Molecular gastronomy — also commonly referred to as modernist cuisine — is arguably at its peak in terms of popularity. Incorporating scientifically savvy cooking techniques like liquid nitrogen flash freezing, syringe infusions, and carbon dioxide foams, many of the city’s finest chefs are creating innovative, mouthwatering menus unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. New York is home to some of the most groundbreaking (and more importantly delicious) restaurants in the country, heralded by critics far and wide.

Not sure where to start? Here are our picks for the 7 best molecular gastronomy hotspots in NYC. We guarantee you’ll never look at food the same way again.

1. Atera

(77 Worth St, TriBeCa)

With two Michelin stars under their belt, Tribeca’s Atera is an experience like no other. Chef Matt Lightner’s wealth of experience at some of the finest restaurants in the world (Noma, Mugaritz) creates an elegant tasting menu utilizing some of the most advanced culinary techniques imaginable. At $150 for the tasting menu, it’s certainly not cheap, but it’s one of the best, most exciting meals you’ll find in New York.

2. Degustation

(239 E 5th St, East Village)

Degustation in the East Village is essentially a tapas-style restaurant with a focus on whimsical small plates. The restaurant takes an ingredient-centric approach, weaving bold, standout flavors between dishes that span a global influence, offering a seven-course tasting menu for $85. Expect “culinary foam” and lots of it!

3. Perry St.

(176 Perry St, West Village)

New York is no stranger to restaurants that expertly fuse unexpected combinations of cuisines, and Perry St. is a fine example. Blending both Southeast Asian and French influences, the food at Perry St. is decidedly unique, and the plating is nothing short of eye-catching. “New American” is a label some may put on Perry St., with a strong leaning towards the principles of molecular gastronomy.

4. Aureole

(135 W 42nd St, Theater District)

The gorgeous, elegant dining room at Aureole perfectly frames the equally attractive plates that make their way to the table. Molecular gastronomy is often used to enhance and highlight flavors, and Aureole is an example of how it can also contribute to visual appeal. A fun, incredibly composed menu sets the stage for one of the most unique and varied dining experiences the city has to offer.

5. Eleven Madison Park

(11 Madison Ave, Flatiron)

Not much can be said about Eleven Madison Park that hasn’t been mentioned before by the world’s greatest chefs and food writers. Daniel Humm’s art deco space is a playground for the imagination, both within the kitchen and at the table. It’s one of the most expensive meals in the city, but its reputation exists for good reason. For special occasions, the tasting menu at Eleven Madison Park simply cannot be topped.

6. ABV

(1504 Lexington Ave, East Harlem)

For those who are interested in playful dishes like asparagus ice cream and foie gras fluffernutter, look no further than East Harlem’s ABV. The menu offers something for anyone, no matter how adventurous or restrained their tastes may be. Plus, there are so many different tricks going on in the kitchen, it’s worth a visit alone to see what this talented team comes up with.

7. Betony

(41 W 57th St, Midtown West)

There are restaurants in NYC that claim to be innovative, and then there are those which actually follow through. Betony finds itself squarely in the latter category, with each dish shattering the notions of how many people think of food and dining. Expect plays on old classics, with plenty of molecular gastronomy techniques employed. If you’re in Midtown, Betony is a solid option for a mind-expanding meal.

[Featured Image: Atera]

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc

Ideally you don’t need a map to navigate the subway system — because everyone knows that’s akey component of being a Real New Yorker™ — but if you do, you can’t go wrong with this brilliant bit of cartography from Thrillist.

There’s only so much good the regular subway map will do you. It’s got some pretty colors and it’s good for learning the alphabet if Sesame Street didn’t do it for you back in the day, but other than that, it’s kind of a bore.

The Real Manhattan Subway Map, on the other hand, is useful, exciting, and offensive — which are three of our favorite qualities in a New York City map.

Take a look at what’s happening around Central Park:

Or Inwood:

Or the Financial District:

For the full map in all its tasteless glory, head over to Thrillist. Or don’t, if you’re easily offended.

[Featured Image: Thrillist]

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc

Think you know New York City? Think again.

Behind those famous landmarks and cheesy tourist traps lurk secrets that even the city’s lifelong residents don’t know. There’s a hidden New York — full of mysterious, concealed, forgotten, abandoned, and just plain overlooked facts and features — that would surprise even the most grizzled NYC veteran.

As a New Yorker you like to think you know everything about your beloved Big Apple — from the fastest way to get crosstown to the cart serving the best street meat — but we and a handful of our favorite local bloggers are about to prove you wrong.

1. The famous zodiac mural on the ceiling of Grand Central Terminal’s Main Concourse is a 22,000 square foot mistake, because it’s painted backwards.

Grand Central Terminal is home to an even bigger mistake than that post-breakup haircut you thought was a good idea: the Main Concourse’s elaborately decorated astronomical ceiling is reversed, north to south, with the exception of the Orion constellation. When the gaffe was pointed out by an astute passenger, the New York Central Railroad (along with the uber-powerful Vanderbilt family) claimed it was meant to be the view from the heavens. Total cop-out.

2. And speaking of the Grand Central ceiling, that tiny black patch hidden in the northwest corner is not a design flaw — it’s a disgusting strip of decades-old sludge.

Next time you’re near the Cancer constellation (that’s the crab, folks), look out for a small, black rectangle. No, the cleaners didn’t just miss a spot — it’s old nicotine and tobacco residue leftover from the city’s public smoking days. When the ceiling of the concourse was restored in the 1990s, the patch was left untouched to show just how filthy it once was. So next time you catch yourself thinking “Man, New York is such a dirty city!” remember that you’re actually living in the clean version.

