East Village Apartments Blog

Thursday Night (April 1st) is Gamenight!

2010-03-30T04:35:00.006-04:00

On one Thursday of every month at 8:00, on the beautiful red-curtained stage of our monthly home, the Slipper Room (at the corner of Orchard and Stanton on the Lower East Side), Neil and Clams bring you their classic guessing game that has been a live downtown hit for over three years! A panel of NYC's nightlife favorites (from burlesquers to bloggers) join forces and attempt to guess the occupation of regular New Yorkers and the identity of fabulous celebrity mystery guests! Past mystery guests have included Martha Plimpton, Zach Galifianakis, Mo Rocca and Randy Jones, to name just a few. Who knows who you'll see next month! And every month contestants are drawn from our audience, so you just might get to come up and play the game for fabulous prizes from our sponsors!

See the show Time Out calls New York's Number One game night for under $7, and the New York Post, Village Voice, Next Magazine Gawker and more all recommend! You don't even need to know the secret knock to get in on this Speakeasy's underground action.

Gameshow Speakeasy, at the Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street @ Stanton (5-minute walk from the East Village Apartments).

Photography Exhibit: Terry O'Neill

2010-03-27T08:19:00.004-04:00

Terry O'Neill Comes to the Morrison Hotel Gallery in Soho

On April 23, Terry O’Neill, one of the world’s most accomplished and collected photographers, makes his long anticipated New York City gallery appearance with a presentation and an exhibition of some of his most famous and iconic photographs, as well as many never-before-seen images, at the Morrison Hotel Gallery, 124 Prince Street, New York City.

Mr. O’Neill, whose coveted work hangs in national galleries and private collections worldwide, has produced covers for Time, Newsweek, Stern, Paris Match, The Sunday Times Magazine, Vanity Fair and many others over the course of his six-decade career. Since he first picked up a camera in 1958, he has photographed presidents, prime ministers, rock stars, Oscar winners and the British Royal Family. His work has delivered iconic movie posters, album covers and fashion plates for the world’s top designers.

Mr. O’Neill has chronicled the lives of emerging rock stars and icons of the 60s including David Bowie, Elton John, The Who, Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry and many others. He photographed The Beatles and The Rolling Stones when they were struggling young bands and worked closely with Frank Sinatra for over 30 years, being granted access to the legend back stage and in private.

Former husband to legendary actress Faye Dunaway, his photograph of her in Beverley Hills, the morning after she won her Best Actress Oscar for Network, has been nominated as the most iconic Hollywood shot of all time. His photographs of Brigitte Bardot, Jean Shrimpton and Audrey Hepburn capture the charisma of these superstars at the peak of their careers.

Morrison Hotel Gallery
124 Prince Street (between Wooster & Greene Sts), 212-941-8770
A short 10-minute walk from the East Village Apartments.
Open Mon-Tue 11am-6pm; Wed-Sat 11am-8pm; Sun 12pm-6pm

Store Openings in Our Neighborhood!!!

2010-03-26T18:11:00.007-04:00

Tokio 7
Jimmy Choo and Calvin Klein are just some of the big-name labels you’ll find at this premier consignment shop, which recently moved to a new 3,000-square-foot space. Warmer-weather goodies include Louis Vuitton monogram slides ($200), a Diane von Furstenberg sleeveless printed dress ($96) and Chanel cap-toe heels ($120). Gentlemen, keep your eyes peeled for such dashing items as a Helmut Lang leather jacket ($70) and a Prada dress shirt ($30).
83 E 7th St between First and Second Aves (212-353-8443).
Daily noon–8pm.

International Playground
This LES showroom and boutique will be devoted to brands like H Fredriksson and Wackerhaus, plus a rotating cast of underground lines selected by owners Virginia Craddock and Johnny Tizzolato. This season, look for Danish label Vibe Johansson’s harem leggings ($192), Ernest Alexander’s sturdy leather weekend bags ($470) and Ravishing Mad’s high-waisted skinny jeans from Sweden ($149).
13 Stanton St between Bowery and Chrystie Sts (212-228-2700, www.internationalplayground.com).
Tue–Sun 11am–8pm.

