Do you love cupcakes...I mean literally crave them? Do you wait on line at Magnolia, go to Buttercup when in midtown, hit Eleni's when in the meatpacking district, pop by Melissa's when in Soho? Good, you keep going to them because they are all very good. I just don't want any of you forming up on lines by my new find The Little Cupcake Bakeshop. However, being it's the holiday season I'm going to share this with you...as long as you promise that if it's too busy...you go for a walk around Soho & then pop back in.
While cupcakes are their speciality Little Cupcake Bakeshop also offers cake by the slice, brownies, pie, etc... The beauty of the cupcakes is that aside from being moist & topped with delicious butter cream they are just the right size for a quick little snack & being priced at only $2.75 you can satisfy your craving without stuffing yourself or paying an obscene amount for a little treat. The slices of cake are very big & only $4.75( I recommend the slices for 2...or 3 cute petite girls).
The Little Cupcake Bakeshop offers a dozen different cupcakes & cakes daily (available as 7",9", & sheets as well). My favorites so far are the Coconut Cloud, Devils Food cake with green icing & blue sprinkles, & the Blue Velvet cake. Red Velvet, German Chocolate, & Chocolate Cloud cupcakes, Banana Bread with Nutella cake & Pistachio Icebox cake are on my list to hit next. To wash it all down they have illy coffee & homemade hot chocolates (homemade whipped cream &/or marsh-mellows optional) I'm becoming addicted to the Peppermint Hot Chocolate...it is actually even better tasting then it sounds. homemade whipped cream or marsh-mellows.
The Little Cupcake Bakeshop is located at 30 Prince St in Soho & 9102 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Black Swan: Girls Gone Crazy!
Guys if your significant other wants to see this movie...do not scoff & say "no way go see it with your girlfriends". This is no chick-flick...this is the one you want to suggest that the two of you go see. Say, it's by the guy who did the Wrestler...I like his stuff...so what if it's about ballet...that's just the setting for a well written well acted psychological thriller. Now I have to admit...I was sold on seeing this when I saw Natalie Portman making out with Mila Kunis in the trailer. Movie about ballet...who cares I'm in. Plus, it had a great cast & director. Did I mention Natalie & Mila making out?
So to make this spoiler free...Natalie plays Nina a ballerina in a major troupe in New York vying for the lead in the upcoming production of Swan Lake. The Director of the Production Thomas (played by an excellent Vincent Cassel) decides it's time to find a new star. He thinks Nina is a perfect White Swan....but questions if she has it in her to let go to play the Black Swan. Can he help her draw it out? In comes Lily played by Mila Kunis as the new free-spirited addition to the trope who is the flip side to Nina's uptight perfectionist. Throw Barabara Hersey in the mix as Nina's Mom who she still lives with & Winona Ryder as the head ballerina being put out to pasture & you get some scary good girls gone crazy performances.
Yes the themes of women's relationships, sexuality, aging etc...are all here, but make no mistake this is a tense taut expertly done psychological thriller that will keep you on edge. Plus did I mention the Nina-Lily scene...
So to make this spoiler free...Natalie plays Nina a ballerina in a major troupe in New York vying for the lead in the upcoming production of Swan Lake. The Director of the Production Thomas (played by an excellent Vincent Cassel) decides it's time to find a new star. He thinks Nina is a perfect White Swan....but questions if she has it in her to let go to play the Black Swan. Can he help her draw it out? In comes Lily played by Mila Kunis as the new free-spirited addition to the trope who is the flip side to Nina's uptight perfectionist. Throw Barabara Hersey in the mix as Nina's Mom who she still lives with & Winona Ryder as the head ballerina being put out to pasture & you get some scary good girls gone crazy performances.
Yes the themes of women's relationships, sexuality, aging etc...are all here, but make no mistake this is a tense taut expertly done psychological thriller that will keep you on edge. Plus did I mention the Nina-Lily scene...
Friday, December 24, 2010
Pan-American Review: Not your Padre's Cuban
A new Latin-American contender has entered the LES side's ring with a new twist. Pan-American adds & fuses Norte Americano flavor to it's Central & South American fare. I love Latin American food & I'm a big fan of Yuca, Rayuela, Poco & Yuerba Buena to name some favorites...but interestingly enough while Chino-Latino has been around for a while this is the first time that I've really seen Americana thrown into the mix (with the exception of serving American french fries w/Cubans everywhere else in town). A great example is their take on the Cuban sandwich. Along with roast pork, swiss & pickles they add Kentucky Bourbon ham & Mortadella to the mix & serve it cut into 4 triangles of thick toast. It came with some of the better yuca fries that I've had & comes with a really tasty homemade ketchup with some Latino flavor. Some other interesting twists include using buttermilk fried chicken in their Arroz con Pollo, a mint-horseradish-mojito sauce for their take on shrimp cocktail & monkfish w/jalapeno vinaigrette in their taco's.
The decor is pretty cool & with it's dark aqua walls, green glass bottles, long curving bar, & white seating had a SoBe Miami vibe in a good way. The staff was great & really friendly. I was lucky enough to be there during a photo shoot they were doing on their drink menu & my waitress/bartendress gave me the "models" to sample. One called a Monkey's Tail(Pisco & Kahlua) was an upscale adult version of a B-52 & the Espumante Mojito (updated w/Pyrat Rum & splash of Champagne) were both delicious & expertly made.
Pan-American is a welcome edition to the restaurant row of Mott Street located at 202 Mott btwn Spring & Kenmare & is open for Lunch, Dinner, Brunch & Drinks.
The decor is pretty cool & with it's dark aqua walls, green glass bottles, long curving bar, & white seating had a SoBe Miami vibe in a good way. The staff was great & really friendly. I was lucky enough to be there during a photo shoot they were doing on their drink menu & my waitress/bartendress gave me the "models" to sample. One called a Monkey's Tail(Pisco & Kahlua) was an upscale adult version of a B-52 & the Espumante Mojito (updated w/Pyrat Rum & splash of Champagne) were both delicious & expertly made.
Pan-American is a welcome edition to the restaurant row of Mott Street located at 202 Mott btwn Spring & Kenmare & is open for Lunch, Dinner, Brunch & Drinks.
Diamonds are NOT forever...
Stop me if you've heard this one before... Boy meets girl. Boy & girl date...they fall in love...11 years later they decide to marry (if you're Irish or Italian & from Queens I know you think this sounds normal...but keep reading)...boy asks girl's Father for girl's hand in marriage (girls mentions boy should discuss ring with Future Father in Law) boy gets blessing (doesn't mention anything about ring...hey who discusses ring?!?) Boy goes out and drops $30K+ on off the charts ring (No the boy in question is not a Prince of a certain Kingdom of the United) girl loves it! Tells her parents. Her father has "little" talk with his future son -in -law...seems he is "slightly upset" over not being consulted over the ring. Demands...demands that $30K+ engagement ring is...drum roll please...DESTROYED!!! Not returned...re-cut...no family ring involved here...decimated. Why...to teach boy a lesson that he will remember about the importance of respect & following instructions (best of my knowledge the Psycho-Daddy-In-Law is not Sauron, a Russian Oligarch or Saudi Sheik...actually a practitioner of medicine). Girl agrees with daddy and understands Daddy's wishes. Mom to best of knowledge ignorant or silent on subject. Boy is in bit of conundrum as to what to do...but seems to be leaning towards wishes of future PSYCHO-In -Law.
To protect the guilty & insane I will simply say that this was a story relayed to me while sober by someone(s) equally sober that happen to be acquainted with the boy in the story. Why someone would suggest something so mind-bogglingly insane or why someone else would possibly agree is beyond me. Love may be blind...but just how off the rails is it? As for the conclusion to the story...
To protect the guilty & insane I will simply say that this was a story relayed to me while sober by someone(s) equally sober that happen to be acquainted with the boy in the story. Why someone would suggest something so mind-bogglingly insane or why someone else would possibly agree is beyond me. Love may be blind...but just how off the rails is it? As for the conclusion to the story...
- Does boy destroy ring...& get new one?!?
- Does boy elope with girl?!?
- Does boy hire hit-man to take out psycho-in-law?!?
- Does boy run for the hills...
- Does boy return ring...donate $$$$$$$ to good cause & find new girl & potential in-laws?!?
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Roman Empire Strikes Back/Rubirosa
For many years Chinatown kept expanding while Little Italy kept contracting...yet it seems the tide has been turning somewhat. Over the last few years a load of great old school Italian restaurants/pizza places/speciality shops have been popping up. I think it really started when Lombardi's reopened on Mott & Spring some years ago, but has really picked up recently. L'Asso (maybe the best lunch deal in town, great staff...great food) opened up a few years back on Kenmare & Mott & now Epistrophy is on the other side of Old School Bakery & sandwich shop Parisi (I only recently discovered this place which is over 100yrs old & makes the biggest & best hot & cold hero's) across the street Fiat Cafe opened up. Further west on the street you now have Emporio & Michael White just opened up Osteria Morini on Lafayette. On Bowery you have Keith McNally joining the fray with Pulino. On Mulberry between Prince & Spring you have Torrisi which only uses locally sourced goods & now Rubirosa which just opened up. Before I get to a quick review on Rubirosa lets not forget the Meatball Shoppe on Stanton & further east on Stanton Stuffed Cannoli(amazing multi-flavored mini cannoli's...3 for only $5!...you can get them at the Union Square Holiday market & I believe Whole Foods carries some of their basic flavors). On wait I almost forgot...Il Laboratorio del Gelato just opened a new cafe on East Houston...of course lets not forget Caio Bella Gelato on Mott.
Whew...OK...now back to the new kid on the block Rubirosa. A brand new old school styled space with a nice long wood bar (with a very good selection of beers) . The menu is a mix of Pizza's (you can get by the slice w/toppings on weekdays) Pasta's, Salads & Sandwiches. So far I've had the pizza...very good thin crust style (need to try the Vodka Sauce), a great sausage & broccoli rabe sandwich, grilled chicken w/fresh mozz & broccoli rabe & their great side salad. I met the owner, his son, & chef when the owner Joe (owns Joe & Pat's in SI) came up to me & asked what I thought while he showed me around the place( there are 2 back rooms...one for a large group & one for grabbing & ordering a pie while having a slice while you wait). They were all great guys & I think they have a winning formula here. The place looks like & is priced for Brooklyn but in Soho with great food. As much as this recession has been less then awesome...it has produced places like this & many of the others named above (did we really need a recession to go back to quality mid-priced food vs. over-priced sea-urchin foamed sea-bream liver?!?). To both find these places & check out their menu's go to http://www.menupages.com/ Manga Bene!
Whew...OK...now back to the new kid on the block Rubirosa. A brand new old school styled space with a nice long wood bar (with a very good selection of beers) . The menu is a mix of Pizza's (you can get by the slice w/toppings on weekdays) Pasta's, Salads & Sandwiches. So far I've had the pizza...very good thin crust style (need to try the Vodka Sauce), a great sausage & broccoli rabe sandwich, grilled chicken w/fresh mozz & broccoli rabe & their great side salad. I met the owner, his son, & chef when the owner Joe (owns Joe & Pat's in SI) came up to me & asked what I thought while he showed me around the place( there are 2 back rooms...one for a large group & one for grabbing & ordering a pie while having a slice while you wait). They were all great guys & I think they have a winning formula here. The place looks like & is priced for Brooklyn but in Soho with great food. As much as this recession has been less then awesome...it has produced places like this & many of the others named above (did we really need a recession to go back to quality mid-priced food vs. over-priced sea-urchin foamed sea-bream liver?!?). To both find these places & check out their menu's go to http://www.menupages.com/ Manga Bene!
The Deadly Naga Viper!
You don't have to worry about being bitten & struck down while out hiking or camping by the deadly Naga Viper. If the Naga Viper gets you it will be at a riot or in the kitchen. The Viper in question is the new reigning champ of super hot peppers. It has usurped the Bhut Jolokia..aka The ghost chili by more the 300,000 scoville* units! To put this in perspective for those of you who think jalapenos are hot...they clock in at 2,500-5,000 scoville units. The Naga Viper 1,359,000!!! In other words jalapenos are the mint-cucumber of the hot pepper world...
Now at this point the only application being looked at is to weaponize this pepper for tear-gas, which happened to be who Bhut was being looked at at first as well. Wish I was joking here but not. However, I have hope that the same maniacs that found ways to use the Bhut Jolokia in the kitchen will be insane enough to find ways for the Naga. Make no mistake the Bhut is hot as hell. I've had it in Chocolate Cupcakes at Pinisi Bakery, in a Sea Salt mix at the Filling Station (awesome flavored oils & vinegars & now sea salts) in Chelsea Market & I have heard about a place in Billyburgh Brooklyn that uses them in their Buffalo wings! I can only hope someone throws some of this stuff into a Vindaloo, Salsa or chocolate cake. It would be a real shame to waste this pepper on tear-gassing Soccer Hooligans & political protesters when we could be eating it with tears of joy running down our cheeks while trying to get some beer or milk down our throats to ready for the next mouthful!
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale
Now at this point the only application being looked at is to weaponize this pepper for tear-gas, which happened to be who Bhut was being looked at at first as well. Wish I was joking here but not. However, I have hope that the same maniacs that found ways to use the Bhut Jolokia in the kitchen will be insane enough to find ways for the Naga. Make no mistake the Bhut is hot as hell. I've had it in Chocolate Cupcakes at Pinisi Bakery, in a Sea Salt mix at the Filling Station (awesome flavored oils & vinegars & now sea salts) in Chelsea Market & I have heard about a place in Billyburgh Brooklyn that uses them in their Buffalo wings! I can only hope someone throws some of this stuff into a Vindaloo, Salsa or chocolate cake. It would be a real shame to waste this pepper on tear-gassing Soccer Hooligans & political protesters when we could be eating it with tears of joy running down our cheeks while trying to get some beer or milk down our throats to ready for the next mouthful!
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Hey Panda-Huggers*...Where's Your Daddy?!?
It looks like our good friends & global partners the North Koreans are at it again. Like a spoiled rotten over-indulged teenage headcase whose parents don't know what or how to deal with...when they want attention or a bigger allowance they kick up a shit-storm & do something destructive & stupid. Now Dear Leader is firing off artillery on a South Korean Island & there have been casualties (read: dead civilians & military). The main reason seems to be a show of strength as he ushers in his retarded son to replace him due to the fact that Dear Leaders physical health is starting to deteriorate to the same point of his mental heath.
Once again what does anyone do...next to nothing. He has 46 South Korean sailors killed...nothing...kills his own people...nothing...engages in all forms of illegal trade...drugs, counterfeiting, arms trade with rogue nations...nothing. Who's going to have to end up doing something? Take a guess...hint...when the world is in trouble who do they call for? When they do something on their own who do they decry? If you guessed America regardless of who & what party is sitting in the Oval Office you would be correct!
So my question is where is our other super awesome friend & global partner...China? If any country can really settle this problem it is China. Make no mistake...they have skin in this game. North Korea went from a proxy during the cold war to a bat-shit crazy nut for a neighbor. The Chinese already have a problem with NK's coming across the border & they don't want it to get worse. So why are they doing next to nothing you ask? Up till now it's been to keep as off balance & as leverage. The question is has North Korea finally crossed the line & can China continue to keep this mad dog on a leash before it bites & defecates all over it's owner...
For any of you Panda-Huggers who think that China is our good friend & partner & has the same goals as we do...sorry but their national interests are not aligned with ours (ie...they want the same resources as we do) & it pays for them to go against us in their quest to be the world's dominant player.
*panda huggers are total China advocates—people who feel that the world's future rests on the country's massive, burly shoulders, that the Western media gives the Chinese Government a raw deal and that China is simply the most exciting place in the world to be right now
Once again what does anyone do...next to nothing. He has 46 South Korean sailors killed...nothing...kills his own people...nothing...engages in all forms of illegal trade...drugs, counterfeiting, arms trade with rogue nations...nothing. Who's going to have to end up doing something? Take a guess...hint...when the world is in trouble who do they call for? When they do something on their own who do they decry? If you guessed America regardless of who & what party is sitting in the Oval Office you would be correct!
