Andy Warhol: Motion Pictures @ MoMA

Today was the first day of the Andy Warhol's Special Exhibition at MoMA: Motion Pictures.

Really interesting exhibition, based on portraits, it was recorded in black and white without sound or narrative, reassembling the Nouvelle Vague.  Among the people filmed by Warhol are his "favorites" as Lou Reed, Nico, Edie Sedwick and Allen Ginsberg.  Another "famous" presence is Dennis Hopper.  The main room appears all the twelve "portraits" side by side, making it possible to compare the faces and the movements of the actors. In my opinion, the whole exhibition worths for this part.

The movie "Kiss" has its private room, in a special movie theater created for the exhibition.

More information at MoMa Website.

The Exhibition goes from December 19, 2010 through March 21, 2011.

For member it started today.

Enjoy it!

Really Fun New Year's - wet and cold as well - Let's join the Polar Bears

Are you still undecided where to spend the New Year's Eve? But for sure now you have the place to spend the New Year's Day!

This is the best tip whatsoever to spend your New Years Day:

Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean in Coney Island!!! :-)

The Polar Bear Club of Coney Island, is the oldest winther bathing organization, and one more time is organizing its traditional Annual New Year's Day Swim!

Below are the necessary info to join them, and perhaps you can reach me there. More information at the Polar Bear Website.



JOIN THE CONEY ISLAND POLAR BEAR CLUB IN OUR ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S DAY SWIM
NEW YEAR’S DAY: Assemble on the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island.

SWIM TIME 1:00 PM SHARP, arrive early.

DIRECTIONS, click here.

BRING WARM CLOTHES, SURF BOOTS OR OLD SNEAKERS,TOWELS AND DEFINITELY BRING YOUR CAMERA. The NYC Parks Department provides changing facilities on the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue.

REGISTER AND PLEDGE NOW: www.freezinforareason.com or in person on New Year’s Day. Make a donation to Camp Sunshine and receive a free breakfast and all-day admission to the New York Aquarium

THERE IS NO FEE FOR SWIMMERS OR OBSERVERS, but we encourage all participants to make a voluntary donation to our partner Camp Sunshine

Source: Polar Bear Club

New York Restaurants - Not For Turists Review

It is always a hard time trying to find the best restaurants in Manhattan.  At almos all times you finish your search with a Zagat or Michellin guide on your hands, and many times more you finish going to the same restaurants as usual.

NFT (Not for Turists) website compiled a list of really nice restaurants, and divided into: cheap, hit, old, pizza, ethnic, meat, meatless, expensive and their favorite.

This doesn't mean that you will retire your restaurant guides, but for sure it is a better way to start. I went to a lot of restaurants mentioned by NFT and I can assure you that their list is pretty decent in all categories (which sometimes are forgotten by the guides).

http://www.notfortourists.com/Overview.aspx/NewYork/Restaurants

A good time at Pastis - The Manhattan Experience

I went to Pastis two Sundays ago for a Manhattan. Pastis is a nice French bistro located in the corner of 9th Ave and Little W 12 St, and it is from the same owners of Balthazar.

I went for the bar and asked for a Manhattan. The waiter (Jimmy) with no snobness create a better Manhattan than his 'friend' from the Blue Bar. A really straight forward Manhattan, not too sweet. Still I would like it a little bit more dryer. However, it was a good Manhattan.

Suddenly, the other bartender (Jeremy) ask him which whisky he used, and Jimmy answered back "rye whisky" as the client asked me.

Then they started to discuss the Manhattan and they I thought to myself - they really are bartenders!!
Just after that, Jeremy came to me with another Manhattan, made by him, with a special vermouth. A really special, spicy Manhattan. Dryer than the one made by Jimmy, and almost perfect (will I once find the perfect one?). He used Makers Mark (bourbon) instead of rye whisky.

Final grades: Pastis - 9 (claps...claps..)
Jimmy - 9
Jeremy - 9.25

Perfect Color and Excellent Taste Manhattans at Pastis!

p.s. - with all the discussion about the Manhattans, I forgot to take the picture of Jeremy’s Manhattan.. I am really sorry!

Bribery Around the World

The Economist just released an article about briberies around the world (Bribery: Something for your troubles), which is based in the Global Corruption Barometer.

