Chelsea & UWS Takeover During Boutique Week

Walls overflowing with jewelry at This 'n' That

New York is always first with fashion and this time is no different. Premiering October 24th through 31st is Boutique Week. With participating cities including New York, Boston and L.A., the event is not even finished and already has boutiques from Miami, Chicago and San Francisco signed up to join in the spring. Participating boutiques will have at least half of the store's stock at 25% off or more. Many stores have the entire stock discounted at more than 25% off. 

Chelsea and Upper West Side boutiques are at the forefront of the inaugural year. Of the Chelsea boutiques participating which includes Parke & Ronen and Sabon, perhaps one of the most unique is This 'n' That. Best put by The New York Times, "The window is crammed with vintage jewelry". Vintage costume jewelry, bric-a-brac, lighting fixtures and glass fills the shop for wholesale and retail alike with enough vintage jewelry for you to finish out Boutique Week still inside.

Boutique On 57 stylish interior

A quick ride on the F train to 57th Street will lead you to what may be one of the best unknown deals of the season. At 80% off half of the store, Boutique on 57 sells end of the season overstock from top designers. All of the boutique's merchandise is up to 70% lower than retail value and personally chosen by celebrity stylist Kasia Bosne. A few of the designers include Versace, Cavalli, Ungaro and Christine Lacroix.

Check out more participating boutiques and discounts here. Already shopped at one the Boutique Week shops? Tell us how it went!

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One New (and zig-zagged) Reason To Love Hell's Kitchen

Sky high view of terraces at Clinton Park

Nestled on the edge of Hell's Kitchen next to Dewitt Clinton Park lies one of Midtown West's newest additions. Designed by TEN Arquitectos, Enrique Norton, the new rental development by Two Trees Management is set to open in 2012 and is zig-zagging its way into notoriety. The development known as Clinton Park will be a 30 story, 675 unit mixed use building which includes NYPD stable space and a standard setting Mercedes-Benz dealership. 

Located on 54th street with a great Clinton Park view, plans call for a massive health club, retail space, a 10,000 square foot market and two building lobbies. Scaling back from the original 900 units, the residence portion will begin after the 2 story base.

The base itself will be comprised by the large dealership and lobbies on opposite building entrances. Atop of the base will be larger terraces and skylights. The multilevel dealership will compliment the innovative building design as the model for Benz dealerships to come. 

Dewitt Clinton Park view

"Autohaus" design on Clinton Park ground floor

The 230,000 square foot "Autohaus" design is 5 levels with 2 levels above ground and all glass from the walls to the stairs. In addition to the selection of Benz's, Maybach's and smart cars, residents can take advantage of the 225 underground car parking lot for their own vehicles.

The dealership will be complete in  the first quarter of 2011 and the building sometime in 2012. The project will include residences ranging from 500 to 800 square feet. The unique zig-zag design rises from 7 to 30 stories of residences in all. One of the best parts is that the design allows for many outdoor terraces or balconies for what will most likely be studios to 2-bedrooms. With the slanting design, all renters will have garden views. The far West Side area is up and coming with Silver Towers, Riverside Center South and now, Clinton Park.

Wondering what else is going on in Midtown West? Check it out here. 

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Froggr Guide to Midtown West

Midtown skyscrapers set the tone aside Chelsea homes

Midtown as a whole is the most heavily used commercial district in the United States today and holds the title for one of the most diversely used pieces of real estate in the world. Midtown West has much to do with the areas immense success. The area is bounded by 6th to 12th Avenues and 34th to 59th Streets. This  25 block area alone holds Hell's Kitchen, the Theater District and much of Times Square and the Garment District. 

Transportation

The Glitz of 42nd St- Times Square Station

Getting to any of these neighborhoods of Midtown West is equally as easy for tourist and native New Yorkers alike. Along 8th Avenue, the A/C/E stops along 34th St. Penn Station, 42nd St. Port Authority and 50th Street. Along 7th Avenue from Times Square to Central Park, service on the 1/2/3, B/D and N/Q/R lines are available local or express. 

