Nestled in the Financial District on Water Street in NYC you will find The Dead Rabbit- not the animal, the pub. It’s an old fashioned “saw dust on the floor” Irish bar started by Jack McGarry and Sean Muldoon back in 2013 when they came to New York from Ireland. It didn’t take long for them to be voted “Best Bar in North America”. In fact, they hit a homerun, claiming the title for 4 consecutive years!!
The Dead Rabbit: 30 Water Street, New York, NY
So what does it take to get on the “Best Bars” list? The menu is far more impressive than most Irish bars. The whiskey list is so great the Village Voice voted The Dead Rabbit “Best Whiskey Bar in New York” in 2015. The cocktail menu has won so many awards that we lost count. This should come as not surprise considering the fact the Jack McGarry has been voted “International Bartender of the Year” and Jillian Vose, the bar manager, won a 2013 “Rising Star Award” from Star Chefs. The food menu is a little more upscale than your typical Irish bar and is as good as the cocktails and whiskey, offering labeled gluten free menu options for those with food allergies and sensitivities. If you are downtown and looking for a place to enjoy good food, drinks, and atmosphere, this is it! There are 3 floors of fun and cheer, including The Taproom on the first floor, The Parlor on the second floor, and The Occasional on the third floor, where small private parties can be accommodated. Cheers, or should I say Slàinte!
*According to the National Institute of Health, the distilling process removes all gluten proteins from whiskey, making it gluten free.
*After this trip, we returned to The Dead Rabbit for brunch. If you are looking for an authentic Irish breakfast, this is the place!Whether you are going for drinks, food, or their comic book-like menus, it’s definitely worth a trip to see The Dead Rabbit!
There is a lot of flavor cooking at this West Village gourmet eatery and market. With the feel of an Italian Salumeria and the taste of a French Bistro, Suprema will leave you salivating for more. The setting is cute and informal with just the right amount of tables for a small restaurant feel. There is a full service bar with a wine list that complements the cuisine, which is no surprise with Joshua Wesson, a well known sommelier, heavily involved in the restaurant’s success. The wait staff was friendly and helpful, assisting us with the best choices for pairing our food and drinks. At the back entrance of Suprema, Italian meats, books, and other fine imported foods can be purchased in the “market”. From salami and cheese boards to pork shoulder lasagna to the famous “Suprema Burger” itself, you won’t be disappointed here. It is worth noting that the “Suprema Burger” was the highest rated burger in NYC by the Gotham Burger Social Club!
What We Ate:
The Suprema Burger: Short Rib, Brisket, iberico jamon, bacon jam, black garlic sauce, aged cheddar cheese sauce, and sundried tomatoes.
Roasted Chicken with Young Carrots and Potatoes
Since this is a smaller venue, reservations are recommended, especially in the evenings and on weekends.
You can call for reservations at 646-964-4994. You can visit their website at www.supremanyc.com
Suprema Provisions is located in the West Greenwich Village neighborhood at 305 Bleecker Street New York, NY
What if I told you that you could visit a place where the walls were made of chocolate fountains? It seems like something out of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory but move over Willy Wonka, there is chocolate flowing in the heart of Union Square, NYC!
Chocolate Fountains at Venchi, Union Square NYC
The place is Venchi, a world renowned Italian Chocolatier serving up gourmet chocolates, coffees, gelato and crepes. These are all amazing, but the star of the show in the 45-foot long and 10-foot high chocolate fountain that makes up the walls of half of this decadent dessert shop. Look, don’t touch though! The walls are not for eating.
You can visit Venchi’s chocolate fountains at 861 Broadway, New York, NY. Just want to indulge in the sweet treats? Venchi also sells their goods at the Flatiron and World Trade Center Eataly locations in NYC, and various locations around the world.
For more information, or to find a Venchi near you, visit their website here.
I don’t know about you but I find gardens and greenhouses to be very soothing spaces. After all, psychologists have found that having plants in your living space can decrease stress and anxiety, boost your mood, and enhance creative thinking. And who doesn’t enjoy starting their day with a good cup of coffee or tea? So the idea of combining plants with coffee is brilliant! That is just what you will get at Remi Flower and Coffee in NYC! Buy your java in the front of the store and your hand cut flowers in the back! The café beverages are well done and are complete with a frothy design. There is seating available amongst the greenery so you can enjoy your coffee peacefully in house or you can get it to go. Either way, this is a great spot for your morning joe!
