Wine Windows and Yoga in Times Square

Audio By Carbonatix

The Fun Friday podcast kicks off with hosts Kevin McCullough and Cristyne Nicholas swapping their usual Negronis for Italian Chardonnay, perfectly setting the stage for an episode celebrating all things Italian in New York City. The timing couldn't be more perfect as they prepare to dive into the hottest new attraction to hit Times Square.

Chef Jack Logue of the renowned Lambs Club steals the show as he introduces Buchette del Vino, Manhattan's first authentic Florentine wine window. Located between 44th and 43rd Street off Broadway, this isn't just another Times Square attraction – it's a legitimate piece of Tuscan history transplanted into the heart of the city. Complete with stucco walls, cypress trees, and authentic Italian wines from Antinori, the wine window offers everything under $20, making quality Italian cuisine accessible to everyone.

The summer solstice brings extra magic to Times Square as Tom "T-Square" Harris, the Times Square Alliance President and the show's most frequent guest (17 appearances!), joins for his regular update. The longest day of the year features seven yoga classes stretching from 7:30 AM with hundreds of participants doing downward dogs right in the pedestrian plaza. It's a far cry from Times Square's grittier past, showcasing how the area has transformed into a safe, vibrant destination.

Chef Jack's journey from getting "yelled at in Italian" during his culinary training in Northern Italy twenty years ago to opening this authentic wine window creates a perfect full-circle moment. The menu features house-made porchetta, seasonal gelato, and a rotating chef's selection pasta, currently starring spicy rigatoni. The wine selection spans from Prosecco and Hugo Spritz to Super Tuscan and Vin Santo, ensuring there's something for every palate.

Times Square continues its renaissance with pedestrian counts hitting 300,000 on Wednesday alone, thanks to improved safety measures including drone surveillance and strong NYPD presence. Beyond the wine window, visitors can catch TSQ Live programming, Pride celebrations, ping pong on Fridays, and the cult-favorite I Am Donut, which still draws massive lines months after opening.

The weekend promises adventure with the 45th Annual Mermaid Parade at Coney Island (where "the shells don't cover it all"), Fanatics Fest at the Javits Center featuring Tom Brady and Kevin Hart, and both Yankees and Mets games as both teams remarkably sit in first place. It's a perfect snapshot of New York City's endless capacity to reinvent itself while honoring tradition.