3. Washington Square Park has a very dark past…as a burial ground and the scene of public executions.

Before Washington Square Park was home to New York University graduation ceremonies, it was a site used for public executions (let’s be honest: with the current cost of NYU tuition, it’s basically the same thing). The infamous Hangman’s Elm tree still stands in the northwest corner of the park. Oh, and just in case that isn’t creepy enough, the park is also built on top of 100,000 yellow fever victims.

4. New York City is full of awesome abandoned observation decks, just waiting to be explored.

Moses Gates, author of Hidden Cities, lists them amongst his favorite NYC secrets: “New York City has over a dozen abandoned observation decks scattered throughout Manhattan (mostly in downtown Manhattan) with a few more in Brooklyn and Queens. Many, such as two of my favorites, the Woolworth Building in Downtown Manhattan and the Williamsburg Savings Bank Tower in Brooklyn, are currently being sold as condos. But some are now private decks for offices, and others are simply sitting empty. Next time you’re in an NYC Skyscraper, hit the top floor in the elevator and see what happens.”

5. Dream of becoming a subway musician? You’ll have to audition with the MTA first.

Subway musicians must audition for the honor of playing in New York City’s public transportation systems. Since 1985, the MTA has held competitive auditions for musicians through the MUNY (Musicians Under New York) program. Who needs Carnegie Hall when you can play Union Square-14th St on the 4/5/6?

6. There’s an underground bowling alley located beneath the Frick Collection.

Hidden underneath the Upper East Side mansion, formerly owned by 19th-century industrialist Henry Clay Frick, is an antique bowling alley with mahogany-paneled walls, immaculate pine-and-maple lanes, and a set of custom balls that are still in working order. The Frick Collection restored the alley to its former glory in 1997 but, like all the coolest stuff in NYC, it isn’t open to the public.

7. There’s an abandoned subway station in Lower Manhattan that’s considered one of the most gorgeous gems in the world of mass transit.

City Hall station, also known as City Hall Loop, was the original southern terminal station of the first line of the New York City subway. Designed by Rafael Guastavino, the station is unusually elegant (think Romanesque Revival architecture, skylights, colored glass tilework and brass chandeliers). Passenger service was discontinued in 1945 and the station hasn’t been open to the public since, but if you ride the 6 train and don’t get off at the Brooklyn Bridge stop, you’ll pass through City Hall as the train loops back uptown.

8. There used to be a speakeasy with a very unexpected proprietor near Bryant Park.

Once upon a time, 14 East 44th Street was a speakeasy called the Bridge Whist Club — and it was run by the U.S. government. During Prohibition, the government bugged the tables and used the space to gather intel on other speakeasies. It was eventually shut down thanks to then-congressman (and future NYC mayor) Fiorello La Guardia. No wonder they named an airport after him.

9. NYC’s mail used to be delivered 4 to 6 feet below the the ground via a network of tubes that covered a 27-mile route and connected 23 post offices.

“My favorite obscure fact about New York is that the mail used to be delivered by pneumatic tubes,” says Michelle Young, Founder of Untapped Cities. “A single canister could hold 500 letters and traveled at 30 miles per hour! The third tube to ever go through the system carried a black cat ‘for reasons unknown.’” Most of the tube system is long gone now, but a few remnants can be seen at the Old Chelsea Station post office and the main branch of the New York Public Library.

10. Deep under Grand Central Terminal, hidden in a secret location, there is a train station from the 1930s built to serve a single passenger.

To keep his debilitating polio a secret, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a private platform built in Grand Central, called Track 61, that connected directly to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. So that he never had to come into contact with the public while traveling in NYC, FDR drove directly to Track 61, boarded his private train, and stored his limousine in a special carriage designed to transport it. Not only are the platform and the elevator used to reach it still there (although off-limits to the public), but so is the former president’s abandoned, armor-clad train.

11. Some of the most beautiful gardens in New York City are hidden hundreds of feet off the ground.

Communing with nature in NYC doesn’t have to mean sunbathing on the Great Lawn while ducking frat bros playing frisbee. Rockefeller Center maintains five spectacular rooftop gardens originally designed by English landscaper Ralph Hancock between 1933 and 1936. The gardens have been closed since 1938, but three can be spied from the Top of the Rock observation deck.

12. There’s a three-story townhouse in Brooklyn that’s not what it seems. In a former life it was a private residence, but in 1908 it was converted into “the world’s only Greek Revival subway ventilator.”

The brownstone at 58 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn Heights is a red house with suspiciously blacked out windows — and a front for a bunch of utility boxes and ventilation shafts for the subway system. It’s also rumored to serve as a secret passageway to the 4/5 trains running below. The property is owned by the MTA and, as of 2010, was valued at $2.8 million.

13. The Berlin Wall is in Manhattan. Well…parts of it, anyway.

Five sections of the Berlin Wall have been on display in Paley Park, a tiny pocket park located in Midtown, since 1990. The western side of the sections has been covered in art by Thierry Noir and Kiddy Citny, but the eastern side remains a blank slab of concrete — a poignant reminder of the oppressive political regime in the former East Germany. Other segments of the wall can be found at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, in the World Financial Center, and in the gardens of the United Nations Headquarters.

