Fellas, if you’re in some sort of relationship and haven’t nailed down the V-Day itinerary yet, it’s about time to start making some quick decisions and, regrettably, commitments. Reservations fill up fast and no matter what she says about ‘not expecting anything special’, we all know that’s a big trap. But it doesn’t mean you have to submit to an overpriced prix fixe dinner at a stuffy, overcrowded restaurant; here are some less predictable ways to impress your date this Love Day. (We suggest starting now by ordering one of these fine Law & Order SVU Valentine's cards.) more ›

It seems that every time The White Stripes fade away for a year or two, people seem to forget exactly how amazing they can be live. Perhaps it takes a show like the one at Irving Plaza last Tuesday...filled with hardcore, line-waiting fans and eager and excited members of the media to really drive home just how good a show Jack White puts on, and exactly how impressive Meg is to keep up with him (though not everyone agrees). Those in attendance were in for a treat, as any time an arena band brings it down for a club show, it's always a spectacle. We were floored at Keyspan Park two years ago, and are excited to see them bring it to another level at the Garden next month. Read the reviews at Productshop, The Modern Age, and Stereogum, to (name a few in attendance.) (Pic Via DanFun) more ›

While we couldn't make it down this year (a bit festivaled out between SXSW and Coachella and Sasquatch so far this year), Bonnaroo kicked off last night with a couple local favorites warming up the early arrivers. The National, Langhorne Slim and Apollo Sunshine among others took the stage for the Thursday night festivities. Much much more on the way for the rest of the week, including hometowners Sam Champion, El-P and The Hold Steady. If you're stuck in NYC this weekend as well, relive our full coverage of the hippie/hipster fest from last year here, here and here. Also, stream the current fest at AT&T Blueroom. (Photo via EW's flickr.) more ›

Yes, when they played their own set on Saturday night at Studio B, Of Montreal pretty much ran through the same shtick they did a month earlier at Irving Plaza. Nothing wrong with that, however, as that set was just about the best show we've been to all year and we were more than happy to re-experience it. But this show, was not entirely about Of Montreal. It was about the fans. In particular, the fans with the BAC to get up on stage and sing karaoke standards with Kevin Barnes and friends playing backup. And believe it or not, It was an almost entirely enjoyable experience. Fluxblog has a nice write-up and links to YouTube videos of most renditions. (Recommended: Aquaman and The Rudd/Wain Experience.) more ›

Bruni goes to the Penthouse Strip Executive Club to try the steaks at its restaurant, Robert's Steakhouse. He receives offers from the staff to get naked for him, but--more to the point--also finds "some of the very best steaks in New York City," and gives the restaurant one star. more ›

Or is it all in the Alchemy? Flavored vodkas are everywhere these days, so it's rare to find one that stands out above the rest. You just might find that standout in Alchemy, an infused (not flavored) vodka from Agata Podedworny, who proudly touts her Polish heritage through her product. The bottle itself is striking, a sharp, angular and sleek design, with antiqued lettering reminiscent of chemical compounds. Alchemy sticks to traditional distilling processes, using water from ecologically protected land in known as "the green lungs of Poland," and is infused rather than merely flavored. While flavored vodkas are made by adding ingredients during the distillation process, infused vodka is made by introducing ingredients once the vodka has already been distilled. more ›

(pic via tammylo's flickr) more ›

This is traditionally a pretty slow time for music. Everyone is getting their feet back under them from the holidays, there aren't many bands putting out albums, and even less are ready to get back out and start touring. The news cycle in general is still pretty weak, and music has it no different. Nonetheless, we're starting a new feature this week recapping the biggest stories in rock around this town every Friday. So... more ›

Sometimes all you want is a slice of pizza. Chefs know this, and try occasionally to answer our basic cravings. Case in point: tarte flambée. With its French pedigree, it’s fancy enough to stand up on high-end menus. The Modern’s bar room offers it, as do Café d’Alsace and August. But the best example yet to hit Manhattan may be at Klee Brasserie, which opened in Chelsea last month. Called “Alsatian pizza” and presented as a first course, this version is irresistibly crisp, as thin as a cracker. It comes with the traditional toppings of lardons, crème fraîche, and onions. You’d swear there’s cheese involved. But it’s just that the onions have melted into a sweet mass with the cream—which will drip tantalizingly from the edges as you raise a slice. more ›

