If you’re looking to soak in the stunning fall foliage this season there’s no better way to do so than aboard a scenic train ride, and we’ve got good news: you can do so without breaking the bank with the Amtrak fall flash sale!
The seasonal sale makes it possible to explore a major U.S. city at an incredible rate: riders can get a head start on fall travel with trips up to 25% off, and we all know that we could use a little respite here and there from the madness of NYC. Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch stated:
With our Northeast Fall Flash Sale, guests can experience the convenience of Amtrak at a great value. With these discounts, it’s a perfect reason for travelers to escape for a fall getaway, see breathtaking views of vibrant fall foliage, or snap up tickets for holiday travel early.
Shutterstock / Joeahead
Amtrak is offering a route between NYC and Boston for as low as $42 when traveling Regional Coach and as low as $90 when traveling Acela Business Class. The deal is available for travel from October 7th through December 18th, 2024, if booked by October 5th, 2024.
And considering many of us New Yorkers don’t even have a license let alone a car, this sale offers us a fabulous way to still travel and see the country via public transportation. And considering Amtrak produces up to 83% less carbon emissions than driving or flying does you’ll also be doing the environment a favor!
Discover more about the Amtrak fall flash sale on their website.
As someone who has done LARP (Live Action Role Play) and played my fair amount of Dungeons and Dragons, knowing how to actually wield a sword has been on my bucket list, but I never thought I’d actually do it.
And then seeing our queen Chappell Roan dressed as a knight at the VMAs? I was ready to gear up and take a jab at it for our “Back to Class” series on fun and off-the-beaten-path classes in NYC.
On a Saturday morning, I arrived at the Gotham Swords or Gotham European Martial Arts Collective (GEMAC for short) class at Ripley-Grier Studios near Times Square feeling confident in my ability to swing around a sword. I’d seen it done in countless movies and TV shows—how hard could it be, really?
Turns out, actually pretty hard.
The instructor Katie Mead handed out wooden longswords to about a dozen novices who definitely looked like they’d watched a lot of sword fighting in their lives (read: me) and quickly got into the very basics: how to hold your body, then how to hold the sword, and the first movement—a demi-lunge.
Photograph: Mykal Bayne for Time Out New York
I didn’t expect to have to watch myself in the studio’s mirror, which was eye-opening and distracting because I look less like Joan of Arc and more like I have the power of God and anime on my side.
My attention was thankfully focused on Katie, though, who over the course of an hour showed us how to thrust the sword at a target, aiming it right at their throat and then how to guard flug and guard plow (blocking moves) and how to wind between them.
Meanwhile, my arms were feeling like Jell-O because they’re as weak as chicken wings and not used to holding a longsword, especially for so long! I sweat more than I do in my HIIT classes at Orange Theory, which really surprised me. Is it possible that learning how to sword fight is also a really great work out? I am happy to report that it is.
At the end of the class, we went one-by-one putting together all the skills we learned to thrust our swords through a ring Katie held up for us. It might sound silly, but I was proud of my last attempt and thought that maybe, just maybe, my future could involve a sword.
GEMAC teaches Longsword: Fundamentals, Greatsword (outdoors), Sidesword and Cape (this sounds incredible), Sword Fitness, German Historical Fencing: Skills and Applications and more. You can book a class at Gotham Swords here. Beginner and All Level classes do not require special gear to participate, just wear comfortable athletic clothing and gym shoes.
Since 1984, the Settepani Bakery has satisfied our sweet tooth with a plethora of treats, be it croissants and cookies to classic Italian trades including cannoli and sfogliatelle. Growing up in the sweet life is Bilena Settepani. While she always had her hands in some sort of dough growing up, Bilena now operates as the executive pastry chef and the director of marketing for the brand. As if that wasn’t enough, she is also the creator of the Insta-famous Rainbow Cookie Croissant. We caught up with Bilena to talk about the family business, all things panettone and her upcoming “Crookie” making class.
Photograph: Margherita Andreani| Bilena Settepani
You initially started a career in fashion. However, you dropped everything to help your family during illness and the pandemic. What was it like to transition to this career? BS: The transition was intense, to say the least. I had always been passionate about fashion, so leaving that world behind was a bit like stepping into the unknown. But when my family needed me, there was no question—I had to step up. It was a steep learning curve, but I found my rhythm, and now it feels like it was always meant to be.
What does a day in the life at the bakery look like for you? BS: It’s a beautiful blend of chaos and order. I’m usually up at the crack of dawn—there’s no time to waste when you’re working with dough! Mornings are all about getting orders prepped and the day’s production moving, whether it’s croissants, cookies, custom cakes or panettone. After that, it’s meetings with the team, new recipes and constantly thinking ahead for upcoming holidays or events. By the end of the day, I’m covered in flour, I smell like Butter N5 eau de parfum and definitely craving multiple espressos.
