All posts by Lizbeth

About Lizbeth

Elizabeth has been a resident of Battery Park City since 1985, where she and her sister were beneficiaries of the neighborhood's first school bus stop. She loves to travel, but loves even more to come home. The Battery Park Esplanade is her favorite neighborhood fixture, where you'll often find her soaking up the sun, rollerblading, or simply enjoying the view.

James Blachly conducts Mahlers 4th symphony

Trinity Church’s James Blachly Performance Benefits NOLA Music Education

James Blachly conducts Mahlers 4th symphony
James Blachly conducts Mahlers 4th to benefit All Souls Camp in New Orleans

As busy as we all get, everyone has a dream. James Blachly is no exception.

Navigating through the hustle and bustle of Lower Manhattan, this distinguished composer/conductor and Trinity Choir member often dreamt of re-creating the Lucerne Festival Orchestra.

“I attended and watched rehearsals and fell in love with the performance of Mahlers 4th Symphony. To me it was like paradise. I realized then, to work on this piece would be a great priviledge.”

Tonight that dream will be realized — as Blachly along with colleague Owen Dalby have assembled The Sheep Island Ensemble, in what they consider to be a “dream team” of young professional musicians across New York to perform Mahlers 4th 6PM tonight at Trinity Church.

Lucky for the rest of us, tonight’s performance is free — with a suggested $20 donation — in which proceeds will go to The All Souls Music Camp, which is dedicated to providing music education of children living in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.

Although tonight’s concert isn’t explicitly connected with Trinity Church — being a Trinity Choir member helped the musicians score the location in light of supporting The All Souls Music Camp.

The All Souls Music Camp began in 2009 with 12 students, and has grown to 51. It’s a program for children from 3-16 and provides formal training in choral singing, strings, composition and music literacy. It was the brainchild of a local church that had began in an abandoned Walgreens turned community center for the children of the Ninth Ward.

As a volunteer for the All Souls Camp, tonights concert can be considered a full circle for Blachly. For he credits his education in Stuyvesant for the music education that led him to his profession.

“It was during my senior of Stuyvesant that I decided to be a classical musician professionally and practiced 5 hours a day to make it into and attend Oberlin.”

As part of the prestigious Trinity Choir, he appreciates being close to the World Trade Center site as keeping him connected to the post 9/11 world  — helping him to keep connected to the reality of what it takes to help a community after disaster. Many of the students of All Souls can relate to in their post Katrina world.

” [The All Souls Camp] is a really beautiful community and they have grown a lot over the past 5 years. We’ve been involved for the past 2 years and I realize that music can inspire and remind us of the most exalted state of humanity.”

For those interested in attending, please find the information below:

The New York City Summer Mahler Project
Mahler’s 4th Symphony
Date: Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Trinity Church Wall Street
At the Intersection of Wall Street and Broadway
Tickets: Free with $20 Donation to benefit the All Souls Music Camp in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans
Telephone: (212)-866-0468 (GEMS) or (646) 320-5583 (Blachly)
Online: www.jamesblachly.com OR www.gemsny.org
Tickets: At the door.

UPDATE! Reader Questions: What’s going on with the old JJ’s Deli?

The former location of JJ's Deli is under construction.
"What's going on with JJ's Deli?"

-=Update=-

A representative from the management company sent Batteryparkcity.com an email:

“As you may have seen, the former JJ Deli is once again going to be a deli of higher quality. They should be open in the next few months.”

Further questions about the name, types of food and whether or not it will be 24 hours are unconfirmed, but information will be forthcoming!

Thankfully it’s not a Duane Reade!

———————————————————————–

Whenever I think of JJ’s deli, I’m brought back to 1989-1990 when in an undiagnosed ADD stupor, I left my clarinet at the candy section while waiting for the school bus — sadly, the clarinet was never found again.  A traumatic experience for me and a costly mistake for my parents who wanted to make sure I had no excuse to drop out of the school’s band. I digress.

On Monday, around 5pm — I received 3 emails within a 10 minute period from readers asking the same question:

“What’s going on with the old JJ’s Deli?”

As this site can only find its true potential through contribution — suggestions and questions included — I embarked on my first investigative report on behalf of our neighborhood and readers.

After taking some quick pictures of the permits on the door, I made my transformation into gumshoe.

First stop on the beat — Gatehouse. (I was hungry and it was dinner time). Friend and manager Joe had told me that he thought that JJ’s was turning into another 24 Hour deli or a 7-Eleven. He too hoped I would reveal the identity of Gatehouse’s impending neighbor. After dinner, I decided to dream of Slurpees on the esplanade, determined to try and find answers the next morning.

