Manhattan Archives - Page 2 of 3

What Ever Happened To…?

July 30, 2010 RH 1 Comment

Remember Rene I Am The Best Artist? His stuff was all over Soho. I used to be all like “What a pompous ass!” Where is he now? According to his website, it looks like he may have died in 2003, but the whole thing is tongue in cheek, so I think that could be false.

Before it was hip to be green, Mr. Purple was a green hipster. The vegetarian squatter freegan who lived without electricity on the Lower East Side was seen riding his bike everywhere back in the day. He lost his Garden of Eden to bulldozers back in 1986 and became homeless after his tenement building gave way to gentrification. Where is he now? Closest thing I could find was this 2007 blog post.

What’s Become of Shopping in NYC?

November 6, 2009 RH 6 Comments

It started happening about 15 years ago and by the early 2000’s it was over. New York is a suburban mall now. With all of the large chain stores around, I don’t see much of a difference heading out to Long Island or New Jersey to get the same exact items and not have to brave inclement weather or slow moving tourists.

I don’t have clothes. I do messy work from home and sell at flea markets. I used to be really into clothes, but I never go out. Now, with a 5 week long gift show coming up, I realize that I can’t show up in my painting clothes every day. Hence, I need an entire wardrobe by Thanksgiving.

Yesterday I had 3 hours in Manhattan to buy said wardrobe. I made my way from Grand Central down to Broadway Lafayette, zig-zagging east and west.

I hit Daffy’s Herald Square and nearly teared up (in a good way). I found myself stacking up in pants and dresses that I actually loved….and they were all decent prices. Oh yeah, and well made too! The reason I can’t bring myself to spend money on new clothes is because they are so poorly made! But I had designer jeans from Italy and dresses from USA in my hands, and they were like 20-50 bucks!

Then came the dressing room. NOTHING. FIT. I cried to the attendant and she tried to console me by saying “Look honey, these designer clothes run a size or two smaller. I don’t know who their models are, but they are not made for real women.” I chose to believe her because they did look small for a size *2, but alas, there was nothing nice in larger sizes. Is this because they don’t make them or because they sold out??

So, Daffy’s was a bit fat tease. Let’s see, where else did I go?

Cheap Jacks, formerly on Broadway near Union Square is now on 31st and 5th. I swear I used to be able to find some nice things there. Now it’s all $100+ and wasn’t even nice. Jack ain’t so cheap.

H&M, where I often shop, looked crappy to me after what I found at Daffy’s.

Tried Daffy’s on 18th, but it’s now an H&M. Did this happen years ago and I just realized?

Angel Street was closed for an event.

Housing Works: Scored! A single pair of Levi’s for $5. Four sizes too big. I’ll wear a belt or grow into them.

Loehmann’s. Meh. Wasn’t impressed with current selection. (Hey, does anyone remember the original Loehmann’s on Bedford?)

Screaming Mimi’s. Nothing, but I did think long and hard about a fabulous faux leopard poncho for $150. I might’ve worn it once. Or never.

I’ve gotta take one more day to do this. Where should I go? Century 21? Another Daffy’s? Because if I could find what I found in larger sizes, I’d be a happy camper.

And now, let’s take a moment of silence for the stores where I used to shop that no longer exist (or aren’t that good anymore):

Unique Boutique

Reminiscence

Zoot

Domsey’s

Canal Jeans

Alice Underground

* Size has been changed to protect the innocent.

80’s East Village Coming Back To Life

September 18, 2009 RH 3 Comments

Have you heard? Spike Lee and Robert Deniro have teamed up to develop a series set in 1980’s East Village. Reuters reported that “Alphaville” will chronicle the “bad old days” of the neighborhood.

I refused to see Rent because it looked really goofy, but I do admire Lee and Deniro, so I might have to catch this one.

Will they hang out at The Holiday Cocktail Lounge? Will Mr. Purple make an appearance? Will it star Matt Dillon? Will the main characters shoot pool at Blue and Gold? Will they drink at Downtown Beirut? Play trivia at St. Marks Bar and Grill? Dance at the Pyramid? Will they stay out all night and have breakfast at Kiev? Does any of this make sense to anyone other than my 1980’s East Village friends?

