rins:

The SoHo Synagogue — dubbed the “hipster synagogue” — at 43 Crosby Street show huge, back-lit windows, a modern Torah ark made up of movable orbs and a vibrant color theme more befitting a hot night spot than a house of prayer… the new shul will have frequent services in a “boutique synagogue” setting with only 72 seats.…The synagogue’s chairs can be hung on walls to form artwork when prayer services are finished, and a collapsible dining table can be easily stowed away during parties or times of worship.

There goes the neighborhood.
[via DNAinfo.com]

The SoHo Synagogue — dubbed the “hipster synagogue” — at 43 Crosby Street show huge, back-lit windows, a modern Torah ark made up of movable orbs and a vibrant color theme more befitting a hot night spot than a house of prayer… the new shul will have frequent services in a “boutique synagogue” setting with only 72 seats.

…The synagogue’s chairs can be hung on walls to form artwork when prayer services are finished, and a collapsible dining table can be easily stowed away during parties or times of worship.

There goes the neighborhood.

[via DNAinfo.com]

inarcissus:

Soho is touristville plus cute bustards

arig:

“The sign at the BP station on Houston St. in New York got punked in the same manner as the flag outside the oil company’s London HQ. Photo by Johan Lammers.” (via caro)

BP Station in SoHo to be “Occupied” by Protest of Costumed Sea Creatures Tonight!

(via mikehudack, blakeley)

Sad.

blackberryvision:

Soho.

EDITOR NOTE: That is sooooo not Sweet and Vicious but it’s beautiful, anyone know what bar this photo is from?

pop-enomics:

This past weekend I helped celebrate my friend Kristy’s 25th birthday with frozen margaritas in Mason jars at Sweet & Vicious in Soho. I had never even heard of this place up until this past Saturday but I’m glad I was introduced to it.

Sweet & Vicious is a perfect mix between a dive bar and a lounge serving up many different cocktails in addition to housing a backyard garden for those days where all you want to do is have a drink and soak up some sunshine. Starting on the weekends in June through September they will be open from noon-4am so whether you just want an afternoon cocktail or a night of dancing with friends this place has it all. I definitely recommend checking it out!

(via nycthe)

brianvan:

“With honesty and optimism, Smith said that New York City “has closed itself off to the young and the struggling. But there are other cities. Detroit. Poughkeepsie. New York City has been taken away from you. So my advice is: Find a new city.””

— via The Rumpus. I’m sorry I didn’t reblog whoever posted this first, but I didn’t think about it until I went out for lunch and then I couldn’t find the original post. But the point is, I’d like to respectfully disagree with Patti Smith and say that New York City still has plenty of cheap housing if you’re willing to live in the Detroit or Poughkeepsie that is arguably parts of uptown Manhattan, most certainly large swaths of the Bronx, and probably parts of (outer) Brooklyn and Queens, though I’m less familiar with these nabes. I understand that the landscape of the city has changed dramatically over the past forty years, so that you can’t live in an abandoned loft in Soho anymore and walk to your favorite art galleries/experimental punk-rock venues, but all too often I hear people talk about the city with this insipid nostalgia, with the implication that new artists have to live where they once lived (and probably still do), which are now gentrified (and no coincidence, predominately white, and yes, very expensive) neighborhoods, when that is most certainly not the case. (via matthewgallaway)

I just wrote 300 words to add to Matthew’s comments but deleted them because it sounded too Brian Van-ish. Basically, just wanted to say Matthew is right. (via youngmanhattanite)

Bite me. Anyway, I only partially agree. No, artists can’t expect to live in Soho, and they have to understand that the reason why the previous generation of artists lived in Soho is because that was where they were pushed to the fringes of the inhabitable world, at the time. People forget that Soho and Tribeca were once dodgy places. I’m not going to pretend to know firsthand, but I think I’ve read more books than people who speak freely on the matter.

Conversely, Soho worked because it was dodgy but it was highly convenient, and there was already a large bohemian community here to kickstart it. And the beginnings of New York’s renaissance coincided with the city being in a prolonged funk, lacking both desirability and serious development interest. It was a tremendous opportunity to regain value. Today, NYC has just came off of its peak, and nothing is a bargain or a gem-in-the-rough. Bushwick and SoBro are a lot less convenient and a lot more dodgy. Those arrangements are unlikely to work for young people looking to come here for community and inspiration; shit, it’s not even working for middle class people working for six figures. The economics of NYC are unsustainable. There’s very few realistic opportunities left for young and thrifty artists looking to make a start. And real-estate opportunities are likely to be frozen for all but the wealthiest buyers, for years to come, unless prices come down.

Matthew Gallaway’s unfamiliarity with the far-off neighborhoods, and I say this respectfully but logically, make him unqualified to recommend them. I know a little more about them, and let’s just say that there are few ripe (or safe) opportunities in this metro area at the moment. Indeed, some other depressed manufacturing cities in the Northeast might yield more fertile ground for young creative pioneers willing to keep things modest at the start. I’m not entirely convinced that any of them can reverse the outward flow of people with brains. It’s probably more likely to find such people in North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Winter sucks, dude.

mascarah:

Where to Eat in Soho & Nolita

I’ve been called a “walking Zagat guide” by more than a few of my friends and although I’m far from that, I am most definitely a lover of food. I’ve started sharing my top picks, hood by hood. If you’re new to my lists, here’s West Village, Chelsea & Flatiron and LES. Next Tuesday? East Village. Now…without further ado..

