Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Tonight Gary and I had dinner at Je'Bon Noodle House on St Mark's, a couple blocks from my house. It sorta sucked. It was huge, and empty. No beer license. And the food was cheap, but bland. Lots of noodles in cheap broth. I would much rather go to Zen Noodle House, a few doors away, where the food is great, and they have happy hour with 2 for 1, and $6 pitchers of beer!
After that Gary went home. But Joe called me to go out. So I called Gary and caught him as he was getting on the train. We went to Jimmy's 43 which is less than a block from my house, but I had never been there before. They have a great selection of obscure German and Belgian beers. The owner, Jimmy, was there, and recommended lots of great beer, and gave us a bunch of free half pints. They also have free pretzels, which I always love. They have free music and entertainment, and free beer samples and cheese on Wednesdays.
One weird thing about New York is the quick turnover in resturants and bars. Given the high rent and competition, it seems not many places are able to survive for long. And even veteran establishments shut down when rent sky rockets.
It's pretty sad to think I'm probably living here in the last 2 or 3 years of the East Village. There's a 24 story hotel going up behind my apartment, a new sports bar just opened up down the road that totally doesn't fit the hood, a 20 year old deli just shut down, the whole area is changing. It's great to experience this now while I still can, but if I come back in 5 years, none of this will still be here.
After that Gary went home. But Joe called me to go out. So I called Gary and caught him as he was getting on the train. We went to Jimmy's 43 which is less than a block from my house, but I had never been there before. They have a great selection of obscure German and Belgian beers. The owner, Jimmy, was there, and recommended lots of great beer, and gave us a bunch of free half pints. They also have free pretzels, which I always love. They have free music and entertainment, and free beer samples and cheese on Wednesdays.
One weird thing about New York is the quick turnover in resturants and bars. Given the high rent and competition, it seems not many places are able to survive for long. And even veteran establishments shut down when rent sky rockets.
It's pretty sad to think I'm probably living here in the last 2 or 3 years of the East Village. There's a 24 story hotel going up behind my apartment, a new sports bar just opened up down the road that totally doesn't fit the hood, a 20 year old deli just shut down, the whole area is changing. It's great to experience this now while I still can, but if I come back in 5 years, none of this will still be here.