Swing 64 Jazz and Supper Club should really be called Swing 64 Jazz, Supper, and Dance Club. The George Gee Swing Orchestra plays every Tuesday night and some Thursdays from 8:30-11:30 p.m., and you can even take dance lessons provided by professional dance schools to learn some swing moves (or just make up your own!).
I love a good food cart. It's fast, the food is made before my eyes, and it gets me out of the office, if only for a short walk.
Carnegie John’s serves up a cornucopia of my favorite grab-and-go cart foods, all on the cheap, made to order, and dependable. Here are two things to try:
Trust me on this one.
The Iridium jazz club is hosting Rocktober Fest on October 28th. Go and catch performances by Dennis Dunaway (Alice Cooper), Blue Coupe, the Steve Marshall Band, and more. 8pm & 10pm; tickets are $20. [rockin' deets]
Normally a whole-sale only spot, Dusty Rose will be opening its doors to the public Tuesday-Thursday from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. through Halloween. Dozens and dozens of vintage threads will lend themselves to that one-of-a-kind costume you've been searching for.
If you're looking for a low-budget Halloween getup, head to the Burg's Beacon’s Closet. You'll find dozens of racks packed with both vintage and modern clothing. And, for extra savings, sell your old costume for store credit (or cash) and get some extra accessories to really bring your costume to life.
Dress to impress for Hotel Americano's Hollywood-style Halloween bash on October 31st. Three-course prix fixe dinner ($65 pp) includes dishes like Butternut Squash Soup or Black Angus NY Strip Steak. And don't miss the after party starting at 10:30pm at Bar Americano. Cinematic attire encouraged. Reservations: (212) 216-0000.
Peep the new arrivals from Tracy Reese's fall collection here!
Lovely West Village cafe Bakehouse is hosting a Halloween party on 10/31! They will award prizes for the top three costumes (and worst three!), and they'll be offering $5 draft beers, ghoulish grub, and $10 specialty cocktails like Witches Brew all night.
Downtown Cellars is the wine shop for those of us who love wine, but not enough to shell out $75 for a bottle. Bonus: free weekly tastings and delivery for purchases over $25.
Your Halloween party won't be complete without some of One Girl Cookies’ enchanting Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, made from two moist, cake-y pumpkin cookies sandwiching cream cheese icing ($27 for a dozen). Double the deliciousness with a made-to-order Pumpkin Pie, made with cornmeal crust and toasted pepitas ($28).
How cute are these autumn petit fours from Three Tarts bakery in Chelsea? Answer: soooo cute. And these sweets made from almond cake and apricot jam are super delish too.
ABC Carpet & Home has a stunning new collection of handmade rugs made from recycled silk. Our top pick is this 8x10 color reform rug that was made in India.
The Biryani Cart serves up authentic Indian-Mediterranean food exploding with flavor. The Bombay Spicy Chicken Biryani served with egg korma and mango pickle ($6) is biryani at its best. The menu also consists of Kati Rolls, sort of the Indian version of a burrito, ($6 for any two rolls) and Curries ($6).
Appreciate pumpkins in one of their best forms this weekend--pumpkin beer! Check out the current selection on tap at Downtown Bar & Grill, including Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin ($6), Chelsea Pumpkin Ale ($6.50), Dogfish Head Pumpkin Ale ($6.50).
If you walk down Park Avenue, you'll pass by these puppies adorning the window display at Maison 24. These chairs are the creation of Jimmie Martin, the London-based luxury brand by Jimmie Karlsson and Martin Nihlmar. The pair also created the litter that Madonna, an ardent fan of these designers, was carried in at the Superbowl. Jimmie Martin uses vintage frames that are stripped, sanded, refinished and upholstered in original hand-painted art. Each pair is one-of-a-kind and can only be found in the U.S. at Maison 24, the expertly curated home goods store owned by siblings Allison Julius and Louis Marra.
Is the word that tripped you up in the school spelling bee still haunting you? The Slurring Bee at Last Exit is your chance to reclaim your spot in spelling bee fame. You still have to spel the wordz corecitly...but you get to enjoy a drink or two while you spell. The nicest partt? You are not spelling in front of a group of judgmental middle schoolers (talk about scary); you are in front of fellow tipplers who probably can't tell if you're spelling something correctly anyway.
Every third Tuesday of the month at 8:30pm.
Every time I walk into Haven's Kitchen I am reminded of Paris. Something about the timeless decor makes me think I have stumbled into an airy restaurant kitchen on the Rue de Quelque Chose.
Apparently I will have to come to terms with the fact that Haven's Kitchen is in the US if I attend the Harvest Party on October 28th from 2-5pm. Haven's Kitchen will serve roasted turkey legs, caramel apples, and apple cider -- what could be more American? There will be live music and plenty of pumpkins to carve too! For tickets and more info, email lela@havenskitchen.com.
I hate to admit it, but occasionally the contents of my lingerie drawer has an average age of at least one, if not two, presidential terms. I have not yet been to the Cosabella sample sale in Soho, but I have heard that lingerie and loungewear is up to 60% off.
Perhaps it is time to show my birthday suit some kindness with Cosabella's sexy thongs, lacy chemises, or underwire bras, all at bargain prices of $13-$80. Ends Tuesday, so I had best get a move on.
Shopping for a baby? These Utility Canvas floor mats ($58) come in baby-friendly colors and stand up to wear & tear by teethers and crawlers.
I wish I could sew. There are so many beautiful fabrics in the world -- just imagine being able to shape them into the garment of your choice.
Until the sewing lessons happen, I satisfy myself with the occasional trip to shops with unusual fabrics. Lucky Wang has an eclectic mix of fabrics for babies and toddlers -- stripey knots, faux fur, kimono-style prints and so on.
