Farewell To The W Line....Really

Farewell To The W Line....Really

Well, a little over a year ago The Big Adventure accurately predicted the demise of this beloved NYC Subway Line, just not the timing, Since today is the very last day that New Yorkers can hop aboard a W line train from Wall Street to Astoria, The Big Adventure thought we would get a little sentimental and revisit one of our favorite Big Adventures when we set Buenos Noches to the train line just over a year ago with some pictures and links:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83027654@N00/sets/72157621953522792/

http://brookeandphilsbigadventure.blogspot.com/2009/05/final-itinerary-for-salute-to-w-line.htmll

We might have been commiserating a bit early, but we had a fond farewell nonetheless.

On a related note, The stupid MTA is also getting rid of our favorite super-secret V Subway Line.....yargh.

The Big Adventure recommends: The Glass Bar at Hotel Indigo

The Big Adventure Recommends: The Glass Bar at Hotel Indigo on 28th Street between 6th Ave and 7th Ave in Manhattan, NY.

So, now is the time of year when you may want to do some of your drinking outside. Incredibly long days with lots of sun, but easy on the humidity. However, finding a quality roof top bar or outdoor patio bar can be a challenge for a thousand and one reasons. That's where Hotel Indigo's brand new 20th Floor roof top bar on and you will meet at the corner or Tasty Drinks Blvd and Low Hassle Court.

Opened just six weeks ago, the word has yet to get out on this somewhat secret Midtown locale. Amazing views, small, easy going crowd (a bit older; a bit preppier), friendly service and a fantastic setting. The glass themed outdoor décor becomes even more impressive at sunset. As expected, you pay a bit of a premium for the view but the prices are still reasonable, comparable to other bars in the area and, as a nice bonus, we’ve had some amazing service there so far.

But the time of grabbing a seat and relaxing in mixed company may be drawing to a close as the word gets out : Time Out New York is set to publish a rave review on Hotel Indigo’s bar and the proverbial Ass Hats of Summer are scouting out locations just like this one so we suggest making a visit sooner rather than later.

http://www.indigochelsea.com/dining.php

Another Successful Big Adventure is in the books!

Thanks to everyone for coming out yesterday to the Belmont Stakes and Delicous Steaks Big Adventure!

The Big Adventure had an absolute blast - one of our best days yet. Excellent times were had from Hell's Kitchen to Belmont to The Village. This was also one of our most well attended Big Adventures. We'll have photos of the day up soon (feel free to post your own pics to our site). In the meantime mark you calendars for our next Big Adventure on Saturday, August 28th!

Trigger, No! That beer isn't for you! Bad wooden pony! Bad Trigger!

Belmont Stakes and Delicious Steaks Big Adventure

For the photo gallery from this Big Adventure click here! 

Information from The Belmont Stakes and Delicious Steaks Big Adventure on Saturday, June 5th, 2010 in New York City

On the first Saturday in June, The Big Adventure took to the races and ran with the ponies at the 142nd Running of The Belmont Stakes in Elmont, Long Island.

Most of the day was spent wagering on the horses and sipping Belmont Breezes at Belmont Park on the biggest race day of the year in New York City, but thanks to express LIRR service, we also hit up some of best equine themed bars and locales in Manhattan.

Stops included our new favorite beer bar in the city, Pony Bar; the home of the classic cheese steak, Wogie's; and the century-old Whitehorse Inn Tavern. With one of our biggest crowds yet and beloved wooden pony Trigger in tow, it was the odds-on-favorite as our best Big Adventure to date.

  

Here is a look at our detailed plans for the day along with the info on where we planned to hoof it around town and list of our mane stops. Okay, that’s the end of horse puns. Promise. This Big Adventure started and ended a bit earlier than usual and will consist of only four stops with our trek out to Belmont Raceway. We’ve been looking forward to this one for over a year. And enjoyed the participants dressed in there best race day outfit (or not…for Big Adventures, you are always encouraged to dress however you like)

The Pony Bar – Noonish– 637 10th Ave.- Between 45^th and 46^th. www.theponybar.com/ - Getting the day started at a wonderful bar in Hell’s Kitchen that’s known for it’s easy going vibe and huge selection of American Craft Beers. We’re going to kick off the day with a few surprises to get you in the race day mood.

