Hanging on the walls of T.J. Byrnes are a couple of funny little plaques, one entitled “A Mother’s Letter,” and the other, “An Irish Tribute.” But don’t ask Tommy Byrnes for an Irish joke (as I did). He claims not to know any. It’s not that the owner of T.J. Byrnes isn’t friendly or doesn’t […]
Drinking with Katherine: T.J. Byrnes…No jokes but lots of stories Read More »
The cold hurt my bare fingers and my phone was almost dead, making me loath to double-check the directions on Google Maps. I arrived at what I thought was my destination, but instead found HiLot, a fancy cocktail bar that requires you to ring a doorbell to be let in. Confused, I tried the bell
Drinking with Katherine – Sake version Read More »
“At the beginning, I didn’t like the nickname IWAS, because I didn’t want ‘I was something’—I wanted to be forward-thinking,” said Heidi Russell, discussing the acronym for her business, the International Women Artists’ Salon. Founded in 2008, IWAS has produced over 300 events and partnered with dozens of institutions. In this time, Russell has connected
A search for a more authentic life leads to the International Women Artists’ Salon Read More »
I’d heard Fraunces Tavern mentioned so often as a place to visit that I assumed it wasn’t worth visiting. But earlier this year, a friend asked us to go for his birthday dinner. The historic Tavern includes a museum, four distinct bars, and a colonial dining room (the Tallmadge room) complete with long wooden tables
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Last month, as the weather dipped and the days got shorter, eggnog returned to the dairy aisle. I found myself pouring a glass at home and topping it with just a splash of brandy. The creamy elixir inspired! Soon I was researching if there were any bars in lower Manhattan offering eggnog this season. With
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At 5:30 p.m. one Wednesday, I stopped by Sly Fox only to find the door locked, the lights off. Forlorn, I walked the busy streets of East Village, sat on a bench in Tompkins Square Park, listened to a girl describe seeing multiple rats frolicking in the park, watched a squirrel eat a napkin, then
Drinking with Katherine: 2nd Ave’s “The Sly Fox” Read More »
In the NYC 2025 Primary Election Voter Guide, sixteen of the twenty mayoral candidates listed affordability or a related factor as one of their top three issues. Rent is high, MTA trips add up, and even a bacon, egg, and cheese feels more like a special treat these days. But despite the uphill financial battle
Drinking with Katherine: Commodore II with Katherine Rivard Read More »
The first time I went to Fanelli Cafe (at the corner of Mercer and Prince Streets), I was meeting my boyfriend at the Angelika Film Center on West Houston Street and needed to grab a bite beforehand. I chowed down on a burger and fries ($22, plus $1 for cheese) and itched to strike up
Drinking with Katherine: Fanelli’s Read More »
I dropped a book off at the little free library near my apartment and a passerby stopped to ask if it was any good. The novel, Russian Gothic, is dark and horrible. The woman walked away, calling over her shoulder, “I get enough of that in the news!” I commiserated. I had started the month
Drinking with Katherine: Cellar 36 Read More »
“Your new review is a great addition to Google. Contributions like this help others make decisions about the things worth doing and the places worth seeing.” I received this message after posting my first Google review. It was for a small restaurant I had popped into, despite not finding it while searching for lunch options
Drinking with Katherine: The York Read More »