14. “One of our favorite secrets is about the Steinway Piano Factory in Queens,” say Meg, Mackenzi, and Judith of We Heart Astoria. “Some of the finest pianos in the world are built right here in Astoria, bearing the Steinway name.”

Steinway is the sole American piano maker left (and one of the last major manufacturers in New York City). Curious visitors can take a tour of the factory or visit the buildings that remain of the old Steinway Village that once surrounded the factory. The original workers’ rowhouses can be seen on 20th Avenue, between 41st and 42nd Streets, and the Steinway Mansion can be found on the corner of 42nd Street and 19th Avenue.

15. There’s a Cold War bomb shelter hidden in the Brooklyn Bridge.

In 2006, city inspectors stumbled upon a secret chamber inside the Brooklyn Bridge, located just beneath its Lower Manhattan entrance ramp. Inside they found decades-old military provisions for surviving a nuclear attack, including blankets, medicine, water containers, and around 352,000 crackers. For security reasons, the exact location of the chamber was kept secret. No word on what happened to all those crackers.

16. There’s an underground branch of the New York Public Library.

Officially called the Terence Cardinal Cooke-Cathedral Branch, the subterranean chapter of the New York Public Library is in the subway system. Look for it tucked away outside the turnstiles at the 51st Street 6 stop. Now if someone steals your Kindle on the train, you know where to score some reading material for your commute.

17. The American Museum of Natural History once had an Eskimo exhibit — with actual live Eskimos.

In 1897, explorer Robert Peary delivered six Greenland Eskimos — more properly called Inuits — to the museum. Four died of illness, a fifth supposedly returned home, and one child was adopted by a museum official. The dead men’s bones were then kept at the museum and went on display in 1992. That’s some seriously twisted stuff.

18. There used to be a whole lotta beer in Brooklyn, and it wasn’t all PBR.

Katarina Hybenova, Editor at BushwickDaily.com, has this interesting tidbit to share: “Did you know that, with almost 50 breweries, North Brooklyn had more breweries than any other place in America at the turn of the century? The area of Scholes and Meserole Streets and extended from Bushwick Place to Lorimer Street used to be called Brewers’ Row because you could find 12 breweries on 12 blocks.” You can watch the documentary “Brewed in Brooklyn” (ideally with a beer in hand) for free on Hulu to find out more.

19. The top of the Empire State Building was supposed to be a mooring station for airships.

No, not the “We come in peace” kind — the Hindenburg kind. The 200-foot mast at the top of the ESB was meant to be a dock for dirigibles, but the idea was so ill-conceived that it was only used once, in September 1931, for a grand total of 3 minutes. As cool as the idea sounds, the strong winds at 1,250 feet — not to mention the logistics of a landing crew — made it impossible.

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc

You have the right to remain confused.

Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, if anyone can figure out what you’re talking about.

You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him present with you while you are being questioned, but to be honest he probably doesn’t know what the hell is going on either.

If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one who is equally confused will be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish.

You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements or oh whatever we give up.

New York is the ultimate micromanager. At both the city and the state level, politicians just can’t seem to pass up an opportunity to enforce pointless and utterly ridiculous rules.

Here are a few of the weirdest laws that are allegedly governing our fair city:

1. Ice cream made with wine must bear a warning.

There’s no Red Robin in NYC, but we’d be all over these mixologist-made wine milkshakesif there were.

2. It is illegal to congregate in public with two or more people while each wearing a mask or any face covering that disguises identity.

Voila! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate…

3. It’s illegal for an establishment to allow three or more people to dance at the same time without a license.

An outdated Jazz Age law prohibits dancing in nightclubs or bars without a cabaret license. Despite a Million Mambo March protest and a 2003 repeal attempt, the law is still on the books.

4. The penalty for jumping off a building is death.

Well…that’s convenient.

5. Littering the streets with dead animals and offal is a crime (also gross, creepy, etc).

Given all the weird animal parts that have shown up in NYC parks, maybe it’s time the city cracked down on this one.

6. New Yorkers cannot dissolve a marriage for irreconcilable differences unless they both agree to it.

Good luck with that.

7. A person may not walk around on Sundays with an ice cream cone in his or her pocket.

Good thing New York City is so determined to regulate its citizens’ ice cream habits, because all that ice-cream-in-pocket action was really bumming out our Sundays.

8. While riding in an elevator, one must talk to no one, and fold his hands while looking toward the door.

Creating a fake Twitter account about the hilarious/horrifying banker banter that goes on inside the Goldman Sachs elevator, however, is completely above board.

9. Slippers are not to be worn after 10:00 PM.

Slippers? Really? Doesn’t New York have anything more important to do (like outlaw Crocs and Uggs)?

10. It is illegal for a woman to be on the street wearing “body hugging clothing.”

Does this mean we can officially ban the Kardashians?

11. Citizens may not greet each other by “putting one’s thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers.”

No big loss…there are other hand gestures New Yorkers prefer.

12. A man can’t go outside while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match.

It’s hard to argue with this one, to be honest.

13. A fine of $25 can be levied for flirting.

This old law specifically prohibits men from turning around on any city street and looking at a woman “in that way.” Ladies, on the other hand, are apparently free to openly enjoy all the eye candy they want.

14. A license must be purchased before hanging clothes on a clothesline.

Somewhere in Bushwick, a hipster just let out a sad sigh.

15. It is against the law to throw a ball at someone’s head for fun.

So that dodgeball tournament is probably out of the question, but if someone’s pissed you off and you happen to have a ball in your hands, knock yourself (or them) out.

