Walrus doing crunches

A tour of the new BLT Bar & Grill at the W Hotel Downtown

You can rate this restaurant here

Regional Director of the BLT restaurants, Pamela Friedl, takes us on a tour of the new Bar & grill at the W Hotel Downtown. For reservations, visit http://www.bltbarandgrill.com

At 9/11 Memorial, Police Raise Fears of Suicide

February 16, 2012

The New York times is reporting that the NYPD fear the waterfalls at the September 11th memorial will be enticing for the distraught seeking suicide. The story can be found here.

Skateboarders vandalize esplanade art

February 14, 2012  by Steven Greer

BatteryPark.TV has been the only local news source to accurately report on the violent threat from the growing numbers of teenage skateboard gangs. Because they are underage, many people tend to dismiss them. However, numerous cases of assault have been perpetrated, including a male PEP officer being struck in the headwith a skateboard, and a local hotdog vendor attacked (see video below).

Thr art display damagaed by skateboarders

Now, local witnesses are identifying skateboarders as the criminals who ruined the new table map directory of art and sculptures, which is based at the southernmost portion of the esplanade overlooking the Statue of Liberty. A letter to the “BroadsheetDAILY” from Bob Rosen explains, “The unknown vandal who destroyed the art table on December 2nd was actually a group of skateboarders who, just after jumping atop the display and smashing the Plexiglas, sped past me and headed north towards the steps near the North Cove to continue their destruction. A jogger who saw them and reported it within minutes to a police captain (who was nearby conducting a training exercise) and described the vandals but it was already too late. A few weeks later the same display at Rockefeller Park had a part ripped off but thankfully it was replaced…..If removing the other display and other art works is all we can do to stop the skateboarders from damaging public property, then what are we saying about ourselves? The PEP officers do little to discourage anti-social behavior. Living here has always been special and if not, then we are the losers.”

Interview with restaurateur Danny Meyer

Dr. Steven Greer of BatteryPark.TV was given exclusive access to Danny Meyer at his newest establishment, the North End Grill. They discuss why he chose Battery Park City for his three new restaurants, and his philosophies that have led to such consistent success.

Danny Meyer tours his newest Shake Shack in Battery Park

*** BatteryPark.TV has selected this establishment as a Best of Downtown for french fries

Beans & Greens

In full screen 1080i HD

For an all-organic salad and soup lunch, one can now go to the new Beans&Greens that opened up on the restaurant alley of the Goldman Sachs Building and the Conrad Hotel. This establishment is operated by the same owners as nearby Pick a Bagel, Wei West, and Izzy & Nat’s. It offers several choices for a healthy lunch. With finely chopped lettuce, their made-to-order salad bar is a change of pace from the Devon and Blakely style of salad. The numerous selections of soups are made on the premises and have great taste.

Not many people even realize that the “Beans” in the name Beans&Greens refers to their coffee bar. They use beans from Stumptown, and offer American brewed coffee as was as espressos, and espresso-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.

You can rate this restaurant here. Also, Please post your opinions on this restaurant in the comments section below.

(Click images to expand)

Manager George

Price: Basic salad with no meat is $7.50. With chicken, it is $11.00

(To compare, Devon & Blakely in the WFC sells large salad, 4 toppings, with chicken for $8.00)

Located at 220 Murray Street, across from the Goldman Sachs building (by the movie theater)

(212) 786-4760

Saturday Night Live slams Huffington Post for copying other’s content

BatteryPark.TV makes original content often copied by other news aggregating farms with little original content. Therefore, this SNL video was quite satisfying to watch.

Danny Meyer tours his new Blue Smoke BBQ in Battery Park

You can rate this restaurant here

**** BatteryPark.TV has chosen this restaurant to have the best fried chicken, pies, cake, and barbeque downtown

Battery Place Market in Goldman Sachs

The Battery Place Market of south BPC has opened a smaller satellite store in the shop alley of Goldman Sachs. We will have a full video tour soon. In the meantime, please see our previous video. One thing that caught our attention was the supply of Jacques Torres gourmet chocolate, made nearby on Hudson Street. Jacques is a nice guy and, hands down, makes the best chocolate in the city.

