Gossip Girl is back in the neighborhood today. The show began shooting season 5 in July, with filming near the Museum of Natural History. Fans armed with cameras were able to get up-close-and-personal with Leighton Meester.

If you’re looking for some last minute BBQ plans for tomorrow, the Empire Hotel is hosting a free event at their rooftop bar from 5 - 11 pm on Monday.
In addition to BBQ fare, they’re offering a free open bar (domestic beers) from 5 - 6 pm. That’s not too shabby.
While the event is free, [...]

Two Upper West Side deals for today:
Screme Gelato, with locations at Broadway near 70th and 94th near Amsterdam, is offering two of their new gelato drinks for $5, discounted from $10. You can choose between the “Pure Passion,” which is vegan and blended from passion-fruit sorbet, or the “Scremo,” which is “an awakening mixture of [...]

Gilt City is another website devoted to limited-time-only, hard-to-beat discounts on places throughout the city.  This week, in addition to great discounts at David Barton Gym and Clarins Skin Spa, Gilt City is offering a special deal at the Empire Hotel’s Rooftop Lounge (63rd between Broadway and Columbus).  Pay just $49 and get 4 cocktails [...]