Restaurant Week Doesn't Have to End...

Top restaurants at half the price...
http://www.wpix.com/dining_pix

I Like the Sound of Free...but?

Just came across an article on wpix.com about a store where everything is free...

BY STEVE BOGART | wpix.com
February 27, 2009
FINANCIAL DISTRICT (WPIX) -- There's a new store called "The Free Store" and it has the best prices in town. Located at 99 Nassau Street in the Financial District, the entire store is literally giving it's merchandise out for free. That's right. Everything. Free.
So what's the catch, you ask? According to the store's owners, Athena Robles and fellow artist Anna Stein - there isn't any. They say they've got jewelry, vintage clothing and all sorts of knick-knacks, and you can take anything you want and no money ever changes hands.

If that's the case, and it is, that begs the next question. With so many New Yorkers unemployed and many more losing or in danger of losing, their jobs, how does the store stay in business more than one day? The answer seems to be that good ol' American sense of fair play.
As one man who picked up a corkscrew and notebook, but also decided to donate his mom's vintage dress said, taking all that free stuff is almost un-American. He told the New York Post he felt much more comfortable giving something back in return.
It's become kind of a voluntary barter system, much like those of us old enough to remember that was alive and well in the late 1960's and early 1970's.
So go and visit. It's a great experience. But do yourself a favor, bring something to give back if you can. Otherwise the Free Store won't be there for long.

FYI

- Restaurant week (um more like a month and 1/2- no complaints here) has been extended until this friday so make your last bit of reservations to many of the city's top restaurants
nycgo.com/restaurantweek
- FInding it a little hard to fathom ticket prices for Broadway shows? For Off Broadway shows, you can purchase 2-for-1 tickets until March 1st
http://nycgo.com/onthehouse
- Heard about this shoe website this morning on the z100 radio show. It looks like a cheaper inventory of brand name shoes that is owned by zappos.com
http://6pm.com

Look fierce and get on with your dinner and a show!

Damn that Muffintop!

Indecisive as to which gym to join? Hesitant about signing a gym contract? The American Health and Fitness Alliance offers a sensible solution with its passbooks available for New York, Chicago, Houston, and LA. The Fitness Passbook includes 600 passes for free admission to over 150 health and fitness spots. There's also a Yoga Passbook with other 350 passes for free admission to over 125 yoga, dance and pilates studios. And finally, if pilates is the way you want to work out, then get the Pilates Passbook with other 70 passes for free classes and private sessions at over 40 studios. Each passbook is $75 a pop, but the savings is well over thousands.

For more info and to order a passbook: http://health-fitness.org/ny.html

The Best "Cafeteria" Food

Clinton St. Bakery
4 Clinton St (btwn E. Houston and Stanton)

is an understated spot (that vaguely reminds me of a cafeteria) with the best brunch in NYC I've ever had. We expected a wait at a place voted as having the best brunch menu by Time Out in '07 and most notably for their pancakes by NY magazine, but we didn't anticipate hanging around LES for 45 minutes! Have to say though, it was worth the wait and the hype. Just pick a nice day to go and a patient friend to loiter with. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner is served here and prices, reasonable. There's also a to-go menu.
For hours and menu, check out: http://www.clintonstreetbaking.com/

February is pancake month at Clinton St. Bakery with different flavors every other day!

Eye On Exhibit

Whether or not you were a McCain supporter or Obama devotee, we all have to admit that this past election was a historical one on many fronts. The public will be watching closely as Obama delves into his presidency.

Photographer Scout Tufankijan is displaying significant images of Obama's campaign journey. Yes you can check out this exhibit for free at the powerHouse Arena located at 37 Main St at Water St in Dumbo Brooklyn. http://powerhousebooks.com/yeswecan/