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Restaurant Gift Certificate Giveaway

It’s one thing to scour the city for the best meal deals.  With a bit of planning and legwork (or just reading Date on a Dime), you can find some great bargains for dining out in Manhattan.  But what could be better than eating out at a chic restaurant with no effort at all for FREE?  Well, Date on a Dime will be giving one lucky reader the chance to do just that.

The first reader to send an email to DateonaDime@gmail.com will get a $50 gift certificate to Bruno Jamais, a swanky French restaurant on the Upper East Side- the perfect setting to impress a date.  Enjoy!

Tis the Season

Now that the city’s Christmas tree is lit, it’s official.  The holiday season is in full swing (though the decorations have been out since the day after Halloween).  So, how do you get your kicks during Christmastime?  There are enough holiday-themed activities in New York to last you every day and night through the New Year, but I have distilled a list (most of which David and I have done) down to twelve.  What follows is the 12 Days of Dating on a Dime:

1. Sit on Santa’s lap.  It’s a tradition that every child has gone through at some point, most likely in a mall.  If you actually enjoyed the experience, unlike these poor kids, relive the magic now that you are big enough to squash Santa.  David and I visited Santa at Macy’s (Herald Square) last year, and he and his elves were very happy to see us.  Don’t be scared off by a long line- the wait goes by surprisingly fast when you are surrounded by miniature villages, choo choo trains, and other fun distractions.  Take your own camera with you, and an elf will snap a shot for free.  But this might be the one time that you can justify a splurge on an overpriced photographic ornament or wallet-size photo to carry with you everywhere, since really, a double lap-date with Santa is priceless.
2. Sit on another Santa’s lap. I mean, sit on Santa’s lap at a different time when he has moved to a different place.  I hear that South Street Seaport has an impressive tree and a rather grand setup for Mr. Clause, who is touted as “the city’s most acclaimed Santa.”  And you will be sure to encounter other festive sights and performances at the Seaport, now that you’ve trekked all the way down there.
3. Play Santa for a night. If you’ve been living in the city for a while, you’ve probably seen some crazy herds of Santas wreaking havoc en masse across the city.  It looks like a helluva good time, right?  Well this year’s SantaCon NYC is on Saturday, December 13th, but the details won’t be revealed until the last minute here.  Try to fashion your own homemade costume- a Santa suit rental can get pretty pricey since it’s a hot commodity this time of year.
4. Go department store window hopping. Macy’s, Bloomies, Saks, and Lord & Taylor have unveiled their holiday windows, all vying for the most shoppers’ eyeballs.  While each storefront display has its own elaborate sensibility, Saks really went over the top this year with a Swarvoski crystal gown theme.  You’re bound to compete with tourists everywhere you go, especially Saks, being strategically positioned across from Rockefeller Center.  Mornings are your best bet.
5. Check out Rolf’s. If you’re searching for the hands-down most decked-out joint in town, look no further.  Rolf’s is certainly an experience.  A bit overwhelming when you first walk in, this festive German restaurant makes all other attempts at decorating for the holidays look like child’s play.  Though I wouldn’t recommend their distinctive breed of comfort food (the potato pancakes with applesauce were blah), it’s a great spot to soak in some holiday cheer over a German beer.  Keep in mind that it’s hot inside, with all those lights and ornaments radiating heat overhead.
6. White Christmas on Broadway. Skip the Rockettes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (not spectacular), and take in a mellow show based on Bing Crosby crooning the classiest Christmas classic.  You can probably catch White Christmas at a discounted price if you show up at the box office within half an hour before the production.

Keep going- you’re only halfway there…

Skating in a Winter Wonderland

How many ice skating rinks do you think there are in Manhattan?  Of course you’ve seen the quintessential tourist trap at Rockefeller Center, but did you know there are at least 7 others?  And that’s not counting the other boroughs.  David and I have a tradition of visiting one each winter.

When the season changes and the temperature drops, I suddenly develop a craving for ice skating.  Not that I’m an adroit skater or particularly graceful when gliding across the ice.  But ice skating is a wonderful way to cut loose and get in the mood for winter.  It’s also a perfect outing to share with your special someone, since it can be both romantic and fun.

I have sampled my fair share of rinks across town, from the expensive indoor Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers to Wollman Rink in Central Park.  For the company holiday party last year, Ralph Lauren rented out Wollman Rink (on quite possibly the coldest night of the year).  There was a photo booth, a magician, and free snacks, hot cider, and champagne.  Unfortunately, you normally have to pay for the greasy food at Wollman Rink’s snack shop and champagne is not on the menu.  And when not decked out for a preppy holiday party, the ambiance resembles a sad, smelly cafeteria.

