East Village, Manhattan

I’ll admit it, I love carbs and cheese. I know those are both against the rules for what girls are “allowed” to eat, but rules are meant to be broken. I’ve sampled many a restaurant in NYC, and here’s what I learned about going to Italian spots: ALWAYS order the pasta. One night while at Locanda Verde, my friend (Italian friend) ordered fish and said, “My Grandfather would roll over in his grave if he knew I was ordering fish at an Italian restaurant,” and he is right, whenever I order a more “sensible” dish, I always regret it (and that night, he did too). Below are my top ten favorite Italian spots in the city. All serve elegant, simple and fabulous food, but each is a “best” for a different reason. Disclaimer: This is my list for 2011. Although I have sampled around 75 Italian spots since I have moved to NYC, the 2012 list is subject to change. That being said, even if new places are added, you can’t go wrong with any place on my top ten.

East Village mentions:

Best Overall Food: Hearth (403 East 12th, East Village)

Owned by Next Iron Chef’s runner up, Marco Canora and Paul Greco. Hearth’s menu changes every season, but always include certain staples, including my favorite menu item: veal and ricotta meatballs over homemade spaghetti. In addition, this is a great place to eat at the bar, as it overlooks the kitchen (Zagat rated this highly as well). Side note: check out Terroir, the fabulous wine bar next door. Hearth is also featured in Crush New York article Best Date Spots.

Biggest Portions: Max’s Italian (51 Avenue B, East Village)

At Max, they certainly give you “American Portions” and at recession friendly pricing (average is about $13 per Pasta entrée). In 2009, I was going through a period of “funemployment,” I earned my keep at Max’s. As a result, I sampled everything on the menu. You can’t go wrong with anything, but my favorite is Spaghetti Alla Chitarra (homemade spaghetti with lamb ragu). You simply must pair this with lambrusco (sparkling red wine). FYI – This place doesn’t take reservations and is cash only, so if you don’t want to wait, come early or late on weekends.

Photo Credit.

MAX is one of my favorite spots in the neighborhood.

dontcookbilly: The notable East Village Holiday Cocktail Lounge...

mbrosen — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:53:45 -0500

dontcookbilly:

The notable East Village Holiday Cocktail Lounge has closed.

jayfingers: Yesterday, I visited one of my favorite places in...

mbrosen — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:32:06 -0500

jayfingers:

Yesterday, I visited one of my favorite places in New York City, The Strand Bookstore. Located a stone’s throw away from Union Square, The Strand houses over 18 miles of books—new, used, rare, and even out-of-print. As its website states, it is a book lovers’ treasure trove.

One of the unexpected treasures I came across yesterday were a series of garments boasting artwork from classic novels. They included Capote’s In Cold Blood and Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (as seen above) as well as Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, among others. Featured items included men’s and women’s T-shirts and sweatshirts. Very cool.

I’m definitely going back to cop a couple shirts. Oh, and I’ll probably pick up a few books while I’m there as well. If you live in NYC, or you’re visiting our fair city, I encourage you to stop by and check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

The Strand
828 Broadway
(between 12th St & 13th St)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Union Square, East Village
(212) 473-1452
www.strandbooks.com

Union Sq - 14 St (L)
14 St - Union Sq (4, 5, 6, 6X)
14 St - Union Sq (N, Q, R)

Original Article

Some people still enjoy reading books, right?

Ukrainian cooking class tonight: East Village Cultural Noshes

mbrosen — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:17:07 -0500

Ukrainian cooking class tonight: East Village Cultural Noshes:

Ooh. Too bad we missed this.

Anyone go?

From Cara Brininstool: Our dear friend and cherished East...

mbrosen — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:51:01 -0500

From Cara Brininstool:

Our dear friend and cherished East Village dweller Mike Hamm passed away January 7, 2012. To pay tribute to him, we will do exactly what he would want us to do…dance. Mike Hamm touched many people’s lives, if you knew Mike please join us for a private celebration of his life.

via esquared: At Ray’s Candy Store Top pic — 1995 during the...

esquared — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:50:01 -0500

via esquared:

At Ray’s Candy Store

Top pic — 1995 during the easy living and easy drinking warmer season

Bottom pic — 00:28 hrs , 2 March 2008

Photos by the late, great Bob Arihood (Neither More Nor Less)

theswingingsixties: A rare photo of Jim Morrison leaping on...

mbrosen — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:55:05 -0500

theswingingsixties:

A rare photo of Jim Morrison leaping on stage at the Fillmore East, New York City.

mosaicmannyc: Here’s Jim presenting his new pig mosaic to Matt...

mbrosen — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:41:03 -0500

mosaicmannyc:

Here’s Jim presenting his new pig mosaic to Matt Lindemulder of Porchetta on East 7th Street (btw 1st and A).

It’s the latest of Jim’s commissioned works for businesses around the ‘hood.

