I have to tell you, I'm exhausted from visiting so many places in such a short amount of time, so it's amazing to see how close together all these places are.
I haven't decided which block is the best. Do you have a favorite?
Getting oriented
I thought we should take a look at the places we've covered so far on a map, just to get a lay of the land.
I have to tell you, I'm exhausted from visiting so many places in such a short amount of time, so it's amazing to see how close together all these places are.
I haven't decided which block is the best. Do you have a favorite?
I have to tell you, I'm exhausted from visiting so many places in such a short amount of time, so it's amazing to see how close together all these places are.
I haven't decided which block is the best. Do you have a favorite?
Little Japantown, part 3
This is the last stop on our tour of Little Japantown. And I've saved the place that's most difficult to get into for last. The sophisticated cocktail lounge Angel's Share.
Located on the other side of an unmarked doorway in the second floor Japanese restaurant Village Yokocho at 8 Stuyvesant Street, Angel's Share is yet another fancy cocktail place, but with a delightful Japanese twist.
Now I mentioned that it's hard to get into, but not in a pretentious way. It's just that this place is little (they only take parties of 4 or less). So you might be waiting (standing) for a while to get a seat, that's all. It's worth it. The cocktails are delicious (though expensive), the drinks menu, extensive and yet thoughtful - there's a story behind every original drink. It's a fantastic spot for date, just come on a full stomach since the food menu is quite limited.
Located on the other side of an unmarked doorway in the second floor Japanese restaurant Village Yokocho at 8 Stuyvesant Street, Angel's Share is yet another fancy cocktail place, but with a delightful Japanese twist.
Now I mentioned that it's hard to get into, but not in a pretentious way. It's just that this place is little (they only take parties of 4 or less). So you might be waiting (standing) for a while to get a seat, that's all. It's worth it. The cocktails are delicious (though expensive), the drinks menu, extensive and yet thoughtful - there's a story behind every original drink. It's a fantastic spot for date, just come on a full stomach since the food menu is quite limited.
Next time I go, I'm going to eat at Village Yokocho (the casual Japanese restaurant you have to walk through) beforehand, because their food looked really great. In fact, I wouldn't mind checking out a lot more places in Little Japantown. Do you know of other cool Japanese places in this area?
Little Japantown, part 2
Ok, so this next place isn't exactly hidden. But chances are you would walk right past it without notice. I'm talking about Sunrise Mart, the Japanese specialty market located upstairs at 4 Stuyvesant St.
See all these flags hanging? Trying to direct your attention to Sunrise Mart's existence? Well, I must have walked on this street dozens of times and I never saw them until I was specifically looking for Sunrise Mart. I guess New Yorkers really don't look up.
But then ah, the entrance. This is pretty glaring, when you're looking for it. Take the elevator up and you will find a world of Japanese culinary treasures.
Like squid in a bag!
Like squid in a bag!
That was the one of the strangest things there, but seriously, they have everything that a normal grocery store would have, except all Japanese. The candy and beer were among the most tempting items for me. I bet some of the beauty products are pretty good too. This would be a great store for a chef who wants to take a crack at conquering authentic Japanese cuisine. Or for anyone with a curious palate!
Little Japantown, part 1
Did you know there's a section of the East Village where a bunch of Japanese places are clustered together? Well, I lived there for 2 years and I just figured this out. Little Japantown, as I'll unofficially call it, is on 9th St between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. It also extends onto Stuyvesant Street.
Decibel, a sake bar, is one of the more hidden places in this area. It's located below ground at 240 E. 9th St. Don't let the graffiti-laden stairwell scare you!
In a nutshell, Decibel is a divey, gritty sake bar. I'm not a sake expert, but if you're into it, they've got plenty of it. Of course, they have other drinks too. I was there on a Monday evening, which was pretty low key. But I've heard it can get pretty packed.
When you're sipping on sake at Decibel, you really feel like you've been transported to a far off land. So if Japan is on your list of places you'd like to visit, heading to 9th Street is an easy way to make a quick visit - and a lot more economical!
