10 Things Only New Yorkers Understand

There’s truly no other place like New York City; everybody from Nebraska to Siberia has heard of it, and it gets untold millions of visitors every year.  Yet what about those who live in New York day in and day out?  You might watch “Friends” or “Seinfeld”, you might have a subscription to the New Yorker, but there are certain things that only real New Yorkers truly understand.  Here are a few of them:

1. Even though over 3 million people visit the Statue of Liberty every year, most New Yorkers have never gone there, and have no intention to.  And unless they’re costumed characters, no New Yorker ever goes to Times Square.

2. You might not think hot dogs and papaya juice going together, but New Yorkers know better. Whether they get it from Papaya King, Gray’s Papaya, Papaya Dog or Chelsea Papaya, it’s a late-night snack combination all New Yorkers know and love.  

3. New Yorkers will gladly pay over $100 a month for a gym membership that they only take advantage of twice a week, yet nonetheless complain about living in a fifth-floor walkup and climbing the stairs every day.  

4. You’ll cross the road wherever you want, even if there isn’t a crosswalk nearby.

5. It’s considered completely normal to discuss how much you pay a month in rent.  In a city where $1,500 a month won’t get you anything better than a shoebox apartment, we love to talk about how expensive (or freakishly cheap) our living arrangements are.  Even if we end up paying $20,000 every year for a living space that can’t even hold our couch, we can’t imagine living anywhere else.  

6. Even though it’s the largest city in the country, New York is small enough in size that celebrity sightings are fairly common.  While running into Ben Stiller or the girl from “Arrested Development” is always pretty cool, for the most part you just wonder what they’re doing at a place, then nonchalantly go on your way.  

7. Even though New York is one of the few cities with a 24/7 mass transit schedule, we love to complain about how bad it is.  The G train in particular.

8. Even if subways come every few minutes, we’re always rushing to catch the train.  Nothing feels worse than walking down onto the subway platform right as the train is pulling away.

9. You can find good pizza outside of the city, but nothing will ever beat the New York bagel.  Whether you get it from H&H or your local bodega, New York’s bagels are the best in the world.

10. Watching movies or TV shows set in New York will never be the same again.  You’ll either spend the whole time seeing if you can recognize any of the streets or landmarks, or you’ll be complaining that it isn’t New York enough.  

Eating Through Brighton Beach

If there’s one thing that the 70s cult classic “The Warriors” taught us, it’s that getting to Brighton Beach and Coney Island can be one heck of a trek.  Coney Island might be a bit crowded, but Brighton Beach is spacious, rarely overcrowded and not nearly as far out as the Rockaways.  The crowd here is always diverse, ranging from local Russians to visitors from elsewhere, and is free to both families and those on their own.  The boardwalk doesn’t feature amusement park rides like Coney Island or fancy taco trucks like the Rockaways, it has a special charm to it.  The streets by the Brighton Beach subway stop feel like another world; indeed, they don’t call it “Little Russia” for nothing.  It’s packed to the gills with small shops and bakeries, which offer all sorts of snacks and meals.  Here are a few of the best spots to visit:

Best Buy International Food: This supermarket has a huge buffet that offers all sorts of hot and cold foods.  Some major draws here include pierogis and a traditional Russian cold salad known as “Olivye”, made with carrots, pickles, cucumbers, potatoes, eggs, ham and plenty of mayo.  It’s surprisingly tasty, and refreshing on a hot day.

Skovorodka: If you’d rather eat at a sit-down restaurant instead of having a picnic by the beach, then Skovorodka has got you covered.  This little Russian cafe is a great sit-down spot that offers all sorts of traditional Russian dishes you can’t pick up at a grocery store.  My personal favorites include a bowl of pelmeni (a Russian dumpling that I’ve written about before) and some beef stroganoff, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu here.

Brighton Bazaar: Another Russian supermarket, you can find just about everything there, ranging from pickled fruits to dried fish.  Many of the products sold here are Eastern European standards that are nigh impossible to come by anywhere, even in Queens.  If you want to make some sandwiches on the beach, grab some pickled food, a half pound of smoked sausage from the butcher counter, a jar of ajvar (a delicious Balkan vegetable spread made from eggplant and roasted red pepper) and some rye bread.  

La Brioche Café: If you want to grab some dessert, here’s where you can get all sorts of pastries.  This is an open-air bakery where both locals and visitors can be found looking at the fares, whether it’s sour cream cake, savory pirozhki or freshly-baked breads.  