According to the publication, the United States figures in the 11th position of the ranking (with 5% of the users reporting paying bribe in the past year), and surprisingly Brazil figures one position below (in 12th) (with 4%) - it is important to mention that higher the position bigger the bribery problem.

Moreover, if we consider just Latin America (which 23% of the users reported paying a bribe in the past year - Sub-Saharan Africa has the worst position with 56% of the users reporting paying bribe in the past year), Brazil figures with the best position (despite the fact the GCB stated the corruption increased in the past year overall on the Globe). In addition, it states that Political Parties and Parliament are the most corrupted institutions in Brazil (with 4.1 of a maximum of 5) and the Military being the less corrupted institution (with 2.4). The United States have similar thoughts for their institutions, Political Parties are considered the most corrupted institution (with 4.3) and the Military the less corrupted (with 2.8). Actually, the majority of the countries consider their Political Parties the source of their corruption.

The resulted was reached by a survey conducted in every country by local pooling agencies. IBOPE (one of the most recognized pooling agencies) conducted the pool in Brazil, interviewing face to face 1000 persons. The methodology, questions and other specific results can be found at http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/gcb/2010/results.

The question now is the following: is Brazil really turning itself to a mature and developed country or the people are just lying more?

Nevertheless, it is great to see such result!



Source: The Economist



Kung Fu for Philosophers

A really good article that Peimin Ni wrote for the New York Times, especially for those who like Eastern Philosophy and how kung fu, Buddhism and philosophy integrates with each other. Peimin In is professor of philosophy at Grand Valley State University.

In addition, the article links the difference of approach with the Western world.

And two important lessons to keep in mind, which can really make a difference in the way you conduct your life:

1. "the predominant orientation of traditional Chinese philosophy is the concern about how to live one’s life, rather than finding out the truth about reality."

and

2. "What the kung fu perspective adds to the pragmatic approach, however, is its clear emphasis on the cultivation and transformation of the person."

So, no matter what, you need to live your life cultivating what is good inside you and transforming yourself in order to go to the next level.

Opinion

The Stone: Kung Fu for Philosophers

By PEIMIN NI

Published: December 8, 2010

Thoughts on East, West and a Chinese philosophical tradition that is more practical than metaphysical.

 

Physics and Marketing - what they have in common?

Dan Cobley, Google marketing director, speeches about what physics can teach about marketing.

Corner Bistro - The Home of the Bistro Burger

A long time before restaurants started to cook hamburgers as gourmet food, Corner Bistro was there. Treating hamburger as hamburger, but giving to it the taste and the place as it deserves.

Figuring on 10 of 10 lists of best burger in NYC, Corner Bistro remains untouchable. It is just a perfect spot for a perfect cooked hamburger or a Bistro Burger (as it is called there). The Bistro Burger is actually a bacon cheeseburger, with artisanal hamburger cooked the way you like it.

My way? Medium rare.

Bistro Burger with Fries and Dark Mc Sorley's

The side fries are amazing! Crunchy and not a deposit of oil, it makes your meal special.

What more I could say? BEERS!

With a good variety of beers, my top choice is a $2.5 Mc Sorley's Dark (they have the ale as well).  Mc Sorley’s is a local Brewery established in West Village in 1854 (http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/).

Corner bistro is located at: 331 W 4th St (at corner w/ Jane Street)

(212) 242-9502
http://cornerbistrony.com/

Just one more thing to remember: They don’t accept credit card, so bring money!

How many bars have glasses with shape of beer?

Don't ask for the menu - Look at the wall.

Union Square Holiday Market

The Union Square Holiday Market (http://www.urbanspacenyc.com/union-square/) just started 2 weeks ago and it will go on until December 24.

It is located in Union Square (of course) just on the opposite side of the Union Square Farmers Market. With over 100 merchants and diffent kinds of products, it is a good option for those who are still deciding for holiday gifts and presents.

It happens everyday, from 11 am to 8 pm. Below are the directions. I went during the weekend, and don't expect an easy crowd. The "streets" are narrow, and difficult to circulate, but up to now there is "fighting" to shop on the tents. Everybody can have his/her space.

Some items are overprice, but it is just a matter of searching. For example, a cup of hot apple cider inside the Holiday Market was $3.50, and in the Farmers Market I was able to find hot apple cider for a buck. Nevertheless, a lot of shops have high quality products and since there is many stores, perhaps you can find there presents for everyone, skipping the obligation of going to different places (which in this time of year can be a a real burden).

