Hookah at Horus

Upbeat techno, middle eastern food, and nicotine/THC-free smoke do not sound like an ideal trio on paper...I would not seek out any of these things individually, especially not on a Saturday at 11. That said, I actually enjoyed killing an hour smoking hookah at Horus. The lounge and cafe is named after the Egyptian god who's falcon-like depiction can be found throughout the decor. Horus features a menu of middle eastern food, wines and speciality hookahs. The fresh pineapple hookah is a good smoke, with the top half of a pineapple serving as the bowl...it might even be worth the $20 price tag. Although visibility was limited in this dark, smoke-filled lounge, the crowd appeared to be mostly middle-eastern..mainly parties of 4-10 with a few couples dispersed throughout. The small dance floor was filled during the hour I spent at Horus. By the time I left, lets call it 1230, there was a line at the door to get a table. There really isn't much of a bar scene in the literal sense, but tables mingle and oppurtunites to meet other parties abound.

Horus was an interesting world to step into for an hour. While it isn't somewhere that I would plan to post up for an entire evening, there was a ton of energy in the place and those who enjoy the trio mentioned above may want to check out Horus.

If you look at their website, http://www.horusona.com/, you can find nightly specials at all of their locations, including belly-dancing and brazilian night.

293 E. 10th St. @ Ave. A

Burp Castle

@marcanthony: Your correspondent reporting on-site.  Wowzers, if the diversity of beers (specializing in Belgian) doesn't impress you, no doubt the bartenders dressed as monks will....one of the most unique haunts you'll find, ambience not-o-this world and a ruler upside your ass care of the monotheistic help (should you become unruly)....perhaps this breed of craziness can only be summed up by the late great Hunter S. Thompson: "[It] is what the world would be doing Saturday nights if the Nazis had won the war. This was the Sixth Reich."

Location: East Village, NYC

Festival of light

Matisyahu Festival of Light
Dec. 10-14 Webster Hall
Dec. 16-20 Music Hall of Williamsburg

Vanessa's Dumplings 118 Eldridge St, New York 10002 http://tinyurl.com/ygkjxcu

There is something to say about the incredible range in cost of nearly everything in New York: at one bar you can down a shot and a beer for five bucks then travel no further than the other side of the street and pay six for the same beer you just had, minus the shot. I know places that will run you no more than four dollars for a full breakfast of eggs, bacon, and home fries with coffee and other places that will offer pretty much the same for no less than $10. Of course some can argue quality, décor, location but frankly there are just some places which – though yes you may not have the cleanest table when you sit nor hip wall art or soundtrack accompanying your eating or drinking experience – provide you with unique, comforting, and affordable outings. These places often can make you fall in love and leave you embattled as to whether to share them with the whole world, or keep them close so the secret doesn’t get out.

One such place is Vanessa’s Dumpling House at 118 Eldridge St in the Lower East Side. HYPERLINK "http://tinyurl.com/ygkjxcu" http://tinyurl.com/ygkjxcu . After my regular dumpling spot closed this summer, I was left emotionally void and hungry looking for a new place to get my fix. Luckily, Vanessa’s is a step up from my last spot. It is spacious with a clean, open kitchen, a larger more diverse menu, and so far I have had no issue finding an open seat (though there are times when this could be a problem).

Here is what makes Vanessa's Dumpling house stand out: price. Four pork dumplings run you one dollar and, on average, soups are three dollars. I have become a big fan of the Sesame Pancake Sandwiches, somewhat similar to the Vietnamese Bahn Mi which run around two dollars. Out of 46 items on the menu (not including the bulk take home frozen dumplings), the most expensive thing stands alone at five dollars while the average price is around three dollars.