Yesterday, emails and calls were made immediately to the most logical source — the RY Management office.

A quick search through the NYC Department of Buildings site did not yield any information on what is to replace JJ’s. Information I did discern from the search was that the use of the location would not be changed and new refrigeration units would be installed. The construction company on the permit gave two names: Happy Garden Construction Corp. and Peter Plumbing Associates Inc.

Undergoing a search of the Happy Garden Construction Corp, I yielded an address of their last construction site on 7th avenue in Chelsea which included an area in which a Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts combo was located. Since franchises almost always come in multiples (and a new location had opened at 88 Greenwich street), I felt this was a good direction.

Calls to Dunkin Donuts Corporate confirmed there were new locations scheduled for lower Manhattan, just not for 300 Albany Street. Additional calls to 7-Eleven Corporate Offices and Happy Garden Construction Corporation were not returned.

I did finally receive an email back from the property manager at RY Management. In his cordial email he said, “At this time, I can not release any information on this site, but once I am able to, I will let you know.”

At first I asked my computer screen, “Why not?” — then I realized that contracts might not be finalized, or any number of other reasons could be behind the secrecy.

I reached out to the readers who emailed me with the information so far, and will continue to update everyone as I learn more. One of those readers, Stephen, came up with a brilliant idea of what should happen with the now vacant location:

“Turn it into a 24 shop/cafe. During the day — have it setup for strollers and families of all sorts, serve ice cream, fro yo, etc — it will be an afterschool paradise… post 9PM — serve alcohol and light fare — believe me as one of them — the parents of BPC have nowhere close to go for a quick drink or meet-up AND buy milk… would do gangbusters… now i just need a million to get started! :)”

An all and all excellent idea in my book. Or an IHOP might be nice too!

If you should have any information — please share with the rest of us!

45-47 Park Place Debris

Mosque Hearing Update & Religious Turf War

45-47 Park Place Debris
Debris landing from 9/11 attacks used in hearing for landmark status.

As the rain poured outside, people poured inside the New York City Landmarks Commission public hearing. Despite the inclement weather nearly 100 people were in attendance at the hearing in Hunter College. A dozen or so individuals were able to take the floor including public opponent and New York State Governor hopeful Rick Lazio — who offered a different strategy to halt the Mosque’s construction by claiming the building at Park Place was worthy of landmark recognition. Even citing debris that had fallen on the building during the 9/11 attacks.

“I urge the commission to grant landmark status to 45 Park Place, [to] take into account important historical facts.”

Gubernatorial hopeful Carl Paladino was also represented by his lieuenant governor Tom Ognibene who agreed with Lazio stating the building of the mosque would be “an affront to the families that have died.”

Linda Rivera, a family member of a 9/11 victim suggested, “the building should be a landmark building. It should not be a mosque.”

Brooklyn resident, Barbara Sommer decried the sentiments and questioned “How can we allow something to eradicate that memory — the pain and suffering.”

While nearly a dozen others voiced their opinions at the hearing, a religious turf war had been established when Bill Keller of LivePrayer.com (of no relation to the New York Times editor) had sent out a press release stating he would bid on creating a Christian center within the heart of Ground Zero. As of yesterday, his site had been actively seeking donations to fund the construction and is slated to start a satellite prayer center at the Embassy Suites hotel in the northern section of our neighborhood every Sunday starting September 5th until December 26th — until a final home has been found for the Christian center. (I wonder if the group knows that Goldman Sachs is planning on closing the hotel down soon?)

It seems our neighborhood has become a religious battle ground overnight. Are we OK with this?

Battery Park City's picks for New York Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week Begins Today! Where to go Battery Park City?

Battery Park City's picks for New York Restaurant Week
Battery Park City's Best Bets for NY Restaurant Week

It’s that time of the summer again, for foodies all over the city to figure out how to spend their $24.07 for lunch (or $35 bucks for dinner) in honor of New York Restaurant week!

There are seemingly hundreds of restaurants to choose from at these prices — a bargain by New York City standards.  The only problem is “Where should I go?” Fret no more, we’ve got some suggestions. Although Battery Park City is never mentioned in the Official New York Restaurant Week site as an actual location, we rounded up the restaurants that are closest to home. Our list aggregates both Tribeca and Financial District restaurant offerings and their menus.  It’s nice to be able to give back to the businesses in our neighborhood — because quite frankly if we don’t…who will? Most everyone else thinks Battery Park City is closest to Sibera anyways.