AllSaints
The days are numbered till this coveted British retailer—long a staple at Bloomingdale’s—unveils its first New York store. Amid exposed brick walls and wood floors, looms, Singer sewing machines and vintage presses will decorate the Soho flagship. Guys can pick up laundered graphic-print jersey tees ($55), checked and Aztec-jacquard-printed button-down shirts ($120), and sleeveless leather biker vests ($400). Women can walk away with the perfect evening look: a one-shoulder dress with corseted bodice and pleated skirt ($300), topped with a cool leather bomber ($400).
512 Broadway between Broome and Spring Sts (www.us.allsaints.com).
Opens mid-May.

JNBY
Michael Stipe put it best when he sang, “Leaving New York, never easy.” The minds behind JNBY—which stands hokily for just naturally be yourself—must have shared that sentiment when they decided to turn their Mercer Street pop-up into a permanent fixture. The first U.S. branch of the Chinese chain will open just a few blocks away and offer the brand’s well-tailored, multifunctional pieces, including silk dresses that can be wrapped seven different ways ($265), hooded neoprene jackets ($310) and pebbled leather bags ($465).
75 Greene St between Broome and Spring Sts (212-219-2529, www.jnbynyc.com).
Mon–Sat 11am–7pm; Sun noon–6pm. Opens Apr 15.

Source: Time Out New York. All opening dates are tentative.

The Quantum Eye @ Bleecker Street Theatre

2010-03-24T12:47:00.006-04:00

Mentalism, magic, perception and deception: Sam Eaton’s extraordinary ability and gentle humor make for a different show every time. A smart mental magic peformance the whole family can enjoy.

Where: Bleecker Street Theatre through May 29

45 Bleecker St, between Bowery and Lafayette St
(just steps away from the apartments!)
212-260-8250

Run time: 80 minutes, no intermission

Tickets: Click here

Saturday shows start at 5pm and Tuesday shows at 8pm. Tuesday nights are often followed by Quantum discussions with Sam Eaton. Topics include deception, the mind, perception and your questions.

Deitch Projects: Final Days

2010-03-24T07:48:00.003-04:00

Deitch Projects in SoHo is busy with its final gallery events before an anticipated June closure as a result of the appointment of its owner, Jeffrey Deitch, to the directorship of L.A.'s MoCA, according to the museum's board chairs David Johnson and Maria Bell. Inevitably, these events are so crowded, they spill out onto the street. While the real fancy parties held after the openings are only for the elite few, these are still great places to people-watch.

76 Grand St (between Greene and Wooster Sts)
212-343-7300
Subway: A, C, E to Canal St; R, W to Canal St ; J, M, Z to Canal St; 6 to Canal St
15-minute walk from the East Village Apartments.
Hours: Tue-Sat noon-6 pm.

A Little Bit of History...

2010-03-23T12:33:00.009-04:00

Rob Hollander, of Save the Lower East Side, and Eric Ferrara, director of the Lower East Side History Project, spoke about the historical contrasts of the street known as Bowery, the city’s first theater district and at the same time the notorious red light district of early New York City.

The term “Jim Crow,” meaning black segregation, originated with a character in a Bowery minstrel show, according to a timeline that BAN has issued. The great 19th-century American actor Edwin Booth performed on the Bowery, and later, so did Eddie Cantor, W.C. Fields, Al Jolson and Jimmy Durante. Yiddish theater in America was born on the Bowery and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” had its opening on the Bowery.

Punk rock and the Ramones rocked at CBGB (closed in October 2006) on the Bowery. The Bowery Mission, which takes its name from the street famed as the city’s Skid Row, has been saving derelict bodies and souls since 1879. In the 1890s there were a dozen gay bars in the Bowery neighborhood. It was where early gangs — associated with political clubs and volunteer fire companies — constituted the underworld. McGurk’s Suicide Hall, a brothel that got its nickname from the prostitutes who decided to end it all there, was at 285 Bowery.

Movie & TV Shows Filming Locations

2010-03-23T05:28:00.000-04:00

Wake up early or stay up late, and go watch TV & movie stars on set in the streets surrounding the East Village Apartments!

Visit Bowery Boogie's website daily for filming locations & times around The Bowery.
You never know, you might actually catch your favorite show or actor!

