It’s now trendy for tourists visiting Rio de Janeiro to eschew the nice hotels in favor of a full immersion in the city’s sprawling shantytowns, or “favelas”. But for those who can’t make the trip to Brazil, a new restaurant will soon bring a taste of that scene to Williamsburg. Called Favela, the establishment is described as a "Brazilian Botequim", a simple place for the neighborhood to gather for drinks, food and watching soccer.......

One of the most famous editorials of all time appeared in September 21, 1897 issue of the The NY Sun. Ten-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon's letter asking, "Is there a Santa Claus" was published with a response by editor Francis Pharcellus Church that now appears reprinted in newspapers year after year (though many times with one paragraph - the third to last - deleted). The video above has veteran newsman Gabe Pressman of WNBC reading the......

On Friday, NYC freelance journalist Bradley Roland Will was killed while covering a protest in Oaxaca. Will had been reporting on the human rights violations in Mexico for IndyMedia, and it seems that plainclothes paramilitary opened fire on a crowd of protesters. Will was shot in abdomen and died at a Red Cross Hospital; two others were killed and Will's photographer Oswaldo Ramirez was injured. Oaxaca has been filled with protesters for the past five......

So-called "wolf packs" of teenagers have been increasingly mugging people in Prospect Park lately. The Post says many of the robberies' victims are teens, where suddenly "they are surrounded by a larger group of youths" who then take their money and cellphones. However, a mugging last week was on a 53 year old man who was "shoved to the sidewalk, kicked and robbed," which is alarming, if the teens are looking to be more......

In keeping with the wine theme this weekend, Gothamist noticed this sign on 8th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues the other day. We can't help but get excited about a new wine store in the 'hood. is-wine bills itself as an "innovative wine merchant," and is currently located at 225 East Fifth Street, between 2nd Ave and Cooper Square. Have any of you been there? What do you think of it?......

Be still our beating heart: The ever-so-successful builders of McMansions is coming to NYC. The NY Times details the Big Apple Dreams of the Toll Brothers. Chances are, if you've driven through the 'burbs in NJ, Pennsylvania, NY, and about twenty other states, you'll have seen a Toll Brothers home (oversized, gleaming homes clumped together). The company's website says this about it's "City Living" concept in NYC:Toll Brothers, America’s Luxury Homebuilder, will soon bring its......

- The poster couple for cute East Village restaurants, Jack and Grace Lamb, brings us Degustation in the 16 seat spot next to Jewel Bako. The menu is small plate-style, with Spanish and French influences. 239 East Fifth Street, (212) 979-1012. [via NYT, Thrillist] - Mario Batali + NASCAR = Mario Tailgates NASCAR Style: The Essential Cookbook for Nascar Fans. The red states are now officially confused. - Bruni on restaurant recommendations to a friend......

Between the accelerating AC bill, the boredom of August and the depression of knowing we don't summer anywhere, Gothamist has been more and more interested in revisiting the idea of cheap. Fish Bar is not what we'd technically call a dive (we're not afraid to let our feet touch the floor). It is an adorable and filled with kitsch: mermaids, tackle, shells, and buoys line the walls and compete with the Stoli for room on......

Authorities believe a 27 year old woman who died in an apartment fire may have caused the fire herself by smoking in bed. The woman lived on South Fifth Street with a roommate, who was not there at the time of the fire, and was described as a heavy smoker; she was found facedown on her mattress. One neighbor told the media she may have been socializing and drinking with some people outside her apartment......

With the World Series of Poker going on right now, Gothamist was reminded of the book, Positively Fifth Street which got a ridiculously rave review in the Times. Author James McManus, an avid poker player, originally was covering the story for Harper's magazine and turned his $4,000 advance into $10,000 to qualify for the series. Ah, if only all gigs were like that. Today the Times looks at this year's tournament, and reporter Jodi Wilgoren......