Located on West Murray Street in the Goldman Sachs building

(212) 323-6965

Ed Koch: Who will be the leading contenders for the NYC Mayoral race?

July 10, 2011

We interviewed former Mayor Ed Koch about the likely candidates for the 2013 New York City Mayoral race now that Anthony Weiner is no longer a viable candidate. NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn is his favorite candidate.

The Skyscraper Museum

Carol Willis, Founder and Director of The Skyscraper Museum in Battery Park City gives us a tour of the museum and the current exhibit: China Prophecy: Shanghai

The museum is located at 39 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10280. For more information, call (212) 968-1961

http://www.skyscraper.org

Chef Floyd Cardoz of North End Grill tours his restaurant

*** BatteryPark.TV has selected this establishment as a Best of Downtown for seafood

The North End Grill

104 North End Avenue (West side of the Conrad Hotel)

T (646) 747-1600

January 23, 2012  By Steven Greer, MD

The North End Grill began its first dinner services for the regular public tonight. As one would expect from a Danny Meyer 4-star striving establishment, the details were well done. As a propitious welcome, the framed photographs at the entrance feature the Irish Memorial across the street (which almost no one will realize). The bar serves individual seltzer and Coke bottles with the drinks, and the glasses are the proper shape. Try the three-glass sampler of whiskeys and the ice cold local beers. The bar menu of $4 tacos, etc. will be a big hit.

Walking to the dining room one sees the open kitchen, which flaunts the fine ingredients and competent crew. There is nothing to hide. The row of seating overlooking the kitchen could be the best seats in the house for the circumspect diner. The dining room looks out onto the peaceful North End Avenue (thanks to BatteryPark.TV evicting the tour buses) and offers a peak of the Hudson River and sunsets.

Chef Floyd Cardoz and his team prepares the wild salmon perfectly, and the Brussels sprouts are creatively chopped and grilled. Other meats and fish are dipped into the unusual wood oven using a Spanish-inspired pair of large steel wheels. The Josper grill allows other meats to be charcoal broiled. Pork chops and steaks are also available.

A separate pastry desert station and a coffee roasting station offer the triptych completion to dinner that will compete the best restaurants. The pecan layer cake portion looks small when it arrives, but is more than enough. But to be honest, many of the southern classic baked deserts around the corner at Blue Smoke can’t be beat.

The best part of North End Grill (and Blue Smoke), is the new demographic that it draws to Battery Park. Although it was a rainy Monday night, the place was almost full. Danny Meyer came over to greet diners in person, and there was no pretentiousness or rudeness that plagues some nearby Tribeca joints like Locanda Verde.

Much as Mr. Meyer’s “Eleven Madison” progressed up to 4-stars, the putative progression of North End Grill should be no different. Hopefully, our idea for a Lincoln Center Jazz style venue will open up next door, and BPC residents will never have to take another depressing New York City cab ride again.

Steven Greer, MD discusses with Bill O’Reilly the Japan radiation concern for the US?

April 2, 2011

Currently, the radioactive isotopes from the Fukushima meltdowns (plural) reaching the United States are of no concern. The levels are miniscule and of no medical harm. However, radiation exposure and subsequent risk to cancer is cumulative and the situation cannot be allowed to continue for months, ala the BP oil spill. What will the international community do next?

We discussed this with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly.

Three Cunard Oceanliners Together Again

January 13, 2011

Once again, a trio of flagships from the British Cunard cruise line (The Queen Mary 2, The Queen Victoria and The Queen Elizabeth) came together in New York Harbor. A similar gathering took place in 2008.

(Heat convection currents and the cold air by the buildings made the images a bit blurry)

(In full screen 1080iHD)

Urban Meyer introduces the new coaching staff

Ohio State new football coach Urban Meyer introduces his coaching staff. Multiple-time Super Bowl winner Mike Vrabel is now the defensive line coach. Luke Fickell was retained and made the Defensive Coordinator.

