Prepare for La Lucha

One of the most stressful things to do in New York is to plan a birthday party.  There are so many places to choose from and you want to choose just the right place - a place where you look like you know what's cool and where you know your friends (ALL of them from all different parts of your network) are guaranteed to have a good time.  Then, on top of picking the right bar, majority of the time you need to pick the perfect dinner spot to start the night with your close friends - for those of you planning a party in the East Village I can take away some of that pre-party stress - head to La Lucha.

In anticipation of my boyfriend Andrew's birthday we searched far and wide for an ideal BYO restaurant to get us on the right track before his party.  We were tired of sushi and Italian, so we finally decided on La Lucha, a small boxing themed Mexican taqueria on Avenue A.  After making our reservation we learned La Lucha is not longer BYO (no big loss!) and serves only beer (all beers are from Mexico and are $5 per bottle). 

The interior is decked out in Mexican boxing paraphernalia from old school posters to action figures and a retro movie based on Lucha Libre is projected on repeat across the entire southern wall of the restaurant, which really brings the sensory experience here to another level.

The food follows the boxing theme and is separated by rounds (chips and salsa are provided right when you are seated and refilled all night) - for the first round we tried the guacamole, fried cheese and the grilled corn with chipolte mayo and cotija cheese.   In the second round, we must have tried at least one of each taco, which included different varieties of pork, beef, chicken, chorizo, mushrooms and poblanos.  However, La Lucha really knocks it out in the third round with dessert - we indulged in the 3 leches cake, fried plantains with sweet cream and the fried flour tortilla with anise seeds, cinnamon, sugar and honey.

A taqueria is the traditional place to go in Mexico to gather and prepare before heading to an arena to watch the Lucha Libre - and in New York it is just the right place to gather and prepare among friends for a night spent celebrating a birthday.

La Lucha
147 Avenue A, between 9th and 10th Streets (map)
Hours:
Mon-Thu and Sun: 12pm-11pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm-1am

Hot Chocolate Festival!

Yes, you read the title right, today I am talking about The City Bakery's highly anticipated Hot Chocolate Festival.  Now only five days away, anyone who has participated in this annual event during the full month of February, is probably squirming with excitement by just imaging the creamy flavors of hot chocolate that await.

Check out the calendar of flavors:

source: www.hotchocolatefestival.com

Now, this is not a festival in the traditional sense, but more a festival of flavors.  The City Bakery remains the same (aside from the daily line of people waiting for hot chocolate) and their hot chocolate flavors ($4 - $5 per cup, well worth it!) simply rotate for the entire month of February, however, you can always get their traditional hot chocolate if one of the daily festival flavors does not interest you.  A quick tip - definitely add one of their cloud-like homemade marshmallows ($1) to any hot chocolate you choose.  Also, you must try one of their chocolate chip cookies or pretzel croissants to top off your festival experience (stop by right before close and they hand out two for one baked goods).

source: www.davidlebovitz.com

What flavor are you going to try?

The City Bakery (map)
3 West 18th Street
Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:30am-7pm
Sat 8am-7pm
Sun 10am-6pm

In Good Co.

What food pops in your mind when you think about New York?  I bet you thought about Pizza...

Well, a slew of pizzerias have been popping up all over NYC, truly making this city a pizza lover's dream destination.  One recent addition that rises above the rest is Co. (pronounced company).

In January 2009, Co. was opened by the Sullivan Street Bakery owner Jim Lahey in Chelsea.  Therefore, the focus of your meal at Co. is definitely the bread - the no-knead pizza dough is baked at around 700 degrees in a wood-burning oven imported from Modena (pizzas range from $9-$18).  The toppings are also pretty out of this world.  My favorite is the stracciatella (an extremely creaming version of mozzarella), but there are more exotic choices, such as the veal meatballs, fresh spinach, prosciutto, brussels sprouts, béchamel and chestnuts (oh my!).  In addition to pizza, the menu also offers breads, salads, meats and cheeses, soups and great draft beer options ($8 for a draft, $25 for a pitcher).  

Co. also has long wooden tables that enforce a communal dining experience - believe me, you might come in for some stellar pizza, but you will definitely leave with a new friend or ten. 

Support Co. this Sunday, January 30th at NYCChiliFest 2011.

Co.
230 Ninth Avenue at 24th Street (map)
Hours:
Mon 5:00pm-11:00pm
Tue-Sat 11:30am-11:00pm
Sun 11:00am-10:00pm

Anti Art School

Many people I know are intimidated by art and "artsy" things.  They view art as something you have to have talent for and art events as highbrow and pretentious.  Well, there is something going on in New York (and many cities across the globe) that will turn those assumptions upside down - Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School.

