Christina Izzo

In New York City, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find cocktails under $18 (let alone, cheap things to do)— the idea of spending the same amount on a mixed drink as you might on a main course is absolutely ludicrous. But affordable imbibing doesn’t have to just take place at the best dive bars in NYC (love them though we do) or during an afternoon happy hour. Need proof? Consult our guide to the best cheap bars for lovers of beer, cocktails and pretty much anything with an ABV. (And if you want some top-notch cheap eats after those cheap drinks, we've got your back, too.) RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best bars in NYC

The phrase “all you can eat” might conjure images of massive buffets with piles of questionably-nutritious food sitting under heat lamps, but when it comes to sushi it’s a different story. Restaurants with all you can eat sushi in NYC are a welcome break for those with strained wallets looking to enjoy the Japanese delicacy. (From happy hours to bottomless brunches, dining deals are essential in this city, given that the best NYC restaurants are often quite pricey.) Obviously you can splurge at one of many amazing sushi restaurants in NYC, but when you really just want to get your fix of fresh salmon, tuna, snapper and seaweed, these all you can eat sushi spots are more manageable.

So you’re going to a Broadway show, and you want to do better than the TGI Fridays across the street. And you can! The best Restaurant Row eateries in NYC offer up some truly top-notch grub, from Italian pasta to sushi rolls to brasserie fare. After you sit through one of the best Broadway shows, choose from this list of eateries on 46th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in Manhattan's Theater District. RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best restaurants in NYC

Year 2024 was, in short, a shitshow, but that doesn’t mean you have to start 2025 the same chaotic way. Forgo a jam-packed sink of dishes or a night of kitchen snafus—instead, dine at one of NYC’s best restaurants before you hit a fabulous New Year’s Eve party. These prix fixe and à la carte options make for a memorable last meal of the year, whether you want to feast on a taco buffet and an open bar a few minutes from the Times Square ball drop or go full-glam at a luxurious Jean-Georges property. Here are the best restaurants open on New Year’s Eve 2024 in NYC.      RECOMMENDED: Full guide to New Year’s Eve in NYC  

Want a drink with a side of Donkey Kong, a beer-fueled Skee-ball session or a booze-addled break at one of the city’s best bowling alleys? Head to the best arcade bars in NYC. Sure, a night out at one of New York’s best beer gardens, dive bars or cocktail bars is a good time in and of itself, but add the city’s best bar games to it and you’ve got a recipe for one legendary evening! RECOMMENDED: More of the best bars in NYC

For years, Rockefeller Center has split the difference between tourist destination and inevitable hub for area office workers. New Yorkers would either visit when family or friends were in town to see the eponymous Christmas tree, Top of the Rock or the Rockettes, or just to pick up a salad destined for desk dining. More recently, however, its been a perennial fixture on food-trend forecasts. Whether or not Rockefeller Center does or does not bloom into the esteemed eating and drinking destination it’s been pitched remains to be seen. These classic and new spots are worth checking out until then.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Although considered by some to be a culinary wasteland, the area near Penn Station and Madison Square Garden has its own share of mouth-watering dining options. Within a 10-minute walk lie loads of restaurants near Penn Station including Midtown restaurants offering diverse cuisines ranging from Italian to Korean BBQ. Whether you're waiting for a train at Moynihan or looking for a pre-concert dinner around MSG, here are the best restaurants near Penn Station. RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best restaurants in NYC  

The best holiday markets are right here in NYC—full of both the holiday spirit and the most unique gifts out there. While fancy Christmas window displays may entice you, NYC's holiday markets often include ice skating, twinkling lights, great food vendors, and fun holiday activities. Shopping for the perfect gift doesn’t have to be stressful, make it fun at these holiday markets, from the Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market to the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park and more. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Whether your Christmas queen is Mariah or Sabrina, it's time to begin celebrating the holiday season! We've gathered the best things to do for Christmas and the holidays in NYC. From uptown to downtown, the city boasts holiday offerings like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, light festivals, and the best holiday markets NYC has to offer. Whether you channel your inner grinch or cheery elf during NYC's most wonderful season, we've got you covered with memorable activities. As locals, we've been to many of these events and are including some of our favorites right here. Check back for updates as we'll continue adding to the list as the holidays approach.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best Christmas hotels in NYC Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.  Check out our Winter Village video: 

