We know two things about New Years Eve in Ithaca.
One is that Ithacans, inveterate socializers, keen on celebration, love New Years Eve.
Two is that bars and clubs don't do much special for NYE, probably because they don't have to.
Some striving exceptions:
Felicia's has live vocal and piano music, early, from 6:30 - 8:30. After that, it is drink specials, and whatever comes with that. No cover.
Castaways hosts a bona fide concert, with local (and international) favorites The Sim Redmond Band, and opening act the Gunpoets. Doors open at 8 for the 9 pm start. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, if any remain.
WildFire Lounge hosts popular rockers Revision and Solstice, starting at 10 .
Don't get drunk and lose all your money -
& Happy 20/10 -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Small World Music: No Place Like (Our New) Home for the Holidays
This morning we met yet another old customer of Small World Music who didn't know that our music emporium (physical home of Ithaca Blog) has moved to the basement of Autumn Leaves Books, on the Commons. And so she hasn't got that new Karan Casey CD she wanted to buy for her sister. Well, she will have it later today.
It is the busy season for buying music, so we would be derelict, not to mention meshuga, not to mention with special yuletide emphasis that Small World Music is at your service.
New CDs include Beatles reissues (and box set), Bob Dylan, Fela, David Gray, Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Monsters of Folk, Pete Seeger, Sting, Streisand, Swell Season, and Tom Waits. And Karan Casey.
Small World Music shares space in the basement of Autumn Leaves with Angry Mom Records. We're open seven days a week.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog and Small World Music
It is the busy season for buying music, so we would be derelict, not to mention meshuga, not to mention with special yuletide emphasis that Small World Music is at your service.
New CDs include Beatles reissues (and box set), Bob Dylan, Fela, David Gray, Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Monsters of Folk, Pete Seeger, Sting, Streisand, Swell Season, and Tom Waits. And Karan Casey.
Small World Music shares space in the basement of Autumn Leaves with Angry Mom Records. We're open seven days a week.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog and Small World Music
Bumper Sticker Urges: No Barking
Not that we would ever put a bumper sticker on our car, any more than we would our shoes, but we saw one today we liked.
"Wag More, Bark Less," it said.
We imagine it came from a dog owner, but of course here it was meant for the reading, i.e. strictly non-dog, population.
It seemed to us a particularly good message as people are racing around anxiously with errands to do for the holidays, and possibly feeling a bit barky. But remember, really, if the holidays are not a time for wagging, when is?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
"Wag More, Bark Less," it said.
We imagine it came from a dog owner, but of course here it was meant for the reading, i.e. strictly non-dog, population.
It seemed to us a particularly good message as people are racing around anxiously with errands to do for the holidays, and possibly feeling a bit barky. But remember, really, if the holidays are not a time for wagging, when is?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Ithaca Music Scene Somewhat Short-changed by "Cafe"
Yesterday we got a press release about the World Cafe radio program broadcasting, today, a performance by Lyle Lovett at Ithaca's State Theater. The show was also supposed to offer discussion of and selections from the Ithaca music scene.
The former was fine. The latter was missing.
To tell the truth, we had a feeling from the start that the promise of Ithaca-centrism was maybe a little played up. We reported it anyway. Oh, well.
One out of two isn't bad, we guess. Or is the proper response, "That's show biz"?
In any event, we were disappointed by that, but enjoyed the broadcast anyway, and appreciated the visit last month and the effort by both Mr. Lovett and the World Cafe.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The former was fine. The latter was missing.
To tell the truth, we had a feeling from the start that the promise of Ithaca-centrism was maybe a little played up. We reported it anyway. Oh, well.
One out of two isn't bad, we guess. Or is the proper response, "That's show biz"?
In any event, we were disappointed by that, but enjoyed the broadcast anyway, and appreciated the visit last month and the effort by both Mr. Lovett and the World Cafe.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Ithaca Music Goes National, Thurs. 17 Dec., on NPR's "World Cafe"
National Public Radio's "World Cafe" program will spotlight Ithaca in its broadcast on Thursday, 17 December.
