BYOB Meal Deal

Maybe you're the type of diner who scopes out BYOB restaurants so that you can enjoy a fine meal and nice wine on a budget. Or maybe you're the type who brings a Trader Joe's wine carrier full of Charles Shaw, orders one entree, and "looks" at the dessert menu so you have more time to drink. Whatever. You should both go to A Cafe and Wine Room, a French-Caribbean BYOB spot near Columbia. Gourmands, pick an appetizer and an entree for just $20 during the 6 to 8 pm prix fixe special. Lushes, thank the management for skipping the corkage fee. Everyone else, tip your waitress well if she hunts down pliers to open your (second) bottle of champagne.

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Restaurants • Upper West Side (Upper)

Brunchin' It Old-School

Barney is the self-proclaimed "The Sturgeon King." Ok, so it's not as catchy as "The King of Pop," but for Mr. Greengrass this gig works just fine. Try to get up early on Sunday to beat the crowds. You'll be rewarded with service that is 100% New York attitude (in a good way), classic diner coffee cups, and a simple decor that harkens back to the good old days. Order like a local and get the sturgeon with a toasted bialy on the side. The place is so heartwarming that you won't even realize you just spent $17.75 on eggs and fish until your half way to Central Park for your post-brunch walk.

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Bagels , Restaurants • Upper West Side (Upper)

Art Deco Swallowed

Anyone else find it ironic that Urban Outfitters--purveyor of of-the-moment trends and sometimes disposable fashions--will be housed in a been-there-since-1932 staple piece of real estate? The space, located at Broadway and 99th Street, is a whopping 15,000-square-feet (with 50-foot ceilings, no less). Formerly the Metro movie theater, its intact Art Deco period details are soon to be eclipsed by a student army seeking flannel shirts, plastic accessories, and earrings that break in ten seconds. If Uptowners weren't already bemoaning to Columbia takeover, they're unlikely to be pleased with this development...

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Shopping • Upper West Side (Upper)

Alec Guinness Film Fest

When Alec Guinness died in 2000, most Americans only knew him for his role as Obi Won Kenobi in Star Wars. Some also recalled his roles in David Lean’s epic films as well. Prior to those star turns, however, the British actor was well known for his comedic work in the 50s and 60s. Symphony Space is showcasing that part of his career by screening many of his Earling Studio films. Kind Hearts and Coronets, in which he plays 12 different members of the same family (of both genders), is perhaps the best known these days, but others, such as the caper comedies The Ladykillers and The Lavender Hill Mob, are a lot of fun. These films are definitely simpler and low budget compared to blockbuster films like Bridge on the River Kwai or Star Wars, so it’s not surprising that Guinness’s later work would overshadow everything else, but his acting was always superb and his comedic abilities deft. He may have cringed at having “the force,” but he certainly had a gift for acting.

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Theaters-Performing Arts Centers • Upper West Side (Upper)

SIP

SIP is one of those quiet new spots that hasn't yet been discovered by the throngs. Located on Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side, it's only a matter of time before you'll have to elbow your way through Columbia grad students and perennial New Yorkers to order your favorite delight. SIP is a two-pronged establishment, serving the best coffee and tea I've found in the city throughout the day, and providing a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for drinks and conversation at night. The tea is all loose-leaf, organic, and of the finest varieties (try the green—it's out of this world), and the coffee is also organic, imported from select producers. No Cafe Bustelo in a blue paper cup here. At night, try one of their Mojitos, served up just the way you like, or any one of their custom specialty drinks. The atmosphere is unique, intimate, and the perfect place to take a date. Within the next month or so, owner Matt (who is often on-site and readily accessible) plans on adding a menu for lunch and dinner. You can bet that the food, like the tea, coffee, and drinks, will be phenomenal.

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Coffee , Nightlife • Upper West Side (Upper)

Smoke Jazz Club and Lounge

There are few things in life you can still count on, such as a cozy place with swank where you can consistently hear fantasmo jazz. Smoke Jazz Club and Lounge, a closet-sized spot on the Upper West Side, delivers exactly that. The jazz sets here are generally solidÑtypically starting at 9 pm and 11 pm each night. Early Thursdays run from 6:30 pm to 9 pm, and are great for the open jam and moments of increased spontaneity. While there is usually no cover for nightly sets, there is a drink minimum rang-ing from $15 to $20 per person. Service is classy and attentive, and the seating can be a little crowded as is appropriate for a jazz club. The majority of the bands that perform are fairly con-temporary and usually cover standards, but just as often dip into an innovative, experimental groove. Check the clubÕs website for specific groups, and be warned: even with the tempting name, smokers will be disappointed to discover that, no, you cannot smoke inside.

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Nightlife • Upper West Side (Upper)