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“Choice Streets” Food Truck Festival Returns on May 7

Choice Streets Food Truck FestivalFood truck lovers, this is the event you’ve been waiting for. The Village Voice’s Third Annual “Choice Streets” Food Truck Tasting Event on Wednesday, May 7. (Rain date: May 9). A gathering of 20 ore more food trucks against the gorgeous backdrop of the Hudson River and the Intrepid, the event takes place at Pier 86 (W. 46th St & 12th Ave), Manhattan, from 7-11pm. Early entry is recommended as lines form quickly. Trucks doling out their specialties at this event include some not usually found roaming around Manhattan. You can sample goodies from around the world, from pizza to kimchi tacos, at trucks including Taipan Fusion Express, Toum, Big D’s Grub Truck, Comme Ci Comme Ca, Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches, DUB Pies, Hibachi Heaven, Korilla BBQ, Love Mamak & Lucky Yim, Luke’s Lobster, Luzzo’s La Pizza Napoletana, Mike N’ Willie’s, Moo Shu Grill, Nuchas, Solber Pupusas, Souvlaki GR, and Sweet Chili. You must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets can be purchased at http://ticketf.ly/1jQC0MA.

“Choice Streets” will not only feed you, but it will also entertain you with sets by popular NYC-based DJ Andy Rourke of The Smiths, the alt-rock band that materialized from the British independent music scene in the 1980s. Since The Smiths parted ways in 1987, Andy Rourke has played and recorded with some of music’s greatest performers including Sinead O’Connor, Morrissey, The Pretenders, and Badly Drawn Boy, and has DJ’ed his way around the city.

Choice Streets Food Truck FestivalDiffering from the previous food truck events, this year’s “Choice Streets” will feature multiple ticket options. All ticketholders will be offered complimentary food tasting, unlimited beverages, complimentary access to the Intrepid Museum (a $22 value on its own) and entertainment throughout the night. The Early Entry ticket ($60) will allow guests entry into the event at 7:30pm, a full half hour earlier than the event’s door time. The General Admission ticket ($50) allows entry at 8pm.

Also new this year is a passport system so that everyone can try as many of the food truck options as possible. Upon arrival, all guests will receive a passport card attached to a lanyard that will entitle them to one (1) sample from each truck.  Alcoholic beverages are unlimited to all.

The Village Voice will once again partner with the non-profit organization Slow Food NYC for the event and plans to donate a portion of ticket sales from Choice Streets. Sponsors include: Shock Top, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Verizon FIOS, New York Botanical Gardens, Southern Wines and Spirits, Four Roses Bourbon, Ste Michelle Wine Estates, American Harvest Vodka, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Green Mountain Energy and Frames.

For more details and to purchase tickets, visit http://villagevoice.com/choicestreets.

It’s Time to Party Like It’s 1969 — Best Places to Drink Like a “Mad Man” in NYC

As we tune into the last episodes of the beloved, NYC 60s advertising show, “Mad Men,” we can contemplate the past few seasons by drinking in places that Don, Roger, Peggy, Pete, and the gang would have enjoyed. So, here, for the final time, I present to you my list of “best places to pretend you’re in advertising in NYC” for drinks and “camaraderie.”

Old King Cole BarKing Cole Bar: Once a bastion of cigar-smoking account types like Ken Cosgrove and Pete Campbell, the King Cole Bar in the elegant St. Regis Hotel is the birthplace of the Bloody Mary, known here as the Red Snapper. This classic bar also is known for its famous mural, “Old King Cole” by Maxfield Parrish. St. Regis Hotel, 2 E. 55th St., 212-753-4500; www.stregisnewyork.com

Trouble’s Trust at the New York Palace: The appropriately named bar in the New York Palace Hotel is the modern version of the King Cole Bar. Hidden under the lobby’s grand staircase, the bar entices with “vintage specialty” cocktails that Betty and Henry would have enjoyed on a trip into the city.  My guess is that Betty would have chosen The “Queen of Mean” cocktail if she could have fast-forwarded a few decades, a potent mix of whiskey and gin to be sipped with a mix of hauteur and vulnerability. Henry, being the politician that he is, would have no doubt opted for a turn-of-the-century “Bronx Cocktail.” 455 Madison Ave., 212-888-7000; www.newyorkpalace.com

