Best Cheap Eats in the Meatpacking District

In all fairness and in the spirit of full journalistic disclosure this piece was inspired by the recent posting of the top 10 things to eat in the Chelsea Market from the Village Voice article. The thing is when I go food shopping at the Chelsea Market I almost always bounce around the area in general running errands, hitting the High Line, buying something I don't need but want or just popping in to pay homage to I-Gotahaveit  at the Apple Store. Thus this list is geared towards garbing something fast for lunch or just a quick fix to re-charge...
Amy's Bread - Great selection of breads and baked goods. Their Coconut Dream bar is one of my favorite treats in the city...the love child of a menage between a Blondie a Graham Cracker and a Coconut $3.00+
Bill's Bar and Burger - Nice variety of burgers that they do loosely packed and flat...since I like it hot the Mexican Burger (pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo, jalapeño, shredded lettuce, and chipotle aioli) for $7.25 is my choice...add Disco Fries or Onion Rings on the side for $4.50+
Dickson's Meats - Sources their meat from local grass-fed farms. If you need a high protein fix for your inner carnivore or just can't wait to cook up the awesome cuts of meat my favorite Butcher (try their 80/20 burgers...80% beef-20% bacon) in the city has to offer go with their Roast Beef Sandwich to tide you over $8.00+
Eleni's - Offers a wide variety of cupcakes and cookies and specializes in holiday themed treats...ie you need Cinco e Mayo cookies...they make'em...I like the Chocolate Cupcake w/Blue Frosting...just what is it about Chocolate and the color blue that just all so well together? $3.00+
Fat Witches - Great small and dense Brownies...my favorite is the Red Witch (dried cherries) and for something different try their Breakfast Witch (Oatmeal Walnut Coffee w/a layer of Brownie) $2.95
Gaslight Pizzeria -Great selection of speciality pizzas like Buffalo, Cheese Burger, Bolognese and of course good ole pepperoni, meatball etc...$3.00+. Sandwiches and Salads as well.
Hector's Diner - Great old school diner with diner sized menu...I like their Tuna-melt & Fries for $7.95
Ninth Street Espresso -  For my caffeine fix I like the Drip for $2 bucks but they make great espresso's, cappuccino's, etc...They sell whole bean bags of their coffee...
Standard Bier Garden - Giant-Sized Pretzels with spicy and sweet mustard's. I believe it's $8 bucks...however it's huge and the best pretzel in town. Their dark beer is perfect with it. Nice selection of wursts as well.
The Lobster Place - For quality, selection and price this is the best seafood market in the city. Their Scallop & Bacon Chowder $3.50 is one of the best soups in the city and their sushi is great. I love the Spicy Tuna or Yellowfin rolls for $5.25.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck - Awesome ultra-high quality Ice Cream served by the cup or cone out of a truck (available in pints at Whole Foods) with your usual suspect flavors as well as Ginger, Pistachio, Red Current and Giandujia (hazelnut & chocolate) $3.50 for a small.

    Stay tuned for my upcoming Best Treats to Eat up on the Highline (remember they extended it)...if of course Sprinter ever turns to Spring or if we get a Summer and don't just go straight info Sumfal...


Amy's Bread is located in the Chelsea Market 75 9th Avenue
Bill's Bar and Burger is located at 22 9th Avenue
Dickson's Meats is located in the Chelsea Market 75 9th Avenue
Eleni's is located in the Chelsea Market 75 9th Avenue
Gaslight Pizzeria is located at 39 9th Avenue
Hector's Diner is located at 44 Little West 12th St
Ninth Street Espresso is located in the Chelsea Market 75 9th Avenue
Standard Bier Garden is located at 848 Washington St
The Lobster Place is located in the Chelsea Market 75 9th Avenue
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck is located right outside of 848 Washington St

Best of Guys Gear Guide Spring/Summer 2011

  Spring seems to be just a bit late this year...but maybe just maybe its here to stay. Thus Ladies (yes I'm referring both to the guys this is geared towards..no pun intended & the Ladies as in girlfriends, sisters, friends etc... in our lives) it's time to do some Spring cleaning (Good Will is on 23rd Street and easier to deal with then the S-Army...found that out the hard way) and get some new gear for Spring/Summer. As a guy from a clothing point of view they are for the most part one and the same with the exception of for Summer you add shorts, "swimwear" and flip flops to the mix. Of course if you want to get technical then yes...Linen and White bucks starting Memorial Day...   
    I prefer Soho for a few reasons...aside from all the great places to get everything from Suits to Surfboards you have some of the absolute best people watching in the world... from eccentric native Nu Yawkers to drop dead beautiful foreign women from all over. On top of that some of the best chow in the city and as an added bonus Art that ranges from high end galleries to great street art. So whether you need to to go from the sand to the street, the lake to the lobby or the river to roof-top bar the following places have what you need and more...