I can go and for about $3.75 get 4 pork dumplings, a Sesame Pancake Sandwich stuffed with vegetables, and a small hot and sour soup. All of which are incredibly delicious, clean, and filling. Its fast food but there is nothing sterile or plastic about the experience (well, they do use Styrofoam and plastic containers which I’m not all that psyched about but at least recycling is an option). Ordering is easy and quick and typically you wait only five to ten minutes to receive your food. Part of the pleasure, though, is watching the open kitchen as you wait. With ease the many cooks tame gigantic shallow pots filled with dumplings, multiple boilers of noodles, and giant bowls of filling.

Vanessa’s Dumpling house is always bustling but never so crowded that you can’t find a seat or at least find some sort of eating space. Along with hot and cold entrees, they offer a large assortment of beverages including hot and cold teas, smoothies, and bubble teas. They also offer catering and wholesale. I have only dined at The Location on Eldridge Street but you can find another Vanessa’s at 220 14th Street.

-W. Flynn

Good Stuff Diner

The holidays are quickly approaching and bank accounts everywhere are feeling the heat. You are running around town trying to find the perfect presents to give your friends and something to wear to all the big holiday parties. Out of nowhere, hunger- most likely brought on by all the shopping- takes a hold of you and the numbers on your last bank balance are zipping through your head. Well, don't deprive your stomach of the nourishment it's yearning for. Head over to Good Stuff Diner, 109 E. 14th St.

Good Stuff is a brightly decorated retro inspired diner that won't break the bank. And best of all, it is open 24/7. I am a huge fan of diners and Good Stuff has my heart. Now that the posh food epidemic is sweeping through New York City, it is hard to find some good hearty diner-themed grub. Everyone wants their sushi, sashimi and those small little hoity-toity amuse-bouche things.

But some people out there are still clinging to the good old American comfort food. Those people will like Good Stuff.

And for all of those who don't quite dig the french fries, waffles, and burgers thing, no worries, they have that fancy salmon salad you're craving too! Their menu covers everything from eggs and pancakes to Greek salads and fish.

There is no reason to hit some over-priced New York City restaurant just because your hungry. You can get a cheap meal and you can enjoy it! I promise that the difference in price will not reflect a difference in quality. Good Stuff is, well, good stuff.

Café Khufu

I have spent a lot of time looking for my "usual". That place you can always go to and are sure to just be able to kick back and enjoy yourself. The Seinfeld crew had one, the Saved by the Bell crew had one, every group of friends in almost every television show and movie I have ever seen have one. And now, I have one. Café Khufu has become my "usual". What can be wrong with comfy brightly colored couches, an assortment of teas, Mediterranean food and giant hookahs? The answer is nothing!

You can walk in anytime of the day, any day of the week and find people lounging around sipping tea and enjoying some great Hookah with friends. Khufu is located on 61 E. 3rd street but once you enter you will forget where you are. You will leave the city streets and enter a relaxing Bob Marley filled world where you and your friends can forget life for a couple of hours. The music is never over-powering so you can catch all the juicy details that your friends might be dishing and there are no obnoxious disco lights fanning around the room.

Most hookah bars are filled with rowdy teenagers. You know the type. The ones that feel hella cool because they are smoking Hookah like it is a big deal and are trashed because the pre-games on the bus ride over with vodka and punch filled water bottles. The teeny-boppers take over and turn a relaxing joint into a make-shift club. I could do without that. Café Khufu is great because there are no teenagers. It is mostly a twenty and up crowd. I like to call it a sophisticated Hookah bar.

The staff at Khufu are friendly and very relaxed. The first time I went in, I was not even sure who was on staff. Within two seconds, though, a young guy came over and asked where we would like to sit. He had been hanging out with some of the customers. Made you feel more comfortable. I l hate stiff next-tie clad waiters and waitresses and Khufu has none of that. Which makes me happy! They're always friendly, they work quickly, they're helpful, they never rush you out the door, and they refill your coal for free.

I have no complaints. Café Khufu is a great place to hang out after work, after school on the weekends or whenever. I am glad I stumbled upon it. I am sure that from the moment you enter it's magnetic pull will take hold of you from there on out. Venture out to Café Khufu and enjoy!

