BRADopted New Yorker

Category:  Bar

Address:  627 9th Ave btwn 44th & 45th (Manhattan - Hell’s Kitchen)

Website:  Rudy’s Bar & Grill

This is a great place to spend the afternoon or a happy hour(s)!  Pints start at $2.50; pitchers start at $7!  Even a Guinness is a mere $4!  And to top it off, with each drink your eligible for a free hotdog!  It’s a small, tight, hole-in-the-wall of hole-in-the-walls, but can’t beat the jukebox, friendly bartenders, and all-around welcoming crowds.  Of course, high-traffic times are so crowded, you can rule out any chance of a (duct-taped) seat and are lucky just to grab a comfortable standing spot.  But when you walk out with a full stomach,  questionable balance, and a decent part of $20 in your pocket, you’ll find it’s all worth it.

Overall Rating:  5

• Cost/Value:  5  
• Atmosphere:  5
• Fun Quotient:  5 

Category:  Museum 

Address:  11 Fulton St, South Street Seaport (Manhattan - Financial District)

Website:  Bodies… The Exhibition

Not for those with weak stomachs.  Actual human cadavers are manipulated and positioned to give visitors a look at the systems and functions of the human body that were previously available to the public only in textbooks.  One of the most fascinating displays for me was the circulatory system, in which ONLY the complete circulatory system of a grown adult is visible under black light.  In addition, at the end you’re able to touch a real heart, lung, brain, etc.  Especially poignant are the displays that compare healthy tissues with diseased, usually due to controllable conditions like smoking and obesity.  The exhibition is open 10a-7p Sunday-Thursday (tickets $26.50) and 10a-9p Friday-Saturday (tickets $27.50).

Overall Rating:  4.00

• Cost/Value:  3  
• Atmosphere:  4 
• Fun Quotient:  5 

Category:  Sport/Activity
 

Address:  Rockaway Beach @ 67th St (Queens - Rockaway Beach)

Website:  NY Surf School

If you have any interest in surfing or just trying it, do this!  A private lesson starts at $65/hr but groups (2-4) drop down to $55/hr.  They (and I) recommend a 2-hr lesson which gives you time to catch your stride but doesn’t over-exhaust you (be prepared, it’s much more strenuous then I expected!).  Show up in a bathing suit and don’t forget the towel, sunscreen, and water; they supply the surfboard and wet suit.  I took lessons twice in summer ‘09 (both lessons with Frank) and learned enough and got enough attention to successfully ride a few waves independently both times.  Lessons are offered 7-days a week from 9a to 3:30p.  Once you’ve got the basics down, you can come out to the beach on your own time and rent a surfboard/wetsuit on your own ($35/4-hrs, $50/day).  Head over to Rockaway Taco for some excellent, post-surfing fish tacos!

Overall Rating:  5

• Cost/Value:  5  
• Atmosphere:  5 
• Fun Quotient:  5 

Category:  Restaurant (Peanut Butter)

 Address:  240 Sullivan St btwn Bleecker & 3rd(Manhattan - Greenwich Village)

 Website:  ilovepeanutbutter.com

This is your spot if you love peanut butter… it’s on everything!  Sandwiches range from the sweet and “normal” (try the Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Sandwich) to the savory and “more adventurous” (the Peanut Butter BLT).  Don’t pass-up on the peanut butter sampler which includes each of their 8 specialty peanut butters along side crackers, celery, carrots, and apple slices.  They do have stadard sandwich & salad fare as well, if peanut butter’s not your thing.  The milkshakes are good but what better way to wash down the peanut butter than a tall glass of your milk-of-choice?!  This place is great for lunch or a snack, but dinner will probably leave you hungry.

Overall Rating:  4.33

• Cost/Value:  4  
• Atmosphere:  4 
• Fun Quotient:  5 

Category:  Bar (On-the-Water)

 Address:  Pier 66 Maritime, 26th St at West Side Highway (Manhattan - Chelsea)

 Website:  The Frying Pan

This is the perfect spot to waste away hours on the banks of the Hudson, sipping on beer.  It tends to draw an eclectic crowd, so it’s great for people watching.  There are 2 ships moored to the dock as well as an elevated level on the roof of the main pier -all covered with tables & chairs.  At popular times though, you’ll still have trouble securing a spot.  Still once you do, there ships offer ample nooks to explore and escape the sometimes pretentious crowds (especially on weekend evenings).  So much space also offers an array of options… from dance floor, to table seating, to leather couches in a former bunk.  The food is not bad and fairly priced; go for the bucket of 6 Corona’s for $36 for the best deal on drinks.