Berikoni: Just around the corner from the Ocean Pkwy subway stop is Berikoni, a traditional Georgian bakery.  Georgian food is sort of like a combination of Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, and is wildly popular among Russians.  The centerpiece of Georgian food is khachapuri, a traditional type of bread loaded with cheese, but just calling it “cheesy bread” doesn’t to justice to how tasty it actually is.  Khachapuri comes in a variety of versions, the most popular being imeruli and adjaruli.  Here, you can pick up a loaf and bring it out to the beach with you, where it makes a great addition to any Brighton Beach picnic.

What’s to Become of the L?

Last week, the MTA held its first community meeting to discuss two proposed plans for the Canarsie Tunnel renovation, the final step in the MTA’s Sandy Recovery Work plan and a major concern for those countless New Yorkers who use the L train on a daily basis.  The first plan, which all officials seemed to favor, proposes an 18-month turnaround with work starting in January 2019 and ending in July 2020 and requiring a complete shutdown of the L train from 8th Ave to Bedford Ave.  The train would run as normal from Bedford Ave to Rockaway Parkway.  This would give the agency more flexibility with contractors, who would get the work done quicker.

The second plan, which would take three years, would leave one tunnel open to allow the train to run at 12-to-15 minute intervals from 8th Ave to Bedford Ave, about 20% of the current level of service.  There wouldn’t be any train service between Bedford and Lorimer, although service would run as normal between Lorimer and Rockaway.  The main concern here is safety; pressure prevents two L trains from being in a tunnel at the same time.  Many of the tunnel parts have also been badly damaged; Sandy flooded the Canarsie Tunnel with some 7 million gallons of water, a major challenge to safety.  Plans have been in works for years; the MTA has recognized that these would be the two best options since 2014, yet they’ve recognized that there’s still so much work to be done, one of the main reasons they’ve withheld these plans from the public for so long.  

At the meeting, the MTA presented a short video giving an overview of the damage done to the tunnel, work that’s already been completed and proposed plans.  Many were satisfied with the video, yet there are still concerns that weren’t addressed, such as the state of the J train, the capacity of the E/M platform at Court Square and the plan for the notoriously unreliable G train.  Others were more concerned about the 18-month plan than the three-year plan, which wouldn’t allow the chance to get from Manhattan to Brooklyn on the L.  This could seriously damage a large number of businesses, although some recognize it as a chance to undo (or at least slow down) some of the rapid gentrification that’s occurred in Williamsburg and Bushwick.  But while you can talk about Williamsburg losing its “edge” all you want, but for those Brooklynites who commute to Manhattan, they’d much rather lose the “edge” than a more efficient commute.

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The New Age of Theaters

In the age of Netflix, more and more people have been watching movies from their computer.  Yet there’s a magic to going to the movies that neither Netflix, Amazon Prime or Hulu Plus can replicate: sitting in a theater, getting your popcorn, watching the movie from the big screen.  In the movie theater, action movies become more thrilling, comedies are suddenly funnier, dramas are more heart-wrenching.  While New York is lucky to have those smaller theaters that stand the test of time, such as the IFC, Film Forum and the Angelika and Anthology Film Archives, the number of movie theaters has been declining significantly due to the rise of television, multiplexes and streaming services.

However, there’s another wave of indie theaters that’s getting us out of our couches on lazy Friday nights.  Inspired curation, the social component of midnight showings of cult classics and the chance to see works of art in their intended form have all led to a golden era of theaters, aimed at making the experience of watching movies completely immersive.  In New York City, theaters like Metrograph, Syndicated, Nitehawk and the soon-to-be-opening Alamo Drafthouse branch in downtown Brooklyn have all been spearheading this movement.  Matthew Viragh, owner of the Nitehawk in Williamsburg, believed so strongly in this movement that he lobbied the New York State legislature to pass a bill allowing alcohol in movie theaters, one of the major draws of his theater.

The fun novelty of ordering a drink and a burger while watching a cult film from the 80s has evolved into a wide variety of cinema experiences.  While the experience of eating overpriced popcorn and watching the newest Iron Man flick is the same at every multiplex from New York to Nebraska, at the smaller theaters each experience is unique.  The Sunshine in the Lower East Side offers midnight showings of cult classics, most notably “The Room”.  Syndicated in Bushwick only has 50 seats, but if you’re quick enough to snag a $3 ticket you get access to its cushy chairs and an extensive bar and menu.  Metrograph in the Lower East Side pays homage to the classic arthouse cinemas of old New York with an eclectic mix that will keep you off your ex-boyfriend’s Netflix account for weeks.  

