TOY at the Gransevoort Hotel

If you enjoy dining at new, hip restaurants, then it’s time to get to TOY. Located in The Gansevoort Hotel at 18 Ninth Avenue (13^th Street) in the Meatpacking District, TOY includes a Chinese menu with Japanese influence. Executive chef Doron Wong will be running the kitchen in the 7000 square foot dining location that includes three spaces. It has an indoor/outdoor raw bar in the hotel’s lobby; a large dining terrace outdoors and a bi-level main dining room.

TOY is a new venture from Derek and Daniel Koch, twins who specialize in dining and nightlife enterprises, with Jeffrey Chodorow’s China Grill Management.

Try out the 18 vegetable Singapore salad with seared rare tuna, the shrimp “toast” cigars with mustard plum sauce or the hidden lobster dumplings.  A feast for the eyes and the taste buds awaits you here!

Wild Bird Fund Opens Its Doors on the Upper West Side

If you’re a bird who has fallen on hard times, you’re in luck. A new 1300 square foot upper West Side wildlife rehabilitation and education center has just opened.  Over a decade ago, co-founder of the Wild Bird Fund Rita McMahon started the nonprofit group along with Karen Heidgerd.

Approximately 355 bird species live in New York City or stop their on their way during their migration, and many of these birds get hurt during the flight.  Many birds actually get hurt because of Tanglefoot, a sticky glue that is used in offices to keep birds off of ledges.  As McMahon explained, “It coats their feathers and they get stuck.”

Last year alone, the Wild Bird Fund cared for over 1500 birds and many mammals. It used to be that McMahon and Heidgerd would care for these birds (and turtles, possums and skunks!) in their own apartments. Now, with the rehab center filling, they have a legitimate place to care for the animals.

The Wild Bird Fund is enjoying an open house today from 10-6 at 565 Columbus Avneue at 87^th Street.  Learn more about this amazing organization at www.wildbirdfund.com and help them to raise the funds they need to help our wildlife prosper.