A Wonderful Week of FREE Things!

Free events! Free movies! Free food! Free movies about food! Oh how I love summer...and will love it more when the rain finally ceases. I figured I'd close out the work week with some fun, free things to look forward to in the coming week.

Free Stuff Guide: Jun 13 and beyond
Big Apple Barbeque Block Party
Saturday & Sunday June 13-14
A free event in Madison Square Park, including live jazz and cooking demonstrations, the Big Apple Barbeque Block Party will feature pitmasters from across the nation united to showcase their very best barbequed delights. While the event is free, food will be offered for a minimal price. I'll be there with camera and empty stomach on Sunday. Give me a shout if you're going!

HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Every Monday night from June 15 - August 17
A free movie event in Bryant Park, the Summer Film Festival will showcase classic movies every Monday night, starting this coming Monday. Bring your blankets and picnic baskets and set up shop. The films typically start around dusk (8-9pm), and for a bonus you can preorder food from the 'wichcraft kiosk, super chef Tom Colicchio's Craft spinoff. The first film is The Sting, one of my favorite classics starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman (tear). Though it's no Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, who could resist the reuniting of these two quintessential Hollywood stars?

Third Annual Food Film Festival
June 13 through June 19
Could it be that two of my favorite things in this world (food and film) have come together in some sort of alternate perfect universe? And I managed to miss it for the last two years? Apparently the answer is 'yes' on both counts. Filmmakers and foodies collide in this weeklong event, where filmmakers show films they've made...about food! Titles include Mutton: The Movie, Food Cops, and Power of the Peep. (No, I did not make those up). Showing at various locations through the city, screenings will also include free themed food, like clam pie, buttermilk ice cream, and, you guessed it, Peeps. Check their site for full schedule, locations, and food offerings.

Enjoy the week ahead foodies and freebiers! Check back next week for photo, video, and commentary coverage of aforementioned events!

Corporately Challenged Race Through Central Park

On Wednesday and Thursday, June 10 & 11, thousands and thousands of New Yorkers united to run for the Central Park Conservancy. Sponsored by JP Morgan Chase, the Corporate Challenge happens every year in June. This was my 4th (!) time attending and second year running. I ran on Wednesday and it was the first time I ran it when it wasn't oppressively hot and humid.

Waiting for the race to start - up near the front!

While the race is often confused with a 5K, I learned the hard way that it is actually 3.5 miles, not 3.2. And by learning the hard way, I mean I found out during the race last year while I raced past the 3 mile marker and cursed the race and its makers when I realized that the finish line was much longer than .2 miles away. Anyway, it was a fun night of running and feeling accomplished, though walking up the subway stairs has been a challenge since then.

Lost in a sea of runners & walkers

It felt like a very long 40 minutes, but luckily kind workers supplying water kept us hydrated throughout the race. And after the race? Free bananas! A real runner's snack!

The coveted and longed-for water stand & post race banana...yum!

After the race, great friend and running partner Kristin and I posed for our post race "We made it alive!" photo!

Kristin & I made it! Running!

If you missed the chance to get corporately challenged this year, mark your calendars for 2010!

Restaurant Week is My Favorite Week(s)

I'm happy to report and alert you that my favorite week(s) of the year are upon us - NYC Restaurant Week! While it feels as though I was just treating myself to Japonais and DelMonico's, that was months ago, and I'm on full alert for the second Restaurant Week go-round for the year. Starting on July 12 and lasting until July 30, Restaurant Week is when many unaffordable Manhattan hot spots open their doors each day (excluding Saturday) with a special $35 prix fixe menu for dinner ($24.07 for lunch), featuring an appetizer, dinner, and dessert per person. While menus are often limited, it's a great way to try new place that a resource-limited Manhattan dude or chick such as myself would not even consider otherwise. Restaurants often featured range from Mesa Grill to Tavern on the Green to Blue Water Grill. Reservations open up starting June 30, so start thinking about it now as seatings at the super hot spots tend to go rather quickly. A word to the wise: Do your research. Many places offer the $35 prix fixe, but their traditional menu is price comparable (and often better) so check out the restaurant's own site and menu before booking. Be sure to send us commentary on your Restaurant Week experiences. Happy eating!