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Brooklyn’s Top Attractions

Although its renaissance has only come in the past 20 years or so, Brooklyn is home to some of New York City’s top attractions, museums and flea markets.  Here is a list of some of these, based off an article I found online:

Coney Island: As New York’s only amusement park, this makes for a perfect day trip.  You can ride on some of the more iconic attractions: maybe the Cyclone wooden roller coaster or the Ferris Wheel.  You can grab lunch at Nathan’s Famous, walk down the boardwalk or visit the Aquarium after you’ve gotten your fill of rides.  It’s also right by Brighton Beach, New York’s “Little Russia”, where you can try some delicious Russian food (I would suggest Skovorodka) and maybe even visit a Russian bathhouse.

BLDG 92: Located in a former military residence on the Brooklyn Navy Yard, this museum chronicles the history of the former shipbuilding center, which once employed close to 70,000 people.  Permanent exhibits examine the yard’s significance throughout history from the Civil War to World War II.

Brooklyn Botanical Garden: The perfect place for anybody who doesn’t want to leave New York but still wants to find some peace and quiet.  Founded in 1910, this features hundreds of types of foliage laid out over 52 acres.

Brooklyn Bridge: Opened in 1883, for over 130 years this has served as an enduring symbol of New York’s architectural history.  It was the first structure to cross the East River and when it was built was the longest suspension bridge in the world.  It still attracts plenty of tourists and locals with its spectacular views of various city landmarks.  The Brooklyn Bridge Park has taken 85 acres of the Brooklyn waterfront into a park so unlike any of the other parks in the city that it has to be seen.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum: As the country’s first museum dedicated to children, it’s now one of the most comprehensive children museums, with a collection of some 30,000 objects ranging from dolls to fossils.  Here, kids can have fun while learning about Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Flea: A quirky range of items can be brought here, ranging from records to art, representing the “alternative” vibe that has made Brooklyn so famous.

Brooklyn Promenade: While you walk down the Brooklyn Promenade, it can be easy to forget that you’re right near the hectic Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.  Yet looking out, you can get some real Instagram-worthy views of lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.

Brooklyn Historical Society: Founded in 1863, this is located in a four-story building that houses numerous permanent and ongoing exhibits that highlights the role Brooklyn has played in American history.  A major photo and research library is accessible by appointment if you’re interested in diving even deeper into Brooklyn’s history.

Brooklyn Museum: Although it’s less crowded than some of the bigger-name spaces in Manhattan like the Metropolitan or the Museum of Natural History, it has just as much, if not more, to offer.  Some standouts include a 4,000-piece Egyptian collection, priceless works of art and even a reconstruction of a 17th-century colonial Dutch farmhouse!

Green-Wood Cemetery: While graveyards hardly sound like good tourist attractions, the Victorian mausoleums, cherubs and gargoyles make Green-Wood an exception.  It’s the resting place of half a million New Yorkers including Boss Tweed and Leonard Bernstein.  You can also check out the massive Gothic arch at the main entrance or climb Battle Hill, one of the highest points in Brooklyn and a pivotal spot in the American Revolution.

Brooklyn’s Most Interesting Performance Spaces

As the center of New York’s creative culture, Brooklyn is filled with various types of performance venues.  While Manhattan is home to more mainstream spaces, such as the theaters of the Theater District or the art galleries of SoHo, in Brooklyn a different kind of performance space prevails, that champions the creativity that deviates from the norm, a symbol of what Brooklyn has become.  Brooklyn is a magnet for emerging artists and producers who want to take risks, filled with fascinating ideas of artistic expression.  Here are some of the more outlandish performance spaces in the borough, based off an article I found online:

Then She Fell (Williamsburg): Based off of “Alice in Wonderland”, a naturally unusual piece of art to begin with, this is an immersive experience located in an historic hospital ward and designed for just 15 audience members encouraged to explore hidden corners, unlock concealed secrets and try mysterious elixirs.  

The Gemini & Scorpio Loft (Gowanus): Since its founding in 2002, the Gemini & Scorpio Loft has become famous for its costume parties, but now hosts a variety of events such as theatrical performances, interactive artistic experiences, fashion shows and music showcases.

The Brick (Williamsburg): A not-for-profit theater located in a former body shop, it’s dedicated to giving emerging artists a place for their voices to be heard.  It puts on monthly performance series and world premieres.

The Bushwick Starr (Bushwick): The Bushwick Starr is a not-for-profit that welcomes theater, dance and puppetry performances located, surprisingly, in Bushwick.  It hosts several annual programs and showcases.  Some of those who work with the Bushwick Starr include Brooklyn Gypsies, which puts on innovative shows throughout the year, the puppet-wielding Puppets and Poets and the Big Green Theater, a playwriting program for environmentally conscious writers.

