October 31, 2008
Hoards of East Villagers exhibit a hound-like hunger as they wait outside Artichoke Basille's Pizzeria & Brewery. Don't be surprised to see throngs of people standing in front of this family-run place on 14th Street, and not because there is some New York celebrity couple inside. The star's name here is Art E. Choke, and the pizza fan base his managers have tapped into is nothing short of astonishing. It's actually artichoke and spinach chunks packed into creamy cheesy white pie that's the turn-on here. Although some claim the Sicilian slice is what brings them there.
The amount of blog buzz these pies have generated since the place opened in early spring is also amazing.
Photo Credit:
Artichoke Basilles Pizzeria & Brewery
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14th Street, Artichoke Basilles, Artichoke Pizza, East Village, Sicilian Pizza
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Posted on 10/31/2008
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October 28, 2008
For those in the New York Metropolitan who are looking for a Halloween experience with friends or family we recommend a hauntingly beautiful place: Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
The Green-Wood Cemetery has been considered one of the world's most beautiful cemeteries and is the hallowed resting grounds for nearly 600,000 persons, including some of history's most memorable figures. Since its establishment in 1838, The Green-Wood Cemetery has offered a dignified selection of burial options including an urn garden, columbarium, community and private family mausoleums, as well as traditional, in-ground burials, all in a historic, non-sectarian setting.
The cemetery spans 478 acres and it is populated by thousands of trees and flowering shrubs, and is also home to four lakes. Big Onion Walking tours offers a tour of this historic cemetary, which in the 19th century was a leading tourist attraction, drawing 500,000 yearly visitors to its sacred space.
Photo Credit:
David Shankbone
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1838, Brooklyn, Green Wood Cemetary, historic, tourist attraction, walking tour
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Posted on 10/28/2008
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October 27, 2008
As the temperature drops in late October and the city readies itself for the carnivalesque night of revelry commonly known as HALLOWEEN, dinner table conversation topics are already turning to November 27th, the date set for this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
For the latest info on this year's celebration simply click here and NYC.com tells you all the info you need— pay particular attention to our tips. When it comes to Thanksgiving matters, NYC.com knows best.
The addition of Disney's Bolt and Buzz Lightyear to an already stellar line-up of 2008 floats is sure to be a highlight of the annual procession and make Bolt and Buzz Lightyear instant Parade classics— word is also out that Miley Cyrus and The Jonas Brothers will be performing.
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2008, Bolt, Buzz Lightyear, Disney, Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers
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Posted on 10/27/2008
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October 24, 2008
NBC Studios, scene of the recent break-up and then make-up of David Letterman and John McCain, stands as a neon glowing testament as to how heavily the medium of late night television is weighing in on the campaign trail late in this election season. With Letterman spewing stand-up joke after stand-up joke night after night about McCain following his cancelled appearance on the Letterman Show, most people would think McCain wouldn't want to walk back into that environment, but somebody had to put out the comedic fire, or at least coax the burning embers in the right direction.
Word out today from CNN business states that Barack Obama has spent so much money on tv ads over the last quarter that if he did it for a calendar year he would rank third in line of the top advertising companies in the United States.
The rankings would be the following:
1. AT&T ($1.3billion)
2. Verizon ($950million)
3. Obama Inc. ($750million)
4. McDonald's ($588 million)
5. Sprint ($482million)
6. Target ($388million)
7. Walmart ($335million)
With those kind of numbers, McCain could walk through the doors of NBC studios every night and still not compete. Seeing numbers that put Obama above McDonald's and Walmart in advertising terms should send chills down the spine, even if you do plan on voting for him in November.
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advertising dollars, business, CNN, feud, Letterman, McCain, NBC Studios, Obama
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Posted on 10/24/2008
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October 24, 2008
Having purchased your Broadway theater tickets in advance and made reservations for a pre-theater dinner at one of the Theater District's famous Italian restaurants, such as Sardi's, Trattoria Dopo Teatro, or Carmine's, you've planned ahead well and are basically all set to trip the lights fantastic on the Great White Way.
But you have also bought yourself something that often is in short supply in the Times Square District-- namely, time. And there's no better to spend it than by stopping by the Theater Circle, a serious theatergoer's store located at 268 West 44th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). This supremely appointed shop with its wood molding and chandeliers houses a great selection theater books, scripts, CD's, DVD's, and other Broadway-related gifts that you really shouldn't pass up.
Theater Circle is open Monday-Saturday 10am-11:30pm and Sundays noon-6:30pm. Even if you can't find the time on the night of the show, you can always double back the following day and pick up a great memento of your Broadway Theater experience.
Take time out for it-- you won't regret it.
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Broadway Theater, Carmines, Dopo Teatro, Sardis, store, Theater Circle, Times Square
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Posted on 10/24/2008
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October 22, 2008
It never ceases to amaze how many little New York grocers there are with shelves stocked with virtually everything one would possibly dream of needing in the event of a nuclear war. Adinah's Farm on the corner of Avenue C and East 2nd is one of those little treasure troves. In additional to high quality groceries like fine varieties of pasta, rice, olive oils, ready to go food, and every condiment you can imagine, the husband and wife team in charge here also run a fully functional deli counter serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner items and keep this place running 24/7 seven days a week.
