Ryan Shea

Get To Know “Looking” Star & Gifted Actor Daniel Franzese

For any person in the late 20’s to early 30’s, they know how much of a fucking rockstar Daniel Franzese is. The uber talented and incredibly handsome actor & activist has been at the forefront of many people’s minds and laughter since he shot to superstardom as the “Too Gay To Function” Damian in the megahit Tina Fey/Lindsay Lohan movie “Mean Girls”. Damian possessed a huge comedic wit in that movie that paired incredibly well in his scenes with Lindsay Lohan and star of Masters Of Sex Lizzy Caplan, that there was no doubt in my mind that he had quite a bright future ahead for himself.

Since Mean Girls, his popularity has continued to be on the rise. He has had guest starring roles on shows like “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and my personal favorite TV series, “The Comeback.” He also has launched a hilarious Youtube series called “S**t My Italian Mom Says” which has reached millions of views since its inception. Now Daniel is starring in the 2nd season of HBO’s critically acclaimed series “Looking” in which he plays Eddie Bear, a openly HIV positive counselor in a homeless gay shelter who takes a liking to Agustin’s character, played by Frankie J. Alvarez. Although the show has had its back and forth critiques, something that seems to be a constant with social media and critics is the positive feedback his character gets. He has breathed a new life into the 2nd season of this show, and his ever growing relationship with Agustin’s character on “Looking” is a great distraction from the very present main character’s story lines of Kevin & Patrick.

With the season finale airing tonight at 10PM eastern, 9pm Pacific on HBO, Daniel was nice enough to sit down with me and discuss his rise in the entertainment world, his take on “Looking” and his new series that is debuting on ABC Family this coming fall. Take a look at what the Brooklyn native had to say.

Hey Daniel, thanks for sitting down with me! So I just saw that you went to TBRU (Texas Bear Round Up), one of the biggest bear events in the world. Did you have fun and have you ever gone to one of those events before?

I’ve gone to bear parties before but I have never been to an organized bear event like that, ever. It was absolutely wonderful and the bears there couldn’t have been nicer to me. The friendliest group of people I have ever met. This was a great indication of how I am known in the bear community as there wasn’t a bear there that didn’t recognize me from my work, which was quite the awesome feeling.

Let me ask you about the show you are on at hand and what everyone is talking about, Looking. I’ve been a fan of the show since the first season and when i found out you were going to be on the show I was ecstatic for several different reasons. How did this whole thing start for you?

Well I was having a conversation about the show with my friend Lori Malkin who is a casting director. She asked if I was watching the show, which I wasn’t. When she asked why I said no, I simply replied, “Because they never have bears like me on a gay show like that”. She then followed up simply, “Then why not become the bear on that show?”. I was all about manifesting destiny so I looked up the casting director who happened to be the first one I ever encountered when I did my first movie “Bully” back in 2001. I wrote her an email, sent her some photos, and said “If you ever need a sexy bear!” to which she said “Well, you never know!”. It turns out they were already thinking of the character Eddie and even further thinking of me to play him and then offered me to play the part.

Daniel Franzese, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Andrew Jefferis

Not only are you the only bear on the show, but your character Eddie is also openly HIV positive which is a big part of your storyline with Agustin’s character, in particular the past two episodes. Can you get a little bit into the process of how you immersed yourself into this character?

My neighbor and one of my best friends Ryan is HIV positive and we have coffee every morning together. I knew him before he was poz and when I was getting the script and talking to him about it. The look on his face said it all as he was so excited that Eddie wasn’t being played as a victim and living a full and well adjusted life. I know that was the intention from the beginning for Andrew Haigh and Michael Lannon was that they wanted Eddie to be someone who just happened to be HIV Positive and that it really wasn’t affecting Agustin’s decision to be with him. Going into that portrayal I was excited more than anything to represent a very underrepresented community.

You surprised a lot of people by doing a full frontal sex scene with Agustin a couple of weeks back on the show. Was that the first time you’ve done a scene like that and was it tough to film?

This is why I think it is good that you brought up the bear community as growing up as the chubby kid who wore my shirt in the pool all the time to having an opportunity in my first movie “Bully” in which I take my shirt off was really uncomfortable for me. I have since then become very comfortable with my body and just from talking about guys in the past who have been into bears that aren’t bears themselves even and where their first inkling of where there attraction to a larger man came from. I heard several people reference James Gandolfini being naked in a film was when they realized they were attracted to bigger guys, and I knew that being part of an underrepresented community that displaying nudity in “Looking” would possibly do that for future generations of guys to see the male form in a different view. We all come from different shapes and sizes and I thought this was a way to see it sexualized in a different way.

Eddie is so vulnerable in that moment and has so many walls up and is trying to figure out if Agustin is really real and can handle his baggage. I think in that moment he feels that “Oh no, this is where the HIV gets in the way and I lose this great thing, that’s why I don’t want to get serious”, and I think its such a difficult moment for him because he is naked.

What is your take on how gay men are portrayed in the entertainment world in 2015? Do you think we have hit our stride or do you think we still have to push forward in order for us to become more normalized to the general viewing public?

I’m not sure that Hollywood will ever get any minority right because it is totally judged off of a bunch of people’s different opinions and based on each individual project. There will always be women that are marginalized, there will be African Americans that are marginalized, and in the same token there are gays that are. I feel like I love the way how “Looking” does it and how they show gay people in that story in San Francisco. We get to see so many kinds of levels of stories and places that straight people live and I think there is a lot of pressure on “Looking” to represent the entire gay community, but I think that they are just telling a story about some people in SF and I think that is interesting in an under-looked at subculture.

Daniel Franzese, Manhatan Digest — Credit to: Andrew Jefferis

On top of looking, you have a new show set to air on ABC Family this coming fall called “Recovery Road”. What can you tell us about it?

One of the coolest things about this is that it is written by my roommate in college Bert V. Royal who wrote the movie “Easy A”. The other show runner Karen DiConcetto is a friend of mine for over ten years who played Snooki in the musical that i co-wrote called “Jersey Shoresical: A Freaking Rock Opera!”. It is so great that I have two of my dearest friends that are going to be creating the part for me. It is about a 17 year old girl named Maddie who has some problems with drinking and drugs in school so she makes a deal with her guidance counselor so they won’t expel her if she spends certain nights and weekends in an adult sober living facility. I play a gay man who has addiction issues contributing to a weight gain; essentially I was a former gogo boy with a cocaine issue.