So my question is where is our other super awesome friend & global partner...China? If any country can really settle this problem it is China. Make no mistake...they have skin in this game. North Korea went from a proxy during the cold war to a bat-shit crazy nut for a neighbor. The Chinese already have a problem with NK's coming across the border & they don't want it to get worse. So why are they doing next to nothing you ask? Up till now it's been to keep as off balance & as leverage. The question is has North Korea finally crossed the line & can China continue to keep this mad dog on a leash before it bites & defecates all over it's owner...
For any of you Panda-Huggers who think that China is our good friend & partner & has the same goals as we do...sorry but their national interests are not aligned with ours (ie...they want the same resources as we do) & it pays for them to go against us in their quest to be the world's dominant player.
*panda huggers are total China advocates—people who feel that the world's future rests on the country's massive, burly shoulders, that the Western media gives the Chinese Government a raw deal and that China is simply the most exciting place in the world to be right now
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Congratulations Nancy, Eric, Ahmed!!!
For those still licking their wounds after Black Tuesday the time to mourn & sulk is over & the time to rejoice begins anew! Ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been elected as the House Minority Leader! Way to go Nancy...you go girl! While Obama may be the leader of the Democratic party is there anyone who would disagree with the fact that it is Nancy who has led the Democratic party to where it sits today?!? Nancy P is the true face of the party today & I wish her the very best in staying the course she has charted & ignoring the wishes & will of the little people!
In other great news a huge win for Holder...Eric Holder...congrats Eric! Ahmed Khanlfan Ghailani (AKG- may have had something really really really minor to do with blowing up 2 US embassies in Africa & killing 200+ people) has been found innocent! That's right innocent of 284 convictions against him! Way to go AKG! Of course he was found guilty of 1 of the 285 & that one could have a prison term of 20 years to life. Please don't fret...his defense attorney Peter Quijano is already planning to appeal the 1 conviction that the jury got wrong! You are so right Peter in stating that our justice system is the greatest ever. Where else in the world can you kill a person, group of people of mass murder hundreds & get the right Left Wing Liberal Lunatic Scumbag to defend you by manipulating loopholes & hearsay & be found innocent!?! I'm guessing after the appeal Petey Q & co can then go after the US Government for 100's millions for wrongful incarceration. Then maybe get AKG a reality TV show & a producer for his music-movie-video game career! Only in American baby! Oh can you just see the beautiful smile spreading across Lynn Stewards beautiful face now! Way to go Eric & Peter...showing the world the awesomeness of our judicial system. Remember...people can always be replaced but a good rules of law with the right lawyers to back'em up...that's priceless(if it's pro bono)!
For those wondering if I was possibly be sarcastic at all here...let's just say I would throw Nancy, Eric, Ahmed & Petey Q in a wood-chipper...after I water-boarded them...with gasoline:)
In other great news a huge win for Holder...Eric Holder...congrats Eric! Ahmed Khanlfan Ghailani (AKG- may have had something really really really minor to do with blowing up 2 US embassies in Africa & killing 200+ people) has been found innocent! That's right innocent of 284 convictions against him! Way to go AKG! Of course he was found guilty of 1 of the 285 & that one could have a prison term of 20 years to life. Please don't fret...his defense attorney Peter Quijano is already planning to appeal the 1 conviction that the jury got wrong! You are so right Peter in stating that our justice system is the greatest ever. Where else in the world can you kill a person, group of people of mass murder hundreds & get the right Left Wing Liberal Lunatic Scumbag to defend you by manipulating loopholes & hearsay & be found innocent!?! I'm guessing after the appeal Petey Q & co can then go after the US Government for 100's millions for wrongful incarceration. Then maybe get AKG a reality TV show & a producer for his music-movie-video game career! Only in American baby! Oh can you just see the beautiful smile spreading across Lynn Stewards beautiful face now! Way to go Eric & Peter...showing the world the awesomeness of our judicial system. Remember...people can always be replaced but a good rules of law with the right lawyers to back'em up...that's priceless(if it's pro bono)!
For those wondering if I was possibly be sarcastic at all here...let's just say I would throw Nancy, Eric, Ahmed & Petey Q in a wood-chipper...after I water-boarded them...with gasoline:)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Volenteer for a Good Cause: Mine...Chocolate
Sometimes it just feels good to do something just because you want to & not just because you're getting paid to do so. Volunteering to help those less fortunate then you or to help a cause that yo truly believe in can be very rewarding in it's own right. In an act of great selflessness I recently volunteered my time & efforts to bring some joy to others in these trying times. I choose something I really believe in & that would be of great benefit to my fellow man/woman. I volunteered with my cousin at the NY Chocolate Show. Our duties included
Maintaining Chocolate Lounge: We made sure tables were clean, lines for espresso orderly, & crowd control. We also sampled espresso, chocolate & flirted with girls taking a break from eating chocolate. Difficult & challenging, but someone had to do it.
Line Crowd Control: The lines for the Chocolate show even with advanced ticket purchase were very long as were the lines for fellow chocoholics who tried to get in without advance purchase(not a a good idea...you could wait hours if you get in at all). In an effort to soothe the masses samples of chocolates were given out to those waiting on line. Of course as luck would have it they ran out of chocolate samples. Thus, my cousin, our fellow volunteer Faye & I got to give out chocolate hand lotion samples. We were given some lines to use to promote the product & the show. We "somewhat"improvised. I was amazed at how people not only on line but walking by went for the samples. My cousin was practially attacked when he went out on 6th Avenue. Regardless we held strong & did our part to offer those waiting some relief.
Chocolate Show Consultation: Since we were wearing Volunteer Badges...everyone thought we had all the answers to everything about the show. We had some.
After our shift was up we were able to walk the show (while continuing to consult) & sample the various vendors. It was good...but the amount of vendors was a little lighter then usual. One of the highlights was getting to sit in on one of Vikings (shameless plug) cooking/tasting exhibitions. We got to sit in on the Baker Eric Wolitzky of Baked in Red Hook Brooklyn (shameless plug). He's been a contestant on Top Chef Just Desserts.He is a "Baker...not a chef" who happens to be both very good & pretty entertaining. He made a Chocolate Holiday Spice Bundt Cake. We all got a mini bundt sample & it was even better then it sounds.
I went on to purchase Yuca Citrus Chocolates from Payard & Peppermint Bark & Chocolate Espresso Bark from 2Chicks(even more shameless plugging)
All in all the sacrifice of my time & efforts were greatly rewarded & I felt great after with the satisfaction of helping others, supporting a cause I believe in, & stuffing my face with free awesome chocolate.
Shout-out to my cousin's friend Sarah for giving us the opportunity to volunteer & show our support for the Chocolate industry & the joy it brings to others worldwide.
Maintaining Chocolate Lounge: We made sure tables were clean, lines for espresso orderly, & crowd control. We also sampled espresso, chocolate & flirted with girls taking a break from eating chocolate. Difficult & challenging, but someone had to do it.
Line Crowd Control: The lines for the Chocolate show even with advanced ticket purchase were very long as were the lines for fellow chocoholics who tried to get in without advance purchase(not a a good idea...you could wait hours if you get in at all). In an effort to soothe the masses samples of chocolates were given out to those waiting on line. Of course as luck would have it they ran out of chocolate samples. Thus, my cousin, our fellow volunteer Faye & I got to give out chocolate hand lotion samples. We were given some lines to use to promote the product & the show. We "somewhat"improvised. I was amazed at how people not only on line but walking by went for the samples. My cousin was practially attacked when he went out on 6th Avenue. Regardless we held strong & did our part to offer those waiting some relief.
Chocolate Show Consultation: Since we were wearing Volunteer Badges...everyone thought we had all the answers to everything about the show. We had some.
After our shift was up we were able to walk the show (while continuing to consult) & sample the various vendors. It was good...but the amount of vendors was a little lighter then usual. One of the highlights was getting to sit in on one of Vikings (shameless plug) cooking/tasting exhibitions. We got to sit in on the Baker Eric Wolitzky of Baked in Red Hook Brooklyn (shameless plug). He's been a contestant on Top Chef Just Desserts.He is a "Baker...not a chef" who happens to be both very good & pretty entertaining. He made a Chocolate Holiday Spice Bundt Cake. We all got a mini bundt sample & it was even better then it sounds.
I went on to purchase Yuca Citrus Chocolates from Payard & Peppermint Bark & Chocolate Espresso Bark from 2Chicks(even more shameless plugging)
All in all the sacrifice of my time & efforts were greatly rewarded & I felt great after with the satisfaction of helping others, supporting a cause I believe in, & stuffing my face with free awesome chocolate.
Shout-out to my cousin's friend Sarah for giving us the opportunity to volunteer & show our support for the Chocolate industry & the joy it brings to others worldwide.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Barrio Chino Review:Killer Margarita's...Literally!
I love hot & spicy food & love to find beverages with some heat in them. Some years back I discovered the Blood Orange Jalapeno Margarita's (some heat...lots of flavor) at Stanton Social. Alexis at Poco mixes some great tasting drinks with some heat as well. However...if you want to both torture yourself & see what you got...then you need to try the Habanero Grapefruit Margarita at Barrio Chino on Broome St in the LES. In all fairness...they are tough to drink at first. The host actually questioned if my cousin & I really wanted them because most people send them back! I had one once before...yet I didn't remember them being so HOT!!! At first my lips lit up on fire...I tried putting them out with coffee w/cream while waiting for the food to come...worked about as well as it sounds. Eventually I started getting used to it & once the ice started to melt to water it down it got pretty good & I liked it (my cousin managed to finish his after adding half a glass of water to it...but he did finish it). So...if you like very spicy & want to try something different I would say give one a whirl...but do not say you were not forewarned...they are brutal upfront! Plus keep in mind they have a large selection of flavors for you & the other girls to drink instead (in this case in all fairness...you may actually want to Lady-up...seriously this drink is only for fellow- fire-breathers)
In regards to the food it's really good across the board. I had the Enchiladas Verde con Pollo & my cousin Rich & buddy Mike had the Chilaquiles Rojos con Bisteca. We shared a few sides including chorizo, spinach & mushrooms(needed something healthy) & the Copa Mexicana which was my favorite. Strips of watermelon, cucumber, & jicama with lime juice, salt & a pinch of chile. Simple...yet so delicious. While they don't have any brunch specials the food is all moderately priced & really good.
In regards to atmosphere it's a pretty cool little place with a long bar, community table & mix of tables for 2 & 4. While the food is all Mexican the place is decorated as if it is Chinese...I think it was a Chinese "on the fringe of Chinatown"deli in a past life. This is also one of those places that always gets a lot of good looking girls...all the time. As for the male population...you'll have to ask the 3 good looking girls sitting at the table across from us (or the 2 heavily tatted ladies across from them) if they felt the same about the male population...especially the table to their right...;)
In regards to the food it's really good across the board. I had the Enchiladas Verde con Pollo & my cousin Rich & buddy Mike had the Chilaquiles Rojos con Bisteca. We shared a few sides including chorizo, spinach & mushrooms(needed something healthy) & the Copa Mexicana which was my favorite. Strips of watermelon, cucumber, & jicama with lime juice, salt & a pinch of chile. Simple...yet so delicious. While they don't have any brunch specials the food is all moderately priced & really good.
In regards to atmosphere it's a pretty cool little place with a long bar, community table & mix of tables for 2 & 4. While the food is all Mexican the place is decorated as if it is Chinese...I think it was a Chinese "on the fringe of Chinatown"deli in a past life. This is also one of those places that always gets a lot of good looking girls...all the time. As for the male population...you'll have to ask the 3 good looking girls sitting at the table across from us (or the 2 heavily tatted ladies across from them) if they felt the same about the male population...especially the table to their right...;)
Friday, November 5, 2010
I Endorse Nancy Pelosi for Democratic House Leader/MSNBC
I implore that all of you contact your Congressmen/women & urge them to keep Nancy Pelosi as the Democratic House Leader. It is with Nancy's leadership that the Democratic party is where it is today! It is with Nancy's ability to hear what the American people really want & need that the Democratic party is where it is today! It is with Nancy's ability to reach across the aisle & work with the Republican party that the Democratic Party is where it is today! It is with Nancy's otherworldly negotiating skills to move bills through the House that has moved the Democratic party where it is today! Does anyone believe the Democratic party would be where it is this very day without Nancy's leadership! Join me in endorsing Nancy Pelosi for Democratic House Leader!*
As a side note for those of you foolish enough to believe that MSNBC is biased in any way whatsoever towards either party in any way...please see below to set the facts straight!
MSNBC suspends Olbermann for political donations (AP)
AP - MSNBC has suspended prime-time host Keith Olbermann indefinitely without pay for contributing to the campaigns of three Democratic candidates this election season.
*P.S. If you have any desire whatsoever to keep Obama in the White House, maintain the hold on the Senate & take back the House...you may want to rethink keeping Nancy on...
As a side note for those of you foolish enough to believe that MSNBC is biased in any way whatsoever towards either party in any way...please see below to set the facts straight!
MSNBC suspends Olbermann for political donations (AP)
- 1 hour ago
AP - MSNBC has suspended prime-time host Keith Olbermann indefinitely without pay for contributing to the campaigns of three Democratic candidates this election season.
*P.S. If you have any desire whatsoever to keep Obama in the White House, maintain the hold on the Senate & take back the House...you may want to rethink keeping Nancy on...
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead/They were just Local Elections/The God Who Bleeds
For a change of pace I'm going to do brief write-ups on yesterdays election results from the Conservative, Progressive, & Independent points of view...& then of course my recap.
Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead
Nancy Pelosi...you're FIRED! In an historic election the GOP with strong Tea-Party backing have taken back the House, made major progress in the Senate & won significant Governorships that will greatly impact the elections in 2012. The American people have sent a clear message to the President & his Administration...You need to "change"...we "hope" you understand you are elected to serve "We the People" & not your partisan interests.
They were just Local Elections
Once again the American people have spoken & they have made it clear that they want & support Obama's agenda to change! Yes, of course there were some local elections that have had a modest effect on the House. The sad thing is that there are still many uneducated, poorly informed by FOX, full of fear, ignorant Americans that want to continue to cling to their religion, guns & hard-earned wages that they are too stupid to know how to properly spend so "We" need to tax it away from them. While Party Leader Pelosi will no longer be Speaker of the House (now that it's full of Idiots who would want the job?) she can now concentrate on more important Party matters. With Harry Reid's slaughter of his rival in Nevada the Party remains strong! Of course a few Governorships in backwater states went to the GOP, but much like 09 when they won the Jersey Shore Garbage Soprano state of NJ & Scott Brown stole the election in MA...the real story was the HUGE win of NY23 by our party! This election has proven that we are moving the country in the proper direction & that 2012 will be a lock. It's almost not worth having the election other then to humiliate the GOP internationally with the historic landslide victory that yesterdays elections have clearly assured. More importantly though...will be come 2012 we will repeal the must misguided & reprehensible amendment ever passed...the 22nd Amendment! Once 22 is repealed we can continue re-shaping American in our glorious image!
The God Who Bleeds
In Kipling's classic The Man Who Would Be King an English Adventurer is mistaken for a God & treated as such. When it turns out that he can bleed & thus not a God...the people turn on him & he falls into a chasm. Well it looks like Obama can bleed. We "hoped" for "change" & voted for it. We didn't quite get the change we are looking for. Yesterdays elections gave us the chance to say so. We didn't just vote against Obama & his policies we voted against Washington. As did many others. The current Administration can no longer push through change that "We the People" do not want! They will need to learn to work with the House or come 2012 they will hear our voice again! Furthermore, now that the GOP has the house...they need to step up. They need to come up with real ideas that will contribute to fix our Economy. If not...they will hear from us as well! Government is elected by the people to serve the people...NOT the other way around!
