Jaunted

Tags: Confessions of a Travel Writer / Travel Shows / Travel Channel / Jaunted On TV / Parties / Shira Lazar / → All Tags

What Did You Think Of The 'Confessions Of A Travel Writer' Premiere?

Did you catch us on TV last night? The pilot episode of the show "Confessions Of A Travel Writer" aired at 9pm EST yesterday on the Travel Channel, and our Shira Lazar is the sole representative of new media among the five travel journalists starring.

We took in the show from the pool lobby at the Grace Hotel in midtown New York City, where we drank Pisco Sours and patiently waited for them to fix the audio. Alas, they never did and so you at home had a better seat for the show than we did, although we did catch the 11pm re-run.

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Tags: No Reservations / Tony Bourdain / Dive Bars / Bars / → All Tags

Anthony Bourdain Visits Disappearing New York, Tries to Disappear Dive Bar

Anthony Bourdain left behind the Momofukus and the Le Bernardins for a week, dedicating the most recent episode of No Reservations to "disappearing Manhattan." Tony visited all those classic New York places that everyone always espouses their love for -- Katz's Deli, Manganaro's Foods, Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop -- and everyone espouses equally as much about why most of them keep closing. (Hint: Could it be because certain media personalities keep devoting most of their airtime to places like Momofuku and Le Bernardin instead?? Just a thought.)

But we do appreciate Bourdain's love for these old school New York dives, even if for only one episode. Although we have a bone to pick with Tony—in his mostly excellent tour of disappearing Hell's Kitchen, he walks by his fave old dive, Holland Bar (532 9th Avenue, no website of course), and lumps it in with the masses of shuttered gems, lamenting its closure again later in the episode.

Holland Bar is the real deal—a place where no one knows your name, service is not accompanied by a smile, but the bar is dark and the vodka is cheaper than anywhere in Manhattan. And most importantly, Holland Bar is not closed. It just took a temporary break for a mild renovation—don't worry, Tony, it's still dirty as hell, with the same unfriendly, drink-your-afternoon away vibe. Sure, there are the occasional inevitable "hair-gelled douchebags" as Bourdain would say, but we have to wonder if Tony wasn't trying to trying to trick us away from this dive bar gem. Don't disappear it yet, Tony! Manhattan isn't totally lost to the wine bars and douchebags.

· Disappearing Manhattan Travel Guide [No Reservations]
· Anthony Bourdain Directs a Food Porn [Jaunted]
· Anthony Bourdain travel coverage [Jaunted]

Photo: [Travel Channel]

Tags: NYC BBQ / Restaurants / Food Travel / BBQ / Times Square / → All Tags

A Sticky Treat Near the New Times Square

Daisy May's is probably the most over-covered of all the NYC BBQ joints, but even though Oprah, Rachel Ray and the Today Show have already visited chef Adam Perry Lang's Hell's Kitchen cafeteria, no serious Barbecue lover could leave this one off the list.

Leaving aside the food for a moment, Daisy May's has one of our favorite restaurant creation stories. A few years back, a venerable institution called the Penthouse Club decided to open an establishment in the Times Square West area. But this is the new Times Square, not the old one, so that meant the new strip club had to include a ritzy steakhouse, and of course a hot young chef.

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Tags: Broooaaadwaaaaaaay / Broadway Shows / Will Ferrell / George W. Bush / → All Tags

Will Ferrell Brings Back Bush Impression in "You're Welcome America"

Jaunted's Ellen managed to score a ticket to the new Will Ferrell show on Broadway while it's still in previews. Here's her review.

One of the first entries on the blog at WhiteHouse.gov yesterday was President Barack Obama's call for "A National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation" on the occasion of his inauguration. As Will Ferrell took the stage last night at the Cort Theatre and, as former President George W. Bush, basked in what he mistook for enthusiasm about his two terms, we wondered if it was such a good idea to go back into the past.