George’s diner closed after owner films health inspector during inspection

(In full screen 1080i HD)

Update: January 9, 2012

George’s diner was re-inspected today by the city health inspector. Two inspectors were sent,  and the restaurant was allowed to re-open. George’s will be open for normal business tomorrow. A letter grade will be assigned after a follow up inspection is made.

Owner Bill Koulmentas said, “It is not common for a restaurant to be re-opened this fast…(we received), a lot of positive verbal feedback (on the BatteryPark.TV story) from throughout Battery Park City. Thank you very much for all that you have done.”

January 7, 2012  By Steven Greer, MD

George’s diner on Greenwich Street and Rector Street, south of the World Trader Center, was shut down by the New York City Health Department on Friday, January 6th. The original restaurant had to be demolished after the WTC disaster of September 11th, 2001, and was reopened in a newly constructed building in 2005.

We interviewed the owner, Bill Koulmentas, to learn why the restaurant was shut down. We could not contact the health department.

According to Mr. Koulmentas, and iPhone video supporting his story, a female health inspector stopped by approximately two weeks ago and found some violations. He felt that the inspector was aggressive and had an agenda to find violations no matter what. On Friday, January 6th, a male inspector arrived unannounced at 9:30 AM and inspected until 2:30 PM.

During the inspection on the 6th, Mr. Koulmentas felt that the inspector was “rigging” the inspection, claiming cockroaches were found that did not exist, that the refrigerator did not work when it did, etc. He pulled out his iPhone and began to videotape the inspector. At this point, the inspector began to become irritated. Mr. Koulmentas believes that the closure of his restaurant was due to his filming the health inspector and disputing his findings.

The health inspector closed the restaurant on the spot, at 2:30 PM, January 6th. It is unknown what will happen next and when the restaurant might be allowed to reopen.

The new letter grading system instituted by Mayor Bloomberg has been very controversial. Newspaper reports have insinuated that the process is rife with corruption, and was adopted simply as a way to increase revenues for the city in the form of fines. Many restaurant owners feel that the grades assigned are completely arbitrary, and Mr. Koulmentas’ filmed experience certainly adds credence to those theories.

If you are a restaurant owner and have experienced similar problems with the health department, BatteryPark.TV wants to know about it. Shoot us an email at info@batterypark.tv

The Atlantic Cup Yacht Race

(Viewable in full screen 1080i HD)

The inaugural Atlantic Cup yacht race started today from the North Cove Marina. We interviewed Race Director Hugh Piggin about the types of yachts and goals of the race.

The Steakhouse Tour: Palm Restaurant

You can now rate this restaurant here, and provide comments at the bottom of this section.

By Steven Greer, MD

September 29, 2010: Update

We visited the Palm restaurant on West Street across from Goldman Sachs. The hickory smoked, medium-rare, steak was exceptionally juicy with great taste. The hubcap sized chicken Parmesan, one of their classics, was outstanding. To cap it off, we had the “death by chocolate” style cake. This is definitely a desert for two (or three). Palm is also featuring a pre-fix deal for a steak and lobster 4-course meal at $49. Mention to GM Scott Young that you saw this review on BatteryPark.TV for special treatment.

The Steakhouse Tour: Palm Restaurant

BatteryPark.TV embarked on a tour of nearby steakhouses. We began with the closest one to Battery Park City: Palm Restaurant on the West Side Highway. Executive Chef Luis Nieto and GM Scott Young showed us around. First, the new building is very convenient for the Wall Street crowd of Goldman Sachs, American Express, BofA, etc. and has several ideal private rooms for business meetings. The Palm restaurants began as Italian restaurants and morphed into a fusion of Italian cuisine and American steakhouse. In addition to excellent beef and side dishes, try the chicken parmesan.

Palm Restaurant Tribeca, 206 West Street  http://www.thepalm.com/

(646) 395-6393

9/11 Memorial Tour hosted by Sheldon Silver

October 2, 2011

(In full screen 1080iHD)