New York City Entertainment
With Cathy Cunningham

Things to do & see in the big apple.


 

EDITORIAL OF THE WEEK

Rain or shine – eat, drink and be merry in NYC! 

The recent damp weather has put a slight spanner in the works regarding some friends’ holiday plans. Simultaneously part of me oddly finds the gray skies and drizzle comforting, in reminding me of home..! If travel plans are on hold, fear not – there is plenty of entertainment with origins from tropical climates and sunnier skies right here in the city. The West Indian American Day carnival hits Brooklyn’s streets (Rogers Avenue) over a four-day span this weekend. The extravaganza includes Caribbean music and food, with dozens of bands lined up to delight the crowds. On Sunday, Manhattan’s Little Brazil hosts its Brazilian Day street festival. The city is serving up many a Brazilian delight this weekend as the summer Sambas off into the sunset and fall creeps in, to celebrate the Brazil’s Independence Day. The infamous club S.O.Bs (Sounds of Brazil) at 204 Varick Street will likely be packed to the hilt on Saturday for its infamous ‘Samba Saturday’ party and is sure to be the city hot-spot on Sunday night for a Brazilian Independence day celebration. Beforehand make the most of your night (and gather energy before you hit the dance-floor!) in either visiting one of the many Brazilian restaurants lining Little Brazil (46th St between 5th and 6th) such as BrazilBrazil Grill, or alternatively head to Astoria in Queens for an increasingly more authentic option, I hear. An unplanned Saturday night on the town with the girls led to dinner at Xunta tapas restaurant (1st Avenue between 10th and 11th St.). This may officially be my new favorite NY restaurant (yes, my affections are somewhat fickle where good food is concerned!). My two girlfriends and I sat on the high stools around a wood barrel taking in the buzzing ambience. We vetoed wine in favor of sangria ($28 for a pitcher which gave roughly eight glasses), and ordered six tapas between us. The food was delicious, fresh and unfussy with the mini dishes ranging from $3-$11. When our barrel table ran out of room we simply piled tapas plates on top of others Jenga-style. The East Village restaurant's space is dark yet exquisite in its simplicity; the ceiling offers an eye-catching contradiction, ensconced in a fisherman's net and fairy lights. Xunta is small yet bustling - long tables fill the far end, providing possibilities for large groups of friends, while the front section is peppered with small barrels which seat 2, 3, or 4 (depending on how intimate your friendship is…). Personally I intend to celebrate my first Labor Day in NYC in part, by finally visiting the ‘Top of the Rock’. Rain or shine, the $17.50 adult ticket price seems more than reasonable for what are apparently the best views over this incredible city… Have a great Labor Day weekend! ~*~Cathy~*~

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