In smaller cities, getting in the car and parking in front of the grocery store isn’t even thought about twice but when you’re living or traveling anywhere from the Bronx to Staten Island, where parking doesn’t exist and driving amidst crazy yellow cab drivers can be a matter of life or death, you’re left with a choice.

You can either:

1. Hop in with one of the cab drivers and spend $10.00 driving 6 grid-locked blocks
2. Or you can learn to navigate the city’s complex subway system and save your dinner money for dinner instead of shelling it out to tip cab drivers

Choose the Subway

If you’re going to be in the city for more than 2 days and you have a few extra minutes to figure out the transit schedule that contains 26 separate lines and 468 stations, it’s possible to literally save HUNDREDS of dollars on cab fares.

Subway Passes

Subway passes can be purchased for $2.50 for a single trip or if you’re going to be in the city for longer or are a permanent resident we recommend the long-term passes.

These passes can be purchased in 7-day or 30-day versions with the 7-day going for $29 or the 30-day going for $104.

It Gets Better

Recently, a New York City-based iphone app has been developed to help residents and travelers navigate the subway system. This app is called 24-Hour KickMap and can be purchased for only $1.99. KickMap helps you navigate the city’s subway system day and night by providing two maps for 24-hour coverage.

Don’t have an iphone? The app can be accessed through ipads, ipod touches, or even though through an iphone jailbreak process where you can simply add a new or used iphone to your current cell phone plan at no extra charge.

This iphone app, KickMap, is a unique and thorough subway app because it combines both diagrammatic and topographic features where straight and simple lines are featured with only a few important exceptions.

The map system is even color coded so the different lines are differentiated. Additionally, the app allows users to tell whether or not a train stops at a specific station and whether or not it stops there only at peak hours, off-peak hours, or all the time.

High Hopes

The creators of this app have high hopes that not only will KickMap make the subway systems more accessible, but that if more travelers take advantage of the subway when traveling to and from work and also to destination points like the Javits Center, Tiis Park, Orchard Beach, and the airports that the extra subway use will help to cut down on confusion and pollution when navigating the city.

Click here to read more about KickMap.

Wings

For the best wings in New York, look no further than Pok Pok Wing. The head chef uses Thai spices and techniques to serve up a variety of Asian style wings. Flavors range from salty to pungent and sweet to garlicky.

Maybe you’re a fan of spicy and maybe you’re not, wings come in made-to-order temperatures. The restaurant also provides a variety of finger foods and drinks to clean your palate or to quell the hurts-so-good burning.

Pok Pok Wing is located at 137 Rivington St., nr. Norfolk St.

Steak

Once upon a time, butchers would keep one of the best cuts of meat to themselves: the butcher’s steak. The steak is a rare novelty since there is only one per cow. At St. Anselm, you can have as many butcher’s steaks as you like. Chances are you’ll only need one…per meal. The steak is naturally full of flavor, which is enhanced by expert grilling and carving.

Most people would assume that since the butcher’s steak is such a rare, high quality cut of meat that they’ll have to pay an arm and a leg for it. At St. Anselm, you only have to pay $15! Looks like a win-win situation that benefits you on both counts.

St. Anselm is located at 355 Metropolitan Ave., nr. Havemeyer St., Williamsburg.

Deli

Few deli’s in New York can produce masterpieces equal to those that come from Kutsher’s Tribeca. Get ready for slabs of salami, pastrami, duck, or smoked veal tongue. Fix up your sandwich with fresh, flavorful additions like mustard, pickles, tomatoes and cheese. You’ll also have your choice of several great breads, including rye. You can’t leave Kutsher’s Tribeca without trying the horseradish aioli; a sensational sauce with a good dose of capers and shallots.

We recommend ordering the “works” which is sandwich that combines all the best meats, vegetables, and sauces.

Kutsher’s Tribeca is located on 186 Franklin St., nr. Greenwich St.


Pok Pok Wing, St. Anselm, and Kutsher’s Tribeca are only a small fraction of the culinary marvels to be found in New York. That doesn’t mean that you can or should leave New York without giving them a try.

On Sunday, February 5, the Patriots will be looking for revenge. With a 9-7 record, the Giants are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The Patriots finished the 2011 season with a 13-3 record; one of those losses was to the Giants. The Patriots may have a better 2011 record than the Giants; but history has shown that this is not enough to secure a Super Bowl victory. The Giants did it before; they could do it again.

