A New York Magazine-style guide to the best of the neighborhood.
By Jen Littlefield (Choreogrpaher/Librettist)
As I count the days (23) til I move out of this convenient, expensive, busy, and always fun neighborhood, I thought I'd share some of my favorite things about it with you dear readers. Many of you have probably spent an evening or two on 9th ave, as it is the crossroads of all things gay and all things theater (I mean, how has a portal to Planet Unicorn not opened outside of Industry yet?), but allow me illuminate some of the less talked about places my friends and I like to frequent.
Casellula: My home away from home.

Good wine. Good cheese. Good people (the staff is amazing). Do I really need to say more? No, but I will. I LOVE Casellula. I love the wines. I love how every cheese comes with its own made-in-house paring, including things like pine nut brittle, or coffee-flavored marshmallows, or pickled quail eggs. And the main dishes and desserts are out of this world. Try the Pig's Ass sandwich or the chocolate cake and cream. (Top reason why I'm broke and squishier around the middle)
House of Brews 51st: Best spot for birthdays

This location has an upstairs bar with a little lounge room that you can reserve for your party so you aren't annoying all the customers with your drunken toasts and this-is-my-day entitlement. Add to that a two-for-one or pitcher special during the week, all-you-can-drink mimosa brunch, and beer bongs. It's a little slice of hoppy-heaven
Worldwide Plaza: Best out-door spot in Midtown

I actually love this place the most in the late fall and early spring, when it's not quite warm enough for the Blockheads infestation. Grab a coffee and maybe some food, snag a table in the sun, and read or write or just sit and enjoy. (And I do enjoy the thrifty nature of Blockheads, but sometimes you don't want to eat with 25 people you know from that one show that one time, in that place… you remember right?)
The Hudson River Park, Midtown addition

I love to come over here and just be by the river. This is pier 96 at 55th st, and a little further north, the area opens up into a lazy river walk, a nice cafe with tables and umberellas, a good running path, and lots of grass. It's really beautiful and often not crowded at all.
Vlada: Best happy hour

There are a plethora of gay bars in this neighborhood, and all have drink specials, drag shows, dim lighting (because we all need it, honey). But Vlada's is the longest, the strongest, and the tastiest (mmhhhmmm). All of their drinks are half-price from 4-9pm. Yes. 9pm. That's a lot of infused martinis for one gal to drink. But don't you worry, we do our best every Monday night.
54 Below: Best new cabaret spot

I did a whole post in January on Backstage, the Tuesday late-night show, but this place is seriously the most fun. It's comfortable, inviting, a little expensive, but always a good time. And we get to see Linda Edder next week, so there.
The vegetable/farmers market on 52nd st: Best place to save a buck

If you live here or just want a quick piece of fruit, stop into Stiles Farmers Market on 52nd st. This place is so cheap, you could eat for a week on about $10. I'm only half kidding too. I will miss living right next to this little gem. (My mom was sure she was going in the stock-room door when she went to get us veggies, it's that fresh).
Oh 52nd st, you've done me well the past two years. I will miss the beautiful and tall drag queens parading around on Monday nights. I will miss the endless brunch options within two blocks of my apartment. I will miss getting calls from friends who are in the neighborhood and just popping by because I can. I will miss leaving my apartment at 7:45 to make an 8pm curtain with no trouble. I will miss my food-making boyfriend. And I will miss my little apartment on the 4th floor with it's sloping floors, tiny kitchen, and separate bedroom. UES, you got big some big, sparkly platforms to fill...
JEN LITTLEFIELD is a freelance choreographer and writer with a few steady teaching gigs at Pace University and Concordia Conservatory. As she's come to discover, freelance is code for constantly working, so she is also a single gal who lives and lives-it-up in Hell's Kitchen. www.jenlittlefield.com
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