Got a nice lamp but can’t find the right light bulb?

When you buy a floor lamp or desk lamp, you wouldn’t usually check on light bulb.

You would assume you can use the regular ones you can get at a deli…

I got a bed lamp at a interior store the other day.

I love to read in bed so I was happy about it.

But the regular light bulb doesn’t fit.

It has to be smaller.

So I rushed to 99 cent store because I remember they have smaller light bulbs.

But the connection part needs to be thinner…

I spent a week without the light but I finally came across “lighting town” on Bowery St.

I had to check a few stores but I found the right one at a third store.

You wouldn’t pay much attention on light bulbs but when you buy a lamp, don’t forget to get extra light bulbs at a store, if you forget, go check in “lighting town (Bowery St. bet. Kenmare & Grand Sts.)

NY’s First Discount Retail District

LES is New York’s first discount retail district and it started on Orchard St.

There is FREE WEEKLY TOUR (about two hours) on Sunday on the area’s history and development of LES.

I want to attend this tour this weekend, anyone wants to join?

Sunday at 11am @ Katz’s Delicatessen (E. Houston &  Ludlow St.)

$1 Oyster on Mon and Thu in the Market

 Essex Street Market  is one of the best places to meet up with your friends to eat before you go bar hopping in LES.

 There is a restaurant called Essex Restaurant  above F/J train.

The food is fresh (in the market!) and cheap.

If you like shellfish, you should go on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

$1 Oyster! is on Mon & Thurs , Unlimited Mussel is on Tues.

120 Essex St. NYC 212-533-9616

Central Park SummerStage

location: 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side

Free concerts in the park called, Central Park “SummerStage”.  This has to be the best free Perk in the Park. Many different artists come here to perform in the outdoors and therefore, everyone has access to enjoy these performances, which are free of charge.  I remember going years ago and enjoying one of these free concerts by “George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic”. It was the coolest concert, everyone went to the park, there was no dress code, we had plenty of elbow room to get down and dance. We partied into the night and enjoyed every moment. This summer artists like: Calle 13, Bebe, Q-Tip, Little Dragon, Benji B, Lisette Oropesa, Paulo Szot and more. Here you have a combination of Latin Alternative Music, Hip-Hop and Opera artists. Check them out. For scheduled performances please visit:  http://www.summerstage.org/

Zabaar’s

location: 2245 Broadway, 80th Street

A gourmet store, that sells smoked fish (highly recommended), fine cheeses, a great selection of coffee and tea, gift baskets and even housewares.  You can make yourself sick with all the food here. And if you are a cheese lover like myself, this is a great spot to visit. They have a “cheese collection” with prices ranging from $36-$290.  Zabaar’s has been around for many years. I can remember the crowds of people when I used to go in the early 1990’s and it hasn’t changed. I guess you can call this a comfort food place. They have the delicious smoked fish sampler for $210 and they also have Foie Gras with Truffles, caviar, salads and Zabaar’s seafod salads. If you can’t visit the store, visit them online. Check them out: http://www.zabars.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Zabars-Site/default/Home-Show

Planet Sushi

location: 380 Amsterdam Avenue, 78th Street

This restaurant is always busy, even the tables out on the sidewalk patio are always packed. However, I went there on a Sunday evening, and it was not busy.  I was actually surprised, but I was glad, since I was on a first date and I didn’t want to have to yell across the table.  Others arrived later, but we were not interrupted. I really enjoyed the food and the service here. We ordered the eel roll, shrimp tempura roll, miso soup and our dinner came with the option of white or red wine.  The food was fresh and had a very nice presentation, the waiter stopped by to make sure everthing was ok, and of course, I was well accompanied.  So, my first date went well, and we got a chance to know each other well enough, to decide to continue seeing each other.   I definitely want to go back with some of my friends and eat outside in the sidewalk patio. I hear the Japanese Chef prepared meals on the Queen Elizabeth II. For good food and service on a first date, stop by.

Buttercup Bake Shop

location:141 West 72nd Street, between Amsterdam & Columbus Avenue

What a cute a little place to sit down enjoy a cup of coffee and a cupcake. After a long day of running errands for my office, I was in desperate need of coffee and something sweet.  There is a large window in front so you can see everyone inside. I just happen to walk by the Buttercup Bake Shop and I saw a few people eating cupcakes.  Hooray!!! I thought to myself. I quickly went inside and felt like I was in bakery heaven. Everything is baked on the premises, including their cakes. I ordered a german choclolate cake and a coffee.  I was meeting a friend and asked her to join me.  We both sat down and enjoyed the dessert so much, we bought extras to take home with us. We recommend the carrot cake cupcake, the red velvet cupcake and of course the german chocolate cupcake.  Take the #1, 2, or 3 train to 72nd Street, just half a block from the station.

Loehmann’s Cheap & Chic

location: 2101 Broadway, between 73rd & 74th Streets

If you like to shop brand name, yet don’t want to pay the original prices then this is your place.  I really like this place, because they have everything you need for your wardrobe.  And the best thing is that you get to purchase good quality items for a fraction of the the cost.  Now I have to admit that once you go into this store, you will like everything you lay your eyes on.  They have a a good selection of clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, jackets, perfumes etc.  I love to go check out their handbags, since I am a handbags fanatic.  Now, if you get their club card which is free, you can get updates on clearance sales and for your B-day, you get a discount as well.  Now, isn’t that Sweet? Definitely, a must visit and shop until you drop.   Check them out: http://www.loehmanns.com/

John Lennon And Central Park

location: 72nd Street and Central Park

Named “Strawberry Fields” for John Lennon and Yoko Ono since this was one of their favorite spots.  Just across the street from where they lived, this “Strawberry Fields” place is a special place. On a daily basis, fresh flowers are beautifully arranged to frame the “IMAGINE” plaque that is on the parks ground.  There is a constant flow of people here, in such a small part of Central Park. Visitors, tourists and typical New Yorker’s gather here and reflect on John Lennon/The Beatles.  Every night people gather here and sing songs in remembrance of the “rock musician, singer, songwriter, peace activist and artist” You can visit and be part of a daily tribute to “John Lennon” Imagine that… You can take the B or C train to 72nd Street, and simply cross the street. For more info on Lennon,  go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon

Tavern on the Green

location: 67th Street and Central Park West

I went to Tavern on the Green for my brother’s graduation. And the food is absolutely delicious. However, my favorite dish was the Lobster Bisque. I hadn’t tasted such a creamy extremely well flavored soup.  All I can say is that it kind of melted in your mouth.  The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and the waiters are so proper and polite.  However, the environment was very relaxed. We all ate, talked and enjoyed the tranquility that seemed to be part of the package. It sort of felt heavenly with the rays of sun shining through these oversized windows and bouncing off the chandeliers. Writing this blog just reminds me that I need to revisit Tavern on the Green and really enjoy the gourmet food, the attention they provide and the elegance. The lunch menu ranges from $11 to $30 for the Jumbo Lump Crabcakes.

Check them out: http://www.tavernonthegreen.com/index.asp?headinfo=home