Yesterday, while biking along the 10th Street bike path between University and 2nd Avenue, I saw two people biking against traffic and one person blow through a red light as a pack of pedestrians started to cross in front of us. Earlier that day, crossing 5th Avenue as a pedestrian, I nearly got hit by a cyclist who didn't stop for his red light. After sunset, I saw a guy cycling the wrong way down a bike path, no helmet, no reflective gear or lights, with headphones in both ears. All of this stupidity and lack of concern for fellow New Yorkers is fairly typical, unfortunately. That said, I also saw some moron drive IN HIS CAR the wrong way down 5th Avenue — while I and other pedestrians yelled at him — in order to make a U-Turn. As we all yelled "wrong way!" all he had to say was "I know." Seriously?!? WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE!?!?
Tag: NYC
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Booze You Can Use: Have a Cocktail at the 8th St. Winecellar
Most of you probably already know about my love affair with the 8th Street Winecellar. I know — I'm somewhat biased as it's around the corner from my apartment — but even beyond the uber-convenient location, it's' a warm, comfortable place with attentive, friendly staff, and good food and drink. I'd recommend it to anyone. Winecellar is somewhat of a misnomer, as they offer much more than wine. They have a selection of bottled craft beers, an extensive spirits selection (ask to see their Brown Book — mostly whisk(e)ys), and are happy to make cocktails if asked. The one thing they haven't offered for the past six years is a cocktail list. Now that has changed. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you: the 8th Street Winecellar original cocktail list. I've been a big fan of the Toasty Bunz for years — I can't wait to try the rest! -
Back the Rack!
Speed Rack 5/16. BE THERE.
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I Want to Ride My Bicycle, I Want to Ride My Bike*
I finally dusted off my bike and went for a ride yesterday, which felt great. Given the prevalence of the new Citibike docks all around the city, I've been thinking quite a bit about bike riding lately. I was trained as a very safe rider thanks to the AIDS Ride folks back in 2000, but I'm still not super-thrilled about riding in traffic. I prefer to get over to a bike-friendly area that is blocked to traffic (Central Park, West Side Highway) and ride around there instead of using my bike for commuting. As safe and cautious as I am, I think that drivers are still not accustomed to cyclists and I'd rather avoid them.
That said, they're about to be everywhere. I'm incredibly curious to see how this whole Citibike thing will work. I plan to try it out (with a helmet, of course) and see if it makes me more comfortable using a bike as a mode of transportation rather than a means of exercise. My two big hopes are that 1) drivers will start to get used to and respect cyclists who share the streets, and 2) cyclists will ride safely, respecting traffic laws. The latter is something I don't see as often as I'd like. I constantly see cyclists riding the wrong way down bike lanes, not signaling, blowing through traffic lights, wearing headphones, texting (are you fucking kidding me?!) as they ride, and riding on sidewalks. I truly hope that with an influx of cyclists, this changes, and if not, that cyclists are ticketed accordingly for traffic violations. The sooner we all learn to share the streets safely, the better.
* Thank you, Queen.
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The Tourist List – East Village/Lower East Side
Every so often I encounter tourists looking for places to eat/drink while they're in town. I don't have a definitive list, but I wanted to share a list I made last night. This one was for a French couple who is leaving tomorrow. They're staying at an apartment in the East Village and it's their first trip to the U.S. I tried to think of very New York places, modestly priced, that they could walk to from their home base, or places that they might find something they wouldn't find in their native Paris. They also asked me to pick just one from the list that they should go to if they only had time for one. Based on what they told me, I picked Katz's (but told them they should also go to Momofuku Ssam Bar if they could do two).
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For Your Enjoyment
A pretty fall cocktail from The Beagle — the North Atlantic: Calvados, Madeira, Benedictine, Angostura, nutmeg.
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A View From a Bridge
(well, several views, really . . .)
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Rats
For those souls not (yet) following me on Twitter, I had an amusing New York moment yesterday evening. I was walking through Washington Square Park when I overheard a woman say to her friend, "Oh my God! I just saw a mouse!" I had seen the same creature scurry near us, but unfortunately, I did not have time to give her a lesson on NYC fauna.
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Rock You Like a Hurricane
I couldn't help myself.
Pre-Irene shopping list/prep includes: C batteries for flashlight/radio, bottle of rosé, new rainboots, carrots/onion/celery for making lobster & chicken stock, milk for coffee, bottled water, battery-powered cell charger, & cash (learned my lesson during the blackout). Am I forgetting anything? I've got a well-stocked pantry and bar, and as long as I can light my stove w/a match I should be ok if the power goes out . . .
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L’Shana Tova
What better way to ring in the Jewish New Year than with The Heebster from Russ & Daughters – Whitefish & Baked Salmon Salad and Horseradish Cream Cheese on a Bagel (an onion bagel, in the case of this gorgeous specimen)? It was absolutely delicious. Of course the first day of Rosh Hashanah I had the fried chicken lunch at Momofuku Noodle Bar — which also made for a damn good celebratory meal.
More pictures from the tasty and fun New Year's weekend with friends and family can be found here.
