May 26th, 2010 | Posted in: travel
Wow, it seems forever ago since I was there, but here is the last bit of tips I have for you on NYC: Brooklyn and Williamsburg. Not as many a before as I wasn’t able to explore these area’s exhaustively, but nevertheless worth checking out. Let’s go!
Egg
First up is Egg. This is a great no nonsense restaurant where you can enjoy a breakfast with plenty of egg variations and other great meals. During the weekend these dishes are served all day as they are the best hangover-cure. Trust me. Besides that they serve lunch and dinner too, which I haven’t been able to try but I am sure are as great as the breakfast.
135 north 5th street.
Beacons Closet
One piece of advice: When looking for affordable vintage in New York, get out of Manhattan (Except for Fab. Fannies, Cobblestones and Tokio 7 of course) and head straight for Beacons Closet! This must be one of the biggest collections of awesome vintage clothing, shoes and accessories I have ever seen. Browsing through it made me smile, and that smile became even bigger when I saw the modest amount charged to my credit card. A must for every fashion-conscious person on this planet!
88 north 11th street.
Peachfrog
Another stop for fashion bargains is Peachfrog. Here you can buy contemporary fashion, accessories and even furniture at 70% to 90% discounts. That’s what we like!! Ranging from big international designers to local talents the collection is very diverse. Besides that, the store also served as a platform where local designers can show off their products/ art etc. Add to that the great events they organize and you have a great destination.
136 north 10th street.
powerHouse Arena
Moving over to the D.U.M.B.O. area of brooklyn we find powerHouse books at the base of Brooklyn Bridge. I posted about this store earlier so I’ll keep it short: Awesome collection of books by publisher powerHouse, great photo exhibitions, and the occasional great event. If you love book stores like I do, you can surely spend a lot of time here.
37 Main Street.
Grimaldi’s
There are two places in New York claiming to have the best pizza in town, if not the world. Lombardi’s is one, and Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn is the other. Their coal-fired brick oven cooking gives their pizza a unique smokey flavor and an amazing crispy crust. After the long walk over Brooklyn Bridge this is an amazing stop to chill for a bit, enjoy great food and have a taste of New York. Which one of the two places is better? I can’t say. Let’s call it a tie.
19 Old Fulton street.
That’s it for Brooklyn. As I said, I must have missed tons of great places. So send your tips, put them in the comments for others to read etc. Just make sure I get them. I’ll surely be visiting them next time around!
More NYC tips? Also see:
Nolita, Soho and West Village
Eastvillage & Lower East Side
tags: beacons closet, brooklyn, egg, fashion, food, grimaldi, new york, ny, NYC, peachfrog, pizza, powerhouse arena, powerhouse books, publisher, vintage, williamsburg
May 14th, 2010 | Posted in: travel
Round 2 of my New York city places to see. East Side, here we go!
Tokio 7
First up is Tokio 7. This place looks like your average vintage store, the only difference being that it is packed with only designer products. Marc Jacobs, Margiela, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, you name it, they’ve got it. And at good prices. As it is all real deal designer products it is more expensive, but still a bargain for those beauties you can fiend there.
83 east 7th street.
Fabulous Fanny’s
Fabulous Fanny’s has the greatest vintage eye- and sunglasses collection I have ever seen. Really. Browse around the racks and don’t forget the little drawers (yes, you may open them yourself!) to find that one frame that you have been looking for forever. The beauty is, the prices are very friendly too. A must see store.
335 East 9th street.
Cobblestones
Right across the road from Fabulous Fanny’s is Cobblestones. This small little vintage store is a must see too. Besides the large collection of womens vintage clothing, hats and shoes, there always are interesting bags to be found there which makes it worthwhile for guys like me. Even if you’re not going to buy anything, just have a look and chat with the always friendly owner Delanee Koppersmith. She nows everything and everyone in fashion New York.
314 East 9th street.
Dave’s Quality Meat (DQM)
Moving back into the sneaker realm, has quickly become one of my favorites. The collection is heavily influenced by skateboarding, so expect a lot of Nike SB, Vans and Adidas. Their collection of apparel is awesome too. Those chino’s and seersucker shorts where an instant classic in my wardrobe.
