Returning home one day on the B32 bus, I caught a glimpse of an insanely charming and inviting cafe on what was heretofore a not-so-charming and not-so-inviting street in Greenpoint. I recently made a trip to find it by retracing the bus route. It's Bakeri. Their first location is in Williamsburg on Wythe, another place I always want to go but have not yet in the five years since they opened. The Greenpoint location is somewhat Frenchy, not that Frenchy is a bad thing with all the tartines and brioches and galettes. Their hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 8am-6pm. Meet me for coffee! We can soak up the decor and discover their offerings together.

Bakeri 
105 Freeman Street
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718.349.1542

Palo Santo. Latin Market Cooking. South American Wine Bar.
Very inviting. Yes, we thought so too.

Don't these look good? Our entrees: bean & cheese pupusas, $9.
And the last remaining bit of the cornbread.

On the way to the Brooklyn Zine Fest the other week, we found Palo Santo, a small quiet restaurant on an otherwise residential block. Union Street to be exact, close to 4th Avenue in Park Slope. Perhaps the Park Slopers call this the Lower Slope.

Anyway, the sandwich board at Palo Santo said "Brunch," and we obeyed. Happy we were that we did. Atmosphere: very relaxed, as if you are on vacation. Food: very tasty. Service: excellent. Freebies: yes, some sweet corn bread. Brunch menu: beyond plain old eggs and French Toast. We had pupusas, pictured above. Very tasty. All in all, a hidden gem.

Palo Santo
652 Union Street (above 4th Avenue)
Park Slope
Brooklyn
718.636.6311

The interior of Palo Santo. Small but not cramped. Lots of levels.

The backyard. A nice view.


The sandwich board says...Brunch!
You'd never notice this place if not for the sandwich board.

[all images from Gothamist]

Dutch Kills in Long Island City is on the new side of things and definitely worth checking out. We checked it out the other night, in fact. The decor is great. All the design details are well thought-out, without being over the top. The menu is made of wood. I wonder if the printing is offset or laser? But anyway, the cocktails are tasty. The remote location adds to the mysterious 'hidden gem' quality of the place, and should keep down the city crowds. Or will it?


Dutch Kills
27-24 Jackson Avenue (corner of Dutch Kills Street)
Long Island City, Queens
718.383.2724

The Cordillera (vegetarian) arepa on the brunch menu is served with fresh fruit,
salad, coffee and amazing fresh fruit juice from the Andes

I can't stop thinking about Cafecito Bogota's Colombian style arepas. Imagine beans, crispy plantain cubes, freshly grated queso blanco piled on top of a delcious corn cake. That is the Cordillera, pictured above, which is one of my favorites. Along with the Boyaca (eggplant, sundried tomato and mushroom), the Punta Verde (pesto tofu and string beans), and the Choco (tuna in olive oil, feta and olives).

For dinner, you can opt for a tasting plate for two: a selection of six arepas for $30. And for brunch, you can opt for one arepa with all the trimmings, or a brunch-style arepa like the one pictured below. The brunch is most reasonably priced at $10.95. Check out the full menu here. Did I mention the staff is incredible? And the music! Super great. Lovely atmosphere. A true hidden gem in North Brooklyn.


Cafecito Bogota
1015 Manhattan Ave
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718.569.0077

They also have a blog. Check it out here.

My favorite brunch dish at Cafecito Bogota: Colombian Pericos Eggs
scrambled and mised with fresh green scallion and plum tomatoes
(hold the bacon) served over an arepa paisa.

Cafecito Bogota, Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint.
Great for a romantic evening out, or dinner with lots of friends.
And don't forget their brunch! Not to be missed.

Linhardt, the new jewelry shop and design studio on 1st Avenue
in the East Village will catch your eye and draw you right in.


One of the floating display cases, designed by Wary Meyers, shows off
Lisa Linhardt's own silver cuffs, made from re-purposed and recycled flatware,
creamers, water pitchers, and other assorted tableware.


White pendant lamps, designed by Wary Meyers.
Each lamp is made from two garden shop plastic planters. So clever!

