Manic Month(s)

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So it’s been a while, but don’t hold it against me. I missed you too…
Here’s my month (or two) in recap…
From start to finish. Go!

@jetsetfarryn: Iced coffee and jean shorts and soccer and long days and Happy Hours and Hamptons anticipation and music, lots of music. Happy Spring.

Dig In. Momofuku Fried Chicken.
Thursday. 7 PM.

Ok, it’s not my first rodeo. Show some self control and don’t order much before the main event. If you must, opt for the pork buns, roasted foie gras and cornflake encrusted brisket. As for the chicken? Taste the Southern style infused with old bay seasoning, and the less-heavy, triple-fried Korean-style in bibim sauce. Expect pancakes, a bowl of veggies (shisito peppers, baby carrots, red ball radishes, shiso leaves, bibb lettuce, opal basil, Thai basil) and four sauces on the side (hoisin, ginger-scallion, jalapeño-garlic, and bibim).

Use your hands, combine it all, get weird with your bad self. Chang’s personal favorite? Crisp skin from the classic chicken, chunks of meat, bibb lettuce, both kinds of shiso, hoisin sauce, and ginger-scallion sauce. De-lish. 

Don’t judge me for what is about to happen RT @JonAlagem @amandaweiner @jetsetfarryn @JFSica @djpolitik @MikeyLev #MomofukuFriedChicken

Devour. Paul’s Da Burger Joint.
Saturday. 1 PM.

Any place that calls themselves a “joint” better earn it… a tip-off from a friend (why-thank-ya-Sklaver) led me to Paul’s Da Burger Joint on St. Marks and Second Avenue. Run down, beat-up, ripped checkered table clothes and the smell of oil in the air…. I was already sold. And then came the burger. A juicy, no frills, fresh off the hot plate burger that melted — just like the American cheese — in my mouth. I don’t mean that in a lazy, cliche way. I mean that literally, it melted. It’s the Jim’s Philly Cheese Steaks of New York burgers, and considering that’s my Philly-born Father’s #1 spot in the world, it a huge compliment.

Escape. Coachella.
Weekend.

For the first time in a long time I made an executive decision: no work at play. And while it was hard to put down the pen, festival-going sans deadline was a much needed break. All in all, Coachella was as you’d expect but not 2010. I’ll be honest, I left a bit disappointed. Let’s hope they kick it up a notch next year, and kick out the Creator’s Project (seriously, that was it?)  

Wake up to @FreelanceWhales. Sunshine. Palm Trees. @Coachella 

The Twelves at Highline Ballroom.
Thursday. 11 PM.

Here’s what I knew about the Twelves. They’re from Rio (point). They’re the boys behind the remix of M.I.A’s “Boyz” (point). Their show has drum machines (point). So I went with some friends to check them out at Highline Ballroom. João Miguel and Luciano Oliveira (of the “12th” of July, 1980) have been jamming together since 2005 and it’s no surprise. Their set was as smooth as it’s latin beats with some electro funk on the side. Refreshingly tasty. Check out HiFi Cartel for more coverage…

@Jetsetfarryn: Highline for @TheTwelves with #Jameson @theSchabes @doctorklein @JFSica @Mnipon @Msposta #gang 22 Apr 

Die Over. Brushstroke.
Thursday. 9 PM.

I heard rumblings of Brushstroke and immediately knew it was a stop worth making. First, it’s David Bouley. Second, it’s a project in conjunction with the Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka (uh, I miss Japan). Third, its been in the works for a decade (postponed after to 9/11). Fourth, it’s located in a dreamy, sandy-wood space in Tribeca.

Now, Brushstroke is not for everyone. It’s a deceivingly informal setting for a very formal tasting experience; there’s an a-la-carte menu, but you’d never dareorder from it; and the kitchen is open, but you will not hear a peep from the Chefs. In many ways it’s representative of that traditional side of Japan (we’re talking impeccable, over-the-top-service and care) that often makes me turn into a red-faced, giggling middle school girl who just hit a boy for the first time. I mean the intricate, cultural presentation? Like my first time getting a flirt-text (yes, that exact smile)…. and the food? Well, you don’t need a metaphor for that. Just sit down and eight-course Omakase-it (お任せ).

I‘ve been waiting for this moment… (@ brushstroke http://4sq.com/grfZYU) Out of body experience: flash-fried Chawan-mushi Egg Custard, Dungeness Crab, Sencha Duck, Black Truffles, Pistachio Sea Urchin @msmukler 22 Apr 

Sting. Acupuncture Remedies.
Saturday. 11 AM.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I type… a lot. And in case you haven’t heard me complain about it yet, the typing is starting to wear on me. So a good friend hit purchase for acupuncture treatment on Gilt City. I crossed 14th Street (it’s located on 56th), checked in and checked out this thing they call acupuncture for the first time. Acupuncture Remedies was spotless, inviting and extremely profesh. They explained the process and what to expect when ‘puncturing. Most importantly, it was a relaxing experience…Just get over the needle part by pretending it’s a challenge on the Amazing Race. Not that I did that or anything…

Just finished #acupuncture via @GiltCityNYC - there’s a first time for everything…

Loved it! RT @GiltCityNYC: We hope you liked it! RT @jetsetfarryn finished #acupuncture via @GiltCityNYC - first time for everything.. 

Dance. Avicii at Pacha.
Saturday. 2 AM.

What would a Manic Month be with out Mr. Avicii? Boy wonder played to a sold-out-house this month at Pacha. He’s raising in the ranks, and so are Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano - the duo who joined him for a debut performance at Pacha. Avicii will be back on my radar this summer since he’ll be hanging in the Hamptons at South Pointe. Never heard of it? Oh, you will soon.  

