The SideTour Blog

Philadelphia Architecture, Shopping and More: A day with VIADUCTgreene’s Paul VanMeter

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:21:33 -0400

Professional landscape gardener Paul VanMeter is a co-founder of the non-profit VIADUCTgreene, which advocates to transform the viaduct, an abandoned stretch of the Reading Railroad, into a linear greenspace through Philadelphia. He also hosts a SideTour walking experience on which you can Explore Philly’s Secret Urban Jungle on a Viaduct Tour. In addition to his many outdoor ventures, he has a few indoor spots he thinks are worth visiting (or at least cruising by).

As told to SideTour:

8:00AM Take in the View Start the day with a stroll to Reading Terminal on 12th and Market to admire the reflective curved facades of the 1893 Terminal Headhouse and the 1929 PSFS Building (now the Loews Philadelphia Hotel), then revel in the views from PSFS’s 33rd floor; I love elevated perspectives and contrasts.

9:00AM Grab a Quick Breakfast While in the area, stop by Old City Coffee at the Reading Terminal Market. My order: Iced cappuccino and apple cake.

10:00AM Marvel at Art Visit the powerhouse Barnes Foundation building and its exhibits, opened just last year. It’s art’s greatest story, and the finest building in Philadelphia since PSFS. From the Barnes’ soaring interior court admire the views of the Rodin Museum’s garden courtyard and the 1925 Philadelphia & Reading Granary. ”The first fruits of the new age!” said Le Corbusier of grain elevators.

1:00PM Take a Bite of History Have a late lunch at Café Lift, a Callowhill neighborhood pioneer. Linger over the turkey sandwich (made with granny smith apples), knowing that Albert Barnes and his classmate and soon-to-be renowned painter William Glackens were at nearby Central High in 1901, a time when Baldwin Locomotives was just across the street assembling close to seven locomotives a day. Authentic. Gilded. Gritty.

2:30PM Do a Little Shopping The gardener needs clothes, which invites travel to Center City. Moving between selling design and being a good dirt gardener requires a layered and easily varied wardrobe. It’s heartening to see the worldwide fascination with American workwear. I marvel at Barbour Philadelphia with their “International Collection,” including Steve McQueen’s World-class timeless style. If I’m not yet suitably outfitted, I’ll head to N. 3rd in Old City. At Sugarcube, they sell workwear new and renewed—maybe there’ll be a vintage find, or there’s always Red Wing and Levi’s.

4:30PM Make a Gallery Pit Stop On N. 3rd, it’s impossible for me not to drool in view of woodworking masterpieces from Nakashima and Esherick at Moderne Gallery. They’re a study in Delaware Valley world-class craft.

5:30PM Browse and Buy a Bit More Nearby, my favorite upstate Pennsylvania-born clothing lines, Woolrich Woolen Mills and Gitman Vintage, appear at Art In The Age of Mechanical Reproduction. I’ll pick up some of Art in the Age’s house spirits, Root (made with sassafras, sarsaparilla, birch bark and other wild roots) and Snap (a ginger liquor). After a day with a couple tours, miles of walking and talking, these mixed with some club soda really hit the spot.

7:00PM Dine Al Fresco Pick up some takeout from Jose’s, located just next to the 9th Street Branch of the abandoned elevated railway we hope will become a garden park. Trespassing is necessary to get onto the elevated area, which in-the-knows know and everyone should. I have little doubt that the views of the city on high at dusk + Jose’s tacos + wine is damn near the most romantic event the city offers.

Photo: Paul VanMeter

NYC’s Best Rooftop Bars You Might Not Know About

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:02:15 -0400

Schmoozing and boozing is all the classier when enjoyed several stories above New York City, preferably within view of one of its major architectural landmarks. On a nice spring or summer evening, take in a tipple at these “top” spots.

Upstairs

Aiming to impress out-of-towners and locals alike? You gotta go Upstairs. The modern space is magical after dark, alight in the glow of the surrounding skyscrapers, with a picture-perfect perspective on the Chrysler Building.

145 East 50th Street, Penthouse Level, New York, NY 10022 (212-702-1600)

upstairsnyc.com

Photo: Some rights reserved by Muy Yum

VU Bar at La Quinta Inn

Here’s a location that’s secret even among seasoned New Yorkers—who knew we even had La Quinta in the city? Upon arrival at the hotel, head straight back to the elevators and zip up to 14 and you’ll soon be sipping in the shadow of the Empire State Building.

17 West 32 Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10001 (212-991-8842)

vunyc.com

Penthouse 808 at The Ravel Hotel

What better way to take in the midtown skyline than from across the East River? This lounge-y penthouse is every bit as swank as those hotel rooftops in Manhattan, without the in-the-city ‘tude.

