Barbalu reopens its main dining room and back room
On the afternoon of Feb. 8, a man was carefully placing packages of pasta and olive oil on shelves in Barbalu's main dining room and owner Stefano Barbagallo was out running errands, when his wife and co-owner of Barbalu, Adriana Luque, pushed aside a few boxes to show off the skylit back room. The place was almost ready for diners - 469 days after Superstorm Sandy struck, and as Luque said, destroyed everything. The brick walls were intact, the space, still charming. But unlike pre-Sandy, there will be few groceries for sale. Now, the emphasis will be on dining. "The menu includes salads, pastas, and entrees like veal scaloppine and potato-crusted salmon, and so far the early word is very good," said Eater.com, reporting on the reopening. ("Barbalu Opens its Large Dining Room Tonight," Eater.com, 2/8/14).

Governors Island ball fields
Two natural turf ball fields will be available by permit on Governors Island this summer from May 24 when the island opens for the season until Sept. 28. The ball fields are configured to be used for Little League baseball or for adult softball, soccer and other field sports. Each field has a clay infield with full backstops and bleacher seating for 84. Fields will be available for morning games beginning at 10 a.m. and for afternoon games beginning at 2 p.m.

Permit applications will be accepted through March 1 with a non-refundable $26 application fee required. Preference will be given to youth groups, schools and to leagues across the city. For more information or to apply, click here.

Explorer of the Seas holes up in Bayonne for disinfecting
Royal Caribbean's cruise ship, Explorer of the Seas, often steams in and out of Bayonne, N.J. but last week's trip was special. The ship returned to port part way through a 10-day cruise after almost 700 people on board became violently ill from a new strain of norovirus that originated in Sydney, Australia.

"The discovery - made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - means the incident was one the largest norovirus outbreaks on a cruise ship in the past 20 years," said the Daily Mail ("New strain of norovirus blamed for making 700 passengers and crew sick on Royal Caribbean cruise ship," 2/7/14). "The highly-contagious stomach bug, once known as Norwalk virus, can be picked up from an infected person, contaminated food or water or by touching contaminated surfaces," the article said. Passengers received a 50 percent refund of their cruise fare plus a 50 percent credit toward a future cruise. For the complete article, with photos, click here.

"Crazy Salt Shed to Rise Soon in Tribeca," Tribeca Citizen, 2/6/14. A controversial salt shed will soon be built on Spring Street, says Tribeca Citizen. The shed will resemble a giant salt crystal with a moat around it. Not quite sure what that would look like? The article has pictures. See them here.

"Liking" has taken on a whole new meaning since the advent of Facebook, but loving still means what it always did - a stew of rapture, affection, hope, regret and acceptance, or something like that. If you're thinking of observing Valentine's Day, here are some possibilities.

Go on a harbor cruise: Classic Harbor Line is offering "Champagne & Aphrodisiac" cruises on Feb. 13, 14 and 15 aboard its elegant yacht, Manhattan. The menu consists of caviar blini, oysters, seared filet crostini, and chocolate fondue served with fresh fruit skewers and whipped cream. Each cruise can accommodate 13 couples. Cost: $76 a person. Cruises last one and a half hours and leave from Chelsea Piers. For tickets or more information, click here.

Hornblower Cruises & Events has a Valentine's Day dinner cruise, leaving from Pier 40 at 7 p.m. on both Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15. You get a three-hour cruise, a four-course dinner, a Champagne toast, a red rose on your table, and an on-board DJ for $141.50 a person. The deluxe, VIP package on Feb. 14 includes a box of Jacques Torres chocolates, a bottle of Champagne, and access to the captain's lounge. That costs $219.70 a person. There's also an aprčs-Valentine's Day brunch on Feb. 15 leaving from Pier 40 at 2 p.m. for $60 a person. For tickets or more information, click here.