GETTYSBURG, PA – So you’ve been roped into an educational vacation – a trip to visit the Civil War battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  And wondering whether you can possibly have any fun in what appears to be a one-trick tourist town.  I was the same.  I’ve been trying to expose my British husband to all sorts of Americana, and a [...]

BY MONICA BYERS NEW YORK, NY – New York City’s Stone Street dates back to the 1660s; it got its current moniker sometime later on due to its cobblestone paving (so the name is based in history, not irony).  I want to love this short artery because it’s old and cute.  In reality, though, the establishments that line it are largely [...]

BY MONICA BYERS NEW YORK – As happens so often in a walking city like New York, my husband and I randomly wandered into Barrio 47 for an after-dinner drink one night.  We were immediately charmed by the sexy Latin vibe of the place, and by our personable bartender.  We were also seduced by the giant wood-burning oven that dominates [...]

BY MONICA BYERS NEW YORK, NY – For months, I’d hang out with my friend and fellow Zenster Gary and – sometime after the 3rd or 4th martini – he’d say “Let’s go to Arthur’s in the West Village.”  To which I’d say “There is no way I’m travelling all the way to the West Village at this time of [...]

BY: MONICA BYERS NEW YORK, NY – So here you are at the beautiful Grand Central Terminal (though you might call it Grand Central Station).  You could be a tourist checking out the Beaux-Arts architecture, snapping pics and wondering to yourself if New York could afford to build such a cavernous, stunning building today (my guess is no).  Or, maybe [...]

  BY: MONICA BYERS NEW YORK –   11th Street Bar is a locals joint in the East Village that, among NYC football aficionados, is known as a  Liverpool Football Club fans’ bar.  As a card-carrying Liverpool supporter, I felt compelled to check it out.  I didn’t quite get my ass into gear during the league season, so I checked out [...]

BY: MONICA BYERS NEW YORK – Sylvia’s has been famous for as long as I can remember.  This Harlem soul food institution was founded in 1962 and has been going strong ever since.  Because it was so famous and so sought out by visitors, I was expecting a disappointing tourist trap. You know – overpriced, lousy service, mediocre food.   Yes, [...]

By MONICA BYERS NEW YORK – Woodwork is one of my favorite football bars in NYC, discovered thanks to my Brooklyn-dwelling football pal, Scott.  It’s got a fun bar staff (who actually do know their football), reasonably priced beer (with a pretty broad selection) and good eats (click here for more on that).   It’s also a more physically comfortable place [...]

By MONICA BYERS NEW YORK, NY – My first visit to the Swift Hibermian Lounge in Manhattan’s East Village (or is it NoHo?) was on a chilly October night when the bar had a special beer drink called the Jack O’Lantern i.e. Guiness with pumpkin ale, if memory serves – an important caveat, as this was a while ago and [...]

LAS VEGAS, NV – Man, do I love Vegas.  I love the cheesiness, the non-stop party and the promise of naughtiness around every corner.  I used to get there 3 times a year back when I was a Californian but, sadly, now only make it there about once every two years or so (including one trip to have my wedding [...]