8-08 Queens Plaza South, Queens, NY 11101 (718-289-6118)

The Delancey

At the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge, the Delancey caps its three floors of evening entertainment with a rooftop bar that’s lush with greenery—a welcome hit of foliage in a particularly gritty area of the city.

thedelancey.com

68 Delancey Street, New York, NY 10002 (212- 254-9920)

Berry Park

Come to this spot to day-drink among Williamsburg hipsters in the open air and linger over the impressive beer list and reasonably priced brunch, then stay to gawk at the sunset over Manhattan.

4 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (718-782-2829)

berryparkbk.com

Beer Authority

With 72 brews on draft, 102 bottles and even 10 cans available, they got that “authority” thing right for sure. Oh, and the bar is also right across the street from midtown’s big ole bus depot, with the colorful people-watching—from above—that you’d expect in that location.

300 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212-510-8415)

beerauthoritynyc.com

Photo: Some rights reserved by Scott Beale

Make Your Own Spicy Chocolate Truffles

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:20:00 -0400

Chicago chocolatier and SideTour host Uzma Sharif handcrafts a distinct collection of “East Meets West” chocolates inspired by her grandfather, a renowned South Asian pastry chef. The recipe here adds heat to her delectable dark chocolate truffles in the form of cayenne pepper and Mexican cinnamon, similar to the cocoa creations she sells in her Pilsen shop, Chocolat Uzma Sharif.

Cinnamon-Spice Dark Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients

4 ounces heavy whipping cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

7 ounces dark chocolate bittersweet, chopped

1/2 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. Mexican cinnamon

2 to 3 dashes cayenne pepper

Additional cocoa powder (for coating)

Directions:

1. Pour the cream and vanilla extract into a saucepan and slowly bring to a boil.

2. Lightly mix the chopped dark chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper in a glass or stainless steel bowl.

3. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 5-10 seconds. Using a spatula or whisk, blend the mixture from the center, working toward the sides of the bowl. Once mix is shiny or glossy, stop stirring.

4. Transfer the ganache mixture into a shallow dish and let cool in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.

5. Once the ganache has set, roll truffles by hand or by using a small ice cream scooper or melon baller.

6. Roll the ganache truffles in cocoa powder, and enjoy!

If this spicy treat has got you hot for chocolate, sign up for Uzma’s SideTour where you’ll learn to Design and Handcraft Your Own Signature Chocolate Truffles.

Lamb’s Quarters: Foods You Can Forage for In NYC

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:51:48 -0400

Ecologist and SideTour host “Wildman” Steve Brill knows where to find a good meal in the city: in the local parks. We’ve been counting down Steve’s top 10 foods to forage for in NYC, and today he’s serving up the greens known as lamb’s quarters.

Lamb’s quarters

How to find it This European relative of spinach and beets bears large quantities of edible, spinach-flavored leaves you can collect from mid-spring to late fall. Urban and suburban parks feature this “weed” in un-manicured sunny areas. You can also find it along roadsides, in overgrown fields, backyards, on disturbed soil and in vacant lots. The shape of the leaves resembles a butcher’s cut of lamb called the quarter. If it carries a resinous smell of pine or turpentine, steer clear: You’ve identified another plant, epazote, which is a traditional herb in Mexico, but poisonous if consumed in large quantities.

How to eat it Much like spinach, you can eat the young leaves and stems in mid-spring, when this annual plant first appears. Add them to salads or steam 5 to 10 minutes until just wilted, add seasonings and serve as a vegetable side dish. It’s one of the best sources of beta-carotene, calcium, potassium and iron in the world, and also a great source of trace minerals, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C and fiber.

Want another helping? Follow along as we post Steve’s top 10 wild edibles, and look back at yellow wood sorrel and chicken mushrooms. You can also sign up for Steve’s SideTour experience, or download his definitive smartphone app, Wild Edibles (for iOS and Android).

A Brit’s Take on NYC: 12 Hours with Paul Robinson

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:53:11 -0400

SideTour friend Paul Robinson is an Englishman who moved to NYC in January 2011 to open a US office for Boardworks, a business providing interactive teaching resources for K-12 schools across the nation. The former semi-professional soccer player was previously a member of US, Australian and English soccer leagues. In his two years on this side of the pond, he’s found a few favorite haunts.

As told to SideTour:

10:00AM Get Your Engines Runnin’ Nothing better to start the day then a run over the Williamburg Bridge. It’s the city’s longest bridge at 1.6 miles and provides spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline for a small dose of early morning inspiration.

11:30AM Chow Down After working up an appetite, head to Allswell on Bedford Avenue for brunch. This place has an unassuming charm and character that welcomes all passersby. The food is fresh, simple and of very high quality, and the small bar serves great cocktails.

