I met ReL for dinner at Tavern on Jane, a charming restaurant tucked away at the place where Chelsea merges into the West Village. The restaurant is small and cozy, and there is a room in the back which is quieter, and, as we found out, becomes extremely quiet towards the tail end of the night. Which is kind of great when you want to put your feet up on the chair at the table next to you, sip the last few sips of wine, and slowly settle into contentment.
The wine was good -- a $35/- or so bottle of Pinot Grigio, which slipped down the throat quite smoothly, without a complaint. And I ordered a big buffalo burger, with sauteed onions and bacon because I felt . . . like doing so. Yes, I know, it's April tomorrow and I should start my resolutions (go to work early! eat healthily! go to the gym (and by that I mean join a gym) but well, today's the 31st, and I couldn't be bothered.
The burger was tasty. Quite excellent, actually. And it came with home fries. Which weren't too bad -- not perfect because they just weren't crispy enough for my liking, but still decent. I would recommend going if you're in the area. I'm not sure I would go out of my way necessarily but since the location is so convenient (right by the 14th Street subway stop on 8th Avenue) that you might find yourself in the neighborhood frequently enough anyway.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Mad Men Season 3
I just ordered Mad Men Season 3. I've had my misgivings with that show (oh the mysogyny, even if a realistic portrayal of the ad/ corporate world at the time) but whatever. I'm a little obsessive and now that I've watched Seasons 1 and 2, it's time to watch the next.
I look forward.
I also need book recommendations. Because of my former resolutions (that I'm sure I've blogged about before) where I resolved to read more books, watch more movies, listen to more music, cook more food, just so that I could give the impression that I have an entertaining life. So please recommend in the comments.
I look forward.
I also need book recommendations. Because of my former resolutions (that I'm sure I've blogged about before) where I resolved to read more books, watch more movies, listen to more music, cook more food, just so that I could give the impression that I have an entertaining life. So please recommend in the comments.
Dinner at Nolita House
After the Joe's Pub concert, Pux and I stumbled down the rainy night looking for a decent bar. We came across a charming and small restaurant that happened to have wine bottle prices 1/2 off. Who could resist? Not us. So without much ado, we climbed the stairs into Nolita House.
After choosing wine (quite a simple choice - what was the cheapest wine, divide by two, is that price acceptable? Wait, $16 for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Why yes please. Don't judge - I'm getting a mortgage shortly (knock on wood, should everything go through properly, and I don't have $ to spare!). They also had a mac and cheese special (three different kinds), so I chose that for dinner.
The food was good. Well, again I'm going to be honest ,b/c apparently that is the thing I do tonight while blogging. I'm not a huge mac and cheese fan: I know that it's comfort food for many, but perhaps not for me simply because I never really had it as a child. It's a U.S. thing for me. But it's tasty, I'll grant you that. Not exactly a sophisticated meal out -- although some would argue who needs sophistication when you've got warm cheese melted on your, hmmm, mac, but still. Tasty and I was happy and I would probably order it again, but only if it were available as a special and I got to order the different samplers (there was a lobster flavor, a popeye chicken flavor and something else, which escapes me).
A decent place -- GREAT music (a lot of the Beatles, for example). I would recommend, particularly if you are in the area.
After choosing wine (quite a simple choice - what was the cheapest wine, divide by two, is that price acceptable? Wait, $16 for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Why yes please. Don't judge - I'm getting a mortgage shortly (knock on wood, should everything go through properly, and I don't have $ to spare!). They also had a mac and cheese special (three different kinds), so I chose that for dinner.
The food was good. Well, again I'm going to be honest ,b/c apparently that is the thing I do tonight while blogging. I'm not a huge mac and cheese fan: I know that it's comfort food for many, but perhaps not for me simply because I never really had it as a child. It's a U.S. thing for me. But it's tasty, I'll grant you that. Not exactly a sophisticated meal out -- although some would argue who needs sophistication when you've got warm cheese melted on your, hmmm, mac, but still. Tasty and I was happy and I would probably order it again, but only if it were available as a special and I got to order the different samplers (there was a lobster flavor, a popeye chicken flavor and something else, which escapes me).
A decent place -- GREAT music (a lot of the Beatles, for example). I would recommend, particularly if you are in the area.
Live music on Tuesday night
I went to Joe's Pub tonight. I like Joe's Pub but I rarely go. I tried once a couple of months ago to get impromptu tickets to some event but my spontaneity was thwarted: the concert was sold out. Ah alas and damn.
Anyway, this rainy night found me rushing there after my class at Columbia (yes, I know, all the way from the upper upper west side to the lower east side). But still I persevered. After all, $12 tickets to listen to Julia Haltigan. If you haven't heard of her before, worry not - you're still cool, neither had I. But late on a Monday night, while lying in my bed, instead of sleeping, I went on to Village Voice to figure out what was playing, and I likek what I heard.