Grace Exhibition Space (Bushwick): This is devoted to performance art, regularly welcoming artists from around the world.  Last year they opened The Great American Performing Arts Festival, which has welcomed artists from around the world, and the venue has attracted such notable names as Antoni Karwowski and La Pocha Nostra art troupe.

Airbnb Igloo

While plenty of people in the Northeast fled for cover during Jonas this past weekend, there were others who saw the horrific storm as an opportunity for a quirky type of business.  In Greenpoint, resident Patrick Horton and his roommates decided they would build an igloo in their backyard.  They made a huge pile of snow in their yard on the day of the blizzard, and the next morning spend three hours hollowing it out.  As a prank, they then decided to list the igloo on Airbnb.

With tongue firmly placed in cheek, the listing spoke of “this snowpocalypse’s most desirable getaway” as “dripping with ingenuity and alt-lifestyle aura…built completely by hand all-natural”.  Calling on potential lodgers, they encouraged users to spend a night at “this chic dome-style bungalow with Bae”.  Horton insisted that the listing was only half-serious; he and his roommates wanted to satirize the stereotypes surrounding in Brooklyn, although said that he absolutely would have let somebody spend $200 a night to stay there if they wanted.

When reports of the structure went viral on social media, Airbnb removed the listing, saying that the igloo failed to meet occupancy standards; Airbnb listing are required to have running water, electricity and a roof and doesn’t melt.  Yet strangely enough, Horton pointed out that there is an entire section of Airbnb for igloos, and the company actually offered him a discount to rent out other igloos on the site.

Horton works as an advertising art director by day, yet he has a series of other ventures that he works on, including rap-inspired wrapping paper.

Send gifts from the heart, and your home turf with By Brooklyn

When Gaia DiLoreto opened the first By Brooklyn in Carroll Gardens 2011—the only shop that exclusively stocks its shelves with borough-made goods—she expected a few things to sell well, namely food, from chocolates to gift boxes to the always popular local hot sauces.
But there was one item that was an unexpected hit. “I didn’t know what a tea towel was before I opened my shop, then I started getting requests for them ALL the time,” she said. “Now that I have a variety, Three Legged Dog, Brooklyn Bell Tower and our custom one from Maptote, it’s hard to keep them in stock!”
The fun of perusing the gifts in her two stores (the newest outpost opened on Grand St. in Williamsburg this fall), lies in discovering the breadth of things are made here, from this speckled ceramic pour over cup  to these suede baby booties.
Both locations are offering an array of deals for in-store and online… Read More

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Send a Cake in a Crate this Holiday Season

Bake blogger Molly Yeh’s recipe for Hazelnut Mini Cakes at home. Photo: Cake in a Crate
Yes, your holiday baking projects can be delicious, creative crowd-pleasers that are also vegan, gluten-free, and made from healthy ingredients without refined sugar. How? Thank Cake in a Crate, a new Bushwick-based delivery service that collaborates with distinguished food bloggers to develop amazingly good recipes using high-quality ingredients. Cake in a Crate ships their entire menu of cakes, cookies, tarts and more to 48 states and everything comes pre-measured, and can be completed in six steps or fewer.
Everything comes pre-measured and the entire dessert can be made in six steps or fewer. Photo: Cake in a Crate
Hazelnut Mini Cakes are the newest addition to the Cake in a Crate roster. The recipe comes from My Name is Yeh, which Saveur named its blog of the year for 2015. Other selections include a coconut cream and cashew-based… Read More

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Indie Guides: Insider Travel Tips from Your New Best Friends All Over the World

In an age of seemingly endless travel sites (on which every restaurant, museum and coffeehouse has an inscrutable combination of one- and five-star reviews), the best way to create a solid itinerary when planning a trip is to ask friends for travel recommendations. What though, if you don’t have a pal in Madrid or Berlin?
Enter Indie Guides. Launched in February of 2015 by Paris-based co-founders, Anne Le Gal and Gary Monginod, there are now Indie Guide apps for cities around the world, the most recent of which is their brand-new guide to Brooklyn. Written by locals, app offers users 50 places to eat, drink, shop and soak in the local culture. The Paris and Montreal are free; the rest, which include Rome, Istanbul, Tokyo and Lisbon, will set you back $1.99 for iPhone or Android.
Indie Guides feel like highly curated insider information because they are. “They are very subjective and personal,” Le Gal wrote in an email.… Read More

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