You know YOU’RE a NEW YORKER when . . . . . .

• You say “the city” and assume everyone knows you’re talking about Manhattan.
• You consider Philadelphia “the South.”
• Your door has more than 3 locks.
• You run when you see a flashing “Do Not Walk” sign at an intersection.
• You take a cab so you won’t lose your parking spot.

Find more ‘You Know You’re a New Yorker When” postings and what our fans are saying at Facebook or Twitter.   Become a fan and keep up with all the new posts what to do when visiting, living or playing in New York.

By Jenna Scaglione

Port Jefferson Village is one of my favorite spots for shopping and enjoying everything coastal that Long Island has to offer. Quaint shops, fabulous dining and harbor views crown Port Jefferson as one of the greatest tourist locations in coastal New York.

With so many shops lining the bustling streets, you may not get the chance to see all of Port Jefferson’s culture in one visit. One shop you may have passed by is Lainie’s Way. This colorful, lively storefront is located on Main Street nestled in the heart of the village. Lainie, the store’s owner, created the business as homage to her grandfather and the memories they shared when she was a child. She has desired to spread the joy of kite flying to those around her since its inception nearly seven years ago.

Because her bright, inviting outdoor displays of assorted kites and spinners attract the spirits of so many adults and children alike, Lainie decided to expand her product to include educational toys and games. She sells unique items you will not find in any department store, designed for children and adults.

Her fade resistant outdoor spinners are ideal for your lawn and garden year round. This is the perfect season to add a little color to your yard to chase away the winter blues. Unlike ordinary spinners, they are created to withstand all of the elements, including rain and snow.
Your kids will love the online Tracksters gaming, featuring diecast collectible cars you can customize right on your computer. If adults want to revisit their inner child, Lainie’s Way offers multiple products for all ages of enjoyment. Creative toys such as the ball wizard and the awesome quadrilla twist, a 205 piece track including mesmerizing curves, circles and funnels are perfect for lazy Sunday afternoons.

If you ever visit Port Jefferson, you will not want to miss the colorful, spinning, whirlwind that is Lainie’s Way. Lainie is dedicated to help you choose the best items for you and your children while providing a memorable store experience. Take a peek inside this Long island gem and enter this unique world of fun and enchantment.

By Jenna Scaglione

Kudos to Asics for opening its first US based retail store in none other than fabulous New York City! The Japanese inspired sports store is “all the buzz” around town since its debut in late fall last year. The expansive 1,100 square-foot store is located in the heart of midtown Manhattan at 51 West 42nd Street, near Bryant Park. Its welcoming décor and sleek, modern design will attract even the fastest New York “speed racer” off the street. Wait until they see what is inside!

Asics has developed a state of the art 3D Foot ID system that scans your foot to give you a customized profile. For lack of better words, this is one of the coolest things I have ever seen! Customers stand on the scanner equipped with lasers and cameras while they watch the high-tech machine go to work. When you are done, you will know the arch and bone architecture of every aspect of your foot. You will then be directed to the treadmill which will measure your running gait. To sort through this data for all of us non-technical people, thankfully Asics supplies you with specially trained staff members to interpret the data and give you customized recommendations for the best sneakers for your feet. Be prepared though, as they will ask for your height and age. If you really want to discover the best shoes for your feet, then no cheating on the age ladies!

Once you receive your personalized foot profile, it’s time to select your technologically superior shoe. The color selection is numerous for each individual customized system. The shoe designs are crafted in the signature double line wave which made Asics so famous. I have to admit; the sneakers are hot and look great with the perfect running gear, which they also sell by the way. The walls are lined with the latest Asics apparel designs, a perfect match for your new custom sneakers.

So next time you are in the mood for a little “James Bond” gadget fix, head on over to New York City’s Asics flagship store and experience their high-tech Foot ID System. Not only will your feet be ready for your next workout, but you will also be strutting your stuff “shopdiva” style. You will definitely be one of the coolest people on the block!