I hope you all enjoyed my slightly over the top versions of how yesterday was likely viewed. From my humble point of view this is how I see it. A message was clearly sent to Obama that we are less then happy about what he's been up to & needs to change his direction. A message was also sent to the GOP. Get your act together & step up. More importantly I think most of us are sick to death of partisan politics. Our elected officials are elected to represent us...not what they think is good for us. The House win & Governorships were huge for the GOP & I'm glad the Democrats held onto the Senate. This both puts things in better balance & they have to work together. Plus with the Senate in Democratic hands Obama can't blame everything on the GOP if the Economy is still in the gutter. A real question here is can he pull a Clinton & "triangulate"? I'm not a fan of Slick Willie's..but you have to be a total fool not to respect his capabilities as a Politician. I don't know if Obama wants to in the first place or if he even can. I don't think he can do either. I would be fine if he proved me wrong.
Some other key things to take note of are:
40% of Americans are saying that they are with the Tea Party. I guess it's safe to say it's not a fringe movement & it's not going away so fast. Remember, it's named after the Boston Tea Party where we rebelled against "Taxation Without Representation". I hope ALL in Washington on either side of the aisle took note. Dismiss them at your own peril.
The Governorship wins do not bode well for the Democrats in 2012
Even most Republicans are still pissed off at the Republican party
Only a third of the seats were even up in the Senate in the first place
Californians voted to keep Barbara Boxer a Left Wing Zealot in while the state is bankrupt but shot down Proposition 19...are they all on crack?
Harry Reid kept his seat...which I think in the long run was a good thing. I'd rather have Harry in charge of the Democrats then Schumer...:)
I think Marco Rubio was clearly the rising star of the night...but was pretty impressed with Manchin as well.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Cuomo & hoping he brings change to NY. He could wind up with a star next to his name as well.
In the end we showed the world why we are the Greatest Nation on Earth. The American people spoke & they spoke loud. We elected "change" & 2 years later put it on notice. Now...as a very wise man once said "The game is afoot"
Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead
Nancy Pelosi...you're FIRED! In an historic election the GOP with strong Tea-Party backing have taken back the House, made major progress in the Senate & won significant Governorships that will greatly impact the elections in 2012. The American people have sent a clear message to the President & his Administration...You need to "change"...we "hope" you understand you are elected to serve "We the People" & not your partisan interests.
They were just Local Elections
Once again the American people have spoken & they have made it clear that they want & support Obama's agenda to change! Yes, of course there were some local elections that have had a modest effect on the House. The sad thing is that there are still many uneducated, poorly informed by FOX, full of fear, ignorant Americans that want to continue to cling to their religion, guns & hard-earned wages that they are too stupid to know how to properly spend so "We" need to tax it away from them. While Party Leader Pelosi will no longer be Speaker of the House (now that it's full of Idiots who would want the job?) she can now concentrate on more important Party matters. With Harry Reid's slaughter of his rival in Nevada the Party remains strong! Of course a few Governorships in backwater states went to the GOP, but much like 09 when they won the Jersey Shore Garbage Soprano state of NJ & Scott Brown stole the election in MA...the real story was the HUGE win of NY23 by our party! This election has proven that we are moving the country in the proper direction & that 2012 will be a lock. It's almost not worth having the election other then to humiliate the GOP internationally with the historic landslide victory that yesterdays elections have clearly assured. More importantly though...will be come 2012 we will repeal the must misguided & reprehensible amendment ever passed...the 22nd Amendment! Once 22 is repealed we can continue re-shaping American in our glorious image!
The God Who Bleeds
In Kipling's classic The Man Who Would Be King an English Adventurer is mistaken for a God & treated as such. When it turns out that he can bleed & thus not a God...the people turn on him & he falls into a chasm. Well it looks like Obama can bleed. We "hoped" for "change" & voted for it. We didn't quite get the change we are looking for. Yesterdays elections gave us the chance to say so. We didn't just vote against Obama & his policies we voted against Washington. As did many others. The current Administration can no longer push through change that "We the People" do not want! They will need to learn to work with the House or come 2012 they will hear our voice again! Furthermore, now that the GOP has the house...they need to step up. They need to come up with real ideas that will contribute to fix our Economy. If not...they will hear from us as well! Government is elected by the people to serve the people...NOT the other way around!
I hope you all enjoyed my slightly over the top versions of how yesterday was likely viewed. From my humble point of view this is how I see it. A message was clearly sent to Obama that we are less then happy about what he's been up to & needs to change his direction. A message was also sent to the GOP. Get your act together & step up. More importantly I think most of us are sick to death of partisan politics. Our elected officials are elected to represent us...not what they think is good for us. The House win & Governorships were huge for the GOP & I'm glad the Democrats held onto the Senate. This both puts things in better balance & they have to work together. Plus with the Senate in Democratic hands Obama can't blame everything on the GOP if the Economy is still in the gutter. A real question here is can he pull a Clinton & "triangulate"? I'm not a fan of Slick Willie's..but you have to be a total fool not to respect his capabilities as a Politician. I don't know if Obama wants to in the first place or if he even can. I don't think he can do either. I would be fine if he proved me wrong.
Some other key things to take note of are:
40% of Americans are saying that they are with the Tea Party. I guess it's safe to say it's not a fringe movement & it's not going away so fast. Remember, it's named after the Boston Tea Party where we rebelled against "Taxation Without Representation". I hope ALL in Washington on either side of the aisle took note. Dismiss them at your own peril.
The Governorship wins do not bode well for the Democrats in 2012
Even most Republicans are still pissed off at the Republican party
Only a third of the seats were even up in the Senate in the first place
Californians voted to keep Barbara Boxer a Left Wing Zealot in while the state is bankrupt but shot down Proposition 19...are they all on crack?
Harry Reid kept his seat...which I think in the long run was a good thing. I'd rather have Harry in charge of the Democrats then Schumer...:)
I think Marco Rubio was clearly the rising star of the night...but was pretty impressed with Manchin as well.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Cuomo & hoping he brings change to NY. He could wind up with a star next to his name as well.
In the end we showed the world why we are the Greatest Nation on Earth. The American people spoke & they spoke loud. We elected "change" & 2 years later put it on notice. Now...as a very wise man once said "The game is afoot"
Monday, November 1, 2010
Get Up...Get Out...& Vote!
I'm not going to presume to tell you who you should vote for...but I sure as hell will tell you to get out there & cast your votes! Why we take this right for granted is beyond me. The percentage of Americans who vote is embarrassing...in 2008 it was 61% & that was considered high (it was 55% in 2004...yes that heated election got barely over half)! In Iraq they voted in the 62+%(down from mid-70's in previous election) & in Afghanistan about 40-50%...& they had to risk & in some cases lose their lives to do so!
Our Founding Fathers as well as our Grand & Great Grandfathers came from countries where they could not vote! They were ruled by a bunch of inbred deformed derelicts (generally only not completely retarded due to arranged marriages with the children of foreign rulers over treaties) who came to power by being born into it after their fore-fathers took land, the lands natural resources & woman to breed with by force. These same rulers claimed they ruled by Divine Right and were backed up by the Religious Leaders of the Church (now you know why if not before why we separate Church & State here).
As I have stated before talk is cheap & actions speak louder then words. Everyone is speaking their mind one way or another about what's going on with Unemployment, Financial Reform, Healthcare, etc...well now is your time to have your say & cast your vote for which way you think things should go. Also a few key things that I though everyone was aware of...but have found many are not...
Regardless of how you are registered...Elephant, Donkey, Indie...you can vote for whoever you want party wise
You do NOT have to vote for only one party across the board...if you don't like who is running for a particular role then either vote for the other parties candidate if you like them or to send a message. Vote for an independent or other if you don't like either of the two primary parties candidates
You can only vote for those in your State. So whether you want Nancy out or you want her in you cannot vote either way for her Senate seat unless you live in CA . However how you vote for those running for house seats will determine if she keeps her role as Speaker of the House (please note; I was asked by a friend-family member whose name shall remain anonymous to protect the guilty if they could vote for or against party leaders. Nancy P simply makes the best example. This applies towards any & all others regardless of role or party. The only exception is the Presidential Election which of course is National).
If you're not going to vote...then when it comes to Political issues...feel free to keep your thoughts to yourself.
You have no excuses...you speak your mind all day long about this, we hear about it all night on TV from the pundits & read all about it in the morning paper. Unlike many others around the world you can have your say...so speak up & vote this Tuesday!
Our Founding Fathers as well as our Grand & Great Grandfathers came from countries where they could not vote! They were ruled by a bunch of inbred deformed derelicts (generally only not completely retarded due to arranged marriages with the children of foreign rulers over treaties) who came to power by being born into it after their fore-fathers took land, the lands natural resources & woman to breed with by force. These same rulers claimed they ruled by Divine Right and were backed up by the Religious Leaders of the Church (now you know why if not before why we separate Church & State here).
As I have stated before talk is cheap & actions speak louder then words. Everyone is speaking their mind one way or another about what's going on with Unemployment, Financial Reform, Healthcare, etc...well now is your time to have your say & cast your vote for which way you think things should go. Also a few key things that I though everyone was aware of...but have found many are not...
Regardless of how you are registered...Elephant, Donkey, Indie...you can vote for whoever you want party wise
You do NOT have to vote for only one party across the board...if you don't like who is running for a particular role then either vote for the other parties candidate if you like them or to send a message. Vote for an independent or other if you don't like either of the two primary parties candidates
You can only vote for those in your State. So whether you want Nancy out or you want her in you cannot vote either way for her Senate seat unless you live in CA . However how you vote for those running for house seats will determine if she keeps her role as Speaker of the House (please note; I was asked by a friend-family member whose name shall remain anonymous to protect the guilty if they could vote for or against party leaders. Nancy P simply makes the best example. This applies towards any & all others regardless of role or party. The only exception is the Presidential Election which of course is National).
If you're not going to vote...then when it comes to Political issues...feel free to keep your thoughts to yourself.
You have no excuses...you speak your mind all day long about this, we hear about it all night on TV from the pundits & read all about it in the morning paper. Unlike many others around the world you can have your say...so speak up & vote this Tuesday!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Smoke on the Siene
Sacrebleu (Sacrebleu is an old French profanity, meant as a cry of surprise or anger)!!! Can you even believe that the evil Vichy government of France is planning on raising the age to retire from 60...all the way up...to...62! The real question here is how did it actually manage to get this high in the first place. I'm guessing as long as it was just in the 50's the French were too busy munching on croissants in between drags of their gauloises & sips of their Bordeaux to even notice it was moving up to 60. Then when it hit 60...& they could no longer retire in their 50's they went bat-shit. Now that Sarkozy wants to start moving it up they are rioting in the streets lighting shit up on fire. Please note, for the rest of the EU it's 65 & here in the US it's 67 (must be our superior healthcare).
There is concern that riots like this may start to spread from Europe (they went bat-shit in Greece when they found out that they were bankrupt) to here in the US of A. Now while the "current" Administration seems to believe in a more European style of Government...I think between the riots in France, PIGG countries blowing up financially, Iceland both financially & literally blowing it's stack, & of course the Germans coming out saying...that multi-culturlism is not working out so great for them...that many here kinda want to stick to the "American Way". I just don't believe that rioting in the streets & lighting them up on fire is going to catch on here. For one reason...while we love to protest...we seem to like to do it with signs & chants. That might be due to the whole free speech thing that we embrace. We also may not want to mess with our Police forces here. They are well trained...highly disciplined...& quite effective. Plus...if things got so out of hand that the National Guard gets called in...are the Unions & Students really going to want & mess with them? I think not. Remember the National Guard these days are not made up of ROTC guys & local Hunters...but battle hardened vets from the "stan" & "raq"...not the best guys to mess with. Plus it would be a debacle for the Unions who are losing local support. Can you just imagine if some Union workers threw a Molotov cocktail into a bank and ended up killing a few people including a pregnant woman (it happened in Greece during their riots...I hope they caught him & lit him on fire...hosed off...repeat as necessary) ... it would not be received too well. If we can manage to do million man marches, tea-parties, anti-war, anti-mosque, protests etc...I think we can manage to keep excersing our freedom of speech to bring about change...& when that doesn't work...vote...(I'm pretty sure most in Government are aware of our 2nd amendment if they try & mess with our First Amendment :)
--
There is concern that riots like this may start to spread from Europe (they went bat-shit in Greece when they found out that they were bankrupt) to here in the US of A. Now while the "current" Administration seems to believe in a more European style of Government...I think between the riots in France, PIGG countries blowing up financially, Iceland both financially & literally blowing it's stack, & of course the Germans coming out saying...that multi-culturlism is not working out so great for them...that many here kinda want to stick to the "American Way". I just don't believe that rioting in the streets & lighting them up on fire is going to catch on here. For one reason...while we love to protest...we seem to like to do it with signs & chants. That might be due to the whole free speech thing that we embrace. We also may not want to mess with our Police forces here. They are well trained...highly disciplined...& quite effective. Plus...if things got so out of hand that the National Guard gets called in...are the Unions & Students really going to want & mess with them? I think not. Remember the National Guard these days are not made up of ROTC guys & local Hunters...but battle hardened vets from the "stan" & "raq"...not the best guys to mess with. Plus it would be a debacle for the Unions who are losing local support. Can you just imagine if some Union workers threw a Molotov cocktail into a bank and ended up killing a few people including a pregnant woman (it happened in Greece during their riots...I hope they caught him & lit him on fire...hosed off...repeat as necessary) ... it would not be received too well. If we can manage to do million man marches, tea-parties, anti-war, anti-mosque, protests etc...I think we can manage to keep excersing our freedom of speech to bring about change...& when that doesn't work...vote...(I'm pretty sure most in Government are aware of our 2nd amendment if they try & mess with our First Amendment :)
--
I'm running for Guv'nor of NY!
Dear Readers,
I am running for Guv'nor of NY & will need your help & support to hope to bring about change. Please note I'm not talking bout a senior position of Gov'nor over Mayor in 4 square here...I'm talking about Gov'nor of NY. I will running under the No-Longer-Funemployed-But-Still-Blogging-Party. Now while I may lack the experience & Law degree of Andy C, lack the Military & Martial Arts training of a Jimmy McMillian (Rent Too High Party), the connections, business success, insanity of a Paladino, or the total lameness of a listless Lazio I do have some super awesome ideas & am more then capable of making others laugh while making a fool of myself. Which seems to be what you need these days to get on the ballot. The changes I hope to bring about are...
I will outlaw Street Fairs! They do nothing but totally screw up & clog up streets which results in massive traffic congestion & re-routed buses. So find somewhere else to buy socks, sheets, sausage & funnel cake....like a store or mall!
Legalize Ganja...but tax the hell out of it! While I'm not a user I'm sorry but it's not the gateway drug, alcohol is...and if the Fed comes after my booze...I will break out my 2nd amendment rights! Seriously...I will be able to fund every program we need off of this.
All other drugs...will come down like hammer of God on you. If you sell drugs to kids...u get executed (read: impaled)
Ban Unions. I'm sorry but the days of locking doors so men, woman, & children stuck in fire traps are over for the most part (there still are sweat shops). The Unions protect no one. All they do is guarantee people jobs even if they don't do them properly & then give them raises & pensions. Those days are over. Earn your jobs & get screwed ever when you are excelling at your jobs like the rest of us poor slobs in the Private Sector. Private sector jobs are down...Public are up...Private earning are down...Public are up...need I say more?
Pedophiles - Executed. No desire to try & reform or understand monsters with screwed up wiring. A cyber team aimed at hunting them down within the NYPD will be formed.
Enforced Exercise - All will be required at least 45 minutes 3X per week. That's 45 mins of exercise...not looking at others butts in the mirrors. I don't care if you run, lift, swim, play basketball or racquetball...you will do something to keep in shape. Your ancestors did so for survival...we are built & wired for it...you will JUST DO IT!You will feel better, look better, work better & will save millions in Healthcare. Feel free to smoke, eat sugar, salt etc...but you will work it off fatso!
Free Ice Cream Wednesdays! That's right...you exercise...I tax weed...everyone gets a free scoop!
I will solve the homeless problem. I will deport them to the Western States. Plenty of open free land. Basic skills will be taught by the Army so they can build homes, hunt & farm.
