While New York City is recognized around the world for its 20th century skyscraper-filled skyline, it is predominantly a 19th century city, architecturally speaking. Much of New York’s architectural distinction derives from its rowhouses. Often referred to as "brownstones," NYC's rowhouses are, in fact, widely varied and include countless different styles. These standard, narrow, three-to-five story residences which were constructed to house an expanding middle class population more than a century ago. These distinctive residences are the dominant building type in the majority of the City’s historic districts, and their care and maintenance have a substantial impact on each neighborhood's unique character. There currently are more than 100 historic districts throughout New York City, all of which are as diverse as the owners and residents who live in them. They encompass a variety of styles, from the simple brick buildings of Ridgewood North Historic District, Queens to the elegant Beaux-Arts limestone maisonettes of the Upper East Side and the ornate Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival style 19th-century mansions and rowhouses of Crown Heights North in Brooklyn. In NYC, The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is the Mayoral agency charged with designating and regulating these districts, as well as stand-alone landmarks. In order to protect these special properties, the Landmarks Law requires their owners to apply to LPC to obtain permits for certain types of exterior work before the work begins. The decision to issue a permit rests on whether the proposed work is “appropriate” to the character of a building and/or the surrounding district. Specifically, the LPC must give advance approval to any alteration, reconstruction or demolition affecting a landmarked property. Approval by the LPC is required for any exterior work, except for routine maintenance or repairs, such as replacing a broken window pane or removing small amounts of graffiti. Interior work to a landmarked property generally does not require LPC approval except when: (i) the work will affect the exterior of the property; (ii) the interior of the property has been landmarked; or (iii) the work affecting the interior of the landmarked property requires a building permit. Examples include changing exterior paint color, porch style, door and window frames and treatments, and much more - specific info can be found on the LPC's website, where manuals based on property types and locations are available. #FAQ #BlogPosts

One of the questions we are asked about most often is about the size of the downpayment. In most of the country, this answer is determined by credit and income factors. Lenders offer pre-loans that require anywhere from 5-20% downpayment - so in theory many first time home buyers would be financially qualified to buy a home with as little as 5% down. However, the New York housing market it unique, and a number of factors drive us to advise almost all buyers to consider 20% downpayment a minimum for purchasing a home in NYC. First, a majority of the apartment inventory in New York City (roughly 70%), are co-ops. Co-ops are unique to New York, and most require a minimum downpayment of at least 20% down, with some requiring higher percentages, with 25% most common, and even higher amounts more rare. For more information on what a coop is and other financial requirements they might impose, see our earlier post here. Condos typically allow buyer to put as little as 10%, but in reality, where demand for a particular unit is high, we find that 10% is simply not competitive, even if those prospective buyers are offering a higher purchase price. A higher downpayment gives the seller more assurance that financing is not going to be an issue, either due to the borrower's qualifications or factors related to the building or specific unit. Thus, especially at lower price points (under $1.5M), we advise our buyers to be prepared to put 20% down, even if the building permits greater financing. Also note that in addition to downpayment, buyers should be prepared to have the liquidity for closing costs. We've outlined these costs here, but note that they are much higher when a buyer is financing a condo than a coop. That said, coops will have reserves requirements, so in either case, a buyer must be in a position to have additional cash beyond the downpayment to complete the purchase. The structure of your offer, not just the number, is important when buying a home in New York City. An experienced and knowledgable buyer's agent will advise you on what range of purchase prices you are most qualified for and how you can structure your offer to be the most competitive. #FAQ #BlogPosts

