No Matter Where, No Matter When, You Will Find me at The Wren

I have been finding myself frequenting the new Irish bar/gastropub The Wren as of late. By frequenting, I mean three times in three days. Don't judge me! This new spot opened up across the street from The Bowery Hotel last week in the space that once was Sala (you might not be familiar with Sala since I don't know anyone that's ever been there before).  

The Wren is a beauty! White on the outside, with two large picture windows, one on either side of the front, it is an inviting entrance to a cozy pub. Currently there are wreaths in the windows and a Christmas tree inside which adds to the warm atmosphere, I'm guessing they won't be there year round though.  The interior is wooden, with a long bar and communal tables both in the front (near the windows) and in the back (a larger seating area). I've heard rumors of an upstairs but I have yet to see it.

The first time I went, I was greeted by many friendly faces with Irish accents (score!) who all seemed super eager to please. It was early afternoon and there were only a couple of people inside. My friend and I sat in the back and ordered some Cauliflower and Bacon broth soup. It was original and warming on that cold and dreary day. The rest of the menu has twists on typical English/Irish fare, such as Guiness Braised Steak and Silton Pie and a Pork Sausage Sandwich with Pickeled Fennel. We were both a little under the weather so we didn't stay long but I enjoyed the atmosphere enough to come back the next night.

Caught in the rain, my friend and I were lured in by the doorman of The Wren who promised us it would be dry inside. He was right! We sat in the window this time, giving us a view of the numerous amorous couples in the room, and shared a bottle of delicious Chenin Blanc. The place was pretty crowded, although it still maintained the cozy ambiance from before. We then sampled some of their signature cocktails, I had The Gamble (gin, cranbeery cherry marmalade, lime and soda-yum!) and my friend had a Wren Old Fashioned (reminded me of a Negroni). The music was a mixture of old Doo Wop and Jazz with some Black Keys thrown in the mix. We stayed until we were gently nudged out the door after last call.

Again, I found myself at The Wren yesterday early evening when my friend wanted to get a quick drink in the area. He hadn't been to The Wren yet so we decided to go there. We sat at the bar and were served by a friendly bartender who described the drink we were getting, the North Country, as a cider drink that didn't taste like alcohol but contained only alchohol. An easy choice and he was right!

The Wren is a warm and comfortable place to have a drink in an area where the options are either divey bars or swanky lounges. The atmosphere is great, but the staff is what has sold this place for me!

Too Cold? Park It!

Although New Yorkers claim to enjoy having four seasons, we also like to complain about them. In the suffocating heat of the Summer, we daydream about Winter, in the grey and dreary subzero temperatures of Winter, we mutter under our breaths for the day we can whip out our tiny tank tops and Summer dresses. And Spring and Autumn, well thanks to our friend Global Warming, we only get about a week each of both of them so while we enjoy them when they're here, we can't really remember what they're like.

The folks at OpenHouse Gallery have done something great for us grumbling New Yorkers (and all visitors alike) by creating an installation entitled Park Here. A recreation of a park- complete with AstroTurf floors, faux plants and trees, and the sound of birds in the air- it is a refuge from the increasingly cold city streets.



Blankets are set up on the floor, tables, chairs, benches and bean bag chairs are strewn about giving the feel of a real NYC park (although cleaner, I'm sure). People really seemed to be enjoying themselves too, playing bean bag toss, working on their computers and lounging about without a care in the world.

Another fun detail is the rotating cast of vendors selling different treats to enjoy while lounging in the park. The day I was there, there were four or five different stands, selling jams, iced teas and cupcakes. I had a delicious rice ball from local tea shop, Yaya Tea Garden, filled with cooked "Yaya" chicken and seaweed, as well as a Mango iced tea with little star shaped jellies swirling about the bottom.

On the way out, I grabbed some goodies from Filled With Sweets, a brand new company by Owner/Baker Terry Chen to bring back and share with my co-workers (i.e. buying friends). Little sweets with Asian flavors, I got Honey Jasmine Raspberry and Chocolate Five-Spice mini cupcakes, as well as Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Cheese Cake Whoopie Pies.