7 East 3rd street.
CBGB/ John Varvatos
CBGB, the legendary club where the Ramones started, along with Blondie, Talking Heads and Sonic Youth closed down in 2006. When the club closed down, John Varvatos got hold of the property and turned it into a store. Ever since, it has there has been a discussion going on whether this was a good thing or not. Varvatos has kept the walls and the stage intact, to keep some of the authenticity of the club. Trying to see through the expensive apparel, it offers just a glimpse into the place it once was but it still offers that glimpse. It could have been lost forever, never to be seen again. You decide what would have been better.
315 Bowery
Self Edge
If you are in to jeans, Self Edge is the only place you need to go in NYC. Only the finest denim combined with traditional production methods is good enough for these guys. Every garment has a story. And they are more than happy to share these stories with you.
157 Orchard street.
Kim’s Video and Music
So much for the clothing and shoes. This one is somewhat of a loner in these posts, but a must see nevertheless. Kim’s is the best movie store I have ever seen. If you have ever seen the movie High Fidelity, these guys are the same but on movies. All movies are arranged exactly the way you can recognize a good store: by director and country. Just go in and have a look. You won’t be disappointed. The fact that these guys are still alive in the era of Amazon and downloading says enough if you ask me.
124 1st Avenue.
Only one piece of food advice for this part of the city, but you won’t need anything else after you have been there. Trust me.
Katz’s Delicatessen
One word: Wow. Katz’s Delicatessen has been around since 1888, and will be there forever I guess. This is the place where you can buy the best sandwiches in town, if you are not a vegetarian that is. Don’t be scared by the gigantic crowds inside. There is always another spot to sit, and those pastrami sandwiches are to good to miss: I have never seen that much meat on one sandwich. Just make sure you are famished when you go in, because on of these babies will last you the rest of the day.
205 E. Houston street.
More NYC tips? Also see:
Nolita, Soho and West Village
Williamsburg & Brooklyn
tags: apparel, CBGB, cobblestones, dave's quality meat, Delanee Koppersmith, delicatessen, denim, DQM, fabulous fanny's, glasses, john varvatos, katz's deli, kim's video and music, new york, ny, NYC, restaurant, self edge, shoes, shopping, sneakers, tokio 7, vintage
May 5th, 2010 | Posted in: fashion, travel
Alright people. Here is the first of three posts on all the stores, restaurants and other interesting places I have found in NYC while I was there. I have focused on the smaller venues, not the big brands, as you will surely be able to find these. Sure, I have missed out on a lot of places, and this list is far from exhaustive. Just consider it a nice start. Lets kick it off with the stores:
F.S.C. (Freemans Sporting Club)
The F.S.C. brand is built around the craft of handmade clothing, as opposed to the disposable fashion trend. F.S.C. strives to create classically styled clothing to stand the test of time, which also reflected in the style of their products: timeless classics. The collection includes suits, shirts, jackets and ties. Not for the budget traveler though. You can also go there for a haircut and a shave. And don’t forget to check out the restaurant down the alley next to the shop.
8 Rivington Street (between Bowery & Chrystie)
New York, NY 10002
Duncan Quinn
Another shop which is very interesting is Duncan Quinn. This is the place you go for all your bespoke tailoring needs. Only the best fabrics in the world combined with Saville Row quality tailoring put Duncan Quinn at the top of the game. This of course comes with a price. Even if you cant afford it go and have a look. The passion with which this store is run is worth a visit on its own.
8 Spring Street
Fight Club
When you are looking for a pair of exclusive sneakers (or other streetwear) Fight Club is one of the places to go. Having both a new and a second hand collection you will surely find a nice pair of exclusives here. Do check out there different outlets though, as they have a different collection.
120 Nassau Street (New Collection)
254 Greene Street (New Collection)
267 Lafayette Street (Second Hand)
Saturdays
As far as I know, Saturdays is the only surfstore in Manhattan. Besides the surfing vibe they also have a great collection of boards, wetsuits and apparel. Even if you just feel like an espresso and a chat, this is the place to go.
