KKNY

It Figures...

2012-02-10T10:41:00.001-05:00

If you need a little action...figure...head to Mott Street.

It's Paramount

2012-02-09T12:37:00.003-05:00

I never noticed that the clock on the Paramount Building is made of little (giant) stars...

Just Imagine!

2012-02-09T08:30:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love when decades-old futurist views of New York re-emerge--especially when they're Deco-era visions of the late 20th century. Here's a film I absolutely must see: David Butler's 1930 musical (musical?!) set in 1980, Just Imagine, starring Maureen O'Sullivan and El Brendel. Sadly, it's apparently never been released on home video. C'mon Film Forum--how about a Just Imagine + Metropolis double-feature!

Gothamist linked to the clip below. I totally dig this vision of a New York skyline filled with Woolworth Building-esque skyscrapers.

And to prove it's a musical...a drinking song:

And this is just, well... ?

A KKNY Revamp

2012-02-08T16:22:00.000-05:00

Many of you have probably noticed I've been a bit quiet in recent months... I've admittedly been busy and trying to work on a few other projects, but I've also been pondering a new direction for KKNY. I haven't been cooking all that much lately (winter socializing has made eating salads at home a necessity!), and frankly, I'm tired of being one of those people who has to photograph everything I order in a restaurant. And without photographs, who can blog about eating out?

The one thing that has remained constant, though, is my love of New York City, and the wonderful things I see as I wander around.

So last night, when a friend said, "Why darling, you're a flâneur!" and explained what it was...a lot about myself and the various ways I like to pass my time suddenly became sparklingly clear.

A chalet on Fulton St.?

He had been reminded of the term when reading Sunday's New York Times op-ed about "The Death of the Cyberflâneur." He said me I was proof, actually, that flâneurs still exist, in spite of what the writer posits in his essay. And when I thought about it...yes, I am indeed a type of flâneur.

In the original sense, flâneurs were people who wandered the streets of Paris, gazing at the sights, the people, and taking in everything else that was wonderful about participating in an urban lifestyle. What's my favorite thing to do? Wander around in a city, taking it all in.

In the cyber sense, I am the same. I often pass the time (or probably more accurately, procrastinate), by surfing the web and reveling in the many weird and wonderful things I discover. It, to me, is what makes cyberglobalization an absolutely wonderful thing.

So what does this mean for KKNY? Well, for now, it will morph into a repository for the fabulous things I see as I wander the streets of this fabulous metropolis--as well as anywhere else I may go.

Who knows what's in store?

Dragon New Year 2012

2012-01-31T09:48:00.000-05:00

A few images and a little music from Sunday's Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown.

Pic O' The Day: Really?

2012-01-20T11:13:00.000-05:00

Oh East Side...

NYC: The Day After

2012-01-01T14:09:00.000-05:00

Handy-Dandy Kitchen Tip O' The Day: How To Peel Garlic Quickly

2011-12-28T11:55:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Saveur!

Brooklyn Bagels ca. 1979

2011-12-15T08:14:00.000-05:00

Love this vintage 16mm bagel short from the Brooklyn Public Library. Be sure to stick around for the bagel enthusiast at the end, about 6-minutes in...a fabulous character kind of channeling Jimmy Durante. (Video via Gothamist.)

A Christmas Light Adventure In Dyker Heights

2011-12-11T16:47:00.002-05:00

Last night I talked a couple of friends into revisiting one of the parts of Brooklyn that goes absolutely nuts with Christmas lights. So, we headed out to Dyker Heights, which is perhaps the community best known for the quantity of displays that pop up around the neighborhood each year.

I'd been there about 10 years ago and was blown away, and it seems like even more houses are participating these days. We centered our efforts around 84th Street and 12th Avenue, where we managed to find what I've now discovered via Wikipedia are the two most famous homes in the neighborhood, the Spatas and the Polizzottos.

After a brief tour of a few of the surrounding blocks (some more of the highlights are below), we headed to Tommaso's (1484 86th Street) for dinner. Sure enough, it was still wonderfully old-school New York: Italian fare, a great host, lots of tchotchkes and family photos, and live music.

Poor deer... What happened?

This house won for "creepiest display." The animatronic children were awfully disturbing...

Did Eric Idle commission a Mary light when they made Life of Brian?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T10:28:00.000-05:00

What am I thankful for this year? The moments of unusual beauty my fair metropolis offers me every day...

Sign O' The Day: Get Your Dougnuts Here!

2011-11-10T09:56:00.000-05:00

Apparently parts of Doug go well with gelato...

Seriously...I'd heard about Bomboloni here and there, and finally popped in. The little filled "Dougnuts" are absolutely lovely. Part of me wants to suggest they fix their sign, but it's so funny...I'm curious to see how long it lasts...

Bomboloni, 187 Columbus Avenue.

Brilliant Kitchen Tip O' The Week

2011-11-04T15:52:00.001-04:00

Why haven't I known about this fantastic way to de-seed a pomegranate?! I tried it and it's absolutely brilliant--it's not only extremely fast, but also a great way to work out your frustrations!! But I do suggest wearing dark clothes while beating up one's fruit...

Pete Seeger & The Great Pumpkin

2011-10-24T16:47:00.001-04:00

Kinda love my photo of the always amazing and generous Pete Seeger at last week's Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival. I had to share it...

Wait, What? Grand Sichuan 24th Street Gets A New Sign

2011-10-21T15:23:00.000-04:00

Recently noticed that my favorite Grand Sichuan location on 24th Street and 9th Avenue has a new--very different--awning! All else in the window looks the same, and it's still listed as one of the locations on Grand Sichuan's website, but methinks I'll have to go do some dinner reconnaissance, just to be sure. Anyone want to join me?

KKNY In London Part III: On The Merits Of Pub Grub

2011-10-12T14:52:00.000-04:00

The Cittie of Yorke. There's been a pub on this site since 1430.

I've been defending British food for the better part of the last twenty years. While I may admit it may not be the world's most transcendent cuisine (and many people say it's just plain boring), I think it can be absolutely wonderful. In particular, I love pub grub--from a Ploughman's Lunch (which can range from simple cheese, bread, and a little salad, to the much more complex gastropub combo with sliced meats, a cold pie, or other adornments) to a Steak & Kidney Pie, when it's done well, it's a very happy thing.

During my recent London adventure, most of my meals out were in pubs, as part of my goal during the week was to visit as many historic establishments as I could. (Turns out my old watering hole, The Prince Alfred, is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Victorian-era pubs out there. It is indeed stunning, and my naïve self back in the day just thought all pubs were that beautiful...) I can't really tell if the gastropub revolution has helped up the quality of British food in general (I'm sure there are still stinkers, but that's the case with any type of food anywhere), but what I ate was not only consistently good, but fairly inexpensive.