NYC Jazz Nights - Ari Hoenig March Venues

2010-03-21T08:47:00.000-04:00

Ari Hoenig is surely one of the busiest players in the local clubs, and the drummer has kept up a steady pace of releases as a band leader since 2004. But you really need to hear Hoenig live to understand what a scarily advanced musician he is.
(source: Time Out New York)

The Ari Hoenig Trio will be playing tomorrow night, Monday March 22, with Jean-Michel Pilc and François Moutin at Smalls, in the West Village.

He will also be performing at the following venues:

March 24, with Joel Frahm,
7:30pm at Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
212-477-9462

March 26, with Cris Crocco & George Garzone
10pm at Fat Cat
75 Christopher Street at 7th Avenue
212-675-6056

March 29, with his group "Punk Bop"
9pm at Smalls
183 W 10th St (between Seventh Ave South and W 4th St)
212-252-5091

All locations are a pleasant 15 to 20-minute walk from the East Village Apartments.

Spas Under 50$ Steps From The East Village Apartments

2010-03-21T06:39:00.000-04:00

Why not indulge yourself in a spa, blocks away from the East Village Apartments? I bet you deserve it, after all, sightseeing & shopping & walking all day is exhausting.
Plus, they're under 50$... so hop in! ;)

Great Jones Spa
29 Great Jones St at Lafayette St, 212-505-3185
Water Lounge Pass (bathing suit required) - Three hours: $50

The bone-warming hot-rock sauna and cloudlike steam room in the Water Lounge are good stops at this skylit courtyard, but you’ll find real bliss in the hot tub, where strategically placing yourself near the jets yields a gentle full-body massage.
What you’ll find: Hot tub and cold-plunge tub, plus steam and hot-rock saunas. Best part: Snag a lounge chair near the waterfall and palms, close your eyes and you can easily be in the Caribbean.—Elizabeth Barr

Russian and Turkish Baths
268 E 10th St between First Ave and Ave A, 212-674-9250
All day pass: $30

This place is old-school to the max, with a mostly AARP-member clientele wearing the (provided) wackiest robes and sandals in the tristate area. (A tip: Ask one of the regulars to show you his/her routine—it can be kind of confusing for first-timers.)
What you’ll find: Sundeck, Swedish shower, an aromatherapy room, a Turkish room, two saunas, an ice-cold pool and a restaurant. Best part: There are coed and single-sex hours, but it’s open 365 days a year—as is Anna’s Restaurant, right inside the front door, where you can get Russian delicacies from borscht to herring after your sauna session.—Colin St. John

Why Not Men’s Spa: After-hours body massage
174-04 W 4th St between Cornelia and Jones Sts, 212-337-8551
After Hour Discount (by appointment only) - One hour: $50
Mon–Sat 10pm–midnight

The friendly staff at this clean, minimalist spot put my spa-phobic self at ease. My therapist incorporated Swedish and Asian techniques, smoothing on a green-tea-scented lotion and adjusting the pressure until it was just right. I got a good working all over, including my temples, brows, cheekbones and ears, as well as my pelvis and rear—areas I had no idea needed so much attention. Take note: Rose petals adorn the massage room—unorthodox for a men’s spa, but hey, even guys like to feel pretty sometimes.—Roberto De Luna

East Village Walking Tour

2010-03-21T05:52:00.000-04:00

Saturdays & Wednesdays @ 12:00pm - $15

Learn all about East Village Apartments' history!
This is a crash course in East Village/Lower East Side history. From the farmlands of the 1600s and the wealthy estates of the 1700s, to immigration, tenements, the "melting pot" and how the East Village became a haven for artists and counter culturalists in the twentieth century (and everything in between).

Check out http://www.eastvillagetours.com for many other affordable & interesting tours in our neighborhood (Alphabet City, The Bowery, Lower East Side, etc.).

Must See Destinations in New York City - Washington Square Park

2010-03-06T02:21:00.000-05:00

Opened to public in the year 1871, Washington Square Park is among the best-known landmarks in New York City. Located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, in close proximity to East Village Apartments, the park is spread over an area of 9.75 acres (39,500 m2) and is very popular with the masses even till date.

In 1826 the land west of the Minetta was purchased, the square was laid out and levelled, and this property was turned into the Washington Military Parade Ground. Military parade grounds were public spaces specified by the City where volunteer militia companies responsible for the nation's defence received their training.

