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- On Monday, Feb. 6, food trucks started serving lunch on North End Avenue in the cul-de-sac at Vesey Street next to the World Financial Center. There will be four food trucks there every day, Monday to Friday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
World Financial Center food trucks: It was exactly 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, when Albert Teran, owner of the Bongo Brothers Cuban Food Truck, firmly closed his window, disappointing several customers still waiting outside. “We have to stop selling at 3 p.m.,” he later explained. “Besides, I’d run out of food.”
Bongo Brothers was one of four food trucks parked in the cul-de-sac at North End Avenue and Vesey Street on the second day of Battery Park City’s newest dining amenity — four food trucks that will appear from Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on a rotating schedule, bringing a variety of ethnic foods and desserts to B.P.C.’s hungry hordes.
The idea originated with Brookfield Office Properties, owner of the World Financial Center, in an effort to make up for the dining options that are no longer available inside 2 World Financial Center during construction. To ensure good quality and variety, the food trucks were chosen with the help of the New York City Food Truck Association, which has 25 vendors.
Teran said that business was great on his first day in Battery Park City. He estimated that he served around 150 customers, compared with around 100 customers during a normal lunch period when he parks on the street. Debbie Jones, who manages the Eddie’s Pizza food truck, also said she’d had a good day.
Frites ‘n’ Meats, with burgers, a variety of toppings and Belgian-style fries and Brooklyn-based Cupcake Crew selling cupcakes such as Red Velvet, S’mores and Chocolate Peppermint, made up that day’s foursome.
For information on which food trucks will be at the World Financial Center on any given day, go to www.worldfinancialcenter.com/foodtrucks.
Vandalized art table: In late September, two identical interactive maps showing the locations of most of the public art in Battery Park City were installed on the esplanade at a cost of $75,000 each. One was placed opposite Rockefeller Park, the other next to Wagner Park. In early December, the Wagner Park art table was smashed by what Matthew Monahan, a spokesman for the Battery Park City Authority called, “an outrageous act of vandalism. It’s a bit disheartening,” he said. “So many people consider Battery Park City a special place, but we’re not immune.” Monahan speculated that the damage could have been caused by skateboarders, but no one actually saw it happen.
For safety reasons, the damaged art table is currently under wraps while the Authority, which paid for the project, decides whether to replace it, relocate the intact art table, or take them both down.
Downtown community theater: Manhattan Youth is thinking about starting a community theater, and invites anyone interested in performing or crewing to a wine-and-cheese gathering on Monday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the possibilities. The exploratory event will be held at the Downtown Community Center (120 Warren St.).
“It’s well known that Downtown is full of talented singers, dancers, actors, musicians and artists of all kinds and of all ages who might love the chance to perform or crew a production of a play or musical,” said Rosalie Joseph, who is one of the organizers along with Bob Townley, executive director of Manhattan Youth.
Joseph said that, “Community theater refers to theatrical performances made for, by and with the residents of a particular community and performed in a venue in the neighborhood.”
RSVP to Rosalie Joseph, rosaliebpc@gmail.com. Those who can’t make the meeting but who are interested in working to develop a community theater, should email Joseph with contact information.
Valentine-making workshop: The Battery Park City Parks Conservancy’s annual Valentine-making workshop takes place on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at 6 River Terrace. Like last year, the theme will be “green” valentines, made from recycled materials such as salvaged paper, postage stamps, dried flowers, lace and ribbon.
Abby Ehrlich, director of programming for the B.P.C. Parks Conservancy, suggests that participants bring something of their own with which to personalize their valentines.
At last year’s valentine-making workshop, people from toddlers on up quickly became engrossed in the process of thinking of what they wanted to say to whom and of designing, cutting and pasting. The room hummed with intent and concentrated activity. Out of the workshop emerged valentines for moms, dads and grandparents, friends and a favorite teacher.
The workshop costs $5 per person (cash only). It’s free for children under 3. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Call (212) 267-9700, ext. 348 or 366 to register.
To comment on Battery Park City Beat or to suggest article ideas, email TereseLoeb@mac.com.
