New York vs. Los Angeles, via Classic Movies

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Turner Classic Movies is pitting Los Angeles against New York on Thursday nights throughout January:

Each Thursday in January, TCM will pit the Big Apple against the City of Angels with a trio of double-features that showcase the cities. The various double-features include “When Animals Attack” on Jan. 1, with King Kong (1933) and Them! (1954); “Kelly vs. Kelly,” with the Gene Kelly musicals On the Town (1949) and Anchors Aweigh (1945); “Simon Says,” with the Neal Simon comedies The Out-of-Towners (1949) and California Suite (1978); and “Broadway vs. Hollywood” with All About Eve (1950) and Sunset Blvd. (1950).

Wonder what a modern NY-LA movie smackdown might consist of…

Maria’s Thursday Three

1. The Story: As a long-time listener of NPR, I was thrilled to discover American Public Media’s “The Story,” hosted by Dick Gordon, while we were driving through Vermont and New Hampshire a few weeks ago. Filled with first-hand accounts, “The Story” gives listeners a chance “to understand events through the experiences of real people.” Their recent series on “Bankers, Brokers and Bandits” gives a good perspective on current events– I originally thought it would be depressing to listen to but it somehow made me think positive on the outcome of our economy. Podcast download? Check.

2. Amai Tea House: If you are ever in New York City, please visit Amai Tea House. Their Matcha Tea Latte is just heavenly and the baked goods are extraordinary, you’ll probably not see their offerings anywhere else. I’ve been following Kelli’s blog for years and her spot in the Gramercy Park area is a sweet haven in a big city.

3. Los Angeles Magazine: Los Angeles Magazine still floats my boat. Sure they have the best guides in restaurants and shopping but their editorial is just superb on all things Los Angeles. Chris Nichols’ column is riddled with all the nerdy details about L.A. you always wanted to know and their investigative story on the Zankou Chicken empire, for instance, provides you with a rare insight on a complex family. The celebrity content? Minimal– how refreshing!

FRANKLIN AVENUE EAST: Visiting the Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Young kids and Manhattan don’t easily mix, although we found on our recent trip that the city is more kid-friendly than you think.

Blogger Preschooler couldn’t get enough of watching the taxi cabs pile up throughout the city. He also became obsessed with the lettered subway trains — and is still playing subway, even back here. Madison Square Park, near our hotel, is very kid friendly, and boasted an excellent, well-used playground.

And since we happened to be in Manhattan the first Friday of October, we were also able to enjoy a free night at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.

The CMOM is tailor-made for kids Evan’s age. All of it is very hands-on, and focuses on problem solving and role playing. The Blogger Preschooler got a kick out of playing on a fake city bus (above; no, the BP isn’t in that shot).

The museum also featured a mini neighborhood (where kids could play postman), a replica fire truck, and a temporary exhibit featuring Dora the Explorer. Target sponsored the free First Friday event; if you happen to be in town the first Friday of the month, with a young kid in tow, it’s worth checking out.

FRANKLIN AVENUE EAST: Visiting the Statue of Liberty

The last time I visited the Statue of Liberty, it was the spring of 1992. A bunch of us had hit the road from Northwestern, driving to New York for what was (for most of us) our first experience in the Big Apple.

We didn’t have any firm plans back then. We just showed up at Castle Clinton at Battery Park, got our tix and hopped on the boat. A short ride later, we were climbing up the steps inside the statue, making our way to the crown.

View from the boat.

More than 16 years later, I was back for the first time during our recent trip. And yes, things have changed. It’s post-9/11, after all, and the Statue is obviously a prime target for nutsos. The security just to get on the boat was just as intense as flying. And we soon discovered that the closest we’d get to Lady Liberty would be the walkway surrounding the statue. Tickets to the statue pedestal (“monument access”) are available — but must be requested in advance (a limited number are available the day of, but I assume those go fast). And obviously, no one’s getting inside the statue these days.

Lady Liberty’s got back!

In the end, just making it to the island and looking at the statue from below was fine. We would have had to go through a second round of security screening just to get up to the pedestal… and really, the view both of Liberty and of Manhattan were just fine from down below.

Tix to get to Liberty Island are $12 for people over 13 (with a discount for seniors), while kids 4-12 are $5. Thankfully, that meant that the Blogger Preschooler was free.

I say thankfully, because ultimately we only stayed on the island for about half an hour. Really, once we took our photos, that was about all there was to do. With the BP eager to make it back to Manhattan, we cut our visit short. We didn’t go to Ellis Island (which I did visit in 1992) — sometimes, when traveling with a little kid, you gotta know your limits.

Rate-A-Restaurant #187: Chickpea

Restaurant: Chickpea

Location: 210 East 14th Street (New York)

Type of restaurant: Falafel/Shawarma

We stipulated: Walking around the Union Square area and East Village, we originally planned to try some noodles at Momofuku, we failed in finding the right one (stumbling across a too-hip-for-the-room, dark joint instead). It started to rain… and we were hungry. So we decided to go simple and hit Chickpea, which had interested us as we walked by earlier. I’m a big fan of Maoz, and figured Chickpea would be cut from the same cloth. It pretty much was — but unlike Maoz, isn’t only vegetarian.

What we ordered: Falafel platter ($7.45), Shawarma plate ($6.95); Shawarma pocket ($6.95)

High point: My falafel platter (above) was fully loaded, with plenty of hummus, falafel pieces, salad and more. Good bargain for $7.45.

Low point:We ordered the shawarma plate with hummus — not realizing that it would be so hummus heavy. Hummus is great for a lot of things, but doesn’t work as a rice or bread subsitute.

Overall impression: The whole assembly-line style fast casual restaurant — popularized by Chipotle — is getting out of hand. Here, they ask you to choose your meal in a step-by-step manner that is just plain confusing — especially since they’re not actually making it as you go along. That’s what led to our hummus debacle.

Chance we’ll go back: When it comes to the battle of the fast casual falafel locations, Chickpea may have a leg up with the meat/chicken option. But in the end, I still prefer Maoz and its build-your-own salad bar, which allows you to really get bang for your buck. And since they’re located so close to each other, I’d probably just head to Maoz instead.

For a complete list of our nearly 190 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #186: Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese

Restaurant: Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese (S’MAC)

Location: 345 East 12th Street (New York)

Type of restaurant: Mac and Cheese

We stipulated: OK, so Evan wasn’t quite interested in Catchdefish — so what might appeal to the 3-year-old’s taste buds? Oh yeah — mac and cheese. Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese, to be exact. An eatery devoted to mac and cheese? Tell me more.

What we ordered: The “All-American” — “Nostalgia at its finest — a tasty blend of American and Cheddar cheeses.” (“Nosh” — $4.25)

High point: We took the Mac and Cheese to go, and didn’t eat it until later — and even cold, it was still great.

Low point: Sarita’s is cramped, and thankfully we were taking our food to go.

Overall impression: A gimmick, yes. But it works.

Chance we’ll go back: If we could, we’d return to try more varieties. We stuck with the simple choice for Evan… next time we’re in town, we’ll go with something more elaborate.

For a complete list of our nearly 185 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #185: Posto Thin-Crust Pizza

Restaurant: Posto Thin Crust

Location: 310 Second Avenue, at 18th St. (New York)

Type of restaurant: Pizza

We stipulated: Evan was down for the count in New York, having been hit hard with an ear infection. As a result, going out to eat was out of the question mid-week. Instead, I decided to grab a pizza and bring it back. But not just any pizza. I’d read about Posto on Chowhound, where foodies raved over the joint’s thin crust. Posto was a few blocks from our hotel — good enough for me.

What we ordered: First visit, the Fafandone (16 inch, $20): Marinara Sauce, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Sweet Italian Sausage, Fresh Mozzarella. Second visit, the ChixPotle (9 inch, $11.00): Marinara Sauce & Cheese, Shredded Chicken braised with our own Chipotle sauce with sautéed Vidalia Onions and Peppers, Fresh Pineapple, Cilantro. Also, Formaggio Bianco (9 inch, $10.00): Fresh Ricotta, Fresh Mozzarella, Spinach, Fresh Basil.

High point: The Fafandone — wow. My favorite pizza in all of New York. Whatta combo, and with that cracker-thin crust, nearly perfect.

Low point: The other two pizzas we tried a few days later weren’t quite as special — shoulda stuck with the Fafandone.

Overall impression: A great NY spot: Located in a small home downstairs in the formerly rough ‘hood, Posto is worth the trip.

Chance we’ll go back: Next time we’re in NYC.

For a complete list of our nearly 185 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #184: Catchdefish Seafood & Thai Kitchen

Restaurant: Catchdefish Seafood & Thai Kitchen

Location: 147 Third Ave / Corner of 15th St (New York)

Type of restaurant: Seafood/Thai

We stipulated: It was our first day in Manhattan, on a Sunday afternoon, and we were hunting for a lunch spot. Walking down Third, we figured we’d find something in the East Village. Passing by Catchdefish, we were taken by the sandwich board sign. Roped in — guess those signs do work.

