Ups and Downs

The Quarter Life Crisis

2010-09-23T17:50:00.000-04:00

It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are a lot of things about yourself that you didn't know and may or may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you do not realize is that they are realizing that too and are not really cold or catty or mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.

You look at your job. It is not even close to what you thought you would be doing or maybe you are looking for one and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and are scared.

You miss the comforts of college, of groups, of socializing with the same people on a constant basis. But then you realize that maybe they weren't so great after all.

You are beginning to understand yourself and what you want and do not want. Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging a bit more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and add things to your list of what is acceptable and what is not. You are insecure and then secure. You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.

You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you or you lay in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough to get to know better. You love someone but maybe love someone else too and cannot figure out why you are doing this because you are not a bad person.

One night stands and random hook ups start to look cheap and getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans and money and the future and making a life for yourself and while wining the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender!

What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out.

Aries.

2010-09-23T17:49:00.000-04:00

Aries.

People born under the sign of the Ram are courageous and adventurous. They are natural leaders and love living on the edge. They live for the thrill of the chase, preferably a high-speed chase. Don't think that once the Arien hunter has captured its game that he or she will be satisfied. Much like a dog who has finally caught that chicken it has been chasing around the yard, an Arien will quickly become bored with its victim. The dog starts chasing another chicken and the Arien starts after its next conquest, most likely another sexual partner.

Ariens are talkative. They love to inform anyone who will listen about their views on anything that comes to mind. They feel that their views on the world are of utmost importance and therefore, they must share those views with everyone.

They ooze self-confidence. Other people are attracted to the high-spirited personality of the Ariens. This self-confidence can also be seen as vanity or over-sized ego. Its true; Ariens are in love with themselves. Aries is known as a me-first sign and they dont understand why you dont place their needs, however trivial, above your own.

Still, an Arien man or woman is likely to be generous and openhearted. They will help others in a crisis. Ask them for advice, and they will give it. Strapped for cash? They don't mind helping you out. Just don't forget to thank your generous Arien friend. Repeatedly. You didn't really think they were helping you out of general concern for your well-being, did you? A Ram's generosity stems from how good it makes him or her look. Your gratitude feeds an already gargantuan ego.

People born under the Ram are highly independent and like to be in charge. They much prefer to be handing out assignments than being told what to do. In fact, even if you could give an Arien orders, giving them an important assignment might not be the best idea. They lack the motivation to see a long project through the end. Arien's prefer an instant-gratification type of project. The longer they have to work to be rewarded, the less likely they will reach that goal.

Ariens have trouble holding on to money. This isnt surprising because theyre not afraid to help a friend in need. They're also not afraid to buy extravagant gifts, for themselves, of course. After all, they deserve it, don't they? They certainly think so. Luckily, an Arien is not likely to be in debt for too long. Thank their ego for this. It's not exactly good for the self-esteem to wake up every day remembering how many people you owe money. An in-debt Ram will find a way to pay off his creditors quickly.

Although a Ram is high-spirited and optimistic 95% of the time, don't think that life with one is all sunshine and roses. Remember, Ariens react without thought. Insult one, and he or she will have a childlike tantrum. Sadly, people born under Aries often see insult where none was intended. Don't worry. They erupt violently, but it's brief. An angry Aries isnt angry for long. In fact, once they've got over it, they won't understand why you are still upset.

Every sign of the zodiac is ruler to a certain part of the body. Aries rules the head. People born under Aries are prone to headaches and minor facial injuries, most likely from running head-first into anything and everything. Just picture two rams battling on a cliff. Watch them butt heads a few times, and you'll understand.

All in all, people born under Aries are interesting to be around, if you can keep up...

Lessons learned from "A Bronx Tale"

2010-09-17T23:52:00.000-04:00

Lesson 1: The importance of family

The kid in the movie doesn't listen to his father and you can't hold that against him; we all have to make mistakes. But the kid always knew that what his father told him was in his best interests. Love is sometimes communicated in strange, harsh ways, but that doesn't mean it isn't love. Despite all the crap this kid went through, his family was always there to support him. It was the values that his father taught him that kept him from turning into a stronzo , buried six feet under before he was old enough to shave. Never forget how important family is. Why it's better to be feared, getting rid of people for $20, and making yourself available to those who need you...

Lesson 2: It's better to be feared than loved

Like Chazz Palminteri's character Sonny says, "It's nice to be both, but very difficult." He goes on: "Fear lasts longer than love... it's fear that keeps them loyal." Power and money help instill fear in others and allow you to take control and become a father figure to your crew. "I treat my men good, but not too good, or I'm not needed. I give just enough so that they need me, but they don't hate me," says Sonny. Love is fleeting, that's why I don't trust it. Friendship? It's BS. Most friendships in my business are based on money and are meaningless once the money stops. The guy who laughs at my jokes only does so because I give him a paycheck. I know that and he knows that. Same thing goes for those skanks who ask about your job and your car before they ask your name. Keep your crew together by making them fear you. I already wrote about this in a past column so I won't20waste more time on it.

Lesson 3: It costs $20 to get rid of a problem

In the movie, some punk owes Calogero, or C (Lillo Brancato), $20. Since the movie took place in the '60s, breaking a few fingers might have been worth it. The punk always avoids C and he wants to break the punk's head. But before he does, he gets some good advice from Sonny. "It costs you $20 to get rid of him." The point was that for $20, this punk from the neighborhood would never ask C for money or bother him again. For the rest of C's life, this guy would fear him and stay out of his hair for good. Your lesson? Sometimes you have to take a loss, but in the end you're better off cutting your losses and moving on. Get too hung up on the past, especially on small things, and you'll never move ahead.

Lesson 4: Availability

Sonny talks a lot about availability. He chooses to live in his neighborhood because he can stop trouble immediately. The people that love him in the neighborhood see him every day, and they feel safe. His enemies think twice about getting cute, because they know he's close. This is a universal lesson to stay close to the things that are important in your life. If you are some hotshot manager at a company, don't stay away from your troops; keep your ear to the ground. If you are a father, make yourself available to your kids. Staying close to the action lets you spot problems before they become cancers.

Lesson 5: Sinatra is a great singer

What? I have to explain this to you? Whatsamatter with you?

