I'm happy to announce a secret concert. I might just break out the alter ego to get Sam (Jess's cousin) across the pond. Just kidding, but I remember him saying I remind him of the main man behind Aphex Twin who built a pond in his yard and lived in it via submarine for some bizarrely long stretch of time. While a long shot, we're talking to Mayor Bloomberg to get our submarine permit, so we hope to book this for the late night on Friday.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Some Insider information
Well its 2008 so I suppose its only appropriate to reach out to friends and family via the blogger-sphere--but I can't say I am a natural at it yet, this is my 1st time, so bear with me.
Our weekend is approaching fast so hopefully this will be a fun way to get everyone excited and informed on all the important NYC details.
For so many of our out-of-town guests this is a first time visit to the big apple. To be quite honest, one weekend, and a wedding weekend at that, is simply NOT enough time to get the full NYC flair. But I hope to help you try and hit some high points while your here.
Should I start with Food?
Favorite Pizza: Lombardi's, Located in Nolita John's of Bleeker Located in the West Village
John's Ambrosia
Best Bagels: Ess-a-Bagel for great salmon and whitefish salad, Murray's Bagels
Best Frou Frou Brunch Spots: 9th Street Market. (tiny and always a wait but entirely worth it!)
Paris Commune where we sat face to face with Doogie Howser. Really yummy.
Clinton Street Bakery Amazing pancakes all day long....
Some of our favorite neighborhood haunts:
Our go-to lunch, brunch, dinner or coffee spot: Grey Dog Coffee (Founded by two Wolverines) one location around the corner from our apt in Greenwich Village and the original in the heart of the charming West Village. My go to--Market Salad with Marinated Tofu or a Turkey Burger (Editors note: screw that, get a sandwich).
Westville for amazing home cooking, market veggies and just all around goodness, Great hot dogs, ruebens, salads--all around just great! East village location is a bit bigger then the west village location and is often easier to get seated at.
Great Soups: Karen's on Astor The corn chowder and red bean chili is AMAZING. Everything is vegan, vegetarian or dairy free--but don't let that put you off....its good!
Frozen Yogurt: Pink Berry For guests staying at the Raddison or Giraffe this location is particularly convenient--though they can be found scattered around the city See Map , Forty Carrots at Bloomingdales-Located on 59th Street and Lexington Ave (4, 5, 6, N, R Trains to 59th Street. Sunway entrance to store available!)
Best Diners: Moonstruck Diners are all over the city...pretty consistently great. Big salads and omlettes. Just what you would expect from a solid diner. We frequent the one on 2nd avenue at 5th street.
For those staying in Midtown a Nadler favorite is Viand on 62nd and Madison. Its small--best for 1 or 2 people for a quick and delicious bite, a NYC staple.
Shopping areas:
Bleeker Street--Start at the corner of Bleeker and 8th avenue and follow the street south through the west village. The walk is pretty. The window shopping is super! And you can pass the line at the famous Magnolia Bakery--and laugh at all the tourists waiting all day to taste a buttery cupcake. NOT worth the wait. But this area has a ton of local flair, a village feel, prewar architecture and noteworthy landmark buildings.
NOLITA (North of Little Italy) has a ton of hip (mostly expensive) up and coming designer boutigues.
Take the 6 train to Bleeker street/Broadway Lafayette stop and ask anyone for Mulberry, Mott, Elizabeth Street. These three streets between Houston and Spring streets are full of amazing shops, young hipster folk and yummy restaurants.
SOHO (South of Houston): Take the 6 train to Spring Street or to Bleeker/ Broadway Lafayette and you cannot missit. Cross to the West side of Broadway and immerse yourself in some of New York's most intense shopping for fashion and home. Warning--lots and lots of tourists in the area on weekends.
Department Stores: Bloomingdales, Bergdorf, Barney's, Bendels, Saks and Macy's to Name a few.
Saks shoe department has its own zip code its so massive!
For Kids: FAO Schwartz See the notable Piano from the movie BIG.
