Recently the Riese Organization took over 34 Union Square East... the old Zen Palate space. Sigh. And what's going up in its place? The much rumored T.G.I. Friday's and a Tim Horton's of course, helping to complete the circle of chains around the park. Now Andrew Fine has photographic evidence; today he reported, "I spotted signage and crews working feverishly to complete a Tim Horton's... this is a downgrade and really counter to where we would like Union Square to be going. The burbs are invading!" The burbs... and Canadians! [via Curbed] more ›

Since Best Buy is constantly looking to build on its existing culture of innovation and tailor its stores to the needs of local customers, the electronic retail powerhouse figures, "Heck, why not open a 24-hour spot down there in New York City's Union Square?" That's right, Best Buy's CEO Brian Dunn announced today that a 24-hour, 48,000 square-foot location (the old Circuit City) will open its doors at the corner of 14th Street and 4th Avenue, the heart of historic "please don't run into me with your skateboard" Union Square, on Nov. 13. more ›

Yesterday we got a press release announcing the imminent arrival of TGI Friday's in Union Square and thought, ho-hum, so it goes. Others were less complacent, and have vowed to thwart the militantly upbeat chain's plan to push Jalapeño Poppers by the historic old potter's field. These dissidents are fighting by any means necessary, including Twitter. The group Save Union Square says "follow us and help send a loud and clear message to The Riese Organization that we don't want their TGI Friday's. SAVE THE SQUARE!" Because if a corporate chain opens across the street from Union Square, it will be ruined—just like it is every morning when Babies R Us, Staples, Starbucks, Petco, DSW, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble fling open their doors. But if the Twitter account proves unable stop this suburban abomination, the Friday's will open in the space formerly occupied by Zen Palate, at a time of their choosing. And just to piss off everyone even more, the Riese Organization will also include a Tim Hortons in the same building, so opponents can wash down their rage with some weak Canadian coffee. But hey, at least TGI Friday got its start in NYC. more ›

That report of an EDP near Herald Square this morning? It turns out a man stabbed a woman - in the lobby of the Manhattan Mall! The Post says the woman was "stabbed in the back, arm and wrists" during the morning rush hour. The lobby was covered in blood, forcing the building to close the West 33rd Street entrance. The victim and attacker were both taken to Bellevue. The victim is described as the... more ›

Languishing in cardboard boxes near the mushroom sections in local Fairway stores these next few weeks are Sea Beans, mysterious short stalks of a dark green vegetable, looking like something you might find washed up on the beach, but maybe a bit more edible. According to Elizabeth Schneider’s Vegetables from Amaranth to Zucchini, Sea Beans (aka Salicornia) grow wild in warmer months all over- in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. “Salicornia is not seaweed, as it is often described,” she writes, “nor is it a cactus, which it slightly resembles.” Eaten raw or cooked, its flavor can best be described as sea salty intense, with a sort of grassy asparagus aftertaste. When fresh, Sea Beans are crunchy like snap peas. At the tail end of their one-week refrigerator shelf life, older sea beans can be revived with a five-minute soak in ice water. In addition to their current availability at Fairway (a pricey $8.99 per ½ pound), farm-raised boxes of the vegetable show up every June at NY greenmarkets, often leaving perplexed customers headed for more conventional items like pretty garlic scapes, or local strawberries. more ›

Last night we headed to one of our favorite local bars, Lolita, for a Sunday night, post-CMJ, drink. The bar rotates artwork every month or so and right now it's all New York themed pieces. The Greek coffee cup, the parking ticket, the Metrocard, the subway sign...you get the idea. For some reason, they are all painted on canvas that is meant to resemble a refrigerator door. Example at right. more ›

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- And let's talk maple syrup smell - we had a few tips that there was a maple syrupy, perhaps caramel scent in the air... did you smell anything? more ›