Rebecca enjoys the snapper at Double Crown restaurant.

By Rebecca Simzak

This past Saturday I went to Double Crown restaurant with my girlfriend for dinner. Double Crown offers English/American fusion cuisine with Asian–influenced sauces and seasonings. The restaurant is dimly lit with an interior that has the personality of a “high class pub.” A long communial table and oversized bar seem somehow glamorized by Double Crown’s Asian and Art nouveau accents. I could totally picture Madonna here in her Guy Ritchie days …

The restaurant lends nicely to either a romantic evening out or a group get together, due to double or communal seating. However it’s the food at Double Crown that is absolutely their best-selling feature. To begin, the wait staff brings a platter of thin bread crisps with three dipping sauces: one tsaziki based, one with sweet red pepper and another made with cilantro lime. A full bar is also offered, with tons of unique drink specials. I had the Gooseberry, Red Chili and Elderflower Smash which is made with level vodka, gooseberries, lemon and Elderflower foam ($12.00). It was very light and refreshing without being overly sweet.

My girlfriend and I shared a bunch of small plates as we had a hard time deciding what to order from the menu. We started with the Crispy Drunken Quail (with cinnamon tamarind sauce, carrot and cilantro: $13.00), and the Pigs in a A Wet Blanket (pork with lychee and coconut sauce: $6.00). For Dinner we Shared the Steamed Snapper (with prawn dumplings, sesame broth and bok choy: $27.00) and the Brussels Sprouts (with cinnamon and fenugreek glaze: $5.00). These were AMAZING!!!

Now, I usually have the willpower to restrain myself from the dessert menu, but the small plates and entrée were so amazing that we just had to try out at least one dessert. We decided on the Pumpkin Bread pudding with a pumpkin-vanilla crème sauce ($9.00). It was incredible and a reasonably small portion which helped alleviate any guilt.

I HIGHLY recommend checking out the food at Double Crown ASAP… but be sure to make a reservation. I called a week in advance for our Saturday night dinner and was still given a relatively later (10.00pm) dinner time. Luckily the staff is super friendly and made a note that I would prefer an earlier reservation. They called me back the day before with a 9:15 opening.

Rebecca eating at the Lasagna Restaurant.

By Rebecca Simzak

I first walked into Lasagna Restaurant a few years back because of its cute and cozy corner location that was just a few blocks from my apartment. It reminded me of the quaint restaurants found in the Rembrantplein district of Amsterdam (a neighborhood specializing in Italian cuisine). In addition to the welcoming exterior the food is delicious and incredibly priced! Also, there is rarely a long wait for a seat.

I have eaten at Lasagna countless times since moving to Chelsea and have tried nearly every dish on their menu (minus the pastas – always watching my carbs!) My absolute favorite is the Eggplant Parmigiana (pictured above). You can get an appetizer size for $8.95 or upgrade to the entrée for $10.95. It is super yummy, unbreaded and a very generous sized portion. Their fish and chicken dishes (especially Chicken Marsala, $13.95 and Salmon Alla Cabrese, $17.95) are incredible and they also have rotating specials daily. I’ve taken various friends to Lasagna and have heard that their lasagna dishes, their namesake for a reason, are to die for. Similarly their caesar salad is great for a lighter meal.

I ate at Lasagna last week and started with their cappuccino ($3.50) which was delicious, and shared the grilled portobello mushrooms as an appetizer. For the main course I stayed loyal to the eggplant- which never disappoints! If you are in the Chelsea area, they will also deliver to your apartment for orders $20.00 and over. Reservations are accepted but not required.

This is a great location for a date or dinner out with friends. They are very accomodating to larger parties (I had my birthday party here in December).

Lasagna also has an additional location in Hells Kitchen: 941 2nd Ave (at 50th). I’ve eaten at both and highly recommend the Chelsea location. The service is much better and the waiters are super cute.

