Being a bargain hunter, with a taste for the finer things in life, is no less than a full time job; and most New Yorkers just can’t find the time in their already hectic lives. So what’s a thrifty shopper to do? Rely on the Guerilla Shopper – that’s what! The Guerilla Shopper has been “beating retail at its own game since the 80s” and with a repertoire like that, the Guerilla Shopper is sure to keep you abreast of the latest bargains and shopping trends! Check in with this blog once you’ve inevitably reached your wits end with your usual shopping haunts!

10012: Soho’s Hair Hideaway

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Your hair is not a place to cut corners! (no pun intended) You may have to spend more money than you want to, or than your husband/significant other wants you to. Tough. Do it. It will make you look better, feel better and give you something to look forward to every 6 weeks or so…8 weeks at the longest. This is where you can spend the money that you’ve saved after utilizing effective Guerilla Shopping technique! So where should you go? Try Mario Diab salon (stylist Helik Torres is my favorite). Set in something of a mini-co-operative business space in Soho at 62 Crosby St., the salon is tucked in the basement. Completely outfit in black and white, this calm environment allowed me to get my hair done efficiently and effectively in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling mirror while drinking green tea. I was in, I was out and on my way. With my hair bouncing happily atop my head.

What is your favorite “Hair Hideaway”?

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December 20, 8pm / $30

Blue Note / 131 W 3rd St. / between MacDougal St. and Sixth Ave / 10012

Click Here for More Info!

November 24, 7:30pm / $6

The Bitter End / 147 Bleecker St. / btw La Guardia Pl and Thompson St. / 10012

http://www.themoth.org

November 10, 5:30am / $125

495 Broadway / 10012

driveclubs.com

For the ultimate mix of old and new, and a little something all its own, head to the East Village. Vintage toys, magazines, and clothes of all kinds can be found at Love Saves The Day. If you are missing your School House Rock lunchbox, Smurf miniatures, or an awesome 80’s era leather jacket, you can probably find it here in Leslie Herson’s home for all things nostalgic. When you are done looking back, Blue and Cream showcases the cutting edge of high-end fashion. With labels such as Charlotte Ronson, Alexander Wang, L.A.M.B., and Herve Leger, Jeff Goldstein has created a haven for the modern fashionista. And the truly original can be themselves at legendary fashion designer Patricia Field’s home on the Bowery. A little bit Hollywood, a little bit old school, and a little bit for everyone can be found downtown.

Love Saves the Day
119 2nd Avenue, 10003

Blue and Cream
11 E 1st Street, 10003
www.blueandcream.com

Patricia Field
302 Bowery, 10012
www.patriciafield.com

What Are Your East Village Shopping Destinations?

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Take a break from the busy hustle and bustle of NYC and put mud all over your body. Get relaxing treatments from massages to facials and pedicures to manicures. More than 80 of NYC top spas are offering treatment.

October 13-19 / $50

Spas throughout NYC

Click Here for More Info!

Little Italy NYC Food: Feast of San Gennaro & Italian Sandwiches

These days Little Italy is a mere shadow of its former self. It takes the Feast of San Gennaro to put one of NYC’s most historic hoods back on the map. Unfortunately, I’ve found that a lot of the food at the Feast is the same stuff you’ll find at a summer street fair in Midtown. That’s why NYC Food Guy is here, to highlight some authenticity with two Italian sandwiches that will remind you the “real” Little Italy lives on. Read on for the inside info plus a delicious street fair standard that’s actually worth eating

Grand Italian Food Center’s “Fireman Special” $7.90
Smoked Turkey, Smoked Mozzarella & Hot Pepper Sauce

There’s only so much you can say about a sandwich with three ingredients. In this case it comes down to one word, and yes, you guessed it: delicious.

* Hot pepper flakes are combined with oil and other spices (below) and then spread on a standard, chewy Italian hero roll.
* A healthy serving of smoked turkey is sliced thin right in front of you and the smoked mozzarella follows.
* The result is a confluence of flavor you’ve likely never experienced; the smokey turkey and creamy mozzarella counteract the fiery hot pepper sauce soaked into the roll.
* Another favorite at Grand Italian Food Center is the “New Yorker” (ham, salami, prosciutto, provolone, peppers and mushrooms) although I recommend you head to the next spot for an Italian hero…

Alleva of Little Italy’s “Italian Combo” $7.50
Genoa Salami, Sopressata, Prosciutto, Provolone, Roasted Red Peppers, Olive Oil,
and Balsamic Vinegar

The Alleva family has been making ricotta and mozzarella in Little Italy for over 100 years. Stepping into their store, you’re overcome by the smell of imported meats and freshly made cheeses. This is a true taste of Little Italy, just like their Italian combo. Here’s the step-by-step construction…

1) A healthy serving of roasted red peppers are placed on the inside of a mundane hero. The bread, unfortunately, was the weakest aspect of this sandwich. Read on to find out how to circumvent this roadblock. The roasted peppers, however, were delicious; integral to balancing the salt level of the Italian meats, these fresh, flavorful peppers are marinated in olive oil and spices.