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc

Let’s be honest: tequila has a certain… reputation. It’s associated with wild nights, hard mornings, and embarrassing novelty t-shirts purchased on college trips to Cancun.

Plenty have sworn it off entirely after too many agave-fueled nights ended on the bathroom floor. Others are willing to dabble alongside their chips and guac, but haven’t explored tequila as a serious spirit.

There’s a time and a place for frozen margaritas in vessels larger than a Kardashian ass, but there are also moments when something more sophisticated is required. Although the magical Mexican elixer is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of NYC’s craft cocktail scene, it’s rapidly becoming a respected spirit worthy of your tastebuds’ attention.

Whether you’re into traditional tequila, smoky mezcal, small-batch sotol, or don’t even know what those words mean, we’re counting down the top 10 New York City bars that are doing it best.

10. Gabriela’s Restaurant & Tequila Bar

688 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025 (map)

What People Are Saying: “I’m happy to report that the bar scene is actually pretty cool. The last time I was at Gab’s, I sat in a corner spot with a friend and ordered some obscure tequilas. The bartender, sensing that I love me my tequilas, brought me another brand to try on the house. He did this twice so by the time I left I was feeling pretty good.” -Andy T.

What People Are Drinking: Go for a simple margarita — they’re large, colorful, strong, and come in a variety of flavors like strawberry and mango

9. Los Feliz

109 Ludlow St #1, New York, NY 10002 (map)

What People Are Saying: “After a couple nights of hardcore drinking, I figured I had to pace myself. Unfortunately I picked the wrong night to pace myself because this was a really good tequila bar with a knowledgeable bartender. Always nice to see bartenders who know their tequilas.” -Carlos P.

What People Are Drinking: The Hibiscus Margarita (Milagro Silver, chef prepared hibiscus reduction, fresh lime juice, organic raw agave)

8. Casa Mezcal

86 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 (map)

What People Are Saying: “Grabbed a drink at the bar with a friend. Let me tell you… they were bomb ass margs. Try the Mezcal one if you are into are looking for a drink with a smoky bite. The bartender was very friendly and welcoming. I asked about their special salts. The salt rim on my mezcal margarita was made with a special ingredient of dried grasshoppers — I didn’t believe him, so he surprised us with two whole ones for my friend and I to try out!” -Anthony X.

What People Are Drinking: Look for the blue-bottled “wild mezcals” — these come from artisanal distillers deep in the Oaxacan mountains and can’t be found anywhere else in NYC

7. Añejo

668 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036 (map)

What People Are Saying: “The tequila selection is extensive, and as a lover of good tequila I definitely recommend coming here and trying a few of the harder to find selections. All in all, this is a great spot to check out if you like tequila. I will definitely be back! The restaurant is small with a great ambiance and everyone from the hostess to the busboys are very friendly and nice.” -Anastacia S.

What People Are Drinking: The Mole Noche (Tanteo Cocoa Tequila, Bourbon, Averna, arbol chile, mole bitters)

6. Ofrenda

113 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 (map)

What People Are Saying: “Feeling up for an imbibing adventure? Not sure what to order? The experts behind the bar squeeze all fresh juices and keep many different exciting, fresh ingredients on hand to quench your thirst — and your appetite for a different type of tequila (or other) cocktail. The mixologists also give away a ton of free tastes and occasional shots. They also mix one helluva margarita is you’re feeling traditional.” -Erika A.

What People Are Drinking: Ofrenda’s Old Fashioned, a twist on the classic with Pavoneo Añejo Tequila, maple syrup, and mole-orange bitter

5. La Esquina

114 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012 (map)

What People Are Saying: “The brasserie and tequila bar are amazing. When you go into the restaurant, there’s a girl with a list and a door person that will let you in down some stairs to… well, HEAVEN. The corn, tacos, quesadilla, and taquitos are great. The food is spot on and the tequila! OH, the tequila. I’m not a huge tequila fan, but let me tell you, you’ll find one here that you like.” -Stephanie C.

What People Are Drinking: The Pepino Diablo (jalapeño-infused Tanteo Blanco Tequila, cucumber puree, citrus, agave nectar)

4. Barrio Chino

253 Broome St, New York, NY 10002 (map)

What People Are Saying: “I freakin’ love this place! I first went here on Cinco de Mayo, had a wonderful and funny server lady complemented with good food and amazing drinks. Hibiscus margaritas are smooth and delightful — especially with sugar on the rim = yum-yum! They are also strong which is nice without the tequila nausea.” -Lauren L.

What People Are Drinking: The Strawberry Vanilla Margarita, a much Yelped-about treat featuring vanilla-infused tequila and chunks of fresh strawberry

3. Agave

140 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 (map)

What People Are Saying: “I’m not a person to be posting on Yelp but I had to write this review. I went with a group of friends for dinner and drinks. I have never been a tequila snob but I have to say, they have one of the most impressive tequila selections I have seen. I ordered their tequila flight which was excellent and my friend ordered one of their signature tequila drinks which was great as well.” -Karl A.

What People Are Drinking: The Electric Feel (Siembra Azul Reposado, fresh pineapple, lavender sugar) or classic margs at the two-hour bottomless brunch

2. La Biblioteca

622 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017 (map)

What People Are Saying: “Classy and tequila don’t usually mix for those of us in the early twenties. This place turns that on its head. Elegant and sleek plus 400+ brands of tequilia! They even had my favorite: ALACRAN! I would definitely recommend this place for the working young adults who want to re-acquaint themselves with tequila as a mature possible relationship versus trashy one night stand.” -Cat C.