So these are some pretty deep roles you have been taking lately, however a lot of people know your comedic side from “Mean Girls” and your part on season one of “The Comeback”. Do you prefer the dramatic side of things or the comedy parts?

Well “Recovery Road” is actually a comedy. I think on “Looking” I’m pretty funny and definitely do love comedy. It is my first love. However I love horrors if they are scary and I love comedies if there is drama and dramas if they are poignant and meaningful. I just love good stories so if there is one there that is where I will go ultimately.

On a complete sidenote here, I hope that when they submit you for the Emmys that at least you and Lauren Weedman (Doris) get nominated for Guest Actor & Actress in a Supporting Role because you both really do great work on that show.

Actually, we are being submitted in the supporting categories. I am being submitted for Supporting Actor In A Comedy.

Oh! Well in that sense I hope they give you and “Looking” some love because it has kind of been the same shows winning year after year there and they could use some sprucing up with some new blood. I mean, enough with “Modern Family” winning. In other words… I WANT YOU TO WIN!

Thank you :).

You had a hit on Youtube with the hilarious “S**t Italian Moms Say”. How did that whole thing get started?

My mother was the big inspiration for this, and she is sitting right here next to me while I’m chatting with you. My mom thinks that you said that i might get an Emmy is phenomenal! The “Shit Says” meme was happening everywhere and I was waiting personally for an Italian one to happen. Around the same time, right before the meme happened, my friend Michelle said to me “You can come to my apartment but I don’t have anything to offer, not even a piece of cake”. We laughed for an hour over that and then we thought of all the things we could say or do and then my friend Lisa said “Let’s do this”. We pulled it together one weekend and did two episodes and then the following weekend did another one. It was really fun and hit a million views in six days. It was really fun to watch it unfold.

Besides all of these amazing things, what else do you have going on in 2015?

I have a comedy coming out about five people who get hypnotized while the hypnotist has a heart attack and the people are stuck in its trance. I play a gay man who thinks he is a pregnant woman during this whole thing. Really looking forward to seeing what people think about that.

Thanks again Daniel for sitting down with us and good luck with “Looking” and everything else you have going on!

Thank you so much!

For more on Daniel Franzese, you can check out his official sites here!

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NYY Steak Hits It Out Of The Ballpark… And More

by Ryan Shea

As someone who has been a lifelong New York Mets fan, a struggling one per se, I tend to narrowly avoid anything that has do to with the Yankees. I mean, when you grow up with the last name Shea it is sort of embedded in your system to ultimately root for the Mets even though in recent years a local high school team has a better shot at getting to The World Series than they do. I blame that on the name change from Shea to Citifield, but I digress. Luckily, I had a huge change of heart when I visited their official restaurant called NYY Steak this past Wednesday. Located right in the heart of midtown Manhattan on 51st between 5th and 6th Avenue (with alternate locations at Yankee Stadium and Coconut Greek in Florida), NYY Steak is to fine dining what the Yankees are to baseball- just great. This is their quote, which I was originally hesitant by, however after my experience I can truthfully say that statement couldn’t be… truer.

NYY Steak, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: NYY Steak

The location itself is quite grand upon arrival. The space is two floors and seeing as it is fine dining I would highly recommend not showing up in a pair of jeans and t-shirt and maybe getting a bit dressed up (nothing they said to me on their part, but I should’ve known better based off what I was wearing). Something that was fascinating about NYY Steak was that the plates that we were served on were the traditional colors of the New York Yankees- blue and white. That may not seem so spectacular but what made it cool was that each plate had a number of a legendary Yankee player imprinted on the top of it. So you had your run of the gamut of players like Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio’s numbers just to name a few while you are dining on their delectable items that they serve. The service was top notch as well, with their impeccable wait staff accommodating me and my friend at every stop and recommending the best of the best that was on their menu that night.

The menu itself for the main part is Americana at its best, from its 21 day USDA Steaks (butchered in house) to its incredible line of Seafood, NYY Steak has got you covered. Let’s go through what in my opinion you should have while you are dining there. If you are looking to start off with a soup and salad, I would recommend The Crab Bisque with cream & sherry and Ozzie’s Spinach Salad with dried cherries, pine nuts, roasted bell peppers, BACON and shaved asiago cheese in a cherry vinaigrette dressing. The bisque itself was quite warm and creamy and the Alaskan King Crab was cooked perfectly. I for one am not the biggest spinach fan however combined with all the elements it made for one tasty salad.

Moving onto the appetizers might I suggest two words- STEAK BACON. Yes, pictured about you have their steak bacon which is cured and smoked in house. Putting two of my favorite meats together in one tasty bite really is quite the treat itself, and their steak bacon is no exception. Another tasty option is of course a classic Colossal Shrimp Cocktail with a horseradish cocktail sauce and something that you can get as an entree but we actually opted to get them as an appetizer.

This is their Dry Aged Lamb Chops, which if you ordered as an entree would come as two double-cut chops and rubbed with fresh rosemary & roasted garlic. However, they were gracious enough to make them for us in a lollipop format, where we could literally pick them up and eat them off the bone. I don’t know if it was the rub or the way they cooked the meat, but honest to god this has got to be one of the best tasting meats I have ever experienced in my life. The flavor on them is insane and can dual well if you want to share with others or have for yourself as an entree. Heck, its so good it even got its own paragraph on here. So that is saying something.

For a main course option, outside of the lamb chops, a good classic choice would be their Filet Mignon which comes in a 6, 8 or 12 Oz. Cooked perfectly and can pair well with any of their yummy sides like Lobster Mac N Cheese & Garlic Mashed Potatoes which they provided us with. Something that they also do is that if you order a particular steak they will carve whatever you would like onto the bone of it. No kidding, look above. I was short of in shell shock when they told me about this originally and even in more shock when they presented it to me. I mean, my name and website on a steak. That I can keep, as a memento. Totally awesome.

To finish the meal off with something sweet, try their classic New York Style Cheesecake, Chocolate Covered Pretzels or Creme Brulee as it a great way to end. 10/10 in my book for so many different reasons. For more information on NYY Steak’s three locations, menus and so much more, check out their official site.