Soccer Mecca in Manhattan

The US is dominated by tailgating football fans, tobacco-chewing baseball fanatics, and wannabe basketball fans. If you are in Manhattan and you are into the real international kick ass game of futball, then you have to go the mecca of it all. Nevada Smith – on 3rd ave, between 11th and 12th street, right across from an NYU dorm – was probably the first bar I considered my bar when I just arrived in NY. It's a huge place with a basement space, where young hooligans and older European dudes come and watch soccer games on any of the 12 screens.

I have only had the beer there, but they have a full bar and the bartenders - Irish and English dudes - will know you by face after the second time. It's a sports bar and the focus is defiantly soccer, so if you are in the mood to get drunk and hit on some girls, this place and you are probably not a match for each other. However, with that said, the girls that do go to Nevada Smiths are girlfriend types. I define girlfriend type as a girl who likes sports, beer and doesn't mind hanging out with the guys.

The best part of this place is definitely the chants. If you are lucky and are able to get in when a huge match is on, you get to hear some chants from all different countries. These guys really get into it and the ecstatic commentary is something you miss in all American sports, with exceptions of college football and basketball.

Other than that, if you are lucky to get in when a game is on, you should definitely remember to bring along your handy cam to record the variety of chants and people jumping out of their seats.

Bowlmor Lanes & Strike

When I first stumbled across Bowlmor Lanes I wasn’t sure what to expect. Sandwiched on an average looking street in the village, it attempts to pull itself off as one of those hole-in-the-wall super trendy finds, but its ostentatious glowing signs and VIP red ropes give it away as an up and coming chain, complete with overpriced food, drinks, and pics of celebrities a la Paris Hilton having the “time of her life” splashed everywhere. The only entry and exit appears to be one teeny tiny elevator, which you have to wait in line for even though the operator tries to sardine as many people as humanly possible into the small space (not sure what the contingency plan is for fire or emergencies, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it entailed George Costanza pushing the elderly and children out of the way to escape). The interior vibe is definitely urban hipster (or trying to be), complete with glow in the dark bowling lanes and glass-encased pins signed by various celebs decorating the walls. There is a separate second floor designated for private parties, but really seems to be the newest hot spot to hold a bar/bat mitzvah; on any given Saturday night, don’t be surprised to find tweens and their parents littered among the intoxicated twenty-something bowlers. On the whole, it’s not an awful way to occupy a Friday or Saturday night, but I’d probably save my pennies and just head over to Lucky Strike. At least you know where the exits are there.

http://www.bowlmor.com/

110 University Place, between 12th & 13th Streets

Ship of Fools Bar and Grill

Sojourn to the purported Notre Dame bar on the upper East Side to catch the game and take in the sites. Prior to the game broke bread at Big Daddy's Diner right next door.....great ambiance, with the 50's decor to boot, along with reasonable prices-- desserts definitely worth "the price of faire." Check out the cookie monster shake or the hot fudge sundae mmmm.........

Ship of Fools, beyond the charming name fatty foods, beer, and multiple large screens align this joint. I thought I stepped into a time capsule and walked out to my college fraternity as the 20 something crowd attempted to re-claim their golden years with a riotous game of flip cup at the back of the saloon.

The couple next to us were on a first date-- probably not the best of venues since the music and sports blaring from the speakers create an impossible environment for meet and greet type conversation.

Still, affordable food and drink are not easy to find in this neighborhood as the ritzy gals from Gossip Girl will have you know---"you're in our hood bii---otch!"

Worth the visit with the lads, but leave the non-sports loving gf at home (sry babe).
; )

1590 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

http://www.shipoffoolsnyc.com/

55 Bar

55 Bar is a jazz spot on Christopher St. touted by the establishment as, "A prohibition era dive bar with incredible jazz, funk, and blues nightly in Greenwich Village," Though the venue is fairly small, it was in no way cramped during the second show on a Saturday night. At least one or two tables were open throughout the set, and bar seating was available. 55 charges a reasonable $10 cover for live shows, a competitive price for quality jazz in the city.

Signs litter the wall claiming a two-drink minimum, though the drinking pace of this evening never gave me a chance to see if this was maintained by the servers. While the band playing on this particular night was undoubtedly talented, abrasive acoustics were less than flattering for the keys. The patrons were the mixture you tend to expect at a village jazz bar...from old jazz heads to young professionals, and my favorite.. chicks that love the blues and never stop dancing.

55 bar features at least one live show on most nights of the week.. a calendar of upcoming artists is available at www.55bar.com.

55 Christopher St.
New York, NY 10014
(718) 965-9177

The Creek and The Cave

‘Vibrant’ is a detestable word. The kind of adjective you read in every tour book ever written as an excuse to avoid getting the right details of the place in question.

But I’d love to write tour books, detestable though they may sometimes be.

So: New York’s improv comedy scene is ‘vibrant.’

There are the main comedy theaters such as the Magnet, Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, and the PIT and then – the true test of vibrancy – there are the small upstart performance spaces. The Cave, a forty-seat theater inside The Creek, is one such space.

The Creek, at 1093 Jackson avenue in Queens, has clearly sought to cater to this upcoming comedy crowd. On any given night the bulk of the patrons at the bar downstairs – and some few at the restaurant upstairs – will have either just performed or are about to.

As such, it parallels the improv scene: it’s mostly men. And mostly somewhat shlumpy, nerdy men. Bachelorettes beware... unless you come on one of the irregular nights when the stage of The Cave caters to a musician or filmmaker.

The food, also befitting its primary clientele, is a fattening traditional mexican and reasonably priced ($12 or so for the priciest items).

Still, the drinks are affordable ($5 Bloody Mary’s that will leave you staggering) and the environs are homey and convivial.

Suck on those adjectives Fodor’s.

Raggs of Harlem

Despite the rapid winds of gentrification, Harlem is still essentially an ethnically black neighborhood. Or, if you go east, Latino.

So there’s a definite deficit of good old Irish-themed dive bars... Enter Raggs of Harlem. Set on the border between el Barrio and central Harlem (101 E. 119th, at Madison Avenue), Raggs boasts the cheapest drinks in the neighborhood. Specials include a five-hour happy hour (from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm on weeknights) where beers are $3 and well drinks $2 and all-night pitchers of Coors Light for $10. Raggs also boasts your typical sports-bar staples: there’s the pool table, the glowing Big Buck Hunter terminal, and the three TV monitors set, invariably, to Ultimate Fighting.

In a neighborhood with a – not fully justified – dodgy reputation, Raggs is also unequivocally safe. It sits across the street from the police station on 119th and is owned by two of the former officers there. Fights don’t happen here.

Most nights, the place sits largely deserted after about 8:30 pm, though the bar is usually open until at least 2 am. During these later portions of the night, a lonely bartender caters to a few lingering men smoking cigarettes on the porch and shooting pool as they drink themselves into a happy delirium. There’s a certain charm to that, but if you want a party, bring your own.

That said, lonely bartenders are known to give away drinks.

Saturday nights are salsa nights and the sleepy atmosphere of the place explodes with a largely Latino crowd. It’s a blast, but if you aren’t latino you will get the fisheye from some of the boozier patrons.

It’s hardly a hopping nightspot, but if you are looking to hang out with a few buddies, you could do a lot worse.

Lennox Lounge

Surely the sharpest inflation rate in America occurs every time you get on the 2 train at 125th street and get off in Times Square. In just thirty five minutes (and a little less than five miles) a coke, for example, jumps from a dollar to $1.50. Coffee goes from the eminently reasonable 50 cents for a small to the yuppy standard of $2.00 for a tall or more yet for a ‘Venti’. Gypsy cabs become yellow cabs; off-brand menthols turn to Marlboros; and $5 bootleg video CD’s are replaced by Best Buy’s finest.

