Who Killed the Park Avenue Car?

Honking taxis were nowhere to be found on Park Avenue this morning. Nor were delivery trucks or town cars. Much in evidence, though, were bikers, runners, bladers, skateboarders, walkers and even members of the so-called Kangoo Nation (wearers of a very cool jumping shoe). As part of the city's Summer Streets program, today was the third and final August Saturday where, from East 72nd Street down Park Avenue and all the way past Union Square to the Brooklyn Bridge, closures gave active New Yorkers a rare glimpse of the cityscape from the middle of our roadways. 

I had the opportunity to run a full loop--from the Upper East Side to the Brooklyn Bridge and back, and was duly impressed by the courtesy extended between cyclists and runners, most of whom shared the streets graciously and without incident. Along the way, my fellow outdoor adventurers and I enjoyed music, giveaways and even stretching classes.

Of course, August being a huge month for vacations, traffic in the city was lighter than normal anyway. But still, how nice would it be if New York streets could be car-less for one Saturday every month? When that petition is drafted, count me in. Until then, all I can do is mark my calendar for Summer Streets 2012. (And who knows....I might even try it wearing a pair of Kangoos.) —THOMAS P. FARLEY

Photo courtesy of @inspiredcyclist

Go for a Round with the Victoria's Secret Angels

What's the secret to keeping a Victoria's Secret body? If you ask Candice Swanepoel (left), her answer just might include spinning. Along with fellow Victoria's Secret angels Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, Erin Heatherton and Lindsay Ellingson, Swanepoel will be taking part in a special "Supermodel Cycle" tonight at SoulCycle's spinning studio in TriBeCa. The one-time event is a benefit for Pelotonia, a charity devoted to ending cancer. Sadly,seats don't come cheap (prices range from $1,000 to $2,500), but then again, how often do you get to ride with angels?  

Escapist Fantasy

Celebs including Gossip Girl's Penn Badgley, Glee's Dianna Agron (left) and designers Christian Siriano and Charlotte Ronson avoided mayhem in the Hamptons over the weekend, opting instead for the sky-high penthouse of the Mondrian SoHo, where Carrera Sunglasses hosted a sun-soaked two-day party for VIPs and friends.

Badgley was overheard speaking about his plans to produce a record after he returns from an upcoming trip to Mexico. (Apparently, he can play any instrument but the drums....though we doubt that includes performing on a theremin or a didgeridoo!)

After chillaxing at the Carrera party--a gathering that also included activities such as morning yoga, eyebrow shaping and neck massages, Agron went out to celebrate the birthday of figure skater Johnny Weir with Vanessa Hudgens, Emma Roberts and Susan Sarandon (gotta love that Susan can still hold her own with the youngins). Apparently, Weir's birthday festivities didn't wrap until 7 a.m., so having a pair of sunglasses to hide the inevitable day-after eyebags must have been a welcome comfort for the Glee cheerleader.

The summer celebration, which has become a Carrera tradition, also featured goodies by a host of other luxury brands, including UV Vodka, SOUL by Ludacris and Venroy Australia. New York Insider was there enjoying it all to the bittersweet end, as the sun went down and (sadly) the sunglasses came off.

Agron photo by NickyDigital.Com

Yum, Yum, Yum!

Dessert Professional mag honors the top ten pastry chefs in America. For our slide show, click here. Image by Jennifer Bowles.

What's Got Heather So Excited?

Captured at last night's launch party for the new PBS show Kimchi Chronicles, hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Heather Graham is clearly enjoying the treats of Vongerichten's Spice Market restaurant, as did fellow celebs Hugh Jackman, Jill Zarin and Shenae Grimes. Photo by Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com

Taste the Difference

Two gluttonous nights of eating and drinking in a festical tent on Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side proved that the once-forlorn food nabe has truly come into its own. For pics from The New Taste of the Upper West Side. For our slide show, click here. Images by Jennifer Bowles.

A New Gin-eration of Cocktail

Among the many fun activities we had going on last weekend for the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, we had the opportunity to pop in to the penthouse of the James Hotel in SoHo, where our very own Insider Alex Ott was mixing up some cocktails with New Amsterdam Gin. The day's takeaway--that gin is a spirit that can go with just about any ingredient (those of us in attendance tried to stump Ott but to no avail) was a welcome lesson for any cautious sort who cringes from experimentation. Among our favorite drinks was the New Amsterdam Sling (sorry, Singapore), the recipe which follows below:

1 1/2 oz. New Amsterdam Gin

1 oz. fresh-squeezed orange juice

2 1/2 oz. pineapple juice

1 pinch of ground ginger

Dash of lemon juice

Combine all ingredients, shake vigorously, and strain over an ice-filled highball or frappe glass. Garnish with an organge wheel or pineapple wedge.

Getting in the Habit

Brooklyn Decker and Vanessa Hudgens displayed their height difference--as well as their excitement for Amazon.com's brand-new private shopping initiative, My Habit. The online retailer plans to go head-to-head with the Gilt Group and deliver deep discounts on designer clothing. Photo by Marion Curtis, for StarPix.

Cocktails in the Library

The Manhattan Cocktail Classic shook things up in the New York Public Library last night with an opening gala featuring brands such as Bacardi, Campari and New Amsterdam Gin, among others. For more event info, click here.

It's Tiempo for Cinco de Mayo

Although we're celebrating a battle victory south of the border, you don't need to go all the way to Mexico to find great Mexican eating and drinking possibilities. Here, courtesy of the folks at Epsolón Tequila, are two locally sourced recipes that you'll savor con amor.

Bucking Borracho
Created by Adam Schuman, Beverage Director
Fatty Crew, New York

INGREDIENTS
2 oz. Espolón Tequila Reposado
.25 oz. Ginger Syrup
.5 oz. Lemon Juice
.5 oz. Lime Juice
2 dashes Blended Chocolate Bitters (equal parts Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate and Bitter Truth Xocolatl Bitters)
1.5 oz. Ginger Beer
Lemon Slice
Mint Sprig

PREPARATION
In a shaker mix tequila, ginger syrup, lemon juice, lime juice and chocolate bitters with ice. Shake and strain into an iced highball, leaving enough room to top with chilled ginger beer. Garnish with lemon and mint.

El Diablo Braised Tacos de Lengua
El Diablo Taco Truck, Brooklyn, NY
Makes roughly 7-8 tacos

INGREDIENTS
½ beef tongue, cleaned
2 ½ cups water
2 cups beef stock
½ white onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 jalapeño, sliced
2 tomatoes, halved and sliced
½ cup chopped cilantro
½ bottle dark Mexican beer
1 tbs. vegetable oil
Salt & pepper
Queso Fresco
Lime
Corn Tortillas
Salsa

PREPARATION
Season beef tongue generously with salt and pepper. Sauté onions, garlic, jalapeño and tomatoes in a heavy pot with vegetable oil for 5 mins. Add water, beef stock and dark beer to sautéed vegetables and bring to boil. Add beef tongue and chopped cilantro to a heavy pot and salt to taste. Simmer covered until tender, turning tongue once. Braise for about 3 hours. Cool uncovered in broth. Remove tongue and cut into 1/4-inch slices. Dress with queso fresco, onions, cilantro and a wedge of lime. Serve on a corn tortilla and top with salsa.