The rental market in NYC, which has long seen average rents higher than almost any other major US City, has softened in the past six to twelve months, especially in the higher end of the market. The median rent in Manhattan in December 2016 was still effectively higher than it was the previous year: $3,388/month as compared to $3,350. However, factoring in rent concessions and broker fees costs, which owners are increasing willing to pay in order to order to attract renters with no-fee listings, this number becomes $3,291, an overall 1.55% decline. Currently, the NYC rental market has vacancy of roughly 3%, and concessions are being offered on 30% of units currently on the market. Those properties that continue to be priced truly at market continue to see movement in getting leased quickly. However, a large majority of the units on the market are priced at least 5% above current market rents. Overall, the average rent rate for January 2017 in Manhattan has decreased compared to the same time last year, a trend largely due to an increased amount of higher end inventory, where the top 10% of the market has seen the most dramatic decrease (-4.76% compared to 2016). The lower end of the market remains competitive, likely due to increased demand and lower inventory. Most striking in the current NYC rental market it the unusually high number of listings now offering incentives such as free rent, no-fee, and other concessions to renters - far more than we have seen in previous years. Some believe this trend is due to a huge influx of luxury inventory in the rental market. "Developers have been flooding the market with high-end rental buildings targeted towards yuppies and equipped with amenities like gyms, game rooms, and pet spas. But the supply surge means renters now have a wealth of options to choose from, and landlords can’t expect to command the same premiums they could just a year ago." The Real Deal asserts that more and more "New York City residential landlords are continuing to rely on renters’ incentives to keep vacancies at bay, a trend that is expected to become more widespread throughout 2017." However, while the average rents for two-three bedrooms is falling, rents for studios and one-bedrooms in some areas are actually rising. With a glut of luxury inventory, there has been an increase in demand for cheaper and less luxury apartments. "New York’s rental market is in the doldrums and the luxury market has taken the worst of it," The Real Deal reported last week. "Luxury rents have fallen or stagnated in most neighborhoods while non-luxury rents continued to rise, causing the price gap between them to shrink." CurbedNY confirms this trend: "the demand for less pricey and often smaller apartments remains strong while the market for more expensive and larger apartments is less aggressive." Overall, it is clearly a renters market, and is a great time to look for deals in the form of free rent, owners willing to pay broker fees, and other incentives. While rents remain strong in the lower end of the market, if you currently rent in the higher end, you may be able to upgrade to a larger apartment or better location without a significant increase in your monthly rent. #CompassMarketReports #BlogPosts #IYTMarketReports

Fraunces Tavern is a landmarked museum and restaurant in the Financial District, located on Pearl Street at the corner of Broad Street. The location served as a headquarters for George Washington, and served a prominent role during the Revolutionary War and beyond as a venue for peace negotiations with the British and housing federal offices in the Early Republic. It has been owned by Sons of the Revolution since 1904, who claim it is Manhattan's oldest surviving building. The first building at the future site of the Tavern was commissioned in 1671 by New York Mayor Stephanus van Cortlandt, but when he retired to his manor on the Hudson River in 1700, he gave the property to his son-in-law, Etienne "Stephen" DeLancey, a French Huguenot who had married Van Cortlandt's daughter, Anne. DeLancey built the current building as a house in 1719. The small yellow bricks used in its construction were imported from the Dutch Republic and the sizable mansion ranked highly in the province for its quality. His heirs sold the building in 1762 to Samuel Fraunces who converted the home into the popular tavern, first named the Queen's Head. Before the American Revolution, the building was one of the meeting places of the secret society, the Sons of Liberty. In 1768, the New York Chamber of Commerce was founded by a meeting in the building. When the war was all but won, the building was also the site of "British-American Board of Inquiry" meetings, which negotiated to ensure to American leaders that no "American property" be allowed to leave with British troops. After British troops evacuated New York on Nov. 25th, 1783 the tavern hosted an elaborate "turtle feast" dinner two weeks later, in the building's Long Room for U.S. Gen. George Washington where he bade farewell to his officers of the Continental Army. In January 1785, New York City became the seat of the Confederation Congress, the nation's central government under the "Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union." The departments of Foreign Affairs, Finance and War had their offices at Fraunces Tavern. However, with the ratification of the United States Constitution in March 1789, the Confederation Congress's departments became federal departments, and New York City became the first official national capital. The inauguration of George