2 x 4 Landscape: Through 10/24

Walking around Chelsea on a weekday afternoon looking at galleries is one of my favorite NYC pastimes. Each time I go, I spend 80% of the time shaking my head at the absolute and utter crap on display at many of NY's fine galleries. I do see a few good things each time, which counterbalance the crap. And then...there's always something that just blows you away. On this past Friday's jaunt, it was Maya Lin's "2 x 4 Landscape" at Pace Wildenstein. Please go, so you can understand what it means to be a great artist. To see work by someone who so understands artistic execution and dedication to an ideal. You should poke your head in, as I did, to at least a few dozen other galleries, so you can compare the worldview, intelligence, and creativity of Maya Lin to all the other work, a little bit which is good but not particularly close, and a lot of which is probably meant well but isn't anything even vaguely like what Ms. Lin accomplishes here. But that's what great artists are here for--to inspire all of us, even other artists.

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Art Galleries • Chelsea

Cool Perseverance

In the 1980s, we walked under the High Line and said, "I wonder what that was? Is it an old El train?" In the 1990s, we walked under the High Line and said, "Someone should make this a park--wouldn't that be cool?" In the early 2000s, we walked under the High Line and said, "You know, I think some people are trying to make this into a park. It'll probably never happen." Now we walk ON the High Line, in NYC's newest, coolest park. We don't walk there to ESCAPE NYC (as the NYT suggests), but to REVEL in it, to be able to see a slice of the city at an elevation one usually can't be at, to stare at the great architecture (i.e. The Standard and Gehry's IAC building), to have a picnic from Chelsea Market, or to just stroll around and understand what the definition of "great landscape architecture," means. Or--as I do--to be amazed at human perseverance, since it took the folks at the High Line 10 years to make this experience happen; it is, indeed, a testament to human creativity. Better yet, it's a testament to human creativity in the middle of two of NYC's hippest 'nabes, the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, and it's surrounded by great places to eat. So check out our "Eating the High Line" map for your gustatory pleasure!

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Landmarks • Chelsea

Nautical Adventures

Since NFT sells millions of books every year (not) and we party like rock stars (yeah, right), we're used to staying in the finest hotels in the city when we can't make it back to our penthouse apartments in Williambsurg (dream on) after a crazy night of clubbing in the Meatpacking District (we wouldn't even get past the doorman). Once in awhile one of these boutique hotels makes quite an impression. Enter The Maritime. Just staring at this gorgeous building brings NFT lots of joy. But the real fun starts when you enter the modernist lobby to get your room key. The staff is super cool and totally unpretentious--a rarity in the world of fancy hotels. The rooms are out of this world with circular windows perfectly framing a stunning view towards the Hudson, bath products from Bigelow, Manhattan-themed furniture, and an incredibly comfortable bed. In the morning throw in a NY Sunday Times at your door and an excellent pastry tray and pot of coffee from La Bottega, and NFT is one happy customer. Now the big question: wonder how many iPhone apps do we need to sell to afford to stay here every night?

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Hotels , Landmarks • Chelsea

Have At Ye, Bravehearts

Whisky Live 2009
March 30th, 6:30-10 pm (5:30 pm entrance for VIPs)

Have you ever read one of those "substance abuse" pamphlets colleges distribute to first-year students? The bar for "alcoholism" is set pretty low. It was here that I learned I may...wait for it, wait for it...have a problem. Because apparently, drinking "alone," or to "relieve social anxiety" or "get drunk," is a no-no. Alas, the Scottish have no such hang-ups. Need proof? Head over to Whiskey Live 2009, where the clans Ardbeg and Laphroaig and Maccallan (to name just a few) will be arriving en masse with some spectacular single malts for the people. That's right kiddies, leave your American inhibitions at the door and dip inside for a smoky Islay dram or a dab of smooth Speyside goodness. "Masterclasses" abound, including a special sampling of "Bushmills 1608," bottled to celebrate the distillery's 400th (gasp!) anniversary. This, plus 100-ish whiskeys and hors d'oeuvres (yay, small food!) equals one classy evening. So don't fret about the morrow--just don thy kilt and have at thee, Braveheart.

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Landmarks • Chelsea

The Eagle Has Landed

When the folks behind Sullivan Street Bakery announced they'd be opening a pizzeria, excitement in the NFT office was pretty damned high; as Sullivan Street makes some of the best bread in explored space, we expected the pizza to be brilliant. And while it might not immediately push into the (admittedly ever-changing) top 10 of NYC pizzerias, it's off to a great start. The Margherita pizza is excellent, though by no means unique in any way; however, both the Flambe pizza (with bechamel, parmesan, buffalo mozzarella, onions, and lardons) and the Popeye pizza (with pecorino, gruyere, buffalo mozzarella, spinach, black pepper, and garlic) are definite eye-poppers/gustatory sensations. Everything else--appetizers, drinks (wine and beer only), and scene are fine; but it's going to be their further pizza creations that will no doubt have us continuing to keep "company" with Co.

