GLWD’s Race to Deliver 2022

Have you heard of God’s Love We Deliver? It’s not a religious outfit as the name would imply, but a nonprofit organization on a mission to improve the health and well-being of those living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses by alleviating hunger and malnutrition. They prepare and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals to people who, because of their illness, are unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves. The amazing organization also provide illness-specific nutrition education and counseling to their clients, families, and care providers.

I started volunteering with the company in 2007 when I worked at a magazine in Soho and spent my lunch breaks delivering hot meals to those living with critical illnesses. I met so many amazing people (some of whom I still keep in contact with today), and a lot of those clients were my first true portal into New York City.

And while I no longer deliver on my lunch breaks, I still work really hard to support GLWD and there’s a fun way that you can, too.

GLWD’s annual Race to Deliver is one of their largest annual fundraisers; a symbol of their daily race to ensure no one person has to face the unthinkable combination of illness and hunger. This fall, the 29th-annual Race to Deliver is held in Central Park on November 20th at 8am and is a 4-mile walk/run. I really like this race because it’s a do-able distance and falls on such a cool and crisp time of year in NYC. It’s also a nice way to kick off the week of Thanksgiving with an act of kindness. For more info on GLWD and to register for the race, visit their website here.

A Great Designer Consignment Shop on the Upper East Side

I’ve been trying to shop in a more sustainable way these days, and found the Upper East Side to have great consignment shopping. Last weekend, I went on a fun mission to visit as many as possible in the neighborhood and my favorite was Michael’s, located at 1125 Madison Ave. on the corner of 84th Street.

Michael’s Luxury Consignment Shop has been family owned through three generations since 1954 and they really work hard to curate a nice selection of designer clothing, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. Unlike some of the designer consignment shops I visited, Michael’s is well organized and laid out nicely. It feels like you’re shopping in a boutique, rather than digging through racks of items.

The shop often hold sales, especially at the end of each season and it’s not uncommon to find, say, a designer dress for less than $50. You can also find reasonable prices on shoes too. What’s your favorite consignment shop in the neighborhood?

My Experience Running the New York City Marathon

Post-race pic.

I ran the New York City Marathon with my husband in 2018 and it was pretty incredible, which seems like a strange statement considering it’s a 26.2-mile run. I should start by saying that I’ve been running for a long time, but I’m super slow and not-at-all competitive. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

Training for a marathon sucks up a lot of your social life, but I can’t say that I hated it. Yes, I missed wine-fueled weekend dinners and fun brunches, but doing something healthy on a Saturday morning and working towards such a lofty goal was a good way to shake things up.

We were in New Orleans during the final legs of training, which meant running 20 miles in NOLA…in August. I would 100 percent not recommend. The only saving grace was that on actual marathon day, we stayed cool almost the entire time as our body was acclimated to hell-ish temps.

Waiting for the race to start…

On marathon day, we got to the site four hours early and spent the morning huddled together in a corner eating things like a banana, bagel, etc and drinking some water.

We read the paper, stretched, and basically just waited around, mostly being nervous. When it was time to line up, Nate and I started the race together at a relaxed pace for the first 5 miles, which helped to shake out the nerves and was a nice way to start our first marathon.

Nate during the race.

The next 17 miles were a blur of exhilaration (and probably exhaustion). I definitely recommend putting your name on the last layer of your clothing because hearing total strangers cheer for you is about the best thing ever, and really helps you to push through any tough miles. Something that’s really nice about living in the city where you run a marathon is having friends along the route. We saw people we knew in each borough, and they always seemed to be there when I needed a serious boost. I think my favorite part of the entire marathon was when I reached our neighborhood on the Upper East Side, running up 1st avenue—the crowds were so amazing and it was fantastic to be running such an iconic race in our own neighborhood.

I had received so many great tips during my training, and my favorite was to dedicate specific miles to loved ones as you struggle, especially at the end. For me, this didn’t come until mile 25, which I dedicated in my head to my mom. I thought about how she always has a positive attitude no matter what the circumstance entails, and I really tried to do the same at that moment. I dedicated 26 to my late dad. I know that he would have loved to have been there to cheer me on. While not the most sentimental person, this was a really nice way to end the race. The last .2 miles were a rush and the huge crowds helped to usher me over the finish line. After, we put on our fancy foil capes and walked to a bar to celebrate with friends.

