What To Do If Your Moving To Ditmas Park

via @Circahouses

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Manhattan streets and in between the chill, urban setting that is Brooklyn is Ditmas Park, a neighborhood in Brooklyn striking with small town appeal. Victorian houses line the streets on each side, each shaded by a tree reaching above the roofs remind the inhabitants and visitors of suburban America. That small town appeal continues in the main public streets with edge to edge restaurants of different cuisines and shopping stores of different cultures. Because there’s so many, visitors are often compelled to return.

            One of the best places to hang out near Ditmas Park is actually Lakeside in Prospect Park. Besides the regular picnic in the park adventure, Lakeside offers activities that residents can engage in during each season. In the spring and summer time, residents can boating on the lake in one of the paddleboats, biking around the trails, and kids can hang out in the splash pad. There’s also a skating rink where every Friday the rink is open, Ditmas Park resident Lola Star hosts a roller skating party. During the wintertime, residents can go ice skating, go curling or practice their figure skating.

If you're looking to move to Ditmas Park you may want to check out 416 Marlborough Road. This large, 2,500 sq.ft., legal 2 family Ditmas Park, Victorian house, contains 3 floors, plus a full basement of original details including hardwood floors, stained glass windows, pocket doors, fireplaces, and 4 separate outdoor porches.  Sitting on a tree lined block, this home offers both historical charm, plus all the modern and trendy accessibility of Cortelyou Road.  This 100 year old, 2 family house, has 7 bedrooms, 3 baths and has been lovingly cared for by the same family for over 25 years.  It preserves an abundance of original details and is in strong mechanical condition.  

The home rests on 4,000 sq.ft. of land with a beautiful backyard highlighted by a free-standing meticulously built gazebo that easily seats more than a dozen guests.  In addition, for many options to personalize this beautiful house, there is also room to add a driveway for private parking.  Priced to sell, with low annual taxes and with two legal apartments that can be rented, this house would yield a highly desirable cap rate return in excess of 4.5%.  

The Brooklyn Center for Performing Art in Brooklyn College is an art place for music and theatre performance. They deliver performances with reflection to Brooklyn’s communities as well as encourage creativity with exposure to different cultures. The building hosts four different spaces for performances and practices, though the Walt Whitman theatre is closed for repairs until June 2018.

            With so many restaurant favorites from the residents as well as visitors that stop by Ditmas Park, it’s hard to mention just one, so here’s a few. Grab a slice of tres leches cake at the La Nueva Union bakery or head for brunch at Hunger Pang serving dishes like Shrimp Po’ Bao or Okonomiyaki. For curry and roti with Caribbean influences, head to Shayna’s where most of her food is super affordable. Lastly, check out Cafe Tibet for favourites like dumplings and thenthuk, a Tibetan soup. These are just a few restaurants to check out at Ditmas Park. You should head there yourself to see what you can find!

At Your Table: A Personal Chef Experience While Planning an Event Abroad

By Peter Minkoff

Newyorker in London? Planning an event? In need of a catering service? We got it covered!

At Your Table is an established artisan personal chef catering service with the style and creativity only world renowned culinary experts are able to bring to life. Being around for almost a decade, the brand has already made a name for itself in the bespoke dining industry, attaining stellar reviews from numerous satisfied companies and individual clients in the UK and Australia.

The company currently services the UK regions of London, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds as well as every major city in Australia. You can organize private dinner parties, intimate settings or even large-scale events requiring substantial catering for numerous attendees.

An adventure of style and taste

The renowned service of the At Your Table staff is characterized by the need to serve your unique wishes and cater to your specific needs, allowing you to tailor your menu in preparation for the event. The chefs do not only cook your meals in a divine display of artisanship and experience, but the accompanying team of waiters will ensure your private setting is transformed into an intimate and relaxed ambiance.

The private sommelier provided to your by the At Your Table staff will make sure to present the best wine options to complement your meal, either by securing exquisite tastes for the party or even serving the best options from your private collection.

The fine culinary art

As for the food itself, the At Your Table chefs certainly are the masters of their trade. Ranging from a wide variety of fusion dishes all the way to modern European and Italian cuisine, there is no shortage of innovative and dazzling flavours to satisfy every palate.

A chef of your choice will be able to offer you their signature recipes, crafted with years of culinary experience under the tutelage of renowned culinary institutes around the world. The interesting detail that makes for a unique experience is the fact that the chefs tailor their menus according to the season, making sure the ingredients are fresh and of top quality at all times.

