Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden

Georgina and I have been heading over to this place on Sunday nights for a good part of the summer, practicing our moves on the dance floor for what is officially noted as Swing Night. A lot of the time the place is rockin and we love it. There's no cover charge and no drink minimum. Some of the bands have been really fantastic, while some of them - not so much, but what the heck? Ya can't complain all that much when you're getting free dance time, right?

Well, let's talk about that, shall we? Although Sunday nights are designated as Swing Night, no one in the management seems to know exactly what swing music is, and consequently some of the bands on stage appear to be rather taken aback that swing dancers aren't all that thrilled with cool jazz, and other such un-dance-able stuff. Sure there are a few show-offs who can dance to pretty much anything, but come on, the very least we need is 4/4 timing...think Bill Haley instead of Miles Davis

I'm not saying that everything is all bad because that's simply not true, but I am saying that swing is swing and not anything else. The beer is good, the prices are fair. I've not yet eaten in the place but I hear that the food is very good. But this isn't a review is it? This is an evaluation of sincerity. Last Sunday was Halloween and there was to be a big Swing Bash with prizes for the best costumes etc... A nice idea in the abstract, but as things turned out it was cold on Sunday, really cold. We arrived around 7:30 and were astounded to find that the event was being held outside. This is a place that just happens to have a huge dance hall inside that was not in use, though it was warm and inviting. Georgina asked one of the people in charge why she had been told that the party was going to be held inside when she inquired last week...no answer. Could things be moved inside? No. Why not? No answer. In the meanwhile, other people were stopping by, checking out the situation and leaving. Just in the time we were there, possibly a hundred people or more simply left. One bartender suggested that the only way to keep warm was to dance. Well yeah, but what was to happen when you stopped and stood sweating in the 42 degree weather? No answer.

Evaluation: Kind of sincere (What can I say? If I ever wanted a sincere attitude from anyplace - it's this one. One can only hope for a brighter and warmer future)


 

29-19 24th Avenue
Astoria, New York 11102

Mon-Wed: 5:00pm - 2:00am                                 

 Phone: (718)274-4925

Thu- Fri: 5:00pm - 3:00am                           
Sat: 12:00pm - 3:00am
Sun: 12:00pm - 2:00am 

http://www.bohemianhall.com/en/Index.php

Pangea and Virage - Manhattan

Pangea and Virage: they sound like casinos in Las Vegas. They are, in fact, two restaurants within a few blocks of each other in the East Village, a place where many of our reviews are centered because we tend to hang out there a lot. So do a number of friends of ours, in particular, one charming gentleman, Jerry Long, who suggested we review these two establishments. It had never occurred to me to do so before, because, though I've been to both on more than one occasion, neither particularly stood out. However, I don't frequent them as much as others, and I have a feeling that those who do have a lot of fond things to say about them.

To me, Pangea conjures up Sunday brunch with a large group of friends on New Years Day: patient waiters catering to each as we stumble in one by one, each of us politely refraining from ordering until we are all assembled, so by the time we do, we're so starved everything seems delicious. I also remember late night glasses of red wine with another group of friends, the staff allowing us to meet in the back, in a dark, mysterious room to mull over our urgent conversations. So, Pangea: flexible, solicitous, open when you need them. Sincere? Sure.

Virage is brunch central. A particular friend likes to meet us there because it's literally half a block from her apartment. The food's fine, the prices OK, the atmosphere pleasing. Otherwise, nothing stands out good or bad, for which reason I probably wouldn't have posted about it unless it had been suggested. Sincere? Maybe.

I urge those with stronger opinions about either locale to post a comment. Let us know where they stand on your sincerity barometer.