What we ordered: Wasabi crab cake burger with wasabi mayo, $9 (above); prix fixe special: Cream of carrot soup/chicken skewer/mesculin salad with spicy mayonnaise dressing/salmon steak with green curry sauce, asparagus, thai eggplant, sweet pepper and mushrooms, all for $14 (below).

High point: Maria liked the setup of the restaurant, and it boasted a great view of the street scene, as people walked by. We also liked that the restaurant wasn’t crowded, at least that time of day. And the crab cake burger offered up a nice spice, while the green curry sauce made the salmon. Our biggest praise may have to go to the carrot soup, however.

Low point: Other than the carrot soup, we couldn’t find much on the menu that was kid-friendly for the Blogger Preschooler.

Overall impression: Our Catchdefish experience is a reminder of why we enjoy the city: The whole experience was impromptu. We randomly walked by, it looked inviting, and we managed to make the right call. At $14, the prix fixe menu was a bargain; add to that the $9 crab cake burger, and it made for an economical but tasty lunch. And with the place all to ourselves. we didn’t feel rushed, but instead could linger and enjoy the people watching from our street-level window.

Chance we’ll go back: Perhaps if we lived in NYC we’d make a return trip, but with so many restaurants to try, it’s not a place we’d probably return to in the coming future.

For a complete list of our nearly 185 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Everyone Gangs Up on Los Angeles

Our constantly misunderstood and stereotyped city has been suffering even more knocks — mostly unfair — as of late.

A few recent slights:

– According to the L.A. Times blog L.A. Land, Los Angeles is ranked far behind other major cities in terms of sustainability — even behind Cleveland, Omaha and Dallas:

According to the 2008 SustainLane U.S. City Rankings, which rate the nation’s 50 largest cities in terms of urban sustainability, Los Angeles is behind those cities … and 21 others as well.

The city fell three spots from last year. Why? Well, one clue come from the fact that rankings are based on factors including air quality, roadway congestion, sprawl and housing affordability.

The study blames L.A. suburbia for auto-dependence, heavy freeway congestion, and the second-worst worst air quality (behind Fresno) in the nation.

– Over at the L.A. Times blog L.A. Now, reporter Patrick McGreevy notes that the Northern California state congressional race pitting Thousand Oaks’ Tom McClintock against Charlie Brown (good grief!) is getting nasty — and L.A. is being used as a slur:

Democratic candidate Charlie Brown is running radio ads in the 4th District near Sacramento, attacking Republican contender Tom McClintock as “this guy from L.A.”

Though part of Brown’s point is that McClintock, who represents a district in SoCal, is carpetbagging, there’s a definite anti-L.A. tone in the commercials.

Chides the ad: “L.A. Tom could vote for himself if he would just move here.”

Just one problem — McClintock’s from Thousand Oaks, a quiet little city far from the mean streets of Los Angeles.

– Then there’s Forbes’ list of the nation’s most stressful metro areas. L.A. placed fourth, behind Chicago, New York and Detroit.

I suppose we’re in good company — but as L.A. Land notes, Forbes’ reasoning is a tad suspect:

Unemployment, home prices and gas prices were among the reasons given for L.A.’s placement, as well as having what Forbes called “the worst air quality in the country.” In fact, they went on to explain, “Angelenos often need to stay indoors when the smog gets really bad.” Say what? A show of hands please.

Apparently the Forbes reporter climbed through a time warp to 1965 to deliver that report.

L.A.’s Most Authentic Bagels

After hearing forever about the amazing bagels at Brooklyn Bagel Bakery near Echo Park, we finally decided to seek it out last Saturday.

Located at 2217 Beverly Blvd., Brooklyn Bagel Bakery — which has been around since 1953, pre-dating even the Dodgers’ arrival from the New York borough — isn’t pretty to look at. You simply walk in, order your bagels and go. There are no tables and chairs and no fancy coffee drinks (they’d probably make a killing if there were) — it’s all about the bagels.

Online comments from transplanted New Yorkers are bubbling with praise. For us, the bagels were… good. The fact that they maintained such a nice, soft texture even though they’d been sitting out there for some time was impressive. But maybe the hype was too high, or I’m not enough of a bagel nut, as I couldn’t tell a big difference between these and others I’ve had.

Nonetheless, they were still good bagels. We also appreciated the sheer variety of bagels — We bought a sesame, an egg, a jalapeno and a cranberry one, and were pleased with all of them. But with nowhere to go with our bagels, we drove around the neighborhood in vain, looking for coffee. We finally, sadly, ended up at the Lucy’s Laundromat in Echo Park, were a Starbucks sits across from a row of $6.95 mega washing machines.

More pics: