Today I decided to explore a little bit of the upper west side while waiting to go see The Brothers Bloom and I stumbled upon a cute little garden level bakery, Levain Bakery at 167 W. 74th Street. I was enticed by the delicious smells of freshly baked goods to go in and check it out. I decided to taste a cinnamon brioche, which was a cross between a mini loaf of cinnamon bread and a cinnamon sugared donut. A perfect balance of sweetness and bread. But don’t just trust my opinion. Not only did the bakery win a cookie throwdown against famous chef, Bobby Flay, the chefs were featured on Oprah for their most delicious cinnamon buns in the USA but they only make those on the weekends. I think it is safe to say I’ll be going back to Levain and I’ll definitely be tasting one of those famous cinnamon buns.
My Cupcake Crusade
•March 10, 2009 • 3 CommentsBefore I moved to New York, I thought of cupcakes as a birthday treat, but a treat for kids. In Texas, cupcakes are either chocolate or vanilla with chocolate or vanilla frosting often bought at the grocery store–definitely not at a specialty bakery–and way too sugary. As an avid Sex and the City fan, I knew about Magnolia Bakery but I wasn’t aware of the magnitude of the cupcake trend here. Once properly informed and armed with my sweet tooth, I set out on a mission to sample the best of New York’s creative and artful cupcakes. So far, I’ve only sampled three of many bakeries, but from what I’ve tasted cupcakes can surely be an anytime adult treat.
With 8 New York locations, you’re bound to find a convenient location. Fortunately for my sweet tooth and unfortunately for my waistline, there is a Crumbs almost next door to the building where I have class every night Monday through Thursday. I am always tempted to indulge in one of their decadent cupcakes on my way to class. Some of my favorite flavors are the Artie Lange- vanilla cake with a chocolate buttercream center topped with vanilla icing covered in chocolate fondant and edged with sprinkles, the Hostess- chocolate cake filled with vanilla buttercream and topped with chocolate ganache icing with even the trademark white squiggle down the middle, the Grasshopper- chocolate cake with a mint fudge center topped with mint frosting and tiny chocolate chips, and last but not least the Raspberry Swirl- vanilla cake filled with raspberry preserves topped with vanilla cream cheese icing swirled with more raspberry preserves. While it’ll cost you $3.50 for a cupcake here, they are huge measuring in at 4.25 inches.
This was the site of my first cupcake tasting in New York, and let me tell you their red velvet cupcakes are amazing and the perfect size, which doesn’t leave me feeling like I’ve overdosed on sugar. Their cake is always moist with a nice ratio of cake to frosting. Their original location is in Hell’s Kitchen on 9th Ave. between 46th and 47th street but there are also locations in Chelsea and Greenwich Village. They definitely have the simplest flavor combinations but the quality more than makes up for the lack of creativity. It’s small inside with a few tables but at least you can sit down! I would more than recommend this bakery spot to anyone looking for some freshly baked goods… yum.
Obviously the bakery with the most hype on my list, and honestly I put off trying out their cupcakes for fear of disappointment. But back in December when I had a friend in town, I decided to take the plunge and taste Magnolia cupcakes for the first time. We ordered a red velvet cupcake and a chocolate cupcake with merangue frosting. The cupcakes were delicious, but I’d have to say I preferred the chocolate cupcake because Magnolia’s red velvet just didn’t taste as good as the ones at Amy’s Bread. Overall, I think the hype might have overgrown the quality of the baking, but I suppose that’s bound to happen when a television icon like Carrie eats one of your cupcakes on an episode of Sex and the City. And it’s still a good place to find a delicious cupcake.
Now I can’t attest to the quality of the cupcakes that follow, but they are high on other New Yorkers’ lists of the best cupcake joints in town so check out the links or let me know if you’ve tasted their goods and how they rank.
Have a favorite cupcake bakery or a favorite flavor? Share it with me.
Movie Meccas for Indie Films
•March 9, 2009 • 3 CommentsI don’t know about you but I love watching independent and foreign films. There are definitely some wonderful and historic cinemas here in the city that are known for showing a strong selection of indie films. So I thought I’d share a selection of the best theaters with you.