1:00PM Practice Your Swing Bring friends to hit some golf balls at the driving range on the Hudson River at The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers. If golf isn’t your thing, my second favorite activity is to head to the nearby batting cages. An Englishman in a batting cage is quite a sight—it’s nothing like cricket!

3:00PM Lift a Stein The open-air Standard Biergarten beneath the High Line is always packed on a Saturday afternoon with everyone enjoying pretzels and hot dogs, washing them down with super-sized pints of cold beer. Whoever lost out on the “nearest to the hole” competition at golf earlier buys the first round. There are also a couple of ping-pong tables in the beer garden for those who think they play like Forrest Gump after a couple of pints.

5:30PM Sip Off into the Sunset As daylight fades on the beer garden, the ideal place to head is just around the corner to the Sunset Saturdays party at The Dream Hotel Downtown. It caters for those looking to continue the party from the day and those looking to kick the night off early. Located on the rooftop, this party gives you the best view in the city to watch the sun go down.

8:00PM Share Some Slices After consuming a fair few drinks during the afternoon and evening, nothing sounds more perfect than a great pizza. Paulie Gee’s in Greenpoint is my favorite in NYC by a margin. The owner Paulie, with his New York charm, is in the restaurant every night, making sure his customers are enjoying the food and having a great time. He serves some unique flavor combinations, with the highlight being the “Cherry Jones Pizza,” topped with dried cherries, gorgonzola, blossom honey and prosciutto. Trust me, it surprisingly works.

Photo: Some rights reserved by gsz

10PM Hit the Roof The rooftop bar at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg provides the perfect setting to draw to a close a great day. Matching unparalleled views of the midtown skyline with great cocktails and a sophisticated crowd, this spot is popular with the locals and the ever-growing number of people coming from Manhattan to the neighborhood for a night out.

8 Best Breweries and Brewpubs in Philadelphia

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:25:23 -0400

Beer lovers, set down your pints and take a look: We have the definitive list of the best spots in Philadelphia to sip a tasty brew. Rich Wagner, a Pennsylvania beer historian and SideTour host, highlights his top picks for great beer made right where you’ll drink it.

Yards Brewery

Philadelphia’s oldest and largest production brewery, started in 1994. It’s now in its fourth location right near the Sugar House Casino. Well-known for their “Ales of the Revolution,” they produce a variety of beers including specialties made on an original three-barrel brewing system. The tasting room is open daily.

901 N. Delaware Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19123 (215-634-2600)

yardsbrewing.com

Philadelphia Brewing Company

Housed in the old Weisbrod & Hess Brewery building, Philadelphia Brewing Company has tours every Saturday from noon to 3pm, when visitors can sample their brews. Kenzinger is their popular flagship brand, but they’re also known for seasonal brews, mainly available on draught. PBC recently came out with a dry cider and has plans to expand to a variety of ciders.

2440 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125

philadelphiabrewing.com

Nodding Head

This brewpub is Philly’s leading award-winning brewery. Located in the shadow of City Hall, they produce a wide variety of interesting beers including “Ich Bin Ein Berliner” Weiss, a nearly extinct wheat beer style that its brewmasters brought back to life.

1516 Sansom, Second Floor, Philadelphia, PA (215-569-9525)

noddinghead.com

Triumph Brewing Company

Originating in Princeton, NJ, Philadelphia’s Triumph Brewing Company is the third of a chain of brewpubs. Located in Old City and surrounded by a plethora of beer bars, it holds its own by making top-notch ales and lagers.

117 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215-625-0855)

triumphbrewing.com

Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant

It’s the city’s longest-running brewpub, established in 1997. Famous for Schuylkill Punch, the brewery is located on the river and boasts the largest outdoor patio and deck in the city. Their beers are now distributed and can be found in bars throughout the region.

4120 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127 (215-482-8220)

manayunkbrewery.com

Dock Street Brewing Company

This brand dates back to 1985 and has won many awards. Currently located in an old fire station in West Philadelphia, they’re also known for their gourmet pizza. The brewmasters are always pushing the envelope to create unique and unusual beers of the highest quality.

701 S. 50th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143 (215-726-2337)

dockstreetbeer.com

Photo: Some rights reserved by horstm22

Earth Bread Brewery

Located in Mount Airy, Earth Bread and Brewery is a family-friendly restaurant and brewpub featuring flatbreads made in a wood-fired oven. Owner Tom Baker is very interested in beers of antiquity and brews an assortment of styles, many of which are unique to his brewpub. There is also an impressive lineup of guest craft beers on tap.

earthbreadbrewery.com

Iron Hill Brewery

The location in Chestnut Hill is the seventh of a chain of highly successful brewpubs based in Delaware. Each brewery offers a core of regular beers, but each brewer gets to showcase his talents with his own creations, many of which have won awards at the Great American Beer Festival.