Hungry? Check Out Ibis & Bistango In The Kimberly Hotel

by Ryan Shea

Sometimes two really is better than one. And make no exception, these two restaurants fit that bill and then some. I recently had a fantastic stay at The Kimberly Hotel, located on East 50th between 3rd and Lexington. While I was there, I became aware of two great restaurants with very different cuisines at each. Bistango, located directly to the left of the hotel, is the best in Modern Italian cooking, whereas Ibis, to the right, dabbles and dazzles in Mediterranean. During my stay at The Kimberly I was delighted to experience both first hand, and they were top notch when it came to decor, quality, service and of course taste. Check out my review of both.

Bistango

Upon entry to Bistango, you get a warm and inviting sense from its environment, in particular the way the decor is set up. The color of red is splashed throughout, and mixing that with the beautiful decor and wooden floors elevates this particular restaurant to an entirely different level. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating to say the least, and for a restaurant that is very new to the NYC food scene, I would say they have a great shot of being a huge success going forward in 2015 and beyond.

As previously mentioned, they excel in all things Italian. While I dined there, I was able to try some exceptional meals from beginning to end, and I would recommend trying these out and then some. If you are at an Italian place, it is somewhat necessary to try out their Meatballs. The ones they have on their appetizer menu which is traditionally called their “Meatballs Al Forno” and it comes with a zesty tomato sauce and parmesan. Great way to start the meal off. Another starter that I would recommend is going into the Flatbread route as they have nine different & very unique selections, all different from each other. if I had to choose I would recommend the Agnello, sort of a Greek flatbread that comes with Braised Lamb, Feta, Lemon and Long Peppers. All flavors really burst in your mouth and is another shining example of why Bistango is so great.

The Kimberly Hotel, Manhattan Digest, Ibis — Credit to: The Kimberly Hotel

For their entrees, I would stick with a traditional Italian dish and head towards the pasta route. The one I highly recommend is the Fettucine with Lobster, Octopus and a Marscarpone-Marinara. As someone who has never had Octopus before I thought it was quite scrumptious and was cooked properly as I never really got that rubbery taste that Octopus can bring. If you enjoy a good mix of meat with your pasta I would recommend the Rigatoni with Short Rib and Salsa Verde Rustico. Good combination of flavors and the short rib was cooked to perfection. After such a hearty meal, you can finish light or go quite the opposite by trying their delectable desserts like Olive Oil Ice Cream with a caramel gelee or their creamy and delicious Tiramisu. Overall, 10/10 in my book.

Ibis

Ibis is a stark contrast compared to how Bistango looks. It is quite large in its space and has a theatrical vibe upon arrival, something that would’ve been popular back in the 50’s and 60’s. Upon further investigation i found out that Ibis actually used to be an opera house back in the 1920’s where legends like Lucille Ball would come and perform. Honestly, when you are in the same building as someone as legendary as that, you get the sense that this place is doing it right. This location has gone through its changes over the past century, however Ibis looks like its doing the overall scheme of things as a job well done with its food and atmosphere. I love how dark and beautifully colored the walls and decor is, and they also have a great upstairs portion where you can host a party or gathering with your friends and family. Quite grand indeed if I do say so myself.

The food itself was quite majestic as well, all with a Mediterranean theme. If we start in the appetizer category, try the Calamari as it is fresh with a great crunch. You can’t avoid Hummus when you are at a place like this, and they do not disappoint. The chickpea, sesame sauce, garlic and lemon juice really compliment each other and go well when you are dipping the fresh bread into the Hummus itself. Another two items worth dipping something into is the Smoked Eggplant pureed with garlic & olive oil and the Artichoke Heart with carrots, potatoes and green peas. Definitely a great way to start your meal off.

For the main courses, a Dry-Aged New York Steak is something one should never say no to. They cooked it to perfection and complimented it with some tasty mashed potatoes and flavorful Asparagus. My friend opted to go the fish route and try the Branzino served with an Arugala salad. Lighter, fresh and overall tasted great. Once again, another 10/10 experience.

For more information on Ibis, Bistango and The Kimberly Hotel, check out their official sites below. If you are ever in Midtown east I would highly recommend trying them out!

The Kimberly Hotel- 145 East 50th Street

Ibis

Bistango

Why You Should Check In To The Kimberly Hotel & Upstairs

by Ryan Shea

When it comes to your hotel stay in Manhattan, several ones simply just don’t go the extra mile when it comes to providing more than just a bed and free Wifi for their guests. When and if you are staying in a city like Manhattan, you want it to be a memorable one for more than just that. So when I heard about the fabulous offerings that The Kimberly Hotel was providing, I knew I had to learn more about it. The Kimberly Hotel is a European-style boutique hotel, offering gracious hospitality, timeless elegance and a renowned location in the heart of midtown’s fashionable East Side. A member of WORLDHOTELS Deluxe Collection, the Kimberly Hotel offers 192 spacious guestrooms including luxurious one and two-bedroom suites highlighted by private balconies and wet bars.

The one fantastic thing that is worth noting about The Kimberly Hotel is that you really don’t have to leave it to have an amazing night. I mean, you are in New York City so naturally you will want to go out and experience all that this city has to offer, but in this situation I would beg to differ. The Kimberly Hotel has not one, not two, but three different types of entertainment amenities right on their premises. In the mood for some delicious food? They have you covered. You can check out the best in Mediterranean cuisine at Ibis, which is located directly to the right of the main location. Not in the mood for Mediterranean and want to go a different route? Definitely try out their Italian counterpart and brand new restaurant called Bistango located directly to the left. Want a chilled, relaxed environment with great music and cocktails? Try ‘Upstairs,’ the 3,000 square-foot rooftop bar offering spectacular 360-degree views of Manhattan. I was able to review all three (Ibis & Bistango will come in a later review. A delicious review mind you).

The Kimberly Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The Kimberly Hotel

The suites at The Kimberly Hotel are majestic and grand, with beautiful colors throughout. The bed itself has got to be the comfiest bed I have ever stayed in, and the amenities in the room itself were quite spectacular. The balcony overlooked some of the best of New York City, and the overall room experience I have to say was a 10/10 in my book. If you are a single person checking in or with a group, this particular hotel has you covered when it comes to the size of the suite they have prepared for you, on top of the fabulous customer service they provide. Truly had a wonderful time.