UES Gem: Breads Bakery

Liz Ligon for Union Square Partnership

Have you been to Breads Bakery, located at 3rd Ave and 74th?

Years ago, I went to the Union Square location that serves as the company’s production hub, and was blown away by the baked goods. When they recently opened a location on the Upper East Side, I was thrilled.

People go nuts for the black and whites (I like mine more cake-y than croissant-y), but my absolute favorite things to get at Breads is the challah and the chocolate babka, which is swirled with Nutella and dark chocolate. But there’s also the sourdough baguette, buttery croissants, and a really good cinnamon roll. I also love that you can order loaves and bread online as a gift. What bakeries do you love on the UES?

The Iconic Papaya King is Facing Possible Demolition

After 90 years, Papaya King, the famous Upper East Side hot dog and tropical drink stop, is facing demolition. Patch website reported that developer Extell – known for its luxury apartments — has filed plans to tear down the entire low-rise corner, which includes the flagship location of Papaya King; Extell reportedly acquired the lot for $21 million in 2021.

The New York Times explains that Papaya King’s founder, Gus Poulos, was a Greek immigrant who started out in the 1930s with a Brooklyn juice stand called Hawaiian Tropical Drinks, and then opened Papaya King on the Upper East Side in the late 1940s. He added hot dogs a few years later.

So far, a closing date has yet to be set and there’s been little news on the development. I think it’s sad when these towering luxury condos replace iconic New York businesses. And while I may not eat hot dogs, I’ve been going almost every day for one of the Banana Daiquiri, Strawberry Fields, and Coconut Champagne drinks.

My Absolute Favorite Pizza on the Upper East Side

Heart-shaped pizza at San Matteo Pizza and Espresso Bar

Choosing the best pizza on the Upper East Side is no joke; there are so many excellent options. But my all-time favorite pizza in the UES is San Matteo. The owners have more than one location on the UES, but we love the San Matteo Pizza and Espresso Bar, mostly because it’s the one we’ve been going to for years, and don’t we all love a place where you feel like a regular? The restaurant is so cozy with its small interior and pizza oven; but you’ll find outdoor seating too, which is lovely in the warm weather months. Plus, I absolutely love the owner here and his daughter and just the entire staff. I think we’ve probably been to this restaurant almost 100 times and we almost always get the same thing: Burrata salad, margarita pizza, tiramisu (or whatever dessert), and a bottle of whatever wine is recommended. If you go on Valentine’s Day, they’ll make you a heart-shaped pizza (which you can also take to-go.)

And not to discount slices, but my favorite right now is Mimi’s pizza at 217 East 86th St. It’s a bit newer and so, so good. Tell me: What’s your favorite pizza in the neighborhood?

The “Only Murders in the Building” Diner is Actually on the Upper East Side

Have you seen the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building? No spoilers, I promise, but I love this show—especially the Canadian-American treasure Martin Short. In season two of the series, the cast spends a lot of time in The Pickle Diner, meant to be located on the UWS. The restaurant is actually called The Mansion Restaurant and Eatery and sits on the corner of York and 86th Street; and according to the diner’s website, The Mansion has been around since 1945.

Like a lot of New Yorkers, we have our favorite diner. When the New Amity diner on Madison Ave. recently closed, we decided to try The Mansion, and it was fantastic. The restaurant is close to our apt (a must, right?) and the food is really good and the service is so kind and efficient. You may not always see celebs but it’s a very solid choice for your go-to neighborhood diner.

The Mansion Diner is located at: 1634 York Ave, New York, NY 10028

The Upper East Side Hotel That I Always Recommend

I’ve worked as a travel writer for a long time and have stayed at a lot of hotels. That said, because I live on the Upper East Side, I don’t stay at a lot of hotels on the Upper East Side. Still, I’m often asked the question: What’s the best hotel in the neighborhood? And I almost always recommend The Franklin New York (unless you really want to splash out at the Carlyle). This cute boutique hotel is located just a few blocks from our apartment (and Central Park!), so it’s really convenient for those who are visiting us and can’t fit in our small space. It’s also just a great all-around hotel, and we’ve had ringing endorsements from those who’ve stayed here. The property is owned by VOCO, an IHG Hotel, so you can easily use points if you’re a part of that program. The rooms (like almost all of them in NYC) are small, but have charming decor with crystal chandeliers and original photography. It’s on a pretty block and almost gives you the feeling that you live here, rather than staying at a big box chain. What’s your favorite hotel on the Upper East Side?

