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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Swap your e-books for free

11 Apr

Remember that old-school pleasure of loaning books to friends? Now you can swap, borrow or lend e-books on ebookfling.com. Sign up for free and list your Amazon Kindle or Nook titles. When someone requests one of your books, you can lend it for 14 days, after which point it reappears on your reader (or iPhone/Pad, BBerry, etc). Get credits for lending, use those credits to borrow—so easy!

The site is still new and rights to some titles are pending but it’s worth checking out.

Groove into the weekend with “Hello”

8 Apr

Just… makes… me… feel… glad. Turn it up!!

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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James Murphy tribute aka RIP LCD Soundsystem

5 Apr

God I loved LCD Soundsystem. When I saw James Murphy in 2007 at Randall’s Island with Arcade Fire, I couldn’t imagine him calling it quits. Sigh. In honor of last Saturday’s final show at MSG,  New York mag ran a sweet and endearing tribute. It’s worth the read.

Miss him already.

New movie: Wretches & Jabberers

1 Apr

Did you know April is Autism Awareness month?

Wretches & Jabberers is a documentary about two adult men with autism, Tracy and Larry,  who travel to Sri Lanka, Japan and Finland to meet other people on the autistic spectrum. It’s a moving story of advocacy, friendship and perseverance that sheds light on the intellectual and emotional complexities of people living with the developmental disorder. It will change your perception of autism.

Opens nationwide this month.

Tracy and Larry in Japan.

Courtesy of Douglas Biklen

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Lot18 is like Gilt Groupe for wine

30 Mar

Among the glut of invitation-only member deal sites, one of my faves is Lot18, which sells wine at deeply discounted prices straight from the producers. I love being able to try bottles that may not be available at my local wine shop, and the short-term sales often include free or one-cent shipping. Request an invitation from the site, or email me and I will send you one. Cheers!

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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).

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