The Steins Collect @ The Met

Straight from the Grand Palais in Paris comes The Steins Collect exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC....

Matisse and Picasso may be credited by many as the "inventors" of modern art, but at the beginning of the 20th century they were criticized more often than praised. People were not used to this "new" form of art.. abstract, figurative and transcendental. During this time, an upper-middle class Jewish American family bought up these painters earliest works, displaying them in their spacious Paris apartment. The family was well known in Paris and therefore they had a lot of influential people visit and observe these works of art in their home at 27 rue de Fleurus. They became very close friends with painters like Matisse and Picasso. One can even argue that this family discovered them.

Who was this family? Well let me tell you a bit about them. The family is composed of one sister and two brothers... Gertrude, Leo and Michael. Michael's wife, Sarah, was also highly involved in being a patron of modern art in Paris. During the first few decades of the twentieth century, the Steins collected hundreds of works of art that include work from Cezanne, Degas, Gaugin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Manet, Renoir, Picasso and Matisse.

This exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is on display until June 3rd, 2012. It exhibits over 200 works of art that had been collected by the family. It demonstrates the close relationships that this family had with the artists and their friends. It shows the significant impact the Stein's had on the artists that today we deem as iconic. It shows the family's passion for the Parisian arts scene.

The Steins famously introduced Matisse to Picasso and made the Parisian avant-garde  movement available to many people. This exhibit is the story of this American family residing in Paris who became a pivotal part of the creation of art for years to come.

I was pleasantly surprised with this exhibition, and  HIGHLY recommend you go and check it out if you are in Manhattan. On a budget? No worries, at The Metropolitan Museum of art the price is only suggested... you can pay whatever you can.

Fun fact: The exhibition includes a sketch of Leo drawn by Picasso himself. It also exhibits portraits of Sarah painted by Matisse.

The Met is located at 1000 5th Ave.  Check out some of my favorite pieces below.. enjoy!

Henri Matisse

Boy with Butterfly Net, 1907

image taken from here

Pablo Picasso

Getrude Sten, 1905-1906

image taken from here

Pablo Picasso

Boy Leading a Horse, 1905-06

image taken from here

Stein Apartment

Miss Lily's

Imagine yourself on the beach in Ocho Rios sipping a pina colada and listening to some reggae.  Welcome to Miss Lily's!! A cute little island getaway in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Miss Lily's restaurant is located at 132 West Houston St. It is a Jamaican style diner on the border of the Village. Open daily from noon to 10PM.

At Miss Lily's you will be able to indulge in a manhattan approach to classic Caribbean island cooking. At the diner you will find everything from Jerk Chicken, Oxtail, Curried Goat and Curried Chicken to Callaloo, Plantains and Brioche French Toast.

Paul Salmon (owner of the award-winning Rockhouse Hotel in Jamaica) and the Jakupi brothers (partners in some of the most exclusive nightclubs in the city... Bungolw 8, 1Oak and the box) run and operate the restaurant. They hired Serge Becker, who has decorated places like Cafe Select and La Esquina, to decorate this island oasis... and kudos to him it looks great! The interior is very colorful and the walls are covered in Jamaican albums and the checkered floors give it that diner-ish feel.

My Reco: Grilled Fish Sandwich ($12.00) and for brunch the Brioche French Toast($12.00).

And don't forget to check out the juice box while you're there!! The annex of the famed Miss Lily's...

Brioche French Toast

Cindy Sherman @ MoMA

If you are in New York these days, do NOT miss the Cindy Sherman exhibition at the MoMA. It will be open to the public until June 11th, 2012.

Cindy Sherman is a widely recognized artist in contemporary art. She has worked as her own model for many years, and she has managed to capture herself embodying various personas, circumstances and time eras. The inspiration behind her photographs range from movies, magazines, art history, internet to TV; among others.

