Jones Wood Foundry, a new bar with an English pub-style menu, is a gem on the Upper East Side—a zone of Manhattan that can sometimes seem inaccessible, both socially and financially, to students and young people alike. Yet, the location proves relevent to the identity of the bar itself, its moniker coming from the old name for woods that occupied what is now known as Yorkville neighborhood.

Up a small set of stairs, this is exactly what an English pub would look like if relocated on the upper east side—a marble topped bar and a back room with marble tables, high-backed wood chairs, framed black and white photos in vintage frames, and leather-clad menus. The staff wears matching gray vests with an embroidered coat of arms that give an upscale touch to the casual bar atmosphere.

There’s a back room behind the crowded and narrow bar area that was hardly populated—granted I visited on a week night—but the locale successfully avoided being stuffy or austere, since the staff were friendly and attentive. As a group of three, we were seated there since the bar was full, but it did not diminish the experience. Read the complete post »

1 Comment | Posted on February 27, 2011 | Categories: Dining, From the Blog, Nightlife, Upper East Side

One of the beauties of Mehanata Bulgarian Bar is that it can be whatever you want it to be: Mehanata’s magical door opens to a dive bar with wooden paneling, a skeleton hanging from the wall, and a large disco ball shining with bright red, jade, sapphire and fuchsia lights.  Visitors–a crowd ranging from hipsters in flannel shirts to businessmen in suits–can choose to either enjoy some Bulgarian beer and hookah in one of the booths on the upstairs balcony, or to dance their hearts out on the floor downstairs.

In true Balkan fashion, the party didn’t truly get started until midnight, even though the event was scheduled for 9. The band, Yuri Yunakov and the Grand Masters of Gypsy Music, played Balkan dance music for two hours, to which nearly the whole crowd belly-danced, as dollar bills rained down from the upper level. The DJ and Percussion groups that followed presented Mehanata’s international crowd with a fun, extremely danceable mix of Balkan, punk, techno and Latin music— it is no coincidence that the band Gogol Bordello played their first live shows here. Yuri Yunakov and the Grand Masters of Gypsy Music hold live shows at Mehanata every Thursday and Friday night, while Saturdays are reserved for guest performers.
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2 Comments | Posted on February 26, 2011 | Categories: From the Blog, Lower East Side, Nightlife

tags: Balkan music, Debauchery, Ice Cage, SHOTS!

INTERPOL @ RADIO CITY
Catch Interpol at Radio City Music Hall for their School of Seven Bells concert.
WHERE: 1260 Avenue of the Americas, NY
WHEN: Thursday, Feb 17. Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 8:00 PM
PRICE: $50, $45.50, $39.50, $29.50

THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS @ MINETTA LANE THEATHER
The Flying Karamazov Brothers juggling comedy troupe boasts being able to juggle any object provided by the audience, so come prepared.  Wild stunts complemented by corny humor are the keystone of the performance, showcasing the talents of a Columbia alum.
WHERE: 25 Minetta Lane, NY
WHEN: Various times throughout the month!
PRICE: Varying – $28 – $80 (depending on date, time, and seating)

RESTAURANT OPENING – MISS LILY’S
Miss Lily’s, a Jamaican Jerk Hut, opened this week, featuring Caribbean cuisine. This restaurant’s opening was staunchly opposed by Vogue magazine editor Anna Wintour, who worried for the sanctity of the history neighborhood in which it is located.  The drama should make the food taste that much better.
WHERE: 132 west Houston Street, NY Read the complete post »

1 Comment | Posted on February 17, 2011 | Categories: Dining, Event-Related, From the Blog, Nightlife

tags: Caribbean food, Comedy, Dr. Dre, music, Openings, theater, weekend

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No Comments | Posted on February 14, 2011 | Categories: From the Blog