I will annex the beaches of the Jersey Shore & execute the cast, writers, producers & directors of Jersey Shore (being green...impaled on used but cleaned up iron rods). Since I will have the 10th largest Army in the world at my disposal...might as well use'em & I'm a big beach guy. Again, only the beaches...those of you from NJ...can keep all the rest of your lovely state
I will invade Canada. Again, the NYPD is the 10th largest army in the world...use it or lose it. Canada has loads of natural resources, great beer, & loads of beautiful B level actress's (ie Pam Anderson & the like) who end up on US TV shows or strip joints. Plus as an added bonus...greater national security with Joe Arpaio the former Arizonian Sheriff manning up the Canadian border for me.
Mexico...that will depend on how negotiations go with Washington DC in it's current state of disarray.
So vote for me on the No-Longer-Funemployed-But-Still-Blogging-Party on November 2nd!
I am Hunter's Deep Thoughts...& I endorse this message
I am running for Guv'nor of NY & will need your help & support to hope to bring about change. Please note I'm not talking bout a senior position of Gov'nor over Mayor in 4 square here...I'm talking about Gov'nor of NY. I will running under the No-Longer-Funemployed-But-Still-Blogging-Party. Now while I may lack the experience & Law degree of Andy C, lack the Military & Martial Arts training of a Jimmy McMillian (Rent Too High Party), the connections, business success, insanity of a Paladino, or the total lameness of a listless Lazio I do have some super awesome ideas & am more then capable of making others laugh while making a fool of myself. Which seems to be what you need these days to get on the ballot. The changes I hope to bring about are...
I will outlaw Street Fairs! They do nothing but totally screw up & clog up streets which results in massive traffic congestion & re-routed buses. So find somewhere else to buy socks, sheets, sausage & funnel cake....like a store or mall!
Legalize Ganja...but tax the hell out of it! While I'm not a user I'm sorry but it's not the gateway drug, alcohol is...and if the Fed comes after my booze...I will break out my 2nd amendment rights! Seriously...I will be able to fund every program we need off of this.
All other drugs...will come down like hammer of God on you. If you sell drugs to kids...u get executed (read: impaled)
Ban Unions. I'm sorry but the days of locking doors so men, woman, & children stuck in fire traps are over for the most part (there still are sweat shops). The Unions protect no one. All they do is guarantee people jobs even if they don't do them properly & then give them raises & pensions. Those days are over. Earn your jobs & get screwed ever when you are excelling at your jobs like the rest of us poor slobs in the Private Sector. Private sector jobs are down...Public are up...Private earning are down...Public are up...need I say more?
Pedophiles - Executed. No desire to try & reform or understand monsters with screwed up wiring. A cyber team aimed at hunting them down within the NYPD will be formed.
Enforced Exercise - All will be required at least 45 minutes 3X per week. That's 45 mins of exercise...not looking at others butts in the mirrors. I don't care if you run, lift, swim, play basketball or racquetball...you will do something to keep in shape. Your ancestors did so for survival...we are built & wired for it...you will JUST DO IT!You will feel better, look better, work better & will save millions in Healthcare. Feel free to smoke, eat sugar, salt etc...but you will work it off fatso!
Free Ice Cream Wednesdays! That's right...you exercise...I tax weed...everyone gets a free scoop!
I will solve the homeless problem. I will deport them to the Western States. Plenty of open free land. Basic skills will be taught by the Army so they can build homes, hunt & farm.
I will annex the beaches of the Jersey Shore & execute the cast, writers, producers & directors of Jersey Shore (being green...impaled on used but cleaned up iron rods). Since I will have the 10th largest Army in the world at my disposal...might as well use'em & I'm a big beach guy. Again, only the beaches...those of you from NJ...can keep all the rest of your lovely state
I will invade Canada. Again, the NYPD is the 10th largest army in the world...use it or lose it. Canada has loads of natural resources, great beer, & loads of beautiful B level actress's (ie Pam Anderson & the like) who end up on US TV shows or strip joints. Plus as an added bonus...greater national security with Joe Arpaio the former Arizonian Sheriff manning up the Canadian border for me.
Mexico...that will depend on how negotiations go with Washington DC in it's current state of disarray.
So vote for me on the No-Longer-Funemployed-But-Still-Blogging-Party on November 2nd!
I am Hunter's Deep Thoughts...& I endorse this message
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Supernatural Season Six
When Supernatural premiered 6 years ago it looked like a dark version of the Hardy Boys combined w/Slasher movies & I didn't think it would last past a season. Luckily I was so wrong & it has turned out to be so much more & keeps getting better. If you're not watching already a very quick synopsis... The Winchester Brothers Sam & Dean are "Hunters"...they hunt evil dark forces. Raised by their Father a Hunter, their Mother(daughter of Hunters) died a violent death when they were very young. While the brothers are very close on the one hand...there is a slight difference between them. It seems that Dean is a "vassal" of Heaven...while Lucifer had his eyes on Sam for a "vassal" of hell. Oh one other little thing...they have both been killed...sent to Hell...& returned. It seems to have had a slightly different effect on each of them.
Much like the X-Files the shows episodes alternate between single episode "Monster" stories (that for TV are at times fairly gory) and Mythology arcs. The Mythology of Supernatural has been up till the end of season 5 the coming Apocalypse & Lucifer's play to take over. A key part of the Mythology that I love is how Angels are represented. These Angels are not pudgy Cherubim playing harps while lounging on clouds (I believe this started up in the Renaissance) they are old school Old Testament Warriors...with a vicious streak. Now the way season 5 ended...it really seemed the show had run it's course. The first couple of episodes of season six were just OK...& then comes along Episode 3. A rogue Angel thought killed in battle eons ago (just where do Angels go when they perish in battle? & how do they actually get die in the first place?) shows up on Earth with Holy Weapons (so far think Book of Moses & the story of Sodom & Gomorrah) he has stolen from Heaven! He is both giving some out while using others himself...when he's not snorting mountains of blow during orgies. See it seems that G-d has gone off on a sabbatical (seems to have lost interest & faith in mankind...can you blame him?) so with all this new "freedom" while not go wild & crazy. On top of all this...one of the other Angels is kind of an old school conservative & seems to think that he needs to get things back on script & is going to try & back upon us the Apocalypse since that's what's written in the book!
Not only is the show better written & acted them you would expect for this type of material it has the rare ability to combine violence & dark humour seamlessly. If you like horror movies, shows like The Nightstalker, X-Files, True Blood, etc... give this show a go. Ah...one other thing...did I mention besides the horror, gore, & humour that most episode's also manage to include a beautiful woman or two...?
Much like the X-Files the shows episodes alternate between single episode "Monster" stories (that for TV are at times fairly gory) and Mythology arcs. The Mythology of Supernatural has been up till the end of season 5 the coming Apocalypse & Lucifer's play to take over. A key part of the Mythology that I love is how Angels are represented. These Angels are not pudgy Cherubim playing harps while lounging on clouds (I believe this started up in the Renaissance) they are old school Old Testament Warriors...with a vicious streak. Now the way season 5 ended...it really seemed the show had run it's course. The first couple of episodes of season six were just OK...& then comes along Episode 3. A rogue Angel thought killed in battle eons ago (just where do Angels go when they perish in battle? & how do they actually get die in the first place?) shows up on Earth with Holy Weapons (so far think Book of Moses & the story of Sodom & Gomorrah) he has stolen from Heaven! He is both giving some out while using others himself...when he's not snorting mountains of blow during orgies. See it seems that G-d has gone off on a sabbatical (seems to have lost interest & faith in mankind...can you blame him?) so with all this new "freedom" while not go wild & crazy. On top of all this...one of the other Angels is kind of an old school conservative & seems to think that he needs to get things back on script & is going to try & back upon us the Apocalypse since that's what's written in the book!
Not only is the show better written & acted them you would expect for this type of material it has the rare ability to combine violence & dark humour seamlessly. If you like horror movies, shows like The Nightstalker, X-Files, True Blood, etc... give this show a go. Ah...one other thing...did I mention besides the horror, gore, & humour that most episode's also manage to include a beautiful woman or two...?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Hill Country Chicken Review
There are both pro's & what I consider a major con to Hill Country's new Chicken restaurant. So let me start with the good. For the fried chicken there's Classic & Mama El's. One has skin, one does not...& one is crunchier then the other. Cannot remember which was which but I had breasts of both & they were very good. They also have some good looking tenders & a bunch of sandwiches. For my sides I went with the cheesy potatoes (hey I went skinless on one of the breasts) & fire/ice pickles & enjoyed both. My friends had the cole-slaw, bursted-corn, & carrot & raisin salad side...all were good. Minor complaint on the fries...but the fact that they still do not have their liquor licences set one of my friends off & made him less then happy with his meal (with the exception of the banana cream pie he was hogging). I was less then happy about this as well...but it worked out in the long run when a bunch of mini-pies for desert showed up on the table for FREE (one of our friends had been there a bunch of times & complanied that they still didn't have their liquor license)! They were all delicious but my favorites were the banana cream pie, cherry-cherry, & cowboy (like a coconut dream bar...if you don't know what those are...your loss). Aside from the beer/wine menu to come they have iced tea (Mint...just OK), Lemonade, & Boylans sodas on tap. I'm not a big soda guy but I do love me some Boylans Birch & Root beer. Overall the food was very good...but now on to the Con. The bad is the place doesn't look anything like HC BBQ...but like a fast food restaurant. In all fairness, an ideal one. It was clean, spacious, & well lit...but not exactly where I want to go for dinner & drinks with friends. I will go back & do recommend it...but I recommend it for lunch or take-out.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Not your Daddy's nor your Momma's Tuna Sandwich...
Relatively recently NY Magazine did a write up of NY's best sandwiches. Now while they did do a good job...they really missed a winner. Now in all fairness NYC is a big city with a lot of restaurants with many great sandwiches (one of the many great things about living here) but great food is not only available at the newest & most trendy places. The Grilled Tuna Fish sandwich at Fish - 280 Bleecker (Btwn Jones St & 7th Ave S) is one of NYC unsung hero's (no pun intended). It's chunks of fresh tuna seared (you can get it medium or well done...but why would you???) in a wasabi sauce with celery & red onion. It's served open-faced on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, & pickle. Of note it is only available on the side with an order of Fries...which are very good (thus I eat the fries & skip the bun to cut carbs...a girl has to watch her or in my case keep girls looking at my figure) . You may want to go with the Red, White, & Blue special to start (one of NYC's best oyster deals that Time Out missed when they did there Oyster special) or a bowl of Chowda. My preference is to enjoy this at the bar. It's one of those great old long wood ones & they have a good selection of beer on tap. This is not the bumble-bee with mayo on wonder bread you grew up on. It's what happens when that sandwich moves to NYC, gets a bit worldly & a bit more upscale...yet stays true to it roots...just like you...right?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Public Service Announcement:Total BeCall
If you are a grossly overpaid Athlete, talentless Hip-Hop Star, inside trading Hedge Fund Manager or Trust-Fund baby (I believe that covers the target market) in the possession of a Brooklands, Azure or Arnage Bentley please return it immediately to your authorized Bentley dealer! The following models have been recalled* due to the deadly "Flying B" hood ornament that has been responsible for the impalement of handlers, groupies, gumar's & pedestrians crossing the street at a green light with right of way. Before one of the aforementioned gets impaled on your flying B for getting in your way on your way to the next party, meeting, game, awards ceremony please go to your nearest Bentley dealer to have your flying B retrofitted for a less dangerous hood ornament to ensure no-one mistakes your Bentley for anything other then a Bentley...oh the embarrassment if anyone thought you were in a Rolls Royce...the horror...the horror...
*For the record there is a recall in place for the above listed models due to the flying B hood ornament
*For the record there is a recall in place for the above listed models due to the flying B hood ornament
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Jets fans wet dream come to life...
There is no other way to describe today's HUGE win against the hated & despised New England team in game 2 of the season then a wet dream come true. The highlights of this win include...
3 Touchdown passes by Sanchez to 3 different receivers....who was questioning IF he could throw the ball?!?
A 2 point conversion...how many do they ever make...much less try?!?
2 awesome interceptions
SACKING TOM BRADY!!! Eat it tommy-boy!!!
2 Field Goals
Revis only in 1st half
Great field position in 2nd half due to NE penalties
For tonight bask in the glory of the highlights on TV/Internet & all the articles tomorrow in the NY papers. If this team vs last weeks team keeps showing up...we just might really have something here.While I would like to leave on a positive note & I will...there is one major negative point I must point out. My brother who knows next to nothing about football much less cares (though in all fairness he does have friends/family over for the Superbowl) about the game was taken to the game by one of his clients. Criminal....absolutely criminal.
The positive note...my Nephew turns 4 on Tuesday & Crazyman 4 (his b-day party...kinda like Burning Man but far far wilder & crazier {better food & WC facilities as well} is on Sunday & actually doesn't screw up watching the JETS game since they are playing at night next Sunday) will be getting either a Jets football or a Mark Sanchez t-shirt...maybe both after today's a$$ kicking of NE!
3 Touchdown passes by Sanchez to 3 different receivers....who was questioning IF he could throw the ball?!?
A 2 point conversion...how many do they ever make...much less try?!?
2 awesome interceptions
SACKING TOM BRADY!!! Eat it tommy-boy!!!
2 Field Goals
Revis only in 1st half
Great field position in 2nd half due to NE penalties
For tonight bask in the glory of the highlights on TV/Internet & all the articles tomorrow in the NY papers. If this team vs last weeks team keeps showing up...we just might really have something here.While I would like to leave on a positive note & I will...there is one major negative point I must point out. My brother who knows next to nothing about football much less cares (though in all fairness he does have friends/family over for the Superbowl) about the game was taken to the game by one of his clients. Criminal....absolutely criminal.
The positive note...my Nephew turns 4 on Tuesday & Crazyman 4 (his b-day party...kinda like Burning Man but far far wilder & crazier {better food & WC facilities as well} is on Sunday & actually doesn't screw up watching the JETS game since they are playing at night next Sunday) will be getting either a Jets football or a Mark Sanchez t-shirt...maybe both after today's a$$ kicking of NE!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta... We Salute You!
Does the name Sal Giunta ring a bell or mean anything to anybody? No...it's not like he did much. Simply under fire with his unit cut in half in ran out to carry not one...but two (that's right he ran out under fire twice!) wounded soldiers & then gunned down some "freedom fighters" trying to carry off another one (so they could explain the peaceful beauty of Islam while explaining to him that he is an infidel & then sawing off his head...while video-taping it). What is truly sad here is that he is the first living recipient to receive the Medal of Honor while still alive from the Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan & there have only been 6 posthumous awarded thus far.
Why so few in these conflicts I don't understand. Why they get so little coverage I do. The Left Wing Liberal media doesn't want to give these men the time of day or acknowledge them as hero's. They seem to see them in their sad deluded views as cold blooded killers & butchers. They can't stand knowing that the only reason that they can mouth off as they do is because of men like Sal Giunta! The ugly reality is that they simply cannot face & admit (even though I'm sure deep down that they do & it kills them & eats their guts in the middle of the night) to is that it is men & woman with guns that patrol our streets, our borders, foreign interests & Allies lands & not a bunch of words written on a document. I understand the value of the Rule of Law but they are meaningless without being enforced. The Colonel Jessep* speech in A Few Good Men said it all. The best part is that this movie was very clearly a Liberal view on the superiority of the rule of law & how men & woman with words can get over the big bad Military monsters. Thing is...the writer wrote the best argument for the role & need of the Military in the world we live in. Rove working with Rumsfeld & Darth Cheney couldn't have come up with something as good.
We call morons who can throw & catch a ball hero's & frail miniature men with big heads who can fake emotions hero's. Few of them are & those that are are hero's due to their actions & charitable causes off the field & film. Firefighters, Police, Our Military, EMS, Doctors/Dentists/Nurses, Teachers, etc are hero's. They either save lives or do things to make our lives better.