The show will feature excerpts from a concert by Lyle Lovett taped at the State Theater in Ithaca, along with discussion of and selections by local musicians.
World Cafe is carried by 185 NPR affiliates nationally. In Ithaca it is broadcast on WEOS, 88.5 on the FM dial.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The show will feature excerpts from a concert by Lyle Lovett taped at the State Theater in Ithaca, along with discussion of and selections by local musicians.
World Cafe is carried by 185 NPR affiliates nationally. In Ithaca it is broadcast on WEOS, 88.5 on the FM dial.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Big Money Comes To Fracking, With Exxon Purchase
Exxon Mobil has spent $31 billion to buy XTO Energy, a leading speculator in shale gas drilling.
Exxon Mobil brings considerable resources to promote shale gas drilling in U.S. fields discovered by smaller companies such as XTO in the past decade.
The smaller companies have indicated they might not have the resources to meet legal and environmental challenges when controversial drilling practices (known as hydrofracturing, or "fracking") come to populated areas, such as central New York, where citizen groups have formed to protest degradation of local landscapes, infrastructure, and water supplies.
Exxon Mobil's buyout certainly changes the political landscape. The company is the second-largest (behind General Electric) corporate spender in federal lobbying. It has recently come under fire for its efforts to discredit global climate change science, which it considers harmful to its financial interests.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Exxon Mobil brings considerable resources to promote shale gas drilling in U.S. fields discovered by smaller companies such as XTO in the past decade.
The smaller companies have indicated they might not have the resources to meet legal and environmental challenges when controversial drilling practices (known as hydrofracturing, or "fracking") come to populated areas, such as central New York, where citizen groups have formed to protest degradation of local landscapes, infrastructure, and water supplies.
Exxon Mobil's buyout certainly changes the political landscape. The company is the second-largest (behind General Electric) corporate spender in federal lobbying. It has recently come under fire for its efforts to discredit global climate change science, which it considers harmful to its financial interests.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, December 10, 2009
No Dime Dropped Yet On Ithaca Restaurants With Labor Violations
A press conference held by the Tompkins County Workers Center and the New York State Department of Labor finished minutes ago, with the revelation that 17 area restaurants have been found in violation of labor laws.
The violations include failure to pay minimum wage and overtime, and misclassification of workers as general contractors, thus denying them workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and other rights.
22 restaurants were investigated. State officials said that finding violations among 17 of 22 is a higher than average rate, though perhaps not a large enough sampling to be statistically significant.
The press conference brought much media to the Workers Center on the Commons, and scores of spectators. Those hoping for resolution to the political drama, in the form of names, were disappointed. The identities of the implicated businesses were not disclosed.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The violations include failure to pay minimum wage and overtime, and misclassification of workers as general contractors, thus denying them workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and other rights.
22 restaurants were investigated. State officials said that finding violations among 17 of 22 is a higher than average rate, though perhaps not a large enough sampling to be statistically significant.
The press conference brought much media to the Workers Center on the Commons, and scores of spectators. Those hoping for resolution to the political drama, in the form of names, were disappointed. The identities of the implicated businesses were not disclosed.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Ithaca Gives 10% Off, On Dec. 10th
Dozens of businesses in Ithaca participating in the "Local First" campaign are offering 10% off all purchases on the 10th of December.
The "10 off on the 10th" promotion started at GreenStar Co-op earlier this year. If you have been at GreenStar on the 10th of a month, you know it is a big deal. GreenStar does Thanksgiving-week type business every 10th. They have to put someone in the parking lot to direct traffic.
The list of participating businesses can be found at www.localfirstithaca.org, or at Local First Ithaca's page on Facebook.
Small World Music/Angry Mom Records, physical home of Ithaca Blog, is among them. In fact, loyal reader, come in today and mention this and we will give you the jump by giving you 10% off on the 9th.
