From the archives: October 31, 2008
Favorite chowder: New England Clam
Favorite mythical creature: Centaur
Favorite punctuation: Semicolon
Currently reading: Roberto Bolano's "2666"
What time is it: Party time
Now that we are totally BFFs, here are some of my favorite spots in all of New York City ...
On this page:My Favorite Restaurant, My Favorite Bar, Where I Shop For Clothes, My Special Occasion Place, Where I Shop For Groceries, Where I Order Delivery, My Favorite Shop for the Home, My Favorite Shop for Gifts, My Favorite Salon, My Favorite Hotel, Where I Take Out-of-Town Guests, A Tourist Spot I Actually Like to Visit, Where I Appreciate the Great Outdoors, The Best Part of Living in the City.
My Favorite Restaurant
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Elvie's Turo-Turo -- CLOSED
Read Reviews214 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009 (map)
I love this place because the food reminds me of what I ate growing up, simple Filipino home-style classics like adobo over rice, sour sinigang and longaniza sausage. Masarap!
My Favorite Bar
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Spuyten Duyvil
Read Reviews359 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)
I'm the kind of guy who orders a different beer every time he goes up to the bar, so the massive, ever-changing selection of beers is perfect for me. And the friendly staff, laid-back atmosphere and nice variety of cheeses doesn't hurt either.
Where I Shop For Clothes
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Spec Al Creative Inc
Read Reviews62 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002 (map)
Spec. mostly carries avant-garde Japanese labels, and likewise the designs can be a bit out-there, but it is almost guaranteed that I won't see what I buy here on anyone else. It's an especially great place to shop for coats and jackets.
My Special Occasion Place
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Falai
Read Reviews68 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002 (map)
This stark-white L.E.S. spot makes me feel like I'm trapped in a Fellini film, minus the hallucinatory flashbacks. Flawlessly downtown chic decor, eccentric waitstaff and beautiful diners try to distract from the food, but chef Iacopo Falai's northern Italian cuisine is just too good.
Where I Shop For Groceries
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New Kam Man Llc
Read Reviews200 Canal St, New York, NY 10013 (map)
This is where I usually stock up on basics--sesame oil, fish sauce, oyster sauce, etc. After picking up a few packs of the fabled Myojo Chukazanmai instant noodles and some shrimp chips, I'm pretty much good to go for a couple of weeks.
Where I Order Delivery
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Shachi's Restaurant
Read Reviews197 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)
The pabellon arepa (shredded beef, plantains, black beans and cheese stuffed into a cornmeal cake) brings sweet and savory together in perfect harmony. I sincerely believe I could eat one of these every single day for the rest of my life.
My Favorite Shop for the Home
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Sprout Home Inc
Write a review44 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)
Abundant flora would be impossible in my cramped Brooklyn apartment if it wasn't for Sprout Home, which stocks everything from inventive planters to plants that don't require soil.
My Favorite Shop for Gifts
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Moma Design Store Soho
Read Reviews81 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 (map)
I love this store because I can buy unique gifts for everyone in my family, from modern art coloring books for my niece to cool architecture books for my dad. Of course, I always manage to pick up a few things for myself as well.
My Favorite Salon
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The Beehive Salon
Read Reviews115 N 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)
Nobody really knows how to cut my incredibly curly hair--except for the Beehive. Sure, it lost some of its funky ambience when it moved to North 7th Street, but it is still is pretty good place to get a haircut.
My Favorite Hotel
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Le Parker Meridien
Read Reviews118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019 (map)
I've never actually booked a New York hotel room, but if I was going to I would do it here--primarily because it houses Burger Joint, one of my favorite hamburger spots in the city.
Where I Take Out-of-Town Guests
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Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Read Reviews1000 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225 (map)
I like to show guests that New York isn't just restless crowds and endless stretches of concrete. Across the street from Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a good way to relax after days of city tours and Broadway shows.
A Tourist Spot I Actually Like to Visit
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The Museum of Modern Art
Read Reviews11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 (map)
I visit MoMA on a regular basis anyway, so it's a pleasure to bring visitors to my favorite museum. Plus, as a member, I get in free and my guests get discounted tickets.
Where I Appreciate the Great Outdoors
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Dia Beacon
Read Reviews3 Beekman St, Beacon, NY 12508 (map)
When the city starts to feel a bit suffocating, I usually take a day-trip up to Beacon to check out the Dia Museum. The drive or train ride up is beautiful and the museum itself, lit by all natural light, is quite an experience.
The Best Part of Living in the City
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Film Forum
Read Reviews209 W Houston St, New York, NY 10014 (map)
Sure, sometimes the repertory films can be a bit predictable (Godard again?), but overall this non-profit's taste in independent cinema is spot-on and much more daring than other independent theaters in the city.
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