Lasagna Restaurant
196 8th Ave (at 20th Street)
212-242-4551

Rebecca with a waiter at Lasagna Restaurant.

By Sarah Montclaire

This economy is affecting many important facets of everyday life. Jobs, healthcare, housing, energy. Of all the things negatively impacted by the recession, dating is not typically the first thing on people’s minds.

While perhaps not a matter of grave national importance, for thousands of single New Yorkers, dating in this economy is a relevant, prevalent concern. Thinking about dating, trying to get dates, going on dates, dating more people, dating new people - dating is still a priority. If forced to choose, many New Yorkers would pick dating over food and shelter. And of course by “dating” I mean “sex.”

Kidding.

But seriously, how has the economy affected the dating scene in the Big Apple?

The reality is that people are dating less often and less opulently. Dates are fewer and farther between, and less fancy. Guys are asking girls out for coffee instead of dinner. Girls are offering to split the bill more often. Couples are taking public transportation instead of cabs.

What used to be dinner at Pastis is now a lunch date at Europa. What used to be a carriage ride in Central Park is now a Subway ride to Target. What used to be a romantic trip to the Caribbean is now a weekender in Williamsburg.

My friend Liz put it like this, “You could call men cheaper. Or you could call them creative. This economy forces them to think more about what to do for dates.”

Everyone can do their part to make dating in this economy easier. Guys can plan fun yet low-cost dates that take the financial pressure off both sides. Girls can order the less expensive menu options to keep the bill down. Instead of going to a movie, couples could go visit a gallery or museum. Instead of going out for drinks, couples could have friends over to share a bottle of wine.

My coworker April observed, “It definitely means going out less. Dinners, drinks, movies, clubbing, shows…that stuff adds up.”

Although it is clear that dating has not escaped the wrath of this awful economy, it is also clear that both genders understand the financial situation and have adjusted their expectations. Everyone I spoke to about this demonstrated patience and empathy. It might mean a few more spaghetti dinners at home for awhile, but everyone’s in this together.

As my eloquent friend Natalie put it, “It sucks, but what can you do?”

On that note, here are some things you CAN do that may offer some financial reprieve:

http://www.clubfreetime.com/new_york.asp
http://www.freenyc.net/
http://www.network-twenty.com/events/free_things_new_york_city.html http://www.jazzhostels.com/blog/175-free-things-to-do-in-new-york-city/ http://www.thenewyorkcitytraveler.com/10-free-things-to-do-in-new-york-city/
http://www.ny.com/museums/free.html

By Rebecca Simzak

If you love pulled pork but aren’t a paper plate kind of girl, then Wildwood Barbeque might be just the place for you.

With the perfect blend of cornbread and cosmos, Wildwood offers all the classics: short ribs, pulled pork and brisket, as well as healthier options like their all natural applewood smoked chicken glazed with apricot barbecue sauce.

Unlike most barbeque spots that offer only beer and soda, Wildwood has a fully stocked 50-foot bar with signature cocktails like the Green Tea sour ($11) as well as specialty beers (Wildwood Organic Ale $8.50/pint, $24.50/pitcher)

Though the wait was a bit long (an extra 15 minutes after our reservation time) the food was excellent and the portions were very generous. My girlfriend and I started with the Jailhouse chili ($6.95) as an appetizer. A bit spicy, but very good, the chili comes in an adorable single serving cauldron (pictured above) and is topped with cheddar and sour cream.

As the chili was incredibly filling, we easily could’ve split one between the two of us, we decided to share the “Best of the Best” pit plate with smoked beef brisket and pulled pork ($24.50) which comes with an option of two sides. I highly recommend the baked beans with bacon and the brussel sprouts with sweet onion and bacon sauce.

We were way too full for dessert … but maybe next time

Despite the wait and the somewhat cramped table space, the meal was excellent and the service was great. The fine staff even held a Cartier bracelet I had dropped from my purse when paying the bill and held it for me until the next day.