As for some honorable mentions — fans of food television will not be disappointed. Centrico, The Harrison, Nobu and Les Halles count Aaron Sanchez, Amanda Freitag, Masuharu Morimoto and Anthony Bourdain as executive chefs and chef’s at large of these restaurants. Visiting these neighborhood restaurants is tantamount to visiting culinary television amusement parks!

Here’s the round up of restaurants in our area offering a special restaurant week menu, we’ve done our best to include restaurant menu’s as we find them — so check back for new menus being added, all to help you choose where you’ll be placing your reservations this summer!

Where are you most excited to visit? 🙂 Or where should one not visit? Let us know in the comments!

Mr Chow Tribeca

Restaurant Week Menu: Mr. Chow Tribeca

Mr Chow Tribeca
Mr. Chow Tribeca puts their spin on Restaurant Week

Mr. Chow Tribeca extends their New York Restaurant Week menu all the way to September 6th, giving guests ample time to check out some of their specialties well through the end of the summer.

Mr. Chow’s does it a little different for their Restaurant Week menu, by extending a family style option through the end of the summer.

NYC Restaurant Week MR CHOW New York – TriBecA
July 12h – September 6th (Mon thru Fri)
Semi Prix-Fixe Menu
Whole Table Served Family Style
Each guest choose 1 dish from each course – Maximum of 4 dishes from each course per table
First Course
Choice of:
Jade Water Dumplings
Squab with Lettuce
Chicken Satay
MR CHOW Noodles
Second Course
Choice of:
Steamed Sea Bass Filet
Ma Mignon
Velvet Chicken
Green Prawns
Served with:
Sautéed Rice
Vegetable in Season
Dessert:
Mixed Sorbet
Ice Cream
$35 per Guest for Food Only
(2 guests minimum – Limited to items listed above – NO SUBSTITUTIONS) Drinks, Tax, plus Gratuity are Additional
20% Service Charge for Parties of 6 or more
industria argentina tribeca

Restaurant Week Menu: Industria Argentina

industria argentina tribeca
Industria Argentina is offering a Summer Restaurant Week Menu
Industria Argentina in Tribeca is offering a New York Restaurant week menu. All lunch seatings are $24.07, while dinner is a prix fixe price of $35.00
SUMMER RESTAURANT WEEK
Appetizers:
Ensalada de Hinojo y Citricos
Crispy fennel, Citrus segments , scallions ,honey roasted pine nuts, lemon honey vinaigrette.
Confit de Pulpito
Confit of baby octopus, toasted corn and cherry tomato salad
Empanada de Cordero ahumado al Quebracho
Braised and smoked lamb empanada
********
Entrees:
Trucha al Papel
Trout “en Papillote”, carrots, sweet peas, onions on bed of spinach
Ojo de Bife
Grilled rib eye, black olive and basil mashed potatoes, roasted beets
Pernil de Cerdo al Horno de Barro
Roasted Leg of pork, Valencia orange, white wine, garlic, grilled yams and plum chutney
**************
Dessert:
Flan de Dulce de leche
Salted caramel nougat
Compota de Frutas con crema
Vanilla scented stewed stone fruit, Crème Chantilly
Milhoja de Chocolate y Frambuesa
Chocolate ganache, vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries Napoleon
Amanda Freitag, The Harrison, New York Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week Menu: The Harrison

Amanda Freitag, The Harrison, New York Restaurant Week
Amanda Freitag's The Harrison Restaurant

Amanda Freitag is at the helm of The Harrison, a local American bistro drawing from seasonal ingredients and also more recently known as a contestant on The Next Iron Chef. The Harrison is offering a summer restaurant menu below:

S U M M E R R E S T A U R A N T W E E K M E N U 2 0 1 0



C H I L L E D C U C U M B E R S O U P

d i l l y o g u r t , s m o k e d p a p r i k a , c a r a w a y c r o u t o n

B I B B L E T T U C E S A L A D

l i m e v i n a i g r e t t e , c r u m b l e d q u e s o b l a n c o

C R I S P Y S K A T E F I N G E R S

n a p a c a b b a g e s l a w & s p i c y c r è m e f r a i c h e



B A C O N C R U S T E D B L U E F I S H

p o b l a n o c r e a m & b e e f s t e a k t o m a t o e s

A L L N A T U R A L C H I C K E N B R E A S T

z u c c h i n i , e g g p l a n t , c h i c k p e a s

G R I L L E D F L A N K S T E A K

g r i l l e d c o r n s a l a d & r e d o n i o n j a m



S U M M E R B E R R Y S H O R T C A K E

h o u s e m a d e b i s c u i t s & f r e s h w h i p p e d c r e a m

Delmonico's Steakhouse Beaver Street

Restaurant Week Menu: Delmonico’s Steakhouse

Delmonico's Steakhouse Beaver Street
Delmonico's Steakhouse

Delmonico’s Steakhouse Restaurant Week Menu

Appetizers

Grilled Asparagus and Frisee Salad

Summer Citrus Fruit, Poached Farm Egg, Black Truffle Vinaigrette

Chilled Sweet Pea And Roasted Corn Soup

Peeky Toe Crab Crostini

Torchio Pasta

Broccoli Rabe, Roasted Tomato, Red Chili And Aged Pecorino

Seared Sea Scallop (Dinner Menu Only)