Will “Forever Young” be the theme song? (Get it? Alphaville?)

How Would You Make NY A Greener Apple?

August 3, 2009 RH

YouTube link

What would you do to make NYC a greener place? Native New Yorker Pamela French is asking High Line visitors and getting some interesting answers. I found it odd that there are still people without a clue (check out the Houston couple) but I guess it’s unAmer-cayn to recycle.

Thanks to Eva “Film Biz Recycling” Radke for forwarding this. Check out Pamela’s Tonic interview and her other videos on the youtube.

The Free Store

March 16, 2009 RH

There’s only a week and a day left to “shop” at the Free Store on Nassau Street. The project, which opened last month, is the brainchild of artists Athena Robles and Anna Stein. It’s funded in part by The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) and The September 11th Fund.

Although you may walk in and take something without putting in, you’re encouraged to drop off. Obviously, if nobody worked on the barter system, the store would’ve been empty the first day. Word is there is still plenty of merchandise.

More info at Free NYC or Artlog. If you want to read something really funny, check out the comments on the NY Post article. People getting all up in arms about the project. “Hippies!” “Commies!” “It’s Obama’s fault!” Good stuff.

My New Favorite Veggie Restaurant

February 11, 2009 RH 2 Comments

It’s not difficult being a vegetarian in NYC these days. Everywhere pretty much has one or two items on the menu for us. Most places have an entire vegetarian section. Woo-hoo! Would I prefer to eat at a place that caters only to vegetarians? Sure. But I have to admit that some of them are a wee bit boring for me.

Last night I had dinner at Blossom in Chelsea. My eyes teared as I read the menu. Everything looked SO good and I had SO much choice! I don’t know if any of you remember a West Village restaurant called Shojin. Now, THAT was my favorite restaurant for real! Well, the Blossom menu was sort of reminiscent of Shojin. Unfortunately, nothing compares to the Shojin decor. The restaurant was housed in a brownstone and the dining area looked like an old lady’s living room. It was so friggin cozy.

Ok, so this is about Blossom, not my long lost love, Shojin.

Unfortunately, we were too rushed to order appetizers. This definitely isn’t a quick meal kind of place. Entrees run about $20 so you want to savor that. But we were in the neighborhood and I’ve always wanted to try it.

I ordered the Port Wine Seitan Cutlets with a side of mashed. OMG, I’m crying again just thinking about it! It was good, ya’ll! Hubby ordered the Feijoadinha with smokey tempeh. It’s a vegetarian version of a Brazilian stew. I tasted it and thought it was good, but the hubby prefered my dish. Not that I let him have it.

I wish I could have tried everything on the menu. How does this sound? Seitan Scaloppini? Porcini Rubbed Tofu? Phyllo Roulade?

This place just might be up there with my other fave veggie restaurant, Hangawi.

Holiday Cocktail Lounge: 20 Years Later

August 11, 2008 RH 2 Comments

From 1985-1988 The Holiday Cocktail Lounge on St Marks Place my living room. I was an employee at The Metropolitan Museum at the time and a group of us would go after work every night of the week. We would grab a falafel at Rakka or a slice of pizza from Stromboli’s on the corner when we got hungry or swing for dinner at Dojo’s beforehand. We always shut the place down at 1am and if we felt like staying out, the Blue and Gold, St. Marks Bar & Grill or The Gold Bar were happy to have us. It made sense that I met my husband in The Holiday since this is where I spent all my time.

It also made sense to revisit The Holiday for our 20th anniversary. Stefan, the owner, is about 90 years old and we doubt his sons are going to keep the place going once he’s gone. The bar opened in 1965 and was a hangout for beatniks and commies. By the time I discovered it in the 80’s, it was a bustling dive bar. Many of the old timer regulars (drunks) have since come to an early demise.

Beer was $1.50 and mixed drinks: $2.00. 2008 prices are $4.00 per drink. Apart from the prices and Stefan, the jukebox is just about the only thing that has changed. The black booths are held together with duct tape, but more than one of us remembered them being red, so maybe they have been replaced in the last 20 years. Bathrooms: same. Christmas lights: same. Shadows on the wall from people leaning: same.

