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It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time

If one of your go-to comfort foods is a peanut-butter and jelly or anything topped with the delicious peanutty spread, be prepared to drool at the "Nutropolitan Museum of Art", the "World's First PBJ Art Exhibit", in New York City's Openhouse Gallery March 4 to 6.

To celebrate National Peanut Month in March, the free exhibit will feature 365 hunger-inducing peanut-butter photos by Theresa Raffetto, with food styling done by Patty White. You'll see every kind of PB concoction imaginable, topped with everything from marshmallows to sardines to fruit.

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Fashion Travel / Shopping Travel / New York City / Japan Travel / Lucky Magazine / Travel Tips / → All Tags

Down with Ugly Travel Clothing! The First Place You Should Shop is Uniqlo

Travel clothing does not have to be ugly. It does not have to be all khaki cargo pants or wrinkle-free shapeless black dresses and it does not have to be from some sort of outfitter catalog. In fact, having a travel-friendly wardrobe is far easier than you'd think and the answer is right in front of your face if you've done any traveling in Asia or if you live in New York: it's Uniqlo.

Uniqlo is a Japanese mega-brand, as big over there as H&M is in the US and Europe, and it's also our secret fashion weapon. It should be your first stop for travel looks, if you can hit up one of their many, many Asian locations or their single US shop in Soho (with another soon to come on 5th Avenue). Prices are very affordable ($8 up to $100 unless we're talking leather), the clothing is modern but not overtly trendy, almost everything has easy care instructions and the fit is excellent.

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Killer New Music Venues / Live Music / Live Music Travel / Best-Small-New-Music-Venues-in-the-US / Music Travel / New York City / New York Travel / → All Tags

Entering Musical Bohemia With Franco Battiato At NYC's Le Poisson Rouge

More than a music venue and beyond an art space, NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge is a self-proclaimed “creative asylum,” and its historic address (the site of the legendary Village Gate) is an inviting refuge from Bleecker Street’s rowdy, pub-crawling NYU crowd.

This week, we stopped by here—one of our "Best Live New Music Venues"—for a performance by Italian musician Franco Battiato. But the experience is so much more than just him; it's the entire venue. You'll see why...

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Regression Restaurants / Bars / Restaurants / → All Tags

Who Let The Baby In The Bar?

Sometimes you see an inventive new bar or restaurant trend and you just know it's going to take off and be everywhere soon. Other times, you think "Are these people crazy or just pulling my leg?"

When we heard there was a new, fresh-from-Paris fondue parlor coming to a tiny underground location in Nolita, that was trendy enough for us. But now comes word that La Cave des Fondus, which opened yesterday, also offers bottle service: In baby bottles.

That's right, New York hipsters and trendsetters are now drinking their beer and wine from nipple-topped baby bottles. (And writing about it on Tumblr!) At least it takes care of the spillage issue.

Related Stories:
· HOWTO: Drink Wine Inelegantly in Paris [Jaunted]
· Cry Once for Red, Twice for White [Diner's Journal]
· Bars coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Paris' Le Refuge Des Fondus]

Art / Fall Travel / → All Tags

Finally! An Art Auction for People Who Hate Art

This is the time of year when New York’s socialite set starts gathering for charity dinners and gala auctions, where those who still have money to burn can get their name in Page Six by way overpaying for both dinner and art purchases, all in the name of charity.

If you’ve got just a little less cash to go around but still want to get in on this game, check out NYxNY’s Bad Art Auction, taking place for the second year tonight at West Village bar Le Poisson Rouge.

You won’t see any Rothkos or Warhols up for bidding, but last year’s items ranged from inflatable pig paintings to NASCAR portraits. So bring your wallet--and a sense of humor--as all proceeds go to nonprofit New York Cares.

Related Stories:
· Bad Art Auction [Official Site]
· NYxNY Presents Bad Art Auction [Flavorpill]
· Art coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: axle]

Political Travel / Design Travel / Architecture / → All Tags

Time for Change: Redesigning the White House

As you've probably heard, everyone is gaga for something new in 2008, and even John McCain and Co. have hopped on board the change-wagon.

But why stop at changing the occupant of the Oval Office? In January, the Storefront for Art and Architecture, a nonprofit urban planning group in New York, figured they would push the whole change thing as far as possible and offer up some ideas for changing the White House itself.

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New New York Restaurants / Restaurants / Nightlife / → All Tags

New NYC Restaurant: Delicatessen

Only the hip and stylish need apply to eat and be seen at this week's pick, Delicatessen. Opening on the corner of Prince and Lafayette, Delicatessen will have service from breakfast straight through to late-night and dish up interesting menu items such as cheeseburger spring rolls and wonton-wrapped halibut tacos with kimchee sour cream, alongside standard deli standbys like matzo ball soup and pastrami.

The staff uniforms were designed by Charlotte Ronson and the interior features two bars as well as retractable stainless-steel garage doors opening onto the street. There will also be a "Macbar" in the fall that will offer 12 different varieties of mac and cheese.