SWM/A. Mom is in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books at 115 the Commons. We're open til 8 pm tonight; from noon til 9 tomorrow.
Steve Burke
for SWM/Ithaca NY Blog
The "10 off on the 10th" promotion started at GreenStar Co-op earlier this year. If you have been at GreenStar on the 10th of a month, you know it is a big deal. GreenStar does Thanksgiving-week type business every 10th. They have to put someone in the parking lot to direct traffic.
The list of participating businesses can be found at www.localfirstithaca.org, or at Local First Ithaca's page on Facebook.
Small World Music/Angry Mom Records, physical home of Ithaca Blog, is among them. In fact, loyal reader, come in today and mention this and we will give you the jump by giving you 10% off on the 9th.
SWM/A. Mom is in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books at 115 the Commons. We're open til 8 pm tonight; from noon til 9 tomorrow.
Steve Burke
for SWM/Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, December 04, 2009
"Local First Ithaca" Builds Area Economy
It is a little disconcerting to see the word "only" in the headlines alongside " 11,000 U.S. jobs lost in November."
But the reality is that this is - only - 10%of the number of jobs lost in either October or September.
President Obama is supposedly rolling up his sleeves now to create a jobs program.
We like the guy; but his record so far, on war and Wall Street, is weak, to say the least.
Maybe on jobs, the one-time community organizer will finally hit his stride.
In the meantime, in Ithaca, we have our own model for helping ourselves and one another: the Local First Ithaca campaign is in its second season of promoting local businesses at holiday time.
Take a look at their web site (http://www.localfirstithaca.org/) and Facebook page for all their activities and promotions. Among them is "10 % on the Tenth," where many participating businesses (there are over 100) offer 10% off all purchases on December 10th. There is also a drawing, at the end of the month, for gift cards, for the proverbial lucky winners, of $50, $100, and $250.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
But the reality is that this is - only - 10%of the number of jobs lost in either October or September.
President Obama is supposedly rolling up his sleeves now to create a jobs program.
We like the guy; but his record so far, on war and Wall Street, is weak, to say the least.
Maybe on jobs, the one-time community organizer will finally hit his stride.
In the meantime, in Ithaca, we have our own model for helping ourselves and one another: the Local First Ithaca campaign is in its second season of promoting local businesses at holiday time.
Take a look at their web site (http://www.localfirstithaca.org/) and Facebook page for all their activities and promotions. Among them is "10 % on the Tenth," where many participating businesses (there are over 100) offer 10% off all purchases on December 10th. There is also a drawing, at the end of the month, for gift cards, for the proverbial lucky winners, of $50, $100, and $250.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
The Anti-Fracking Effort Needs You: Big Benefit Concert, Sat. 5 Dec.
Judging by Ithaca, the campaign against "fracking" - that is, hydrofracturing, a toxic chemical drilling procedure proposed for natural gas extraction in our region - seems a sure winner. A thousand people turned out at a hearing at the State Theater last month, on a weeknight, to speak against the dangerously unregulated practice.
Remember, though: Ithaca is different. In 2000, more Ithacans voted for Ralph Nader for president than for George Bush. In 2008, Tompkins County was the only county outside of New York City to vote for Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.
When a group of Ithacans left the county last week for a public hearing on fracking, they were the only voices in opposition. The others were for taking the money the gas companies are offering, and worrying about poisoned water later.
So: it will be an uphill fight. Whatever support you can give is crucial.
On Saturday 5 December, the three leading bands from Ithaca play a benefit for the effort. Donna the Buffalo, the Horseflies, and the Sim Redmond Band unite for "Life Is Water: A Concert to Defend the Finger Lakes Against Unsafe Gas Drilling" at the State Theater.
Show time is 8 pm. Reserved seating is $12.50 - $24.50.
