July 19th, 2009

ART ON A BUDGET

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a pay-what-you-wish museum. The suggested donation is $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens (65 and older), and $10 for students. If you buy advance online tickets you will have to pay the full admission price. After you have paid your admission you will get a colored pin – which  you attach by putting it through a button hole and folding the thin end back in order to hold it in place. The pin allows you re-entry access for that whole day, which is key if you want to go grab  Some food outside of the museum or take a break in Central Park. The rooftop garden boasts  impressive views of Central Park and the city sky line. The Met is absolutely Massive! there is so much to see and experience from Ancient Egypt to The Evolution of Picasso. I recommend getting there early not only is there a lot to see but afternoons especially on weekends get quite busy and you might find yourself waiting in line to get inside.

dsc05609The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53 Street

Admission is free for all visitors during Target Free Friday Nights, held every Friday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets for Target Free Friday Nights are not available in advance. We got in line about 3:15PM and were handed tickets at around 3:45PM. A word to the wise – avoid bringing a backpack if at all possible – if you must – then I suggest heading strait to the bag check area behind the ticket counters as soon as you get inside. the bag check lines get long and the guy they have in charge of the queue is very serious about his job and will not hesitate to yell in your ear.  I  was thoroughly impressed with the MoMa as a   student of design I  left inspired -  I especially enjoyed the Bauhaus , Futurism and Poster works.  There were however some exhibits that were a little to “conceptual” for my liking. The MoMa courtyard is now open  and is quite beautiful.

dsc05654The Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Avenue

Admission to the Guggenheim is Pay-What-You-Wish on Saturdays from  5:45pm-7-45PM.  Click here for Regular Admission & Hours. The Guggenheim’s design is innovative yet extremely practical.  The spiraling ramp design allows for easy navigation which is a welcome change from the mazes other Museums usually are. In the two hours we had – we managed to see the The Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward Collection along with paintings by the likes of Picasso, Manet and Kandinsky.

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July 18th, 2009

WEST VILLAGE FOOD PILLAGE

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On Saturday Morning we made our way to the Queensborough bridge and rode the Tram to Roosevelt Island. A weekly Metro Card (27$) allows access to the Tram,  it departs every 15 minutes and the ride to the  Island is only about 5 minutes long. Once on the Island you can take the Island Red Bus Service for a mere 25 cents per trip. (10 cents for Seniors/Disabled or free children under 5 or to Students 18 and under(ID Required).

In the afternoon Kay and I decided to venture down to the West Village for some eats.

JOE’S PIZZA – 7 Carmine St.

joespizza

CLAIM TO FAME
The True Street Pizza is the Slice & The Quintessential New York Slice is At Joe’s Pizza - NY Magazine.

WHAT WE ATE
Pizza Slice -  Thin crust mozzarella cheese with some fresh tomato sauce.

THE VERDICT
The tomato sauce and mozzarella tasted fresh the grease didn’t over power the taste.

IS IT WORTH IT?
Yes

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FAICCO’S – 260 Bleecker St.

faiccos

CLAIM TO FAME
Pork Store – Serving the Village for over 100 years – The Finest Sausages and Italian Specialties.

WHAT WE ATE
1 rice ball, 1 potato and 1 prosciutto ball.

THE VERDICT
Kay mentioned that had we heated them up in the oven or  toaster they would probably taste quite good. That being said I liked the Proscuitto just fine.
In all fairness they are…, well.. just.. balls.

IS IT WORTH IT?
Maybe (lots of other stuff to try as well if balls are not your thing)

balls

BLEECKER STREET PIZZA – 69 Seventh Ave South (Corner of Bleecker St.)

blkpizza

CLAIM TO FAME
The Best Pizza in New York – The Food Network

WHAT WE ATE
Pizza Slice : Mushroom

THE VERDICT
 I liked the mushroom pizza a lot again not to greasy lots of toppings and fresh. In addition the staff was friendly, it has a washroom and their is a small patio were you can sit and down and enjoy your pizza while getting some sun.

