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12/18/2008
| | | HAPPY HANUKKAH FROM GCP!
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire GCP family, GCP Chairman Peter S. Kalikow and President/CEO Fred Cerullo wish news@gcp readers a very Happy Hanukkah with the start of the holiday this Sunday, December 21!
| | | GCP PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM REUNITES MISSING CHILD AND PARENTS VISITING FROM IRELAND
From a page out of the script of Home Alone 2, the GCP Public Safety team played a critical role in reuniting a lost child and his grateful parents visiting the city from Ireland this past Tuesday evening. At approximately 6:45 pm, GCP Public Safety Sergeant Adam Gutwein was on patrol along East 42nd St with an NYPD officer as part of the NYPD Paid Detail program when the team received a radio transmission about a missing 5-year-old boy in the neighborhood. Public Safety Supervisor Harvey Rivers and two other Public Safety officers were near the corner of East 41st St and Park Ave getting a detailed description of the child from the boy’s parents, who were visiting the Grand Central neighborhood from Ireland. GCP and the NYPD sprung into action, working in tandem to scour the area, and all were relieved when the child was discovered in the lobby of a nearby office building. The officers escorted the boy back to his parents, who were overjoyed about their son’s quick and safe return. Kudos to the GCP Public Safety team and the NYPD officers from the Midtown South Precinct who helped ensure a happy holiday visit to our neighborhood for one thankful family.
| | | GCP CAROLERS FILL THE STREETS WITH THE SOUNDS OF THE SEASON
 This afternoon from 4 pm to 6 pm, GCP-sponsored carolers will kick off five days of merriment as they visit various locations throughout the neighborhood to serenade shoppers and spread good tidings through the majesty of song. These merry minstrels will also be performing in various locations around the neighborhood tomorrow from 4 pm to 6 pm, Saturday from noon to 2 pm, Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm, and Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open as you wrap up your holiday shopping and hop from party to party!
| | | MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES EXTENDED HOURS AT WORKFORCE1 JOB TRAINING CENTERS
 Earlier this month, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced expanded access to employment services through New York City’s Workforce1 Career Centers, which provide jobseekers with a full array of free employment services including job placement, career advisement, job search counseling, and skills training. The expanded evening and weekend hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 pm, as well as the first and third Saturday of each month from 10 am to 3 pm. For center locations and more information about the Workforce1 program, visit www.NYC.gov/workforce1 or call the City’s information helpline by dialing 311.
| | | GET HEALTHY AND FIT IN 2009 WITH A SPECIAL OFFER FROM EQUINOX
 Equinox wants to help news@gcp readers get a jump start on their New Year’s resolutions with a special offer for New Yorkers looking to kick-start 2009 the right way. New members who join by next Wednesday, December 24 will receive 50% off the initiation fee, the entire month of January free, five personal training sessions, and one 50-minute Signature massage or facial. Simply print out a copy of this newsletter and present it to a membership advisor to take advantage of this special promotion, which is available now through Christmas Eve and is only valid at the following locations: 54th St and Second Ave; 44th St and Lexington Ave; 43rd St and Fifth Ave; and 33rd St and Park Ave. This special offer is not valid for corporate memberships. For more information about Equinox, call 212-774-6300 or visit www.equinoxfitness.com.
| | | SWAROVSKI OFFERS A SNEAK PEEK AT “SORCERER MICKEY”
 Shoppers at Swarovski (in the MetLife Building at 200 Park Ave - 212-867-4152) will soon have the opportunity to preview the newest Disney Limited Edition keepsake “Sorcerer Mickey.” The special piece is available for purchase in two sizes beginning January 1, but patrons can stop by the store starting December 26 to reserve one in advance. While you’re there, make sure to enter to win one of only 225 exclusive hand-numbered and framed Sorcerer Mickey lithographs, adorned with Swarovski crystal! The promotion runs through January 9, so make your plans to stop by today.
| | | SPEND THE HOLIDAYS IN THE GRAND CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD
Although many establishments in the Grand Central neighborhood will be closed for Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Eve, here are a few options for those looking to dine out those days:
Asia de Cuba (237 Madison Ave – 212-726-7755) will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with a regular menu. They are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
At Vermilion (480 Lexington Ave – 212-871-6600) will be serving a five course meal for $55 per person on Christmas Eve and Christmas. A seven-course extravaganza is planned for New Year’s Eve, with seatings from 5 pm to 8 pm for $125 per person and seatings starting at 8:30 pm for $200 per person. For more information, visit www.thevermilionrestaurant.com.
Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse (52 East 41st St - 212-682-9177) will be serving their regular menu on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Benjamin Steakhouse (in the Dylan Hotel, 52 East 41st St – 212-297-9177) will serve the regular menu on Christmas Eve until 10:30 pm and will be open on Christmas Day with a special prix fix for $79.95 per person. On New Year’s Eve there will be a special menu, a DJ for dancing, and a champagne toast for $250 per person from 9:30 pm to 1 am, with advance reservations required. For more information, visit www.benjaminsteakhouse.com.
Bice Ristorante (7 East 54th St – 212-688-1999) will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve serving their regular menu. They will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Boi (246 East 44th St – 212-681-6541) will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with special holiday menu items. On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day they will be closed.
Bookmarks (at the Library Hotel, East 41st St and Madison Ave - 212-204-5498) will be serving cocktails from 4 pm to 11 pm on Christmas Eve and from 4 pm to 1 am on New Year’s Eve. The lounge will be closed on New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
Brasserie (100 East 53rd St – 212-751-4840) will be serving their regular menu on Christmas Eve until midnight and a special three-course prix fixe menu for $59 per person on Christmas Day. The restaurant will also serve a special prix fixe menu for New Year’s Eve.
Café Centro (in the MetLife Building at 200 Park Ave – 212-818-1222) will be open on Christmas Eve until 8 pm and on New Year’s Eve until 9 pm, serving from their regular menu. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The Campbell Apartment (15 Vanderbilt Ave – 212-953-0409) will be serving cocktails from 3 pm to 11 pm on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day, and open from noon to 2 am on New Year’s Eve.
The Capital Grille (155 East 42nd St – 212-953-2000) will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve and open on New Year’s Eve from 5 pm to 10 pm, serving from the regular menu will. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Cibo (767 Second Ave – 212-681-1616) will be open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with special menus each day. For more information, visit www.cibonyc.com.
Cinqunata (50 East 50th Street – 212-759-5050) will be serving from their regular menu on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. They will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Commodore Grill at the Grand Hyatt New York (Park Ave at Grand Central Terminal – 646-213-6997) will be serving a prix fixe menu for $70 per person from 4 pm to 10:30 pm on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. The regular menu will be available as well. On New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will serve a five-course price fixe menu for $165 per person from 5 pm to 10:30 pm. The restaurant will remain open until 1 am. The Commodore Club will also be open for cocktails and light bites.
Gilt (at the New York Palace Hotel, 455 Madison Ave – 212-891-8100) will be serving from the regular menu on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The restaurant is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant (Grand Central Terminal, Lower Level – 212-490-6650) will be closed Christmas but open on New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve, serving from its regular a la carte menu.
Inside Park at St. Bart’s (Park Ave at East 50th St) will serve a special New Year’s Eve menu, accompanied by a live swing band, with seatings at 5:30 pm and at 8:30 pm. For more information, visit www.insideparknyc.com, and to purchase tickets call 212-593-3333 or visit www.opentable.com.
Madison & Vine (299 Madison Ave at east 41st St - 212-867-5535) will serve a special prix fixe holiday shoppers lunch for $30 per person for the entire holiday week, along with an a la carte dinner menu. On New Year’s Eve the restaurant will offer a special prix fixe menu for $90 per person. For more information, visit www.hospitalityholdings.com.