You balance both Ethiopian/Eritrean and Italian cultures. How do you bring a taste of both to the bakery? BS: That blend is a huge part of who I am, and it naturally finds its way into our creations. For example, we’ve crafted pastries that feature cardamom and awaze for special occasions—flavors that aren’t typically found in Italian cuisine. It’s all about telling a story through food, and I enjoy finding ways to marry these two worlds.
Your family’s bakery has long been known for its panettone, a staple since 1984. For a new spin, you established the flavor of the month. What was the reasoning behind this? BS: When we first started, we were making artisanal panettone long before most people even knew what it was in the United States. At first, we made it exclusively for the holidays, but when we opened our Harlem location, we introduced panettone French toast to the menu, which meant we had to make panettone year-round to support that dish. Every holiday, we always bring out less traditional flavors, like chocolate and pistachio. But when it felt like the world was ending during the pandemic, we wanted to keep things exciting. That’s where the flavor of the month idea came in. We started shipping panettone nationwide, which gave us the chance to experiment with ingredients you wouldn’t typically find in a classic panettone. It’s our way of staying true to tradition while adding a fresh twist.
Do you have a favorite flavor? BS: We rotate through so many fun flavors—from pistachio to Nutella, and pumpkin pecan coming up this November. It’s tough to pick a favorite, but my top three have to be Nutellattone, Pistachio, and, of course, our Rainbow Cookie panettone.
Photograph: Courtesy of Nick Ryan
Speaking of, you introduced the Rainbow Cookie Croissant or the “Crookie” to the bakery. How did you come up with this mashup? BS: The “Crookie” originally came from a bakery in Paris. I immediately looked it up to see where I could get one in NYC, only to find that no one had jumped on the trend yet. As I started recreating the Crookie with croissants and cookie dough, I thought, “Why not make this with my favorite cookie?” The buttery, flaky croissant paired with the bold flavors of the rainbow cookie was destined to be a perfect combination.
For the upcoming New York City Food & Wine Festival, you will be teaching a class on how to make your famous croissant. What will participants walk away with? BS: The class will focus on the art of the croissants, whether you want to keep it classic or turn them into “Crookies.” Participants will leave with the confidence to make their own croissants at home, along with the skills to get as creative as they’d like. Everyone in the class will get to enjoy delicious treats while baking and take home their own creations.
What are some tips for beginner bakers nervous about getting into the kitchen? BS: Start simple! Baking can seem overwhelming, but you don’t need to master everything at once. My biggest tip is to have fun, be patient and don’t rush the process—especially when working with dough. And don’t be afraid to experiment! After all, you’re creating something that will bring joy to yourself or someone else.
Settepani Bakery “Le Crookie” Rainbow Cookie Croissant Master Class hosted by Bilena Settepani for New York City Food & Wine Festivalwill be held on Saturday, October 19, at 10am. Register here.
The shipping port strike has begun as of Tuesday, October 1st, and New Yorkers are wondering what’s next.
From Texas to Maine, roughly 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association have gone on strike, the union’s first since 1977. As a result, we could see an increase in prices in the grocery store, as well as as less goods on shelves.
This is definitely a concerning topic, particularly coming into a presidential election and an impending holiday season. So, what do New Yorkers do from here? Here’s what we know so far.
Why are port workers striking?
The International Longshoremen’s Association’s contract with the United States Maritime Alliance has ended, and the union is demanding higher wages and promise that their jobs are not going to be replaced by machinery.
How will NYC be affected by the strike?
“In preparation for this moment, New York has been working around the clock to ensure that our grocery stores and medical facilities have the essential products they need,” said New York State Governor Kathy Hocul. “It’s critical for USMX and the ILA to reach a fair agreement soon that respects workers and ensures a flow of commerce through our ports. In the meantime, we will continue our efforts to minimize disruption for New Yorkers.”
She insists that New Yorkers should “not to rush out to the grocery store to stockpile goods, like during the pandemic,” as we’re not at that level yet.
What items will be affected by the port strike?
Fruits, particularly citrus fruits
Wine and spirits
Cars
This is a developing story. Please check back for more information.
NFL season is officially underway, and if you’re looking for a spot to watch football this fall, we’ve got some recommendations! Of course, NYC’s sports bars are absolutely electric on Sundays for game days, but we’ve got even more suggestions on where to watch football…sorted by the team you cheer for!
From the local favorite NY Jets and Giants to the rest of the league’s 32, here’s our favorite NFL bars in the city…and where you should assemble based on your favorite team.