Ye Olde Mitre. The pub apparently dates to 1547, but was rebuilt circa 1772.

So to put it simply: First of all, when you head to the UK, don't be afraid of the pub food, and if you order a pie or the like, I'm fairly certain you'll be happy. And secondly, it seems that if you stick to traditional pub grub (gastropubs are another story), you can eat fairly cheaply, which totally floats my boat. I mean, check out Ye Olde Mitre's menu. It's one of the city's oldest establishments (and the coziest we visited), so there's no excuse not to pop in for a truly cheap eat and a little historical character!

My absolute favorite go-to dish is Steak & Ale Pie (or variants thereof), which is surprisingly hard to find in New York's pubs and taverns. A rich stew topped by flaky puff pastry, a well-done version (like the amazing one I had at The George Inn in Southwark last week) is beautifully aromatic, cozy and crunchy, and is a wonderful, wonderful thing. After watching The Hairy Bikers video below, I realize that I have absolutely no excuse not to make it myself....and I plan to do so as soon as the weather gets a bit more chilly...

The Cittie of Yorke, 22 High Holborn, London WC1V 6BN.
The George Inn, The George Inn Yard, 77 Borough High Street, Southwark, London SE1 1NH.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, 145 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BU.
Ye Olde Mitre Tavern, 1 Ely Court, Ely Place side of 8 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 6SJ.
The Prince Alfred, 5A Formosa Street, London W9 1EE.

KKNY In London: Best Pub Name Contest Winner

2011-10-11T12:16:00.000-04:00

Just in case you're wondering, a bung hole is the hole through which you fill a cask...

KKNY In London Part II: Good Eats

2011-10-07T13:52:00.002-04:00

By no means did I even come close to scratching the surface of what's on offer in London restaurants these days, but I must say, I ate well. I've long been a defender of British cooking (more on that in a later post), but a city as eclectic as London is going to feature some spectacular grub. Here are my highlights:

Best traditional British: I had an absolutely wonderful meal at the George Inn in Southwark, which dates to the 17th century and is London's last remaining galleried inn. We started with a cheese board from Neal's Yard Dairy (up-and-running when I was there in the early 90s), which featured a nice combination of stinky, blue (probably Stilton), and English cheddar. I moved on to the best steak and ale pie I think I've ever had--if I could teleport myself there regularly for one of these, I would be a very happy camper indeed.

Wildest eat: While revisiting Camden Town and its markets, I took advantage of the unusual wild game offerings at one stand in the Camden Lock Market and ordered a giraffe burger (yes, the long-necked spotted animal from Africa). It really was unlike anything I'd ever had. A little sweet, it seemed to fall somewhere on the scale between dark turkey (it was lean), horse, and antelope (which they also had). The two of us who partook were both happy, so no regrets here!

Chinese surprise: I fondly remember some insane hot and sour soup I had in London's Chinatown back in the day (I swear it made me high...), so deciding to pop in to a random restaurant there for lunch was not a difficult choice. We ended up in Dumplings' Legend...and we had the best soup dumplings I've ever eaten. Go and order the Spicy Pork Siu Loung Bao, and you won't be sorry.

Tasty curry: Of course, food hailing from India and its environs was great when I was living there--one of my main eats back in the day were the giant 90p samosas you could buy just about anywhere. In addition to discovering the Indian community in Southall (one giant grocery store put Patel Brothers in Jackson Heights to shame), we had a wonderful meal on the Bangladeshi and artist-filled Brick Lane neighborhood at Eastern Eye Balti House. Meeting friends who'd enjoyed the place previously, the huge, inexpensive menu was filled with tons of curries I'd never heard of before, and each one was more complex and rich than the next. I'm going to have to do some serious researching to find something similar in NYC...

Market I'd like to revisit: Borough Market in Southwark. I was meeting my friends for dinner at the George Inn right after exploring this market (so I only bought some figs and a Pimm's Cup), but I'd definitely like to go back and pick up some things for a feast. There was a beautiful selection of just about everything, and I think it's the kind of year-round market New York could easily support. C'mon, city planners!

Biggest American surprise: While wandering the Sunday UpMarket off Brick Lane, I happened upon a stall selling Whoopie Pies! Turns out Kookybakes is run by an expat from Colorado, and he's been selling his twist on American fare in London for a few years now. I'm admittedly a Whoopie Pie purist, but I couldn't resist his truly unique takes on the classic, so picked up two--one Maltesers and one pistachio with sour cherry filling--both of which were definitely their own, unique thing, and nicely tasty to boot.

KKNY In London Part I: The Return

2011-10-07T12:04:00.000-04:00

While everybody knows that I absolutely adore my fabulous metropolis of New York, most of you probably aren't aware that my first city was actually London, where I lived for a short while back in the early 1990s. I'd visited again briefly in the late 90s, but other than flying over the city in 2003, haven't been back. My time in London has always been very special to me, and the city holds a very special place in my heart.

Last week, I finally returned.

I have to admit, I was nervous. I knew that like any cosmopolitan city, my London that was no longer is. The cities we love grow and chance with the times--and as difficult as that may be, that's part of what makes them great.

After wandering a bit, I put my fears aside--London seems better than ever. While there's only so much one can experience in a week (the city's size seems to have doubled since I lived there), it seems that it's more cosmopolitan and eclectic than ever. Obviously it's not perfect (see the riots a few months ago), but to me, it's as livable for me as New York. If anyone offered me a gig over there, I doubt I'd hesitate to make the leap.

There's more to come on my adventure, so stay tuned...

New Word O' The Day

2011-09-23T09:07:00.003-04:00

Slogging Through San Gennaro

2011-09-22T15:50:00.008-04:00

I generally avoid Little Italy's annual Feast of San Gennaro--I'm not a fan of making my way through the crush of people that always descend upon the festival. But yesterday evening, after an unusually early dinner at the newish branch of Xi'an Famous Foods on Bayard Street, we noticed the crowds on Mulberry Street were at acceptable levels, so we cut through the Italian madness to grab a little dessert. I may be half Sicilian, but as that side of the family shed its Catholic roots a couple of generations ago, I'm a bit lost as far as the religious traditions behind the festival go. But food-wise, it's a chance to take a gander at the typical Italian-American food available at New York City street fairs. It's a true slice--if you can handle the insanity!

Why Shop At A Greenmarket?

2011-09-22T11:50:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you end up with a bonus!

What Is This Mysterious Kitchen Gadget?

2011-09-12T11:53:00.000-04:00

I spied this frightening-looking device in Patel Brothers grocery store in Jackson Heights. I'm assuming it's Indian or Pakistani, but can't figure out what it's for! It looks more like a science-fiction torture device than a useful kitchen gadget...

Today's Chinatown Find

2011-09-06T14:21:00.000-04:00

Some friends and I spotted this spectacular creation in a jewelry shop window on The Bowery. As if the three giant pigs aren't crazy enough, the suckling piglets just put this beauty over the top...

Bucket o' Maldon? Yes, Please.

2011-09-02T10:23:00.000-04:00

Spied in a West Village restaurant kitchen...

Three Words: Nasturtium Leaf Pesto

2011-09-01T11:34:00.001-04:00

Thanks to this fabulous article in the Times a few weeks ago, I discovered that nasturtium leaves are as edible as the plant's beautiful, peppery flowers. They're spicy, like their more colorful siblings, but as they deliver that flavor in leafy form, I thought they'd offer a bit more culinary flexibility. After a little online research, I discovered a particularly fabulous idea: Nasturtium Leaf Pesto. I wanted it immediately.

So, this past weekend, I harvested some leaves and set to work. The result is, frankly, wonderful, and this is now one of my favorite things. So far I've discovered that it's wonderful with beef, as a sandwich spread, and fairly decent on pasta, too. Why, oh why, haven't I discovered this before?!

KKNY's Nasturtium Leaf Pesto
• 2 cups loosely packed nasturtium leaves
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 handfuls mixed nuts
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• salt to taste

Put everything in a processor and purée (add a little more olive oil if it doesn't blend). That's it!

Irene in Beacon: Fishkill Creek

2011-08-30T11:58:00.000-04:00

I ended up weathering Irene north of NYC, in Beacon (I couldn't miss a fabulous birthday bash that had been on the calendar for quite some time!). The storm wasn't so bad on my friends' little street--other than an 11-hour power outage, a looming dead branch that never came down, and (for me) having to stay an extra day waiting for the Metro-North Hudson Line to be cleared, all was well for us. But the Fishkill Creek was another story, so I wandered over to take a gander...and some video and photos...

Pic O' The Day: Nobody Innocent

2011-08-26T10:53:00.000-04:00

Chumley's Update...

2011-08-24T10:06:00.001-04:00

...in today's Times. Still no sign of completion. *sigh* (Well, perhaps there is, but why am I not believing it?)

Return To Storm King

2011-08-18T08:59:00.000-04:00

It's been at least a decade since I first visited the Storm King Art Center, about an hour north of NYC in the west side of the Hudson in New Windsor, NY. It's ridiculously close to Beacon--which I visit at least once a month--so it's a bit embarrassing that I haven't returned sooner. Founded 50 years ago, it's 500 acres of rolling land, meadow, and forest dotted with fascinating sculptures by some of modern art's masters, including Alexander Calder, Maya Lin, Andy Goldsworthy, and numerous others.

It's a beautiful, beautiful place to spend the day and wander around. Let the photos speak for themselves...

Maya Lin's Storm King Wave Field.

Andy Goldsworthy's The Wall at Storm King.

Roy Lichtenstein's Mermaid.

Mark di Suvero from afar.

Some Calder, of course.

In the background, a new acquisition by Zhang Huan, Three Legged Buddha.

Okra Time!

2011-08-17T13:39:00.000-04:00

Thanks to a generous neighbor with too many plants, we've been growing a row-and-a-half of slimy deliciousness in our Stony Kill plot this year. Having grown up north of the Mason-Dixon, I never knew what it looked like on as it grew...but now I do! Gorgeous flower, pointy green goodness. Yum.

Pic O' The Day: Hope & A Shopping Cart

2011-08-16T11:19:00.000-04:00

Official KKNY Decree: The NYC Scent Of Summer 2011 Is...An Olfactory Kaleidoscope Featuring Garbage & Weed

2011-08-10T12:38:00.000-04:00

I know, I know...it's late in coming this year. People have been asking, "KK, you haven't called it yet! What's the scent of NYC 2011?" Well, I must admit, it's been a difficult decision this time around. The smell of 2010 was easy, but this year's been problematic. I was going to call garbage in early July, but whenever I left my neighborhood, the smell just didn't stick as well as it usually does. Frankly, it's been an odd summer, and there has been no single scent that's taken precedence over the others.

So, I've decided to call this year an Olfactory Kaleidoscope, comprised mainly of garbage with an overlay of weed (apparently, the economic doom and gloom has lead to the formation a cloud of second-hand pot smoke that has been hovering over the city...and I'm not the only one who's noticed it). Lower Manhattan smells like urine (though the pot cloud has probably grown in strength over the past week with all of the recent market jitters), many residential neighborhoods smell like dog poo, and West Chelsea actually has occasional floral whiffs--thank you High Line!

But garbage and weed permeates everything, so...there we go!

In Today's Dining Section: On The Evolution Of NYC's Hot Dogs

2011-08-10T11:43:00.000-04:00

A great article in today's Times on how today's changing street food scene is altering one of New York's staples: the hot dog.

Xanadu In My Backyard

2011-07-27T16:34:00.000-04:00

What a difference a few hours makes! This morning The High Line's rollerskating rink looked small and blah, but this afternoon--transformation! I still wish the Friends With You bouncy mushroom was there, but I'm definitely going to have to break out my skates and take a spin before it goes away at the end of September. Guess I'll have to go buy some Olivia Newton-John-esque leg warmers...

Os Gemeos Over Chelsea

2011-07-21T11:12:00.000-04:00

Apparently I haven't walked past P.S. 11 on 21st Street in over a year (kind of shocking!)... After doing a little digging, I discovered that this Os Gemeos mural was unveiled last August. Whoops!

I love the Brazilian duo's Coney Island work (on Stillwell Avenue), so was super-excited to see that they, apparently along with Futura, were commissioned to do this for the school. Love the quilt-of-flags trousers--how perfect for a playground?!

Wandering New York: Cookbooks on Greenwich

2011-07-20T09:29:00.014-04:00

Sometimes it pays to stray off the beaten path, and luckily, aimlessly wandering around the city is one of my favorite things to do. One of my discoveries a few years ago was this beautiful pair of buildings on Greenwich Street in lower SoHo--one of which just happens to house Joanne Hendrick's wonderful cookbook store (I picked up a vintage, autographed copy of James Beard's The Fireside Cookbook on that first visit).

I passed by again the other day, and remembered how refreshing these cute little houses are. The cookbook shop's building, at 488 Greenwich, dates to 1823, and was originally near Lispenard's Meadows (famous, to me anyway, for the 1799 "Manhattan Well Murder" of Gulielma Sands). Happily, it's now landmarked, so it will remain preserved as a reminder of that neighborhood's residential past--and its future.

Wallpaper Paste, Anyone?

