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Let me tell you—the only mushroom-centric restaurant in NYC isn’t just a gimmick
“Let Me Tell You” is a series of columns from our expert editors about NYC living, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. They publish each Tuesday so you’re hearing from us each week. Last month, Senior News Editor Anna Rahmanan tried some of the weirdest wellness treatments in NYC and wrote about them all.
I’ve reached a limit with all the themed immersive experiences, odd culinary pairings and weird wellness treatments in NYC. I long for the return of a traditional restaurant meal, a straightforward movie screening, a one-dimensional art exhibit and a simple massage so, when I first heard about a mushroom-only restaurant in New York, thought it was another gimmick. Despite that, I decided to see it for myself—after all, I have a love for fungi and I am devoted to all things new given my job as a news editor.
Alas, I could no longer avoid stepping into Third Kingdom, the self-described first restaurant of its kind in New York, which was now all over my social media feed.
Opened earlier this year by owner Ravi DeRossi of uber-successful Overthrow Hospitality alongside chef Juan Pajarito, Third Kingdom, a reference to the fungi kingdom, occupies a pretty nondescript storefront at 21 East 7th Street in the East Village.
The vegan restaurant falls squarely into the realm of off-the-beaten-path destinations that business owners think New Yorkers want to visit—and is perfect social media fodder. Just think about it: could you really scroll past a video of innovative mushroom-only dishes in NYC? That’s what I thought.
And so there I was on a recent Sunday night, entering fungi-land alongside my shroom-loving husband.
Although mushrooms are everywhere at Third Kingdom, the space feels like the inside of a fungus—all dark and brown and full of images of toadstools from across the world. The experience made one thing clear: there is no such thing as too many mushrooms.
The menu is a relatively simple one: there are about 10 dishes on offer, each one using mushrooms as its centerpiece, cooked differently each time.
Although a bit too spicy for my simple palate, the ramen certainly showcases the creativity of chef Pajarito: the crunchy, fried enoki complements the house-made noodles and sesame coconut broth nicely. The blue oyster, the restaurant’s version of a steak, also delivers: the button mushroom puree is incredibly tasty, especially next to a deliciously prepared celery root and fennel concoction.
The mushroom dumplings are, on the other hand, a more traditional dish and a great choice for patrons yearning for a classic order, although it is the vegan raviolo—a single (rather large) fried mushroom on a bed of green sauce—that steals the show, perhaps one of the best vegan dishes in New York.
A word about the dessert, a rosemary-and-mushroom ice cream that’s heavy on the former and is served alongside a chocolate lava cake: when, at the beginning of your meal, the waiter asks you whether you’d like to order it given that it takes almost 30 minutes to prepare, say “yes.”
The idea that fungi could be considered as routinely satisfying as, say, a piece of beef, is the exact core of Third Kingdom’s proposition.
“Vegetables have always been an afterthought, something we thought we had to eat in order to get the proper nutrients we need to live a healthier life, not something that can taste so profoundly amazing that they can alter the course of one’s culinary journey,” owner DeRossi writes to me. “It’s like this: if I were an artist and just invented oil paint and canvas today the art world would go crazy with delight. Vegetables can be the oil paint and canvas of today.”
Perhaps not as culture-altering as the invention of oil paint, Third Kingdom certainly does seem to ride on the wave of sustainability that has come to define many local enterprises.
“Mushrooms are the most sustainable product on the planet,” says DeRossi. “You can grow more products in the least amount of space with the least amount of energy and water than anything else. Mushrooms are the future of dining in a world where our natural resources are running out and becoming very expensive.”
What’s more, the eatery shies away from vegan versions of non-vegan dishes (there is not much fake cheese here), clearly utilizing the versatility of the mushroom as the main focus of the menu.
Although I do wish the eatery’s drink menu included cocktails (only beer and wine are on offer), perhaps fungi-leaning ones could showcase a New York City bartender’s inventiveness.
Third Kingdom did deliver despite its at-first gimmicky premise. Turns out, not all unconventional gastronomic offerings should be passed over with an eye-roll.
This live music venue Upstate is the hottest place to dance in the woods
On a quiet upstate road between the Catskill mountains and the Hudson River, an unassuming venue is partnering with some of the biggest names in Brooklyn music.
With its dark facade and single Coors Light sign blinking in the window, it would be easy to drive past The Tavern without giving it a second glance. Those not in the know would definitely not suspect that the lowkey spot in the middle of the woods was partnering with big local names like Barbès, Sister Midnight and Good Room on a killer lineup this summer. They’d also be pretty surprised upon entering the small building to find a state-of-the-art sound system, bar and dance floor.
The venue is part of Glen Falls House, a newly revitalized resort spread out across multiple buildings on Winter Clove Road in the historic community of Round Top. With its main building dating back to 1881 and well-worn trails leading to stunning, under-the-radar waterfalls, the resort balances Catskills tradition with contemporary offerings like an on-site mushroom farm and Brooklinen bedding. That balancing act extends to its live music venue where cutting-edge offerings can be found within a simple roadside building.
“This is the summer where everything has come together,” Glen Falls House owner Jon Picco tells Time Out. “We’re very eclectic in our taste, we just draw the line at good music.”
This summer, that taste has resulted in steering away from house and EDM while casting a wide net that encompasses South American and Eastern European sounds.