IS IT WORTH IT?
Most Definitely.

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ROCCO’S – Italian Pastry Shop & Espresso Cafe – 243 Bleecker Street

roccos

CLAIM TO FAME
Rocco’s Pastry & Espresso Cafe‘ has been satisfying the great citizens of New York for 31 years. With an astounding selection of baked goods – nearly everything under the sun – Italian family traditions live on at Rocco’s. Our amazing assortment of fresh-made delights are sure to keep you coming back. But don’t take our word for it. Read why Shecky’s rated Rocco’s for Best Cannolis. If that’s not enough to make your mouth water, have a look at what the Zagat Survey is saying.

THE VERDICT
I had a difficult time trying to order a regular cream filled Cannoli, the cannoli-lady server kept repeating – “Chocolate Chip or Nuts?” over and over again.I am a newbie this is my first Cannoli is there something I should know?  is there no such  thing as a plain Cannoli? someone please enlighten me. (I ended up with chocolate chips.)The Cannoli’s are a marvelous creation Rocco’s Cannoli’s were insanely fantastic – both Kay and I enjoyed our first Cannoli experience very much.

IS IT WORTH IT?
Obviously, the real question is are YOU worth it?

canoli

Finished off lunch with the most amazing creation on the face of the earth – read more here (it needed it’s own artictle to capture its greatness).

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July 12th, 2009

SUMMER SUN-DAY AT CENTRAL PARK

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Central Park spans two and a half miles from 59th Street to 110th Street and half a mile from Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue.  Map

There is a lot to do at Central Park so give yourself  a good amount of time, bring some comfortable shoes,  water and lots of energy.

I was surprised by the size of the park and the amount of attractions it provides. Here are a few links to attractions you may want to visit while you are at the Park.

SummerStage
Metropolitan Museum
Central Park Zoo
Wollman Rink
Kids Playgrounds
 More…

centralpond

We took a seat in the shade by the pond in Central Park. A group of men set the tone with some soothing Classical Music. We watched as young boys and their fathers spent time sailing miniature remote control boats.  Time stood still for me. Truly  a perfect summer day.

sleepingbeauty It seems I wasn’t the only one enjoying this wonderful lazy Sunday.

viewfrommetropolitan

The view from the roof garden of the metropolitan Museum

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by averagejose | Posted in New York, Travel | No Comments » | Tags: , , , , , ,
July 11th, 2009

C.R.E.A.M….PUFF?

beardpapabanner

I recommend taking a walk around the West Village (Carmine & Bleecker Street) to anyone planning to visit NYC in the summer. Its got a beautiful vibe to it. People walking around enjoying the sunshine – streets lined with pizzerias, deli’s and dessert shops and a nice little park to sit down and take a breather.

Beard Papa’s!!! Kay shrieked as she pointed to a cardboard cut-out of Santa Claus and Popeye’s ‘love child’. Apparently Bearded Papa is a very popular Cream Puff shop in Japan.

I’ve never had a Cream Puff before – in fact I don’t think I have ever said the words ‘Cream Puff’ in my life.  Kay however, thoroughly enjoyed making me say Cream Puff over and over again (impossible to make it sound manly, I suppose).

We bought two (chocolate and vanilla) then sat down to enjoy them on a bench in the park.  I ate the chocolate one, Kay had the vanilla. I asked to try some of the vanilla  – she reluctantly let me have a taste….

My eyes lit up – I was in shock  – my girlfriend noticed and slowly inched away from me as I eyed the rest of her Cream Puff.  After what seemed like an eternity 30 seconds – I stood up -  looked at Beard Papa’s – looked at my girlfriend (repeat x3) – she understood and I ran back for another…..

went back the next day too…

In September we have a 10 hour lay-over in NYC on our way to Australia and a 15 hour lay over in LAX on the way back – Cream Puffs will be had (I’m sick, I know).

Beard Papa’s – Open a franchise in Toronto – Hire me!

averagejose – will work for……

creampuff

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by averagejose | Posted in Food, New York, Travel | 1 Comment » | Tags: , , ,













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