Don't leave me hanging on the telephone
PDT (Please Don't Tell) is pretty high up on the list of secretive places in the EV. I mean the place is hidden through an entrance in a telephone booth for pete's sake. It's like you're in the freaking Chronicles of Narnia!
To get to PDT, go inside Crif Dogs (an awesome hot dog joint) at 113 St. Marks Pl. Then look for the entrance to the telephone booth. Go in. Pick up the phone. Ok, now this is starting to sound like The Matrix.
PDT is supposedly a really amazing speakeasy with delicious cocktails. But unfortunately, this is sort of where the story ends for me. Because we tried getting in there on Saturday night around midnight but didn't get a call back until 1:30 am. We were pretty far away at that point, so we didn't go back. But I am really dying to check this place out. I've read on yelp that you can make reservations between 3-3:30 pm daily. So maybe I'll try my luck at that, or try going during less peak hours.
I will make it to the other side. Stay tuned!
To get to PDT, go inside Crif Dogs (an awesome hot dog joint) at 113 St. Marks Pl. Then look for the entrance to the telephone booth. Go in. Pick up the phone. Ok, now this is starting to sound like The Matrix.
PDT is supposedly a really amazing speakeasy with delicious cocktails. But unfortunately, this is sort of where the story ends for me. Because we tried getting in there on Saturday night around midnight but didn't get a call back until 1:30 am. We were pretty far away at that point, so we didn't go back. But I am really dying to check this place out. I've read on yelp that you can make reservations between 3-3:30 pm daily. So maybe I'll try my luck at that, or try going during less peak hours.
I will make it to the other side. Stay tuned!
Moby, can you hear me?
It's time we ventured to Loisaida, don't you think? We're talking Avenue C here people. Which used to be borderline sketchy, but there's so many bars and crowds there now that I don't think it's true anymore. Avenue D is another story. There are a few once-cool, now turned B&T joints on Avenue C. But one of the ones that remains really cool is Moby's live music spot - Nublu.
Nublu is located at 62 Avenue C. Yes, it's a late-night hipster spot. But in an awesome, not annoying way. Moby is the owner after all and he's pretty zen. It is sweaty though. And a little smelly. There's no A/C. There's also no stage for the bands. But there is something very raw about the environment that makes people want to makeout. A lot. Because they do. I've seen it.
There's no real sign outside of Nublu, so just look for this awning thing with the doorman inside. Oh, and I should mention there's always been a $10 cover when I've gone.
[side note] Am I the only one still not over the whole live band/DJ combo thing? Not that it's any kind of new music revelation. But it's still so cool to me everytime I experience it in a small venue like this. This girl pictured here seemed pretty into it too.
So if you like bumping to the beat, or making out in dark, sweaty places, you should check this place out. Maybe Moby will show up and DJ. He's done it before.
Prison or paradise?
I recently read somewhere that Joran van der Sloot's jail cell in Peru is 10x8. (If you've been living under a rock and don't know who Joran van der Sloot is click here.) This got me thinking. My bedroom in the EV was 11x8, and I paid $1,183 a month for it. Granted, I wasn't living with criminals and I had all the normal converted 3-bedroom apartment luxuries like a separate kitchen, bathroom and half living room. But reading this bit of info made me feel a little better knowing that my feelings of living in a cell weren't completely unwarranted.
Though this blog is largely an ode to the EV and how great it is, there are certainly some negatives and the cost of living is definitely a big one. Keep this in mind before making a move to this hood. I don't regret it for a minute, because you're only young once! But I couldn't live there today, unless of course I had a few million in the bank.
Though this blog is largely an ode to the EV and how great it is, there are certainly some negatives and the cost of living is definitely a big one. Keep this in mind before making a move to this hood. I don't regret it for a minute, because you're only young once! But I couldn't live there today, unless of course I had a few million in the bank.
Hip to the hop
Whoa, did I see some crazy dance moves at No Malice Palace on Saturday night. Moves so fast and complex that they cannot be recorded by film or digital media, so you'll have to just use your imagination.
Next time I get the urge to start a hip hop dance crew (which is pretty much everytime I catch an episode of Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew) I am heading to this spot to bust a move.