Lesson 6: Never rat on no one

C had a life-altering decision to make when he was young. He could have ratted on a murder Sonny committed but he knew better. He knew better than to be a rat because as he said, "A rat is the lowest thing you can be in my neighborhood." Doing good things for rotten people, wasting your talent and getting a girl to give you oral sex in front of a dirty truck driver are all less morally reprehensible than being a rat, remember that."

Lesson 7: Sometimes you do good things for bad people

When C doesn't rat on Sonny, he is not only saving his reputation, he is saving his own life and his father's life. There are times in life when you'll have to do things you know aren't right for the greater good. It's life. It's not a goddamn fairytale. People have a hard time understanding this -- they see things in black and white, but there are plenty of gray zones. Here's a quick example for those missing a few screws. If the local tough guy gives you a gun to hide for him, hide it and shut up. Don't be a wise ass and go to the cops with your little piece of evidence. Capiche ?

Lesson 8: There's nothing sadder than wasted talent

I've always said, a loser isn't someone who's stupid; he never had a chance, God made him stupid. A loser is a guy who could have made something of himself but didn't. A loser is a guy with wasted talent. Don't be that loser.

Lesson 9: The "Mario" test

One of the young turks in the movie talks about doing a test on a girl by taking her on the highway, getting the attention of a truck driver and seeing if she blows you in front of him. If she does, don't make plans to marry her. The test sounds stupid, but it's legitimate. If a girl has no respect for herself, especially in public, she's no good. Drop her like a bag of yesterday's bread.

Lesson 10: Nobody cares

Sonny teaches C that nobody cares. Nobody cares about anyone but themselves. You should do what you want because nobody cares about you anyway. Sonny tells C that he shouldn't care about Mickey Mantle, because Mickey Mantle doesn't care about him. Some people are obsessed with other people's opinion. Who gives a damn? Nobody cares. Take care of yourself -- no one else will.

Lesson 11: Never underestimate your enemy

In another scene, some fat bikers walk into Sonny's bar and disrespect him and his establishment because Sonny was polite. They underestimated him, and it cost those cafones. Don't mistake patience or a gentleman's demeanor for weakness. Always assume the worst in your enemy and never underestimate the lengths he'll go to, to destroy you. "Now yous can't leave."

Lesson 12: Guns don't make you tough

If you think owning a piece is going to make you a tough guy, think again. Toughness is what you show when a gun is pointed at you. A gun will never give you respect, importance or, outside of the moment you point it, any power.

Lesson 13: The "door" test

I've been doing this one since I stole my first car back when I was 14. The "door" test basically boils down to this: When you take a girl out for the first time, lock the door on your side of the car, open her door first, walk around the back, and see if she unlocks the door for you. If she does, she's a keeper. If she doesn't, she's a selfish bitch and you should consider yourself lucky to have recognized that early on.

It's all in the little details; remember that.

MANswers.

2010-09-17T23:51:00.001-04:00

You know that feeling, fellas. Things seem to be going well with your significant other. The sex is great, the moments without sex are pretty much tolerable, and she hasn't once gotten mad at you for.. well, okay, like that happens. But then, of course, the questions begin. Those horrible, mind-numbing, soul-crushing questions that aren't really questions at all. I have taken the liberty of compiling a list of these, along with exactly how you're supposed to react to them.

"How do I look?"

What it really means: "Tell me I am attractive. Now."

If there's one thing human beings cannot stand, it's the truth – and women are no exception. If your girlfriend walked out of the bathroom with her panties around her neck, mud rubbed in her hair and torn spandex pants, she'd still ask you how she looked and expect a complimentary response. In a way, she's almost being generous – the boyfriend is given an easy excuse to earn brownie points by sycophantically praising his girlfriend's physical attributes. Whether or not the boyfriend is lying through his teeth is irrelevant to the girlfriend.

How to deal with it:

Pretend to have your mind focused on something else for a second. Then look back at her, as if you just now realized she ask you something. The moment your eyes hit hers, suddenly act as if you have become overwhelmed with a wave of absolute astonishment – who is this beautiful woman, and how did she get here? Widen your eyes and try to look as childlike as possible, dumbfounded with amazement at her beauty.

These theatrics may seem unnecessary or silly, but one must realize that a simple "you look great" will result in nothing more than an argument and a likely denial of sex for the next 24 hours. If a woman deems it necessary to ask you how she looks, then she's obviously spent some degree of effort on her appearance, and wants to be rewarded with an unusually positive reaction to it.

"Do you think she's pretty?"

What it really means: "Prove to me you aren't attracted to other women."

Typically asked in reference to a female celebrity or supermodel, your woman is feeling insecure about the fact that many, many women on the planet are most likely more attractive than her. She needs you to show that "mainstream" attractive women hold no interest for you, because otherwise she cannot consider herself the most attractive woman in your life – if the whole of society agrees that they'd cut off four fingers if it meant they'd get to sleep with Angelina Jolie, then your stated lack of attraction toward her means that you find your girlfriend more doable than Lara Croft herself.

It's complicated, but can be summarized like this:

-Everybody thinks Scarlett Johansson is gorgeous.

-If you think Scarlett Johansson is gorgeous, then that also means you think Scarlett Johansson is more attractive than your girlfriend, thus making your girlfriend feel less special than Scarlett Johansson.

-If your girlfriend thinks you don't think Scarlett Johansson is gorgeous, then your girlfriend can continue to operate under the assumption that she is the most gorgeous woman in your life and that you are lucky to have her.

How to deal with it:

There are a dozen ways to handle this question, most of them pretty straightforward ("No" is the shortest and easier to remember), but this question presents a fantastic chance to subtly show your girlfriend how much you really care about her.

When she asks the question, only refer to the celebrity in question by drawing comparisons between her and your girlfriend. For example:

"Do you think Eva Mendes is pretty?"

"Well, she's got sort of a nice body, but she doesn't have your eyes."

"I wasn't asking whether or not she looks like me. I was asking whether you thought she's pretty."

"I don't understand. I just told you she wasn't pretty -- she doesn't have your eyes."

She'll pause for a minute, and then come to the realization that you are essentially using your girlfriend as the standard of beauty to which all other girls will be judged: she'll be so flattered that she might manage to have long, arduous sex with you without crying once.