Cue the Mariah: Christmastime is finally here in NYC! You’ve got your mug of hot chocolate (or your fireplace cocktail) in hand, you’re taking in the stunning holiday windows and sparkling holiday lights and you’re feeling the holiday cheer…now you just need to figure out where to eat! While a lot of spots might be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in NYC, we’ve found the best restaurants that are keeping their doors open on Tuesday and Wednesday for you to celebrate in style. These are the very best restaurants in NYC open on December 24 and December 25, 2024.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

New York City has tons of things going for it, from incredible buildings to breathtaking parks. But surely, the top of the list includes NYC’s vast array of museums and galleries, covering every field of culture and knowledge: There are quirky museums and interactive museums, free museums and world renowned art institutions like the Met. Between them, they offer so many exhibitions of every variety and taste that it's hard to keep track of them. But if you’ve starting to suffer a sudden attack of FOMA (that's fear of missing art ;)), don't worry! We've got you covered with our select list of the best museum exhibitions in NYC. Don't waste any time—head to NYC's best museum exhibits now! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to museums in NYC

If you’re visiting NYC or just in the mood for a staycation, why not choose a hotel that also happens to have a gorgeous view of the skyline? It turns out dozens of stays have some of the best views in the city, from five-star hotels with luxurious, lavish interiors to modern but affordable boutique hotels. Besides, after tackling the best museums, galleries, restaurants, neighborhoods and other things to do in NYC, there’s nothing better than kicking back and seeing the city from above. Need some extra relaxation? Some of these hotels have hot tubs and some are home to the best spas in the city. We’ve checked these out ourselves to make sure these views really do take the cake! Recently added in December includes: Boro Hotel, Graduate Hotel and the Wythe Hotel among others. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Don’t let the freelance, remote or WFH lifestyle give you a blue Christmas—everyone is invited to this annual holiday bash on December 18. (Yes, even those with office jobs are welcome to party!) Sing your heart out to live-band karaoke without fear of your boss judging you. Grind up on a sexy stranger while the DJ spins holiday songs without ever worrying about running into them in the elevator days later. There will also be a holiday photo booth so you can have evidence of why you ended up on Kris Kringle’s naughty list, as well as sweet local prizes, drink specials and an airing of your grievances against all bosses past and present. It's almost enough to make not having benefits worthwhile!

For the third year in a row, Alex Kim and Kenny Park Yi put on their queer Asian comedy variety show, this time at the Bell House in Gowanus on Sunday, December 15. Head over at 6pm for an evening of comedy, sketch, drag and, of course, boba, with guest appearances by comics including Ai Vy Luu, Jes Tom and Sureni Weerasekera and a drag performance by Fefe Fo Fum. And, since it is the season of giving, $.25 per ticket sold benefits Comedy Gives Back, a safety net for the comedy community.

Caroling, Klezmer and Calypso—oh my! Brooklyn Conservatory of Music will present its first-ever Holiday Extravaganza on Sunday, December 15 from 3pm to 5pm. The family-friendly, multicultural celebration will see the conservatory throw open the doors of its historic Park Slope Victorian mansion, surrounding gardens, and front stoop for guests to enjoy performances from BKCM’s Klezmer Hanukkah Ensemble, David Bertrand’s Calypso holiday band, and Christmas carolers, among others. Attendees can get warm and cozy at the delicious Tea Station from Tea Arts & Culture and can get moving with dance lessons provided by Asase Ya Cultural Arts Foundation celebrating Kuumba, the sixth principle of Kwanzaa. The event is pay-what-you-wish, with a suggested donation of $20, and registration is required.

Close out the year with a one-night-only celebration of the life and legacy of James Baldwin, the writer and activist. On Friday, December 13 at 7pm, you can explore a special display about Baldwin's early career in the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures and learn more about JIMMY! God’s Black Revolutionary Mouth, featuring materials never before shown in public. The party's at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. There will also be living readings beloved Baldwin works by artists and writers including Phoebe Robinson, Darryl Pinckney, Tayari Jones and Daphne Brooks; a musical performance by singer Candice Hoyes in the Rose Main Reading Room; 16mm films curated from the Reserve Film and Video Collection spotlighting the famed writer and his influences; and much more.