Located at 197 E. 3rd St., No Malice Palace is a great place to get your hippity hop on in a non-clubby, non-pretentious environment. The only real sign, seen below, is on the inside of the bar.
Their DJ is great. I can't remember the last time I got to sing along to "Got your money" by ODB (that's Ol' Dirty Bastard for those less in the know). Actually, didn't he change his name to Big Baby Jesus? I digress.
Some negatives about this bar include: there's no beer on tap. I've been there when there's a line and when it's been too crowded. And in terms of the crowd, it's pretty mixed, but leans to the younger side, so it might not be as enjoyable for ladies 30+. I would say the same thing for guys, except that guys seem to like younger girls for some weird reason.
Next time I get the urge to start a hip hop dance crew (which is pretty much everytime I catch an episode of Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew) I am heading to this spot to bust a move.
Basement of love, part 2
The companion bar to Lovers of Today is Cabin Down Below, also known as Cabin. Also located in the basement at 132 1/2 7th St., Cabin is even harder to find than Lovers of Today.
This is because even when you walk down the stairs to the basement, you can't really see the entrance to Cabin in the back, and you are immediately drawn to the entrance of Lovers of Today on the right.
Cabin is more divey than LOT, but not as divey as you would expect a basement bar to be. The space is also bigger than you would expect, broken up into a few smaller rooms. The crowd is a fairly hipster-y and I did sense 'tude from the doorman. So needless to say don't show up in a polo shirt and running shoes. There is no beer on tap at Cabin, only bottles. One of the biggest pluses (besides feeling really proud of yourself for finding this place) is the good music, though it is a tad loud since the atmosphere is otherwise fairly chill. Overall, this is a good spot to escape from the college/B&T crowd that has been pervading the EV as of late. But not a good place if you have a strong aversion to hipsters.
This is because even when you walk down the stairs to the basement, you can't really see the entrance to Cabin in the back, and you are immediately drawn to the entrance of Lovers of Today on the right.
Cabin is more divey than LOT, but not as divey as you would expect a basement bar to be. The space is also bigger than you would expect, broken up into a few smaller rooms. The crowd is a fairly hipster-y and I did sense 'tude from the doorman. So needless to say don't show up in a polo shirt and running shoes. There is no beer on tap at Cabin, only bottles. One of the biggest pluses (besides feeling really proud of yourself for finding this place) is the good music, though it is a tad loud since the atmosphere is otherwise fairly chill. Overall, this is a good spot to escape from the college/B&T crowd that has been pervading the EV as of late. But not a good place if you have a strong aversion to hipsters.
Basement of love, part 1
At 132 1/2 E. 7th St. there are not one, but two highly inconspicuous bars in the basement. The first one is Lovers of Today.
Which is actually the less inconspicuous of the two. There is no sign from the street. Just the 132 1/2 marking on the gates. When you walk down the stairs, Lovers of Today is the entrance that you can see on the right.
Apparently, LOT used to be the tiki bar for Niagra, (which is the larger well-known bar with an entrance around the corner on Avenue A) until a few months ago when they made the change.
Which is actually the less inconspicuous of the two. There is no sign from the street. Just the 132 1/2 marking on the gates. When you walk down the stairs, Lovers of Today is the entrance that you can see on the right.
Apparently, LOT used to be the tiki bar for Niagra, (which is the larger well-known bar with an entrance around the corner on Avenue A) until a few months ago when they made the change.
The bar is made up of just one room with dim lighting, perfect for a date. But note, this is a late-night spot. It doesn't open till 10. The crowd, in my experience, is not at all college-y. They have a nice, but not overwhelming list of original cocktails. So if you are looking for fancy cocktails in an especially intimate setting, this is it. There's no table service, so that's a little bit of a drawback. But the place is so tiny that you don't really need a waiter. It's definitely the classiest bar in a basement that I've been to.
Let's get real
Scratcher, at 209 E. 5th St (at the corner of Bowery) is a solid choice when you want a drink without the fuss.