Economy Candy on Manhattan's Lower East Side is my personal paradise. Are you nostalgic for your childhood candy thats just impossible to find? Find everything you ever remember from your childhood here....special note-I worked in the building above economy candy for 2 years and need to recommend-chocolate dipped oreo cookies as my personal favorite.
Parks: Washington Square--you'll find musicians, NYU students, West village locals, serious chess and lots of benches and grassy nooks. Union Square you are likely to stumble upon a political rally of sorts, skateboarders taking down unsuspecting pedestrians, and a really wonderful farmers market on Saturdays with fresh fruit, baked goods, flowers and more. Tompkins Square Park will give you an edgier east village feel and near access to lots of vintage stores and thrift shops. For animal lovers all parks listed above have dog runs which for all you suburban and rural folk is probably a strange urban phenomenon.
The picture above was taken only a few weeks ago when 500 people descended on Union Square Park for an annual Pillow Fight. Indeed, very very random--and in my opinion, gross.
Alright, more later with best people watching, best fruit stand guy location, Where to find mango on a stick, bars/nightlife and more......
How'd I do for my first time? This took more time then I feel comfortable admitting to.
Our weekend is approaching fast so hopefully this will be a fun way to get everyone excited and informed on all the important NYC details.
For so many of our out-of-town guests this is a first time visit to the big apple. To be quite honest, one weekend, and a wedding weekend at that, is simply NOT enough time to get the full NYC flair. But I hope to help you try and hit some high points while your here.
Should I start with Food?
Favorite Pizza: Lombardi's, Located in Nolita John's of Bleeker Located in the West Village
John's AmbrosiaBest Bagels: Ess-a-Bagel for great salmon and whitefish salad, Murray's Bagels
Best Frou Frou Brunch Spots: 9th Street Market. (tiny and always a wait but entirely worth it!)
Paris Commune where we sat face to face with Doogie Howser. Really yummy.
Clinton Street Bakery Amazing pancakes all day long....
Some of our favorite neighborhood haunts:
Our go-to lunch, brunch, dinner or coffee spot: Grey Dog Coffee (Founded by two Wolverines) one location around the corner from our apt in Greenwich Village and the original in the heart of the charming West Village. My go to--Market Salad with Marinated Tofu or a Turkey Burger (Editors note: screw that, get a sandwich).
Westville for amazing home cooking, market veggies and just all around goodness, Great hot dogs, ruebens, salads--all around just great! East village location is a bit bigger then the west village location and is often easier to get seated at.
Great Soups: Karen's on Astor The corn chowder and red bean chili is AMAZING. Everything is vegan, vegetarian or dairy free--but don't let that put you off....its good!
Frozen Yogurt: Pink Berry For guests staying at the Raddison or Giraffe this location is particularly convenient--though they can be found scattered around the city See Map , Forty Carrots at Bloomingdales-Located on 59th Street and Lexington Ave (4, 5, 6, N, R Trains to 59th Street. Sunway entrance to store available!)
Best Diners: Moonstruck Diners are all over the city...pretty consistently great. Big salads and omlettes. Just what you would expect from a solid diner. We frequent the one on 2nd avenue at 5th street.
For those staying in Midtown a Nadler favorite is Viand on 62nd and Madison. Its small--best for 1 or 2 people for a quick and delicious bite, a NYC staple.
Shopping areas:
Bleeker Street--Start at the corner of Bleeker and 8th avenue and follow the street south through the west village. The walk is pretty. The window shopping is super! And you can pass the line at the famous Magnolia Bakery--and laugh at all the tourists waiting all day to taste a buttery cupcake. NOT worth the wait. But this area has a ton of local flair, a village feel, prewar architecture and noteworthy landmark buildings.
NOLITA (North of Little Italy) has a ton of hip (mostly expensive) up and coming designer boutigues.
Take the 6 train to Bleeker street/Broadway Lafayette stop and ask anyone for Mulberry, Mott, Elizabeth Street. These three streets between Houston and Spring streets are full of amazing shops, young hipster folk and yummy restaurants.