For a Special Occasion: Marky’s Caviar

If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or just splash out on the Upper East Side, there’s Marky’s Caviar. Located on Madison Avenue and 81st Street, Marky’s is both a retail space and a restaurant. The pretty front counter is filled with various styles of caviar where you can buy all sorts of tins, from an Alaskan trout roe for $25 to Beluga for $850. There’s even a vegetarian “caviar.” You can also purchase accoutrements like blinis, creme fraiche, hard-cooked egg, etc, along with other gourmet speciality items. The back of the shop is devoted Huso’s, serving caviar-accented lunch and dinner. I once went with a dear friend who was visiting me from New Orleans and we sat by the front window (great for people watching on Madison) and drank a bottle of Champagne and split a sampling of caviar and accessories. For something a lot less expensive but still fun and special, we’l often buy a tin of the smoked trout roe for $35 and have an at-home celebration.

Where to Eat on the Upper East Side During New York City Restaurant Week

I think this year’s New York City Restaurant Week might be the best yet, at least for the Upper East Side. So what is NYC Restaurant Week? The program began 30 years ago and—this year—lasts a total of 30 days to commemorate the occasion. Here, you can find prix-fixe menus at hundreds of NYC’s restaurants—across all boroughs—that offer lunch and/or dinner menus for $30, $45, and $60. A few standout deals on the Upper East Side:

Cafe D’Alsace: One of my favorite restaurants on the Upper East Side is serving lunch and dinner for restaurant week. Standout dishes: homemade duck terrine, summer risotto, and lavender creme brûlée.

Felice 83: I finally had a chance to try this restaurant this spring and it was really delicious and the service was great. I can’t wait to sit outside now that the weather is nice. Standout dishes: arancini, milanese, and tiramisu.

Dowling’s at the Carlyle: I love the atmosphere at the Carlyle, and this is a great chance to try a handful of dishes for a reasonable price. Standouts: shrimp cocktail, the wedge salad, Murray’s roasted half chicken, and the ice cream sundae.

Here’s a direct link to those participating in the Upper East Side Restaurant Week.

Steve Cohen the Magician is Magical

Image Credit: Chamber Magic

I should point out that this is not 100 percent on the Upper East Side, but it’s close and it’s worth every extra block. Steve Cohen the Magician has been performing for celebrities and other notables for the past 20 years. His show, Chamber Magic, is now the resident magic show at the Lotte New York Palace hotel (on Madison and 51st), and was one of the most fun nights we’ve had in a long time. Full disclosure, I’m not really into magic, but this performance is incredible.

The 90-minute show is held in a parlor, just off The Gold Room, and cocktail attire is encouraged, making it feel like a special occasion. I wish we would have made time to have a pre-dinner cocktail at the bar. The show is adults-only and limited to 64 people so that the environment feels intimate and elegant. 

Without giving away any secrets, Cohen has worked to recreate parlor entertainment that was popular in Manhattan’s early 20th century, when magicians were invited into the homes of wealthy patrons to entertain friends and family. This event feels like you’ve stepped back in time before iPhones, when an audience is captivated by entertainers. Cohen has a psychology degree from Cornell University and studied at Waseda University in Tokyo. He also holds the rank of Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, awarded by The Magic Circle in London. He’s performed for loads of celebs like Warren Buffet, Martha Stewart, Tracy Morgan, Buzz Aldrin, Stephen Sondheim, the Queen of Monaco, and royal family members, to name a few. His tricks, in a nutshell, are mind bending (especially the Think-a-Drink). If you’re going to do one new thing in NYC this year, I highly recommend this. It would also be really fun for visiting guests.

Chamber Magic is held twice every Friday and Saturday. Shows take place at Lotte New York Palace hotel. Tickets start at $125; get them here.