It's an Irish pub, but without the green decorations. Unlike so many of the Irish pubs in the Murray Hill vicinity, you won't find the cheesy teeny-bopper crowd here. No top 40 hits blasting.
No fancy cocktails, no hipsters either. Just a bar with beer on tap, free wi-fi and decent prices.
Let's face it. Sometimes the EV can start to wear on you. All the trendy people. The doormen with 'tudes. You certainly couldn't find anyplace cooler. But sometimes you don't want to go someplace uber cool. Sometimes you just want a good old-fashioned relaxing place to chill. Nothing wrong with giving the fedora a night off. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
It's an Irish pub, but without the green decorations. Unlike so many of the Irish pubs in the Murray Hill vicinity, you won't find the cheesy teeny-bopper crowd here. No top 40 hits blasting.
No fancy cocktails, no hipsters either. Just a bar with beer on tap, free wi-fi and decent prices.
Let's face it. Sometimes the EV can start to wear on you. All the trendy people. The doormen with 'tudes. You certainly couldn't find anyplace cooler. But sometimes you don't want to go someplace uber cool. Sometimes you just want a good old-fashioned relaxing place to chill. Nothing wrong with giving the fedora a night off. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
A sweet find
Anyone can buy a bottle of wine, but it takes a real class act to pick up gourmet chocolates from a specialty shop. Bond St. Chocolate at 63 E. 4th St (between Bowery and 2nd ave) is your go-to when you want to make someone feel special. Or when you realize you desperately need an intricate chocolate statue of the Buddha.
Don't bother looking for Bond St. Chocolate on Bond St. The owner used to run the business wholesale out of her apartment, hence the name. That's their pink logo there on the sign above.
The truffles here are delicious. They have a range of interesting flavors for $2 each and they do a great job in terms of presentation, which counts for a lot. Because if you're gonna pay top dollar for chocolates you want it to look like you paid top dollar too.
And in case you were wondering, giving gourmet chocolates can never be interpreted as cheesy. Just don't wait till valentine's day, OK?
Don't bother looking for Bond St. Chocolate on Bond St. The owner used to run the business wholesale out of her apartment, hence the name. That's their pink logo there on the sign above.
The truffles here are delicious. They have a range of interesting flavors for $2 each and they do a great job in terms of presentation, which counts for a lot. Because if you're gonna pay top dollar for chocolates you want it to look like you paid top dollar too.
And in case you were wondering, giving gourmet chocolates can never be interpreted as cheesy. Just don't wait till valentine's day, OK?
Tastes like death, in a good way
Death & Co. at 433 E. 6th St is a fantastic place for exotic, high-end cocktails.
(That's the door in the middle. Do not be deceived, the metal sections on the left and right are not doors. And those white spots are rain drops in case you were wondering.)
Who knew that their food was equally as amazing. I don't recall being so blown-away by their cuisine in the past. But jeez, this proscuitto flatbread I had with some kind of cheese and grapes and truffle oil was TO DIE FOR!
Literally, one of the most tasty things I've ever eaten ever. EVER. Bravo to the chef Luis Gonzalez. I just checked their website and their old boring menu is still up there with a different chef who will remain unnamed.
This place is pretty upscale. But since it's in the EV, the crowd is quite mixed. It turns out dudes in suits and hipsters can get along, if there are quality cocktails involved.
I think my flatbread cost $12, but it was practically the size of a pizza and very filling so I think it worked out just fine. I also had the Golden Gate brandy/grapefruit juice (and about a half a dozen other ingredients) cocktail. Also around $12 or $13. Also quite good.
So, why not take your date to Death? It's never tasted so delicious.
(That's the door in the middle. Do not be deceived, the metal sections on the left and right are not doors. And those white spots are rain drops in case you were wondering.)
Who knew that their food was equally as amazing. I don't recall being so blown-away by their cuisine in the past. But jeez, this proscuitto flatbread I had with some kind of cheese and grapes and truffle oil was TO DIE FOR!
Literally, one of the most tasty things I've ever eaten ever. EVER. Bravo to the chef Luis Gonzalez. I just checked their website and their old boring menu is still up there with a different chef who will remain unnamed.