Washington as first President of the United States took place in April 1789. Under the July 1789 Residence Act, Congress moved the national capital to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a 10-year period, while the permanent national capital was under construction in what is now Washington, D.C. The federal departments vacated their offices in the Tavern and moved to Philadelphia in 1790. The building operated throughout much of the 19th century, but suffered several serious fires beginning in 1832. Having been rebuilt several times, the structure's appearance was changed to the extent that the original building design is not known. In 1900, the tavern was slated for demolition by its owners, who wanted to use the land for a parking lot. A number of organizations, most notably the Daughters of the American Revolution, worked to preserve it, and convinced New York state government leaders to use their power of eminent domain and designate the building as a park (which was the only clause of the municipal ordinances that could be used for protection, as the city's laws were not envisioned at the time for the subject of "historic preservation", then in its infancy). The temporary designation was later rescinded when the property was acquired in 1904 by the Sons of the Revolution In the State of New York Inc., primarily with funds willed by Frederick Samuel Tallmadge, the grandson of Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington's chief of intelligence during the Revolution (a plaque depicting Tallmadge remains affixed to the building today). An extensive reconstruction was completed in 1907 under the supervision of early historic preservation architect, William Mersereau. The building was officially declared a landmark in 1965 by New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the building's block bounded by Pearl Street, Water Street, Broad Street and Coenties Slip was included on November 14, 1978. Throughout the 20th century, the tavern remained in use by locals, and served as a pub for bankers, financiers, and other professionals that worked in the nearby glass towers of FIDI. However, in 1975 a bomb planted there killed four people and injured more than 50 others. The Puerto Rican extremist nationalist group (FALN) claimed responsibility. As of December 2012 a memorial plaque with some victims' names is hung in the Tavern's large dining room. After its final restoration, the Tavern is again fully operational. The first floor is home to the restaurant, and the second and third floors house a museum containing nine galleries that focus on art and artifacts relevant to early American and Revolutionary history. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

Following my sojourn in Palm Springs filled with heavenly hot springs, massages, and even a mudbath, I decided that pampering need not only happen once a year, or just on the West Coast. Below are my favorite local staples for massages, impromptu spa days, skincare, and beyond all right here in our great City. 1. Soho Sanctuary - Massages (119 Mercer Street, SOHO) What: Hands down the best my favorite place for massages in the city, Soho Sanctuary offers a wide variety of massages (Shiatsu, Sports, Deep-Tissue, Aromatherapy, etc.) all in a really lovely atmosphere. Also, a really nice 60 minute massage (of any kind) will only run you about $150 - not a bad deal for such a great location in the heart of Soho. Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun/Mon 11am-8pm 2. Great Jones Spa - Day Spa, General Relaxation (29 Great Jones Street, NOHO) What: With its stunning three-story indoor waterfall and sleek, subterranean wet lounge, Great Jones Spa is one of the most enjoyable day spa experiences I've ever had in NYC. While they do offer massage and a full range of skin-care treatments, the real draw is the hidden oasis on the lower level. Free for spa visitors with tabs over $100 (and available for non-spa guests for only $50 for a day pass), the luxe setup boasts a plant-filled atrium with a hot tub, cold plunge pool, river-rock sauna, and chakra-light steam room Hours: Open 9am-10pm Daily 3. Skin Laundry - Facials (3 W. 16th Street - Flatiron) What: My new personal addiction - skin laundry offers a laser light facial that leaves skin deep cleaned and toned without any visible after effects like redness or irritation. Regular Skin Laundry Treatments promise to "visibly improve skin’s smoothness, evenness, tone, texture, radiance, and clarity, while diminishing the appearance of pores, reducing the look of lines, wrinkles, and restoring firmer skin." Fingers crossed for now, but I'm on treatment 3 and so far I'm loving it. I even made my husband Bill a believer! Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-9pm, Sun 11-7pm 4. Fox & Jane - Haircuts & Color (223 Grand Street - Soho/Little Italy) I am that horrible curly haired New Yorker who refuses to allow most hair professionals to lay a hand on my locks however, I am forever loyal to this salon. Their cuts, color, and atmosphere are top notch, and for the swanky location and high level service, the prices aren't too steep either. Whether you're curly, wavy, straight, or some combination, I bet they have the right stylist for you. Hours: By Appointment #NYCHappenings #BlogPosts

