Last decade's decrepit property along a foully polluted industrial canal is just next decade's prime waterfront lots, ready for development by one the nation's premiere luxury homebuilders. The Gowanus Lounge uncovered a "scoping" document filed with the Department of City Housing by the Toll Brothers construction company. The early renderings portray a spread of mixed-use development between 2nd and Carroll Sts. and bounded by Bond St. and the Gowanus Canal itself. more ›

For those not wanting to hit the big Halloween parade (led by today's interviewee) there are other options: Park Slope's Halloween Parade (info here), Clinton Hill's Halloween Walk (info here) Prospect Park South's Halloween Parade (info here) and Williamsburg's Witches Walk (info here). more ›

Despite years of sake drinking experience at many of New York City’s finest izakaya ranging from the rarefied Sakagura to the funky yakitori spots on St. Marks nothing could have prepared us for the Joy of Sake. Hordes of revelers gathered in the Puck Building last week to sample more than 300 hundred sakes, many unavailable in the U.S. Just because of the sheer variety of rice libations on offer, the three-hour event was overwhelming, although it did eventually take on a somewhat rosy glow. more ›

Talk about joy -- over 300 sakes will be poured at the largest sake tasting in the United States, coming our way tonight. Over 100 of them are generally not available outside Japan and about 150 are silver and gold award winners in the National Sake Appraisal that takes place each year. Never fear, there will be appetizers to soak it all up, from the likes of Bao Noodles, Bond St, EN Japanese Brasserie, 15 East, Megu, Sakagura, Tocqueville, Woo Lae Oak, wd-50, and more. There's also a sake info desk where an expert will be able to answer all of your burning sake questions. 6 - 9 p.m., the Puck Building, 295 Lafayette between East Houston and Prince Streets. Tickets are $75 in advance and $90 at the door. For more info or to make reservations, call 212-799-7243, or visit joyofsake.com. more ›

A few weeks ago when we learned that Noho eatery Il Buco would be roasting Ossabaw hogs for its fourth annual "Sagra del Maiale," or outdoor pig roast, we knew there was no way in hell that Gothamist could stay away from the cobblestone block that is Bond Street. The Ossabaw is the very pig that Peter Kaminsky sang the praises of in his book Pig Perfect. And it is indeed quite a special piggy, for it is descended from Spain's legendary black-footed pigs, which are the source of the mindshatteringly luscious Jamon Iberico. more ›

September 21: Sagra del Maiale more ›

On Sundays Gothamist runs opinion pieces relevant to life in New York and reviews of recent books and performances. The judgments expressed below are entirely those of the author. more ›

The Times’ season previews are always a shot in the arm of a little excitement, a chance to see some splashy ads and to fantasize about the shows you’re not going to be able to get tickets to. Actually, we could have used the buzz we got from Sunday’s listings more a couple of weeks ago; at this point there’s so much starting up that it’s hard to avoid, much less that anyone needs to be told about them, at least with the big-name productions. Littler shows wouldn’t be able to afford sets or costumes if they advertised or put together fancy press kits for listings editors, but we’re psyched about them anyway. more ›

Gothamist’s family has never been the type to take to the yard after our Thanksgiving meal for a rousing game of touch football. That’s so Kennedy’s in Hyannisport, and so the opposite of everything our sedentary upbringing represents. Our family is less competitive, opting to sit quietly before getting what we lovingly refer to as our “second wind” where we continue our Pilgrim and Indian inspired binging. This week we’d like to suggest some shows that will remind you of all the competition, drama and dysfunction Thanksgiving can inspire, hopefully with less bloated regret. more ›

Chengwin is exactly what it sounds like, a creature that is half penguin, half chicken. Less obvious are the motives behind Chengwin’s public displays of theatrics when he takes to the streets of New York City to create scenes. He has been known to race his arch-nemesis Chunk (half chicken- half skunk) in a quarter mile marathon and has tried to break up Chunk’s public wedding ceremony, all while thousands of spectators participate in the pageantry. The video release and screening party for the latest Chengwin video, Homecoming 2004: The Chengwins vs. The Chunks is tomorrow night and will be a spectacle in itself, with an appearance by Chabio (yes, half-chicken, half…Fabio), 2 DJ’s, drinks and book-signings. The party starts at 8pm Thursday, November 10th at North Six in Williamsburg, admission is $5 which goes to help fund the next Chengwin event which will occur on a snowy winter day in 2006. more ›

Gothamist loves that on any given night, the performers and writers who create shows like SNL, Conan and the Daily Show are performing live at other venues around the city. It’s just one of the many reasons we love living here and this week it seems like there are more opportunities to check them out than usual. more ›

Gothamist loves this time of year when the city clears out. The city was so empty this morning that even our local AM New York distributor by the F train was on vacation and we had to pick up the paper instead of having it handed to us. Thankfully there is plenty to do this week as a reward for our hard work. more ›

With VIP and private rooms upstairs, and a decoratively pillowed lounge downstairs showcasing a gem of a bar and some of the best sushi chefs to be found downtown, BondSt offers a too-cool-for-most atmosphere with business suit-ed men sitting amongst orchids occupying the street level bar. Gothamist recommends the lychee martinis and the lobster tempura roll off the Japanese menu; fusion dessert, with offerings such as Banana Milk Chocolate Dim Sum and Lychee Panna Cotta are also reputably delicious. more ›

If you aren't in Indio, California this weekend then you aren't seeing Nine Inch Nails, the Arcade Fire or Spoon. You also aren't going to be suffering from heat stroke in a desert and buying $8 bottles of water, so we think you made a wise decision to skip Coachella. This weekend in New York we say goodbye to April, which if the old saying is correct - no more rain! Right? So throw away your umbrella and head to the May Day Festival in Tompkins Square Park this Sunday. And in the meantime, check this stuff out: more ›

Did you get shut out of the "secret" Beck show? Don't be sad, we did too, but there is plenty more to do this weekend. The weather will be nice, and at least your taxes are done, right. Right? more ›