This place is pretty upscale. But since it's in the EV, the crowd is quite mixed. It turns out dudes in suits and hipsters can get along, if there are quality cocktails involved.
I think my flatbread cost $12, but it was practically the size of a pizza and very filling so I think it worked out just fine. I also had the Golden Gate brandy/grapefruit juice (and about a half a dozen other ingredients) cocktail. Also around $12 or $13. Also quite good.
So, why not take your date to Death? It's never tasted so delicious.
Supper for brunch
Supper, located at 156 E. 2nd St (between Avenue A and B) is an EV staple for consistently delicious Italian food.
So you might not necessarily think about going there for brunch. Especially with so many other brunch options and brunch specials in the area. But the french toast at Supper is out of this world. I'm much more of a savory breakfast sort of person, but this stuff is goooood. Thick beautiful pieces of bread with fresh berries and powdered sugar. I have turned many a friend onto Supper french toast and no one has left disappointed.
Since you can't really see into the windows of Supper, it's hard to anticipate the magic that's waiting for you inside. The best way to spot Supper is probably to look for the black awnings as you are approaching from a distance. On the left is the entrance to the restaurant and on the right is the adjoining bar. Once you get up close, maybe not all of the time, but most of the time there is a sidewalk sign that says Supper.
Once you get inside, it's very inviting and cozy. Definitely one of my all-time favorites, and a bit nostalgic since it's on my old block. I don't live there anymore. Sorry stalkers. But really it's a shame for me to be so far from that french toast...
So you might not necessarily think about going there for brunch. Especially with so many other brunch options and brunch specials in the area. But the french toast at Supper is out of this world. I'm much more of a savory breakfast sort of person, but this stuff is goooood. Thick beautiful pieces of bread with fresh berries and powdered sugar. I have turned many a friend onto Supper french toast and no one has left disappointed.
Since you can't really see into the windows of Supper, it's hard to anticipate the magic that's waiting for you inside. The best way to spot Supper is probably to look for the black awnings as you are approaching from a distance. On the left is the entrance to the restaurant and on the right is the adjoining bar. Once you get up close, maybe not all of the time, but most of the time there is a sidewalk sign that says Supper.
Once you get inside, it's very inviting and cozy. Definitely one of my all-time favorites, and a bit nostalgic since it's on my old block. I don't live there anymore. Sorry stalkers. But really it's a shame for me to be so far from that french toast...
Cha cha to the rum bar
Is there anyplace better than Cuba? Alright, I've never been. But I have been to Cienfuegos, which is pretty much the same thing in my mind.
From the outside of 443 E. 6th St (between 1st and Avenue A), Cienfuegos sort of looks like a diner, except that there an inordinate number of people hanging around outside, but not many people sitting at the bar.
From the outside of 443 E. 6th St (between 1st and Avenue A), Cienfuegos sort of looks like a diner, except that there an inordinate number of people hanging around outside, but not many people sitting at the bar.
But then, you look a little closer and realize there's a line in the back to talk to the host.
(This picture above is sort of strange because it's really just of the ceiling. But you can get an idea of the decor upstairs, which really transforms the space.)
Cienfuegos is all about rum, rum punch specifically. I've never put much thought into punch before, but believe me, somebody did. Because the punch list here is extensive. For $14 you can get an individual glass of punch, or you can get as much punch as you can afford in a silver punch bowl to share with friends. My punch was fantastic and worth the splurge.
I didn't know at the time, but the place just opened in April. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to get punch-drunk or for a group of friends who have something special to celebrate.
I didn't know at the time, but the place just opened in April. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to get punch-drunk or for a group of friends who have something special to celebrate.
It's especially appealing for a girl gathering. There's something girly about the colors and all the punch I think. And there are some good areas for group seating that looked like fun. Just please, please don't eat the food. I didn't think you could mess up sliders or cuban sandwiches. But you can. Oh, you can. Let's cut them a break since they just opened. At least they got the drinks right. Sometimes, that's all you need.
