YPC Volunteer Spotlight Series

On October 25th, the YPC (Young Professional's Committee) of Musicians On Call hosted our second Volunteer Spotlight Series at The Living Room.  We had a packed house for a wonderful cause...bringing the healing power of music to the bedsides of sick people.  The Living Room was nice enough to give us the space for about two hours for free so we can't thank them enough.  What a great night!!

**If you'd like to help save this venue, please click on this link:   http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/livingroom

P.J. Clarke's Sidecar - Midtown East

My friend Alicia and I often frequent Sidecar at PJ Clarke's (205 East 55th). We sit up at the bar, order short ribs, oysters, fries and wine.  Jessie is a great bartender and we love chatting with her!!  In fact, we just got out membership cards and look forward to many more nights at this Midtown East establishment in 2013. 

Coney Island & Mermaid Inn (West Village & East Village)

  

On Saturday, Andrew and I went to Coney Island together for each other's first time.  I think the ride there was more traumatizing than Coney Island itself.  We had both heard so many stories but other than a few drug addicts & drunks, it was no different than Manhattan.  Mind you, we didn't eat the food and I had wipes in every pocket.

After a long afternoon in the heat, we ventured over to the Mermaid Inn in the West Village. We met an awesome couple who've both been on Broadway and needless to say, we all got very toasty together.  Great bartender too!!!

On Sunday, Katharine and I went back to the Mermaid Inn but this time we went to the one in the East Village. 

American Idol Concert

Once again, Jill and I went to the American Idol Tour.  Our seats were FANTASTIC and I took at least 100 pictures.  After a few lackluster seasons, this one really surprised me.  There were some talented contestants and my #1 pick won.  Great songs, big hair and an overall fun night!!

Goonies on The Intrepid

My friend John and I went to see my all-time favorite movie Goonies on The Intrepid.  Unfortunately, it was turned off due to lightning...MAJOR bummer.  We got to see 15 minutes of it.  Oh well, maybe in 2013 we'll be able to see the full thing.

Sala One Nine

Sala One Nine (35 West 19th Street) was delicious!  This was my second visit and I'd go back again.  The sangria was delicious!!  For less than $80, we shared sangria and a bunch of foods.  We had the brie fundido tostas (toasts with brie), the datiles (dates stuffed with almonds & wrapped in bacon), Hogaza de lomo (pork, gruyere cheese & Piquillo peppers) and chorizo.  Great food, super romantic and perfect for a group of friends or a date.

Momofuku Noodle Bar - East Village

A group of us went to Momofuku Noodle Bar on 171 1st Avenue.  This was the best noodle bar that I've been to since I moved to NY four years ago.  Then again, I haven't been to all that many :-)  The picture above is the momofuku ramen but we also shared two varieties of the buns (pork & shrimp).  I highly recommend this restaurant!!

COLDPLAY

My #broadwaybuddy (Jill) and I went to see Coldplay on August 3rd.  BEST CONCERT of the year!!  It was 100% worth the adventure to get to NJ and wait outside of Port Authority for over an hour.  We danced our butts off.  They played new & old songs, had a lot of interaction with the audience and had these bracelets (mind didn't work) that lit up and beat with the songs.  I'll go see them in a heartbeat the next time they come back to the area.  Coldplay is in my top 20 of my all-time favorite bands.  I doubted Mylo Xyloto at first and ended up falling in love with the album.  They never put anything bad out!!

CLYBOURNE PARK

I went to see Clybourne Park with two colleagues and we really liked it.  It was honest, funny, shocking, sad, witty and overall enjoyable.  I can see why it won the Tony.  There was never a dull moment in the show and I didn't look at my watch once.  I also thought it was brilliant that they used the same house and the same cast to depict two totally different years (1959 & 2009).  It closed on September 2nd so I'm happy I saw it just in time.

Mermaid Inn - East Village

I had brunch at The Mermaid Inn (96 Second Ave bw 5th & 6th) with my friend Kat.  FANTASTIC bartender, heavenly food, lots of vino and most important...SUPER affordable!!  If you can grab a seat up at the bar, I think it's the best seat in town for a Saturday or Sunday early dinner snack or late brunch (5-7PM).  The raw bar has $1 oysters, $3 fish tacos, $8 lobster sliders, wine for $6, cocktails for $7 and beer for $5.  How can you say no to this?  GO GO GO!!  I can't say that enough.

NY Philharmonic - Central Park

Honestly, this FREE event is one of my favorite nights of the year in New York City!!  I absolutely love when the NY Philharmonic performs in Central Park.  A large group of us set down blankets, we bring wine & cheese, fruit and for some of us dancing shoes.  At the end, they have a short firework display but it's still festive.  It's such a peaceful and entertaining evening especially when the ground is dry and there are no mosquitoes.  I look forward to summer just for this evening!! 

Pink Rocks the Rock - Susan G. Komen Fundraiser

This was my third time attending Pink Rocks the Rock at Rockefeller Center hosted by the Young Professionals Committee of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  In support of my #broadwaybuddy (Jill), I attended this even with two other colleagues.  What a great evening!!  The weather was perfect, the music was pumping and there were a lot of people there for the same cause.  Who doesn't want to be outside with friends, music, drinks, and pink all in the name of fundraising?? 

FELICE WINE BAR - Upper East Side

It took me almost two years to get my butt to Felice Wine Bar (Felice 64) (1st Ave & 64th Street) on the UES and I only live a few blocks away.  What was I thinking?  Delicious snacks, great service and a nice pour of wine makes this place one of my favorite UES wine bars.  I absolutely love the decor and I like that you can sit outdoors in the spring and summer.  I find Felice to be very romantic and a good spot for a girl's dinner.  It's not a good "hang out" because of it's intimate feel.  I wouldn't bring 10 of my coworkers because there'd be nowhere for us to sit.  There's a nice bar in the middle with the most comfortable stools and they also have vodka and various other spirits aside from wine.  I recommend Felice as a good second date spot or perhaps a place to meet up with old friends.  I will most certainly be visiting this bar more often.