Overall Rating:  4.33

• Cost/Value:  4  
• Atmosphere:  4 
• Fun Quotient:  5 

Category:  Shopping (Toys)

 Address:  767 5th Avenue @ 58th St (Manhattan - Midtown)

 Website:  FAO Schwarz

It was in BIG.  It was in Home Alone 2.  It’s pretty much THE toy store.  It’s worth it just to walk through the plethora of toys to revisit your childhood; there’s a decent amount of toys and lines that you’d have trouble finding outside of a special order.  They’ve still got the giant piano featured in BIG (you can even dance on it, should the ankle-biters clear out long enough), you can build/customize your own Muppet, view life-size lego superheros, choose baby doll from an authentic nursery, and participate in a myriad of other demonstrations/activities.  Take note of the $50,000+ stuffed animals around the main entryway.  Though they’ve removed the sweets bar that once featured ice cream sundaes, you can still get your sugar fix at “FAO Schweetz”.  The place can get a little crowded -so be prepared- but there really is no more perfect place to shop for little ones.

Overall Rating:  4.33

• Cost/Value:  4  
• Atmosphere:  4 
• Fun Quotient:  5 

Category:  Bar (Beer Garden)

 Address:  29-19 24th Ave @  (Queens - Astoria)

 Website:  Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden

This is probably on every local’s list.  The beer garden is huge with ample picnic tables and an outdoor grill serving traditional Czech sausage and fries.  The beer comes in pitchers and is cheap (around $15); grab a stack of plastic cups and set-up a game of beer pong and/or a card game with an adjoining table.  Never have I come here and not made a new drinking buddy!  Live bands are the norm and best when of the traditional variety.  One night, they even pulled out the oh-so-nostalgic parachute a la grade school!!  If dinner is your goal, the restaurant inside serves a full -and traditional-  menu.  With both an inside and outdoor area, the venue is open rain/shine,  summer/winner, but warm summer nights are definitely the time to check it out;  everyone knows this so arrive early and expect lines.

Overall Rating:  4.66

• Cost/Value:  5  
• Atmosphere:  4 
• Fun Quotient:  5 

Category:  Attraction (Park)

 Address:  Furman St at Old Fulton St (Brooklyn - DUMBO)

 Website:  Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 1

Gently rolling hills, bright green grass, and natural elements embodying indigenous species come together on the banks of the East River, with the backdrop of the downtown Manhattan skyline.  Former shipping piers have been reclaimed and are being transformed into urban oases; currently only phase 1 is completed but upon completion, 6 piers will form the span with each one focusing on a specific element/activity (marshland, sports, recreation, etc.).  One of the neatest things about the park is how derelict buildings from the adjoining neighborhood are being dismantled and repurposed as park features.  This is a great place to relax and soak in the scenery… especially on a hot day, as it is probably about 10 degrees cooler on the banks of the river!

Overall Rating:  5

• Cost/Value:  5  
• Atmosphere:  5 
• Fun Quotient:  5  

Category:  Restaurant (Pizza, in-a-cone!)

 Address:  325 5th Ave btwn 32nd & 33rd (Manhattan - Midtown)

 Website:  K! Pizzacone

A creative concept, for sure!  Pizza crust is formed into a cone, baked, filled with ingredients of your choice, then backed again!  There are 2 sizes: K! (small) and K!! (large); I had 2 K!! and felt satisfied.  The double baking makes the crust nice & crispy and a HUGE plus of the cone innovation is the lack of grease factor!  Save room for dessert… they’ve got Banana Flambe & Chocolate or Mixed Berries & Chocolate dessert options!  The food’s made to-go, so not much room to enjoy on-site.

Overall Rating:  4

• Cost/Value:  4  
• Atmosphere:  3 
• Fun Quotient:  5  

Category:  Restaurant (Louisiana/Cajun)

 Address:  700 9th Ave @ 48th St (Manhattan - Hells Kitchen)

 Website:  The Delta Grill

This place has a great atmosphere and great, authentic menus.  The cornbread is PHENOMENAL as are the ubiquitous po’boys and jambalaya.  For something exotic, go for the alligator and smoked pork sausage.  If you’re a little less adventurous, the menu is expansive enough to suit a more mainstream taste.  The bar is well-stocked and the venue features live music every Friday, Saturday, and during brunch on Sunday’s.