I'm pleased to share Compass' 4Q16 Manhattan Market Report. This report highlights the prevailing trends shaping the market from this past quarter and provides a glimpse into the research and data analytics in which Compass prides itself. Highlighting a few trends: - The total number of closings in the fourth quarter (1,987) was down 36% compared to last year. However, the 2,502 contracts signed in 4Q16 represented a more modest decline of 7% due to a noticeable uptick in contract activity following the presidential election. In the four weeks leadings up to the election, 677 contracts were signed (-33% Y-o-Y) with 44 contracts signed above $5M (-44% Y-o-Y), but in the four weeks following the election 837 contracts were signed (-5% Y-o-Y) with 60 contracts signed above $5M (-12% Y-oY). When considering these figures, it is important to remember the lag time between contract signing and closing date as well as the clustered closing schedules of new development condominiums, which make up a variable percentage of the market. - Luxury inventory continues to be disconnected from the demands of the market as inventory priced above $3M made up 29% of total inventory, but only 15% of total contracts signed. Notably, condo inventory priced between $3M-$5M increased by 32% which added choices for buyers and reduced urgency. Co-op inventory is limited (47% of total inventory) and demand is high (55% of contracts signed) as the relative price differential between ownership types pushes buyers toward co-ops. - Asking prices for condos continue to rise, as 4Q16 yielded another record-high median asking price of $2.4M, which was 7% higher than 4Q15 and 34% higher than the median condo closing price of $1.8M. Although closings were down year-over-year, median closing prices for condos and co-ops increased by 3% and 9%, respectively. As as a result, overall sales volume for the year was down just 3% from $25.2B in 2015 to $24.4B in 2016. - The luxury market, although more muted and widely reported on this year, experienced several notable transactions which both signed and closed in 2016, such as two sales above $60M at 432 Park Avenue, including New York's most expensive sale this year for $88M, as well as sales above $40M at One57, Baccarat Hotel & Residences, and 4 East 66th Street. #CompassMarketReports #BlogPosts

2016 was a year of uncertainty in the national economy, and closed with the stock market up but interest rates rising. While NYC Real Estate has traditionally been a market less affected by certain market factors, it is certain that some of the economic and political trends emerging in 2017 will have an effect on the market. It is impossible to predict exactly how thing will change during 2017, but here is our compilation of some major trends predicted from experts at Fortune, Curbed, and DNAInfo: 1. Interest rates will increase In December, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for only the second time since 2006, and a majority of the members of the Fed's rate-setting board predict there will be three more increases coming in 2017. These decisions will cause mortgage rates to rise, potentially making it more difficult for prospective homebuyers to be able to afford the home of their dreams. (In fact, those rates have already started creeping up.) But don't worry too much about this trend. As Redfin Chief Economist Nela Richardson predicts in a recent blog post, "We expect mortgage interest rates to increase, but to no higher than 4.3 percent on the 30-year fixed rate." That's still a great deal compared to historical norms. Modern Residential’s Zach Ehrlich believes rate increases may actually positively affect the market by narrowing the spread between the asking price and bidding price. "More sellers will adjust pricing to ensure they don't get caught in receding sales market," he said. "More buyers will lock-in and pull the trigger given upward trend of rates." He also predicts that some potential buyers will opt to continue renting instead as their buying power decreases. Redfin's Richardson also points out that though rates may rise, mortgage credit will likely be more widely available due to slightly looser lending standards. She points out that the Federal Housing Administration will likely lower fees it charges first-time homebuyers, a continuation of a trend begun in the Obama administration, under which it lowered fees in 2015. In addition, starting in 2017, government-owned mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will begin backing larger mortgages for the first time in over a decade, making it easier for buyers in expensive markets to finance their purchases. 