A good hair stylist is hard to find
When it comes to hair stylists in the EV - Ken is the man. That's all you need to know. Ok, you might want to know where to find him.
Ken is the owner of Pirka, a hole is the wall salon at 233 E. 4th St between A and B.
Here are some tips for finding the salon. (I've been to this place maybe 10 times and I still manage to walk past it). Look for the orange. Sometimes there is a chalkboard either on the sidewalk or a chair outside the salon with the name of the salon and the prices.
Ken is an extremely skilled and precise hair stylist from Japan. This man has literally spent 2 hours working on my hair on more than one occasion, just to make sure it's perfect.
Now when I say Pirka is a the hole in the wall, what I mean is that it is tiny. Truly tiny. There are 3 chairs in the salon, and many times you might be the only customer. What this means is you can avoid any of the attitude offered up by so many other salons and that you will always have Ken's full attention. And he's always got cool music playing, which is a bonus.
And for the million dollar question, how much is this gonna cost you? $60 for a women's haircut and $50 for men's. Not bad at all. Actually, quite good for NYC. Especially when you take into consideration that Ken gives you an insanely good back massage at the end of your haircut. And that makes for a very happy haircut.
Ken is the owner of Pirka, a hole is the wall salon at 233 E. 4th St between A and B.
Here are some tips for finding the salon. (I've been to this place maybe 10 times and I still manage to walk past it). Look for the orange. Sometimes there is a chalkboard either on the sidewalk or a chair outside the salon with the name of the salon and the prices.
Ken is an extremely skilled and precise hair stylist from Japan. This man has literally spent 2 hours working on my hair on more than one occasion, just to make sure it's perfect.
Now when I say Pirka is a the hole in the wall, what I mean is that it is tiny. Truly tiny. There are 3 chairs in the salon, and many times you might be the only customer. What this means is you can avoid any of the attitude offered up by so many other salons and that you will always have Ken's full attention. And he's always got cool music playing, which is a bonus.
And for the million dollar question, how much is this gonna cost you? $60 for a women's haircut and $50 for men's. Not bad at all. Actually, quite good for NYC. Especially when you take into consideration that Ken gives you an insanely good back massage at the end of your haircut. And that makes for a very happy haircut.
Aphrodisiacs for everyone!
The first stop on our tour is Desnuda, a new find for me.
Desnuda lives at 122 E. 7th Street between 1st and Avenue A.
Blink and you've passed it by. But if you happen to catch a glimpse, chances are you'll be enticed to take a further peek into the window.
They call it a "Winebar & Cevicheria". And yes, they do have wine and ceviche, but I think the oysters are what make this place really cool. I didn't think I liked oysters at all, but I kept eating these!
And, they're cheap. $1 each on Sundays from 2 to close and Mondays from 6 to close. I'm not making this up. There is a legitimate sign that says so hanging outside.
There are no tables at Desnuda, just a long bar, but it's still comfy. Don't expect a full meal, everything is tapas style. But the atmosphere is spot on. Cool music, but not too loud, interesting crowd, sexy decor, attentive staff, mood lighting, fans simultaneously flapping a gentle breeze and maybe best of all...
POPCORN. Which is also an aphrodisiac, I think.
Desnuda lives at 122 E. 7th Street between 1st and Avenue A.
Blink and you've passed it by. But if you happen to catch a glimpse, chances are you'll be enticed to take a further peek into the window.
They call it a "Winebar & Cevicheria". And yes, they do have wine and ceviche, but I think the oysters are what make this place really cool. I didn't think I liked oysters at all, but I kept eating these!
And, they're cheap. $1 each on Sundays from 2 to close and Mondays from 6 to close. I'm not making this up. There is a legitimate sign that says so hanging outside.
There are no tables at Desnuda, just a long bar, but it's still comfy. Don't expect a full meal, everything is tapas style. But the atmosphere is spot on. Cool music, but not too loud, interesting crowd, sexy decor, attentive staff, mood lighting, fans simultaneously flapping a gentle breeze and maybe best of all...
POPCORN. Which is also an aphrodisiac, I think.
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