A Beautiful Day Bite

Today is unseasonably warm in NYC - according to Weather.com it is currently 65 degrees! So, where is a great place to go just because it is nice outside?  One such establishment that quickly pops into my head is Gramercy's Bao Noodles.

The atmosphere at Bao, which specializes in traditionally Vietnamese cooking (something I actually never had before eating here) is extremely laid-back and relaxing.  Diners sit at huge wooden booths, and when the weather is pleasant (like today!) the entire front of the restaurant is opened, which definitely contributes to the calming experience of eating here.

Source: nymag.com

I first came to Bao because a friend was visiting from LA and felt like eating something healthy, yet satisfying.  We settled on the Vietnamese dish Pho.  At the time he made this decision we were wandering around Williamsburg and the one place we wanted to try wouldn't be open for another few hours, so we hopped on the L back into Manhattan and Bao appeared to be the closest place with Pho, so we decided to try it out. We were parched from all of our wandering and were immediately intrigued by the Sunday beer specials (something like $3 pints).  I opted out of Pho (the guys said theirs' were awesome) but decided on the Bún chả giò chay (vegetable spring rolls on rice vermicelli with lettuce, bean sprouts, fresh herbs and soy sauce) - let me tell you - I really felt fantastic and healthy after consuming this meal.  They also serve different Bánh mì sandwiches, seafoods, curries and appetizers.

Source: michele cat on flickr.com

If you haven't made plans yet for this beautiful night check out Bao for some great tasting (and feeling) food in a truly laid-back environment.

Bao Noodles
391 2nd Ave # 1 - at 23rd Street (map)
Hours:
Sun - Wed: 11:30am - 11:00pm
Thurs - Sat: 11:00am - 12:00am
*cash only

The Perfect Snack

One day, my friend Eitan and I decided to go on a marathon walk around the City - I am not really sure where we started and where we ended, but I know we covered most of lower Manhattan.  A little into the walk Eitan was hungry and looking for a snack; he wanted pizza maybe, but not a whole pie and couldn't think of a great place for a slice.  We weren't far from Sullivan Street, so I suggesting going to a place called Grandaisy Bakery, which turned out to be the perfect place to grab a snack (we actually ended up going to two of their locations throughout the day!). 

Grandaisy Soho is actually pretty close to my work, so sometimes I avoid walking that way during my lunch hour because it is just way too tempting to pass up.  They have a plethora of freshly baked breads (pick up one if you are making dinner or having a picnic), which they also use to create different pre-made panini.  However, definitely try some of their Roman-style pizza that is sold by rectangular slice - just like in Italy!  The sea salt, olive oil and rosemary Bianca slice ($1.50) is reminiscent of the sciachatta that I used to eat for a snack in Italy, but my favorite is the Bianca con pecorino ($2.25).  Another interesting one is the Potate ($3.25) - imagine pizza dough covered with paper-thin sliced potatoes, rosemary and olive oil.  The slices are served at room temperature in easy to carry pouches, but they will warm them up if you ask nicely.

Source: Yelp.com

Now onto the best part - the sweets!  My hands-down favorite thing from Grandaisy is their Cornmeal sweet bread ($3.00), which is dotted with blueberries during the spring/summer or raisins and pinenuts in the fall/winter.  Another great treat is their butter cookie with nutella filling ($2.00).

Source: Arancia Project on Flickr.com

It is a good thing Grandaisy has multiple locations - you never know when you might need the perfect snack!

Grandaisy Bakery
Locations:
Tribeca:
250 West Broadway (map)
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-7pm and Sun 9am-5pm

Soho:
73 Sullivan Street (map)
Hours: Monday-Sat 7am-7pm and Sun 7am-5pm

Upper West Side:
176 West 72nd Street (map)
Hours: Every day 7am-8pm

Cave Dancing

Quite a few of my friends have asked me to suggest a place to go dancing.  It seems, many people just want to go out and dance but they do not want to deal with the lines and the pretentiousness of Meat Packing or Chelsea clubs.  I say - head down to the Lower East Side, and once you get there head way down into the depths of La Caverna.

I have been to La Caverna many many times for all different occasions - birthdays, girls night, but mostly to just dance.  Some interesting nights ended at La Caverna with my friend Jason, who unfortunately now lives in Singapore (Jason used to make La Carverna what seemed like a weekly routine).

Source: Yelp.com

Entering La Caverna mimics the experience of entering an actual cave (make sure to let everyone know where you are before entering because you can forget about cell service once inside).  After you walk down a very steep staircase you realize that the walls and ceiling have been molded to look like rock formations inside of a cave and honestly, I think they did a great job.  The other people at this bar usually have their party gear on and the DJ plays an awesome mix of music from the 80's to today.  One cool aspect is the bar is in the center of the space so everyone has to congregate in the middle to get drinks (no tap beers, just bottles).  Also, if you do not feel like dancing, there are plenty of couches surrounding the perimeter and they offer Hookah in a variety of flavors (many people are willing to share if you just plop down next to them for a break).

La Caverna
122 Rivington Street (map)
DJs from 11pm - 4am, never a cover

Just danced for 5 hours and now you are starving?  Jason and I used to feed those hunger pangs with wraps from The Three Monkey's, which is just around the corner (99 Rivington Street, open until 4am or later).