Spotlight On: Le Grand Triage Wine Shop

There are so many great wine shops on the Upper East Side, but my all-time favorite is Le Grand Triage, located on First Avenue, between 86th & 87th. What I love most about this place is that the selection is really unique and the staff is so approachable and helpful. I often go in with an idea of what I might like to buy and then go with whatever recommendation I’m given. To me, this place feels more like a boutique experience than, say, one of the bigger box stores. You can stop by in the evenings Thursday through Saturday nights for a free tasting. We’ve also been a member of the shop’s wine club for a year-plus, which is so fun. Basically, you pay a $50 monthly fee and receive two wines each month (classic or fun/geeky wines—your choice). The bottles are selected by the sommelier and aren’t available in the store, so you can try some unique wines. Plus, they’re delivered to your home on the Upper East Side.

UES Gem: Tisane Pharmacy

With CVS stores on every corner, it’s fun to find an old-school pharmacy in New York City—and support a local business at the same time. Tisane, located on 86th Street, between 2nd and 3rd feels almost like a French pharmacy in that they carry a small and select number of speciality products like Nuxe, Bioderma, Avene etc. The staff behind the pharmacy counter is really helpful and most definitely feels like a small business. I was recently prescribed Retin-A and one of the employees behind the counter worked to get the price down for me, without even having to ask. But what I love most about this small shop is that it serves as a cafe. The word tisane, translates from French to tea., and here you’ll find tons of loose leaf tea blends, in addition to speciality coffee drinks, smoothies, Italian sodas, egg creams, and fresh-daily pastries from Balthazar. It’s not uncommon to see a few folks sitting at one of the small interior cafe tables, sipping a tea, and reading the paper. How lovely is that?

The Perfect Picnic in Central Park

One of my favorite things about living on the Upper East Side is the proximity to Central Park. Since moving to NYC in 2007, the only other place we’ve lived was on Ave C in the East Village for one year, and while I loved that neighborhood, too, I really missed going to the park. 

One of our favorite activities is having a picnic in Central Park. There certainly aren’t any rules to picnicking in the park, but there are a few things that I like to bring and do. 

First, decide when you’re having a picnic. We’ve done brunch/am picnics with bagels from Tal, cream cheese spreads, lox, and mimosas. You can have a lunch picnic, where we’ll often stop at Milano’s for Italian sandwiches and grab-and-go sides. Or, you could do the aperitivo picnic, where we’ll bring along wine or canned cocktails and small apps like chips, nuts, cheese and crackers etc. 

Over the years, we’ve rounded out out picnic gear to include the following, which makes it more festive and fun, but there’s still not too much to carry.

Wine and snack tray: This tray is fun and functional. I purchased this one on Amazon for a gift and it’s perfect for a bottle of wine and a sturdy table for a few snacks. Plus, it’s easy to carry, and folds up to fit easily in our tiny apartment.

Picnic backpack: I love the idea of a basket, but this backpack has proven to be a lot more practical. This thing has everything you need for a picnic for four people including an insulated cooler for food storage, waterproof blanket, wine cooler, wine opener, cutting board, cheese knife, plates, glasses, cloth napkins, and cutlery.

A portable speaker for tunes: We’ve had a few portable speakers over the years and this one is by-far the best—plus, it’s a fraction of the price of a Bose or other brand name. This speaker is waterproof and the battery lasts forever.

That’s all, just take off your shoes (sneakers make for the perfect cup holder), and chill out with a picnic in Central Park.

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My Favorite Blowout on the Upper East Side

Getting a blowout is such a splurge and a treat. I’ve tried a lot of salons on the Upper East Side and my favorite of all is neither (too) expensive or fancy, but they do the absolute best blowout. The Keratinbar on 85th between 3rd and Lex is definitely no frills. They specialize in Keratin treatments, but I’ve been only for a blowout, which consists of a shampoo/condition and then a blow dry with only a round brush—no heat tools here. I tried this salon because I had some Classpass credits to burn and was so happy with the style that I came back again and again. If you’re into big, bouncy curls (as apposed to, say beach waves), this is a great option. I’ve also found that if you book online, you’ll often get 50% off. Tell me: Where’s your favorite place for a blowout on the Upper East Side?