If you want to experience a real NYC dive bar, better get to The Holiday soon. I’m not clued in to any changes, nor am I psychic, but I’m glad I got to see The Holiday one last time before it goes the way of CBGB’s. Just a hunch even though Stefan owns the building.

Our first timer friend knocked down a clock that had probably been there since opening day.

Tourists from the past. Geez, we’re older than the bar itself.

Related: NY Press

Open Houses: Manhattan Under $300k

June 20, 2008 RH

$249k: Inwood studio

This doesn’t look like one of those shoe box studios. It actually has some light and space to it. 425 sq ft of space. The pre-war apartment retains a bit of detail although it has been renovated.

$279k: Tudor City studio

This one IS a shoe box studio @ 250 sq ft. But what is it they say? Oh yeah, “Location, Location, Location”. Indeed, it’s right in midtown in a lovely building. But can you fit more than 1 person in here?

$299k: Morningside Heights 1 BR

This would be my choice (sight unseen, of course). A 500 sq ft 1BR pre-war with 10 foot ceilings near Riverside Park. Maybe I’m just a sucker for French doors, but it looks like something you wouldn’t outgrow 6 months from now.

NYC To Become Pedestrian Paradise

June 17, 2008 RH

Mayor Bloomberg and DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan recently announced Summer Streets, an experimental program that will temporarily open a 6.9 mile car-free route from the Brooklyn Bridge to 72nd Street. Major cross-town streets will remain open. Summer Streets will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on three consecutive Saturdays in August, the 9th, 16th and 23rd (my birthday).

I think this is an awesome plan! But I did wonder if it will hurt local businesses and create havoc. Not to worry. Sadik-Khan said this: “We’ve been making very careful preparations on our traffic front to make sure that we’re dealing with the access issues that residents have, with the delivery issues that businesses have and also to make sure that we’ve got appropriate access for emergency vehicles.”

Similar car-free corridors exist in London, Paris and Bogota. Several American cities have adopted temporary plans as well.

Via City Room

Weekender: NYC

May 1, 2008 RH

Some of us whom have lived in New York all of our lives never really take the time to fully appreciate it. I don’t look up to take in all of that glorious architecture. I hardly ever go to Broadway shows. Off Bway, maybe once a year. We’ve taken vacations at home before, but it always turns out to be a week of working on the house.

So what if….you’re a New Yorker who wants to experience NYC like a tourist? Get out of your own home, for one! Here’s a list of charming B&B’s. Stay yourself or keep them in mind for those annoying out of town guests when they land on your doorstep.

Abingdon House, W Village
Rooms starting at $129

Victorian Mansion, Harlem
$199 per couple for queen bed suite

Stay The Night, Upper East
Rates start at $75 according to BnB Finder. Couldn’t find them on their site!

Elegant Retreats, Morningside Heights
Starting at $200 Double Occupancy

Country Inn the City, Upper West
Starting at $210, 3 night minimum

NYC Eats: Old Standbys

March 18, 2008 RH 3 Comments

Cafe Reggio, 1975. Huggy Bear and Chris Walkin

New York has changed so much over the last few years that I sometimes don’t recognize my own city. Having spent most of my 42 years here, I’ve seen the demise of lots of wonderful restaurants. It’s good to know that some of them still exist. Here’s a list of my favorite food sources. Old standbys that have stood the test of time. Oh yeah, FYI: I’m a vegetarian, so these aren’t fleshy places.

1. Still the best cheap eats: Dojo’s West , W 4th

Yeah, I know what you’re saying. “But they shut down Dojo’s on St Marks because they were filthy.” You know what? I ate there every day for about 3 years and I’m still alive. Anyway, this is Dojo’s WEST. Where else can you get an entire meal for under $10? They have not raised their prices since 1985. I shit you not.

2. Best Bagel: Bagel Hole, Park Slope

That’s right! Anyone got a problem with that? With the exception of that place near the Avenue M train station in Midwood whose name I can’t remember, this is the real deal. Anyone who likes those big stupid fluffy bagels can kiss my big fat Jewish ass.

3. Best Knish: Yonah Schimmel, Lower East Side

There’s actually a better place on the Coney Island boardwalk, but I can’t remember their name. And I don’t even know if they’re still open. Not Mrs. Stahls. Anyway, Yonah’s is not too shabby.