This is where the bespoke experience of At Your Table truly shines, as you will be encouraged to get in touch and fine tune every detail in order to create a unique menu that complements your specific tastes and the unique palates of your guests. You can choose from a variety of options, ranging from ten-course tastings to exquisite three-course meals.

These culinary experts consider their trade to be a true art form, and although open to various suggestions, they will remain steadfast in maintaining the integrity of their signature creations. You can inquire about vegetarian and vegan cuisine and tailor the menu to your liking, as they say, within reason.

Remember, it is best to leave details to the professionals, and let them tailor an unforgettable dining experience, imbued with taste and aroma, accompanied by stellar service and professional conduct.

In conclusion

At Your Table is the best possible solution for escaping the hectic nature of the modern world and creating an intimate, bespoke and unforgettable experience abroad, tailored to complement your every need. Whether you are organizing a formal gathering or planning a rekindling of an old flame for two, the culinary artisans behind At Your Table will allow you to create cherished lifelong memories, imbued with vibrant tastes and passionate aromas.

Our favorite Mayweather vs. McGregor viewing parties in NYC

One of the most anticipated events is happening this Saturday in Vegas, being the much hyped Mayweather vs. McGregor match. While you weren't quite able to secure tickets for the weekend, you can still watch in style and still catch your Sunday morning appointments.

We've dug up some of the best viewing parties happening in NYC, to make sure you don't end up overpaying in a bad location.

You'll want to remember the match is on the west coast and will start Aug. 26 at 9 p.m. So unless you're willing to host yourself here are some of our top spots to watch the match.

Photo via @alphasportz

For those who are looking for a once in a lifestime experience  Sushi by Bou, Chef Takeshi Sato will host a special one-night-only omakase experience on Saturday, August 26th beginning at 9pm at Sushi by Bou beneath The Sanctuary Hotel. The pro-boxer turned acclaimed sushi chef will showcase his knife skills during the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor fight.  Sixteen diners will get to partake in a $250 per person all-inclusive experience, including an intimate screening of the fight complete with an unforgettable 90-minute dinner and drinks. 

The dining experience will reflect the veteran sushi chef’s philosophy and spin on the NYC-meets-Tokyo omakase and will feature 14-16 pieces, along with a hand roll, of the best fish selections from the Tsujiki market. After the fight an open sake, beer and a specialty cocktail bar will be available from 9pm-midnight. 

Located at The Sanctuary Hotel (132 W. 47th Street. To make a reservation, text 917-348-5737.

The Ainsworth will be showing the fight in both Chelsea and Midtown locations. No RSVP required, door will be first come first in with door cover of $40 per person which will include the first drink on the house.  The menu includes a selection of signature passed and stationary American fare, as well as handcrafted cocktails. If you are unfamiliar, The Ainsworth is famous for theirMac & Cheese Burger (panko crusted mac & cheese patty, beef patty, mac & cheese, sesame bun)!

• Ainsworth Chelsea:122 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001
• Ainsworth Midtown:45 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016

Ainsworth Chelsea

With 80 HD TV's, more than three dozen beers, and a completely open-air space, Bowery Beer Garden (93 Bowery) is the best place to take advantage to this Summer fight. General Admission entry is $40 and entry fee for guests with a table reservation is just $30.

For those watching with a crew, treat yourselves to a Silver Package (a bottle of premium liquor for $300 for up to 4 people) or splurge on Platinum Package (two bottles of premium liquor and Prosecco for $650 for up to 10 people). Fight aside, everyone wins with $30 Beer Buckets, the $10 specialty Knock-Out Cocktail, $35 one-hour open bar, and a $49.99 Sampler Menus that serve up Crispy Fried Chicken Wings, assorted Bowery Sliders and Mac & Cheese Bites.

If you’re more interested in a convenient excuse to go out for delicious drinks and food, head to Boulton & Watt (5 Avenue A) where the fight will be shown for just $10 for pre-reservations or $15 at the door.

Pull up a barstool or grab a table in front of one of their 7 widescreen TV’s while you and your friends bite into Crispy Chicken Sliders, Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos or perhaps their classic Mac & Cheese with bacon and wild mushrooms. They’ll also have the homemade Picklebacks lined up for just $7. Fight fan or not, whiskey and pickle juice is a one two punch everyone can get behind!

Boulton & Watt

Fight Night at Professor Thom's (219 2nd Ave) can be as low key or revved up as you please. For their upstairs VIP party you can roll with the punches with bottomless nachos and an open bar (including well drinks, draft beer and house wines) from 9pm till the end of the fight. Tickets are $75.

