FINANCIAL DISTRICT
What started as what protesters claimed to be a "peaceful" movement has turned into a full-on clash with authorities and residents of NYC alike. Two months ago, I posted my first coverage of Occupy Wall Street and the local disruption and was met with vehement denials that it wasn't about "disrupting" or "annoying." Turns out that's exactly what they've purposely done. Today's ambush of the subways prove that more than ever. My argument was if they wanted to piss off the "bad guys" on Wall Street they should be in midtown, where the banks really are, and they should definitely be marching to D.C. where the corrupt politicians are. The counter-argument was that it was about "symbolism" not actually affecting the guys responsible for the recession. That makes absolutely no sense to me. So instead of raising hell near the White House and in front of the actual banks, you're going to disrupt the daily lives of local businesses and residents who ARE "the 99%" and just trying to get by like everyone else? Because that's who is really affected everyday in all of this. I live in the Financial District and I'm moving by next month, largely because of the protest. The quality of life here has declined. What was once a clean, peaceful neighborhood has been taken over by mobs of angry, entitled protesters who have also attracted plenty of criminals and drifters who are riding the coattail of the "movement." Authorities arrested an Occupy Wall Street protester yesterday who was handing out flyers on how to build bombs and ranted on a YouTube video saying "We're going to burn New York City to the f--king ground!" Numerous times I've been accosted and unable to get home without showing my I.D. There's constant yelling and sirens. I've seen protesters harassing men in suits walking by. How is that okay? It feels like a warzone. In America.
As of Saturday, September 17th, protesters have officially "occupied" Wall Street. Again. In an attempt to annoy "suits" and those working in finance, groups such as Anonymous and Adbusters have taken over the section between Broadway and Water in a protest against corporate greed. Again. To the annoyance of local residents (such as myself). Perhaps they didn't get the memo that most of the banks and "bad guys" now occupy Midtown --not Wall Street. With the exception of NYSE, Deutsche Bank and Bank of New York, most financial firms abandoned the area years ago. I get that protesting the actual street named "Wall" is symbolic but most of the people they're actually affecting are residents and non-banking related businesses that now occupy the area. In other words, if the whole point is to annoy the actual "suits", their target demographic is off. If they really want to piss off the banks and corporate a-holes, why aren't they in Midtown? Personally, I don't get it, and I'm not really sure why no one else is asking the same question. While it's a worthy cause, they should be hitting the banks where it counts --Midtown!
In a city where nightlife is in abundance, and you can find absolutely anything with the touch of a button, it may be easier to stick to the same old places we know and love. We all know that good service and atmosphere are a 50/50 chance, so trying something different can be hard. Well, if you're craving something, or some place new, then feel free to break out of those old-habit chains, NYC and welcome these hot new bars and lounges.
Living Room Bar and Terrace, 123 Washington Street, New York, NY 10006
Starwood has read our minds recently, and given FiDi this eclectic nouveau lounge, the Living Room Bar and Terrace. This chic downtown desire opened August 18th 2011, just in time for the end of summer. Like a billowy ocean wave, the LED lighting installation by Lamella, drapes across the ceiling to give a fun, open vibe unlike most of the usual modern bars of Wall Street. The lights reflect the black granite floors to create a vortex-like (think Tron:Legacy) atmosphere. But don’t worry, you won't get stuck in Tron world for too long; the neutral tan leather and purple accents warm the space to give a homier feel. And how could we forget the floor to ceiling windows, the chic wraparound terrace and most incredibly, the view of downtown Manhattan. If you’re bored with the view (or hungry) there are specially designed board games, light bites and an exciting cocktail list created by Charlotte Voisey of Rose Bar. Prices start at $15 with specialty options like the Lychee Blossom- Belvedere orange blossom with lychee juice, lemon, and peychaud bitters or the Bond Street Sparkler- Champagne with elderflower liquor with blackberries, and fresh mint.
As the end of summer quickly approaches, you may find yourself kissing goodbye those hopes of escaping to the Hamptons for a mini-vacay. If it’s the beach you’re looking for, then no worries. Water Taxi Beach at Governor's Island has got you covered. With a great location just minutes off the coast of Lower Manhattan, a seaside daycation is close and possible. It is as easy as a four minute ferry ride from the Battery Maritime building in the Financial District. A ferry will bring you across the glistening Hudson River to Governor’s island. The ride is free so be prepared to wait in line for up to twenty minutes.
It's lunchtime in the Financial District and as offices empty, Town Hall is packed with crisp suits and briefcases. Town Hall is the place to be for a business lunch or even just a gourmet rendezvous. Sipping on a cappuccino at noon, I watched the place fill in a matter of minutes, waiters efficiently fulfilling orders for American Regional Cuisine with a lot of Southern flavor. On this visit, I enjoyed a Crispy Shrimp Po-Boy with horseradish remoulade, heirloom tomatoes, lettuce, and sweet potato chips. Wallets being a bit tight these days, I leave you with a Town Hall recipe you can make at home.
Benu
22 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Located in the financial district, Benu opens its doors to customers tomorrow. Already filled with reserved tables, Benu is booked until late September. With only 46 seats available at the house, these seats go out quick. Check OpenTable for any availabilities or if a certain occasion to celebrate is coming soon, why not make it memorable by dining at Benu?
Benu is similar to The French Laundry but has a more modern feel. Chef Corey Lee, protégé of Thomas Keller, hopes to offer the same type of atmosphere but for a less expensive price. With spacious width and tall ceilings, the restaurant appears very elegant. The subtle colors of the furniture and walls provide a very calm and pleasing to the eye setting.
Crêpes
Du Nord
17 South
William Street
New York, New
York 10004
(212) 422-9500
www.crepesdunord.com
Cuisine: French/Scandinavian
Price: Very reasonable
Hello, my culinary cherubs. What do we have today? Ah, yes: a nice little frolic in taste heaven with the crêpe gods! Affectionately bestowed upon us mortals from the owners and creators of Smorgas Chef, comes Crêpes Du Nord, a French-Scandinavian crêperie and wine bar, that's recently been charming the fancies of diners in the Financial District.
Last night, 1834 Bar & Burger held their grand opening on 62 Pearl Street in the Financial District, the former home of the French bar and restaurant Perle. Boasting four TV screens in the upstairs dining area and 15 monitors in the downstairs lounge, it is absolutely possible to get a glimpse of MLB Spring Training highlights, catch a hockey game, stay updated on March Madness games and brackets, keep tabs on the NBA, and get a little rowdy watching some futbol all at the same time (Isn't March a great month for sports lovers?). While there, choose from a tasty array of burgers on the menu, prepared by celebrity chef Diane Dimeo, a winner of the Food Network's weekly food competition Chopped. Also be sure to take advantage of 1834's truly outrageous March Madness deal of a burger and a beer for only $5 after 5 p.m. until April 1.
An international art exhibit and competition, known as Canstruction, is now on display in the Financial District.
Using only cans of food and bottled drinks, —to later be donated to City Harvest— design firms from around the city built structures now on view at the Winter Garden in the World Financial Center.
It seems that those tasty Mozzarella Sticks are not the only thing you can get at TGI Friday’s. According to the NY Post, a man was arrested last Friday (appropriate, appropriate) for selling cocaine from a TGI Friday’s in the Financial District. It appears he had been dealing from the locale for many years.
The man, one Tony Younge (popular readers who like to party, check your Facebook friends list) had an explanation for his misdeeds: "I got laid off. I was just trying to make ends meet, and that's why I'm selling.” The comment came just before his arraignment in Manhattan Supreme Court on 17 counts of cocaine sale and possession.
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