I definitely suggest stopping by the Open House Gallery for Park Here to get rid of those Winter blues (if you don't have them yet, you will soon!). Check out their events, such as Mommy Mornings everyday from 8:30am-11:30am, where you and your little one can participate in Yoga, sing-alongs and treat eating! Also, live music, fundraisers, wine tastings- a little something for everyone!

Park Here at Open House Gallery is located at 201 Mulberry Street and is open now until February 14th (so romantic!), daily from 12pm-8pm.

Tis the Season!

There is no more magical time in NYC than Winter when everyone really steps it up to spread some Holiday cheer before the bah-humbuggery that starts on January 1st and continues until the sun comes out in April. There are many must-dos in December and here are my recommendations:

1. O Tannenbaum

Rockefeller Center

Now since the holidays are a time to spend with your friends and family, why not spend it with 2 million of your closest friends milling about Rockefeller Center? The 74-foot Christmas tree on display above the ice skating rink is a beauty and definately the most impressive in New York. It's worth a look but be prepared to stand with elbows out as you try to navigate the crowds!

The Tree at The Met

 If one isn't enough, then you should head over to The Metropolitan Museum of Art (which you should be visiting anyway, since it is an incredible museum!) and see their annual display; a Christmas tree covered in over 200 "18th century hand-sculpted Neopolitan creche figures". Beautiful and elegant.

Natural History Museum

 The third tree to visit is at the American Museum of Natural History, where their enormous Christmas tree is covered in over 500 handmade origami ornaments with this year's theme of "Discovery". An original take on the traditional light and glass balls.

2. Skate like you Mean It

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

Another holiday tradition in NYC is ice skating outdoors. The most popular location is, once again, our friend Rockefeller Center. With the backdrop of the enormous Christmas tree, in the heart of the 5th Avenue shopping, this scenic space makes for a fun and festive escape from the stress of shopping. The cost is about $21 a person, with a $10 fee for skate rental. This is the busiest of the skating locations, however, so if you do want to go I suggest making it on the earlier side. You can also check their website for advanced bookings.

Citi Pond at Bryant Park

An alternate location is Citi Pond in Bryant Park. Located behind the New York Public Library, this rink is larger and less crowded than Rockefeller Center. It is surrounded by The Holiday Shops, with many different vendors selling cute and unique gift items, as well as 'witchcraft, Top Chef's Tom Colicchio's sandwich shop. The cost of skating is free, with a $14 fee for skate rental.

Wollman Rink

Central Park also offers a scenic spot for ice skating at their Wollman Rink. Surrounded by trees with our famous skyscrapers peeking out from the tops, the rink offers ice hockey, skating lessons, and free style skating. The cost is $11-$16 depending on the day, with a $7 skate rental fee.

3. Window Shop til You Drop!

"Carnival of Animals"

What would New York be without the ornate window displays on the 5th Avenue? Boring! Every year the fanciest of fancy shops on 5th avenue have elaborate windows that are sure to blow you away. This year, Saks Fifth Avenue has a "Snowflake & Bubble Spectacular", Bergdorf Goodman a "Carnival of Animals", and Barneys a "Gaga Workshop" by our old friend (yawn) Lady Gaga. Not to be missed!!

 4. And Everything else..

I also suggest picking up some roasted chestnuts from a street vendor (don't be scared!), a fun treat to munch on while wandering around and looking at the shop windows. Visiting Santa at Macy's in Herald Square and seeing the Rockettes doing their thing in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular are both fun for the whole family!

 If you need to step out of the cold and grab a beverage to warm you up, check out Time Out New York's list of best places to grab a hot chocolate in NYC .

And last but not least, sit by a fireplace and grab a Hot Toddy! I suggest The Bowery Hotel's Lobby Lounge, but check out New York Magazine's list of fireplace bar/lounges in the city.

Happy Holidays!

Looking Down is Looking Up

Extra Place, Then

Within the past couple of years, the street Extra Place, has popped up as a renovated, sidewalked little alley way on 1st street, between Bowery & Second Avenue. A recently developed area, with apartment complexes surrounding it, it has gone from a dividing line between two properties in the 1700s, to unused back alley of CBGBs, to a construction sight, and has now transformed into a clean and modern little street. There isn't much there, but it does have two gems worth visiting.

