I just want to say that I love my friends and I like hamburgers. So if you’ve got a hankering for one (a hamburger, not friend – although you could perhaps find one of those there too), I suggest you get yourself to Paul’s Burgers on 2nd avenue. They’ve got a million different burgers you can order (all super healthy, of course) and you get a giant bowl of pickle chips at your table, which gets automatic points from me.
It’s quite the spot; lots of kitsch, with checkered table cloths and road signs like “Trailer Trash Avenue” and the like. They also have TVs so you can watch your college football team get killed (ahem) or you can sit on one of the bar stools and watch the cooks in action. The burgers are deeelicious, as are their shakes. My little sister even got a shake there once when she visited me and she’s not a shake person by any means. It’s just good, people.
Ok, that is all. Eat a hamburger. And get ready for City Mitten: Detroit Edition, as I’m on my way to Thanksgiving weekend back home. :)
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: new york, friendlies, burgers, restaurants, milkshakes, new york city, east village, paul's burgers, trailer trash, kitsch
New favorite venue: The Bell House, located in Gowanus, Brooklyn, aka The Middle of Nowhere. Two weeks ago, I could not have pointed out Gowanus on a map to save my life and then somehow I found myself there two days in a row last week. The funny part is it’s actually pretty close to me, it’s just small and industrial and I hadn’t found a reason to go there until now.
My first time there was to go to an issue release party for Pomp & Circumstance, which my girl Laura Leebove had her first cover story – an interview with Andrew W. K. It was at Littlefield, a bar/event space, and boy did I feel lost on my way over. But I made it and found my girl and some other peeps I knew (or didn’t know yet and now do) and we hung out for a bit. We chatted with Andrew and bonded over our Michigan accents. He was pretty cool and Laura had me take a picture of them with her fancy SLR camera that I want soooo bad. I know it will change my life.
Here’s Andrew and Laura, I’m not too sure why he’s making the crazy eyes, but alas:
And here’s the cover of the issue and the first page of the story:
Yep, that’s my girl! We worked together at The State News back in the day, and look at her now!
My second night in Gowanus was at The Bell House, which I mentioned is my new favorite venue. Even more in the middle of nowhere, but even better. It’s like a giant barn and the acoustics are phenomenal. And the bar is pretty cute, too.
Have a looksies:
The bar before the show.
The barn (that’s what I’m calling it) after Laura Veirs (pictured at top).
The reason we went: Blind Pilot! Blind Pilot is the coolest band, they once went on a tour by bicycle. Bicycle. Do you SEE that giant upright bass? That’s impressive. I don’t think they do that anymore since they are touring nationally but they still are sweet. I love all the instruments and the sounds: I don’t even know what half of them are. But I love their folksy sound and their attitude. It’s good stuff.
And tomorrow I’m going to Detroit!
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: andrew w. k., barns, blind pilot, brooklyn, concerts, gowanus, littlefield, music, new york, new york city, shows, the bell house, venues
I’m not going to lie, this is my new favorite picture. My life in one frame, haha. The Brooklyn Bridge and ice cream. Yes, please.
Yesterday I finally, finally was able to check out the New Amsterdam Market, a monthly market in the South Street Seaport where the Fulton Fish Market used to be. It’s butchers and bakers, farms and wineries, cheese and chocolate – all kinds of things – all local or locally sourced. And it’s amazing. Aaaamazing. And there’s lots of samples for you to try.
You’ll never guess what kind of flavor that ice cream is. It’s sweet potato pecan. I was a little apprehensive at first, but once I tried it, I was sold, sold, sold. It was from The Bent Spoon, an ice cream shop from Princeton, New Jersey. It had honey-candied chocolate pecans in it. Hello. I might have to buy myself a pint of whatever flavors they bring to the next market.
Before I tried the ice cream, I got myself a small lobster roll from Luke’s Lobster, which I have been hearing soo many wonderful things about. At their booth, they had a little chalkboard that told you exactly where today’s catch was from (in Maine, by the way). Luke’s had the longest line, well-deserved. I only got the “snack” portion of the lobster roll, but it probably wouldn’t have killed me to get a whole one, $14 or not.
This lobster roll is hands-down the best thing I’ve had in a month (okay, maybe besides Gotham Bar & Grill). They have a place on E. 7th street that I am going to visit immediately.
And here’s some other things you’d find at the New Amsterdam Market:
Produce.
People.
Cheese!
Oysters!
The next Market is Dec. 20th and you can bet your booty I’m gonna be there.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: best idea ever, brooklyn bridge, cheese, food, ice cream, lobster rolls, local sourcing, luke's lobster, new amsterdam market, new york, new york city, oysters, produce, seasonal ingredients, south street seaport, sustainability, sweet potatoes, the bent spoon, Things I Like
Hey, hey, hey! It’s Friday!
This is Lisa. She’s my lunch buddy. Her office is all of a half a block away from mine, so on good days we sneak away and grab a bite together.
One of our fave spots is Chat N Chew. It’s kitschy, it’s cheap, it’s good and I wish I was going there for lunch today.
But it’s the weekend so have a good one, y’all.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: chat and chew, friendlies, i wear glasses now, lisa, new york city, restaurants, union square
Last week, my friend Melody was baptized with The Journey Church. Me and a couple of girlies went to support her. First there was a concert and then all the people who were getting baptized went on stage and had the chance to introduce themselves if they wanted to. She totally gave us a shout out.
Congrats, girl! And here’s a picture of your support team. :)
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: baptism, calvary baptist, friendlies, the journey church
The past few days in New York have been lovely. I took a stroll around Prospect Park to catch what’s left of the fall colors before all the leaves end up on the ground.
