This is B-Bar and Grill (originally the Bowery Bar and Grill) at 40 East 4th Street at the Bowery. The restaurant and bar is most well-known for their large outdoor garden open year-round (seen in the photo with its illuminated trees at nite). I can’t speak for the food here, but like many trendy places, there are fans and detractors. The entire business sits on the site of a former dilapidated Gulf gas station.

Developed by Eric Goode and Serge Becker in 1994, B-Bar was embroiled in controversy at the time. The NoHo Neighborhood Association, Community Board 2, and the SoHo Alliance were concerned that this conversion would change the character of the neighborhood and mounted a lawsuit, arguing on the basis that the neighborhood was dominated by light industry and artists (although in actuality, there was little light industry left at that time). The area had 47 one-story buildings, and there was a fear that precedent would be set for conversion of many these buildings into clubs. In 1995, the plaintiffs withdrew their challenge to the Bar/Restaurant, feeling that a ruling against them might set a negative precedent.

When looking at all the amazing architecture here in New York City, I frequently reflect on the fact that behind all the large and/or newer buildings, there was frequently opposition to its construction. There are always a myriad of reasons with many rational arguments for opposition to development, but the bottom line is that many people just don’t like a change to the status quo. But change is the nature of a dynamic city like New York. Things will change, new buildings built and resistance met…

This is Yaffa Cafe at 97 St. Marks Place in the East Village. The food reviews, along with elements of their decor, are all over the map. Some love this place, some hate it. The decor has been described as garish kitsch – there is plastic fruit glued to the walls, Christmas tree lights hanging from the ceiling, and leopard and zebra prints on tables and booths, all in a dark atmosphere with a warm, reddish glow. The clientele is eclectic – a mix of the late-night club crowd, goth kids, slumming yuppies, and artists.

The menu is eclectic as well – a mix of Mediterranean, vegetarian, and some American fare thrown in. The pricing is inexpensive. The 8-foot by 12-foot mural outside, which proclaims its all-night status, is a self-portrait of Israeli immigrant Lika Ramati, co-owner of Yaffa with her husband Amir (click here for photo). In warm weather, there is a large outdoor dining space. This place is worth a visit – I doubt you’ll find anything quite like it ..

A coworker recently introduced our office to the gelato from il Laboratorio del Gelato. We were immediately impressed with this premium ice cream – it’s the best I’ve had in the city. So I decided to make a personal visit to their shop at 95 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side. Click here for more photos. The small shop has a stark white, clean, lab-like feel with an open kitchen. They feature 12 of their 75 flavors daily. In addition, they provide customization of flavors for restaurants and events, hence the term “Laboratorio.”

The owner/founder, Jon Snyder, does not just have a passing interest in ice cream. He is 3rd generation – his grandfather designed Carvel franchises. Snyder started in the ice cream business at age 19, when he founded Ciao Bella (a premium gelato). The company was sold in 1989. After getting an MBA at Columbia and working in Wall Street, Snyder decided to get back into the ice cream business and opened il Laboratorio. The story of the owner, his passion for gelato, and the history of his ice cream ventures has been told by many magazines and newspapers. Click here for il Laboratorio’s press page, where you can read the articles. And don’t forget to visit and enjoy…

Republic would be easy to hate were the food not so good. This restaurant/bar is located on Union Square (at 37 Union Square West), an area that gets enormous traffic, especially on days when the farmers’ market is in operation. With all that strolling and shopping, people get hungry and look for a fast meal, and Republic gets the traffic. This place is the brainchild of restaurant entrepreneur Jonathan Morr and opened in 1995. The decor is clean, crisp, minimalist modern with a large room in a soothing seafoam color and open kitchen. A slate counter adjoins the kitchen. Seating is communal at hardwood tables and benches. Click here for more photos.

