The 9th Avenue International Food Festival

Get ready NYC! It's time to indulge at one of NYC's most popular street fairs. The 42nd annual Ninth Avenue International Food Festival takes place this year on Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th 2015 from Noon to 5PM on 9th Avenue in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan.

The annual food fest stretches out from 42nd to 57th Streets and brings in over a million people a year for fun and grub! Expect cuisine that is Greek, Spanish, Polish and Italian foods - to Chinese, South Korean and Indian specialties. 

Getting to the 9th Avenue food festival by subway:

From the East Side: Take 4, 5 or 6 train to Grand Central and transfer to the 7 train and exit at the Times Square station. Walk two blocks west to 9th Avenue.

From the West Side: Take the A, E or C train to 42nd Street-Port Authority and walk one block west to 9th Avenue; OR take the 1, 2 or 3 train to Times Square station and walk two blocks west to 9th Avenue

MRS

July 4th Cocktails for Everyone

Happy 4^th of July! I found a few family friendly cocktails that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family and some of them are healthy and delicious. 

Coconut Horchata

Ingredients:
4 cups rice milk
3 or 4 cinnamon sticks plus more for garnish
14 oz. coconut milk (If you are using canned coconut milk, make sure it is creamy, not chunky.)
1/2 cup rice or almond flour
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
ice cubes
ground cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

1.       Bring rice milk and cinnamon sticks to a simmer in a medium saucepan.

2.       Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl or pitcher.

3.       Whisk in coconut milk, rice flour, and vanilla.

4.       Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve over ice with
ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick for garnish.

     Watermelon Agua Fresca

 

Ingredients

8 cups seedless watermelon cubes

6 tablespoons honey or agave nectar

1/3 cup fresh lime juice plus 1 sliced lime

A few sprigs mint or rosemary

Ice

Instructions:

1.       Puree watermelon in blender.

2.       Strain into bowl through fine-mesh sieve.

3.       Stir in honey and lime juice.

4.        Transfer to pitcher

5.        Stir in 1-1/2 cups water, add lime slices.

6.        Chill; serve over ice.

Papaya Smoothie 

Ingredients: 

2 cups papaya (peeled, seeded and cubed)

2 cups milk

1/4 cup white sugar

2 cups ice

 

Instructions:

1.       Add everything to the blender

2.       Serve & enjoy

Which one are you most excited about?

NS

Orange is the New Black Food Truck Hits NYC this weekend!

If you are a fan of the amazing Netflix hit series Orange is the New Black, than you are in for one big treat! Netflix announced to roll out a food truck in NYC that serves… get this CRAZY PYES! A tribute to their infamous character Crazy Eyes, whose catchphrase the first season was “I threw my pie for you!” The free food truck will be serving up free pies and chocolate and vanilla swirled ice cream cones.

Watch out for the free food truck in the city! Here are dates and locations of the truck:

Friday, June 13: 4-8 p.m.: Between 22th and 23rd streets, near Madison Square Park

 Saturday, June 14: 2-6 p.m.: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at North 7th St.

 Sunday, June 15: 1-5 p.m.: West side of Central Park near Columbus Circle

MRS

Weekend Stuff To Do!

Any Plans for the Weekend?

So this weekend looks like it will be a pretty nice one weather wise! Are you planning on getting out and enjoying the weather? Here are some ideas for the weekend J You’re welcome!

 

Saturday May 31, 2014
Yankee Stadium
If you find yourself in my hometown borough The Bronx, why don’t you grab some tickets to see The NY Yankees vs.  The Minnesota Twins? Tickets are starting at $27.50 on Stubhub. If you are on a budget, Yankee Stadium may be a bit over priced if you’re looking for drinks and food. However, if you are NOT on a budget please try the garlic fries! You will not regret it. Suggestions for around the Stadium include Stan’s Sports Bar if you are looking for a cheap drink or seven! They are located across the street from the Stadium. There is also a HardRock Café right before you walk into the stadium.

Summer on the Hudson : Learn to Ride

Bike path at 135th St.
Hudson River Greenway Manhattan
Contact # (212) 870-2080
11:00am – 4:00pm
Free!
If you have a little one and want to teach them how to ride a bike, this is the perfect event for you! New riders 5 years and up learn to balance, ride, & enjoy life on two wheels. A limited number of kids bikes will be lent by Bike and Roll NYC.
Reservations required. First come, first trained!

Shape Up NYC Zumba in West Harlem Piers Park - Summer on the Hudson in Riverside Park

Riverside Park from 59th Street to 148th Street
11:00am - 125th & Marginal Sts.
Free!
Working on that beach body still? Shape Up NYC (a NYC Parks program in partnership with Equinox, NYC Service, and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield) offers free fitness classes to help New Yorkers get and stay fit!

 

Sunday June 1, 2014

Why not have a brunch on Sunday? Many of the brunches in the city serve alcohol starting at 12pm. I recently went to a brunch spot called Essex located on 120 Essex Street in Manhattan. Make a reservation ahead of time because it can get a bit crowded. Brunch is $23.95 (CASH ONLY) and comes with food and your choice of three drinks (Bloody Mary, Screw Driver, Mimosas). Here is their brunch menu.

The Night Sky From Brooklyn Bridge Park - Brooklyn Bridge - Pier 1

Old Fulton Street
Contact # 212-691-2800
8pm-12am
If you are a nerd like me, you will probably enjoy this one! Get out your telescope (or come borrow one of theirs) for a night of urban stargazing and live music as they celebrate the dance of the planets. Learn even more about the universe at their Star Chat, where some of the world’s best astronomers, physicists, and scientists will discuss hunting for life, landing crafts on Mars, and discovering planets trillions and trillions of miles away. Gear up for the Also get a taste of what it’s like to be an exoplanet hunter with NASA’s interactive game, The Hidden Light, and enjoy finding your favorite constellations without ever leaving the city.

MRS