Manhattan Digest, Upstairs, The Kimberly Hotel — Credit to: The Kimberly Hotel

With the warmer weather hopefully coming soon (Snow this weekend! No!) many New Yorkers are set to be spending more time outside with friends and family to experience this city in the heat most of us have been waiting for. Something that is great about The Kimberly Hotel’s lounge Upstairs is that it has dual functionality when it comes to its look. In the situation above, the cover that is usually up is taken down and customers can experience the warm summer breeze with some of the best top shelf drinks that the city can provide. It also offers a 360 degree angle of Manhattan, and the sights from Upstairs are quite breathtaking and spectacular if I must say so myself. It is a very chill vibe as I stated previously, and the perfect place for your next assortment of parties you are having as Upstairs itself is spacious and large. Definitely an amazing add on to an already fabulous location.

Manhattan Digest, The Kimberly Hotel, EJ Media Group — Credit to: The Kimberly Hotel

I’m not the only one that thinks The Kimberly Hotel is pretty freaking awesome. Check out some of the awards they have won in recent years-

Awards & Accolades:

Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2014
U.S. News & World Report Best Hotels Award 2014
Condé Nast TravelerGold List 2014
Expedia “Certificate of Excellence” 2014
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2013
Condé Nast Traveler 16th Annual Business Hotel Awards
Expedia “Best of VIP Access” Hotel 2013
Expedia “Certificate of Excellence” 2013
U.S. News & World Report Best Hotels Award 2013
WORLDHOTELS“Best in Class,” Annual Conference 2013
Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2013

When top publications like Conde Nast and Expedia are referencing you as the best, you have something great going on. Some other things to mention about The Kimberly Hotel is that they include newly designed meeting and private event spaces, an on-site fitness center, and complimentary access to New York Health & Racquet Club’s fitness facilities and seasonal private yacht sails further to heighten the guest experience. So when you have all of this under one roof, why bother staying anywhere else?

Want to know even more information about The Kimberly Hotel? Check out their official site.

The Kimberly Hotel

145 East 50th Street (Between Lexington & 3rd)

(212) 702-1600

Battle Of The Bands At The Hard Rock In Times Square Tomorrow!

by Ryan Shea

Need some fun plans for St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow in NYC? Love a combination of a great arena, awesome music, food and drink all in one? Why not try out the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square tomorrow night, as they will be hosting their annual Battle Of The Bands Concert. The event, which happens to be free to the public, will open its doors at 6PM Eastern time tomorrow with the event starting at 7PM. Four local bands will compete for a chance to win a cash prize of $1,000 and be up for consideration to travel to Barcelona to play on the main stage at the first-ever Hard Rock Rising Barcelona Global Music Festival.

Hard Rock Cafe New York will host a battle event where local bands The Danbees from Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunill Nareign from Bronx, N.Y., Running Late from Madison, N.J. and Pool Cosby from Brooklyn, N.Y. will be judged by a panel of local industry experts including Frank Bello, the high energy, always-rocking bassist of New York thrash metal icons Anthrax; Dick Manitoba, American punk rock singer and radio personality, best known as the lead singer of the New York City band The Dictators; and more! The judges panel will select one band to represent Hard Rock Cafe New York as they move on to compete against other winners from Hard Rock locations around the world.

Once the local New York winning band is chosen, a panel of international music industry professionals will then review all city winners to determine the regional winners. Each of the regional winners will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Barcelona, Spain to perform at Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona for the final live battle event. The overall winner will perform on the main stage at the Hard Rock Rising Barcelona global music festival!

Live in Barcelona

Hard Rock Rising Barcelona will take place on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25, 2015, in Barcelona, Spain in front of 60,000 fans, featuring a lineup of international talent performing against the backdrop of the beach at El Forum. This unique and cultural music event gives music lovers the opportunity to witness the first-ever Hard Rock Rising Barcelona global music festival and enjoy some of the hottest and most recognized names in music.

For more information on The Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, check out their official site. Should be a fun night for all!

Hard Rock Cafe- Times Square

1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

(212) 343-3355

Easton Mountain’s Spring Awakening Event This Coming Weekend

by Ryan Shea

As we are looking to bid a fond farewell to the nightmare that this winter has brought upon us and greet spring a well deserved hello, many New Yorkers are looking to get away for the weekends ahead and enjoy the beautiful weather that is to come outside of the rough pavement of New York City. Lucky for all our readers, there is one place coming up this weekend that I would highly recommend anyone trying as it is the perfect mixture of relaxation, wilderness and fun all combined in one. I am talking about the annual “Spring Awakening” Event happening at Easton Mountain. Easton Mountain is a great location that I have profiled for Manhattan Digest in the past for their Winter Gay Spirit Camp, and now I encourage gay men from all backgrounds to experience what they have to offer for this coming weekend.

Manhattan Digest, Easton Mountain, Spring Awakening — Credit to: Dave Dietz

So just a little background on Easton Mountain so you can get yourself familiarized. With over 15 years of being in business, the location is roughly 3 hours north of New York City in the foothills of the Adirondacks. They have several weekends planned throughout the year with a different theme in each of them, yet seeming to have one goal in mind which is to have a positive and welcoming outlet for all types of gay men to convene and have a great time. Spring Awakening is just another fantastic example of what this group has to offer. Take a look at what they have planned for the upcoming weekend.

Hosted by resident of Easton Mountain Freddy Freeman and Bear World Magazine’s Editor in Chief David Goodman, the weekend (Friday – Sunday) will incorporate enlightening workshops, a talent show, The Green Man Dance party, entertainment from Candy Samples, baking class, music, a Walt Whitman poetry salon and more. If you want to get away from it all and spend a few days frolicking in the woods, or hanging out in the clothing optional hot tub and sauna, participate in amazing workshops, or just bake a cake- they have you covered. (Cost for two nights, $195 – $495 depending on housing option – All meals included.)

Candy Samples, Manhattan Digest, Easton Mountain — Credit to: Dave Dietz

Easton Mountain offers bunk house style lodging as well as semi private bedrooms. Food is cooked fresh for each meal by their in house chef, with menu items typically including, home made soups, roasts, cottage pie, home made cake, and deserts, as well as a full breakfast with pancakes or french toast, and oatmeal each morning. Tea – Coffee and iced water available 24/7 (vegetarian options available also) Facilities also include Sauna in the evenings, 24/7 hot-tub, gift shop, Library, Morning Yoga, Massage services.

