drinking clean… well mostly

Posted on January 19, 2013 by cara protzko

signIf you speak to the new yorkers that spent quite a bit of time in the dance/club scene, they would probably tell you that it’s a shame that the good places closed down and that there aren’t too many true quality dance places in NY any more. As with most of the world, NY is ever changing and evolving and always the trends setter and market leader.  Now I can’t speak to the degree of hipsterness and fun music that the reviews of the 205 Club claim but I can speak to the new establishment that opened in the space called Cocktail Bodega.

juicesWe are mostly through January and hopefully we’re all still working on our resolutions – to be a new and improved us.  Cocktail Bodega is just the place to keep with the goal of consuming “clean” foods, while not entirely ignoring our vices. CB is a place to grab a spiked fresh pressed juice or smoothie with the perfect amount of liquor so that you taste it (and feel it) but doesn’t mask the freshness and goodness of this power drink. The menu does list some suggested combinations of various fruit or vegetables with their idea of alcohol however the bartender is open to you crafting your own combination.

The duo behind Cocktail Bodega is the same due behind Sons of Essex (my next stop), known for great drinks, a good vibe playing old-school hip-hop and a great menu by a “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 5 Chef Seth Levine.  upstairsI had stopped into Cocktail Bodega the Saturday after Thanksgiving with the foresight that it would be quiet so I didn’t get a good feel for what the after hours partying would be like but it did give me an opportunity to take free and unobstructed tour of the space.  The ground floor is decorated with a bright 50’s diner style feel using bright colors and old coolers.  Downstairs is their CBU, Cocktail Bodega Underground, keeping most of the 205 Club lounge / dance area and attempting to keep the hipster – old new york – graffiti decorative vibe.

graffiti             downstairs

Just as Sons of Essex has Chef Seth Levine, Cocktail Bodega has commissioned Bravo’s Chef Roble to create an Asian inspired food menu.  We ordered the Jerked Chicken Satay and the Spare Ribs both tasted very good but maybe not so good to support our New Year’s resolutions.  Hey – at the time it, NYE was 6 weeks away and besides studies show that cheating is actually good for the diet.

chicken satay             ribs

I haven’t heard too much noise about Cocktail Bodega, however, I do recommend you checking it out – it’s a good place to begin the night.  The basis behind a hangover is the deficiency of vitamins so maybe having drinks at Cocktail Bodega is the solution to drinking without the consequences!

If the vitamins in the Cocktail Bodega drinks weren’t enough to rid yourself of a hangover and need another boost of vitamins, check out local nutrient enhanced beverage producer Vitamin Juice sold in stores all around NYC.

UPDATE: This place is now closed

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eating clean

Posted on January 6, 2013 by cara protzko

times squareHappy New Year!  We’ve begun a new year and have claimed our new but maybe some repeat resolutions. I would bet some if not all of them are along the lines of eating healthier, drinking less, indulging less and/or being a better person.  This is the time to redirect our consumption to a cleaner, a more raw, environmentally sustainable array of food and drinks.

I always feel cleaner and lighter after a few days of not having consumed any alcohol or few high sugary foods (because I need at least 1 piece of chocolate in my life) and have consumed gallons of water. But come on, we all have our vices and let’s admit it, it’s not that easy to keep up in our busy lives – not to mention the cost of buying all of the organic fruit and vegetables can add up.

All in all, my husband and I have discussed to eat vegan at least one meal a week to allow our bodies the vacation from digesting the many foreign bodies I’ve put into it over the years and to aid in the those new years resolutions we’ve all put in place (many times over).

pure food decorPure Food & Wine is an upscale vegan restaurant on Irving Place that serves food that are entirely plant based, does not use any processed ingredients and nothing that is heated above 118 degrees.  Not realizing exactly what this place was about, we had popped in a few years ago, sat at the bar and had some organic wine and sake.   The sake that was from a keg behind the bar – it was unique and delicious.  The food that was  being served to others looked delicious and made a note to return for a proper meal.

