CO-OP - Lower East Side

Last week, myself and two co-workers went to CO-OP (107 Rivington Street) which is inside of The Hotel on Rivington and what an experience it was!!  We met one of the owners (Jason Apfelbaum) and he was nothing but gracious to us.  This spot serves modern American dishes as well as sushi (the chef is from Sushi of Gari which is the best sushi I've had in NYC).  The drink menu is insane!!  You can go for cocktails with friends after work or reserve a table for drinks in the evening.  The decor is amazing!!!  From the bathrooms, to the bar and the back dining room...just perfect!!  I highly recommend this venue for anyone looking to have their birthday party, a nice dinner or drinks.  They even have truffle oil popcorn on every table.  I've gone to several events at The Hotel on Rivington and would recommend their space for any type of event.  They've got a gorgeous rooftop penthouse with amazing views and a top notch staff.  Email me if you'd like more information and a contact.

This link says it all:   http://co-oprestaurant.com/

RUE 57 - Midtown West

We had a delicious dinner at Rue 57 (60 W 57th Street) the other evening.  This was my first time eating at the restaurant but I've had cocktails at the bar several times.  We sat in a nice corner which was practically outside but since it was such a lovely evening, it was perfect.  Our waiter was super nice and answered all 20 of our questions.  I had the beef bourguignon which was top notch!!!  My only complaint might've been the olives in my dirty martini.  They tasted funny but the vodka was on point :-)  Everyone enjoyed their meals which included a shrimp special, steak frites and the skirt steak.  I wouldn't consider this restaurant budget friendly but it's worth it if you feel like splurging.  Bon Appetit!

My New Favorite Singing Competition - The Voice

NBC has my new favorite singing competition, The Voice.  In my opinion, the talent on this show blows a majority of American Idol contestants out of the water.  The only disappointing part is that the viewers don't have too long to enjoy the talent.  There are few episodes for The Voice where Idol lasts months.  My top picks (Nakia & Frenchie Davis) were voted off but I still love most of the contestants that remain.  Check out some of the videos I've attached.

CONTEST - Gramercy Tavern Dinner for 2

 

 

Gramercy Tavern Giveaway - Courtesy of BloomSpot, enter to win a $400 dinner for two at Gramercy Tavern.  If you know anything about restaurants in NY, this is one you want to get into!!  Good luck!!!

Musicians On Call - YPC Summer Fundraiser

Come join the YPC at Dominion on July 7th for a summer fundraiser to support Musician's On Call.  Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.  I have been involved with this organization for almost two years and it's the best thing that has happened to me aside from moving to this great city.  This non-profit believes in the healing power of music.  Volunteer guides bring volunteer musicians to the bedsides of patients in treatment or unable to physically get out of bed.  We bring smiles to patients & residents but we also bring hope, comfort and inspiration through song.  

Please join us or if you have any questions, would like to volunteer or donate, please feel free to email me at angelic439@gmail.com.

BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO

My Broadway buddy and I went to see Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo with the incomparable Robin Williams (Tiger) and Tony nominee Arian Moayed (Musa).  I rather enjoyed the show especially the performances of the two leading men.  The show was funny but it also was a bit disturbing.  There was focus on redemption, tortured souls, greed and the war.  Closing on July 3rd, I'm super happy that we were able to get $15 tickets through Audience Rewards!!!

A Beginner's Guide to Endings - GenArt Film Festival

My friend Kat and I went to my second film in a festival last week...A Beginner's Guide to Endings.  This film was part of the Gen Arts Film Festival.  This film starred Harvey Keitel, Scott Caan, Jason Jones, Paulo Costanzo, J.K. Simmons and several other funny characters.  This was my first time at the Ziegfeld Theatre which is a legendary venue in NYC.  I must say, I just adore Scott Caan.  Every character he plays is witty, sarcastic and just such a wise ass.  I love him in Hawaii Five-O and he was great in Entourage, Ocean's Eleven, Gone in Sixty Seconds and Boiler Room!!!  We got to see Harvey Keitel that night and he even spoke to the audience.  He's known for such films as Reservoir Dogs, From Dusk Till Dawn and The Piano.  Go see it if you get a chance!!

The League Of Broadway Super Friends

My Broadway buddy (Jill) and I went to a performance by The League of Broadway Super Friends at Le Poisson Rouge last week.  This group performed the show in support of pancreatic cancer research.  The "League" consists of such Broadway talents as our love Gavin Creel (HAIR & Thoroughly Modern Millie), Sherie Rene Scott (Everyday Rapture), Lindsay Mendez (Everyday Rapture & the Songbook Series), Kelli O'Hara (South Pacific) and her husband Greg Naughton. Such a fun show!!  They performed songs by such artists as James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Led Zeppelin. Great night, front row seats, a worthy cause and even a subway ride next to one of the talents.  Please read my friend's blog for this story: http://www.jillness.com/2011/06/lights-are-bright-on-broadway.html.

JERUSALEM

I went into the play Jerusalem knowing nothing behind the story nor the characters.  I came out of the play really liking it!!  While it's not in my top 5, Mark Rylance is most certainly in my top 3.  The subject matter is very different from my favorite play Next To Normal, both shows are tragic and depict suffering men.  If Joe Montello wasn't going to win the Tony Award, Mark Rylance was my next choice and he did win.  What a stellar performance playing the character Johnny "Rooster" Byron.  I mean, he killed it!!  My other favorites were supporting cast members Mackenzie Crook (Ginger), John Gallagher Jr. (Lee) and Allan David (The Professor).  Having seen John Gallagher Jr. in Spring Awakening, American Idiot and even three episodes of Law & Order, I must say he picks really good roles.  This is a limited engagement show, so hurry and go see it!!

STANDARD BIERGARTEN - Meatpacking District

Visited the Standard Biergarten (848 Washington Street bw Little W 12th & 13th) for the first time for a friend's birthday and I'm sure this will not be my last time.  For the Meatpacking District, this place was laid back, not super stuffy and situated away from "the scene".  Although they only offer 3 beers on tap, there's a full service bar in the middle of the space.  High ceilings and an open floor plan make you feel less like you're in a stuffy bar.  Get there early if you want a seat at one of the many picnic tables or get your hands on one of the paddles to play a little ping pong.  My favorite part of this place were the bathrooms.  They're clean & air conditioned.  The Biergarten offers food as well.  Expect to pay $8 for your drink ticket which will also get you an $8 pretzel, various types of German sausage (bratwurst & such) as well as dipping sauces.  The crowd had some older businessmen, a few stick figure models, some rocker dudes but mainly your average single New Yorker in their late 20's to mid 30's.  Go check it out!!

GOVERNOR'S ISLAND - BREWERS' PICNYC

 



Saturday a group of us went to Governor's Island for Brewers' PicNyc.  The ride to Governor's Island was free and it literally took 5 minutes to get there.  For a $15 entrance fee and tons of food & beer, who can complain?  The long beer lines were annoying but that was expected.  By far my favorite food truck was Gorilla Cheese followed by the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck.  Both were amazing but I'm a cheese head!!  The grilled cheese was probably the best I've ever had.  I ordered the Gruyere with caramelized onions & bacon on French bread.  The menu offered all different kinds of cheeses, breads, additions, sides and dipping sauces.  From Rickshaw Dumpling, I got the pork & Chinese chive dumplings which were delicious.  We all loved our food from both trucks!!!  Plus, the girls working both window were dolls.  Friendly service always makes for a better experience.  I can't wait to find these trucks in NYC again!!!