2) Silky prosciutto goes down first, followed by the slightly spicy sopresatta and garlicky Genoa salami. The prosciutto, already the most expensive meat on the sandwich, was by far the tastiest.

3) It all gets a light dousing with olive oil and balsamic vinegar before the roll closes around it. Below is the result. Despite the ingredients’ authenticity, it’s not the best Italian Hero I’ve ever had, that title, so far goes to Faicco’s Pork Store on Bleecker Street between 6th & 7th Avenue.

NYC Food Guy Special Recommendation

Alleva has great meats and cheeses but their hero roll was definitely lacking. My recommendation, therefore, is to pick up cheese and sliced meats at Alleva and find your own bread to build a sandwich with. Balthazar, Grandaisy, Blue Ribbon, Vesuvio and Parisi are all bakeries within 5 to 10 minutes walk of Alleva.

MozzArepas – Street Fair Food Worth Eating

As the sign says, mozzarella cheese griddled between two pieces of moist on the inside, crispy on the outside, cornbread. At $4 per MozzArepa, it’s the perfect combo of salty, melty and sweet. I recommend you split one with a friend, however, because the MozzArepas are pretty heavy. It’s just good to get a little taste.

Grand Italian Food Center
186 Grand St., 10013
212-925-2954

Alleva of Little Italy
188 Grand St., 10013
212-226-7990
800-4-ALLEVA
www.allevadairy.com

For more of NYC Food Guy’s delicious reviews click here.

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Where Do You Go For The Best Italian Sandwiches? Post A Comment Below!

Manhattan is a gastronome’s fantasyland, with every imaginable country and culture represented. Since CiNYC is always on the lookout for cool eats, the show took a tour of the island to highlight a few Manhattan favorites, discovering that the secret to their success is integrating classic cuisine and modern tastes. First on this Tasting Tour is Harlem staple Dinosaur BBQ in 10027. The succulent pork ribs are marinated for 24 hours in the joint’s “Action Spice” rub, while the tender brisket and mouthwatering Texas rib-eye are all prepared with generous amounts of their signature barbeque sauce. Fried green tomatoes with Pecorino Romano cheese and savory deviled eggs are served alongside pit-smoked chicken wings and tangy mac and cheese. Owner John Stage explains the secret of Dinosaur’s sauce is the balance of flavors. “It’s sweet, spicy, a little sour, and has a little heat to it – but it never overwhelms the meat,” he says. The sauce embraces the distinct taste created by the hickory wood smoke constantly smoldering in the Dinosaur pit.

Next, the trip heads downtown to 10012 for a stop at Negril Village. General Manager Sim Walker explains their philosophy is maintaining a cosmopolitan vibe while showcasing new Caribbean cuisine, culture, and entertainment. Specialties like oxtail stew and saltfish with sorrel stewed plantains are featured with the famously spicy jerk salmon. The core ingredient to their jerk seasoning is the scotch bonnet pepper.
Named after the Jamaican city famous for its 7-mile beach, Negril Village serves its delectable delicacies against a festive atmosphere that includes a downstairs lounge with live performances. As Walker reveals, “The food is definitely the anchor to the restaurant, but food and music go hand in hand.” Venture to the Village to experience this gem.

www.dinosaurbarbque.com

www.negrilvillage.com

When Natalya Bagrova discovered her fiancée’s photo collection from the year he spent hitchhiking across the globe, she knew the images didn’t belong hidden on a shelf. She also knew that the photography scene was notoriously competitive. “I said to him, why don’t we think of another means to show your photography? Why don’t we put them on clothing?” Bagrova recalls. Six months later, Suva was born. The line features seam-to-seam photographs on tanks, tees, dresses and even home accessories. A private journal entry describing the shutter snap accompanies each piece. “A lot of people would love to see the world but don’t have the time or means,” says Bagrova. “With our clothing, they might get a little taste of it.”

www.suvawear.com

Shop Suva at:
Edge*NY
65 Bleecker Street, 10012

David Denosowicz and Maggie Doyle are forging their way into fashion with Bang, an edgy line of jewelry, totes and tees. The newlywed team combined their backgrounds in metalsmithing to create oversize laser-cut acrylic pendants of broken hearts, storm clouds, birds, and even skulls. “It’s fun, edgy and can be trendy and classic at the same time,” describes Denosowicz. The Brooklyn pair are part of a growing creative crowd who are shunning 9-5 jobs in favor of something more fulfilling. “We’re trying to live the indie lifestyle,” declares Denosowicz. “It’s more work, but it’s on your terms and there’s more possibility. The more I put into it, the more I get out of it.”

www.wearebang.com

Shop Bang at:

Young Designers Market
268 Mulberry Street, 10012
Saturdays and Sundays only