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.