A good guy, Sergio Rosalen, who has been in New York for more than two years told me that the area where we were staying was bland for New Yorkers because it lacked its own character. He told me while we were having a few beers there, in a restaurant bar that perfectly mixed the new and the old, and then we would go to dinner at a nearby Vietnamese place that he knew. Both places were fantastic.. The blandness for them, I was beginning to like.
I'm talking about the Lower East Side, the area that after 16 days in a row kicking NY it seemed to me, I'm not a New Yorker, the most interesting neighborhood in the city. It was because of its coffee care, decorated with a rustic city air, where our breakfasts were mixed with that accumulation of nationalities and traits that identify the city. For its unbranded but designer stores, through its streets mixed with Latinos, African Americans and Orientals wandering the streets in that lower-middle class typical of the Big Apple, for its unpretentious music bars where it was blown into the speakers, and through its parks where basketball was played without a hoop or ball. It was so modern and neat, like old and stuck in a bag of oblivion.
It was so modern and neat, like old and stuck in a bag of oblivion
my neighborhood, next to the already more well-kept and close area of Nolita, It seemed like a living place to me., in full change, perfectly located: entre Chinatown, Little Italy y el East Village. Close to everything, with metro in which to get lost at hand, hanging from the Williamsburg Bridge, walking eagerly to the financial district or that 5 avenue that takes you to Central Park. I liked its streets, its atmosphere. It's the place I would live if I were just another New Yorker who devours the city..
Where to eat:
The Schiller's it was a tile bar, mirrors and skinny metal chairs. Everything was perfectly neglected. Their bathrooms were almost worth a visit.: A large ceramic sink from the last century with iron faucets was in the common area for women and men.. A place that made the old current and very good food with a North American touch. Burger and fried calamari, good options.
To this Greek tavern, Souvlaki, he was forgiven for not having moussaka. Their meats, which is one of the specialties that I learned in Greece that this country does wonderfully, They were excellent. Their pitas and kalamakis were spicy and tasty..
The Italian Sauce, on Calle Rivington, has become emblematic for its asparagus with egg and parmesan. Since then I have tried to make them at home and there is no way.. Nice, very good homemade pasta and a complete wine list.
The Anchovy, the one Rozalen took me to, He is a Vietnamese who seems to have moved from Hanoi itself. Small, friendly and open late. Their food is fabulous and very authentic.. Your Rolls and Bun, excellent. I repeated.
The Yunnan Kitchen It's a fabulous Chinese restaurant., modern food, somewhat merged, and decorated in a totally New York style. special site, romantic and modern at the same time, where to spend a great evening. We loved the tasting menu.
To end this planetary food tour stuck in a single neighborhood, the Charrúa, Uruguayan with some Spanish touches, We found it to be a casual and pleasant place.. The point is that in addition to having good tapas, You have to buy the wine at a liquor store nearby., which saves you a few dollars from the high wine prices in NYC restaurants.
something different
In case you fancy going to the place where Sally faked Harry's famous orgasm, you can go to the acquaintance Katz´s Delicatessen. Many celebrities have passed through there with the owners taking their respective photos., included so frequently seen Bill Clinton, in a place that opened in 1988. The cinematic place is famous for its salamis. The waiters wear t-shirts explaining that they send them to their boys, who are none other than American soldiers. I tried one of their famous sandwiches and I thought it was as big as it was bad., but the site is a quirky emblem and a fun museum.
The ice creams of Morgenstern We discovered them after a huge line of people waiting patiently on the street. We decided to try it and I don't know if we were more surprised by the original seller., the delivery system or, course, its amount of flavors. The truth is that they were very good, it was worth the wait. There are always people.
Where to stay
We rent with AirB&B an apartment 13 days that, due to the quality and size, would be worth less than anywhere in the world. 100 dollars a night, there it was difficult 160. For NYC we managed to stay quite cheap.
Then we were at the hotel Orchard Street Hotel, kind of modern place, low cost philosophy, What did it cost to search the web for some? 230 dollars a night. The rooms are functional and clean but very small..
for the night
Course, obliged, the Rockwood Music Hall. It is a high quality concert venue. A small room where you can also stay later having a post-performance drink.
Stuck on Black Cat, on Rivington Street between Clinton St and Ridge St, stuck in the typical basement of NYC, sorry I don't remember the name, There is a pub where losers and urban tribes from among the towns gather at night. 18 and 80 neighborhood years. I liked the place because of its reddish-haired waitress, muscular arms and military boots, and by that crowd of characters that settled in their bar, while listening to some punk, watching an NBA game on TV.
The Hair of the Dog It's a bar for 20-somethings and college kids., very typical of this part of the neighborhood, in which you do have the consolation if you are past the age of knowing that it is one of the last ones that remains open. They also give food.