Being in such a great price range with a vast amount of activities to do make this weekend seem like a no brainer for any gay man out there. For more information about Spring Awakening and to book yourself a ticket for this weekend, head on over to the official site for more information.

Help Where The Bears Are Reach Their Kickstarter Goal!

by Ryan Shea

What do you get when you combine a group of hot bears of all shapes and sizes, a murder mystery and comedy galore all jam packed in one hole, I mean season? You get the wildly popular online series “Where The Bears Are” of course! The hit show, which has developed quite the following over three years, is back for season four and the creators need your help! They are doing a huge Kickstarter campaign to ensure that season four can happen and that you can continue to enjoy the ups and downs of this wild and crazy group. Fellow MD writer and “Where The Bears Are” star George Unda touched upon this in a recent interview I did with him. Now, with three days left for the Kickstarter campaign, every dollar counts as they are about 15 percent away from goal!

I sat down today with co-creator Ben Zook about the campaign itself as well as some juicy hints for season 4. Take a look!

Ben Zook, Manhattan Digest, George Unda, Where The Bears Are — Credit to: Ben Zook

So Ben, this must be super exciting that Where The Bears Are is entering in its fourth season. Did you ever expect it to make this is far when you first developed the show?

I don’t think so. We never anticipated how successful the show would become and getting to Season 4 is really amazing. We are really grateful and overwhelmed by the support we have gotten from people who watch the show. It’s wonderful!

Something that was recently brought up was how amazing it was to see a character like Daniel Franzese’s Eddie on “Looking” in such a spotlight, whereas gay roles on mainstream TV tend to only skew towards skinny/muscle. Do you think we have come a long way in the bear community in terms of depictions outside of our own repertoire?

I love that “Looking” has the character of Eddie! Both the character and Daniel’s performance is terrific. I hope more mainstream TV shows follow suit. We need more big, hairy, sexy bears represented on television. I feel we do a nice job of it in our show. I love that we have men of all shapes and sizes being unapologetically sexual and confident. People need to see that.

One item that I have written about before that I have definitely noticed about Where The Bears Are is the diversity in the men you cast. From color to size to age, you have a lot of it covered and it is done beautifully. Do you think it is important to show bears in that particular kind of light?

Yes. We really try to be as diverse as possible in casting, size, age etc. We’ve done a pretty good job of it, but we are always striving to do better. It’s tough sometimes though because we have a smaller pool of actors to cast from because we are a low-budget web show. A lot of actors agents won’t submit them because it’s not huge TV money. But, we do the best we can. It’s Important that all colors, sizes, ages are represented because that is the reality of the world.

So let’s discuss the Kickstarter campaign that you are doing for Where The Bears Are. You currently sit at about 85 percent, which is very exciting! What can you tell my readers, in hopes they will donate, that will give them some bonus incentives in doing so?

I hope your readers will donate because raising the money is the only way a Season 4 will happen! We have to fundraise because a network would never put a show like ours on the air. We have to do it. And, that takes a lot of money. Our show ends up being a 2 /2 hour movie each season. Plus we shoot a 22 minute bonus holiday episode each year. So we really rely on our fans to fund each season. People love our show and if you haven’t seen it I would encourage everyone to check it out at wherethebearsare.tv Watch a few episodes and see what you think. Then throw us a little money for our season 4 on Kickstarter. The world is a better place with our show on the web!

Once the Kickstarter campaign is done and you have reached goal, what will be the next steps in terms of getting S4 started? Do you have locations outside of LA that you want to film (Manhattan please!)?

If we reach our goal we will plunge right into pre-production and start shooting around the 1st of May! Season 4 takes place in lots of locations all over L.A and also Palm Springs. I WISH we could shoot in Manhattan but I don’t think that’s going to happen this year at least:)

Give us some hints on the upcoming season. Anything you can divulge to our readers that will leave them wanting more, more more?

The season centers around the wedding of Todd and Nelson! Of course there is a murder once again that the bears have to solve. At the same time Reggie’s true crime TV pilot gets picked up by a network. And, Wood decides to start his own clothing line called, “Sporting Wood.” So he spends much of the season working with scantily clad bear swimwear models. Some drama happens between the detectives this season and you get to meet Nelson’s parents, which is going to be fun! Honey Garrett, Dickie Calloway and Hairy Potter are all coming back. We think this season will be our most romantic and suspenseful one yet!

Will there be any new characters added this season? There is a really cute cub that would love to participate, that cub being me. :).

Actually there will be several new characters! There’s a lot happening this season with the wedding etc. and a lot of people/suspects wandering around! If you are in L.A. during shooting let us know, maybe we can throw you in somewhere?

Of course, as is with anything in this community, you have dealt with naysayers with the common phrase “I don’t like this because I don’t see myself portrayed by anyone in the cast”. I’ve seen this happen with bear events and just an overall feeling by some people in the community. How do you counteract that with your show?

Once again, we try and represent all shapes, sizes, colors and ages. Tim Hooper and I are over 280 lbs and we do sex scenes. We also have “muscle bears”, thin guys, guys with and without fur etc. George Ridgemont is in his 60’s and we have cast members right out of college. We try to be ethnically diverse as well. Some characters are more masculine than others and so on. So, that is really all we can do. We try and have characters that people can look at and identify with. But the thing we also keep in mind with our show is that it is a campy comedy murder-mystery! So, the characters aren’t completely realistic at all. They are heightened exaggerations. That’s the way we make it funny in the end.

Now that 2015 is well under way, what are your ultimate hopes for Where The Bears Are and yourself this year?

I’ve always said that we will keep doing the show as long as people want to see it and are willing to help us fund it. So, hopefully we will get to do a Season 4, 5, 6, 7 and beyond!

Where The Bears Are, George Unda, Manhattan Digest, Ben Zook — Credit to: Ben Zook

Anything else you want to add?