SOHO (South of Houston): Take the 6 train to Spring Street or to Bleeker/ Broadway Lafayette and you cannot missit. Cross to the West side of Broadway and immerse yourself in some of New York's most intense shopping for fashion and home. Warning--lots and lots of tourists in the area on weekends.
Department Stores: Bloomingdales, Bergdorf, Barney's, Bendels, Saks and Macy's to Name a few.
Saks shoe department has its own zip code its so massive!
For Kids: FAO Schwartz See the notable Piano from the movie BIG.
Economy Candy on Manhattan's Lower East Side is my personal paradise. Are you nostalgic for your childhood candy thats just impossible to find? Find everything you ever remember from your childhood here....special note-I worked in the building above economy candy for 2 years and need to recommend-chocolate dipped oreo cookies as my personal favorite.
Parks: Washington Square--you'll find musicians, NYU students, West village locals, serious chess and lots of benches and grassy nooks. Union Square you are likely to stumble upon a political rally of sorts, skateboarders taking down unsuspecting pedestrians, and a really wonderful farmers market on Saturdays with fresh fruit, baked goods, flowers and more. Tompkins Square Park will give you an edgier east village feel and near access to lots of vintage stores and thrift shops. For animal lovers all parks listed above have dog runs which for all you suburban and rural folk is probably a strange urban phenomenon.
The picture above was taken only a few weeks ago when 500 people descended on Union Square Park for an annual Pillow Fight. Indeed, very very random--and in my opinion, gross.Alright, more later with best people watching, best fruit stand guy location, Where to find mango on a stick, bars/nightlife and more......
How'd I do for my first time? This took more time then I feel comfortable admitting to.
The Puck Building
Here's some information regarding our awesome venue, the Puck Building.This Romanesque Revival landmark, one of New York's great buildings, was built between 1885-1893; additional construction in 1899 replaced part of the building that was torn down for the extension of Lafayette Street. (The northeast corner is the original entrance.)
The building housed the offices and printing plant of the Puck humor magazine, which was published until 1918. (William Randolph Hearst bought it in 1917 and closed it a year later.) Years later, the offices of Spy magazine were here.
Be sure to note the gilded statues of Puck as a top-hatted infant.
In When Harry Met SallyIt was in the ballroom of the Puck Building that Harry finally proclaimed his love for Sally on New Year's Eve, and they embraced in a passionate kiss before stopping to discuss the meaning of the song Auld Lang Syne.
In Will and Grace
This is the building that houses Grace Adler Designs, where Grace, for some reason, put up with Karen as her assistant.
Finally, I found some random picture of Paris Hilton hanging out with some royal transexuals at the Puck Building.
Introducing the New Wave Hipster Wedding Blog
Since Jessica and I are all into wearing tight jeans with Converse All-Stars, we decided to make our very own wedding blog. Actually, she doesn't even know about it yet, but I will tell her about it shortly. I'm not too sure what you'll see here, but would we ever disappoint you?We can't wait for everyone to get together for a fun filled weekend in the Big Apple. Jess and I are getting really excited. Word on the street is that we're gonna have fish tacos at the cocktail hour, so that is some most awesome news.
One point of interest, we encourage anyone who is coming in on Thursday June 19th to snatch up a ticket to the one and only R.E.M. They will cost you a small fortune, but come on, it's Madison Square Garden. You haven't lived until you felt the floors bounce at the Garden. Because the Garden is suspended above Penn Station, it literally bounces when the place gets rockin'.
R.E.M's new single is a really cool song. As Mike says, "it's the best song they have written in years."
Plus, the National and Modest Mouse are opening. The National is undeniably my favorite band right now and I can assure you they will represent in some shape or form at the wedding festivities. Here's one of my favorite tunes.
Check back soon for new developments. We'll start putting up some of our favorite haunts for you to visit on your trip. The countdown is on folks. See you in a couple of months!!!
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