2. Landlords will continue offering deals CurbedNY, in an analysis of rental reports from multiple brokerages for the final month of 2016, notes that the rental market did not end the year with a bang. December marked a record amount of leases signed with concessions, 26.4 percent. That’s double the amount from the same time last year, which saw 13.1 percent of leases with concessions. Despite all that, the median rent in Manhattan is still higher than it was last year: $3,388/month as compared to $3,350, however, the December median changes to $3,291 when you factor in these concessions. The numbers in Brooklyn tell a similar story: landlord concessions more than doubled from one year ago (from 6.5 percent with concessions to 13.7 percent), as brokers saw a surge of new leases (52.5 percent higher than last year), due to new development and tenants pushing back on rents. But the borough actually saw its median rent slide year-over-year for the fifth time in six months, from $2,807/month a year ago to $2,700 this December. Finally, in Queens—which has shown inconsistent pricing all year—rents increased for the sixth time in 12 months. In fact, all price indicators moved higher, as more new developments entered the market. The overall median rent was $2,850, up 11.7 percent from last December. Experts predict these trends will continue in the new year. The rental market will remain “soft” into spring, claims Ehrlich of Modern Residential, with inventory increasing as new projects open. Smart renters will negotiate with current management companies to limit or block increases and in some cases may even be able to get concessions on existing apartments if they speak up,” he advised. The incentives, however, are largely in the new developments, said BOND New York’s Douglas Wagner, giving some renters a misconception about how widely available deals are. “We’re seeing people coming in for lower-priced apartments thinking they’ll get a deal,” he said. “If you’re spending $4,200 a month you can get a free month, but not necessarily if you’re spending $2,400.” 3. The Second Avenue subway will boost the Upper East Side Regardless of whether the MTA meets its deadline at the end of this month, the Second Avenue subway is expected to be ready for the spring buying and rental season. “Rental demand east of Third Avenue will change overnight,” Ehrlich said. “Expect more sales activity with units and buildings there as well. It’s easier for the average buyer to understand once they see subway opened and operating.” 4. South Williamsburg will become more popular With the construction of the mega-project at the former Domino Sugar site and the 18-month shutdown of the L train between Brooklyn and Manhattan pegged for 2019, the South Side of Williamsburg is gaining ground, many brokers said. A rental with about 80 units, a shared roof deck with outdoor grills and garden plots on a third floor terrace — located near the Marcy Avenue J, M, Z stop — has been leasing briskly, said Mehul Patel, COO of Midwood Investment and Development, of the 282 S. Fifth St. project. “It’s near the first stop over the [Williamsburg] Bridge, well placed considering eventual shutdown of L train,” he said. But don’t discount the Northside just yet, especially as jobs are expected to move to 25 Kent Ave. And while rental and condo prices will likely dip because of the L train, Benaim said, “2017 would be a good time to buy in the neighborhood, as prices will rebound afterward.” #FAQ #BlogPosts

Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre park on the Brooklyn side of the East River. The park has revitalized 1.3 miles of Brooklyn's post-industrial waterfront from Atlantic Avenue in the south, under the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and past the Brooklyn Bridge, to Jay Street north of the Manhattan Bridge. The site includes piers 1–6, the historic Fulton Ferry Landing, and the Empire–Fulton Ferry and Main Street Parks. Historically, Brooklyn Bridge Park was the site of a major port and ferry landing. In 1642 the first ferry landing opened on the land that is now Brooklyn Bridge Park's Empire Fulton Ferry section. Soon after a thriving trading economy developed in the area, and served as a crucial strategic location for George Washington and the Continental Army in the American Revolution's Battle of Long Island. In the middle of the night, George Washington and his men evaded the British Army, who were quickly gaining upon the Continental Army, by escaping across the East River to Manhattan. As the 18th century came to a close, additional ferry services were added to this waterfront community, including docking points for the "Catherine Street Ferry" and the first steamboat ferry landing that was created by Robert Fulton, which eventually became known as the Fulton Ferry Landing. The community continued to grow into the 19th century as Brooklyn Heights developed into a residential neighborhood. By the 1850s, Brooklyn City Railroad rail lines were installed at the Fulton Ferry Landing. During this boom period, brick warehouse development proliferated along the waterfront. However, following the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883, the demand for ferry service greatly decreased. The Manhattan Bridge, developed in 1909, further disrupted trade to this section of the East River. The addition of these two bridges ultimately lead to the demise of this waterfront and the closing of the Fulton Ferry Landing in 1924. Throughout the 1950s, over 