My eyes flash as I run along 1st Avenue in the East Village on my way to an appointment. New jewelry store! Wow, nice font. Great store design. I must investigate on my way back.

I meet Lisa Linhardt, jewelry designer and owner of the eponymous studio and shop which opened May 2. She is gracious, humble about her many accomplishments, and passionate about using design to make human connections with artisans from other cultures. Lisa works with artisans from Colombia and Africa to craft aesthetically pleasing, economically viable pieces of jewelry, using their own indigenous renewable materials. Linhardt's "Seed Rings" are a case in point, made from sustainable tagua seeds, shaped to her specifications by Colombian artisans. Earlier this year, Lisa participated in a 100-mile walk across Kenya to help raise funds for Beads for Education. While there, she got to work with Maasai women to make special beaded bracelets for her collection. She now showcases the pieces in her store.

The store itself, custom-designed by Maine-based Wary Meyers has a calming, organic flow, and the rusticity of a New England shoreline. Design details, such as wall-mounted floating display cases, are all made from salvaged re-purposed materials. The door handle is taken from "a 70s wingback sofa which washed ashore on a Maine island." The various planks are rescued from an old church, schoolhouse, and barn in Maine. The pendant lamps are each made from two garden shop plastic planters.

Another facet of the Linhardt design studio is custom orders. Lisa and I had to cut our conversation short when an architect from L.A. made a beeline for Lisa's "Signature Ring," pictured here, on a recommendation from a New York friend. When Lisa said she could make the ring in her size right in the store, and have it ready in an hour and a half, the customer's eyes lit up. An hour and a half? Now that's service. I let Lisa get to it.

Be sure to visit this hidden gem of a store soon, before Linhardt is deluged with press, and the wait for a "Signature Ring" is 4-6 weeks.


Linhardt
Design Studio NYC
156 1st Avenue (9th & 10th Street)
East Village, New York
917.748.9000

Lisa is inspired to work with furniture designers because "they see jewelry in materials
that aren't typically used," such as this cuff in cork.


"Tagua Rings," shaped to Lisa's specifications by Colombian artisans.
The tagua seed (shown whole in foreground) is a sustainable natural seed from Colombia.
Lisa sees jewelry in everything, especially in nature. She is a natural sculptor.

Lisa Linhardt's own faceted "Ice Pixel Ring" in white jade, $135.
Doesn't this scream Barneys Coop? Lisa does not wholesale as of yet,
but perhaps in the future.
Available in additional colors and materials, only at Linhardt.


Linhardt also features work from several other designers,
such as this necklace, made from found vintage beads, by Joann Scully.

This post is featured on Coutorture for June 17, 2008





And also featured on Racked for June 18, 2008

These macarons are too mouth-watering for words.

People go crazy for French macarons, the kind that are made with almond paste, sugar and egg whites (pictured above), and not to be confused with coconut macaroons which are another pastry entirely. I first visited (yes only visited) the French variety of macaron at Fauchon three years ago. I saw a piece on Fauchon's New York store on Martha, but when I got there, I could not go through with purchasing for some reason. I think I had pastry sticker shock.

I finally tried a French macaron at Payard (a great place to do it) this past January. The macarons were indescribably light, crispy, chewy and delicate. I had to grip them lightly or they would crumble. They are mysterious and delicious. They are $1.75 per piece in store, and they are totally worth it. Last week, at my local Greenpoint bakery, Cafe Riviera, I noticed they sell the French style macarons. I brought home four for my husband and me to sample. They were delicious. Mocha flavored. And the four only cost $2.80 ($13 a pound, or approximately 70 cents per piece). I still can't believe the price. There are so many hidden gems in Greenpoint. Now I want a macaron.


Fauchon
Once at 442 Park Ave, now closed.
Their products are available
at select Food Emporiums

Payard Patisserie
1032 Lexington Ave (73rd & 74th)
Upper East Side
212.717.5252

Riviera Cafe
830 Manhattan Ave
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718.383.8450

The cavernous expanse of the 7th Regiment Armory is quite breathtaking.
It is amazing that such a quiet and peaceful expanse exists on Park Avenue and 67th.
If you walk the entire length to the other end (Lexington Avenue), you will
be rewarded in more ways than one:
Mungo Thomson's Silent Film of a Tree Falling in the Forest,
2005-06, 16mm film, color, silent; 7 min
is playing in a little room.