Overall Rating:  4.33

• Cost/Value:  4  
• Atmosphere:  5 
• Fun Quotient:  4  

Category:  Shopping

 Address:  477 Broadway, between Grand & Broom (Manhattan - Chinatown)

 Website:  Pearl River Mart

Sure they specialize in Chinese goods, but spend some time here and your bound to find something to fulfill any need.  They’ve got creative kitchenwares, unique toys, and large sections of clothes and specialty food.  This is a great spot especially if you’re doing some redecorating.  A small tea shop on the 2nd floor offers a welcome respite from the Chinatown crowds.  Hours are from 10a to 7:20p daily.  Be sure to give yourself time to explore and get lost in the aisles.  Best part is its affordability!

Overall Rating:  5

• Cost/Value:  5 
• Atmosphere:  5 
• Fun Quotient:  5  

Category:  Annual Event

 Address:  Brooklyn Botanic Garden - 1000 Washington Ave (Brooklyn - Prospect/Crown Heights)

 Website:  Sakura Matsuri 2010

Unfortunately, this year the celebration will miss the peak blooms but nonetheless, the Sakura Matsuri Festival is worth checking out.  The focus is of course on the hundreds of flowering cherry trees that fill the esplanade and surround the Japanese garden pond.  Additional activities include traditional Japanese music and dance, flower arranging, and Japanese food and drinks available in the idyllic, outdoors setting.  Prices are a bit more expensive ($12 as opposed to $8) and crowds are larger, but venture away from the cherries for some breathing room and to enjoy the gardens other attractions like the vibrant tulip beds, aromatic greenhouses, and the classic Osborne Italian garden.

Overall Rating:  4.66

• Cost/Value:  4 
• Atmosphere:  5 
• Fun Quotient:  5  

Category:  Bar

 Address:  288 Elizabeth St (Manhattan - Noho)

 Website:  New York Mag Review (No website)

Not quite hole-in-the-wall, not quite upscale.  There’s lots to look at on the walls (they’ve got a curious collection of punch bowls) and lots of room.  If you’re able to catch a seat at the bar or a table it’s a great spot for a low-key catch-up session with friends.  Just be weary of certain weekend crowds that bring the boat shoes and popped collars.

Overall Rating:  4

• Cost/Value:  4 
• Atmosphere:  4 
• Fun Quotient:  4  

Category:  Museum

 Address:  108 Orchard St @ Delancey (Manhattan - Lower East Side)

 Website:  Tenement Museum

This is a phenominal museum experience!  The organization restores apartments in this tenement building -which dates back to 1868- specific to periods/families who inhabited the cramped spaces (up to 200 people at times lived within the 20 SMALL apartments).  Tours are required and offer a wealth of information; each apartment meticulously reflects the lives of its former inhabitants following painstaking research of found artifacts, birth/death certificates, immigration forms, etc.  Each tour follows one family’s TRUE story, which ensures a completely different experience for numerous visits.  Tours are offered 10:30a - 5:00p, 7-days a week and cost $20 Adults/$15 students; this may sound steep but proceeds go to research and restoration in documenting more stories.  NOT TO BE MISSED.

Overall Rating:  5

• Cost/Value:  5 
• Atmosphere:  5 
• Fun Quotient:  5  

 Category:  Restaurant (Belgian Fries)

 Address:  123 2nd Ave btwn St Marks and 7th St (Manhattan - East Village)

 Website:  Pomme Frites

This is a must, especially in the middle or end of a night of drinking (hence, the often long but “worth-it” line).  The fries are fried twice to ensure a soft, cooked center and crunchy outside layer.  Order a double -it’ll feed around 3-5 people- and start sampling the sauces (samples are free)!  Sauces are just $2.50 for 3 and they’ve got over 30 homemade ones ranging from Vietnamese Pineapple Mayo to Canadian Poutine, Peanut Satay to Irish Curry.  Don’t skip the Horseradish mayo… it’s my favorite! 

Overall Rating:  4.67

• Cost/Value:  5 
• Atmosphere:  4 
• Fun Quotient:  5