Just thank you for writing about our show and campaign! I hope your readers will help us out and support our show: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wherethebearsare/where-the-bears-are-season-4-the-gay-comedy-myster

Why You Should Try Brooklyn Based Marissa’s Form Fitness

by Ryan Shea

Fitness has been all the rage for years upon years now, and with the warm months right around the corner many of us New Yorkers are struggling to lose those last couple of pounds and look bathing suit ready when it becomes 70 degrees or hotter. Luckily we have found one program that works best for you, regardless of your time schedule, goals or any other adversaries.

This is Marissa’s Form Fitness, which is run by Brooklyn based Marissa Molloy. A fitness adventurist for most of her life, Marissa recently developed a fantastic health and fitness program that is designed to go at the speed that you like and get you to the finish line with amazing results. I have had personal friends do this and they recommend her program ten fold. I recently sat down with the trainer & new mommy to discuss her program, its benefits and routines, and where she hopefully sees it going in the future. Take a look.

What made you want to go into the fitness industry in the first place?

I guess you can say I just “fell into” the fitness industry. I had been working since I was 15 years old (or whatever the legal age for teens to work was 15 years ago)! So after getting married and having my first daughter at the age of 24, I became a stay-at-home mom. I basically went from working full-time for the previous 9 years of my life to sitting at home with a baby in what felt like two seconds. Next thing you know, I had a second daughter and I felt like I was completely losing myself. Yes, having children is an amazing blessing that I would never give up for anything. But, I was always the “working type”. (I’d skip class in college to pick up an extra shift at work!) I missed working, A LOT. So I applied for a local position to manage a women’s health club. I fell in love. The atmosphere was amazing, the members that were a part of that gym became like a second family, the co-workers I was around every day turned into best friends and the sense of happiness I felt when I walked through those gym doors couldn’t be contained. I found myself wanting to learn more and more about the fitness industry. Why your body needs to workout a certain way in order for results to be seen, why women had a tendency to “yo-yo” with their weight, how to properly convey the importance of working out and taking care of your body to someone who loathed going to the gym, I wanted to learn it all and I was a sponge. I was fascinated and I took advantage of having an amazing mentor at my fingertips and soaked up everything I could. When the gym I managed changed owners, I felt like someone punched me in the gut. The new owner had zero (and if there was a number less than zero, I would use that) knowledge of the health and fitness industry. She had no social graces and no clue how to interact with people. She was an all-around horrible business owner and person, let alone “boss”. I needed out. But I couldn’t bring myself to completely step away from the fitness industry and all the women I’ve grown so close to over the years. I knew I wanted to continue my journey in the fitness field, as I felt it was just beginning. So, I decided to take everything I learned from my previous boss and the amazing contacts I had made, and create a company of my own; Marissa’s Form Fitness!

Everyone gets inspiration when they are doing something they are passionate about. What is yours?

I get extremely happy knowing I’ve helped someone better himself or herself. I have been in a position where I needed help and someone showed me how to achieve everything I needed and wanted in order to live a healthy and happy lifestyle. That’s what motivates me today. I love having the opportunity to help someone achieve their goals and make positive changes in the way they live their life every day. It’s a great feeling to know that with your help, someone is healthier, happier and just in a better place physically, mentally and emotionally. And yes, exercise does affect all those aspects of your life! You will feel more energized and you will reduce your stress levels when you work out. You’ll be able to live a happier life once you become active and your self-esteem and confidence will sky rocket. It’s an amazing feeling and I recommend it to everyone!

Marissa Molloy, Manhattan Digest — Marissa 5 months after having a baby! Wow!

Tell me about your brand and the mission objective.

Marissa’s Form Fitness is a mobile Personal Training company that literally brings the gym to you. We consist of a group of expert Personal Trainers that will come to your home, office, local park, etc. to give you an amazing workout and help you to reach your fitness goals. We want to make working out more accessible to the every day New Yorker who’s often too busy to make it to the gym. It takes a lot of dedication to get yourself to a gym for a workout after you’ve worked a long day, have a family you’d like to spend time with or finish running errands for everything else you need each day. Some people literally don’t have the time to go to a gym and in return, their health suffers. By creating a mobile fitness company, we’re making health and fitness more accessible to everyone. There are no more excuses now. We will come to you to give you a workout. We will create a personalized workout program based off your needs and what you’d like to achieve health-wise. The only thing you need to do is take the first step and call us for a consultation. We literally do everything else. Once we design a program specifically for you, the workouts begin!

Do you really find that we live such a hectic lifestyle that working out is often left on the back burner, or do you feel like it’s an excuse that people make often?

I can honestly tell you; people’s lives get so busy sometimes, that we often take care of ourselves last. Why is that? We make sure our husbands, wives, kids, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, etc. are fed and taken care of but we’re always the last one to sit down and eat. Between work, family and social life, the average New Yorker doesn’t have a minute to even think of fitness or going to the gym. We can’t add time to the day, but we can make working out more manageable so there are no more excuses. Did you know that only 14% of Americans are members of a gym? Why do you think that is? Don’t get me wrong; I’m sure plenty of people make the excuse that they’re “too busy” to workout. But a lot of the time, they’re just scared to start something new. It is hard to make changes in your life and stick with them. But if you do it with the right support system around you and it’s a fun and simple process, people will be more likely to stick with it. Form Fitness is that support system to it’s clients and we take pride in operating the company that way!

Marissa's Form Fitness, Manhattan Digest — One of their amazing trainers, Kirsten Brown

What is the experience like when a personal trainer comes to your home?

Before your initial training appointment where you begin your workouts, we will have a consultation. We need to learn what your goals are. Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to gain muscle? Do you have any medical issues? Take any medications? These are extremely important questions that must be answered before we begin planning a program for you. After your consultation is complete and a training program is written up for you, we will set up your first couple of weeks of Personal Training appointments.

Once your training sessions begin, the trainer will come to wherever you choose to conduct a Functional Movement screening. This is to determine where you are fitness-wise. Something that makes us different than other training programs out there is that we test every single client to see where they are physically to ensure no ones time is wasted. For example, if you are a 35 year old who runs every day and is looking to build muscle, you will score a certain amount on this test and a program will be designed especially for you based on where you are in your life at that point in time. We don’t begin every client at the same starting point. It would be a waste of your time and money. We want to start you based off of where you are physically at this very moment. On the other hand, if you’re a 65-year-old woman who recently decided to get active again after years of inactivity, you will score a certain amount on these tests and we will start you where you need to be. Everyone is different and every workout should be different based on the client. It’s never beneficial for a gym to start each and every person at the same starting point. It’s not practical and it doesn’t benefit anyone involved.

