We New Yorkers have the rare privilege of living in one of the biggest cities in the world, surrounded by a plethora of different cultures, sights and foods. As teenagers, most of whom grew up in the city, we often take living here for granted and don’t appreciate the limitless entertainment opportunities it contains. Part of this is because we consider many famous attractions frankly boring, cliché, or else egregiously expensive.
To discover some of the cheaper, less crowded, and arguably more entertaining alternatives, we employed the help of our rat friends, Ratrick and Weasel. Like all true NYC rats, they’re curious and constantly on the move, so we thought they’d be perfect guides to show us the nooks and crannies of the city. Harlem residents who met in Times Square, Ratrick and Weasel bonded over their love for exploring. They have traversed the city from top to bottom on their dates — they’ve been married for seven years now. Weasel is the more optimistic and romantic of the two, while Ratrick is a bit of a curmudgeon — but secretly sentimental. With the rats as our guides, we explored some of their favorite spots, discovering along the way that there’s so much to be found within a subway ride.
Bombay Frankie
The first place Ratrick and Weasel took us was one of their favorite spots to eat: Bombay Frankie, a small blink-and-you-miss-it kind of spot on Amsterdam Avenue and 109th Street. In front of the busy kitchen, there are only four stools, a fridge and a couple square feet of standing room. But what they lack in space they make up for in delicious food. In fact, we found that this spot’s modesty is evidence of its authenticity, considering that the restaurant’s signature dish has its origins as a street food. Frankies — also known as roti rolls — are a popular dish in India. They’re made by wrapping roti (a traditional Indian bread) around a variety of fillings. They typically come with sauce and some form of meat, eggplant, potatoes, or — Weasel’s personal favorite — okra.
At the couple’s suggestion we got an Aloo Masala Frankie and a Lamb Boti Frankie, both of which were delicious and satisfying, and had the perfect amount of spice. The food was messy, but it was definitely worth it. Weasel also suggested we try the mango lassi (a classic Indian yogurt drink), which was a refreshing, rich compliment to the frankie. We were able to get both a frankie and a lassi for under $10, which is a great deal for a filling meal, especially in Manhattan! Our only recommendation would be to go early in the day, as it’s connected to a bar, and Ratrick warned that the noise from next door can be annoying.
The Elevated Acre
Ratrick and Weasel also showed us one of their favorite spots for outdoor picnics: The Elevated Acre park in Lower Manhattan. They love going on picnic dates around the city, snacking on cheese and fruit, and out of all of the parks they’ve visited over the years, this is one of their favorites. Nestled between looming office buildings and surrounded by the constant activity of the nearby ports, this one-acre park offers a delightful natural space amid the concrete jungle.
Ratrick and Weasel helped us find our way, but otherwise we would have been very confused. From the ground level, you can barely tell that anything special is sitting peacefully atop the large garage. Just past the Chase Bank there’s a large set of stairs and covered escalators, with a relatively modest plaque bearing the name, “THE ELEVATED ACRE.” Upon ascending the steps, the first thing we noticed were the planters filled with fake bushes. This immediately turned us off of the park. A garden full of fake plants? What is this? However, Weasel reassured us that the plastic bushes only lined the entrance, and that the actual park contained overflowing plant beds — which Weasel said were even more impressive in the summer. The space was surrounded on two sides by enormous corporate buildings, which made the openness stand out all the more. On the left, there was an AstroTurf field where we laid down for a bit, taking in the view of the sky and the towering buildings above us. It was nice, for a moment, to escape the cramped city atmosphere and spread out in an open space. The next thing that caught our eye was a massive set of concrete steps. At the top, we were greeted by an astonishing, panoramic view of the East River and the downtown Brooklyn skyline. Below, we could see a number of Helipads, and spent a good amount of time watching the helicopters take off and land like great, clumsy pigeons.