Housed at the Bowery Poetry Club (although, formerly at the Slipper Room), Dr. Sketchy's truly is an alternative art making experience.  It is one part cabaret show (warning: there is nudity), one part drawing class and one part an afternoon spent having drinks with friends at a bar.  The class is full of all sorts of people with all sorts of art making skill levels.  You have to bring your own drawing supplies, but anything you have laying around will do!   

The next class is this Sunday, January 30, with a tribute to Neil Gaiman’s Sandman with Stoya as Death, Johnny Blazes as Desire and Tess Aquarium as Delirium.

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School
The Bowery Poetry Club (map)
308 Bowery
4pm - 6:45pm
$10 online, $15 at the door or $15 for a one-month fun pass

The Central Park Reservoir

Everyone around me seems prematurely ready for spring; they are booking vacations to destinations south the equator, the stores are already carrying shorts and bathing suits, but unfortunately New York's winter keeps holding on - the high today is only 25!!!  However, that does not mean we can't look forward to the exciting things to come once the weather thaws a little and for me, warm weather in New York means spending time in Central Park.

Although I could probably devote this entire blog to things to do in Central Park, today I will focus on the the Park's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.  Built between 1858 and 1862, the Reservoir was designed to collect water from the Croton Aqueduct and serve as a temporary water supply for NYC (it is 40 feet deep, holds a billion gallons of water and covers 106 acres).  In 1993, it was deemed obsolete after 131 years of service and renamed in honor of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1994 because she enjoyed jogging around it - which is what I (and apparently Bill Clinton and Madonna) love do do too!

The Reservoir is surrounded by a 1.58 mile jogging path, which has so much inspiring scenery to observe you will forget you are even running (you can also walk around it, making it the perfect place for a romantic stroll at sunset).  During the spring, the experience is enhanced by the blooming varieties of pink cherry trees, followed by rhododendron blossoms.  Also, many species of birds call the Reservoir home, so it is a prime location for bird watching.
 
As soon as the air feels warm enough, run over to the Reservoir and transport yourself to this nature sanctuary inside of Central Park, but make sure to look up at the buildings peaking out over the trees, reminding you that you are still in New York.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir (map)

Bite into 1964

Ever imagine what New York was like back in 1964?  Well, the City hosted the World's Fair, was invaded by the Beatles and most importantly, The Donut Pub was established.

 
The Donut Pub is located right on 14th Street a few steps West of Seventh Avenue and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  You may have walked past this place a million times, intrigued by the plethora of donuts peeking out through the glass, but felt it was a little too gluttonous to enter on your own.  Actually, I probably would have never gone inside, except for the fact that my boyfriend Andrew has a love affair with the fried confections (look forward to learning all the doughnut hot spots in NYC!).

When you do go inside (and you should - go tonight for a late night treat!) you will literally time travel back to 1964.  From what it looks like, the place has not changed in the last four decades - it even has Formica counters and checkered floors!  Although the decor might be a little stale (but a total novelty!), the doughnuts sure are fresh and delicious.  Go for the red velvet, creme filled, chocolate glazed with toasted coconut, jelly or crullers - or get a dozen to try and if you get lucky they will throw in a bunch of their special mini doughnuts.

red velvet

The Donut Pub
203 West 14th Street at Seventh Avenue (map)
Open 24 hours
Cash only (doughnuts range from $0.99 - $1.65)

Head South of the Border

Has anyone ever had really good Mexican food in NYC? Probably not, well maybe it was decent, but it probably cost you an arm and a leg.  NYC seems to have some sort of Mexican food void, which is strange because I know there is good Mexican food in other places just as far - if not farther away from Mexico (there were at least two great Mexican places in Florence, Italy when I lived there …).  For me this is sad, because I love Mexican food and more than that, I love pitchers of margaritas for under $15 and free chips. Well I still haven’t found a place offering all of that in NYC, but I did find a place that has affordable and authentic Mexican food that I actually find myself craving from time to time – Pinche Taqueria.

Pinche has two locations, one in Nolita and one in Soho. I have only been to the Soho location, which sits on the tiny sliver of space where Bleecker and Lafayette Streets meet, right above the 6 train’s stop.  In both locations, the kitchens and dining areas were trucked directly from San Ysidro. All of the ingredients used are extremely fresh and flavorful, and the portions are quite large for such a small establishment.  My absolute favorite item on the menu is the huge Cheese Quesadilla, which comes with chips and guacamole for only $5.75.  Another reason I love Pinche is their homemade $2.75 Augas, such as horchata, jamaica and watermelon (plus more depending on the day).

