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When Mission Ceviche first walked into the NYC dining scene in 2015 it did so via a little ceviche booth in the Gansevoort Market. Their mission was to connect NYC foodies through the unique lens of Peruvian cuisine, and once opening their first brick and mortar on the Upper East Side in 2019 they not only garnered Michelin recognition but also received a star from New York Times food critic Pete Wells.

And now, acclaimed Chef Jose Luis Chavez and partner Brice Mastroluca are set to debut their second Mission Ceviche location in Union Square this July!

What will claim the title as the largest Peruvian restaurant in Manhattan, Mission Ceviche’s Union Square location will expand on their menu, paying homage to Peruvian and Nikkei fare, a culinary style that blends Japanese and Peruvian techniques, ingredients, and flavors.

But don’t worry–all those original dishes that have been wowing New Yorkers (and Pete Wells) will still be on the menu!

Signature dishes include Ceviche Mixto: catch of the day, shrimp, octopus, aji amarillo tiger’s milk, corn, and sweet potato, Seco Norteno: traditional Northern dish of slow-cooked short ribs, Pulpo al Olivo: grilled octopus, chimichurri, botja olive aioli, and crispy Peruvian potatoes, and Lomo Saltado: Peruvian-Chinese 8 oz stir fried filet mignon, red onions, tomatoes, and soy sauce, served with french fries and white rice.

And the timeless Ceviche Clasico with traditional tiger’s milk, Peruvian corn, and sweet potato will of course also find a place on the menu!

New Dishes include Whole Fish of the Day: fresh whole fish prepared and cooked however guests prefer in partnership with local fisheries, Pork Chaufa: Peru’s version of fried rice, crispy pork belly, and sweet plantains, Pulpo al Olivo: Octopus tiradito, traditional botija olive tiger’s milk, avocado and fried capers, and Conchas a la Parmesana: Scallops onigiri, foie gras, parmesan, and truffles.

And, take it from us who received a sneak peak: the Conchas a la Parmesana are out of this world!

Additionally, the restaurant will house a dedicated sushi and ceviche bar where diners can choose from a selection of fresh ceviches, mixto, crudo, sashimis, and tiraditos. Ceviches will be served from a “carretilla,” or a rolling cart, upon which the dishes will be composed and served tableside to mimic the traditional style of the Peruvian street food.

Guests are encouraged to dine family-style as the menu features a range of shareable and large-format dishes (and if you’re anything like us you’ll want to try everything on the menu, so the shareable dishes are perfect!)

Chef Chavez stated:

Mission Ceviche Union Square is the culmination of our work together. A bigger space means we can share the vibrant and dynamic flavors of Peruvian cuisine with an even broader audience, fostering the creation of cherished memories—the heart of our culture.

Mission Ceviche will open in Union Square on Wednesday, July 24th. And we have a pretty good feeling it’s going to be the hottest spot of the summer.

You can learn more on their website here.

The post Michelin-Recognized Mission Ceviche To Bring Deliciously Vibrant Peruvian Fare To Union Square appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Beloved fast food chain Sonic has officially debuted its first-ever drive-through location in NYC, this one at 805 Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn. 

The destination, which is also offering dive-in service, joins two other Sonic locations in NYC—one in Long Island City and the other in Brooklyn near South Williamsburg. Neither one of them features a drive-through area, though, a fact that imbues the recent opening announcement with that much more excitement.

Although a Manhattan Sonic location was announced back in 2021, no update has been shared about its possible debut.

But back to that new drive-through: according to Patch, the eatery will be open daily from 10am to 10pm for drive-through service, pickup window offerings and indoor seating for up to twenty folks at once.

Patrons will also get to place orders online or through the Sonic app for pickup.

“We are so excited to continue to expand SONIC’s presence in the Metro New York City area with this new location,” said franchise partner Jonathan Gensler in an official statement. “The Brooklyn Sonic will offer everything our customers know and love with the added convenience of a drive-thru to enjoy their meals on-the-go. Our team’s looking forward to serving the community both within and beyond our restaurant doors for years to come.”

We expect New Yorkers to flock to the area to indulge in the chain’s famous purple Sprite, adult grilled cheese, extreme popcorn chicken and, of course, the made-to-order burgers that everyone loves. Enjoy!