Extra Place, Now

The first is the Mexican restaurant Oaxaca (pronounced Wah-ha-ka) Taqueria. It has opened within the past year and offers authentic cuisine at affordable prices. With their original spots in Brooklyn (one in Park Slope and the other in Cobble Hill) they use organic and sustainable ingredients so the flavors aren't greasy or heavy but taste really fresh and clean. This isn't by any means a proper restaurant, but a place to grab a quick bite at one of their 10 or so tables (both inside and outside) or take something on the run. They didn't serve alcohol as far as I could tell and the ambiance is clean but basic. They also have a $5 burrito that is delicious and filling. Can't beat that!

The newest addition to Extra Place is called Artist Alley in which various artists paint the sidewalks with their individual styles of work. Almost like a yellow brick road guiding you to Oaxaca! Sponsored by FAB NYC, or Fourth Arts Block, a nonprofit organization created to preserve and celebrate the East 4th Street Cultural District, their current pieces are on display until March 18, 2012.


The area is part of FABnyc's ArtUp which is the organization's utilization of underused spaces, such as parking lots, construction sights and other vacant spaces in an attempt to turn something unattractive into something intriguing. Featuring works by Jon Burgerman, Abe Lincoln Jr, and Ellis Gallagher, these graffiti means cartoon designs are fun and free to peer at.

If you find yourself in the area, I suggest swinging by and grabbing one of those burritos from Oaxaca, sitting outside and enjoying the view!

Artists Making Nolita More Colorful: Florent Morellet, Allen Hirsch & Jessica Lichtenstein

This week I had the pleasure of going to three new gallery exhibitions in Nolita, three very different artists but all with a definite vision and unique perspective.

Florent, in front of Florent

My adventure began when I had a chance meeting with the first of the three artists, Florent Morellet. This fascinating character was the owner of the highly successful Florent, a 24 hour restaurant in the Meatpacking District for 23 years, and a fixture of NYC nightlife in the 80s and 90s. He is also the focus of the documentary "Florent- Queen of the Meat market". The son of one of France's most popular living artists, Francois Morellet, Florent followed his natural inclination towards the arts after the restaurant closed in 2008.

One of Florent's Maps

Always having a passion for maps, he began making in-depth and detailed maps of places and times of his own creation. In his new exhibit "Come Hell or High Water" he displays his works at the multi-level Christopher Henry Gallery on Elizabeth Street. Focusing on individual cities, he makes small series of intricate maps, showing the effects of over development over time and the effects on the geography. Accompanied by short stories, he creates scenarios of what could potentially happen over time, likening them to the Fall of the Roman Empire and the eventual destruction and redevelopment of a place. His vision is fascinating and he is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. His work will be showing until December 11th.

Allen Hirsch, Self-Portrait

Allen Hirsch is another interesting artist I have had the pleasure of meeting recently. An incredible painter, he is perhaps best known for painting a portrait of Bill Clinton and has had his work displayed at the National Portrait Gallery and throughout the world. What endeared to me is that he had a capuchin monkey, named Benjamin, for 16 years before his passing away in January. He considered Benjamin to be more than a pet, but a friend and companion and he took his departure incredibly hard.

Benjamin the Monkey

In his recent one-day exhibit at the Storefront for Art and Architecture he honored Benjamin with paintings, a sculpture and videos depicting his old friend. You could tell it was a kind of cathartic night for Mr. Hirsch, a way of saying goodbye and moving forward. His one sculpture of Benjamin was incredible. Over sized, this detailed clay piece illustrated what an amazing artist he is. The videos of Benjamin making his own drawings with pastels were very cute and you could sense the love Mr. Hirsch had for him. Although it was difficult for Mr. Hirsch to say goodbye, he had a smile on his face the whole night and you could tell this was a positive experience for him as we was able to share Benjamin with others. He is working on a book of his collected works and then you too will be able to see the wonder that is Benjamin!

Lichtenstein

The final exhibit I saw yesterday was a collection of Jessica Lichtenstein's work, at the Gallery Nine 5. I have become a fan of this gallery lately, as the works they exhibit are always interesting, innovative and fun. Lichtenstein's show, entitled "Play" is no exception. Focusing on typical erotic anime depictions of women, she juxtaposes those images with messages about materialism and sexuality.