2011-07-19T12:05:00.000-04:00

Spied this beautiful old ad on the side of a TriBeCa building this weekend. I wonder if they were going for the looks like the Statue of Liberty subtext... It's incredibly well preserved--beautiful!

Le Quatorze Juillet!

2011-07-14T09:10:00.010-04:00

To all my peeps in France--and to all my French peeps in NYC--Happy Bastille Day!

Underground In The Subway?

2011-07-13T10:02:00.004-04:00

I spotted this in the ceiling of my subway station the other day. I wonder...do you think the London Underground is trying to tell us something? (All right, I know it's a stretch, but as a return visit to my first city is on the horizon, the more abstract parts of my brain are becoming a bit obsessed...)

Sign O' The Day

2011-07-12T09:59:00.002-04:00

I won't be visiting this Mott Street salon anytime soon...

Sad...

2011-07-11T18:59:00.000-04:00

Walked by the former H&H Bagels space on 80th and Broadway for the first time today. Sad. Admittedly, it wasn't the best bagel option (service-wise) in town, but I'm going to miss this place. If Zabar's ever goes away, I may have to banish the Upper West Side forever!

Guess The Building

2011-07-07T11:19:00.000-04:00

It's an easy one... The light was so beautiful yesterday evening, I finally noticed how cool the deco decor between the windows is! The things you take for granted in this town...

Heaven

2011-06-29T09:15:00.000-04:00

*sigh*

Happy Pride 2011!

2011-06-26T18:50:00.001-04:00

I joined some friends at today's Pride Parade--not only did I want to support all of my gay peeps...but I also needed to celebrate New York State's new-found marriage equality! Congrats, guys and gals!

Eva with her Argentine supporters.

Chuppah for all!

Freedom?

2011-06-23T17:10:00.000-04:00

Finally stopped by 59th and Fifth to see Ai Weiwei's Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads, installed at the Pulitzer Fountain in front of The Plaza. Congratulations on your release from prison, Mr. Ai--I hope it sticks!

Educational Video of the Day

2011-06-23T16:55:00.000-04:00

Mmmm...coffee...

Pic O' The Day: After The Garden

2011-06-19T22:39:00.001-04:00

After watering our Stony Kill plot this afternoon, we spied a few deer cooling off in the creek. So beautiful...unless they eat our vegetables!

High Line Section 2: Night is Right

2011-06-16T17:54:00.000-04:00

Revisiting Landmarks: Ellis Island Part II

2011-06-15T11:07:00.000-04:00

During last week's visit to Ellis Island, my friends and I, intrigued, decided to take a guided tour of the Ferry Building. It ended up being a fabulous decision, since it offered us a chance to see some of the less-restored parts of the island. For me, it was especially wonderful, as it opened up a window to the memories of my first, mind-blowing childhood visit to the landmark about 30 years ago (which I discussed in Part I).

Led by a volunteer from Save Ellis Island, the tour took us into the partially-restored Ferry Building, built in the 1930s as part of Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration (WPA). The building will hopefully open to the public soon, and features an exhibition about Ellis Island's hospitals--which have a fascinating history.

A shot of some of the hospital buildings on south side of the island. (Interestingly, one of my family members could have made a stop in these buildings back in the day...he was diagnosed with tuberculosis before being sent back to Italy.) I'd love to check them out, but it seems like they're a long way from being restored. Our guide, though, shared some interesting tidbits: When built, they utilized the most cutting-edge technology available in healthcare. Patients received better care on Ellis Island than just about anywhere else, and its workers were dedicated not only to keeping infectious disease out of America, but also curing it if they could.

The 1930s era eagles on the Ferry Building, the design of which, sadly wasn't all that welcoming to the immigrants escaping Fascist rule in Europe.

After learning about healthcare on the island, we were treated to a peek inside some of the partially-restored--and still overgrown--sections behind the building. Absolutely wonderful--I want to go back for more!

If you'd like to make a donation to preserve Ellis Island, visit www.saveellisisland.org.

Revisiting Landmarks: Ellis Island Part I

2011-06-15T09:31:00.050-04:00

For me, the thought of heading back to Ellis Island for the first time since about 1980 was a huge, huge thing. For years I'd resisted going, because I had such vivid childhood memories of that initial visit.

Back then, Ellis Island was a complete mess. When the island was abandoned in the 1950s, it was left as it was, so by the time I made it there, dishes, chairs, signs, etc. were just strewn about. Paint was peeling, pipes were exposed, and absolutely everything was overgrown. I was about 6 or 7, and the experience of seeing a place that I knew was such a vital part of American history (and my own family's saga) just left to wither and rot just blew my young mind. That visit was ultimately imprinted in my mind as a ghost-like, mind-altering memory--one of those moments that fundamentally changed the way I looked at the world, its history, and its reality.

When the Main Building was restored in 1990, I knew I had to revisit the island. But I was afraid, somehow, that if I went back I'd lose that extraordinary childhood memory. I avoided it for years, but when some dear friends recently asked me to go with them, I relented.

Last week, I finally returned to Ellis Island.

The museum is, as I'd heard, absolutely fabulous. The restoration of the Main Building is remarkable, though the Ellis Island Foundation still has a lot of work to do on the island's other buildings (more on that in Part II).

Happily, those initial mind-blowing childhood memories remain intact, and here, for now, are the first few photos from my return.

The absolutely gorgeous French Renaissance-style Main Building, which opened in 1900. Today it houses the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. My great-grandparents set foot there in 1906.

The beautiful tile ceiling--which I remember from my childhood visit--designed by Rafael Guastavino, also known for his work in Grand Central Terminal, the now-closed City Hall subway stop, and many other architectural marvels throughout NYC.

My friends and I marveled at the beauty of century-old technology. What a brilliant way to open the windows!

Another mechanism, this time for the main hall's uppermost windows.

A bit of graffiti, lots of which the museum happily decided to keep.

A few of the old signs and cast-off items preserved as they were found in the 1980s, before renovation began.

Not long before he died, my Grandpa LaBella put the names of his parents, Alfonso and Emilia LaBella, on the Wall of Honor.

Small World: Chat/Cat

2011-06-13T10:20:00.000-04:00

During my first High Line stroll last week, I noticed something wonderful: A flying cat...the same chat I spied a few years ago when I was wandering around Paris (Montmartre-ish, I think). He's put on a little weight, but still as cheerful as ever. Hooray for coincidences!

Good Morning High Line

2011-06-08T10:23:00.000-04:00

The High Line Section II: First Look

2011-06-07T20:34:00.000-04:00

The second section of The High Line officially opened today, and I absolutely had to go brave the crowds to check it out. First impressions: This section, from 20th to 30th Streets, is completely different from the first, and in my humble opinion, it's even better. I'll undoubtedly be an even more regular visitor now that it's much closer to home, so more photos will follow, but in the meantime, here's my first glance at New York City's latest!

