Some people can’t just let a guy live… (right cecil?)

The Aftermath of the Berlin video shoot was a Hefty hotel bill compounded by a $500 cleanup fee…  In response to allegations of an all night bacchanal involving damage and destruction to the property I wrote this…

Dear (Redacted)

I am writing to you re: the (Redacted) suite on 10/30/09. I would like to start by thanking you and everyone there for the hospitality and wonderful service. Also on behalf of Myself, Sasha and Maxwell, I would also like to thank you personally for the amazing rate on the suite.  To clarify, last night we had a casting in a yellow cab for an upcoming video. The suite was used as a staging area. The night managers and staff (who were very accomodating) can attest to this. Through a miscommunication between (redacted) and myself, this information may not have been properly disseminated to you or anyone else at the hotel.

I would also like to clarify a few things re: damages  as in no way was it our intention to damage or disrespect the hotel.  When we first checked in and sat down we noticed that the convertible “dining” table “when opened” was a damaged. Specifically the veneer on the edges was frayed. This kind of wear is clearly from age and poor craftsmanship. I can assure you that people were not sitting around picking at the siding on the furniture. Especially considering that the table was closed the entire evening.

Yes, there were many empty bottles of liquor. 12 Ciroc bottles, 24 cans of Asahi, one bottle of Veuve compliments of you (thanks) and miscelaneous mixers. The tiny wastebaskets did not provide us adequate space to dispose of this garbage properly, but we will take responsibility for bottles around the room and cups (very few) that were on the balcony.

The “broken glasses” was actually a broken glass. A  martini glass that I personally cleaned up last night. Perhaps there were still shards of glass in the area, but as you can imagine it is difficult to manually clean up glass at night in a dark room.

I hope that this does not come across as smug, I am merely sparing you no details. I did not drink last night and made sure that my guests were all respectful, this is why I am aware of all of the details and things that transpired.  I wanted to let you know what specifically happened last night as I felt that a surface report could give you the wrong impression.

To reiterate we really appreciated the service, loved the place and the staff was really accommodating. Everything was perfect. I hope that this incident does not blemish your rapport with (redacted) as he is a very responsible and smart young man. Re: extra room charge, I would rather not pay 500 dollars for a glorified cleanup, but if you deem it necessary… what am I to do? We would love to be guests at the (Redacted) Hotel again in the future.

Best regards,

HB

…but the LES is not.

Day one of the Berlin video shoot was incredible. Cast and Crew, thank you.

Photos: Omar P. , Delphine Diallo

Gentrification, the perpetually hungry and ironic resident of New York once again illustrates that it aint where you’re from its where you’re at.

The Bowery, once the epicenter of new yorks homeless is now the home for the likes of Daniel Boulud, John Varvatos and Rogan Gregory. Long gone is the Bowery of Joseph Mitchell’s, frankly, gone is the Bowery of A-Ron’s. Although cleaned up, lower Bowery has kept true to its roots with the restaurant supply and lighting districts still intact.  Upper Bowery (north of houston) however is cluttered with new hotels, bars, an Avalon condo at its foot and onetime resident CBGB’s is no more.  I am a romantic Gothamite who “misses the old new york”, but from the seed of the Bowery has grown a flower in  Gentrification’s garden.

Located on 3rd street below the Bowery hotel is the restaurant Gemma. The design of the place, although overtly Rustic is tastefully done and the various furniture, art, Italian and culinary accoutrement feel curated. The exposed wooden beams and candles help further transport a patron from downtown New York to elsewhere.

The elsewhere isn’t a family run restaurant in northern Italy, but it’s not far off. This elsewhere is a place with a warm amber glow, an a la carte menu, a knowledgeable sommelier, and a wood burning pizza oven. The perfect backdrop for casual convo, food sharing with strangers and a bottle or two of wine. With appetizers like the burrata caprese or the truffeled polenta fries meals at gemma have tended to be less entree driven. Dining like this, with courses, lends itself to longer meals with breaks.  More time to drink, go outside & smoke, chat up your neighbors, whatever.  There is less emphasis on the “eating” of dinner than the “having” of dinner.  The experiential side of Gemma  is why week after week we go back.

…Fortunately the subterranean Bar/Lounge hidden below made up for the culinary shortcomings of the upstairs pizza parlour.  Jammed with pretty people and familiar faces from the Beatrice Inn days the vibes were def right.  The drinks were relatively cheap for that kinda spot. The women were hot and very approachable in the “you must be someone if your here” kind of way.  Models, stylists, rich girls…..exactly what you would expect in a cloak and dagger exclusive type joint like Cabin. Outdoor smoking alley was also a really fresh feature.  It was unchaperoned so burning weed would be all good.

Clearly this is not the aforementioned pizza joint.... like I was gonna tell you where it was... pause

Why isnt this my favorite place?

Experientially it lacked… The lights were way up and the space itself was tight. Dont get me wrong, you could definitely move about and go where you wanted but any dancing or drunken swaying was out of the question. And although it was small, it lacked the brooding frenetic intimacy of you know where…

Fuck ‘Em