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#CurrentObsessions: Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant

12/27/2016

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The Who:
In the 1970's, restauratuer Jerome Brody took over the Grand Central Oyster Bar, which was opened with the beautiful terminal in 1913 but had fallen into disrepair and bankruptcy by the 1960's. After bringing the bar and restaurant back to its former glory (and confirming relationships with fishermen) by 2001, Brody passed away. But he left the restaurant to 14 of its employees, who still run the business today. 

The What:
This palace to seafood is really a throw back to when New York Harbor used to be home to half the world's oyster population. Today's selection doesn't yet come from these waters, but fresher waters on the west coast and further out east. The space, which was designed by Raphael Gustavino, features breathtaking vaulted ceilings and Gustavino tiles throughout.

And it is a perfect and iconic place to visit when waiting for your train to head to Connecticut or upstate New York. We get to gawk at this building and talk more about the secret history of it on our Midtown Sights & Bites tour.

 with spectacular Gustavino tiles and 

The inventive cookie flavors rotate depending upon the day of the week and the season. Currently, for the holiday season, you can find the beautiful Dirty Peppermint (a dark chocololate cookie with peppermint cream cheese frosting) and the Egg Nog (a sugar cookie with eggnog frosting and cinnamon). Both taste like Christmas in cookie form. Santa would be very proud. 

Throughout the year, you can also taste surprising cookie creations like Sweet Corn (corn flour cookie with cranberries and pecan bits) and Maple Bacon (candied bacon piece with maple syrup and toffee bits). And for the purist, the Chocolate Chip is about as classic as it gets.

The small storefront is always bustling with locals picking up some cookies or other treats (like brownies and macaroons) in the bright and cozy shop.


The Why:
It's hard to find small local businesses in this tourist-packed neighborhood of Midtown. Schmackary's is down a side street so people often miss it, but this is the kind of delicious local business we tell folks about on our Midtown Sights and Bites tour. The cookies are quite different than your usual varieties, but even more delicious. It's surprising, fun, and tasty. And knowing that this is the official cookie of Broadway (Zach's cookies have been delivered to almost every Broadway theater) makes us want to sing with glee!

The Where:
Schmackary's
362 West 45th Street,
New York, New York 10036
(646) 801-9866
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#MustDo in NYC: December 26-January 1

12/25/2016

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A Huge Menorah, An Adults Only Holiday Train Show, Go Running on New Year's Eve + Bowl for 2017

​​Click on the title for more info.
Lighting of the World's Largest Menorah/ December 27, 2016 from 6:00-7:00pm
For those celebrating Chanukah, the Rockefeller tree lighting might not have been as exciting as this annual celebration in Prospect Park. If you can't make it on the 4th night of the holiday, they will also be firing up the 32-foot tall menorah every night through December 31. The ceremony is presided over by Rabbi Shimon Hecht and there will be live music, fresh latkes, and special gifts for children (Jewish or not).
Bar Car Nights - Holiday Train Show for Adults/ December 30, 2016 from 7:00-10:00pm
The annual holiday train show at the New York Botanical Gardens might be a great thing to bring the kids to, but not on the select evenings where only adults can enjoy the wonder of the model trains cruising by re-created versions of some of NY's most iconic landmarks. There will also be ice carvings, live music, and of course, alcoholic drink specials.
NYRR MIdnight Run/ December 31, 2016 at 11:59pm
Instead of drowning your troubles in lots of alcohol, maybe you should get your resolutions started early and get in shape. The New York Road Runners will be hosting a four-mile run through Central Park starting at the stroke of midnight. Before the run gets underway, there will be face-painting, live music, and dancing. Plus, you will burn enough calories to make way for plenty of eating and drinking in 2017.
New Year's Day Family Bowl/ January 1, 2017 from 11:00am-8:00pm
Make it a memorable first day of the New Year by bowling and brunching at our favorite Brooklyn bowlling alley. Brooklyn Bowl will have no cover fee and be welcoming the entire family to bowl into 2017. Live music will accompany local beer (for the adults, of course) and food from Blue Ribbon. Make your 300 score resolution a reality on day one!
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#CurrentObsessions: Schmackary's