New York Jets
Break Bar and Billiards: 3204 Broadway, Astoria, NY
The Tap House: 7207 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY
Rivercrest: 33-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY
Clara’s: 53 Wilson Ave, Brooklyn, NY
That Bar: 47 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Ocean’s 8 Billiards: 308 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Blackstone Bar & Grill: 3713 Riverdale Ave, Bronx, NY
Downey’s Bar & Grill: 5790 Mosholu Ave, Bronx, NY
Bleecker Street Bar: 648 Broadway, New York, NY
Amity Hall Uptown: 982 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
Half Pint: 76 W 3rd St, New York, NY
The Wolfe: 425 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
BK Backyard Bar: 151 Banker St, Brooklyn, NY
Made in Puerto Rico: 3363 E Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY
Rambling House: 4292 Katonah Ave, Bronx, NY
Bedford Falls NYC: 206 E 67th St, New York, NY
Stout – Bryant Park: 109 W 39th St, New York, NY
Stout – FIDI: 90 John St, New York, NY
New York Giants
Blue Haven East: 493 3rd Ave, New York, NY
McMahon’s Public House: 39 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY
District: 2 Sneden Ave, Staten Island, NY
Richmond Republic: 4459 Amboy Rd, Staten Island, NY
Rambling House: 4294 Katonah Ave, Bronx, NY
Bronx AleHouse: 216 W 238th St, Bronx, NY
McDermott’s Pub: 2634 E Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY
HK Kitchen & Draft House: 3599 E Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY
Blue Haven South: 121 Fulton St, New York, NY
Blue Haven: 108 W Houston St, New York, NY
Hair of the Dog: 168 Orchard St, New York, NY
The Stumble Inn: 1454 2nd Ave, New York, NY
Off The Wagon: 109 MacDougal St, New York, NY
Down The Hatch: 179 W 4th St, New York, NY
3 Sheets: 134 W 3rd St, New York, NY
Downtown Social: 149 2nd Ave, New York, NY
Jake’s Dilemma: 430 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
The Gin Mill: 442 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
The Brewery Bar & Kitchen: 4918 30th Ave, Woodside, NY
Buffalo Bills
Pennsylvania 6: 132 W 31st St, New York, NY
Kelly’s: 12 Avenue A, New York, NY
All Stars Sports Bar & Grill: 327 W 57th St, New York, NY
Miami Dolphins
Slattery’s Midtown Pub: 8 E 36th St, New York, NY
New England Patriots
Tír na Nóg: 254 W 31st St, New York, NY
The Three Monkeys: 236 W 54th St, New York, NY
Philadelphia Eagles
Merrion Square Pub: 1840 2nd Ave, New York, NY
Dallas Cowboys
Playwright Irish Pub: 27 W 35th St, New York, NY
Washington Commanders
Dorrian’s Red Hand: 1616 2nd Ave, New York, NY
Pittsburgh Steelers
Hibernia Bar: 401 W 50th St, New York, NY
Baltimore Ravens
Mustang Harry’s: 352 7th Ave, New York, NY
Cincinnati Bengals
Phebe’s: 359 Bowery, New York, NY
Cleveland Browns
Haswell Green’s: 240 W 52nd St, New York, NY
Kansas City Chiefs
John Brown Smokehouse: 27-20 40th Ave, Astoria, Queens
It’s officially fall, which means: comforting lattes, beautiful foliage and pumpkin patches. If you’ve been looking for the best pumpkin patch near you, Queens Botanical Garden’s exciting fall-themed farmis open to the public! Everyone’s favorite season comes to life with harvest-themed photo-ops and family-friendly activities.
Looking for your very own Jack-O’-Lantern? Children (and adults!) aged 4 and up can choose the perfect pumpkin to take home at Queens Botanical Gardens, before exploring photo-ops and crafts! Sugar pumpkins are the main squash you’ll find on-site, ideal to bake pumpkin pies, cookies and bread galore.
And if picking pumpkins, seed planting and chalk art doesn’t get you pumped for the season, autumn-themed book readings and friendly costumed characters just might!
Pumpkin Patch at Queens Botanical Garden
After visiting the pumpkin patch, you can explore Queens Botanical Garden for as long as you’d like. It’s the opportunity to make cherished memories with your loved ones as you take in the gorgeous fall foliage — beer, cider, cocktail (for those 21+) or non-alcoholic drink in hand.
So many New Yorkers’ childhoods are inextricably linked to FAO Schwarz, the iconic toy store that was founded by a German Jewish immigrant in 1862.
For the first time ever, the beloved shop is partnering with the jewelry brand BaubleBar to give kids an opportunity to design their very own bracelets.
The collaboration is taking place at the store’s 30 Rockefeller Center location, on the first floor, and this it the first time BaubleBar has ever offered a custom bracelet making experience in person. Usually, all of the company’s customizations are offered online only.
During the experience, kids (or adults, we won’t judge) will be able to fully lean into their inner designers and choose their bracelet base and corresponding beads from an interactive machine. An in-store jewelry designer will then put together the custom bracelet, ensuring that the finished product is top-tier.