4. Best Dim Sum: Vegetarian Dim Sum House, Chinatown

Awesome. Inexpensive. Dim Sum or full menu. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to love this joint!

5. Best Fresh Mozzarella: Russo’s ,Park Slope

I say this because A) I love their cheese and B) It’s rennetless. (only concerns you if you’re a strict vegetarian) Also, Russo’s has great everything else!

6. Best specialty grocery: Sahadi’s, Atlantic Avenue

Since I don’t cook, I only partake in the deli counter. Their veggie stuffed cabbage is awesome and the fried cauliflower is to die for! Actually, everything they do is delicious. You haven’t lived if you’ve never been to Sahadi’s. Word.

7. Best Indian Buffet: Jackson Diner, Jackson Heights

Apologies to Queens people (and the other boros) but I grew up in Brooklyn and frequented Manhattan, so it’s all I know. I do know a good Indian meal when I eat one and the Jackson Diner is worth the trip!

8. Best Italian: Red Rose, Smith Street

Ok, they aren’t the best around anymore, but I just can’t give up on them. The Red Rose was the greatest family restaurant that ever lived. They changed their menu and style with the Smith Street gentrification and although their food is still superior, they are merely a shell of what they used to be.

9. Best Russian: Primorksi, Brighton Beach

Is the food good? I can’t remember. The vodka flows like water and the music doesn’t stop. This is a night out, not just a meal. Long tables shared with Russians who don’t speak English. But that doesn’t matter. They’ll grab you for a dance anyway. So much fun, I had to get married here.

10. Best Eastern European: Odessa, East Village

There are so many great Polish and Eastern European restaurants in the East Village and Greenpoint, but Odessa is still my favorite. Probably because it’s inexpensive. Probably because it’s the last one left out of that Leshko’s, Kiev, Odessa triangle. But mostly because it’s good food.

11. Best Cafe: Cafe Reggio, MacDougal Street

I know. It’s a tourist spot. But I still like it. I can sit there for hours (as if I had the time) sipping my coffee, listening to music, looking at the artwork, watching the people. With all of our coffee houses in NYC, we don’t have too many European style cafes.

12. Best Vegetarian Splurge: Hangawi, Little Korea

It’s not cheap, but it’s such a great place to go for dinner. I wish I could take my shoes off and sit on the floor in every restaurant. The food is incredible. I love this place! Tip: great date restaurant.

I still have a whole list of diners. I’ll get to that tomorrow!

Please post your own suggestions in the comments so I can have more places to love!

5 Boro Rentals: What You Get For $1200

March 7, 2008 RH 2 Comments

Let’s explore the rental market today, kids! What kind of an apartment can you get with $1200 in each of the boros? Apart from Manhattan… a 2 BR. All of these are no fee listings.

Manhattan

1BR in Inwood/Washington Heights. The ad states “Pictures are representative of typical renovations.” So does that mean this isn’t the actual apartment? Is there an actual apartment? Anyway, I chose this one because they accept dogs and cats.

Brooklyn

Midwood 2 BR. Again, maybe just a teaser. “This apartment is a must see, *however* I manage over 800 no fee apartments in Brooklyn.” The ad mentions that Joan Rivers, Chuck Schumer and Woody Allen have called Midwood home. They neglect to mention ME! Also sez Midwood neighbors Park Slope and Coney Island. Ok, I’m not sure “neighbor” is the correct word, agent Jason. It’s true, Midwood is right smack in the center of Brooklyn (Don’t bother looking at a map. In my mind it is, and that’s all that counts.) But no, it doesn’t “neighbor” PS or CI. I thought Midwood sucked when I was growing up. But now that the rest of Brooklyn is filled with the new Bourgeois Elite, Midwood is looking good to me.

Bronx

2 BR in Little Italy section. Well, it sounds like it’s a 1 BR with “office”. It’s in a private home. I’m not sure if the cleaning products shown in the Craig photos come with the apartment.

Queens

Ridgewood 2 BR. Railroad apartment near shopping. Heat and hot water included. Carpeting, new stove and cabinets. Probably a schlock renovation (yes, I AM my mother!), but I like Ridgewood. Ad lists: No section 8. No washing machine. No dryer. No pets. Love that negative advertising!