"Where do you want to go tonight?"

What it really means: "Read my mind."

In all relationships, the time comes when the passion is over and done with, and the couple is required to actually go somewhere in an effort to stave off boredom. When that time comes, the relationship basically becomes one big game of 20 questions. Your girlfriend wants to go somewhere interesting, but she (A) wants to have nothing to do at all with where you end up, (B) wants to enjoy herself, and (C) wants you to pay for everything.

The problem, of course, is in actually guessing a destination that your girlfriend will enjoy. If you ask her what she's in the mood for, you'll either get a bullshit answer ("I dunno") or she'll tell you and immediately get irritated that you didn't know her well enough to predict what she wanted.

How to deal with it:

Get a calendar. Every four days, make sure you have a different activity planned, and follow through with each day's activity.

Alternatively, if she asks the question too many times just fill a bag with oranges and swing it around menacingly. "If you ask me that one more time," you can say, "then this is what we're doing tonight."

"What are you thinking?"

What it really means: "Give me an excuse to yell at you."

No woman, in the history of humankind, has ever given two shits about a man's thoughts unless it involves him buying her something. Ever. So when she asks you "what are you thinking," recognize it
for the goddamn trap that it is.

There is literally no right answer to this question. If you say you're thinking about her, she'll know you're lying. If you say what you're really thinking about – usually about what a particular celebrity looks like naked – she'll get angry. If you say something shallow ("Uh, nothing"), she'll get angry that you aren't deep, and if you say something deep, then she'll feel like you're totally full of shit.

And just so nobody accuses me of being Carlos Mencia/Eric Bauman, I know that Rondell Sheridan basically did a variation of this complaint during his standup routines.

How to deal with it:

Kiss her on the mouth, really really hard. With any luck, the pain will be enough that she'll forget what she asked you, and you can go about your business as if nothing happened.

"How was your day?"

What it really means: "Ask me how my day was."

To be fair, this is not an exclusively female question: wanting to talk about oneself is just as big a part of human nature as wanting to seem like you don't actually want to talk to yourself. Every person who asks you how your day was may nod and smile, may kindly pretend to listen as you recount the monotonous, depressing sequence of shit that was your day, but they're really just waiting you to get finished with your goddamn speech so they can tell you about how interesting their day was.

With girlfriends, the stakes are simply higher. If you don't listen to a friend who tells you about their day, it doesn't really matter. If you don't listen to your girlfriend, then you better get used to masturbating alone for the next week and a half. Or buy roses. But fuck that -- what's a week and a half, anyway?

How to deal with it:

Make the summary of your day short and sweet so she can launch into her diatribe early and get it done quicker. You don't really need to listen to the actual words she speaks so much as you need to watch her facial expressions. Women's faces have a tendency to recreate the way they looked during specific parts of a story, and mimicking those facial expressions as she delivers them to you will make you seem like you are not only paying attention, but also extremely interested in her story.

"Don't our married friends seem happy?"

What it really means: "I want to get married."

Nine out of ten times the question won't be phrased like this (or worse, it won't be a question), but the basic idea remains: your girlfriend is ready for a commitment that no intelligent man should ever, ever want to engage in. The question might be somewhat forgivable if it was even halfway accurate: no, Diane, our married friends don't seem happy. Rob's wife definitely seems happy, considering she gets to turn nagging into a full-time job, but there's a certain…deadness to Rob's eyes that isn't really indicative of jubilance.

How to deal with it:

RUN!!!!!

"Do you love me?"

What it really means: "Lavish me with compliments or I'm leaving you." OR "I am a clingy psychopath, please dump me."

We've all dated that one chick who says "I love you" after two dates, and those are the chicks who most frequently ask this question. It's tragic, really – psycho girls are so fun in short bursts, and yet all they want is a long-term commitment. They're so cute and forgiving and nice and enthusiastic at the beginning of a relationship, but at the halfway point (which, with chicks like this, is usually about a week after you've met her) they just lose it. Dating and sex turns into love and marriage.

But still, at least those women are easy to diagnose and treat. It's much more difficult to handle this question coming from someone you've been dating for a long time. Women in such a position usually ask this question because they have low self-esteem, or because their boyfriend is acting distant or selfish.

How to deal with it:

If we're talking about the psycho chick, the answer is simple (albeit involved): dump her, cut off all contact with her, and change your locks.

If the question is coming from someone you're in a serious relationship with, no amount of reassuring will make a difference: if words meant anything to her, she wouldn't have bothered asking in the first place.

The only real way to solve this problem is with money. Buy her something. It doesn't matter what, so long as it's more than 100 dollars. You can buy her a goddamn fishing rod made of peppermint, so long as you include the receipt to show her the exact dollar value you place on her love.

"Why?"

What it really means: I'm not sure, actually.

I haven't personally had a lot of experience with this question, but I'm told it pops up somewhat frequently. In the same way that toddlers refuse to accept a simple answer to a complex question by constantly asking "why," women will do the same in an attempt to trick you into saying something that'll make you look like a moron, so they have an excuse to verbally berate you.

How to deal with it:

As I said, I haven't personally had any experience with this one, so I can't be sure. Based on my limited knowledge, however, I would suggest simply leaving the room and doing something else: getting into a "why" conversation with a child only results in making the adult look like a moron, so who's to say that the same isn't true when applied to an adult female?

"Do you want to try new things?"

What it really means: "I want to know exactly how much of a pervert you are."

The word "things" in that sentence refers to sexual experimentation.

While many women are, indeed, freaks in bed, they're usually not the ones who ask this question. No, Superfreaks tend to be very up front with their sexual freedom, and will never even bother asking you if you're into something. This question only comes from someone you've been dating for a while, who is curious to see exactly how much of your "I'm just a romantic guy who doesn't just want to bone you" act is true, and how much is total bullshit (usually there's more of the latter than the former).

Your lady will sound like she's totally into any kinky sex act you're into, right up until you actually tell her: once you reveal that your ultimate fantasy is to dress up like an Elizabethan merchant and have your fanny spanked with a wooden oar, your lady will most likely drop the act and yell at you for being the total perv you are.

