Yep, there he is. LL Cool J on stage at the Long Island Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Chuck D and DMC performed as did Blue Oyster Cult (remember the ‘SNL’ skit with Christopher Walken where he needed more cowbell? That’s their song).
After shooting video at the ceremony and then heading back to the office to edit and post, turned into a late late work night (got home after 4:00 a.m.). Considering my delirious, exhausted state during editing, I think it turned out quite well. Giving myself a hearty pat on the back.
Friends Shaul and Motoko opened Japaense brasserie Zenkichi two years ago in Williamsburg. The maze-like, dimly lit interior and unintrusive service (you have to press a button to call the waiter) make it the perfect spot for a date and the seasonal, chef’s choice Omakase menu is a great introduction to traditional Japanese cuisine. That means no sushi.
The other night they held a private party to celebrate the opening of the winter garden, a glass-roofed outdoor area with additional private seating. That tree in the right of the shot is still there, incorporated right into the space. I can imagine sitting in one of the private booths when it’s snowing, sipping sake with friends.
Favorites of what they served? The dessert sake, I believe either the Taiheizan Tenko Junmai
Daiginjo or the Born Ginsen Junmai Daiginjo, was delicious, as was the unfiltered, cloudy Dassai Nigori Ginjo. The sweet duck salad and miso black cod were delicious, and although I wasn’t sure about the texture at first, I went back for seconds (and thirds) of the Banana Bavarois dessert, a brownie-like base with carmelized bananas and some other delicious stuff on top.
Someday when I have a kid, I’m gonna be one of those crazy moms that forces after school activities. And not just any activity. I plan on forcing my future child to attend School of Rock.
I hung recently out with some budding rock stars in Port Washington and it was hilarious. When I asked about musical influences I expected teen idols, like the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus, or popular rock groups, like Fall Out Boy and Maroon 5. Instead, I got classic rock bands from decades ago: The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Pretenders and best of all, the Sex Pistols (a favorite of an 11-year-old).
I play a minor role in the video. Figured it was better to keep the camera the real stars — the kids.
Friday night I shared a celebratory dinner with friends at Lower East Side institution Sammy’s Roumanian Steak House. The video, below, from TurnHere, gives a good intro to the place.
I consumed a LOT of latkes and sausage and steak. Had a delicious chocolate egg cream and even tried the chopped liver, mixed up right at the table. And yes, I sampled the schmaltz. Gotta say, not a fan of the liquid chicken fat. Olive oil it is not.
The food was good, the vodka was great, the atmosphere was the best. Lots of dancing and singing to classic tunes played by Dani Luv, rocking out on the keyboard in the corner. Although I’ve never been to one, friends compared the scene during the more raucous Jewish hits to a Bar Mitzvah. Fun.
Well, as fellow Newsday blogger (and my boss) Mark said, there are thousands of bars in NYC, only one had a furry. And we were partying with him… and some other special people.
Oh, and Richie sang a live version of his new track, Celebutante. Twice. Props to friend Sarah’s place of work, Defend Music, for putting on the shindig at new club, Citrine. Fun times.
It’s not free like the other two (actually rang in at a pricey $7), but I did get a worthwhile tip on the Upper East Side bookstore, Kitchen Arts & Letters, which I visited on Friday afternoon.
Super knowledgeable staff with a stock of more than 11,000 cooking titles on every type of food, drink and international cuisine. Well, except no Yemenite cookbooks, which my husband has been looking for. But I did find an ice cream book and “The Whole Beast: Nose to Tail Eating,” which I’ve heard about from a lot of foodie types recently. Will have to share the best recipes when I get cooking.
Overall, great spot to pick up cookbooks for a home collection, or better still, for unique holiday gifts.
I was conned into going to another haunted house last week. My boss said something to the effect of, it’s your job, suck it up. I guess a steady paycheck was motivation enough.
This time I got even MORE freaked out (didn’t know it was possible) than before. I say “Oh hell no” more than once, run away from the bad guys and screech a lot.
As soon as Halloween passes, I promise some new material.
This is the pumpkin I carved Saturday night. My friend told me it looks Picasso-esque, which is just a nice way to say my carving skills are whack and my gourd has a lopsided face. I kind of love it.
Rather than head to the usual spots — Williamsburg or lower-Manhattan — for a meal on Friday night, I did some research on restaurants in my borough, Queens, and came across Kabab Cafe on NY Mag’s Web site.
I’ve driven down Steinway a number of times and always wanted to stop at one of the Middle Eastern restaurants in that part of Astoria. This culinary adventure presented the perfect opportunity.
After waiting on the sidewalk for about 30 minutes, my husband and I were seated with two other women in the back corner of the teeny tiny restaurant. Chef Ali El Sayed, who’s owned the restaurant for 23 years, told us about the types of meat he had available that night, including duck, goat and chicken, plus lamb “from the brain to the testicles.” Appetizing!
We started with the meze platter, which was delicious, especially the falafel balls, then moved onto a warm beet salad and a lamb cheek dip. Wow. Was especially blown away by the lamb cheek, which I’d never had before. For entrees I had the lamb shank, perfectly spiced and served with vegetables and rice, while the hubbie opted for the duck. Not a huge fan of duck, generally, but it was also well-spiced and tasty.
Totally worth the trip and will hopefully spur more culinary adventures in our ‘hood.
Travel Channel video from Kebab Cafe posted below:
It has been a long, long time since I stepped foot in a haunted house. Like probably 8-10 years long. Why, you may be wondering?
Well… last time I was at a haunted house I freaked out big time. I knocked my friend over and started running (every woman for herself style). Before I knocked her over I was digging into her arms so hard that I left bruises.
A couple of days ago I had to face my fears in the name of my day job and head to the north shore of Long Island to the Mills Pond House of Horrors. The life of a Web video host ain’t easy.
See the results of my excursion for yourself. There’s no knocking anyone down, but I did grab onto a random 13-year-old boy who agreed to be my escort for, oh, the entire time. I’m expecting his call once junior prom comes ’round.
I'm a professional journalist working
at Newsday in New York. You can
call my specialty multimedia or new
media or digital or interactive.
Generally speaking, I do Web stuff.
This blog is an active resume of sorts.
I write about the events I attend, the
places I explore, the concerts I see,
the work I produce...
Rather than head to the usual spots — Williamsburg or lower-Manhattan — for a meal on Friday night, I did some research on restaurants in my borough, Queens, and came across Kabab Cafe on 