While many people do it daily, taking a bus through the Midtown area is very difficult because of high traffic at all times. Consider alternate (and fun) above ground forms of transportation such as a rickshaw carts. For tourist, the double decker City Sightseeing Tour buses are a great way to see the city while getting to where you need to go as a "hop on, hop off" style tour. 

Local Attractions

A little bit of everything at Times Square

Midtown West is perhaps the epicenter of what the outside world sees as New York entertainment. The Times Square area caters much to tourist and youth but has a bit of something for even the most experienced New Yorker. For the younger crowd, parents don't have to go far as Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Madame Tussaud's, M&M World and Toys R' Us are all close by. 

With attractions such as sword swallowers, a Marilyn Monroe wax figure and 60 foot tall Ferris wheel you can bypass the trek to Coney Island. Old or young, everyone can enjoy the movie theaters, Dave & Buster's Arcade and the many special events that take place in the area such as the New years Eve ball. 

A scene from La Cage aux Folles

Outside of the main tourist center of Manhattan, New Yorkers can enjoy a number of live shows, musicals, and sporting events. The Theater District and Theater Row is where many Broadway and off-Broadway shows take place. With theater classics such as Lion King and Mamma Mia to newcomers of Memphis and American Idiot, the district is welcoming of all tastes. 

Get your celebrity fix as well by seeing The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino, La Cage aux Folles with Kelsey Grammer or A Little Night Music with Bernadette Peters. If you prefer the art of dance, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater is nearby for great performances choreographed by Ailey and Judith Jamison. 

For sporting events and popular musical acts, Madison Square Garden is located at 4 Penn Plaza near 34th Street Penn Station. Come see the New York Knicks ball it out or revel in the concert atmosphere with upcoming acts such as Usher, Ozzy Osbourne or Andrea Bocelli. If you can't handle the large crowds, hop in a taxi to the nearby Daily Show with John Stewart, The Colbert Report with Steven Colbert or The Late Show with David Letterman.

Lanes and lounge at Lucky Strikes

Finally, away from the hustle and bustle of it all past 11th Avenue there is one great Midtown West attractions that cannot be left unmentioned. Finding many classic forms of entertainment in Manhattan is difficult due to the metropolitan atmosphere. It was more than likely that you would find an arcade or bowling alley in one of the outer boroughs up until now. Lucky Strikes Bowling is a perfect blend between big city appeal and classic entertainment that our parent's our accustomed. With late night happy hours, lounge areas, upscale finger food and all the alcohol you can want, this is bowling done right. 


Dining

Russian Tea Room Main Dining Room

While the area has large restaurants such as Dallas BBQ's and Red Lobster in Times Square, Midtown West has many unique food finds that the most seasoned new Yorker should give a try. For fine dining and business lunches, the Russian Tea Room and Capital Grille are some of Midtown's best. At the Russian Tea Room, opulence is the only way to describe the carved gold leaf decor, red drapery and juggling bear shaped aquarium. The extensive wine and vodka list is followed up by well prepared traditional Russian dishes such as beef stroganoff and chicken kiev.

What a porterhouse really looks like at Capital Grille

Stop in before 4pm for the royal high tea tasting menu served with caviar on blinis,  exotic loose teas, sandwiches and champagne. Just 6 blocks uptown, Capital Grille resides inside the Time Life building. The restaurant is well known for their dry aged steaks and wine collection over 7,000 bottles. With dish offerings of kona crusted dry-aged sirloin with shallot butter and double cut lamb rib chop, the 3 course pre-theater menu at $39 per person is a reason enough to see a show. 

If you are not fortunate enough to have the time for a sit down meal, Daisy May's BBQ USA Cart will save you time without skimping on flavor. Daisy May's cart comes straight from the kitchen of Daisy May's BBQ USA restaurant on 11th Avenue. The cart, located on 50th Street between 6th and 7th, is known for its Southern style cuisine. Ranging from Kansas City style ribs to Tennessee bourbon peaches, Daisy May's takes the eclectic approach to Southern fare. While you cannot order a whole roast pig at the cart, you can order everything else served at the restaurant. Try the Carolina pulled pork sandwich with a mustard base or the sweet tea served in a mason jar for a true Southern touch.