Located across from Central Park on 58th Street, this historic, single-screen theater shows independent and international films. Opened in 1948, the Paris Theatre is the longest continually operating art cinema in the United States. The Paris includes old-school stadium seating, as well as a balcony. Currently, it features mostly foreign films and holds select movie premieres. The theater might also look familiar to Sex and the City fans because Carrie saw a movie here in an episode where she “dated” the city. The Paris’ major flaw is the tiny lobby, so you’ll have to wait in line outside, whatever the weather conditions.
The Ziegfeld Theatre was formerly a Broadway theater built in 1927. It was destroyed in 1966 only to be reopened in 1969 just a few hundred feet from the original location. The theater seats over a thousand people with a raised balcony section in the rear. The interior is decorated with sumptuous red carpeting and abundant gold trim. The Ziegfeld is the last great movie palace still showing films in Manhattan. They are currently showing The Jonas Brothers’ Concert Experience… blah. But when the next feature starts, it’s definitely worth it even just to see the inside of the building.
Located in the heart of SoHo on Houston Street, the Angelika boasts the best selection of independent films out of all of these being that it has six screens versus one screen. Established for over ten years now, the Angelika has become a cultural institution in the city. The lobby features the Angelika Café offering more than your standard concessions but the prices are still pretty steep. And the rumbling of the passing Subways during the movies gives this theater an ‘only in New York’ feeling. But be aware that if you’re looking for giant screens and comfortable seats this is definitely not the theater for you. I just chalk it up as part of the experience.
Located in Greenwich Village, the Quad Cinema has been showing foreign and independent films for over 25 years. With its reputation for booking some of the best films, Quad has become a New York institution with a loyal following. With four screens, they too offer a carefully curated selection of films. Again the seats are small and the screen isn’t huge but tickets are slightly cheaper than the megaplex alternatives and the concessions stand sells Fizzy Lizzie sodas, which I find delicious.
Have you been to any of these theaters? How do you feel about the movie going experience in New York? Share your experience or your thoughts with me.
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Rainy Day Rudeness
•March 8, 2009 • Leave a CommentI’ve never really liked the rain. Maybe it has something to do with the scene in the Wizard of Oz where the Wicked Witch melts in the water. Or just because rain makes things messy and complicated, especially in the city. Trying to carry all of your things and hold an umbrella can be near impossible sometimes.
The grey and rainy weather today started me thinking about my pet peeves on a rainy day in the city.
I hate getting poked in the eye or the arm or any other part of my body with someone else’s umbrella. I feel like it should be especially difficult for that to happen to me, being only 5 feet tall, but you’d be surprised at how often it does in fact happen. Seriously people it isn’t that difficult. When walking through a crowd on the sidewalk just raise your umbrella up to avoid hitting anyone.
I also get severely annoyed when water from the top of someone else’s umbrella gets dumped down my arm because it is tipped too far to the left or right. It’s bothersome enough when water from the top of my own umbrella drips on me. I don’t need any help getting more wet in the rain. I think it just takes people being more aware of the fact that they are carrying an umbrella and the space that it takes up.
My last complaint is when people go stomping through puddles and splash dirty rain water all over my pants and feet. Not everyone is wearing rain boots to keep their feet and bottoms of their pants nice and dry. Although on that note I’m definitely keeping my eye out for a good pair of rain boots that fit my wide calves so I can tuck my pants in the top.
Anyway that’s enough of my little tirade about rudeness in the rain. Agree or disagree with me? Have your own rainy day pet peeves? Share your thoughts with me.
Skipping the Admission Fee- A Cheapskate’s Guide to NYC Museums
•March 5, 2009 • Leave a CommentNew York is a great place for museums but all those $10 and up admission fees add up quickly, making the trip hard to justify for those of us with small budgets. Luckily, there are some ways to skip the admission fees at a lot of the museums.
MoMA– Museum of Modern Art
They offer a discounted student rate of $12 all the time, but if even that is too steep for you, Target hosts ‘Free Fridays’ where admission is completely free from 4pm to 8pm every Friday.