Bills Food & DrinkBill’s Food & Drink: It’s not exactly the original Bill’s Gay Nineties, but it’s pretty close.  Set in a 19th-century townhouse, Bill’s was once the site of a Prohibition Era speakeasy.  Listen to the pianist in the downstairs bar while you knock back a Scotch, just steps away from many of the original Madison Avenue ad agencies.  You can finish the evening upstairs with an oversized ribeye and an aptly named Hanky Panky gin cocktail, a clubby setting for consummating a business deal (or other kind of tryst).  57 East 54th Street, 212-538-2727. www.bills54.com.

Monkey Bar: Across the street from Bill’s, the landmark Hotel Elysée (once known as the “easy lay”) has welcomed guests like Joe DiMaggio and Marlon Brandon.  Step inside the bar just off the lobby with its iconic monkey mural.  You can just picture Roger downing a Manhattan or two before heading for a room upstairs.  Hotel Elysée, 50 East 54th Street, 212-753-1066. www.elyseehotel.com.

Madison Club Lounge: The historic lounge in the Roosevelt Hotel is classic Mad Men with its mahogany walls, stained glass windows, and leather bar seats.  It’s likely Don began and ended his day here during the time he lived at the hotel, pouring vodka into his orange juice.  45 East 45th Street, 212-66-19600.  www.theroosevelthotel.com.

Rosewood HotelBemelman’s Bar: Some things never go out of style.  Live piano music, enchanting murals of animals by Ludwig Bemelmans of Eloise fame, plus formally dressed waiters make this an Upper East Side landmark.  The perfectly chilled and poured martini comes in a shaker with enough liquor for a potent drink and a half, and the banquettes are perfect for cuddling.  The Carlyle Hotel, 35 East 76th Street, 212-744-1500. www.rosewoodhotels/com/en/the-carlyle-new-york

P.J. Clarke’s: Nearly 130 years old, P.J. Clarke’s still appeals to the after-work drinking and dining set.  The neighborhoody bar serves up cold beers, oysters on the half, and burgers to a crowd of ad execs and locals.  It’s the perfect spot for mingling, meeting a blind date, or celebrating a copywriting success as Peggy did. 9015 Third Ave., 212-317-1616. www.pjclarkes.com

21 Club: Infamous for its Prohibition-era speakeasy status, this restaurant has attracted every president since FDR (except George W. Bush) to dine or imbibe. Come for a martini just like James Bond in 007 or try a Southside, the rum and mint cocktail invented here. It’s quiet enough, too, that Ted and Peggy could have shared a drink at the 21 without having had to escape to an afternoon Roman Polanski movie.  21 W. 52nd St., 212-582-7200; www.21club.com.

Campbell Apartment: This luxurious lounge in Grand Central Terminal will bring you back to another era. The space, once used as an office for New York financier John Campbell, still exudes the same sleek, refinement with its low lighting, rich woodwork and beamed ceiling.  Take a seat on the balcony for extra privacy.  We’d recommend the Prohibition Punch for aptly named Pete Campbell.  15 Vanderbilt Ave., 212-953-0409

The Blue Bar at the Algonquin: Once the hot spot for the literati, The Blue Bar is filled with Al Hirschfield’s artwork depicting a variety of Broadway shows. The cozy bar with its blue upholstery is known for the Algonquin Cocktail, a mix of whisky, dry vermouth, and pineapple juice.  It’s reputed that the literary ghosts of the likes of Dorothy Parker will even sit with you to provide inspiration and absorb the black-tie service. The Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44th St., 212-840-6800; www.algonquinhotel.com

SardisSardi’s: Since 1921, this legendary restaurant with celebrity caricatures adorning its walls has served as the spot for before or after theater. It’s also a favorite rendezvous spot for Don Draper and his lady friends.  To behave like a true “mad man,” book a table on Thursdays and Fridays for jazz and cabaret and skip the cocktail: a bottle of Dom Perignon is more in keeping with the mood. 234 W. 44th St., 212-221-8440; www.sardis.com

Be Safe and Smart When Visiting New York City

Visiting New York City?  Here are six things to keep in mind to make your visit go more smoothly.