Sherman has managed to capture herself in so many different ways which manage to provoke the viewer with affecting, amusing and at times distasteful emotions. She takes on characters as they are perceived by the masses and creates stereotypes in a very creative and unusual way. Her images are made to make the spectator rethink history, mass media and stereotypes. To create her photographs she takes on the role as model, makeup artist, stylist, hairdresser and photographer. Her photographs range from the representation of women in society to images representing women in media.

Sherman tends to work in series, this is evident at the MoMA. All her works of are "untitled" to preserve that sense of ambiguity and different perception of the viewer. According to the MoMA website, on exhibition are more than 170 photographs ranging from the mid 1970s to the present.

Cindy Sherman currently lives in New York. Her works of art include some of the most expensive photographs ever sold.

Cindy Sherman's collection of photographs and videos are on display at The Joan and Preston Robert Tisch Exhibition Gallery on the sixth floor at the MoMA.The MoMA is located at 11 West 53rd St in Manhattan.

MoMA dates: February 26th- June 11th, 2012

                                      Taken from the MoMA.org site Cindy Sherman Gallery (link below)
                                  Untitled #463. 2007–08

Eileen's Special Cheesecake

"Cheesecake is one of those quintessential New York foodstuffs that in some circles is thought of as unsophisticated. Certainly its name does not roll off the tongue like tiramisù, or tarte Tatin. But cheesecake at its best is a perfect sweet -- a smooth, creamy confection with only a hint of tart."  The New York Times on Cheesecake

I think every New Yorker would agree when I say that Cheesecake is one of those New York quintessential foods, alongside pizza and hot dogs. Finding the best cheesecake place in NY is a difficult task, as every restaurant probably offers their variation of the New York Cheesecake. Many would argue that Junior's is the best cheesecake place in the city. Junior's has been known for over 50 years as the "restaurant that is known to be the home of the best cheesecake." However, I am going to go ahead and make a very strong statement (many will contradict this) that the best cheesecake I have found in New York is at Eileen's Special Cheesecake located at 17 Cleveland Place in NoLita. 

Eilleen has been baking for nearly 40 years as one of New York City's top bakers. She started baking in her apartment back in 1973. Her fabulous cheesecake started selling by word of mouth. In December 1975 she opened her bakery at the current location. Soon word starting getting out that Eilleen had the best cheesecake in town. They eventually began shipping cheesecakes overnight to anywhere in the US. According to ESC's site " Eileen has been praised as New York's Best Cheesecake by Celebrity Chefts, The Zagat guide, WOR Radio, and nationally recognized food critics."

My suggestion: Mini-cheesecake to go: Original ($3.50). Not in the cheesecake mood? Try the White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse (6": $18.00)

FUN FACT: Eileen's original cheesecake recipe was her mom's. 

Eileen's is open every day Monday-Friday from 9AM-9PM; Saturday and Sunday from 10AM till 7PM.

Feel like contradicting me? Please do! I am the biggest cheesecake fan... i don't mind trying as many as it takes! However, I am sure that the cheesecake will be from NY. New York is definitely the world capital for Cheesecake.

"In a city of constant ethnic flux, cheesecake is itself a constant, offering something for everyone." The New York Times 

Tertulia

Tertulia, a new Spanish gastropub in the city, is on the top of every New Yorkers "where to eat list". Since it open its doors in August 2011 it has been getting AMAZING reviews. Seamus Mullen's new Spanish taverna in the West Village has been causing quite a sensation. They do not accept reservations (unless you are a party of 6 or more), only walk-ins... you will be lucky if your wait is less than an hour.

I do have to say snaps to chef Seamus Mullen's new hotspot. Mullen, although originally for rural Vermont, has managed to successfully capture the true Spanish food essence. Mullen made his reputation in partnership with other restauranteurs in New York City serving at popular spots like Boqueria, in the Flatiron district. Nowadays you can catch Mullen as a featured judge on the Food Network's show, "Chopped".