Oh, there's time to heal later. "You're Welcome America" is a ribald wound-salter and, in terms of the Bush legacy, everything Oliver Stone's tepid "W." wasn't. The largely solo show incorporates several of Ferrell's "SNL" impersonations as Bush, including the classic brush-clearing moment, but sandwiches it in between acres of new material -- like a slideshow rundown of the Bush administration's co-conspirators, none of whom come out remotely well. (But if anyone's going to sue it'll be Condoleezza Rice.)

"You're Welcome America" isn't perfect -- the five or so transitions where Ferrell isn't onstage are a drag despite the antics of his pet Secret Service agent (Patrick Ferrell). But if you're a fan, it's definitely worth your while. After all, Ferrell rarely performs live; he made an exception for last year's Funny or Die Tour, but that played to Radio City-sized crowds. At the end of the night, we were really ready to put the Bush years behind us.

Currently in previews; opens February 5, running through March 15. Prices range from $61.50-$116.50. If you go for the cheap balcony seats, try to get in the first four rows so you'll be able to see the video screens.

Related Stories:
· Last Chance For Several Mainstage Hits This Month [Jaunted]
· Lest We Forget: Ferrell Keeps W. Onstage [NYTimes]
· Broadway coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Harvard Gazette]

Tags: New New York Restaurants / Restaurants / Good Burgers / → All Tags

New NYC Restaurant: Five Napkin Burger

So, not quite sold on that $186 burger? Five Napkin Burger opens today in New York, and we can't wait to hit it up. The brainchild of Nice Matin chef Andy D'Amico, the menu's signature offering is a 10-ounce beef patty topped with Comté cheese and caramelized onions, served on a rosemary aioli-slathered roll.

More adventurous grill hounds can try the Rarebit Bacon Burger (with white cheddar cheese and grilled bacon), the Ahi Tuna Burger (it has ginger, scallions, wasabi mayo and tempura fried onions) or the fancy Mediterranean-inspired Lamb Kofta Burger (topped with tomato, onion salad and green tahini sauce). There are a couple other non-burger menu options, but remember: The place isn't called Five Napkin Artichoke Dip.

The decor's as manly as you'd imagine, with meat hooks, dim lighting and easy-to-clean white tiling. You'll also find loads of specialty cocktails, wines and beer to keep you happy. Our summer might just be complete.

Related Stories:
· Five Napkin Burger [Thrillist]
· Five Napkin Burger to Open Wednesday [StrongBuzz]
· New New York Restaurants coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Thrillist]

Tags: Project-Runway-Map / TV Travel / Television Travel / Candy Stores / → All Tags

Project Runway Map: Hershey's Times Square is 'Deliciously Chic'

After far too long, Project Runway finally returned on Wednesday. Yay! This time Tim Gunn woke up the designers at 6 am and corralled them into Times Square. The challenge? To gather whatever they could out of the Hershey's Times Square mega-store on 48th and Broadway and design a wearable and fanciful outfit.

Normally, we don't understand these candy warehouses. Dylan's Candy Bar is cute but we're not really sure we would buy anything there to eat, and the M&M store is just too bewildering. But inside the Hershey's store where there are tons of our two favorite candies ever, Hershey Bars and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, well we would turn into a greedy Violet Beauregarde, but substitute the gum-chomping for some chocolate face-stuffing.

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Tags: Broadway Shows / Strikes / Theater / → All Tags

Adventures of Link: Forget Broadway

The Broadway stagehand's strike is still on, and no one knows when the stare down might end. Judging by the interviews with tourists in the local New York media, you'd think there's not a damn thing to do in the city except see a big-ticket show.

But to us Broadway shows aren't usually worth it anyway. All you'll find in the Theater District are triple digit prices, swarms of clueless tourists clogging the streets and tired shows. (Honestly, Mamma Mia?!) Elsewhere in the city, the art of theater is moving forward with smaller, better productions with equivalent talent says noted producer Ken Davenport:

Spring Awakening, Avenue Q, Rent. All of those shows began their life off Broadway... Work stoppages aren't good for anyone, but for the moment the little brother is getting some attention.

So get out there and try something new. That's why you're traveling in the first place, isn't it?