The streets surrounding the square became one of the city's best known residential areas in the early nineteenth century. This includes the now-well-protected Greek Revival style houses on the north side of the park.

The park that has now come up as a cultural hotspot in NY has a rich history behind it. For many years around World War II, the park has been frequented with various American artists, writers, and activists. The park was a very popular joint among the Folk and Hippie movements in 1950s and 1960s. The outdoor chess tables on the southwest corner of the park have been popular with gaming enthusiasts since almost a century and have even led to a proliferation of Chess Shops around the park.

As recently as December 2007, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation performed a major renovation of the mark making various significant changes to the park layout. The project cost was as high as US$16 million.

So while you enjoy your comfortable stay at East Village Apartments, I would suggest not to miss a visit to the ever-so-popular Washington Square Park.

The Quintessential landmarks in New York City – Tompkins Square Park

2010-03-02T08:05:00.000-05:00

While you enjoy your comfortable stay at East Village Apartments, make sure to experience some sweet leisure time at the Tompkins Square Park, one of the most popular destinations in New York City. The park is named after Daniel D. Tompkins (1774–1825), Vice President of the United States.

The square shaped park is located in the East Village neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, and is spread over 10.5 acre (42,000 m²). Just like most of the landmark locations in NY, Tompkins Park also has a rich history behind it, and is associated with various events, though some of them not very positive.

On January 13, 1874, the Tompkins Square witnessed a major riot as the police clashed with labor protestors numbering in thousands. This incident was a major event in area of labor conflict. In a similar incident in 1877, around 5000 people clashed with the National Guard as they amassed to hear communist revolutionary speeches in this very park.

By the 1980s, Tompkins Park became a centre-point for New Yorkers’ social problems. The park was frequented by many homeless people and even became a hub for drug-use and various other illegal activities. This led to a riot in August 1988, when the city police attempted to free the park of such elements.

During the 1990s and 2000s, however, Tompkins Park went through a major facelift and witnessed a gradual gentrification of its surroundings. With its many playgrounds, basketball courts, handball courts and built-in outdoor chess tables, the park today attracts youngsters and decent family crowd from across the globe.

Among the major landmarks in the East Village neighborhood, Tompkins Square Park is today home to various events such as Howl Festival, Charlie Parker Jazz Festival and Tompkins Square Dog Run.

Penthouse Apartment - A New Luxury Apartment from East Village Apartments

2010-03-01T12:46:00.000-05:00

Penthouse Apartment has been added to the list of Holiday rentals provided by East Village Apartments. This new luxurious holiday rental can accommodate up to 9 guests.

Located on the third and fourth floors of East Village Apartments, the unique, duplex Penthouse Apartment combines luxury, comfort and space to sleep up to 9 people. Guests will enjoy the superb views and grand, sunny space of our largest apartment.

The spacious 1500 square foot (140 square meters) apartment is equipped with all the modern conveniences including large flat panel TVs, a laptop computer with Wifi, a DVD player, a modern kitchen and marble bathrooms. The sunny, open plan living room, dining room and kitchen on the top floor overlook the beautiful terrace garden, with a stunning view of the downtown Manhattan skyline.

The beautifully renovated chef's kitchen is fully equipped with black granite countertops, maple cabinetry, nickel hardware and stainless steel appliances — a gas cooking range, fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher, coffee machine, tea kettle, and a toaster oven. The living room is furnished with a luxurious bed that sleeps 2 guests. There is a state of the art entertainment system with a large flat screen TV, DVD player and 600 cable channels for your pleasure.

The three bedrooms on the lower floor can comfortably accommodate 7 guests. The elegantly decorated master bedroom suite offers three high quality twin beds with luxurious linens and an en suite bathroom. Two of the twin beds can be combined to create a large double (king) bed for two people. The second, light filled bedroom offers a queen bed, ample closets, and a view of the ancient Sephora tree in our garden. The third bedroom with a window overlooking the garden sleeps two people in a comfortable double bed. The newly renovated second bathroom is modern glass and marble, with a high-pressure shower, a wall mounted hair dryer, steam bath and a jacuzzi spa. The second bathroom can be en suite with the second bedroom.

