Amé Amé (or Rain and Candy)

I haven't posted for a while about just a great little New York shop, but I love Amé Amé on East 9th Street in Manhattan. I went in on a rainy day to buy an umbrella. At first I balked at paying $27.00 for a collapse-able umbrella, even though the designs were all so cute, and the one I was interested in was super-compact, because I was sure I'd lose it or it would break. But the salesperson, who I think is the owner,Teresa Soroka, assured me that if I put it back in it's waterproof case every time I used it, rather than letting it flop onto the floor to dry wherever I went, I wouldn't lose it - nor would it break. Though little, it was super strong, she said. Since my other problem is that my son always borrows my umbrellas and loses them, I bought one with black, white and grey roses so he wouldn't be tempted. It's very pretty and very vintage-y looking. Sure enough, one year later, I still have it, it still works perfectly, and it stands up in any wind. I adore it. Points for that, Amé Amé!

Then, I needed rain boots and saw some cute yellow ones in their on-line store. When I went in to the shop, they were higher in price, but the same salesperson let me have them for the low on-line price of $40, I believe it was. They are comfy, warm, adorable, and really sturdy. More points!

Yes, Amé Amé is a little pricey. I checked just now and didn't see anything in their on-line store as cheap as the prices I mentioned, but there's more variety in the store. And besides, most of their items are made in Canada, England or the U.S. They are the epitome of a great, local business. And did I mention they sell candy too? I used to think they were called Rain and Candy... just an adorable idea for a store. Please patronize them this holiday season, either in person or on-line. You can order from anywhere in the world!

Ame Ame
318 E. 9th street

New York, NY 10003

http://www.amerain.com/

Evaluation:
Pretty sincere

The Sock Man

Such a basic necessity, socks. Few businesses, though, specialize exclusively in that lowly commodity and related leg-ware. Enter The Sock Man - a tiny store and sidewalk table that has been a presence on St. Mark's Place in the East Village for as long as I can remember, and that's a mighty long time. Notable, when so many other St. Mark's institutions have gone the way of gentrification. Is it the cheapest place to buy socks? No, but some pretty good deals can be had on the sidewalk table where you'll find the more basic gym variety and such. Walk inside and you'll discover walls and counters crammed with every conceivable style of hosiery available, from the sexy to the hip. This is where I've encountered tights and leggings that, for about $10.00-$20.00 a pop, have lasted me, literally, for years (they sell these mid-weight cotton tights that are the bees knees). The help is super friendly, and the music, well, let's just say that if I don't know what's playing, I ask. Go Sock Man!

Evaluation: Very sincere
 
 www.thesockman.com
 27 Saint Marks Pl
New York, NY 10003-7813
(212) 529-0300

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

Cure Thrift Shop - Manhattan

A few months ago, I was sitting around having a high-flown discussion with a group of friends and artists around the theme of Value and what it meant to each of us. We came to the question, what is the one thing you wish you had but you would never buy for yourself ? My answer was: a really, nice bag, one of those purses that costs hundreds and ends up being a staple for years to come. I don't care about designer labels, but I've always thought that a really high-quality bag would be a classic addition to my vintage-based wardrobe. With the Value and Vintage themes in mind, I went with my husband to Cure Thrift Shop in the East Village, a place he had stumbled upon in his wanderings around town. He remembered what I'd said about the bag and he noticed they were having a big sale on purses. With very low expectations, I went, and there I found maybe a hundred bags of all kinds. I sorted through them, again with low expectations, until I began to notice that there was genuine Prada and Coach (even used out of my price range), but I realized that my chance was within reach. And then there it was. A brand new, pristine, Via Spiga bag, reddish brown leather, simple, understated, elegant, just the right number of pockets and just the right size. It was 35 bucks. I snagged it. (Later, I checked on line and found that the value of the bag, even on e-bay, was around $250 - very insincere of me, I know.)

Cure Thrift Shop doesn't always have that "bag event," running, but it's always a cool and interesting place to find clothes, furniture and other stuff. I found a beautiful Italian skirt there for $20, a linen blouse for $15, and though the selection isn't huge, I'd say they have just the right idea of the word Value. And your purchases go towards the cure for Diabetes. You can't beat that.

Evaluation: Very sincere

 

www.curethriftshop.com

111 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 505-7467

Village Style Vintage Clothing Store, Manhattan

 Buying used or vintage clothes is not only good for the environment but it's a way to support local businesses and have great style on a budget. Enter Village Style, a terrific little vintage shop in Manhattan's East Village that not only has lots of good stuff but prices it appropriately. Let's face it, vintage clothes, are still, after all, used clothes, and I object to places that price vintage items like they're made out of gold. At Village Style, you can find the cutest 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's dresses you've ever seen priced from about $20 to $40.00, plus skirts, blouses and plenty of great men's shirts, T-shirts, belts and pants. They also sell a handful of accessories like hats, shoes. cowboy boots and purses. It's not a huge store so you don't spend a lot of time pawing through rack after rack, but can find what you're after quickly and easily. Sizes vary too - they aren't all just teeny-tiny. I wouldn't exactly call the staff friendly; after all, they do have to maintain a certain level of cool, but they're nice enough, and once gave me a discount just because they recognized the dress I was wearing as one they'd sold me.

Evaluation: Pretty sincere

 

It's located at 111 E. 7th Street, between 1st Ave. and Avenue A. Even knowing the address, it's oddly hard to find, but don't give up! It's worth the effort.

Sapporo East Japanese Restaurant, Manhattan

This is the first place I ever ate Sushi, back in the mid-1980's. The fact that it's stood the test of time in a NYC neighborhood that's constantly changing, is a testament to its great food, low prices and really friendly staff. No ultra-hip, too-cool waiters here, though the occasional rock star does drop by. It's exactly the same restaurant it was when I first went there, except that I believe it's no longer open for lunch and the prices have risen with the market. But it's still the place I go if I want authentic Japanese food, (and cousins of mine who've spent lots of time in Japan confirmed that) but don't want to pay a bundle. I also feel like I can walk in, dressed however I want, and have a fun, casual and delicious meal. Not fancy, just 100% great.

Rating: Extraordinarily Sincere!

  

 10th Street and 1st Ave, New York, NY