@jetsetfarryn: Divide and conquer RT @DavidxStein: RT @Dubset: Big night in #NYC. @Axwell, @Boyznoize, @Avicii & #Sunnery @Pachanyc, @Behrouz at @D36 23 Apr 

Watch. The Bang Bang Club.
Sunday. 5 PM.

I rarely report on movies… but with Tribeca Film Fest on the radar this month, I’m making an exception for an exceptional film. The Bang Bang Club is the real life story of a group of four young combat photographers - Greg Marinovich, Joao Silva, Kevin Carter and Ken Oosterbroek – who risked their lives to document life in South Africa post-apartheid. They documented the first free elections, the gang wars and the lives of those in turmoil and well, war in the 1990’s. Starring Ryan Phillippe, Taylor Kitsch, and Malin Akerman, The Bang Bang Club was intense, moving and extremely graphic. More importantly, it told a story I truly did not know, or see, or understand. I really learned something new. So open your eyes with The Bang Bang Club and see their Pulizter prize winning photography here…

#BangBangClub and #ramen on a rainy night #iloveny 

Help. Fashion. Love, Africa Shoot.
Monday. 7 PM.

Forget me, let’s talk about that bag. My good friend Ryan launched Fashion. Love, Africa after a life changing trip to well clearly, Africa. The bags are hand knitted and constructed from post consumer plastic bags gathered and woven by female residents living in the garbage slum of Nakuru, Kenya. Each bag is purchased directly from the woman who constructed it, allowing her a consistent source of income. It is a truly incredible program that I am thrilled to be able to support. Bag your own bag at Fashion. Love, Africa. 

Jam. Pink Cashmere.
Saturday. 1 AM.

It’s family, what can I say? But more than family, it’s about talent. And I’m proud to call my friends TAL-EN-TED. Derek Giddon and Andrew Wotman have been playing to rowdy crowds in NYC, and will be heading out to the Hamptons this summer. Want to score a front row spot? Just tell them @PinkCashmereNYC. 

Explore. Festival of Ideas.
Saturday. 2 PM.

Festival of Ideas for the New City was a three-day event, that featured over eight independent projects and public spaces designed to share new ideas. Some zest (or organization) was missing from the fest, but overall, a great idea for ideas. Highlights included Kickstarter (I’m simply a fan), The Bushwick Art Park project and Art in Odd Places (with works by Nicholas Fraser, Edith Raw, Ari Tabei and Gretchen Vitamvas). But my favorite, Bayeté Ross Smith’s community playlist, The Bowery Mixtape, which I left my mark on with “Heads Will Roll” …don’t judge my mixtape song selection.

@JetsetFarryn: Yes to thoughts, no to drugs RT @JFSica: Idea festivals are the new music festivals @amandaweiner @jetsetfarryn @JonAlagem (I’m at Festival Of Ideas For The New City Streetfair w/ @travelgoat http://4sq.com/jWCvLZ)

Wait. Scott Weiland at Gramercy Park Theatre.
Tuesday. Midnight.

I went to Scott Weiland with the Pink Cashmere family (@ Gramercy Theatre w/ 13 others). I don’t even know what to say. He showed up late. He pissed me off and not in the I-wish-I-was-a-rockstar-kind-of-way. Scott Weiland, no points or blog chitter chatter for you!

@jetsetfarryn: #ScottWeiland is 3 hours late due to a “book signing”… Rightttt a “book signing” #rockstarfail

Dine. CO-OP at the Hotel on Rivington.
Friday. 9 PM.

The new restaurant, CO-OP, is housed in the not-sure-who-it-was-space in lobby of the Hotel on Rivington… and it’s all about community (shared tables, small plates) and mixing (seriously, the mixologist is a genius). The tufted brown leather walls harkens a 1970’s Playboy vibe, yet the food is anything but retro. Executive Chef John Keller (Le Bernardin, Nobu) and sushi chef Stephen “Neo”  Wong (Sushi of Gari, Megu, Sushi Hana) serve up Stanton Social-esque party plates with a seriously special Asian/American appeal.

Start with a Ginger Snap or Pink Bazooka cocktail (yes, I said Pink Bazooka, but it was pretty, and delicious, so deal with it); then move on to a Paper Cut Salad with Jalapeno dressing or a Kale Caesar with Asian Pear. Next, to the sushi. Fluke Crudo, Hamachi Crunch or the Rivington Roll with Blue Crab. It’s hard to slow down, but the intriguing art (DeVinn Bruce & John Rawlins designed the space with a graphic photography installation of New York City icons such as Moby, Debbie Harry, Patricia Field & oh, Alan Philips girlfriend – lucky!) can help distract. Chicken Meatballs with Sweet Chili Sauce, BBQ Pork Belly Steamed Buns, Cod on Butter Lettuce, Lobster Cappucinos (two please) and polenta… creamy, delicious polenta. Top it all off with some desert – and no, I do not mean your charmingly clumsy and cute waiter (Alex, I’m talking about you). We’ve got the Guerilla Culinary Brigade (Alan Philips and the adorably welcoming Jason Apfelbaum, the duo behind dining event company and my-main-marketing man Derek Feinman) to thank for a new lounge in the LES. You’ll find me there on Thursdays, 9 PM, booth in the back…. The only question - what’s a girl gotta do to get a portrait around here?

Falling in love at CO-OP… Polenta, fluke crudo, lobster cappuccino, pork belly buns, cute waiters. Good way to go #rapture