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Restaurants • Chelsea

Bowery Eats (Chelsea Market)

Bowery Kitchen Supply in the Chelsea Market devotes most of its space to an extensive supply of kitchen goods, but venture there during lunchtime any day of the week and you’re bound to see most of the attention devoted to its takeout sandwich counter. For something that seems to have been more of an afterthought than a primary mission, the fact is that “Bowery Eats” makes a really good sandwich. Current addictions include their #4, with fresh mozzarella, grilled vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes and vinaigrette on a baguette or in a wrap, and their French Tuna—tuna (not tuna salad) with capers and olives. For those who want something a bit more intense, try “The Soprano,” piled high with ham, salami, prosciutto, provolone, roasted peppers and more. Prices are good for the neighborhood and the ingredients are excellent. The biggest downside is that Bowery Eats does takeout only and doesn’t take orders over the phone. It’s worth the usual 5 to 15 minute wait for a sandwich—gives you plenty of time to find that special pepper grinder you’ve been looking for…

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Restaurants • Chelsea

Buon Italia

If it’s proscuitto or gorgonzola naturale that you seek, Buon Italia, inside the Chelsea Market, is the next best thing to smuggling that spuzz through customs on your way back from Roma. They don’t have everything you’d need for a dolce vita, but they do pretty well. The dry goods sit up front, including an array of olive oils, vinegars, soft drinks, and cookies. Beyond that, you’ll find a selection of cheeses, both fresh and dried pasta, and plenty of vacuum-packed beans and grains. Freezer cases lining the wall have gelato, ravioli, fruits and vegetables, and seafood. They saved the best for last; the back wall of the shop is the meat counter, filled with all types of cured treats.

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Shopping • Chelsea

Peter Fischli and David Weiss: Equilibres

Let’s face it: galleries can be a bit scary. Bare walls, dead silence, and the assistant glaring at you from behind thick-rimmed glasses. But go upstairs at the Matthew Marks Gallery this week for some art that is refreshingly pretence-free. Sure, the walls and frames are still white, but this is a show of Fischli and Weiss, work that is actually hilarious and fun. Sausages, shoes, carrots, and balloons star in the tense mini-dramas framed in a series of photographs. Set in precarious and whimsical poses, the objects are on the brink of collapse, so looking at the photos is also to imagine the teetering and crash. No need to nod at the profundity of urinals here! Just look, think for a second, and laugh.

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Art Galleries • Chelsea

Brunch at Park on Tenth

So, your parents are coming into town to have brunch with you, and guess who’s gonna have to pick the place to go? While New Yorkers take pride in their knowledge of the city, when asked to plan out someone’s visit with a trip to a NY restaurant that is “cool,” “nice” or some other woefully non-descriptive adjective, the responsibility of providing an experience that lives up to the visitor’s expectations is often a taxing one. Take the brunch example—your folks want somewhere that’s comfortable, has good food, isn’t too “crazy,” and has parking nearby (they’re driving in from the suburbs after-all!). My choice on a recent Sunday morning was The Park on Tenth Avenue. Better known as a swank nightspot for people with more money to burn than me (or you), it’s only about half full on weekend mornings, and the light brings out the beauty of the space. High ceilings, booth seating, slightly edgy brunch menu, and even a garden—moms like gardens (it’s heated in the winter). And there’s always plenty of parking around Tenth Avenue. Worked like a charm.

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Nightlife • Chelsea

Chelsea Market

Yes, we know you already know that Chelsea Market is cool (minus the laughably bad website). But there are still so few places where you can both shop for food while eating it (and vice versa) that it’s important to shout out those places that do exist. And Chelsea Market is a good ‘un, from top NYC baker Amy’s Bread, to fresh sushi and seafood from The Lobster Place, good-lookin’ meat from Frank’s Butcher Shop, then on to Buonitalia Italian Imports for excellent mozzarella, pastas, prosciutto (go with the 18-month parma), and other Italian imports, and finally to L’Arte Del Gelato, for some gelato bella donna conna buono goodnesso. There are also a few shops to note, including the good-for-an-occasion Chelsea Market Baskets and the Chelsea Wholesale Flower Market. Basically, you can’t go wrong—unless you’re just back from SF’s Ferry Building or Philly’s Reading Terminal Market, both of which are on another level. But you can’t take the A train to either of those, so just quit your whining.