Food orgy of sweet cherry pie at Little Pie & Oklahoma Beef Rib at Daisy May's

For those readers with a sweet tooth, Midtown West has more than just Crumb's Bakery. There is no real gimmick with Little Pie just good old fashioned diner style pie. Some of their classics are remade with a new twist such as the sour cream apple walnut pie. The traditional apple pie is done up with cinnamon crust, a crunchy coffee cake-like top coat and a blend of sour meets sweet. By far one the company's top sellers with their lemon meringue and Mississippi mud pie are close contenders. All of the pies are rich, creamy and can be served warm with a la mode. The red vinyl stools and small shop has great throwback appeal that you can enjoy with a few friends or all by yourself. Either way, the 5" wide pies are perfectly portioned to share or alone.

Shopping

Assortment of great finds at Hell's Kitchen Flea Market

The area can be great or horrible for shopping depending on who you talk to. Many tourist and natives alike find the plethora of stores such as Macy's, Coach, H&M, Forever21 and the Manhattan Mall all within walking distance to be convenient. Aside from larger stores, the area has many smaller ones with deals seldom seen in other Manhattan locations. Even if department stores such as Rainbow and Clippers are not your fancy, who can pass up deals on essential items like tanks in every color, on the go sweats and even last minute party wear.

Versace Store along 5th Avenue

Higher end fashion can be found one block over in Midtown East, fashion flourishes along 5th Avenue with stores such as Saks 5th Avenue, Emilio Pucci and Prada. To the vintage fashion connoisseurs, major chain stores and major bucks does not always equal true fashion. Luckily, Fashion Avenue rests smack dab in the middle of Midtown West for a reason. For those who want to get their fashion off the beaten path, venture over to Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. Many of the vendors in this large market operate at both The Annex, a Chelsea market, and at Hell's Kitchen. From ethnic Tibetan apparel and decor at Mountain Nepali to mid-century steamer trunks at George's Collectibles anything and everything with vintage appeal can be found here. 

Residential

Brownstone lined streets of Hell's Kitchen

Living in the area has its major advantages. Located in the heart of Manhattan, everything is easily accessible whether it be shopping, dining, entertainment or work. With the good comes the bad however. The major complaint about living in the area is perhaps the noise traffic and sheer crowding in the area. With over 45 million visitors in 2009, many passed right through the Midtown West area at Times Square. While some people love the hustle and bustle that is New York, Midtown residents still have a choice to living quietly. In the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, many brownstones still remain that add to the neighborhood appeal. With small shops and eateries the area feels much like that of East Village or Chelsea compare to the skyscraper clad area we all know as Midtown. 

Residences at The Rushmore

On the outskirts of Midtown West, also known as the Far West Side, new developments are on the rise. As one of the last undeveloped areas of the city, the city and major developers are doing it big. A mix of affordable housing and luxury rentals will complete the area. Large tracts of the area will be dedicated to retail space, new schools and open green space. Riverside Center South by Extell is already in the works with The Rushmore and Aldyn completed. Further east on 36th between 7th and 8th, Glenwood has built another successful addition to their roster, Emerald Green. By green, they mean EnergyStar appliances, rooftop garden terraces and bamboo flooring.  Representing the New York way of variety and a little bit of something for everyone, Midtown West has some for everyone. 

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Nothing Beats Free In FiDi!

While Union Square and Williamsburg seem to get all the best free events, this weekend is FiDi's time to shine. On Saturday, October 9th, Dance New Amsterdam will be hosting their annual Free Class Day! event. Starting at 9am you can register on a first come, first serve basis for one of the many classes throughout the day that run from 10am-7pm. 

A wide range of classes and levels will be offered from contemporary jazz, intermediate ballet to advanced hip-hop. There will also be wellness classes from  Thai massage to  advanced yoga. If dancing is not your style, come for the free acupuncture and massages in the Wellness Room. 

After working up a sweat or soothing the soul, join the teachers and other dancers at 7pm for free champagne  sponsored by Bubble Lounge. At 8pm, the evening will commence with a one-time only dance performance. from faculty and the 2009 Jim Garvey Scholarship recipient. Free dancing and alcohol? This gets better every moment!

Find out the class schedule and reserve your space, here.

