Captivating Connections.

nyc pet boom.

The NYTimes has a great slideshow looking at the boom in pet retail, claiming that "New Yorkers may be purchasing fewer luxuries for themselves in this recession, but they seem reluctant to skimp on Fido and Fluffy. As a result, there seems to be a small explosion of pet retailers in New York City."

Check it out (as well as the cute pups!)

delivery week starts today...

For you NYCers too busy (or, er, lazy) to go get food or cook, check out Delivery Week!

You can get 3-course prix-fix meals from over 100 awesome restaurants for only $12.09 for lunch $20.09 for dinner!

attention nerds.

Comic Con is coming!

big plans for the health of nyc.

"New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley on Monday outlined a ten-step program and specific health goals the city hopes to reach in the next three years, part of a new public health agenda known as Take Care New York 2012. The city's top doctor unveiled the ambitious new plan in an appearance with Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the City University of New York's graduate center in Manhattan.

Taking a cue from the success of city anti-smoking efforts in reaching consumers, Dr. Farley plans to continue a campaign against 'sugar-sweetened beverages,' though he did not specifically name soda as a culprit in rising obesity rates. Dr. Farley said he wants to reduce the number of people who drink at least one sugary beverage a day by 20%."

end of an era.

MTV is giving up their iconic real estate. sad. ish.

ultimate cocktail contest.

So I’ve just received word about Bar Artisanal’s cocktail contest. For those of you who think they could pick up a second job as a mixologist, this one’s for you.

 

Check out the rules here:

 

Amateur mixologists and cheese lovers alike (who are at least 21 years) should send an original cocktail recipe that pairs well with cheese for a chance to have their cocktail featured on the Bar Artisanal cocktail menu and win $200 gift certificates for each of the Artisanal Group restaurants: Bar Bar Artisanal, Artisanal Fromagerie, Bistro and Wine Bar, and Picholine.

 

Submission Deadline: 5pm July 30, 2009 via Bar Artisanal’s Facebook page or contest@barartisanal.com.

 

Final Judging: 4pm July 30, 2009. Mixologists at Bar Artisanal will prepare the cocktails for a panel of judges to include Terrance Brennan, Chef-Proprietor of Artisanal and Bar Artisanal; Robert Haynes-Peterson, The NY Drinks Examiner; Tony Hightower, Co-Editor of Cocktailians; Jason Miller, Artisanal Group Beverage Director; and Dave Arnold, Director of Culinary Technology at The French Culinary Institute, who will rate the cocktails based on taste, appearance and originality to select a winner.

 

Information: www.barartisanal.com

 

If you decide to enter let us know what your concoction is!

bring the tech industry to nyc.

How cool is this:

"While Mayor Michael Bloomberg admits that New York City's financial industry is still quite shaken, he gave off a vibe of breezy optimism at Tuesday's press conference regarding the future of the city's media industry. And so it is that Hive@55 is coming to NYC. No, it's not a trendy new restaurant... Hive@55  is an initiative by the City, which will be located on 55 Broad Street in Lower Manhattan. With help from the Downtown Alliance (in the form of leasing and fitting out a 5,000-square-foot space), the city will provide media professionals with a space to work. The NYCEDC is assisting with a $100,000 grant to help with start-up costs. The goal of this new location aims at 'maintaining New York City's competitiveness by attracting and training top talent.' Essentially a hub that will hold 50 freelancers at a time, Hive@55 will be a place for media professionals to go to access services like contract editing, news, feeds, and conference space. Bloomberg said with a slight smile: 'We expect the hive to be buzzing ... pardon the pun.'"

check it out: bar artisanal.

I’m a big fan of checking out places near my neighborhood, and often manage to rope friends into ‘city exploring’ with me. Recently, I checked out Bar Artisanal, Chef Brennan’s French bistro (and sister restaurant to Artisanal) in Tribeca. I had walked by the space previously, but had yet to actually going in. After hearing about their massive wood-fired oven (and amazing pissaladieres), I was sold, and checked it out for dinner.

 

The aesthetics are incredible, with a sexy boudoir feeling that makes it the perfect date spot. There’s even a Bar du Fromage et Charcuterie that makes for a perfect drink/snack spot if you’re not interested in doing a full dinner.

 

We were, however. :)

 

After sampling the petit plats, including the Arctic Char with White Bean Brandade, Artichoke Barigoule Vinaigrette, as well as the Radicchio, Gorgonzola, Figs, Organic Truffle Honey pizzaladieres, we were officially hooked.

 

So, for those of you who follow Daily Dose or ask me for restaurant recommendations, there you go! If you do check it out, I’d love to hear what you think. Also, if you have recommendations of your own, please share them!

check it out: safer sex in the city.

Hey All-

 

There's an amazing event I wanted to spread the about, Safer Sex In The City, the sizzling annual benefit for AIDS Service Center NYC. It's this Thursday, and tickets are going fast, so check out the details and get your tickets. It's an amazing organization and they've put together a killer event...

 

WHEN: Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6:30pm-10:00pm

VIP Champagne Lounge and performances, hosted by Broadway diva Flotilla DeBarge

 

WHERE: Duvet, 45 West 21 Street (bet. 5th – 6th Avenues), www.duvetny.com

 

WHY: Join celebrity host NYC drag legend Flotilla DeBarge, Vivid Girl Savanna Samson,

dance-pop singer Reina, the evening’s DJ, Vic Latino, and many more special guests for the summer’s sexiest fundraiser, promoting safer sex in the age of AIDS. Pamela Anderson and Margaret Cho have also joined forces with ASC as part of this year’s benefit committee.

 

NYC’s

Museum

of

Sex

will showcase a curated sampler of the museum’s renowned collection on human sexuality. Fun-filled, uninhibited presentations will spotlight ASC’s innovative safer-sex education and HIV risk reduction programs.  Guests can bid on fabulous silent auction items.  

 

WHO: AIDS Service Center NYC (ASC) is a community based non-profit at the forefront of the fight against HIV/AIDS and the effort to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to HIV prevention, services, and treatment.  ASC fulfills its mission of helping many, one by one by providing culturally relevant, tailored programs that help NYC’s most vulnerable individuals and families to maintain the highest quality of life and health in the face of HIV/AIDS.  For more information about AIDS Service Center NYC visit www.ascnyc.org.

 

For further information, please visit: http://www.safersexinthecity.org/. 

thank you, verizon.

This couldn't be a more perfect day for this:

"For one day only, Verizon is sponsoring 99-cent cab rides that start from select locations (with Verizon-branded taxis) for destinations anywhere in Manhattan.

In two weeks, the phone giant will bring New Yorkers a steeply discounted summer treat: Mr. Softee Ice Cream (from vendor trucks at select points in the city) for 99 cents."