Steve Mirsky: Steve is a freelance writer specializing in culinary, destination, and outdoor adventure content. In addition to his own food and travel blog at www.gastrotraveling.com, he has recently completed two hiking guidebooks published by Pequot Press. Follow him on Twitter @MirskyS

Passover Made Easy in NYC

I know you’ve heard plenty about Easter already. And here in NYC many more folks are preparing for Passover anyway. But like any holiday planning, it can be a labor of love. If you’re strapped for time, don’t have relatives in town, and would rather let someone else make the gefilte fish for a change, restaurants across the city are offering traditional and pre-prepared takeout dishes crafted by the experts. And even if you’re not Jewish, the joy of matzo or challah loaves...

April 8th, 2009 | New York | Read More

New York City Growing Green

You may have already heard that the Empire State Building is going green with a LEED Gold Standard retrofit making the building more sustainable. Less energy consumption is all the rage and to top it off, Earth Day is just around the corner! Another crowning event happening in NYC is an exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York entitled: Growing and Greening New York: PlaNYC and the Future of the City. It explores transportation, energy, open space, land, water, and climate change as addressed...

April 7th, 2009 | New York | Read More

Bouley Market

OK so we’re in an economic slump….if you’re here in NYC on a business expense account, congratulations! You’re one of the chosen few! But for the rest of us, when it comes to lunch, a soup and a sandwich will just have to do. But before you rush out to a dubious vendor or bodega, remember Bouley Market in Tribeca at 120 West Broadway. If you can pay about as much as the corner deli and seek quality, then this is the place to dive into a smorgasbord of top cuisine prepared by Chef...

April 3rd, 2009 | New York | Read More

Free Happy Hour Grub in NYC

Somehow, after a few drinks, you’re stomach always seems to rumble. Maybe it’s because good food and strong drink were made for each other. But you’re a cheapskate or simply don’t have the dough so now what? Not to despair my friend! These 3 bars should get you started on your quest for free food! Cupping Room Cafe: Open since 1977 in in the center of SoHo (off the corner of West Broadway & Broome St), this watering hole has a homier ambiance with exposed brick walls, tin ceilings,...

April 1st, 2009 | New York | Read More

Really Terrible Orchestra at Town Hall

Just in time for April Fools day, the Really Terrible Orchestra will play in The Town Hall, a nonprofit performing arts center on 123 W 43rd St. in Manhattan. Sure you can hear real amateurs just about anywhere from high school concerts to boozy cover bands in dive bars, but this ensemble is on top of their game for being fundamentally bad. What promises to be their most ear-shattering performance ever, this orchestra originated in Scotland out of sheer frustration. Since there wasn’t any...

March 31st, 2009 | New York | Read More

Top Thrift Stores in NYC

New York City is known as the nation’s fashion capital….where else could we get away with runways here in the States? But if you think that only fashion mavens and the billionaires who fund them are the only ones who get to enjoy all these precious threads, you’re sorely mistaken. This City teems with vintage wear and one-of-a-kind pieces that may be a few years old but of high quality. So if you don’t mind recycled threads and are pretty sure your circle of friends won’t look down...

March 29th, 2009 | New York | Read More

Spotted Pig

Many local bars here in the city are no longer just meet markets or places to get blitzed. For some, the grub is equally if not more compelling than the booze. Gone are the days when hot wings, potato skins, and bowls of peanuts are the main offerings. I recommend starting at The Spotted Pig which is a group effort run by April Bloomfield (executive chef) and Mario Batali along with rock stars Bono and Michael Stipe who are investors. This bi-level enclave is usually packed with revelers as...

March 27th, 2009 | New York | Read More

Spa Specials NYC

Ohm Spas Located on 260 5th Ave. on the 7th floor, Ohm Spa is offering a Spa Ritual line of nail services, utilizing eco-friendly ingredients made from specially sourced plant essences that are often organic. Now through the end of August, pay a visit on Sunday for their Ultimate SpaRitual mani-pedi combo. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and receive a free pair of OKA-b spa slippers. And these aren’t the kind of slippers that you kick to the back of your closet either! They are swaddled...

March 23rd, 2009 | New York | Read More

St. Patrick’s Day NYC

It’s that time of year again, when just about everything from beer to bagels seems to turn green. Here in NYC, St. Patty’s Day parade takes place tomorrow. But there’s lots more going on besides revelry in the streets. Head over to Connolly’s Pub & Restaurant from noon to midnight on Tues. for some live music. Mike Begley and Toni Di Marco open for popular local band Shilelagh Law (whose name is Gaelic slang for “brawl”). Their talented fiddling and mix of original...

March 17th, 2009 | New York | Read More

Hot Cocoa and Pretzel Croissants at City Bakery

What can be yummier than a rich hot chocolate paired with a pretzel croissant at City Bakery? As a chocolate fanatic, I tried many of their specialty cocoa drinks during their Hot Chocolate Festival in February. This stuff is super thick, almost like pudding, and tastes like they melted down a bar of fine chocolate and put it in a cup without messing with milk. In short, pure chocolate bliss! Well, if you love chocolate covered pretzels, then you know where I’m going with this…City Bakery’s...

March 13th, 2009 | New York | Read More

Sakagura

Billing themselves as one of the top sake bars in the nation, I can definitely say that Sakagura not only has one of the top sake selections in NYC, they also go out of their way to maximize your enjoyment and appreciation of this often misunderstood libation. If you have trouble picking from their over 600 bottles stored in their 35 foot sake refrigerator, don’t worry, every server is a certified Sake Advisor trained to help you explore the different varieties backing them up with paring...

March 12th, 2009 | New York | Read More

Tailor

Don’t bring your clothes here for repairs or alterations. On Monday nights, order up their huitlacoche corn dog with a Modelo Especial beer from the bar menu for $12. And that’s pretty simple fare at a bargain compared to what you’d usuually get here! I’m talkin about sassafrass cake with smoked vanilla ice cream for, pork belly with miso butterscotch, and foie gras infused with peanut butter. view location

March 9th, 2009 | New York | Read More

Cheap High Quality Eats in NYC

Shake Shack (view location) Before I get to the food, what other dining spot has a webcam so you can check how long the line is to get in and belly up to the counter? It’s not uncommon to wait over an hour to place your order for a hamburger, fries, and milkshake here. But this isn’t any ordinary fast food joint. Shake Shack takes the simple grilled burger to a whole new level. Forget Kobe or Waigyu Beef burgers or the $25 – $50 gourmet burgers some places try to charge. Beat the...

March 6th, 2009 | New York | Read More