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- Guide to an Upper East Side afternoon 😎
Guide to an Upper East Side afternoon 😎
+ Place of birth: the downtown W train?! 👶
Ashley & Devin from Better Together Here
February 19th, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
Hello,
Welcome to all the new subscribers this week! You got here right in time. 🙏
In this week’s newsletter:
Guide to an Upper East Side afternoon
A wine & cocktail class location we love
Events we love this week: February 19-26
Place of birth: The downtown W train?
NYC History: Keens Steakhouse
This week’s You’ll Have to Check It Out
Shall we? 👇
Note: As always, this email was written by an actual human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸
Guide to an Upper East Side Afternoon
The Upper East Side is well-known as one of New York City's fancier locations.
From the slew of world-renowned museums to some of the finest homes in all of Manhattan, the Upper East Side has its unique charm.
While it can be the punchline of many jokes about things like out-of-touch socialites and folks with gobs of money, it’s a must-experience part of an NYC trip.
But what should you do up there (besides The MET)?!
One of our newest episodes has you covered, including a pizza spot that flies under the radar but does NOT disappoint. 👇
Wine & Cocktail Classes Galore 🍷
The world of wine and liquor is vast, varied, and full of rich history.
Learning from an expert via an in-person setting is one of our favorite ways to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history of alcohol.
Astor Center offers a wide range of classes, pairing events, and even tastings. We’ve been lucky to attend their Mad Men Era Cocktails and Orange Wine History classes!
Most classes involve some brief lecturing from an expert in that specific category, light bites, and, of course, wine or liquor tastings!
Plus, each class offers a discount at Astor Wine & Spirits next door (one of the best liquor stores in the city) to take home some of the drinks you sampled during class. 🙌
Mayor Adams - Where’s Your Team?
Eric Adams has been deep in a corruption scandal for months now. Recently, the US President pushed for dropping all charges against Adams so that the mayor could help with deportation efforts..
Their memo said, “The pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime that escalated under the policies of the prior Administration.” (Let’s be clear: Adams’ prosecutions and indictments started before the new president took office.. long before.)
Leadership in NYC wasn’t having it. As of writing, four deputy mayors have resigned in light of the news.
There’s lots we could express here (and won’t). But I think it’s simple enough to say New York City deserves better.
Events We Love This Week (February 19-26, 2025)
In the city this week? Here are some fun events we’re keeping an eye on.
A Star Wars Triple Feature - February 22
We aren’t super into Star Wars, but if you are, this weekend’s event is a must-attend experience.
The United Palace in Washington Heights is hosting an event with festivities, including a Yoda impression contest, a lightsaber duel, a day-long marathon of the original trilogy set to live organ renditions of the classic Star Wars scores and much more.
Ryan Van Der Hout’s "To Reflect Everything" in Washington Square Park - Until March 30
Washington Square Park hasn’t had a public art display since 2017, but the wait will be worth it.
Currently on display is a 7-foot mirrored sculpture that closely resembles a disco ball. 🪩
Cha Cha Festival - February 22 🍵
Let’s pull straight from the Instagram post about the event:
🍵 Get ready to CHA CHA: a celebration of tea culture, design, and tradition in the heart of NYC.
Featuring:
🌟 5 artist tea house installations
🫖 Traditional Chinese Medicine
🍜 Culinary artisans
🎲 Mahjong & more
📍 Where: WSA, 161 Water Street
🗓️ When: Weekends in February, starting Feb 1
🎟️ Admission: Free
Place of Birth: The W Train? 🚇
Next stop.. Labor & delivery.
If you haven’t heard this story, know that it’s almost too wild to be true. But hey, that’s New York!
A woman, who had previously been a missing person until this event, gave birth on the downtown W train near 34th Street. Some strangers stepped in to help, including one who cut the umbilical cord with a pocket knife.
Wild stuff. 🤯
We hope the baby’s name starts with a W..
NYC History: Keens Steakhouse
Yes, Keens is a phenomenal steakhouse in Manhattan with unbelievably mouthwatering food, including the best key lime pie (pictured below). But it’s also a slice of unique history in the heart of Herald Square.
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Keens Steakhouse owns the largest collection of churchwarden pipes in the world. And that collection includes pipes from famous names like:
Teddy Roosevelt
Babe Ruth
Albert Einstein
Buffalo Bill Cody and more!
Another wonderful piece of history?
In 1905 Lillie Langtry, actress and paramour of King Edward of England, took Keens to court for having denied her access to its gentlemen-only premises.
She won her case, swept into Keens in her feathered boa, and proceeded to order one of their famous mutton chops.
This Week’s You’ll Have to Check It Out - Grace Street Coffee & Desserts
If I had to, I'd request the Mango Madness shaved ice dessert from Grace Street for a final meal.
Do we need to say more?!
Not a mango fan? Not to worry..
They offer chocolate shaved ice options, other Korean desserts, and delicious coffees and teas.
Grace Street is in the heart of Koreatown on 32nd Street. Check it out here.
See ya next week,
Ashley & Devin from Better Together Here ✌️
Weekly Dog Tax
Sunny (RIP) and Scout mean-muggin’ with One World Trade Center & Brookfield Place in the background