Although some might find the groceries here a bit pricy, the coffee counter is the real draw in the neighborhood-- a cup of java with whatever variety of milk you like goes for $1. Beat that Starbucks!
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Adinahs Farm, Avenue C, cheap, coffee, East 2nd Street, East Village, grocers
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Posted on 10/22/2008
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October 20, 2008
If you're walking around the East Village for just an afternoon or so, you are likely to never see this hole-in-the-wall Indian eatery, but the locals from the neighborhood know all too well. Punjabi is also so tiny that you wonder why there's this constant stream of people walking down its rather shabby steps, only to emerge moments later with a styrofoam bowl in their hands and a smile on the faces.
The answer to this East Village mystery on East 1st? Delicious Indian food for a ridiculously cheap price.
Patrons have a buffet of vegetarian Indian dishes to choose from-- chick pea stews, spicy spinach, potato vegetable mixtures-- the buffet is the same every day. If you're mildly hungry you get three choices from the buffet for $3. Choose 5 different items if you want to splurge and spend $5!
Oh, and don't forget to ask for a few fresh cucumbers and yoghurt dressing to top it all off.
Take out at Punjabi's is almost literally priceless.
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buffet menu, cheap, East Village, Indian food, insider tip, Punjabi
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Posted on 10/20/2008
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October 20, 2008
If you find yourself downtown seeking out high quality supermarket grocers such as Whole Foods location on Bowery, or the Gourmet Garage in SoHo, but feel dismayed at the per pound prices for their noble and eco-politically correct fare, the Clinton Supermarket nestled in a niche of Clinton Street just above Delancey is a delightful discovery.
Not only do they offer organic alternatives alongside conventionally raised meats and vegetables, but they offer them at often one-third the price of the more established high quality grocers. Their fish selection pictured above is offered fresh seven days a week, and presents an impressive range of fish for such a tiny little market.
It is also a pleasure to have such friendly behind the counter service, guys who will hose down and filet any fish you choose and hand it to you ready to cook in about three minutes time. Salmon filets go for $5.99 per pound, salmon steak for $6.99-- and those kind of prices apply to everything from lobster to tuna, from live crab to large Spanish Mackerel.
For the budget-conscious grocery shopper, the Clinton Street market is a hidden gem and a blessing.
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budget conscious, Clinton Street Supermarket, Delancey, lower east side, mackarel, salmon filet, tuna
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Posted on 10/20/2008
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October 16, 2008
Famous for appearing on stage and throwing 200 rolls of toilet paper into the crowd inside of 20 minutes, the scatalogical punk rock band Endangered Feces treated a sizable crowd of onlookers in Tompkins Square Park this past weekend to their brand of straight-up hardcore punk songs sans toilet paper this time round.
For those Interested in punking out with them live, their web site indicates an upcoming gig at ABC No Rio (156 Rivington St.) on November 1st where they will be appearing with WWIX, Kissy Kamikaze, Aggressive Force, Animale, and The Ray Gradys.
If you think punk rockers aren't supposed to know how to really play their instruments, these guys prove otherwise.
Tags:
ABC No Rio, Aggressive Force, Animale, Endangered Feces, Kissy Kamikaze, Punk rock, Rivington Street, The Ray Gradys, Tompkins Square Park, WWIX
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Posted on 10/16/2008
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October 15, 2008
If there is one place in the East Village that is truly in full swing in October it's the beer bar restaurant Zum Schneider. The folks here are in the midst of this year's month-long Oktoberfest celebrations, with waitresses costumed in traditionally Bavarian attire and Friday and Saturday nights filled with German music and various forms of traditional folk dancing.
From the picture above you can see that on the weekends the line outside for a table stretches forty yards plus. Diners and drinkers arrive a good hour before Zum Schneider's doors open at 1pm.
"Ein Prosit, ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit" to one and all . . .
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Bavarian, beer, East Village, German, music, Oktoberfest, Zum Schneider
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Posted on 10/15/2008
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October 15, 2008
Tats Cru, the mural kings, is a group of Bronx-based professional muralists whose work in aerosol has changed the perception of graffiti as art. Twenty four years ago three teenagers began their artistic careers by creating subway graffiti. What began as a recognition tactic has blossomed into a powerful, expressive style that has brought Tats Cru to the forefront of mural art. Proof of their success and the acceptance of graffiti as an art form has been their work for the Smithsonian Institute 35th Annual Folklife Festival, where Tats Cru was chosen to represent New York City muralists.
This particular beauty above, located at East Second Street and First Avenue In the East Village, is a harbinger of the coming Halloween celebrations. Hard to believe that every inch of this haunting mural was sprayed on. It's more than well worth checking out if you're in the neighborhood.
Tags:
aerosol, Bronx, East Village, graffiti art, Halloween, mural art, Tats Cru
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Posted on 10/15/2008
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October 14, 2008
Chicago City Limits Resident Company is presenting its legendary brand of sketch improv comedy at the Broadway Comedy Club on 53rd Street these days, so if you need a laughing remedy for the current Wall Street Blues, this is definitely the place to be.
