Moto, a sweet spot in Bushwick

I haven't been giving Brooklyn enough love - so here is a love note to Moto, a teeny, tiny Nuevo American cafe underneath the JM train in South Williamsburg. I have ate there a few times and have always enjoyed myself. It is small, dark, and mysterious - filled with good food, chocolatey beer, and sometimes even live music (though it is quite the feat to squeeze in the entertainers). Someone take me on a date. I'll split my mac-n-cheese with youuuu.

349 Broadway, Brooklyn NY 11211 (Corner of Hooper)

Back Forty is in my Top Forty

I have already ate at Back Forty, but I enjoyed it so much that I have been craving a return visit! They specialize in local/seasonal fare and do a good job of it. Anna and I had dinner there last year not long after its grand opening. The food left me smiling (burgers and apple-cider doughnuts - need I say more?) and their beer selection is rather impressive. They don't take reservations, but it is ten steps away from B-Side, so a PBR while waiting would help to kill the time.

190 Ave B and 12th Street

Hidden Sushi in East Village

I have an itching to find the unmarked entrance to Kyo Ya, a relatively undiscovered, but apparently de-li-cious Japanese eatery.

Even if you're looking for it, it's easy to miss. On the south side of East 7th street, look for a little wooden sign on a wrought-iron gate reading simply "Open." Head down the short flight of stairs, and you'll find a cozy underground sliver of a posh Japanese izakaya*.
-- Urban Daddy

* An izakaya (居酒屋, izakaya) is a type of Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food to accompany the drinks. The food is usually more substantial than that offered in other types of drinking establishments in Japan such as bars or snack bars.

Thanks Wikipedia.


94 E. 7th St (between 1st Ave and Avenue A)

Commerce Opens Today; 20% off meals for a week!

I can't find an official website for Commerce, but from what I have read, it is opening tonight in the West Village, filling the shoes of the former Grange Hall (and before that, Blue Mill). It may be new, but apparently the appearance is a restoration of Grange Hall, complete with "intricate tile work, original murals by artist David Joel, restored booths originally made from English Chestnut and a stunning art deco Brunswick bar circa 1941."

My favorite quote comes from the Daily Candy newsletter:

"June, a nice lady who's lived upstairs for almost 50 years, says it reminds her of the old old Blue Mill."

Cheers to June. Let's go get food and drink, and then knock on her door to say hello.

50 Commerce Street, between Bedford and Barrow Streets (212-524-2301). Opening Thursday with a 20 percent discount for the first week.

26 Seats on Ave B

I am going on an Ave B binge right now, so just bear with me.

I don't particularly care for the 26 Seats' official website, but I do like the review on NYMag.com:

None of the 26 chairs match in this satisfying sliver of a restaurant near Tompkins Square Park. But that seems to suit the young, happy regulars just fine, because the owner has made quite a show of putting a hallway to good use as a restaurant. The French are famously eclectic, and this exceptional little place is no exception to the rule. Framed mirrors, tiny yellow lights, the hinged, empty panels of a wooden diptych occupy the wine-dark walls. Expect little to no elbow room, but in exchange you get an exceedingly good meal at an exceedingly good price. Service is friendly and professional. Tables are small, but the southern French food has a big personality. The chef elevates bistro food to the hilt by adding smart, zingy touches: cherry juice to offset a hearty duck breast, and a sweet corn cake and champagne vinaigrette makes an unpretentious striped bass bucolic. Wine is priced to sell.
— Natalie Danford

168 Ave B and 11th Street (hel-lo B-Side)

Max Restaurant in East Village

Max appears to be affordable, yummy, and in my favorite area to have libations. Sounds good for a cheap-eat night. Plus they have an outdoor garden area (once it is warm enough again for such things). It's cash only, so don't let me forget to make the needed ATM pit stop.

51 Ave B between 3rd and 4th St

The 2008 Show Round-Up Post

I feel like I post about shows all the time, so here is in its most current state:

Previous
January:

• Kimya Dawson, 1/16, Europa Club: Write-up by Heidi Vanderlee
  
• Quitzow, 1/27, Mercury Lounge (proud Heidi supporter)
  
• Joanna Newsom, 1/31, Brooklyn Academy of Music: Pictures
  

Upcoming
February:

• I am the Heat, 2/13, Lit Lounge (to support Mike)
• The Magnetic Fields, 2/21, Town Hall *SOLD OUT*
  

March:

• 2008 PLUG Awards (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds/Dizzee Rascal/St. Vincent/Jose Gonzalez), 3/06, Terminal 5
• Jose Gonzalez, 3/12, Brooklyn Masonic Temple *have extra ticket*
  

April:

• Paul Simon, April, Brooklyn Academy of Music *purchasing ticket soon*
• French Kicks, April, Mercury Lounge *purchasing ticket soon*

May:

• The Black Keys, 5/15, Terminal 5

Wish List:

• Colin Meloy, 4/16-4/17, Music Hall of Williamsburg
• Feist, 4/28-4/29, Hammerstein Ballroom
• La Vita-Williams Guitar Duo, 4/28, St. Paul's Chapel
  

2008 Plug Awards

Plug Awards at Terminal 5 on March 6th. Jesse and I already plan to purchase tickets, so anyone else that is interested should do the same.