We loved how relaxing the space was and its simplicity makes it perfect for a wide range of activities. It would be a great place to do homework, play a game of Frisbee, or even just sit and enjoy the view. When we visited with Ratrick and Weasel, there were only two other people there, which made it feel safe — not too lonely, but not too crowded. Also, there were plenty of windows looking out on the park, so it didn’t feel too isolated. It was the depths of winter, so perhaps it gets more popular in the warmer months, but when we visited it was the perfect balance of a hidden nook and a community space.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
The last place we visited was the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, about a 20-minute walk from MSE. Though it’s officially a branch of the New York Public Library, Ratrick informed us that it has much more to offer; it also serves as a research hub, museum, resource center, and historical space. The couple loves to go there every time a new exhibit opens to broaden their perspectives and prompt important conversations. When we got there, we were first directed to an exhibit entitled The Ways of Langston Hughes: Griff Davis and Black Artists in the Making. It included photos of Langston Hughes writing, teaching, and interacting with people, and displayed some of his letters.There was another section where you could listen to recordings of him reading his poetry aloud, and see some old magazines and books. This exhibit runs until July 8 in the museum of the center. The exhibit was small and not too overwhelming for Weasel, who can be impatient and doesn’t always enjoy the slow nature of museums, but was still jam-packed with rich information. The photography was engaging and interesting to read about, and the old magazines felt like a window into the past. Ratrick wanted us to note that this was a speak-in-whispers kind of space, so don’t go if you intend to chit-chat and be loud.
As we were looking for the library, we got sidetracked by someone who worked at the center. They gave us a short explanation of the lobby, which is dedicated to Langston Hughes. It has a complex mosaic in the center which depicts rivers as a tribute to his famous poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” We were surprised to learn that Hughes’ ashes are buried underneath the mosaic. Weasel told us that the couple has attended countless talks, movies and workshops in the Langston Hughes Auditorium, but we didn’t get a chance to attend any during our visit. Information about upcoming events can be found on the public programs section of the Schomburg’s website.
The next place we explored was an exhibit titled FUNDI: A Legacy of Learning & Liberation, which featured artwork created by young people ages 11–18, centered around the theme of “images that represent the Black experience.” It was amazing to see work by individuals our age on display in an official museum, and the artwork was incredible. This show is running through May 1, 2024.
Before we could finally go to the library, we had to check our bags and coats, though Ratrick and Weasel kept theirs because they didn’t have any coat hangers small enough! Then, we went down a flight of stairs and were promptly greeted by a friendly librarian who explained to us how the research center works: after selecting a resource on one of the desktop computers, the text is retrieved from their extensive stacks. Ratrick added that the library houses many historical and rare books, newspapers, magazines, and more. These can all be accessed upon request with a New York Public Library Card, and all of the digital resources are accessible on-site without one. Unfortunately, Weasel had recently lost his library card, but the librarian assured us it wouldn’t be a problem at all, and showed us how to get him another one. In fact, he had a new one within the next 5 minutes! We spent a good hour at the computers, browsing through old digitized newspapers. Our visit opened our eyes to how many resources are at our fingertips if we make use of them. So consider visiting the Schomburg Center or a library near you! Keep in mind that they can offer more than just books (even though those are great too!).
These hidden pockets of culture and experiences all across NYC captured our hearts. They demonstrated just how much our wacky city has to offer beyond the traditional attractions. We sincerely hope that our adventures with Ratrick and Weasel inspire you to appreciate this diverse, beautiful place a little bit more. As busy students, it can be hard to set aside time to explore new places, but there are so many memorable adventures at your fingertips when you make the time for them.
If you have any special, well-loved places you’d like to share with the MSE community, let us know by scanning the QR code and filling out the form so that we can explore them in future issues.
That’s all for this issue, and Ratrick and Weasel would love to wish you a fabulous Valentine’s Day! Remember, there’s so much to be found within a subway ride, so take some time to admire this marvelous city we call home. Happy exploring!