Spend a Couple Minutes »Carved Candles from Enchantments

424 East 9th Street

You might be surprised but one of the coolest purchases I’ve made in the city came from an East Village magic/witch/head shop called “Enchantments“.

Like any subculture establishment, you may feel out of place when you first arrive or at least as though you might be intruding (like the familiar feeling of a woman entering a gaming shop, hearing the Magic the Gathering game come to a screeching halt as she patters by in high heels).
But the key, as really in any place you expect costumer service, is to be polite and respectful.

I was looking for a magic candle. I burned one for good luck while pregnant with Van from the Pharmacia Millionaire in Los Angeles and he turned out awesome so, of course, I wanted one for my new pregnancy.

Unlike my experience in LA, Enchantments will hand carve a candle for you, depending on your needs. It is then decorated (in my case with gold glitter and bronze) an encantation is performed (mine involved pennies, honey and inscense) and you walk away with a pretty sweet looking item for your house and superstitious mind.

Skeptical at first, my accompanying friend decided she may like one for herself to bless her upcoming wedding. It’s a much more satisfying experience than I had even hoped for.

Enchantments is also your source more any witchcraft needs including herbs and talismans.

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Posted on April 22, 2012

Desserts »Birthday Cake Truffles

at Momofuku Milk, 251 E 13th st

On one hand, there’s a very alarming Times article about the dangers of sugar but on the other, Momofuku Milk is now offering Birthday Cake Truffles!

And Birthday Cake is one of my favorite things on the planet. When it was knocked out of the Jezebel Cake vs. Pie Tournament I was much more upset than was reasonable.

One great thing about getting older is that our peers are now in charge of things. Whether it’s media or food, most everything is made in new and inventive ways, usually reflecting what we loved growing up. Momofuku pastry chef Christina Tosi is a perfect example.

I am willing to bet she also had sleep overs that involved a shared messy bowl of raw cake batter (or were my friends and I particularly indulgent?). Well, at least I assume she got to lick the spoon in the kitchen.

These truffles are a delicious way to relive those days and economical compared to the pricey but awesome whole cakes on offer.

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Posted on April 29, 2011

Desserts »Gift Box Cake

at De Robertis, 176 1st Avenue

Leave it to the over hundred year old East Village bakery De Robertis to make my New Years just a little bit sweeter. This adorable gift box cake with chocolate ganache, a marzipan bright red bow, chocolate mousse, and raspberry filling was superbly delicious without being overly sweet or rich. I love that this corner of Old New York is still alive and well and making goodies that make my belly smile.

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Posted on January 9, 2011

Desserts »NYC Icy

100 Avenue A

First, People’s Pops and now NYC Icy, this is turning into my summer of frozen treat delight!  This critical fave seems to have opened, closed, reopened all over the city many times before settling into this hole in the wall shop off Thompson Square park. I haven’t been in the area but have been meaning to swing by and curse myself for not making the trip sooner. Soft, smooth sorbets and cream ices come in an array of tantalizing flavors. I opted for a tart but balanced blueberry lemonade and an absolutely amazing and refreshing cucumber. Jim’s malted chocolate was quite decadent. I really can’t recommend this place enough and can’t wait to go back for more (then eat it in front of the gutter punks).

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Posted on August 22, 2010

Drinks »Gem Spa Egg Cream

131 2nd Avenue

Gem Spa, a corner over-sized bodega, cluttered with cheap sunglasses and trinkets doesn’t strike one instantly as the very best place to find anything, but they boast, in their signage at least, to have the best egg cream in New York. Having not tested every egg cream out there, but having had my share of separated ones that have that strange tongue coating plastic-ness caused by incorrect balance of ingredients. I can say that this one, offered in a paper cup with no fanfare or even a smile is pretty excellent. I’d definitely go back to get an egg cream fix- Brooklyn (vanilla) style of course. It’s such a temperamental though simple drink that you want to make sure you get one that’s made right, plus Gem Spa’s a bit of old New York and one of the few places left to get the native beverage.

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Posted on June 27, 2010

Restaurants »Soba-ya

229 East 9th Street

Ever end up in a pickle when you crave noodles, but it’s too warm for ramen? Enter Soba-ya where the dishes are offered cold and absolutely delicious. I loved, loved loved, my meal of cold udon, dipping sauce, and tiny shrimp and leaf tempura.

It was the kind of meal (sans tempura) that I could eat any time of the day, any day of the week. I’ve had the dish elsewhere, but there’s something indefinably special about the noodles here, which is probably why there were throngs of people waiting for a table by the time we left.

The authentic spot does unique takes on their appetizers, offering a shrimp ball with soft noodle shell version of shumai and veggie options like fried taro in broth, which was excellent.

