The 4th of July – Independence Day, is nearly upon us once again. The United States of America is known as “the melting pot” of the world, formed as a country of immigrants. In fact, this term was popularized in relation to America in 1908, through a play called “The Melting Pot.”

Today, we enjoy learning about the many different cultures and ethnicities we share among us. So why not celebrate Independence Day in a multicultural way? And what better way to do that, than with food?

Food Feast-ivity for the Fourth of July

Celebrating the Fourth can be more than just fireworks or having an outdoor party. Why not infuse the holiday with the experience of another culture, through its food? Here are some interesting and delicious local restaurants with international food selections that are open for the holiday.

Mollusca

Mollusca is located in the Meatpacking District at 1 Little West 12th Street and is advertised as a “spirited and sophisticated” seafood experience with influences from around the world. The delectable menu by Executive Chef Gianmaria Sapia includes features like a fresh raw sushi bar, Italian-inspired pasta, and risotto, and mussels served in 35 unique sauces

Mollusca also features renowned Beverage Director Kate Uglova. Open July 4th from 5 pm-11 pm, and outdoor patio dining is available. Click on the link provided above to make reservations. Sounds like a terrific place to dine for the holiday!

Hortus NYC

Hortus NYC is located at 271 5th Ave. in NoMad, and perfect for a multicultural experience by taking you on an Asian odyssey! Tasty cuisine featuring flavors from China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

This is a Modern Asian, fashion-forward, Michelin-recognized restaurant that everyone is talking about. Visit the second-floor hidden garden on the 4th of July, with lunch hours from 11 am-3:30 pm, or dinner hours from 5:30 pm-11 pm. You can click the link above to view the menu and make reservations.

Masseria dei Vini

Masseria dei Vini is located at 887 9th Ave. in Hell’s Kitchen, and if you love authentic Italian food and pasta, this is your place. The restaurant features a Ferrara wood-burning pizza oven that has lava rocks from Mount Vesuvius (cool!) giving the dishes a distinct, unique flavor.

House-made pasta and traditional dishes from Puglia along with an extensive Italian wine collection of over 400 different labels, make this destination perfect for the 4th holiday! Open Saturday, July 2nd from 12 pm to 12 am and then on Sunday, July 3rd from 12 pm to 10 pm. They will be closed on Monday, July 4th.

Masseria Caffé

An expansion of La Masseria Restaurant Group (which includes Masseria Caffé & Bakery, and Masseria dei Vini) is newly opened Masseria Caffé located at 891 9th Avenue. It’s a traditional Italian café, meaning this is the place to go for “Latté Art” and the best fresh-baked Italian pastries you ever tasted.

No matter where you go for dinner, make this stop afterward. You can also get deli-type sandwiches here and take the whole shebang to your outdoor celebration, making this caffé a wrap. Open over the July 4th weekend from 8 am-8 pm, but closed Monday, the 4th.

Hot tip: this new location hasn’t landed on Google Maps yet so you’re getting the insider scoop before the crowds come!

P.J. Bernstein

(Takeout & Delivery) P.J. Bernstein is located at 1215 3rd Ave. on the Upper East Side. If you’re having a party for the 4th of July, give your guests a little Jewish culture. Experience the best of Jewish delicatessen food here, and the best part is they cater!

Party packs are available for 10-20 people or more, and they’re open on Independence Day from 10 am-8 pm for takeout or delivery. P.S.-If you’ve never eaten at a Jewish deli, you haven’t lived! This spot is a great place to start.

Hui Restaurant and Bar

Hui Restaurant and Bar is located at 314 East 70th Street near Lenox Hill on the Upper East Side, and you can have an authentic Szechuan experience here. Great reviews, fine dining with takeout available.

One of the dishes with the highest ratings is the Cumin Lamb. They are listed as open on Independence Day 2022 on Yelp, no special hours given. Regular hours are Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 10:30 pm, and Monday through Friday from 11:45 am until 10 pm.

Final Remarks

There are literally all kinds of food from a myriad of cultures in New York City, so try something new for the holiday! Keep in mind what Independence Day means for all of us who live in this great free country, the United States of America. It’s a day we can celebrate the diversity and differences in our cultures, and come together in unity despite them. Let’s allow togetherness to rule our hearts instead of divisiveness, and instead see our differences as the characteristics we value in others the most. Happy 4th of July celebrating freedom and diversity!

The post Multicultural 4th of July Dining Specials in NYC appeared first on CitySignal.

Read on to learn how to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, whether in public or at home, and how to prep to be the coolest host for 2023 fireworks.