The decor is of a warm red hue with lush red chairs, red booths and complimented with dark wood tables and wall paneling, perfect for a cold evening.  They have an outdoor garden with an additional bar that is open during the Spring and Summer.

As appetizers, my husband and I shared 2 – the king oyster mushroom scallops with brussels sprouts in a shiitake miso broth and served with miso glazed pecans, shaved radish and pear ravioliscallopsmicro mustard (left) and the pear ravioli with smoked long pepper mousse, preserved lemon mache, truffle honey, almonds and shaved burgundy truffle (right).  I thought this was a good opportunity to play with the stylus pen functionality on my new Galaxy Note II.  We love mushrooms of all types – as you can probably guess by our choices for apps. The “scallops” had the texture of a true perfectly cooked scallop while the miso complimented it . I also love brussel sprouts which added the right amount of texture to the tender scallops.  The ravioli was everything a ravioli should be – soft, somewhat sweet with the addition of the pear and honey yet savory with the truffle and almond.

As our main entree we shared hen of the woods tacos with smoked guacamole, hearts of palm, fresh corn, guajillo crema fresca and pickled onions along with the portabella mushroom with cauliflower and horseradish aioli with kale chimichurri, mango salsa, barbecue sauce and haricots verts.

taco   mushroom

The tacos were amazing – giving me the idea that if you were to eat at a descent latin restaurant most of the ingredients should be close to that of a vegan diet.  The mushroom entree left a little be to desired.  Although still very tasty, it was more of a light app than that of a main course – at least for my large appetite.  Jayson and I make cauliflower puree at home using just sauteed cauliflower and truffle oil which I believe is tastier than what was here.

The big winner was the pear ravioli with the layers of so many wonderful flavors we had to remind ourselves what the description was on the menu to know what we were eating and tasting.

In the event one of your new years resolutions is to save money, you don’t have to dine at Pure Food & Wine to keep to your clean diet.  Sarma, the owner of the restaurant and now author of 2 books has opened 2 “Juice and Takeaway” locations to grab a juice or a vegan snack – 1 in E17th near the restaurant and 1 in Chelsea Market.  Check out this link below for more ideas as to stay healthy http://oneluckyduck.com/pages/juice-and-takeaway

Again Happy New Year! Cheers to happiness and good health in 2013!

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brooklyn night bazaar …. new and improved

Posted on November 28, 2012 by cara protzko

(updated November 3rd, 2013)  This past Friday, November 1st, Brooklyn Night Bazaar debuted in its new permanent Greenpoint space on the corner of Banker and Norman Streets (rather than in Williamsburg as it was last year).

The below post was written during the 2012 holiday season. Please continue to read it as the concept is still the same – a night filled with art, food, shopping, bands and ping pong – but bigger and better and all year round!  Don’t forget to check their calendar for updated events and vendors!

Brooklyn Night Bazaar perfectly synced its opening night last weekend with the kick off of the holiday shopping season on Black Friday.  BK Night Bazaar, is well, how do you say, very Brooklyn.  Piggy backing off the success of Urban Space’s bazaar in Dekalb Market, the Bazaar moved indoors for the winter to Williamsburg into a huge 40,000 square foot, 2 room warehouse.

from the top

The main room houses booths filled with independent vendors, local food vendors, a beer and wine garden with picnic tables to enjoy drinks from local breweries and wineries

food     food 2

and a stage for bands and DJ’s to accompany a dance floor to let it all out and even some art scattered throughout the warehouse.  The 2nd room has a few more vendors which anchors a soccer “field” and about 15 ping pong tables brought to you by Table Tennis Nation

ping pong

Just as Dekalb Market is, BK Night Bazaar is an urban destination, a place to visit and hang rather than a place to run errands.  You can have a drink, catch a live show, play some ping pong or soccer and even get your holiday shopping done all under one roof. And the shopping is abundant. Some of the items sold include the usual hair accessories, jewelry, hats and scarves; but there are also some very interesting tables; for example, one selling gorgeous square over the shoulder purses,

purse

purse

Line Posters of mass transit systems from around the world ……

line posters

and even my favorite table – Wonder Lee 123 Lego bow-ties ……………

Lego bow-ties

It’s a fun place to roam around, talk to interesting people and to just hang out. AND if this tires you out, there is a small loft on a floor above to step away from it all, where you meditate and take a breather from Brooklyn and the holiday craziness.