Is there an allotted time frame or is it flexible depending on the client?

Each Personal Training session is 1 hour. We can book whatever time you’d like. For example, if you’d like to train at 6:15am before you have to get ready for work, that’s not a problem. Or 8:45pm after you’re kids are sleeping, great! One thing I learned from managing gyms is that Personal Training clients are often forced to book on the hour or on the half hour only. What happens when you get out of work at 5pm, can be at the gym by 5:45pm, but need to be home by 7pm to eat with your family. If you were training in the gym, booking a training session would be rather difficult because you’ve already missed their 5:30pm slot, and you’d be waiting around too long for their 6pm slot which would also make you late to have dinner with your family! If you can leave work at 5pm, get home by 5:30pm and start training with us in your living room at 5:45pm, you’ll be done by 6:45pm, already be home, and ready to eat right after your workout. We’ve just eliminated one extra place you needed to be during the day – the gym! No more extra stops before or after work. No more rushing to and from your workouts. Just go home and we will come to you! You don’t have to leave your house to get an amazing workout. To those that think you need those huge machines in the gym to have a Personal Trainer, did you realize that trainers barely touch those things? Every amazing trainer I’ve witnessed throughout my years in this industry steers clear of that type of equipment during a Personal Training session. They tend to work with stability balls, foam rollers, resistance bands, and other equipment we have on hand within our company!)

What do you find is the most common need for clients now that we are well into 2015 and summer is right around the corner?

The most common need among clients right now is to tone. Swimsuit season is quickly approaching and everyone is looking to tweak their bodies to see a noticeable difference not only in their everyday clothing, but also when they go on vacation or to the beach. Even the clients that don’t have to lose over 5lbs want to tone their arms for tank tops, legs for shorts, backs for amazing shoulders and stomachs for a smaller waistline. It’s all possible and it might be easier than you think (as long as you follow your program)!

Is this program affordable for the everyday New Yorker?

Yes! There are so many options available to get your health back. We have so many services available that are fully customizable, guaranteed and affordable it’s crazy to think someone would work out any other way! Gyms have so many upfront and hidden fees you could easily spend thousands of dollars over the course of a year working out in one! We’ve eliminated contract fees, annual fees, monthly membership fees, maintenance fees, locker fees, premium class fees, and basically every other fee a gym can come up with; they’re non-existent with us! The cost of your program depends directly upon the amount you’d like to train. If you still think Personal Training is too expensive for you, we have many other workout programs that you can follow in the comfort of your own home for such an affordable rate! Some even under $100! Aside from the workouts, we have amazing shakes and cleanses available for clients and they’re truly incredible. It’s a no-brainer to try Marissa’s Form Fitness to see the difference everywhere; from our customer service to our affordability, we’re a great company and we can’t wait to change the way people workout.

What is the ultimate difference between what you are doing and every other type of fitness program available in NYC?

To answer this I feel like I have to explain how I managed the health club I was in to get my point across correctly… I never felt like what I was doing was work. I always felt like the next woman that walked through those doors needed my help. Whether it was guidance throughout a workout program, help choosing which program would best suit their needs, or help figuring out how they can lose weight, I was helping each and every woman there and I loved it. And because of the fact that they looked to me for guidance, great relationships were formed and I still keep in contact with these women today. They became an extended part of my family. They knew my daughters and needed constant updated on them, they knew what my personal goals were and they genuinely cared for me just as much as I did them. It was a great feeling to have and I treasure that to this day. That’s what sets Marissa’s Form Fitness apart from any other “workout company”. We genuinely and truly care for each and every client we have. There is a huge difference between working out with us and working out in some mass-produced chain gym. And when you workout alongside people that encourage and support you the way we do, you’ll be more equipped to reach your goals and then some!

Aside from the extraordinary customer relations we have with clients, we’re looking to make working out more convenient for the everyday New Yorker. Let’s face it; we’re busy! We’re lucky if we get through one single day without the feeling of being pulled in different directions. If working out were made easier for you to do, would you still pass it up? Take advantage of working out using such a convenient and effective way of training that guarantees you results!

To put it simply, what sets us apart from other gyms in NYC is the fact that we will travel to you and we sincerely care about our clients; a commodity that’s often lost in the huge gyms where members are just viewed as a number or dollar sign instead of a person.

What are your hopes and dreams for this in 2015 and beyond?

I plan on working my a** off each and every day to ensure Marissa’s Form Fitness becomes a household name. I dream of making it easier for New Yorkers to reach their health and fitness goals by cutting costs, making trainers easily accessible and offering a constant support system to clients. I won’t stop! My 5-year goal will be to expand Form Fitness across America! I just see a company like this growing and growing. Fitness is everywhere so why shouldn’t we be?!

If this is something that interests you for 2015 and beyond, reach out to Marissa directly via the photo above. Official website is here.

Get To Know The Enigmatic & Dynamic Rogan Richards

by Ryan Shea

Sometimes it takes going down under to really find some good talent. Pun or no pun, that really rings true when it comes to the handsome and talented Rogan Richards. Rogan is a jack of all trades per se, having dabbled and excelled in the adult entertainment world as well as being a known photographer and bodybuilder both in and out of his home country of Australia. His chiseled physique and great performances on screen has generated him quite the following on social media and his brash and bold personality has also made him one of the most requested performers the industry has seen in years.

Being that I am a fan, I wanted to sit down with Rogan and get to know him outside of the industry. His fresh personality is seen even throughout this interview, where he discusses his love for photography, bodybuilding and his on screen persona, as well as his take on barebacking and why he would love to work with Denise Richards at some point in the future. Definitely an interesting guy to say the least. Take a look.

Rogan Richards, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Rogan Richards

Thanks Rogan for sitting down with us. So how did you get into the adult industry in the first place?

I sent my pics to a bunch of Companies I wanted to work for. Men At Play picked me up and I started filming for them and then the others came-a-knocking.

I usually find that in past interviews people in any industry have inspirations that further their want to be in the field that they are in. Were there any that inspired you?