“We’ve always been a brand with big dreams and a huge imagination,” said BaubleBar CEO and co-founder Amy Jain in an official statement. “For years, we have helped millions of people customize jewelry and accessories online. We are very excited to bring our customization to life through a whimsical retail experience that we hope inspires creativity and brings our minis lots of joy.”
Other things customer can expect from this one-of-a-kind experience: hair accessories, bag charms, pouches and bead kits that range in price from $15 to $40.
There’s a new spot on the block of Elizabeth Street in Nolita, and it’s surely making a statement. Easy to find with it’s colorful, blue painted front exterior, decorated with mermaids, fruit and of course, fish, Fishwife’s NYC pop-up is reimagining the way you ever thought of tinned fish!
Fishwife is an ethically-sourced, premium tinned fish company that’s setting out to make tinned fish a staple in every American’s pantry. Once a gendered insult that stemmed from the daughters or wives of 16th-century fishermen, has since been reclaimed in the name of the delicious, female-foundedseafood company. And now, New Yorkers have a chance to shop the LA-based business at an exclusive pop-up.
Fishwife’s NYC pop-up is only here for two weekends, September 27 – 29 & October 4 – 6. So if you missed last weekend, you have one more chance to see what all of the hype is about. It’s sure to be unmissable as last weekend’s festivities brought a pizza party & caviar with Rubirosa, rip & dip smoked salmon from Apollo Bagels, a tinned fish apertivo with Ghia and Via Carota craft cocktails and so much more.
Creme fraiche ice cream and caviar with Caffe Panna (first 100) – 5pm to 6pm
Sunday, October 6th
Bites from the cookbook with co-author Vilda Gonzalez – 2pm to 3:30pm
Beyond the exciting collaborations with local businesses, customers can shop all of the tinned fish their heart desires during the pop-up’s operating store hours: Fridays from 2pm – 8pm and Saturday & Sunday from 11am – 8pm.
So whether you’re hosting a dinner party on the horizon, looking for ways to dress up your bagels at home, or enjoying the last of NYC’s nice weather with a picnic before winter arrives, a stop at Fishwife will surely set you up for success!
The New York Yankees are back in the playoffs, having secured the American League East title and the top seed in the AL. As the postseason excitement builds, here’s a beginner-friendly guide to help you understand the upcoming playoffs and how to support the Bronx Bombers.
Where do the New York Yankees play?
The Yankees play their home games at the iconic Yankee Stadium, located in the Bronx, New York. Known for its rich history and passionate fan base, Yankee Stadium is one of the most famous ballparks in baseball. It’s an electric atmosphere during the playoffs, with fans decked out in Navy Blue and White to cheer on.
Who are the best Yankees right now?
The Yankees are stacked with talent, and these are the key players to watch during the playoffs:
Juan Soto – Known for his powerful home runs, Soto can change the course of a game with one swing of the bat. He’s a fan favorite and a key to the Yankees’ offensive success.
Gerrit Cole – The team’s ace pitcher and reigning Cy Young Award winner. Cole will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series (ALDS). His fastball and control make him one of the most feared pitchers in the league.
Carlos Rodón – Another top pitcher, Rodón will be crucial in the starting rotation for the Yankees as they progress through the playoffs.
The Yankees are expected to have home-field advantage in the 2024 playoffs due to their 1# seed in the American League. That means the Yankees will host a significant number of games at Yankee Stadium.
As the season draws to an end, the demand for playoff tickets will rise, so be sure to visit the official Yankees website as soon as possible as tickets sell out fast.
Who will the New York Yankees face in the playoffs?
The Yankees have a first-round bye as the 1# seed, so playoff baseball won’t start right away. They will play a best-of-five series in the NLDS against the winner of Baltimore and Kansas City on October 5. They could face Cleveland, Detroit, or Houston in the NLCS if they advance.
A potential World Series rival could be the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are favorites to win the National League.
Is it worth going to a Yankees playoff game?
The playoffs are an intense time for Yankee Stadium, with fans fully engaged and chanting throughout the game. If you’re new to baseball, you’ll quickly feel the energy as the crowd rallies behind every hit, strikeout, and defensive play.
Cheering on the Yankees in the playoffs is a painful but addictive experience. With players like Judge, Soto, and Cole leading the way, the team is poised for a deep post-season run. Get ready to cheer on the Bronx Bombers as they chase another World Series title!
43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY 11355
All ages welcome
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Juan Soto – Known for his powerful home runs, Soto can change the course of a game with one swing of the bat. He’s a fan favorite and a key to the Yankees’ offensive success.
Gerrit Cole – The team’s ace pitcher and reigning Cy Young Award winner. Cole will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series (ALDS). His fastball and control make him one of the most feared pitchers in the league.
Carlos Rodón – Another top pitcher, Rodón will be crucial in the starting rotation for the Yankees as they progress through the playoffs.