“Break from the Norm” Burgers: Del Frisco’s, Ruby’s, Great Jones Cafe

By The NYC Food Guy

In this “burger obssessed age“, where beef on a bun is the restaurant industry’s lone recession-proof dish, NYC Food Guy is here to shed some light on three burgers that are a break from the normal fare.  One’s both beauty and beast, one’s from Down Under and the last is just a heart-stopper.  Read on for three different takes on an American classic…

Beauty & The Beast

10 oz. Prime Burger ($15.95, served at lunch only) with cheddar, lettuce, tomato & onion

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House

1221 6th Avenue at 49th Street

New York, NY 10020

212-575-5129

If you’re looking to eat a beast of a burger in a beautiful atmosphere, Del Frisco’s burger is for you.  The burger arrived topped with sharp cheddar and complementary sugar-cured bacon which had been slow-cooked 4 hours.  The slightly-sweet bun was lightly toasted but remained airy and soft.

As a steak house burger, the sweet flavor of the beef shined through foremost, so much so that ketchup isn’t really necessary.   The fresh-tasting 10 ounce patty arrived a perfectly cooked to order medium rare but the slow-cooked bacon stole the show. It was incredibly savory and melted in your mouth, some of the finest bacon I’ve tasted.

The mildly sharp cheddar offered a flavor that didn’t meld with the clean-tasting burger.  The bun also had issues,  it was too flimsy to stand up to the juiciness of a burger this size.  As you can see below, the burger overtook the bun resulting in final bites that were all burger and no bread.

At $11.95 per order, the onion rings are sweet and crispy but unnecessary.  They failed to enhance the burger when placed on top and eaten in the sandwich and they stole valuable stomach space.  The homemade potato chips were similarly defeating, arriving room temperature and lacking any purpose of flavor.  Steer clear of both, in addition to the complementary bread offered at the beginning of the meal, if you want to get your moneys worth with the burger.

The Australian Burger

Whaleys ($12.50) Premium ground beef, tomato, lettuce, beet, pineapple, fried egg, ketchup

Bronte ($11) Premium ground beef, tomato, lettuce, sweet chili, mayo, cheese

Ruby’s Cafe & Bar

219 Mulberry Street b/t Spring St. & Prince St.

New York, NY 10012

212-925-5755

This easy-to-miss, 4-table Australian bar and cafe offers 5 types of burgers, two with chicken breast, in addition to some interesting pastas, paninis, salads and breakfast until 1pm.  No French fries or chips are offered.  The Whaleys, seen below, is the most unique burger on the menu but it’s diverse ingredients didn’t create any harmony around the meatloaf-like burger.

More aptly described as a massive meat sandwich, the Whaleys arrives on a crisp but untoasted ciabatta roll which hardly hugs the cumbersome ingredients.  It’s awkward texturally and poorly constructed, the entire sandwiched dominated by the sweetness of the pineapple and ketchup cut against the garlicky beef patty. The overcooked fried egg repelled from the burger and the cold beets, tomato and pineapple continued to detract from the overall unity.  Only the accompanying mixed greens salad dressed in a savory balsamic vinaigrette shined.

The Bronte burger (below), made famous at Kingswood, another Australian restaurant owned by Ruby’s proprietors, was more in tune overall.  Sweet chili sauce and mayo rest atop two slices of melted Swiss cheese which keeps the burger tied to the ciabatta.  I recommend this burger, which may be better as a chicken breast sandwich, over the Whaleys.

If I return to Ruby’s, it would be to pair a non-burger offering with one of their three Australian beers: James Boag, Coopers and Lucky.  Lucky ($7), which comes in a Buddha shaped bottle, was delicious, reminiscent of a lighter, more bubbly Red Stripe.

The Heart-Stopper

Chili Bacon Cheeseburger ($16)

Great Jones Cafe

54 Great Jones Street b/t Lafayette St. & Bowery

New York, NY 10012

(212) 674-9304

 My first impression: “Wow, I am a carnivore.”  This meat-lover’s burger, served in the cozy, dimly lit confines of this friendly bar and restaurant delivers 3 slices of well-crisped bacon and a light coating of “Mission” beef chili (beef, red beans, celery) crowned atop a massive, griddled beef patty.  It’s all sandwiched between an airy yet sturdy bun from Parisi bakery, the top half of which a healthy amount of cheddar is melted upon.