Started originally by ornithologist Frank Chapman as an alternative to the then-customary holiday bird hunt, the Christmas Bird Count is now the longest-running community science bird project in the country. There are counts at nearly 3,000 locations across the country, including one of the most well-known and historic counts, happening at Central Park on December 15. This family-friendly and welcoming event offers a unique opportunity for participants, from bird lovers to those totally new to birding, to contribute to bird conservation efforts while enjoying nature and the beauty of one of New York City's most iconic locations. Data collected by participants over the years help ornithologists and conservation biologists study long-term bird populations and decide what conservation action is required to protect birds and the places they need.

How do artists interpret AI? A new exhbit at the International Center of Photography (ICP) digs into that complex question.  The Alternative Images of AI exhibition sees artists Farah Al Qasimi, Charlie Engman and Max Pinckers present new work imagining the near-future impacts of the world-changing technology known as AI, or artificial intelligence. Commissioned by Google and photographed in Abu Dhabi, Belgium, and Ghana, each artist uses different visual vocabularies to describe what AI means to them, how it makes people feel, and the ways society might expect to experience it within the next decade. See it from December 12 to January 6.

Named in honor of its iconic namesake Billie Holiday, the Billie Holiday Theatre will celebrate the end of the year with its Billie & Beyond series on Friday, December 13. Brooklyn-based musical outfit Kennedy Administration—known for weaving together jazz, R&B, hip-hop and pop influences into a rich, yet modern musical tapestry—will perform a selection of Holiday’s hits as well as festive classics and their own original songs. The curated evening will also include a set by the popular DJ Nyla, light bites and spirited cocktails. 

As the world commemorates the centennial of James Baldwin's birth, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) presents Turkey Saved My Life - Baldwin in Istanbul, 1961–1971, a landmark exhibition featuring rare photographs of the iconic writer by Turkish photographer Sedat Pakay. Running between December 12, 2024 and February 28, 2025 in the Grand Lobby of the Central Library, this exhibition offers an unprecedented glimpse into Baldwin’s transformative years in Istanbul from 1961 to 1971, when the author-activist moved to Istanbul seeking refuge from the entrenched racism and homophobia he experienced in America. The exhibition will be accompanied by public programs, including panel discussions, film screenings, and readings that further explore Baldwin’s unique connection to Turkey.

L'chaim! You can shop goodies from more than 60 vendors at the two-day Hanukkah Bazaar coming to Iron 23 on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15. Stock up on Judaica, jewelry, art, crafts, fashion and more, with featured vendors including Woz Art, Netali Ofer, Avraham Vofsi, Yehoshua, Hotcrown, Via Maris, Naomi Salfati and more. You’ll be happy that Hanukkah is late this year, because this bazaar is perfectly timed to grab gifts and goodies for everyone on your list!

Pieces Bar has been a West Village staple for more than three decades. And for 18 years of that tenure, the historic spot has played host to one of New York City’s best bingo nights. Every Sunday, guests can enjoy Happy Hour Drag Bingo hosted by drag queen Chaka Khanvict, with seating starting at 5pm and the game starting at 6pm. Grab your game board—$5 for a single, $10 for a page of four or $20 for three sheets of four boards for the best chances to win big—and play for amazing prizes like tickets for two to the Broadway Comedy Club, merchandise from Absolut Vodka and Andrew Christian, and a VIP Pieces Card, which gets you a free drink every day for a month. Speaking of drinks, happy-hour specials include $6 margaritas, mimosas, bellinis and Bloody Mary, plus $8 Long Island Iced Teas from 2pm to 8pm.

New York nightlife personality and comedian Dominic Pupa—who you may know from his one-man shows like Gypsies, Tramps & Me, Cherstruck and Surprising No One—returns to The Cutting Room (44 E 32d St) with his annual holiday show, Dom We Now Our Gay Apparel. The “pop culture roasting” of “a lecherous year” by “a treacherous queer” will skewer the best and (mostly) worst that 2024 had to offer, combined with holiday music parodies that promise to “ruin the Christmas classics for you forever.” Touring cities like Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, this spunky and spirited show will make its way to New York City on Saturday, December 14. 