The little taverna is located at 359 6th Ave ( lower 6th Ave, just above West 4th St). The small bar as you walk in serves varieties of cava, cider (poured from a wooden barrel), wine and beer. The narrow restaurant is divided by brick archways. The decor reminded me of an old farmhouse you would find in the Basque country, complete with a rustic chimney style oven used to cook the delicious tapas served at this place.

The menu offers everything from tostas (appetizers served on top of a white bread) to sartenes (smaller sharing dishes) to tapas and larger plates. Everything is meant to share, including the pitchers of Sangria. Being a Spanish food snob myself.. i HIGHLY recommend this place.

Some of my favorites:
Tosta Huevo Roto y Jamon Iberico (crushed egg, potato, iberico ham) $11.00
Croquetas de Jamon Iberico (Iberico ham croquttes) $11.00
Coles de Bruselas (crispy bussels sprouts with pork belly) $9.00
*** And try their specials

FUN FACT: 359 6th Ave used to be a speakeasy in the prohibition era.

"At 11PM on a Friday there's still a wait, because this is where Manhattan is eating right now. Rightly so." Bloomberg

                                                                 @TERTULIA

The Armory Show

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be able to attend The Armory Show here in New York. The Armory Show is the largest art fair in New York. It is a leading international contemporary and modern art fair that takes place once a year on the West Side of Manhattan. This year it took place March 8th-11th.

Every March leaders in the art world, art dealers, art aficionados and artists cram into Piers 92 & 94 along the Hudson River in Manhattan's west side to celebrate art. The Armory Show is one of the principal annual art events in the international art market. The fair showcases some of the world's most important art galleries. A variety of artists are exhibited from Picasso to Andy Warhol, and from Cindy Sherman to Chuck Close. 

The Armory Show was founded in 1994 by dealers Colin de Land, Pat Hearn, Paul Morris and Matthew Marks. It was first named after its initial location at the Gramercy Park Hotel, but then The Armory Show acquired its new title when it was moved to the Armory on Lexington Ave.  The location there was only temporary, and in 2001 the current Armory Show moved to the west side piers. Here they would be able to house a larger collection of contemporary art under one roof from all over the globe.  The piers are located between 52nd St and 55th St on 12th Ave. The piers are a visual reminder of New York's past history when the Hudson River was central to the city's transportation and commerce. Cargo and passengers were let off at the various piers, which were then connected by the now public park, the Highline. The Highline used to be a rail road that connected the surrounding area by rail. The remaining piers closest to the Armory still serve as a port for ships and cruise liners. The Intrepid and a Second World War aircraft carrier, now turned into a museum, can also be found a few blocks down. 

The Armory Show has become an essential part of the cultural aspect of Manhattan. It will continue to host and support the great galleries and artists of our time. 

My Recommendation: Go during the week, the weekend gets too crowded to enjoy. Spend more time at pier 92, this pier houses the more prestigious galleries and artists. 

General Admission: $30

Students: $15

Seniors: $15

And with that I leave you with some of my favorite pieces of art this year, 'til next year!!!

                                                    "Fin de Fiesta" Artist: Fernando Botero

Artist: Damien Hirst (background)

Live Performance

"HOPE" Artist: Robert Indiana

"Elizabeth" Artist: Anselm Kiefer

toodles!!!!

Invisible Children

Please share this video. I was lucky enough to hear them speak 4 years ago at NYU, and it's incredible how far they have come from there. I supported them then, and I support them now. Please support this cause, we can each make a difference. PLEDGE NOW.

Eataly

Italy(the country), Italian(the language), Italians(the people) and Italian (the food) is something I am OBSESSED with. I was fortunate enough to have lived a year in the Tuscan city of Florence back in 2006. One day I hope to be able to live back in Italy, as I think it is such an extraordinarily rich country in every sense. So.... you can imagine my excitement when Eataly, the largest artisanal food and wine marketplace in the world opened up its doors here in New York City!

