NY Mag Second Ave Subway Think Pieces

Every think piece about how the subway is going to "change the neighborhood" makes me cringe a bit. I'm not an old New Yorker at all so I have no right to it, and I am happy to live in a neighborhood where there's new things opening up all the time. I'm just a city girl who has always felt connected to her adopted neibs- I'll always have a soft spot for Boston's South End and the Bastille. But the sleaziness of everyone rushing to what may or may not be a "cool place to live for reasonably cheap by millionaire standards" is getting old. These think pieces are getting old.

No one ever says "oh, I wanted to be close to the museums and cheap wine bars and takeout." Jerks.

Anyway, if anyone has a few mil to spare, I would live west of 2nd maybe. Second Avenue Subway Ville, NY Mag March 25,2015

Snarky NYC Subway Map Gets It Right

Admittedly full of snark, the Thrillest Judgmental Subway Map definitely gets it right about 86th Street: "Actual Things To Do."

I was half mad. THRILLIST, DON'T TELL ANYONE! My rent is high enough as it is.

Full article here.

On Valentine's Day I found myself wandering into a Mexican - French Bistro on 1st. How could I resist two of my favorite foods? Epazote is housed in the former Pitch & Fork space -- one of those bars I had one bad date with and promised I'd never go back. I blame myself for its closing. Sorry guys! Anyway, I'll be back to Epazote a lot.

Alas, the second I sat down I had that thing where I thought I was hungry, but the menu came and I suddenly wasn't. However, I can always find room for guacamole, and of course it is made tableside at Epazote.

I also had a few of the Epazote Cocktails, which were quite delicious. It was like a less- sweet version of a margarita, but with mezcal, so the flavor was a bit smoky, too. They went down a bit too easy for me. I got into a great conversation with one of the cooks, who is also from Mexico. It was delicious!

The decor is very cool. It was a super comfortable place to have a pit stop. The rest of the menu looks amazing, and their brunch specials were well priced. I wished I had the appetite for them. I'll be back.

The Milton

A spate of cocktail joints have opened up on the UES which have brought with them some destination crowds. A few months ago I tried to get into The Gilroy, a good old standbye but not my favorite of the bunch (RIP JBird), which was packed. I cursed the New Yorker. Nevertheless, glad that folks are coming uptown to see the neib. It's fantastic, and The Gilroy is a fine introduction.

For my purposes, I still like to have my small 4 block radius of watering holes I can pop into wherever (Kaia, ABV, Third Ave Ale House, The Gifford Inn, etc etc) and meet with friends. When I saw that The Milton was opening up, I couldn't resist their font treatment. I popped in for their excellent happy hour specials, and stayed for a glass of Montepulciano.

The owner, a hospitality profesh with a fine Irish brogue, chatted me up as I read at the bar. He's definitely interested in cultivating a band of "regulars," and he lives somewhere in the E 70's. Neighborhood folk opening neighborhood bars, as it should be forever and ever amen. He's added lots of fun homey touches as well (really the exposed brick is half of it, but the UES hipster bar aesthetic seems to tend towards "stay a while" which I very much appreciate in winter months), like flower pots and favorite books. It's a nice surprise to walk in. I cannot yet vouch for their cocktails, but they seem to have a decent selection of wine and beer, so it's an easy thumbs up from me. Also: classy signage. Bonus points all around. Since there is no TV and medium din, it's perfect for reading alone.

Can't wait to drag someone here for brunch (instead of Sarabeths. I am so fricking basic with brunch).

Upper East Signage

I'm just sayin.

Coffee at DTUT

Had a delightful study session at DTUT yesterday. The name is referencing "DownTown UpTown" allegedly, but it reminds me more of the Etsy spirit of certain sections of Brooklyn. All of the coffee cups are homemade, and the coffee isn't bad either!

I need to come back some time this week for a cup of tea or maybe a glass of wine. They have a full bar back there as well, which is useful for that moment when one is writing and there appears a need to switch from one vice to the next.

Curbed has a walking tour of Upper East Side mansions. Some amazing historical architecture, which is one of the reasons I think I'll be sticking around up here in the nosebleeds.