A queer comedian, a talking uterine fibroid and a dash of romance—you’ll find all that and more at this live staged reading of Fibroids: A Love Story, written by Sheria Mattis. On Wednesday, December 11 at 7pm at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre, this funny, personal and relatable story comedically explores a reality that affects 80-percent of people with a uterus. And performing in the staged adaptation of this imaginative comedy pilot are a whole host of funny folks, including Grace Johnson, Amanda Maryanna Gordon, Lukas Arnold, Jess Henderson, Zubi Ahmed, Riylan Mills, Alysia Brown, Aurea Young, Papirosa, Christiana Jackson, and, naturally, Sheria Mattis.

UPDATE: November 19, 2024 Over a year after Mayor Eric Adams announced the opening of The Arches, a public space beneath the Brooklyn Bridge that was left unused for a decade, officials celebrated the debut of an additional portion of the destination. Until now used as a contractor staging area, the new space is about one third of an acre in size, home to 16 park benches and a vast array of trees, including oaks, elms and Japanese pagoda varieties. "Public space in Manhattan is precious—every acre counts for the people who live, work in, and visit our bustling metropolis," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi in an official statement. "Where better to continue to deliver peaceful, elevated public space than a stone's throw from Chinatown, in the shade of one of our city's most iconic landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge." But there's more to come: according to an official press release, the largest sections of The Arches have yet to re-open, so brace yourselves for even more exciting debuts in the near future. -- Word of any new outdoor space in New York City is always a reason to cheer, especially when the digs are as iconic as this: just in time for its 140th birthday, the Brooklyn Bridge will welcome The Arches, a recreational space and community gathering spot set right beneath the landmark in Chinatown, located at the intersection of Rose Street and Avenue of the Finest. RECOMMENDED: The 16 best parks in NYC, from Prospect to Pelham Bay Announced by Mayor Eric Adams as

It's the soundtrack of summer—no, not "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter. We're talking about that iconic Mister Softee jingle, tempting New Yorkers young and old alike with the promise of soft serve and sweet treats. The ice cream vans are ubiquitous on New York City streets when the temperatures start to rise, but you won't have to strain your ears trying to hear for that whimsical jingle next time you're craving a King Cone or a Chocolate Dip—the Mister Softee app makes it way easier to track down a truck.  RECOMMENDED: The 12 best ice cream shops in NYC, from acclaimed new parlors and old frozen favorites Though Mister Softee is a throwback that's been serving the New York area since the 1950s, the ice-cream truck company is solidly in the digital era with its own smartphone app, available on both the App Store and Google Play. You don't even need to set up an account to utilize the application, which grants user the ability to plug in their zip code (the app assures that it won't save your location data) and track down the nearest Mister Softee trucks in the area. “Looking for the popular Mister Softee ice cream truck? Look no further, our popular and beloved trucks are now easier to find with our mobile app,” reads the app's description. “Find the closest Mister Softee truck to you, set up your next ice cream party and more all from the app!” Even more convenient, the mobile app allows sweet tooths to see exactly how long each truck has been parked at a given location by s

New York is rife with festivals, especially the foodie sort. But a new food-and-music fest is coming to Brooklyn courtesy of a viral source: Jack Goldburg, a.k.a. Jack’s Dining Room, the NYC-based social media creator known for showcasing global restaurants and bites to his 2 million-plus followers.  RECOMMENDED: One Bite Pizza Fest, the viral ‘za fest from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, is back And Jack has personally curated quite a lineup for the inaugural Yes Chef Food Fest, which will bring “New York’s most viral food sensations” to Williamsburg’s BK Backyard Bar (86 North 11th Street) on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11. Alas, despite the event’s name, neither Jeremy Allen White nor his biceps will be in attendance, but there will be participating restaurants like Mama’s Too, Gotham Burger, Soothr, Arthur & Sons, Taqueria Ramirez, Mimi Cheng’s, Milano Market and more.  In collaboration with NYBucketlist and Rose Gold Presents, the fest will see the restaurants serve not only their most sought-after dishes—the kind of stuff fans would otherwise have to wait hours in line to try, organizers say— but also never-before-seen items, along with a lineup of interactive experiences, demonstrations, tastings, live musical performances and other fun surprises.  “After traveling the world in search of the best culinary experiences, I can confidently say what many of you already know: NYC has some of the best food in the entire world,” said Goldburg. “In launching Ye