Be Safe When Visiting New York City* Don’t accept rides in taxis that are’nt yellow Taxi and Limousine Commission vehicles. Anyone approaching you with a sign and offering a deal for $20 could head you right for trouble, rather than your destination. If you can’t find a taxi, look for the nearest subway or a bus stop. New York City has wonderful public transportation options. If you do choose a taxi, be kind and tip. Taxis are like restaurants – we suggest offering 15-20% of your fare for a properly completed trip. Www.Mta.info is a great resource. If you’re really stuck, a good car service to call is Carmel, 1-212-666-6666.

Always keep at least $20 and a Metro card with you. This will tide you over should you find yourself in a place where the taxi meter isn’t working or you can only pay in cash (not credit card) or you can’t get to an ATM.

Be careful when using your smartphone. Phones are ubiquitous, but so are pickpockets. Keep it on hand, in your front pocket if you’re a male and in your purse if you’re a female. Too much valuable information is on your phone. If you have an iPhone, be sure to enable the Find My iPhone feature. Use Foursquare so you have a record of where you’ve been if you happen to misplace it. Importantly, try to use WiFi wherever possible to access your mail. Some of the subway stops have added it, and many buildings have it. This will help keep your expenses down and your roaming charges from going crazy, particularly when the cellular signal can be blocked by so many tall buildings.

Be Safe When Visiting New York CityAsk a Local.  New York City has a reputation for being unfriendly. We’re actually VERY friendly, we’re just busy. Since we all love our city, most people are more than happy to help you find something, even if you are a local who can’t figure out the non-grid streets of the West Village. Seek out concierge advice, but only after you’ve done your homework, especially regarding restaurants and sites. There tends to be an element of bias from concierge recommendations.

Travel light. Wear comfortable shoes and carry a small tote. Make it easy for yourself to “run” around the city, chase after taxis, or just walk and walk and walk. That’s what New York City is really about anyhow. It’s the best way to soak up the energy in the city.

Be Safe When Visiting New York CityBe adventurous in your dining. New York City has it all, including food of every nationality. You can eat affordably and well by trying some of the smaller ethnic restaurants. Servers will be happy to help you decipher the menu.

Learn Everything Having to Do with Travel at the New York Times Travel Show: March 1 and 2

New York Times Travel Show: March 1 and 2If you love to travel, this is one weekend to stay put in New York City. One of the largest travel showcases around, The New York Times Travel Show, happens Saturday (10am-6pm) and Sunday (11am-5pm) at the Javits Center in Manhattan. www.NYTTravelShow.com Exhibitors from locations around the world are eager to meet you at their booths, with many demonstrations and giveaways as well.  It’s a great opportunity to ask questions about places you’ve always wanted to visit as well as to enjoy music, children’s entertainment, food, and the arts. 655 West 34th Street. 212-216-2000.

You can view an interactive map of exhibitors here or visit www.NYTTravelShow.com for more information, New York Times Travel Show hours, exhibitors and directions to the Javits Center.

Some of the highlights of this year’s show by day include:

SATURDAY, MARCH 1

New York Travel ShowCooking Demo about drink and foods that will help combat the challenges of travel (jet lag, overindulgence, etc.) by Celebrity Chef Candice Kumai, 11-11:30am, Taste of the World

Presentation about Medical Tourism – PROMED Costa Rica. 11:45-12 Noon, Location TBD

Demonstration by world-renowned Chef Michael Laiskonis with cuisine from Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia.  12 Noon, Global Stage.

Chinese Lion Dancers Performance – Macau Government Office – 12 Noon – 12:30pm, Asia Stage

New York Times Travel Show: March 1 and 2Traditional Hungarian Folk Dance — Hungarian National Tourist Office – 2pm, Location TBD

Cooking Demo by Celebrity Chef Anne Burrell (“Food Network” star and world traveler, author of “Own Your Kitchen”) – 2-2:30pm, Taste of the World

Presentation on Educational Adventures (learning adventures in 150+ countries) – Road Scholar – 2:30pm, Location TBD

Traditional Mongolian Costumes and Mongolian Music with horse-headed fiddle – Selena Travel Mongolia – 3-3:30pm, Location TBD