Store Address:

By Beth Kaiserman

Some of the tastiest options in New York City can be found right along the streets. No, I’m not talking about the food remnants that pigeons feast on along the city’s sidewalks, but the amazing fare produced by the food vendors that give New York streets personality. Here are some top notch spots that are still kickin’ it in the cold of winter.

Calexico Burrito Cart in SoHo
One of my favorite stops this summer was the Calexico burrito cart, serving up huge burritos filled with fresh and delicious ingredients. So what’s up at the burrito cart on these cold winter days? According to the burrito cart’s Twitter page, the Calexico boys have been out and about at their usual locations, despite the cold winds. The New York Times named the cart one of the best inexpensive places of 2009. It’s affordable, tasty, and the servers are friendly and polite even when the line is long.

Shake Shack in Flatiron
Keeping the burger love aflame with outdoor heaters, this hot spot in Madison Square Park is still busy during lunchtime. You receive a pager, and will be buzzed when your food is ready. You can’t go wrong with a thick creamy shake and a fresh juicy burger. This is the closest New York City equivalent I’ve had to the heavenly In-N-Out Burger, a fast food chain on the West Coast. (I should mention that I have plans to check out Astoria’s Petey’s Burgers another California style burger.) Shake Shack is also planning to expand with new locations in Soho, the Upper East Side and Midtown West. .

Xinjiang BBQ Cart in Flushing, Queens
Who doesn’t love meat on a stick? Still grilling and chilling in Queens, the cart’s food selection is simple: beef, chicken or lamb on a skewer – at only $1.00 each. It’s not much more complicated than that. Plus, you can ask for it extra spicy. Xinjiang BBQ Cart is ideal if you need some grilled protein to fuel your day in Flushing. Stop there for a quick meat treat.

Where do you stop for food on-the-go? Email me about your favorite food carts to NewYorkNibbler@NewYork.com.

By Jenna Scaglione

The streets of New York constantly collide with the footsteps of many celebrities looking for the hottest fashions or some extra quality time with their families. You never know who you are going to see in New York, so keep your eyes and ears open. If you hear the sounds of mindless chatter, scurrying feet and snapping cameras, it might just be your lucky day!

Do you want to shop where the celebrities shop? Well, a lot of the “hip” celebs love the unique and trendy SoHo village for its high-end boutiques and creative atmosphere. Rihanna was spotted recently walking the streets of SoHo village and shopping at the trendy boutique store, Intermix. A hot spot for most celebrities, Intermix offers the latest fashions fused with European flair. The elite of Intermix shoppers also includes Lindsay Lohan and Ivanka Trump.

Barneys New York on Madison Avenue was recently graced with the footsteps of one of Hollywood’s biggest celebrity families. The Simpson family, including Ashlee Simpson, husband Pete Wentz, and son Bronx was spotted leaving Barneys New York with sister Jessica Simpson and father Joe. It was a regular family outing for the happy clan as they were on their way to support Ashlee in her big Manhattan Broadway performance in Chicago.

Big time Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, in her signature oversized sunglasses, was seen in midtown Manhattan, with children Shiloh and Zahara in hand walking out of Lee’s Art Shop. They were carrying white baskets filled with numerous art supplies. Shocked bystanders were seen shooting pictures and calling friends on their cell phones. I am sure they were not prepared for that unexpected surprise!

So if you want to see somebody famous in your shopping excursions, check out these New York celebrity shopping hotspots. And by all means take your cameras and fill me in on your sightings. Email me at shopdiva@newyork.com if you see any hot celebrities walking around the town. We can feature your sightings in our future posts. Good Luck!

From stick ball to Spumoni gardens, “Brooklynites” capture and hold dear their traditions and distinct culture. If you enter the heart of the populous borough, you will find the most delectable bakeries, award-winning pizzerias and darling boutiques that will steal your taste buds and your heart all in the matter of a New York minute.