What People Are Drinking: Tequila flights, selected from La Biblioteca’s diverse collection of more than 400 tequilas and mezcals (plus a few other obscure agave-based spirits)

1. Mayahuel

304 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003 (map)

What People Are Saying: “The Unofficial Tequila and Mezcal King of New York City*, Mayahuel proudly serves dozens of interesting cocktails. They also have a dizzying array of sipping mezcals and tequilas they serve neat, or with an addictive sangrita (tomato water) on the side. The spirits selection is unparalleled and their bartenders are mixing masters.” -Lawrence H.

What People Are Drinking: The Hit Or Miss (pineapple-infused mezcal, jalapeño-infused blanco, cilantro, lime, and agave nectar)

*We’re making it official.

[Featured Image: Mayahuel]

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc

In terms of cuisine, New York has some of the world’s most attractive, most tantalizing, most famous, and most expensive restaurants. We also have a high abundance of local mom-and-pop favorites, in addition to some of the cheapest eateries. Seriously: if you come hungry, you’ll find something to satisfy you in NYC.

But what if we told you that a restaurant was going to blindfold you or make you eat grasshoppers? What if a ninja tried to scare you while you attempted to eat your meal? No, this isn’t Survivor — just nine restaurants that you can try while you’re in the mood to experiment or feeling up for some adventure. From food that will make you squeamish to delicacies that you’ll fall in love with, here is our round-up of some of the quirkiest, weirdest restaurants in New York City.

The Black Ant

60 2nd Ave, New York
212–598–0300

A real-life Fear Factor, this unusual, hip East Village Mexican joint tries to stay above the fray by offering food laden with insects. Yep, insects. Hence its name The Black Ant, which serves an appetizer of black ant guacamole and, for dinner, grasshopper-crusted shrimp. With a cocktail-lounge atmosphere and a hip flair with warm wooden tables and bistro-tiled floors, the Black Ant isn’t a freak show and also offers many well-prepared dishes that aren’t, well — infested with insects.

Camaje Bistro Dining in the Dark

85 MacDougal Street, New York
212–673–8184

This laid-back Franco-American bistro is most known for its “Dinner in the Dark,” which is held twice a month. When you arrive at the restaurant, you put on a blindfold. Your server is blindfolded too. And because you no longer have sight, your other senses — smell and taste — are heightened. The sounds of the restaurant, and its textures, become hyper-emphasized. This makes the food you eat, and which you can’t see, entirely distinctive. Dinner in the Dark is a great place for those who want to try something very out of the ordinary for the evening. Oh, and only once you’ve finished your meal is a menu of what you ate is revealed.

Ninja New York

25 Hudson St, Tribeca, New York
212–274–8500

Ninja New York, a medieval, subterranean Japanese eatery, is like a trendier Medieval Times but on a smaller scale. Designed to look like a 15th-century Japanese feudal village, warriors appear out of hidden doors, disappear in a plume of smoke, appear in the dungeon and the wood bridge and travel in stealth through castle-like halls. They tumble about, scare you, hide behind you, and do tricks — which is fun, if not a bit gimmicky (although your kids will love it). And, oh right, since this is an actual restaurant and not a theme park (we forgot, as there’s too much sword play happening), the warriors take your orders and deliver your food.

Sik Gaek

49–11 Roosevelt Ave., Queens, NY, at 50th Street
718–205–4555 and
161–29 Crocheron Avenue, Flushing, NY 718–321–7770

This seafood spot has two outposts and is probably most famous for what’s on their menu. The delicacy at both Sik Gaeks is live octopus. Yep: they’re everywhere, and we don’t mean cooked. We mean, squirming, just-caught seafood where its nervous system continues to function as it’s being served. If you can’t stomach a whole octopus, there are sushi-like bites that are still writhing that you can try.

Burke & Willis

226 W 79th St, New York, NY
646–823–9251

Burke & Willis, located on the Upper West Side, has a down-under theme, and is renowned for their kangaroo eats. There’s a small plate of kangaroo with sides of sweet potato and bok choy and a kangaroo burger called the ‘Roo Burger,’ served in the Australian manner, with a sunny side of egg on top. The décor is more appealing than you’d think, with chocolate leather banquette seating, white tablecloths and framed pictures everywhere you look.

Trailer Park Lounge

271 West 23rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, Chelsea 212–463–8000

The Trailer Park Lounge has achieved success in a fickle restaurant industry that changes constantly. Somehow they’ve remained popular ever since they opened way back in 2000. With its trailer park theme — there’s an actual trailer façade inside to hammer down the point — the restaurant is deliberately tacky, and still serves their famous tater tots as well as the city’s best margaritas. Trailer Park Lounge is one of New York’s weirdest restaurants due to its kitschy décor and its fab, flashback music (8-tracks play in the background.) You’ll find everything from mannequins to flamingos here, as well as lit-up Santas no matter what the season.