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Landmarks • Chelsea

Books. By Artists. For You.

Of all the bookstores in all the cities where I could most easily blow, say, $500-$1000, I actually believe that Printed Matter is where I can spend it the fastest. Sure, I’m a sucker for coffee-table books on architecture, signed first editions of my favorite authors, and pretty much anything that says “Taschen” or “Phaidon” anywhere on it, but this IS the place. All the books here are made by artists; almost all are wonderfully non-linear in at least one, if not several, ways, and, since many are hand-made, many of them fall in the $20-$50 range (though there are plenty of items in the $6-$10 range, including great flip books and the like). Both my friend and I got out cheap the other day, though; we each only bought one thing, her a lovely book of bound paisley and other-patterned papers, and me a small photography book entitled “Utah.” But who cares? You know the money is most likely only going to one of two places—the artist, or to Printed Matter’s new-ish digs on Tenth Street, their best storefront yet. To sum up: one of my first post-“Lotto” destinations.

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Art Galleries , Bookstores • Chelsea

For Marianne's Benefit: A Night to Fight Cancer

This Friday, October 6th, friends of New York City and the community are holding a cancer benefit for our friend and sister, Marianne Gaetamo. At the young age of 24, Marianne was diagnosed with cancer. Ten years later, she’s still struggling, still battling, hence the importance of this benefit in her behalf. This will be an amazing night at the Penthouse Roof Top of the Maritime Hotel. Enjoy amazing views of NYC, painted by an autumn sunset. Listen and dance to some of NYC's finest DJ's. Learn about local artists and bid on their work in a silent auction (8 pm). Laugh and smile to stand-up comedy and adult balloon art. Drink delicious cocktails in a fantastic VIP location. Most of all, come out and show your support for Marianne and experience a true night to remember! If you can’t make it, you can still make a donation. Make checks payable to: Sabrina Haley 35 Graham Ave, Apt. 4D Brooklyn, NY, 11206

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Hotels , Landmarks • Chelsea

The Frying Pan, et. al.

I wish Ben, our database manager, good luck on this one—it’s a nightclub! A bar and grill! A hangout space! A kayak company! It’s called the Frying Pan, Pier 63, the Tiki Hut, and God Knows what else. Where is it? On Pier 63, at the very west end of West 23rd Street, just north of Chelsea Piers, and immediately to the right of Basketball City and an NYPD something-or-other kind of building. Just ask, though; you’ll find it (cheaters can take a NY Water Taxi straight to it). On an overcast August Saturday afternoon, we were pretty much the only group drinking Red Stripes and eating burgers on the pier (which is actually a railroad barge). We were also the only people poking around the rotting lightship Frying Pan, which transforms itself to a club/event space at night. Highly recommended from the grill: the garlic fries. Also looking cool: the Manhattan Kayak Company (www.manhattankayak.com), which offers lessons, tours, etc. Overall, just a great little collection of various things to contemplate while looking at the river and drinking a beer. I’m thinking three words: NFT Release Party.

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Landmarks • Chelsea

Vigilant Hotel

A scar, even upon the pissed on pave of Chelsea's north edge. I relate, here, of history's Vigilant. Built some hundred years ago of resilient brick, at present resembling ash. Not the sort of amenitied lodge one peruses on vacation. Piped of, but, three befouled showers, a pair of sinks, and toilettes of excreta. Succinctly, an inn of cells petit rented to gents of varied feather—all poor for whatever reason, breathing the airs of next step below homelessness. $125 per seven days. No credit, no checks, no euros, cartons maybe—of Marlboros. Never gleeful, rarely tended proud asylum sans musique. Fine abode for a bit of drifting or a brief disappearance. In sum, perfect for the bored with responsibilities of maintaining a traceable address. Foam pad, gray, oft cavorted 'pon by bloodsucking mites. Not a lash of social space but narrow hallways. Sphere of little social grace a tincture schizo of few heads cracked—a few murderers, few blooming, and even fewer handsome. Maybe a master once and then. Never a fellow un-weathered. Indeed, the Vigilant Hotel. For the times when desires discordant means and the bench not an option.

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Hotels • Chelsea

Better Burger Chelsea

Not only are the burgers better, but you can order any type of burger you can imagine—from Ostrich to Soy. Honestly, the place is too good to be true. All meat products are antibiotic and hormone free, most of the stuff is organic, the prices are reasonable, the smoothies are to die for, and, get this—they make fries you can indulge in without guilt (baked, but tasty).

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Restaurants • Chelsea