Staten Island

2 BR in a 4 room apartment. Yeah, I have NO idea where this is. Heartland Village. Sounds like a senior development. “It’s on a quiet dead end street near the golf course.” I would take it for those kitchen cabinets alone. They rock!

The Art Hotel: Carlton Arms, NYC

March 6, 2008 RH

Photos by Darek Solarski

I came across a funky fantasy hotel on Blog Like You Give A Damn, but it was in the Midwest. So I did a little search of theme hotels closer to home and came up with one right here in NY.

I’ve heard of The Carlton Arms and I think I even know someone who stayed there once (my couch must’ve been booked). What I didn’t realize is that it’s so cool inside. Not only are the walls covered with colorful murals, this is a budget hotel. With rates starting at $80 per night, what cheap ass relative would pass this up? (My relatives, that’s who)

The Gramercy Park 54 room hotel has been around for about 100 years. Original clientele included out of state farmers and businessmen who parked their horses in the carriage barn next door.

During prohibition, the Carlton lobby acted as a speak-easy with gambling taking place in the upstairs rooms. It became a respectable hotel again for a while until the 50’s when it became a hang out for drag queens, prostitutes and drug addicts. Not that drag queens can’t be respectable.

Like so many other NYC buildings, including my own, The Carlton became an SRO during the 60’s. By the 80’s, it had hit rock bottom, with a steady clientele of pushers, junkies and nut jobs.

Ed Ryan took over the place when the owner had a mental breakdown. As rooms vacated, he cleaned them up and rented them to travelers looking for inexpensive lodging. In 1983, front desk clerk, artist Gil Dominguez painted a series of murals. Other artists came and followed suit in the rooms.

John Ogren and Ty Inwood took over the hotel in 1998. Now it’s mostly young European and Asian hipsters staying there.

5 Boros: Which is the Best Value?

February 29, 2008 RH 2 Comments

How far does $350k go when trying to purchase a home in NYC? Let’s take this boro by boro.

Manhattan Studio: Sutton

Hey, this is actually cute! Although it’s teeny (looks to be under 300 sq ft judging from the floor plan), it’s not a dump. And the Sutton area address has gotta be worth something.

Brooklyn: 3BR in Flatbush

I tried to find an actual house for $350k in Brooklyn, but alas, it doesn’t exist. If I had gone up to $400k, I would’ve come up with a few. So I chose to search for a 3BR and here’s what I came up with. A pre-war coop in Flatbush. A small 1 BR in Park Slope South can be had for this price as well.

Queens: St. Albans Brick

This is the first listing that came up under my search criteria for Queens. It looks too good to be true, but then again, I don’t know a thing about St. Albans. Brick single family with 4 bedrooms. No info. Just says “seller must go”. I’m too scared to call! You do it!

The Bronx: Baychester Single Family

Ok, not bad. A 2000 square foot, 3 BR home in Baychester. No maintenance fees (apart from all the repairs on the 1931 house), alittle outdoor space and you’re still in the boros.

Staten Island: Stapleton 3BR

This one is a mere $349,900! I chose this home because Stapleton is the only part of Staten Island I know anything about. It’s close to the ferry and has an urban feel to it rather than a….um….a….Staten Island feel. This 1809 square foot home is looking a bit worn, but the choice is yours…. Would you rather have your own home in Staten Island or a cramped studio in Manhattan?

New Yawk Accents

February 26, 2008 RH 2 Comments

AMNY did a fun little interactive on the changing accents in the city. Click on the image above to listen to an accent from each of the boros.

The related article asks if anyone ever really spoke like those stereotypes anyway. As a third generation New Yawker old enough to remember my immigrant grandparents, I can say “Oh yes…they most certainly did!”

Grandpa Morris had the most distinct NY accent. He always asked us if we needed to use the “terlet” before a long trip. And sometimes he would come to visit us when we were “watchin’ the wrastlin” on TV. His son/my father still puts things in the “friggadaya”.

Most out of state people are surprised when I tell them I’m from NY. They say I don’t have an accent at all. But my husband, a Dublin native, likes to make fun of me. He says I “put the dawg in the drawa while having a cup of cawfee”.

My accent comes out more if I get angry, excited or drunk. Otherwise, I try to keep it in check.

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