The AT&T American Cup is back in NYC this year, on March 3rd at 11:30 AM at Madison Square Garden. The American Cup is undoubtedly USA Gymnastics’ most coveted invitational event – and never moreso than in an Olympic year, such as this one. This world-class event has been held since 1976, when it premiered right here in New York City. In many venues over the years, the event has boasted winners including Olympic champions Mary Lou Retton, Kerri Strug, Nastia Liukin, and Nadia Comaneci on the women’s side – and Bart Conner, Blaine Wilson, and Paul Hamme for the men.

This year’s field will include reigning world, USA, and American Cup champion Jordyn Wieber of the USA, her teammate Alexandra Raisman, and Germany’s Nadine Jarosch. Men’s competitors and leaders will include Bronx native John Orozco, world silver medalist Philipp Boyy of Germany, and world parallel bars champion Danell Leyva.

Wieber is being called USA Gymnastics’ “It Girl” for the London Summer Games. Just 16, Wieber started her gymnastics career at 4 years old, and competed in her first major competition at age 11 , the Visa National Championships, where she qualified for the national team with a 9th place finish. Since then, she’s just continued to win, most recently and notably winning the 2011 World Championships. Get to know Jordyn and the other competitors before the Olympics with the best sneak peek you will find, at the American Cup.

Tickets start at just $29 and are still available here as of this writing. Whether you’re a longtime gymnastics fan, or just looking for a different weekend activity, this spirited competitive event is worth a look. A fun date event, or a great family day, this competition is fun for all ages.

We invite you to join us at Seven for an upscale, but laidback, lunch after the event. Show us your ticket and receive 10% off your food; with choices like Calamari Fra Diavolo, our famous Frittata or Seven burger, or a classic Chicken Caesar salad, you’ll enjoy the best food in the MSG area, at prices you can afford. Cheers and go Team USA!

As we’ve said before, one of our favorite things about our neighborhood is its undiscovered gems – particularly, the off-Broadway theaters that bring us up-and-coming actors and artists, before they’re discovered by the world. Urban Stages Theater has always been a favorite; this non-profit theater, located just around the corner on 30th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, produces two or three complete off-Broadway productions each season, and holds developmental workshops and offers theater and space rental packages to meet any needs. It also holds summer camps and school & library programs to support the development of the arts for young people.

Many Urban Stages productions have received critical acclaim, such as this glowing review of a recent one-man show in the New York Times. Showing next at Urban Stages (as of March 16th): My Occasion of Sin, a musical set in a segregated city in 1969 in which two men from extremely different backgrounds, one white, one black, find common ground through their love of music, as do two women on the other side of the city. This powerful and thought-provoking piece, written by Monica Bauer, is directed this time by Frances Hill. Hill says of the show, “Monica’s play was so well-written and unique, encompassing so much – race relations, women’s issues, the effect of music on society – all stemming from real-life events, that I couldn’t resist the impulse to direct it myself, especially after mounting a reading of it last November.”

Whether it’s to see this show, or whatever comes next, Urban Stages is worth a trip. We invite you to make a night of it – come see us at Seven after the show, and enjoy 10% off your tab, just by showing us your ticket. We are the only upscale dining restaurant in the neighborhood, making Seven the perfect place to share a bottle of wine and discuss the show with a friend or a date.

For many, Valentine’s Day means paying exorbitant an sum to crowd into an over-priced, pretentious restaurant with fake smiles and insincere kisses.

You’re too smart for that.

Yes, you want outstanding food, and a sophisticated romantic atmosphere. But you also want to be comfortable, and pay a fair price.

Come to Seven Bar and Grill.

Starting at 8 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, we offer a prix fixe, four-course meal and a glass of champagne for just $50 per person.

Read the marvelous reviews of Seven Bar and Grill on CitySearch, and call us today at 212-967-1919 to book your table.

The  longest continuously held sporting event in the US: The Kentucky Derby. Not a huge surprise. But – do you know what’s #2? The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. This annual event, a two-day, all breed conformation show, has been running every year since 1877, and is now a Madison Square Garden classic. 2,000 dogs are admitted to this year’s event (down from 2,500), but their owners have to act fast to get in, as registration always fills up on the first day that it is opened.

The event, held this year on Monday-Tuesday, February 13-14, welcomes all breeds of dogs. Hound, toy, non-sporting, and herding breeds will be judged on Monday, and Sporting, Working, and Terrier breeds will be judged on Tuesday. Best in Show will also be judged on Tuesday evening. With different breeds winning almost every year, Best in Show is always the most coveted prize of the show – even inspiring the name of the 2000 cult classic comedy movie based on the event.

NYC welcomes the Westminster Kennel Club and the dog show with open arms. While you’re here, be sure to check out the Empire State Building, which lights up in the Westminster purple and gold each year.

Saks Fifth Avenue is also expected to feature a Westminster-themed window display, and the winner will be invited to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Clearly, NYC loves the Westminster Dog Show – and so do we at Seven. We’ve even whipped up a special doggie treat recipe – so, if you’re in town for the show, just let us know at dinner and we’ll send you home with a doggie biscuit for your companion. (What’s in them? Whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, cornmeal, rolled oats, water, canola oil, eggs, peanut butter, vanilla extract, garlic powder, and onion powder.) How’s that for a win for every dog?

If you’re a spectator lucky enough to get tickets, enjoy. (If not, you can catch it on USA Networks). And, if you’ll be joining us in the city with your dog for the event, good luck, and enjoy your stay in the city. At Seven, just around the corner from Madison Square Garden, we salute you, and we invite you to come see us while you’re in town!

One of our favorite things about New York, and Madison Square Garden in particular, is the variety of events that we see. One week, we have Lady GaGa, the next, professional bull-riding, the next, the Knicks…it just goes on. One of our favorite annual events? The US Open Track & Field. One of the oldest events to come to MSG, this will be its 99th year (!) and it’s sure to be a classic, especially since 2012 is an Olympic year.

A perfect Saturday event, this year’s Open is on Saturday, January 28th, at 7:30 PM. Come see us for dinner before you head to the Garden! At dinner, you can debate the possibilities….who’s going to take the 50-meter womens’ hurdles? British national record holder Tiffany Porter? Defending Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper? It’s sure to be quite the race. And that’s not the only one. The legendary Bernard Lagat is expected to headline the men’s mile, among other superstar performances.

With men’s and women’s races and field events including pole vault, shot put, high jump, and more, there’s something for everyone, and it’s sure to be a fun and entertaining night. Great for track enthusiasts or just as a different weekend outing, tickets are still available here, starting at just $15.

As you hustle and bustle through the Penn Station area, it can be very easy to focus on the modern skyscrapers, retail outlets and restaurants, and lose site of the area’s rich history. Yet no aspect of modern life in the Madison Square Garden neighborhood is the source of more history than its churches.

St. Francis of Assissi, on 31^st St near 7^th Avenue, has been ministering to the resident and transient Catholic population in the area since 1844. Its current church building was constructed, at a cost of $60,000, in 1892.

As a Catholic Church in the midst of one of the world’s most diverse cities, it faces challenges unlike most other Catholic Churches. Fordham University has a page devoted to the Franciscans in NYC  and notes how St. Francis reaches out to the disenfranchised of NYC, as well as fallen-away Catholics of all stripes.

The church made the news for tragic reasons on September 11, when charismatic Father Mychal Judge, an FDNY chaplain, became the first confirmed victim of the tragic events of that day.

The Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist was organized in 1840 as the second parish to serve German Catholics in New York. In 1870, the Order of Capuchin take over the operations of the church. The new pastor urged his congregation to get behind a new church. Designed in French Gothic style by Nicholas Le Brun, the $175,000 church was opened in 1872 with an elaborate service led by Archbishop McClosky of the Archdiocese.  It is majestic inside, with arches finished with white marble and gold and stained glass windows. It also incorporates a Shrine to Padre Pio.

Other well known churches in the neighborhood include:

Marble Collegiate Church, known best perhaps for its associated with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.

Holy Apostle Episcopal Church

Church of St. Michael on West 34^th St.

Seven Bar and Grill and our sister restaurants – Mustang Harry’s and Mustang Sally’s – warmly welcome parishioners and guest of these neighborhood churches.

We’ve hosted many a wedding celebration, rehearsal dinner, and baptism party associated with each of these churches, and have provided a refuge in between wakes or after funerals or memorial masses. We’re proud of our association with each of these beloved religious institutions, and treasure their historic presence in the neighborhood.

Need plans for the weekend? How about trying something different (for most New Yorkers, anyway)? The Professional Bull Riders Invitational is coming to Madison Square Garden, starting on Friday night at 8 PM, and tickets are still available, starting at just $15.