Located on the Upper East Side right on Central Park, The Frick Collection previously a private home and collection boasts painting by some of the most famous European artists, works of sculpture, and 18th century French furniture and porcelains. It’s definitely one of the most interesting and diverse museums I’ve ever visited. I especially love how the paintings are arranged based on how they complement or challenge each other instead of regionally or chronologically. Offers a discounted student price of $5 all the time or you can go on Sundays between 11am to 1pm for ‘pay what you wish’ which basically means free if you want or a dollar works too.
I think that the coolest part about the Guggenheim is the museum building itself. If you want the convenience to go whenever you want and spend as much time browsing as possible, they have a discounted student rate of $15. They’re also offering free admission on Fridays between 5:45pm and 7:45pm with the last tickets being sold at 7:15pm during the run of The Third Mind exhibit through April 19th.
There’s no getting around the admission fee at this museum… it’ll cost you the student rate of $11 to visit.
Whitney Museum of American Art
Student discounted admission is $1o but Fridays from 6-9pm are ‘pay what you wish’ admission with special after hours programming that includes live performances, artist appearances and education events.
Student discounted admission is $4. But they too offer a Target sponsored free admission program called Target First Saturdays the first Saturday of every month from 5pm to 11pm with additional art and entertainment programs and a cash bar. Because of the high popularity of this event a line generally forms about 30 minutes before ticket distribution starts at 5pm.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Also you’re not going to get around the admission fee here either. It’ll be $10 with your student ID.
I hope saving some money will encourage you to check out some of these famous museums. Know of any great free cultural or arts events? Share them with me.
Specialized Cuisine- A Connoisseur’s Heaven
•March 2, 2009 • 5 CommentsLike I mentioned in my last post, I thoroughly enjoy all the interesting and unique things that you can find in New York. I think it’s one of those things that enhances the experience of living here.
The culinary experience of New York offers an amazing and diverse selection, which–of course–I was aware of before I moved here being an avid fan of Top Chef and the Food Network. What I didn’t expect was the degree of specialization that you can find in New York restaurants.
Back in August I had a friend coming to visit me for a few days. As a type A personality, I did the requisite research of must-sees and activities and of course nearby restaurants in order to fully take advantage of her short visit. What I found were some of the most intriguing restaurant concepts I’d ever heard.
You can find the home of the grilled cheese sandwich at 649 Ninth Avenue between 45th and 46th streets. With prices from $4.25 to $7.50, Say Cheese offers 12 different varieties of grilled cheese sandwiches. You might wonder how it’s possible to make 12 different kinds of sandwiches with only bread and cheese. Well, obviously you’d add other ingredients. My two favorite sandwiches are the Cubano (roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles, and garlic mayo) and the Chicken Melt (grilled chicken, spicy avocado spread, sauteed onions and american cheese). For a great price, you get a delicious and filling grilled sandwich. I definitely suggest checking it out.
By far the most interesting of my finds was Rice to Riches, a dessert restaurant that only serves rice pudding. Located at 37 Spring Street between Mott and Mulberry St., Rice to Riches looks like something straight out of the future. Despite its futuristic aesthetic, once inside the concept is reminiscent of an ice cream parlor, except what they’re serving up in neon colored bowls is rice pudding. They serve up to 21 flavors like Cinnamon Sling, Coast to Coast Cheesecake, Don’ Cappucino, Category 5 Caramel and Sex Drugs and Rocky Road that change every day. They also serve toppings, hence the ice cream parlor reference, that change daily. Some of your choices might include graham cracker crumbs, roasted fruit, toasted coconut, pound cake, whipped cream or caramel sauce. When I went, my friend and I shared Coast to Coast Cheesecake topped with roasted strawberries. Now I’m not a big fan of rice pudding at all but that was delicious. The solo size (one serving) costs $5 but was definitely enough for two to share, especially because rice pudding is filling. Who knew–rice pudding is making a comeback and you should be a part of that.
Located at 270 Bleeker Street, this Italian restaurant specializes in risotto. While risotto is not the only item on the menu, the restaurant offers at least 35 different varieties. When I saw their menu, I thought I was in heaven. Risotto is one of my favorite dishes of all time. Unfortunately, I can’t vouch for the quality of Risotteria’s food since I still haven’t eaten there yet but trust me I plan on it and when I do I’ll leave a little update about the experience.