When are the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks?

The fireworks show will take place around 9:25 pm on July 4th, 2022.

Where are the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks set off?

The fireworks will be released from barges on the East River between 34th and 23rd streets in Manhattan and Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens and Transmitter Park in Brooklyn.

Where can you watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks?

Macy’s has designated viewing spots that are FREE to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Official Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks viewing points in Manhattan:

• East 42nd Street and FDR Drive. (Enter security checkpoint at 1st Ave and East 42nd street)
• East 34th Street and FDR Drive. (Enter security checkpoint at 1st Ave and East 34th street). This location is the only one that is notated as being ADA accessible.
• East 23rd Street and FDR Drive. (Enter security checkpoint at 1st Ave and East 23rd street)

Official Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks viewing points in Brooklyn:

• Newtown Barge Park
• Transmitter Park
• Marsha P. Johnson
• Does it cost to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks?

Official Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks viewing points in Queens:

• Gantry Plaza State Park

Keep in mind, the access points, viewing locations and transportation are subject to change, but that will most likely not happen.

Are there places to avoid watching the

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks from?

Macy’s shares that views may be obstructed if you’re viewing from Bushwick Inlet Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Brooklyn Grand Ferry Park, Domino Park, Queens Hunter’s Point South Park & Roosevelt Island.

But those places may be the insider scoop for firework viewing. Sure, they may be obstructed, but you won’t have to worry about going through a security checkpoint or fighting the crowds to get a subway after the fact.

Is there a cost or ticket needed to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks?

No! The fireworks are free to the public and you do not need a ticket. Some locations will be closed once they get crowded and additional spectators may be directed to other viewing points. Get there early and camp out, just like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

What to bring to the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks

Bring snacks, refillable water bottles and phone chargers.

Macy’s advises to not bring chairs, blankets, tents, umbrellas, large bags, large backpacks, drones or hover cameras, weapons of any kind, illegal substances, alcoholic beverages, glass containers of any kind, large or hard-sided coolers, picnic baskets, skateboards, scooters, or personal motorized vehicles, totems made of wood, metal and/or PVC material, including flag poles and heavy sticks.

How can you watch the performers for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks?

There is no access for the general public for the performances that accompany the fireworks, but you can tune in to NBC or stream on Peacock from 8-10 pm ET to catch the full show.

Macy’s 2022 July 4th Fireworks Performers

Macy’s pulls out all the stops for these chart-topping performers!

• “TODAY” hosts Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer will host the live tv coverage.
• 5 Seconds of Summer.
• Brett Eldredge.
• Carly Pearce.
• Pitbull with Filmore
• The cast of Freestyle Love Supreme including Lin-Manuel Miranda, James Monroe Iglehart, Kaila Mullady, Dizzy Senze, and Anthony Veneziale.
• Broadway’s “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” cast members Jacqueline B. Arnold, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Tasia Jungbauer, and Jeigh Madjus
• Celebrity chef and barbecue expert Chef David Rose.
• Craig Ferguson, Padma Lakshmi, Paulina Porizkova, Wolfgang Puck, and many everyday heroes will participate in the segment of “The American Spirit”.
• The fireworks will be accompanied by “My Country Tis of Thee” and “America the Beautiful,” sung by Joaquina Kalukango, the Tony Award-winning star of the Broadway musical “Paradise Square”.

How can I watch the fireworks at home?

Tune in to NBC or Peacock for the official coverage, or take it to the roof of your building! Keep in mind that you aren’t going to be the only person doing this, so you’re going to have to plan ahead. Many rooftops will limit visitors, glass bottles and alcohol consumption.

How to host a dope Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Party…next year.

Hosting a great party is all about location, location, location…. and food and drinks, of course! But just like parties, real estate is also about location and finding an amazing place to watch the 4th of July Fireworks also falls into that same vein.

If you’re about to move to a new rental soon, but want to plan for an amazing party next year, you’ll want to start thinking about optimal viewing NOW. This means taking into account the location of the apartment and whether or not it has outdoor space, either public or private. Private space for parties will pay for itself with free booze gifts from partygoers, plus large amounts of street cred, but the communal outdoor space will come without the premium price-tag.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of apartments with either communal or private outdoor space in neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan with anything from great to partially obstructed views of 4th of July Fireworks. Of course, this is provided Macy’s doesn’t pull a fast one on us and move their fireworks location from the previous locations of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Regardless, reveling the 4th of July in NYC is like no other experience!

The post How to Watch The Macy’s 4th Of July Fireworks appeared first on CitySignal.