By far, Bryant Park is my all-time favorite rink.  Not only is admission free, but the location is both convenient and less crowded than its nearby neighbor in Rock Center.  Unlike Wollman Rink, which has a fabulous view but leaves you trapped in the south end of Central Park, The Pond at Bryant Park is surrounded by activity.  Once you finish skating, you can relax at the Celcius lounge or refuel at the snack shop adjacent to the rink.  The charming holiday market, on the east and north ends of the park, offers tons of stocking stuffers and souvenirs.  The rink opens at 8am and closes at 10pm, except on weekends when you can keep skating until midnight.

Die-hard NYC tourists might consider ice skating in Rockefeller Center a must, but I’ve never had the patience to stand in the long lines there.  Because the rink is so tiny, the crowds on the ice can get overwhelming.  From an aerial view above the rink, I have watched more than one nasty collision and noticed that the bottleneck traffic prevents any freestyling fun.

For more space, you could head uptown to one of several rinks.  Another Central Park option is the Lasker Rink, located at 106th St.  This one is much more reasonably priced and less crowded than its southern park-based cousin.  Far north, at 145th St. on the Hudson River, there’s the covered Riverbank Ice Skating Rink, where skating sessions run on Friday nights and weekend afternoons.  You can find the skating schedule for times that are open to the public and reserved for private parties here.

The next rinks I hope to try out with David are Seaport Ice at South Street Seaport and the newly opened Polar Rink at the American Museum of Natural History.  Click here for a listing of hours, as well as prices for admission and skate rentals.

Sample Sale Steals

For people like me, who are still wondering where summer went, the seasons fly by too quickly.  The Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center is being lit tomorrow night, and before you know it, you’ll have to scramble for last-minute presents.  Shopping on Christmas Eve might be fine for a Secret Santa gift or for something to hand to your not-so-favorite cousin, but for your significant other, picking out a present should be a thoughtful process.

It is especially important to plan ahead when you are on a tight budget.  Sure, there was Black Friday for die-hard shoppers willing to trample anything and anyone in their path.  But if you were otherwise occupied the day after Thanksgiving (as I was, getting a puppy), you may not have had a chance to do any holiday shopping.  Luckily, New York is the capital of sample sales, which are everywhere this time of year.  Special treasures for both men and women can be found for way less than their retail price at one of the sales below:

• Autumn Cashmere- (75% off men’s and women’s cashmere) 231 W 39th St., Ste. 924 (212-398-2244). Dec. 2-5, 9am-7pm. Dec 8-12, 9:30am-6pm.
• Eberjey- (huge discounts on mesh chemises, swimsuits, lace thongs) 180 Madison Ave, Ste. 1101 (212-696-5593). Dec. 2-3, 9am-7pm.
• Hanro*- (75% off loungewear for men and women) 40 E 34th St. , Ste. 207. Dec 2-3, 8am-6pm.
• Lulu DK- (at least 50% off linens) 675 Madison Ave., 4th Fl. (212-223-4234). Dec 2-5, 10am-6pm.
• Mint Jodi Arnold- (up to 70% off wool coats, embroidered dresses, blouses) 230 W 39th St., 2nd Fl. Dec 2-5, 9am-6pm.
• eM Productions Showroom*- (up to 75% off past seasons’ designer duds) 1 Bond St., No. 5C (212-228-2428). Dec 3-5, 10am-7pm.
• Ted Rossi- (75% off bags, accessories, and jewelry) 15 E. 30th St., Ste. 300 (212-683-1726) Dec 3-5, 10am-6pm.
• Mulberry- (75% off cashmere, handbags, leather) Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W 18th St., 5th Fl. (888-685-6856). Dec 4-5, 10am-7pm.
• Botkier- (up to 75% off leathergoods) 117 Mercer St. (212-343-2782) Dec 4-7, times vary by day.
• Alexis Bittar *- (jewelry for $20-$200) 153 E 60th St. Dec 5-6, 9:30am-7pm.
• Vix Swimwear and Lisa Curran*- (discounts on bathing suits and jewelry) 250 W 39th St., Ste. 510 (212-221-2349). Dec 1-12, 9am-8pm.

* Cash Only

Things to remember: Try to avoid early morning and lunchtime, which are guaranteed to have the biggest rushes.  Go with one type of item in mind- if you don’t see it, don’t settle for something sub-par.  Make sure to inspect before buying so that you don’t end up with a mutilated sweater or broken necklace- there is usually a no-returns policy.  Put blinders on when passing by your section, or allow yourself just one tiny personal splurge- only one!  Dry clean or press the item if it looks disheveled, wrap it up in a nice box, and set it aside for a few weeks while everyone else is scrambling.