What we ordered:
Left: Turmeric Latte with Almond Milk
Right: Pumpkin Spice Latte
You can visit Remi Flower and Coffee at 906 2nd Avenue New York, NY For more information, visit www.reminyc.com
I am sure you have all heard of the “Fearless Girl” by now, as she has created quite a buzz around the world. What started as a temporary art installation commissioned by State Street Global Advisors to encourage large companies to put women on their boards has become a global phenomenon.
“Fearless Girl” started her journey posted in front of the “Charging Bull” at Bowling Green but has since been moved to her new, more permanent location across from The New York Stock Exchange. She has caused both controversy and a movement of empowered females all at the same time, but like most pieces of art, you can interpret it as you wish.
To me, Fearless Girl’s soft childlike features and her big stance say “Dream big, anything is possible”. She is a celebration of all who came before her that broke boundaries, knocked down walls, and accomplished greatness, women like Rosa Parks, Kathryn Switzer, Malala Yousafzai, Sally Ride, Diana Princess of Wales, Gertrude Belle Elion, Virginia Apgar, and so many more. She is also an inspiration to young girls whose world changing activities have not yet played out. And most importantly, she’s a reminder to all that a person’s worth should be judged by what they contribute to the world through their minds, their compassion, their hard work, and their talents, not their race, gender, or economic status.
I bet when Kristen Visbal created this 50 inch tall sculpture she had no idea what a force she would be. You go girl!
What does the Fearless Girl mean to you? You can visit her in Downtown Manhattan across the street from the New York Stock Exchange.
Fearless Girl, across the street from the New York Stock Exchange
New York winters may be cold, but you can walk into 1803 and immediately be transported to the French Quarter in sunny New Orleans. Named for the year of the Louisiana Purchase, 1803 offers Cajun cuisine with a flare of French and Spanish flavor. It is brunch by day and speakeasy by night, offering a downstairs jazz club with Bourbon Street style cocktails. Next time you are downtown dine in NOLA style at the Big Easy of the Big Apple!
1803 Restaurant, located at 82 Reade Street, New York, NY
What We Ate for Brunch:
Crawfish Cakes Benedict with a Side of Slab Bacon
Green Eggs No Ham (Poached Eggs in a Tomatillo and Poblano Pepper Sauce) with a Side of Jambalaya
FOOD LOVERS UNITE!! Housed at the original National Biscuit Company (or better known as NABISCO!) is a unique food hall and shopping center in the Chelsea Neighborhood of NYC. Consuming all of the city block between 9th and 10th Avenues and 15th and 16th Streets, you will find a variety of retail including artisnal salt, olive oils, chocolates, flowers, produce, clothing, jewelry, home goods, and more. The gourmet food is even more impressive with names like Sarabeth’s, Buddakan, The Lobster Place, Amy’s Bread, and more! Come hungry or take some home! Either way, it’s worth a stop here if you’re in the neighborhood. Check out our Chelsea Market Fun Facts below.
Fun Facts: The first Oreo cookie was invented and made in this very building back in 1912.
On the floors above the bussling retail space, producers are hard at work at The Food Network, MLB.COM, Oxygen Network, Music Publishing and more. Google and YouTube also take up residence at Chelsea Market. In fact, Google purchased Chelsea Market in early 2018 for 2.5 BILLION dollars, making it the second largest full single asset sale EVER in NYC!
With the holiday season upon us, it only seems right to make our December #GGA5dayGetaway destination Christmas in the Big Apple. There is not much that beats Christmastime in the City! There is no end to the festive fun. Here are some of our Holiday Favorites:
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
What is Christmas without a tree to celebrate around? This is the most famous Christmas Tree in the world so we have to include it first on our list. On the plaza between 48th and 51st Streets in Midtown you will find a 75-foot Norway Spruce, otherwise known as the annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree, towering high above the ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center. In 2018, the perfect Rock Center Tree was found in Wallkill, NY and weighs in at 24,000 pounds!! The tree is complete with over 50,000 lights and a star that includes over 3 million Swarovski Crystals. The tree is lit the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving each year and stays lit from 5:30AM to 11:30PM nightly until January 7th. When the tree is done bringing holiday joy to its visitors, it is turned into lumber and gifted to Habitat for Humanity.
Holiday Windows
Perhaps one of the most spectacular holiday sights of all is the display windows of the Department Stores on 5th Avenue. Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman’s, Tiffany’s, Cartier, and others truly capture the magic of the Christmas Season. If you are visiting the tree, head toward Saks Fifth Avenue, and then continue north on 5th Avenue to see the most festive and elaborate window displays of the Season.
