Subterranean smart cocktails and many kisses

“Most human beings are driven to seek security and comfort. But there is another group that can only thrive on change and the unexpected of New York.” -- Cathleen Nesbit


We hopped on the 1 train without a destination and ended up getting off at Houston St. We had previously eyeballed an intriguing door on the corner of Seventh Ave and Leroy we decided to take the plunge. The nearly unmarked door led to a dark staircase to the basement. Once inside this quaint speakeasy we allowed our eyes to adjust to the nearly complete darkness. Cozy little booths awaited and jazz tunes were in the air. It was a grand experience. The drinks are from another era. Little Branch is fun, relaxing and a little bit swank.

A lovely apres cocktail walk led us to dine at Tanti Baci. It is a "flower room" setting. It is mainly composed of few wooden tables in chairs tucked in nook of Seventh Avenue. The menu is simple and divine. There is more than enough pasta and sauce combinations to please any palate. The location is in the heart of Greenwich Village. The setting is so pleasing it is as if you are dining among friends in a quaint atmosphere. Loved it. Will definitely be back. Rumor has it the desserts are perfect.

un giorno d'estate

How does one stay cool in Gotham when the temps start rising?






Fontana of course.

Every Building has a Story

Who knew in this building...




one could find this.




A Sunday morning walk through Little Italy or more specifically the area known as Nolita added some visual pleasures to the day. St. Michael's Russian Catholic Church has a building that is relatively unassuming in this great city. The small structure is planted between St. Patrick's Old Cathedral (more on that in a future post.) and the St. Patrick's Youth Center. St. Michael's was originally the Chancery for Old St. Pats.

Walking into St. Michael's and peering through an interior glass window held incredible sights. This Catholic community follows the Russian tradition of the Byzantine Church. Even with 12 plus years of formal Catholic education behind me this was something completely new. I happened upon this sacred place during the Divine Liturgy. The spectacle was tiny but brillant.

This particular Church was established in the 1930's at 266 Mulberry to provide for Russian Catholic immigrants who had fled their homeland. The most striking difference noticed in a my few minutes of spying in was the congregation constantly standing and the iconostasis separating the sancutuary from the rest of the Church.

Very interesting indeed. I will definitely be doing a bit of internet research on the Byzantine Rite.