Gotham Gal

Jacques Torres Chocolate Store

I had to do it.  I usually frequent the Grey Dog on Thursday afternoons with our middle daughter, Emily, before picking up our youngest, Josh at bball.  Today was a different day. 

Emily and I picked up Josh and walked over to Jacques Torres new store on Hudson and King.  Wow!  The store opened yesterday.  They are still under construction.  The glass windows over looking Hudson bring life to a neighborhood that could use a good shot in the arm. 

The store is situated between two huge areas where they actually make the chocolate.  You sort of get the feeling that Willy Wonka could walk in any minute.  The space is open and airy.  There is a chocolate bar that serves up hot chocolate and croissants.  Very french.  The other side is a large counter that is the length of the store with all the chocolate products.  Above is a huge piece that twirls around that looks like wrapping paper.  There is also an area towards the front with tables and small leather square stools that have the color and look of a small chocolate square. 

Today they were giving out plenty of tastes.  We were treated to small cups of hot chocolate that were out of this world.  I have never tasted a hot chocolate so rich and utterly delicious!  We also tasted a variety of the chocolate treats.  White chocolate covered cranberries with chocolate covered raisins, chocolate covered espresso beans, chocolate covered macadamian nuts finished off with confectioners sugar, chocolate covered nuts too. 

We made a few purchases for tasting.  We bought the peanut butter filled pretzels bites covered with dark chocolate.  What an explosion in the mouth.  Quick, move them away from me now.  We came home with dark chocolate covered corn flakes, dark chocolate covered fortune cookies and the cranberry/raisin mixture we had tasted.  The dried orange and apricots dipped in chocolate looked tempting too. We decided against buying the hot chocolate which you can buy either Wicked or Regular.  I am not sure which one we tasted today.

What a great new addition to downtown NYC.  I would hope that their footprint in that area will create a variety of new developments below Houston on the Westside.  It would make sense.  The development of the Westside Highway and the variety of work spaces over there.  I will tell u that Jacques Torres was packed, so there is no lack of customers.

Personally, I am absolutely going back!

Jewtopia

I took my oldest daughter, who is 13, on a hot date last night.  We went to see the play Jewtopia.  I figured she'd get a kick out of it.  She just got bat mitzvahed last spring, goes to an all Jewish camp and is familiar with the stereo types.  Who knows, she might be one herself. 

The biggest problem with the theater district, is the lack of good food.  Unfortunately, I did not make reservations at Esca, which is not only right across the street from the play but the best food in the district.  We wandered in, but couldn't hook us up for a seat.  We then wandered across the street to Le Madeline, sat down, and looked at the menu and decided yuck, yuck, yuck.   Retrieved our coats and left.  Ugh.  Walked up 9th avenue a bit and wandered into Marseille.  It wasn't bad.  We split an mediterranean salad appetizer, steak frites and cinnamon beignets with a coffee milkshake.  If Marseille was located somewhere else in the city, it wouldn't survive but there is something about the theater district's restaurants that survive on mediocrity. 

My friend is going to be in that area on Friday night and she wanted to know where to eat.  There are 3 restaurants in the area that have good food.  Becco (at least it did when it opened years ago), Esca and Blue Fin.   Although, the place where they use an hourglass to mark your time is pretty cute with a kid but the name of the place slips my mind.  The good news is that Mario Batali is going to open up a new restaurant in the Theater district, so at least you can get a good meal. 

The play was a total goof on the Jews.  The entire audience was probably Jews.  My guess is that this play would only play in LA and NYC.  The two writers play the two main characters.  Basically, these 2 guys Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson, wrote a 15 minute scene for a one-act festival.  People loved it and they decided to expand it to a full on play.  The play was a huge hit in LA, actually became the longest running original comedy in LA theater.  Not bad.  So, they took it on the road. 

The premise is that 2 friends bump into each other at a Jewish social.  One guy is Jewish the other is not but loves Jewish girls.  They team up to meet Jewish girls.  The process of learning how to order food in a restaurant, how to use yiddish appropriately, how to get handle the mother-in-law, etc.  If you aren' t Jewish, the humor won't be there.  In general, it's pretty stupid but a good chuckle.  My guess is, the show could last about a year in NYC.  Like Jackie Mason.  There is a big enough audience in NYC to keep them going for about that long.

