All Things New York – Concierge Corner: Holiday Hooray Edition, with Marissa
Whether you are getting your Star of David on this holiday, or your Santa outfit (or both, like me) – there is much to celebrate in the NYC scene. Even though the economy is tight, your pockets near empty, and bonuses are put on hold this year – find at least one person in need and be charitable. It can be anything from a cup of hot cocoa to a dollar. Maybe even a pair or shoes or jacket you no longer need. It will just make your holiday that much more special. Onto the fun stuff, we will be reviewing the best places in the city to chill this next week or so. Keep an eye out for next week’s NEW YEAR EDITION. And put on some Nat King Cole, dammit.
The Week(end) ahead:
GET YOUR ICE-GAME ON, and I am not talking about diamonds!
Rockefeller Center: popular and usually crowded. Your tourist-family may want to go here, but if you are looking for some more subdued spaces – check out below.
The Pond at Bryant Park: Besides the coolness that is online-reservations for your skating joy…and the fact that it’s FREE, you should be here and soon. The skate rentals are $12 (yes, that is where they get you) but lockers are FREE – so bring your own lock, otherwise they are $9 each. Bag checks are either $7 or $10.
The American Museum of Natural History: Now you have two reasons to go to the UWS – Shake Shack and the Polar Rink. Get a view of the 17-foot-tall twinkling Polar Bear. $10 per adult, $9 for students and seniors, $8 for kids and it includes skate rentals and 45-minutes of ice-skating. Yes, you are on the clock. However, in my opinion it’s the most rad one out there now, and it’s new!
South Street Seaport: Get Southpole on the ice-game. From 10am-10pm, this 8000 square foot rink is open for $5 a person. Skate rental is $7.
Riverbank: Talk about uptown…we’re taking you up to Hudson River at 145th Street, to a ‘covered’ ice rink. Skating sessions on Fridays from 6-9 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12-3 pm and from 4-7 pm. Adults are $5, children are $3. Skate rentals are $5. Call 212.694.3642 for details.
Wollman Rink at Central Park: Wollman Rink is another popular skating choice and is apt to be crowded during peak times (especially weekends). Full day access for $ 8.50 per person, only $4.25 for kids – prices go up on the weekends ($11 and $4.50 respectively). Seniors skate for $4.25 all the time. Skate rentals are $4.75. Wollman Rink is located off Central Park East between 62nd and 63rd.
Lasker Rink at Central Park: Another option, further uptown in CP. Between 106th and 108th Streets. I guess because of it’s nosebleed hazard, skating is much more affordable. Only $4.50 per adult and children under 12 are $2.25 each. Skate rental is $4.75. Full day admission. It will definitely be less crowded than Wollman in CP but you get the same sense of being in the park.
Chelsea Piers Sky Rink: With the strictest hours, this rink may not be the spot to go to if you want an evening skate. $12.50 for adults, youth and seniors are $9.
Find it at 23rd Street & the Hudson River. The best part of visiting this rink, is the fact that you can go downstairs to the restaurant and get a Brooklyn Brew or chill and do some more activities with the family. Maybe even get your sweat on with a day pass to the gym.
Kate Wollman Rink in Prospect Park: One of the more affordable options, and most fun if you ask me. In the southern part of the park, near Parkside & Ocean Avenues. $5 per adult and for children under 14 and seniors, it’s only $3. Skate rentals are $6.50 and there are free lockers – but make sure you bring a lock or else you will have to buy one. Want to learn how to skate? Call them at 718.282.1226. And please, take a picture for us if it’s your first time! I promise not to laugh!
GET YOUR GRUB ON, Christmas day! Cooking’s so overrated.
Allen & Delancey: 115 Allen St.. Homey decor with regular menu served.
Bouley: 120 West Broadway. Consider the chef and how amazing the food is. Okay, now the price – it’s $130 for a six course meal.
Essex: 120 Essex St.. Seriously, the brunch here is hands-down the best the city has to offer. Do it!
Peter Luger Steak House: 178 Broadway, Brooklyn. For you meateaters who are craving a porterhouse.
212: 133 E. 65th St.. It’s easy, close-by and probably not fully reserved…oh, and they are pretty affordable. $45 for a three-course dinner on the Eve and Day of Christmas.
Blue Fin: 1567 Broadway. An a la carte menu will be served on the Day, figure a bunch of fish-options.
Town: 15 W. 56th St.. Great New American restaurant in the beautiful Chambers Hotel. Not too bad at $75 for three courses.
Shun Lee West: 43 W. 65th St.. You know there had to be a Chinese restaurant open and serving! High-end food, and worth the visit!
Norma’s: 118 W. 57th St.. A breakfast lavisly served within the Parker Meridien.
GET OUT & GET FESTIVE – Hannukah Style!
The Bronx Zoo: A WILD Winter Wonderland is in order and the animals are inviting you and your family! Go see them, they are colder than you are.
The famed, Yo La Tengo will play their usual eight nights of Hanukkah at Maxwell’s in Hoboken. It’s hard to get tickets, but if you can – try some music stores in the area of NJ.
Go see Matisyahu. Tickets$35 and still on sale for these shows that take place at Webster Hall (from 12/21 – 25) in Manhattan and Music Hall of Williamsburg (from 12/27 – 30) in Brooklyn. Openers include The LeeVees, Asher Roth and Little Jackie.
Southpaw in Park Slope is hosting Jewltide 6 featuring DeLeon (15th Century Spanish indie rock infused with the mysteriousness of the Sephardic tradition) on Christmas Eve. Tickets can be found here.
Head out to the 21st Annual Official Matzo Ball Party! It’s at Capitale, 130 Bowery (near Grand St). Call for details 212.334.5500. On Christmas Eve, 12/24 – the festivities start at 9pm. If anything, just go to see what hundreds of nice, single Jewsih boys and girls look like intoxicated
Tags:bronx zoo, Christmas, christmas day, concierge, hannukah, ice skating, Marissa, matisyahu, Music, Restaurants, yo la tengo
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