How to deal with it:

Do NOT say threesomes. EVER. Say something quasi-naughty, but not depraved: suggest a schoolgirl outfit, or make reference to "role-playing" without specifically stating what roles you want each partner to play. Keep it vague, because it's not like she'll follow up on those desire anyway: after this question has been asked, your answer basically just serves as damage control.

"How come we don't ________ anymore?"

What it really means: "You're getting boring, and I am going to cheat on you next week if you don't do something interesting soon."

If you've managed to stay with a woman long enough to hear this question, congratulations: you have more patience and self-control than most men will ever know. This question (hopefully) doesn't pop up until after a few years of dating, at which point every story has been told, every sexual position has been attempted, and you've gone to about a hundred different places on dates without managing to find anywhere interesting. You usually hear this after getting married, which means you haven't listened to any of the above advice – in which case, I can't really help you.

How to deal with it:

At this point, the relationship is pretty much dead. You can either do something drastic like plan a vacation in Venice, but the novelty of such a diversion will wear off shortly after returning home. Your only two options are to ride out the misery for years and years simply because you have nowhere else to go (like my grandparents did), or to find a really dramatic way of permanently ending your relationship. My personal suggestion: wait until you're positive that your girlfriend is cheating on you (which, statistically, she is cheating on you), and simply catch her in the act. You'll finally get an excuse to yell all those obscenities at her you've been building up over the years.

And the best part?

You'll never have to answer one of these questions that aren't really questions ever again.

How to be a Superstar Bartender

2010-01-21T16:30:00.004-05:00

If you want to learn how to mix drinks like a pro, you probably don't want to do what many people do to break into the bar business. They find a bar where the bartenders knew what they were doing, and become a regular there, sitting at the end of the bar, listening to the wait staff ordering drinks and watching the bartenders make them, every night for about a month. Your liver can take an awful pounding.

Rather than suggesting that you go through that same arduous ordeal, I'll walk you through 10 steps that will put you on the path toward bartender super stardom. Well, something like that. Before we begin, know this: If you believe that you know what you're doing, and if you can pull it off without apology, you're 90 percent there.

1. Measuring ingredients

Measuring liquid ingredients precisely is a cinch if you use a jigger - the device you've seen bartenders use that looks like two tiny metal ice cream cones joined at the base. New jiggers - specifically the Oxo brand - look like miniature jugs with lines that let you know how much liquor you're pouring.

There's nothing wrong with using a jigger, and some of today's best bartenders do exactly that, though other equally accomplished mixologists use the free-pouring method. Here's how it's done: Fit a bottle full of water with any brand of pour spout - different styles pour at different speeds. Pour into the 1-ounce side of a jigger, counting in your head, until you have poured an ounce. Repeat. Repeat again. Soon you will know what number to count to in order to pour an ounce, and once you know your number you'll be able to accurately pour without a jigger for the rest of your life. Providing you use the same brand of pourer, that is.

2. Shaking

All drinks containing eggs, dairy products or fruit juices should be shaken, while drinks such as the dry gin martini and the Manhattan should be stirred. Although some bartenders like to shake martinis, nobody worth his or her Margarita salt would ever stir a drink that called for, say, lemon juice, milk or an egg white.

It's also good to know that as you chill the drink, you're also trying to incorporate enough water to make the cocktail palatable: One ounce of a 4-ounce drink that's been properly stirred or shaken will be water melted from ice.

Although metal cocktail shakers that include a built-in strainer look pretty spiffy, I far prefer to use a Boston shaker. The Boston shaker is made up of two flat-bottomed cones, one metal, one glass. There's something about this piece of equipment that makes me think that anyone who can use it properly means business. It's a serious tool. And it's a cinch to master.

Pour in the ingredients for the drink, fill the mixing-glass half of the shaker about two-thirds full of ice and place the metal half on top of the glass, giving it a sharp tap to ensure you have formed a watertight seal.

Now hold the shaker with both hands - one on the glass part, the other on the metal - and make sure that the glass points toward your shoulder as you shake. There have been occasions when the glass has flown from the shaker, and if that happens, you don't want it to fly into the room in front of you. Far better that it hits your shoulder, right?

Now I'll let you in on the secret of shaking drinks like a pro: You gotta shake that darned thing as if your life depended on it. Shake it as if you're trying to mix oil and water. Make a stupid face as you're shaking - everyone does this, you know. And shake it for at least 15 seconds if you want your drink to be cold enough.

Now you have to break that shaker apart. Hold the metal half in one hand so the glass is on top, and using the heel of your other hand, tap the metal sharply at the point where the two are joined.

The Mai Tai

Makes 1 serving

* 1 1/2 ounces 10 Cane rum
* 1/2 ounce Wray & Nephew overproof rum
* 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
* 3/4 ounce orgeat syrup
* 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
* 1 mint sprig, for garnish

Instructions: Pub all ingredients except garnish into a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker two-thirds full of ice and shake for approximately 15 seconds. Strain into a old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Add the garnish.

3. Stirring

Take the mixing-glass half of a Boston shaker, pour in the ingredients, fill the glass about two-thirds full of ice and grab your trusty bar spoon. Note that your bar spoon has a twisted shaft. It's a functional part of the design.

Hold the twisted part of the shaft of the spoon between your thumb and first two fingers. Plunge the spoon into the mixing glass, and twirl the spoon back and forth by moving your fingers away from, then toward yourself. While you're doing this you should also be moving the spoon up and down in the glass. Stir the drink for between 20 and 30 seconds to achieve the desired temperature.

The Rob Roy

Makes 1 serving

* 2 ounces Chivas Regal 18-year-old or other scotch
* 1 ounce Noilly Prat sweet vermouth
* 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
* 1 maraschino cherry, for garnish

Instructions: Place all ingredients except the garnish in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add the garnish.

4. Straining

One of my favorite bartenders used to strain drinks through her fingers, and that was a thing of great beauty, but I'm guessing that you'll want to be just a tad more conventional, so I'll guide to as to how to use both a spring-loaded Hawthorne strainer and a standard Julep strainer. The Hawthorne strainer should be used when pouring from the metal half of a Boston shaker; the Julep strainer is used to strain drinks from the mixing glass.