12/19/2016

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Picture
The Who:
Zachary "Schmackary" Schmahl moved to New York City from Nebraska to be a Broadway star. Instead, he ended up making the cookies that Broadway loves. He used baking as a way to relieve the stress that comes from days of auditions. He started experimenting with different cookie flavors (not just your usual chocolate chip) and before he knew it, he was selling cookies from his tiny NYC apartment. In 2012, Zach opened his first permanent cookie shop (Schmackary's) on 45th Street and Ninth Avenue - just steps away from Broadway.

The What:
The inventive cookie flavors rotate depending upon the day of the week and the season. Currently, for the holiday season, you can find the beautiful Dirty Peppermint (a dark chocololate cookie with peppermint cream cheese frosting) and the Egg Nog (a sugar cookie with eggnog frosting and cinnamon). Both taste like Christmas in cookie form. Santa would be very proud.

Throughout the year, you can also taste surprising cookie creations like Sweet Corn (corn flour cookie with cranberries and pecan bits) and Maple Bacon (candied bacon piece with maple syrup and toffee bits). And for the purist, the Chocolate Chip is about as classic as it gets.

The small storefront is always bustling with locals picking up some cookies or other treats (like brownies and macaroons) in the bright and cozy shop.


The Why:
It's hard to find small local businesses in this tourist-packed neighborhood of Midtown. Schmackary's is down a side street so people often miss it, but this is the kind of delicious local business we tell folks about on our Midtown Sights and Bites tour. The cookies are quite different than your usual varieties, but even more delicious. It's surprising, fun, and tasty. And knowing that this is the official cookie of Broadway (Zach's cookies have been delivered to almost every Broadway theater) makes us want to sing with glee!

The Where:
Schmackary's
362 West 45th Street,
New York, New York 10036
(646) 801-9866
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#MustDo in NYC: December 19-25

12/18/2016

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Picture

Potato Pancakes, Ice Cream Party, Caribbean Holiday Gifts, + A Boozy Christmas Brunch

​​Click on the title for more info.
The 8th Annual Latke Festival/ December 19, 2016 from 6:00-9:00pm
Tickets are going fast for this annual celebration and tasting of the Hanukkah staple. Who knew there could be so many different versions of fried potato pancakes? But a panel of celebrity judges crown the winner, but those that attend the event at the Brooklyn Museum reap the benefits. New proceeds are donated to The Sylvia Center.
Ice Cream Social at Ample Hills Creamery​/ December 21, 2016 from 7:00-9:30pm
It's never too cold for ice cream and Ample Hills and Brooklyn Brainery are hosting an educational and interactive ice cream party. There will be pizza, craft projects, a chance to ride the famous ice cream bicycle, and of course an old-fashion ice cream sundae bar. What a way to pre-game before all those holiday desserts!!
Caribbean Holiday Market/ December 23-December 24, 2016 at 5:00pm
In the heart of the Caribbean neighborhood of Flatbush, there is a unique holiday market running every day from 8am -5pm until Christmas Eve. A special curated selection of Caribbean gifts and food are available for at The Caribbeing House, a funky art gallery space inside a used shipping container. Soak up the culture, pick up one-of-a-kind gifts, eat some jerk chicken, and feel good about shopping local for the holidays.
Expats Xmas Day Brewer's Brunch/ December 25, 2016 from 12:00-4:00pm
If you don't have a place to go for Christmas this year (or don't celebrate the holiday), Jimmy's No. 43 has its doors open for you. One of our favorite East Village craft beer haunts is hosting a nother all-you-can-eat brunch ($25). The beer taps will be flowing and it's a warm, friendly place to celebrate.
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