Proceeds benefit the Shaleshock Citizens Action Alliance: www.shaleshock.org.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Remember, though: Ithaca is different. In 2000, more Ithacans voted for Ralph Nader for president than for George Bush. In 2008, Tompkins County was the only county outside of New York City to vote for Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.
When a group of Ithacans left the county last week for a public hearing on fracking, they were the only voices in opposition. The others were for taking the money the gas companies are offering, and worrying about poisoned water later.
So: it will be an uphill fight. Whatever support you can give is crucial.
On Saturday 5 December, the three leading bands from Ithaca play a benefit for the effort. Donna the Buffalo, the Horseflies, and the Sim Redmond Band unite for "Life Is Water: A Concert to Defend the Finger Lakes Against Unsafe Gas Drilling" at the State Theater.
Show time is 8 pm. Reserved seating is $12.50 - $24.50.
Proceeds benefit the Shaleshock Citizens Action Alliance: www.shaleshock.org.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is foremost among holidays at withstanding commercialization. Funny, as it is the prototypical American holiday, and commercialization is practically our national hobby.
Last week in Ithaca a Native American man speaking about the history of Thanksgiving said he sure does celebrate the holiday, as it was originally half his peoples', and its intent is to celebrate peace.
It can be a particularly peaceful day, or at least quiet, as it is a secular holiday, so almost everyone observes it, and almost no one works. We remember a Thanksgiving morning a few years ago with a light snow on the ground at about 9 a.m., and absolutely no tire tracks on downtown streets. None. That is a quiet morning.
We wish you a happy day, with a full table in a full house, and a heart full of peace.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Last week in Ithaca a Native American man speaking about the history of Thanksgiving said he sure does celebrate the holiday, as it was originally half his peoples', and its intent is to celebrate peace.
It can be a particularly peaceful day, or at least quiet, as it is a secular holiday, so almost everyone observes it, and almost no one works. We remember a Thanksgiving morning a few years ago with a light snow on the ground at about 9 a.m., and absolutely no tire tracks on downtown streets. None. That is a quiet morning.
We wish you a happy day, with a full table in a full house, and a heart full of peace.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
All 3 Ithaca P&C's To Close?
News came this morning that the parent company of P&C supermarkets is bankrupt, and will close its three Ithaca stores.
Apparently there is a possibility that a store, or stores, could re-open; but the parent company is in the middle of, not beginning, bankruptcy proceedings, so from outside it seems unlikely.
It is hard to imagine that the East Hill branch does not make money, with its favorable geographic and demographic location. But it might be more valuable to the company to sell than operate.
We are sorry for P&C's workers, who number over 100 in Ithaca.
Certainly, P&C has a legacy in Ithaca. But, among other factors, the arrival of Wegman's signaled a new era of high standards among food markets here.
For the sake of its workers, and the community at large, we hope the management of Tops is thinking hard.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Apparently there is a possibility that a store, or stores, could re-open; but the parent company is in the middle of, not beginning, bankruptcy proceedings, so from outside it seems unlikely.
It is hard to imagine that the East Hill branch does not make money, with its favorable geographic and demographic location. But it might be more valuable to the company to sell than operate.
We are sorry for P&C's workers, who number over 100 in Ithaca.
Certainly, P&C has a legacy in Ithaca. But, among other factors, the arrival of Wegman's signaled a new era of high standards among food markets here.
For the sake of its workers, and the community at large, we hope the management of Tops is thinking hard.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Review Preview: Wildfire Lounge
Ithaca Blog has been getting copious hits by people searching for info on Wildfire Lounge, the new restaurant in the old space of the Lost Dog Cafe, on S. Cayuga St.
We will have a chance to provide knowledge and insights after tomorrow, when we will visit the place, not only to meal up, but also to see a show created by Natasha Pickowicz, the talented writer and energetic promoter who apparently will soon leave Ithaca.
Natasha's niche has been presenting emerging musicians in appreciative settings for not much admittance fee, reflecting her own DIY sensibility, enthusiasm, and knowledge and love of music.