Wouldn't run out to see it but it was entertaining.

Folk Art Museum and American Craft Museum

Last week, I ventured up town to go to 2 museums that I have never walked into.  I went to the American Folk Art Museum and the American Craft Museum which I believe has changed it's name to Art and Design Museum. 

Both of these museums are very small which is very appealing on one hand but on the other hand, not much depth. 

The American Craft Museum is literally a floor of shopping and a basement floor and a mezzanine above the store.  It appeared to me that each new exhibit takes over the entire museum.  So, if it was something that really interested u, this would be a small intimate experience but if it is something that u really don't care for, then u won't bother walking in the door.  The exhibit that was there last week was all centered around design and jewelry.  The presentation was very cool.  Beams of light shown down on each square showcase that was set up like an array.  I wasn't that into the content so I left soon after arriving but now at least I know what to expect from that museum.

The Folk Art Museum is a bit larger.  When I was there the top two floors were closed for installations but there was an exhibit called BLUE throughout the rest of the space.  It was really well done.  There was jewelry that was very old, hand done stuff.  Interesting pieces that were obviously old and now classics.  I loved this one particular box that had a variety of gold pieces in it that were encrused with jewels.  The pieces were like small animals.  This particular group was donated from someone who had found them at the Thrift Shop on 20th Street in Chelsea.  I love this b/c one of my pals shops at the Thrift Shop and loves the place.  Of course, she wish she had found those goodies.

All and all, I'm glad that I checked out the museums.  I am not sure how quickly I will be returning but out of the 2, the Folk Art Museum probably will see my face again.

Murray's Cheese Shop

Murrays has finally opened on Bleeker Street!  I have been walking by every day trying to peek in between the brown papered windows.  But, today it was opened.  They were not open for business, just for browsing.  They bonus is the delightful little tidbits they were giving out.  Rolls of proscuitto with chunks of parm, onion/gruyere tarts (small pieces), 3 cheese macaroni, tomato proscuitto cheese olive tarts (small pieces) and brownie cheesecakes pieces.  All yum! 

The store looks great.  Big cases of cheeses, sausages and meats.  Large baskets of bread.  3 huge containers of olive oil.  In the back there is a large glassed-in refrigerator which would be a wine cellar in a restaurant but at Murray's it is full of beautiful cheeses.  The other half of the store, I assume, opens tomorrow or in the next few days. 

Murray's has closed across the street, their old location.  What a great addition to the neighborhood.  We all wish them well!

I'm moving on...

The week has been exhausting.  I literally have been out of it since Wednesday morning.  But, today I have declared to myself that I am moving on.  If the majority of the citizens in this country would rather vote with their so-called social conscience vs. the economic pocket then so be it.  Those dumb schmucks that I have compassion for deserve what they get.  They'd rather have "god, guns and no gays" then they have my blessing.  We will live in our bubble of progressive, liberal, forward thinkers.  After all, that is why we live here in NYC and love it.  The majority of this country, from my perch, is ignorant.  At the end of the day, their vote actually helps my pocket book.  We will not be affected by decisions this administration has made or makes.  We are lucky because we can afford to pay for the resources that we might need but the millions that can't are the majority of the people that voted for him.  I don't get it.  But , good luck.  I will probably not spend a tremendous amount of time reading about the heart wrenching decisions this administration will make.  I will not spend time ranting about what America is becoming because I am obviously out of touch with the majority of Americans.  Alas.  But, I will continue to raise kids to believe in a world where u can make a difference, where u deserve to have freedom of civil liberties, freedom of choice, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to challenge authority, freedom to to say no, freedom to create a better place for the less fortunate, freedom to get a good education, freedom to travel...I could go on endlessly.   I will not cave into the morals and values of this administration.  I think they are liars to themselves and the American people.  But, today I have decided to move on.  It is what it is and it is time to hope that that 4 years will pass quickly and the damage that is and will be created can always be repaired.  That is what makes America a great country.   

So, my next blog will be about the fantastic galleries, museums and restaurants that I went to this past week.

What a drag...

What a drag of a day. We're all so depressed over the outcome of this election. The first thing our oldest said this morning is she is now afraid of NYC getting attacked again. I said that was my last concern, I was more concerned about the economy, Roe v. Wade, civil rights and the environment. Our middle daughter couldn't believe that people believed all the lies. Our youngest was dismayed that 11 states would vote against gay marriage. "What's wrong with these people? Why do they care who people want to spend the rest of their lives with"? Pretty smart for an 8 year old boy.