EMS - Ourdoorsmen's shop geared heavily towards climbing and camping. A great selection of gear from North Face, Smart Wool, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, etc plus their own line. For trail runners, hiking and trekking boots they have the best selection in the city stocking Merrel, Salomon, Scarpa etc. EMS Employs a knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Icebreaker - I was turned on to this brand at EMS and they have since opened up their own location right across from Patagonia. Icebreaker offers pure merino wool athletic gear out of New Zealand. I started with their Winter gear & they have since added a running, biking, and travel line. Now while some of you may think "wool for running around in the heat...you're nuts"! While that may be true for other reasons wool breathes remarkably well and doesn't hold odors. I just returned from 90+ degree heat in Vietnam and could not believe how well this this stuff performed. I wore my t-shirts and polo over and over. Stay dry and cool while looking like James Bond on a mission...

James Perse - It's between these and Vince for my favorite T-shirts. These are well cut and less fitted while the colors are  generally more muted. Same price points. They also carry a full line of lounge wear, sweaters, shirts trousers and even bed sheets in t-shirt soft fabric.

Lord Willy's - While they do Custom cut suits and shirts, it's their Off the Rack checkered shirts that I buy. They are not cheap...but very well made and cut. They also stand out by using colorful buttons on their shirts (ask and they will give you extras buttons). I've received more compliments on these shirts then any other. Lord Willy himself Alex is a great guy only bettered by his better half Betty.

Michael Andrews Bespoke - With Spring in the air and a hot summer on the way either you need some lighter weight wool suits for your current job or the new one you're interviewing for and you realize that B Bros and the Purple Dino's warehouse sale are not the only places to buy a suit. Michael's price points average  about $1,195 for a custom cut suit with quite a few additional bespoke touches. Shirts start at $165 and up and come in more colors and patterns then you can imagine. They also carry ties, cuff links etc...and are now doing bespoke shoes as well. By appointment only.

Patagonia - Carries their own line of Gore-tex, Capeline, organic cotton and wool clothing for your outdoor needs. Great friendly staff that don't just work in a place that sells clothing to be worn  from the slopes to the surf but more importantly that regularly hit them. They also have a great selection of messenger bags, back packs and a new travel line.

Pull-In - Started out in the South of France making Board Shorts for surfers. They have expanded the line to include lycra & cotton boxers with all sorts of awesome graphics. You may wish she forgot what happened after those boxers come off...but she wil not forgot those boxers. They also have a pretty sweet selection of women's lingerie and bikini's.

Saturdays - Believe it or not a real authentic Surf shop in Soho. Saturday's carries Surf Boards, Leash's, Wax, Fins, and Wet-Suits. They have expanded their line of clothing since opening that includes t-shirts, board shorts, hoodies etc as well as carrying  Bolt, Levi's and Van's. Of special note...they have really good coffee and a big backyard area with loads of seating to chill out. A very cool little oasis in Soho. Try to keep this one to yourself...

Save Khaki - If like me you were NOT genetically blessed with a flat as a board ass plus really wide hips and are sick to death of Khaki's and Cords that make you look like you are...Save Khaki has pants that are cut to fit,  look good and are made well to boot. They also have shirts and sweaters and jackets...but try them on first...they tend to cut small so size up...

Vince - I go here primarily for the awesome colored t-shirts in a variety of unique shades (someone knows their pantones) They are in the $40 range...but very well cut  and made. Please note...they are a bit fitted so go up a size. They also have well cut chino's, jeans, sweaters, sweats etc... I like the Soho location....ask for Nicole but I usually go to the one in the Meat-Packing District...ask for Jasmine

Food Break: For Coffee hit Aroma, Gimme, and Ground Support. For quick bites go to Ben's (Spring St) and Ray's (on Prince St) for Pizza, for Taco's Pinche Taqueria and La Esquina Taco Stand, Cafe Habana (take out next door) and Parisi for sandwiches, Pinkberry (healthy and also loaded w good looking girls gone Soho shopping) and Asia Dogs(ie topped with Mango Relish, Wasabi Slaw, Park Belly, etc..) and last but far from least if you're sweet tooth needs something something... Little Cupcake Bakeshop

EMS is located at 530 Bway (corner of Bway and Spring)
Icebreaker is located at 102 Wooster Street
James Perse is located at 60 Mercer Street
Lord Willy is located at 223 Mott Street
MIchael Andrews Bespoke is located at 2 Great Jones Alley
Patagonia is located at 101 Wooster Street
Pull-In is locate at 252 Elizabeth Street
Saturdays is located at 31 Crosby Street
Save Khaki is located at 327 Lafayette
Vince is located at 16 Prince Street and 833 Washington Street