The windows at Bergdorf Goodman’s
In 2018, Bergdorf’s had candy themes windows
Cartier, 5th Avenue
The 2018 Macy’s Herald Square Windows tell the story of Sunny the Snowpal, a space-age snowgirl who helps to make sure Santa arrives safely on Christmas Eve.
Ice Skating in New York City
New York winters can be cold, which makes it an ideal place for ice skating rinks throughout the city. Of course everyone knows about The Rink at Rockefeller Center but the city has many other ice skating rinks including Winter Village in Bryant Park, Wollman Rink in Central Park, a small rink at the Standard (848 Washington Street), The Rink at Brookfield Place (230 Vesey Street at West Street – near Battery Park), or skate on the rooftop at Pier 17 in the Seaport District (89 South Street)! Whether it’s a romantic gesture on a first date or a night out with the kids, grab some skates and find your inner child!
Ice Skating at Winter Village in Bryant Park
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Skate overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge at Winter Wonderland at Pier 17, South Street Seaport
The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall
It’s the Christmas Show of all Christmas Shows! Watching the Rockettes perform their synchronized numbers at the famous Radio City Music Hall will mesmerize any audience. Enjoy the lights, the music, the costumes, and the special effects and see why it’s called the Christmas Spectacular. Shows are 90 minutes long and run twice a day on weekdays and three times per day on weekends from the end of November to the beginning of January. Get your tickets early, as this show usually sells out!
Radio City Music Hall, Home of the Rockettes
Holiday Markets
Still Christmas shopping? You can check some items off your list at any of New York’s pop-up Holiday Markets. You can purchase one-of-a-kind gifts from hand crafted goods to scarves to jewelry to Christmas Ornaments to signs to Gourmet Foods and more. My favorite Holiday Market is Winter Village at Bryant Park, located between 40th and 42nd Streets, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Other great Holiday Markets include: *Union Square Holiday Market Located in Union Square East 14th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues *Grand Central Station Holiday Market Located at 89 East 42nd Street *Columbus Circle Holiday Market Located at 59th Street and Central Park West
Winter Village at Bryant ParkUnion Square Holiday Market
New York Botanical Garden
As if the Botanical Garden wasn’t already beautiful and wonderous, all decked out in its Christmas best, they’ve put the icing on the gingerbread house with an elaborate model train system that winds its way through the flora. The NYBG locomotives steam through Paul Busse’s replicas of New York architecture including One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium, New York Public Library, and much more. Structures are handcrafted from botanical materials found in nature, including acorns, tree bark, cinnamon sticks, walnuts, fungus, toadstools, and more. It is an incredible work of art and a holiday must see! Purchase tickets in advance to reserve your timeslot (Entrance is granted every 15 minutes) and jump on the Metro North train out of Grand Central Terminal (Harlem Line) to the Botanical Garden stop. Be sure to bring your childlike sense of wonder!
Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and more.
Replica of One World Trade Center
Replica of New York Public Library
Botanical Garden
Replicas of the Bridges of New York
Replica of Yankee Stadium
The Train Show’s newest addition, a replica of Lower Manhattan complete with One World Trade Center, The Statue of Liberty, Staten Island Ferry, and Ellis Island.
Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
The Saks Fifth Avenue “Theater of Dreams” light show has become a tradition, and one of New York’s most popular holiday attractions. Beginning at 4:30pm nightly Saks puts on a spectacular light show, perfectly synchronized with music, lasting about 5 minutes and repeating every 10 minutes. The setting is perfect, as the building’s façade stares down Rockefeller Center at that famous tree we talked about earlier.
Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show 2018
Holiday Food and Drink
Good food is never far in New York, but in case you are looking for a little something extra during the Christmas Season, grab some grub or holiday drinks with friends at one of these festive restaurants.
Rolf’s German Restaurant: Located at 281 3rd Avenue in Gramercy Park (between 21st and 22nd Streets), may be the most elaborate holiday display of all. These decorations are so popular, they are left up until May! Enjoy some Bavarian brews and German fare as you take in the décor.
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment: Located at Union Square (13 East 17th Street). Not quite as elaborate as Rolf’s but still festive enough to put you in the Holiday Spirit!! Enjoy the holiday themed drinks!
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, Union Square NYCSeasonal Drinks: Snickerdoodle Martini and “Winter is Coming”
Max Brenner: You may know him better as “Chocolate by the Bald Man”. You can’t leave the city without this thick and creamy hot chocolate with homemade giant marshmallows! Warm your hands with a cup at the pop-up location in Bryant Park’s Winter Village or visit the storefront location at 841 Broadway.