A rite of passage for any beer-loving New Yorker, a trip out to Boardy Barn was one of the best, sloppiest things to do in the Hamptons each summer. For more than five decades, that red-and-white-striped circus tent saw roll after roll of smiley-face stickers, cup after cup of sudsy brews and as many summer break-ups as summer hook-ups. The Long Island institution may have shuttered in 2021, but those legendary Sunday afternoon parties are continuing this summer with a Boardy Barn pop-up at Houston Hall. RECOMMENDED: Combine fresh brews and fresh air at the best beer gardens and beer halls in NYC Kicking off on Sunday, July 14, and happening every Sunday from 2pm to 8pm through Labor Day, Boardy Barn is partnering with the West Village beer hall to bring the spirit of the original to NYC, smiley stickers and all. "Boardy Barn fans and Boardy Barn virgins will instantly fall in love with Sundays at Houston Hall” says Tommy Cannu, lifelong Boardy Barn employee and keeper of the brand. “It's a magical venue well known by New Yorkers, perfectly suited to host the best Sunday afternoon party in the world—complete with smiley stickers, photo covered walls, the best music and friends from all over."  Expect the cheap Bud Light specials, signature dirty water hot dogs and DJs playing the singalong-friendly playlists that you remember from your days at the Barn. (And yes, that includes a group rendition of "American Pie.") “The opportunity to blend two such iconic brands together for

Even if you can’t summer in Italy, you can drink like you can with the new Terrazza Aperitivo series hosted by Ci Siamo, the Manhattan West pasta purveyor from chef Hillary Sterling and Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group. And they’re toasting the season by partnering with some of New York’s most beloved barrooms. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best bars in NYC for classic cocktails, craft beer and expert wine selections Throughout the summer, the Italian-inspired restaurant (440 West 33rd Street Suite #100) will offer a series of special one-night aperitivos on its stunning third-floor terrazza, to be enjoyed alongside outdoor cocktails from participating NYC bars, light bites, Empire State views and freshly spun tunes from a live DJ. Kicking off on Thursday, July 11, the team from Peachy’s (the chic Doyers Street cocktail lounge tucked beneath Chinese Tuxedo) will take over the terrace from 5:30 to 9pm. They’d be followed by the folks from Temple Bar, that moody martini-making favorite over on Lafayette, on Sunday, August 11, from 4pm to 8pm. The series will continue that Friday, August 16 with the bar staff from the nautically-inspired cocktail haunt and raw-bar destination Grand Army at 5:30pm to 9pm. The month will finish off with a pop-up from the acclaimed Dead Rabbit (currently the number 33 barroom in all of North America, per the World’s 50 Best list) on Sunday, August 25, from 5pm to 9pm. And for the grand finale, the playful East Village drinkery Mister Paradise w

Searchin' for your lost shaker of salt? You'll no doubt find one at the Margaritaville Resort Times Square, which is forever well-stocked with all of the accouterments needed for that titular, tequila-splashed bev. And speaking of tequila, the fun-loving hotel will celebrate National Tequila Day on Wednesday, July 24, with the property’s first-ever Margarita Bar Crawl.  RECOMMENDED: Frozen, fruity, with salt or without—no matter how you like 'em, these are NYC's best margaritas Margarita lovers are welcome to head over to the midtown getaway (560 Seventh Avenue) for a night of margaritas, music and good vibes. (Snag your ticket here.) Participants will be given a Bar Crawl Passport upon entry, which they can use to barhop from drinkery to drinkery inside the hotel, trying out different takes on the classic margarita at each bar.  From 5pm to 8pm, a Build Your Own Nacho Station will be available at the Landshark Bar & Grill on the pool deck included with the price of a ticket. There, you'll also get to sip the "Uptown Top Shelf Margarita," made with Teremana Reposado Tequila, Cointreau Orange Liqueur, and Margaritaville's house margarita blend topped with a Gran Gala Orange Liqueur float). Elsewhere, you can wet your whistle with the "W. 40th St & Agave" (Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur, Earl Grey Agave, lime juice) 32 stories up at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar; the "Grand Margarita" (Espolon Reposado Tequila, Cointreau Orange Liqueur, lime and or