130 warehouses and 25 finger piers were demolished along Brooklyn's waterfront. In order to accommodate larger ships and cargo, the New York Dock Company built 13 new piers between 1956 and 1964—this development includes Piers 1–3 and 5–6 of what is currently Brooklyn Bridge Park. However, as trade technology advanced, so did trade routes. By the 1970 much of the Brooklyn waterfront developments were largely barren and decrepit, causing the Port Authority to end cargo ship operations there fully in 1983. In 1984, shortly after closing cargo ship operations on this stretch of waterfront, the Port Authority decided to sell the vacant piers for commercial development. In response to these plans, the not-for-profit organization Friends of Fulton Ferry Landing was established in 1985, conceiving the idea of Brooklyn Bridge Park. However, it was not until May 2002, when Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor George Pataki signed off on the plans for New York State and the City of New York to create, develop, and operate Brooklyn Bridge Park on 85 acres of the East River waterfront, stretching from Atlantic Avenue to Jay Street. Park construction officially began on January 28, 2008. The first 6 acres of park opened in March 2010 at Pier 1, including a waterfront promenade, lawns, a playground, and the Granite Prospect. Later that summer nearly 12 acres of parkland opened on Pier 6 and the Pier 2 uplands, bringing diverse playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, concessionaires, and natural habitats to the park. The Empire Fulton Ferry section, including this historic 1920 Jane's Carousel, re-opened in September 2011. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

NYC's semi-annual Restaurant Week is a great excuse to try new places without a huge price tag. My first Restaurant Week involved a dedicated trip to NYC from New Haven my junior year of college. I was a relative tourist to NYC, and even on a student's meager allowance, I was able to sample some of the City's finest. That same summer as an intern, Restaurant Week, again, was my only chance at haute cuisine. That first year, I tried Eleven Madison Park, Brasserie 8 1/2, Nougatine, Serafina, and more whose names escape me. Restaurant Week began as a lunch-only promotional event in 1992 but expanded to its current incarnation with restaurants offering prix fixe lunch and dinner options in January of 2010. Since then, NYC Restaurant Week has returned twice a year (Summer & Winter) with dining deals at restaurants all across NYC. From trendy newcomers to some of the city’s most established fine-dining restaurants, the three-week event gives even the most budget conscious New Yorkers a chance to try out new places and revisit old favorites. This year, more than 380 restaurants offer three-course pre-fixe dining deals for both lunch ($29) and dinner ($42). It will run from Monday, January 23, 2017, through Friday, February 10, 2017. Reservations open Monday, January 9, 2017 and can be made online. These are some of my favorites, from that first restaurant week and beyond – take some time to try them out or find your own favorites this year! I promise your taste buds (and your wallet) won’t regret it! 1. Brasserie 8 1/2 (Midtown) Address: 9 West 57th Street Price: $29 Lunch or $42 Dinner Prix Fixe Hours: Monday-Friday 11:30am-10pm, Saturday 5-10pm, Sunday 11am-9pm "This stylish French brasserie is just steps from Fifth Avenue on 57th Street. Chef Franck Deletrain deftly upgrades dishes from the brasserie repertoire, offering sophisticated French cuisine amidst original artwork by Léger, Matisse and others favored by the Louvre." 2. Bagatelle (Meatpacking District) Address: 1 Little West 12th Street Price: $29 Lunch Prix Fixe Hours: 11:30am-4pm Monday- Friday "Bagatelle's contemporary French cuisine finds its roots on two continents. The restaurant's talented Chef Nicolas Frézal breathes new life into the chic St. Tropez meets Paris inspired restaurant." Seafood is a specialty here so try out the Crab Salad with Grapefruit and fennel, and Wild King Salmon! 3. Mayville (Nomad) Address: 17 W 26th Street Price: $29 Lunch, $42 Dinner Prix Fixe Hours: Monday - Friday 12-3pm, 5:30-11pm This "American whiskey bar and restaurant offers a menu of the smoked, grilled and charred flavors that have a natural affinity for bourbon. The restaurant`s namesake is the Kentucky port town from which whiskey was first shipped out of the state." My personal favorites are the Smoked Brisket Papardelle and the Artic Char which has a bacon glaze. 4. The Stanton Social (Lower East Side) Address: 99 Stanton Street Price: $29 Lunch, $42 Dinner Prix Fixe Hours: Monday - Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday & Saturday 5pm-1am, Sunday 11:30am-11pm "Home to Celebrity Chef Chris Santos' trend setting multi-ethnic share plate menu, designed to offer guests a chance to experience multiple dishes and flavors throughout their meal 37. Enjoy French Onion Soup Dumplings, Crab Cake 'Corn Dogs' and Beef Wellington at this vibrant, 3-level space which often plays host to the city's most beautiful people." Stanton Social is quite possibly the scene of my first encounter with Isabel, though neither of us knew it at the time. Isabel was a hostess there in 2009, and it was one of my favorite restaurants during that time period. She recommends the pineapple martini (not on the menu anymore, but she assures me any bartender worth his salt will know the recipe). Also, check out their "morning after" Sunday brunch - not a part of restaurant week but worth the experience especially with a big group! #NYCHappenings #BlogPosts