Cast members Joe De Gise II, Annie Figenshu, Stefan Shick, and CCL veteran Rob Shiffman shine from the get-go, with a fast-paced series of comedy routines that show just how comfortable this troupe is with pretty much any topic you suggest.
Just how political this show gets depends to a great degree on the suggestions from the audience, but the cast will riff on anything and do it in a variety of formats-- straight monologue, solo and duet singing numbers, game shows , even a broadwayesque finale that suddenly materializes in front of your eyes after just a brief moment of conversation with the audience.
My only disappointment on this particular evening was that we as audience didn't serve them up more topical suggestions in line with the election theme of the show. I would have loved to have seen Shiffman and Figenshu as a McCain & Palin tandem, or watch a white man version of Obama by Stefan Shick-- but the audience didn't seem to want to move in that direction.
This particular show's finale was spectacular, even if the gamester topic from the audience threw the troupe for a split-second loop. Inspired by the demise of a young audience member's video game character, it came together quickly and seemlessly, incorporating songs, a hand to hand battle scene, and even off stage voice over phone calls.
My recommendation if you want to see the red state/blue state election themes as billed?
Go to the show and toss the topics at them-- Alaskan snowmobiling, campaign trail gaffes, CNN situation room newsflashes-- this troupe is capable of pulling it all off, and with virtually no preparation. Bravo, Chicago City Limits-- the art of improvisational comedy is alive and well.
Tags:
Blue State, Broadway Comedy Club, Chicago City Limits, De Gise II, Figenshu, improv comedy, One State, Red State, Shick, Shiffman, Two State
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Posted on 10/14/2008
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October 10, 2008
In commemoration of what would have been John Lennon's 68th birthday, Yoko Ono has brought the "Imagine Peace" exhibit to SoHo this month. Featuring over one hundred hand signed prints of drawings done by Lennon from 1968-1980 (some of them softly colorized in the meantime by Yoko Ono), this stellar exhibit at the Open House Gallery on Mulberry Street should not be missed. The show also serves to help benefit Citymeals-On-Wheels, a non-profit which funds 85 community-based agencies that bring weekend, holiday, and emergency meals to elderly New Yorkers who can no longer shop or cook for themselves.
"Imagine Peace" presents the other creative side of John Lennon's artistry, his art work, which one of the exhibitors pointed out Lennon worked on faithfully and self-consciously right up to the final days of his life. For the most part his squiggly drawing technique seems to be a style all his own. A simple black and white drawing of himself and Yoko running in opposite directions from each other while being hounded by paparazzi, a multiple self-portrait, and the print of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds lyrics, were my personal favorites. But there many more beautiful renderings-- a signed print of their famous bed protest for peace, drawings for sean, and eight overtly erotic works from 1969 entitled Bag One which actually caused quite a media stir when they were first exhibited in 1970.
This show is such a great reminder to all of us Beatles fans that John's gifts were more numerous than merely the legendary music the band created. The limited edition artwork in "Imagine Peace", consisting of lithographs, serigraphs, and copper etchings reproduced from Lennon's original drawings, are a fine tribute to him as an artist, musician, political activist, father, husband, lover, and lastly, as an amazing voice for a peaceful planet which was silenced all too suddenly, and sadly for the rest of us, way too soon.
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You rock on, John.
Tags:
Bag One, Beatles, drawings, erotic art, exhibit, gallery, hand signed, Imagine Peace, John Lennon, Open House, SoHo, Yoko Ono
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Posted on 10/10/2008
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October 08, 2008
If getting trashed at a cool hipster hangout, complete with live DJ, cool leather booths and the occasional glimpse of go-go dancer ricocheting off the sleek mirror is the deal here, I guess their sign suggests that in hard times you have to dial it down and take a self-deprecating turn for the thirst:
recession-proof beer prices anyone?
Tags:
beer, live DJ, lower east side, recession, St Jeromes
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Posted on 10/8/2008
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October 06, 2008
On August 10th, 2007 David W. Dunlap of the New York Times reported the following on the lack of information on the new bus stops designed by the Cemusa company popping up all around the city. (3,300 are planned to be installed)
"In the department of missing transit information, the absence of route maps and trip tips at a few of the new bus-stop shelters being installed by Cemusa scarcely rises to the level of outrage. But mild indignation may be in order, since the same shelters seem to have a full complement of advertising. . . .
Something else is missing from the shelters: real-time displays of bus arrival information. “The Department is working with N.Y.C. Transit on this program,” Ms. Gordy said, “and we are excited to see the results of their ongoing pilot.” At the moment, those display panels are serving as advertisements. For Cemusa."
A week ago Curbed.com lamented Cemusa's misnaming of a Bowery Bus shelter and from the looks of this picture taken in the East Village this past weekend, sitting at a bus stop still only provides bus patrons with a bare minimum of shelter from the elements, scrolling advertisements, and no essential information regarding schedules, routes, and departure/arrival times.
My mild indignation is on the rise . . . . . anybody else's?
Tags:
bus stop shelters, Cemusa, New York City, New York Times, real time displays, transit
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Posted on 10/6/2008
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