Otherwise you can join the bar scene and view the fight downstairs for just $20 general admission at the door.

Professor Thom's

Where is the best place to see the Seated Ballerina?

You may have seen it walking by 30 Rock or on the background of The Today Show, But where is the best place to check out Jeff Koon's "Seated Ballerina".

If you want to be able to take a good look head to Del Frisco’s Grille New York and enjoy one of their famous steak meals. Guests dining at the seasonal outdoor patio in the heart of Rock Center have completely unobstructed views of the Ballerina.

This summer’s latest Instagram sensation is already drawing some of the largest crowds to New York City’s Rockefeller Center., making it hard to take a good look at oneself.  Make sure to check it out while you can, the 45-foot ballerina won't stay much longer.

Guests dining on Del Frisco’s Grille New York’s seasonal outdoor patio in the heart of Rock Center have completely unobstructed views of the Ballerina.

How To Celebrate Negroni Week In New York

@BrendanFallis

To celebrate the fifth annual Negroni Week, participating bars will be seeing red through Sunday with this delectable Summer drink. Presented by Imbibe Magazine and Campari.Negroni Week launched in 2013 as a celebration of one of the world’s great cocktails and an effort to raise money for charities around the world. 

This year Negroni Week takes place from June 5-11, 2017, when once again, bar and restaurants will be mixing classic Negronis and Negroni variations for a great cause. Here is a list of our favorite spots to go to. Try one, try all it's for charity.

Grand Banks West St & N Moore St, New York, NY  - A celebrated oyster bar aboard the historic wooden schooner, Sherman Zwicker. Inspired by the floating "oyster barges" that lined Manhattan's waterfront in the 18th and 19th centuries, Grand Banks features sustainably harvested oysters, nautically inspired cocktails, and awe-inspiring views.

STK Meatpacking 26 Little W 12th St, New York, NY - STK artfully blends the modern, steakhouse and chic lounge into one - offering a dynamic, fine dining experience with the superb quality of a traditional steakhouse.

Momofuku Nishi 32 8th Ave, New York, NY - Momofuku Nishi (which means “west”) opened in January 2016 and is Momofuku’s first restaurant on the west side. Located in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, guests can choose from a la carte offerings for lunch or dinner. Nishi’s Bo Ssäm and Pok Pok x Nishi Fried Chicken meals meant for sharing are also available for dinner.

Try a #FroGroni

#FroGroni Created by Julie Reiner, and served at Clover Club (NYC) during Negroni Week (June 5 -11)

• 0.75 oz. Campari
• 2 oz. Bulldog Gin
• 0.75 oz. Cinzano 1757 
• 2 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1.25 oz. Simple Syrup
• 2 whole Strawberries 
• Blend all ingredients (making sure tops of strawberries are cut off) with 1.5 cups of ice until smooth and pour into a tall glass. Garnish with a strawberry and orange twist.

Don’t forget to keep tabs on the Negroni Week action on Imbibe’s Instagram and Twitter feeds (@imbibe) and by following the #NegroniWeek hashtag. And, of course, be sure to mix yourself a Negroni!

@CampariUSA

For more information on where to drink go to Negroni Week. Cheers!

Why You Won't Mind Waiting Around Grand Central

One of our favorite spots is back in action, The Campbell, operated by The Gerber Group, the long-anticipated revival of the former Campbell Apartment, located in Grand Central Terminal. A New York City institution since its days as Jazz Age financier John William Campbell’s private office and reception hall, the space has been thoughtfully and meticulously restored in partnership with internationally renowned design firm Ingrao Inc.

0Maintaining the integrity of the property’s historic architecture while introducing contemporary design elements. Gerber Group has created a refined, yet approachable atmosphere that is complemented by a distinguished bar program and menu of elevated bar fare, making this the new place to go whether you're waiting for a train or meeting with a potential buyer.

“Whether stopping by for a quick drink before catching a train, or making The Campbell a destination for a night of cocktails and great food, we are very confident that commuters, locals and tourists who visit Grand Central Terminal will be pleasantly surprised.”

— Scott Gerber, Principal and CEO of Gerber Group

Hidden in plain sight, The Campbell is tucked in the southwest corner of Grand Central Terminal. Paying homage to the history of the space as a salon for entertaining in the truest form, Gerber Group has divided the venue into three principal areas that provide distinctive guest experiences:

The Campbell Bar, the timeless office featuring a stunning bar topped with green quartzite, custom brass sconces that illuminate the magnificent hand-painted ceiling, custom mohair and leather furnishings, and a mezzanine offering a look over the action below.