This recipe is delicious and incredibly easy to make. The hardest steps are the culinary feats of boiling water and grating zest. It also takes less than 30 minutes start to finish and is always a hit - the unexpected grapefruit flavor makes you seem like some kind of innovative chef/ gourmand with incredibly minimal effort (and affords very few ways to mess it up during preparation) So, while I am personally a huge fan of the canned cranberry sauce, complete with ridges, sliced like thick red jello wheels, this recipe is perfect for the times I need to prepare something a tad bit classier for a Thanksgiving fete. TIME TO PREPARE: 25 minutes (5 to prep, 20 to cook) INGREDIENTS: (Makes 8 Servings) 1½ c. sugar Juice and zest of 1/2 orange Juice and zest of 1/2 red grapefruit 1 lb. cranberries (frozen or fresh) DIRECTIONS: In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil. Add fruit juices and zests, and return mixture to a boil. Add cranberries; reduce heat to medium and cook until cranberries pop, 10 to 12 minutes. Chill. Serve. Enjoy. Repeat. *Adapted from Callie's Biscuits & Southern Traditions by Carrie Morey - Buy the Book! #DIYDecor #BlogPosts

This year, as always, many of New York City’s finest restaurants will offer delicious Thanksgiving meals for those of us that are less kitchen savvy or apron inclined and prefer to leave the cooking to the professionals. Don’t want to eat out but find the idea of preparing your own creamed onions daunting? Not to worry, many specialty stores and restaurants also offer take-home options to make your Thanksgiving especially tasty this year, and minimize the risk of a burnt pumpkin pie or dry turkey marring your festivities. You can get the full run in Time Out New York’s full Turkey Day Guide but here are a few of my personal favorite options in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. WHERE TO DINE OUT: 1. Eleven Madison Park (Flatiron) Price: $245 + $135 wine pairing (optional) Chef Daniel Humm and partner Will Guidara serve stylish, constantly reinvented New American fare at this much-decorated Flatiron dining room. On the menu: The four-course menu offers plenty of reinterpreted classics, with several options available for each course. A selection of dishes includes a starter of chicken veloute with black truffles; scallops with uni and fennel; a main of slow-cooked beef with mushrooms and horseradish; and pecan pie with malted ice cream for dessert. 2. Union Square Café (Union Square) Price: $125, kids $55 Danny Meyer’s storied fine dining room opened in its new location on 19th Street this fall, the perfect occasion for tucking into chef Carmen Quagliata’s bistro plates. On the menu: Four courses of fall-forward classics, with family-style sides. Appetizers include chestnut soup with roasted grapes and chicory-apple salad; a pasta course features ricotta gnocchi and butternut squash tortelli; and roast turkey and herb-rubbed pork are on offer for the main. Desserts include pumpkin bread pudding, apple pie and a chocolate pecan tart. 3. Dovetail (UWS) Price: $138 (vegetarian menu $125) + $75 wine pairing (optional) Chef John Fraser’s New American restaurant has a dining room with vanilla Upper West Side looks, but the decor belies the kitchen’s inventive uses of luxurious ingredients such as foie gras, beef cheeks and trumpet mushrooms. On the menu: The three-course prix fixe begins with a choice of Fuji apple salad with wild rice, truffled pappardelle and others; mains include slow-roasted turkey with dark meat agnolotti and sirloin steak accompanied by beef-cheek lasagna. Dessert offerings include cheesecake stuffed with port-poached pears and pumpkin pie with walnut brittle. 4. Maialino (Gramercy) Price: $155 for both menus, kids $65 For an Italian-infused holiday meal, you can head to another Danny Meyer hot spot - Maialino. The restaurant is offering a choice between two four-course Thanksgiving menus: an Italian-American, turkey-focused meal and a more classically Italian option centered around roasted suckling pig. On the menu: Besides the bird, the American-leaning menu offers chestnut soup with roasted Brussels sprouts, pumpkin-sage tortelli and a pecan torta with amaro crema. Alongside the pig, on the Italian menu, you’ll get stracciatella alla romana, cacio e pepe pasta and spiced apple cake. 5. Cassette (Greenpoint, Brooklyn) Price: $55, kids $20 This homey spot serves rustic, French-Catalonian border fare, with country inn-stylized features such as stained glass windows and a dark walnut bar. On the menu: The three-course meal includes holiday favorites such as skillet cornbread, roasted squash with hazelnut butter, mashed potatoes with sausage gravy, and roasted heritage turkey. Sweets include sweet potato pie and apple gallette. 