Revisiting Landmarks: The Statue Of Liberty

2011-06-07T09:44:00.006-04:00

This weekend I did something I haven't done since about 1980: Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I have vivid memories of both from my early childhood visits to NYC (more on Ellis Island in future posts), but even though I've lived here for a little over 16 years now, I haven't been back. I, like many New Yorkers, don't want to deal with the crowds, and often think, "Meh, that's for tourists." But after revisiting, I'm reminded how important going to these places--and learning about their history--truly is.

Before revisiting, I brushed up on my history, visiting the official National Park Service site, as well as cracking out my Blue Guide and companion book to Ric Burns' New York: A Documentary Film, all of which offer important reminders, like that her real name is "Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World," and that she was the brainchild of Édouard René de Laboulaye, who was searching for a way to express his desire for democracy in France, which was, at the time, under Napoleonic rule.

But perhaps most importantly, I was reminded why I shouldn't take this landmark for granted as a work of art. Up close, she is a gigantic, amazingly-constructed sculpture, the beauty of which no photograph or view from across the harbor can truly capture. Both Bartholdi and Eiffel were brilliant master craftsmen.

We didn't go inside (entry tickets were sold out, so I highly recommend buying reserved tickets well in advance), but the view from the park below is striking: The delicate folds in the incredibly thin metal, the way the various sheets of copper age at different rates and drip their green onto the pedestal, the way her crown seems to work as a sundial... Now I know I absolutely need to go back so I can take a peek at her interior.

So, this jaded New Yorker (along with hundreds of other people from all over the world visiting at the same time) stood in awe of something she no longer takes for granted. It's amazing how art never ceases to move the masses.

Bring Back The Old-School Awnings!

2011-06-06T17:41:00.000-04:00

While I was running some errands this afternoon, I noticed a nice surprise on one of the skankier blocks in my neighborhood (Eighth Avenue between 30th and 31st): This beautiful retro awning! Do I ever hope this catches on with other delis and bodegas--it would make them soooo much more appealing.

34th Street Window Garden: This Time, It's Scary

2011-06-06T11:48:00.000-04:00

I haven't been reporting on my 2011 window garden primarily because the rainy, cold spring has resulted in extra-boring plant growth. Until yesterday...when I noticed Audrey II has decided to make an appearance on my windowsill. I realized I should post a photo of her, in case I disappear like Seymour...

Pic O' The Day: Ansonia/Sun

2011-06-03T16:57:00.001-04:00

Today in The Times...

2011-06-02T08:30:00.000-04:00

There's an interesting article in today's New York Times about the decline of Korean groceries in NYC (sad). It stars Mr. Han and his grocery on 93rd and Broadway, where I used to shop when I lived on 96th Street. He's such a great guy...I'm sad to hear times are tough for him...

Pic O' The Day: Faux Café

2011-06-01T16:30:00.000-04:00

Somehow, the heat and humidity in Midtown today make the thought of a fake café in the street incredibly unappealing. Mysterious...

A Peek At More Not-So-Hidden WPA Art

2011-05-26T15:17:00.000-04:00

Greed hanging over sweat shop garment workers, with Castle Garden and recently arrived immigrants in the background.

A friend of mine teaches at the High School of Fashion Industries, so every once in a while I get to peek inside the building, constructed in 1938. Especially fascinating are the WPA murals in the auditorium, painted by Ernest Fiene. Landmarked, they're a wonderful political statement created in a time when workers--in this case garment--were finally earning the respect they deserved.

Enlightenment points to a group symbolizing the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, the 1911 tragedy that changed the industry.

These two panels symbolize the different parts of the trade unionizing, and working together in harmony.

Sign O' The Day: Trippy Bread

2011-05-26T14:15:00.000-04:00

I love Amy's Bread, but this sign hurts my brain...

Chic Sunshine

2011-05-25T08:31:00.000-04:00

I finally made it to The Standard's roof this weekend (spent the supposed "rapture" time there--I figured I'd go out stylin'...). While the décor up there seems to be a bit of an afterthought, I still say the view is worth the ridiculous drink prices. My out-of-town visitor thought it was absolutely perfect, and agreed that it was a much better deal than entry to the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center--at least you get a tasty beverage for your money!

So, if you can handle the too-cool-for-school crowd, treat yourself to a visit sometime. Though I'd skip the pool room below...while it's designed to be a nightclub, the black tile just makes it feel trashy, especially compared to the beautifully-designed retro-70s lounge on the top floor's east side.

The Standard Hotel, 848 Washington Street at 13th, over The High Line.

No Weekend Plans? Head To The LIC Arts Open

2011-05-21T10:13:00.000-04:00

I zipped across the East River yesterday evening to check out photographer Jesse Winter's latest show, Edible Art LIC: 2011, part of the way-bigger-than I-thought LIC Arts Open--a week-long celebration of Long Island City's creative community. Jesse's show featured his richly-hued, personality-filled images of local chefs and their wares, and to make the opening even more special, some of his subjects had donated some of their fabulous cuisine. The sensory experience was pretty much complete.

And the few of us who stayed long enough discovered, thanks to the folks at M. Wells Diner, that caviar on brioche is a wonderful, wonderful thing!

Jesse's show is open all weekend, so if you're free, head on out to Long Island City, pop into his Ten10 Studios (located in a beautiful old two-story carriage house), then hit some of the numerous open studios and special events dotted around the neighborhood--it all promises to be wonderful!

The LIC Arts Open is scattered throughout Long Island City, Queens. Take the E train, as the 7 isn't running this weekend.

The Edison Steps It Up With The Rum House

2011-05-19T09:18:00.001-04:00

As we all know, I'm a fan of New York's old-school restaurants and bars, and am always sad to see them go (which seems to be more often than not these days--see this week's sad news about Elaine's). So when I heard the Edison Hotel's bar was being revamped a few months ago, I was initially very sad...until I heard it was merely getting a refresh by some stellar mixologists! The Rum House officially opened in January, and I finally went last night to have a cocktail before a performance of Arcadia (benefiting The Actors Fund--yay!).

For a bar just off Times Square, it's surprisingly not annoying. Perhaps it's the fact that The Rum House is in the not-so-trendy Edison Hotel (though The Edison's been given a good scrub and refresh since the last time I was in the lobby). Or maybe it's because it was a super-rainy evening. Regardless, the vibe was surprisingly chill and the drinks were great.

I went for The Barrymore (in honor of the theater we were heading to just across the street), which was a bit strong (single malt!), but perfectly old school. With live piano and a retro-vibe, it's definitely worth checking out if you need a place for a pre-theater beverage.