Quick rundown of what to expect:

• Nick Cave and Bad Seeds - headlining performance
• St. Vincent, Dizzee Rascal, Jose Gonzalez also performing
• Patton Oswalt - host

Can purchase tickets starting Friday here.

Colin Meloy in Williamsburg

Colin Meloy (lead singer of The Decemberists) is playing two nights in April at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (Wed. 16th and 17th to be exact).

It will be beautiful, sweet, sweet music. Looking for someone who would want to get tickets with me.

So, yeah.

Joanna Newsom, after the fact

I saw Joanna Newsom perform with the Brooklyn Philharmonic at BAM last night. It was a breathtaking performance and now I forever want to be Joanna's friend and learn to play harp so we can play harp duets (if people do such things in real life).

The reason I am writing an after-the-fact blog is to point out that there was an empty seat next to mine. In the second row! (So close, I felt I could jump up and pluck her harp strings). And my ticket was only $35. Someone could have joined me to share in the experience. Too late now. Sigh. No one will believe how great it was.

The Sartorialist

Yet another exhibit I want to go see (they are really starting to add up).

Scott Schuman, The blogger-turned-digital photographer, is exhibiting his pictures of street fashion. He has gained fame through his blog, where approximately fifty thousand people visit each day. This "blogenomenon" (totally trademarking that) has caused Schuman to be listed as one of TIME Magazine's top 100 design influencers, and now does photo shoots for style.com, the official VOGUE website.

Plus he originally hails from Indiana, my neighbor-state. Let's give two Hoorays for blogs, photos, and Hoosiers*.

When: thru February 23rd, Wed-Fri 11am-6pm; Sat noon-6pm
Where: Danziger Projects, 521 W. 26th St., between Tenth & Eleventh Aves


*Interesting sidenote, Anna, a native of STL, uses this term in a different way as I have seen witnessed before. Courtesy of Wikipedia, "In St. Louis, the word is used in a derogatory fashion in similar context to "white trash".^[6]"

Aussie Love in East Village

SATURDAY DOWN UNDER
Two Aussie Buffets
In honor of Australia Day, two of Manhattan's Aussie establishments are following their national tradition of excess, in the form of Beer Chugging and Pie Eating contests at the Sunburnt Cow and free beach juice shots at Bondi, along with all-you-can-eat shrimp and a buffet. Ozzie ozzie ozzie, oi oi oi...
411: The Sunburnt Cow, 137 Ave C (between 8th and 9th), 212-529-0005
Bondi Road Fish and Chips, 153 Rivington St (between Suffolk and Clinton) 212-253-5311
-- content taken from UrbanDaddy Newsletter

Horst P. Horst Exhibit

Horst P. Horst
What: An exhibition of fashion-shoot perfection from the avant Vogue photographer.
Why: A Horst is a Horst, of course, of course.
When: Thru Mar. 15. Opens Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular hours, Tues. & Wed., Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: The Forbes Galleries, 60 Fifth Ave., at 12th St. (212-206-5548).
--- taken from Daily Candy Newsletter


I know Chrissy is down for this.

Jose Gonzalez on March 12th

Jose Gonzalez is playing at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple (Clermont & Lafayette) on March 12th and I have two tickets. Want to come along with me? This is part of a "green" tour, so just think of the good you will be doing by coming along!

Etiquette at Velseka

U.S. Premiere of Etiquette
What: Take a seat at a 24-hour Polish diner, put on headphones, listen, and follow directions to pre-recorded live theater.
Why: The chance to be the audience and the actor? It’s your pierogi-tive.
When: Thru Jan. 20. Daily, every half hour, noon-midnight.
Where: Veselka, 144 Second Ave., at 9th St. (212-228-9682). Tickets can be purchased (pairs only) at 866-811-4111; online at thefoundrytheatre.org.
--- taken from Daily Candy newsletter

Also covered on NYTimes.com in this video. Looking for someone to partner up with me so that we can eat Ukrainian food and put on our acting hats!