Results tagged “avenueb”

        

The farewell party for the famous "Toy Tower" at the Avenue B and 6th Street community garden took place yesterday. Vanishing New York estimates about 100 well-wishers were in attendance to eulogize the found object art tower, which rose to a height of 65 feet over the course of two decades. The eclectic structure is the work of the colorful East Village character Eddie Boros, who passed away one year ago this month.

A tipster tells Vanishing New York that the iconic found object “Tower of Toys” that began rising out of the Avenue B and 6th Street Community Garden in the mid-80s will be demolished by the Parks Department. According to the garden's executive committee, the 65-foot tower has been deemed unsafe. And, let’s face it, it’s just not in keeping with the city’s ever-expanding ‘generic and soulless’ real estate trend.

In a neighborhood full of heaping plate entrees-under-$10, Back Forty makes a somewhat daring entry onto Avenue B (near 12th Street) with its a la carte style menu featuring chef-and-market driven dinner fare. Back Forty’s website describes itself as a place “meant to be comfortable for a quick bite before a movie, an easy meal for a collection of friends or a simple family meal. It’s dinner not a dining experience.” Dining experience--if by...

Missed Halloween but still feeling spooky? Never fear, you can continue the creepy vibe by celebrating the Mexican Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos. Observed on November 1st and 2nd, this holiday celebrates and honors the lives of the deceased and welcomes them to the new stage in their lives that commences upon death. Several Mexican restaurants across the city are joining in the celebration -- here's where to go and what to eat:

Back Forty: Peter Hoffman of Savoy brings his fresh-from-the-farm mentality to the East Village, complete with farm implements decorating the walls. The term "Back Forty" referred to the undeveloped quarter of a 160-acre homestead where farm families went to relax and unwind. The menu may be small, but includes a grass-fed beef burger, Maine shrimp and bacon beignets, and a whole grilled Catskill trout. Wash it down with a house cocktail, or if you've got a sweet tooth, a root beer float. 190 Avenue B, near 12th Street, 212-388-1990.

Bun: Chef Michael Bao Huynh and his wife, Thao Nguyen, who has amazing noodle preparation expertise, have opened this Vietnamese rice-noodle and small-plate spot in SoHo. Although he has gotten some financial backing from Warren Cuccurullo, formerly of Missing Persons and Duran Duran, Huynh designed the designed the 45-seat space himself. The menu is affordable, with a cap at around $12, and features four varieties of pho, among other dishes. 143 Grand Street, near Lafayette Street, 212-431-7999.

TIP: According to Paper's Mr. Mickey, Chloë Sevigny is having a tag sale on her block this Saturday. We're guessing there will be lots of vintage Balenciaga. Check out her apartment in House & Garden...pretty nice!

Alphabet City has long been a cheap eats favorite, with Kate's Joint for veggie-heads, Westville East for market lovers, and Nicky's Vietnamese sandwiches for the best salty-sweet-hot sandwich for under $5. You can get ramen (Minca) or delicious baked goods (Ciao for Now) or the city's arguably best coffee (9th Street Espresso), before even getting to welcome Cafe Cortadito, a new sure-to-be neighborhood favorite on 3rd Street and Avenue B.

Stone Ridge Orchard, the farm behind the Organic Schmorganic blog, is celebrating its inaugural harvest from its fifteen acres of certified organic farmland. Take a trip to the country for some food and drink, right from the farm. 6 to 9 PM at 300 Springtown Road New Paltz. RSVP to Amy Johansson by email or by calling 845-249-3440.

August 4: Winemaking Demo - Bottling

- Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn provides Park Slope picks for Dine-In Brooklyn.

Okay, so you left it to the last minute once again. Never fear, there are still options for eating out on New Year's Eve. Time Out New York rounds up options for every budget, ranging from $20.07 snacks and apps at the Silverleaf Tavern (the bottomless glass of wine will cost you an additional $70, however), to a five course dinner at Cafe Gray including unlimited champagne and dancing for $550. Citysearch has a fairly long list, with most of the menus hovering around the $100 range, and Open Table lists restaurants serving their regular menus in addition to those with special New Year's Eve menus (we wouldn't mind spending our New Year's Eve at Blue Smoke, which is serving their regular menu that night -- any year is off to a great start with sidecars and ribs).

Hopscotch, by Wayne's New York. Tag yours "gothamist" on Flickr if you want us to use them.

