Free music. Outdoors. Not too crowded.

5 Jul

This is what an urban concert looks like. There is a funky band way up there.

Do you know City Winery? It’s an intimate space that brings great performances to downtown Manhattan. While most shows are indoors, the venue throws a tiny backyard party with live acts on Tuesday nights during the summer. And it’s free. The Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival features eclectic musicians, food vendors, and of course, vino from City Winery. From 5:30-7:30pm, chill out and have a drink or two with other people from the nabe. Even the treats are pretty cheap—$3 hot dogs, $6 beers, $7 wines. But my favorite thing is that it’s not crowded (like so many other outdoor music experiences). Check out the rest of the lineup—the party happens weekly until August 28.

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Dudes, you can finally try on Bonobos!

2 Jul

Bonobos are well made, sweet-looking pants that most guys can rock. Problem is, they’re only sold online. And even though shipping is free and returns are easy, it still sucks when something seems perfect onscreen and meh on arrival.

Now, though, guys can try on Bonobos before committing. Find your best fit at the little “guideshop” beside the company’s headquarters on Sixth Ave and W. 25th. (You won’t leave with duds in hand but delivery only takes a day or two.)

Appointments are recommended because of the limited dressing rooms, but you can also just show up and wait—after all, there’s beer; the bar will be fully stocked soon.

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You’ll never drink Blue Moon again

29 Jun

I am a HUGE fan of summer beers. And microbrews. So it was sort of the best thing ever when I walked into a shop in Boston last weekend to find a rep from the craft label Clown Shoes offering a tasting of Clementine Witbier. Brewed in Mass., it’s a Belgian-style white that lacks that chemical taste (that I can no longer ignore) in many mass-produced wheat beers (like Blue Moon). And you never have to add a lemon or orange; this 5.9% ale is made with clementine, sweet orange peel and coriander for a refreshing zest. SO good. SO summery. SO wish I had another one right now!

Wheat beer not your thing? There are about a dozen more to choose from—check out the awesome art on the labels while you’re at it.

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No more mommy guilt! Turn your kid’s artwork into a photo book.

28 Jun

You love your kid. You love his paintings/drawings/collages, but they take up space. Of course, you can’t bear to toss them.

Make your life easier by letting Plum Print turn your kid’s art into a coffee table book. Like this.

All you have to do is mail your little Picasso’s pieces to Plum Print. You’ll get a proof back to approve; the book comes six weeks later (along with the returned art—but you’re throwing that out, right?). Prices start at $85 for a 20-page book; cost varies according to dimensions, page count and hard/soft cover.

Cut clutter AND create something memorable. Your husband will thank you now and your kid will thank you later.

I didn’t draw this as a kid but if I did, my mom might have put it in a Plum Print book.

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Wait—what? There is a Brooklyn-themed bar in Manhattan. (Why?)

27 Jun

I know! I think it’s weird, too! But I decided to check it out because it’s near my office in an area with few bars. So, let me tell you about The Brooklyneer on Houston near Varick:

  • There’s a decent selection of NY beers: BK Brewery (of course), Captain Lawrence, Coney Island and Sixpoint (but I think I expected a few more).
  • Many cocktails are made using BK-sourced spirits and mixers (Brooklyn Republic Gin/Vodka, Q Tonic, KBBK Kombucha).
  • Much of the food is from BK vendors (pickles by Brooklyn Brine, preserves by Anarchy in a Jar, cupcakes by Robicelli). MENU
  • Apparently, the 30-foot long bartop was once part of the old Coney Island Boardwalk.
  • Our hipster bartender was most definitely from BK.
  • We had a jalapeno and cheese pretzel from Sigmund’s which defied our expectations—it was served hot with a spicy honey mustard (seemed like a strange paring but worked well), but, I might add, Sigmund’s is not in BK.

Warning from my sipping companion: Unless it’s happy hour, don’t expect BK prices. Pints start at $7 and cocktails are $12.

Toto, we are definitely in Manhattan.

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Jelly in a cocktail seems weird but tastes kind of rad

25 Jun

At James in Prospect Heights, the bartender scoops a bit of delectable jam into your drink. Choose from two signature flavors: lemon-chili or raspberry-pepper. Then pick your mixer: vodka or gin (or even soda water).

I asked which was spicier and went with the lemon chili. YUM. The jam is made in-house—the bartender adds Thai chili for the heat and red chili flakes to make it pretty. (See?)

It’s your own glass of perfection for $10.

While I have never eaten here, the food is supposed to be awesome. On a fun side note, the owners also run an event-planning business.