The staff is polite and the crowd is hip to the fact that this is a step above some other St Mark’s area eateries. The restaurant also boasts a washlet, which you’ll read more about in this week’s how to spend a couple minutes section.

Click here for the rest of Soba-ya

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Posted on April 11, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Bellisimo

125 4th Avenue

Clean, kindly, and convenient: Bellissimo, right near Union Square, was the perfect spot for a much needed pampering with an equally frazzled co-worker. We opted for a pedicure with a ten minute foot massage that was heavenly. I loved the selection of colors as well as the funky soft beads your feet soak in. Next time I’ll be sure to partake in one of their back massages.

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Posted on April 4, 2010

Spend a Couple Hours »Facial

35 E 1st Street

My very first facial was serene and relaxing at Sakura Salon (home of the awesome manicures I’ve raved about). They have a small, secluded spa room where the sounds of ocean waves and birds chirping really take you away. The woman was gentle and the products were nicely scented… it was thoroughly peaceful. I had a gift certificate for a mini facial (thanks again Astrid!!) but opted to extend my treatment to a full hour, which includes a neck and shoulder massage and extractions.

I had been warned that extraction could be painful from friends, but it really wasn’t bad at all. If you need to be pampered, this is certainly a very excellent way to go about it.

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Posted on February 21, 2010

Spend a Couple Hours »Sakura Nail Salon

35 East 1st Street

Sakura Nail Salon is one of the few spots in the city where you can get Calgel nail art, a nail-healthy, shiny polish that protects nails as it makes them look totally awesome. While the artists (Fumiko and Hitomi are the best!) can create nearly anything your heart desires (I toyed with the idea of cats on thumbs) one of the most popular treatments is the ombre manicure. I opted blood red fading into clear, which allows my nails to grow without an obvious line where the manicure stops and gives me the look of a vampire that’s just had a messy meal. I added some bling in way of crystals on my pointer fingers. Astrid went bolder in color and got blue fading to black with gold lightning bolts on her thumbs. (see photos below/after the jump.)

Really, the only limit is your imagination. Online I saw a Mondrian manicure which is quite enviable; black lace, which was requested by a young French woman while we were there, would also be cool. Sadly that girl was super pissed because it wasn’t possible – which leads me to my biggest warning/recommendation: Make an appointment!! and specifically ask for Calgel Nail Art if you want anything special, otherwise you’ll be pencilled in for a regular (though, surely wonderful) manicure and look on sadly/angrily as those with more diligent phone skills get all sorts of specialness on their nails. The calgel manicure takes about an hour and a half.

True, it’s a pricey treatment, especially with any add ons like crystals, but, in theory, Calgel can last at least three weeks, which makes the high price a little less shocking. Regular manicures, by the way, without the ever-lasting Calgel, are comparably priced to other salons. The ambiance here is serene and friendly and the staff offers all sorts of discounts to bring you back. For example, you get 30% off if you come back with a friend. And speaking of friends, I want to thank my friend Astrid once again for what is probably one of the coolest birthday gifts ever! Think she may have started a personal, money leaking obsession…

Click here for the rest of Sakura Nail Salon

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Posted on January 24, 2010

Restaurants »Baoguette Cafe

Baoguette Cafe37 St Mark’s Place (between 2nd Ave & 1st Ave)

While sitting down to write an essay about my favorite sandwich has me feeling a smidge like Liz Lemon, banh mi (a French/Vietnamese sandwich served on a baguette stuffed with pickled carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, chile peppers, pate, mayonnaise and more) is something I love so much that I honestly don’t care if I’m betraying a deal-breaking character quality (I’ve already written about Phish – twice this week…).

I’ve long been a fan of Vietnam Banh Mi So 1 on Broome Street and Nicky’s on 2nd Avenue, so when Silent H opened its doors on Berry Street and banh mi became available locally, I was totally psyched. Sadly, the price, service and hours they chose to serve sandwiches during (weekdays noon to 4), made me less than happy…

Recently, An Nhau’s banh mi shop on Bedford and North 7th has changed my life (I must eat at least one meatball sandwich a week). The sandwiches are cheap, delicious and prepared in about three minutes, but when Brittany and I were out in the EV a few nights ago, we grabbed dinner at Baoguette Cafe.

I automatically ordered the classic #1 banh mi sandwich (pork terine, pate, pulled pork, fresh herbs) and it was amazing – but totally heavy duty, I was actually having a hard time finishing (the pulled pork is no joke) – and Brittany totally scored with beef vermicelli noodles (the waitress recommended the beef over the chicken bun dish).

We got to the restaurant at around 6:45 and it was gloriously devoid of any other diners, but by 7:15 dudes were beginning to pack the tiny interior – so go early!

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Posted on December 6, 2009