8400 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 (215-948-5600)

ironhillbrewery.com

St. Benjamin Brewing Company (Opening Soon)

The newest entry to the Philly brewery scene, St. Ben’s is slated to open in the near future and will be the fourth craft brewery to renovate an existing brewery building in Philadelphia. Housed in the old Finkenauer brewery stable building, they’ll start out as a “nano-brewery” and pub, with a brewing system on the order of three barrels.

1710 N. 5th St. Philadelphia, PA 19122

stbenjaminbrewing.com

Learn more about Philly’s fascinating beer history while you whet your whistle on Rich’s SideTour, a bar crawl of historic taverns and craft beer tasting.

Refreshing Recipe: Persian Yogurt and Cucumber Salad

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:03:35 -0400

Chef extraordinaire Andy Baraghani, formerly of Per Se and Chez Panisse, cooks up some of the finest cuisine in New York City—and that’s saying something. This recipe for Mahst-o-khiar, or Persian yogurt and cucumber salad, employs the flavors and traditional seasonings used in the cooking of Andy’s Persian ancestors, including dried rose petals. It’s traditionally served as a condiment alongside Persian herb and fava bean rice, but you can also have it as a snack with toasted bread, or diluted with water as a chilled summer soup.

Chef’s note: It’s best to pick up all of these ingredients at a Middle Eastern grocery: The yogurt is thinner than Greek but thicker than traditional American yogurt and not as tart, the cucumber is thinner-skinned, seedless and sweeter, and the rose petals will be hard to find anywhere else.

Persian Yogurt and Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

3 cups Persian-style whole-fat strained plain yogurt

1 cup seedless Persian or Armenian cucumber, peeled and finely diced (English cucumber works, too)

½ cup Persian green raisins reconstituted with hot water (golden raisins work, too)

½ cup walnuts, roasted and roughly chopped 1 Tbsp. green garlic (if in season) or 2 cloves of garlic, smashed into a paste  1 tsp. dried mint

1 tsp. fresh thyme, finely chopped

1 tsp. dried rose petals, finely chopped

½ tsp. freshly ground pepper

Sea salt, to taste

For garnish:

½ tsp. dried rose, finely chopped

½ tsp. dried mint

Directions:

1. Combine yogurt, cucumber, raisins, walnuts, garlic, mint, thyme, rose petals and pepper.

2. Season with salt to taste and garnish with dried mint and crushed rose petals.

For the unparalleled experience of having a two-time Michelin-starred restaurant apprentice cook for you, sign up to Discover the Middle East with a Persian Tasting Menu.

NYC’s First Origami Studio in Brooklyn

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:05:00 -0400

In this high-stress city, everyone needs a hobby. If you find molding clay too messy or knitting scarves too time-consuming, you might give origami a try at Taro’s Origami Studio in Park Slope, Brooklyn’s first studio dedicated to the traditional Japanese art of paper folding.

Why Fold Paper? The art of origami, or folding paper to form a three-dimensional shape, is both relaxing and stimulating to the mind, and also pretty rewarding. And the options go way beyond cranes and cootie catchers. Paper can be transformed into fauna and flora, geometric shapes, vehicles—basically anything you can think of.

Stop By the Studio Taro’s is open for walk-ins Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 6pm. You can sit with a book or iPad instructions and fold on your own, or ask an origami expert for advice if you get stuck. For more hands-on help, classes are offered every afternoon.

Sign Up for a SideTour Gather your crew for a private SideTour experience with Taro’s origami teacher Ben Friesen. Ben brings 25 years of expertise to the table, and will help your friends and family (ages 5 and up) get their fingers folding.

Chicken Mushrooms: Foods You Can Forage For in NYC

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:04:02 -0400

According to “Wildman” Steve Brill, an expert ecologist and SideTour host, there’s plenty of free food in New York City, without having to fight crowds to snag handout samples. We’ve been counting down his top 10 foods to forage for in city parks. Chicken mushrooms are the second item on his list.

Chicken mushrooms

Mature chicken mushroom

How to find it If there’s one mushroom to seek for your first foraging foray, this is it. The chicken mushroom is easy to recognize and (thankfully) has no poisonous look-alikes. It has pores on its underside, not the blade-like gills of commercial mushrooms, and it always grows on living or dead trees, logs or stumps, and never in the grass or on bare ground. When mature, it consists of flat, fan-shaped, overlapping caps 2 to 12 inches across and bright orange to salmon in color. It’s common and widespread, has a long season and can grow to be huge—Steve once found 50pounds covering a log in a NYC park.