One of her Anime Creations

Her work is not for the faint of heart, as her figurines and wall displays are very graphic, but the humor in which her message comes across make them more whimsical than tastelessly erotic. She pairs a semi-nude figure, seductively straddling a chair at a hair salon, or a nude figure draped backwards across a pilates ball. One of my favorite pieces was a stuffed lounge chair, the print reminiscent of something you would see in a castle, images in blue of trees and Victorian era people on swings, with images of the anime ladies silkscreened throughout. Very clever and interesting. She is showing this collection until December 15th.

Florent Morellet, Allen Hirsch and Jessica Lichtenstein all work with different mediums, their messages varying and their styles on opposite spectrums of the artistic world but you can tell they are all passionate about what they are creating. If you have time in your day, I suggest you stop by the Christopher Henry Gallery and Gallery Nine 5 and see their exhibits. To see more of Benjamin, well, you'll have to wait for the book!

Take your fella to Rayuela!

Last night, my friend and I headed to dinner at Rayuela in the Lower East Side. I had been there last year for my sister's birthday and was happy to go back, especially after hearing they had updated their menu. As we entered, we were greated by a handsome and welcoming host and we decided to sit at the bar for a drink while we waited for a table. I apologize in advance for the pictures- they do not do the food justice!

Inside Rayuela

The atmosphere of the restaurant was very chill, with warm lighting and a multi-level space, the walls and stairs wooden with white curtains hanging from the ceiling to separate tables. A large tree stood in the center of the room, seemingly real, with lights hanging from its branches.

Pisco Sour with Lovely Fingernail Accompaniment

The menu is described as "Estilo Libre Latino" or Freestyle Latino so the dishes are a Latin Fusion, with influences from Peru, Mexico, Spain and their surrounding countries. As we perused the extensive cocktail menu, all drinks with at least 5 or so ingredients it seemed, the bartender explained some sort of fancy passionfruit cocktail as the special drink of the night. We had trouble understanding his thick accent so we stuck to the menu and I had a mojito (original I know) and my friend had a Pisco Sour (something exotic with egg white. Scary but delicious)  and then sat at our table.

Hamachi Ceviche- Not as Scary as it Looks!

We were first presented with some sort of croquette with goat cheese and it was paired with a Cava. The flavors were tasty and the wine complimented them perfectly. We then moved on to a Hamachi Ceviche with raw yellowtail, blood oranges, red onion, grapefruit, and avocado in a citrus sauce with lemon seafoam on top. It looked a little scary at first, but I know what they were going for having watched Top Chef. It was light and refreshing, like a little fiesta in your mouth. This was paired with another white wine. I don't recall the name, but it was explained to us that they use a predominately Latin based menu for their wines to keep the flavors authentic.

No, We are not professional photographers...

For our main course, we feasted on beef tenderloin, one of their most popular dishes, which was accompanied with peruvian potatos, mushrooms and foie gras in a thick red sauce. It was heavenly and incredibly filling. This was paired with a red wine of some sort.

Dessert was the kicker, and what my friend described as possibly her favorite dessert ever, a chocolate roll filled with bittersweet, white and milk chocolate, accompanied with ice cream. It tasted like a heavenly mousse covered in amazingness. This was accompanied by another white wine, described as a very very sweet Riesling.

Overall, it was an excellent experience. The waiters were all very attentive (doing that folding napkin thing when my friend stepped away for a minute), the wine pairings were all spot on, and the food was super good. The menu offered a nice variety of seafood and meat, nothing was spicy (a fear of mine) and the options were unique and innovative. The space also would be good, on the lower level, for a more romantic and intimate dining experience, while the upper floor can seat larger parties for a livelier atmosphere.

Hester Street Fair + Grub Street Food Festival = Happy Camper

Yesterday was another festival day in NYC (seems there's always one of those going on around here!) Every Saturday, Suchin Pak (of former MTV VJ fame) puts together the Hester Street Fair in a little park on Hester and Essex. Composed mostly of little stands displaying vintage wares and handmade crafts, it's a fun way to spend a bit of time (it is pretty small, with maybe 20 or so stands) on a lazy day.

Yesterday (I know- a Sunday!!) was a combination of the Hester Street Fair with the Grub Street Food Festival. From 10am-6pm over 75 (as written on their flier) restaurants, food trucks and local shops hosted a day of eats and treats. The first section (where the HSF normally lies) is a small area that housed mostly the shopping part of the festival, along with the sole beer truck.