Best:

Savoy: So. Fresh. So. Good. Nothing innovative but totally tasty. This place is a little gem. One of my favorites in the neighborhood.

Balthazar: Home of the downtown power brunch, the secret reservation line…and an amazing shellfish/oyster platter that will blow your mind. This is the most copied restaurant in the world and rightly so. It’s just one of those places…

Lure Fish Bar: LOVE this place. Amazing burger, fabulous oysters, fresh sushi and my favorite shrimp appetizer in the world. Advice: post up at the bar and skip the more pretentious dining room. This place is a bit of a scene but somehow it works…

Blue Ribbon Sushi: Delicious. Fresh. Yummy.

Café Habana: CORN. ON. THE. COB. And everything else is pretty good too (on top of that the waitresses are almost always HOT).

Good:

Raoul’s: An old school institution that is a fun place to unwind with your friends and people watch generations of locals gathering for pate and wine. Probably the most uptown place in Soho but it gets a free pass because there’s something about it that is just really cool.

Boqueria: One of my favorite tapas joints in the city with a mean sangria. The original is in the flatiron district but this new, second outpost is a bit more spacious and equally delicious.

Ed’s Lobster Bar: A direct Pearl Oyster knock-off but still packs a solid lobster roll.

La Esquina: A legendary location with a solid menu. A bit pricey and not very authentic but overall it is just a dang good time.

Lombardi’s: Lines around the block and no reservations at this famous pizza joint. Come with your family on a Monday and be prepared to wait.

Café Gitane: Best dang couscous ever!

Aquagrill: Falafel crusted fish that will blow your mind and a shellfish plateau that rivals Balthazar’s. I love this place for a fresh, delicious seafood night out. (Note: A bit on the pricey side…)

Mercer Kitchen: Jean. Georges. Pricey and a major scene but solid food, all around. Great place to take your model-izer friend.

Kenmare: Go now while my friend Joey is at the helm. Order the chicken, gnocchi, meatball sliders, chocolate cake.

Peasant: Solid italian in a cozy environment. A bit pricey but overall delish

Cheap:

Calexico: a taco cart with guys who get it right. It’s new Texan taco, but it’s a great cheap quick lunch. Chipotle pork = king.

Hampton Chutney Co: I’m not sure how authentic these dosas are but delicious they most definitely are. One of my favorite on-the-go lunches in Soho. I like to take them around the corner to the open space on Lafayette, pop a squat a dig in. Delish.

Hoomoos Asli: Delicious shawarma at a pretty affordable ($8.75) price…

Lucky Strike: One of my fav late night and random bar eats in this part of town. A little frat-tastic at times but during the week it scores a solid crowd (bonus: for ladies – lots of good rugged eye candy)

Café Select: Cheap, good wine with affordable, solid eats.

Famous Ben’s Pizza: yummy, cheap and open late night. Love their square slices.

Kelley & Ping: Grab a lunch box (Dim Sum, Rice/chicken or pad thai) or a noodle dish from this yummy Asian grocery and noodle shop.

Café al Portal: One of my favorite burritos in the city and if you live in the area- they deliver!

Pinche Taqueria: Grab a few to go. Won’t blow your mind but they are quite solid. Favs include: rolled tacos, carnitas, carne asada and al pastor.

Ruby’s: I love this Aussie café and their fun, somewhat authentic food. The aussie burger is divine.

Brunch:

Nolita House: Absolutely LOVE their Bluegrass Brunch – mac & cheese and live music and Coors Light = awesome.

Hundred Acres: From the Cookshop & Five Points guys so you know this joint is local, fresh ingredient driven and very good. Downside? Super long waits and staff who are rude more often than not.

Felix: Annoyingly cash only but the pitchers of caipirinhas and mojitos are fabulous, ditto on the fries. And some of the hottest male waiters I’ve ever seen…

Café Colonial: I’m not sure if anything here is mind blowing but it is a solid, delicious brunch.

Public: One of my favorite brunches in the city and way too long of a wait.

Lovely Day Café: Irish Sausage & Fried Egg sandwich. Orgasmic.

Random:

L’Orange Bleue: Not the best food in the world but a really fun place to go with a group. They have an awesome belly dancer show that happens every half hour or so and a super fun staff.

Café Noir: Sometimes obnoxious, sometimes a perfect place to eat some late night fries and a delicious baked brie (so FREAKING good).

8 Mile Creek: Has to be on the list somewhere because it’s packed to the brim with hot aussies more often than not.

Emporio: An awesome happy hour at the bar with super cheap wine and solid pizzas.

Rice to Riches: Tons of different types of rice pudding. Not the best you’ll ever have but still worth an occasional visit.

Skip:

Downtown Cipriani: In a word? BLAH.

Elizabeth: There’s just nothing good about this space besides the garden in the back and the fact that it’s on Elizabeth St. Overpriced and just not worth it.

Snack: Is there a good Greek restaurant in this city? Because I can’t find one in Manhattan that I love. Astoria or bust?

Shorty’s 32: Some of the worst service in the city and mediocre food.

I’m sure I’m missing some places so tell me…what do you think?