Ever feel nostalgic for those elementary school days? Just check out Peanut Butter & Co. Sandwich Shop for a little retro, lunchbox decor and a good ol’ PB&J at 240 Sullivan St. between Bleeker and W 3rd. Try a classic like the Fluffernutter, peanut butter and marshmellow fluff, or go daring and sweet with the Dark Chocolate dreams, chocolate peanut butter and cherry jam with shredded coconut. You can find all sorts of unexpected flavor combinations at PB & Co. but my choice is the Elvis, peanut butter and banana topped with honey and then grilled (try it with bacon for a little something extra–the saltiness balances the honey and banana). Hey the sandwiches even come with a few carrot sticks to make you feel even more like a kid again.
Those of you with a sweet tooth will definitely enjoy this dessert bar located at 204 E. 10th St. Chikalicious offers a variety of dessert choices that change daily and compliment the seasons. You can order an individual serving or indulge in their prix fixe menu for $12 which includes an amuse bouche (a small tasting), your choice of dessert, and petit fours for an additional $7 each course comes with a wine pairing. I still haven’t found the proper occasion to indulge in a three course dessert meal but I was intrigued and am waiting for the day when I will check it out.
I was going to say is that now all I need is for someone to open a macaroni and cheese restaurant (since that’s my favorite comfort food) but a little Google-ing revealed it already exists! S’MAC at 345 E. 12th Street which I am going to check out as soon as humanly possible and how funny that the founders conceived of the concept while eating at Peanut Butter & Co.
Have you eaten at any of these places? Do you know of a specialized food joint that you love to eat at? Share your experiences or your favorites with me.
Paid-for Power Naps- genius or ridiculous?
•February 27, 2009 • 2 CommentsOne of the things that I love about living in New York is that there are so many interestingly weird things here that you can find anywhere else in the United States. I find myself constantly surprised by these oddities. So I thought I’d share one of my favorites with you…
Paid Power Naps…
That’s right. I said paid power naps. Basically you pay someone to let you take a 20 minute nap. Now you probably think that this idea is one of two things–brillant or idiotic. If you commute and have a long day plus evening plans in the city, maybe a power nap in between is just what you need. I’m not going to lie. I love naps. I just don’t know if I love them enough to pay for them. Obviously, despite my trepidations these services are at least in fairly steady demand because there are two different services offering paid-for power naps here in New York.
Metro Naps is located on the 22nd floor of the Empire State Building. The cost for a 20 minute nap there is $14 with an additional 20 minutes costing $9.50. Their website says that you can call in advance for reservations or just walk in. Relaxation-inducing music is provided to help you fall asleep, and your energy pod sleep center wakes you after your 20 minutes with gentle light and vibration. There’s also a wake station with lotion, facial spritz and lemon-scented hand towels to help revive you after your nap.
Yelo is more like a spa (although they consider themselves a wellness center NOT a spa), offering multiple services to induce relaxation including reflexology massage and the YeloNap. Yelo naps last from 20 to 40 minutes because naps of this length are medically proven to increase alertness and productivity. Naps range in price from $15 for 20 minutes to $28 for 40 minutes or you can schedule a nap/massage combo for $40. In your private YeloCab (personal nap cabin), the YeloChair reclines to elevate your legs above your heart. This will slow down your pulse and encourage full relaxation within minutes. When it is time to wake up, LED lights will simulate a sunrise for a gentle and natural awakening. Yelo is located at 315 W. 57th Street.
While I haven’t tried either of these services, after researching the two options I would definitely choose Yelo. For a dollar more you get a private sleep area and what appears to be a more relaxing environment.
Have you ever paid for a power nap? Tell me about it.
The Ever-frustrating Apartment Hunting Saga
•February 25, 2009 • Leave a CommentSo one of the most obvious necessities when you move to New York is finding an apartment. I’d heard stories about how difficult it could be but I guess it really didn’t sink in that it would be difficult for me too. The hardest part was deciding which of the things I wanted in an apartment were deal breakers and which weren’t completely necessary. It’s a good idea going into your apartment search to have a clear concept of what you want and what you’re wiling to compromise.
It took me six frustrating weeks to find my apartment and I tried all kinds of methods in my search.