The Beauty Bar

231 E 14th St, New York, NY
212–539–1389

This may be our weirdest restaurant yet. Technically, it’s a bar, but we couldn’t help putting it on our list because it’s seriously the quirkiest place we’ve stumbled upon. The Beauty Bar serves martinis and manicures at the same time. Other than New York, the kitschy retro bar also has outposts in cities like San Francisco and Las Vegas. The Beauty Bar was first opened as a bar in the city in 1995 and has managed to retain its salon look even after it was converted from an actual salon into a beauty “saloon.” It’s only ten bucks during happy hour for a manicure and a martini, although by the time you’ve drunk three glasses, you probably won’t care what your nails look like. And if that’s not enough to get you in doors, the Beauty Bar hosts weekly live events like comedy skits, bands, and DJs, and expands after happy hour into a sort-of nightclub where you can jive and swing on a retro dance floor when the back room is opened.

Famous Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse

157 Chrystie St, New York, NY
212–673–0330

This restaurant on the Lower East Side has been cooking Jewish delicacies in the same location since the 1940s. What’s weird about this place is that every day at Famous Sammy’s is like a bar mitzvah. There’s live music, lounge acts, and the customers who sing along. The atmosphere has a festive feel, and will make you want to be hoisted on a chair by those drunk on “Hava Nagila” and Stolichnaya. The menu, featuring bottles of vodka served in ice blocks, contains all those Jewish comfort foods that you grew up on, including chopped liver and kasha varnishkes. The restaurant’s signature stamp is their steaks topped with chopped garlic. It’s like family here, with the walls of the basement dining room proudly displaying photos of loyal customers.

Dominique Ansel Kitchen’s Dessert Tasting Menu

137 Seventh Avenue South, New York
212–242–5111

You may not know him by name, but Dominique Ansel is the chef who created the Cronut, which, if you’ve been living under a rock, is the croissant-doughnut pastry that exploded on the bakery scene some time ago. Ansel’s newest creation is his dessert tasting-only menu, served after his restaurant, Dominique Ansel Kitchen, is closed. The restaurant then undergoes a transformation, with a table stored on the ceiling that’s brought down into the center of the restaurant. This new venture is so highly coveted that tickets are being sold on the first of every month at 12 pm EST for the following month’s seating. The seating, by the way, is intimate, and limited to only eight customers.

Ansel calls his creation an “unlimited possibility, or “U.P.” His eight-course after-hours tasting menu changes every six month, and is often themed. The restaurant’s next theme, for example, is called “American Dreams,” and according to the website, the theme “will trace through more than a century of different American Dreams and in each course, make it come true.” Now how could you not want to see what that’s all about.

[Featured Image: Bill D. via Yelp]

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc

How many times have you laid awake at night, wondering what the hell your upstairs neighbors could possibly be doing to make all that noise?

Sometimes it’s so loud you’re convinced you live under the wildebeest stampede from The Lion King, but then you get uncontrollably sad. Mufasa.

Above Average has the answer, and it won’t ruin your childhood. Meet Everyone’s Upstairs Neighbor, their hilarious new video about the ‘joys’ of apartment living.

“People think of neighborly noise as a nuisance,” says one neighbor in the video. “But we think of it as an art form.” “Their ceiling is our stage, and we’re dancin’ across it,” her bearded companion adds.

Prepare to laugh and rage at the same time.

Currently wondering if Above Average managed to track down our actual upstairs neighbors for this riveting documentary.

[Featured Image: Screenshot]

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc

Whatever you’re looking for in a gym, New York City and its surrounding boroughs has plenty of options to choose from. Granted, many of them are pretty expensive, and since living in this city is already costly as it is, spending an arm and a leg on a workout is not necessarily desirable.

On the other hand, you shouldn’t have to break that commitment you made to your New Year’s resolutions simply because the price of going to the gym is a deal breaker. If you’re scouting for ones that are more affordable than your average boutique location, there are plenty of gyms out there within a lower price range. We’ve done a deep dive on the ones that are wallet-friendly and offer slightly more than the bare bones, but do note that the absolute cheapest are going to be no-frills, possibly without access to towels, exercise classes, or the right machinery you need. Here’s where to sign up to work out if you’re looking to get fit on a budget this year. No need to sweat about the cost — that’s what the gym is for.

New York City Parks and Recreation Indoor Recreation Facilities

Sign up and you’ll get access to all the recreational gyms in all five boroughs, which includes fifteen gyms just in Manhattan alone. Each gym features a weight room, treadmills, stationary bikes, indoor and outdoor pools, running tracks, basketball courts, group classes, locker rooms, showers, and a price that rivals more expensive gyms which don’t include all the amenities these ones do.

Cost: FREE for under 18; $25 per year for young adults 18–24 and seniors 55 and up; $100 per year for adults 25 and over:; $150 per year includes access to indoor pools for adults 25 and over

Planet Fitness

This gym covers just the basics, which includes weight machines, free weights, and cardio equipment. While they don’t have what most would consider necessities such as a bench press that’s not attached to a support, enough room to do ab exercises, exercise classes, or towel service, they are one of the cheapest options out there at just $10 a month. For the $20 a month option, which is still cheap, you can visit all locations, plus have access to tanning booths, massage chairs, and unlimited guest privileges.

Cost: $10 a month for one location and $20 a month for access to all locations, plus an under $20 yearly membership fee

Blink Fitness

Blink has 35 locations and counting in the New York and New Jersey area, including key posts in Chelsea, Nassau Street, NoHo, and 54th Street. This is also a no-frills gym — featuring just weights, cardio machines and room to stretch — so don’t expect exercise classes here.