Have Fun!

Directions:

South end of Union Square, at West 14^th Street.

Subway: N, R, Q, L, 4, 5 or 6 Trains to Union Square/14^th St.

Little Branch - A nice place with a nice Manhattan

This weekend I stopped over Little Branch, a nice little Bar at 7 Ave S on West Village. If you plan to go there you must really be aware of two things:

Becareful to not miss the place

First, pay attention, since there is no sign on the wall. Little Branch is at the Corner of 7 Ave S and Leroy Street, and there is just a small sign on the door and a big line that starts after 9:30PM.

And the second, is to avoid the line, especially during the cold winter days. Since the bar is not so big, after a certain hour, they just let you in once somebody gets out (1 to 1 rule).

They are really into coktails. One option is the "bartender's choice".

The Bar is downstairs, in the basement. Once inside you will find a very nice place, specialized in cocktails, with a jazz/ Caribbean/ reggae sound, not so overcrowded, and with a mixture of New Yorkers and foreigners. For sure is a good place to go.

Since I was by myself, I just stayed at the bar and didn't order a table. At the bar, as usual, I ordered a Manhattan to Lucinda (the bartender).

The result was a really good Manhattan, very classic, and (perhaps because of the vermouth it was used) with a cinnamon and clove taste.. approaching more to sweet than to the dryness or bitter, still a good Manhattan.

The score: 9.  I didn't give a higher grade because could be a little less sweet and a little more dryer, but the spice taste of it (and still on its classical shape) worth every dollar spent on it. And the place was really the final touch.

Congrats Little Branch! And I sure recommend it!

No Stinky Person Allowed in the Subway

Think twice if you are planning to take the subway without taking a shower first!

This is an advertisement by Gillette.

Blue Bar at Algoquin - Manhattan Experience

After I made my list with the 15 best cocktail bars in NYC, I went to Blue Bar. The Bar is just on the side of Algoquin Hotel. The public average age is around 45-50 years old. Unless you are on that middle range, I wouldn't recommend you to go.

The place is very pricy as well, the Manhattan I ordered was almost $30(!). The bartender (Christain) told me I would experience the best Manhattan ever, and I could stopping my research.

He said he doesn't use cherry, and he made me a very strong, dry Manhattan, which appear to me, that he not leave the cherry out, but the vermouth as well. The taste of the rye whisky was the only thing I was able to find out. Very far way I could smell the bitter. But the drink was far beyond to be the best Manhattan. Perhaps, because of lack of cherry, the drink didn't get sweet, and kept its consistency all long the way, but it paid a price for that.

Still I wasn't able to figure out if the bartender didn't use the cherry because he don't like it (as he told me) or because he ran out of it. What a mystery!

For all of that, I give him an 7 and 3/4.

The First Snow of the Season in NYC

First Snow Day of the Season

This morning we had the first snow of the season. For a person that usually goes to work by bike, this is not a good sign. We just started December and the flakes are coming down already. If we compare with what our brothers in Europe are experiencing this days, we are still enjoying a good weather.

However, historically, it doesn't start to snow so early in NYC. At the same time, this doesn’t mean too much, at least for now.  Last year, for example, we had the snowiest February month in the history, reaching 36.9 inches (and prior to that it was 2005-6 with 26.9 inches). In 1960-1 no record was broken, but with three months in a row snowing more than 15 inches, it reached 54.7, against 51.4 of last year.

It is interest to compare that from 1868-9 to now, NYC started to have more concentrated winters (3 months instead of 4). In addition, historically, the snow starts early, the winter finishes early as well.

On the other hand, if we disregard the snow, and check just the temperature, we will see that NYC is in the average for December 6, which had its minimum temperature on -16o. C (today is around -1o. C) and a maximum of 22C(!) (www.weather.com).

Source: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/

So, it is not just a matter of snow, but how cold it is now compared with the last 150 years.  Here the National Weather Service has the Monthly and Seasonal Snow Fall at Central Park, and you can check the quantities of snow per month on each year since 1869. You will see that the weather doesn't have a pattern. I know this analysis is very superficial to enter into a discussion about global warming and climate change, but at least to me, it is just the earth following its natural cycle.