In 2004 we asked a bunch of New York bloggers to suggest sonic stocking stuffers. This year, we asked New York bloggers, bookers, musicians and more, what they'd give as a gift this holiday season. Here you go...commence shopping! more ›

September 7: Sake Tasting more ›

There was a time, not too long ago, when I believed that Muse was the best live band on the planet. I was in Ireland at a music festival in the summer of 2004 and witnessed what was one of the most impressive concerts of my life. There were grown men crying beside me shouting "Matt Bellamy is a God!" at the top of their lungs. It just unbelievably surreal. more ›

Movable Hype 8.0 is coming up tonight! We want you there. The first person to email us (at GothamistContest (at) gmail dot com) wins two list spots to tonight's show. Contest closed! more ›

Sunday and Monday nights were the James Beard Awards annual gala events, and the results are now in. Sunday night focused on the journalists, highlighting books, broadcast media, and even websites (a new category), while Monday was all about the chefs and restaurants. The excitement was palpable in the food world, so much so that Ed Levine decided to liveblog Monday's Awards dinner, an extravagant black tie affair, for those of us not "in" enough to snag an invitation (thanks, Ed!). more ›

All the foodies are in a tizzy today as the coveted James Beard Award nominees were announced last night. The actual awards ceremony and reception will be held on May 8, at an event celebrating "the culinary legacy of New Orleans." Reservations for the May 8th event can be made by calling 212-367-9490 or toll free at 1-866-362-6442. Admission is $375 ($325 for James Beard Foundation members/$120 for students - find your old ID cards fast!). A portion of the admission price will be donated to a charitable fund established to support the rebuilding of New Orleans’ restaurant community. more ›

In a city that specializes in specialties, New York is a playground for those who love wine. Whether it’s an unknown Turkish wine you crave or a spicy Tinto Fino from the Ribera del Duero, we have it all. But in a place where your options are endless, the biggest challenge is selecting where to go. The good news is New York also happens to be the city that never sleeps. So with a desire for great unique wines and a few free nights, Gothamist sets out to find the best spots to bring a date, entertain some friends or just throw back a glass or two. more ›

- An off-duty cop fighting with a group of "thugs" was shot early yesterday morning by another police officer. more ›

The Modern is the latest star in the constellation of Danny Meyer's restaurant empire. Gothamist recently stopped by its more casual half, the Bar Room, after a visit to The Museum of Modern Art, which houses the restaurant. Chef Gabriel Kreuther's small-plate menu dazzles. It's divided into three sections: cold appetizers, hot appetizers, and half-sized entrees. Portions are generous and many dishes are laced with an unusual ingredient. more ›

Charlie Suisman over at Manhattan User's Guide broke the French omerta on the New York City restaurants Michelin guide and listed the restaurants receiving 1, 2 or 3 stars. Only thirty-nine restaurants were reviewed. Here's a quick analysis: more ›

As we all know, CMJ is about to take over...however, non-CMJ events will also be taking place that week, unphased by the marathon. One that caught our eye is this Housing Works event starring Bright Eyes. Tickets are on sale now for $40. From the website: more ›

Enticed by the ethereal Yoshio Taniguchi redesign and free admission, New Yorkers waited hours before the MoMA officially reopened, rock concert style, to be among the first to dance around one of the most comprehensive collections of modern art around. An estimated 15,000 visitors passed through the doors, and Gothamist is enjoying the local papers' coverage, from rapturous glee to architectural criticism (it's like "white bread and mayonaise"), from bickering with guards to gripes about the cost ($20 is "two days worth of food"). more ›

Beloved fashion accessory becomes city evidence, as DNA taken from a suspect matches hair found in a do-rag left at a 2002 murder scene. Sixteen year-old DeJuan Brown apparently shot a correction officer and an innocent bystander outside a liquor store in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and left the gun and his do-rag at the scene. more ›

Gothamist remembers way back when, in January 2000, when we first heard about Ginger from Inside.com. It was supposed to be some sort of revolutionary individual transportation device, from the man who designed a wheelchair that could climb stairs. The hype, fueled by inventor-entrepreneur Dean Kamen and the media, drove geeks of all kinds (tech, media, transportation) crazy. And then when the Segway Human Transporter was finally unveiled, response was "Where's my flying machine?" more ›