Who can resist puppies?

Over the holiday weekend in Florida, my family adopted a new puppy- a chocolate Portuguese water dog named Hershey (a name which holds more meaning to us than your average chocolate bar).  We visited the breeder on the very day that the litter turned 8 weeks old and we could legally bring our baby Hershey home.  As you can see from this photo, his siblings are a lively bunch, who cumulatively managed to scratch up my arms and chew holes through my jeans.  But, for some reason, being surrounded by all those tiny furry bodies was one of the greatest feelings in the world.  Though I am no cat lover, I believe that dogs have the innate ability to bring people together and make them happy.

There’s truly nothing like raising a puppy and building an intimate bond over time.  However, you don’t need to be a dog owner to simply enjoy the company of man’s (and woman’s) best friend.  Bonding with a pup couldn’t be easier in a city like New York, where you can’t take two steps out of your building without hearing, seeing, or stepping in evidence of dogs all around you.

One of my favorite parts about living near Thompkin’s Square Park is the dog park, which seems to move to different locations throughout the year, probably either to spare the beaten-up terrain or to fertilize new ground.  I have logged many hours standing by the dog park and watching other people’s dogs.  I just realized that makes me sound like a creepy canine stalker, but really I just enjoy seeing them cut loose and get into trouble.  It’s especially fun when I’m with David and we can assign them personalities and owners.

If you’re more of a hands-on type, you are in luck because New York has all sorts of pet shops teeming with small animals.  You just have to know the best ones to visit, because some can be gross or downright depressing.  I used to pass by one on the Upper East Side on my way home from work that made me so angry I wanted to stage a robbery and free all those poor puppy-farm victims.  The best pet shop that I have come across in the city is Le Petit Puppy (18 Christopher St) in the West Village.  Here are a few of the fine specimens you might find there:

For a really noble cause (and an easy way of earning do-gooder points with your significant other), head to the Humane Society (E 59th St).  If you’re not quite ready for a full-blown adoption, you can take a dog for a test-drive in Central Park.  Not only will it give the cooped up pup a little breathing room, but it’ll also give all three of you a chance to have some wholesome outdoorsy fun.  Don’t forget to bring a ball or frisbee and dress in junky clothes that can get dirty.  After you’ve worked up an appetite, treat yourselves to hot dogs from a park vendor and share some water with your new friend.

Thanksgiving dinner for two

Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion for some family bonding centered on food.  Bringing your significant other home for the holidays sends a clear message and takes your relationship to a whole new level.  As long as you keep an open mind about the other family’s traditions and are ready to encounter some surprises, it can be a fantastic way to solidify your relationship.  If not for the earnest wishes of both our mothers to take our turkey close to home, David and I could have shared the past few Thanksgivings together.  And so, after returning from spending the holiday with our respective families, we recreated Thanksgiving dinner for just the two of us in New York.

Some things to consider when cooking an elaborate meal in a cramped NYC kitchen:

• Simplify as much as possible.  Try to pick ingredients and seasonings that can multi-task for several dishes.  AllRecipes has a whole category devoted to Thanksgiving meal preparation, but since you won’t be cooking for a large group, it might be more sensible to check out the Quick and Easy Recipe section.  For menu ideas, there are lots of options on Epicurious, each with their own flair or spin on a traditional cuisine.  You can even find menu suggestions for the perfect Thanksgiving leftovers.
• There’s nothing wrong with cheating on a few steps.  Rachel Ray does it all the time.   Canned cranberry is carried all year round, but fresh cranberries are only widely available for a few weeks of the year, just for the folk who don’t mind spending an afternoon as slaves to the stove.  If neither of you are offended by Stove Top stuffing, why not make life easy?
• Show me the rule that says Thanksgiving necessarily equals turkey.  Not only is it expensive to buy a big bird, but it is also hard to cook, especially if you don’t have a meat thermometer or a fancy oven with a reliable temperature gauge.  Skip the gross-out factor of removing the neck and giblets from a turkey, and go with a smaller bird like the classic chicken.  If you want to really cut corners, just buy a whole rotisserie chicken (Whole Foods usually has some for $6.99 a piece) and focus more on personalizing your meal with special side dishes.
• Roasting your meat in the oven allows you to combine some veggies and sides in one pan and get it all done by killing two birds with one stone, if you will.  This trick is great for combining flavors in complementary foods.  Throw some chicken pieces, fingerling or yukon gold potatoes, rosemary springs, chicken broth, peeled carrots, and chunks of onion and yam in a pan, sprinkle some olive oil on top, and presto!
• Dessert is probably the one course that can be prepared in advance.  Try to take advantage of this secret so you don’t take on more than you can stomach throughout the preparation of dinner.  Pies are always a hit, but definitely go with a prefab crust.  Apple crisp is seasonal and simple (all you really need, besides the cooking essentials, are brown sugar, oatmeal, and inexpensive apples).  Or just bake your favorite chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookie recipe.
• The goal isn’t to produce an exquisite gourmet-grade feast.  As long as the end result is edible and you have some fun making it, the most important thing is to enjoy the process together.