Hard-core Super Bowl fans look forward to the game all throughout the year. Even if you don’t watch football, you watch the Super Bowl. Location is critical. Not everyone can fork out money for the outrageously priced tickets to see the game in person at Indianapolis, IN. So most people will opt for watching the game at home, at a friend’s house, or their favorite sports bar. If you live in New York and are planning on the third options, we have some great recommendations for you:

• East End Bar & Grill is a common meeting place for Giant fans. What better place to watch the championship game? The bar has great deals on burgers and wings and $3 mugs of imported beer.
• Ocean’s 8 is the place to be on Sunday…that is if you are a fan of some of biggest HDTVs you’ll ever see! Thirty to be exact. Besides great food and beer, Ocean’s 8 has half a dozen ping pong tables, 2 bowling alleys, and 30 pool tables.
• The Hill may be higher up on the sports bar totem pole, but you’ll still be able to enjoy the game. The Hill boasts two floors, each with a bar, and 25 HDTVs. The food is fancier, but who said nachos was the only thing you could eat on Super Bowl Sunday?

Whether the Giants defeat the Patriots for a second time, or the Patriots come back and upset the former champions; Sunday’s game is one you will not want to miss. No matter where you end up watching the game remember to have lots of food, enjoy the commercials, and cheer for the Giants!

Whether you are looking for European, Afgani, Chinese, African, Portuguese, Scandinavian, or Italian some of the best offerings are available in NYC. In addition, you can find vegan and vegetarian options in most restaurants.

Nearly any cuisine you desire can be found within your budget. From five star restaurants to little-known hole-in-the-walls, New York is the ideal location for the food junkie.

Italian

Paninos, prosciutto, and cannolis grace the menus of countless Italian eateries. Some of our favorites are:

‘ino
21 Bedford St., New York, NY 10012
$
‘ino was the first, and arguably still the best, of the tiny Italian sandwich bars. The panino with rucola, sun-dried tomatoes, onion, and fontina is one of their best selling sandwiches and is sure to delight your taste buds.

Babbo
110 Waverly Pl., New York, NY 10011
$$$
Mario Batali’s unique and airy Italian dishes are a treat. Be sure to try the goat-cheese tortelloni dusted in dried orange and wild-fennel pollen!

Sushi

Fresh fish is delivered daily to the numerous sushi eateries in New York. Master sushi chefs create dishes that taste as absolutely incredible as they look.

15 East
15 E 15th St., New York, NY 10003
$$$$
15 East is a rare and exotic jewel near Union Square West. The seven-course tasting menu gives you a sample of their best dishes.

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill
308 W 58th St., New York, NY 10019
$$$
Rated highly by patrons, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill offers perfectly spiced sushi and sashimi as well as comfort foods such as fried chicken with a dusting of paprika.

Greek

bZ grill
27-02 Astoria Blvd., New York, NY 11102
$$
bZ grill serves both standard Greek dishes like gyros and kebabs along with specialties like seftalia.

Man vs. Food

If you are anxious to indulge in massive amounts of food, take a look at more than 20 restaurants featured on Man vs. Food. These restaurants offer challenges to consume spicy food or whole gallons of ice cream in a certain amount of time. It’s a fun way to explore the city!

Regardless of your favorite foods, New York offers it all. From southern barbeque to ethic dishes to good old American classics, you can easily find what you’re looking for. There’s no excuse to go hungry in New York City!

Well, have no fear. Mardi Gras – the day and the festival – are lots of fun and the “rules” and traditions are relatively simple. If you prepare, you can have the time of your life.

Beads

Even if you know nothing else about Mardi Gras, you have probably seen the gaudy plastic beads in green, purple, and gold. Inexpensive beads and toys are thrown from the parades during the celebration.

In the last decade of the 20th century, beads and trinkets have become a means for voyeurs to get women to expose themselves in exchange for these cheap toys. Lest you think that this is a new tradition, it was first documented in 1889.

Social Clubs

There are two main social clubs that play a large part in the parades and celebration – Zulu and Rex. These clubs host balls, and the king and queen of Mardi Gras present themselves. These balls are extremely exclusive, and not even government officials are necessarily granted a ticket.