The Rum House is inside The Edison Hotel, 228 West 47th Street just west of Broadway.

Looks Like Rudy's Won The Backyard Battle!

2011-05-16T11:42:00.000-04:00

Popped into Rudy's (my favorite Hell's Kitchen dive bar) for the first time in months yesterday, and lo--it looks like they've won the battle to reopen their backyard! It seems like years (and it has been) since we watched the 2008 Vice-Presidential debates in the kind of revamped space (they'd spruced it up just enough to make it seem less rat-prone than it had been...), but not long after, the bar got into a bit of a fight with the city over some construction, etc., and the it's been closed ever since. But according to one regular, as of last week it's pretty much all fixed up and back in action!

A movie-screening wall!

Even the inside seemed a bit cleaner than usual, though it was fairly early in the day...

Ninth Avenue Food Festival 2011 Is On Now!

2011-05-14T13:43:00.000-04:00

How could I space and forget this weekend is one of my favorites of the year: The Ninth Avenue Food Festival! While I'm hoping to spend more time there tomorrow (please don't rain!), I just zipped up for a quick lunch while I was out running errands. It's as fun as ever, and since some of the neighborhood's newest restaurants have joined in the fun this year, it's definitely worth braving the gray.

And for those of you who think it's just another street fair, this is why it isn't: While there are (unfortunately) a lot of the typical chain street fair vendors, many of the tents are set up by neighborhood restaurants and organizations. In the photo above is one of the many examples: Bali Nusa Indah, the 45th Street Block Association, and newbies City Sandwich, The Ember Room, and Southern Hospitality.

The 45th Street Block Association set up some hopscotch for the kids.

The folks from longtime neighborhood favorite Poseidon sell their Grecian goodies.

Come On, High Line!

2011-05-11T10:50:00.000-04:00

Walking down Tenth yesterday, I spied that things on my end of The High Line are looking close to finished. The website says it's opening in June, but after watching this cute little PSA, I'm thinking it'll be on the early side? Fingers crossed!

Sign O' The Day

2011-05-09T16:40:00.000-04:00

I wonder what that might be...

Sunny SoHo

2011-05-06T10:59:00.000-04:00

On the run yesterday, I just had to stop and appreciate some Broome Street beauty.

Who Knew...

2011-05-05T11:30:00.000-04:00

...a sewer cover could be so beautiful?

A Moment of Shameless Self-Promotion--CORRECTED TIME

2011-05-05T08:15:00.000-04:00

So, 30 Rock is actually on at 10 tonight, in spite of what NBC's website said yesterday... So, once again, everyone, tune in or set your DVRs!

A Moment of Shameless Self-Promotion

2011-05-04T10:00:00.002-04:00

My handiwork makes its network television debut tomorrow night!!! Tune in to the Season 5 finale of 30 Rock on NBC (Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ ~~10:30~~ 10 Eastern/~~9:30~~ 9 Central) to see the many, many crazy eyes I made, which were stuck all over Zoë Morsette's fabulously crafted (and insane!) costume. I won't reveal any more, other than I doubt you'll miss it...

I'll post pix after the episode airs!

Pic O' The Day: Snoozing @ Ting's

2011-05-03T08:43:00.000-04:00

I love Ting's, the old-school Chinese tchotchke shop on Doyers Street. I remember buying a set of chopsticks there when I was 6 or 7...

Nom Wah Tea Parlor Is Back, Baby!

2011-04-29T09:04:00.038-04:00

That's right, folks, what's apparently Chinatown's oldest tea shop has most definitely been reborn, to my incredible happiness.

For years, I've frequently wandered past Nom Wah Tea Parlor, basically because I just love Doyers Street: One of Chinatown's two original streets, it was once known as The Bloody Angle for all of the Tong Gang murders that took place there a century ago. Today it's a tiny little bend balancing old and new New York, with high-end speakeasys beginning to nestle in beside a few longtime survivors.

Each time I meandered by Nom Wah I almost went in--it's a Chinatown landmark that's been on Doyers Street since 1920. But because I had an unfortunate experience there more than ten years ago (bug in a dumpling), I always continued walking by. I hate bugs.

Recently, though, I was happy to see--and read--that Nom Wah has been revitalized by the previous owner's young nephew, Wilson Tang. He's spruced up the place and renovated the kitchen--and it is now a truly wonderful, bright, and happy space.

I finally made my way there, and--hooray--the dim sum is as tasty as the space. While it lacks the carts and the madness of the dim sum palaces most of us frequent for weekend brunch, Nom Wah's advantage is that everything is made to order. And even better, they're open until 9pm, so you can have dim sum any time of day, seven days a week. Heaven!

We filled out our card and tried a small selection of their numerous offerings. The stand-outs were the steamed roast pork buns, which were fluffy, a little yeasty, and filled with a great pork concoction; the steamed shrimp dumplings with snow pea shoots, which were almost transcendent; the fried rice, which I actually liked (I usually think it's boring); and the turnip cakes, which were crispy and actually made from fresh turnip--and therefore completely addictive.

Nom Wah also has a large selection of inexpensive teas, but it was a warm, sticky evening, so I just wasn't in the mood. Next time.

The restaurant stands out, to me, for two main reasons: it has a wonderful sense of history, and offers great food at a reasonable price. The atmosphere is also really relaxed (though we were there for an extremely early dinner), there's some new cozy window seating, and it has, by far, the cleanest bathrooms in Chinatown (which...for those of you who know, is something the neighborhood needs to work on in general). So, if things keep up, Nom Wah could easily take the crown for my favorite place in Chinatown. I'm just going to have to go back and see...

Nom Wah Tea Parlor, 13 Doyers Street.

Sign O' The Day

2011-04-28T10:45:00.000-04:00

Actually, Sign O' Two Days Ago, in front of Atomic Wings on Ninth Avenue.

Battleyaki #1: Vivi, Oh! Taisho, & Otafuku

2011-04-26T09:57:00.007-04:00

On Saturday I finally participated in a long-awaited food challenge: Battleyaki! In honor of a Birthday Royale, a group of us set out to pit takoyaki joint vs. takoyaki joint and find the best octopus balls in NYC.

For those of you who don't know the joys of takoyaki, it's a ball of savory dough containing a large chunk of octopus (or a few smaller pieces) and a few other flavorings, like pickled ginger and green onion. Cooked in a specially-designed takoyaki pan, the balls of goodness are usually topped or served with okonomiyaki (similar to a sweet/mild barbecue sauce), mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. Tako (octopus) yaki (fried or grilled) originated in Osaka, Japan, and it is one of my life goals to go on a serious takoyaki bender there...

