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On Broadway: Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart

25 May

Sometimes you see a show on Broadway and think: This is why I live in NYC. This is why I go to the theater. And this is why art is great. That’s how I feel about The Normal Heart.

Set in 1980s NYC as the AIDS crisis is beginning to unfold, this revival is intense and upsetting. It is political, emotional, sexual. Ellen Barkin and Joe Mantello give particularly fierce performances, but the entire cast is great. What’s most impressive is how the play still feels relevant, even though the face of AIDS has changed. Unlike How to Succeed in Business..., which seemed antiquated in parts, Normal taps into feelings of frustration, lack of cooperation and resentment that can also be applied to other modern-day unsung causes. It is both rewarding and maddening to watch the characters spin their wheels without hope—fighting the mayor, the president and each other—as the epidemic spins out of control.

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Paulie Gee’s pizza in Greenpoint, plus Mike’s Hot Honey!

22 May

Finally made it to Paulie Gee’s in Greenpoint and am happy to say it’s totally worth the hype—and the schlep. First, the pies have cool names, like King Harry III, Cherry Jones and Anise and Anephew. Second, they taste damn good: Neapolitan style with a chewy, charred crust. It’s also a comfy space: rustic, with nice lighting. But back to the pies. Try the Hellboy with Mike’s Hot Honey. You think spicy honey sounds weird? Me too. But it’s yummy. Mike happened to be bartending the night we were there; buy a $6 bottle of the sticky stuff from him. (You can also get it online.)

Go to Paulie Gee’s, stuff your face, experience hot honey, thank me later.

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Eat at Recipe on Upper West Side

18 May

The dearth of decent restaurants on the UWS is matched only by that of Times Square (but at least that area is slightly redeemed by theater).

That’s why Recipe on Amsterdam and 82nd is such a lovely surprise. This charming eatery has about 25 seats and the ingredients are fresh, local and seasonal. Everything is made in-house, from the Tomato & Buffalo Mozzarella Tart to the salted caramel in The Best Dessert I’ve Ever Had (also known on the menu as Chocolate Pignoli Tart) with mascarpone gelato—OMG. The tables are tight because the place is so small but you’re likely to strike up a conversation with your neighbors over the food, anyway.

Bottom line: If you find yourself on the UWS, there’s at least one solid option. Just do yourself a favor and make a reservation.

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Champagne in the Powder Room at Beauty & Essex

5 May

A celebratory meal last night landed us at Beauty & Essex on the Lower East Side. Enter through a pawn shop into the foyer; the main seating area is a large, open space with a skylight. Expect Prohibition-era cocktails, small plates—and champagne in the ladies’ room!?!?!?! A little bit awesome. It’s scene-y and pricey but the lobster tacos almost made it all worth it.

Pig out at Mary Queen of Scots

27 Apr

In the old Allen & Delancey space, Mary Queen of Scots is comfy, a wee bit pricey and sure to be appreciated by pork-lovers. (I rarely eat meat but opened my heart and mouth so I could enjoy this place more fully.) First you get a choice of bacon bread (vs. focaccia, wtf?). The menu offers pork belly and pork carbonara; starter snacks include sausage rolls and bacon-wrapped dates. Even the scallops are served with ayrshire pork, while the broccoli rabe has as much smoked pig as green stuff (unnecessary).

Order an inventive Scotchtail, skip most of the fish in favor of something meaty and save room for dessert, which was the most creative course. Whether you choose the chocolate stout cake with beer foam, pretzels and malt ice cream or the peanut butter sandwiches over whiskeyed bananas and honey ice cream, you will be pleased (but also fat).

P.S. Chips and curry sauce.

May 29-30: Brewers’ PicNyc

20 Apr

Can’t get away for Memorial Day Weekend? Me neither—unless you count Brewers’ PicNyc on Governor’s Island.

Hop on the ferry and get ready to soak up the sun and munch on food from Fette Sau, Jimmy’s No. 43, Luke’s Lobster and Big Gay Ice Cream Truck. Wash it all down with beers from Goose Island, Brooklyn, Sixpoint and Palm while jamming to bluegrass sessions. Best part: A portion of proceeds go to Added Value Farm, a sustainable farm on Governor’s Island. Don’t forget your picnic blanket!

Event and Ticket Info

Pssst …  Thrillist is offering $55 all-you-can eat/drink tickets but they’re going fast.

Book: Just Kids by Patti Smith

19 Apr

Hardcover Edition

OK, so I’m obviously not the only one who has discovered this NYT Bestseller. But trust me: If you have a love for music, poetry, art, photography or the NYC that once was, pick up this book. Patti Smith has written a romantic ode not only to the amazing Robert Mapplethorpe but also to an era.

More images:

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Barrio Chino: Real Mexican food on LES

6 Apr

I grew up in San Diego and can attest to the fact that most Mexican food in New York is abysmal. Or expensive. Or both. That’s why Barrio Chino makes me happy. This tiny spot where the Lower East Side meets Chinatown serves authentic, fairly priced Mexican specialties. Not many surprises on the menu—guac ($8), tacos ($9), enchiladas ($13), shrimp ($10)—but everything is fresh and delicious. Be sure to order the sincronizadas with oaxacan cheese and spicy mexican chorizo and avocado ($9). Oh, and I almost forgot: the margs! If you like spicy, try the grapefruit jalapeno. If you’re into burn-your-mouth-spicy, brave the grapefruit habanero. Good luck with that.

One more thing: There’s always a wait but the hostess will take your number and call you when your table is ready. Because it’s just that kind of place.

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Did you hear? Duane Reade selling growlers of craft beer

29 Mar

The ubiquitous Duane Reade drugstore chain has opened a second Brew York City beer counter, this time on Broadway and 72nd. (The first is on Bedford in Wburg.) Buy a growler for $3.99 (or bring your own) and fill it with 64 ounces of craft brews like Brooklyn, Blue Point, Ommegang and Ithaca for $7.99. Selections will rotate; here’s what’s on tap.

See you in line (because you know there will be one).

Jadis Wine Bar on Rivington

22 Mar

Not sure how I’ve lived in NYC without knowing about this place but it’s fair to say my life is now a step closer to being complete.

Jadis is an affordable, spacious and unpretentious wine bar on the LES. Cavernous and comfy, it has small, intimate tables but also deep couches for bigger parties (a wine-bar rarity). Most bottles are under $29; go on Monday to save 30% on bottles over $30. Wines by the glass are half-price from 5pm to 7pm Tuesday through Saturday.

And the cheese, glorious cheese! We had manchego, camembert, brie goat and gruyere and oh, about an entire baguette. They do not skimp on portions. The food was plentiful enough for five people, but delicious enough that the two of us cleaned up. Oops.

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