There are quite a few time-specific events to go along with this site specific extension
of the Whitney Biennial which runs from March 6-23.
Admission is free.
Be sure to visit the Whitney Biennial Website and start planning
what you want to see.


My dad said that he used to watch the tennis matches here, around 40 years ago.
I would imagine that if you tried to play tennis here today,
you'd get a lot of bad bounces.

Read more about the Armory's Drill Hall here.
The Armory's notes say that it "is now the oldest extant 'balloon shed'
(a barrel vaulted roof supported on visible arch trusses) in America
and is considered one of the first non-railroad buildings
to employ this type of structural system."


In one of the darkened rooms (they were all dark and moody really),
an unexpected surprise:
Olaf Breuning, The Army, 2008, mixed media.
Company Room M.

The Whitney Biennial notes read: "Identical Chines teapot bodies
and different heads represent a dysfunctional army."


Olaf Breuning, The Army [detail]
This installation reminds me of the excavated Chinese army shown here.
Instead of terra cotta, the soldiers are composed of teapots which sit on top of
Chinese embroidered slippers. Quite whimsical indeed.
One of my favorite 'soldiers' sports a light-up Chinese Scholars Rock for a head.


The various types of lighting in the rooms are amazing in themselves, and worth
the price of admission, which by the way is FREE.
Have you ever come across a hanging candelabra-style chandelier such as this?


Or a chandelier made expressly for a column? I love this shape.


Or a chandelier like this one?
There are more than 6 of these unique chandeliers in the main hall.
The exposed filament bulbs give off a dim orange light
which does not come across in the photo.
You must see them in person.
Originally the fixtures were gas-powered, adapted for electrical current in 1897.


Ellen Harvey, 100 Biennial Visitors Immortalized, 2008.
Sunday, March 9, 2008, to be exact.
I could have been #27, but I didn't want to wait in line...
I probably should have waited in line.


Bozidar Brazda, Our Hour: Radioff [detail], 2008, Mixed-media installation.
I like the striking juxtaposition of this piece...


...installed in this room.

Company Room Ioriginally designed in the Renaissance Revival style in 1880
but "modernized a few years later in the Art Nouveau style.
Original mahogany and rosewood lockers feature carved rosters of the company
member’s names. The room has an Art Nouveau balcony of entwined wrought iron
vines and leaves with a newel torchiere." ~from the Armory notes


Armor at the Armory.


DJ Olive (Gregor Asch), Triage [detail], 2008, Mixed-media installation.
Company Room L.

We walked up to the 3rd floor to view this white tent furnished with army cots
from a balcony. Sitting in the tent you have no idea
there are 7 moose heads just above.

Don't miss a rare opportunity to explore the fantastic architecture and restored design details of the 7th Regiment Armory on the Upper East Side as they are juxtaposed with contemporary art installations from this year's Whitney Biennial. Stay tuned: later today I will be posting my photos and observations.

Brunch at Cafe Mogador is not only tasty, but also nice on the pocketbook.
I had the 'Middle Eastern Eggs' which includes two eggs any style,
hummus, tabouli, salad, and zaatar bread. All for just $8.

I am going to call the brunch at Cafe Mogador in the East Village a hidden gem, even though many many many people already know about it. As I scanned the room while happily enjoying my Middle Eastern Eggs and cappuccino yesterday at a cozy sunlit table in the corner of the spacious Morroccan restaurant, I couldn't believe how many brunchers were happily munching, and how many more were still waiting outside. But I am not surprised. The atmosphere is great. The menu offers tasty creative options. And the price is amazing.

I recommend dinner as well. Cafe Mogador has been a favorite spot of mine for ten years.



Cafe Mogador
101 St. Marks Place (1st Avenue & A)
East Village, New York
212.677.2229

When you walk around New York enough, you will eventually find all sorts of interesting spots for a snack or a cocktail or a coffee and pastry. As my husband and I are want to walk our feet off in search of a new spot to please our senses (wow, we sound like dedicated hedonists or something), as a result, we find quite a few pleasing spots that are off the beaten path, if there is a such thing in New York City.