Overall this massive burger lacked the flavor punch one would hope for.  The juicy yet slightly overcooked burger would have benefited from a nice charbroiling, the flavor of smoke and fire would have added some much needed depth.  The bacon was superfluous, hearty but standard.  The “Mission” beef chili, one of a rotating menu of chili, was mild and thin.  After failing to create the spice I desired by adding some El Yucateco habanero hot sauce, I requested some chopped green jalapenos to add onto the burger.  The flavor of the peppers was a nice touch, but the spicy bite I desired to complement the sweetness of the bun, was missing.

Opt for the sweet potato fries, some of the best I’ve had, over the hand-cut fries below.  The sweet potato fries cut through the saltiness of the chili cheese burger but the heavily-salted regular hand-cut fries, made from a darker potato than your standard Idaho, didn’t complement the burger quite as well.   They would, however, make a great base for chili cheese fries.

I’d just as soon return to Great Jones Cafe to drink as I would to sample some of their other reasonably priced home-cooked offerings such as the Barbque Ribs or the Garlic Shrimp Sautee. A new menu of daily specials accompanies the quality beer menu, which during Happy Hour (5-7PM Daily) allows you to enjoy a $3 pint while listening to Bluegrass on the old school jukebox.

What’s the worst burger you’ve ever had in New York City?

Post a Comment And Let Us Know!

Has hunger struck your zip code, or maybe just your belly? Don’t fret! The Feisty Foodie has your stomach’s best interests at heart. Yvo, aka the feisty foodie, uses her blog to keep every New Yorker’s inner gastronome alive and well fed. The Feisty Foodie features everything from “scrumtrulescent” home recipes to brutally honest restaurant reviews – her recommendations are a guaranteed win and will always leave you satisfied!

What brought you to New York?
I was actually born & raised in Forest Hills, Queens. After moving around NYC for a bit in my early-mid 20s, I found there really is no place like home, so I bought a place and moved back to Forest Hills.

What do you love about living in New York?
Gosh, what’s there not to love, as corny as that sounds. There’s the culture, the love, the people, the food, the energy… and best of all, where else can you decide at 2 am that you want pierogies and just go out and get them, no question? Seriously, though, the energy is just awesome, it keeps you pumped, excited, and ready to go for more. There’s a real hunger in the air for not just food, but for knowledge, for fun, for the next big thing…

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
The ability to walk nonchalantly across a busy New York street, narrowly get missed by a speeding cab, stop, shake your fist after it, and scream properly, “Hey! I’m WALKIN’ hea!” Honestly, I don’t know. It’s something innate that not everyone has, and some people never will.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?
Definitely the energy. There’s nothing like it in the whole world, not that I’ve discovered anyway. The city that never sleeps, the vibrant wakefulness you can feel at 3 am and how you just know there’s always an adventure just around the corner. On a more personal, specific level, though, I miss my own bed and my dog the most when I travel. Neither ever disappoints, a good comfy snuggle with both is just the best after a long flight. Or at the end of a roadtrip, yeah, I’m sad that another great trip is coming to an end, but that moment when the car or bus or whatever is coming close to the city, that first glimpse you get of the skyline – be it daytime or nighttime – that one always just makes me suck in my breath a little and go, “Oh,” and that’s why I will never move from NYC.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?
Be open minded to new experiences. Even if you think you hate a cuisine or type of food, spend some time figuring out why – is it the texture of a food? Maybe it’s better raw than cooked, or vice versa. Is it the combination of spices? If so, you probably really can’t get into that cuisine if you just flat out don’t like the taste of their spices, but try cuisines of their neighboring countries; it should be similar but not quite the same, and maybe ease your way back into the one that offended you in the first place. Try stuff you don’t like again, every so often, because tastebuds change and you may just find yourself suddenly loving that which you didn’t like originally. Seriously – be open minded. There’s a reason somewhere, people love what you hate. Food is enjoyed and savored in countries across the world, there isn’t one whole country or culture anywhere that completely views eating only as a necessity and not to be enjoyed. Try to find something new you like every day – it might be a challenge but what a fun one!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
Central Park.

Best place to dine late night?
Anywhere in the East Village for a quick snack, or a diner in Queens for something more sit-down and drunken.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)
In the past month: cheese & wine tastings and classes; press events for various food-related items; the last baseball game at Shea Stadium; Target Free Friday nights at the MoMA.

