NYC Life: Restaurant Week, Exhibits, Ice Cream, Beaches & More
More sad closings. Neary’s closed yesterday, and after 50 years, the West Bank Cafe & The Laurie Beechman Theatre is closing its doors! But on a happier note, we have exciting news for food lovers! NYC Restaurant Week is back. Ready for a memorable experience? Step into the world of Edward Hopper this weekend. Ice cream lovers rejoice. Tomorrow is National Ice Cream Day and we have the scoop on free scoops. This week’s Long Island Spotlight is all about the beaches and summer beach nights. And where’s our roving photographer? Seattle.
Summer Restaurant Weeks
Exciting news for food lovers! NYC Summer Restaurant Week 2024 is just around the corner, running from July 22 to August 18. This year, over 600 restaurants across all five boroughs will participate, offering prix-fixe menus at $30, $45, and $60. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore a diverse array of cuisines and enjoy some of the city’s best dining experiences at a great value.
Are there any specific types of cuisine or restaurants you’re particularly excited to try? Reservations are already open, so be sure to book your table soon to enjoy these culinary delights. Whether you’re in the mood for a two-course lunch or a three-course dinner, there’s something for everyone. Bon appétit! BOOK NOW.
An Exhibit of NYC Travel Posters
Head to Chelsea for a fun exhibition of NYC travel posters. The exhibit features the vibrant history of New York City with the “Wonder City of the World: New York City Travel Posters” exhibit at Poster House. This captivating exhibition showcases a century of travel posters that have promoted the Big Apple to the world, capturing its ever-evolving identity through stunning graphic design.
From the iconic skyline and unique architecture to the bustling streets and serene parks, these posters offer a visual journey through New York’s rich history. You’ll see how artists have depicted the city’s landmarks, from the Statue of Liberty to Times Square, and its diverse neighborhoods, from Harlem to Coney Island. The exhibit not only highlights the grandeur and excitement of New York but also captures intimate, slice-of-life moments that make the city so special.
Curated by Nicholas D. Lowry, a renowned expert on vintage posters, this exhibit is a must-see for anyone interested in art, history, or the magic of New York City. Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or a visitor, you’ll find something to marvel at in this celebration of the city’s enduring allure. And the posters are all available for sale.
Spotlight on Long Island: Uh, Oh Those Summer Beach Nights
Long Island beaches are synonymous with summer. Whether you spend the day at the beach spoiling yourself, with friends, with family, or as a couple, it is always a day very well spent where you decide what you want to do. Then get ready for those summer beach nights filled with popular music that will have you dancing the night away as you spin around taking in the breathtaking views of the sun setting over the stunning ocean or bay. This kind of day is the reason why locals live here and why visitors flock here. READ MORE.
“Step Into Edward Hopper”
Celebrate Edward Hopper’s birthday this weekend in Meatpacking District with a life-size 3-D immersive experience, “Step Into Hopper.” The exhibit is a collaboration between the Meatpacking BID and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Visitors can literally step inside these famous artworks, complete with interactive elements like a live barista serving coffee in the “Nighthawks” diner scene and a clown performer in the French café setting of “Soir Bleu”. It’s a unique opportunity to experience Hopper’s portrayal of American life in a whole new way.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for a fun weekend activity, this event promises to be a memorable experience.
July 21. Celebrate National Ice Cream Day
In addition to being the head Tomato’s birthday, Sunday is also National Ice Cream Day. This year, the city is buzzing with special events, free scoops and delicious deals to make your ice cream experience unforgettable. And do know which US President created this day?
We can thank President Ronald Regan.
Here are some highlights and free scoops:
Sugar Hill Creamery: Head to one of their five locations for a free scoop of their limited-edition flavor, “If You Scoop It, They Will Come,” made with organic vanilla custard, fresh sweet corn, and wild plum gelée. This offer is available to the first 100 customers.
Van Leeuwen: Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hello Kitty with their exclusive “Yummy Berry White Chocolate Truffle” flavor. Visit their Tribeca shop for a special pop-up event featuring Hello Kitty-themed sundaes and shakes. Plus, 50% of the profits will be donated to kindness.org1.
Dairy Queen: Members of the DQ Rewards program can get a free Dilly Bar with any purchase of $1 or more. Just download the DQ App and sign up for the rewards program.
Cold Stone Creamery: Enjoy $5 off any purchase of $10 or more for My Cold Stone Club Rewards members. Text FLOAT24 to LOVEIT to get the reward2.
7-Eleven: Get 7-Select Ice Cream Sandwiches for just $1 through July 23 if you’re a member of the 7Rewards loyalty program2.
Whether you’re a fan of classic flavors or adventurous new creations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So, grab your friends and family, and indulge in the sweet treats NYC has to offer this National Ice Cream Day!
Roaming in Seattle
Our roaming photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:
I was finally able to check Seattle off my buckets list. The Coffee Capital of the World as it is rightfully nicknamed, is also known for 2 very creative, extraordinarily colorful and very opposite mediums; the world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, and the infamous Gum Wall. Oddly both are made using the human mouth!
The Dale Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum highlights this Tacoma Washington born groundbreaking artist’s range of styles, showcasing the works indoors, in a conservatory and gracefully placed through a beautiful garden. His work is included in 200 museums all over the world and has become a signature style in many casinos. Seeing so much of it in one place is a truly transcendent experience.
In sharp juxtaposition Seattle is also home to and quite proud of its Gum Wall. This is a gross but fascinating installation by the people, of chewed gum stuck to a wall. Wall is actually an understatement as this work of art spans the 50 foot long Post Alley, a 20 foot high street beneath the busy Pike Place Market.
This concept began inadvertently in 1991 when patrons of a comedy show used their chewed gum to glue pennies to the wall. The gum “stuck” and by 1999 the area was deemed a tourist attraction.
Today anyone can add to the wall which is always crowded and in transition, and of course, smells like sugary gum!
This high/low contrast of attractions is what makes Seattle such an interesting city. It is glossy and slick while being organic and sticky at the same time. Seattle certainly met my lifelong expectations.
~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath”
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