Wine Tasting – South African Tourism – 4:15-4:45, Global Stage

SUNDAY, MARCH 2

New York Times Travel Show: March 1 and 2Lithuanian Folk Dance Performance by dance group “Viesulas” – Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia – 11-11:15am, Asia Stage

Presentation about Medical Tourism – PROMED Costa Rica – 11:45-12 Noon, Location TBD

Lithuanian Children’s Folk Band Performance by “Spindulelis” – Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia – 1-1:15pm, Asia Stage

Traditional Hungarian Folk Dance — Hungarian National Tourist Office – 2pm, Location TBD

Presentation on Educational Adventures (learning adventures in 150+ countries) – Road Scholar – 2:30pm, Location TBD

Lithuanian Children’s Chorus “Varpelis” – Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia – 4-4:15pm, Europe Stage
BOTH DAYS

New York Travel ShowSilent Auction – Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation – Booth 121

Leprechaun Spokesperson — Journey through Ireland — Booth 368

Caribbean Steel Pan Players & Rum Tasting – St. Kitts and Nevis - Booth 321

Expert Talks on World Travel– Yampu Tours – Booth 545

Garret McNamara (world record holder for surfing the largest wave in Nazare, Portugal) Discusses Surfing in Portugal– Portugal on Tour — Both 676

More Enticing Valentine’s Day Events and Specials

I love how creative New Yorkers, especially Brooklynites, can be about how to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

New York Transit MuseumBrooklyn’s New York Transit Museum’s annual “Missed Connections” party (thank you, Craigslist) celebrates the possibilities public transit encounters.  Sexy, fun, and subterranean, the party kicks off at 6:30pm on Valentine’s Day, with refreshments provided by Brooklyn’s own Brooklyn Brewery, Brittle Barn, Brooklyn Winery, The Chocolate Room, A Cook’s Companion, and Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn.  Raffle prizes, too. Boerum Place, Brooklyn.  Tickets at https://51281.blackbaudhosting.com/51281/Missed-Connections.

Guerlain SpaJust want the spa experience? At the Guerlain Spa in the Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, couples can enjoy the “Love the One You’re With” couples’ massage, spa treatment suite shower with dual rain showerheads and private steam room, champagne and truffles.  Single ladies aren’t left out either: the “Just for the Girls” package gives you a choice of manicure and pedicure, massage, or facial, along with two Kir Royale cocktails.  Each package concludes with the spa’s signature “Final Touch” treatment, a choice of shoe shine, garment steaming or make-up refresh. www.guerlainspas.com. www.towersofthewaldorf.com.

Sugartooth ToursSugartooth Tours will feed your sweetheart cravings with a special “Sweeter than Sugar Valentine’s” tour down the High Line with hot chocolate and dessert tastings as you stroll from Chelsea to the West Village.  A finale of a wine and beer pairing can be added. Choose from two-and-a-half hours tours on four dates: February 13, 14, 15 or 16. 917-856-6761. www.sugartoothtours.com.

I’m completely taken by this concept – chocolate is just sooo yesterday. MitchMallows, headquartered in Chelsea, are marshmallows that come in crazy flavors like banana split, pretzels and beer, churros, ginger wasabi and creamsicles.  Mitch MarshmellowUse your imagination – there’s probably a flavor just for you.  Search the “Classic,” “Whack’d” or “Seasonal” selections for your favorite hand-crafted pick.  And, for Valentine’s Day, they have sparkly mallow hearts in cherry coated in pink and red sugar, all packaged in a polka dot heart-shaped box ($16). 212-645-1121. www.mitchmallows.com

Lobster special with butter poached rutabaga and sauce Americana at Stanton SocialWhile many restaurants offer special Valentine’s Day dinners, usually with a rose and a glass of champagne as a token gift, Stanton Social is having a dance party.  Starting at 6pm, the restaurant’s DJ will spin sexy slow jams to get you in the mood. A second DJ will heat up the scene with party tunes. A special menu of restaurant classics along with aphrodisiacal treats is paired with an open bar of premium top-shelf selections for your two-hour celebration.  $125 per person. Email: Natalie@thestantonsocial.com, 99 Stanton Street, Manhattan, 212-995-0099. http://stantonsocial.com/

Hotels Offer Valentine’s Day Specials for Valentine’s Day

New York City excels at creating romantic experiences for lovers all year round. On Valentine’s Day, Cupid’s Arrow knows no limits. Here are some choices for consideration to wow your sweetheart.

