Notes on New York City

To my friends asking for my advice on New York City, here’s a quick outline of my recomendations:

• The coolest place to hang out by far was East Village…Just wander the streets and you will find a bunch of great cafes,  restaurants (particularly indian) and cosy bars.
• The best place for a cheap eat is Mamoun’s, a famous Falafel house in Greenwich Village.
• For a fucking good coffee/hot choc/chai etc. I highly recommend you check out MUD. They also serve good food I hear.
• For shopping – Spring st will offer you all the big name brands… & if you are looking for something more original take a wander down some of the side streets – there are some great boutiques and sample sales as you head toward Little Italy/Chinatown. Sorry I cant be more specific, but when I travel I just tend to stumble on these tresures by wandering around the city on foot.
• In terms of a place to drink, I highly recommend you check out MOTO Cafe. It’s this awesome little bar on the edge of Brooklyn.
• There is also some awesome vintage shopping to be done in Brooklyn…I think it is on Bedford ave & 12th…walk down to about 8th or vice versa.
• For those who are into food, you have to check out the Chelsea Markets!
• Chelsea is also a fantastic area to explore. Towards the waterside there are some great little art galleries and zine stores…There are also some great vintage flea markets selling all kinds of strange things (head inland away from the water).

New York is wicked…I say get lost in it. Explore it and enjoy it, and I look forward to hearing about what you find!

The Chelsea Markets

Ah, the Chelsea Markets, a Foodie’s wet dream. It’s a lot of fun wondering the building having so many culinary delights under one roof. Stand out stores include Eleni’s cupcake palace and the T-Salon…

What: Food Food Food!

When: Individual store hours vary

Where: 75 9 Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Phone:(212) 243-6005

Link: http://www.chelseamarket.com/

Mamoun’s

“The tastiest falafel and best cheap eat in New York City since 1971″

I really dug on Mamoun’s. So much so that I had to go at least twice for a feed during my last short stint in the Big Apple. The falafel sandwich allows you to sample the tastiest falafel, creamiest hummus and the hottest hot sauce wrapped in pita bread with lettuce and tomato and all for under three bucks!

What: Falafel

When: 1am-5am, 365 Days a year

Where: 22 St. Marks Place, Manhattan, NY (it’s a modest hole in the wall set-up)

Phone: (212) 674-8685

Link: http://mamouns.com/

Expect to spend: Under $5

Haight Ashbury Tattoo & Piercing

After watching a friend get tattooed at Mom’s [another tattoo shop up the road popular for god knows what - the staff at Moms were grumpy and unhelpful and basically not the kind of people I would like to be permanently marking my skin!] I vowed to find a better place. And I did. Haight Tattoo.

The artists are great, they listen to what you want and they give it to you good, talking you through the process and making you feel at ease. It’s pretty reasonably priced and the store sells some great body jewelry that you wont find anywhere else.

Screw Moms.

What: Ink. & Body art

When: Open daily 12-6pm

Where: 1525 Haight St, San Francisco, CA, 94117

Phone: (415) 431-2218

Link: www.haightashburytattooandpiercing.com

Wasteland

When on Haight st, I always find myself inside this wasteland, “just browsing” only to find myself walking out with a heavier hand and yet a lighter wallet. It’s the good stuff though, unique local designs, secondhand designer clothes in as-new condition and vintage masterpieces from every era – all at a reasonable price. It’s also good to see support for local talent in the jewelry cabinet.

What: Style.

When: 12-7pm daily

Where:  1660 Haight St, San Francisco, CA – see website for alternative store locations (LA, Santa Monica & Burbank)

Phone: (415) 863-3150

Link: www.wastelandclothing.com

$$: Clothes start around $15 a pretty piece.

Kan Zaman

This was a fun way to dine. Good food – pretty reasonably priced and a mesmerizing belly dancing show at nine.

What: Fantasy Dining, Music / DJs / Dancing, Belly Dancers, Drinks and Hookahs

When: Mon-Thu. 5:00pm – 12:00am /Fri. 5:00pm – 2:00am / Sat. 12:00pm – 2:00am /Sun. 12:00pm – 12:00am

Where:  1793 Haight St, San Francisco, CA

Phone: (415) 751-9656

Link: www.KanZamanSF.com

Expect to spend: Around $15 / per person

Golden Gate Park

Man, Golden Gate Park is huge. Its over twice the size of central park. During my time in SF I’ll admit, regretfully, that I tended to stay by the outskirts, but then one day I consciously chose to get lost amongst it. And child, it was beautiful.

I found a pretty little duck pond, and wondered why I don’t just go an watch ducks more often? I got lost amongst the moss covered trees, watched remote boats skim across the lake. I even managed to see the buffalo herd (yep, buffalo in the middle of Frisco!). I’ve herd stories of friends stumbling across secret forest raves, and then there are the more obvious attractions, like the drum circle on Hippie Hill and the frisbee golf course.

The point is, trying to navigate your way through GG Park can be a nightmare. So surrender and get lost. It’s well worth a wander.

What: Peace

When: 24/7 – though it’s known to get pretty shady after dark…

Where:  Golden Gate Park, (between Lincoln Way and Fulton St) San Francisco, CA

Link: http://www.golden-gate-park.com/

FREE

Burma Superstar!

This restarant rocks, despite the tacky name. The food is crazy-awesome – perhaps the best samosa’s I’ve ever had! They also do a good jug of lychee sangria and some sick salads with plenty of vegetarian options.

What: Burmese food

When: 7 days – Lunch: 11am-3pm & Dinner: 5pm-10pm

Where:  309 Clement st (btw 4th & 5th ave) San Francisco, CA

Phone: (415) 387-2147

Link: http://www.burmasuperstar.com/

Expect to spend: Around $15 / per person

Kndalini Yoga Classes

I’m a spiritual person and I’ve always been interested in Kundalini – the raising of one’s energy through the sacred Chakras. Here was my introduction to it all. These classes focus on raising one’s inner Kundalini energy through yoga techniques for all levels, finishing with some meditation and relaxation where the teachers often play the gongs – this feels amazing as the sound vibrates through space. I really enjoy these classes – leaving feeling rejuvenated & alive.

What: Kundalini Yoga Classes

When: See online for class schedule

Where: 1390 Waller St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Phone: (415) 863-0132

Link: www.idoyoga.com

Expect to spend: $15/class / $75 for 6 classes

Hippie Hill Drum Circle

An old tutor at uni let me in on this. It’s a weekend gathering of  sf drummers. People come, get high / dance / play drums / chill out in the sun…whatever takes your fancy… It’s just something unique to do in Frisco and a great way to meet new and interesting people…the hippies may be long gone but their influence still remains.

What: Hippie Drum Circle

When: Saturdays and Sundays

Where: Hippie Hill, Golden Gate Park – continue along Haight, cross Lincoln and enter the park. Around the pond, through the cave tunnel and follow the beat of the drums right past the kids playground.

FREE.