The Medal of Honor is given to those who under extreme & terrible life threatening conditions risk & too often give their lives for others. They should be on the front pages of our papers. Not someone who caught a ball or puked on themselves when they fell out of their car without any underwear on. If you have not heard of the following men then go to :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients#War_in_Afghanistan
Jared C. Monti
Michael P. Murphy
Jason Dunham
Ross A. McGinnis
Michael A Monsoor
Paul R Smith
Nobody asked them to do what they did, they weren't highly paid for it, they didn't get a do over, a next inning, quarter, cut, or take...they gave their lives to save their fellow brothers in arms & so you could sit on your couch drinking your beer eating your hot-dog, looking at your playboy while watching sports while cursing out your President & assorted elected officials. Which for the record...half of those would get you stoned to death in many Muslim countries & the last one could get you shot in Russia or China. Don't take your freedom for granted. Sal Giunta & the men listed above risked & gave too much for you to.
*Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.
Why so few in these conflicts I don't understand. Why they get so little coverage I do. The Left Wing Liberal media doesn't want to give these men the time of day or acknowledge them as hero's. They seem to see them in their sad deluded views as cold blooded killers & butchers. They can't stand knowing that the only reason that they can mouth off as they do is because of men like Sal Giunta! The ugly reality is that they simply cannot face & admit (even though I'm sure deep down that they do & it kills them & eats their guts in the middle of the night) to is that it is men & woman with guns that patrol our streets, our borders, foreign interests & Allies lands & not a bunch of words written on a document. I understand the value of the Rule of Law but they are meaningless without being enforced. The Colonel Jessep* speech in A Few Good Men said it all. The best part is that this movie was very clearly a Liberal view on the superiority of the rule of law & how men & woman with words can get over the big bad Military monsters. Thing is...the writer wrote the best argument for the role & need of the Military in the world we live in. Rove working with Rumsfeld & Darth Cheney couldn't have come up with something as good.
We call morons who can throw & catch a ball hero's & frail miniature men with big heads who can fake emotions hero's. Few of them are & those that are are hero's due to their actions & charitable causes off the field & film. Firefighters, Police, Our Military, EMS, Doctors/Dentists/Nurses, Teachers, etc are hero's. They either save lives or do things to make our lives better.
The Medal of Honor is given to those who under extreme & terrible life threatening conditions risk & too often give their lives for others. They should be on the front pages of our papers. Not someone who caught a ball or puked on themselves when they fell out of their car without any underwear on. If you have not heard of the following men then go to :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients#War_in_Afghanistan
Jared C. Monti
Michael P. Murphy
Jason Dunham
Ross A. McGinnis
Michael A Monsoor
Paul R Smith
Nobody asked them to do what they did, they weren't highly paid for it, they didn't get a do over, a next inning, quarter, cut, or take...they gave their lives to save their fellow brothers in arms & so you could sit on your couch drinking your beer eating your hot-dog, looking at your playboy while watching sports while cursing out your President & assorted elected officials. Which for the record...half of those would get you stoned to death in many Muslim countries & the last one could get you shot in Russia or China. Don't take your freedom for granted. Sal Giunta & the men listed above risked & gave too much for you to.
*Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.
Nobel Peace Prize: Reason O won it #60 Billion...& Counting
Looks like Captain Super Awesome is about to out-do any & all Presidents past once again (& you thought ObamaCare was going to be his legacy...btw enjoying your new higher premiums yet?) Right now before Congress ("you know" {shout out future Ms. Guvnor Ms. Caroline Kennedy}the one with the majority of peaceful intellectually & morally superior Democrats) is an arms deal valued at $60 Billion (largest arms deal ever) big ones for state of the art US Fighter Jets to our good friends the Saudi Arabians. Yes, those same good friends who the only thing they export more then oil is terrorism in the guise of the Wahhabi sect of Islam (feel free to google if you are not familiar...but not exactly the peaceful practitioners of Islam). In addition there is another 30 Billion on the table for Navel vessels & other misc gear. Get this...the reasoning behind this...to counter-balance Iran in the region...& this is based upon...?
Let's take a step back with a brief history lesson. Saudi Arabia as a modern entity was founded back in 1932. American Engineers discovered the oil & thus we got the first contracts...while FDR was President. That's right he's the one that cut the original deals with the House of Saud. So make no mistake, every President since then has been tight with them. So, sorry to tell you...but it wasn't only the evil root'en toot'en Cowboy Dubya, nor his Daddy or even just Ronnie Raygun who was in with the House of Saud...but Mr. New Deal, Peanut-boy, Slick Willie & now The One. While wars were breaking out in the Middle-East they either stayed out of them or sent few troops & did some financing...along with an oil embargo back in 1973. They have been buying arms from us for years...heavily since the 90's. Yet when Kuwait was attacked did the mighty well armed Saud Army go in? No, Bush Sr had to lead a coalition. Did they take out Saddam's nuclear ambitions...no that was the Israeli's. Syria's...nope Israeli's again. Are they using any of their planes & ships for peaceful purposes? You tell me how much they helped in Haiti, Thailand, New Orleans, Italy, Pakistan, etc...not much. Why we have this dysfunctional relationship is beyond me. They sell us oil that we use & they buy billions in weapons from us that they don't.
I think we should stop buying oil from them...stop selling arms to them & convince the Chinese & Ruskies to go in & take it after the House of Saud falls. Then they can deal with the "freedom fighters" in the streets...in the alleys in between Mosques on every block & kill each other over what oil is left. Just a thought...one can "hope" right?
If anything besides selling to the Israeli's maybe I would cuts deals with Iraq for oil/weapons. They have plenty of oil yet to drill up & unlike the Saudis who have 0 war-fighting experience...the Iraqi's do. Plus unlike the Saud's who hate the Persians but do nothing but whisper to the Israeli's to do something...then condemn them in public the Iraqi's have been to war against Iran. At least if it comes down to it they will fight.
Let's take a step back with a brief history lesson. Saudi Arabia as a modern entity was founded back in 1932. American Engineers discovered the oil & thus we got the first contracts...while FDR was President. That's right he's the one that cut the original deals with the House of Saud. So make no mistake, every President since then has been tight with them. So, sorry to tell you...but it wasn't only the evil root'en toot'en Cowboy Dubya, nor his Daddy or even just Ronnie Raygun who was in with the House of Saud...but Mr. New Deal, Peanut-boy, Slick Willie & now The One. While wars were breaking out in the Middle-East they either stayed out of them or sent few troops & did some financing...along with an oil embargo back in 1973. They have been buying arms from us for years...heavily since the 90's. Yet when Kuwait was attacked did the mighty well armed Saud Army go in? No, Bush Sr had to lead a coalition. Did they take out Saddam's nuclear ambitions...no that was the Israeli's. Syria's...nope Israeli's again. Are they using any of their planes & ships for peaceful purposes? You tell me how much they helped in Haiti, Thailand, New Orleans, Italy, Pakistan, etc...not much. Why we have this dysfunctional relationship is beyond me. They sell us oil that we use & they buy billions in weapons from us that they don't.
I think we should stop buying oil from them...stop selling arms to them & convince the Chinese & Ruskies to go in & take it after the House of Saud falls. Then they can deal with the "freedom fighters" in the streets...in the alleys in between Mosques on every block & kill each other over what oil is left. Just a thought...one can "hope" right?
If anything besides selling to the Israeli's maybe I would cuts deals with Iraq for oil/weapons. They have plenty of oil yet to drill up & unlike the Saudis who have 0 war-fighting experience...the Iraqi's do. Plus unlike the Saud's who hate the Persians but do nothing but whisper to the Israeli's to do something...then condemn them in public the Iraqi's have been to war against Iran. At least if it comes down to it they will fight.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Train Travel Tales
While New Yorkers may have the rep of not be friendly & just always on the move...it's only the latter statement that is true. Things move fast here & we don't stop & say hello to everyone we pass by. However, put us in a social setting anywhere & anytime you find out just how gregarious we are. As a prime example on my way back home yesterday on the LIRR it stopped as we pulled into Penn Station awaiting another train to pull in. While I'm standing waiting for the door to open with two other women one of the women's husband walks over. The wife asks "is that woman still sleeping". He replies "Yes, don't worry she''ll be fine". Don't you think we should wake her? ". I interject...she'll be fine. I have a good story about a friend who fell asleep...I tell mine...& then the single woman tells hers & then the Husband tells his...here they are....(Readers Digest Versions)
Combo's Night Out (My Story)
One of my best friends from College is out right after work on a weekday. Gets loaded & makes it to the train. Gets on the right train. Passes out cold. Wakes up somewhat confused...looks at his watch...it's 7am. Looks out the train window...he's back in Penn Station! He rode back & forth all night. Gets off the train & goes to work...
The Good Conductor (Single Woman)
Girl goes out at night with friends & is supposed to meet up with friends on Long Island. Gets loaded...but makes it to the train...even the right line (noticing a theme here). Passes out & wakes up confused. Friends have been calling her on her cell phone & she finally picks up. She's so drunk she doesn't know were she is or where she is going. As Conductor walks by she starts trying to communicate with him. The friend on other side of phone hears her rambling & says "give the Conductor the phone". He takes the phone & they ask him if he can please put heir friend in a cab & gives him the address. Drunk friend shows up 15 minutes later in a cab...after the Conductor walked her down the stairs & put her in the cab...
EMS Middle of Night Calls (Husband)
Guy was a EMS volunteer working the night shift. Used to get frequent calls from LIRR Conductors to come pick-up drunks. Not your run of the mill...but your total disasters (see above for "like")...the ones the Conductor were worried would get in a car... kill themselves & whomever else they crashed into. I was surprised EMS would do this...but he said that this was a regular occurrence. The Conductors didn't want to let these people loose & the EMS workers would drop them off at the local Hospital to dry out...
I'm guessing the "sleeping woman" is going to be alright...she may even have a story of her own for her friends, family, & fellow passengers...on the train ride we call Life...
Combo's Night Out (My Story)
One of my best friends from College is out right after work on a weekday. Gets loaded & makes it to the train. Gets on the right train. Passes out cold. Wakes up somewhat confused...looks at his watch...it's 7am. Looks out the train window...he's back in Penn Station! He rode back & forth all night. Gets off the train & goes to work...
The Good Conductor (Single Woman)
Girl goes out at night with friends & is supposed to meet up with friends on Long Island. Gets loaded...but makes it to the train...even the right line (noticing a theme here). Passes out & wakes up confused. Friends have been calling her on her cell phone & she finally picks up. She's so drunk she doesn't know were she is or where she is going. As Conductor walks by she starts trying to communicate with him. The friend on other side of phone hears her rambling & says "give the Conductor the phone". He takes the phone & they ask him if he can please put heir friend in a cab & gives him the address. Drunk friend shows up 15 minutes later in a cab...after the Conductor walked her down the stairs & put her in the cab...
EMS Middle of Night Calls (Husband)
Guy was a EMS volunteer working the night shift. Used to get frequent calls from LIRR Conductors to come pick-up drunks. Not your run of the mill...but your total disasters (see above for "like")...the ones the Conductor were worried would get in a car... kill themselves & whomever else they crashed into. I was surprised EMS would do this...but he said that this was a regular occurrence. The Conductors didn't want to let these people loose & the EMS workers would drop them off at the local Hospital to dry out...
I'm guessing the "sleeping woman" is going to be alright...she may even have a story of her own for her friends, family, & fellow passengers...on the train ride we call Life...
Monday, September 6, 2010
Eataly
One would think that the Recession is over or never happened in the first place judging by how busy Eataly was this past Saturday mid-morning. In what was the Toy Building on 5th Ave btwn 23rd & 24th is now a Temple to Italian food both imported & local. I managed to not go to crazy on my first go around & managed to keep it to under $75.00. The place is broken up into a number of food stalls, restaurants, a book store, wine store, a rooftop beer garden, & they also have classes. The place was a madhouse so I only stayed so long but picked up a number of goods. I'll share these with you to give you a feel for what's available. I started with a large cup of Lavazza Coffee to get me going (the area is decorated with cutouts from the Lavaaza calendars...high end photographers working with beautiful actresses & models...think Campari or Pirelli calendars...I'm really into photography so I loved it) I then made my way through the growing & maddening crowds & picked up the following...
A Rustico Classico bread from the bakery (all the breads looked great)...molto bene
A Cheese made w/Barolo Wine, Prosciutto de Parma, & Piccante Cotto...all molto bene as well & the Cotto is very spicy. Since these goods came from the same stall...guessing it wasn't Kosher just in case you were wondering
Heirloom Tomatoes, a LI Red Tomato & Arugula from the Produce Dept...Here's a funny story & kudos to the grocer...when he saw that I picked 3 heirloom tomatoes he came over & said I had to try the LI tomato...it's the best he has...then reached into my cart & pulled out one of the green heirlooms...put it back & sent one of his guys to weight & price the LI Red for me...I said I appreciate the heads up & will take your advice but can I have my other tomato back as well...Of note...the one he recommended was half the price of the Heirlooms...so he clearly wasn't pushing price. I've yet to try the LI Red but the green Heirlooms were AMAZING...
Cherry Tomato Arrabiata, Peeled Cherry Tomatoes in a can, & Somesortacurly pasta from the Grain & Sauce section. The pasta was very good & the spicy cherry tomato sauce was good as well....however...even though it is imported from Italy...it's not as good as the Michael's of Brooklyn I get from Whole foods & Todaro's. The imported stuff was more processed while the Michael's is chunky & looks like your Grandma made it. As a quick side note...I gave the Michael's a try a year ago when I stumbled onto it. It turns out after conversations with my Mom & some research on the web...the place is now a catering hall & restaurant but started out as a pizza place...across the street from the apartment that my parents first lived in when they had me in Brooklyn! How's that for crazy circumstances. I find the best spicy sauce in a jar & better then almost every restaurant I've been to in a Whole Foods decades later from the place my parents used to go for their Garbage Pie (for those outside NYC...it means the works...sausage, pepper, onions, meatballs, pepperoni, & mushrooms)...crazy huh? Anyway...I hedged my bet that the imported sauce would be good but not great & thus purchased imported whole peeled cherry tomatoes to make my own sauce (stay tuned for results).
Pistachio Spread - I have a sweet-tooth & I'm a chocolate-a-holic. So when I saw the chocolate spreads other then Nutella among the chocolate bars I figured I'd give one a go. I love Pistachios & have never seen the combo ...it's always Hazelnut or Almond...I'd give it a whirl. On the way home when I realized I forgot if it was dark or milk...it turned out it's neither...but just Pistachio spread which was a very pleasant surprise. I've been wondering why there is peanut, almond, hazelnut butters but not Pistachio. Have not opened it yet...but will soon enough...
Well like I said it was busy & I tried not to go to crazy. The meat department looked good & they are working with US ranches to produce Piedmont meats, seafood dept looked good as well. There was a counter for pastries that looked great & a Gelato bar I missed as well...next time. Hopefully this gives you a good feel for what's available. I highly recommend you go.
Now while I think this was a good start...I would like to see more of these. The best I've ever seen anywhere...by far is the Mercat de la Boqueria in Barcelona. It kills me that they have something that blows away anything we have. So...to give it some real competition since New York is such a global city we need Temples of Gastronomy to various cultures...
Asia-Pac Market - While most of these countries could have their own let's set up one big one for Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, & while we're at it some stalls from Oz & New Zealand
Mercat De la Boquria NYC - Spanish food is amazing & very diverse...it's not just Paella & Platas Brava...
La Ville-Lumière - Hey c'mon...we need to have one for the French...they do have pretty good food & wine (& woman). I would add in some stalls from neighbors Belgium & Switzerland.
Adriatic/Aegean Market - Stalls from Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Serbia, Albanian etc...Just imagine the battles over the coffee & baklava! Plus Croatia has all all sorts of great Liqueurs, Perserves, Fig Sweets, & some great cured Beef...
Mid-East Market - You...yes you that wants to build bridges between Muslims & Americans...this is how you do it...through FOOD. Food is the common denominator. We all love to eat & with a place full of stalls from Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Iraq etc...selling Oils, Honeys,Spices,Exotic flavored Sweets, prepared foods, etc...that would bring people together! This is how everyday Americans can learn about the Middle-East...through it's food. By breaking bread & sprinkling some sea-salt on our food together vs. rubbing salt in deep wounds on holy ground...hey...remember...we're talking deep thoughts here...