The Campbell Palm Court, an indoor lounge with Rattan bar stools and high top café tables surrounded by towering palm trees with a view into the main terminal; and The Campbell Terrace, a sweeping outdoor covered veranda complete with a full bar, where guests can enjoy the weather as well as the bustle of Midtown.

“As soon as you enter The Campbell, the sense of history is palpable,” said Randy Kemper of Ingrao. “We focused on restoring the space’s original features, while utilizing traditional materials and design features whenever possible. The end result is a breathtaking revitalization that brings the historic venue seamlessly into the 21st century while paying homage to its storied past.”

Located at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue (Off 43rd St) The Cambell is open daily from 12:00 p.m. - 2 a.m. For reservations and information on private events, call 212-297-1781 or visit www.thecampbellnyc.com.

Where To Eat And Drink This Earth Day

What day better than Earth Day to eat healthy and deliciously. With so many options in the city you can enjoy all of natures Earth's flavors while being clean and sustainable.

Here are our top places that will indulge your earthy, crunchy Earth Day whims. Don't worry if you'll still be able to eat meat, there's more to Earth Day than being a vegetarian.

Eco-Conscious Wine Maker Pairings (April 22)

Chef Vincent Chirico of West Village's Coarse supports sustainable agriculture in every aspect - from the produce he buys to the wine he selects. His eight to ten course, $79 spontaneous food and beverage tasting is all dependent on what he has in stock that day in order to eliminate food waste. With the meal, six to nine different beverage pairings are picked and poured by the chef himself, choosing only sustainable wines. On Earth Day he'll be highlighting California winemaker Preston Parker Wines for the beverage portion of the meal, a small production winery that only sources their grapes from sustainable vineyards. 

Wines are served alongside the chef's signature dishes like king oyster mushrooms atop potato puree, crispy sunchoke, a soft egg and white truffle or the king crab leg with chili, brown butter and microcelery.

Chef's No-Waste Tasting Menu (April 23)

This eco-conscious chef is going off the menu. Chef Roxanne Spruance of Kingsley (rated Top Newcomer 2017 by Zagat and named to this year's Crain's 40 Under 40) recently started Walk-In Sunday Dinners to eliminate food waste and use whatever is in her walk-in refrigerator to whip up experimental, three-course meals. In honor of Earth Day, watch her get creative with what's in season, like fresh pasta and risottos loaded with produce she's found at the market over the weekend or main dishes using parts of the animals she's butchered herself! The three course meal ($49) consists of two choices of a seasonal salad or soup, pasta or meat main, and desserts like housemade ginger sorbet with seasonal fruit. Oh yeah, and the entire restaurant is landfill-free.

BurgerFi April 22

On April 22 from open to close, participating BurgerFi locations nationwide are encouraging guests to “Go Green.” Withany burger purchase made that day, guests will receive a free“plantable burger” coaster (see image attached) they can plant at home to grow their own lettuce. BurgerFi’s signature green-style burgers use fresh, crisp, hand-cut lettuce instead of a traditional bun.

Additionally, guests who receive a “plantable burger” can enter for a chance to win a $100 BurgerFi gift card by simply uploading a photo of themselves planting their “burger” on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #growitforward tagging @burgerfi.

Up for a drink in honor of Earth Day  1 Hotel Central Park will unveil a cocktail for a cause! Available at the hotel’s signature restaurant Jams helmed by Jonathan Waxman, ”Don’t Believe the Florist” is a libation you can feel good about drinking.  Available on Earth Day (4/22) and throughout the spring, $1 from every drink purchased will be donated to New York Restoration Project.

In addition to the cocktail served at Jams, 1 Hotel Central Park will begin offering guests the opportunity to volunteer with Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project starting this April to keep Manhattan’s parks and community gardens beautiful. The hotel’s concierge team will help guests sign up for 1 Good Day events, which include garden grooming activities, ranging from tree watering, composting and pulling weeds. As a thank you for their service to the NYC community, 1 Hotel Central Park will provide guests with a Lyft credit for rides to and from the garden and two complimentary specialty cocktails at Jonathan Waxman’s Jams following their good deed. The 1 Good Day experiences are based on the 2016 pilot program involving 1 Hotels’ employees – which included mulching, pulling weeds and planting.