31 Crosby Street
Premium Laces
Premium Laces is a nice little sneaker store on Spring street where I picked up my fresh new RT1′s. Good collection and good prices. Nothing more, nothing less.
68 Spring Street
One has to eat, and party afterwards. So do check out these places:
Submercer
Located in the basement of the Mercer Hotel/ Mercer Kitchen, this club is an interesting one to check out. If you can find it. The address alone, 147 1/2 Mercer Street, must say enough. There is no real entrance to the club, besides a freight elevator which will take you down into the hallway where you can check your coat. After that you enter the small but good club: Good looks, good music, good drinks. Don’t drink too much though, as you might get lost on your way out… (So I’ve been told!)
147 1/2 Mercer Street.
La Esquina
La Esquina is both a mexican reastaurant as it is a booming night club. Nothing wrong with the food up stairs, but the club in the basement is far more interesting. When you want to get in, you’ll first have to find the entrance. After you find it (I’m not going to spoil the fun!) you go down some stairs and through the kitchen before you enter the club, which will surely be filled with fashionable, beautiful people.
114 Kenmare Street
Spotted Pig
Another great destination for food and drinks is The Spotted Pig. This place is pretty much a pub with great straight forward food, or gastro-pub. Go for the Devils on Horseback for starters and take the Burger with Roquefort cheese as a main. You will not be disappointed, trust me. Wash this all away with the specially brewed Spotted Pig bitter.
314 W. 11th Street (@ Greenwich street)
Lombardi’s
This is the first pizzeria to be opened in the United States in 1905. After more than 100 years, they are still serving the best pizza’s in town. ZAGAT reviewers even called it the best pizza on the planet. Summarized: A must see/ eat and definitely worth the wait outside.
32 Spring Street.
Blue Ribbon Sushi
BRS is a must for all sushi lovers out there. I can be short about it: Absolutely the best sushi I have ever had. Not for the financially faint hearted ones though (ouch!).
119 Sullivan Street.
Cafe Gitane
I had lunch here a couple of times and I liked it. Here it is not really about the food (which is good though), but more about the little terrace in the front. Get a seat there, order some food and drinks and enjoy the fashionable view passing by. Unfortunately the waitresses don’t want you hangin’ around to long after you finish.
242 Mott Street.
Cafe Habana
Last in this row, be by far not least is Cafe Habana. A must stop shop for all food lovers. Don’t be fooled by the cramped looking interior of this place, as the awesome Cuban food will surely make up for this. This is confirmed by the ever present line in front of the door. Don’t want to wait? Pick up a sandwich to-go next door.
17 Prince Street.
More NYC tips? Also see:
East Village & Lower East Side
Williamsburg & Brooklyn
tags: Blue ribbon sushi, cafe gitane, cafe habana, club, duncan quinn, freeman sporting club, fsc, gastro, kitchen, la esquina, laces, lombardi, mercer hotel, mercer kitchen, mexican, new york, ny, NYC, pig, pizza, premium, pub, saville row, sneaker, spotted, submercer, tailor
June 15th, 2009 | Posted in: misc.
The historic High Line railroad was built through Manhattan in the 1930′s. It lifted freight traffic 30 feet in the air, removing dangerous trains from the streets of Manhattan’s largest industrial district. The last train ran over it in 1980, after which it remained wasn’t anymore until is was scheduled for demolition in 1999. Here’s how it used to look:
In that year ‘Friends of the High Line’ was formed. A community based non-profit organization with the goal to preserve this historic structure. The project gained the City’s support in 2002. The High Line south of 30th Street was donated to the city in 2005. Respecting the railroad heritage, landscape architects Field Operations, with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, created the plan for the new destination for the High Line as a public park. Construction on the park began in 2006. The first 1,5 mile section, from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street opened this week, and it looks great. It runs through the city as a green ribbon offering visitors a unique experiment. When I’m there I will definitely check it out.
Two more sections are planned, running up to 34th street when completed. This will make it a unique attraction for New York City.
What a couple of persistent residents can achieve… Check out their site and blog here for more info and pictures.
tags: cargo, city, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, field operations, green ribbon, high line, james corner, manhattan, new york, NYC, park, railroad, rails