Visit the Bryant Park Pop-up location and enjoy your hot chocolate while watching people ice skate or sit and enjoy the Christmas Tree!
Pete’s Tavern: Located at 129 East 18th Street is another festive pub that decks the halls during the holiday season. Lights are strung from wall to wall and tinsel and garland are hung from the bar. Grab a seat at the bar or in the dining room and take in the seasonal delights!
Christmas Trees and Decorations in the City
The “Big Tree” isn’t the only gig in town. There is no shortage of Christmas trees and decorations throughout Manhattan and beyond. Intricate and massive decorations pop up around every street corner it seems, including the life size Christmas lights and Christmas Ornaments outside of Radio City, the tree in Bryant Park’s Winter Village, The Plaza Hotel, and more. The pictures will say more than I can, and seeing these beauties in person is even more fascinating!
Christmas Ornaments at Radio City Music Hall
Holiday Dresses at the Garment District Holiday Market
Giant Christmas Lights on 6th Avenue, across from Radio City Music Hall
Life-size Gingerbread House in Madison Square Park
Take a walk down Gingerbread Boulevard and see the life-size gingerbread house in Madison Square Park. Sponsors Taste of Home and Folger’s will be around to let you peek inside the gingerbread house. Santa’s sleigh is parked outside for photo opportunities. In years past there was a 4D screening inside the house that took you through Candyland to meet the Gingerbread Man. Who knows what will come next year!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
If you are visiting New York for Christmas but don’t know how you will cover all that ground, please email us at griffeysgreatadventures@gmail.com and we will help you with an itinerary! Happy Holidays!
If you have ever been in or around NYC during the New York City Marathon, you know that this is a citywide party, a celebration, a recognition of what the human body, heart and mind is capable of. The New York City Marathon was started in 1970 by its founder, Fred Lebow. He guided 55 participants through Central Park, completing the 26.2 mile marathon distance. By 1976, he had racked up 2,090 participants and took the marathon to all 5 boroughs. Fred continued to grow the race each year. In 1992, just in remission from brain cancer, Fred ran the race again and finished in 5:32:34. Just before the event’s 25th anniversary, Fred succumbed to his brain cancer. Today, over 50,000 runners take to the streets of NYC the first Sunday of every November to honor Fred and those who have paved the way before them, and to test their will, their endurance, their guts.
The course begins in Staten Island at the mouth of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. You can’t help the excitement that wells up inside you as you turn the corner and see the bridge come into sight. The starting line is barricaded with NYPD, FDNY, and military members saluting you and sending you off on your 26.2 mile journey. After the Star Spangled Banner plays, cannons thunder to signal the start. Frank Sinatra is singing “New York, New York” in the loud speaker and NYPD helicopters are sounding their sirens on both sides of the bridge, their way of wishing you good luck. For a moment, it all seems surreal.
Adrenaline takes you quickly over the bridge for the first mile as you come into the streets of Brooklyn. If the weather on marathon day is nice, there are 2-3 million spectators cheering you on throughout the course. Brooklyn, in particular, feels like one big block party. There is a moment of calm and quiet when you cross over the Queensboro Bridge, but when you reach the end, there is a whole new crowd screaming your name or your bib number, reminding you of how capable you are to finish, and what an awesome experience you are having. None of this compares to the feeling you have when you are coming up the hill on 5th Avenue for the 23rd mile, feeling like it will never end, and you enter Central Park where the sidelines are flooded with people screaming to you that you are so close to the finish line you can taste it. After you make your way onto Central Park South for the final stretch of NYC street you will see of this race, you can see the entrance to the park, the final .2 miles until your destination, the finish line you have been waiting to see since January when you committed to the marathon. When the finish line comes within view, something deep inside you, something made of sheer will, propels you forward making your numb legs move faster than they have the whole race. There are no good words to describe the emotions you experience during this journey but the best I can say is that at this point, you become flooded with both relief and sadness that it’s almost over, pride in your accomplishment, faith in human nature, the excitement from the energy the city emits, the pain in your limbs, the hunger in your belly, and finally the tears of satisfaction as you take your final step onto the last tracking strip- THE FINISH LINE.
There are very few things in life that are as emotional or as exhilarating as finishing a marathon, and there is no marathon like the New York City Marathon. It is bigger than just running a race or checking off your bucket list. It is a demonstration of citizens from around the world – runners from 130 different countries- inspiring a city full of people to come together and cheer on 50,000 complete strangers, proving that the human spirit is very much alive and well.
For more information on the NYC Marathon, or for details on how to enter, visit www.tcsnycmarathon.org