Wildwood Barbeque
225 Park Avenue South at 18th Street
212-533-2500

Website

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Rebecca Simzak is a beautiful NY Blonde living in Chelsea. She is 25 years old and works as a Design Director for Playboy.

Do Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?

In my case, yes.

I decided to poll a group of 15 guys I know to see whether they prefer
me as a blonde or brunette. These blokes have known me for various
amounts of time. Some are guy friends, some are ex-boyfriends, some
are gay friends, some are coworkers, some are acquaintances and some
are current amours. Quite a motley crew.

The majority of these gentlemen - 9 out of 15 - preferred my hair blonde.

One ex-boyfriend whined, “How come you weren’t this hot when you were
my girlfriend?” Um. Sorry?

One flamboyant friend said the blonde, “Brightens up my face and
brings out my blue eyes. Oh, and it goes well with my skin tone. By
the way, what moisturizer do I use?”

One candid yet pervy guy informed me, “Sarah, no one is looking at
your hair color…”

One former high school running back said he liked the blonde best
because it makes me look like a cheerleader. R-O-L-E-P-L-A-Y!

One observant, grammatically challenged fellow said, “It goes good
with your tan.”

One salacious suitor made a comment that I cannot, in good taste,
repeat, although I will say it involved a comparison between me and a
famous porn star whose name rhymes with Emma Ameson.

One sweet guy said, “The blonde makes you glow from within. You seem
happier, which is what’s most important.”

To be fair, some said that they liked both colors or didn’t have a
preference. However, when pushed to choose, most picked blonde.

The dissenters?

One rather nostalgic ex said he missed the brunette because it brought
back fond memories.

Another said something along the lines of, “It looks trashy, you
heart-breaking whore, why don’t you go *&$%^…”

One acquaintance said the brunette made me look smart AND hot, whereas the blonde just makes me look hot.

Of the 15 men polled, not a single one suggested I try red, which
would be a compromise between blonde and brunette.

All in all, the results of this highly scientific double-blind
clinical study were: gentlemen prefer (me) blonde.

There. Now we can all sleep better at night.

Cheers!

Sarah Montclaire is a blonde model living on the Upper East Side. Here she is trying on a dress at the Ilus Boutique in Soho.

By Rebecca Simzak

Since being introduced to sushi by my best friend from Japan when I was 13, I’ve become somewhat of a fanatic. I’ve even learned to make it myself and love to prepare my own crazy varieties.

Needless to say I’ve been to dozens and dozens of sushi restaurants in New York City — everywhere from highly acclaimed Nobu and Ono to the fast food of Japanese cuisine: Monster Sushi. This weekend I went to Sushi A-GO-GO for dinner with my girlfriend and I have to say they have THE BEST sushi I’ve ever eaten in Manhattan.

The restaurant is located across from Lincoln Center super close to the 1 train and a great pre- or post-movie spot due to the proximity to Loews Cinema. The interior of the restaurant is designed in classic Japanese mixed with 1960s mods touches of geometric furniture and neon hues.

Sushi A-GO-GO’s moderate prices (rolls $6.50-12.95), fancy rolls and creative drink menus make it the perfect venue for a date or a girls night out. I highly recommend the Edamame,which is seasoned with slightly spiced salt mix, and go-go seaweed salad to start. Must try specialty rolls include: the Crispy Hawaiian Lobster Roll (avocado, asparagus, tempura flakes with soy paper and spicy mango sauce), the Miso Glazed Red Snapper Roll (with asian pear and avocado) and the Big Go Go (california roll with kampyo, topped with barbecued fresh water eel).

They also offer various drink specials including sake-tinis, asian pear mojitos and more. During the week you can usually walk in but I’d recommend reservations on the weekends.

1900 Broadway (across from Lincoln Center) 212-724-7340

www.sushiagogonyc.com

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Rebecca Simzak is a beautiful NY Blonde living in Chelsea. She is 25 years old and works as a Design Director for Playboy.