Andaz at the HyattFrom 8pm – midnight on Valentine’s Day, you can search out a love target or murmur sweet nothings to Miley Cyrus’s tune while you sip Bar Se7en5ive’s signature red-tinged “Wrecking Ball” vodka-and-champagne cocktail at the Andaz Wall Street’s fun, love evening.  Spot a perfect valentine, summon the Cocktail Cupid to deliver a “Wrecking Ball” along with a vintage valentine provided in the Connection Caddy, and take your chances.  Anyone who participates will be entered into a drawing to win a night at the hotel with breakfast in bed, drinks on the house, or a cooking lesson for two. 75 Wall Street, Manhattan, 212-590-1234 www.andazwallstreet.

Wolcott Valentines Day PackageNot single but not necessarily happy?  The Wolcott Hotel wants couples “On the Mend” to enjoy a getaway to resolve marital tensions.

Snuggle and rekindle in a two-room suite – so you each can have your own space if you need it – and read up on counseling literature provided for you, or take advantage of discounted activities like yoga or an aphrodisiacal wine-and-chocolate dinner to get you back on track. 4 West 31st St., Manhattan, 212-268-2900 www.wolcott.com

zhotelTo quote Beyoncé, “all the single ladies” have an option, too: the “Insider Shopping Package” at the Z NYC Hotel, with deluxe accommodations overlooking the Manhattan skyline from the Queens side.  Shop ‘til you drop with a customized three-hour shopping tour with a fashion industry pro, followed by cocktails and “show-and-tell” in the Z Lounge. 11-01- 43rd Ave., Long Island City (Queens), 212-319-7000 www.zhotelny.com

Over-the-top is something you can certainly find in Manhattan. And, if money is no object, this one’s for you. The Hotel Plaza Athénée on the Upper East Side has a Valentine’s Day package for $7400 per night that will put you in one of the hotel’s deluxe suites with a private dining room, granite kitchen and townhouse furnishings. Plaza Athenee Valentines PackageFlowers will surround you throughout as you sip your special bottle of 1999 Cuvée Louise Pommery champagne in your own gold engraved champagne glasses. For even more decadence, you’ll also receive a gift of an original Picasso lithograph. And, there’s more. You’ll enjoy a “Suite Heart” couples’ treatment at Spa Valmont in a private treatment suite, starting with a full-body exfoliation and romantic candle-lit steam shower, and ending with a 90-minute massage with rose aromatherapy oil or a Valmont facial. Your breakfast will be served in your suite’s dining room, with Valentine’s Day red velvet waffles highlighting the opulent menu. Call for availability. 37 East 64th Street, Manhattan, 212-772-0958 www.plaza-athenee.com.

Ink48The Kimpton Group is at it again with ultra-sexy two-night packages for a New York City Valentine’s Day getaway (or hideaway).  At the Ink48 hotel, you’ll pick your desired level of “heat” — low, medium or high — and pick the amenities that are best suited for you. “Low Heat” encourages you to be a “devil with a halo” and visit the Museum of Sex, followed by a retreat to your room to enjoy an aphrodisiac-filled basket of almonds, seeds, bananas, strawberries, red wine and absinthe.  Or turn up the flame to “Medium Heat” and be a “devil with a conscious,” reading your gift of “Go Green between the Sheets and Make Your Love Sustainable,” or using an array of eco-friendly massage oils after your private in-room wine tasting which includes two bottles of sustainable wines. For the full effect, the “High Heat” package transforms you into a “devil in the centerfold.”  Are you a closet exhibitionist? With this package, you’ll get a one-hour photo shoot with make-up and styling with a magazine-style book of boudoir photos. In your room, you’ll find an iPod pre-loaded with sexy tunes to get you in the mood, along with red wine, chocolates, and two disposable cameras.  Prices for the packages range from $399-$899 per night. To book, info@ink48.com. 653 11th Avenue, Manhattan, 212-757-0088 www.ink48.com.

Planning a trip to NYC?