Source - http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/East-Village-Apartments/119441080618

New York – The City with Many Hues

2010-03-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

Among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, New York has a very unique feel to it. And anyone who has been to this city would not have missed noticing that the city offers an experience that hardly any other city of the world can.

Not only is the city a very well-known commercial hub of the United States, with many global brands having their presence here, New York balances this aspect with its set of parks and various cultural avenues. New York City’s culture has been built gradually over centuries specially the twentieth century and has been greatly affected by massive immigration into this city.

With its open, unbiased and promising environment, people from distinct nationalities, cultures and communities have set up their home here. A routine walk through the streets of New York will bring you in touch with people of very distinct cultures living here with ease. This is among the very special characteristics of this city that it embraces people of all cultures with warmth.

Personally, I cannot forget my first visit to New York City. Just as we entered the city in the evening, I was smitten by the energy, charm and verve of this city with its colorful people returning from their work in the evening. As the evening progressed, I could see throngs of New Yorkers walking through the streets heading towards parks, clubs, restaurants, theatres and other places of interest. I came across many people of Asian origin manning the cabs and running the various roadside counters reminding me of the multicultural identity of the city.

And of course among the best aspects of New York City is its very vibrant market that brings to you the best merchandise from around the world in the form of the most exquisite showrooms sprinkled around the streets of New York City.

And then towards the night, while you can see many Afro-American citizens thronging the streets for some fun, dance and romance, visitors like me retire for rest to their hotels or the many vacation rental properties that the city offers.

Things to remember while planning a vacation

2010-02-06T09:43:00.000-05:00

Despite the excitement of sudden unplanned travel trips, you can gain a lot by careful planning. Not only do you end up saving money, you can also avoid unexpected hassles that may come up in your trip. After all, the last thing you want is an unexpected hiccup to spoil the holiday charm when you head for that long-awaited trip with your family.

While there is no specific guidebook for this, yet there are some key decisions that you must make well in advance. First and foremost is about the time and duration of your trip. You can save a huge amount on your air tickets if you book in advance. This holds most true for those who book their tickets online. Many a times, you will find a travel portal offering you that unbelievable deal on air tickets. Go for it!

And then it’s the question of going in ‘season’ or in ‘off-season’. While it obviously makes sense to go in the season time, yet it is in off-season that you get the best deals.

Once you have worked on the above factors, it is also prudent to finalize the stay option. Holiday Vacation Rental Apartments can save a good deal of money by opting to stay in a furnished vacation rental premises. And it’s not about savings alone, you get to enjoy the warm hospitality of the owner as opposed to the curt behaviour of the hotel staff.

Considering the above factors can help make your travel trip memorable and hassle-free.

Here’s how a vacation rental can make your tour memorable

2010-02-05T14:49:00.000-05:00

You travel to relax your mind and to enjoy some time away from the
hustle-bustle of life. And of course, there are various health
benefits that you can obtain through your holiday.

Consider yourself lucky as now you have more options rather than just
hotels to stay at! Furnished vacation rentals have come as a highly
preferred staying option by travellers across the globe. And no,
saving costs is not the only reason for this trend. There are lots
more!

With the evolution of the travel industry in the last few years, you
can find a Holiday vacation rental in practically any part of the world. So
even if you are planning to visit that little-known obscure town in
some part of Europe, in all probabilities, you would be able to find a decent Holiday vacation rental premises there, even though you may not find a hotel.

The best part of staying at a Holiday vacation rental premises is that it is decently furnished to suit your comfort and you get to enjoy the warm hospitality of the owner. You may even get the facility of home-made food depending upon the amenities available. In some cases you may be able to prepare your own food in the attached kitchen.
Holiday Vacation rentals come as a wonderful option for large families as they can book an entire property for their stay, as opposed to spending a hefty amount on booking multiple rooms in a hotel.

So the next time you travel, make the best use of this remarkable stay option.

Top Myths about Vacation Rentals

2010-02-05T14:09:00.000-05:00

Despite the rapid rise in their popularity, travellers across the world still have a number of myths in their minds about vacation rentals. All across the world, governments and trade associations are doing their best to promote vacation rentals as a great travel option.