How to eat it Because the white, light yellow or pale salmon flesh looks and tastes like chicken meat, you can use it in many dishes in place of poultry. Choose mushrooms that are young and soft—once they’ve turned dry and crumbly, they’re too old to eat. Unless your mushroom is so young and tender that it almost drips with juice, it’s better to cook it in moist dishes—like soups, stews or in rice—than to sauté it in oil.

Very young chicken mushroom

Hungry for more? While you’re on the hunt, take a look for yellow wood sorrel, and check back as we showcase Steve’s top 10 wild edibles. Or sign up for Steve’s SideTour experience. He’s also behind the definitive smartphone app for foraging: Wild Edibles (for iOS and Android).

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift in NYC

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:26:31 -0400

Kick off your Mother’s Day weekend with a fascinating SideTour this Saturday at 3pm, where you’ll Learn About the Dangerous NYC Women Who Shaped History.

For all adventurous moms and imaginative daughters, replace the chocolate on Mother’s Day (or supplement it) with girls on strike, protesters in prison, free love, votes for women and other radical causes near and dear to the hearts of liberated ladies.

A Walk Back in Time Urban historian Kathleen Hulser has made it her mission to seek out the spots where women’s history was made in NYC. Sites include the locations of demonstrations in support of the massive 20,000-women strike in 1909 against sweatshop labor, where laborers and upper-class women banded together for safer work conditions.

Dangerous Dames You’ll also hear about subversive life of Emma Goldman, whose various infractions included “inciting to riot” and illegal distribution of information about birth control, as well as inspiring her lover to attempt an assassination of an under-handed industrialist.

A Summer Hideaway on the Upper East Side

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:47:35 -0400

Walk Through Manhattan History at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden

For the Upper East Siders who complain about the mess that the Second Avenue subway has brought to the neighborhood, consider this: In the early 19th century, well before subterranean travel was even a glimmer, the entire area was rolling farms and only reachable by stagecoach or steamboat. It was at that time that the Mount Vernon Hotel on East 61st Street served as a summer refuge for Manhattanites, who were concentrated below 14th street (OK, some things never change).

True story From 1826 to 1833, the bucolic retreat was advertised as “free from the noise and dust of the public roads, and fitted up and intended for only the most genteel and respectable” clientele, who could while away the hours in the ladies’ lounge or gentlemen’s tavern, or go for a dip in the refreshing waters of the East River (yes, really).

See it today The historic propertyis still an escape, to a simpler time of New York City’s past. The building and its gardens have been restored to their Victorian glory, with knowledgeable docents to walk you back in time.

Like hidden treasures? Get an inside look at another hidden Manhattan museum on this SideTour: Encounter the Spellbinding Collection of NYC’s Smallest Museum.

A Chicago Landmark That Inspired Frank Lloyd Wright

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:13:00 -0400

The Unique Glessner House in the Prairie Avenue Historic District

Where to see it

Find the Glessner House on Prairie Ave and 18^th St. It’s one of several grand homes on Prairie Ave built in the Gilded Age with the new money from the Industrial Revolution.

Why it’s important

Completed in 1887, the house was co-designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and homeowners John and Frances Glessner—an unprecedented collaboration for the time. The Romanesque, fortress-like stone exterior is quite a departure from the fussy Victorian style, and considered among the first examples of American architecture and an influence to Frank Lloyd Wright.

Insider facts

The house was wired for electricity when it was built, but the neighborhood wasn’t, so the rooms were gas-lit until the 1893 World’s Fair.

Its massive size makes the most of a lot that’s just 74 feet wide. In fact, the building is joined to the house next-door, rowhouse-style, to maximize its width.

While the house contains 17,000 square feet of living space, the rooms aren’t cavernous, per the Glessners’ request that it feel cozy.

More than half of the space was designed for service staff, with just three bedrooms for the family, two for guests and eight for servants’ quarters.

Check it out for yourself Guided tours are available Wednesday through Sunday at 1pm and 3pm.

Want more? Relive the lives of the Glessner’s contemporaries with SideTour on a tour of the Gold Coast of Lake Shore Drive, or see the mansions of the present-day elite on walk through the Kenwood neighborhood, including the Obama home.

Historic photo: Cornell University Library

Easy Recipe for Stuffed Grape Leaves

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:21:58 -0400

Private chef Richard Vanderplas uses the world as his teacher, picking up cooking techniques from such far-flung locales as Maui and Vienna. His recipe for traditional Greek rice dolmas (a.k.a. stuffed grape leaves) came from his time spent in Crete. It’s just a part of one of the four courses he serves on SideTour’s Mediterranean feast hosted at his TriBeCa home.

Greek Rice Dolmas

Ingredients:

1/2 jar grape leaves

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 cup jasmine rice

2 bay leaves

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 cup water

2 tablespoons butter

10 leaves mint chopped

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

Chicken stock, vegetable stock or salted water

Plain Greek yogurt

Directions:

1. Unroll, separate and rinse the grape leaves, then let soak in water.

2. Heat olive oil in pan and toast rice with bay leaves until crispy.

3. Add garlic, balsamic vinegar and salt and cover with water, then bring to a boil and cook covered until all the water is absorbed and the rice is al dente.

4. After rice is cooked, add butter, mint and tomato paste, remove bay leaves and mix until combined.

5. After mixing, cook for an additional five minutes.

6. Take your grape leaf and cut off the bottom, getting rid of the stem and a little of the leaf, so that the proportion of leaf to rice is correct.

7. Place a ball of rice in the middle of the leaf near the bottom, in between the two side flaps.

8. Fold over one side of the grape leaf.

9. Fold over the other side.

10. Slowly roll the leaf up like a burrito, making it as tight as possible without breaking it.

11. The finished product.

12. Layer the grape leaves in a cooking pot, packed tightly in.

13. Cover leaves with chicken stock, vegetable stock or salted water until fully submerged. Heat over low heat until the liquid simmers (but doesn’t boil) for 15-20 minutes.

14. Strain from stock. Serve hot with a dip of cold Greek yogurt—preferably wicked of extra moisture by leaving it in the fridge overnight with paper towels touching its top surface—garnished with cayenne, and enjoy!

If you’d rather have Richard make this for you himself, be sure to check out his Mediterranean meal. If Mediterranean cuisine isn’t your bag, Richard also hosts a four-course Indian fusion dinner with SideTour.

Top 5 NYC Parks with Free Wi-Fi

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:02:00 -0400

Bryant Park may have the most famous free Wi-Fi, but it’s not the only green space with a technological bonus. Find free web access at these other NYC outdoor hotspots.

Thomas Jefferson Park

New York City and AT&T began offering free wireless in city parks in 2011. One of the first beneficiaries was Thomas Jefferson Park, from East 111th to 114th Streets between First Ave and the FDR.

Tip To take advantage of the connection, you’ll need to stick close to the recreation center building.

Photo by Daniel Avila, nycgovparks.org

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Catch a breeze off the water and bask in the shadow of the two bridges (Brooklyn and Manhattan) while surfing the web. The connection on the Brooklyn side of the East River is sponsored by the DUMBO Business Improvement District (BID), Two Trees Management Company and NYCwireless.

Tip You can also wander south to Piers 1 and 6 for the city-sponsored Wi-Fi connection.

Photo by Julienne Schaer from Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Facebook page

Joyce Kilmer Park

This beautiful Bronx oasis, situated between Grand Concourse and Walton Ave and East 161st and 164th Steets, was also wired for wireless by the city’s project.

Tip Snag a bench near the north playground for the strongest signal.

14th Street Park

This little patch of green between 14th and 15th Streets west of 10th Ave in Chelsea is a favorite neighborhood sunbathing spot. It’s also within the bounds of Google and the Chelsea Improvement Company’s joint initiative to offer free Wi-Fi to a sizeable swath of the neighborhood surrounding the Goog’s NYC headquarters.

Photo: chelseaimprovement.com

Astoria Park

Located a short walk west of the last stops on the N train, this green space has many highlights, including the largest public swimming pool in New York City—and city-powered Wi-Fi. Just look up from your screen long enough to take in the awesome view of the Manhattan skyline.

Tip Hang close to the track and playing fields for the best connection.

Sick of surfing?

Turn off your devices and Discover the Hidden Secrets of Central Park on a Sunset Walk with SideTour.

Nathan Manske: 12 Hours in Williamsburg with the founder of I'm from Driftwood

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:00:25 -0400

Nathan Manske runs the nonprofit website I’m From Driftwood, which publishes personal stories by LGBTQ people from all over the world. It began with Nathan’s own moving story about being gay in Driftwood, a very small Texas town. Now living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Nathan shares with SideTour his fave spots in the neighborhood.

As told to SideTour:

11AM Sweet beginnings A good day starts with a Turkish pastry, coffee and a friendly chat at Bedford Baking Studio. When you go, say hi to the owner, Tolga. He seems to know all his customers by name and is as sweet and warm as whatever delicious pastry he’s pulling out of the oven when you walk in.

Photo by Arancia Project

12:00PM Lawn lounging Bring your latte to the East River State Park for one of the best views of Manhattan. Take some pictures, lay out on a towel, throw a Frisbee—and make snarky comments about the surrounding condos.

Photo by mugsniffer

2PM Afternoon tippling It’s now well past noon—a totally acceptable time to start drinking. In this case, heavily. The brunch at Le Comptoir has an unlimited mimosa special, and the attractive and friendly waiters are usually quick on the refill.