A Rustico Classico bread from the bakery (all the breads looked great)...molto bene
A Cheese made w/Barolo Wine, Prosciutto de Parma, & Piccante Cotto...all molto bene as well & the Cotto is very spicy. Since these goods came from the same stall...guessing it wasn't Kosher just in case you were wondering
Heirloom Tomatoes, a LI Red Tomato & Arugula from the Produce Dept...Here's a funny story & kudos to the grocer...when he saw that I picked 3 heirloom tomatoes he came over & said I had to try the LI tomato...it's the best he has...then reached into my cart & pulled out one of the green heirlooms...put it back & sent one of his guys to weight & price the LI Red for me...I said I appreciate the heads up & will take your advice but can I have my other tomato back as well...Of note...the one he recommended was half the price of the Heirlooms...so he clearly wasn't pushing price. I've yet to try the LI Red but the green Heirlooms were AMAZING...
Cherry Tomato Arrabiata, Peeled Cherry Tomatoes in a can, & Somesortacurly pasta from the Grain & Sauce section. The pasta was very good & the spicy cherry tomato sauce was good as well....however...even though it is imported from Italy...it's not as good as the Michael's of Brooklyn I get from Whole foods & Todaro's. The imported stuff was more processed while the Michael's is chunky & looks like your Grandma made it. As a quick side note...I gave the Michael's a try a year ago when I stumbled onto it. It turns out after conversations with my Mom & some research on the web...the place is now a catering hall & restaurant but started out as a pizza place...across the street from the apartment that my parents first lived in when they had me in Brooklyn! How's that for crazy circumstances. I find the best spicy sauce in a jar & better then almost every restaurant I've been to in a Whole Foods decades later from the place my parents used to go for their Garbage Pie (for those outside NYC...it means the works...sausage, pepper, onions, meatballs, pepperoni, & mushrooms)...crazy huh? Anyway...I hedged my bet that the imported sauce would be good but not great & thus purchased imported whole peeled cherry tomatoes to make my own sauce (stay tuned for results).
Pistachio Spread - I have a sweet-tooth & I'm a chocolate-a-holic. So when I saw the chocolate spreads other then Nutella among the chocolate bars I figured I'd give one a go. I love Pistachios & have never seen the combo ...it's always Hazelnut or Almond...I'd give it a whirl. On the way home when I realized I forgot if it was dark or milk...it turned out it's neither...but just Pistachio spread which was a very pleasant surprise. I've been wondering why there is peanut, almond, hazelnut butters but not Pistachio. Have not opened it yet...but will soon enough...
Well like I said it was busy & I tried not to go to crazy. The meat department looked good & they are working with US ranches to produce Piedmont meats, seafood dept looked good as well. There was a counter for pastries that looked great & a Gelato bar I missed as well...next time. Hopefully this gives you a good feel for what's available. I highly recommend you go.
Now while I think this was a good start...I would like to see more of these. The best I've ever seen anywhere...by far is the Mercat de la Boqueria in Barcelona. It kills me that they have something that blows away anything we have. So...to give it some real competition since New York is such a global city we need Temples of Gastronomy to various cultures...
Asia-Pac Market - While most of these countries could have their own let's set up one big one for Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, & while we're at it some stalls from Oz & New Zealand
Mercat De la Boquria NYC - Spanish food is amazing & very diverse...it's not just Paella & Platas Brava...
La Ville-Lumière - Hey c'mon...we need to have one for the French...they do have pretty good food & wine (& woman). I would add in some stalls from neighbors Belgium & Switzerland.
Adriatic/Aegean Market - Stalls from Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Serbia, Albanian etc...Just imagine the battles over the coffee & baklava! Plus Croatia has all all sorts of great Liqueurs, Perserves, Fig Sweets, & some great cured Beef...
Mid-East Market - You...yes you that wants to build bridges between Muslims & Americans...this is how you do it...through FOOD. Food is the common denominator. We all love to eat & with a place full of stalls from Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Iraq etc...selling Oils, Honeys,Spices,Exotic flavored Sweets, prepared foods, etc...that would bring people together! This is how everyday Americans can learn about the Middle-East...through it's food. By breaking bread & sprinkling some sea-salt on our food together vs. rubbing salt in deep wounds on holy ground...hey...remember...we're talking deep thoughts here...
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Back to School Shopping Special
While it's been a little more then a few years since I've done back to school shopping it is that time of the year to get some new styling gear. Key word...Style...fashion is for girls...Men & Woman should have their own unique sense of style. I'm not going to list the newest best-est hottest openings here...go read a magazine. I will list some new & some of my current favorite spots. I will also add in some places nearby to get a cup of coffee, snack, &/or quick lunch & so to keep it simple stupid (KISS...so relax)...I will do it by neighborhood...somewhat. Also of note gear isn't only clothes...it also applies to supplies...
SOHO
Patagonia - Whether you're going Skiing or surfing, hiking or climbing or just travelling off the beaten path this place has the clothing you will need. Their R series gear is I think the best for that layer to keep you warm & the Patagonia zip neck pullover is a must own. Keeps you warm after the surf...a layer while skiing...roll it up as a pillow.
Lord Willy's - While they do Custom cut suits & shirts, it's their Off the Rack checkered shirts that I buy. They are not cheap...but very well made & cut. They also stand out by using colorful buttons on their shirts (ask & they will give you extras...buttons do need to be replaced now & then). 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.
Chrome - From out west Chrome has just landed in Soho. Their main thing is messenger bags & utility urban backpacks built for bikers (pedal not cycle...but would work just fine for the later). They also have clothes & great sneakers. Think Converse All Stars with more structure for support & padding for comfort with more "street style"
Save Khaki - If like me you were NOT genetically blessed with a flat as a board ass & really wide hips & are sick to death of Khaki's & Cords that make you look like you were...Save Khaki has pants that are cut to fit & look good & made well. They also have shirts...but try them on first...they tend to cut small so while some XL's fit fitted...others are cut like L's...if you are slim &/or have a pigeon chest no worries for you...you can squezze into an Xtra-Medium...
Tokidoki - T-shirts designed by an Italian out of Rome living in LA that is inspired by Japanese culture lifestyle & Anime. Recently struck a licensing deal with Marvel comics. Men's, Women's & finally kids.
Michael Andrews Bespoke - Custom cut Suits, Sport Jackets, Trousers, Shirts, etc... He does cut slim so keep that in mind...prices are fair (suits start at $895...but figure $1195 & up) & does lots of little extras like various colored linings, working button holes with optional colored strip, choice of lapels, buttons etc...They also now have custom cut shoes & accessories...ties, cuff-links, etc... Of note the new space is spectacular & looks like an awesome lounge. He has a gorgeous bar & phenomenal selection of bottles to sample while deciding which fabric, shirting, etc... Michael & his staff are great & a pleasure to work with.
EMS - Geared heavily towards climbing & camping...a mini Paragon in Soho. Knowledgeable & friendly staff. They stock the Icebreaker line from New Zealand. Merino Wool at near capilene prices. My black pullover zip sweater one of favorite pieces of clothing. Think what Bond would wear Apes Ski. Please note: This stuff is cut slim...XL cut like a L & XXL only available for certain items. Hope their buyer starts buying more XXL for their American milk bred clients.
Quicksilver - While I really miss their original location in Soho w/the cylindrical fish tank Quicksilver still has what you need for the beach for Men, Woman & kids. It's where I get my niece Jilly her rocking pool/beach gear.
Hollister - I should hate this place. I don't care much for large chains or places that are not authentic & this is Surf Gear for the A&F crowd that go to college in middle America nowhere near a beach. Yet, I still like the place & it's well designed with lots of rooms full of wood & big comfy chairs with magazines. I like the place especially for their boxers that are cut like & look like board shorts. Amusing T-shirts & some decent plaids as well.They also hire ridiculasly cute girls in Bikini's with rocking bodies to act as greeters throughout the store. (Yes Ladies there are guys there as well)
Saturdays - A real authentic Surf shop in Soho. Surf Boards, Leash's, Wax, Fins, Wet-Suits, & of course Board Shorts & T-shirts. Of special note...they have really good coffee & 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...need to keep the riff-raff out.
Odin - The clothing here is in most cases a little too trendy for me...but worth checking out for an edgy take on the basics. I also found a great cologne here that is water vs oil based & smells like the Beach...not a Seinfeld joke here...really does. I think it's called 1966 Beach.
APPLE - You don't have an IPod, Mac, IPAD or you have just one...?!? Well then go get yourself an ITouch or Pad or I something...you NEED it! Also available in Meatpacking & Uptown. Please note....this location has best people watching...at least for good looking woman...especially foreign ones who NEED an I-Something.
Food Break: For Coffee Aroma, Gimme, & Ground Support. For quick bites Ben's Pizza, Ray's (on Prince St), Pinche Taqueria, La Esquina Taco Stand, Cafe Habana, Pinkberry (healthy & also loaded w good looking girls gone Soho shopping) Hampton Chutney Co.
MEATPACKING//WV/USQ
Vince - Primarily for Women, but the Men's line is growing. I come here primarily for great t-shirts. They are in the $40 range...but very well cut & made. Ask for Jasmine (they also have a Soho location) Think that's nutz...then go to American Apparel.
Limoland - I needed something other then my backpacks for long weekend travel & came here after reading about a collaboration they were doing with a Japanese luggage manufacturer Yoshida Porter. Limo added some color & their crazy Limo-Man logo (based upon a character by the late Tanzanian artist George Lilanga) to their carry-on Boston bag. They also do Polo's, sweaters, jackets etc...please note they tend to use bright colors
James Perse - It's between these & Vince for my favorite T-shirts. These are less fitted & the colors generally more washed out looking in a very good way. Same price points. Great lounge-wear boxers & T's for bumming around you very own Bat-Cave (I hate this new "Man-Cave term).
Flight 001 - You know when you're going away & you wish you had this or that to put that in? This is the place. They carry travel size toiletries, better yet kits that are airplane certified refill bottles for toiletries, pill boxes shaped like a giant pill, bags for shoes, wet gear, neck pillows, travel alarms, travel guides & books (I picked one up on Stewardess's...Coffee, Tea, or Me....no joke) ...pretty much all those little extras you need for travel. Also great for gifts.
Rugby - Polo for the A&F crowd. Which means better made & cut. I don't have much from here...I'm more of a Polo guy but I like their Polo Rugby shirts with the Skull & Crossbones logo. I expected to get grief but guys & girls compliment on them...They also have a women's dept staffed by some gorgeous woman. I go in there every time asking if they carry kids stuff for my Niece &Nephew(they don't) just to start a rap & show my sensitive side. Of note: so far has got me nowhere...either they are too young or not the maternal yet hot type I am looking for...
Paragon - NY's top Sports wear/gear store. Not as hard core as Tents & Poles or EMS...but this place pretty much has it all. Clothing & gear for the outdoors, surf gear, fishing gear, camping, Tennis, Golf, Archery, knives, binoculars, etc...
Adorama - For your photography needs much smaller version of B&H but carries plenty & has a knowledgeable staff. So if you need that weather proof camera to go skiing with or to the beach or maybe you are ready to move from film SLR to Digital SLR (DSLR) or want more then your point & shoot you want to check this place out
Food Break: For Coffee Ninth Street Espresso, Grey Dog & Joe the Art of Coffee. Quick bites go to Chelsea market for great sushi & tuna/lobster warps & rolls at Lobster Place, Buon Italia, Amy's breads, Fat Witch Brownie, Eleni's Cupcakes, People's Pops, & Jacques Torres chocolate. Bill's Bar & Burger, Gaslight Pizza, Fish - Lobster Rolls, Oysters, Chowder, etc...
UPTOWN
NIKE - What can I possibly say or add here. If need NIKE gear...just do it! Buy NIKE gear here! Actually a very cool store.
SAKS - I generally don't care much for department stores but Saks is the exception. For high end Men's Wear designer names this is the place. I primarily like Sak's Men's shoe department... Church's, Too Boot, Ferragamo, Gucci, etc... Also one of the best places to pick up a gift for the Lady/Ladies in your life (you know...other then significant other...Mom, Sis, Sis-In-Law, Gumar, etc...). CAVEAT: Two things to be careful of here. One is the first floor Make-up/Perfume area I refer to as the Gauntlet...as in Running the Gauntlet. Between the beautiful women that shop here & the women that work this section...you could break you neck...be careful if with SO. Also Sak's Woman's show dept has it's own freaking ZIP CODE 10022-SHOE! That's how big it is. So AVOID at all costs. Just give her your credit card. The only reason I could imagine enduring the endless trying on & on & on of shoes is if your SO has a BFF that is soooo smoking hot that you can barely look at her & your SO "experimented" with her when they were in HS/College/drunkonenite & she brings her along so that afterwards she rewards you with first a show & then a starring role. Nuff said.
Bergdoff Goodman Men's - A higher end version of Saks. For me, they carry John Smedley knitwear, have a very good, diverse, & unique cologne dept usually staffed by a beautiful woman striking enough to make you (me) buy something stupid...like Creed...Also has a great sterling silver & gold cuff-link selection...
POLO - Hail to the king. If I had to pick one menswear line to wear...this is it. Everything...just everything...I like the Soho location & the Mansion
Thomas Pink - For non-custom cut shirts for work these are the best. They do straddle the do I don't I go custom price points...but are very well made, well cut & come in a large variety of colors, stripes, & cuts.
Faconnable - Along the lines of Polo but with it's own French style. Well cut business & casual clothing. I like their dress shirts & they are very good for jackets. I have an awesome suede jacket & shirt jacket from here.
B&H Photo_ The Grand-Daddy of Camera stores. PRO's They carry everything & have representation from everyone. The key is find the right guy. Some of them are phenomenon & very knowledge. CON's The place is simply too damn big! Plus some of the staff just go through the motions...which surprised me. I did buy my Olympus EP2 here & I think at the time they were the only store that had it in stock. I do want new lens for it & I'm up in the air if I come here or go elsewhere ust due to the sheer size of the place & the volume they do which makes you wait on two lines...one to get item..one to pay. It does in all fairness move pretty fast.
Paul Stuart - Higher quality & smaller version of Brooks Brothers. I have a variety of stuff from here...Ties, Shoes, Linen Shirts, John Smedly Merino & Sea Island cotton knitwear, Sweaters, etc...
Food Break: Let's see...you have Starbucks, Starbucks & Starbucks...enjoy!
For the Ladies...between buying gifts, getting dragged shopping after brunch, walking by & noticing the woman working there or what's in the windows...
Victoria's Secret - Make yourself feel special with sexy & affordable lingerie
Agent Provocateur - Are you feeling a bit naughty you bad, bad girl?? Pick yourself out or better yet make that English Gent (AG is the Brit VS...but higher end) you're seeing get you something special to wear with or without anything else...
La Perla - You're doing very well or the Euro-Trash you are "seeing" doesn't find a body like yours all that often & wants to barely cover it in the best...can you even imagine what's going through his mind over that oyster appetizer he's eating knowing that you're wearing that gift from LP he just gave you the night before...
Scoop - You need jeans...you look hot in jeans...we like you in jeans...large selection of premium brands...& all the other stuff you need to go with it....please leave us at home...(P.S. there is a Men's Scoop & pretty good though trendy)
Vince - High end T-shirts, sweaters, etc...(see men's review above)
James Perse - Ditto
Quicksilver/Roxy - Wanna rock your hot surfer-chick bod at the beach or pool? Here's your place. Feel free to take us here. We can look for stuff for ourselves, look in magazines or watch you try on Bikini's. If you're make us watch you try on stuff...this is perfectly acceptable. CAVEAT: Doing this killed a friendship of mine. After the beach a "friend" would drag me to watch her try on Bikini's before Happy Hours in the Hampton's. I obliged. That Fall after a few one night...then another...then didn't handle as well as could have...friendship nullified...so be careful here...tread lightly...or just don't do it...!
All Saints - Want to look like you just walked out of a Video shoot for Oasis or Girls Aloud...here's your place...straight from swinging London...shag baby shag!