We began the Battleyaki in Chinatown at Vivi Bubble Tea (49 Bayard Street). A to-go bubble tea joint, takoyaki is among one of the few savory snacks Vivi offers. Some were surprised that they were kind of sweet (I wasn't getting that so much), and we were worried about the amount of octopus (the first taster ended up with an octopus-free ball!), but both of mine were chock-full of multi-legged sea creature goodness. The balls themselves were nicely crispy on the outside, too. At a dollar less per six than the other places we tried, we all ended up pleasantly surprised.

Next up was Oh! Taisho (9 St. Mark's Place), one of the multitude of Asian joints that has sprung up where all of the tattoo parlors and bong shops used to be. Specializing in yakitori, takoyaki is on the appetizer menu (as it is at its sister shop at 5 St. Mark's, Yakitori Taisho). Oh! Taisho served the takoyaki differently: Okonomiyaki and benito on the top, mayo and ginger on the side. While the other dishes we ordered there were wonderful, the takoyaki left something to be desired: not very flavorful, not much octopus, and kind of soggy.

Finally, we headed around the corner to Otafuku (236 E. 9th Street), which actually seems to be part of a larger company? I've had many takoyaki at this little take-out place, and once again, they did not disappoint. Really rich and complex with a huge chunk of octopus in each ball, we were all happy--as per the usual there.

And the winner of Battleyaki #1? ...*drumroll*... It was kind of a tie! We all love Otafuku and think it's wonderfully tasty, consistent, and satisfying, but we were really surprised by Vivi. While many weren't sure about the sweetness, we were all really impressed by the texture.

But really, we couldn't come to a definitive answer anyway, since we only made it to three of the five places on Saturday's list, which didn't even include all of NYC's takoyaki purveyors. So, we're already working on Battleyaki #2!

And to tide us over, here's a video of one of our favorite takoyaki bonuses: Bonito in motion!

Urban Narcissus

2011-04-23T11:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter from The High Line's daffodils.

A Lamb Sandwich Just In Time For Easter @ElsewhereNYC

2011-04-22T14:31:00.010-04:00

If you haven't made your Easter plans yet--and really don't want to cook--you might want to head over to Elsewhere and partake of the leg of lamb sandwich. Run by the Caselulla folks (which I love), I'd been wanting to go check out what they'd done with the famous old Le Madeline space (in which Petit Un Deux Trois tried, but...), and I finally made it there last weekend for a pre-Jerusalem brunch with my folks (Mark Rylance is FAB--go see it!). The back room with the tree is still there and comfortable, and what we tried foodwise was pretty great.

The lamb sandwich (with horseradish, eggplant, tomato jam, and piave jus) was complex and flavorful, and definitely worth the splurge. But Elsewhere's menu is seasonal and will apparently change, so get over there and grab it while you can!

Elsewhere, 403 W. 43rd Street, just west of Ninth Avenue. Brunch is from 11–3, Saturdays and Sundays.

The High Line's Non-Billboard

2011-04-21T11:01:00.000-04:00

Looks like The High Line Phase II's non-billboard at 26th Street is going to have some seating...for some extra relaxed city viewing (and vice versa)?

I also noticed that further north, where The High Line curves west as it heads towards 30th Street, a long row of benches has been installed. Looks like I've found the official location for KKNY's summertime outdoor office!

Worth The Wait: Totto Ramen

2011-04-21T09:23:00.019-04:00

Frankly, I've been avoiding Totto Ramen since the place opened. The buzz was more than annoying. I'd heard about the lengthy wait for a table or spot at the bar. I figured I could get great freshly-made noodle soup in Chinatown for half the price. And for whatever reason, I thought it was closer to the annoying Sixth and Seventh Avenue parts of midtown.

On an early dinner whim, I finally went. And wow, Totto Ramen is totally worth it. Number one: If you're lucky enough to sit at the bar, you get the typical ramen shop show, highlights of which include giant bubbling vats of broth and a blowtorch. Number two: The soup is really, really fantastic, and stars its chicken-based broth, which is incredibly rich and wonderfully schmaltzy.

I was starving, so I chose the Totto Miso Ramen, figuring I'd get a little extra protein (that plop in the middle of the bowl is the miso, BTW...). With three slices of torched roasted pork, half a boiled egg, and lots of veggies--and noodles, of course--this, I think, was the most filling bowl of ramen I'd ever consumed. And by far the tastiest.

So, I must admit...the buzz was right on this one. I'm willing to go back and wait in line to try one of the other varieties, because they looked really, really good.

Totto Ramen, 366 W. 52nd Street, just east of Ninth.

Sign O' The Day: Fading Millinery, No. 4F

2011-04-20T13:48:00.000-04:00

Walking to the Union Square Greenmarket this morning, I spied this vanishing bit of Old New York on W. 22nd Street.

Truly Cheap Eats: Pork Buns In My Neighborhood

2011-04-19T18:43:00.000-04:00

I spend so much time wandering around other parts of town that, sometimes, it takes me a while to discover things in my own backyard. Living on the edge of the Garment District, I know there are a handful of Chinese places that cater to the few garment workers left in the neighborhood's remaining factories. But somehow I've missed one particular gem--35th Street Bakery--which looks like it's been around for quite some time. It's a little divey hole-in-the-wall, but note its "A" rating from the Health Department(...), and most of the baked goods in the case look fab.

Running home from an assignment today--starving--I decided to pop in for a baked roast pork bun...which happened to be right from the oven. While it won't top my list, it's better than many I've had in Chinatown. There's lots of filling, the dough is light and fluffy, and it's only 75 cents, which is cheaper than most.

I'll be going back. Next on the list: red bean buns.

The address for 35th Street Bakery is 494 Eighth Avenue, but the shop is located around the corner, just east of Eighth.

You Know It's Springtime In The City...

2011-04-14T11:43:00.000-04:00

...when the trees bust out their bracelets.

Department of Bad Ideas?

2011-04-12T09:37:00.002-04:00

Why do I think parking such a beautiful ship at the end of the Chelsea Piers driving range is just asking for trouble?

True New Yawk Pigeons

2011-04-11T08:34:00.000-04:00

How to tell a pigeon is a native New Yorker: it folds its slice properly.

Truly Cheap Eats: Revisiting Sheng Wang

2011-04-08T11:55:00.000-04:00

I've written about Sheng Wang on Eldridge Street before, but haven't visited in a while (especially after having discovered Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodle on Doyers). Last week I finally went back, and was surprised to see that they'd fixed up the joint! It's still pretty divy, but there are fresh walls and many more tables, which will probably make some sort of difference to people who may have been a little too scared to venture in. (Unfortunately, though, is that they've moved the kitchen to the back and added a door, so there's no watching the chef make the noodles anymore.)