So, next time you have a Mexican food craving, or just want to take a quick trip south of the border head to Pinche Taqueria!

Pinche Taqueria (map)

Soho
333 Lafayette Street, between Bleeker & Houston Streets
Phone: 212.343.9977
Hours: Sunday & Monday 10:30am to 11pm
Tuesday - Thursday 10:30am to 12am
Friday & Saturday 10:30am to 4am
Delivery Zone: 14th Street - East Houston Street and Avenue C - Ave of the Americas (6th Ave)
Minimum Order: $10

Nolita
227 Mott Street, between Prince & Spring Street
Phone: 212.625.0090
Hours: Daily 10:30am - 11pm
Delivery Zone: Houston Street - Worth Street / East Broadway and Varick Street - Pit Street
Minimum Order: $10

Also, if anyone has a go-to place for cheap margarita’s and free chips, please let me know!

Get a Groove at NuBlu

I really like to go dancing, but lets face it I am no Heather Morris, so most of the time I feel silly trying look good on the dance floor.  So what is a girl to do?  Go out dancing with someone who knows how do dance!

That is how I first found myself at the bar NuBlu in Alphabet City.  After celebrating the Yankees' World Series win in 2009, we wanted to continue the party with our friend Matt, who happens to pretty much be an amazing Latin dancer (although my roommates and I met him in Puerto Rico, we were shocked to find this out considering he is about as far from Latin as you can possibly get).  When we arrived at a nondescript entrance on Avenue C, we wondered if going inside could actually be worth the $10 cover charge - I can honestly say it was!

Live Brazilian music was performed all night, we sipped on fresh Caipirinhas, and danced (by following's Matt's lead) until we literally couldn't anymore.  The fellow patrons were friendly and inclusive, and served as exciting entertainment - how did they learn to move like that?   If I frequented NuBlu more often, I can only imagine how cool my groove would be...

NuBlu
62 Avenue C (map)
Open every day: 8pm - 4am
Weekdays: Early band at 9pm, later band at 11pm and 1am
Weekends: Early band at 9pm, later band at midnight and 2am
(DJ's in between and after live music)
Outdoor garden open until 10pm

Don't feel like making the trek to Avenue C?  Read this New York Times article for more Latin dance options in NYC.

Stretch Out and Destress

For many people, it can be really hard to get into exercising - even scary and intimidating if you have not done anything in a long time.  Although I am a gym regular, I generally stick to my standard old treadmill and weights, which at times can get pretty boring, especially when it is too cold to do anything outside.

A few months ago I decided I needed to get the courage to add some variety to my daily routine and seek out alternatives.  After some exploration and searching for some deals, my friend Ariel and I settled on Sixth Street Pilates (Lifebooker had a five classes for $25 deal at the time) in the East Village.  I was definitely nervous when I headed over for the first class but that all changed immediately after arriving at the studio - basically a ground-level apartment with two rooms separated by French doors.  The back room houses the apparatuses and the group classes are held in the front room.  I have taken group classes (which have ranged from 4 to 15 people) with Anula, Jeremy and Eleanor, all of which have very different yet effective styles, and are all extremely supportive of, and attentive to each individual student.

The students are very eclectic and you really feel like you are exercising with your friends in one of their living rooms (after class everyone pitches in cleaning the mats and putting away the equipment).  Each time I leave Sixth Street Pilates I feel refreshed and relaxed, and eager to take on my day.

Does anyone have other suggestions for fun exercise alternatives in New York?

Sixth Street Pilates
525 E 6th Street (map)
Class schedule
Rates

Feel Like a Kid in a Candy Store

My friend Arielle is known for bringing top-notch treats to parties and this past Halloween when she came to my apartment was no exception.  From what I can recall, she brought pastel white chocolate mint kisses, gummy chicken feet, pumpkin fudge, Chupa Chups Lollipops, massive gummy bears and my roommate Liz's personal favorite: Katja Gevulde Aardbei Sticks (dutch filled strawberry sticks)!

Are you wondering, "Where did Arielle find such exotic and tasty candy in New York?" 

The answer is: The Sweet Life candy store on the Lower East Side.  The smell of chocolate and abundance of colorful candy is sure to make you feel like a kid again within seconds of entering the shop.  There are so many different varieties (such as homemade massive peanut butter cups, chocolate dipped pretzels, marshmallow pops, jelly beans, various candy fruit slices and more) from all different countries, it is hard to know where to begin and when to stop!