I missed a bit of her performance (she started promptly at 7:30pm, who does that?). So that was a bit unfortunate. But I liked what I heard. She has strong, strong pipes, and she's not shy of using them. Which is great because actually when you have to belt it out, you tend to look a wee bit unattractive (you know, that whole stance thing where everything is centered at your core so you can BELT IT OUT, and that whole OPEN MOUTHED POSE where you force everything you have inside you out into the audieence). And I like people who are willing to give up vanity for their art.
Overall: an excellent performance. I hear she performs in New York quite a bit, so I'll have to follow her concert schedule.
Anyway, this rainy night found me rushing there after my class at Columbia (yes, I know, all the way from the upper upper west side to the lower east side). But still I persevered. After all, $12 tickets to listen to Julia Haltigan. If you haven't heard of her before, worry not - you're still cool, neither had I. But late on a Monday night, while lying in my bed, instead of sleeping, I went on to Village Voice to figure out what was playing, and I likek what I heard.
I missed a bit of her performance (she started promptly at 7:30pm, who does that?). So that was a bit unfortunate. But I liked what I heard. She has strong, strong pipes, and she's not shy of using them. Which is great because actually when you have to belt it out, you tend to look a wee bit unattractive (you know, that whole stance thing where everything is centered at your core so you can BELT IT OUT, and that whole OPEN MOUTHED POSE where you force everything you have inside you out into the audieence). And I like people who are willing to give up vanity for their art.
Overall: an excellent performance. I hear she performs in New York quite a bit, so I'll have to follow her concert schedule.
Since I've been back
I've been carpe dieming since I've been back from Jordan. I'll skip Saturday night, even though it was fun and took me to the Meatpacking District simply because while I had a good time, it was the company and not so much the places.
So without much ado, on to Sunday night. I went to Keste Pizza, which was much hyped, as you can tell from the link. I don't know: simply put, there is something about pizza that does not get me that excited. Don't get me wrong: pepperoni pizza while stuck in the office - yes; late night gorging on pizza while stumbling home slightly intoxicated - yes; don't have time to cook anything and feeling like you've spent too much money of late, thus a cheap meal, oh look, a slice of pizza - yes. But to go to a restaurant that serves primarily pizza and then talk about how amazing it was. I don't quite buy that.
Add to this the following: (1) my general dislike of having to wait in lines (about 25 - 30 minutes on a Sunday night) and (2) the place lacked generally in atmosphere (yes, my dining companions liked it, comparing the place to a neighborhood joint where you come for a meal, but me, no I don't really want such a place. When I go out and spend money on a meal, I want atmosphere). So conclusion: good, tasty but not really worth it.
Thereafter, on to Nublu, all the way in the nether parts of Avenue C (oh those nether parts are so far, aren't they?). To see, or rather, to listen to: Red Baraat! Which was fantastic. Well, a bit loud for a small venue, but we solved the problem by stuffing napkin tissue into our ears, thereby looking like Dorkus Maximiliuses but who cares, at least our hearing is intact (and for those of us with ringing in our ears, this trumps vanity). The music was fun, peppy, energetic. Occasionally, the DJ (who played during the break period) tried to intervene with his "contributions": not so great. Something about live music mixed with his recorded music didn't jive very well. Also, one of the singers (or maybe someone else) tried to do some rap: again, not so great.
But, overall, a great night. Even taking into account that it rain was pouring when we left. We stumbled down a blind alley only to find out it was blind belatedly. Turned around, found a cab, hailed it, got into it, and many many many minutes later (this was Avenue C after all) I found myself home, cozy.
A great night out.
So without much ado, on to Sunday night. I went to Keste Pizza, which was much hyped, as you can tell from the link. I don't know: simply put, there is something about pizza that does not get me that excited. Don't get me wrong: pepperoni pizza while stuck in the office - yes; late night gorging on pizza while stumbling home slightly intoxicated - yes; don't have time to cook anything and feeling like you've spent too much money of late, thus a cheap meal, oh look, a slice of pizza - yes. But to go to a restaurant that serves primarily pizza and then talk about how amazing it was. I don't quite buy that.
Add to this the following: (1) my general dislike of having to wait in lines (about 25 - 30 minutes on a Sunday night) and (2) the place lacked generally in atmosphere (yes, my dining companions liked it, comparing the place to a neighborhood joint where you come for a meal, but me, no I don't really want such a place. When I go out and spend money on a meal, I want atmosphere). So conclusion: good, tasty but not really worth it.