The 142^nd Belmont Stakes – Belmont Park, Elmontm NY. http://www.belmontstakes.com The big attraction of the day! and plan to arrive in the afternoon for race day excitement. We will invade the track and set up a spot in the back area near the horse’s walk area. We’ll be staying through the big race and plan to leave at 6:45 PM sharp so we can beat all the train traffic back. Round trip train tickets are $12 and entrance to the park is $10. An amazing deal. However, any gambling debts you incur are between you and guys named Rocco and Big Ted.

Wogies Bar & Grill- 8:00 PM - 39 Greenwich Avenue - www.wogies.com – Voted time and time again as having the best Cheesesteaks in New York City. This is where the great steaks come in, people! We relax in the post race glow over food from the grille, drinks and more at this West Village staple with the funky name. Our goal is to play nothing by Horse Racing themed songs on the juke box.

White Horse Tavern- 9:45 PM - http://www.yelp.com/biz/white-horse-tavern-new-york -567 Hudson near 11th. – From Wogie’s, it’s a short walk to this classic tavern where Dylan Thomas is rumored to have died. This watering hole is known for being the home to famous musician, noted authors, cheap drinks and being close to a great view on the Hudson River. As we wind down the evening, we’ll have a few surprises here as well.

The Big Adventure Presents - Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!

Fact #12 - The Final Fact - We saved the best for last..the Theme Song! For decades the traditional theme song of the Belmont Stakes was "Sidewalks of New York," and then in 1997 track officials decided it was time mix it up in an attempt to appeal to the under 80 crowd and made it the classic Sinatra tune"New York, New York"

But this year, it all changes!

he New York Racing Association says the tune is being replaced by "Empire State of Mind" as the music heard when the horses step onto the track for the $1 million Belmont on Saturday. The change is being made because Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" has become a "quintessential 21st century theme song for New York City," says NYRA marketing director Neema Ghazi.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/03/AR2010060304395.html

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The Big Adventure Presents - Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!

 

Fact #11– The field has been announced for this Saturday's Race! Ice Box is the 3-1 favorite for the $1,000,000 Race! Ice Box finished second in the Kentucky Derby and skipped the Preakness.

 

The remaining 11 of your brave and daring 3-year old stallions are: First Dude (Preakness runner up) is the second choice at 7-2. Fly Down, the third choice at 9-2. The rest of the field is Dave in Dixie, Drosselmeyer, Game on Dude, Interactif, Make Music for Me, Spangled Star, Stately Victor, Stay Put and Uptowncharlybrown.

 

Incidently, isn't "Stay Put" a really, really bad name for a race horse?

 

http://www.belmontstakes.com/contenders/default.aspx

Only TWO Days until the Belmont Stakes and Delicious Steaks Big Adventure!

The day kicks off around noon this coming Saturday! Hot damn, we're excited. Hope you'll be joining us for this New York Spring Classic...

The Big Adventure Presents - Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!

 

Fact #10–  Let's talk horses and who is racing on Saturday. The following is from Richard Turner of the Wall Street Journal - America's #1 Source for Horse Racing:

 

This year's field has been derided, correctly, as a bunch of no-names, especially with no-shows by both the Derby and Preakness winner. But it's a big field at 12, and the absence of a heavy favorite makes for tempting wagering.The big names are Ice Box and First Dude, who finished second in the Derby and Preakness, respectively. Make Music for Me ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby; Stately Victor was eighth.That's it—every other entry is a Triple Crown first-timer. The best known of these is Fly Down, a hometown favorite.

 

Ice Box and First Dude? Weren't those names of fighter pilots in Top Gun?

The Big Adventure Presents - Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!

Fact #9– This Friday, The Empire State Building will shine green and white to celebrate the Belmont Stakes and to get the city pumped up. We wonder who decided what nights the lights shine which colors?

In addition, there was a photo opportunity at the Empire State Building with trainer Alexis Barba and NYRA Bugler Sammy Grossman earlier today. The California-based Barba seeks to become the first female trainer to win the prestigious third leg of the Triple Crown. Also Sammy The Trumpet Playing Fool has been the official bugler at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course for the last 18 years.

10 Songs to get you pumped for The Belmont Stakes!

This was sent to us by Friend-Of-The-Big-Adventure Jimmy Whitacre. Designed to help you build your perfect equine IPod Playlist and get you in pumped up for this Saturday, This link will send you to the definitive list of all horse related songs - from Classic Rock staples to modern day cry-fests. Great stuff. Thanks, Jimmy. (oooh...as a bonus there is a seemingly unrelated link on the page to Top Ten Gifts Under $20 for 2 Year Olds....yay?)