Climb To The Top

Take a walk down Ave C and refuel at Summit, a classic cocktail lounge that takes Alphabet city to a new level. Clean classic cocktails, charcuterie and cheese indulgences are served in a romantic swanky setting with a raw industrial edge. The exposed brick walls juxtapose the shiny black granite bar top and glass shelving behind the bar. A neighbourhood hangout that I expect will build a following even in an avenue already overrun with bars. The "bar" has been raised for the future of drinking in Loisaida, NYC and I'll cheers to that!

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Nightlife • East Village / Lower East Side

Slice of Spain

Tuesday night girl's dinner...We were promised drag queen bingo but instead we got all you can drink sangria. No complaints here! Poco is a bustling spot on the corner of Avenue B and 3rd Street that I have somehow managed to bypass until now. A vast menu of Spanish inspired tapas, carafes of sangria and high communal tables encourage you to mix and mingle. Rich, tasty morsels like lobster mac n' cheese, seafood paella, mushroom truffle croquettes, and jalapeno martini shots are worth returning for. Bring on the hot NY nights now that I've found a breezy, ambient corner in my village.

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Restaurants • East Village / Lower East Side

2 am Sugar Rush

You've finished off a plate of perogies at Veselka and now you need dessert. It's raining but you just feel like walking so you head toward East Houston Street and after a few left turns you see Sugar Cafe. It's 2 am and you are skeptical about indulging at a 24-hour joint. However, you and some friends decide to be brave and go in. Three slices of cake: red velvet, strawberry cheesecake, and red velvet cheesecake are ordered. Now you stumble around to find a table to sit at, choosing one tucked in the corner. You haven't even situated yourself on the seemingly comfy bench yet and your slices of cake have arrived, delivered with sincere "enjoy" and smile. If you are anything like me, you immediately pick up your fork and cautiously stab the cheesecake. Maybe it's late and you're in a daze but it's like eating a sugary cloud, or what I'd imagine clouds to feel like if they had any texture. You let out a heartfelt "yum" and look to your friends; they have the same reaction. Plates and stories are exchanged and soon the cake is gone. It's 4 am, the perfect way to start/end the day.

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Restaurants • East Village / Lower East Side

Mystery Mobile

Sunday mornings. Some go to church. Some go to museums. Some go to the park. Decidedly against the first and too poor for the second, I was rockin' the third when I serendipitously happened upon all three. I've seen it before, and if you're lucky you may see it to. Covered in stickers and a little bit of rust, with evidence of at least two stops at Wall Drug, is a car, a shrine, a mobile museum of tiny plastic effigies. With a dashboard displaying superheros, kitties, and at least a dozen Virgins Mary, this transport-temple probes the universe's unanswered questions. Why? Who? How, in the bedlam of Alphabet City, does it go on, thrive, inspiring dozens of passers-by? Is it a beacon of hope? A pack-rat's outpost? A stray sequin on the grey and fraying burlap of our corporal existence? Seek it if you dare, but if you do not see it, just trust me; it's there.

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Landmarks • East Village / Lower East Side

Dynamic Duo

Duo? The mixture of vintage and modern classic garments or the sister pair that created this artistic boutique late 2008. In a village teeming with stores stocking vintage wares, Duo is a refreshing selection of old and new. Local independent labels hang alongside handpicked classic vintage pieces. This small shop boasts a nostalgic collection for men and women, shoes, shorts, sweaters and skirts. All artfully displayed in a storefront complete with original fireplace and antique decorative touches. Its funny how the love for 'vintage' never gets old? But Duo has a different feel even the new talent from the local designers has a quaint, timeless look.

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Shopping • East Village / Lower East Side

Masters of Matzo

This old world family run production company has caught my eye for months found in an area of NY which is as diverse as the next, with fashionista lemmings and deep rooted cultural families inhabiting side-by-side. Striets Matzo occupies a 48,000 square foot block on the corner of Rivington and Suffolk Streets on the LES in a Tenement building dating back to 1925. An artisan establishment with a production line curbside where you can follow the waft of matzo through the barred windows on the north side of Rivington and watch the process take place. If you're lucky, they'll sneak you a sample, and after that you will be asking yourself; where do I convert? The historic headquarters takes you back to a time where the smell of matzo heralded the coming of Passover, now its an around the clock thriving business keeping the name of tradition for future generations.

