Uh-oh, H&H Bagels seized. For now. [Eater]
Another great thing about the blogosphere. Last month I asked if anyone had images of the Astor Riviera Cafe. This month, one came in--a postcard scanned and sent in by New Yorker cartoonist Joe Dator. (Note the bookshop upper left--will we ever see the word "Scholarly" on a sign in Astor Place again?):
Joe Dator also makes films. And he's got something on his website that cat lovers and fans of 1970s New York crime TV will really enjoy. Click to see...Boris!
Leather daddy Lenny Waller sends in this slideshow of Times Square back when the city was gritty.
If the city is financially thriving, as Bloomberg says, do we really need his financial genius for another term? In this video, he silences the reporter who dares to ask such a disgraceful question. [RS]
Obama busts Bloomie, "vowing to meet with 'a leader who rules over millions with an iron first, who owns the airwaves and uses his power to crush all who would challenge his authority at the ballot box...it's good to see you, Mayor Bloomberg.'" [Daily News]
Has the junkie nap returned to luxe Manhattan? [HG]
So a guy in a pink shoulder-sweater walks into Mars Bar... [EVG]
BaHa goes to Greenpoint for some serious meats. [SE]
Not only was the city gritty, man, it was filthy and lowdown --Times Square is a perfect example-- but you know I still miss it very much...
ReplyDeleteJunkie nap? Are you sure that's not a Yoga posture?
ReplyDeleteLenny Waller's got the motherlode of New York videos n that page!
ReplyDeleteJ, you're an authority on the LES; maybe you can answer this. Years ago, a playwright took me for a late evening meal at a place called Phoebe's. I've asked others about it only to be told, there was never such a place. Any insight? As I said, this was long ago.
ReplyDeleteI'll take Times Square of the 70's over the Hotel Gansevoort pool any day! What a hell hole.
The city, already in a recession, was hit when it was down on Sept 11. Post 9-11, Mike Bloomberg sold the city out to developers to get NYC out of financial straits.
ReplyDeleteWe all know where that got us.
EMPOROR MIKE MUST BE STOPPED.
Don't miss this shot of the Astor Riviera building in 1892 from the NY Public Library collection. Use the zoom feature--looks like it was the "Astor Place Bank".
ReplyDeletehttp://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchdetail.cfm?trg=1&strucID=406188&imageID=716389F&total=49&num=20&word=astor%20place&s=1¬word=&d=&c=&f=&k=0&lWord=&lField=&sScope=&sLevel=&sLabel=&imgs=20&pos=30&e=w
Seeing that picture of the Astor Riviera almost gave me a lump in my throat! The contrast between that and Starbucks's is just too much. A real, honest to goodness place to eat on the cheap, have a decent burger and a really good cup of coffee was what made that area feel like something more personal. I also miss the big Conran's that was across from it.
ReplyDeleteSigh...
I think I had a late nite/early morning meal at the Riviera, circa 1982 while on my first ever trip to Gotham. And I was wearing a tux. don't ask.
ReplyDeleteAlso thanks for the link to the Times Square video, recently watched Midnight Cowboy for the first time in decades and it is a treasure trove of vintage Times Square footage.
Phoebe's did exist--I think in the East Village but I forget exactly where.
ReplyDeletethere is Phebe's on 4th and Bowery, which has been there for many years, though more recently renovated into a kind of New Englandy-style pub. is that the one?
ReplyDelete