If you are a lover of Hemingway-style rum daiquiris or margaritas, made with real tasty lime juice instead of that horrid fake stuff, you might want to toddle over to Under the Volcano. The drinks are delicious and the seats are comfortable. The literary name caught our eye, and we thought, why not? The room was packed with an after work crowd. But there was a table available, and the waitress was very sweet, if there is such a thing in New York City.


Under the Volcano
12 E 36th St (Madison and 5th)
New York
212.213.0093

A view of the rum-colored stained glass windows from the inside of Under the Volcano.
A pleasing dimly-lit unfettered room with a long bar and cocktail tables in the front.

To continue with my suggestions for your fun 'vacation in the city' this Labor Day Weekend, I submit the following: stop in to Bookmarks Rooftop Bar for a fun romantic cocktail with the one you love. Just look at this place! We are going this evening.

Bookmarks
Rooftop Lounge
14th Floor
The Library Hotel
41st Street and Madison Ave
212.204.5498

I rediscovered this delightful outdoor spot just south of Gramercy Park the other day. Meet me for coffee! We could sit outside at that cute little table by the window. Or inside if it's raining. Inside is very spacious and charming with a fireplace and plenty of tables. I can't even believe this place exists. 71 Irving Place Coffee & Tea Bar has every hot or cold coffee beverage you could want, plus light food options, sandwiches, panini, and of course, tempting desserts. I would like an iced cappuccino and that outside table. See you there.


71 Irving Place Coffee & Tea Bar
71 Irving Place (between 18th & 19th Streets)
212.995.5252

Mangos dazzling red decor

a closeup of the fascinating ceiling

I was dazzled by the decor at Mangos as we sipped our cafe con leche and sampled a flaky Colombian-style pastry filled with cheese and guava paste. It was a heady kind of dazzle. The kind I feel when we find something totally new. My husband and I chatted in between the roars of the 7 Train overhead. Right overhead. Mangos Bakery Steakhouse Bar is nestled under the elevated 7 Train on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens. If you have ever seen a film by Wong Kar Wai (Chungking Express, Happy Together, In the Mood for Love), you would be charmed by this spot. Urban, sleek and rather exotic, with great music.

In addition to the pretty spectacular array of chocolate desserts and French-style tartes, Mangos makes a tasty pandebono. I cannot describe the deliciousness of the pandebono in words. You simply must taste this cheese bread, at times shaped like a giant gumdrop, at other times shaped like a doughnut, made from corn and yucca flours. Make Mangos a must when you visit this fantastic food neighborhood that is jam-packed with restaurants, eateries, small groceries, and food carts from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Mexico.

Mangos
Bakery.Steakhouse.Bar
78-14 Roosevelt Avenue
Jackson Heights, Queens
718.639.3005
E,F,R,V,7 to Roosevelt Avenue

I am sure Mangos is heaven for steak lovers.
If I ate steak, I'm sure I would love their Churrasco.

This post is featured on About.com for March 22, 2007







And also featured on The Girl Who Ate Everything
for April 4, 2008

If you find yourself in Fullerton, California, have a lovely bite to eat at Hidalgo. Located in this picturesque Spanish style building, Hidalgo is a hidden gem. A few years ago, we outside ate in the courtyard, next to gigantic rosemary bushes, growing right in the ground! (I am continually amazed to see the potted plants of the East Coast growing right in the ground, year-round in the West. That is a constant treat for me.) This time we ate indoors because it was cold, but it was still a lovely meal.

Menu highlights: Seared Ahi Tuna Salad, Pepper Crusted Ahi Tuna, Grilled Fish Tacos, Ceviche Andaluz, Mahi Poblano, and more. The restaurant is dressy and is one of the few non-chain restaurants in the Southland. A must-try.

courtyard entry

Fullerton at dusk.
Fullerton is a nice old town.
Still on a walking, human scale, uncorrupted by massive roads,
too many cars and too many strip malls and chains.