Sweet thrills at Hershey Park

Don’t let the falling leaves dissuade you and your significant other from venturing out of the city. Although the drive may be a little on the long side – 3 hours from downtown – Hershey Park will give the both of you the chance to relax and indulge in a weekend away.  Hershey, PA has plenty of options in terms of where to stay. From the luxurious Hotel Hershey to one of the many hotels in the town of Hershey to a nearby campsite, Hershey gives you the opportunity to make this trip as cheap or expensive as you want.

Hershey Park, self-dubbed “The Sweetest Place on Earth,” is one of the few amusement parks in the nation that has been able to maintain its old park charm while providing the thrill-seeker with some of the best modern rides. As you drive into the town of Hershey on your way to the park, you’ll pass by the Hershey Kiss-shaped street lights and towers of the still-functioning Hershey Chocolate Factory.  I recommend taking a trip through the factory before you start in the park because the factory will give you the necessary perspective to truly appreciate where the park’s rich history.

After you make it through the tour, head over to the park itself. Tickets are $36.95 for adults and will give you access to the park for the entire day. Hershey Park was opened in 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, an American confectionery manufacturer. Years later, the company decided to open the park to the public.

Today the park has over 110 acres (450,000 m²) and over 60 rides and attractions.   Though the park may seem oriented towards children, the rides certainly are not (David got horribly sick from one of the newer roller coasters). In my experience, the authentic wooden roller coasters offer the smoothest and most enjoyable rides, while the latest additions turn you upside-down and backwards, hitting you with pure speed and, occasionally, whiplash. My all-time favorite is the stomach-dropping wooden roller coaster, The Comet, which starts off with a spectacular plunge and ends with a grand finale of hills.

If roller coasters aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other rides that will make your stomach flip or bring you up into the heavens to observe the park below. Of course, there are the old stand-bys, such as the swings, the Viking ship, and the covered wagon. There are also plenty of traditional carnival games to play for an additional dollar or two so that you can win your special someone that giant anthropomorphized Hershey bar he/she has always secretly wanted.

If you aren’t the ride type, Hershey Park admission also includes entry into ZOOAMERICA, an adjacent small-scale zoo. Also nearby is Hershey’s Chocolate World, a visitors’ center that is open to the public and contains shops, restaurants, and a chocolate-themed ride. Both Chocolate World and ZOOAMERICA are accessible from outside the park boundaries, and admission to Chocolate World is free.  To decompress from all the fun, you can indulge in the Chocolate Spa at the Hotel Hershey.

With close proximity to the park, a Hershey Bears game is a fun option for a night time activity. The Hershey Bears is a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. Home games are played at the GIANT Center. Hershey is the longest-existing member club in the AHL, having joined the league in 1938 and played their 5,000th game December 20, 2006.

Another option is the Star Pavillion at Hershey Park Stadium, which opened in May of 1996, complementing Hershey Park Stadium for summer concert performances. A more intimate venue, the Star Pavillion can accommodate up to 8,000 fans in both reserved seating in front of the stage and general admission lawn area. A number of top performers make their way through the Star, but unfortunately, the concert season is limited to mostly summer performances.

This is only a brief overview of my favorite amusement park in the world, which is saying a lot coming from a Floridian. If you are looking to get away, I strongly consider spending a weekend in beautiful, quaint Hershey, PA. You won’t regret it!

A pricey pig at Porchetta

Over the past weekend, David and I discovered a splendid new sandwich shop in the East Village called Porchetta.  Even though it’s on my street and I pass by it every so often on my way to the subway, I don’t think I noticed its diminutive storefront until a couple of weeks after it had opened in September.  After seeing it featured in a recent New York Magazine article and noticing crowds lining up outside its door, I had to see what all the hype was about.