Strangest/Coolest NY experience you have ever had?
Walking from Central Park starting at midnight, down to the Brooklyn Bridge and standing at the midway point, trying to watch the sunrise, on a chilly August night.

Best area or neighborhood for fine food on a budget?
Hmmm that depends on what you mean by “fine.” If you just mean good, then Queens, I would say Jackson Heights has a lot of good, inexpensive options depending on what your tastebuds like, though I haven’t fully explored the area yet. If you mean slightly upscale/trendy, that’s a harder call, but I think Forest Hills offers a lot in the way of options, though I’m still feeling out a few places to try to get a better idea of what they’re about. There are some solid options that I’ve stumbled on and seem to be very promising, while other places are surely best forgotten. Stay tuned…

Best way to spot a food trend?
Really, just keep your eyes peeled and tuned to the scene: go out and eat a lot, and often, at all the latest places, and keep up to date on the blogs and other online foodie information sources. I’m not that into trendy eating, so something has to be fairly obvious before I notice it…

Final Thoughts?
The most important thing, I think, is to never take yourself or your food too seriously, or it loses its fun. Just have fun and if it tastes good, eat it. If it doesn’t, be polite about it. NEVER say “EWWW” to anyone else’s food – that is the rudest thing a person can say to anyone. Just accept that not everything is for you, and move on… there is no need to insult other people or their food choices. Food is deeply personal, just like religion and politics. Seriously though – just have fun!

feistyfoodie.blogspot.com

Do you have a secret recipe?

Post It Below And Let Us Know!

What started as an innovative way for a public relations company to utilize the internet, has become an all encompassing source for arts and entertainment events in NYC. Termeh Mazhari not only uses New York Buzz to promote and endorse her PR clients, but also posts reviews of new shows, interviews with trendsetters, and info for all sorts of art exhibits. And Mazhari wants to hear from you. If you went to the Francisca Bastos Jewelry Show or caught a performance of Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad, tell her about it. If you want to spread the word about an event of your own, shoot her an email. Log on to see what all the buzz is about!

Tell us about your blog: New York Buzz is a perso-professional blog that reaches out to New Yorkers who want to hear about cool new happenings in their city (and occasionally beyond). I first launched the blog in April, 2008, soon after AMP3 Public Relations (an A&E-focused PR firm in NYC) hired me as their social media publicist.

The initial purpose of the blog was to offer an up-close-and-personal portrait of our clients (most of whom are in the entertainment industry), but it also featured their latest news and events. In September 2008, I decided to open up my blog to non-clients. So now, anyone who has an interesting New York event they want to promote can just shoot me an email and I might feature it on my blog.

What brought you to New York?

I work in the city, but actually live in Great Neck, Long Island, which is only a 22 minute express train ride away from Penn Station. I came to New York from Philadelphia in search of better work opportunities and a more exciting, multicultural environment. Does moving to New York ever really need a reason though?

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Well, the obvious answer would be ATTITUDE – and, although that’s certainly true, I’d also add that it’s their open-mindedness and willingness to think outside the box.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The late-night store hours! It truly is the city that never sleeps.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

I like to browse New York Magazine’s Sales & Bargain section for info on upcoming sample sales at clothing stores. I’m also surprised that more people aren’t aware that most NYC museums have “pay what you wish” days – check out here for details.

And lately, I’ve been loving Restaurant.com. They have hundreds of Manhattan restaurants in their database and you can get discounted coupons for dirt cheap! (another secret: there’s almost always a discount code to make the coupons even cheaper!). I just bought a 25 dollar coupon for only 4 dollars!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

The Flatiron building! I walk by it every single day on my way to work and it never ceases to take my breath away! It’s simply stunning.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I went to see Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad theater! Abso-friggin-hilarious! Kristen Johnston’s spot-on reading of Zsa Zsa Gabor’s autobiography almost made me wet my pants!

Best area or neighborhood for fashion steals?

SoHo! On Broadway, between Canal and Houston – lots of small boutiques with great, fun finds that won’t break your wallet!

www.newyorkbuzz.org

What is Your New York Buzz?

Tell us all about it!