「キティ・ホワイト」という名を持つとてもファッショナブルな（そして妙にイギリス的な）猫は、半世紀もの間、アニメシリーズや学用品、ビデオゲーム、音楽アルバム、コミック本などを通じ、世代を超えて人々を魅了してきた。 この愛らしいグローバルブランドの50周年を記念し、アメリカの有名百貨店であるNordstromは、2024年6月27日からハローキティをテーマにしたキュートなポップアップショップをスタートさせた。 ラインアップされているのは、ハローキティとその親しい仲間たちをフィーチャーした有名ブランドとの限定コラボレーションアイテムだ。 「カワイイアイコン」にインスパイアされた「Baggu」「Café Forgot」「チャンピオン」「Chet Lo」「Chopova Lowena」「Lula Flora」「Marshall Columbia」「Three Potato Four」「Vandy The Pink」「YanYan Knits」などのブランドが多数参加している。 アイテムの種類はアパレルやアクセサリー、美容用品、家庭用品、ぬいぐるみ、食料品などで、価格帯も6〜1,610ドル（約970円〜26万円）と幅広い。 サンリオのブランドマネジメント＆マーケティング担当のシニアバイスプレジデントである、ジル・コッホは次のように語っている。 「過去50年間、友情、優しさ、包括性の力強いシンボルであるハローキティは、世界中の数え切れないほどの人々の心を動かしてきました。このレガシーをたたえるという私たちのコミットメントにおいて、ファンの皆さまにユニークで思い出に残る楽しい商品と、体験の数々をご提供できることを大変嬉しく思います。この超キュートなNordstromのポップアップショップは、ハローキティの50周年を祝うのに最適で、クリエーティビティに火をつけ、個人のスタイルを刺激するでしょう」 このポップアップショップは夏の間、ニューヨークの旗艦店である「Nordstrom NYC」のほか、ロサンゼルスの「Century City」、オースティンの「Domain Northside」、シアトルの「Downtown Seattle」と、オンラインで開催される。 関連記事 『Nordstrom celebrates 50 years of Hello Kitty with new super cute pop-up（原文）』 『今のアメリカのベスト都市はニューヨーク、2位以下は？』 『パリの老舗デパート「プランタン」がニューヨークへの進出を発表』 『アメリカで最も人気のあるブランチスポットランキングが発表』 『ニューヨークのベーカリーカフェが「オニオワッサン」を発売』 『アメリカで最もペットフレンドリーな航空会社は？』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら  

When is Din Tai Fung opening in New York City? Well, it looks like we finally have an answer: the long-awaited NYC location of the highly acclaimed, Taiwan-based restaurant chain will officially throw open its doors in midtown Manhattan on Thursday, July 18. And in even better news, you can secure a reservation at the Michelin-starred dim sum den as early as tomorrow. RECOMMENDED: The best Chinese spots in NYC include classic dim sum destinations and speakeasy-style venues Yes, Din Tai Fung reservations are going live on Yelp on July 2 for the new location at 1633 Broadway between West 50th and 51st Streets, which will not only be the brand’s first outpost on the East Coast but also its biggest global location yet. (The chain boasts a whopping 171 locations worldwide, from Seattle to Shanghai, from Manila to Melbourne.) Be sure to set a phone reminder if you want to score one of the 450 seats at the reservations-only spot, given the sheer fervor that’s been worked up over the NYC newcomer before it’s even opened, we have a feeling that booking a table is going to be a digital Hunger Games.  To commemorate the grand opening on July 18, the Din Tai Fung team will hold a ribbon cutting as well as opening remarks before the restaurant kicks off with its usual parade of dumpling steaming, beef searing, soup simmering and the like. Diners will actually see those dumplings being made fresh—over 10,000 daily—via an open kitchen visible behind a glass wall, reports Grubstreet. The Di

The Union Square Greenmarket is already a sunny-day staple for New Yorkers and now the lively park and public plaza is going to be taking over your evenings, too, with a brand-new night market set to debut later this month.  RECOMMENDED: Here are all the NYC night markets to indulge in this year, from vegan food to Latin faves As part of the Union Square Partnership's annual Summer in the Square series—weekly outdoor programming that includes free movie screenings, dance performances, fitness classes, CityPickle courts, family-friendly activities and more—Union Square will host its first-ever Night Market during summer evenings this month. The open-air market will run for four Thursdays at the park's South Plaza, starting July 11 and stretching through August 1. It will be presented by Urbanspace, the same folks who put on the square’s Holiday Market each year, so you already know that they know what they're doing.  The Union Square Night Market by Urbanspace will feature the tasty wares of 20 independent and local vendors: you can snack your way through Belgian-style fries from Home Frit, Mexican tamales from La Palapa, bánh mì sandwiches from Mama's Cupboard, rice platters from TNT Pineapple Bowls, fried oysters from Paris Po'Boys, Treat Yourself Jerk's award-winning chicken and more. And for something a little sweet, Chocolate on Tap will be on hand dousing fresh strawberries in rich, flowing chocolate.  "Union Square Night Market continues the tradition of exceptional cul