Make My Cake

You know those foods that make your mouth water just thinking about them?  The cupcakes and cakes from Make My Cake bakery in Harlem do just that for me ...

I would have never known Make My Cake existed if it were not for my manager at my first job, Emilia (who is now a great friend of mine) since she lives right in the bakery's neighborhood.  After raving about it for months, for my 23rd birthday Emilia brought me six (or maybe it was eight?) huge cupcakes from Make My Cake in all different flavors such as red velvet, butter cream and chocolate-chocolate.

Source: Vagues Solaires on Flickr.com

Now, I have had MANY cupcakes and cakes in my day, especially in New York, but their red velvet with cream cheese frosting cupcakes might be the best out there.  In fact, all of the cupcakes were so good that we were able to convince our executive director to let us order an entire butter cream cake for our end of the year party, and believe it or not, the cake was even better than the cupcakes!  If you like vanilla-vanilla cake, this butter cream concoction should be a must eat on your list.  To give light on just how tasty this cake is: One day, when I was still living on 52nd Street I walked all the way up to their 116th Street location (that's over 50 blocks!) on a summer day so I could get my hands on a butter cream slice.  Also, when I have a wedding cake at some point, I know I am going to get a Make My Cake!

Source: makemycake.com

I haven't had Make My Cake in a very long time, so if anyone is passing by anytime soon feel free to grab me something!  From what I remember, cupcakes are about $2-3 and cake slices are $4-5 - they also serve pies, cheesecakes, teas and other sweets.

Make My Cake
Locations:
121 St. Nicholas Ave. at 116th Street (map)
and
2380 Adam C. Powell Blvd. at 139th Street (map)
Hours:
Sun: 9am - 7pm
Mon - Thurs: 8am - 8pm
Fri: 8am - 9pm
Sat: 9am - 9pm

Trucked all the way up to Harlem for a cupcake and now need something to do?
Visit the Dwyer Cultural Center, the only cultural center devoted exclusively to the culture, traditions, and history of Harlem.  The state-of-the-art multimedia center offers live dance, music and theater performances, art galleries, guided tours, film series and educational workshops.

Location: 
258 St. Nicholas Ave. (entrance at 123rd Street between St. Nicholas Ave. and Frederick Douglass Blvd.) (map)
Hours:
Wed - Fri: 12pm -5pm
Sat: 1pm - 5pm

Today is the Chinese New Year!

Source: gotohoroscope.com

Since the Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, the date changes every year and this year it falls on Thursday, February 3 - TODAY - so get ready for the year of the Rabbit!   I wonder if anyone will give me a red envelope with a penny this year?  In elementary school, we were always sure to receive one for good luck from Mrs. Lum.

In New York, the Chinese New Year means the annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival.  If you have never been expect: colorful floats, marching bands, lion and dragon dances, musicians, magicians and acrobats (to name a few).  The parade winds through the entirety of Chinatown, starting at Mott Street and ends at Worth Street.  After the parade there will be an outdoor cultural festival on Bayard Street with more musicians, dancers and martial artists.

Source: watersideplaza.com

12th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival
Date: Sunday, February 6, 2011
Time: 11:30am - 4:00pm
Location: Canal Street South (map)

Looking for a place to eat after the parade?
Check out: Grub Street's breakdown of where to celebrate the year of the Rabbit
and Refinery29's 8 Mouthwatering Chinese Restaurants


Still need more to do downtown before the Superbowl this Sunday?
Head a little further south for some Freeze-Tag (and other childhood games) literally on Wall Street!!!
(map)

Go Out For a Laugh

Something I rarely do is go out  with the intention to laugh - I go out to eat, I go out to drink and I even go out to dance - but not to laugh.  It is kind of weird when you think about it - who doesn't like a good laugh?

Believe it or not, New York has a ton of establishments designed just for people to go out and laugh!  One such place is Comix, a comedy club on West 14th Street and 9th Avenue.  Comix's slogan is actually, "Life's tough. Laugh more," which I definitely think is a great phrase for New Yorkers to hear.  You can find comedians of all levels depending on the night you head to Comix, but I suggest stopping by for one of their Tuesday night New Talent Shows ($15), which is what actually got me into Comix in the first place.  I went to go see my friend Sam Pepper in one of his first stand-up shows over the summer and I was literally blown away with laughter (I honestly do not think I have laughed as much since!).  There were first timers, old timers, TV stars and more all performing on the same stage.  To tell you the truth I was pretty skeptical heading over, but the show was so dynamic it kept my attention (and me laughing) the entire time - the comics only get five minutes each so if you are not so fond of one its no big deal.

Source: Citysearch.com

So next time you need a laugh on a Tuesday, or any night of the week head over to Comix with the intention to laugh!

Comix
353 West 14th Street (map)
Calendar
NOTE: COMIX IS NOW CLOSED

If you are interested in seeing my friend Sam Pepper in action he is hosting an Unknown Comedy Hour on Saturday, February 12 at 7pm (arrive before 6:45pm) at The Duplex (61 Christoper Street at 7th Avenue)

Sam will be performing along with five other comedians - so you better make your reservation now!
($5 entry fee and a two drink minimum)