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The Sky's The Limit For Midtown, FiDi

The sky is the limit for not only a select number of developers bank accounts but the buildings themselves too. These soon to be built and completed buildings defy convention as some of the city's tallest and most inventive undertakings in recent years.

Carnegie 57

Rendering of Carnegie57 Residences & Hotel

One of Extell's most daring ventures yet is Carnegie 57. At a planned 75 stories high, it will be the city's tallest residential building surpassing Trump's World Tower. Extell also plans to create the city's most high priced and luxurious apartments as well. Designed by famed French architect Christian de Portzamparc of the LVMH Tower, Carnegie 57 creators aim to complete the project by 2013. The ground floor will contain retail space while the first 20 stories will house the 210 room Park Hyatt Hotel.

Carnegie57 view from Central Park

While there are few details as of yet, Extell has spilled the beans on a few amenities. With a 63 car parking garage, screening room and fitness center, the buildings is going for large scale for its large price. Units will include duplexes and set back roofs up to the 72nd floor. With elevators going up to the 75th, many can only speculate that there will be a rooftop attraction soaring high in the sky for only the brave.

Tower Verre

Rendering of Tower Verre along 53rd

The Tower Verre, also known as MoMA Tower, is as impressive as it is difficult to get passed public opinion. While many find the sheer height and design of the building a push towards the future for Midtown, others find it obtrusive. The outcry of public opinion from both sides has helped to delay the building from even getting past the planning stages and into construction.

Lounge in proposed tower public space

The international developer, Hines, and architect of the vision machine, Jean Nouvel, are the minds behind the mixed use building. According to Hines website, the building will become the city's 3rd tallest rising up to 75 stories at 1,050 feet tall. The building will include a 100 room 7-star hotel, 100 luxury condominiums, below ground-level restaurant/lounge and the 60,000 square foot expansion to MoMA gallery space. The interesting design concept was supposedly inspired by the shape of man's finger. 

No matter what your opinion of the building itself, the one thing that is certain is that community board roadblocks will leave this empty lot next to MoMA for a while.  

Riverside Center South 

 

The Rushmore, one completed building of Riverside South

Charting the last frontier of New York, Extell plans to go hard or go home. Even though the developer has the most active number of projects in the city, they too have come face to face with the "community board" roadblock that has stalled others.

The 8 acre, 5 building project will be designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc bordering Midtown West and Upper West Side. 2 of the 5 residential buildings, The Avery and Rushmore, have already been completed. 

Outdoor space and view of Riverside Center South

In addition to the 5 buildings, Extell plans for a movie theater, 3.2 acres of park space, an elementary school, Costco, restaurants and retail space. As of yet, the project has been slightly scaled back after community complaints of a Costco.

Even though the developer has agreed to partially fund the school, add affordable units and incorporate open space, the community board was hoping for more. In addition to the agreed upon changes, Extell will be expected to entirely fund the 150,000 sq ft school space, remove one of five buildings to create less density, increase affordable from 20% for 20 years to 30% permanently and make a substantial contribution to the Miller Highway relocation.

Water walkway apart of 3.2 acre open space

Proposed changes will require at least 40 million in funding for the school alone. Many hope the developer can make it work since they are only one of the few planning for expansion in the area. The city itself will fund the development of an additional 75 acre space with 10,000 new housing units, an amphitheater, community gardens, public art, cafe terraces, boardwalk, restaurants, parking and retail space.

Beekman Tower

On the other end of town, the Beekman is one of the only buildings to go up without a hitch (almost). Despite the falling debris due to powerful winds that stalled construction, the Forest City Ratner building is set to open in early 2011.

Architect Frank O. Ghery has created a unique design for the lower Manhattan FiDi neighborhood. Rippling curves and a steel facade give to illusion of movement from as far as Brooklyn. At 77 stories tall, the tower is a stand out sight amongst the area rivaling the  nearby Woolworth building. Residences will go up to the 76 floor and supposedly a rooftop lounge or terrace will top off the building.

Not too many details have been provided about the inside of the building. There will be 903 rental units ranging from 500 to 1600 square feet. Every unit will be at market rate without incentives. Artistic wise, Ghery's inspiration comes from Baroque sculpture artist Gianlorenzo Bernini.