For now I evaluate them both: Kind of sincere




Pangea
178 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003
(212) 995-0900
www.pangeanyc.com

Virage
118 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003-8303
(212) 253-0425
www.viragenyc.com

Yippie Museum Cafe and Gift Shop

Dude! We went in search of sincerity last night and, by suggestion, we stopped first at the Yippie Cafe. We were greeted cordially enough by a bleary-eyed bearded guy, who paused long enough from playing roulette on his ancient computer to accept our donation. Pushing back a paisley curtain, we found that we had time traveled into a coffee house in the approximate year 1967. I felt like I'd been here before in some other when... Strewn about were overstuffed couches and chairs. A few tables were placed before a small performance space at the far end of the long room. A counter with several stools held a few pastries, a selection of coffee and tea, and a cooler that held a few bottles of cold fizzy stuff. Georgina and I shared a mineral water, but had to ask around for an opener since the bartender had misplaced the one he might or might not have had at one time or another. A kindly denizen produced a usable tool attached to his key chain. There was a man performing on the guitar and singing songs he had obviously written. He was the best thing about the place. He was very good. I won't bother to give you a history on this place (a link to their site is provided below) but I do want to point out that, as a "museum" as well as a cafe, it's underwritten by the State of New York, and I really see no other way it could exist. 

But the question remains - was it sincere? Well, in the sense that all seven people in the place, (including the bartender and the performer) aside from ourselves, were so laid back as to each be living in a world of their own that just happened to connect within the confines of the Yippie - like it was synergy-in-action, man - then yes - it was ultimately sincere. On the other hand, did I come away from the place with the feeling that I'd really like to go back some day, and that the people running the joint were having a blast (admittedly this is perhaps not the best choice of words here) doing what they were doing? Then no.

Let me put it this way, unless Green Day decides to schedule a small venue (read: tiny) concert at the Yippie, I will very likely never go back. Will the people running the place care whether I show up there again or not? Nope. It's possible that they won't even remember if they were there.

Evaluation: (strangely enough) Kind of sincere

 

yippiemuseum.org/

9 Bleecker Street 

(between Bowery and Elizabeth)

CALL 212-677-5918.

Burgerville, Portland Oregon

Though we tend to reject chain stores and restaurants as inherently insincere, we were introduced to one that breaks the mold when we visited my family in Portland, Oregon two summers ago. It's called Burgerville and it can be found throughout Oregon and Southen Washington. Doing some research on the web, I found some recent lousy reviews, but I assume the quality changes from location to location. What stands out about Burgerville is that they use mostly local ingredients and are conscientious, as far as I could tell, about how these local sources grow their food and seem to generally strive towards sustainability in their business practices.

On our visit there I had the Wild Smoked Salmon and Hazelnut Salad, featuring those locally grown and caught items as well as local Tillamook Cheese amongst lots of fresh greens. It was reasonably priced and very yummy. I did not indulge in things like the Pepper Bacon Cheeseburger which features, like all their burgers, locally raised, antibiotic and hormone-free beef nor the Oregon marionberry or blackberry shake, in- season berry lemonade or Walla Walla Onion Rings, but I was assured all were spectacular. The atmosphere was cute and old fashioned, the staff - well - I don't remember, but certainly not surly, and I remember wishing that more places like it existed.

When I think of our visit there, more than anything, it makes me think fondly of Portland in general - one of the most sincere cities I know. I believe it is officially the "greenest" city in the U.S. Even the airport is a delight. I'm sure there are tons of good and sincere restaurants in Portland, but until we can return for more investigation, Burgerville will have to do for now. Big shout out to Portland! We love you!

Evaluation: Kind of sincere



www.Burgerville.com

The Pink Adobe - Restaurant - Santa Fe, NM

This is the place where Georgina and I met, so naturally we have fond memories. When we were members of the staff it was a very friendly place to dine. When we went back a couple of years ago we couldn't help but notice that the environment was much more structured and we did have the feeling that a good deal of emphasis had been placed on "turning the tables" meaning get them seated, feed them, and get them out so that the next batch could come in. Still the food continues to be very good, particularly the Steak Dunnigan (a sixteen oz monster smothered in green chili and mushrooms) is simply not to be missed. Rosalie Murphy, the original owner (friend to tons of celebs) is gone now, passed away (though I still do a pretty good impression of her - being bitter) as are all of the amazing people we worked with. At this point it seems like the template of what was is still in place, but home town flavor, alas - that's gone now. This is one that walks the line in my mind, so I am compelled to give this...

Evaluation: Kind of sincere

  

406 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501-2770
(505) 983-7712