Upper class drinks in Soho

You might have get it : I looove Brooklyn, I looooove its laid-backed, cool, woodish bars and restaurants. I could stay in Brooklyn all life long and never get bored.

But once in a while, I feel like it's nice to treat yourself in one of those luxurious hotel bars.
Mon péché mignon...

If you feel the same, let's go together!

But we have to pick the right place.So many are just ok or even pretentious and useless.

Not the case of Soho Grand Hotel, this beautiful little perl in the middle of Soho.
Come have a nice glass of wine, bourbon or even a tea, who cares!

Of course, it is expensive (at least $15 for a glass of wine) but you are not anywhere...

Soho Gand Hotel
310 West Broadway
Canal St & Grand St
Subway 1 Canal St
http://www.sohogrand.com/

Finis les hotels extra chers

Petit message pour vous : français en visite à New York.

Arrêtez donc de payer une fortune pour votre hôtel à New York.
Nooon je ne vous invite pas tous chez moi mais je vous conseille d'aller faire un tour sur ce site:
http://www.airbnb.com/new-york-city

Si vous ne connaissiez pas déjà, vous allez vite devenir accroc. Ca vous permet de vous loger chez des particuliers (là ou pas pendant votre séjour) dans des quartiers que vous n'aurez même pas imaginés, de sortir de l'ordinaire, davoir zéro contrainte et de découvrir la vraie vie de New Yorkais. Que demander de plus?

- une appli iPhone
- une largissime fourchette de prix
- a peine 23 euros de frais de dossier

Et oui tout ca aussi vous l'avez, regardez comme ça rend heureux:

Definitely Glasslands

Have you read that L magazine a few weeks ago where they were presenting 8 bands you need to hear?
Example here

So one of the question they ask is "What is your favorite venue in NYC?" and almost all of the artists answer is Glasslands. Not surprising when yourself as a listener you would anwer the same.

Why? Not sure though. The palce is pretty small, totally laid-back. I am sure it looks awful with the lights on.
But who cares because here you will feel good, I can garantee!

Dirty beaches, Cocorosie, Saint-Motel, Diane Birch, Telephoned Cookies, Big troubles, The Hairs, Napoleon, The Dig... All those bands have their own magnet power, you're gonna be amazed (normal they enjoy the place), tickets around 8 to 20$, a wonderful way to discover rock, pop, indie, rap, hip-hop ...and many other bands which I'm telling you are on their way for celebrity and success if they are not already!

Check there program and bring your friends for that kind of night you never want to forget.

http://glasslands.blogspot.com/

Time to get a bike

 Last year at the same period, I was telling you about the Brooklyn Flea Market:
 http://archou.blogspot.com/2011/05/chiner-bobo-chic-au-bord-de-leau.html 

Every year, the East River Park turns into the Place to be on the sunny week-ends.
Smorgasburg on Saturdays with tons of food from local Brooklyn vendors and flea market on Sundays where you can buy clothes, furnitures, sunglasses, records,...and also bikes!!!

From 120 to 800 dollars, you can find a good second hand bike on the top north east corner of the flea.
Talk to the very taaaall guy there, he is the boss. He will let you try the bikes around and then vous n'avez plus que l'embarras du choix! Also you get a 2 months 100% guarantee with any fix you might need + alifetime maintenance if you have any issues later with your bike.

So go go before the winter comes back and let's get ready for the next Five Boro Bike Tour
http://www.bikenewyork.org/ride/five-boro-bike-tour/

PS: the bike store is also at the Fort Greene Market on Saturdays
http://www.brooklynflea.com/

Elementary my dear Watson

This year is very musical for me. I keep on discovering lovely, amazing bands.
This is definitely part of the New York adventure.
I think this kind of discoveries happens in most of big cities.
You just have to keep your eyes open on what's going on, check out the concert places websites (bowery ballroom, glasslands, music hall of williamsburg,magazines like village voice, time out NY, the L magazine and simply just talk to people wherever you hang out, that's the bet part of behaving American!)

Have you ever heard of Patrick Watson?
I have not, until yesterday. It was such a great pleasure that I bought the CD.
This funny smart and cute guy from Montreal has been singing since the age of 7.
As soon as you start hearing his voice, you can tell he's a real master.
Close your eyes, listen to each sound of this wonderful band.
You might not want to open them back, it is like a dream, like being flying overseas...

I love it!

Thanks Canada!

The hippy-hype pool

This spring/summer is bringing a lot of good news.

Among them, the re-opening of the Mc Carren Park swimming pool.

Opened in 1936, the pool got closed in 1984 and the place has been used as a concerts venue since 2005.
But thanks to mister Bloomberg, it will be soon back to its real life. Concerts will still be held and the place will be able to turn in an ice-skating rink in the winter.

A different way to discover the north Williamsburg/Greenpoint neighborhood.

What else do you need? Get your sun cream, swin suit and let's go!

Let's just hope it won't be as crowded as in 1937...

http://www.nycgovparks.org/park-features/mccarren-park/planyc

Find a way

Spring is my favorite time in the year 

It is kind of a rebirth 

You come up with new ideas 

You feel good just seeing the sunshine 

You look forward for the summer 

You get full of energy 

Here we go

Get ready

The best is around the corner