Something tells us no one is going to actually be caught dead here for a real breakfast, but that late-night scene should be a rousing success.

Related Stories:
· Delicatessen [NYM]
· New New York Restaurants coverage [Jaunted]

Restaurants / New New York Restaurants / → All Tags

New NYC Restaurant: Noble Food and Wine

What you see is what you get at Noble Food and Wine in Nolita. Opened in late August, it's already doing well thanks to a sturdy wine list offering over 100 bottles at reasonable prices.

The decor's nothing special with dark woods and chandeliers in the back room, but the New American menu offers items like rib eye with onion marmalade and a very fresh salmon tartare. Another bonus: ingredients are locally sourced, keeping them seasonal and exciting. In an already packed neighborhood, Noble Food and Wine seems to be living up to its name, becoming a reliable spot for those looking for something to sip and snack on when taking a break from the busy streets.

One last tip for you: the bathroom's unmarked and just behind a frosted glass door above the stairs to the dining room--easy to miss after a bottle or two.

Related Stories:
· Noble Food and Wine [MetroMix]
· New New York Restaurants coverage

[Photo: JellyKat]

Restaurants / Brunch-Places-In-New-York / → All Tags

Best Brunches in New York: La Esquina

We're not sure whether to love or loathe La Esquina, a dingy but pretentious restaurant in NoLiTa. On one hand, we crave desayuno tipico, the Latin American brunch of tortilla, plantains, black beans, and eggs. We hear La Esquina's brunch combo deserves its hype.

On the other hand, the place embodies all the reasons why we avoid any restaurant that employs out-of-work models. La Esquina is notorious for treating its customers like crap. According to one New York magazine reader review:

This is a place I would definitely return if it weren't for the terrible attitude shown by all the staff at the place. Starting off with the "dying to be cool" French bouncer, going to the bad attitude bar man and including the "I'm pretty, but inarticulate" waitress. Don't get me wrong, the place is amazingly original, the food is not bad and the experience has great potential, but if I'm going to get this much attitude [I] might as well go to a place that will be worth the wait.

So, is the food worth braving the service? If they can get Nicole Ritchie to eat the grub, it must be.

Related Stories:
· Best Brunch Places in New York [Jaunted]
· La Esquina [Official Site]

[Photo: Front Studio]

Restaurants / Brunch Places / Brunch-Places-In-New-York / → All Tags

Best Brunches in New York: Five Points

Though you'll probably have to wait an hour or more for a table, the deliciousness makes the thumb twirling worthwhile. Five Points Restaurant, on the quiet Great Jones Street in Manhattan's NoHo, delivers the quintessential white tablecloth NYC brunch. Chef Marc Meyer's menu is creative without being pretentious. And for City standards, the prices can't be beat. Here's a sample of the brunch menu:

Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes, $9; Honey Sweetened Soft Polenta, $8; Dulce De Leche French Toast, $9; Ricotta Fritters with Carmlized Apples, $8

For the less experimental brunchers with a penchant for the savory, Five Points also serves a variety of omelets, burgers, fish, and sandwiches.

Related Stories:
· Best Brunch Places in New York [Jaunted]

[Photo: Gothamist]

Pizza / Restaurants / → All Tags

Pizza in New York: Lombardi's

Finding Good Pizza in Manhattan Map

This week's pizza pick is a bit on the touristy side, we admit it, but only because it tastes so good. Lombardi's was America's first pizzeria, established in 1905. Step inside and you'll smell it before you see it, perfectly cheesy fresh crusts with tangy tomato sauce and a plethora of delicious toppings, from mushrooms to clams. Beware of the wait on spring and fall weekends, you'll have to brave the suburban crowds, but once you get inside cozied up with a fresh pie, you'll forget they're even there. Bring cash (they don't take cards), but Lombardi's is a perfect late night snack, open till midnight on the weekends.

Know a can't miss pizza place in New York City we should check out? Hit us on the tipline.

[Photo: Iatca]

Restaurants / Downtown Manhattan / Soho / Italian Food / Italian-Food-in-Soho / → All Tags

Caffe Falai: Newish Soho Italian Eatery

Looking for the latest in Italian in NY? Might want to try Caffe Falai, which should be re-opened in SoHo, (there was power failure earlier this month) by chef Iacopo Falai, owner of Falai and bakery Falai Panetteria. Be sure to be careful with your red sauce though, this entire joint is white on white on white, even the open-air kitchen.

Interesting menu items include buckwheat papardelle and branzino filets, or new takes on standby's -like fresh beets paired with fried mozzarella. Oh, and leave your black Amex at home, Caffe Falai's cash only. The vibe is casual, and they don't take reservations, so dinner is a better bet for a non-wait than brunch or lunch.

Call: 917.338.6207

[Photo: Virtual Frolic]

Related Stories:
· Falai Soho [Eater]