Well good shopping...now do your part to jump start the economy & start buying stuff that neither you, your SO, your family or friends really need...but...you absolutely must have!
SOHO
Patagonia - Whether you're going Skiing or surfing, hiking or climbing or just travelling off the beaten path this place has the clothing you will need. Their R series gear is I think the best for that layer to keep you warm & the Patagonia zip neck pullover is a must own. Keeps you warm after the surf...a layer while skiing...roll it up as a pillow.
Lord Willy's - While they do Custom cut suits & shirts, it's their Off the Rack checkered shirts that I buy. They are not cheap...but very well made & cut. They also stand out by using colorful buttons on their shirts (ask & they will give you extras...buttons do need to be replaced now & then). 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.
Chrome - From out west Chrome has just landed in Soho. Their main thing is messenger bags & utility urban backpacks built for bikers (pedal not cycle...but would work just fine for the later). They also have clothes & great sneakers. Think Converse All Stars with more structure for support & padding for comfort with more "street style"
Save Khaki - If like me you were NOT genetically blessed with a flat as a board ass & really wide hips & are sick to death of Khaki's & Cords that make you look like you were...Save Khaki has pants that are cut to fit & look good & made well. They also have shirts...but try them on first...they tend to cut small so while some XL's fit fitted...others are cut like L's...if you are slim &/or have a pigeon chest no worries for you...you can squezze into an Xtra-Medium...
Tokidoki - T-shirts designed by an Italian out of Rome living in LA that is inspired by Japanese culture lifestyle & Anime. Recently struck a licensing deal with Marvel comics. Men's, Women's & finally kids.
Michael Andrews Bespoke - Custom cut Suits, Sport Jackets, Trousers, Shirts, etc... He does cut slim so keep that in mind...prices are fair (suits start at $895...but figure $1195 & up) & does lots of little extras like various colored linings, working button holes with optional colored strip, choice of lapels, buttons etc...They also now have custom cut shoes & accessories...ties, cuff-links, etc... Of note the new space is spectacular & looks like an awesome lounge. He has a gorgeous bar & phenomenal selection of bottles to sample while deciding which fabric, shirting, etc... Michael & his staff are great & a pleasure to work with.
EMS - Geared heavily towards climbing & camping...a mini Paragon in Soho. Knowledgeable & friendly staff. They stock the Icebreaker line from New Zealand. Merino Wool at near capilene prices. My black pullover zip sweater one of favorite pieces of clothing. Think what Bond would wear Apes Ski. Please note: This stuff is cut slim...XL cut like a L & XXL only available for certain items. Hope their buyer starts buying more XXL for their American milk bred clients.
Quicksilver - While I really miss their original location in Soho w/the cylindrical fish tank Quicksilver still has what you need for the beach for Men, Woman & kids. It's where I get my niece Jilly her rocking pool/beach gear.
Hollister - I should hate this place. I don't care much for large chains or places that are not authentic & this is Surf Gear for the A&F crowd that go to college in middle America nowhere near a beach. Yet, I still like the place & it's well designed with lots of rooms full of wood & big comfy chairs with magazines. I like the place especially for their boxers that are cut like & look like board shorts. Amusing T-shirts & some decent plaids as well.They also hire ridiculasly cute girls in Bikini's with rocking bodies to act as greeters throughout the store. (Yes Ladies there are guys there as well)
Saturdays - A real authentic Surf shop in Soho. Surf Boards, Leash's, Wax, Fins, Wet-Suits, & of course Board Shorts & T-shirts. Of special note...they have really good coffee & 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...need to keep the riff-raff out.
Odin - The clothing here is in most cases a little too trendy for me...but worth checking out for an edgy take on the basics. I also found a great cologne here that is water vs oil based & smells like the Beach...not a Seinfeld joke here...really does. I think it's called 1966 Beach.
APPLE - You don't have an IPod, Mac, IPAD or you have just one...?!? Well then go get yourself an ITouch or Pad or I something...you NEED it! Also available in Meatpacking & Uptown. Please note....this location has best people watching...at least for good looking woman...especially foreign ones who NEED an I-Something.
Food Break: For Coffee Aroma, Gimme, & Ground Support. For quick bites Ben's Pizza, Ray's (on Prince St), Pinche Taqueria, La Esquina Taco Stand, Cafe Habana, Pinkberry (healthy & also loaded w good looking girls gone Soho shopping) Hampton Chutney Co.
MEATPACKING//WV/USQ
Vince - Primarily for Women, but the Men's line is growing. I come here primarily for great t-shirts. They are in the $40 range...but very well cut & made. Ask for Jasmine (they also have a Soho location) Think that's nutz...then go to American Apparel.
Limoland - I needed something other then my backpacks for long weekend travel & came here after reading about a collaboration they were doing with a Japanese luggage manufacturer Yoshida Porter. Limo added some color & their crazy Limo-Man logo (based upon a character by the late Tanzanian artist George Lilanga) to their carry-on Boston bag. They also do Polo's, sweaters, jackets etc...please note they tend to use bright colors
James Perse - It's between these & Vince for my favorite T-shirts. These are less fitted & the colors generally more washed out looking in a very good way. Same price points. Great lounge-wear boxers & T's for bumming around you very own Bat-Cave (I hate this new "Man-Cave term).
Flight 001 - You know when you're going away & you wish you had this or that to put that in? This is the place. They carry travel size toiletries, better yet kits that are airplane certified refill bottles for toiletries, pill boxes shaped like a giant pill, bags for shoes, wet gear, neck pillows, travel alarms, travel guides & books (I picked one up on Stewardess's...Coffee, Tea, or Me....no joke) ...pretty much all those little extras you need for travel. Also great for gifts.
Rugby - Polo for the A&F crowd. Which means better made & cut. I don't have much from here...I'm more of a Polo guy but I like their Polo Rugby shirts with the Skull & Crossbones logo. I expected to get grief but guys & girls compliment on them...They also have a women's dept staffed by some gorgeous woman. I go in there every time asking if they carry kids stuff for my Niece &Nephew(they don't) just to start a rap & show my sensitive side. Of note: so far has got me nowhere...either they are too young or not the maternal yet hot type I am looking for...
Paragon - NY's top Sports wear/gear store. Not as hard core as Tents & Poles or EMS...but this place pretty much has it all. Clothing & gear for the outdoors, surf gear, fishing gear, camping, Tennis, Golf, Archery, knives, binoculars, etc...
Adorama - For your photography needs much smaller version of B&H but carries plenty & has a knowledgeable staff. So if you need that weather proof camera to go skiing with or to the beach or maybe you are ready to move from film SLR to Digital SLR (DSLR) or want more then your point & shoot you want to check this place out
Food Break: For Coffee Ninth Street Espresso, Grey Dog & Joe the Art of Coffee. Quick bites go to Chelsea market for great sushi & tuna/lobster warps & rolls at Lobster Place, Buon Italia, Amy's breads, Fat Witch Brownie, Eleni's Cupcakes, People's Pops, & Jacques Torres chocolate. Bill's Bar & Burger, Gaslight Pizza, Fish - Lobster Rolls, Oysters, Chowder, etc...
UPTOWN
NIKE - What can I possibly say or add here. If need NIKE gear...just do it! Buy NIKE gear here! Actually a very cool store.
SAKS - I generally don't care much for department stores but Saks is the exception. For high end Men's Wear designer names this is the place. I primarily like Sak's Men's shoe department... Church's, Too Boot, Ferragamo, Gucci, etc... Also one of the best places to pick up a gift for the Lady/Ladies in your life (you know...other then significant other...Mom, Sis, Sis-In-Law, Gumar, etc...). CAVEAT: Two things to be careful of here. One is the first floor Make-up/Perfume area I refer to as the Gauntlet...as in Running the Gauntlet. Between the beautiful women that shop here & the women that work this section...you could break you neck...be careful if with SO. Also Sak's Woman's show dept has it's own freaking ZIP CODE 10022-SHOE! That's how big it is. So AVOID at all costs. Just give her your credit card. The only reason I could imagine enduring the endless trying on & on & on of shoes is if your SO has a BFF that is soooo smoking hot that you can barely look at her & your SO "experimented" with her when they were in HS/College/drunkonenite & she brings her along so that afterwards she rewards you with first a show & then a starring role. Nuff said.
Bergdoff Goodman Men's - A higher end version of Saks. For me, they carry John Smedley knitwear, have a very good, diverse, & unique cologne dept usually staffed by a beautiful woman striking enough to make you (me) buy something stupid...like Creed...Also has a great sterling silver & gold cuff-link selection...
POLO - Hail to the king. If I had to pick one menswear line to wear...this is it. Everything...just everything...I like the Soho location & the Mansion
Thomas Pink - For non-custom cut shirts for work these are the best. They do straddle the do I don't I go custom price points...but are very well made, well cut & come in a large variety of colors, stripes, & cuts.
Faconnable - Along the lines of Polo but with it's own French style. Well cut business & casual clothing. I like their dress shirts & they are very good for jackets. I have an awesome suede jacket & shirt jacket from here.
B&H Photo_ The Grand-Daddy of Camera stores. PRO's They carry everything & have representation from everyone. The key is find the right guy. Some of them are phenomenon & very knowledge. CON's The place is simply too damn big! Plus some of the staff just go through the motions...which surprised me. I did buy my Olympus EP2 here & I think at the time they were the only store that had it in stock. I do want new lens for it & I'm up in the air if I come here or go elsewhere ust due to the sheer size of the place & the volume they do which makes you wait on two lines...one to get item..one to pay. It does in all fairness move pretty fast.
Paul Stuart - Higher quality & smaller version of Brooks Brothers. I have a variety of stuff from here...Ties, Shoes, Linen Shirts, John Smedly Merino & Sea Island cotton knitwear, Sweaters, etc...
Food Break: Let's see...you have Starbucks, Starbucks & Starbucks...enjoy!
For the Ladies...between buying gifts, getting dragged shopping after brunch, walking by & noticing the woman working there or what's in the windows...
Victoria's Secret - Make yourself feel special with sexy & affordable lingerie
Agent Provocateur - Are you feeling a bit naughty you bad, bad girl?? Pick yourself out or better yet make that English Gent (AG is the Brit VS...but higher end) you're seeing get you something special to wear with or without anything else...
La Perla - You're doing very well or the Euro-Trash you are "seeing" doesn't find a body like yours all that often & wants to barely cover it in the best...can you even imagine what's going through his mind over that oyster appetizer he's eating knowing that you're wearing that gift from LP he just gave you the night before...
Scoop - You need jeans...you look hot in jeans...we like you in jeans...large selection of premium brands...& all the other stuff you need to go with it....please leave us at home...(P.S. there is a Men's Scoop & pretty good though trendy)
Vince - High end T-shirts, sweaters, etc...(see men's review above)
James Perse - Ditto
Quicksilver/Roxy - Wanna rock your hot surfer-chick bod at the beach or pool? Here's your place. Feel free to take us here. We can look for stuff for ourselves, look in magazines or watch you try on Bikini's. If you're make us watch you try on stuff...this is perfectly acceptable. CAVEAT: Doing this killed a friendship of mine. After the beach a "friend" would drag me to watch her try on Bikini's before Happy Hours in the Hampton's. I obliged. That Fall after a few one night...then another...then didn't handle as well as could have...friendship nullified...so be careful here...tread lightly...or just don't do it...!
All Saints - Want to look like you just walked out of a Video shoot for Oasis or Girls Aloud...here's your place...straight from swinging London...shag baby shag!
Well good shopping...now do your part to jump start the economy & start buying stuff that neither you, your SO, your family or friends really need...but...you absolutely must have!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Christmas Comes Early & Often...
While I know it just turned September...Christmas will be here before we know it & with the economy just booming after 8 months of steady job growth (just how does the Teleprompter in Chief keep a straight face saying such non-sense...does the teleprompter say KEEP SMILING before & after each phase?) you may want to buy for the Die-Hard Democrat &/or Left Wing Liberal some of these to sure to fly off the store shelves gifts!
Overhaul - Steven Rattner 's(the old car Czar) book on the inner working of the Obama administration
Take Back America - By Dick Morris & Eileen McGann - Yes the same Dick Morris that was Clinton's advisor & Campaign Manager
The Drums - The Drums - I was going to check out this album that I thought would be Beach Boys like until I read that their hit single " Let's Go Surfing" isn't about surfing...it's about the freedom of Obama coming into power after W...
"Do you Miss Me Yet" t-shirts with a Smiling George W Bush...selling out like hotcakes at Martha's Vineyard while O was on vacation #57...which is oddly enough the same number of states he said we have...am I onto a conspiracy here? After taking over the Auto Industry & Tarping up Finance is he planning on annexing 7 countries? You read it here first!
Joe Biden Blow-Up Doll - Obama has a Joe B full of hot air...shouldn't you!
Jorg Gray 6500 Series Chronograph - A Rolex...an Omega?!? Obama...Barack Obama...nuff said
Hart Shaffner Marx - Dress for success just like the man in charge!
I-Pod Big O Special Edition - Comes fully loaded with not only all of Big O's favorite songs...but ALL his best speeches! Which of course is ALL of them!
Blackberry NSA Special Edition - How else are you going to text, e-mail, tweet, & Four Square with the Big Man if you're PDA isn't fully encrypted?!?
Five Guys Burgers & Gear - Eat & Wear the Prez's favorite lunch* spot!http://fiveguys.shop.musictoday.com/Default.aspx
Why even wait till Christmas...with the economy picking up speed the way it is I'm sure there will be plenty of new Obama goodness to add to this list...just remember you better be good for goodness sake...Big Brother is watching you...
*if that gift is for that special little Ruskie in your life then get them a gift certificate from Ray's Hell-Burger in Arlington, VA if it's good enough for the President of Russia it'll be good enough for your krasIvaya Angel Moy!
Overhaul - Steven Rattner 's(the old car Czar) book on the inner working of the Obama administration
Take Back America - By Dick Morris & Eileen McGann - Yes the same Dick Morris that was Clinton's advisor & Campaign Manager
The Drums - The Drums - I was going to check out this album that I thought would be Beach Boys like until I read that their hit single " Let's Go Surfing" isn't about surfing...it's about the freedom of Obama coming into power after W...
"Do you Miss Me Yet" t-shirts with a Smiling George W Bush...selling out like hotcakes at Martha's Vineyard while O was on vacation #57...which is oddly enough the same number of states he said we have...am I onto a conspiracy here? After taking over the Auto Industry & Tarping up Finance is he planning on annexing 7 countries? You read it here first!
Joe Biden Blow-Up Doll - Obama has a Joe B full of hot air...shouldn't you!
Jorg Gray 6500 Series Chronograph - A Rolex...an Omega?!? Obama...Barack Obama...nuff said
Hart Shaffner Marx - Dress for success just like the man in charge!
I-Pod Big O Special Edition - Comes fully loaded with not only all of Big O's favorite songs...but ALL his best speeches! Which of course is ALL of them!
Blackberry NSA Special Edition - How else are you going to text, e-mail, tweet, & Four Square with the Big Man if you're PDA isn't fully encrypted?!?
Five Guys Burgers & Gear - Eat & Wear the Prez's favorite lunch* spot!http://fiveguys.shop.musictoday.com/Default.aspx
Why even wait till Christmas...with the economy picking up speed the way it is I'm sure there will be plenty of new Obama goodness to add to this list...just remember you better be good for goodness sake...Big Brother is watching you...
*if that gift is for that special little Ruskie in your life then get them a gift certificate from Ray's Hell-Burger in Arlington, VA if it's good enough for the President of Russia it'll be good enough for your krasIvaya Angel Moy!
PAWB SVU BLUE
No PAWB isn't the latest iteration of the popular "Cop Drama" it stands for Palestinian Authority West Bank. Who for the most part may be the only group that can really bring true peace between Israel & Palestine. Of course Abbas is going to have to show true leadership & come through with some reasonable expectations on what can be done & what cannot. Negotiations are a two way street, not you do everything I say & I'll stop killing pregnant woman & have parades for the Heroic Hero's of Hamas afterwards. Exactly how FUBAR do you have to be to gun down innocent men & women...especially a woman with a baby bump in her abdomen? furthermore how FUBAR do you have to be to go out into the street & cheer & celebrate that a gutless, weak coward with a machine gun gunned down in cold blood an unarmed pregnant woman? What can be so wrong with you that you work for a media outlet proclaiming that atrocity as a heroic act? While I did go off slightly on a tangent, truth be told Leaders can set examples & shake hands & sign papers...but it means nothing if the people don't adhere to the laws. History is rife with broken treaties & meetings set up for treaties that ended in a bloody ambush.