Cost: $25 a month gives you access to all locations in New York City, including unlimited guest privileges and a 15% discount at the sports store Modell’s

Retro Fitness

This is the gym that wants you to have an experience. The cardio movie theater offers to let you watch your favorite movie while you sweat. Group fitness classes has the best assortment of classes available. Everything is state-of-the-art, with treadmills plugged into Direct TV and iPods and iPhones, internet-connected bikes, and the latest ellipticals. The free weight floor is large and spacious, and the smoothie bar is a great way to end your exercise regime for the day. There are ten NYC locations in total, including ones in the Financial District, Park Slope, and Williamsburg.

Cost: $99 enrollment fee for a 12 month membership to start, plus a $19 processing fee (for whatever reason). It’s just $19.99 a month after that, though, which is actually a pretty good deal.

New York Sports Club (NYSC)

The New York Sports Club (NYSC) used to be among the most expensive, with rates at $90-$100 a month. Now that Blink and Planet Fitness have joined the market with super-low rates, however, it looks like NYSC had to lower its price to remain competitive (which we’re not going to complain about). NYSC is a full-sized gym with amenities, including exercise classes, and the only thing it doesn’t have is a pool.

Cost: $39.99 a month with a $59.99 annual fee for access to one location, which includes towel service, locker and shower stalls, exercise classes, and a free guest (1 per visit). For $44.99 you can join month-to-month with the same amenities and the freedom to cancel your membership at any time. At $59.99 a month with a one-year commitment, you have all access to all NYSC facilities. And at $69.99 a month, you also have access to all NYSCs facilities, with the ability to join month-to-month and cancel any time.

Synergy Fitness Clubs

With locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, most Synergy Fitness Club locations are open 24 hours a day during the week, which includes the latest equipment for cardio and strength training, access to free weights, and above all, free group exercise classes.

Cost: $30 per month with $100 down, or a flat $49 a month without the joining fee. For added flexibility, there are no long-term commitments and one-time payment memberships.

Mid-City Gym & Tanning

This super gym includes perks not found at other gyms we’ve reviewed, including personal and group exercises, boxing training, stretching programs, a juice bar, and even tanning. However, there is only one location — in midtown at 42nd Street — which is great if you want to hit the gym during lunch or after work, but not so great when you’re not nearby. (Because who wants to go to midtown on the weekends, right?)

Cost: $19.99 a month — for life. There’s a 12-month initial agreement with a $169 enrollment fee.

Harbor Fitness

Finally, a gym just for Brooklynites! And all of them are open 24 hours. Harbor Fitness is best known for its friendly staff that works to meet your needs. Besides the great facility, there’s a smoothie bar, a wide assortment of workout equipment, exercise classes, and personal trainers. Harbor is also family-friendly and includes free child care.

Cost: $25 to join for Bay Ridge, Park Slope, and Mill Basin locations. It’s also $25 to join the Marine Park location with a $35 annual fee. We’re not sure why the Marine Park location includes that fee, but it’s definitely good to note and head to another location in case you want to avoid it.

Bally Total Fitness

With three great locations — 32nd Street, East 55th Street at Madison Avenue, and 16th Street at Third Avenue — Bally Total Fitness offers a great space, with a club floor plan that’s well-organized to help you comfortably move from workout to workout in a quick manner. There are a variety of classes to choose from, from Total Body Class to Step and Cardio Kickboxing to Cycling.

Cost: $44 per month with a $99 enrollment fee for the VIP membership, which includes access to all three locations, child care, free locker, and, at the 32nd Street location, the pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room. There’s also a cheaper rate of $29 a month if you only need access to one gym, which still includes the $99 enrollment fee.

[Featured Image: Curtis Mac Newton via Unsplash]

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc

These stores think they’re slipping under the radar, but their phony facades don’t fool us. We’re about to blow the lid off the secret lives of New York City’s most hush-hush shopping experiences…

Community 54 | 186 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 (map)

Spot this place from the street and you’ll think you’ve stumbled upon a vintage video arcade. Sure, you could spend your afternoon playing Pac-Man and the claw machine…or you could see what secrets the photo booth has in store.

Enter Community 54‘s nondescript storefront, pass through the old-school arcade stocked with fully-functioning games, and head to the photo booth. Slip behind the booth’s blue curtain ($3/photo, if you want to stop and take a snap) and you’ll find an uber cool streetwear shop stocked with men’s clothing from a mix of new brands and coveted vintage classics. The covert back room houses an impressive assortment of curated ’80s and ’90s goods from Nike, Polo by Ralph Lauren, MCM, and more. There’s even an outdoor event space that sports décor courtesy of international graffiti artists and hosts performances by the likes of Soulja Boy and A$AP Rocky.

Shareen Vintage | 13 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011 (map)

If you ever wanted to be a member of a stylish secret society, this is your chance. Shareen Mitchell’s second-floor sanctuary is a hidden haven of vintage fashion. If you can find it in the first place.

Unless you know what to look for, you’ll walk right past Shareen Vintage. From the outside, the only sign the store exists in its unassuming apartment building is a lone red dress hung from the fire escape. If the dress is out, the shop is open. If the dress is gone, the only thing out is your luck. Ring the buzzer to be granted access to the dress-shopping wonderland of your dreams. One-of-a-kind vintage pieces mix and mingle with an original collection designed by Shareen herself. Your visit is one you won’t soon forget — because it comes complete with complimentary wine and champagne, gratis candy and popcorn, and a strict no-boys-allowed policy.

Alife NYC and Alife Rivington Club | 158 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002 (map)

Marked only by a small bronze placard and a buzzer, these conjoined stores radiate exclusivity before you’ve even set foot inside the door (if you’re cool enough to be allowed inside the door, that is).