Not sure what exactly happens at a professional bull riding event? We weren’t either. Here’s the scoop: in the first round, each rider attempts to stay on a bucking bull for at least 8 seconds. During their ride, both the bull and the rider are being judged, by 2 judges each, and they are scored from 1-25 by each judge. Riders are only scored for qualified rides, those 8 seconds or longer. After a first round, 15 riders make it to the second round, and the ultimate winner is chosen based on a cumulative score.

Get to know some of the riders on this video on the MSG website, decide on an event time, and get ready to go a little country this weekend in the city! Performances Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, and Sunday at 1 PM.

The first long weekend of the year is almost upon us! Martin Luther King Day is Monday, January 16th, 2012. Thinking about visiting NYC over MLK weekend? Or, just a local looking to maximize the holiday? Rather than spending the day in front of the TV, get out there and take advantage of NYC’s many events that truly honor Dr. King and his legacy. Check out our top 5 picks below:

1) Learn about Dr. King, the civil rights movement, and how it was felt here in NYC. Head to the Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center and take a walking tour of Harlem, and see and learn about sites both directly and indirectly involved with Dr. King and the civil rights movement. A video presentation precedes the tour and begins at 1 PM. $25 per person. Historically, this tour includes a stop at the Apollo Theater, Lenox Lounge, and the site of a NYC assassination attempt on Dr. King’s life. Book your tour here.

2) Head to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) for the 26th annual Brooklyn Tribute to MLK. NYC’s largest public celebration honoring Dr. King, this year’s event will feature keynote speaker Dennis Walcott, the chancellor of the NYC Department of Education. Walcott’s speech will be complemented by musical performances from Toshi Reagon, BIGLovely, and The Institutional Radio Choir C.O.G.I.C. of Brooklyn. After the speech and performances will be a free screening of the film The Black Power Mixtape 1967 – 1975. This is a free event, with first come, first serve seating.

3) Watch the annual MLK day parade in NYC. Traveling up 5th Avenue from 61st – 86th Street in Manhattan, the parade is a NYC staple. Free to the public.

4) Participate in the New York City Coalition Against Hunger’s annual MLK Serve-a-Thon and volunteer in one of the city’s many food pantries and soup kitchens. For more details and video from last year’s Serve-a-Thon, check out teh NYCCAH website.

5) Take the kids to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan to participate in the Make a Difference Pledge and see the Harlem Boys’ Choir perform. At 12:00, 2:00, and 3:00, the museum will lead children 5 and over in exploring Dr. King’s legacy and making their own pledges to improve their community. The Boys’ Choir will perform for guests of all ages at 4 PM and 5 PM.

The NYC holiday windows have become a tourist attraction in and of themselves. As much a part of holiday shopping in the city as the stores themselves, if you’ve never taken an afternoon to gawk at the windows yourself, it’s worth the trip. Starting at Macy’s at 34th and Broadway, the whole way up to the 59th Street Bloomingdales, the department stores and designers spare no expense on these artistic pieces – check out a few favorites from this year’s windows.

Penguins at Bloomie's

Barneys Lady GaGa Holiday Window

Macy's 2011 Holiday Window

A New York Moment at Henri Bendel

Tiffanys 2011 Holiday Window

Bubbles at Saks

Looking for an upscale, convenient, boutique hotel experience in Midtown Manhattan? Check out the Eventi Hotel. Centrally located at 30th Street and 6th Avenue, this stunning hotel occupies an entire city block, but manages to maintain the feeling and level of service of a small independent hotel. Whether you’re just touring NYC or planning a business conference, this luxury hotel just might be the answer. Impress your clients and colleagues with a modern creative meeting venue, or indulge yourself with a visit to its upscale spa. This is truly a hotel with something wonderful for everyone.

Reviewers agree – 566 reviewers on Tripadvisor give it 4.5/5 stars, with lot of compliments to the staff and service. Yelp! reviewers give it 4/5 stars, referencing its ‘ultra swank style and comfort’ and ‘a lovely boutique-style hotel’. If you’re still not sure, the photos on the hotel’s own site speak volumes.

If you’re dining out during your stay at Eventi, we invite you to come see us at Seven. Just a block away from the hotel, we serve many of its guests, in our warm and upscale restaurant, the only one of its kind in the immediate area. Just walk one block west on 30th Street, and there we are, at 350 7th Avenue between 29th and 30th Streets. Enjoy our delicious dinner menu, with favorites like Grilled Swordfish and Braised Lamb Shank. Or, just come see us at the bar for a cocktail on your way to whatever fabulous event you have planned.

Enjoy your stay in NYC!