Flambeau Carriers

Many parades include these flame torches, traditionally carried by slaves so that spectators could better see the festivities. In modern times, these are more of a spectacle themselves, with the carriers dancing and participating in the reveling.

King Cake

The traditional King cake is a coffee cake, and is oblong and braided. It is iced with a simple icing and covered with purple, green and gold sugar. Each cake contains a hidden bean or small plastic baby, and custom dictates that whoever finds it must either buy the next King cake or throw the next King cake party.

One Mardi Gras organization uses the King cake tradition to choose the queen of its annual ball.

Costumes

On the official Tuesday of the Mardi Gras celebration, many people are seen wearing elaborate – or barely existent – costumes. These can be carnival themed, emulating monarchy, or basically anything, as long as it incorporates the traditional colors.

Many vendors sell over-priced Mardi Gras shirts and other articles of clothing, accessories, and Mardi Gras themed merchandise.

Conclusion

There are lots of traditions associated with Mardi Gras. It’s up to you to decide which ones you want to participate in or incorporate into your party. Just remember – if you do end up going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, don’t get conned. Most of these traditions are free! Don’t spend your money without knowing what you are getting.

Currently the hotel is holding a special: Stay two nights in a room or suite and receive the third night complimentary!

About the Gramercy

The Gramercy Park Hotel has recently experienced a full transformation and is now a 21st century return to Bohemia. The reinvented and rejuvinated hotel now contains original combinations of styles, authentically original furniture, and artwork containing an unusual use of color., all brought together by some of the most talented minds and designers in NYC.

The Gramercy describes its transformation as: “original, romantic, surprising, poetic and whimsical. The approach and unique vision to this boutique hotel evokes an emotional response like a work of art. With the Gramercy Park Hotel, the bar has been raised.”

Hotel Amenities

Aside from its unique interior and splash of intense color on every wall and piece of furniture the hotel offers a unique array of amenities:

The Store: The Gramercy Park store offers all amenities from pillows to bedsheets to perfumes but also offers cameras, clothing, rugs, and lighters

The Restaurant: The restaurant is a new Roman-style trattoria that serves roman-style cooking by executive Chef Nick Anderer. The restaurant is open throughout the day and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Bars: There are two bars within the Gramercy and both require reservations to made for anyone wanting to attend after 9pm because they like to keep their guest list exclusive. Reservations are typically taken up to 24 hours in advance. Both of these bars, The Rose Bar and the Jade Bar have been dubbed some of the most exciting places in NYC and if you’re planning on visiting any of these two hot spots on New Year’s Eve, we suggest putting in your reservation TODAY.

The Gym and Spa: The gym is located on the second floor and for guests convenience, is open 24 hours a day. The gym features treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, weights, and punching bags. Additionally, you can schedule personal training sessions with the concierge. The spa on the other hand offers everything from massages, to pedicures, to toxin-removing steam baths. In fact, the steam bath is available complimentary to any guests of the hotel.

Weddings: Wish we would have found this little lovely on our wedding venue search but the Gramercy is the perfect location for the eclectic bride and groom who want to hold their wedding in a place no one will forget. The hotel caters to every part of the wedding from the bridal shower to the ceremony to the post-wedding lunch to the reception. The complete set of wedding accomodations includes:

A personalized, one-of-a-kind wedding celebration:

– Dedicated Special Events team to meet your every need
– Custom created menus
– Complimentary hotel suite for wedding night, for weddings of 100 guests or more
– Assistance in selecting the most discerning floral, invitation and wedding cake designers
– Romantic Candlelit setting
– State of the art sound system

Stop By

Whether you’re in the market for a New Year’s eve party spot, a day of relaxation, or a a whimsical wedding location, the Gramercy offers it all. Stop by soon and enjoy the original art work, the fanciful decor, and the bohemian vibe. Room rates range from 350 a night to 2,110.

What’s Coming?

Apple is opening one of its biggest stores yet in NYC’Grand Central Terminal. The store is set to open this Friday (just in time for holiday shopping), is going to be over 23,000 square feet large, and employ over 300.

What Will it Offer?