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Shopping • East Village / Lower East Side

Espresso as Art

When you require a refined sort of fuel, the baristas at Ninth Street Espresso have you covered. A perfect cappuccino--dark, rich espresso topped with a just-right ratio of dense steamed milk and leafy foam art--will set you back $4 and put you off Starbucks forever. In fact, all the espresso drinks here are top-notch, and no wonder. Ninth Street is serious about its beans and its strictly-followed recipes. This shop definitely has a "we serve it our way and you'll like it" ambience, and even posts a warning lest you dare ask for a customized half-decaf extra-foam whatever. East Villagers don't seem to mind, since the place is regularly jammed. If you're hoping for a seat during the late-morning rush, you might have better luck grabbing a stool at their new annex on nearby 10th street.

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Coffee • East Village / Lower East Side

Assembly Required

If you've been resisting the rest of Manhattan's addiction to fancy cupcakes, never underestimate the power of a free sample. At Butter Lane, several icings are available to taste-test, including two kinds of buttercream. Their French buttercream airier and more mousse-like then the traditional American version, and will appeal to those who usually find icing tooth-achingly sweet. Fruit-flavored icings--that actually taste like fruit--are also available, including blueberry, raspberry, and key lime. Throw in a few different cake varieties to pick from (vanilla, chocolate, and banana), and you can basically build your own custom cupcake. This little shop distinguishes itself by using high-quality ingredients, and does a brisk takeout business. For anyone who's been looking for a cupcake that's a little more refined than the usual, start here.

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Shopping • East Village / Lower East Side

Better With Bacon

Every now and then there comes a boozy late-night hour when a smoked, deep-fried hotdog spiraled in bacon sounds like your ticket to heaven. And this St. Mark's Place dugout will probably be aglow and waiting for you and everyone else with gluttony on the brain. Fans of Gray's Papaya recession special may grumble about the $2.75-$5 per dog prices, but the bacon wrapping alone adds a salty kick that's worth lightening your wallet a little. Then there are the toppings--avocado and sour cream, fried egg and cheese, chili and jalapenos, and virtually any other combination you can dream up. Note the secret door through the telephone booth against the wall. This is the entrance to PDT, a swanky lounge that serves up serious cocktails, where you can order in hot dogs and tater tots from next door.

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Restaurants • East Village / Lower East Side

Lets No One Down!

As I trudged down Ave A, Cafe Pick Me Up lured me in with its name. I could use some picking up, I thought. Naive, I know. Anyways, this place would probably be better named Cafe Settled Down since it is cozy and poorly lit, which, as an environment, is less of a pick-me-up than a can-I-take-a-catnap-back-here-without-being-judged-by-that-person-reading-the-New-York-Times? The cafe is laid back, always populated, and has that random amalgam of furniture that looks like all the indiscriminate worn shit you stored in your parents' basement after college, if those items were exclusively tables and chairs. Twinkle lights and random art contribute to that college-y feel. The cafe's best asset is its view on Tompkins Square Park, which you can observe unimpeded if you sit by window.

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Coffee • East Village / Lower East Side

Down Under on the Lower East

Sun, sand, and surf isn't something that you would normally find between Suffolk and Clinton Streets on the Lower East Side. Perhaps that is it what makes it more inviting and even harder to leave after a few Aussie stubbies, as they say Down Under. Oversized, glossy photographic images line the walls to help transport you to the iconic Sydney beachside suburb that is Bondi. As to avoid being corrected its pronounced Bond-eye and of course fish and chips are the drawcard on the menu; beer battered and fried barramundi and chips (thick cut fries not crisps) for those not up with the Aussie slang. The young team of staff are Australian in NY for different reasons but essentially all because they have gone 'walkabout' and found refuge in a laid back, quality beach bar miles from any sand dune or seagull.

