Hidden on the second floor of a random building in K-town lies Sake Bar Kirakuya, which I’m told means “the place where people come and have a good time.” This is not your average East Village sake dive that stinks of fish. Upscale, sophisticated and intimate, Kirakuya offers a special collection of sake—jizake, actually—mostly limited editions from small companies that are not mass produced. Think beyond sushi and sashimi for food pairings (although both are available); the Japanese small plates here are light and affordable. But did I mention the sake? Each bottle has its own flavor and history that the sommelier can explain; he trained in Japan for five years before coming here. I also love that the owner is a solo businesswoman who can usually be found working the room. Definitely a place to bring out-of-towners to show them what makes this city so freakin’ awesome.
Cheap, yummy steak in Williamsburg—really!
13 DecMaybe I should change the name of this blog to iknowcheapthings. Or ilikecheapthings. Because here’s another reasonably priced restaurant, this time in Brooklyn: St. Anselm (Metropolitan near Havemeyer).
As a recovering vegetarian I am weird about meat, especially the inexpensive stuff. But the $15 “Butcher Steak” at the reinvented St. Anselm was great—just locally sourced meat drizzled in garlic butter. Nothing wrong with that, or the $5 sides/veggies like pan-fried mashed potatoes, spinach gratin and long beans. I also appreciated the wine list—pours that will not make you poor (like LI’s Channing Daughters on draft).
The pseudo unfinished farmhouse interior contributes to a low-key feel. Still, it’s usually packed because so small. No reservations = yes wait. At least you can wait while sipping beer or wine next door at Spuyten Duyvil (also owned by Joe Carroll). It’s also across from The Commodore.
If you’re in Williamsburg, St. Anselm is one of the best new-ish deals in town.
Craft beer bar in Union Square
9 Dec
Union Square always seems like a convenient spot to meet up because it’s so central. But when you actually try to think of a place, nothing spectacular comes to mind. Problem solved with Little Town NYC (15th and Irving). This is a small craft beer bar with NY-inspired food—Long Island clams, Coach Farm goat cheese, Buffalo wings, even a version of Rochester’s famous Garbage Plate. I dare you to look at this menu and not salivate. And the beer! Nearly 100 choices from NY’s “little towns” (get it?), as close as Harlem and far as Utica. Can’t decide? Draft tastes are $2 from 4-10p.m. Still overwhelmed? Pick a themed bucket and call it a day. Little Town is for sophisticated, serious beer drinkers—or people who love Hudson Valley grilled cheese.
Photos: Shaun Vakil
Mmmm…wine and brussels sprouts pizza
7 Dec
Poor Upper West Side: Your prices are high and your food is mostly bad. Your wine bars tend to be predictable and underwhelming. Until the new Cotta aka Osteria Cotta arrived in your neighborhood.
It’s one of the best values I’ve experienced. Pick from a simple and satisfying menu of Italian apps, pizzas, pastas and dessert served in a warm, rustic interior: wooden tables, wine bottles lining the walls, an open upstairs that makes the place feel cozy and spacious at the same time. The low-lit atmosphere is good for a casual date but that’s certainly no requirement; I went with a girlfriend and had fun chatting up local patrons who knew each other—and the bartender. There were even a few children (not a plus for everyone, but at least the place is welcoming). Great prices for the area, including 50 wines under $50, as well as $12 pizza/pastas, $5 salads, $3-4 small plates, etc. Cotta is so new that its website is not even up, but the time to go is now … before what stands between you and your Baked Ricotta is an hour-long wait.
Get ready to get sad—Roadie looks like that kind of movie.
30 Nov
The trailer itself nearly broke my heart. I love how director Michael Cuesta explores heavy subjects that no one wants to think about. (Remember the pedophilia in 2001’s L.I.E.?) Roadie is about a guy who, after touring with a band for 20 years, returns to Queens to live with his mom and runs into his old high school crush and nemesis (who are now married). The film moved critics at Tribeca with its honesty and supposedly terrific performances by Bobby-I’m-So-Hot-Cannavale and Ron Eldard. Opens January 6, but on demand December 2. (What? Whatever.)