Related Stories:
· Off-Broadway Shows Buoyed by Strike [NPR]
· Off-Broadway Biz Booms During Stalemate [AP, via Google]
· Broadway Strike Survival Guide [NYT's ArtsBeat]
· Ask Your Concierge for Theater Alternatives [HotelChatter]
· New York Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: masck]

Tags: Pizza / Restaurants / Pizza-In-New-York / → All Tags

Pizza in New York: Bond45

Finding Good Pizza in Manhattan Map

Though you'll probably be surrounded by families from Des Moines on their way to see Mama Mia, eating at Bond45 is truly a New York experience. What could be more Manhattan than eating a thick slice of pizza while looking out at the giant Cup O' Noodles hanging in the middle of Times Square?

Located in the middle of the theater district, Bond45 is more than a pizzeria--but pizza is its specialty. In fact, the menu boasts that New York Magazine's insatiable critic, Gael Greene, says it's "the best in New York." We know some places that would argue that, but Bond45 does have our fave: Arturo Schwartz's Salsiccia Pizza, with sausage, rosemary potatoes, mozzarella and basil.

Related Stories:
· Pizza in New York coverage [Jaunted]
· Bond45 [Official Site]

[Photo: Chris in Philly]

Tags: Museums / → All Tags

Madame Tussaud is a Slave 4 U

Remember the days when you actually wanted to see Britney Spears grinding on a stripper pole? Well, her shining moment lives on at Madame Tussaud's.

Unveiled last week at the famous New York "museum", the stripperesque statue is only the latest in a series of questionable wax role models, following other luminaries like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. Of course, if they're not your taste, the place also features the likenesses of George Clooney, Brad Pitt and J. Lo (where you can join the thousands of Americans who have already snapped shots of themselves grabbing the fake diva's rumpus).

Sure, there are always the old favorites at Madame Tussaud's, but remember what they say about the Britneys of the collection: Here today, crayons tomorrow.

Tags: Celebs / Clubs / → All Tags

Nick Lachey's Contingency Plan?

According to the NY Post:

Another venture that Lachey and DiScala are said to be in on together is as investors in the skeevy new club Pacha where scantily clad women writhe in a shower.

Looks like Nick might have had an exit strategy up his sleeve. More importantly, "scantily clad women writhe in a shower" at "skeevy" Pacha?

Is it skeevy?  And does everyone have to get wet?

Most curious.

Related Stories:
·   No OK! For Jessica [NY Post]
·   Pacha NYC [Jaunted]

Tags: Nightlife / Clubs / → All Tags

Pacha NYC

This week the site of the now-closed Sound Factory morphs into an outpost of supereuromegaclub Pacha. At 30,000 square feet and with a capacity of 2,600, this is a place that flies directly in the face of the current trend of cute little exclusive clubs scattered around town. On the other hand, its four levels will be full of separate VIP rooms and lounges, so lots of snubbing is still possible after you manage to get in. Just point us toward the Dork Nook, and we'll be happy.

Related Stories:
·   THE BIGGEST NIGHTCLUB OPENING OF THE YEAR [Club Planet]
·   Club Pacha [Official site]
·   Pacha New York City - Fall 2005 [Rhythmism]
·   Pacha New York [Words by Tony Zeoli]

Tags: Deals / Hotels / → All Tags

The Paramount's U.S.Open Deal

If you scored tickets to the U.S. Open this September and are tired of cramming into your friend's tiny NY apt., check out the U.S. Open deal [via Travel & Leisure] at The Paramount Hotel.

The hotel is offering a special U.S. Open package from Aug 28th-Sept. 5th. For $239/night you get a reduced room rate, a $10 MetroCard to get you to Flushing, two water bottles and sun visors, maps and city guides and a backpack (which is now subject to search if you take it on the subway). And The Paramount's location is a hop to the #7.

Book directly with the hotel to ensure the deal.

Related Stories:
·   Hot Deals: U.S. Open Package [T & L]
·   U.S. Open 2005 [Official Site]