dance floor

The bazaar runs Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm – 12 midnight; this weekend and the next 3 weekends through December 22nd. Entrance is Free so don’t hesitate to check it out. While you’re there, stop by Antoinette‘s table to wish Lexi a congratulations on making it to Racked’s NYC’s 38 Best Vintage Stores.

Feel free to leave a comment, I’d love to hear what you ate what you drank or what you purchased at the Bazaar!

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only $100

Posted on November 3, 2012 by cara protzko

If every household (not even individual) donated $100 to the red cross, think about how many supplies, how much food and water, how many blankets and socks will be able to be provided to those who are living through such devastation right now.

For those of us in warm homes, who are able to go to work (or being paid to work from home) and receive a paycheck – $100 is nothing to us.  Its one dinner out that we would be skipping out on in our very fortunate lives. It’s the bar tab while we watch the Marathon that we are now no longer going to spend.  $100 is the least we do can do to “sacrifice” in our own lives.

Below is a link to today’s New York Times posting “Surveying the Damage Along the Jersey Shore“. It’s a look comparing the before and after pictures of the Jersey shore.  As we all know, the Rockaways and Staten Island are also severely damaged in Hurricane Sandy.  http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/11/01/nyregion/surveying-the-damage-along-the-new-jersey-shore.html?smid=fb-share

Yesterday, Jayson and I bought food, diapers, blankets, towels among some other things and dropped them off at a donation location here in BK.  For supplies needed and places to drop off or locations to check in on the elderly, you can check out this FB page for Occupy Sandy Relief NYC

I hope you join me in really giving back to the greatest city that we all love.  Thank you for your support.

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big wheel race

Posted on November 3, 2012 by cara protzko

in Central Park, adults dressed in costumes….

the riders

their big wheels, or the likes of, decorated…

racing

racing down a hill in the upper east quadrant of the park….

the hill

It was a gorgeous perfect Fall day to do nothing but just hang and enjoy what life has brought you.

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antoinette

Posted on October 31, 2012 by cara protzko

New York is, of course, great in that there are quite a number of vintage and thrift stores that are more like shops than stores in which the inventory is more high-end and trendy than just some old, used clothes.

I sometimes stroll through vintage and thrift shops, as most people do, hoping do find that amazing treasure – a designer dress or top that is at a major discount and looks fabulous on me.  I often don’t find anything but it’s no one’s fault but my own.  I have to admit, I haven’t made much of an effort to check out the more glamorous stores but after visiting Antoinette in Williamsburg, BK this past Saturday, I am adding it to my list of “do’s” in 2013.

storeA friend of ours from a decade and a half ago, was recently written up in the Guest of a Guest’s article “5 Quirky Shops You’ve Never Heard Of In NYC” (she’s #3), so you probably know how proud we were to see her being recognized.  We had yet to make it to Lexi’s shop in the year and half that it has been open and figured her in-store Halloween party was the perfect reason to stop in.

lexiLexi has fashion in her bones and it’s evident in her store.  Graduating from FIT and spending 10 years working for Gap Inc. in the International Department, Lexi clearly followed in her mother’s footsteps. Antoinette, Lexi’s mother, worked in the fashion industry in the 1950’s and 1960’s for Lilly Daché most notably known for designing the turban hat. Antoinette had a keen sense of knowing that all fashion is cyclical and that eventually everything comes full circle back into style.  Lexi’s mother saved all of her family’s clothes, jewelry and accessories and is now being revived in its namesake Antoinette.

clutchThis is a really fun store to shop in.  There is a story for every piece of inventory.  I tried on a cute sweater vest that was her uncle’s (I’m told he was a tiny man), a chunky royal blue necklace that was her grandmother’s from the 50’s and the over-sized clutch that I ended up purchasing was her aunt’s from the 70’s.  For every item in her store, Lexi knows the previous owner and what decade each item is from.

