Manhattan in Motion

It's hard to think of everything going on around the city when you're stuck in an overheated subway car or a cubicle far from a coveted window, but New York City is flippin' fantastic. I stumbled across a time lapse video called "Manhattan in Motion" by a man named Josh Owens and I was mesmerized by what he was able to capture. I especially liked seeing the Astor Place Cube spin round like a top that won't fall down and the way he panned from the quiet solitude of a rooftop to the busy streets below.


Mindrelic - Manhattan in motion from Mindrelic on Vimeo.

The original video can be found here. Enjoy!

FINALLY! Good Mexican in Manhattan

Being from Los Angeles, I have been searching high and low in NYC for something to even come close to replicating the often-craved, authentic Mexican food I can find readily available at home. There's the Mexican take-out joints run by Chinese people, and they have decent, cheap food, but the meat always seems like it could double in a Mongolian beef dish as well. Chipotle makes a decent burrito, but come on, burritos are more American than apple pie at this point. 

So when the oh-so-reliable blog Midtown Lunch alerted me to a new Mexican food purveyor near my office, I had to check it out. Taqueria Nixtamalito excited me because the name alone wasn't dumbed down to something a typical American office worker could say easily (not that it didn't take everyone a while to learn the correct pronunciation of Chipotle, but that's a different story). The "permanent cart," I'll call it, is an offshoot of Tortilleria Nixtamal in Corona, Queens. They've been dishing out fresh made tortillas, tamales and enchiladas (and wholesaling to NYC staples like Mexicue, Dos Toros Tacos and Rosa Mexicano) and decided to take their show to the big leagues by opening in a space just south of the Municipal Building (1 Centre Street).

When I arrived at 12:15 on a beautiful Tuesday, the line was about five people deep. I read that it can get much longer so I decided to take lunch on the earlier side. For such a small place, I was happy to see such a large menu. Tamales are one of my favorite foods if they're made right, and Taqueria Nixtamalito offered several varieties including chicken mole, chipotle with pork and chicken, and verde with pork all $3.50. The taco menu was also extensive and included chicken ($2.50), pork ($2.50), barbacoa ($2.75), carnitas ($2.50), shrimp ($3.00) and fish ($3.00). Rounding out the menu were chicken mole enchiladas, tortas, guacamole and salads. They also sell the Mexican soda Jarritos!

Although I was tempted by the chicken mole enchiladas, I couldn't pass up what I thought would hopefully be the most amazing (read = only) tamale I've had in years. I ordered the shrimp taco and chicken mole tamale. The cashier asked me if I'd like salsa and I said yes please. Then he made my day even more and asked if I'd like green or red. Salsa verde (green salsa) is amazing with tamales! 

Shrimp Taco

Chicken Mole Tamale 

Tamale Post-Salsa Verde

Ay carumba was I happy! With only three tables next to the actual stand, I took my food across the street to city hall park to eat in the shade and people watch. However, I would totally advocate for finding a table to eat this meal at. After carefully covering my lap in a napkin layered with the plastic bag layered with another napkin, I dug in. The shrimp taco came with mango, cucumber, a tangy mayo-based sauce and of course chunks of succulent shrimp. The handmade tortilla made all the difference as well.

I covered my tamale in the smoky salsa verde and enjoyed the mix of flavors with the mole. There were large pieces of shredded chicken that I enjoyed until I was scraping the extra off of the corn husk. For $6.50, this was a pretty filling lunch. I definitely could not eat two whole tamales without feeling super full. Next time I'm ordering the enchiladas. Who's with me?

The cashier said that they will soon be launching a system where customers can order online, but until then... Viva Taqueria Nixtamalito!

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.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: $25 to Sweetery!

Traditions are great and NYC is chock full of them. An eight-year tradition that I've brought with me from LA to Boston and finally to New York is coming up this Saturday -- the MS Walk. I'll be walking with my team "Straight Shooters 2" six miles through lower Manhattan and Brooklyn to honor my mom who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was in high school. Every year I increase my fundraising goal and this year I'm aiming for $2500. The money goes to fund excellent programming and support initiatives for people with MS and to enable breakthrough research.

By viewing my personal fundraising page, you can learn more about my personal story, why I walk and the meaning behind the team name. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will be sunny and warm as we walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and through the gorgeous area of Brooklyn Heights with our poster held high.

Part of the Straight Shooters 2 in the 2010 Walk MS

Another addition to the NYC tradition roster, food trucks, more specifically Sweetery, will be featured this Saturday at the walk. They will be setting up shop at the MS Walk and will be donating 25% of their proceeds to the MS Society. Sweetery has also been generous enough to offer me a $25 gift card to give to one lucky person who donates to my team. You could use that dough to purchase delicious muffins, cookies, cupcakes or my personal favorites - macarellas!

Here's how you enter! Please include your email in any comments so I know how to contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Donate $5 or more on my fundraising page and comment back here to let me know you did so.

2) If you donate $10 or more, you will get an extra entry into the giveaway. Be sure to comment below with exactly how much you donated. 

I won't be doing extra entries for following me on Twitter, but I would really appreciate you telling your friends about this contest as an act of good will to help me raise $2500. Also, if you've already donated, you can still enter the contest. Just be sure to comment below with your name, email address and how much you donated. Lastly, if you're feeling like you'd like to do some fundraising of your own, I invite you to join my team! If you raise $100 by Saturday, you will get a swanky-danky T-shirt - ow, ow!

One winner will be chosen using Random.org on Saturday 4/30. You have until Saturday 4/30 at 12 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!