The Niche Shop: Vintage Secondhand Clothing & Home Decor NYC

Image Credit: The Niche Shop

The Niche Shop: A vintage secondhand clothing and home decor store has opened on east 81st street, between 1st and 2nd avenue. The small space is filled with colorful and carefully curated items by owner NYCNichole: a content creator and former social media manager who has a passion for thrifting and secondhand fashion. Nichole opened The Niche Shop to reflect her personal style, which she describes as feminine with edge, glam-ma (glamorous grandma) maximalist chic. I purchased a pair of 1990s black boyfriend Levi’s that fit perfectly and cost a reasonable $30. I’ll certainly be back for the home decor.

Image Credit: The Niche Shop

The Best Martinis on the Upper East Side

There’s something so perfect about a well-made martini. How do you take yours? I’m all about gin, a splash of vermouth, and olives. A twist can be nice, too. And of course a perfectly chilled glass—even better if you get one of those cute little tumblers for the extra—like a milkshake leftover but for adults. There are lots of great places to get a martini on the Upper East Side, but here are a few of my favorites. Tell me: Who makes your favorite martini on the UES?

Bemelmans Bar: Let’s just get this out of the way: The martinis at Bemelmans are expensive. But along with your drink, you’ll often be treated to live piano music and a trio of snacks: house made crispy cheddar crackers, potato chips, and mixed nuts. And is there anything better than free snacks? According to a longtime bartender, the secret to the Bemelmans martini is one tiny drop of vermouth, just to coat the glass. Then, stir in a mixing glass for approximately a minute and a half until very cold, and pour into a chilled martini glass. What remains in the shaker is then poured into a glass carafe and served alongside the drink, almost like two small martinis in one.

Donuhue’s Steak House (no website): This is one of those old-school operations where all of the patrons seem to know each other and the staff knows everyone’s name. The place made news when a wealthy art collector left his favorite waitresses a $50,000 tip in his will, each. Can you imagine? The martinis here are more affordable than Bemelmans, but still come with the bonus shaker and taste just a good.

J.G. Melon: I’d probably not wait in the snaking lines for a Melon martini, but they made a very good one. This classic burger joint on the Upper East Side has a notoriously long wait, but if you’re willing to sit at the bar, you can often shave off some time. I like to sit there with the regulars, sip a gin martini, and play some music on the old juke box while I wait for my food.

Cafe D’Alsace: Newly located in what was once the old Elaine’s, Cafe D’Alsace has been a mainstay on the Upper East Side for years. The new bar is beautiful and the bartenders are friendly and make fantastic cocktails, especially when it comes to any version of a martini.

NR: This place may not be as well known as other offerings on this list, but the drinks here feel like more of a work of art than a drink. The cocktail menu is extensive and it’s fun to sit at the bar and watch the mixologists work their magic; they’re adept at just about any drink, including a classic martini. The oyster happy hour is also worth a stop.

The Penrose: A cocktail bar (with good food), that skews younger and hipper than the rest on this list, The Penrose makes a really nice martini. The menu offers a more well-known Dirty Pickle Martini if that’s your thing, but their classic is very good and comes in a pretty coupe.

Lusardi’s: This higher-end Italian restaurant may not seem like the place for a great martini, but they’re expertly made and make for a nice pre-dinner drink at their tiny bar.

Date Night at The Met

Every Friday and Saturday night, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., is now Date Night at The Met. The concept was introduced last spring and has continued through the summer months (and perhaps beyond). We visited on one of the initial Friday evenings, and meandered the museum while sipping cocktails, listening to live music, and checking out the 5,000 years of art.

A note from the Met: Events and performers are subject to change. All events are free with Museum admission, which is always pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY, NJ, and CT students with valid ID. (Pay-what-you-wish tickets can only be reserved in person; allow extra time for lines.)

Sandro’s Opens a New Location on East 86th

The venerable Sandro’s has re-opened, with a new location on East 86th Street, in the former Little Frog restaurant location (very sad to see that place go). Owner and chef Sandro Fioriti opened his former location on East 81st Street in 2006, serving his native Roman cuisine. According to the New York Times, he has been joined by his son, Sandro Fioriti Jr., for the past eight years, who runs the restaurant, with his father in the kitchen. The new location is expected to have the same menu and staff in the 56-seat space. Upon a quick tour, the dining room appears to be a bit more formal than Little Frog with nicely-spaced circular tables dressed in white linens.