The headliners tomorrow are actually pretty much emerged. Richie Stearns will grace the stage, playing, we gather, experimental and new rather than old-timey stuff. Matt Valentine and Erika Elder, who have worked and toured nationally with acts such as Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth, purvey what Ms. Pickowicz describes as rural blues/psych rock/free folk. The duo has an affinity for Michael Hurley, which is enough for us.
Admittance is $5. Doors open at 8 and the show is scheduled for 9.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We will have a chance to provide knowledge and insights after tomorrow, when we will visit the place, not only to meal up, but also to see a show created by Natasha Pickowicz, the talented writer and energetic promoter who apparently will soon leave Ithaca.
Natasha's niche has been presenting emerging musicians in appreciative settings for not much admittance fee, reflecting her own DIY sensibility, enthusiasm, and knowledge and love of music.
The headliners tomorrow are actually pretty much emerged. Richie Stearns will grace the stage, playing, we gather, experimental and new rather than old-timey stuff. Matt Valentine and Erika Elder, who have worked and toured nationally with acts such as Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth, purvey what Ms. Pickowicz describes as rural blues/psych rock/free folk. The duo has an affinity for Michael Hurley, which is enough for us.
Admittance is $5. Doors open at 8 and the show is scheduled for 9.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, November 20, 2009
New Gimme Coffee Opens On Green Street
Gimme Coffee has opened a new shop on Green St., in a space leased from TCAT.
TCAT solicited a coffee shop to accommodate bus patrons at its Green Street terminus, where every bus starts, stops, or passes.
Until now, there was no inside space accommodating commuters at Green Street.
The coffeeshop is located between the library and Urban Outfitters, across the street from the new Cinemapolis.
Hours are 7 am - 9 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
TCAT solicited a coffee shop to accommodate bus patrons at its Green Street terminus, where every bus starts, stops, or passes.
Until now, there was no inside space accommodating commuters at Green Street.
The coffeeshop is located between the library and Urban Outfitters, across the street from the new Cinemapolis.
Hours are 7 am - 9 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Gas Drilling Rally & Hearing, Thursday 19 November
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation holds a hearing tonight on proposals for chemical drilling for gas deposits in our region.
The hearing is at the State Theater, at 7 pm.
Doors open at 6 pm for persons who wish to sign up to speak.
Organizations against the drilling urge citizens to arrive early, claiming that industry representatives have packed other hearings, to keep opponents out.
Shaleshock, a local grassroots group opposing the drilling, will hold a rally on the Commons before the hearing. The rally starts at 4:30 pm.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The hearing is at the State Theater, at 7 pm.
Doors open at 6 pm for persons who wish to sign up to speak.
Organizations against the drilling urge citizens to arrive early, claiming that industry representatives have packed other hearings, to keep opponents out.
Shaleshock, a local grassroots group opposing the drilling, will hold a rally on the Commons before the hearing. The rally starts at 4:30 pm.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Ithaca Hours on Local TV News Tonight
News 10 Now is scheduled to air a segment on Ithaca Hours, the local currency, tonight.
The first showing is at 6 pm. It repeats throughout the night, on a schedule we are not quite aware of.
It was quite a blow to Ithaca when channel 10 became a regional news show rather than local. These days there is a lot more about Syracuse, Binghamton, and even Watertown than us. So we like to alert people when we know of an Ithaca segment.
Of course, we generally only know of them when we appear in them. Part of tonight's segment on Hours was shot here at Small World Music, physical home of Ithaca Blog, and an Ithaca Hours business.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The first showing is at 6 pm. It repeats throughout the night, on a schedule we are not quite aware of.
It was quite a blow to Ithaca when channel 10 became a regional news show rather than local. These days there is a lot more about Syracuse, Binghamton, and even Watertown than us. So we like to alert people when we know of an Ithaca segment.
