Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – SATURDAY, OCT. 19, 2013
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “Notable Events-Oct.”, “on Broadway”, and “Top10 Free” in the header above.
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above
New York City Wine & Food Festival, (through Oct.20)
The New York City Wine & Food Festival returns for another food-and-beverage-filled few days—featuring a number of Food Network personalities, like Rachael Ray, Guy Fieri and Anne Burrell. The sixth-annual event is moving from the Meatpacking District to Midtown (Piers 92/94), but most of the event’s signature affairs are returning, including seminars, tastings, culinary demonstrations and kids’ events. The festival benefits the Food Bank for New York City and No Kid Hungry.
Wall Street Coin, Currency and Collectibles Show (last day!)
No currency is required to attend this annual event featuring displays, sales and an auction of historical documents. Also on view at the museum are exhibits devoted to the stock market and the banking and financial industries, including a display in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Federal Reserve System (the actual date is Dec. 23).
Museum of American Finance, 48 Wall Street, at William St.
Hours for the show are Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.; next Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Oct 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m./ FREE
(212) 908-4110, moaf.org
Korean Food Fair USA 2013
Often excluded from America’s love of East Asian cuisine, Korean food is beginning to make an impact in the West. Soju, a light liquor similar to vodka, and Gochujang, a hot pepper paste, are among those quick to assimilate into American kitchens. Expanding on the rising mainstream popularity of Korean food signatures like bulgogi, bibimbap and kimchi, the Korean Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation is hosting a food fair to celebrate and promote Korean culture and foods. The Korean Food Fair USA 2013 will kick off in Times Square on October 19th and 20th, boasting over 29 food vendors and multiple cultural performances.
Times Square, Broadway and 45th Street,
11AM-8PM / FREE admission
koreanfoodfair.com
Flutist Tia Roper performs from her CD “The Magic Flute”
Celebrating the worldwide release of her debut album, musician extraordinaire and native New Yorker Tia Roper will be presenting a recital. This concert will showcase the flute through its versatility and captivating style. The musical selections will embrace a combination of classical, contemporary, and jazz modes. Exhibiting a full exploration of today’s modern flute, the afternoon concert will feature the instrument in works of virtuosity and lyricism, but will also highlight extended techniques, 21st century nuances, and contemporary lyrical genres, bringing to light the complete and modern capabilities of the flute.
Tia Roper will be performing works by Ransom Wilson, Gary Schocker, Theobald Boehm, Johann Quantz, and Mike Mower. She will be joined by pianist Mitchell Vines.
The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral
263 Mulberry St. (btw. Prince & Houston Sts.)
At 3PM / FREE
1-212-226-8075
An Evening with Dar Williams
Singer/songwriter Dar Williams returns to Symphony Space with her unique brand of American folk that is tender, funny, poignant, and always beautiful. Chamber folk trio The Rebecca West opens.
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway
At 8PM / $47
212-864-5400
Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm dates and check times, as schedules are subject to change.
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A PremierPub + 3 Good Eating places / Midtown West.
Russian Vodka Room / 265 W 52nd St (btw 7th/8th ave)
Sure, you could travel to Minsk or even Brighton Beach, for an authentic Russian experience, but why bother. On those days when you feel you must wash down your dish of kasha with a few glasses of icy, cold vodka, the Russian Vodka Room will definitely satisfy your urge.
From the outside this place looks a bit drab, and with no windows, a bit mysterious. Midtown tourists walk right by on their way to see “Jersey Boys”, just down the block.
Those in the know enter a secret hideaway, a dimly lit front room with soft jazz playing – a perfect spot for an illicit late-night rendezvous, or maybe a meet-up with your Russian spy handler, but that’s later in the evening. Early in the evening the large U-shaped bar fills with the after work happy hour crowd, a group made very happy by the much reduced prices.
Their website says: “Welcome Comrades”. Of course, this welcome focuses on dozens of different vodkas, including their own special infusions, which marinate in giant, clear glass jugs visible around the room. The large vodka martinis ensure that you won’t confuse this place with your mother’s Russian Tea Room.
But man does not live by vodka alone. Eat some food, especially the tapa like appetizers. Be decadent and try the cheese blintzes with chocolate, or try a main dish like beef stroganoff with kasha.
Your best bet is to go on a night when the piano man is playing. This guy, who looks like he has eaten a lot of those cheese blintzes, plays five nights a week from 7 to 12 (no Mondays and Thursdays). When the piano man is playing American pop tunes, and you are at the crowded, dimly lit bar testing the horseradish infused vodka, that’s when the RVR shines.
It’s the kind of place where the noise gets louder and the crowd gets happier as the happy hour goes on. I’m generally a beer guy, but I like to come here with a group of friends. We find a table in the back room; we eat, and we drink vodka ‘till it hurts (and it will hurt).
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Website: http://www.russianvodkaroom.com/
Phone #: 212-307-5835
Hours: 4pm-2am; Fri-Sun closes 4am (that could be trouble)
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day
$4 shots infused vodka (2oz), $5 cosmos; $4 czech draft beer
Music: FR-SU; TU-WE / 7pm-12am
Subway: #1 to 50th St.
Walk 2 blk N. on B’way to 52nd St.; 1 blk W. to RVR
Confusingly, the Russian Samovar is right across the street, on the S. side of 52nd St.
The RVR, your destination, is on the N. side of 52nd St.
Update: music some nights includes a sax player with a younger, trimmer piano man.
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 