Scott Lipps has dedicated himself to making you almost as cool as he is. He has created a blog to bring you what he calls “Fast Forward Pop Culture.” It is a one-stop reference guide for everything new and cool in pop culture. Scott spends hours researching everything from what you should buy to where you should eat and what you should watch. And, of course, only the newest Macbook, newest fashion line at H&M, newest play to hit Broadway, newest art book, and newest food event make thenewblog.

Tell us about your blog and how you got started? I used to read countless things looking and seeking out all the hot new things in pop culture and tearing things out of every kind of publication I could get my hands on. Thus, I saw a necessity to have all this info under one roof, hence the newblog.

What brought you to New York?

I was a rock n roll drummer playing in a very popular LA band called Black Cherry… we featured Paul Black, the singer of LA Guns. I had an injury and started working in management and next thing you know, a few years later, came to NY to partner in a modeling agency. Now One Management is becoming a great entertainment company with branches in fashion, film and music.

What do you love about living in New York?

I love the urgency and excitement of NY. It’s like no other city. But I have to be honest, it can also wear you out if you go out as much as I do… lol.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Honesty and integrity, that’s all about NY. NYers are a breed unto themselves.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

You can pass the same street 5 times and see something new all the time. There is so much to see and do here culturally that you never feel like you’ve exhausted all your options.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

I miss hopping in a cab and jumping from place to place, and the energy in the streets. Love the west side, Battery Park too. It feels like I’m in another city, not to mention the amazing food and culture.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

The best tips? Read thenewblog.net!!!!! I spend hours on researching what’s hot, new and happening in cities like NY and it all comes to you free of charge!!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Never done one in NY, but I’d have to say those cheesy tourist buses. I took one in London and I was able to see things I probably would have missed on other trips. Cheesy, but fun.

Best place to dine late night?

Love Sushi Seki. Although I haven’t hit it too many late nights, apparently it’s open real late.

Best live music venue?

Still like Irving Plaza or the Fillmore, but I feel like the time is right for a new music venue! Stay tuned for details…

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Probably the Chappelle show at the Shifrazi gallery!

Best people watching?

Bar Pitti, always a good scene.

What is the newest, hottest thing in New York we should know about?

Where do we start? So many… I have to refer back to my blog. You’ll hear about lots of the NEW best stuff around.

Best place to throw a party?

Have to go with my home away from home at the Gramercy Park Hotel Rose Bar, always family night for me.

www.thenewblog.net

What’s Your Newest and Hottest NY Discovery?
Tell us all about it!

Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for days. Give a man a Metrocard and he’ll eat anything. Dave Cook began his blog, Eating in Translation, about three years ago when his wide-ranging palate had him trying anything New York City had to offer under two conditions: it had to be authentic, and it had to be cheap. Save the five star dining and new restaurant opening for the New York Times, Dave craves the twice fried, the still swimming, hot off the hibachi, and hard to pronounce. Ever heard of upi java, wax gourd, or nam pla wan? Chances are he hadn’t either, but Dave follows one rule those with more sensitive stomachs just call brave: You don’t know until you try.

We caught up with Dave in between meals and asked him to tell us more about his experimental dining habits and the blog that hosts his field notes, 
www.eatingintranslation.com

What brought you to New York?
College. I went to Columbia, and I still live up in Morningside Heights.

What do you love about living in New York?
It’s hard to be bored, especially when it’s so easy to hop a ride to someone else’s code. My blog’s about food, of course, but you can?t beat New York for museums, shopping, live music, people watching, or just wandering around and exploring.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
Being energized enough to keep things moving along, and relaxed enough to keep a good attitude about it all.

What surprises you about New Yorkers?
They’ll wait 45 minutes for a table at a Manhattan restaurant, but they won’t consider a half-hour trip to an amazing joint in Queens or Brooklyn where they can sit right down.

Do you know any tricks or insider info?
That weak dollar you hear so much about buys a lot more in the outer boroughs than it does in the Village. And this may be more of an observation, but when I’m out food hunting, many folks ask where I’m from, and often they seem very surprised that I live right here. Maybe it’s the camera around my neck, or maybe it’s the outsider attitude.

When you visit a restaurant (and I use the term very loosely), and you’re trying a cuisine that you don’t know very well, sometimes the best way to discover new food is to act like an outsider: Have them make you a plate of whatever they do best, or whatever looks good at another table. Very likely they’ll tame it for you, too, so be sure to ask for whatever condiments you see at the other tables, too. But use them sparingly, till you know what you’re getting into!

