Who doesn’t get all warm and fuzzy with nostalgia thinking of posing with the gorilla and anxiously awaiting the famous rainstorm? Well get ready to return to the jungle at everyone’s childhood favorite restaurant with Rainforest Cafe New York opening this fall.

No this is not a hoax. NYC is actually getting its first Rainforest Cafe—but only for a limited time. It all started when the Empire State Building posted an April Fool’s joke announcing that a Rainforest Cafe was coming to the observatory. And though it was just a prank at the time, an actual Rainforest Cafe pop-up is making its way to the landmark’s 86th floor.

Customers can snag a seat to Rainforest Cafe New York between October 3rd – 6th from 10am to 8pm. The highly-anticipated event will feature an exclusive food menu (yes, their Rasta Pasta will still be available) and special Rainforest Cafe x Empire State Building merch.

So though this won’t be a permanent fixture in NYC, it’s definitely something you can’t miss while it’s in town. Eager diners will need to purchase a ticket for admission during the pop-up’s four-day run.

Rainforest Cafe first opened at the Mall of America in Minnesota by founder Steven Schussler. The restaurant’s first model was actually created in his home. It apparently took him around three years and nearly $400,000 before showing anything to investors, Schussler wrote in his memoir. That model eventually scored him a $1.2 million investment to kickstart the first public Rainforest Cafe.

There are currently 20+ Rainforest Cafes worldwide. The nearest permanent restaurant location is in Edison, New Jersey at Menlo Park Mall. There’s also a location in Atlantic City, NJ and Niagara Falls, NY.

Learn all there is to know about this nostalgic spot on Rain Forest Cafe’s website.

The post The World’s Highest Rainforest Cafe Is Coming To NYC…For Real This Time appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Forget that pumpkin spice latte, we’re warming ourselves up this autumn with soup dumplings! Where you might ask? Well at NYC’s first-ever soup dumpling festival taking over 6th Avenue this October.

The entire event is being put on by soup-dumpling powerhouse and Michelin Guide recommended, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao. Born out of Flushing, Queens, this iconic soup dumpling shop now has a location in Koreatown and the East Village.

Hungry guests will be able to attend the festivities on October 6th, from 10am – 6pm along 6th Avenue between 29th and 30th Street (near the Kimpton Hotel).

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao honors Chinese comfort food and traditional Southern Chinese cuisine that will all be highlighted at the event.

Of course, you’ll be able to feast on their famous rainbow-colored soup dumplings, known as the Lucky Six Combo. However, there will be additional menu items beyond soup dumplings to enjoy.

NYC Soup Dumpling Festival menu highlights:

• Lucky Six Combo
• Classics: crab meat & pork
• Four Happiness Sponge Tofu
• Pan Fried Pork Buns
• Braised Beef Noodle Soup

And if you’re really into soup dumplings you can learn to make them yourself with classes offered during the festival both morning and afternoon. But be weary, the classes will only accept a capacity of 10-12 students.

Learn more about Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao on their website.

The post NYC’s First Soup Dumpling Festival Will Give You Something To Slurp About This October appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Sabrina Carpenter wasn’t kidding when she said she was working late–on top of her fall 2024 North American tour, which is making two stops in NYC, she’ll be serving New Yorkers espresso from her very own Short N’ Sweet Cafe pop-up!

Carpenters (and no, not the kind who build things–or, actually, maybe them too!) will be thrilled to know that Cash App is partnering with Sabrina Carpenter to bring her Short n’ Sweet Tour to life through coffee shop takeovers in three cities this fall, and NYC is one of them! So get ready for that caffeine buzz.

The Short N’ Sweet Cafe will bring Carpenter’s latest album to life, offering fans an immersive experience that celebrates her music and style with exciting new merchandise and special Sabrina-inspired menu items. And while the exact details haven’t yet been announced, we have a pretty good feeling espresso will be on the menu (and you can watch the music video for the song below)!

Sabrina Carpenter stated:

I am so excited for the ‘Short n Sweet’ tour and to see all my fans at the shows and excited for you to be able to experience the pop-ups too! These pop-ups will be such a fun experience – and a way to make sure everyone gets ‘that me espresso’ so they can dance the night away at the concert.

The Short N’ Sweet Cafe will pop up at Partners Coffee, NYC’s independent, women-owned specialty coffee roaster based out of Brooklyn, for three days only September 27th through 29th. Carpenters who are also Cash App customers will receive even sweeter deals in the form of exclusive discounts on their purchases–more specifically, Cash App Visa Card holders will receive 30% off when using their card.

So Please Please Please mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss this!

Partners Coffee – 44 Charles Street

September 27 – 29

8 am – 5 pm

The post Sabrina Carpenter’s Very Own Short N’ Sweet Cafe Brews In NYC For 3 Days Only appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here