a week in new york

minute by minute, my time in the city has been a fascinating, ever-changing experience as i have moved from neighborhood to neighborhood in search of my favorites of the city. despite my inability to critique every nook (who in their lifetime could?), here is what i have to say about the best of the city.

my nyc week's best top 10:

10. a bite to eat at snack. soho's tiny three-table eatery is the best greek comfort food you will find in the city. and it's cheap!
9. a night out at bam. brooklyn academy of music always has an interesting lineup of films, plays, and music--especially if you need to get away from the usual madness of times square and 42nd street. i was fortunate enough to see the deeply engaging performance of hedda gabler by co-stars cate blanchett and hugo weaving.
8. make it an eclectic night in brooklyn and try robin des bois for a vintage-aux-francais evening of provencial cooking and a kitschy crowd.
7. best caphirinia: ñ. that's the little soho tapas bar on crosby street with a delicious mixed drink (capirinhias and mojitos!) menu to accompany fresh (and truly spanish) food.
6. the whitney biennial. although the scope is different than that of the moma, but the whitney has its little finger firmly on the pulse of everything modern art--whether it's chaotic installation, intriguing film, or a veritable dishevled mess that somehow passes for art.
5. best cupcake: billy's bakery. filled with pies, cupcakes (vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet), and cheescake, this vintage 40's-esque bakery knows how to get the good down-home baking of yester-year into your tummy. and this 9th avenue chelsea staple doesn't fail to satisfy.
4. for a truly ovewhelming dining experience, atttend dinner at the recently opened meatpacking hotspot buddakan. the feel is a modern throwback to a cavernous mobster dinig hall, all with an asian twist. this extra posh meatpacking district eatery is a sight to see in itself.
3. whether you get the munchies you've just had a night out in the meatpacking district, nothing tastes better than a bite-sized pop burger. although all indications may be that of your favorite fast-food chain. the hip interior, at least, will indicate that this savory burger is something a little more.
2. still the nicest, hippest cuban restaurant in the city (with an unbelievably good corn on the cob dish--for real), it has to be cafe habana. the food's fantastic and the restaurant's nolita neighborhood is kickin'!
1. a visit to the lower east side. if nolita is for the day, the lower east side is for a rollicking night. here's a lineup: arlene's grocery: an up-and-coming live music venue disguised as the village grocer. next door: the stanton social, a posh ultra-fusion restaraunt, served in tasting portions. down the street: hotel on rivington: swanky manhattan hotel, in all-out *wallpaper style. even if you don't have a room, take time to sip on a cool cocktail. a block away: welcome to the johnson's: a hip little dive bar, fashioned like the neighbor's rec room. complete with faux wood paneling, a pool table, 70's stone living room wall, vintage tv, puffy couch, and a pac-man video game. man, those johnsons are so cool.