But, alas, I am obviously a minority in this country. Why do people vote on social issues instead of economic ones. The people that voted Republican (the one's making under $200K a year) are truly voting against helping themselves. Amazing what a good campaign can make people believe.

The good news is that Bush is going to have to deal with the shit he created over the next four years. Good luck! My guess is something worse than the horrors of the Nixon administration will happen with this group. We do live in a country that believes in checks and balances not smoke, mirrors and lies. At least we did as of yesterday. Regardless, the Democracts need to rethink the leaders of the party. We need new visionaries who have to realize that guns, gays and god are what people care about in the South and in the mid-West. How do u appeal to that crowd? Also, new leadership in the DNC would be a start too. No offense to the elder statesmen of the DNC who have no led us into two losses over the past 8 years. Step down guys, let the younger people have a try. I would believe that the younger people have a better idea of what our country is about today.

It is unfortunate that only the coasts are in sync because the 3000 miles in between would make it physically impossible to create a separate country. Oh well. I guess just flying back and forth will have to make due.

But as my friend reminded me today, Government is truly local. Let's make Manhattan work, at least for the next four years, and hopefully the issues we care about will be the same issues as our other fellow NYers.

Tomorrow is another day.

Voting Day

I love Voting Day. It is exciting to talk to the different people at your local voting spot. Voting is the right of every American citizen and should not be taken for granted. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about the political process. The US has a better process than any country in the world. U might not love either Bush or Kerry but those are the picks so go out and pick one.

We went with the kids in tow this morning to pull the lever. You can see the picture on AVC's website (my husband).

My prediction, for what it is worth, Kerry will win hands down tonight. I do not think it will be pretty getting George out of the White House. I don't think conceding graciously would be his thing.

There is a buzz in the air and the polls are packed. To me, that means change. God I hope so!

Halloween in the Village

Halloween has always been one of my all time favorite holidays. The creativity of the costumes. The little kids going door-to-door for treats. Seeing all the neighbors strolling around the neighborhood. It also kicks off the holiday season.

It was quite an event this year. Everyone had a different agenda last night but we always regroup on the stoop for the end of evening festivities. Josh and I started out around 3:30. We did all of Greenwich Avenue. The stores all have candy to give and it is fun to walk around the neighborhood. Josh was James Bonds this year. We came home around 5:30 for a little bit of relaxation. Emily had journeyed off into the East Village to hook up with her group. She was one of the Charlie's angels and her other 2 angels were in the East Village. Jessica had a group of friends come over until they went to a party, dressed of course, down the street.
Fred manned the stoop giving away treats and listening to music.

Around 6, we hung out on our stoop drinking wine and talking with friends and commenting on the costumes as they walked by. The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade goes by down the street. This year was packed.

Maybe because it was a Sunday but it was very different than last year. People from all over the region had literally migrated to our neighborhood for the night. It was a bit overwhelming. Around 6:30, 3 other adults and me took the kids out to the streets for some more trick-or-treating. Generally, 11th and 12th street between 5/6th are fantastic. The houses are decorated and there are lists given out so u know what house is open. The streets were literally wall to wall people. It was overwhelming. Much too much stimulation. But, what was amazing was the kids were not fazed.

All the adults I was with, including me, were a little freaked by the crowds. The kids were fine. It was truly amazing. These kids are such NYCity kids that they just went on with their business. They are all old enough to walk by themselves, in front of us, not worried if we were there. They are all 8. If anyone else, who had not been raised in the city been there, they would have absolutely flipped. The throngs of people in full on costume was wild. It was like walking in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. I give the kids a lot of credit.

We came home, hung out on the stoop and drank more wine. People stopped by. Jessica went up to my sister's roof with her pals on 6th avenue and got a great look at the parade. Emily went to a party in Chelsea and had a helluva a time getting back across town. She found it frustrating that she couldn't get home. Jessica's friend spent the night b/c there was no way she was getting down to the Seaport last night. It was if the city had stopped in our neighborhood b/c there were too many people on the streets.

All and all, quite an event. The most memorable though was the kids and how they were immune to the insanity going on around them. Pretty wild. Josh is already planning next year's costume.