Everything is quick – the atmosphere is not really conducive to lingering. The cuisine is Asian fusion with elements of Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The emphasis is on noodles and one-bowl meals, as illustrated with their large photo posters on the walls with models adorned with noodles. This is quintessential New York City with the good and not so good all rolled into one. The space can be noisy, loud, and crowded. The line for a table can be long (but moves quickly). But the food is fresh and unique. Definitely give it a try if you are in the neighborhood…

Fanelli Cafe is the 2nd oldest eating establishment in NYC, dating back to 1847. The bar is located in prime SoHo at 94 Prince Street at Mercer. The neighborhood has seen transformations and cycles, and although the architecture has been preserved, there are very few older business establishments. Fanelli is one of the few survivors, and a walk by it, with its glowing neon sign, does give a feeling of old New York. And, of course, the bar’s clientele has paralleled the transformations of the neighborhood.

The name Nicholas Gerdes is etched in the glass transom above the doorway – Gerdes ran the saloon from 1878 to 1902. The place operated as a speakeasy from 1920 to 1933, so calling his place a cafe was a smart move in 1922, at the start of Prohibition, when retired boxer Michael Fanelli began his 60-year tenure as owner.
Fanelli Cafe has a new website, not fully operational, but there is a nice detailed history (update: no longer online). The atmosphere is dark and woodsy, and there is a beautiful back bar with antique boxing photos from the turn of the century (sorry, I have no interior photos). The food is good, basic American fare – you can find a menu here. Beware, though. The place is no secret and gets very crowded with the bridge and tunnel gang – try to go off hours if you can…

The Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn is no secret to any New Yorker – the art/music community has been growing there for decades, as gentrification of neighborhoods such as SoHo and the East Village in Manhattan priced the arts community out. Proximity to Manhattan (one subway stop away) and inexpensive spaces fueled Williamsburg’s growth. Read about the neighborhood here.

Plan-Eat Thailand was a small restaurant on Bedford Avenue. In 1999, it moved to its current location at 133 N. 7th Street and became Planet Thailand. The vast industrial space with soaring ceilings wraps around the corner to Berry Street. And, of course, the crowd is now trendier; many Manhattanites can be found. They have two bars, one done as a sculpture with glass bottles. There is a rowboat suspended from the ceiling. The menu is extensive with over 250 items – Thai, sushi, and Hibachi. Excellent food, inexpensive pricing. (There is also a Planet Thailand 212 in Manhattan on 24th Street.)
Please forgive the photo quality – I took these with a point and shoot in very low light…

Update: Planet Thailand has closed its Williamsburg location, but Planet Thailand 212 is still open.

Think Coffee at 248 Mercer Street (near NYU) has become a favorite hangout for many, including myself and a friend who introduced me to it this summer. Click here for more photos. They have a mission statement: “Think Coffee is an independently-owned cafe with a socially and environmentally conscious bent and a community-oriented mission. We serve only Fair Trade, shade-grown, organic coffee, Fair Trade, organic teas, and local milk and ice cream fresh from the Hudson Valley.”

However, for most habitues, I think it’s the casual atmosphere that is the attraction and what really sets it apart. They have comfy upholstered couches and chairs, free WIFI, a plethora of power outlets, and a large selection of coffee, tea (and other beverages), desserts, and sandwiches/snacks. They provide free Scrabble sets, and on Thursday nights, there is free live music. Click here to check out their site for more info.
There is generally an abundance of students – many park themselves here for hours at a time. The reviews are generally excellent. Absolutely zero pressure here – sit and relax as long as you like…

As nearly everyone knows, the West Village has one of the largest gay communities on the planet, so it should come as no surprise to find many stores, restaurants, bars, and clubs catering to the gay population. At 531 Hudson Street, with its signature red bicycle, is Rubyfruit Bar and Grill, a longstanding lesbian establishment. In addition to the bar, Rubyfruit has a mellow, cozy, candle-lit romantic downstairs dining room. Upstairs, there is a parlor with skylights. Click here for more photos.

The name Rubyfruit is based on one of the first lesbian coming of age novels, Rubyfruit Jungle (1973), by Rita Mae Brown, known for its explicit lesbianism. Rita Mae herself has been seen here, as have other Sapphic stars such as Martina and Melissa.

By the way, this photograph was taken September 16 – I had been waiting to do this posting until their website was operational and I could provide a link to it. However, since the site has yet to work, and not knowing when and if they will get it up and running, I decided to go ahead…

Update: Rubyfruit Bar and Grill has since closed.