Thereafter, on to Nublu, all the way in the nether parts of Avenue C (oh those nether parts are so far, aren't they?). To see, or rather, to listen to: Red Baraat! Which was fantastic. Well, a bit loud for a small venue, but we solved the problem by stuffing napkin tissue into our ears, thereby looking like Dorkus Maximiliuses but who cares, at least our hearing is intact (and for those of us with ringing in our ears, this trumps vanity). The music was fun, peppy, energetic. Occasionally, the DJ (who played during the break period) tried to intervene with his "contributions": not so great. Something about live music mixed with his recorded music didn't jive very well. Also, one of the singers (or maybe someone else) tried to do some rap: again, not so great.
But, overall, a great night. Even taking into account that it rain was pouring when we left. We stumbled down a blind alley only to find out it was blind belatedly. Turned around, found a cab, hailed it, got into it, and many many many minutes later (this was Avenue C after all) I found myself home, cozy.
A great night out.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Jordan
I've been away for the past week in Amman, Jordan. For work. Which meant that I stayed in a lovely hotel and for four and a half consecutive days, I did not stop outside the hotel. Not even a step. Because hearing preparation took place in the hotel, then the hearing itself was in the hotel, and the couriers came to the hotel to pick up all of our materials to send back to New York.
At least The Four Seasons Hotel was very nice. So not too bad a place to be trapped indoors for consecutive days.
On the last day, though, I headed for Petra. Oh, but wait. I got along well with one of the hotel staff (who played a key role in setting up everything, and dealt well with my minor freak-out that the K80 office jet printer needed a new cartridge, the break-out room printer did not connect to our laptops and the photocopier outside the hearing room was not working extremely well), so he invited me and KD out to drinks. Which turned out to be a long night of dancing at Flow. And by long night I mean 4am.
The next morning, I got up at 730am, groggily gathered my things, checked out of the hotel, took a 3 hour ride to Petra where I proceeded to walk about 11 kilometers (at least 1/3 of which was climbing up up up and 1/3 of which was walking in sand, yes sand, the thing that is hard to walk on at the beach). But I saw glorious things. Petra truly is gorgeous. Another 3 hour ride back, I was in the hotel, gathering my belongings.
On the plane ride I discovered a potentially new addiction -- Dexter. I can't wait.
At least The Four Seasons Hotel was very nice. So not too bad a place to be trapped indoors for consecutive days.
On the last day, though, I headed for Petra. Oh, but wait. I got along well with one of the hotel staff (who played a key role in setting up everything, and dealt well with my minor freak-out that the K80 office jet printer needed a new cartridge, the break-out room printer did not connect to our laptops and the photocopier outside the hearing room was not working extremely well), so he invited me and KD out to drinks. Which turned out to be a long night of dancing at Flow. And by long night I mean 4am.
The next morning, I got up at 730am, groggily gathered my things, checked out of the hotel, took a 3 hour ride to Petra where I proceeded to walk about 11 kilometers (at least 1/3 of which was climbing up up up and 1/3 of which was walking in sand, yes sand, the thing that is hard to walk on at the beach). But I saw glorious things. Petra truly is gorgeous. Another 3 hour ride back, I was in the hotel, gathering my belongings.
On the plane ride I discovered a potentially new addiction -- Dexter. I can't wait.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Some more live music
I went back to Le Poisson Rouge because you can't get too much of a good thing. Well, actually you can, and Pux and I left about 2/3 of the way through because the music, while good, was also getting just a bit too much. We went to see Hauschka, who is a German pianist. The first part was excellent: he played the piano accompanied by a string quartet. It was great to watch creative people just play music and be happy. Don't get me wrong: I don't naively glamorize the life of the artist. Yes, it's great to be passionate about what you do, and artists/ dancers/ musicians/ writers have it the best in this regards, but they have it the worst when it comes to living off your profession. As in making a living.
Still, nice.
After that, Pux and I took a short walk to Washington Square Park. We admired the beautiful brownstones that overlook the park. You can peer through the windows of some of these houses. They are so beautiful. Stylish and cozy at the same time. It made me wish for a brain that could could invent a patent or be a stockbroker like no other so that I could be rich and live there. Yes, which would be in direct contrast to the first paragraph of this post where I expressed appreciation for the starving artist's life.
Still, nice.
After that, Pux and I took a short walk to Washington Square Park. We admired the beautiful brownstones that overlook the park. You can peer through the windows of some of these houses. They are so beautiful. Stylish and cozy at the same time. It made me wish for a brain that could could invent a patent or be a stockbroker like no other so that I could be rich and live there. Yes, which would be in direct contrast to the first paragraph of this post where I expressed appreciation for the starving artist's life.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
some live music
I thought it was time to revive live music in my life. I go through phases, as you well know. So tonight I went to hear Shilpa Ray & her Happy Hookers perform at Le Poisson Rouge. She was interesting: at times, soulful and passionate, with a great, deep voice. And at other times shrieky, loud, too much. Way too much. But I liked her performance overall. I liked how she got into her music. I like how she threw caution to the wind, cliche cliche etc., and just did her own thing. One of my favourite songs by her is "Woman Sets Her Boyfriend on Fire," which you can listen to on her website, already linked. I like the extremes in her voice -- ranging from mournful, melancholy to -- angry. Ah anger.