Sweet Corn Pudding, Tasso Ham And Micro Basil

1867 Lobster Newberg (Supplement $10)

Brandy, Cream and Caviar

Entrees

Delmonico Steak Frites

Maitre D Hotel butter, Twice Fried French Fries

Classic Chicken A la Keene

Served over Buttered Noodles

Pan Roasted Cod

Slightly Crisped with Tomato Leek Fondue, Capers, Black Olives, Spaghetti Squash

Filet Mignon (Dinner Menu Only)

Beef Tenderloin Served with Chef’s Selection Of Vegetables

Delmonico Steak (Supplement $15)

20 ounce Boneless Rib Eye Served With Potato Hash and Brussel Sprouts

1867 Lobster Newberg (Supplement $20)

Brandy, Cream and Caviar

Dessert

Meyer Lemon Tart

Pine Nut Brittle, Lemon Curd

Chocolate Mousse

Salted Caramel Crème Fraiche

Classic Baked Alaska   (supplement $5)

Walnut Cake, Apricot Jam, Banana Gelato, Meringue

Lunch Menu $24.07, Dinner Menu $35.00 plus beverages, tax and service.

SHO Shaun Hergatt Restaurant

Restaurant Week Menu: SHO Shaun Hergatt

SHO Shaun Hergatt Restaurant
SHO Shaun Hergatt Restaurant

SHO Shaun Hergatt is offering only a prix fixe lunch menu for restaurant week at $24.07.

APPETIZER

ORGANIC RED AND YELLOW BEETS

SICILIAN PISTACHIOS, SOUR BEET COULIS

OR

CHILLED HEIRLOOM TOMATO SOUP

TOMATO GELÉE, BASIL ESPUMA

OR

CARPACCIO OF BLACK ANGUS BEEF

FRIED CAPERS, GINGER VINAIGRETTE

MAIN COURSE

HAND MADE PORCINI PAPPARDELLE

BROCCOLINI, MOREL SABAYON

OR

CRISPY SKIN AMADAI

EDAMAME PURÉE, PICKLED DAIKON

OR

CHAR SIU BRAISED PORK BELLY

GREEN SCALLION, PICKLED APPLE

DESSERT

CHILLED PEACH SOUP

LEMONGRASS, VERJUS SORBET

OR

SELECTION OF SEASONAL SORBETS

OR

MILK CHOCOLATE GANACHE TART

RASPBERRY, MASCARPONE ICE CREAM

CHEF SHAUN HERGATT

Blue Smoke and Shake Shack coming to Battery Park City!

Shake Shack & Blue Smoke Combo Meal in Battery Park City! (UPDATE)

Blue Smoke and Shake Shack coming to Battery Park City!
Blue Smoke and Shake Shack coming to Battery Park City!

-=UPDATE =-
July 28, 2010 – Confirmation was made by Danny Meyer himself that Blue Smoke and Shake Shack are INDEED, opening in Battery Park City during tonight’s Community Board 1 Meeting.

Meaning — we probably will need that New York Sports Club back.

—————————————————————————————————

I don’t know about you, but on more than one occasion, my friends and I have been guilty of venturing to Citi Field for a “Shake Shack / Blue Smoke Dinner Combo.”

I am happy to report that the journey for one of my favorite dinners of all time soon won’t require taking the 7 train.

It’s being widely reported by NY Mag’s Grub Street and others that Blue Smoke has been confirmed as one of the restaurants replacing the recently-shuttered Applebee’s and Chevy’s. Well done Goldman Sachs — we had our doubts — but it seems you’ve done the neighborhood a culinary favor!

We have been discussing the rumblings of Shake Shack for months, but news of this pairing would be an encore presentation of what every Met fan or visitor to Citi Field already knows is a great collaboration in one’s belly.

Along with newcomers BLT Burger at the W, Five Guys on Fulton and our summer visitor Quality Burger — our neighborhood is poised to be quite a burger and BBQ paradise.

About time!