So after 24 years, Oprah has decided to retire her spurs and put "the Oprah Show" out to pasture. While I am sure many middle aged caucasian women are mourning this loss, they are (im sure) more concerned about who they will take their social cues from, and who will give help "guide their spirit" in Oprah's absence. ALLOW ME TO STEP IN, I have been waiting forever to be able to do a "favorite things" post but have always felt that OPRAH's larger than life shadow was looming over me, wagging her pudgy finger. However, now that she is stepping down as the czar of daytime talk, now i have room to colorfully bombard America with a list of My Favorite things. So for all you lost stepford wives out there here it is PART 1 - BEST of NYC 2010 (PART 1)... and if it helps my credibility with you hardcore OPRAH fans -- im black too!
1. STEAK! In the past BEEF has gotten such a bad rap, partially because of OPRAH and her Mad Cow campaign. In a city like new york there is no shortage of places to bick up some braised beef, but quality is few and far between.
BEST PLACES - [for inexpensive professionally cooked steak] Dublin 6 ($$), Bondi Road & Press 195 (Steak sandwhich, $$)
WORST PLACE - The Essex ($$$) ~ these steak amateurs horribly butchered my filet mignon, cutting it into a trapezoid. They did not know how to cook a steak medium rare, destroying the texture and flavor of the meat by cooking it well done on the outside and leaving it rare on the inside.
2. WELL MADE DRINKS! How many of your are sick and tired of paying 15 dollars for a watered down drink at a crowded club, lounge, or bar? Personally given that I am not a big drinker, and when I do drink I am a Hennesy Black kinda girl, I have realized that Mixology is a dying art. Some of you may be thinking well, i go to (Insert name here) Bar that has a mixologist adn the drinks are okay. To that I respond ok IS NOT EXCELLENT. In recent months I have had the pleasure of having drinks made the right way by a true mixologist, at an establishment that others are trying to emulate unsuccessfully, and which many of you have either never heard of or think is an urban legend. You haven't had a drink till you have had a 'Penecilin' or "Cognac fix with fresh pressed blackberry juice." With out futher a do:
BEST PLACE - Milk and Honey (admission is by reservation only, or membership, $$$)
WORST PLACE - honestly is there a worst place to get drunk when you in the mood in NYC?
NO
**Honorable Mention - APOTHEKE, while I have never been a friend that recently accompanied me to Milk and Honey stated that the drinks there were tasty and really well made. Its a plus this place is open to the public so no reservation needed.
3. REST AND RELAXATION!! Did somebody say SPA DAY? There was a time when if someone mentioned the spa the thought of terricloth robbed women waddling around from manicure to pedicure stations came to mind. HOWEVER, how the spa game has changed. Long gone are the days of massage parlors, and unlicensed asain massuers being the only option for a inexpensive massage. Although those inexpensive places still exist one definitely sacrifices quality for monetary savings, unless your a gentleman looking for a hot towel rub down then im sure you already know where to go. BUT for all of you out there that were looking for a heaven on earth LOOK NO FURTHER -- SPA CASTLE IS HERE!
BEST PLACE -- SPA CASTLE!!! this place is almost too good to be true. Located in College Point, Queens, for $35 dollars you can have an unlimited ALL DAY pass to the facilities. This isn't your uncles banya either, this is a state of the are facility with more than 4 floors of amenities at your disposal. INCLUDING - one of a kind single sex locker room bading pool facilities with 7 unique bading pools providing patrons with state of the art water therapies. For $40 dollars you can get a half hour leg massage that will leave your feeling like jello from the knees down. For $100 dollars you can get a hour long full body massage that will put any of the high end midtown spas to shame.
WORST PLACE -- While i have an affinity for all spas, my worst massage experience by far was
at OASIS DAY SPA, when they had the nerve to assign me a geriatric dude named ROBERT who smelled like ben-gay and who could not press down on my knots to save his life. It felt like this fool was stroking my back instead of massaging --- being stroked in the nude by a pale raisin of a man who knew jesus personally was NOT MY IDEA OF A GOOD TIME.
Honorable Mention -- JUVENEX SPA for those ladies who want to have some single sex time
sans men with out having to travel or drive, i would definitely recommend JUVENEX. Located near 34 st on the west side its location is ideal and some what magical. At first blush you may think you are ascending the elevator to some 'Hostel' type of situation but when the door opens and you get a rush of that aromatized oxgen, and a blast of that therapuetic heat you feel the city start to fade away. This place manages to have soaking tubes, rain forest shower, a hand crafted JADE sauna, and a steam room all on one floor of a industrial building. IT is highly under
rated. **COUPLES beware unless your are open minded you may get an eye full of guy on guy action.
4. PINBALL! the who had it right with PINBALL WIZARD, the silver ball is where the real fun is, it pains me to think that my sister only 7 years my junior has no memory of being dazzled and entranced by pinball machines. In the last year i have been on a mission to find out "Where the PINBALL AT?" Since the worst place to play pinball is the place with NO pinball table, the best places with out further delay:
BEST PLACE: ACE BAR (5th street between, ave A and Ave B)
*there is another place in williamsburg that has hella pinball machines but the name escapes me, its on bedford, its definitely worth checking out.
5. LOFT and PASSWORD PARTIES. Tired of clubs, and lounges, hymogenous crowds, high heels, and superficial babes and meat heads -- Then try to get yourself alligned with Brooklyn Pirates, or Winkel and Baltic for a one of kind experience. You haven't partied till you have had free reign of a 20,000 square foot warehouse in brookly replete with debauchery and moderate excess. ;o).
HONORABLE MENTION -- short on the warehouse, but with debauchery to spare hit up HIMACHI - this sushi bar turned rumpous room has raucus kareoke every friday night. With resident bar tender Johnny pouring you libations all night long at a worthwile price, you could sing your heart out and sleep off the embarrassment in the morning!!!
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