Of course, we generally only know of them when we appear in them. Part of tonight's segment on Hours was shot here at Small World Music, physical home of Ithaca Blog, and an Ithaca Hours business.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Ithaca Weekend, Nov. 13 - 15
Fri. 13 Nov.: A band named Hee Haw Nightmare doesn't figure to be scared of Friday the 13th. Neither does eternally intrepid Ani DiFranco. They are at Felicia's at 5:30. She is at the State at 8.
CDs by both these performers are available at Small World Music, in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books, on the Commons.
* * *
Sat. 14 Nov.: 17th Annual Tibetan Cultural Day. Tibetan food, art, and performance. 10:30 - 3:30, St. Paul's Methodist Church, 402 N. Aurora St. For tickets, call 273-0739 or 351-6257.
* * *
Sun. 15 Nov.: Celebration of African and African-American Art. Johnson Museum, Cornell, 1-4 pm. Free.
Enter the Haggis. Off-kilter Celtic, at Castaways, 8 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
CDs by both these performers are available at Small World Music, in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books, on the Commons.
* * *
Sat. 14 Nov.: 17th Annual Tibetan Cultural Day. Tibetan food, art, and performance. 10:30 - 3:30, St. Paul's Methodist Church, 402 N. Aurora St. For tickets, call 273-0739 or 351-6257.
* * *
Sun. 15 Nov.: Celebration of African and African-American Art. Johnson Museum, Cornell, 1-4 pm. Free.
Enter the Haggis. Off-kilter Celtic, at Castaways, 8 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Gimme Coffee, Mott Street
We recently spent a week in New York City and in order to show off our provincial pride in Ithaca we took our Manhattan hosts to Mott Street, to the Gimme Coffee outpost there.
Gimme's first foray into NYC was a branch in Williamsburg, the first stop in Brooklyn on the L train from Manhattan. It didn't take long for the accolades to come. Entry into Manhattan might not have been inevitable, but must have beckoned big the while.
The Mott Street location is small, like half a subway car. The block is stylish, which means a lot of stores selling expensive things no one needs; the good coffee at Gimme is the exception.
Inside, it looks like Ithaca, with familiar Gimme accoutrements and design, including the fonts on the menu board.
It felt funny to be inside a seeming slice of Ithaca within Manhattan, as if a Wizard of Oz type tornado had swept the place up and plunked it down, far off.
Even the swirl on top of the froth was familiar. Of course, the coffee was great.
Will you go? If you do, we have something else on Mott Street to recommend: the Buddha Bodai restaurant.
The Buddha Bodai is one of those only-in-NY type places: Chinese, vegan, and kosher. A true, and unique, triple threat.
It is all the way down Mott Street, at #5, near the street's southern end. It's a pleasant walk through Chinatown, which burgeons in earnest south of Canal Street.
The restaurant is bright and spotless. The menu is simple, with vegan takes on American-style Chinese food. The food is fresh and delicious. The prices are too low.
We had lunch specials that were so filling, fine and cheap that I don't recall exactly what they included or cost. I just remember great plates of food, excellent hot and sour soup, fortifying tea, and an easy, light exit.
Mott Street also has a bunch of bakeries with pastries that average about a dollar a pop. There is nothing refined about them but the sugar. They are great and we bought what amounted to a few pounds worth for less than a saw.
Mott Street has character and centuries of history that you can feel. We congratulate the Gimme crew on joining it.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Gimme's first foray into NYC was a branch in Williamsburg, the first stop in Brooklyn on the L train from Manhattan. It didn't take long for the accolades to come. Entry into Manhattan might not have been inevitable, but must have beckoned big the while.
The Mott Street location is small, like half a subway car. The block is stylish, which means a lot of stores selling expensive things no one needs; the good coffee at Gimme is the exception.
Inside, it looks like Ithaca, with familiar Gimme accoutrements and design, including the fonts on the menu board.
It felt funny to be inside a seeming slice of Ithaca within Manhattan, as if a Wizard of Oz type tornado had swept the place up and plunked it down, far off.