Combine a vibe that’s more cigar bar than clothing store with one of the best selections of high-end street style in New York City and you’ve got Alife. Don’t be fooled by the building’s unremarkable exterior — once you’ve been buzzed in, you’ll find yourself surrounded by some of the dopest gear in the streetwear game. Through one door is Alife NYC’s eponymous line of hats, tees, and sweatshirts. Through the other door are wall-to-wall light boxes showcasing some of the coolest, and most colorful, kicks in the city. It’s basically a speakeasy for streetwear.

The Beauty & Essex Pawn Shop | 146 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002 (map)

The Beauty & Essex Pawn Shop flips the script. Here the store isn’t the secret — the store is hiding the secret. A very hip, very tasty secret.

This quirky little pawn shop is exactly what you’d expect to see in the still-barely-clinging-to-cool Lower East Side. The home of the “Pawn Queen” is also home to a host of intriguing goodies, including guitars, toys, jewelry, and the expected muddle of miscellany. The windows advertize “Diamond Rings,” “Queen Isabella’s Jewels,” and “Stuff — Get It While It’s Hot!” So what’s the secret? An upscale restaurant, complete with a dress code, is hidden just behind that unmarked door in the back. The opulent dining room oozes exclusivity and sex appeal, while serving up delicious delicacies like roasted bone marrow and oven braised chicken meatballs. Hit up ladies’ night for free bubbly in the women’s restroom.

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. | 372 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (map)

Some superheroes have secret lairs. Some have secret supply shops. And others provide a front for a super good cause.

Nestled between the trendy restaurants and boutiques of Park Slope is one of the most unlikely — if not the most unlikely –stores in all of New York City: Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company. Out front, the shop has everything a caped crusader could possibly need, from cans of matter and anti-matter, to truth serum, to collapsible portals. There’s even a Devillainizer, just in case you’ve been feeling evil urges lately. Now take a closer look at those shelves — one of them is not what it seems. Walk through the doorway it conceals and you’ll find yourself in the student learning center of the NYC outpost of 826 Valencia’s literacy program. The group provides one-on-one mentoring to under-resourced students ages 6–18. Now that’s the work of some realsuperheroes.

Is your favorite secret store so hidden that even we don’t know about it? Spill the beans in the comments!

[Featured Image: Liz Welch]

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc

Living new New York City has many perks. We have one of the world’s best public transportation systems. We can get food delivered at any hour of the day or night. We’re home to some of the most creative and crazy people on the planet. But all that comes at a price.

Remember when we talked about that noise pollution map of New York City? Our friends at PlaceILive reminded you that you live in NYC for many reasons, but peace and quiet aren’t anywhere on the list. Now they’re back at it again, and this time they mapped out the areas of the city with the best and worst air quality.

Let’s take a look at what they found. First, New York City by day:

BreezoMeter was used to gather the data. Almost every country calculates an Air Quality Index (AQI) — a scale of numbers that represents the current or daily air quality levels in different areas. The AQI is based on local air quality standards and pollutants concentrations that each country decides upon.

And therein lies the problem: every country’s AQI is unique, which means a lot of complication and confusion.

To combat that issue, BreezoMeter created its own standardized Air Quality Index that goes from 0 (poor air quality) to 100 (excellent air quality) with 5 categories of equal lengths. Here’s what the United States AQI looks like next to BreezoMeter’s AQI:

Looking back at that map of NYC, we see… an uncomfortable amount of red. There are more pockets of red on New York City than on an acne-prone teenager’s face.

One of the worst offenders is Staten Island’s West Shore, a hub of industrial activity with only one residential neighborhood. Through the late 20th century the West Shore was dominated by industrial activities, most notably oil refining and construction. A large Con Edison electrical plant calls it home now, as well as the Teleport — a high-tech industrial park built in the early 1980s.

In Manhattan, much of the area along the Hudson River appears problematic (there’s probably a joke about proximity to Jersey in there somewhere), as do some of the more heavily-trafficked neighborhoods downtown (East Village, West Village, Lower East Side, Tribeca, etc).

What’s truly surprising is the patch of dark green that appears in Midtown. How is it possible that the area around Times Square isn’t a polluted wasteland?

There’s a significant patch of red in The Bronx along the East River, with Hunt’s Point at the center. The 20th century saw a great deal of industrial expansion for the area, including the openings of the New York City Produce market in 1967 and Hunts Point Meat Market in 1974. Today the Hunts Point Industrial Park hosts over 800 businesses.

Rikers Island, New York City’s most notorious jail complex, is also a conspicuous patch of red.

Over in Queens the area around JFK is suspiciously blank, presumably because no one could think of a color more threatening than red. Nearby areas make up for it, but nothing compares to the blotch around Maspeth.

Interestingly, Queens also has one of the few deep green spots on the map, around Seneca Ave between Stanhope St and Menahan St.

North Brooklyn is a surprisingly green affair (yes, even Williamsburg), but things get redder as you head south.

The worst offender is the area along the water near Bay Ridge and the Brooklyn Army Terminal, a large complex of warehouses, offices, piers, docks, cranes, rail sidings and cargo loading equipment in Sunset Park.

And now, before we remind you that NYC is crazy overpopulated and your lungs stage a coup, take a look at the nighttime air quality map:

Breathe deep, NYC. It’s not all bad.

[Featured Image: PlaceILive]

Originally published on www.upout.com/nyc