The charming interior is very European (read: tiny) with a counter and 4 stools, and enough standing room to accommodate about 5 more.  Beyond that, you might want to step outside and, after placing your order, take a stroll down 7th St or check out the Farmer’s Market at the corner of Thompkin’s Square Park if it’s the weekend.  You’ll inevitably have at least 10 minutes to kill before your Porchetta is pronti.

The menu is minimalistic to say the least.  Besides two sandwich options, a salad, a platter, and a few sides, all that’s left is biscotti and Italian soda.  If Italian cured pork isn’t your thing, there’s a hearty mozzarella sandwich, as well as plenty of greens and beans to satisfy any vegetarian.  Both sandwiches are served on crunchy, dense ciabatta, bigger than a dinner roll but smaller than a hoagie roll. Though the bread is delicious in its own right, it is almost so chewy that it detracts from the centerpiece of the sandwich.  The mozzarella version is helped with a generous moistening of olive oil, in addition to sun-dried tomatoes and capers.  The beauty of the porcine sandwich lies in its simplicity- pure pork, skin, and fat.

At $9 and $7 a piece for the porchetta and mozarella sandwiches, the prices seem a bit steep for a brand-new shop in the heart of the East Village, but this place is a cut above your average deli.  Keep in mind that the portions are not American-sized, including the $5 sides.  Probably not the best choice if you are ravenously hungry or hungover (I recommend 7A down the block for that).  A better value might be the platter (served on china), which includes extra pork, some Swiss chard or broccoli rabe, and creamy beans, although I wish it also threw in some crispy potatoes and burnt ends ($5 extra).

For a sandwich splurge, Porchetta is a delightful experience.  I would suggest taking it to the park for a picnic, unless you enjoy bystanders breathing down your neck while you eat your pork.  David and I are always on the lookout for new, non-expensive sandwiches around the city, preferably prepared fresh with plenty of meat.  If you have a favorite sandwich spot around town, leave it in the comments section and we’ll give it a try!

Bar Crawl Bonding

Speaking of crawls, the bar/pub crawl is great for meeting potential mates or bonding with the one you’ve already got.  What could be a better way to spend a Saturday than sipping on some frosty beverages in good company?

New York is quite possibly the best place in the world for hopping from bar to bar within walking distance.  Anywhere else you’d have to take cabs or hire a party bus to chauffeur your group around town.  In this city, you can simply stumble down any block and you’ll run into some sort of drinking hole.

Although it’s always nice to have a little spontaneity, a bar crawl is best executed with some planning in advance.  For my own birthday bar crawl in October, I made a map courtesy of Google.  This is especially helpful for the meandering unnumbered streets south of Houston and for any area that you are not familiar with.  At the very least, you should send out and print a list of stops on the crawl.

Mine was orchestrated to start in the West Village and end in the East Village.  This was our route:

1) The Blind Tiger- 281 Bleecker St.

2) Down the Hatch- 179 W 4th St.

3) Vol de Nuit- 148 W 4th St.

4) Peculiar Pub- 145 Bleecker St.

5) 1849- 183 Bleecker St.

6) Tom and Jerrys- 288 Elizabeth St.

7) Von- 3 Bleeker St.

Holiday Cocktail Lounge- 75 St Marks Place (8th St.)

9) McSorley’s- 15 E 7th St.

10) Solas- 232 E 9th St.

The biggest hit was 1849, where we could hang out upstairs watching sports and eating wings.  1849’s 20-cent wing deal between 3-6pm provided some much-needed sustenance after a liquid lunch.  For more of a meal, you could swing by Corner Bistro for one of the best burgers in the city along with a $2 mug of McSorley’s.  The gimmicky midtown bar Mars 2112 (1633 Broadway) offers half price appetizers from 5-9pm.  Or there’s always free pizza, along with skeeball and a photo booth, at Crocodile Lounge (325 14th St).

Besides bargains on food menu items, a number of bars honor happy hour over the weekend.  You can find great weekend drink deals at Boxcar Lounge (168 Ave B), La Linea (15 First Ave), Thirsty Scholar (155 Second Ave), Welcome to the Johnsons (123 Rivington St), and Parkside Lounge (317 E. Houston St).  If you notice a common thread running through all these bars, it’s that they are on the Lower East Side- where cheap is chic.

Certain neighborhoods are especially conducive to a crawl.  Certainly, the Village has the highest concentration of bars, luring students and tourists alike.  There’s also a hearty helping in Soho and Chelsea.  3rd Ave in Murray Hill, 2nd Ave in the East 50’s, and 2nd Ave in the 80’s on the UES are some city stretches abundant with fun bars.  No matter where you crawl, you can’t go wrong with daytime drinking.  A date doesn’t have to be romantic and intimate to be a great time!