 The second area, which seemed to be a large basketball court, had the majority of the food stands, with a couple of lonely food trucks parked on the streets (although that Big Gay Ice Cream truck was jumpin'). DJs played questionable tunes (was that Bobbie Brown's theme song from Ghostbusters 2 I heard?) as the hipsters swarmed around the vast array of vendors.

 

With so many choices and such long lines, my friends and I each picked one food to try. We checked out all of our options and then went in for the kill. Miss Lily's Jamaican Jerk corn was amazing, with grilled, buttery, cheesey coconutty goodness. I've wanted to go to Miss Lily's for a while and this made it a must-do for me.

Another friend was lured in by Cemita's Mexican Sandwiches and opted for one of their signature sandwiches. Chock full of fixins like pork, lettuce, tomato, avocado, Queso Oaxaca and chipotle spread, this sandwich was both flavorful and very filling.

For my turn, I chose Luke's Lobster truck. I was faced with the choice of a Lobster Roll, Crabmeat Roll or Shrimp Roll. I'd tried the lobster roll once before and it was fantastic, but I wanted to expand my horizions and try the crab as well so I got half of each. The crab was ok. Very fresh but not much flavor. The Lobster roll was once again heavenly. The bread lightly toasted and buttered, the lobster bursting with flavor. Amazing.

Filled to capacity with our treats, we did not sample the many desserts that such vendors as Peels or The Shaved Ice Shop had to offer, although we did have a kombuchea from our old friend Kombucha Brooklyn, and after an hour or so we waddled out of there, into the sunset, bellies full and grins wide.

C.Wonder-ful Fun!

Waiting in Line

I love a store opening extravaganza. I'm not a big fan of shopping per se, but when you throw in exciting gimmicks like giveaways and special appearances, I'm in. (as illustrated by my waiting in line for 2 hours for the TopShop opening a couple of years ago-the free cookies and Kate Moss sighting were worth it!)

My co-workers mentioned swinging by the new store C. Wonder last night and said I should check it out. When I googled it, there was mention of the Grand Opening being today so I ran over on my lunch break. There was a small line to get in, but a handsome model-type was handing out cookies so it sweetened the deal. Once inside, it was an explosion of color and chaos.

Shopping to the Beat

C. Wonder is a new store of Tory Burch's (of flats with signature gold medallion fame) ex-husband, Chris Burch. Described as "the ultimate new shopping experience for women" they pulled out all of the stops to make the ladies happy. Free water, bubble teas, chocolates and prize giveways every 20 minutes all to the beat of the resident DJ all added in the fun of experiencing the brand new store.

Accesorize!

The store features handbags, shoes, clothing, jewelry, housewares and pet accesories, many with their signature C. logo on them (a dig to the former Mrs. Burch perhaps?). Bright greens, blues and pinks decorated the clothing, with everything from jackets, shirts and sweaters to slippers. The style was kind of preppy/nautical with a fun twist. The price point wasn't too bad, with shoes in the $68-$98 range, handbags starting at $58 and clothing in the $58+ range.






New Purchases thanks to C. Wonder




I needed flats and the C. logo played to my ego (C for Cassandra, get it?) so I got a little wallet for my business cards.
I made the following purchases without going over $100 --->              





On the way out I was able to send flowers (for free!) to any female in NYC. All about the ladies at C. Wonder.

Free Flowers for a Friend

Overall C. Wonder was a fun and affordable experience with a little something for everyone!

Parisi vs Torrisi: A Battle of the Sandwich

Working in Nolita, there is the constant temptation of delicious treats to be had. While there are more upscale restaurants in the area (Public, La Esquina, Falai) there are also many amazing restaurants that are not too expensive (Rubirosa, Balaboosta) and some that are quick, easy and quite cheap (Tacombi @Fonda Nolita, Asiadog, L'asso). Two great lunch options in the sandwich department are Parisi Bakery and Torrisi Italian Specialties.

My coworker and I were both fiending for said sandwiches the other day..only he wanted Parisi and I wanted Torrisi, so we stopped off at both and decided to so a sandwich-off.

