LOWER EAST SIDE
The Lower East Side is about to get a flashback to it's days when The Slipper Room dominated 167 Orchard Street. The top palace of variety and commander of the burlesque movement in NYC has re-launched with a renovated space to feature a wide range of vaudville-esque acts including music, magic, comedy, and more.
"Since we originally opened, The Slipper Room was not just a center for burlesque but for the entire arts community in NYC," co-owner James Habacker said. "The theater became a home-away-from-home for so many unique artists in the city and across the world, and we can't wait to finally welcome them back when we re-open."
Earth Matters has been around for 11 years in the Lower East Side on Ludlow Street. Even though many chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have been opening up in across the city, places like this, thankfully, still survive.
Earth Matters is both a health food store and eatery. Their retail section consists of produce from big suppliers, along with some of the farmers in the area. They also sell products like tea, coconut water, bulk nuts, skin care materials and assorted supplements. Their refrigerators also stock ready-made meals like “Better than Pasta” kelp noodles or macrobiotic dumplings. With such a wide assortment of interesting food, Mimi, the owner, suggests for newcomers to try out their raw desserts, especially the raw cinnamon roll.
Straight out of New York's Lower East Side, indie-electronic duo, The Knocks, has been blowing up recently by putting out their own brand of dance music. Known for their viral remixes of tracks by the likes of Katy Perry, M83, and Dragonette, Ben "B-Roc" Ruttner and James "Jpatt" Patterson bring a sound we can only describe as falling somewhere between retro and new. What we do know is that it definitely makes us want to dance!
Just before a performance at Mansion Nightclub, the two sat down with Joonbug at the Perry Hotel in South Beach to tell us a little bit about their musical roots, their career goals, and what life is like for an artist in NYC.
Eldridge Street, on the Lower East Side, has changed yet remained mainly the same for as long as many of the longtime residents can remember. The neighborhood is mainly comprised of Chinese and Dominican families, combined Chinese and Spanish grocers, and underground nightclubs that only locals can spot. Slowly, with the opening of a few art galleries and other day-businesses the neighborhood has begun to change. Nestled among residential buildings on Eldridge Street between Delancey and Broome is the small specialty bakery, Panade Puffs & Pastries and we mean SMALL—the bakery is a whopping 250-square feet.
The DL, located on the corner of Delancey and Ludlow, opened its doors last month in the former space of The Ludlow Manor. The goal of this new restaurant venture is to bring “high quality food and a new experience to the Lower East Side.” The 3-level intimate eatery has an upscale lounge appeal with vaulted ceilings with intricate metalwork, hanging crystal chandeliers, and high-backed leather booths lining the wall opposite their spacious bar. The DL is an ideal restaurant for those looking to grab a casual drink, the perfect spot for a dinner date, or for a post-club, late night snack. Executive Chef Wesley Wobles has created an internationally-influenced tapas menu that will be offered to diners every night of the week until 3 a.m. Wesley’s small plate dishes encompass every corner of the globe and represents nearly every ethnicity while he simultaneously “reimagine[s] comfort food with a modern twist.” No matter your palate, finicky or adventurous, The DL offers something for everyone.
On Thursday, April 26th at 7:00pm, check out Taste of the Lower East Side, an exciting night of unlimited food and drinks to benefit local families in need. Guests will enjoy endless food tastings from the neighborhood's hottest restaurants, including Beauty & Essex, barrio chino, Clinton St. Baking Co., CO-OP Food & Drink, Inoteca, The Meatball Shop, The Stanton Social, Think Coffee and many more. The event will also feature an open bar with creative cocktails, a lively silent auction, raffle prizes and a live DJ, the event is a must for foodies, proud locals and those who love partying for a good cause.
Amidst reports that he was booted from managing Ludlow Manor, Luc Carl claims he was "used" by the troubled club for free publicity. Ludlow Manor, which opened in November 2011 to mermaids and mullets, has struggled from day one. From opposition of local community board members, to getting its liquor license suspended by the State Liquor Authority just 2 months later, the multi-million dollar venture has been a bust.
The club, which is set to open back up tonight (sans liquor) according to The Lodown, has brought in New York Nightlife Association head, Paul Seres, in an attempt to salvage the tainted venue. And Luc Carl, better known as Lady Gaga's ex, is less than pleased about it. As reported by Steven Kurutz of the New York Times:
On Thursday, March 29th at 8:00pm, The Nature Conservancy will host "Cocktails Under the Canopy: A Benefit for LEAF" in support of Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future, an ambitious program to train the next generation of environmental leaders by targeting the largely underrepresented urban youth population. This exciting event includes an open bar, live music, a silent auction and sustainable food plates from renowned NYC chefs, including: Jonathan Waxman of Barbuto, Jimmy Bradley of The Red Cat and The Harrison, Johnny Campanaro of The Little Owl, and Jason Giagande, Director of Food Service Operations and Events for NBCUniversal.
Seems like the troubled new spot, Ludlow Manor, just can't catch a break. Last Wednesday, the owners faced a hearing before the State Liquor Authority following the Community Board 3 complaints of “multiple misrepresentations” by the owners, which include Georgie Seville and allegedly Lady Gaga's ex Luc Carl. According to Blackbook, a $10,000 fine was assessed.
Ludlow Manor was approved for a ground-floor liquor permit last fall. However, they did not receive a permit for the second or third floors (though rumors are they were serving liquor illegally on both floors, leading to complaints by CB3.) Another curveball was thrown in court when the club's attorney said Carl was not actually an owner, and anyone claiming such was “making an erroneous statement.”
EMM Group, consisting of nightlife "Kings" Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum (SL, Catch, Abe & Arthur's), have been given the green light for their proposed plans at 199 Bowery (formerly Crash Mansion) in the Lower East Side.
Despite worries from local residents that the venue would bring noise and crowds, the planned 18,000 square restaurant/nightclub spot was approved by the Community Board 3′s SLA committee and will make way for the duos first Lower East Side venture. The Asian/Fusion spot will feature a bakery that opens at 6am, headed by pastry chef Thiago Silva, with custom cakes and pastries to appeal to the morning crowd; further expanding on their previously night-time only clientele. Once the sun sets, the entrance leads to a larger restaurant featuring small, tapas-style plates, led by Top Chef winner Hung Huynh. Dine on the main floor or head downstairs for additional seating in a speakeasy-style atmosphere with live music.
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