Lennox Lounge (288 Lenox Avenue at 125th) is the exception to this rule. If you are looking for midtown prices north of the park, here’s your spot. Beers (Harlem-brewed Sugar Hill is the best) run for $6 and martini’s cash in upwards of $10, depending on the girlyness of the drink. Price-wise, the cocktail crowd should feel quite at home.

Of course, there is reason behind the money. Lennox Lounge does Jazz well. On any given night you will find musicians in the back room, the front room, or – more rarely – both. (On the night Michael Jackson died, the band played jazz covers of every song on Thriller). And it is good Jazz. And it is right next to the subway for those looking to leave after a few drinks.

And the ambiance isn’t half-bad. It looks like a joint you would see in Capote or some similar period piece. The management renovated it to its original 1939 splendor ten years ago and it looks good.

Still, for all the jazz-age glamour of the decor and the jazz-fueled chatter of the patrons, the place feels fundamentally overpriced, especially for one of the few neighborhoods in Manhattan that isn’t.

Black Bear Bar & Grill

Upon first walking into Black Bear Bar & Grill it was not easily distinguishable from one of the two hundred other bars gracing the streets of Hoboken; however, on closer inspection this one stands out as a lively combination of sports bar, restaurant, and impromptu dance club. Over fifty TVs are spaced throughout its two floor setup, ensuring that you’ll get a good view of whatever NY game is playing even if you don’t have a seat. Both floors offer bar and restaurant seating and the second floor bar also has a DJ pumping out dance music during game time commercial breaks. The menu boasts a wide variety of choices – from brunch to burgers to rigatoni in vodka sauce – and is a major step up from most bar food (the French fries are irresistible). NY sports fans mingle with pride here, but don’t expect to enjoy too much conversation – the cheers, TV, and dance music make it next to impossible to hear what anyone is saying unless they are sitting on your lap. Overall, this place has a fun atmosphere, good food, great sports and to top it off, is reasonably priced. Sure, it’s not technically located in NY, but I’d say it’s worth the trip over the bridge.

Address: 205 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ

Gallaghers' Restaurant and Pub

I couldn't quite place this joint on the scale of things: great space, bar, area for a band, Irish lady to check your jacket. Great location to the theater and Time Square; yet, the decor was most definitely mismatched, if not confused. Picture of Western buffaloes and horses mingled with long time retired IRA agents typically do not go together. Additionally, the red and white checkered table cloths came off tacky. Finally, only one television and bad lighting make for a bad first date or place to hang out with your mates.

Overall, C+




Address: 228 W 52nd St (bw 7th and 8th)

The house of Ulysses

So last night I hit up The historic folk house of Ulysses down on Wall Street (on Pearl to be exact). The patrons and employees were in high spirits readying themselves for a hopping, old school Halloween bash. Everything, from the brick streets to the ancient wood structural ambiance, suggests an old school saloon of the sort you would find in Continental Europe. The bartenders added to the experience as a more attractive bunch I'm not sure I've seen in my travels within this great city. The food was superb and I highly recommend that you check out this undiscovered gem and, even more, you can rely on only WHERESHARE to supply you with these up to date reviews of the coolest haunts the Big Apple has to offer!

Blue Chili...

Upon entering Blue Chili my attention was drawn first to the color-changing bar and the sleek decor. This theater district pan-asian restaurant offers a number of traditional thai dishes, as well as a healthy selection of sushi. On this particular evening our party stuck with Thai. Of the dishes I tried, the steamed thai dumpling, salmon with green curry and chicken massaman were all worthy of a recommendation. Off the desert menu, the trio creme brulee (coffee, green tea and vanilla) is worth checking out.