6. French Louie (Cobble Hill, Brooklyn) Price: $75 Along with its sister establishment, Buttermilk Channel, this homey BK restaurant is serving up a simple but delicious three-course menu. Options include cauliflower soup, an autumn salad, or mussels as your first course, with turkey and gravy as an entrée. Note: Fifteen percent of food sales will be donated to Neighbors Together, a Brooklyn organization against hunger and poverty. 7. Prime Meats (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn) Price: $60 Prime Meats is serving a Thanksgiving prix fixe menu that comes with the works: Your thanksgiving bird is served with mashed potatoes, pretzel and biscuit stuffing, roasted squash, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and gravy. The meal starts with wild mushroom soup or a fall salad. WHERE TO DINE IN: Delivery & Pick-Up Options… Your secret is safe with us! 1. Marlow & Daughters/Marlow & Sons (Williamsburg) Marlow & Daughters is offering natural, pasture raised, white-breast turkey for $7/lbs. You can add a complete Thanksgiving sides packages for $120. Thanksgiving desserts can also be pre-ordered through Friday, November 20 - Apple, pumpkin, pecan, and malted milk chocolate pies are available for about $40. 2. Greene Grape Provisions (Fort Greene) Green Grape Provisions is offering a wide array of Thanksgiving options for pickup. Turkeys start at $5.99/lb, and you can kick things up a bit and make your meal extra fancy by adding oysters, goose, maple ham, stuffing, pie and more. 3. Mac Shack (Clinton Hill) Macsgiving! Mac Shack offers a special Thanksgiving mac with candied yams, pumpkin, turkey, cheddar cheese, apple cornbread crust, and cranberry sauce on top. Mac & Cheese + Thanksgiving = Awesome. 4. Fletcher’s Brooklyn Barbecue (Gowanus) If you like cooking the accouterments but are daunted by the bird, you can just order your turkey or can opt for the full Thanksgiving feast, which includes an assortment of sides for $220. 5. Four & Twenty Blackbirds (Park Slope) If you are like me and dessert is your Achilles Heel, head over for arguably (it has my vote) the BEST pie in town – from traditional flavors like pumpkin to out of this world creations like salted caramel apple, you are sure to find pies your whole family will enjoy. Prices vary but all pies are around $40. #NYCHappenings #BlogPosts

A New York City Thanksgiving would not be complete without The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The first parade was held on Thanksgiving Day in 1924, and today, more than 44 million people watch the parade either in person or on television every year. However, little attention is paid to it's historic backdrop - the Macy’s building itself – a New York City tradition and landmark in its own right. Originally known as the R. H. Macy and Company Store, the Harold Square store is the flagship of all Macy's department stores. The building's 2.2 million square feet has made it the world's largest department store since 1924, however, the first section of the building was actually erected more than 115 years ago. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark in 1978. Macy's was founded by Rowland Hussey Macy, who between 1843 and 1855 opened four retail dry goods stores, including the original Macy's store in downtown Haverhill, Massachusetts. While all these stores failed, Macy was not deterred. When he moved to New York City in 1858, he established a new store named "R.H Macy Dry Goods" on Sixth Avenue at the corner of 14th Street. From the very beginning, Macy's logo has included a star in one form or another, reminiscent of a red star-shaped tattoo he had gotten as a teenager while working on a Nantucket whaling ship. As the business grew, Macy's expanded into neighboring buildings, opening more and more departments, and used publicity devices such as a store Santa Claus, themed exhibits, and illuminated window displays to draw in customers. The store later moved to 18th Street and Broadway, to join one of the most elite shopping districts of the time, and remained there for nearly forty years. In 1902, long after Macy’s death in 1877, the store was purchased from his family by the Strauss brothers, old associates of Macy, who decided to move the flagship store uptown to Herald Square at 34th Street and Broadway. Although it initially consisted of just one building, it expanded through seemingly ongoing construction, and eventually came to occupy almost the entire block to the east of Seventh Avenue and the west of Broadway, between W. 34th & 35th Streets by 1931. The original Broadway store was designed by architects De Lemos & Cordes. It has a Palladian facade, but has been updated many times over the years. Additions were added to the west in 1924 and 1928, and the Seventh Avenue building was added in 1931, all designed by architect Robert D. Kohn. The store still boasts much of its original structures and features, including several wooden escalators that remain in operation today. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts