Uncoverd City Guide: What to Do, See and Wear in NYC, September 2017

Times Square Arts and artist Aman Mojadidi bring Once Upon A Place, an interactive public art installation that creates a platform for immigrant voices, to Duffy Square (46th Street and 7th Avenue) from June 27- September 5. Visitors will be invited to open the door of one of three repurposed telephone booths, pick up the receiver, and listen to oral histories of immigration from the newest New Yorkers from Bangladesh, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Yemen, bringing an intersection of experiences to the Crossroads of the World. Read more about it on Times Square Arts website.

State of the World: Global Prospects 2018 | 92nd St. Y | September 24, 2017 at 4:30 PM 

Prof. Ralph Buultjens taught at NYU and Cambridge, served as Director of International Development Forum, as a private advisor to international organizations such as UN University, UNDP, and the World Bank, among other similar institutions.

On September 24, he returns to 92Y, where for the fifteenth time this year, he will meet with audiences to discuss global political and economic conditions and crises, as well as his forecasts for the upcoming year. With the tumultuous climate in the US and with nations such as Russia and North Korea, as well as, tensions in other parts of the world, this is bound to be an intriguing, if not enlightening, conversation.

 55th NY Film Festival | September 28 - October 15, 2017

Annually hosted by the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the NY Film Festival returns this fall with a lineup featuring directors like The Square’s Ruben Östlund, Agnès Varda, JR, Noah Baumbach, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Claire Denis, Hong Sang-soo, as well as filmmakers who are new to the festival such as Sean Baker, Greta Gerwig, Dee Rees, Chloé Zhao, and Joachim Trier, among others.

General Public tickets will be available on September 10 at 12pm, but for those who are interested in package deals and special passes, more information can be found here.

Balaboosta is one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the city. The ambiance is warm, inviting, and cozy with dim lights and a brick oven in the main dining area. Even though the space inside is not large, it doesn’t feel cramped or claustrophobic. The dishes are prepared and plated with extreme attention to detail, which is evident not only in the tastiness of each dish, but also in their presentations.

It’s really hard to go wrong with anything on the menu, but the hummus, Branzino, lamb chop, and banana bread pudding are absolutely incredible!

--------------- WHAT TO WEAR ---------------

Timna | 109 St. Marks Place

Timna is exquisite, both for brunch and dinner. Every single dish we’ve had is pure genius; simple, yet complex and beautifully plated. The restaurant itself is dimly lit. There are no windows besides the small ones along the front wall, which is not a problem for dinner, but something to note when making brunch plans (especially in the summer when it's beautiful outside).

When looking for a brunch spot away from the crowds that are impossible to avoid in SoHo, NoLita, or the West Village, Timna could serve as your go-to option. The food is so delicious that it makes it worth walking through St. Mark's to give it a try.

Everything on the menu is delicious, but we especially recommend the Mediterranean sashimi, cauliflower, and the beet & lentil from the dinner menu.

Santina | 820 Washington St.

Santina is currently one of our favorite restaurants in New York. Located immediately in front of the Whitney Museum, where works by groundbreaking artists Alexander Calder are currently on view through October 23, 2017, it provides a momentary escape from the hustle and bustle of Meatpacking. Seek refuge in a tropical make-believe world, somewhere across the pond, right on the Mediterranean. The beauty of Santina lies not only in the ambiance of the restaurant, but also in every single dish that explodes with flavor. Everything on the plate is there for a purpose, and the entire experience of dining at Santina, from the moment of walking in, until the minute one leaves, is guaranteed to be a unique one, unlike any offered by other restaurants nearby.

Some Uncoverd-recommended dishes are the avocado trapanese Cecina, artichoke & grapes, kale sunchoke salad, spicy potatoes, and grilled mushrooms, although it probably is not possible to go wrong with anything.

Lovely Day | 196 Elizabeth St #A

Lovely Day is a hidden gem in the heart of Nolita. Tucked away on the entrance floor of an unassuming apartment building with no flashy signs or banners, it is easy to miss. The darkness upon walking in is nostalgic and reminiscent of grandma's summer house, with it's old floral wallpaper that’s yellowed with age, and small photos and clippings hung on the walls surrounding the room. There's a sense of coziness, comfort, and "loveliness" attached to it that we haven't quite felt at any other restaurant in the city.

The best dish is their pineapple fried rice. To note before visiting: seating is quite limited, and they only accept AmEx if paying by card.

Dante | 79-81 Macdougal St.

Dante, formerly known as Caffe Dante, is a 100-year old landmark in Greenwich Village that closed its doors in March. The restaurant reopened under the management of an Australian restaurant group, who paid special attention to preserving the history of the restaurant, while giving it some updates and a few European details.

Our last visit to Dante was on a Saturday afternoon, when we were surprised to see it filled to capacity and with a 15-minute wait for a table. Despite the crowd, there is a warm, cozy buzz to the space that makes one feel at home and happy to be there. Visiting Dante is like being in Woody Allen’s version of Le Polidor from “Midnight in Paris”, and exciting for reasons that are hard to put into words.

Dante’s great for both dinner and drinks, and is the type of place that will become more enjoyable with the right company; ideally someone who will appreciate the little details on the menu, the mugs and cups, the small wall covered with black and white photos, and fellow diners, among other things.

Lois | 98 Loisaida Ave.

Lois is a tiny wine bar in the East Village that does the trick perfectly with some fine red, white, and rose wine on tap, available either by the glass or by carafe (which serves 3 glasses). Seating is quite tight inside, but it's not a bother. Lois also has a limited, albeit delicious selection of snacks and small bites, and the avocado & polenta snack is absolutely delicious.

SELECT PURVEYORS

Coming Soon | 37 Orchard St.