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Your best summer playlist

8 Jun

Rock on, homefriends.

http://soundcloud.com/djrossone/homefriends

Thank you, Harley Viera Newton.

 

Paul McCartney – “Dance Tonight”
Jim Noir – “Key of C”
The Smiths – “Girlfriend In A Coma”
David Bowie – “Sound And Vision”
Can – “I Want More”
The Cardigans – “Lovefool”
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “American Girl”
Traveling Wilburys – “Handle With Care”
Jackson Browne – “Somebody’s Baby”
Two Door Cinema Club – “Something Good Can Work”
Wilco – “Heavy Metal Drummer”
Madness – “Our House”
The Kinks – “Picture Book”
Edwyn Collins – “Girl Like You”
T. Rex – “Baby Strange”
Belle & Sebastian – “White Collar Boy”
The Jam – “Start!”
The Castaways – “Liar, Liar”
The The – “This Is The Day”
Sebasten Tellier – “Divine”
Sleigh Bells – “Rill Rill”
Neil Diamond – “The Boat That I Row”
The Strokes – “Barely Legal”
Pulp – “Babies”
Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark – “Electricity”
Little Dragon – “Ritual Union”
Elastica – “Never Here”
Delta 5 – “Mind Your Own Business”
The Slits – “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”
The Supremes – “Come See About Me”
Zombies – “Care Of Cell 44”
Oasis – “Live Forever “

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REAL chefs come to your apartment and cook for you and your friends!

31 May

I am dying! Kitchit has arrived in NY from SF! This bespoke dining service is awesome. Basically you hire a legit local chef (oh, you know… from Edi & the Wolf, ABC Kitchen, Lure Fishbar, Perilla, etc.), plan a menu based on your budget/occasion and then he/she does the shopping, preparing and cooking—even the cleanup! And you? You’re busy drinking wine and shmoozing with your guests. Plus, BYOB means no markup.

And it does not even have to be expensive! You can plan meals for as low as $45 a head (although the sky’s the limit, depending on what you want). This is SO reasonable, even for a weeknight get-together—and a great alternative to trying to squeeze a big group into a restaurant or being forced to order from a prix-fixe menu. (Ew.)

Pay for your guests (if you’re generous), split the cost (if you’re poor) or charge people as a fundraiser (if you’re saving the world). And don’t worry about a small kitchen or lack of tools—these chefs are pros.

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Ramen in Harlem tastes good

29 May

Although I live uptown, I don’t usually write about local spots because most people think they’re too far. But the new Jin a few steps from my apartment left me beaming with Harlem pride. Yes, it’s at 125th Street, probably a schlep for you. But it’s right by the 1 train, so once you’re here, you’re there.

Small but not dive-y with its wooden walls and modern feel, Jin has bowls of ramen from $10. The place attracts students on dates without managing to feel like a Columbia hangout. But what really sold me is the option of vegetarian broth!! Most noodle bars only use pork and chicken stock, which tastes too strong for my quasi-vegetarian palate. The Shio Ramen was steamy and awesome with perfectly cooked noodles. I added Spicy Mayu paste to give it an extra kick. No apps this time but best picks seem to be Steamed Pork Bun and Kara-Ange (boneless fried chicken).

Don’t be afraid to go alone; the counter is made for solo dining. Watch the chefs in action: the head dude Mark is super accommodating and friendly, always looking up to greet repeat customers. Expect a wait during busy times (but only half as long as at Totto Ramen, Ippudo or Momofuku). Leave full, happy—and with your wallet intact.

And welcome to the neighborhood.

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Slightly Oliver is a slightly weird name for a bar

23 May

There’s a new-ish cocktail bar for adults on the UWS, right next door to the popular Jacob’s Pickles.

Slightly Oliver means “slightly drunk” in Cockney slang, and there’s clearly a British vibe happening, with Union Jacks hanging and $4 Oliver English Ale during happy hour (plus $4 punches and wines). I tried the Slightly Green Martini with vodka, green pepper reduction, dill elixir and a very non-essential sour mix. First sip was good but ultimately I chose a glass of white wine the next time around.

Bar snack menu had a Scottish egg, cod croquettes and rather pricey flatbreads ($12). The $16 fried chicken sliders were almost worth it; they had a kick and came with onion rings.

Most memorable was the decor: Behind the bar are unfinished wooden shelves lined with cool cocktail shakers, perfectly fitting for Slightly Oliver’s attempt to shake up a snooze-worthy neighborhood.

Full Menu

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