Source: http://www.climatestations.com/images/stories/new-york/nydect.gif

Moreover, it is important to mention that snow itself doesn't reflect the coldest winter, since it can be the coldest and the driest.

That said, let's hope the predictions are wrong about the coldest winter in years in NYC.

And remember: keep warm!

The Walker John - True Story?

A short history about Johnnie Walker...

some problems with that story:

They sell JW as a company controlled by a person, focused, with soul, instead JW is owned by the DIAGEO, the world's largest produce of spirits.

Walker, as owner of a grocery story, wasn't happy with his costumers, and tried to do a more consistent whisky: IT is really difficult to believe on that. THey just could them that he tried to decrease the costs and get more profits, since he would assembled different singles malts and sell with his own brand. Therefore, he wouldn't need any distillery nor show the brands he was selling (one example is that JW includes grain whisky in his recipe - the same thing the brewery does including rice).

Moreover, single malts are the true whisky, which you are able to find the differences between the locations and distilleries. This is the same thing you started to mixture different cachaças from all over Brazil inside a bottle. The good thing about cachaças is that you can feel the differences, and discover the tastes. The same thing happens with single malt whisky.

It is also important to mention that companies like DIAGEO are increasing their selling scale, which, at the end of the day, makes them to buy all the small distilleries, so they can have enough supplies for their demand. This result in a huge problem for the distilleries that still are trying to produce single malt, and worst for the truly lovers of whisky, who more and more gets their options reduced.

I don't mean that you should avoid drink JW; instead, every time you have an opportunity, try to taste a single malt, as well as to not think the Walker is so cool.

Think! Have Fun!

New Years Eve - What you gonna do? - NYC Options

For those who will stay at (or come to) NYC during New Years, it is sometimes hard to find a place to party or go out with friends or family.  I was used to spend the new years on a hot weather, many times at the beach, open space, finishing my night by jumping into the ocean, which for sure is not advisable in NYC.

The freezing weather makes you stay inside a place, where you can countdown the seconds or maybe see the ball dropping on a TV.  The weather is not the only problem, in a city famous by its taxis, it is almost impossible to find one during the new years eve, and pray the snow doesn’t come.

Despite the fact that thousands of people go to the ball dropp, it is not recommended.  The cold, the crowd, the lack of restrooms, the restriction to drink alcohol, among other things, make this event an absolute non-sense.  The result: last year, I avoided the Times Square ball dropping and I don’t regret.

With all my family, I spend the new years eve in a very nice restaurant, which, like the majority of the restaurants, had a fixed priced menu for that night.  In addition, they have djs and other stuff to entertain the guests.

However, if you are young and with an young crowd, I wouldn't recommend that for you.  Instead, you should go for a real party. Nonetheless, it is difficult to choose, since the majority of the venues rent their space for private companies who organize the parties. So, how to choose?

Lot’s of New Yorkers make their own private parties, inviting friends and by that avoiding the “annoying” tourists.  Yet, there are lots of great parties in the city, it is just a matter to chose the right one for you.  In case you are with more than 4 or 5 friends, it really doesn’t matter the place, since everyplace will be a party for you and your friends. Still, you want some place nice and fun.

Pacha (http://www.pachanyc.com/) is one of few venues that organizes its own party, but you have to be in an electronic-house music mood.  Other options for those who like good electronic music will be Infected Mushrom at Shpongle at Hammerstein Ballroom, and Steve Angello at Roseland Ballroom.

The other options are Hotels or places around Times Square (but I wouldn’t suggest due to the overcrowd location), or those organized by JoonBug (http://joonbug.com/newyork). JoonBug is recognized for organize parties on special events, like Halloween and New Years Eve.  With more than 60 different events, open bars, djs, different kinds of music, etc., maybe you can find one that fits on your taste and budget.

Best Cocktail Bars in Manhattan

Following my search for the best Manhanttan, I started a search for the best cocktails bar of Manhattan.  The next step is to drink a Manhattan on each one of them, to have, then, my final veridict.