Photo: Magnolia Pictures
Once a jail, now Liberty Hotel in Boston
28 Nov
Every once in a while I visit a repurposed space that wows. That is how I feel about Boston’s Liberty Hotel. The Beacon Hill landmark is an excellent example of preserving history and architecture while creating a modern space that is fully utilized. Formerly the Charles Street Jail, the building was remarkable at its completion in 1851, with four wings extending from a 90-foot rotunda and cupola. Today the atrium space remains striking, with the original 30 oversized, arched windows bringing (moon)light to the lobby and bar area. You can also see steel bars and other vestiges of the early jail cells.
A luxury property, the Liberty Hotel may be out of budget for some. But no matter how imprisoned you are by your salary, it’s well worth a visit just to have a drink—or a meal in the CLINK.
Nerd alert! The NYPL rocks my world.
18 Nov
This may seem basic, but the New York Public Library is one of the city’s most efficient, yet underutilized services. And it is totally free (and free of hassles). So if you’re not doing it, you either don’t like learning (dummy) or are rich enough to continuously buy new books (lucky)!
- Sign up for a free library card. (Get it delivered by mail, or pick up in person if you need to get your borrow on ASAP).
- Login and search for a book.
- Request it be delivered to any library branch in the city. With more than 80, there’s definitely one near your home/office/gym/therapist.
- Get email saying it’s ready for pickup. (You don’t have to go right away—it’s held for a few days.)
- READ!!!! (You usually have three weeks, one week for Express books.)
- Slowpokes can renew online (with some stipulations).
- Return to any branch.
- Repeat.
- Become a total smarty! (Or at least be well read.)
Yes, I have heard of e-books. But not all titles available yet at NYPL. Visit its growing e-book collection.
Photo: Flick r/henry…
I like dirty hippies, so what?
14 Nov
The movie Magic Trip (rent-able) is not for everyone, and I fully admit that having (non-dirty) hippies for parents and the strong belief that I was meant to be a flower child contributed to my intrigue. In fact, I watched the film twice. Fascinating look at the famous, 1964 cross-country bus trip taken by Ken Kesey (author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and LSD experimenter) and his Merry Band of Pranksters (including Neal Cassady). You really feel like you are on the bus, thanks to raw footage narrated by these kids—now adults—detailing their exploration, search for freedom, relationships, and yes, acid trips. You would be wrong to assume that it’s only about drugs, though; there’s plenty about politics, the vibe of the era, Ken Kesey’s leadership, the protest movement itself and dissatisfaction/disillusionment.
So get a healthy dose … of American history. (What were you thinking?)
Strip poker art exhibit opens tomorrow
11 Nov
Artist Zefrey Throwell‘s I’ll Raise You One is a seven-day public strip poker game—in a SoHo storefront window. Seven players will gamble away their clothes as a commentary on small stakes capitalism and winning/losing. “Guilt-free voyeurism,” promises the exhibit’s website. See for yourself. November 12-19 from 10:30 am-6:00 pm at Art in General (709 Walker, near Broadway).
Photo: © Zefrey Throwell
Ridiculously cheap theater, no catch
4 Nov
If you’re under 35, there are two programs that offer cheap theater tickets to great shows, even on Broadway. FREE to sign up. No rush, no lottery, no camping out overnight—reserve your seats in advance like a real person.
- Hiptix: $20 for any show by the Roundabout Theatre Company—even Anything Goes. Bonus: Occasional post-show parties with snacks/drinks.
- LincTix: $30 for Lincoln Center Theater shows, including War Horse.
Plus: An offshoot of LCT, shows at LCT3 feature the work of new playwrights, directors and designers. Tickets are always $20—for all ages.
Photo courtesy of flickr/MARCZERO1980.
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