The debut of one new venue for eating and drinking, plus two free events will round out this weekend in Lower Manhattan.
City Vineyards, the new outpost of City Winery located in the Hudson River Park on Pier 26 (near North Moore Street) fully opens tonight, after a “soft” debut in the middle of the month.
As an outpost of the famous Hudson Square enoteca and performance venue, the new boite is, in the words of proprietor (and Lower Manhattan resident) Michael Dorf, “a small winery, where we’re actually licensed to make wine on the premises, as well as a comfortable space surrounded by gardens, vines, and ivy, which bridge the gap between indoors and outdoors.” This atmosphere will be made possible by the unique layout of the building, which is, “a glass-enclosed cube,” Mr. Dorf says, “designed so that wherever you sit inside, you’re visually exposed to the waterfront outside. The aesthetic is aided by wood tables and chairs and a wood floor.” The building contains more than 3,000 square feet of interior space, but City Vineyards also has the use of an additional 3,000 square feet of outdoor terraces surrounding the building, plus another 4,000 square feet of dining space on the building’s roof. “It has a beer- and wine-garden atmosphere, coupled with a really good restaurant,” says Mr. Dorf. “The menu consists of slight upgrades from what we’re doing at City Winery.” And the wine selection, “showcases wine on tap, with an extensive selection of wines by the glass,” he says. “In the outdoor spaces, the wine-garden concept includes barrels on wheels.” For more information, please browse: www.cityvineyardnyc.com
Asphalt Green will host a free, outdoor physical fitness festival in Rockefeller Park tomorrow (Saturday, July 30), from 9:30 am through 2:00 pm. Rally HealthFest will feature fitness boot camps, yoga classes, rock climbing, spin classes, massage, and an interactive kids’ zone — plus collaborative bicycle building (alongside craftsmen from Diamondback Bicycles), with the finished product slated for donation to the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club. Rally HealthFest will be emceed by actor Kevin Hart and E! News host Maria Menounos, along with celebrity chef Haile Thomas, who will focus on how simple lifestyle changes can improve overall health. There will also be nutritious snacks and beverages from Juice Press. Enter the event at River Terrace and Warren Street. For more information, please browse: rallyhealth.com/HealthFestNYC.
And the Greenwich South neighborhood will host the a free, community block party to celebrate the Lower West Side tomorrow (Saturday, July 30), on Washington Street, between Rector and Carlisle Streets, from noon to 5:00 pm.
Organized by Friends of the Lower West Side and the Washington Street Historical Society, the event will feature live music, calligraphers offering demonstrations of both Arabic and Chinese artistic lettering (in a nod the the neighborhood’s history as Little Syria, and its present as the new home of the China Institute), historic preservation tours, games and activities for children, and raffles that include free nights at the the Marriott New York-Downtown, the W Hotel and the Holiday Inn-Financial District.
Local Restaurants, such as Schilling, St George’s Tavern, George’s Diner and Sam Sahadi’s, will also offer free samples of assorted hors d’oeuvres and appetizers from their various menus.