* This article was originally published here

We’re trying to fill our summer bucket lists with new experiences and things we haven’t done before, and New York just so happens to be filled with exciting places to visit, like Herkimer Diamond Mines!

Herkimer Diamond Mines are above ground “surface mines” that give visitors the unique opportunity to search for 500 million-year-old Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals hiding in the rocks.

According to the website, the “bedrock in which the quartz crystals are found began forming approximately half a billion years ago as the Cambrian Sea lapped against the southern shores of the Adirondack Mountains.”

Sediments then slowly began to accumulate beneath the sea’s waters and were gradually compacted under the weight of thousands of feet of additional sediments, creating a layer of rock called dolostone. As water seeps through the pores of this rock and dissolves it forms small cavities in which Herkimer diamonds are found.

And these diamonds rival true diamonds in their appearance–a true diamond found in the wild is rough and must be cut to give it its signature smooth geometrical shape. Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals, on the other hand, are naturally faceted, each with eighteen facets and two points.

Hardness-wise a true diamond scores a 10 while Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals score a 7.5, making them close rivals.

There are a few ways to find the crystals, but most people like to simply use a hammer to reveal them. Though beyond hammering them out of the rocks you can also choose to do sluice mining, in which you’ll receive a special bag and head to the Sluice Station where you can screen away the debris to discover your very own treasures.

The best part–everything you find is yours to keep, but you can do way more than just bring them home and place them on a shelf.

After mining you can design and assemble your own custom jewelry in the Artisan Center, choosing from a variety of jewelry-making accessories to create a masterpiece and show off your finds.

Admission to Herkimer Diamond Mines is $18 per person for adults 13+ ($20 on weekends) and includes an all-day prospecting ticket, gem collection bags, and use of a rock hammer. Instruction is provided prior to entering the mines.

And, once you’ve worked yourself up an appetite, you can grab a bite to eat at The Canteen, The Garden, or The Miner’s Table and then shop for souvenirs at the Trading Post.

It’s suggested that visitors come prepared with safety eyewear, gloves, and closed toe shoes. Learn more on their website.

4626 NY-28, Herkimer, NY 13350

Now through October 31st, 2024

The post You Can Mine For Glistening 500 Million-Year-Old Herkimer Diamonds In NY appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Another day, another ranking. 

Luxury magazine Robb Report, just released its ranking of the 10 best new restaurants in America and (unsurprisingly, given our stellar culinary landscape), New York City made the list twice. 

Le B., the French restaurant at 283 West 12th Street in the West Village, lands at spot number six. 

One of the most anticipated openings of the past year, Le B. comes courtesy of Chef Angie Mar, of Beatrice Inn fame, serving classic French dishes in a setting reminiscent of the 1980s and early 1990s.

“The menu reflects Mar’s longtime obsession with French cuisine, but she allows her own personal history to influence her dishes in subtle yet exciting ways,” reads the Robb Report ranking. “In her lobster blanquette, shellfish mingle in a sea of indulgent, umami-rich sauce: beurre blanc flavored with soy and shiro dashi to give it uncommon depth.”

Restaurant Yuu at 55 Nassau Avenue near Brooklyn’s McCarren Park tops the overall ranking—and for good reason. 

The Greenpoint eatery only offers service to 36 guests a day spread across two seatings of 18 folks each. The tasting menu, which earned a Michelin star less than a year after the restaurant opened, includes Wagyu tartare, foie gras and hefty beverage pairings.

To, perhaps, make things a bit more accessible, Restaurant Yuu started selling top-notch desserts to-go back in March. Interested parties must order the sets of eight macarons two days in advance through this special Google form. Available flavors include pistachio, strawberry, chocolate, cassis, lemon, vanilla, matcha and praline for $25. A $30 pound cake made with oranges, white and black figs, apricots, raisins, prunes and cherries is also available. 

“The curtain opens, the lights go up, and a row of cooks inside a kitchen is revealed,” reads the Robb Report‘s survey. “Chef Yuu Shimano steps forward and welcomes the 18 diners seated at the counter to his restaurant, and with a clap of his hands the team members scramble to their positions for the show to begin. This little gesture could come off as pretentious or annoying, but it’s just the right amount of whimsy for the night ahead at Restaurant Yuu, which performs at an extremely high level but also seems to be having fun with fine dining.”