When Snack Dragon, Josephine Jansen's taco shack on Avenue B between 2nd & 3rd doled out its final taco this past Memorial Day, late-night devotees and locals alike mourned the loss of the cheap eats joint with tasty, always fresh tacos. Officials claimed the shack was built without a permit and Jansen, the taco-loving East Village veteran, had no choice but to leave.

October 26: The Caffeine Question

Average wait time: 45 minutes

- Ed Levine has a short round up of the Il Buco annual pig roast; looks like it should be on the calendar next year.

Has East Village restaurant LeSouk, infamous for being a haven of "fights, underage drinking, and legitimate noise comlplaints" over the years, closed? Reader Stacie who lives across from Le Souk (and loathes it for its chaos) heard from someone at the 9th Police Precinct that the restaurant lost its liquor license - and in fact, it was closed last night. Stacie continued to build a compelling case for why residents on Avenue B may be relieved: The State Liquor Authority website says Le Souk's liquor license is "inactive".

As we mentioned yesterday in Extra, Extra, this week brought Manhattan preservationists some bad news and some bad news with a side of hope.

June 29: At the Table: Celebrating Women Chefs & Restaurateurs

Gothamist and A Hamburger Today bring you the best burgers from across the nation right here at Water Taxi Beach. We've told you about it plenty -- all the details are here.

LITERATI and GRAFFITI: Smith Dalek, Sasha Jenkins and Darin Rowland (one of the authors of the book "Freight Train Graffiti") discuss the nature of the relationship between graffiti and art, and how a city fad broke out worldwide. A reception and book signing with the graffiti artists on hand will follow.

Ah, Cinco de Mayo. We finally learned the backstory this year. Apparently, several decades after Mexico gained independence from Spain, France sent 6,000 of its soldiers to invade Mexico in 1862. On May 5th of that year, 2,000 ill-equiped but passionate Mexican citizens defeated the French army. Every year, on May 5th, it has been traditional to honor those brave fighters by partaking in a night of music, tequila and authentic Mexican cuisine, and we are here to help you do so.

Gothamist loves indulging in weekend brunch just as much as the next person, but the hour long lines that linger outside downtown favorites like Clinton Street Baking Co. and Prune, can drive even enthusiasts away. Head up Avenue B and you'll find yourself at Rue B, where an all-inclusive $10 covers a breakfast cocktail, endless cup of coffee, and generously sized entree, served without the rush of those scowling at you from the long line awaiting outside. "Eggs Corleone," a house variation of eggs benedict, is served atop sheer slices of prosciutto with slightly sweet blood orange hollandaise. Rosemary speckled hash browns accompany, though this can be replaced with a mixed green salad at one's request. Another entree pairs lightly grilled asparagus with freshly shaved parmagiano, two eggs cooked to order, and two thick wedges of toasted Italian bread. For those with a sweet tooth, vanilla french toast comes with a side of bacon (and for $2 more, two eggs), and fresh fruit pancakes arrive three-to-a-plate. With variations on reliable favorites, like fried eggs with truffle oil, and overstuffed omelettes filled with a smattering of meat, cheese, and vegetable fillings, Rue B offers both a satisfying menu and a leisurely weekend crowd happy to savor each bite.

Sad news from the New York Post today: the 157-year old St. Brigid church on Avenue B and 7th Street will be razed. A Manhattan Supreme Court judge refused to block the demolition, so short of a miracle, nothing is going to save this beautiful building. The archdiocese is saying they don't have the seven million dollars required to bring the building up to code-- despite neighborhood claims that the true price tag is only $500k. Really depressing stuff-- especially considering the historical pedigree of the building-- designed by the famous Irish architect Patrick Keely:

If there's one week that folks might be at a loss for things to do in the city, this is the week. You might think not a creature was stirring, but how many times do we have to tell you? This is New York. The kids are definitely nestled all snug in their beds. What to your wondering eyes should appear this week? Take a look....

- Finally, something to mull over: Do creative types have more sex then the rest of the population?

Zoe Schneider, Writer and Clothing Designer

December is here, and the joyous holidays of Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza are coming up soon. Most of those celebrations involve the combination of candles and combustible decorations-- like that extra dry Christmas tree you found the other night on Avenue B. Okay-- it was more of a discarded houseplant, but it's sitting in your living room now, surrounded by four lit menorahs and a slightly frayed set of Christmas lights. Maybe now is the time to refresh your memory on the FDNY's holiday safety tips: