Like all good things, Nobu’s popularity as grown.  Just open up the society pages to see who has dined there recently.  It’s the Japanese restaurant for most of Hollywood.  In recent years, reservations have become impossible to procure but after all, who really wants to dine elbow-to-elbow the the likes of Paris Hilton? 

Fear not, the Robert De Niro global empire (and Downtown Manhattan development project) includes Nobu Next Door located just doors from Nobu’s Tribeca location.  Nobu Next Door has a no-reservation policy, reasonable prices, friendly service, and a menu full of traditional sushi and Japanese fusion dishes that Chef Nobu Matsuhisa made famous.       

The menu offers a myriad of choices, most of which are budget-friendly.  Miso with tofu $4, sashimi from $3, sushi rolls from $4, or a tasting menu from $100.  Oh, yes, and the wasabi has the same great taste, making this my my favorite neighborhood restaurant.

Domo airgato, Nobu, for creating Nobu Next Door for us regular folks.      

Location:  105 Hudson Street (at Franklin), (map) 212-334-4445

Subway: 1, 2 to Franklin

Hours:  Monday-Thursday 5:45-Midnight; Friday and Saturday 5:45pm-1am; Sunday 5:45pm-11pm.    

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Children’s Day

Festivities include performances of Japan’s classic stories for children: Peach Boy (Momotaro), Golden Boy (Kintaro), Story of the Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Blossom (Hanasaka jiisan), and The Monkey and the Crab (Saru-kani gassen). 

Following performance, visitors can enjoy traditional snacks (kashiwa mochi) and create their own samurai helmets (kabuto) and carp streamers (koinobori), traditional Children’s Day decorations. 

Location: Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street (map)

Subway:  6 to 51st Street; 4, 5, 7, S to Grand Central;  E, V to 53rd Street-Lexington Avenue  

Date and Time:  Sunday, May 4th.  2pm.

Cost:  $15 per family (up to five people).  For more information, check the Japan Society website.  

Here a few other events going on around town: 

• Saturday, May 3rd  2008 | Tribeca Film Festival Family Street Fair  Seven blocks of street performances by Broadway actors, puppeteers, music, food, and more fun.  Greenwich Street from Hubert to Duane Street.  Click here for more information.  Free 
• Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th | Sakura Matsuri  Stroll under the canopy of cherry blossoms at this “rite of spring” festival.  A samurai sword demonstration, taiko drumming, traditional Japanese music and dance, a kimono and a kimono fashion show.  Brooklyn Botanical Garden.  Click here for more information.  Free  
• Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th | Portraits of Mom Studio  Kids can play games and snack while Mom receives a complimentary makeover.  Then the family poses for a family portrait by a professional photographer and the photos will be loaded onto an on-site computer so participants can make their own prints. 89 Montague St at Hicks St, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn.  Click here for more information.  Free

Photo credit: flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

As I sit here in a Tribeca coffee shop, cinemaphiles to my left and right are are pouring over the 2008 TFF Official Guide, trying to decide which films they want to put on their list.  Here is a short list of films that the feel are noteworthy:    

Friday, April 25th

• Eden (Ireland)   Adapted from an award-winning play, this film captures the slow demise of a 10-year relationship.  Also screened on Sunday
• Trucker (USA)   A tough, no-nonsense truck-driver is faced with raising her 11-year old son when his father is hospitalized.   
• Lost Indulgence (China)   Described as visually stunning, a monther an her teenage son face complications in their relationship after they invite a secretive young women to into their home.  Also screened on Saturday
• My Marlon and Brando (Turkey, Netherlands, UK)   Based on the true story.  She is a Turk living in Istanbul and he, Kurd living in Iraq during the US occupation,  meeting and falling in love.  Also screened on Saturday
• Newcastle (Australia)   Rich with action and surfing footage, this film follows Jesse, a 17-year-old surfer, and his surfer buddies, as they walk the line between adventure and disaster.   Also screened on Sunday.

Saturday, April 26th

• Love, Pain, and Vice Versa  (Mexico, Spain, USA)   Two strangers are linked when their recurring dreams begin to destroy their reality.     
• The Aquarium (Egypt, France, Germany)   Calls into question both sexual and political repression, as an anesthesiologist and a late-night talk show host have secrets revealed to them.  
• Somers Town (UK)   This comedy follows the unlikely friendship between two boys– one runaway and the other, a Polish immigrant.  
• Quiet Chaos (Italy)   After his wife unexpectedly dies, Pietro muse face his grief in this film about spiritual rebirth.
• Let the Right One In (Sweden)   Based on a  Lindqvist bestselling novel, this film captures the first romance of a 12-year old girl with her next-door vampire neighbor.  

Sunday, April 27th

• 57,000 Kilometers Between Us (France)   Follows a teen who is caught between her real father, a transexual, and her stepfather when records the family’s “perfect” life online. 

Also, don’t forget the Tribeca Drive-In, a free outdoor screening event at the World Financial Center Plaza, which continues this Friday and Saturday evening.

For more information including theater locations and tickets visit the Tribeca Film Festival website. 

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Thursday, April 24th

• Thriller  Filmmaker and “Thriller” video director John Landis will be on hand for a special 25th anniversary screening of Michael Jackson’s 1984 music video, plus the classic Making of Thriller.  Attendees will learn the Thriller dance and take part in the world’s largest zombie disco.  Face painting stations will transform you into a zombie and there will be a Michael Jackson look-alike contest.

Friday, April 25th

• Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins   The Lion King’s Timon introduced the world to meerkats nearly 10 years ago and these furry critters quickly became the desire of every child.  Directors Chris Barker and Mike Slee  bring us amazing footage of wild African meerkats while telling the story a young female named Flower.  Engaging narration by Whoopi Goldberg, a traditional South African soundtrack, and footage of South Africa’s beauty make this a great event for the entire family.

Saturday, April 26th

• Fans’ Favorite Football Flick   We Are Marshall  beat out 15 other classic football movies to win the Tribeca/ESPN Fans’ Favorite Football Flick competition.  After a plane crash claims most members of the Marshall University football team, its coach (Matthew McConaughey) must rally and unite the survivors in this 2006 movie. 

Location:  World Financial Center Plaza, between Vesey Street and Liberty Street, by North Cove Marina on the Hudson River (map)

Dates and Times:  Thursday, April 24th through Saturday, April 26th.  Doors open at 6:30 pm, with programs beginning at 7:30 and screenings at 8pm.

Subway:  A, C, J, M, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Fulton Street/Broadway-Nassau; E to World Trade Center;  R, W to City Hall; 1 to Rector Street; PATH to World Trade.

Cost:  Free   

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

There is something for everybody at this year’s TFF.  The festival will feature films from Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, as well as from New York.  Such special interests as Women’s Issues, Environmental Issues, Political lssues, Health Issues, and Social Issues will be covered in films.  There will be films for the family, for teens, and for children.  Independent films will be featured as well as major Hollywood productions.  In addition to the films, there will be a number of panel discussions with directors and actors.  Ticket prices for screenings and panels are as follows:

• $15 for screenings that begin at 5pm or after, Monday-Friday and all screenings on Saturday-Sunday. 
• $8 for Matinee and Late Night Film screenings.  (beginning prior to 5pm, Monday-Friday, or beginning at 11pm or after everyday.)
• $25 Tribeca Talks Panel Ticket
• $25 Conversations in Cinema Panel Ticket (Special screenings followed by discussion.)
• $25 Behind the Screens Panel Ticket (TFF film screenings followed by discussion.)
• $8 Tribeca Talks Industry Panel Ticket (Panel discussion on film industry and business.)

A limited number of tickets are available to screenings and panels.  Once those tickets are sold out, it will be listed as “Rush Tickets.”  Rush ticket lines will form approximately 60 minutes prior to scheduled event times at the listed venue. Admission will begin, based on availability, approximately 15 minutes before program start time. 

Tickets are available online, by calling (866) 941-FEST (3378), or at two walk-up Manhattan locations: 

• Main Box Office, 15 Laight Street (between Varick St. and Sixth Ave, one block below Canal St.), 11:00am – 7:00pm, 7 days a week
• AMC 19^th Street East,  890 Broadway (between East 19^th St. and East 20^th St.), 3:00pm – 8:00pm, 7 days a week.

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

The menu is well-rounded featuring all of the normal bar appetizers (onion rings $4.50, chicken fingers $7.25, buffalo wings $7.25), a selection of burgers from $7.75-$10, and 12″ bar pies (a.k.a. pizza) for $10 and up.  My menu favorite is “The Cowboy Burger,” a sirloin burger topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapeños, and BBQ sauce.  Yes, it sounds like a bit much in the harsh light of the day but at 2am, after a night of music at the Knitting Factory, it fits the bill.

The Tribeca Tavern’s biggest draw is the extensive beer list.  Imports like Peroni make the list, as do domestics like Pabst Blue Ribbon, and seasonal microbrews.  The daily happy hour is from 4pm to 7pm and features $3 domestic beers, house wines, well drinks.  And keep an eye open for $10 PBR pitchers!  

Location:  247 W Broadway, map, 212-941-7671

Subway: 1 to Franklin Street; N, Q, R, W to Canal Street; A, C, E to Canal Street

Hours:  11am-4am, 7 days a week

Photo credit: personal collection

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

The eight-floor, 203 room Tribeca Grand Hotel is one of the most exclusive hotels in Lower Manhattan. Superior king rooms start at $399 per night and suites (including the two-bedroom suite) can easily reach $1300 per night.

So, what does the minimum of $400 get you at the Tribeca Grand Hotel? All guest rooms are outfitted with iPods, Bose Sound Docks, Power Books, a DVD player, Radio/CD player, a specially-selected CD library, personal safes, and toiletries from the beauty line Malin+Goetz. There is also a 24-hour fitness center and wireless high-speed Internet throughout the hotel.

Tribeca Grand is one of the newest hotels that will cater to the pet owner. Upon request, guest rooms can be set up with a pet bed, food and water bowls, and treats. The hotel can arrange for pet sitting, dog walking, and a pet spa. The hotel even offers a special pet food menu which is available through room service! If you didn’t bring your own pet, the Tribeca Grand will be happy to loan you one. Upon request, you have may have a pet goldfish delivered to your room for companionship during your stay.

If you can’t justify spending the money for a night in the hotel, but you still want to experience the exclusivity of the Tribeca Grand, drop by Chruch Lounge @ Tribeca Grand Hotel. The lounge offers a selection of food and drinks and is located beneath hotel’s center atrium. During the warmer months, the 30-seat outdoor dining area is opened.

Tribeca Grand Hotel is located at 2 Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) in Lower Manhattan (map).

Photo credits: personal collection

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Post from: The New York City Traveler