Parisi

Parisi is strictly a deli, no seats and no frills. The ingredients are fresh and plentiful, however, and you can construct a delicious meal for not too much money. They have popular sandwich choices (ex. Egg Salad, Turkey & Cheese) and many different types of veggies, meats, and breads. Being a vegetarian, my friend chose sesame challah bread with sun-dried tomato, lettuce, smoked mozzerella and pesto. We ordered and left as it began to get crowded. 

Torrisi

We then headed over to Torrisi (ahh Torrisi!) where it was my turn. This was my second time experiencing the wonders of Torrisi Italian Specialties. The first time was a very strange occurance where I ended up having lunch with Rihanna's creative director and a famous comedian. NBD. The restaurant is tiny, maybe 12 tables tops, so the chances of getting a table are slim. Otherwise, they have a counter and you can order sandwiches and antipasti to go. The menu is pretty small but the options are all amazing. They offer a choice of five sandwiches (turkey, chicken parm, eggplant parm, italian combo and potato and egg) with options of hero or roll. You pretty much order as is and, in this case, you are in safe hands. I ordered the turkey sandwich (comes with some sort of mayo, lettuce and tomato) and a side of brussel sprouts.

Giant Sandwich from Parisi

Parisi
Tip: For those of you looking for a man, the uniformed men of the FDNY are often seen ordered their lunch there.
Ingredient Option: A wide variety of pretty much anything you could want on a sandwich
Portion: The sandwich my friend ordered was HUGE
Flavor: Overall a great sandwich but the amount of bread outweighed the flavors a bit
Price: $7ish
Overall: 8. Good selection, good price

Perfection from Torrisi

Torrisi
Tip: Order ahead and have your sandwich waiting for you. Check their website for menu updates.
Ingredient Option: If you're picky or have dietary restrictions it could be a little diffult.
Portion: Decent sized. I was totally full afterwards.
Flavor: Amazing. Torrisi can do no wrong in my eyes
Price: $9 for the sandwich, $4 for the brussel sprouts.
Overall: You havent lived until you've had a Torrisi sandwich!

Final thoughts: If you're looking for your favorite sandwich, Parisi is the place to get it made just the way you like it. If you're looking for a new favorite sandwich, Torrisi is the way to go.

Where Do I Begin: The Skin I Live In

I am still glowing from the amazing night I had last night (don't get any ideas!). Thanks to a guest who needed assistance with purchasing a movie ticket, I ended up having a once in a lifetime experience. Alright maybe I'm going overboard but after a long week of parties at the Boom Boom Room, Cooper Square Hotel and The Bowery Hotel (ahhh the life of a Concierge), it was nice to get a little culture.

I have been a longtime fan of Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, ever since high school when I was on a renting-foreign-films-from-the-library-due-to-a-lack-of-social-life kick and rented All About My Mother. While the film (starring a young Penelope Cruz) dealt with controversial (for the time) subjects such as HIV and transvestites, it was (and is always, in all of his films) done tastefully, and masterfully. He has an incredible way of bringing out compassion from the audience towards misfit characters.



And so last night I had the pleasure of attending Almodovar's newest film The Skin I Live In. What made this particular screening unique is that the director introduced the film in person. A sweet and fuzzy man (reminded me a bit of a koala bear) he spoke with eloquence (albeit with a thick Spanish accent as translated by a man with a thick British accent) as he introduced his latest work. What he explained, and is exemplified in each of his films, is that he wanted to make a film that illustrated and illuminated the importance of the spirit and soul. Plastic surgery, the body and image are all transient and what truly matters is who were are all as people. And Almodovar expresses this important message in each of his films.

Starring Antonio Banderas as a plastic surgeon consumed with the desire to fix what is lost, and Elena Anaya as a mysterious and fragile figure, it is a film about human behaviour, obsession, and resilience under extreme tragedies. I won't get in to to many details about The Skin I Live In because what is most interesting about it are the twists and turns the plot takes. The way in which the director is able to capture the audience (there were moments where I was on the edge of my seat) and the constant tug of war between which of the characters to feel compassionate for  (as none of them were perfect) with the complete and utter shock I felt as the plot twisted, all added to a fantastic movie experience.

Pedro Almodovar is truly one of the most exceptional living auteurs of our day and I highly recommend seeing The Skin I Live In. You will not be disappointed.