Yet there are many misconceptions that sometimes make a traveller wary of staying in a vacation rental premises. Here are some of them:

Myth No.1: Poor Infrastructure: It is often believed that since they cost less, vacation rentals are poorly furnished and do not offer modern comforts and facilities to guests. While this may be true for some, yet this trend is changing fast. Many vacation rental owners are running their premises as a professional business and hence they are very conscious of the level of quality and facilities they offer. The vacation rental industry has matured significantly in the past few years and therefore you can expect them to offer a fairly decent infrastructure.

Myth No. 2: Unprofessional Environment: While its true that you will not find uniformed stewards at your service in vacation rental properties, yet that does not mean that you cannot expect quality service. Most owners of vacation rentals now believe in hiring some personnel as help and support to the guests for their housekeeping, laundry, food and other requirements. In fact, the service that you receive in a vacation rental premises is often more personalised and informal as compared to the artificial and curt support that you receive in a hotel.

Myth No. 3: Absence of Online Booking: A not-so-insignificant percentage of vacation rental owners are making a move towards modern business methods and online booking is one of them. In many countries of Europe and America, today it is not hard to find vacation rental properties that you can book online.

Best Eats NYC has to offer!

2009-11-10T02:36:00.000-05:00

Hungry for some of the best eats NYC has to offer? Well luckily the East VIllage Apartments are in the perfect location for sampling some of NYCs best and most affordable restaurants. New York City is a true melting pot and the best way to experience the variety of cultures in New York is through the food. Just by walking down a few blocks in NYC you can immediately see that it is physically impossible for one person to experience all the restaurants in the city that never sleeps. We have compiled a list of some of our favorite restaurants near the East VIllage Apartments that you have to try while visiting us. This list is sure to have something to please all the taste buds in your family.

1. BONDST: 6 Bond St, New York, NY 10012

If innovative food and cool atmosphere are two things you are looking to experience on your trip to ny, BONDST is a must. With some of NYCs best sushi and freshest dishes BONDST is sure to please any palate.

2. Brick Lane Curry House: 306-308 E. 6th St New York, NY 10003

While dishing out one of NYCs spiciest curries to the more adventurous diners who frequent this restaurant, Brick Lane Curry House serves up traditional Indian food in a simple and delicious way. Their naan is perfection and their menu is virtually endless, having something for every taste. Proving that traditional Indian cuisine is alive and well in NYC, Brick Lane Curry House is always a crowd pleaser.

3. Matilda: 647 E. 11th St New York, NY 10009

When Mexican and Italian cuisine come together, you have a culinary match made in heaven. Matilda combines both traditional Mexican and traditional Italian dishes to create new fusion meals. Must trys are their Tacos de Mariscos and Quesadilla Mari E Monti. Come here on any night but make sure to try their brunch at a mere 10.95, its definitely a steal.

4. S'MAC: 345 E. 12th St. New York, NY 10003

If you're feeling homesick on you're trip, some comfort food is a sure cure and what better than a bowl of macaroni and cheese. At S'MAC you will forgo the bowl for a skillet and while the traditional all-american is just like what mom used to cook up, here you can select from over 10 other varieties. Using cheeses ranging from cheddar to gruyere coupled with a variety of meats and vegetables this is a delicious twist on a classic comfort.

5. Max Brenner Chocolate: 841 broadway, New York, nY 10003

Sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, max brenner knows how to serve up decadent desserts. From a cup of hot chocolate to a pot of bubbling chocolate fondue, max brenner has chocolate in all forms. When in NYC keep in mind, theres always room for dessert and be sure to swing by Max brenner.

These are some restaurants in the are that are sure to satisfy any and all tastes!

Welcome to East Village Apartments Blog

2009-11-10T02:22:00.000-05:00

First of all we would like to welcome you to our blog! We are the East Village Apartments located in the heart of the East Village at 32 East 3rd street New York NY 10003 (near 2nd avenue). We have three magnificent vacation rental apartments in a historic 1850s brownstone.

The three newly rennovated holiday rental apartments, The garden apartment, the apartment royale, and the apartment sol can accommodate 16 people in total. Each apartment has a unique design and style to fit all tastes. For details on each of the apartments check out our website: http://www.eastvillage-apartments.com/

To experience the best of New York City, make sure you check out the East Village Apartments!