Maggie’s Place (21 East 47th St – 212-753-5757) will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve serving from their regular bar menu. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Manhattan Sky at the Grand Hyatt New York (Park Ave at Grand Central Terminal – 616-213-6670) will serve a $39 price fix menu for lunch on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from noon to 2 pm, along with the regular menu. The restaurant will also be open for a la carte lunch on New Year’s Eve and a la carte brunch on New Year’s day.
Mindy’s (in the New York Helmsley Hotel - 212-405-4222) will serve from the regular menu on Christmas Eve and will offer a special three-course menu from noon to 10 pm on Christmas Day for $64 per person.
O'Caseys (22 East 41st St – 212-685-6807) will be open until 6 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, serving from their regular menu. They will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Pera Mediterranean Brasserie (303 Madison Ave - 212-878-6301) will be closed on Christmas Day but offer feature a special 9 pm seating on New Year’s Eve with a five-course menu for $130 per person. The regular menu will be served prior to 8:30. The Lapis Luna Band will perform all night and into the New Year.
Pershing Square (90 East 42nd St – 212-286-9600) will be open Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve until 8 pm, and will be closed Christmas Day. They will be open for breakfast, brunch and dinner on New Year’s Day.
Public House New York (140 East 41st St) is throwing one of the Grand Central neighborhood’s most raucous parties this year on New Year’s Eve from 9 am to 2 pm. For more information and to purchase tickets call 212-682-3710 or visit www.publichousenyc.com.
The Wheeltapper at the Fitzpatrick Grand Central (141 East 44th St. – 212-351-6800) will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and will serve a special $90 prix fixe menu on Christmas Day.
| | | DECEMBER QUICK-DEALS
* Stop by Koglin's German Hams (Grand Central Market - 212-499-0725) today through December 24 and register to win a $200 Gift Card. Koglin's is proudly offering its customers the biggest selection of salami, hams, sausages and prepared meat specialties in North America.
* Tumi (in the Lexington Passage of Grand Central Terminal - 212-973-0015) is giving back to its customers this holiday season, by offering $50 off every $250 spent today through December 25.
* Present a copy of this newsletter at The Shop @ Scandinavia House (58 Park Ave - 212-847-9737) to receive a 20% discount on your entire purchase!
| | | TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Today and tomorrow are Gridlock Alert Days, during which traffic congestion associated with the holiday season is expected be particularly heavy. A full calendar of Gridlock Alert Days for this year is available at www.nyc.gov.
| | | COMING EVENTS
 Now through December 29: The Grand Central Holiday Fair returns to Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall for the 10th year, offering an exceptional product mix that consistently impresses customers with a range of interests and from all walks of life. For more information, visit www.grandcentralterminal.com.
Now through December 24: The sixth annual Holiday Market at St. Bartholomew’s Church (Park Ave at East 50th St) is once again featuring hundreds of authentic gift items including arts, crafts, antiques, jewelry and seasonal objects. For more information about the Holiday Market, which is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm, visit www.stbarts.org or call 212-378-0222.
Now through January 2: The Atrium at Citigroup Center (153 East 53rd St) will once again be filled with the magic of the holidays as Citi invites New Yorkers and all visitors to enjoy The Station at Citigroup Center, a highly anticipated and heart-warming tradition here in the Grand Central neighborhood. Free and open to the public, the model train exhibit will run every day except Christmas during the holiday season. For more information, click here.
Now through January 19: Start your holidays with a clang at the New York Transit Museum’s 7th Annual Holiday Train Show on display at the Museum’s Gallery Annex in Grand Central Terminal. For more information call 212-878-0106 or visit www.mta.info.
Wednesday, January 7: Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer will host an information session for prospective Community Board applicants at 6:30 pm at the Municipal Building (1 Centre Street, 19th Floor, South Entrance). For more information, contact Dan Benjoya at 212-669-7877 or dbenjoya@manhattanbp.org.
| | | TAKE THE GRAND TOUR
Friday, December 26 and Friday, January 2: Take the Grand Tour of East 42nd Street with urban historian Justin Ferate. Tour meets in the Sculpture Court at 120 Park Avenue (42nd St and Park Ave) at 12:30 pm.
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