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Restaurants • East Village / Lower East Side

Welcome to the Neighborhood

If Starbucks is a Grande Frappuccino with whip then Abraco is a single espresso. Low on space, but high on substance with no Wi-Fi, free biscotti, or iced coffee milk blends used to attract those who don't really like coffee anyway. A coffee bar per-se with just enough room to hover around the barista, worship the coffee guru, and have a chat. As a soy drinker I was a little sad with the choice of full cream or almond milk. But without much convincing, I was quickly converted. Perhaps the friendly vibe the regulars bring to what is a hub of neighbourhood conversation sets Abraco apart from the counterparts. Or maybe it's the tasty morsels freshly baked each morning--olive oil cake, French toast with lemon ricotta, and Spanish style frittata.

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Coffee • East Village / Lower East Side

Do-It-Yourself Falafel

Crammed in the middle of a block of mediocre cheap eats (not including, of course, transcendent Katz’s Deli), this unassuming little falafel joint is consistently delicious. The falafel may very well be the best in the city, and the warm, fresh-from-the-oven pita bread is the perfect holder for those crispy little spheres of perfection. But the best part is the unlimited toppings bar, where you can jam your pita with all the fixins you could possibly want (especially the crunchy pickles--those guys make the sandwich) and top it all off with some tahini and hot sauce. Chances are you’ll overestimate just how much deliciousness can be packed into one pita pocket, and will end up leaking some hummus out the side, but you can always patch up the hole by wedging some more fresh veggies into the bottom to make sure you get the most out of your sandwich. And at around $5 for an overstuffed pita with hummus, falafel, and all the fixins, you’ll have some cash left over for some homemade lemonade and Belgian fries.

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Restaurants • East Village / Lower East Side

Cheap and Easy

Yes, the place smells worse than the East Broadway subway station. And yes, the drinks are so lousy that even the bottled beer tastes watered down. And you can't help but wonder how many types of mold might live inside the plastic-wrapped couches that not even your grandmother would have in her basement. However, all that aside, I have never not had a blast at Welcome to the Johnsons. With $2 cans of PBR ($1.50 before 9 pm!) and $4 well drinks (just $2 before 9!), it's easy to get comfortable on a piece of furniture that looks like it was just picked up off the street and get sloppy with nothing more than a 10 dollar bill in hand. The dilapidated pool table, Space Invaders console, and static-y television playing Molly Ringwald movies certainly add to the ambience, and $1 buys you three jams on the eclectically stocked jukebox. So while you definitely will not run into any of the Sex and the City gals here, if you can appreciate that a cold can of PBR is truly the finest beverage around (it didn't win that blue ribbon for nothing), then you will certainly feel "welcome" here.

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Nightlife • East Village / Lower East Side

The Sounds of the Solar System

Shows here are had. Bands here are played. People, outside they linger. Inside, I lift no fingers for I... am content? AM I content? Am I content when I go here? What makes for an amorous concert-going experience? Is it a $10 cover charge? A cool stage? What makes for a cool stage? This one was wide, wooden and conveniently fit the totality of band members and instruments. It is true that the Mercury Lounge has an admirably expansive selection of bands of various genres in various contortions. It is also true that the last time I partook of its stage, bands and cover charge, I stood at an intimate arm's length from the players on stage and was thusly privileged to enjoy the lilting sounds and up-tempo beats of Stumblebum Brass Band. Sigh. As says Stumblebum drummer Jonathan Levy, Mercury Lounge is A-OK with him because there are "not a lot of places left that are exclusively music venues." And thus, in view of my ambivalence, I defer to the musicmakers. Five stars for Mercury Lounge and 72 virgins in heaven!

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Nightlife • East Village / Lower East Side

Formaggio Essex

I'm not going to pretend like I'm some sort of fine cheese connoisseur, but I am a big fan of cheese, and I can say without reservation that Formaggio Essex, the tiny little sliver of a cheese shop tucked away in the back of the Essex Street Market, sells the most delicious cheeses I have ever tasted. And yes, I've eaten a lot of cheese, so that is saying something. The goat cheeses are the most flavorful I've ever tasted, the parmesan is transcendent, and the gouda is borderline life-altering. Since discovering Formaggio, it's become difficult to eat cheeses from other stores. If you don't believe me, but you are not quite ready to make the financial investment yet, there is always a variety of free samples out for you to thoroughly enjoy. And do not be intimidated by the vast selection of unfamiliar cheeses from far-off lands; the uncommonly friendly and knowledgeable staff is at your service to make your decision easy and filled with lip-smacking free samples. Unfortunately, cheeses this fine do come with a fairly heavy price tag, but I guarantee that if you bring Formaggio cheese to a dinner party, you will certainly be invited back.

