The Three Tomatoes were all over town this week.  We started our week at wor710.com radio as guests on Valerie Smaldone's terrific new show, Valerie's New York, which airs weekdays from 11:00-12:00 noon.  We are so glad she is back on the radio in New York City.  Listen in when we joined Valerie on this  past Monday's show. That evening we headed over to Bryant Park and enjoyed drinks, REASONABLY priced, at the new Southwest Porch.  And mid-week, we walked until we got blisters on our feet along the beautiful Battery Park Promenade and ended up in the West Village at one of our favorite back yard restaurants.  And last week we told you about the keys to the city art project, and now we've got the pianos in the city.

 

And if you're staying in town over July 4th, we've got some ideas on where to watch the fireworks. And please vote for our pal Debbie Zipp (who is also our co-host on our radio show,Tomatoes in the Trenches) to win a spot on Oprah's new TV Chanel.  Vote as often as you like.  Chill out and read on.
 

Watermelon Martinis in the Park Last week we mentioned the Southwest Porch, the new outdoor lounge at Bryant Park, sponsored by Southwest Airlines.  Well this week we got a chance to hang out there for a while and it is terrific.  Relax on the porch swings, or the Adirondack chairs, and beautiful lounge couches.  Fire up your laptop if you're so inclined (there's free WiFi in the park) and the Porch has outlets to recharge all your devices too.  Now here's the best part, the specialty drinks, like their delicious Watermelon Martini is only $9.00!  Who needs those $20 + martinis! And they have snacks like popcorn for $3.00.  Open for breakfast and lunch too and sandwiches are under $10.  You can't beat them apples.  More details at 3T Travel.
 

The Battery Park Promenade We took the subway down to Bowling Green on a beautiful summer day this week and strolled the entire Battery Park Promenade and continued along to the walkway along the West Side Highway.  If you're looking for exercise, views, outdoor bars and restaurants, you'll find it all right there.  And at Wagner Park, which is just about the start of the promenade, we discovered Gigiano, a delightful Italian restaurant with an outdoor dining patio with a spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty!  And we ended our walk in Greenwich Village at one of very favorite outdoor dining spots which we hadn't visited in a while, Home, a farm to table restaurant.  We had the best Willapa Bay Oyster Po' Boy Sandwich sandwich on homemade bread for $12.  Yes it was deep-fried, but we had walked 4 miles -- which maybe walked off one of the oysters.  More details at 3T Travel.   
 

Play Me I'm Yours
Last week we told you about the very fun Keys to the City art project in Times Square.  Well this week there's a new project in town -  Play Me I'm Yours, presented by Sing for Hope, a project by British artist Luke Jerram who has been touring the project globally since 2008.  So here's the deal.  There are 60 pianos located all across the city, in public parks, including Bryant Park, streets, and plazas, and anyone is invited to sit down and tickle the ivories.  So far, everyone from concert pianists to those of us who can only play Chop Sticks, have sat down at the keyboards.  How cool is that?  To get more details and piano locations go to 3T Events.

 

Happy 4th.

July 4th Fireworks Roof Top Party at Pier 83
Celebrate the Fourth of July at Circle Line's own Pier 83. Specially made for landlubbers, this exclusive private party on the rooftop of the pier building features music from a D.J., along with barbeque and drinks available for purchase. The famous Macy's Fireworks show will be set off from six barges in the Hudson, giving pier partiers the perfect viewing position to see the always-spectacular display. Regular admission price is $79, but you can get tickets for $39 (plus fees) via Goldstar, membership is free.