Lexi exudes her super cute enthusiasm and pride as she tells each story.

chestNot only is the inventory special but so is the store itself.  Everything from her floors to her logo to the jewelry caddy’s, were all designed and/or made by her crafty friends and family.  The store is warm and comforting to shop in and you’ll never want to leave wishing that it was your closet to “shop” in every day!

Check out other NYC publications that love Antoinette:

1) Time Out NY’s “Ten things we love about Grand Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn”

2) Refinery29’s “NYC’s Secret Spots: R29ers Share Their Hush-Hush Hangouts“

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ny transit museum

Posted on October 21, 2012 by cara protzko

I know, I know. The last thing some of us probably want to do is pay more patronage to the place we already spend too much money for and spend too much time in, BUT, this is a great way to spend a rainy or cold afternoon.  A few weekends ago, my husband and I babysat for our friends’ 3 year old for the entire weekend. Knowing that this little boy LOVES riding the MTA subway buses, I knew he would totally enjoy the new york transit museum.

The museum is filled with all of the expected transit accessories including traffic lights and coordinated walk-don’t walk signs, parking meters, fire hydrants, and an array of other “street furniture”.

NJ sitting      me driving

Also, inside the museum there was a bus with its roof and side taken off.  NJ loved this, he sat for (what felt like) hours while my husband sat on the seat in front of him and had me pretending to drive.

NJ train   old train

He really enjoyed one of the “ElectriCity” displays in which he was able to push a small A train back and forth along some tracks, observing how the hidden 3rd rail produces electricity for the train.  Lastly, on the lower level, NJ was able to jump from train to train pretending to ride subways from many different decades.

The museum is great for all ages, especially for those who love exploring NYC’s history.  The museum housed a gorgeous lineup of watercolor paintings of all of the bridges; turnstiles from many decades past and large collection of old model trains.

watercolors    turnstiles   model trains

This museum humorously pays tribute to the frustration the mta plays in our everyday lives.  The museum is located underground and to to enter the museum, you must go underground via a set of stairs identical to a set of subway stairs.  Aside from the museum sign indicating the museum was down there, patrons of the museum were confused and weren’t convinced they were entering the museum and non-patrons were frustrated because they thought they were headed down for the subway.

All in all it was a nice time for a cold and rainy day as there is not a lick of sunlight and reminds you too much of your commute to work.

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sheep in bryant park!

Posted on October 14, 2012 by cara protzko

A few weeks ago, Prince Charles brought his “Campaign for Wool” to the US, particularly to Bryant Park September 27th to promote the wool industry calling it “Wool Uncovered”.

sheep in bryant park30 sheep were brought in from an upstate farm and were free to roam in a 40-foot-by-40-foot plexiglass-enclosed area in the middle of the park.  There was wool in the raw and wool as the final product putting slip covers on the park’s folding chairs and bringing in chairs, beds and rugs made out of wool all for us to touch, feel and experience.

The timing of the campaign was perfect.  If the idea was broached any other time of the year, Bryant Park may not have been the location for this campaign.  However, because the park was preparing to rip up the grass to put in the annual Citi Pond ice rink, Prince Charles’ campaign was given permission to the bring in the sheep and onto the grass.

fountain of woolThe park also drained the fountain and filled with it wool sculptures which normally wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t approaching the winter season and preparing for the holiday shops to be open by October 26th.