One of the greatest features about this new Apple addition is that a large part of the sales are going to be self-service. All you’ll have to do to check out is slide your iphone across the product’s bar code and the receipt comes by mail. Bob Bridger, Apple’s company vice president claims, “It’s all about putting the customer in charge” in regards to the self-service check outs.

This will be Apple’s fifth location in New York and is projected to gross over $100 million in the first year. Talk about a tall order.

One of the main perks about this particular Apple location is that it’s set to offer 15 minute Apple product training courses for New Yorkers in a hurry.

Stop By

Whether you’re visiting the city or frequent the metro regularly, this Apple location is going to be the place to shop, especially around the busy holiday season where you can order something from the train and have it ready to be picked up when you arrive.

1. Totonno’s Coal-Fired Pizza

- Tottono’s is a Big Apple staple that has been serving its pies since 1924! This famous pizza joint is famous for its coal-fired pizza that allows the pizza to cook for longer without getting burnt. Coal-fired pizza is a favorite in New York because the cheese is melted perfectly and the meat and veggies have enough time to let their juices soak into the pie. Totonno’s is a top-notch establishment for those looking for simple pizza with extraordinary flavor.

Address: 1524 Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11224 (b/n West 15th and West 16th streets); 718-372-8606

2. Di Fara’s

Famous for their square-pie, Di Fara’s is the perfect pizza establishment for those looking for simple good flavor and for those looking to get the most pizza for their money. Di Fara’s creates huge, square-shaped pizzas that have been “artfully charred” for those who would like a true New York pizza experience. Di Fara’s offers slices at $5.00 bucks a piece but patrons claim that the steep prices are well worth the perfect flavor.

Address: Di Fara: 1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn NY 11230; 718-596-8855; difara.com

3. Paulie Gee’s

: Now, this is a top-notch pizzeria. Paulie Gee’s is a bit more upscale than your typical New York pizza joint and offers a more exotic menu than the typical tomato sauce and mozzarella. Some of Paulie Gee’s specialty pies include: The Marinated KalePizza, Brussels Sprout and Pancetta Pizza, and a Braised Fennel Pizza. If you’re in the mood to experiment with great flavor and taste. Paulie Gee’s is the place to be.

Address: 60 Greenpoint Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11222; 347-987-3747; pauliegee.com

4. Pier 76

: Famous for their vodka pie made with a sauce infused with pancetta, parmesa, and vodka, Pier 76 provides a pizza like no other. The restaurant is virtually a clone of an equally tasty pizzeria down the street (Joe & Pat’s) but what sets Pier 76 apart, is definitely the vodka slice. The chef at Pier 76 graduated from the Culinary Institute of American and his training and restaurant management definitely shows in his dedication to his establishment. If you’re in the mood for something slightly different but aren’t quite sure you want to try Paulie Gees fennel just yet, Pier 76 offers a mix of traditional and innovative pizza pies.

Address: Pier 76: 76 Bay Street, Staten Island NY (near Slosson Terr.); 718-447-7437; pier76si.com

5.L&B Spumoni Gardens

: The Sicilian slice at Spumoni Garden is famous for its thick crust, perfectly charred edges, over-dose of tomato sauce, just the right amount of mozzarella and even a sprinkling of olive oil. For those native to Brooklyn the Sicilian slice is a common right of passage for those wanting to call themselves true “New Yorkers.”

Address: L&B Spumoni Gardens: 2725 86th Street Brooklyn, NY 11223); 718-449-1230; spumonigardens.com

We Hope you’re Hungry

Any of these pizza places are sure to give you some bang for your buck and dining at any of these well-established, well-respected pizzeria’s is going to make your New York experience complete.

What is Off-Broadway?

An off-Broadway production is a show created to be performed to a smaller, more intimate audience than a lights and banners Broadway production. Off-Broadway shows are usually written and directed by smaller names (although often quite as good as Broadway writers and directors) who produce quality theater on a lower budget, for fewer people, and often times the content is more propagandistic, racey, or avant-guarde than your typical Broadway show.

Where Can I See an off-Broadway Show?

Off-Broadway shows are typically done in smaller theaters for audiences of 40-200 (off-off-Broadway shows are the ones done for audiences of 10-50 in coffee shops, warehouses, amphitheaters, or wherever they can find space). They’re still performed in the Broadway area, but the smaller audiences create a more intimate, personal performance and the greater change for audience participation.