Sit the Hawthorne strainer firmly onto the mouth of the metal cone, or allow the Julep strainer to rest inside the mixing glass. Place your index finger over the top of the strainer to hold it firmly in place and strain the drink into the serving glass. When you get to the last drop, give the glass a sharp twist in any direction as you return it to an upright position, so any remaining drops of liquid don't fall on the bar. It's this twist that makes you look like a pro, so practice it a few times before you perform the maneuver in front of your friends.

5. Muddling

If you can muddle like you mean it, people are going to take you very seriously. Muddlers - basically, pestles for bartenders - come in all shapes, sizes and materials. I prefer wooden muddlers because they feel good, look good and by golly they muddle good, too.

You're going to need a sturdy glass in which to muddle because, depending on the ingredients in question, you might have to put some elbow grease into this. Put a sugar cube into a double old-fashioned glass, douse it liberally with bitters, grab your muddler by the tail, and crush all heck out of that sugar cube until it has completely dissolved into the bitters. If you think you did a good job, you might want to think about adding some ice and whiskey and having a nice Old-Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail.

When muddling herbs, you need to be a little more gentle, lest you release the bitterness from their stems. You're just looking to gently squeeze the essential oils out of, say, some mint leaves, and flavor the simple syrup that's in the glass. The real secret behind muddling is to make sure you tell your guest what you're doing and why you're doing it: "I'm being gentle with this mint because ..." Now you're muddling and showing off at the same time. Just like a real bartender.

6. Making a citrus twist

Citrus twists - the strips of fruit zest that incorporate a little of the white inner pith for sturdiness - add aroma and flavor to a cocktail when the bartender releases their essential oils onto the top of a drink. Try to make twists at least 1/2 inch wide so you have enough citrus oils to make a difference. Some people use a zester, which can yield a pretty-looking garnish, but the idea of introducing essential oils to the drink gets lost.

Hold the twist over the cocktail with the colored side pointing toward the surface of the drink. Hold the twist between your thumb and forefinger. Turn one end clockwise and the other counterclockwise. The oils will be released and will fall onto the top of the drink. Now rub the colored side of the twist around the rim of the glass so that any remaining oils adhere to the rim of the glass, and drop the twist into the drink.

Wanna get flashy? You can set a flame to those oils and watch them sparkle as they fly from the twist. Cut a very wide twist, and place it on the bar next to the drink with the colored side resting on the bar. Now light a match or a toothpick, and hold it close to the top of the drink. Take the twist in your other hand and hold it, colored side out, by the sides, using your thumb on one side and your first two or three fingers on the other side. Hold the twist over the flame - for orange twists, it's good to give it a couple of seconds to coax the oils to the surface - and squeeze it to release its oils. Blow out the match, drop the twist into the drink and look at the admiration in the eyes of your guest.

Manhattan East

Makes 1 serving

Adapted from a recipe by Dale DeGroff

* 1 1/2 ounces Makers Mark or other bourbon
* 1/2 ounce dry sake
* 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
* 1 ounce Domain de Canton ginger liqueur
* 1 flamed orange twist, for garnish

Instructions: Place all ingredients except the garnish in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Light a match and hold it close to the top of the drink. Take the orange twist in your other hand and hold it by the sides. (The colored side of the twist should be pointing toward the drink.) Now hold the twist over the match and squeeze it to release its oils. Drop the twist into the drink.

7. Using herbs

It's important to match the scent of the herb with the appropriate cocktail. Rosemary and thyme, for instance, work really well with gin-based drinks; cilantro works in Bloody Marys and with tequila; and mint is commonly called for in the Mojito, and of course, the Mint Julep. You'll find that if you place, say, a sprig of mint in your palm, and slap it with your other hand, immediately before placing it on top of the drink, the aroma will be more intense.

You can also muddle herbs as described above, or you can simply put a sprig of this or that into your shaker or mixing glass with the rest of the ingredients in the drink-when you stir or shake the cocktail, the herb's flavors will be released, though they will be a little more delicate than they would have been had the herb been muddled.

The Mint Julep

Makes 1 serving

* 2 to 3 ounces bourbon
* 1 to 2 ounces simple syrup
* 8 to 12 stems of fresh mint, as an aromatic garnish

Instructions: Cut straws so that they are approximately 2 inches taller than the serving glass. (If you don't have a silver julep cup, a tall slender collins glass works very well.) Add crushed ice to the cup or glass until it is two-thirds full. Add the bourbon and the syrup, and stir for 10 to 20 seconds. Add more crushed ice and stir again until a thin layer of ice forms on the outside of the glass, then add more crushed ice so that it domes slightly over the rim of the glass. Garnish with the fresh mint stems, and insert the straws. Serve with a cocktail napkin to catch the condensation.

8. Rimming glasses

If you want to coat the rim of a cocktail glass with salt, sugar or perhaps a little finely grated orange zest, fill a shallow saucer with the coating material of your choice, and moisten the rim of the glass. To moisten the rim, you can slot a wedge of lemon or lime over the rim and squeeze it gently as you slide the wedge around the rim until the whole perimeter is moist. Alternatively you might dip the glass into a shallow saucer full of one of the drink's ingredients. Cointreau, for example, works well for both the Sidecar and the Margarita.

Now comes the part that many people get wrong. Don't just dip the glass into the saucer - if you do, the dry ingredient will stick to the interior of the glass, where it isn't wanted. Instead, take the base of the glass in one hand, and rest the bowl on the index finger of your free hand so that the rim faces downward at a 45-degree angle, allowing the rim to rest on the surface of the dry ingredient. Now simply rotate the glass until the whole rim is coated. Voila!

The Margarita

Makes 1 serving

* 3 ounces 100-percent agave white or reposado tequila
* 2 ounces Cointreau
* 1 ounce fresh lime juice

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shakes. Add ice and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled, salt-rimmed cocktail glass.

9. Chilling glasses

Just as good chefs serve their hot food on warm plates, cold drinks should be served in chilled glasses. If you have room in your refrigerator or freezer to store glasses, that's exactly what you should do. If not, you can keep upturned glasses on a mound of crushed ice in a large bowl - this works well at parties - or you can fill the glasses with ice and water and let them sit in the sink while you mix the drink. Before pouring the drink, you must empty the glass of the ice and water by holding it by the base or the stem, and shaking the glass vigorously over the sink. The cold water will spill over the outside of the glass, chilling it thoroughly. After emptying the glass, shake it vigorously to rid it of any last drops of water.