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porchetta with a hard k

Posted on October 3, 2012 by cara protzko

After a good workout, the last thing we should be eating is a high carb, high fat meal but let’s face it – that is what we really want.  After a solid 7 mile run, finding a lunch spot on our way to our friends’ place in Sty Town was a no-brainer – Porchetta!  Apparently it’s been open on E11th Street since 2008 but we didn’t really hear about it until Jayson recently saw that it’s namesake dish porchetta-sandwichwas on Eater’s “20 Epic New York Sandwiches to Eat Before You Die“; I’m not sure Jayson is ready to die but he is so glad that we made it there for this sandwich.  Normally, I’d like to give you my own review but Sara Jenkins has already thoroughly informed the “eater” on the store front’s website with exactly what one can expect from this sandwich – porchettaa) the pork is free range, humanely raised hormone and antibiotic free pork; b) the bread is a crusty ciabatta roll baked by Grand Daisy Bakery; c) it’s seasoned with garlic, rosemary, sage, sun dried Sicilian sea salt and wild fennel pollen from small dried petals and pollen of the wild fennel flower grown in the Mediterranean; d) the cut is a lean loin and fatty belly to get the right mix of meaty and tender; and e) because the Porchetta is roasted with the skin on, the sandwich consists of crisp flavorful shards that were for sure crispy.  I had the pressed Lebanese chicken sandwich (I ordered a spicy pickle and a side of kimchi that I added to the sandwich) which reminded me of healthier version of a Cuban sandwich. potatoesFinally, we shared the Crispy Potatoes & Burnt Ends (Russet potatoes with left over porchetta scraps, olive oil and salt) which were so moist and had a terrific smokey flavor.

Sara Jenkins has made her mark around the globe and in some well known kitchens.  I am happy she is making a mark for herself here in the East Village. I’d be happy to run 7 miles any day knowing that I can eat Porchetta’s Lebanese chicken sandwich as my reward!

What is your favorite post workout meal?

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are all workouts created equal?

Posted on September 16, 2012 by cara protzko

lu't camp No, they aren’t. In my opinion, the personality of the instructor can make or break the workout.  Any workout is what you make of it but lets face it – we all need some motivation to help get us through it and why not have some fun while we’re at it? Most workouts look the same but they all don’t “feel” the same.  The instructor is the deciding factor as to whether I would take that particular class again under their lead.  And apparently, I’m not alone on this. There is an interactive site called “Rate Your Burn” for users to share their opinions of various gym classes and review the fitness instructors that teach that class.  It also provides trending reviews and fitness articles from their blog.  A good reference for any fitness guru like myself.

9.15.12 workout groupI love a good workout and have made my Equinox gym membership worth every penny.  With all of the classes I’ve attended, I’ve been fortunate to have found some amazing instructors.  One of them is Gerren Liles, aka The People’s Trainer.  He teaches Equinox’s cardio conditioning classes called Whipped and 30/60/90, even an Abs class, but my favorite class is his killer class, and I mean it in a good way, his ViPR class.  This is a class that gets your heart rate up and works muscles throughout your entire body using a long weighted rubber tube.  He has a fun & exuberant attitude mixed with a strong and vocal supportive excitement that pushes you to that next level of believing in yourself and working to your best all while having fun – AND he’s not bad to look at! His Wednesday morning ViPR class in Brooklyn Heights is well worth the 6am wake-up call.

workoutFor those of you not willing or able to fork over the monthly dues for Equinox, there are many opportunities to get a good workout in for free across the city.  Gerren recently teamed up with his friends at the Brooklyn Lululemon Athletica store to organize a FREE Saturday morning boot camp called “Lu’t Camp“.  Yesterday was the 2nd of the 5 series (ending October 6th) and it is a great way to start the day.  About 35 of us showed up to the Meadow in Prospect Park to burn maximum calories under the morning sun doing a mix of intense cardio drills with strengthening exercises.  The hour workout is totally fun and as my teammate perfectly stated this morning “that went fast!”

I apologize for spreading the word halfway through the series but its never too late to get on board and participate in the fun over the remaining 3 Saturdays.  For more and updated information regarding the class, be sure to check out the Lu’t Camp page in Facebook as well as the lululemon athletica Brooklyn page for additional free yoga and running sessions.

For more free workout ideas around NYC feel free to contact me!  I’m always looking to mix it up.

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