For true peace to be reached the PA will have to seriously crack down on the radicals & they will need the support of the peolpe as well. When people stop hiding them & start informing on them then that's when things will change. The PA recently did a major sweep of hundreds of suspected Hamas members. This has at this point led to the arrest of two men. The question is now how will the PA handle it? Investigate & if proven guilty will they try them by their laws? If so, the PA has the death penalty for 17 crimes. Murder is one of them. Will the PA execute these men? Give them to the Israeli's? Let them go over a technicality? The killings were done to undermine the peace process. Luckily members of Hamas are not bigots like 70% of New Yorkers when we want to stop something. We do horrific things like speak out, write blogs, carry signs, scream & push & we're the bad guys to the world. To make a point Hamas just guns down people. Perfectly acceptable to make a point right?
This could be the defining moment. The PA could launch a through investigation, indict, prosecute, convict & execute these pathetic excuses for subhuman creatures. This would send a clear message. We want peace & we will not tolerate the mindless killings any longer. I think it's the only way it can ever work. The IDF can keep hunting & killing Hamas killers after the fact (& before...which I'm all for), Presidents can keep getting leaders from both parties to the table...but it's going to take more then mere words & signatures. It's going to take real leadership & real action. President Bill Clinton came closer then anyone to finally getting a treaty signed. In his memoirs he states that after all the Israeli's agreed to that Arafat turned it down was beyond his comprehension. He could not believe anyone would turn down such a deal. The deal was turned down because Arafat never wanted peace. The war was to profitable for him personally. Does Abbas truly want peace? Can he get the PA to impose law on the lawless? Can he get it through his people's heads that their lives will improve dramatically if they find peace with Israel. Look at Israel's economy, education system, Healthcare, technology etc...Isn't that something you would want to be part of while enjoying the freedom to practice your own religion? Or are you that happy in the misery you live now?
For true peace to be reached the PA will have to seriously crack down on the radicals & they will need the support of the peolpe as well. When people stop hiding them & start informing on them then that's when things will change. The PA recently did a major sweep of hundreds of suspected Hamas members. This has at this point led to the arrest of two men. The question is now how will the PA handle it? Investigate & if proven guilty will they try them by their laws? If so, the PA has the death penalty for 17 crimes. Murder is one of them. Will the PA execute these men? Give them to the Israeli's? Let them go over a technicality? The killings were done to undermine the peace process. Luckily members of Hamas are not bigots like 70% of New Yorkers when we want to stop something. We do horrific things like speak out, write blogs, carry signs, scream & push & we're the bad guys to the world. To make a point Hamas just guns down people. Perfectly acceptable to make a point right?
This could be the defining moment. The PA could launch a through investigation, indict, prosecute, convict & execute these pathetic excuses for subhuman creatures. This would send a clear message. We want peace & we will not tolerate the mindless killings any longer. I think it's the only way it can ever work. The IDF can keep hunting & killing Hamas killers after the fact (& before...which I'm all for), Presidents can keep getting leaders from both parties to the table...but it's going to take more then mere words & signatures. It's going to take real leadership & real action. President Bill Clinton came closer then anyone to finally getting a treaty signed. In his memoirs he states that after all the Israeli's agreed to that Arafat turned it down was beyond his comprehension. He could not believe anyone would turn down such a deal. The deal was turned down because Arafat never wanted peace. The war was to profitable for him personally. Does Abbas truly want peace? Can he get the PA to impose law on the lawless? Can he get it through his people's heads that their lives will improve dramatically if they find peace with Israel. Look at Israel's economy, education system, Healthcare, technology etc...Isn't that something you would want to be part of while enjoying the freedom to practice your own religion? Or are you that happy in the misery you live now?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Talk is Cheap...No More Words!!!
My Father was a man who believed, lived & taught me that "action speaks louder then words" & that a man is only as good as his word. I'm guessing it's safe to say that the guy currently sitting in the Oval Office's father did not do the same. He is clearly a man who believes in words over actions & deeds. For those of you who voted for him...have you Changed your minds as to who you thought he was vs. who he is? I'm not going to Hope so...because Hope is not a strategy in my book. Yet it's one meaningless speech after the next. I'll give credit where it's due...he is a great Orator...but as we have seen it's all hot air with no substance. "Wait a sec you say! What about ALL he has done in the short time he has been in charge!" Oh...such as...? "He won the Noble Peace Prize!" Yes he did. So did Yassir Arafat...& we are not exactly living in blissful peace are we? Or anywhere else in the world for that matter. "He passed the Healthcare Bill!" And that has affected you for the better how? (if you're a 24yr old slacker w/o a job or even looking then yes Mommy & Daddy will still cover you...till 26) "He passed the Stimulus" I hope for his wife's sake that his stimulus in bed does more for her then it's done for this country! No new jobs...unemployment still close to 10% (for those unemployed less then a year...otherwise you can almost double the number), housing down (yet Frannie & Freddie keep giving out bad loans while gobbling up billions more of our taxpayer dough). "We pulled our troops out of Iraq!" Aside from the fact that there are still 50,000 troops there & O voted against the Surge we were able to because of the actions of General Petraeus & W's Hail Mary against public opinion. "He closed Guantanamo!" Actually it's still open...as much as he & Eric want to relocate the "freedom fighters" to the Park51 Mosque. "He stood up to the ignorant prejudice bigots who don't want a 13 story "Community Center" 2 block from Ground Zero!" Yes...I too can't wait for it to open to bridge us all together. Plus with 13 floors just think of all the great stuff it will have. Co-Ed changing rooms to bring Men & Women together (had them at my College), A gay karaoke bar to bring Hetero, homo, & Bi-sexuals together, the Dog grooming/sitting facility to bring Man & his clean as a whistle best friend together, oh it's gonna be awesome. Anything else besides...HOPE...CHANGE...it's Bush's fault...cars in ditches...etc? I think we all heard enough. For the next two years O needs to concentrate on DOING things & pushing things in the right direction to give us a chance to get out of this damn mess. So in that spirit please enjoy the "slightly" modified 80's hit...NO MORE WORDS...
No More Words Obama
You're talking and it all sounds fair...gonna spread the wealth & leave our bank accounts bare
You promise your love, how much you care
I'm still listening to CBS & MSNBC yet I'm still unsure
Your actions are totally lacking, nothing is clear...are you even there?
No more words Obama
You're telling me you love our country while you're taxing all my money away
No more words Obama, no more words Obama
And no more promises of love
Remember when the words Hope & Change were new
They carried a meaning, a feeling some of you thought was oh so true
I'm looking for a long romance I've had enough of your song & dance
Not a picture of passion or one time chance
Don't fool your self you haven't fooled us all
Your empty passion & cold demeanor won't satisfy me
I know your voting record, so don't pretend that you want me for me
You don't want me...you want my hard earned dough
Everything you say is starting to sound all the same
Your eyes show nothing, no lover's flame
Don't promise we can spend our way out
You can leave right now...you don't need to finish the next two years...no one will mind of that I have no doubts!
No More Words Obama
You're talking and it all sounds fair...gonna spread the wealth & leave our bank accounts bare
You promise your love, how much you care
I'm still listening to CBS & MSNBC yet I'm still unsure
Your actions are totally lacking, nothing is clear...are you even there?
No more words Obama
You're telling me you love our country while you're taxing all my money away
No more words Obama, no more words Obama
And no more promises of love
Remember when the words Hope & Change were new
They carried a meaning, a feeling some of you thought was oh so true
I'm looking for a long romance I've had enough of your song & dance
Not a picture of passion or one time chance
Don't fool your self you haven't fooled us all
Your empty passion & cold demeanor won't satisfy me
I know your voting record, so don't pretend that you want me for me
You don't want me...you want my hard earned dough
Everything you say is starting to sound all the same
Your eyes show nothing, no lover's flame
Don't promise we can spend our way out
You can leave right now...you don't need to finish the next two years...no one will mind of that I have no doubts!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Food for thought...or lack thereof in 2010...
The Fall is usually when NYC's best new restaurants open up & judging by the Fall Issues of New York & Time Out (it's amazing that Food gets a page or two, it wasn't that long ago they were over 5 pages with one page at the end to list the 50+) 2010 is likely to be one of, if not NYC's worst years for new restaurant openings. Not, too say that there haven't been any...but so few & far between. I'll list a few of good finds from this year (Fall 09 till now...check prior blogs for reviews) & the ones I read about that I'm looking forward to checking out...
The Few...The Proud...in no particular order...
Meatball Shoppe - make sure you save room for their awesome Ice Cream sandwiches
Torrisi Italian Specialties - Their Chicken Parm hero & especially their Homemade Turkey sandwich
Yuerba Buena Perry - Avocado & Watermelon fries
Peace Pops - not a restaurant but these fresh fruit & herb ice pops are one of my favorite finds of the year
Fette Sau - High end BBQ w/Asian sauces & spices... Get the Recession drink special...PBR/Whisky/Pickleback
Luke's Lobster - my favorite combo of the year... Lobster roll, Cape Cod Chips (Jalapeno) & a Maine Root Blueberry soda
Pulino - McNally's Italian cafe...better then reviewed...
Abe & Arthurs - Chairman's Pork Chop w/Cherry sauce
That's about all I can think I've been to... yes there are some high profile ones I didn't get around to going to...& I discovered plenty of new for me but been around a few years already...but know it kinda adds up as to why every time my bro & I would get together for dinner & he would ask what's new & good...instead of throwing 6 ideas at him...I would say...I know this great place for meatballs...
Now trying to be optimistic in these awesome times are a list of places I'm looking forward to checking out...
Eataly - a market...food court..restaurants...rooftop beer garden from Batali & Co
Zengo - Asian-Latin Fusion... they have a pretty good happy hour in their tequila lounge...
Artichoke Pizza is opening a restaurant by the Chelsea Market
Hurricane Club - Tiki Bar's are in...now the Tiki restaurant!
Lani Kai- More lounge bar...more Tiki...Pupu platters!
Porsena - Pasta joint from the chef behind Porchetta Sara Jenkins
Stellina - An upscale Italian ice-cream spot
B&B - Burgers & Bourbon...in Soho
Hill Country Chicken...Fried Chicken & pies in...nope not Williamsburgh...but NYC!
Donatella - Ms Arpaia does pizza
John Dory Oyster Bar - April Bloomsfield of Spotted Pig & Breslin's seafood spot in the Ace Hotel
Millesime - Seafood on 29th & Mad
Riverpark...high end seafood on 29th & 1st...not exactly destination dining...
Osteria Morini - an Italian "diner" a la Emilia-Romagna ...from the owners of Marea going downtown & downscale...
Stay tuned for reviews & new finds. In the meantime I will leave you with this...the Meatball was the craze of 2010...I'm predicting Fried Chicken is this seasons black ladies...
The Few...The Proud...in no particular order...
Meatball Shoppe - make sure you save room for their awesome Ice Cream sandwiches
Torrisi Italian Specialties - Their Chicken Parm hero & especially their Homemade Turkey sandwich
Yuerba Buena Perry - Avocado & Watermelon fries
Peace Pops - not a restaurant but these fresh fruit & herb ice pops are one of my favorite finds of the year
Fette Sau - High end BBQ w/Asian sauces & spices... Get the Recession drink special...PBR/Whisky/Pickleback
Luke's Lobster - my favorite combo of the year... Lobster roll, Cape Cod Chips (Jalapeno) & a Maine Root Blueberry soda
Pulino - McNally's Italian cafe...better then reviewed...
Abe & Arthurs - Chairman's Pork Chop w/Cherry sauce
That's about all I can think I've been to... yes there are some high profile ones I didn't get around to going to...& I discovered plenty of new for me but been around a few years already...but know it kinda adds up as to why every time my bro & I would get together for dinner & he would ask what's new & good...instead of throwing 6 ideas at him...I would say...I know this great place for meatballs...
Now trying to be optimistic in these awesome times are a list of places I'm looking forward to checking out...
Eataly - a market...food court..restaurants...rooftop beer garden from Batali & Co
Zengo - Asian-Latin Fusion... they have a pretty good happy hour in their tequila lounge...
Artichoke Pizza is opening a restaurant by the Chelsea Market
Hurricane Club - Tiki Bar's are in...now the Tiki restaurant!
Lani Kai- More lounge bar...more Tiki...Pupu platters!
Porsena - Pasta joint from the chef behind Porchetta Sara Jenkins
Stellina - An upscale Italian ice-cream spot
B&B - Burgers & Bourbon...in Soho
Hill Country Chicken...Fried Chicken & pies in...nope not Williamsburgh...but NYC!
Donatella - Ms Arpaia does pizza
John Dory Oyster Bar - April Bloomsfield of Spotted Pig & Breslin's seafood spot in the Ace Hotel
Millesime - Seafood on 29th & Mad
Riverpark...high end seafood on 29th & 1st...not exactly destination dining...
Osteria Morini - an Italian "diner" a la Emilia-Romagna ...from the owners of Marea going downtown & downscale...
Stay tuned for reviews & new finds. In the meantime I will leave you with this...the Meatball was the craze of 2010...I'm predicting Fried Chicken is this seasons black ladies...
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
We're #11...We're #11...We're #11...Finland's #1...Finland?!?
Raise you hand if your favorite vacation destination is Finland...your favorite cuisine...place you most wished you could live...favorite anything...! How the hell did Newsweek in it's infinite lack of wisdom come up with Finland as the world's...the world's BEST place to live.!?! What were the ground rules...longest winter, best Reindeer on Rye Cheese Steaks, & highest suicide rates?!? I have nothing against Finland, it's people, culture, etc...but for Newsweek to rate it as #1 is INSANE. Why they may have some good things going for them...they have plenty of less then awesome...such as...
Wow sign me up! I'm betting they don't have Barbaric immigration rules like Arizona either! Plus all the best music (name one band) literature (name a book), cuisine (ummm...ummmm) is coming out this Utopian wonderland! Well what are you guys waiting for?!? Finland is the American dream! The only two things Finland is really missing are ( & for all I'm concerned they may have...)
A super awesome well written hip to what's happening weekly magazine with well researched thought proving articles like NEWSWEEK...& a new God to rule over them...I mean how can the world's greatest ruler of ALL time in ALL of history waste his time ruling a second rate bunch of states when he can rule the greatest place to live in the world... the Atlantis of our time...FINLAND!
- Some of the longest & coldest. Especially in northern parts of Finland you can find snow on the ground for 90 - 120 days each year
- One of the world's highest divorce rate 51.2 %
- High taxes - median 60%
- High VAT tax of 22% on top of taxes
- Alcoholism is a major problem & possibly the highest % in the world. So bad that they keep raising taxes on it year after year to curb it...& it has yet to work (you taking notes here Big O? If you want to model us on Europe stop thinking France or Germany...think FINLAND!)
- In 2008, the OECD reported that "the gap between rich and poor has widened more in Finland than in any other wealthy industrialized country over the past decade" and that "Finland is also one of the few countries where inequality of incomes has grown between the rich and the middle-class, and not only between rich and poor."
Wow sign me up! I'm betting they don't have Barbaric immigration rules like Arizona either! Plus all the best music (name one band) literature (name a book), cuisine (ummm...ummmm) is coming out this Utopian wonderland! Well what are you guys waiting for?!? Finland is the American dream! The only two things Finland is really missing are ( & for all I'm concerned they may have...)
A super awesome well written hip to what's happening weekly magazine with well researched thought proving articles like NEWSWEEK...& a new God to rule over them...I mean how can the world's greatest ruler of ALL time in ALL of history waste his time ruling a second rate bunch of states when he can rule the greatest place to live in the world... the Atlantis of our time...FINLAND!
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