4PM Sipping and sunning The weather is getting nicer so spending some more time outside is mandatory. Having a beer at a picnic table at Spritzenhaus is fun, and decent for people watching. Another outdoor spot to keep the brunch buzz going: the back gardens at Nita Nita.

Photo by CMPTR Collective

7PM Dinner and a movie Next up, Nitehawk. Watch a movie while ordering food and drinks from your seat. As an Austin-area native and regular visitor to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, I was skeptical that Nitehawk would get this right. I was so happy to be wrong. They show great films, there are good options for food and drinks, and the servers do a great job at staying out of the way.

Photo by jmoranmoya

10PM Neighborhood sightseeing I spend many an evening on my balcony hanging out with my friends. If you don’t live in the ‘hood, wind down your night at Lucky Dog and try to get a seat out front on Bedford so you can ogle the hipsters as they pass by. If you’ve got a doggie, you can take your furry friend to the bar.

Want more interesting ideas?

See what else there is to do this weekend on SideTour.

The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift Idea

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:33:09 -0400

If Mom lives in the New York, D.C. or Chicago areas (or has plans to be in town), consider your Mother’s Day gift shopping done.

SideTour has partnered with H. Bloom to put together the perfect Mother’s Day gift package. Mom will receive a stunning Signature Selection Bouquet from H.Bloom, plus a $40 credit toward any SideTour experience. That means in NYC she can enjoy a ladies’ afternoon high tea, in DC she could learn the secrets of homemade Italian desserts, or in Chicago she might whip up some all-natural skincare remedies for spring.

The whole package is $100 and includes delivery on the Saturday before Mother’s day.

Order now at SideTour.com.

The Most Beautiful Gate Hidden in Philadelphia

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:00:47 -0400

Philadelphia blacksmith Louise Pezzi, whose ironwork adorns several National Historic Landmark churches, points to this as the most exquisite exterior gate in town.

Where to find it The gate protects and adorns the front door of the Marion Locks Gallery at 600 S. Washington Square. When it was installed in 1923, the building housed Lea and Febiger, the nation’s oldest publishing company.

Why it’s awesome The ironwork is so delicate that from the front view it disappears, yet it serves its purpose to boost security.

To see more of the best area examples of this age-old art form, Discover the City’s Stunning Ironwork with a Local Blacksmith on Louise’s SideTour.

A Cocktail with Roots in the Harlem Renaissance

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:26:34 -0400

Mixologist and entrepreneur Karl Franz owns Harlem cocktail bar 67 Orange Street, named after the address of the first African American-owned bar in New York City. The menu includes this refreshing cocktail, Emancipation Again, which itself is steeped in some history.

The original Emancipation cocktail was designed by one of the early bartenders at 67 Orange. Today, Karl has recreated it, adding some ingredients and changing some proportions to bring us the Emancipation Again. The name is a double entendre, referring to 67 Orange’s connection to African-American history, and also to the cocktail’s light taste and the way you feel when you drink it.

Emancipation Again

(serves 1)

Ingredients:

2 oz. Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka

1 oz. Patron Citronage

¾ oz. agave nectar

½ oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

1 barspoon-full of apple cider vinegar

3 cucumber slices

4 small cubes of ginger

A few sprigs of cilantro

2 lime wedges

Directions:

Muddle two slices of cucumber, ginger, cilantro and lime in the agave and lime juice. Combine with the rest of the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain and serve up in a coupe or martini glass garnished with the remaining slice of cucumber.

For more libation history:

Get a real insider’s look at 67 Orange Street and the history it commemorates by signing up for Karl’s SideTour: Experience the Cocktails and Chronicles of Harlem’s Revival.

Yellow Wood Sorrel: Foods You Can Forage For in NYC

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:16:00 -0400

To most New Yorkers, foraging for food means digging out leftovers from the depths of the fridge. But “Wildman” Steve Brill, an expert ecologist, insists you can forage for food in NYC’s parks (and not just come out with a stale jumbo pretzel). There are tons of edible plants and mushrooms ripe for noshing if you know how to find them. Yellow wood sorrel kicks off Steve’s list of top 10 things to forage for in NYC.

Yellow wood sorrel

How to find it Yellow wood sorrel grows in lawns, along the sides of trails and roads and in partially sunny spots in the woods. It has small, three-parted leaves and heart-shaped leaflets, and in the spring it blooms with small yellow flowers. People confuse it with clover, which actually has oval leaflets. The delicate sorrel leaves fold shut to protect themselves from direct sunlight, heavy dew and rainfall (in fact, if you see them closed, you may expect a shower).

