New York Cliché Question: Is Joe’s Pizza NYC Worth the Hype?

Ask “What’s the best pizza in New York City?” and expect a myriad of answers. Sure you’ll see pizza shops all over the 5 boroughs with signs proclaiming BEST PIZZA IN NEW YORK! But you never know if the NY Times said it (doubtful) or the owner’s mom (likely). Still, in any round up or listicle of NYC’s Best Pizza you’re likely to see some popular spots. Joe’s Pizza is always among them.

Joe’s Pizza NYC in Greenwich Village

Google “Joe’s Pizza NYC” and you’ll see they call themselves The Greenwich Village Institution. The original location is a tiny joint just off Bleecker Street that always has a line out the door. Due to their popularity, they have three other locations in Manhattan and one in Williamsburg as well.

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On the Streets with March for Our Lives in NYC

On Saturday March 24, crowds people all over the world took to the streets. What do we want? GUN CONTROL! When do we want it? Oh, about 19 years ago but since we don’t have time machines- NOW! We turned out in droves to voice the somehow controversial conviction that human lives are more important than American gun rights.

New York City March for Our Lives

The NYC march went down the west side of Central Park to 6th Avenue down to Bryant Park. The group was incredibly diverse – people of all ages, colors, and creeds. We held signs and chanted as we marched under the sunny sky.

Because of his real estate empire, Trump is always a physical presence in NYC. The 30 block march passed 2 of his hotel properties, offering the perfect opportunity for protestors to yell their anger at the golden signs baring his name. There were many one finger salutes as well. Read More

[Replay Cliché] The Time I Met A Hipster On A New York City Street

Originally posted March 2010. So it’s an oldie but I can’t say this was the last time I met a guy on the NYC streets!

This is the story of the time I picked up a guy on a New York City street. It doesn’t just happen on TV. Here’s how it happened to me.

I’m walking home from a rehearsal, up 9th Avenue, at about 9PM. Lost in my own thoughts, I blink and noticed the man walking several paces in front of me. Can you measure a person’s attractiveness from their back? I can’t. Sometimes I think I can and end up disappointed. That’s not what bring my eyes to this guy. It’s the banjo he has strapped on his back.

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Now I live right by Lincoln Center and work in the Theatre District; Julliard students lugging around upright bases and pit orchestra players with trombone cases strapped to their backs are a common sight. But a banjo? Who plays the banjo and then walks up 9th Ave with the naked instrument slung over his shoulder like a messenger bag? I’m driven to find out, more so than I’m driven to get home. Read More

Saturday Street Art: Rivington Street Wall

Last weekend you may recall I went to see the new Banksy at the Bowery Wall. My NYC blogger friends, Justin and Lynn of Madhatters NYC, wrote a great, informative post on the history of the Bowery Wall that I highly recommend.

The Bowery Wall is an NYC icon. There’s another mural wall just a few blocks south that has yet to reach icon status. (I’m tempted to make a Tiffany and Ivanka analogy here…but I don’t want my blog sullied with their dad’s name…)

Rivington Street Wall

Just a little street art toddler, this wall has been dedicated to street art since only 2014 thanks to Coburn Projects. There is always some colorful work featured here. Currently Nina Pandolfo is the featured artist. Read More

Weekly New York Minutes #10

Every Friday I feature some fleeting moments from my week that made me stop and think, “I’m so lucky to live in NYC!” Here we go for technically the first week of spring…

Saying HI to someone HIGH above me on the HIGH Line. I’ve walked past this frame many times along this High Line, but was a welcome perspective change. We had a cute photo swap here, think she’s a tourist (likely) or a NYC blogger like me?

Oh, did you hear? It snowed non-stop the second day of spring. See my face above? That’s how we’re all feeling about it.  Read More

New York Cliché of the Day: Tom Fruin WATERTOWER in Brooklyn

A beautiful, and ever so New York cliché, work of art rests a top buildings parallel to the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Whether framed by the sky or skyline, it emanates color no matter how gray the weather.

Tom Fruin Watertower Stained Glass Sculpture

After yesterday’s spring whiteout snowstorm, New Yorkers are in some serious need of color. Not that this art piece is new. This stained glass Watertower was installed in late 2014 and only supposed to be on display for a year. New York loved it so much, it’s still here four years later!

Just the the left of the sculpture, you can see the tiny Statue of Liberty, way off in the distance.

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Chelsea Art Gallery Openings NYC (Go for Free Wine, Stay for the Art)

If you are a fan of art and free booze, Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood is a pretty magical place. There are a large number of art galleries in this area that are open to the public. You can wander in any day and shop what ever pieces they have on display. Most people don’t do this, however. Original art is not exactly an impulse-buy. It is however, fabulous window shopping.

If you want to visit the Chelsea art galleries in NYC, the time to go is on Thursday nights.

Thursday nights are when the galleries have their opening parties. Walk around the area from 10th to 11th Avenues between 20th and 29th Street on a Thursday around 6pm and chances are good you will find a gallery with a large crowd inside.

Step inside a Chelsea art gallery, find the bar (there’s almost always a bar), and sip a glass of wine as you mingle with artists, collectors, and folks off the street just like you!

Free Art Gallery Openings NYC

You can usually spot the artists by their fancy, flamboyant attire, and as they are almost certainly surrounded by a crowd of friends and admirers. Read More