Below, check out the top 10 list of best new restaurants in America according to Robb Report:

1. Restaurant Yuu in Brooklyn, New York
2. 7 Adams in San Francisco
3. Maxwells Trading in Chicago
4. Katami in Houston
5. Iggy’s in Nashville
6. Le B. in New York
7. Brasero in Chicago
8. Burdell in Oakland, California
9. Array 36 in Temple City, California
10. Atoma in Seattle

* This article was originally published here

Spend your summer in Greenport, where the streets are lined with art galleries and ice cream shops and the water is always just a hop, skip and a jump away.

As of 2022, this little village only had a population of 2,583 folks. Find all of the magic that awaits within this little village with all of the best things to do in Greenport and how to get there from NYC below.

Where is Greenport?

Greenport is a quaint seaside village located on the North Fork of Long Island within the Town of Southold.

How do you get from NYC to Greenport?

To get from NYC to Greenport by public transportation, you can take the LIRR from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma then from Ronkonkoma to Greenport. The journey by train is about three hours. Otherwise, you can get from NYC to Greenport by car in a little over two hours.

What makes Greenport historically unique?

Greenport dates back to the 1800s when at the time it was home to a burgeoning fishing industry. It was even a major whaling port on North Fork at one point. Additionally, since Greenport is the terminus of the Main Line, it marked the first arrival of the LIRR in July 25, 1844.

What is there to do in Greenport?

From setting sail to tanning at the beach, there are many ways to enjoy your time in Greenport.

Museums & Art Galleries

History buffs can make a stop at the Maritime Museum to get a closer look at the ever-evolving maritime history that played a crucial role in Greenport’s growth.

Moreover, Greenport is a wonderful village for art lovers, with streets lined with incredible studios and galleries. Some notable ones include The Upstairs Gallery and Cindy Pease Roe Studio & Gallery. On the first Friday of every month from June to December, the village even hosts a Greenport Gallery Walk where art galleries extend their hours and sometimes offer promotional deals.

Beaches

From Fifth Street Beach & Park to Goose Creek Beach, Kennedy’s Beach to McCabe’s Beach, Greenport is home to numerous beautiful beaches to cool off at this summer.

Boating

There are plenty of opportunities to climb aboard a boat and set sail from Greenport. Whether you’re looking to buy a yacht (could you imagine ) or take out a private charter, there’s something for every sailor!

Find even more things to do in Greenport on the village’s website.

The post This Charming Historic Seaside Village Is Just A 3 Hour Train From NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

It isn’t summertime without hiking some beautiful trails around New York. And though some trails offer llamas and alpacas as company, we know about a little place where you can discover a glittering waterfall not far from NYC! It’s known as Bash Bish Falls, right near the border of New York and Massachusetts.

Where is Bash Bish Falls?

Bash Bish falls is located near Egremont, Massachusetts, only a little over a two-hour drive from NYC.

How big is Bash Bish Falls?

Bash Bish Falls is home to the tallest single-drop waterfall in Massachusetts, reaching 60-feet in height. The trail in which you take to get to the waterfall is 3.4km (a little over 2 miles). It’s about an hour and 10 minutes to walk the entire Bash Bish Falls Trail.

How can you get from NYC to Bash Bish Falls?

To get from NYC to Bash Bish Falls, you’ll need to take a car. Since Bash Bish Falls is near the border of New York and Massachusetts (sorta like America’s longest zipline), you can enter from Taconic State Park in New York to head to Bash Bish Falls.

For hiking trails you can get to from NYC via public transportation, see here.

Is swimming permitted at Bash Bish Falls?

Unfortunately, swimming is not permitted at Bash Bish Falls due to its very strong current than can pose as a safety risk. However, NYC isn’t far from additional waterfall sites that do let you swim.

Are dogs welcome at Bash Bish Falls?

Yes, your furry friends are invited to come along to Bash Bish Falls. They must be on a leash, however.

The post This 60-Foot-Tall Sparkling Emerald Waterfall Oasis Is Under 3 Hours From NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here