaps you have a penchant for the macabre side of the city. If so, you might be interested in hearing of Nellie Bly's experiences as she went undercover as an inmate of the Bellevue Lunatic Asylum in the 1880's or the ghost stories and reported haunted places that influenced the writing of Edgar Allen Poe or Washington Irving. If you like that you would undoubtedly enjoy following in Harry Houdini's footsteps to see where his spiritualist investigations took him.

I joined an event this last week presented by The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation that revealed the theatrical influence of some of the Village's more noteworthy characters of the 1950's and 1960's. It was truly captivating to learn how some of these individuals got their start and how they were influenced by their cultural background and the neighborhoods in which they resided. It provided an entirely new perspective to a subject I was already quite interested in.

There are walking tours for any interest whether it is a literary walking tour that includes visiting some of the writers' favorite wateringholes or Broadway tours that share the secrets of the Great White Way or ethnic tours that explore the contributions of different ethnicities and how they have impacted the culture of New York City.

Walking tours are good exercise and a fun group or family activity. They are a great way to really get to know the city and you usually have a knowledgeable and friendly guide who can answer questions and who has insight into some of the more fascinating aspects of the city.

Here are some great sites to help you find the walking tour that's right for you.

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
http://www.gvshp.org/

New York City Talks & Walks
http://www.newyorktalksandwalks.com/

Big Onion Walking Tours
http://www.bigonion.com/

New York City Cultural Walking Tours
http://www.nycwalk.com/

Central Park Walking Tours
http://www.centralpark.com/pages/walking-tours.html


Insider Tips:

• Ask questions in advance: How long is the tour? How much walking in required (distance)? Is it all outdoors or are you visiting establishments as well?
• Find the tour that is right for you. There is a tour for practically every interest. Don't go on a tour of warehouses of the 1700's when what you really want to see are battlements of the Revolutionary War.
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Bring a bottle of water

New York Style Pizza

I love pizza and I am not alone. It is reported that Americans spent over $34 Billion dollars on pizza last year. It is not surprising that New York City had the honor of introducing pizza to the United States. In 1897 Italian immigrant, Gennaro Lombardi opened a grocery on Spring Street in Little Italy. He sold a "tomato pie" by the slice to the poor local workers for lunch. The lunch special was so popular that in 1905, Lombardi’s Pizzeria was established and became the first pizzeria in America. The blue collar origins of this quick, easy and inexpensive meal helped create what is known today as New York Style Pizza; large slices of thin crust pizza that can be folded in half and eaten while on the run.

Lombardi's closed its doors in 1984, but was reopened a decade later by Gennaro's grandson. The current establishment stands only 1 block from the original location and continues the family tradition by creating Gennaro's original pizzas along with some new options.

While there is no dispute that Lombardi's is the country's first pizzeria, apparently there are some who believe that Lombardi's employee, Pero Totonno was actually the mastermind behind the "tomato pie" and was in fact New York's first master pizziola. In 1924 Totonno opened his own pizzeria in Coney Island which now has the distinction of being the "oldest continuously operating pizzeria in the U.S. run by the same family." Totonno's currently has several locations and is renown through out the city for having some of the best and freshest pizza in town.

Of course I have my favorite spots such as John's Pizzeria. When John Sasso first established his pizzeria in 1929, he knew that while the food had to be delicious it was the ambiance that makes the experience. Both of his current locations stay true to this belief by featuring some extraordinary architectural elements. When the original John's (located on Sullivan Street) lost it's lease, Sasso dismantled the entire restaurant and had it reinstalled at the new location on Bleeker Street. "The original booths, neon sign, tin ceilings, and black and white checkered floor create an atmosphere reminiscent of days gone by." While it is enchanting to enjoy the original décor, it is a true delight to receive a piping hot pizza fresh from the 79 year old brick oven, which was rebuilt brick-by-brick. And if you enjoy that, you will love the 44th Street location. Housed in what was once the Gospel Tabernacle Church (build in 1888) the establishment still features an amazing five-story stained glass cupola and is known as the largest pizzeria in the country.

Other favorite pies include Two Boots Pizza, Arturo's and Number 28 Pizza from Naples.

Of course there are still national chains like Papa John's and Domino's and there are more local chains like Ray's Pizza and Famiglia, but every neighborhood in NYC has a corner pizzeria. They are as much a part of the culture as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building. And while I enjoy Chicago style pizza and California style pizza, there is nothing as satisfying as a big slice of New York style pizza.

Insider Tips:

• Forget the diet and indulge.


• Skip the national chains and try the corner pizzeria.


• John's on 44th is very busy right before theatre time. Plan to go early or after 8:30pm.


• Have some fun and try new toppings.

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/.