Here’s what’s planned for the weeks ahead:
- July 4-July 7, 2024 Love Injection Fourth of July (SOJ 2024), in partnership with Good Room
- July 13 Palehound (solo) + Tomberlin (solo) in partnership with Sister Midnight, tickets are $34.72
- July 18 Meridian Brothers, in partnership with Barbès
- July 20 Small Black, in partnership with Sister Midnight, tickets are $25.03
- July 26-28 The Level Party (SOJ 2024), in partnership with Good Room
- August 3 Verbatim: Small Press Poetry and Music Fair, Verbatim x GFH, free to the public
- August 9-11 Earth Beat Weekender (SOJ 2024), in partnership with Good Room
- August 30-September 2 Love Games Labor Day (SOJ 2024), in partnership with Good Room
Those interested in heading up for a concert and staying the weekend will also be able to take advantage of an outdoor pool open to guests directly next to The Tavern. (A truly immersive experience!) A new poolside bar will provide easier service from the Tavern to those outside and QR codes found on tables allow guests to order food from the resort.
A Massive Swimming Pool Has Taken Over Rockefeller Center In New Installation
Sometimes an ice rink, other times a roller rink, and even now a swimming pool, The Rink at Rockefeller Center is a jack of all trades. This summer, Joel Mesler’s “Pool Party” public art installation has entirely transformed the iconic space into a seasonal spectacle you can’t miss.
The enormous installation, put on by Rockefeller Center and Art Production Fund, features a “pool” on printed vinyl of Mesler’s signature water motif, complimented by sculptural beach balls and noodles. Turf grass surrounds the work of art, making it even more inviting for passersby to ‘dip their toes’ into the mesmerizing masterpiece that screams summertime!
“The sculptural elements encourage engagement and an environment of play, leisure and repose, transforming the urban landscape of Rockefeller Center,” reads the press release.
In addition to the artistic swimming pool, 193 flags decorate The Rink’s perimeter, designed by Mesler with words of positivity, including “hugs,” “love,” “hope,” and “joy.”
Mesler was inspired to create such a scene through his fond memories of childhood pool parties. “Presenting this work publicly at Rockefeller Center is a dream come true. I hope visitors take the time to immerse themselves in the themes of love, joy and community in the height of the summer months. Come and play!” said the artist himself, Joel Mesler.
New Yorkers can catch the installation on view from now through July 21st, 2024. It’s all part of Rockefeller Center’s summer programing, Summer at The Rink.
Guests can explore more of Mesler’s art throughout the Center with additional works of vinyl imagery on display around the campus that adds to his narrative in “Pool Party.”
For an actual pool to cool off in though you can check out these incredible rooftop pools or public pools in NYC!
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Score Flights Under $80 From NY To Europe Right Now On This Airline
For one week only, PLAY Airlines is offering flights as low as $79 to dreamy European destinations. The entire limited-time promotion is in celebration of the Fourth of July as a way to “cool off” fares, as summer temperatures rise (and most often, flight prices).
Whether you’re hoping to visit Iceland and cross catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights off your bucket list, or you want to feel the energy following the 2024 Olympics with a trip to Paris, PLAY Airlines will take you there.
Travelers can book their vacations from New York Stewart International Airport to cities including Berlin, Dublin, Reykjavíc, Paris, and London. If you are traveling from a different departure point than New York, PLAY Airlines also services Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport.
Flights to Iceland are as low as $79, whereas flight to the remaining European countries are as low as $99. Passengers can take advantage of these prices from July 2 – July 8, 2024. Bookings are only valid for travel between September 2 – December 15, 2024 for Iceland, September 5 – 23, September 25 – November 9, November 11 – 30 and December 2 – 15, 2024 for Dublin, Berlin, Paris and London. Purchase your ticket now here.
To learn more about the deal and restrictions, go to the PLAY Airlines website. Be sure to also check out our guide to scoring cheap flights when trying to travel on a budget.
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Some LIRR Passengers Will Have To Show Their Tickets Prior To Boarding
In their latest effort to curb fare evasion, the MTA has announced a new pilot program which will require LIRR passengers to show their tickets to a railroad employee prior to boarding.
The pilot program, known as “gating,” began in November of 2023 for trains departing following MSG events, though recently it’s been extended to rush hour timeframes as well. Pix11 writes that it’s also already been in use at some additional stations including Mets-Willets Point and Forest Hills.
The MTA mentioned the process in a Facebook post back in March of this year, stating:
We may check your ticket before you board some trains at Penn Station. This is a pilot program to ensure everyone has a valid ticket. Our goal is to improve fare collection and discourage fare evasion. Thank you for your cooperation.
Many Facebook users took to the comments to show their disagreement with the program, with one person writing “Not helpful when the subway delays you and you are trying to catch a train that’s about to depart. Think smarter.”
Another stated, “You have created a logistical nightmare daily for paying commuters.”
LIRR officials, on the other hand, say “the operation has been orderly and does not inconvenience riders,” according to WLIW-FM. Moreover, Newsday writes that LIRR president Robert Free said that “he could see [gating] become a permanent practice and in place every weekday.”
Free added, “We felt this was the best way to combat fare evasion, and this is the path we took to address that.”
The purpose of gating is to prevent fare evaders from waiting until they see a conductor to activate their e-ticket–or from boarding the train without a ticket altogether. Back in May of 2023 the MTA stated that fare evasion had reached “crisis levels,” with the MTA losing an estimated $690 million in unpaid fares and tolls in 2022.
The MTA has attempted to curb fare evasion in a number of ways, including using AI Software to track fare evaders, delaying the opening of subway emergency exits, tweaking turnstiles and unveiling brand new turnstile prototypes, and keeping bus rear doors closed.
LIRR is currently gathering and analyzing data during the program’s pilot stage.
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