Categories
concert/event

Brooklyn Night Bazaar

I went to Brooklyn Night Bazaar this past Saturday. It’s a flea market with food and music. I mainly went to see Kitty Pryde. I’ve read that it usually gets really packed. But on this particular night it wasn’t too crowded. Probably because it was super cold outside.

The food was tasty. I got Oxtail Stew ($10) from Spur Tree and a Chicken Pot Pie ($4) from Handpie. I was sucking on the bones.

I was pretty blown away from this band called Party Supplies. They reminded me of MGMT meets Talking Heads.

Dang, there were so many hot girls at the Bazaar. But I was trying to do the math and I think I might be old enough to be their dads. But then again, I kept getting carded when I went to buy beer. So maybe the girls thought they’re old enough to be my dad.

Brooklyn Night Bazaar – 165 Banker Street (Greenpoint) Brooklyn 11222

Categories
bar/drinking

Starr Fair Trade Punch @ Global Citizen Festival

Just as I was wondering what kind of drinks I could get at this Saturday’s Global Citizen Festival (Neil Young, Black Keys, Foo Fighters concert in Central Park), I got an email that they’ll be serving this punch in the VIP section. Crafted by Nick O’Connor from Apotheke bar (Chinatown). Cool, I can’t wait to get wasted.

…not to sound so super cool for having VIP tickets. I just bought them because I was too lazy to Facebook Like the concert to get in for free. Plus I feel like I’m really paying for access to the VIP restrooms. That’s worth the $$$ to me.

Starr Fair Trade Punch
2oz. Starr African Rum http://www.africanrum.com/
1oz. Blended fresh blueberries
1/2oz. Fresh lime juice
1/4oz. Agave nectar
1/4oz. Ginger syrup

Categories
asian concert/event

The Kills at Converse City Carnage Pier 63 NYC

Last night we saw Black Banana and The Kills at Pier 63, where Rusty takes care of the flowers. Drank too much and ate peanuts. I forgot to pay attention to the show.

We stumbled off to the train and bought a Lamb Doner Platter at Istanbul Grill on 14th St. I was thinking it would be better than a pita sandwich, because no bread. Todd and I are trying to cut the carbs. Took it on the train and we got so pissed when we found out they gave us pita bread on the side and the whole bottom of the platter was rice. I was about to go all the way back to complain. I was so pissed and drunk.

I’m not sure if the platter is worth $12.45. Seems expensive. Probably because most of it we didn’t eat because of the carbs. A halal cart would have been cheaper. It wasn’t bad tasting though.

Instanbul Grill – 310 W 14th St (btwn 8th & 9th Ave) New York, NY 10014

We headed off to Williamsburg to meet Elissa and co. I don’t remember what we were doing, but we ended up at Supercore on Bedford and drank sake. Elissa ordered the Beni-Tori with rice (simmered chicken in dark soy sauce, ginger, onion, sugar with soft boiled egg). It tasted pretty good.

Todd was trying to order food and I tried to stop him. We need to get serious with our bodies. I remember rambling on about Brad Pitt’s diet and workouts. There are actually websites about it –Bradpittdiet.com and Bradpittworkout.com. Okay, now that I got the carb cutting down, I need to work on cutting the drinking. I’d probably look like Brad Pitt by now.

Supercore – 305 Bedford Ave (btwn Grand St & S 1st) Brooklyn, NY 11211

Categories
concert/event pizza sandwich

Food Blogging @ Stephen Colbert’s StePhest Colbchella ‘012: RocktAugustFest

Last night, Stephen Colbert took his TV show to the Intrepid aircraft carrier on the Hudson for his music festival (StePhest Colbchella ‘012: RocktAugustFest) –w/ Fun, Grizzly Bear, Santigold and Flaming Lips. The show was taped for all four episodes of next week’s The Colbert Report. So check that out, because the bands were great. I’m not familiar with Fun and it’s not music I would normally listen to, but I was impressed how well they sounded live. They were fun. And Santigold was awesome. I’m a big fan of her now.

I bought a sandwich from the Au Bon Pain stand there –the Steakhouse ($9). It’s funny, I’ve never had Au Bon Pain before. This was my first time. I opened up the sandwich and took some pics. Then the food cart manager came over and asked if everything was alright, but not really in a friendly manner …more accusatory, like I was taking photos to show how disgusting they are. That happens occasionally. But shit, this is Au Bon Pain. Not some dingy hole in the wall beef jerky shop in Chinatown. The manager did look like he could have been my off-the-boat cousin though. Maybe it’s an Asian thing.

I liked the Steakhouse sandwich a lot. I was impressed. Add a packet of mayo to that. It’s quite delightful. Good chunks of steak that’s flavored well. Now I know –Au Bon Pain.

The Colbert show even gave us three free drink tickets and snacks. That was so nice of them to do that for a free show. However, I really wouldn’t have minded if I paid for the beer. Because once I was done with my three, I couldn’t buy anymore. I asked a couple of cute girls if they had any extra I could buy off them and one of them just gave them to me. Wow, that was easy. I wanted to thank her later, but I was too shy.

Todd and Elissa were also at the show. Dang, somehow Toddles drank nine beers. He said the rainbow kids in the crowd gave them to him. Those kids were really excited to see the Flaming Lips and were all dressed up like zombies, elephants, rabbits and hippies. But Todd did drink too much and he had to pee so bad during the Flaming Lips. He didn’t want to leave, so he was almost going to pee in an empty bottle. But when he looked on the ground for one, he already found a full bottle of pee. He did the smart thing and just went to the restroom. He only missed Stephen Colbert and Wayne Coyne get inside space bubbles and surf the crowd.