Let me give you some background on this place. Back in 2007, Italian business man Oscar Farinetti converted a vermouth factory in Turin into the first Eataly. The New York Times has described Turin's Eataly as "a megastore that combines elements of a bustling European open market, a Whole Foods style supermarket, a high-end food court and a New Age learning center." Two years later he teamed up with Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali, and Lidia Matticchio Bastianich of Batali-Bastianich Hospitality Group to open the first store of its kind in New York City.

Eataly is located at 200 Fifth Ave in the Flat Iron District. The 50,000 square place is a mecca for food Italian food lovers. Here you will be able to find Italian delicacies and wine, a culinary education center, a birreria (a rooftop beer garden) and many small boutique eateries.

Hosting a dinner party? Head on over to Eataly to purchase your ingredients! The marketplace has a huge variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, cured meats, cheeses, fresh fish and meats, desserts, handmade pasta, coffee, pasta sauces and assortment of different types of bread. Not a good cook? Worry not, you can also purchase cookbooks or take some courses at the culinary school.

Feeling lazy? And just want to grab a quick bite to eat... head on over to the boutique eateries (some listed below).

LA PIAZZA
A standing table enoteca,where you will be able to savor cured meats and cheese. Highly recommend having a glass of wine with anything you order here...
LE VERDURE
Here you will have a vast variety of vegetable dishes. This is one way you can get me to eat veggies...
I PESCE
Italian seafood at its best created by Esca's chef, Dave Pasternack (aka. "the fish guru").
LA PIZZA & PASTA
Savor the classic Neapolitan pizza and pasta made from the freshest ingredients.
MANZO
Eataly's more formal dining experience. If you are craving meat, this is the place to go. No vegetarians allowed.
I PANINI
Classic Italian panini. Not comparable to the NY deli scene.
GELATERIA
Home-made gelato.. nothing makes me happier than Nutella Gellato.
CAFE LAVAZZA
True Italian coffee bar.

My suggestion: Buy some mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, basil leaves, home made pasta, pesto sauce and some fresh parmesan cheese... and make yourself a caprese salad and linguini pesto. It's a bit on the expensive side... but well worth it.

Eataly is the perfect cure to my Italy withdrawals. And it's much cheaper to pay a cab $10bucks, than to buy a roundtrip ticket to Rome and back.... FOOD FOR THOUGHT ;). Ciaooo!

The Mudspot

Being unemployed is a great way to get to know all the different coffee shops in the city. I have mastered the sport/art of coffee hopping/caffeine sipping. I work at my best when I leave my apartment. Trust me between the fridge, the Apple TV and Antonio's (my roomate's adorable french bulldog) love for squeaky toys.. i get nothing done. Talk about ADD... so each morning I have been making it a point to go to different coffee shops in the city.

Today, I'm going to post about one of my all time favorite coffee shops in the city. I always end up going back to this spot (or should I say the Mudspot). The coffee shop I am talking about is Mudspot, located at 307 East 9th St and 2nd Ave. It is a charming, rustic looking coffee shop with an earthly East Village decor. Mudspot is a great place for quality coffee and a good meal (they also offer an interesting selection of local beers). The cafe caters to chatting mud mocha sippers, attentive laptop workers and food lovers alike. They always have house specials and their menu includes a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches. If you are there over the weekend, be sure and check out their brunch menu as well.

My Faves: Chai Latte $4.50 and the Guacamole $7.95 (not necessarily in that order or together)... but trust me. Yummmmmmm

Sidenote-  I never use my earphones here, music is great. la la la laaaa..

If you are in a hurry and need a quick pick-me-up, fear not! Just keep your eye out for the orange monsters (as New Yorkers call them); the large bright orange "mudtrucks" parked in the neighborhood... they offer I wide range of coffee and tea selection on the go.

PEACE OUT

Did anyone say...Karaoke?!?

Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston may be gone, but they won’t be forgotten—not as long as we have hordes of New Yorkers all simultaneously screaming off-key renditions of “Billie Jean” and "I Will Always Love You". 