The following is a list of Off-Broadway Theaters and the shows they’re currently playing:

13th Street Repertory, 50 West 13th Street: The Accidental Pervert

45 Bleecker, 45 Bleecker Street: Monday Night Magic

47th Street Theatre, 304 West 47th Street: Shows Coming Soon

Acorn Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street: Burning

Actors Temple Theatre, 339 West 47th Street: Black Angels Over Tuskegee

For a more complete list of over 100 off-Broadway Theatres, click here.

Ready, Set, Go

Tickets generally run from $20-$50 dollars a piece and shows typically run for 4-6 weeks. Off-Broadway Theater is a fantastic and inexpensive way to really experience and support the art scene of NYC and get yourself, your friends, or your family exposed to the young talented writers, actors, and directors making in in the Big Apple.

1. Bouley
163 duane St. (Hudson St.)
New York, NY 10013

This appetizing French restaurant just moved to the TriBeca area to become more accessible to the many patrons who come to experience the contemporary French cuisine. The chefs at Bouley take pride in using only the freshest ingredients of the season and incorporate them into constantly changing innovations. Bouley is famous for their dishes involving different vegetable extracts and emulsions and they only purchase their seafood from a local, trusted fisherman. One of the signature dishes at Bouley is called the “Return from Chiang Mai,” which combines Maine lobster, mango, fresh artichoke, and Serrano ham in a passion fruit, coconut and tamarind dressing.

2. Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10010

Eleven Madison Park is a contemporary restaurant that’s interior is famous for its Art Deco, 35-foot windows, terrazzo floors, and gorgeous flower arrangements all over-looking Madison Square Park. Owner Danny meyer and chef Daniel Humm have made it so that dishes on the menu only appear under the titles of their main ingredients (scallop, white truffle, or chocolate). The neat thing about this restaurants fine menu is that guests can ask their server about the details of the dish or they can leave the decision up to the chef and be surprised every time they frequent the restaurant.

3. Le Cirque
151 E 58th St. (Third Avenue)
New York, NY 10022

The French restaurants in NYC dominate the charts as Le Cirque pulls into the top 5 as another Big Apple favorite when it comes to French dining experiences. When you enter Le Cirque, silk billows from the ceiling, the shakes puff, a circle of porcelain monkey’s taunts, and the entire atmosphere whispers of the evocative Le Cirque. This restaurant is definitely an institution of elegant dining and it’s menu accompanies the atmosphere of the restaurant–modern elegance. The steak and seafood are top-notch at Le Cirque but their pastries pull in even more of an audience. Their dessert kitchen offers delicacies like the floating island, crepes suzette, and chocolate souffle. Also, don’t forget to finish the creme brulee to find the famous recipe inscribed onto the bottom of the ramekin.

4. Masa
10 Columbus Cir.
New York, NY 10019

Masa is one of the most famous Sushi restaurants in NYC and the bill reflects the quality of the food as well as how much the alcohol flows. The typical bill runs $450 per person (not including the tip and sales tax). Masa is definitely an establishment for the classy individuals of NYC and affluent tourists but your experience at this restaurant won’t let you down. Masa is designed with the simplistic in mind and the stone and bamboo designs have been brought over from Japan. To begin your dining experience, you’ll start with a small dish of shredded, pickled seafood. Next, you’ll be brought toro tartare with a spoonful of caviar and toast, then comes your choice of sushi, eel in broth, sea bass with aromatic leaves, etc. Despite the high-price of visiting Masa, you’ll leave having experience Japanese dining at its finest.

5. Per Se
10 columbus cir.
new York, NY 10019

This contemporary restaurant is one of New York’s finest and the wood and stone accents give the venue a sleep urban feeling with a natural earthy touch. Each guest is presented with 2 9-course menus and a vegetable tasting menu is also made available. One Per Se favorites includes salmon and creme fraiche cones, but butter-poached Nova Scotia Lobster with chestnuts, compressed fuji apple, brussel sprouts, and butternut squash come equally as liked. The wine list at this establishment carries 1,200 different bottles of wine to accompany any entree or dessert of your choice. Per Se is an interesting establishment because each guest pays $295 to enter and then has their choice of menu items, desserts, and wines all night long. Per Se has definitely earned its spot as one of the finest dining establishments in NYC.