Of course, I started with Craigslist, which is a helpful start but it can be fairly misleading, especially if you don’t know the different areas of the city well. Another source that I highly recommend is Rent Direct New York–a subscription based website that lists only no-fee apartments. Some of the apartments, if found through other sources, would have a broker’s fee but because of your subscription to RDNY you could rent the apartment fee-free. The subscription fee is definitely worth all the money you’d save on the broker’s fee. The New York Times classifieds online and in the Sunday paper are another good place to start.
Definitely give yourself longer than you think you’ll need to find that apartment, especially if you aren’t willing to compromise on many things.
Now I’m definitely no expert on apartment hunting in New York but these are just a few good resources to start your search.
Have an apartment hunting nightmare story? Share it with me.
Mardi Gras Debauchery Big Apple Style
•February 24, 2009 • Leave a CommentSo first let me apologize for leaving you without my insights for the weekend. I was down in New Orleans without my computer. But to make it up, I’m going to provide you with the best of Mardi Gras celebrations here in New York.
If you’re looking for a good cajun meal…
Mara’s Homemade, a family-run restaurant in the East Village, serves all the authetic specialties like jambalaya, etouffee, and crawfish served multiple ways. Be ready for lots of dancing in the aisles to celebrate Mardi Gras. The restaurant is open from 4 p.m. today and you don’t need a reservation.
Food galore for a flat fee…
At Delta Grill you can get a Hurricane and an all-you-can-eat Cajun buffet, including crawfish, Jambalaya, chicken Creole, and regular and veggie versions of red beans and rice for only $20. But don’t be expecting to sit down. It gets so crowded that they remove the tables. Delta opens at 5pm; the buffet starts at 6pm, and the band, Citigrass plays at 7pm.
Booze and balconies…
Bourbon Street Bar and Grille on West 46th Street will transport you to the French Quarter with its authentic second story wrought iron balconies. Plus the bar has $5 hurricanes all day. Tonight the kitchen will serve individual crawfish boils in a spicy Abita beer broth (a local New Orleans micro-brew).
Throw me something…
Get the attention of the bead-throwing bartenders at the Village Pourhouse Upperwest to win a free open-bar party for you and your friends. Even if you don’t catch anything, pay just $10 for all you can drink of house liquor and Bud Light from 5 to 8 pm.
While these Mardi Gras celebrations don’t replace actually being in New Orleans, they’ll definitely give you something to celebrate.
Do you celebrate Mardi Gras? Share your favorite memory with me.
Help! I’m directionally challenged.
•February 18, 2009 • Leave a CommentWhile New York is one of the most straightforward cities to navigate since the streets are basically a numbered grid (as long as you stay above Houston Street), it can be tricky to orient yourself direction-wise after exiting the subway.
I have an internal navigation system but I am also directionally challenged. You might think, oxymoron! But it is built off of experience. Bring me somewhere once and I can more than likely find it again. However, give me directions that say turn east, and I’ll probaby go the complete opposite direction. My natural instincts are completely off. I definitely don’t have an internal compass.
Now I can tell you which way is north if you ask because of a little trick that my friend taught me when I first moved here. If you are directionally challenged like I was, hopefully this will help you too.
*Disclaimer- This only works for numbered streets and avenues with one-way traffic. Luckily that is the majority of streets in Manhattan. It is utterly useless in Soho.
Streets always run east or west. Avenues run north or south.
Even streets run east and even avenues run north.
Odd streets run west and odd avenues run south.
So if you’re on an even street and you need to walk west, you would walk against traffic, etc.
It can seem complicated at first but once you can remember it, the trick is really helpful, especially when going somewhere unfamiliar.
More of my favorite tools that will help you find your way:
Not for Tourists book – a small inconspicuous black book filled with neighborhood guides and maps. You can buy it on their site for $13.95 or in most bookstores for $16.95. I carry mine around in my purse always.
HopStop – a website that gives you directions from point A to point B using the subway, buses, walking, and even regional rail or private shuttles/ferries. There is even an option to calculate time and fare if you take a taxi. You can also get your directions texted to your phone, which I have found to be extremely helpful on several occasions.
New York Novice 