I have found a new Norah Jones song to like. It's called Chasing Pirates: I don't know why I like this song as much as I do. Possibly b/c I had drunk two whiskeys when I listened to it first. I would love to do a strikethrough through that last sentence but unfortunately I don't' know how to do that. I guess I like the song b/c it has this upbeat, poppy backgrouund but actually the lyrics are quite mature. The singer's mind is racing from chasing heartaches. Which, as you can imagine, kind of sucks. I like the lyrics, especially, "I don't know how to slow it down." This has always been my problem. I can't take anything - job, friends, loves, life -- one step at a time. Rather, I have to hasten everything to its end, and then I lament its demise. I've thought perhaps this is best, I'm not wasting time, I'm just getting to the heart of the matter. But sometimes I wonder whether I'm prematurely killing something which, if given time -- and I suppose nurturing and patience -- would have lived long. Happily. Ever after?
I have found a new Norah Jones song to like. It's called Chasing Pirates: I don't know why I like this song as much as I do. Possibly b/c I had drunk two whiskeys when I listened to it first. I would love to do a strikethrough through that last sentence but unfortunately I don't' know how to do that. I guess I like the song b/c it has this upbeat, poppy backgrouund but actually the lyrics are quite mature. The singer's mind is racing from chasing heartaches. Which, as you can imagine, kind of sucks. I like the lyrics, especially, "I don't know how to slow it down." This has always been my problem. I can't take anything - job, friends, loves, life -- one step at a time. Rather, I have to hasten everything to its end, and then I lament its demise. I've thought perhaps this is best, I'm not wasting time, I'm just getting to the heart of the matter. But sometimes I wonder whether I'm prematurely killing something which, if given time -- and I suppose nurturing and patience -- would have lived long. Happily. Ever after?
Monday, March 8, 2010
so
Again I feel bad b/c time has passed and I want to blog more and I'm not sure why I'm not blogging more except it doesn't feel like I have all that much to say, so why say anything (you say it best when you say nothing at all, go the lyrics of that crappy song to which all people danced in high school, sometimes me when I decided it was worth it to slow dance with someone).
Anyway, so what's up w/ me? I saw Alice in Wonderland. OK not great. In fact, frankly disappointing. I didn't watch it in 3D and I don't know whether that would have made all the difference in the world but quite frankly I don't think that would have been the case. The movie lacked dramatic tension, was full of cliches, wasn't that aesthetically all said and done (especially given that we were in Wonderland) and the characters did not make that much sense -- I didn't understand their motivations often for why they did what they did. So kind of a waste of time.
I saw the Oscars. Well parts of thanks to work. Interesting. I suppose. Given that I have not seen most of the movies I was not in a position to evaluate or judge. I'm surprised that Sandra Bullock won Best Actress, although I say this w/o having seen the movie but just b/c I don't really think of her as a great and talented actress, more of a commercial actress. I mean, I loved Speed, which I think came out when I was in my late teens b/c the bus was about to explode if it went below a certain number of miles per hour and hey if that isn't dramatic tension than what is, but tastes change as you grow older. No?
What else? Oh I don't know what to say. I discovered an artist thanks to The Artist Formerly Known as the Loch Sess Monster - Florence and the Machines. I really liked some of her songs last week but this week I'm not so sure. Oh what am I sure about anymore?
New resolutions:
Movies
Books
Music
Which means more posts.
Anyway, so what's up w/ me? I saw Alice in Wonderland. OK not great. In fact, frankly disappointing. I didn't watch it in 3D and I don't know whether that would have made all the difference in the world but quite frankly I don't think that would have been the case. The movie lacked dramatic tension, was full of cliches, wasn't that aesthetically all said and done (especially given that we were in Wonderland) and the characters did not make that much sense -- I didn't understand their motivations often for why they did what they did. So kind of a waste of time.
I saw the Oscars. Well parts of thanks to work. Interesting. I suppose. Given that I have not seen most of the movies I was not in a position to evaluate or judge. I'm surprised that Sandra Bullock won Best Actress, although I say this w/o having seen the movie but just b/c I don't really think of her as a great and talented actress, more of a commercial actress. I mean, I loved Speed, which I think came out when I was in my late teens b/c the bus was about to explode if it went below a certain number of miles per hour and hey if that isn't dramatic tension than what is, but tastes change as you grow older. No?
What else? Oh I don't know what to say. I discovered an artist thanks to The Artist Formerly Known as the Loch Sess Monster - Florence and the Machines. I really liked some of her songs last week but this week I'm not so sure. Oh what am I sure about anymore?
New resolutions:
Movies
Books
Music
Which means more posts.
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