How to eat it You can use the lemony-tasting leaves, flowers and fruit capsules raw in salads, or cook them in soups or stews. They also make a fine tea: Pour boiling water over them and let sit, covered, for 20 minutes. Strain out the plants, sweeten as desired and enjoy, or chill it and serve as ice tea. Sorrel is loaded with vitamin C.

Hungry for more? Check back as we continue to count down Steve’s top 10 wild edibles. And be sure to check out Steve’s SideTour experience as well as his definitive smartphone app for foraging: Wild Edibles (for iOS and Android).

Jeff Newelt: 12 Hours in NYC with a Man of Many Hats

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:59:52 -0400

Jeff Newelt, a.k.a. JahFurry, is a PR/social media consultant to artists, authors, musicians, non-profits and brands. He’s also a comics editor for SMITH, Heeb and Royal Flush magazines, and edited Harvey Pekar’s webcomic series and his final graphic novel, Cleveland. And he’s a dancehall reggae singer who regularly jams with musicians from the Skatalites & Steel Pulse. It’s no surprise that this busy man’s ideal Saturday includes noshin’, comics shoppin’ and ditty boppin’.

As told to SideTour

10:30 AM: A Sweet Start-Me-Up I recently moved to Harlem and am uberjazzed about the neighborhood nosheries. A stellar Saturday starts at Lee Lee’s Baked Goods to procure a dozen “Rugelach by a Brother.” Alvin Lee Smalls’ marzipan-tinged chocolate ruggies are a mouth-watering miracle… the miracle being if there are any left by the time you get there.

11:00 AM: Leisurely-Yet-Lively Brunch After a pastry procurement, it’s time to head over to ll Caffe Latte. This bustling frills-free joint gets jammed with folks kibbitzin’ over coffee; one can eat, chat and relax. My order: a glass of blood-orange juice, eggs and cheddar on a croissant with crispy sweet potato fries—oh my’s!

12:30 PM: Comics Culture From Harlem, schlep down to east Midtown to peep the latest exhibits at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art at the Society of Illustrators. I’m jonesin’ to check out the current showing on Harvey Kurtzman, creator of MAD Magazine and pioneer of pop-culture satire, and on Bill Griffith, creator of the brilliantly absurd long-running Zippy The Pinhead strip.

2:00 PM: A Nice Sandwich After soaking in the Yiddishisms of Kurtzman’s kooky comics, a Kosher deli is the only way to go. Fine & Schapiro, on the Upper West Side has decidedly not-fancy décor—simulated wood paneling and big diner booths—and a blasé wait staff that nicely complements the near-perfect pastrami. Listen for the elderly deli-men behind the counter loudly confirming delivery orders on the phone to even elderly-er UWS residents.

4:00 PM: The ‘Strip Club On one family-fun excursion when I was 10, we stumbled into Forbidden Planet, a comic-book and sci-fi heaven, and my already super-hero-soaked brain blew into itsy-bitzies. On a recent present-day visit to its East Village location, I picked up a few groovy graphic novels, including Jerusalem, a riveting true tale of the forming of Israel, based on writer Boaz Yakin’s family story and explosively illustrated by Nick Bertozzi, and Maximum Minimum Wage, a highlariousy written and raunchily illustrated semi-autobiographical tome by Bob Fingerman.

6:30 PM: Pizza Party Every savvy New Yorker’s got his or her own preferred pie. Mine is Luzzo’s. Coal oven. Thin crisp crust. Sweet and tangy tomato sauce. Melt-in-mouth mozzarella di bufala. Perfection.

8:00 PM Karaoke Break Remember the Seinfeld episode that took place in a Chinese restaurant waiting area, and finally the maitre d’ mysteriously calls “Cartright!” instead of “Costanza!” so George misses their table? Well, good thing I do, because I just knew that when the karaoke guy at Planet Rose shouted, “Jerk! Jerk!” he was really calling for me. With funky leopard-skin couches, a goofy fun crowd and relatively cheap drinks, this spot on Avenue A is a hit.

10:00 PM Jazz, Blues and Booze 55 Bar is an intimate unpretentious, affordable jazz club with consistently excellent music, both accessible and experimental. My favorite acts to see there are blues guitarist/singer Bill Sims Jr., who brings a soulful vibe; keyboardist/accordionist/singer Brian Mitchell, with his New Orleans gumbo-funk ensemble; and saxophonist/singer Jay Collins & His Kings County Band who mixes rootsy Americana into the jazz stew.

12:00 AM to LATE. Underground Sounds NuBlu, a hip-without-being-hipster club for music-lovers. The act to catch here is Clark Gayton and Explorations in Dub, a jazz-meets-reggae all-star ensemble let by Gayton on Sousaphone, dropping deep-dub bass lines.

Want even more ideas of cool stuff to do around town?

Check out what’s on tap this weekend on SideTour.