Prospect Park, I love you.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: autumn, brooklyn, change, fall, fall colors, lakes, leaves, new york, prospect park, trees
Ice skating in New York City: one of the most popular winter activities for tourists and locals alike. Oh, I wish I could love you. But it’s actually my biggest (perhaps my only?) complaint about living in NYC: the lack of ice rinks. And don’t even suggest Chelsea Piers. Sure, there’s about five outdoor rinks that pop up every winter, but for someone who used to be a bit of a figure skater, it just doesn’t work. Last year I made the mistake of trying to skate at the big rink in Central Park and I got yelled at for spinning in the center ice (private lessons only!). Another time at Rockefeller Center I almost landed my skate on a kid’s face. Oops. These rinks are just wayyy too crowded! And let’s not even talk about the cost of admission to get into one of these bad boys. Oh, and don’t forget your rental skates!
The Pond at Bryant Park, however, is a diamond in the rough. First, admission is free, so if you don’t need to rent skates, you’re good to go (I think renting them is about $12, though). Second, the rink opens at 8 a.m. EIGHT A.M. How many people want to get up that early to skate at 8 a.m.? Not many.
So, yesterday morning, as I had the day off of work, I made my way over at Bryant Park and was one of the first people on the ice. It got a little more crowded closer to 9, but it was nothing like the insanity it is on the afternoons, nights, and weekends. I was actually able to try a few things without worrying some little kid was going to die. And that felt great.
I’m thinking skating in the morning at Bryant Park could potentially become a regular thing for me, at least on days I don’t plan on going into the office until 10. Just keep it hush hush, please, cause I don’t want any more people showing up.
Oh, except, who wants to come with me next time and take my picture? :)
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: bryant park, central park, figure skating, i miss figure skating, i need a good ice rink, ice skating, new york city, nyc, rockefeller center, skating, the pond, winter
November 16, 2009 · 1 Comment
Um, would you like some cheesecake? I would. After Friday night, I spent the entire weekend being lazy watching movies at my friend’s apartment and all I wanted was something sweet. This little darling is from Eileen’s Special Cheesecake, a place I tried with my mom a few months ago. I’d heard many a good things about this place so I made her check it out with me the last time she came to visit. She’s a big fan of Junior’s and I wanted her to try something new.
The good: the little cupcake shape and the graham cracker crust.
The bad: it wasn’t “cheesey” enough for her.
I’m not gonna lie, I’m a big fan of Junior’s too, but I pretty much only get it when I’m with her cause it’s just sooo heavy. If she’s lucky, maybe I’ll bring one to Detroit for Thanksgiving. :)
But Eileen’s is definitely something worth checking out. Besides that little baby on the top, I got myself an oreo one to take home and have later. Anything with an oreo crust can’t be too bad.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: cheesecake, desserts, eileen's special cheesecake, food, junior's cheesecake, mommy, new york city
When I was a senior in college, I had a ginormous one bedroom apartment all to myself. It was dirt cheap compared to NYC standards. My living room was huge, so a friend and I decided to paint it. We painted one wall with huge polka dots in two different shades of green and the opposite wall solid. It was fun to do for the first five minutes and then when we realized how long the wall actually was, it wasn’t such a great idea anymore. But, we pressed on and in the end it looked sweet.
This time around, the painting was a bit easier. Probably because I had my friend P, who could reach all the spots that I couldn’t and who would round out all the edges for me. My job was strictly the roller.
Funny enough, we weren’t even painting P’s apartment. We were painting D’s, and D didn’t help at all. He said we were doing too good of a job and he didn’t want to ruin it. Reminds me of how my mom used to make the same argument to get me to rake the lawn. Or was it shovel the driveway? Either way, two things I don’t have to worry about now.
D did make us lunch though, so it worked out in the end. And his apartment looks really good so I’m proud of our accomplishments. I’m also excited for Round Two, ’cause I’m probably going to help P paint his apartment and I’m even more excited for Round Three, when I’m gonna do a little something something to my bedroom. It’s not very big, but it’s gonna be sweet. Just you wait.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: apartments, friends, long island city, new york, new york apartments, new york city, painting, queens
We have another birthday girl on our hands! Yesterday my cousin Melissa came to the city for the day to finally celebrate her birthday at Gotham Bar & Grill. Gotham Bar & Grill is one of the best restaurants in the city and practically across the street from my office, so I was more than happy to tag along.
Melissa, her friend Angela, and I ordered off the prix fixe lunch menu and we were not disappointed. My selections were:
butternut squash soup
Papparadelle with veal (amazing)
and, of course, chocolate cake!
Their chocolate cake is probably my favorite in all of New York, it is just so light! Every time I cut a bite with my fork, I wondered how they make it. I would love to see that. The ice cream was some sort of mocha flavor with chocolate chips, which is another favorite thing of mine. Chocolate chips = love.
So, I love Gotham Bar & Grill is what it really comes down to. It’s such a nice place and the service is impeccable. You feel like everyone really cares and they are trying their best to take care of you. Angela thought going to Gotham was just a regular ol’ thing for me. I wish! I’ve been one other time with my friend Joe, when we split a bottle of wine during Summer Restaurant Week and I was delirious in happiness. Haha. I love these days.
And I’m not the only one who takes pictures at restaurants!
When she made the reservation, Melissa told them they were celebrating birthdays so at the end of our meal they brought out a little plate with a bunch of mini desserts on it.
Cute but not even comparable to their chocolate cake. An A for effort though, and for everything else. :)
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: butternut squash soup, chocolate cake, family, food, gotham bar and grill, new york city, nyc, prix fixe, restaurants, the village, veal, yummies