Shopping in Brooklyn can be a real treat if you know where to go. Do you ever tire of the same old fashions lining the racks of your neighborhood department stores? At times I have embarrassingly passed people who were wearing the exact same outfit as mine…good thing I was carrying a coat! So today in honor of all of my “shopdivas” out there who love to find boutiques filled with unique and artistic “one of a kind” treasures, we are traveling off the beaten path to Brooklyn’s own Sodafine Boutique. Nestled on 119 Grand St on the bustling streets of good old Brooklyn, Sodafine’s offerings will warm your heart and comfort your senses.

Since 2004, the owner, Erin Weckerle, has skillfully created all of her precious treasures by hand while celebrating the designs of local artists as well. The green-walled store is filled with colorful, crocheted accessories, vintage styles, and eco-friendly fashions. In addition to the wide array of delicate offerings and the store’s antique ambience, you will be surprised to see racks draped with wild and unruly patterns and novelty tees. Sodafine has something for everyone, man and woman alike.

If you stay long enough, which I am sure you will, sample the aromatic, natural roll on perfumes created from essential oils. I also love how Erin elegantly displays her stationary and belts around the designer filled clothing racks. My personal favorite, the “Hero” belt, not for the faint of heart, is designed by Feral Childe and adorned with colorful sparkles, metallic fabric and whimsical designs.

Design-conscious dressers everywhere flock to Sodafine to create a distinct look and support a “green” environment. Even though it is a small boutique, prepare to spend some time and enjoy the creatively-charged atmosphere. When you make your purchase, email me at shopdiva@newyork.com and tell me about your personal experience!

Now that we are experiencing deep freeze temperatures warm up with a nice cup of soup that’s cheap, delicious and satisfying. These New York City spots are ladling out some of the best broths to cure your winter blues.

For a bowl of soup to go, hit up Soup Spot, 220 W. 31st St. Even though there’s no seating, the soup is fresh and piping hot so it will still by tasty by time you get back to the office. The food is decently priced; you can get soup and a small sandwich for $5.50 or with a large sandwich for $6.50, and the soup options change daily. Don’t be deterred if the line is long; it moves pretty fast to warm you up in no time.

Udon West, 11 St. Marks Place, serves up big steaming big bowls of udon (a fat wheat-flour noodle often used in Japanese cooking), and it’s open late enough to feed your late-night noodle cravings. The scene is simple and cash-only; it’s a great casual spot to warm up with friends in the East Village.

Journey into Jewish comfort food with a hearty bowl of matzo ball soup at Gottlieb Restaurant, 352 Roebling St., in Williamsburg. No New York experience is complete without a visit to a deli, and this establishment, run by Hasidic Jews, keeps it real with all the filling dishes any deli should have.

At Coney Island’s Café Glechik, 3159 Coney Island Ave., soups and stews are the specialty, with delicious dumplings also worth tasting. Try the traditional red borsch, or for a twist, try the restaurant’s green borsch, made with sorrels, eggs and rice.

Email NewYorkNibbler@NewYork.com with some of your favorite soup stops in the city.

By Beth Kaiserman

I work in Soho, where there’s an array of chic dining options to suit any palate. But I often find myself pointing customers to more genuine digs, like Ray’s Pizza on Prince Street, or Chinatown, just a short walk down Broadway. Pizza and Chinese food should be two cuisine “must haves” on any New York tourist’s meal plan.

New York’s Chinatown is one of the biggest Chinese communities outside Asia, and it’s as real as it gets, at least when it comes to food. If you can work your way through the sea of “designer” discounts, you can find yourself a fantastic meal at many of Chinatown’s hole-in-the-wall restaurants, along with an array of produce and fish markets.

It’s often a struggle for me to leave the cozy confines of my apartment to re-enter the winter cold, but by 9:30 p.m. a craving for Chinese food got the best of me. Recently, I took a trip to Chinatown in a huge downpour (luckily just a short ride on the J train to the Bowery stop) and went to the Cantonese restaurant Congee, 98 Bowery, where I chose sesame chicken for my late night feast.

The food was fantastic, and the leftovers were great the next day. (A work buddy had Chinese food too, so we made an impromptu food exchange, elementary school style.) The scrumptious meal was the highlight of a long and intense day.

I’m looking to discover more delicious gems within the fast-paced Chinatown scene.