It seems like the Sheng Wang folks have also upped their game a little bit--there were definitely more veggies in the soup, and my friend's dumplings were fresh and tasty. I stepped out a bit and ordered the rabbit soup, which was, of course, bony, but pretty good and had lots of meat. Regardless, I don't think I'll get it again...there's a spice in some Chinese cooking I don't really like (I haven't yet managed to place it), and this was chock full of it, alas...

I have to say I still favor the other fresh noodle joints--primarily because Sheng Wang still serves everything in disposable plastic--but it's worth a visit if you're interested in stepping out a bit and experimenting with the huge menu's truly unusual offerings.

There's A Pole-Wielding Chinatown Noodlemaker!

2011-04-08T08:57:00.001-04:00

Via the newly-launched OurChinatown blog, a fascinating video about the Chen family's noodle shop on Madison Street. I think I may go buy some tomorrow!

The Noodle Makers from OurChinatown on Vimeo.

Spring's Springing on The High Line

2011-04-07T12:40:00.000-04:00

Discovery: Chinese Chives!

2011-04-06T10:09:00.000-04:00

Now that spring has arrived (finally!!) and thoughts of ramps have been dancing in my head, I've been obsessively craving some oniony/grassy goodness (I really should've gone to the Union Square Greenmarket this morning, but I still have a feeling the extended cold weather this year means it's still too early for ramps...and I don't want to wait in a long line of desperate people). So a few days ago, when I was killing time in a Chinatown vegetable market, I spied some beautiful Chinese chives. They're really inexpensive (a fraction of the price of the oh-so-hip ramps) and easy to use, so I thought I'd buy a bunch...a very, very large bunch...

Why haven't I played with these beauties before? If you're comparing them to ramps (which I am...) they're obviously more chivy and slightly less grassy, but the flavor's wonderful. They're simple to use in stir-fry: I've made a fabulous pseudo cold sesame noodle using the Chinese chives, a little almond butter, the Sichuan chili paste I discovered, and soy sauce (the version pictured has a little beef, too). Stir-fry everything over medium-low heat until the chives wilt, and it's a wonderful, eye-opening dish.

I had so many chives--I'd ended up with about two pounds--so I decided I'd try to make a purée similar to what I'd done with ramps last year. I roughly chopped about a pound of the chives, put them in the processor, added a generous pinch of salt and about a quarter-cup or so of olive oil, and blended everything together. Easy. It's not as sweet as the ramp pesto (believe it or not, I still have some scrapings in the bottom of the jar from last spring!), but I think it's going to be as incredibly useful. Pizza, pasta, stir fry, crepes...who knows?!

Turns out Chinese chives are a wonderful, wonderful discovery. I'll be less desperate for ramps, will be able to emulate a similar flavor year-round, and--most importantly for my friends--I'll be more willing to share the goodness!

Sign O' The Day

2011-04-05T13:10:00.000-04:00

Sign O' The Day

2011-04-01T11:01:00.000-04:00

An Only In NYC Snackscovery?

2011-03-31T10:08:00.000-04:00

A recurring KKNY theme seems to be how much I love how this wonderful city o' mine is a complete cultural mashup. And to show how much it's influenced how I think...the other night, when I was craving some sort of quick snack, the crazy light bulb went on. I ended up with an American/Chinese/Jewish beauty: almond butter with Sichuan chili paste on matzo.

Sound weird? Well, it's awesome, a sort of sibling to a high-quality dish of cold noodles with sesame sauce (like the ones at Szechuan Gourmet). And the combo is a bit of a revelation: it must be so easy to make a sort of "from scratch" version of those noodles at home...I must try.

Today In The Dining Section

2011-03-30T09:18:00.000-04:00

There's an interesting story in today's Times on Bon Yagi, the unofficial "mayor of Japantown" and owner of 11 restaurants in the East Village--one of which is my takoyaki heaven, Otafuku.

Oh Beacon Reads, Why Weren't You Open?

2011-03-28T11:11:00.000-04:00

Spied this book during my weekend wanderings in Beacon. It would be the perfect gift for so many friends...

Photo Mo'

2011-03-24T09:30:00.002-04:00

To Try or Not To Try...

2011-03-23T09:07:00.000-04:00

As this dollar burger's at a Kashmiri place, I'm intrigued...but its proximity to the Port Authority Bus Terminal raises doubts...

Go See: Tara Donovan @ Pace 22

2011-03-22T10:14:00.026-04:00

I've been a fan of New York artist Tara Donovan's installation works since I happened upon one of her giant landscapes--a topographic mountain range made from stacks and stacks of plastic cups--a few years ago. This weekend I caught two shows of her works at The Pace Gallery, one of which, Untitled (Mylar) 2011, is up until April 9.

For those of you who don't know her work, you absolutely must go check it out--its giant silver Mylar bubbles (which kind of resembles, to me, a joyful herd of balloon pachyderms)--are incredibly happy-making, and the way the installation seems to morph itself from absolutely every angle gives it a wonderful sense of life. Photos of her work just never do them justice.

Sadly (for you), the other show, Drawings (Pins), closed Saturday. I wasn't anticipating as much from a more traditional format, but I was floored. These pieces were surprisingly three-dimensional, and just as alive as her installations are. Never underestimate an excellent talent.

Tara Donovan's Untitled (Mylar) 2011 is on view until April 9, 2011 at The Pace Gallery, 545 W. 22nd Street, between 10th and 11th.

Discoveries: Finally...A New Go To Chinese Chili Sauce?

2011-03-21T11:51:00.000-04:00

For the last few years I've been scouring Chinatown shelves for a replacement for my much-beloved (and no longer produced) Chef Chow's Hot Bean Paste, which I used to happily buy in what seemed to be the manufacturer's outlet on Division Street (or perhaps the shop owner just really liked the stuff?). Whenever I have time, I peruse the many mysterious jars filled with crushed chilis, oil, and other various ingredients, but despite a refrigerator shelf chock-full of spicy concoctions, nothing's ever managed to fill the bill.

But I think I've finally discovered an acceptable replacement. While it's completely different (it's laced with Szechuan peppercorns--which only makes it better), I think this mysterious Spicy King "Home Made Szchuan Chili Sauce" might just be my new go-to thing to grab when I need to spice up some stir fry. Initial experiments have been super successful, and while its flavors will limit its use to Chinese dishes, I think I'll probably fly through the jar.

Besides, it's Super Lucky!

1910 "Hotel Oddities"

2011-03-16T09:10:00.010-04:00

Researching a little history for The Actors Fund, I was digging through The New York Times archives, when I found this little gem tacked on to the scan of one of the stories. I don't know what's best: the shocking news of women smoking at the Waldorf-Astoria, the Mexican bird escape at the Gotham, or the use of pneumatic tubes and electric dumbwaiters to serve a "quick lunch" at the St. Regis.