Are you asking why I got into porn? If so, can I make something up here cause I’ve answered this so many times? Like an alien abducted me and inserted a chip in my cock and said it would blow up if I didn’t go back to earth and stick it in as many human orifices as possible, and considering I like my penis I decided to become a pornstar.

Your Twitter profile features more than just you in porn, but also about Bodybuilding and Photography. Out of the three, which is your biggest passion and why?

That’s like asking what child is your favorite! Bodybuilding is my way of life and I am passionate about sharing this with the world. Photography is an artistic passion I have. I couldn’t imagine my life without either. I wouldn’t say I am passionate about being a pornstar. I do that for fun and the amazing opportunities it provides me with.

Have you always been an avid bodybuilder or was that something that happened later on in life?

I started bodybuilding when I was 15 but I fucked around for years. It wasn’t till I got on a reality television show that I actually put some effort in. After I saw what happens when you actually apply yourself properly I hit it hard and never looked back. I went from physique model to bodybuilder and am planning on doing my first competition this October.

For people wanting to get into bodybuilding, or even get into better shape as the summer is coming, what do you recommend them doing regarding diet and exercise?

Use your brain. Too many peeps will go into the gym and ‘push’ weights around. It’s not what you do its how you do it. Also they follow fads in magazines about what to eat which is the worst thing to do. EVERYTHING you need to know on how to be a successful bodybuilder is at your fingertips with the Internet. You just have to “want” it enough to by pass the quick fixes and put the effort in.

Regarding your time in the adult industry, has it had a mainly positive influence on your life overall?

HELL YEA! It has taken me around the globe, given me some great friendships, landed me in Spain where I met my boy friend and open other career opportunities for me. Of course like any profession you’ll always come across wankers but I can say it’s been more positive experiences than negative ones.

You are seen mostly as a top however I saw that you recently bottomed for a Titan movie. Are you open to becoming more versatile in scenes or do you prefer being one or the other?

In my personal life I’m 100% ALPHA TOP FULL THROTTLE. Having said that, I am a crowd pleaser, so maybe in the future you might see me playing out crowd requests, so to speak.

Barebacking in the adult world has becoming hugely prevalent to much criticism. What is your take on that part of the industry? Do you condone it?

None of us want to wear a condom when we have sex. And I think the black and white approach of safe sex or no sex is oblivious to the younger generation who weren’t subjected to the Aids propaganda in the 80s and the older generation who lived through it are tired of it and much more carefree. It’s not about condoms anymore its about education. EDUCATION = PREVENTION. If you are big enough to have unprotected sex you should be big enough to educate yourself on what risks are out there, what activities subject you to what risks, and most importantly be getting sexual health checks on a regular basis.

Porn is selling a sexual fantasy so I am not surprised that rubbers are vanishing from the screen. To ask if I condone or condemn this is too black and white. I have chosen to only shoot safe sex films till this point in my career not because I don’t want to glorify bareback sex but because I haven’t been presented with a reason or want to do otherwise.

Is there anyone you are looking to work with, both actor, director or both, that you would like to work with?

I would die if I got to work with Denise Richards in a Bruce LaBruce film.

What plans do you have in 2015 and beyond?

My immediate plans are to launch my WAY OVERDUE web site and get my USA VISA. After that, “WORLD DOMINATION!”

Anything you would like to add to this interview?

It’s ALL about the FLEX!

Be sure to keep up with Rogan Richards on all of us social networking sites!

Twitter

Instagram

Youtube

Bröd Kitchen- Your Healthy, Delicious Alternative To The Norm

by Ryan Shea

There are so many restaurants that do a decent job at providing somewhat healthy options that have a dual way of working for a lunchtime or dinnertime type meal. Generic ones like Panera and Au Bon Pain have done a good job at shelving out sandwiches, soups and salads to the masses at moderate prices yet really don’t go the extra mile when it comes to unique taste and ultimately value. Health seems to be a concern for them but the majority of what people buy at those things tends to be the fattier items such as heavy soups for instance. What if there was a fantastic place that took health and flavor to a whole new level with a great, innovative twist? This is where Bröd Kitchen comes in. Bröd Kitchen, a super healthy, Nordic inspired, seasonal ingredient obsessive restaurant on the Upper East Side, 1201 Second Ave. is here to make lunch (and dinner) great again.

As someone who has had nordic type cuisines in the past, but not on a level of any expertise, I was excited to try this place out as from the reviews I saw online it seemed to be all the rave. The location is quite convenient as it is located a mere two avenues away from the 63rd/Lexington Avenue. The look of the store isn’t abundantly huge but doesn’t need to be seeing as a lot of people are come and go. In a way it is designed for you to go from left to right when it comes to ordering. If you start that way, you can order from their array of healthy but absolutely tasty soups. Some of the highlights that I recommend ordering are their Mushroom and Butternut Squash Soup as the flavor that is packed into them is just incredible. Next, they have a variety of cold salads available at your disposal, which is perfect as the warm weather is slowly but approaching nonetheless. For salads, I would try their Kale Salad with Green Apple, Pasta Salad and Chickpea Hazelnut Salad as they all have a fresh and great taste to them.

brÖd Kitchen, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Colangelo PR

Those items pair incredibly well with their line of sandwiches that they provide. The signature dish is the Smørrebrød- the open faced rye sandwich piled high with everything from speck, roasted beets, egg salad, smoked Norwegian salmon and avocados. Another sandwich that was insanely tasty was the Burrata Sandwich which consists of focaccia bread topped with burrata cheese, balasmic and fig. The variety of tastes that hit your mouth are incredibly appetizing and is the perfect size for a lunch sandwich. One to highlight as well is the Smoked Salmon Sandwich, which is topped with cucumber, salmon, ricotta and dill. This can blend between breakfast and lunch and is great for all you fish lovers out there. If you would like something on a different, try their roast chicken as the skin and meat is delicious. Pair it with their AMAZING Lingonberry Chipotle sauce to add even more flavor to the moist chicken.

Manhattan Digest, brOd Kitchen — Credit to: Colangelo PR

They also have a wonderful line of pastries, which is a great way to end your already fantastic meal. Whether you are looking for a tasty tartlet, mousse, cookie or croissant, Bröd Kitchen has got you covered. I would highly recommend trying this place out the next time you are in the UES. For more information, check out their official site and Instagram.

Ryan Shea

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