Dang, I had a good time at Colbchella ‘012. It was a perfect night for an outdoor show. It  never stormed like the forecast predicted, although parts of the Intrepid were drenched with big puddles –as if it did rain on the other side of the boat. I hope it wasn’t pee.

When we walked back to the train, we stopped for a slice at Patzeria Perfect Pizza. I went with the Margherita, when I knew I shouldn’t. I don’t think Margherita works on traditional New York style pizza. The crust just isn’t right. It wasn’t bad, just thick and dense. I wish I was more sober to pick the Grandma slice. It looked good there.

Patzeria Perfect Pizza - 231 W 46th St (btwn 7th Ave & Broadway) New York, NY 10036

On my way home, I was listening to this audio-book “What Every Body is Saying” (ex-FBI agent talks about body language). I noticed these two young guys trying to talk to a girl down the subway platform. I was trying to observe their body language, especially the girl’s. Then I noticed that she was the same girl that gave me her drink tickets! I went over to say hi and to thank her. And then it got really awkward because we had 14 mins to wait for the next train and I had really nothing to talk about. So awkward. I think her body language was saying she wanted to walk away. And my body language was like I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.

Categories
concert/event festival vegetarian

Bushwick Block Party 2012

Dang, they really worked on making this year’s Bushwick Block Party bigger than before –more space for food vendors and getting Andrew WK to headline. This time they even had a security check to just get into the block (21+ and no outside drinks). I would say it was more of a mini festival to sell stuff than an old fashion block party.

Getting in wasn’t bad at all. I was at the front of the line in about two minutes. It was funny watching a girl pout because security wouldn’t let her in the re-entry without a wristband. She stood there for so long pouting, when she could’ve just got in line …and it was only about ten people long.

The line to get into Roberta’s was insane though. I think there was a dance party. I didn’t try to touch it. Although, I did get into the beer line and that was crazy long too. There was only one beer tent in that area. I felt like it was a 30-40min wait. At least I made friends in the line.

There was barely a line for the Porta-Pottys, which is strange because where did everyone pee after they drank all those beers?

I bought a plate of Vegan Ethiopian food at the Bunna Cafe stand. They do pop-up events and venues around NY, but this is the first time I’ve seen them. It was really good. I was standing there a little drunk and wondering why my fingers were so messy, then realized, oh yeah I ate with my hands.

I saw the Wild Yaks and I always love them. Also got some Andrew WK action at the end, but he got cut off by the police in the middle of his hit song and pulled off stage by security …as you can see in this video.

Categories
asian partying sandwich

Lollipop Vietnamese Sandwiches & House of Vans

I headed out to House of Vans this past Thursday to see King Kahn and the Shrines. I ran through the crazy derecho storm to get to the subway. You gotta check out the crazy sky in this photo. It’s like Gozer.

Then when I got out in Greenpoint, I figured I should grab a bite at Lollipop. Jody told me they have really good Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwiches, but they always take a long time to make. It’s true. I got the Classic ($4.75 plus tax) and it was great, but did take longer than I’d expect. The ground pork was really good in it. They spice it up and I loved it. It’s possibly the best Banh Mi in Greenpoint …although it might be the only Banh Mi in Greenpoint?

Lollipop - 685 Manhattan Ave (btwn Bedford & Norman Ave) Brooklyn, NY 11222

After the nice sandwich, I went to House of Vans –the sneaker company’s private skate park built in a old industrial warehouse in Greenpoint. They’ve been having free summer shows the past two years with some cool bands. Lots of people, but huge space with a gigantic fan on the ceiling. This night, the bass was booming for Nicky Da B, which felt like a gay club rager, with people booty shaking on stage. It was cool.

Apparently, it was an all-ages show and the Heineken Light all free. I’ve never seen so many drunk middle-schoolers. One girl was making out with her boyfriend and asking my friends about an umbrella, then tried to make out with another dude. There was almost a fight. But I think they were all 13-15 years old. I remember we used to be able to do dumb shit when we were young, but I always thought it was harder to that stuff now, since everywhere I go is usually 21+. I guess it’s good to know that kids can still be dumb if they want.

Categories
backyard bbq

Mable’s Smokehouse

I started off today at the Fishbone early afternoon concert at Brooklyn Bowl. I’ve never seen so many kids at a show before. There was a toddler mosh pit up in the front. At one point it almost looked like parents were throwing up their babies in the air in Muppet-like fashion. It was cool.

Then I met up with Todd and Elissa around the block at Mable’s Smokehouse for BBQ. We split this big DeLuxe platter of three meats and three sides ($27.95) –Pulled Pork, Brisket, Ribs, Collard Greens, Baked Beans and Mac & Cheese. The Ribs were the best. Todd and I really liked it. –I accidentally typed we “…really liked tit.” I guess that works too.

Prices are relatively cheap for NYC BBQ and it’s quiet there. Got the food quickly. So those are pluses.

Then we walked around Williamsburg shoe stores, thrift stores, rooftop bars and Giglio Fest …wondering how anyone is able to afford living in this area anymore.

Mable’s Smokehouse - 44 Berry St (btwn N 12th & 11th St) Brooklyn, NY 11211

Categories
product

Krasdale Turkey Chili

Last night, I saw Spacehog rock at Brooklyn Bowl. Remember them from the 90’s? I banged my head so much that I created a dandruff storm.

I tried to get food after in the Blue Ribbon dining room. But they were so packed late at night, they couldn’t fit little ol’ me.

I went home and cracked up open a can of Krasdale Turkey Chili. I believe this is surprisingly one of the better canned chilis …and it’s so cheap. Chunky and a good mixture of meat and beans. Top it with some hot sauce. I like it more than Hormel. Farts are smelly the next day though.

…I think I’m going to see Soul Asylum in July.