NYC ICY:ICE ICE BABY

    Two words: Watermelon Chip. Watermelon ices with chocolate chips masquerading as seeds. The first time I went by NYC ICY it was sold out, but with a dozen or so ices/sorbet flavors and another dozen plus cream-based (everything from the usual basics of lemon, chocolate, etc. to ginger, Thai iced tea, Nutella, mango basil) it wasn't too difficult to choose another which turned out to be the FDNY Cherry ices with pieces of cherry in it (For NYPD fans go Blue). I also tried their lychee – both were great. If you like some heat try the cream-based Mexican chocolate which was delicious. Warning: it really has some heat, but in a good way if you like some flava.

    After a filling meal at Frank, needing a stroll to work it off and a little something to cleanse my palette I popped by NYC ICY and they had the watermelon chip. It was awesome. I was pleasantly surprised how well the chocolate chips worked with the water-based ices. One of the better treats I've had so far this summer.

    Ice cream shops are popping up all over the place and as much as I scream for my ice cream, I do like my Iices. With this summer being a bit on the warm side, ices are a great light treat that cool you down without filling you up and all for only $2.50 to $5.

NYC ICY: 171 Ave. A, bet. E. 10th & 11th Sts.

Francois Payard's Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwiches

    Yes, you read the headline correctly – Macaroon Ice Cream sandwiches! Francois Payard Bakery on West Houston has added ice cream sandwiches to their already decadent menu. Their take is a bit different then most out there. They use French macarons for the sandwich and sorbets instead of ice cream for the fillings. These little treats really are delicious and perfect for when you need a cool sweet fix, but don't want a huge dessert or are petite and/or European and think a 4 X 2 inch treat is rather large. They come in a number of combinations including Coconut Mango (my choice for today), Pistachio Raspberry, and Berries and Cheesecake.

    Francois Payard Bakery has a full menu of pastries and baked goods (croissants, macarons, tarts, etc $2.50 to $4+) sandwiches and a selection of chocolates and treats to take home. To make sure I take in enough antioxidants I picked up their Dark Chocolate and Orange Peel (protect from scurvy) bar ($7) They also have a Milk Chocolate and a White with berries. I also espied on their shelves a tube of something they call a Brigadeiro ($9.25) which is their version of a chocolate spread for bread and/or as an ice cream topping (milk, dark and white). In this case I went with the White. It has the Coconut and the Lime in it, plus not just the flavor, bits...oh soooooo good.

    Francois Payard Bakery is a welcome addition to the neighborhood and a great spot to pop by before or after a flick at the Angelika, a show at Le Poisson Rouge or to re-fuel you for your shopping spree (or carrying your significant other's bags from their spree).
Francois Payard Bakery: 116 W. Houston St., near Sullivan St.

Midnight in Paris/Tapas at El Porron

    Looking for a good movie to take your girl since she's been a trooper going to your summer action flicks, or has your guy been doing the right thing lately so you don't want to punish him with a total chick flick that he could lose his "man-card" over? Midnight in Paris is your ticket so to speak and it's playing at City Cinema's 1, 2 and 3. It's Woody Allen's latest and I would put it up there with one of his better ones. To make this spoiler free I will give you the overview and some good stuff to look/listen out for.

    The basic story is an engaged couple played by Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams go to Paris on vacation along with her parents and catch up with a friend from the past played by Michael Sheen as an obnoxious know-it-all. The Owen Wilson character is a successful screenwriter who wants to write a book and finds his job lacking fulfillment. He falls in love with Paris and decides he would rather walk around at night to enjoy the streets by himself then go out dancing with his wife and friends. Somehow he finds himself in 1920s Paris and meets the various ex-pat artists, writers and their muses who made Paris their home at the time. In the morning, he is back in his time. If you've read Hemingway, really listen to how he speaks in the movie. If you're a fan of Dali, listen to him describe how he is going to draw a portrait.

    The overall theme of the movie is everyone seems to think that the times before theirs were "Golden." I can't say that I cannot relate with that. The acting was superb throughout the entire cast and they had a terrific script and story to work with. Oh, fans of the Hangover and like movies, keep your ears open for Woody's opinion on them.

    There is plenty to talk about after seeing this movie, from the shots of Paris, the acting, lines in the script, themes, etc. Now while most would go to a wine bar for French wine to stay with the theme, I decided to put a little twist on that by going to a Spanish tapas bar. While the movie may take in Paris, Dali and Picasso are Spanish, and Hemingway made his bones with the classic For Whom the Bell Tolls, about the Spanish Civil War.

    El Porron is a brief walk away from the theater and a great place for a lite bite and drink. It has a nice long bar with cocktail and dinner tables. It's dark and candle lit with some quirky black and white portraits on the walls. They have a nice selection of red and whites by the glass as well as bottle (if you are not familiar with Spanish wines try the Tempranillo for a rojo and the Albarino for a blanco) and of course Sangria. They offer about a dozen each of hot and cold Tapas. We went with the chorizo sausage and shrimp in garlic sauce – both were winners ($7 to $12). They do have a full entree menu, but will have to check it out on another visit as well as their desert menu.

City Cinemas: 1001 3rd Ave., near E. 60th St.
El Porron: 1123 1st Ave., bet. 61st & 62nd Sts.