Tasting Tribeca

You might think that after a full brunch one would want to go home and take a nap. But not this awesome New Yorker. I just can't say no to an event. Especially one that involves food, the outdoors and nice weather and free tickets (thank you for a Twitter contest Bullfrog and Baum!). 

The Taste of Tribeca was this past Saturday and featured notable restaurants like Marc Forgione, Nobu, Landmarc, Locanda Verde and Tribeca Grill. Of course arriving for the last hour of the event meant that all of those notable places had already run out of food, packed up and headed home. Oh well, after all I had just eaten brunch. The tickets I won gave me tastes at six different restaurants. My friend who came with me had not just eaten brunch so I was able to take pictures of more than I actually ate (I'm not that much of a glutton people). Eat your hearts out.

The crowd at Taste of Tribeca

Ricotta Cheesecake from Pepolino

Ricotta Cheesecake from Pepolino

Jerk Chicken Tacos from Ward III

Vanilla Caramel ice cream with a Waffel from Petit Abeille and City Hall Restaurant

 

Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage and Butternut Squash from Roc

Chocolate Eggs from unknown

 My favorite was definitely the orecchiette, but then again that was the only savory thing I tasted. It definitely made me want to go to Roc for dinner though, that's for sure. The waffel was mighty wonderful, but the chocolate egg didn't do it for me. It was way too rich. We stopped at Tribeca Wine Merchants for a free tasting of summer whites after the food stands were closing up. All in all, it was a wonderful event and I hope I can return next year.

Feeling Mad?

I suppose one could feel mad in several different ways - crazy, upset, insane, in love. I'm not sure of the exact mood the people over at Pranna were feeling when they named their new brunch party, but with three drinks and a delicious entree, you will have a mad awesome time at their Mad Brunch, all for only $28.

I love brunch. So when I was invited to Pranna, a new-ish Thai fusion mega-restaurant in Flatiron, this past weekend to give their's a whirl, I was very excited. Boyfriend in tow, we arrived at noon (a bit earlier than most of the NYC brunch crowd, but people trickled in shortly after) and were both in awe of the sheer size of this place. I'm not sure if Pranna becomes a dance club at night, but it totally could. It's very New York, from the glass ball chandeliers to the aqua-toned leather on the walls and the swank bathrooms. Upon sitting down at a comfy booth for two, we were offered the first of our three drinks. We both ordered bellinis, but the other choices were mimosas, screwdrivers and bloody mary's. I found it a little odd that the drinks were served in plastic flutes for such a posh place, but I'm not one to judge a place for its glassware. They probably have their reasons. 

The brunch menu is pretty vast when you compare it to other similar places. The menu was split in half with breakfast-y/egg-y things on one side and lunch-y dishes on the other. The lunch dishes looked great, mostly all Asian-inspired like the 7-Spiced Seared Tuna Salad and the Signature Thai Drunken Noodles, but I have to have my huevos for brunch. I ordered the Lobster Benedict and my boyfriend got the Steak and Eggs. The Benedict came with two lobster tails and two poached eggs each on a bed of sauteed spinach on top of an English muffin. It was served with curried cauliflower and potatoes (an interesting spin on home fries) and a fresh spinach salad with a tangy, peppery dressing. The lobster and eggs were cooked well (the yolks still ran when I poked them), but the English muffin was a bit soggy, like maybe it had been sitting for a while before being served. I would have liked it a little more if there was slightly less butter on the spinach and a fresher muffin. Flavor-wise though, it was great. I was a big fan of the cauliflower and potatoes as I thought the curry flavor was original and unusual for breakfast. My boyfriend wasn't a fan of the curry or the cauliflower, but that just meant I got seconds. The double helping of spinach on the plate, although healthy, was a bit redundant and I wasn't uber-pleased with the dressing. The steak and eggs were pretty standard. The hangar steak had a nice marinade and was cooked just the way it was ordered. It also came with the cauliflower and potatoes and the spinach.

Lobster Benedict

Steak and Eggs

The DJ started around the time we received our second drinks, and that was a fun addition to brunch. The music was advertised as global beats, and I'd agree with that, though there was definitely some Rihanna in there. 

Overall, brunch at Pranna was a good experience. The service was a bit slow and haphazard, but everyone was very nice. We waited around for a while after pondering a third drink, but then decided to be productive with the rest of our day. The food was a nice splurge from our usual brunch diet and the ambiance was enjoyable. After seeing what the place looks like in the day, I definitely want to go back and check it out at night.  

Spend more than $50 on Broadway? Puh-leeeease!

I cannot tell you the last time I spent more than $50, if not less, on a Broadway ticket. Honestly, between TDF's membership program, Yelp's Broadway Nights, lotteries and rush tickets, I laugh at anyone who spends more than a Ulysses S. Grant on a show. But alas! There's more! For those of us "young" theater-goers, there are several programs that you need to know about!

Roundabout's Hiptix
The Roundabout Theater Company produces some of the best shows on Broadway -- currently: The Importance of Being Earnest, Anything Goes and The People in the Picture. If you're between the ages of 18-35, you can purchase two tickets for each of their productions for only $20 each! They often run promotions for $10 tickets as well and throw parties for Hiptix members with free drinks and snacks. You have to order your tickets via phone and pick them up the day of the show with proof of age (your guest must also be between 18-35 and show proof of age as well). Signing up is free so what are you waiting for?

Manhattan Theater Club's 30 Under 30
MTC is another big name theater organization, currently producing Good People, Cradle and All and Master Class. If you are under the age of 30, you can purchase two tickets for each of their shows for just $30, pending availability. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, by phone or online and your guest can be of any age (this is different from other young patron programs). Also, MTC offers additional perks like parties, readings and giveaways that you will have access to upon signing up for the program and receiving their emails.

Lincoln Center Theater LincTix
LincTix is a program I just discovered and I think it's pretty new. You can sign up for this program if you are betweetn 21-35 for $30 tickets to any show playing at the Beaumont Theater (currently the hit show War Horse), the Newhouse Theater and all shows LCT presents on Broadway (previously Joe Turner's Come and Gone and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). While you can buy your tickets online the catch for this one is that you can only buy one ticket per member. If you'd like to go with another friend aged 21-35 then you can request to sit with that person by filling in their member number and phone number when buying your ticket, but that person will also have to buy his/her own ticket. Still, $30 for War Horse? I'm game.

So basically, if you're under 30 or 35, there's no excuse for you to be shelling out lots of dough for a show (with the exception of Book of Mormon - just pay the money and see this AMAZING exhibit of theater at its best). If you come across any additional programs like these, comment below so I can share with the rest of the Awesome in New York community.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Lucky Guy

What do you get when you mix a singing cowboy, a used car salesman, Emmy Award-winner Leslie Jordan (from Will &  Grace) and Hawaiian music? LUCKY GUY! 

A new musical comedy, Lucky Guy takes place in Nashville, and tells the story of a cast of characters all chasing the dream of a solid gold hit record. It's currently playing at  the Little Shubert Theater at 422 W. 42nd Street through July 24.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to see Lucky Guy! The tickets must be picked up at the box office the day of the show. There are 4 easy ways to win and each comment counts as an entry. Please include your email in any comments so I know how to contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment below letting me know why you want to see this show.

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Tweet or blog about this event and let me know with a link to your tweet or blog in a comment below.

One winner will be chosen using Random.org on Monday 5/23. You have until Thursday 5/23 at 4 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

A winner has been chosen! Congratulations Brendon! He was the 15th commenter and wins two tickets to see Lucky Guy! Thanks everyone for entering and stay tuned for more awesomeness.