You know we love waterfront dining, and this summer, you'll be able to have meals at one of Brooklyn's most picturesque spots: the iconic Prospect Park Boathouse Terrace. On Thursday, July 4, the team behind popular Brooklyn restaurants Rucola, June and Rhodora will debut Purslane Cafe at the century-old, Beaux Arts–style landmark. RECOMMENDED: Everything you need to know about visiting Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY A physical extension of Purslane—New York's first zero-waste, carbon-neutral catering company—the new café will feature that same eco-friendly sensibility, offering sustainability-sourced, health-minded food options and coffee daily from 8am to 3pm, as well as summer cocktails, wine and beer on select evenings. (The restaurant's Instagram will be updated with select evening hours.) It will also carry only sustainable, recyclable and compostable products. As one of the only food options located inside of Prospect Park itself, picnic-ready parkgoers should be pleased about a menu full of tasty-sounding stuff like fig-and-prosciutto sandwiches, a daily frittata, overnight oats, almond butter croissants and more. Non-alcoholic beverages include drip coffee and cold brew, lemonade and Arnold Palmers, and both hot and iced tea. Open all week long, the café will offer outdoor seating only (because, really, with a scenic view like this, why would you want to sit inside anyway?) and in the future will play host to live music and small pop-up events.    “The Prospect Park

Sure, we might not be Napa Valley, but New York’s nothing to sneeze at when it comes to homegrown wine. Along with the many great wine bars and local wineries in NYC proper—like Red Hook Winery, City Winery and Brooklyn Winery, among many others—the greater Empire State is home to some of the finest vineyards in the county. RECOMMENDED: The best wine classes in NYC to up your vino knowledgeThe best non-touristy things to do in NYC And it looks like the data drummed up by Jackpot City is helping to prove our argument: for a new study, the online casino entertainment site analyzed Google searches, Instagram posts, and online ratings to reveal the most viral vineyards in the US to help determine the best ones to visit this summer. And one of New York’s own just happened to crack the country’s top ten vineyards: Wölffer Estate out on Long Island in Sagaponack, New York, came in at No. 8, with 9,900 Google Searches and 23,348 Instagram posts to its hashtag. “This winery is known for its stunning world-class wines and gorgeous scenery, featuring rolling vineyards in the heart of the Hamptons,” per the brand.  Kilgub" data-width-class="" data-image-id="103855894" /> Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Kilgub Rank State Winery/Vineyard No. of Google Searches (per year) No. of Instagram Posts Google Rating Overall score 1 California Domaine Carneros 33,100 46,574 4.3 8.09 2 Indiana Oliver Winery 18,100 12,376 4.7 5.62 3 Pennsylvania

Finally, some good transportation news coming out of NYC: The Port Authority is graciously halving price single-ride fares for the AirTrain this summer, in an effort to reduce vehicle traffic to John F. Kennedy International Airport during heavy construction this summer. Now, it’s not exactly the free AirTrain rides we were all hoping for, but we'll take what we can get!  RECOMMENDED: You can now travel from Manhattan to JFK airport for a mere $13 From today, July 1, through Labor Day, September 2, the transit agency will offer a $4.25 fare (decreased from the usual $8.50) to riders that enter or exit the AirTrain at Howard Beach or Jamaica, the two off-airport stations that require payment via OMNY or MetroCard. The Port Authority is promoting the new campaign by assuring riders that it will take just 20 minutes to get to Jamaica Grand Central Madison, Penn Station, or Atlantic Terminal via the Long Island Railroad. The agency is also encouraging drivers to use the drop-off/pick-up lot at the Lefferts Blvd station, where they can hop on a free 8-minute AirTrain ride to the airport terminals.  The fare discount is to encourage airport-goers to utilize NYC public transit on their way to JFK, which will reportedly see a record 18 million passengers this summer, 700,000 more than last year. Along with the record volumes of air travelers, traffic will be further slowed down around the airport due to the continued construction activities for the $19 billion redevelopment of JFK, w