Tell us about your blog.
I launched Eating In Translation about three years ago as a collection of field notes on interesting food I’d tried, or planned to try, in and around New York. Since January 2005 I’ve visited some 1,800 restaurants, lunch counters, cafes, street vendors, fairs, festivals, grocers, and greenmarkets. I prefer casual to fancy; inexpensive is good, too.

I don’t focus on my own code; Eating In Translation includes posts, in words and pictures, on the places I’ve eaten in more than 70 New York neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods I’ve visited less than others, but I’m always open to tips from my readers about what’s cool in their code!

What’s the best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
No secret: I love Gray’s Papaya, at the corner of 72nd and Broadway. They were way ahead of the curve with their recession special, but even if you’ve got deep pockets, they serve a great hot dog!
Best neighborhood bar?
When I’m in a mood to shoot pool, Tap-a-Keg on Broadway near 104th St.; when I’d rather just hang, it’s even up between Abbey Pub on 105th and Broadway Dive at 101st.

Best late night joint?
If it’s not Tap, Abbey, or Dive, it’d have to be Ding Dong Lounge, near 105th over on Columbus. Iffy pool table, good DJs.

Best fancy shmancy restaurant?
I’m not big on shmancy, but I really appreciate Del Posto; the food, decor, and service are top-notch, and they’ll treat you shmancy even when you come as you are.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?
I finally caught The Counterfeiters this weekend (which brings me up to date on last year’s Oscar picks), but by the time you read this I’ll probably have been back to the movies again.

Best moviehouse?
Film Forum, by a mile. Closer to my code, Lincoln Plaza and Walter Reader are pretty good, too.

Best place to meet members of the opposite sex?
The cafe at the McNally Robinson bookstore, when I can get a seat; the aisles, when I can’t.

As any New Yorker knows, you could live in NYC your whole life and be able to eat at a different restaurant every day. Miss Menu realized this exciting fact shortly after moving to the city. Coming from the South, she quickly embraced the diversity of food choices and ethnic varieties that can be found everywhere you turn. Her love of dining out became a joke among her friends, at the same time they turned to her for restaurant recommendations. On her blog, Miss Menu does not pull her punches when sharing her dining adventures. Whether she is dissing the straight out of the box rice pilaf at Ali Babi or raving about the multitude of vegetables on the pizza champion at Christina’s, there is no question where Miss Menu stands.

While Miss Menu continues to eat her way across town, we asked her what else she loves about life in the city.

What brought you to New York?
I grew up coming to New York every year with my family. The first time my parents let my brother and me go off on our own was when I fell in love with this city.. We were in awe of seeing something exciting around every corner. That’s when I realized how there’s no where else in the US I’d rather live. After growing up in the South, I was definitely ready for a change of pace, and moving here after graduating from college was the perfect opportunity to take a stab at living in the Big Apple. Five years later, I couldn’t be happier.

What do you love about living in New York?
The main thing I love is the restaurants, obviously! You can find every type of food imaginable in every neighborhood. I walk down the street and get excited about spotting new restaurants I haven’t been to before and adding them to my rapidly-growing “to do” list. I also love that when I’m walking a few blocks, I can pass people from all walks of life. I love the view from my apartment window…Chrysler building to the left, and Queensboro Bridge/East River to my right. And finally, I love how at any time of day (or night), there is something going on and something to do. It’s true…this city never sleeps.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
Someone who has thick skin and can elbow their way through crowded sidewalks. Someone with the knowledge of which way to walk when you come up the steps from the subway. Someone with the ability to quickly calculate how much to tip a cab driver. Someone who knows (not believes) that New York is the greatest city in the country, if not the world.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?
I miss the energy that this city has. It sometimes takes leaving New York to be reminded of how great that is. When I go home to visit my family in Atlanta, I realize how I have to take a deep breath and slow down a little. At first, it’s so relaxing. But after a while, I find myself getting a little bored and wanting to come back to NYC. And, I wouldn’t be Miss Menu if I didn’t mention how I miss the restaurant culture. Sure, other cities have some fantastic restaurants and local specialties. What makes this city so special is the ability to find fantastic ethnic restaurants within walking distance.