Even the swirl on top of the froth was familiar. Of course, the coffee was great.
Will you go? If you do, we have something else on Mott Street to recommend: the Buddha Bodai restaurant.
The Buddha Bodai is one of those only-in-NY type places: Chinese, vegan, and kosher. A true, and unique, triple threat.
It is all the way down Mott Street, at #5, near the street's southern end. It's a pleasant walk through Chinatown, which burgeons in earnest south of Canal Street.
The restaurant is bright and spotless. The menu is simple, with vegan takes on American-style Chinese food. The food is fresh and delicious. The prices are too low.
We had lunch specials that were so filling, fine and cheap that I don't recall exactly what they included or cost. I just remember great plates of food, excellent hot and sour soup, fortifying tea, and an easy, light exit.
Mott Street also has a bunch of bakeries with pastries that average about a dollar a pop. There is nothing refined about them but the sugar. They are great and we bought what amounted to a few pounds worth for less than a saw.
Mott Street has character and centuries of history that you can feel. We congratulate the Gimme crew on joining it.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Three Seatings for Benefit Latin Dinner on Tues. 10 Nov.
Mary Anne Grady of La Cocina Latina was at Farmers Market this morning buying more garlic for her catering gig this Tuesday.
La Cocina Latina is cooking for a benefit dinner sponsored by CUSLAR (the Committee on U.S. - Latin American Relations)to close the School of the Americas.
The School of the Americas, in Fort Benning, Georgia, is a taxpayer-funded military facility that trains right-wing Latin American forces implicated in brutal killings of civilians - including religious workers, and U.S. citizens.
The annual Convergence on Fort Benning is November 20 - 22. Proceeds from the dinner benefit the action.
Mary Anne Grady is a well-known peace activist - and Latin American cook. Her black beans and chicken are renowned around town. Not to mention her flan.
There are 3 seatings for the dinner: 6, 7:30, and 9 pm. Tickets are $12, or $25 for families, or call Mary Anne at 273-7437 for sliding scale rates. The location is the Oasis Dance Club (formerly the Common Ground), 1230 Danby Road.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
La Cocina Latina is cooking for a benefit dinner sponsored by CUSLAR (the Committee on U.S. - Latin American Relations)to close the School of the Americas.
The School of the Americas, in Fort Benning, Georgia, is a taxpayer-funded military facility that trains right-wing Latin American forces implicated in brutal killings of civilians - including religious workers, and U.S. citizens.
The annual Convergence on Fort Benning is November 20 - 22. Proceeds from the dinner benefit the action.
Mary Anne Grady is a well-known peace activist - and Latin American cook. Her black beans and chicken are renowned around town. Not to mention her flan.
There are 3 seatings for the dinner: 6, 7:30, and 9 pm. Tickets are $12, or $25 for families, or call Mary Anne at 273-7437 for sliding scale rates. The location is the Oasis Dance Club (formerly the Common Ground), 1230 Danby Road.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
We Like That Samurai Sushi, Toaster Oven Or Not
$2.95 sushis make a pretty resplendent lunch, and that's what we had today, as posted earlier.
We will remark upon the salmon skin sushi. We like to try new things, and liked it well enough, though we noticed that a toaster oven was involved in its preparation, which seemed strange. Isn't sushi raw?
We didn't ask, because we didn't want to start anything, plus what do we know? The first time we ever prepared guacamole, we included the skin of the avocado, because the recipe didn't say not to. (We were only 19, but, and figured out the mistake pretty fast.)
on the culinary forefronts,
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We will remark upon the salmon skin sushi. We like to try new things, and liked it well enough, though we noticed that a toaster oven was involved in its preparation, which seemed strange. Isn't sushi raw?
We didn't ask, because we didn't want to start anything, plus what do we know? The first time we ever prepared guacamole, we included the skin of the avocado, because the recipe didn't say not to. (We were only 19, but, and figured out the mistake pretty fast.)
on the culinary forefronts,
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
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