Finding a Karaoke Bar in NYC is not a challenge. For some reason, New Yorkers love singing at the top of their lungs while embarrassing themselves in front of everybody(me included).  With that said, my two favorite Karaoke Bars in NY are: Sing Sing and U2. 

U2 Karaoke: It is located at 6 Saint Marks Place. The decor is a very futuristic one, where it feels like you just stepped onto a Star Trek set. However, it offers a wide variety of songs, private rooms, full bar and food at a very decent price ($8.00 per head/hour). 

Sing Sing Karaoke: It has two locations on the Lower East Side (81 Avenue A and 9 St. Marks). Both are very New York bars, with the Japanese twist. Sing Sing offers private rooms, props, food menu, full bar and of course a HUGE directory of songs. Price is $8.00 per head/hour. However, you should definitely check out happy hour if you have a chance. Happy hour is $4.00 per head/hour Mon-Sun 1pm-7pm. If you decide to come here just make sure you make a reservation. 

Also, for other good Karaoke bars... I would go to K-Town. SO MANY to chose from, and guaranteed a good time(fyi- most of them are not street level). Trust me, Asians know how to Karaoke.

My suggestion while at Karaoke: Get yourself a private room with 6-10 of your closest friends, order a pitcher of sake bombs and eat some chicken wings (gross, i know- but perfect combo if you plan to embarrass yourself all night singing to "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey). 

So, having a hard time deciding what to do on a Friday or Saturday night in NYC? Head over to one of the many Karaoke bars in New York City, and sing your little heart out. And with that I leave you with one of my all time favorite Karaoke songs....

Have a great weekend fellow readers!!! Rock out...

Miss Favela

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more." - The Wizard of OZ (1939)

Feel like stepping out of your comfort zone? Venturing off into an unknown, non-manhattan land... then head to Brooklyn! Brooklyn has so many cool restaurants, galleries, parks and shops. It does not seize to amaze me. 

Miss Favela, a Brazilian neighborhood bistro, is located in the trendy hispster neighborhood of Williamsburg right next to the Brooklyn Bridge. It's at 57 South 5th St between Kent Ave and Wythe Ave. You can take a taxi from Manhattan and the ride will cost you at most $18.00 bucks (keep in mind the taxi HAS to take you to BK, it's the law - second :13). If you prefer to subway it the L, J, M, Z (yes there is a Z train) will take you there. It's about a 10 to 15 minute walk from any of these stations. They are open 7 days a week, from noon to midnight; except Friday and Saturdays until 1am for food, but the bar stays open late.

They serve traditional Brazilian dishes (the best that I have tried outside of Rio). Their dishes include Moqueca de Peiz e Pirao (fish stew with onions, veggies, coconut milk), Carne Seca (Brazilian beef jerky served with yucca), Pao de Queijo (Cheese bread), Pastel de Carne (Beef "cake" - trust me it's better than it sounds) and Feijoada (traditional Brazilian dish).

I have to say, I have only been to Miss Favela in the summer. I mean, what sounds better than a refreshing sangria or caipirinha on a scorching hot day right? During summer, I recommend you make a reservation for brunch. It gets crowded!! I have seen this place exploding at its seams. Let me try to describe the scene here: Havaianas pinned to the ceiling, Brazilian flag colored walls, beat up tables, live music blasting and Brazilians/Non-Brazilians moving as though samba was going out of style. Truth be told, the place is so welcoming that you can't help but to samba in... and try it out for yourself. During the not-so-hot seasons the place stays open, and according to their website have live music and dancing most of the nights.

And if you think that the place will be overcrowded by hipsters, worry not the crowd here is VERY eclectic... in a good way of course! 

My suggestion: Go to brunch on a Saturday (preferably in Summer) Pao de Queijo ($6.00) as an appetizer,  Feijoada ($21.00) as a main dish and a pitcher of Caipirinha. 

Never been to Brooklyn? Give it a chance! 

                                                                       Obrigado!