Matt: “I’m speechless.”

Be sure to stop by the shop, pick up a sandwich (they’re unreal) and check out Jim’s work.

And, once again, if you are a local business that might be interested in a commissioned work by Jim Power for your store:

E-mail nycjimpower [AT] aol.com or call 646-236-1547

Previously

Close-up:

Awesome!

via esquared: Rare Finds // The Upper Rust (445 E. Ninth...

esquared — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:06 -0500

via esquared:

Rare Finds // The Upper Rust (445 E. Ninth St., 212-533-3953). Whenever I want to find anything specific, I go to this estate-sales haven. I’ve bought drying racks, little vases. I collect Nelson McCoy ceramic flower pots, which I find there.

— Chloë Sevigny (Insider’s Guide to NYC in the WSJ)

(photo: via kittylittered)

I’ve always found that place to be rather pricey for what it is. Then again, I’m not a movie star.

;-)

Anyone else have a favorite place in the neighborhood for great salvaged finds?

Chinese New Year’s Dragon At 7A Photo by Hugh Burckhardt

mbrosen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:38:06 -0500

Chinese New Year’s Dragon At 7A

Photo by Hugh Burckhardt

Happy Birthday, Ray! As we reported earlier, Ray Alvarez of...

mbrosen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:22:20 -0500

Photo: Ray and Justine by Justin Rocket

Happy Birthday, Ray!

As we reported earlier, Ray Alvarez of Ray’s Candy Store celebrated his 79th birthday in style with his now-annual birthday burlesque extravaganza at the shop on Sunday night.

He was joined by some friends and neighbors who came for cake and to raise a glass to Our Man Ray.

And, of course, for the show.

Ray was teased and tantalized by the lovely and talented Justine Joli.

While not one of the more traditional stages on which she’s performed, Justine got right into the spirit of things once she realized how special an occasion it was and how much Ray means to the neighborhood.

Only posting G-rated shots, but let’s just say Ray’s smile was wide! It’s not every day he has a star of screen and stage dancing on his counter…

Good times had by all.

If you’re in the area this week, be sure to stop by the store and wish Ray a very happy birthday!

Thanks to Ray’s friend and one-time employee, Ilya, for whipping the festivities together at the last minute. Happy to help!

More photos and reviews:

Via E.V. Grieve by way of Shawn Chittle

Via Lindsay Wengler

And thanks to everyone who came out!

Follow @RaysCandyStore on Twitter

Ray’s Candy Store on Facebook

And the lovely Justine Joli on Twitter @JustineJoli and Tumblr. (Her proper site is in the works).

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Submit a story here or e-mail NHEastVillage@gmail.com

Rave in Tompkins Square Park, circa 2007 or 2008 I was passing...

mbrosen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:05:50 -0500

Rave in Tompkins Square Park, circa 2007 or 2008

I was passing by a rave in Tompkins Square Park and decided to investigate. I think it was the summer of 2007 or 2008.

via Vimeo user Jilleen Liao

h/t @cire_e

Do you have any old footage of the E.V. collecting dust somewhere? Break it out and share!

deepdance: Turntables on the Hudson in association with Liquid...

mbrosen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:06 -0500

deepdance:

Turntables on the Hudson
in association with Liquid Sound Lounge & Om Records presents

J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science
“UNDERCOVER” Record Release Party

DJ J-Boogie - OM Records
DJ Nickodemus - TOTH, Wonderwheel, ESL
DJ Jeannie Hopper - Liquid Sound Lounge, WBAI

Friday, January 27th, 11p-4a.

$5 before midnight.

$10 general admission.

@Drom - 85 Avenue A bet 5th & 6th Street

Support by: Deepdance Promotions, Fusicology, Co-Sign Radio Promotions, Om-Records

www.turntablesonthehudson.com
www.liquidsoundlounge.com
www.jboogie.com
www.dromnyc.com

marccasale: A little old testament themed street art…cut Eve a...

mbrosen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:36:27 -0500

marccasale:

A little old testament themed street art…cut Eve a break

laulaunyc: Cute postcard (Taken with instagram) New York, East...

mbrosen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:05 -0500

laulaunyc:

Cute postcard (Taken with instagram)

New York, East Village, 1991, photo taken by Genevieve Hafner

“Cute”

Surprise! It’s Ray’s 79th Birthday Burlesque...

mbrosen — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:44:05 -0500

Surprise! It’s Ray’s 79th Birthday Burlesque Extravaganza!!!

TONIGHT, January 22 @ 10:00 PM

Ray’s Candy Store

113 Avenue A

Be there to wish Our Man Ray a VERY Happy Birthday!

And, please buy something while you’re there!

(The festivities have gotten pretty wild in years past…)

For more, follow @RaysCandyStore on Twitter or Facebook

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Submit a story here or e-mail NHEastVillage@gmail.com