The list is below:

Name	Location
Babbo Restaurant	110 Waverly Place, New York
Tropica Restaurant	200 Park Avenue, New York
Flatiron Lounge	37 West 19th Street, New York
Temple Bar	332 Lafayette Street, New York
Milk & Honey	134 Eldridge Street, New York
Bemelmans Bar @ Carlyle Hotel	35 E 76th St, New York
Blue bar @ the Algonquin Hotel	59 West 44th Street, New York
King Cole Bar @ St. Regis Hotel	2 E. 55th Street, New York (Invented the Bloody Mary!)
Angel's Share @ Village Yokocho	8 Stuyvesant Street, New York
Little Branch	22 7th Ave S, New York
Employees Only	510 Hudson Street, New York
Old Homestead Steakhouse	56 9th Ave, New York
Brandy Library	25N Moore Street, New York
East Side Company Bar	49 Essex Street, New York
Pegu Club	77W Houston Street, New York

* M&H will be hard to go, entrance is by referral and appointment only, by paying an annual fee of approximately U$500. Perhaps one of this days I call London and convince Jacqueline to let me in (http://www.mlkhny.com/new-york.php).

Advertisement is the core of the business!

It looks like the Caymanians know how to advertise!
But maybe his neighbor is not so happy... 

A speech on "North America" by LCD Soundsystem

I just love this song and the clip is cool. ahahaha.. Enjoy!

John's Pizzeria

In a country that loves to rank everything I went to what so called "the best pizza place of Manhattan": John's Pizzeria (http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com/).

John's opened in 1997 and is located in Times Square at 260W 44th Street and has 3 other branches, including one in New Jersey. The pizza is really good, tiny crispy charred crust, which makes us almost forgot the "normal American pizza" with pan crust (or Chicago-style Pizza) that we are used to see in Pizza Hut, Domino's or Papa Johns. Actually John's Pizzeria stress the fact they are not a Chicago Pizzeria, with pan crust or too many toppings. As they recall, they are a New York Pizzeria.

1/2 Mozzarela and 1/2 Pepperoni

Based on that, their pizza are really good and tasty and worth a visit, and is a good option of an after Broadway dinner. Or if you prefer, you can order, since they are accepting deliveries now.

I don't know if they really have the best pizza of NYC; but sure the price difference among John's and the $1 pizzas I reviewed weeks a go is recognizable, both by the taste and freshness of the ingredients.

They also serve pasta, salads and sandwiches, but come one, don't let anyone see you ordering a salad on a pizza place! Ah, and don't forget to order their signature "garlic bread"!



A melted mozzarela cheese over a tiny crispy crust. How about a bite?



Puck Fair - Manhattan Challenge

Great News.. I went to the Puck Fair (http://www.puckfairbar.com/) and rediscovered the Manhattan after a few bad choices.

Almost a perfect Manhattan

The bar is located in Soho/Nolita, 298 Lafayette Street. It is not the best place to go with lots of people. They have some places for parties of 6 or 7 people, but I wouldn't recommend. The place is too narrow and can be very crowded. It looks like they have a room downstairs, but I haven't checked that.

Rebecca, the bartender, let me choose the whisky, which I went for a rye. I also ordered half of dozen of oysters, which were ok.

After some minutes, she surprised me with a dry, but soft and tasty Manhattan. A big 9!! for her. A classic recipe, and not too strong. I almost gave her a 9.5, but it was still missing something (perhaps I will never know.. hehe), maybe got a little bit too soft for me from the middle to the end.

December Concert Schedule

Date	Event	Venue
01 – Wednesday	The Goo Goo Dolls	Roseland Ballroom
	Ozzy Osbourne	MSG
	Lykke Li	Le Poisson Rouge
	Donovan Frankenreiter	Webster Hall
02 – Thursday	Andrea Bocelli	MSG
04 – Saturday	Kaskade	Pacha
06 – Monday	Maya Azucena	Blue Note Jazz Club
07 – Tuesday	Cake	Irving Plaza
17 – Friday	Weezer (blue album)	Roseland Ballroom
	Ghostland Observatory	Terminal 5
	Zappa plays Zappa	Beacon Theater
18 – Saturday	Weezer (green album)	Roseland Ballroom
29 – Wednesday	Patti Smith	The Bowery Ballroom
30 – Thursday	Patti Smith	The Bowery Ballroom
	The Butthole Surfers	Music Hall of Williamsburg
31 – Friday	Infected Mushroom	Hammerstein Ballroom
	Steve Angello	Roseland Ballroom

For more concerts: http://www.thegarden.com/ www.songkick.com/ http://www.bowerypresents.com