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Shopping • East Village / Lower East Side

Curios That Time Forgot

If there's a Museum of Kitschy & Arbitrary Americana (which there must be), Obscura Antiques & Oddities is its un-archived storeroom. Most people in the store were clearly there to observe rather than buy, because there is absolutely no way to rationalize 'needing' anything from Obscura. Do you NEED a set of skeletal raccoon feet wall sconces? How about an ancient oversized plastic mask of a geisha or a mariachi-man? A Lion's Club ceramic figurine? Maybe YOU do, I don't know what you do in your spare time--but squeezed in with four other equally confounded passers-by in the crammed shop, I had my doubts that any of these objects would improve my quality of life significantly. The intricately-curated hodgepodge is indeed visually stimulating. Go hungry and prepare to dig, or stop by for a quick snack. Even if you don't buy a broken clock or mannequin head, you'll be happy with the knowledge that you could.

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Shopping • East Village / Lower East Side

Hope... or Hades

If by the time you read this Radar, Obama has won, take with you this buoyant scene: Polychromic confetti bursts forth from the heavens and spontaneous harpists perform on dust-smothered street corners in diaphanous white dresses with fresh wreaths and golden instruments. A life worth living! the NFT office declares, as they exchange floaty facial expressions and run down the stairs in blissful bounds. Meanwhile, scores of Chinese businesspeople tumble out of their offices, beaming psychotically, intermingling with the likes of the NFT officepeople who clamor to the over-enthused Obama mural on Ave C and 6th Street to genuflect, slap their thighs and galumph back to Chinatown; their arms intertwined, their hands clutching overflowing beer steins and grinning babies, enveloped in American flags. They cry: The power and the glory of a nation restored; heads that don't bobble in dejection no more!---------> But if he doesn't win, prepare for this: Everyone at NFT is dead. Shameful, overpowered heads bobble forever in dejection underground, within their graves. The sound and the fury of futurity begrime us. The mural-laden strip of Avenue C may have acquired a new, less noxious community-centric art piece, but it is for naught. For we are all dead.

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Landmarks • East Village / Lower East Side

Dancing Fools

When I'm forced to hang loose in the EV, the only place I can call my own is that far-famed nightspot Pyramid Club where synthesized beats and reverberating New Wave stir up the fire in my icy veins. Ostensibly named after the pyramid design in the building's tiling (and not Madonna's jacket in Desperately Seeking Susan?!), its patrons are multiple... but never milquetoast. A former German social banquet hall, sometime Off-Broadway venue and punk, queer and "polysexual" haunt, the club now features dancing fools of the mostly NYU, 80s-hounding and dance-crazed stripes. Only drawback: Canoodling with the lower classes. Thrashing trance music and platformed Goth Lolitas romp in the basement, and after 3 am, the basement dancers take the main floor along with their degenerate, droning crap. I don't know about you, but I didn't pay good money to watch teenage, EV Goths sleep-stomp over terrible stuff that's not music; I came to party.

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Landmarks , Nightlife • East Village / Lower East Side

Appealing In Theory

For a place called Cake Shop, the baked goods at this LES staple are surprisingly meh. But really, if you want a cupcake, go to Billy's. People come to Cake Shop to feel like they are amongst the musically savvy. Downstairs, the small windowless concert venue hosts up-and-coming bands for cheap. They're good bands, too--the kind that will be at Bowery Ballroom for twice the price in a few months. Upstairs, the wood-paneled walls are like the shitty camp bunk you hoped never to enter again. There are small tables along one side, a counter in front, and banquettes in the back. The music is consistently played very loud, making conversation awkwardly yelly. Used records and CDs are sold in the back, with posters and record covers lining the walls behind the cases of music merch. The lighting is dim and the tables are wobbly to the point that they might break but the venue attracts a cool crowd and unites a knows-their-shit music community. It's like the girl who dresses a little sloppy and is casually cool--but a café. And a bar! And a concert venue! All the elements are there! Fantastic.

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Nightlife • East Village / Lower East Side