Blue chili also features a number of daily happy hour specials, a fitting selection of beats, and would serve as a great first date spot.

bluechilinewyork.com

251 W 51st St, New York, NY
(212) 246-3330‎

Raucous and Salacious Laughs at the Comedy Cellar

Packed into the cramped Greenwich Village setting one would hardly guess that on any given night the audience could be graced by the likes of Dave Chappelle, Colin Quinn, or Darrell Hammond. Yet, as I was so dutifully instructed by the manager this is certainly the case. This was a fantastic ambiance, only $12 at the door with moderately priced food—that for the chance to see some of the legends of comedy….gettttoutttaaaheerrrreeee! This scene harkens back to the golden era of comedy from the late 70’s and early 80’s, the type of unvarnished, unadulterated stuff that made me wonder if the ghost of Rodney Dangerfield himself was in the house!!

Check out the lineup and do yourself a favor and stop in on this hidden gem, one of many you can discover on WHERESHARE.

http://www.comedycellar.com/

A Wednesday Evening at The Grisly Pear

I happened upon The Grisly Pear on a Wednesday night in the village, in search of nothing other than a quick bite and a beer before heading to another live music spot (Cafe Wha? is 2 doors down). I was sold after seeing a small sign claiming, "Bluegrass tonight". While the food was average, the rest of the evening was a pleasant surprise. Around 930, musicians began to gather around a candlelit table in the back of the bar. Another group assembled in the front, sitting at what was previously the dining area. As the music picked up, more people arrived with instruments, hoping to sit down/stand up and join in the jam. The result...impromptu bluegrass at its finest. Within an hour, a surprisingly diverse group of 15+ people were picking, singing, and sipping whiskey.

Decent happy hour specials, questionable cocktail sauce (think a marriage of tabasco and ketchup), and great atmosphere....worth stopping by to hear some good jams, or better yet... bring your banjo and get involved.

Neighborhood: Greenwich Village

107 MacDougal St.

New York, NY 10079

(212) 529-3808

Perch Café. Park Slope. Brooklyn, NY ------ where humility and utility coalesce…

with a coffee shop ambiance, diner-esque menu, and expansive outdoor patio, the Perch Café makes for a convenient sit-and-eat brunch spot or a relaxing, music-filled venue in the evening. the ikea showroom simplicity is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also creates a studio apartment-like efficiency, where with space considered, would be difficult to replicate. the front-half of the long, narrow spread is partitioned for the sit-down crowd, whether it be enjoying a meal or sipping a latte while web-browsing. the rear, separated by a jut-out diner bar, is an incredibly versatile, activity-laden lounge equipped with movable couches and warm lighting. although seemingly contrasting, the front-to-back disparity is bridged well with the practical coffee/beer bar and consistent flow of warm, soothing browns/reds spanning the café. the large, well-fenced rear patio helps to alleviate crowding in the rear lounge area and accommodates the smoking and non-music going patrons.

on this night however, live music was the purpose of the visit and beer was the drink of choice. draft selection was decent and music soothing. a friendly, hip young woman served us well and the down-to-earth crowd made it all in all..a fine place to perch…

pros – anytime place to go, live music

cons – small and slightly expensive

open mic night sundays 730p

full music calendar at www.perchcafe.com

overall b

The Maiden Voyage.....

Greetings World! We are very pleased to bring you WHERESHARE. You may be asking yourselves what exactly is WHERESHARE and what can it do for me? In short, WHERESHARE will provide accurate, up-to date details and specific reviews in real-time across New York’s rich cultural and social sphere- from reviews of the hottest off-Broadway plays and Indy movies, to images of that talented new artist in Brooklyn. Additionally, you will know when famous speakers are touring New York City, where you can see up-and-coming musicians on the precipice of mainstream stardom, and discover who the next funnyman is in one of the many great comedy clubs in Manhattan… and that’s just the tip of the ice berg! This will be New York City’s first fully user- generated forum “by the people and for the people” where you decide the content and grade its quality.

“There is no place like it, no place with an atom of its glory, pride, and exultancy. It lays its hand upon a man's bowels; he grows drunk with ecstasy; he grows young and full of glory, he feels that he can never die.”-Walt Whitman