Do you know any tricks or insider info?
I’ve found that being even the tiniest bit friendly to service people can really pay off. I started saying “hi, how are you?” to the guy at the coffee cart outside my office. Now, as soon as he sees me walk up, he gets my order ready even if there are people ahead of me in line. I forgot my work pass one morning, and the security guard I had chatted with before let me through with no problem. I need something repaired in my apartment, and because I am friendly to the maintenance guy, he’s here in five minutes. A little geniality can go a long way!

Tell us about your blog… what is the premise, what are your main coverage areas, how did you get started?
On Miss Menu, I’m excited to share all of my NYC restaurant experiences…both the good and the not so good. Even though life in NYC can be a little uncertain at times, there is one thing I’m sure of…I will never get tired of dining out in this city. Some may say I dine out way too often, but I just think life is too short to be spent eating at home all the time when we live in one of the greatest culinary cities in the world!
This blog came to be after a few things happened: a friend kept joking that I am a walking Zagat guide; many others come to me for restaurant recommendations; and most recently, my boss nick-named me “Miss Menu” after suggesting a handful of restaurants that we could go to for an office lunch.
Follow my latest restaurant adventures, find ideas for your next meal, or even ask for suggestions. Bon Appetit!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
Grand Central. Even though it’s a bit of a nightmare to walk through during rush hour, it really is a gorgeous building inside and out. It’s refreshing to see architecture other than modern skyscrapers. Seeing tourists taking photos of Grand Central makes me appreciate how cool it is to be able to walk through a major tourist destination on my walk to work every morning.

Best neighborhood bar?
Underground in Murray Hill. To me, it stands apart from the other bars in this neighborhood. It’s one of those bars that serves many purposes…after work bar, sports bar, lounge, outdoor bar. And, it’s hard to go wrong with their happy hour specials: $1 drafts and $3 mixed drinks.

Best late night joint?
The restaurant formerly known as Chickpea on 3rd Ave & St. Marks. It’s currently closed for remodeling and will be opened under another name, but they have some of the most authentic falafel in the city. It’s also open until 4am, which makes it a perfect fix for greasy, satisfying, late night food.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?
I went to see the Jasper Johns’ Gray exhibit at The Met. The building itself is worth a visit. Add an incredible exhibit, and it becomes a “must see” cultural outing. It’s so impressive to see so many of his works all in one place, and to see the variety that he created using only shades of gray.

Best fancy schmancy restaurant?
Megu wins out here. Unfortunately, it’s not the type of restaurant I can dine at regularly, but I won a gift certificate to Megu at work and dined like a queen. The décor is top notch, and the food is even better. You know a place is fancy schmancy when they have a new Buddha ice sculpture brought in daily to serve as the focal point of the restaurant.

Best place to meet members of the opposite sex?
I don’t think there’s a specific spot, but I think in a city this complex, people in New York meet members of the opposite sex in a crazy variety of ways. I know people who have met on the train to Fire Island, at an apartment party, while watching a parade, and online. Some may make for better stories than others, but connecting with someone new in a city of 10 million is great no matter how it happens.

Best moviehouse?
Definitely the Sunshine Cinema on Houston. It’s a nice break from the cookie cutter mega-theaters that are found all over the city. While it lacks stadium seating, most of the theaters are pretty small and very comfortable.

www.missmenunyc.com

One of NYC’s oldest neighborhoods is getting the VIP treatment. The Lower East Side Business Improvement District is launching monthly celebrations of all the savory treats and historic streets LES has to offer. Cool in Your Code scoured this zip to bring you just a few of our favorite spots. Spend the day shopping for the latest frocks from young designers at TG170 on Ludlow Street. Recover from your retail therapy with a facial at celebrity favorite Christine Chin Spa on Rivington. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse on Chrystie Street for a little Eastern European flair with unbeatable steaks and raucous live entertainment every night of the week. Wrap it all up at The Delancey, a saucy bar and restaurant boasting live music and a rooftop deck that’s open all year round. CiNYC says “Hooray!” for the Lower East Side.

Metro NY’s special Lower East Side edition is teaming up with the BID to shine a spotlight on the unique character of this historic district. Every month this year will have a different LES is MORE event! Check out cool indie artists during the LES Band Crawl celebrating nightlife in March. Art will be the focus in May with gallery mixers and outdoor movies. If fashion’s your passion, then August is your month. For those looking to have it all, October brings you the Best of LES, including shopping specials and a secret rooftop concert. From spas to sports, the excitement can be found all year long in 10002. For more details, log on to www.lowereastsideny.com.