10. Rinsing glasses

"Rinsing" glasses is a fine way to incorporate a small amount of a liqueur or spirit to a drink by coating the interior of the glass. This is easily achieved by pouring about a half-ounce into the glass, tilting it so that the liquid reaches the rim, then rotating the glass until the entire interior has been coated. Then you simply discard the excess liqueur and strain your cocktail into the glass.

Every time I make a Sazerac I think about how much the absinthe-makers must love this drink, simply because the absinthe rinse requires more absinthe to be poured down the drain than remains in the glass. There is a way to avoid such waste, if you care to invest in a small atomizer. You can coat the interior of the glass by merely pointing and clicking.

The Sazerac

Makes 1 serving

* 1/2 ounce absinthe
* 3 ounces straight rye whiskey
* 1/3 ounce simple syrup
* 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
* 1 lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions: Pour the absinthe substitute into a chilled old-fashioned glass. Swirl the glass to coat the interior and discard the excess liquid. Place the whiskey, syrup and bitters into a mixing glass. Add ice, stir and strain into the glass. Add the garnish.

For how-to videos, go to sfgate.com/ZJCP or look into Gary Regan's "The Joy of Mixology" and other books.

Cocktail Advice from "The Jersey Shore's" Ronnie....

2010-01-13T13:26:00.003-05:00

Muscle-head Ronnie [red bathing suit, pointing] on MTV’s Jersey Shore is the last guy I’d expect to see drinking a girly cocktail, but surprisingly his pre-partying drink of choice is his eponymous “Ron Ron Juice,” a fuchsia-colored concoction of watermelon, cherries, cranberry juice and copious amounts of vodka blended with ice, which he always prepares bare-chested. “It gets the night going,” he says. “Whenever that stuff [sic] comes out it’s always a filthy night.”

Ah yes, “Ron Ron Juice” does often serve as useful fuel for one of Ronnie’s many bar fights.

“It’s the root of all evil,” says DJ Pauly D. Plus, there’s nothing like a little “Ron Ron Juice” to provide the energy to “beat up the beat” of house music at da club. “First, we start off by banging the ground, we’re banging it as the beat builds ‘cause that beat’s hittin’ us so we’re fightin’ back, it’s like we beat up that beat,” says DJ Pauly D.

I however, much prefer Bobby Flay's cocktail. He purees seedless watermelon chunks, then strains the juice through a sieve and mixes it with silver tequila, sugar syrup, blueberries, mint and fresh lime juice. Nice try though, Ronnie.....

Welcome Back to the Bronx, Andy!

2009-12-09T15:02:00.001-05:00

Let's do it AGAIN this year! #28!

The 10 Toughest Doors in NYC....

2009-12-04T14:34:00.011-05:00

After an estimated 35-40 hours of labor for the average American, Friday has finally arrived. Thoughts of the extensive possibilities that can fill your night up are constantly running through your mind and become the greatest distraction of the work week. Your phone keeps vibrating with text messages from friends who share the same thoughts and excitement. As soon as 4:30PM (or 6:30PM in my case..) rolls around, papers are shuffled, IM windows are shut off, and the weekend officially has begun.

To help you all out, I have made a list of some of the hardest places to get into in New York City. These are the most exclusive and elite bars around. Getting past the bouncer is all about who you know in these places. If you are up for a challenge, and don’t mind waiting outside all night with only the slight possibility of actually stepping foot inside the door, then check out this list and try your luck. But unless you’re a celebrity or know the owner, chances are you won’t be seeing the inside of the door.

1. QT aka The Boom Boom Room

Formerly known as The Boom Boom Room, QT is the toughest door in New York City at the moment, if not the world. The Standard’s glitzy penthouse bar sports views to rival the Empire State Building and offers a level of hospitality on a par with Ian Schrager’s Rose Bar. That’s if you can make it inside. The Boom Boom is hard on most comers, including celebrities and models.

Expect things to only get worse when the Black Room opens, but who really wants to go there anyway? It has been said that QT, located in the Standard Hotel, has even turned celebrities and models away at the door. Unless you know Andre Balazs, the owner, don’t even waste your time trying to get into this place or Simyone Lounge (SL) downstairs.
Who you need to know: Andre Balazs, Kamil Parchomienko
Civilian Chance of Entry: 0%
848 Washington St., MePa.

2. The Rose Bar:

The Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel, is yet another one of the hardest places to get into on this list. The Rose Bar prides itself on being very exclusive and they are intending to stay that way. When it comes to this posh New York City lounge, the question to ask is: What celebrity hasn’t been to Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel …at least 3 or 4 times? The answer: not the Olsen twins, Chace Crawford or David Beckham. Hell, Cruz, Romeo and Brooklyn Beckham have most likely had a late night at Rose Bar. Point is; Rose Bar is the place of places in New York City. Ask anyone; the intriguing drink menu is as sweet as its floral repute implies. Word on the street is that Calvin Klein model Jamie Burke has been known to show up for a round of Pool or two. Lessons anyone?
Who you need to know: Nur Khan, Damian Luayie, Ian Schrager, the hotel employee who guards the bathroom door.
Civilian Chance of Entry: 25%
2 Lexington Ave., Gramercy.

3. 1 OAK

The owners of this club, Richie Akiva and Scott Sartiano, have said to be tired of the same old club scene in New York City. With that said, they only let the most selected people inside the doors. The max capacity for 1 OAK is only 250 people so if you don’t know the owners, it is next to impossible to gain entrance. You can try paying the doorman off, but depending on how much you give him and his mood, it’s a tossup with if he lets you enter. If you make it past the tough door, you’ve probably already committed to two bottles of Dom Perignon at one of the few, coveted $2,000 tables. As one the city’s glittering clubs du jour, 1 Oak is stuffed to the gills with bottle mongers - i.e. models, fashionistas, and bespoke bankers. But just because 1 Oak is usually flooded with these types, doesn’t mean its all bad - in fact, it is good, quite good. If you do make your way into the expansive room beneath the raw, oak-lined ceiling, don’t forget to make your way down to the pimped-out bathrooms—the pitch-black individual stalls feature gold basins and an oversized image of a gold gun on the wall.
Who you need to know: Richie Akiva, Scott Sartiano.
Civilian Chance of Entry: 25%

