Samosa! Dosa!

first off, I know a lot lately has been in the west village! I swear I will branch out more once the summer comes and I am finally able to leave the library. That said, the village does have some of the greatest cheap eats in the world including my personal favorite Manhattan Cart- THE DOSA STAND!

Usually parked out on Washington Square Park on west 4th by Sullivan from around 11 to 5ish, usually with a line during peak hours, this guy serves up some of the tastiest quick eats to go NYC has to offer. All vegan and all amazing, the dosa's which I can barely explain but it's a crepe type circle of yumminess stuffed with potatoes, onions, veggies, etc. They range from 3-6 dollars and come with a small (spicy) soup and incredible coconut (sort of, it's better than this but my pallet is not sophisticated enough to explain it) sauce. Skip the lines and grab a samosa or veggie roll for a buck each from the window in front. The samosa's are the best I've had, crunchy outside with an amazingly jam packed middle of flavor and food, and the sauces are divine. Grab a seat in nearby Washington square park and people watch for the afternoon and call it a day.

POP! kA-pOW! Slam! STREB!

Finally I was able to soak in one of, I believe the most innovative and heart pumping shows in NYC, STREB! A "modern dance" group around since 1985, Streb's pieces take the form of pop action where members through themselves from incredible heights, slam themselves into planks of wood, run and tumble into and off of what can only be described as a giant hamster wheel and crash, bang, fall and amaze in their SLAM (Streb Lab for Action Mechanics) studio. While the place is always packed with kids I assure you this show is not only awe inspiring (see how far water can be flung and how many different ways to jump into a pool with splsh) and gasp inducing (dance between concrete blocks as they swing inches from your face anyone?) But also is beyond inspiring in showing what our bodies can take and in how many different ways they can take it. It just urges you to move and explore what can be done with yourself as well as we push the bounds of not only imagination, but ourselves.

The show runs Fri- Sun until June 17th. Find out more info here. Watch video demos here. (just watch them, even if you don't want to go) You're truly missing out if you don't catch this show and don't forget to get CLOSE!

When: Fri and Sat at 7, Sat and Sunday at 3pm through June 17th
Where: SLAM, 51 North 1st street in Brooklyn. Take the L to Bedford walk down to first, take a right onto first and walk towards the water. (If you want to grab food before hand I suggest the Bagel Place, when you get to Bedford and first (before the studios) take a right on Bedford and walk two blocks, the BLT's (4.25) are to die for.
How much: 20 adults, 10 kids.

Let's Go Ride a Bike

It is beyond gorgeous outside and a perfect day for a bike ride. While I own my own bike (which makes these offerings free if you do too!), I realize that many NYC-ites do not have the pleasure and thus would like to offer my two favorite spots to ride PLUS places nearby where you can rent bikes for an hour or the day!

The Hudson Bike Path:

Stretching all the way down from Battery Park to the upper west side, this gorgeous, river side path offers miles of flat, smooth road with fantastic views of the city. Hop on pretty much anywhere on the westside and enjoy!

Central Park:

I know it's been done but I love this loop, it's a workout (if your like me and don't bike all that often) on the hills but it feels amazing to glide down them while whizzing through the city's most wonderful offering.

The only bike rental place I can personally recommend is on the Upper East Side is Eastside Bicycles on Lexington and 88th which rents out bikes for around 8 bucks an hour and is right by the park.

Here's a good site though for many a place in Manhattan. Get off your butt and go on a ride!

Dining Fever, Cheap (ER) deals

The emphasis to this post is on the (er) of cheaper. This Dining Feve blog lists different deals taking place in mid- upscale restaurants around the city where you can get 10- 30 percent off of your meal by printing out their coupons and using special DiningFever codes. You can also search food based on type, dining style and location. Not so very cheap but it will definitely save you a few bucks on those nights you decide to break the bank!

6 and B, How I love thee

It's a gorgeous day and I'd like to honor my favorite community garden in all of NYC, 6 and B!
Located on avenue B and 6th street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It's a little fairy village with tumbling plants cascading over the narrow paths winding around the garden. Tiny little hideouts, a gazebo and one amazing sculpture of wood reaching 60 feet in the sky (though the hanging stuffed animals creep me out it's very whimsical in a return to childhood sort of way).

The garden is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6 (and during other events) and boasts a wide array of free events ranging from sunrise yoga on Mondays at 7am to movie nights and artist photo showings in the summers. They also have a lot of events for kids, craft days, poetry workshops and book readings. Basically, it's a bit of heaven.

Cheap Date edition (Grab sunday brunch at Atlas on 2nd Avenue between 4th and 5th. For $5.50 you can make your own delicious omelet (I recommend feta cheese, sweet onions and mushrooms) with a bagel AND a side salad. Plus, they have outdoor seats on the east village sidewalk. Amazing!

BURGER MANIA! (part 2)

For an early morning post it's quite remarkable that I am still craving a burger after describing last nights wonders but here it is. Burger post number two brings us to Corner Bistro a West Village institution on West 4th and Jane since before SJP moved into the hood. Expect crazy lines here as well and a sometimes demanding waiter but the burgers are mmm mm worth it and amazingly good. Greasy, hearty, with lots of crunchy little fries, plus 2 50 drinks and a full full bar make this place provide an extra kick in my step when I'm in need of oh so good oh so bad food. Check it out on a weekday afternoon and miss the long wait which I've encountered even on Wednesday nights (though nothing beats the hour plus long wait we encountered on a friday!) Come to think of it, anyone else think these burger places are so good because you spend so long waiting for one that a beat up slab of ANYTHING would be heaven? Nahhhh.....


CHEAP DATE: Take him/her to magnolia's bakery about five minutes away on Bleecker and 11th. Another village institution (though SJP might have helped this one) you'll think the people in line (again, avoid late nights) are crazy! Until you have a chocolate chocolate masterpiece that is.

BURGER MANIA! (part one)

I, for one, am on the quest for the perfect burger. The kind that crunches when you take that first bite but melts in your mouth as you sink in to the delicious meat. Well, burgers just don't come cheap in this city and I've learned to deal with it (anyone finding something remotely decent under 5 wins a prize) BUT you've got to try out the ridiculous burger place at Le Parker Meridien. Enter the hotel on 57th between 6th and 7th aves and you find yourself in a gorgeous marble hall decked with sky high mirrors. Take a discreet right as you enter and find yourself inching towards velvet drapes concealing what appears to be a narrow hallway. Turn down the dark passage and see a single neon blinking burger and then, my friends, you have entered heaven and by heaven I mean a little dive joint jam packed with food, fries and a small but select group of new yorkers who know the secret. Cheeseburgers (with all the fixins!) cost you seven bucks, they're not huge but grab some fries and a lemonade and you're still under 12. Be sure to know what you want by the time you get to the counter, however, because it's kind of a soup nazi experience which must be seen to be believed. These mouthfuls of delight soak the brown paper bag in grease and you basically have to risk death to find a spot, not to mention a wait in lines but let's face it, it's these experiences we THRIVE for in this city. So live it up loves, it's mm mmm good.

(CHEAP DATE EDITION: Grab student tickets to a nearby show and call it a night!)