The Sweet Life
63 Hester Street (at Ludlow Street) (map)
Hours:
Mon - Fri 10am - 6:30pm
Sat & Sun 11am - 6pm

One Sweet Course - Learn to Bake at Butter Lane

Post-college, I find myself still wanting to learn, but for me, the thought of sitting in a class and listening to a lecture is painful ... unless that class is Butter Lane's cupcake making class!

Butter Lane is a small cupcake bakery on East 7th Street and Avenue A, where customers can first choose from three cake flavors (vanilla, chocolate or banana) and then pick from a variety of rotating frosting flavors (chocolate, french vanilla, blueberry, peanut butter, espresso, etc.) to make a truly personalized treat (cupcakes range from $2.50 - $2.75 depending on frosting flavor).  My friend Evan enjoys the vanilla cake with pistachio frosting combination, but I'm a big fan of the banana cake with peanut butter frosting.  

Building on that concept, Butter Lane also offers hands-on cupcake making classes in the space adjacent to the bakery.  You will learn how to make two types of cupcakes and icings, use a mixer and convection oven, and even frost the cakes!  All ingredients, equipment and aprons are supplied by Butter Lane.

Pricing:
$350 for a party of 8-10 people (great for showers or birthdays!)
$50 per person to take the class as an individual (classes are up to 12 people)
Click here to see available classes

Don't feel like throwing down $50 for the class?  Stop by to make your own cupcake combination and be sure to let me know which one is your favorite!

Butter Lane

123 East Seventh Street (map)

Hours:

Sun & Mon 11am - 10pm
Tues - Thurs 11am - 11pm
Fri & Sat 11am - midnight

Cozy-up at Brandy's Piano Bar

One night when we had nothing to do my friends Katie, Josh and I (and maybe some others?) found ourselves at Brandy's Piano Bar.  Although I think our visit was quite a while ago, I still catch myself smiling when I think about our experience.

This place is a teeny-tiny piano bar on an unlikely side street on the Upper East Side.  Unexpectedly, when you enter it will be packed with all sorts of people sitting at tables or just crowding into corners around the central focus - the piano!  As the live music is played (audience requests are encouraged) every single person in the bar can be caught singing along with no shame (the waitstaff also double as performers).  This is truly a rare and intimate, but really fun New York night out.

Josh can also vouch that this is a great place to impress a date!

Hours of operation:
Happy hour 4pm - 8pm
Nightly live music 9:30pm - 3am *
*(2 drink minimum per person per set, no cover charge)

Location:

235 East 84th street

bewteen 2nd and 3rd Avenues

New York, NY 10028

212- 744- 4949 

click here for directions

December Snow Showers Bring January Flowers?

It looks like I'm really not the only one desperate for springtime/warm weather in New York!

From January 25 through May 31, 2011 colossal blossoms are set to bloom on the Park Avenue Mall between 57th and 67th Streets (map).  "The Roses" is Will Ryman's inaugural public art exhibition and it is sponsored by Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York City's Department of Parks & Recreation, as well as the Fund for the Park Avenue Sculpture Committee.

The rose blossom sculptures will range from three to 25 feet high and five to ten feet in diameter, dwarfing their NYC surroundings.  There will also be 20 complimentary scattered rose petals, along with brass ladybugs, aphids, beetles and bees.

Want to be the next person to create a temporary sculpture for the Park Avenue Malls?  Here are the guidelines for submitting your proposal.

Experience NYC Summer - In January: PARK HERE

There is always something strange, yet totally awesome popping up in vacant NYC spaces.  The latest one to catch my eye is PARK HERE - a pop-up, public indoor park in the Nolita gallery, OpenHouse (201 Mulberry Street).  Features include: benches, faux grass spaces, yoga and pilates classes (buy your tickets on Lifebooker now), bocce courts, movies on the lawn, food trucks and even a see-saw!  The park will be open daily from 11am-6pm through January 30, 2011.  Other events are slated to take place, such as chocolate tasting and flower arranging. 

Take a walking tour of the park:

 

Some reviews are already out there:

Timeout NY
New York Magazine
Vital Juice
New York Street Food
Tribeca Film - Price of a Movie

Welcome!

Hello everyone (or more likely hello to myself)!

I have wanted to create something like this blog for a VERY long time.  After my totally awesome roommate created her blog of all things about her life (Mustard and Muffins), I decided I should take the plunge myself.  So, get ready for some interesting suggestions for, and observations about living in New York City.

I can hardly wait to see what I come up with!