4. Avenue:
Owner Noah Tepperberg is on a mission to try to make this club different then all the rest. With a strict door policy, Avenue will only let the most rich and elite people through its doors. The more you are willing to spend, the more you are likely to be let in. So if you are a ‘nobody’ who isn’t looking to spend a fortune on a night out, expect to be turned away at the door, and turned away rudely. The doorman gets annoyed if you try to waste his time, and he will have no problem letting you know this.
Who you need to know: Noah Tepperberg, Jason Strauss, Wass Stevens, The Beatrice Crew
Civilian Chance of Entry: 60%
116 Tenth Ave., Chelsea

5. Tenjune

Up for a challenge? Tenjune is it. One of the doormen from this New York City nightclub has been said to even turn away celebrities such as Entourage’s Kevin Connolly. (So much for a bro-code, right?) The Meatpacking District has a reputation for difficult doors and Tenjune is nowhere near an exception. This vicinity is habitually teeming with all walks of celebrity vying for a way in.

So, get ready to do one of two things: 1. wrangle a harem of beautiful women; or 2. bust out the AmEx and spring for three bottles. That’s the only way you’re getting past the uber-snobby doorman and gaining access to Tenjune, which is currently enjoying its status as a top-5 “It” destination in New York. Tucked underneath the equally glam and overpriced STK Steakhouse, it ’s like an Us Weekly spread brought to life, with celebs like Diddy, Lindsay Lohan, Sienna Miller and Kanye West spotted on a routine Tuesday. And you know, the only way they party is by poppin’ bottles.
411 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10014

6. Hudson Terrace

With long lines every night, The Hudson Terrace is one of the hardest places to get into in New York City. If you happen to be important enough to gain entrance to this hot spot, it would be recommended to go to the roof deck. The roof deck of the Hudson Terrace is spectacular, with its leather couches and magnificent urban vista, is an unparalleled entertainment destination. Discreetly tucked at the edge of midtown along the Hudson River, this spectacular haven of serene opulence offers unforgettable venue amenities, bottle service included. The thing about Hudson Terrace is the view. When coupled with a bottle of Grey Goose atop your very own table, nightlife unequaled by any other bungalow of a club in Manhattan ensues.

Only problem: you need a wrist band to get up there. Wristbands are given out randomly to whomever the bouncer thinks is important. These wristbands are the golden ticket to going upstairs to the roof deck. If you aren’t given one when you enter, you are out of luck. The good news, for girls anyway, is that throughout the night the bouncer will walk down the line and pick out only attractive girls to come in. Sorry guys.

7.Goldbar

Even if you ain’t a celebrity, you will feel like one, once allowed past the heavily guarded gates of this glitzy and entirely exclusive West Village bungalow. The interior’s arcing gold ceiling, gold chain link curtains, gold skulls covering the walls with mesmerizing texture and light play. There are even gold turntables in the DJ booth. Along the walls, sit a small sampling of tables to enjoy a lavish evening.
Spotted here on any given night are New York City’s industry types galore… ala the Hills’ Olivia Palermo or Lia Sophia’s Dani Stahl. If these ladies aren’t high enough on your celeb list, try your luck at getting in when Diddy hosts one of his out-of-this-world soirees at Goldbar. But you’ve got to be in the game to get through the colossal NoLita doors; the velvet ropes are tight and, for the most part, require a reservation
389 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013

8. Chloe 81

Pegged, by many, as the Lower East Side’s counter to the West Village’s Beatrice Inn, Chloe 81 is semi-secretly situated beneath the restaurant, Canasis. Chloe 81's walls covered with cream-white tiling, glowing as if shellacked with a splash of Dom Perignon, provide a richly serene juxtaposition to the blood-red leather couches where Lindsey Lohan is said to camp night after night. The beer is reasonably priced for the select status that Chloe 81 claims. However, it is hardly the reason for Lohan’s frequent appearances. If not for the scene or the cheap beer, go to catch the bar-closing fight that will inevitably keep the tabloids speculating of another SamRo/Lohan split.
81 Ludlow Street
New York, NY 10002

9. The Eldridge
Model types, socialites, celebrities, oh my! The Eldridge is a fantastic New York City spot to rub elbows with an off-beat, eclectic mix of the elite, and more recently, a great place to have your belongings pawned. And, not by riffraff that slink through the door – ahem, Paul Johnson Calderon. Whichever end of the material spectrum you find yourself on, owner or thief, The Eldridge has your name and many celebrity’s written all over it. Lydia Hearst, Aubrey O’Day and Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi have been spotted at this Lower East Side locale.
247 Eldridge Street
New York, NY 10002

10. THE JANE BALLROOM
Located in the Jane Hotel, The Jane Ballroom’s popularity went through the roof when it first opened. More and more people were flocking to this place, and for the most part, they would not have to wait a while before getting through the door. That was until Jane Ballroom was raided by agencies, saying they were way past their capacity. They were allowed to remain open but was told to keep capacity to a minimum. So now, The Jane Ballroom is limiting the number of people they let through the doors, making it pretty hard to get into.

HONORABLE MENTION:

ABE & ARTHURS

Located where Lotus use to be, this new restaurant/lounge is one of the easier to get into venues on this list. This being said, one still might be waiting outside in line for hours. We would recommend arriving early so you have a better chance of entering. Just because you get a spot in Abe & Arthurs, that does mean you will be allowed entrance in Simyone, the exclusive club connected to the restaurant.

Stanton Social

There is no place in New York City that does celebrity quite like The Stanton Social. This Lower East Side destination is known for its delectable tapas and imaginative, alcoholic inventions, as well as the notable names it attracts. (I.e. Jessica Alba and Cash Warren) Opened in 2005, it is still almost impossible to get a reservation at this tri-level, late-night scene. The space, with innumerable, closely-situated tables to accommodate around 200 guests, may find you sitting on top of a celebrity, rather than near one. (Pending celebrity appearance on any given night, arguably, a win-win situation.)
99 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002

2009 Nightlife Awards...

2009-12-02T13:23:00.003-05:00

A Guide to Restaurants in Atlantic City....

