Thursday, October 28, 2010

TREK TO THE LAND OF THE PRETTY PEOPLE...

Yesterday FIRE MARSHALL ED and I made a trek down to the Bowery to look for some bar equipment.  While we were riding down to "Restaurant Row", we talked about the meeting we attended a day earlier involving some of the bar/restaurant owners in the neighborhood.  We talked about various things during the meeting and one of the things that came up was how the neighborhood (Murray Hill) never gets its due as a destination spot, compared to some of the other neighborhoods such as the Lower East Side, West Village, Williamsburg, Park Slope, just to name a few.  Who decides what areas are deemed "cooler" than others?   And what makes them the sole authority on what is cool and what isn't? 

I know a lot of it has to do with perception and people buy into perception all the time.  So for example, if a publication like say "Time Out, New York" a magazine that claims to be the pulse of what's going on and what's cool in New York City, declares that the Lower East Side is the "hip place" to be for night life, then folks are going to naturally check it out.  While I don't necessarily have a problem with this per se, I do question sometimes who makes these decisions and what they base their criteria on.  And in the case of "Time Out , New York", practically everything they spotlight revolves around the same few neighborhoods I listed above, and it makes you wonder.  New York City is a big, sprawling place and you're telling me that the only cool, relevant places are only in the Lower East Side, West Village and downtown Brooklyn?  I simply can't believe that.

So as we walked around the Bowery checking out the restaurant supply stores, we found ourselves weaving in and out of some of the "trendy" blocks that all of the experts are always talking about.  Granted there were a few places that I found myself intrigued in, but overall, I gotta say I didn't see anything that blew me away.  I did notice, however, a lot of  wannabe cool hipsters walking around in expensive sunglasses and pouty lips.  But again, perception sells.

So what does it take to bring the same kind of attention to other parts of the city, like say Murray Hill?  Celebrity sightings?  A well-known chef opening a new bistro?  A new Whole Foods or some other trendy shops to bring attention to the area?  Maybe I should ask the experts at "Time Out, New York"....

TRIVIA HIGHLIGHTS:

The spotty weather didn't deter patrons from attending last night's edition of Pub Trivia, sponsored by Kopparberg Cider.  The teams involved in last night's competition were mostly newbies and they seemed to enjoy themselves throughout the night.  We also had a lot of sports going on, between Game 1 of the World Series, NBA Opening Night action, and plenty of NHL games.  So if you are a sports fan, you had a major case of sensory overload.

 Lagunitas IPA on tap, in it's own cool mason jar pint glass...

Girls with the best team name of the night: "We May Not Be Girl Scouts, But We Know How to Pitch A Tent!"

We also got a visit from former bartender, BLONDE CHATTERBOX, who was in town for the week on business.  She's fine and doing well out west, shilling cosmetics for BOBBI BROWN.  Always great to see her!

The night ended with my staff surprising me with a kamakaze-style Happy Birthday greeting involving the whole bar.  Bastards.  :)

That being said, much thanks for all of the birthday wishes.  It's appreciated more than you'll ever know. 


Cheers and enjoy the day!