The Times tagged along with the New Yorker's Calvin Trillin for his "gastronomic walking tour" through Chinatown and Little Italy on Sunday, as part of the magazine's eponymous festival. The $100 tickets sell out instantly every year because the event is limited to just 35 nerds—er, gourmands—with money to burn. Trillin led participants on an erudite eating tour of his favorite little haunts on the two mile stroll. Among other revelations, he said he likes to eat standing up. And he doesn't care about restaurant reviewing: "If I couldn’t eat in a four-star restaurant again, it would mean nothing to me. But if someone said I couldn’t eat any more cilantro, I would be very upset." Also, the greatest development in American cuisine according to Trillin? No, not the Turducken; it's the Immigration Act of 1965, which allowed more third world immigrants. more ›

For your daily dose of amusement/ outrage/ disbelief at the city we live in, the NY Times has an article about apartment buildings selling private parking spaces for as much as $225,000. Seriously.

If parking at the Onyx Chelsea, a new 52-unit condo at 28th Street and Eighth Avenue, is any indication, there is plenty of demand. The first two spots sold for $165,000, the third for $175,000 and the last two for $195,000. Each space will include about $50 in monthly maintenance costs. Still, there are three buyers on a waiting list. more ›

Anyone that's ever driven a car in New York City knows that one of the hardest things to do is find a parking spot near your destination. A study released by Transportation Alternatives today finds that Park Slope may be the worst place to park. As if it wasn't enough to deal with stroller hell. more ›

Much has been written about Death & Company since they came on the East Village scene a few months back. As you likely know by now, high-end cocktail people take their craft quite seriously and Phil, the head bartender here is no exception. Made with an array of well-selected spirits, juices, alternative liquid sweeteners and homemade bitters, each cocktail strives for a chilly, complex, and balanced flavor profile. Many of the drinks offered are not just trendy throwback drinks, but classic old ones refashioned and developed around the desire to showcase a particularly interesting class of spirit and/or producer. Get ready to try some Old Overholt Rye, an artisanal Mezcal, or some old-fashioned-new-kid-on-the-block Plymouth Gin surrounded in a glass by like-minded flavor neighbors. Look at this comment from when Gothamist last wrote about this spot, owner of small mescal producer Del Maguey is thrilled to learn that his product is being showcased. There is a real mutual appreciation here between the owners, customers, the bartenders and spirit makers. more ›

After much speculation on Gridskipper and Eater, Shopsin's, the infamously cult-like diner in Greenwich Village, has definitely closed for good. NYC Nosh got an email from Kenny Shopsin:

Yes we are closed for good. You should read this sentence with emphasis on the last word. My family and I have a strong sense that there is an art to staying small, and humble. Our departure is a happy event meant to continue the success we have shared with you and our other friends. See you at Essex. Ken

Galas make us kind of nervous, but we attended this week's Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation dinner at Balthazar honoring the work and life of Jane Jacobs to hear what more could be said about the revered author and activist. more ›

The VMA's are in town, but there's more to do beyond screaming outside of Radio City or attempting to hit up one of the red carpet parties... more ›

ART OPENINGS: Ann Craven's latest ? more ›

January 12: Restaurants from the Inside Out more ›

Crain's New York says that fewer New Yorkers own cars, due to lack of parking spaces, increasing costs (insurance, gas), and more fines. According to a study, it costs almost $10,000 to maintain a car in New York City, which has led to the 5% decrease in car ownership since 2000. Hmm, $10,000 would be at least around 500 late-night car rides to or from Brooklyn. Interestingly enough, preserving mental health was not specifically called out, though that's the implicit suggestion, because what else can Gothamist think, when we read "$400/month parking fees" and "$2.29/gallon gas." And think about the potholes! And the crazy pedestrians! The cabs, the bad drivers from not-NYC, the delivery trucks, the bike messengers...riding in a car is almost as bad as driving a car in the city, but driving would force Gothamist to up our hours on the therapist's couch. Then again, Gothamist has barely driven since the new millennium and we will lie, steal, and cheat in order to befriend people who are nuts enough to own cars, with hopes of roadtrips to NJ malls where there's no sales tax. And there may be nothing truer than this wonderful quote in the article:

Susannah Perlman, who recently sold her 1989 Honda Civic, says: "Owning a car is not a crime. But in New York City they certainly make you feel like it is one."

There will be jazz and seminars, as well as lots of delicious food. Gothamist thinks the big event will be Saturday's All-Star Barbecue Sauce Tasting that has authors and gourmands Jeffrey Steingarten and Calvin Trillin putting their palates on the line, with Colman Andrews of Saveur moderating. You buy tickets that will let you purchase all sorts of 'cue and fixins' - we couldn't find any info on the sit, but expect to spend around $10-20 (depending on how big your appetite is and how much beer you want to drink). All proceeds go to the Madison Square Park Conservancy and VH1 Save the Music. more ›

Aaron mentioned this way back, but since the event is tomorrow and Sunday, we'll mention it again: The 1st Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, presented by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, Blue Smoke, and The Jazz Standard. It's all happening on East 27th Street, between Park Avenue South and Lexington Avenue. And as Gothamist loves to eat, we'll be there. With digital cameras, even though Lockhart Steele is afraid of our pictures. more ›