Big Weekend on the UES

Presently there are a plethora of events going on in the city. This is a celebratory weekend overflowing with special holidays and celebrations from Earth Day, Passover, Easter weekend and of course Tribeca film festival. There definitely is no shortage of activities to keep you immersed in New York City culture and tradition; so much so that I for one feel very lucky to be a New Yorker at this time of year.

In observance of earth day there are tours in central park at Belvedere Castle, mid-Park at 79th Street. You can cross streams, hike through woods in a maze-like path through 38 acres of secluded land. These types of tours are offered frequently throughout the coming spring and summer months. There are a host of various events such as yoga, group runs, etc. Visit the calendar of events on the central park official website at: http://support.centralparknyc.org/site/Calendar/1138018665. You must call head for availability, fees or donations may apply. Although one of the main festivities of Earth Day just maybe an event organized by the nonprofit organization Earth Day New York, which is the annual New York City Earth Fair located inside Grand Central Terminal (Vanderbilt Hal)l from April 21-23, 2011 as well as outside of Grand Central Terminal on April 22 and 23, 2011.

On Saturday April 23, 2011 there is a street fair on East 93rd Street between Park and Madison Avenues and also on April 30th is the Lexington Avenue Festival between Lexington Avenue between 60th and 66th Streets. Visit the calendar of events on the NY.gov official website at: http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.bd175b51da17d74f472ae1852f8089a0/. Let me also not leave out the best feature at all… They are FREE!!!

If you’re in the spirit of Passover, the 92nd street Y or the Jewish museum is the place to go. The 92Y has a full roster of lectures with such celebrities as Ted Danson. Daniel Radcliffe, and Larry King; and they average approx. $30 per ticket. They also feature a wide array of classes as well as even singles events and mixers sure to please your Jewish mother. Average price also around $30, visit 92Y official website at: http://www.92y.org.

The Jewish museum always presents some interesting exhibits. One more recent was the Houdini exhibit that showcased the life and work of legendary magician Harry Houdini. Currently, the museum is showcasing an exhibit called “The Art of Matrimony: Thirty Splendid Marriage Contracts from The Jewish Theological Seminary Library” thru June 26th. The museum also has permanent exhibits such as, “Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey” which is a fascinating multilevel display of the evolution on Jewish culture and history through art. For these and other exhibits featured on the page, visit the museum’s official website at: http://www.thejewishmuseum.org/.

Not surprisingly the largest event on Sunday just maybe the Easter Parade, a grand Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival which runs up Fifth Avenue starting at 49th Street and finishing around 57th Street- Not quite upper east side but its only 2 blocks away. Don’t forget the many fabulous Sunday brunch spots on the Upper East Side as well. Visit www.uppereast.com for the best listings and reviews on for brunch on the UES.

San Matteo

While in many ways a traditional NYC pizza joint, San Matteo boasts the pedigree of a finer UES dining haunt. Its pizza evokes not so much greasy spoon as fine Italian dining; the atmosphere reflects the subtlety of its food. In short, this is less a pizza restaurant than a classy Italian restaurant that specializes in pizza

A brick interior calls to mind old-fashioned pizza joints, complemented by both a vast selection of wine, and an espresso machines. Everything is deliciously home-made, and even the bread seems to emit a fine home-cooked steam. The salad, too, crinkles with immediate taste. The tomatoes, the greens and the bread all share two things in common: Freshness and taste.

Due to its small dimensions, it is better suited to an intimate evening with a date or one or two friends, rather than a large party. But if you are searching for an intimate experience of excellent food, this place will satiate you on every need.

As I sat back with friends enjoying a fine bottle of Montepulciano, our server brought over the Tagliere di Formaggi; a mixture of parmigiano reggiano, asiago, pecorino, primaddona and provolone accompanied by honey with tartufo and some of the finest balsamic modina vinegar to accent its natural flavors. Yes, it’s a cheese plate, and yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds.

The next plate was the Porcini e Tartufo, which was a thin crust pizza cooked in wood burning oven that sits behind the bar. Topped with mozzarella, porcini mushrooms, parmigiano reggiano, and truffle oil, it is truly a unique entrée while being refreshingly familiar. In case you don’t already know, Tartufo has been called “food of the gods” with aphrodisiac-like powers. Tartufo contains a pheromone that only animals can locate with their keen sense of smell; a well-trained dog must be used to obtain this rare food. White Tartufo (the kind offered at San Matteo) is only found in the Langhe, Valpadana, small zones of Tuscany, the Marche, and Umbria from October to December.

One pizza, relatively inexpensive for an entrée averaging at around $15, is perfect for a party of one as well as ideal for tapas-type style of dining. To appease my vegetarian friend, we ordered the Margherita Pizza; the other option included prosciutto sliced fresh behind the bar. Equally delicious, this pizza has tomato sauce, homemade mozzarella, and fresh basil. A very simple recipe; the fresh ingredients make it truly exceptional.

Panuozzo Mortadella e Melanzane (imported mordadella, smoked buffalo mozzarella and marinated eggplant) was the final dish we were served. Like everything else, it did not disappoint. It was mouth-watering without being excessively fattening—Literally, the perfect combination. This is the best kind of comfort food, satisfying without being excessively heavy. The best of both worlds: Filling and light, cozy and high-class… San Matteo is the archetypal NYC dining experience.

San Matteo
1739 2nd Ave
(between 90th St & 89th St)
Manhattan, NY 10128
(212) 426-6943
www.sanmatteopanuozzo.com

La Comida Tipica

After getting heartburn from a Taco Taco I had been a little put off from Mexican food. So ever since I had been trying to keep my eyes open for a Mexican restaurant in my neighborhood that is reasonably priced and muy delicioso.

Alas! I think I have succeeded in finding one… I frequently walk the streets of the Upper East Side in hot pursuit of all things new and interesting and fabulous, so when I stumbled upon the tiniest little eat-in-eatery my radar had instantaneously went off.

We sat down to be greeted with a smile and a plate of tortilla chips with salsa verde that was zesty, spicy with a hint of cilantro (yummmmmm). “I’ll start with a pitcher of the sangria rojo!” the words eagerly expelled from my mouth to our server as she approached us for our drink order. After being gone from a challenging business trip I was definitely out for cocktails and more cocktails. By the way the Sangria is refreshing. Thankfully it was not too sweet but still incredibly “sabrosa.”

I then ordered the spicy chicken wings to start. Ok readers, I enjoy spicy, but the mild was highly fiery, so I hope your tolerance is up to par or else you’ll be in for a rude awakening. However, I am a trooper and I forged on and finished that plate of hot wings (well that and I was absolutely famished). Mission accomplished and I was now ready for my entrée. My guest of honor munched on the grilled chicken fajitas, while I gorged on beef alambres which for those who don’t know it's kinda like a Mexican shish kabob, absolutely mouthwatering. Awesome guacamole by the way too. This is a cozy little venue with exposed brick tons of keepsakes from Acapulco and traditional salsa music in the backdrop.

I a couple years ago I had spent 3 weeks in Mexico city and the food I ate at Sabor A Mexico rivaled many a restaurants in the capital. Definitely worth a try if you haven’t yet been or heard of it. Entrée’s are priced median around the $10 - $15 range; but are not large like most Mexican restaurants that you may be accustom too. The Sangria is also not inexpensive at $25 for a pitcher that is not huge. My overall recommendation is to venture out here. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and service was highly satisfactory entonces por qué hace no va y tiene una tarde feliz y mantiene por favor visitando www.uppereast.com para las mejores revisiones en la mejor ciudad


Sabor a Mexico
1744 1st Ave Between 90th & 91st Avenues
New York, NY 10184
(212) 289-2641