Towards the base of the building, a lot of talk has been going on about the new features. There will be a public elementary school on the first five floors of the building with a 4th floor outdoor play terrace. Beekman's other tenant will include NY Downtown Hospital with public underground parking and 2 public plazas.

Stay tuned for building updates and developments.

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FiDi On The Go

FiDi, the land where business is made, is no stranger to expensive fine dining. Dining big dogs of Delmonico's Steakhouse and Cipriani's have the area's finest sit down establishments. But what about the investor on-the-go? While the typical Wall Street crowd eats, breaths and sleeps money they need food too. Here are some of the best area carts for a power lunch in smell-o-vision!...Well, not really but we can dream, can't we?

Sam's Falafel
Cedar Street btwn. Trinity Place & Broadway

The plethora of halal carts in the area make it hard to choose which one is the best especially since many are mediocre. Sam's Falafel makes the choice pretty easy with heaps of side dishes and up to 12 falafel balls. The sandwich differs from the typical falafel sandwich by adding roasted eggplant, hummus, caramelized onions and twice as much falafel. 

However, the platter is the real money maker at Sam's stand. The $5 platter is easily two meals with salad, baba ganoush, hummus, tahini, peppers, one stuffed grape leaf, sauteed onions, pita bread, eggplant slices and all the falafel balls you could ask for in one serving. Come before or after the lunch crowd to bypass the long lines. If you must go at the height of the lunch hour, Sam provides complimentary fried pita chips while you wait.

Pro: Moist yet crispy falafel in huge portions

Con: Eggplant can be more tender

Veronica's Kitchen
125 Front Street (Pine & Front)

If you cannot afford to nod off at your desk after lunch reconsider eating at Veronica's. The coma inducing soul food cart will have you filled to the brim. 

At Veronica's, the staff serves up a blend of West Indian and Southern soul food favorites ranging from $5 to $8 depending on your choice of meat. 

Choose between chicken in every way imaginable from fried, barbecued, curried, jerk or stewed. 

Other entrees include fried fish, oxtail, beef ribs, roti and curried goat. The sides are the usual suspects of mac and cheese, plantains, collard greens, candied yams, potato salad or rice and peas. I was most surprised at the inclusion of bbq ribs at a cart but somehow Veronica herself fits anything and everything into that little cart and makes it good.

Pro: Authentic and flavorful
Con: Run out of many sides before closing

Love Truck Coffee
Wall Street in front of Duetsche Bank

We all need that morning fix and some more than others. Well the early bird gets the worm on Wall Street with a cup of joe from the Love Truck. The hippie vibe and classic rock music that comes from the truck seems to oppose the area but maybe that is what draws businessmen near. 

For even a plain cup of coffee they put in hot steamed milk versus cold milk or creamer a la Dunkin Donuts. The coffee is very strong so if you want to avoid morning jitters opt for their equally satisfying chai tea latte. For something a little different, try out there mint chocolate cappuccino or gingerbread latte in the colder months.

Pro: Great staff, coffee house quality on the go

Con: Served ready to drink (not scalding hot) so be ready to drink ASAP

Banh Mi Cart

Corner of Pearl & Hanover Streets

Short of trekking over to Chinatown, finding an authentic Vietnamese sandwich in FiDi is a tall order to fill. Luckily, the Banh Mi Cart offers specialty and traditional sandwiches in the Stone Street area. Literally meaning "flour cake", banh mi is a baguette made from wheat and rice flour.

The banh mi traditional sandwich is made with pickled carrots and daikon, chili peppers, cucumbers, cilantro, mayonaisse, pork slices and pate. Taking from its French influence, the pate has a light sweetness that mixes nicely with the spice. For the traditional, order the #1 spicy or not spicy. These also offer roasted eel, teriyaki chicken, shrimp, vegetarian, pan fried beef and tuna fish banh mi. For light eaters, try there paper thin spring and summer rolls which will leave you satisfied.

Pro: Evenly placed ingredients for "sweet and spicy" every bite
Con: A lot less expensive in Chinatown

Do you have more carts to add? Want to chime in on the food at a cart above? Comment below.

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