2009-11-30T17:35:00.041-05:00

Since I have become kind of the "go to" person about Atlantic City to my friends in regard to places to eat, drink, and go to in A/C.. I have compiled a list of restaurants by Casino, for you all to check out. Now, I have detailed the wondrous eating establishments at The Chelsea Hotel in an earlier post so I purposely left them off the list. My favorites are highlighted in bold and I listed the fast food chains for the picky / cheap eaters out there.... mangia!!

Atlantic City Local's Favorites

If you're looking for something more sophisticated than theme restaurants (they are all over the Boardwalk), take heart. Under new ownership, the Knife & Fork Inn, at Atlantic and Pacific Avenues (tel. 609/344-1133; www.knifeandforkinn.com), in its revamped, iconic Tudor brick structure that once housed a men's club, has a glam charm again, and where better to indulge in A.C. classics such as lobster thermidor?

The casual Tun Tavern Brewing Company, at the corner of Baltic and Michigan avenues (tel. 609/347-7800; www.tuntavern.com), serves upscale pub grub and first-rate microbrews in a festive, modern setting. Atlantic City's only microbrewery has in recent years gone from a just-OK bar food spot to a truly solid contributor to the AC food scene. They are attached to a 500 room, Miss America themed Sheraton Hotel. Guests can stay in the hotel while enjoying their fine food and beverage service. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, across from the new convention center and in close proximity to local casinos and area beaches.

Named for the tavern in Philadelphia where the Marine Corps was founded in 1775, the Marine-themed bar owned by former Marine Montgomery Dahm is a hotspot for food, beer (try the seasonal brews!) and entertainment. There's stuff going on year round at the Tun, and every August they host the local Miss Hawaiian Tropic pageant. Be sure to go on November 10th of every year, when the Tun hosts a Marine Corps birthday party. The Tun goes above and beyond in proving the adage that "Once a Marine, Always a Marine." In addition to the retooled menu, Tun Tavern is the only spot in AC that truly feeds the beer nut...64-ounce Growler jugs are available and can be refilled. The staff wears (and the gift stand sells) shirts with Ben Franklin's immortal quote: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." If that doesn't sum it up, we're really not sure what does.

Tun Tavern has constructed a state of the art Wine Bar, boasting 35 wines by the glass and over 80 bottles, with the finest selections from around the globe. The Wine Bar opened on July 15th, and will be complimented with flights of wine, cheese and new food pairings. Atlantic City’s first and only Wine Bar joins Atlantic City’s first and only brewery. Tun Tavern is located at 2 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.

The Irish Pub & Inn, just off the Boardwalk at 164 St. James Place (tel. 609/344-9063; www.theirishpub.com), is a true Atlantic City gem. It's appealingly old-fashioned, with friendly service and hearty fare that's the best cheap eats in town (nothing more than $7.95). Rooms above the pub are also a steal: Rates range from $25 (yes, $25) to $80 a night.

No Atlantic City visit is complete without a visit to the White House Sub Shop, 2301 Arctic Ave. (tel. 609/345-8599), where you will stand in line (so worth it) for one of its legendary immense sandwiches. Everyone from presidents to celebrities has sought out these yummy creations. So I stood in line with impatient regulars and curious tourists at the White House Sub Shop (2301 Arctic Ave at N Mississippi Ave, 609-345-1564), a legendary sandwich joint that specializes in Italian subs and Philly cheesesteaks.

Other favorites are Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern (2300 Fairmount Ave at N Mississippi Ave, 609-344-2439), a sprawling Italian seafood-and-steak joint that’s been expanding since it opened in 1935. Also worth seeking out is the deliciously old-school Tony’s Baltimore Grill (2800 Atlantic Ave at N Iowa Ave, 609-345-5766) where the pizzas and dirt-cheap plates of spaghetti are the perfect complement to the lineoleum-tiled atmosphere.

Perhaps the most precious find, though, is the speakeasy-style Chef Vola’s (111 S Albion Place between Pacific Ave and the Boardwalk, 609-345-2022), where I could get a table only through the Borgata concierge (customers must be recommended—tell ’em Rob or Mark from The Lyons Group sent you). Though there’s novelty to the family-run restaurant, which is hidden in a residential basement, the most entertaining aspect of the Italian-American meal (which comes on platters, not plates) is host Louis Esposito’s epic telling of the specials—it takes him about ten minutes to do it.

Vola's is an experience that I'll attempt to share. I had read about the restaurant— "Hard to find," "Can't get a reservation," "Great Italian food," "Party atmosphere," "Tacky," "BYOB"—I had to see for myself.

The experience begins with attempting to "get in". Phone calls are answered by a machine—Leave your name, phone number, and date wanted. If you're lucky, you get a return phone call. Seems that reservations are early—6 to 6:30pm—or after 9pm. I've never heard of anyone having gotten a 7:30 or 8pm.

Next challenge—finding the restaurant. This should be easy—it's on Albion Street. With due warning, I drove by during the daytime. Albion is a small street between California and Texas off Pacific. Older homes, close together—no signs of a restaurant here, but one house has lots of boxes and garbage piled curbside. Could this be it? Sure enough—a small, brass placque 2"x6" on the side of the shingled house says "CHEF VOLAS". Glad that I came to scout it out. A small parking lot across the street is always full, so we decide to park at Tropicana and walk over.

At night the only clue is teeny white lights over a garden archway. The small sign is barely visible. It's almost 9pm and a few people are walking in the same direction with bags in tow—some even have coolers. Remember it's "BYOB" and everyone has a big supply of wine and beer. We've all crammed into a small vestibule in the basement of a three-story house. A few chairs, old pictures, and a coat rack. Soon we all become friends. Incredible waves of Italian aromas—garlic and tomato from the dining room. Full, happy diners try to squeeze past carrying their lunch for tomorrow. Everyone is smiling. Soon we'll be seated.

Small, basement size windows, tacky decor, outdoor strings of party lights,about 20 tables. The nice touches are tablecloths and a very happy waitstaff with corkscrew in hand—they want you to be happy too!! The menu is very long, potions are large, pastas and side dishes for sharing. There is an extra charge to share entrees. Now the fun begins. Our waitress rattles off at least 30 specials from memory!! Basically you can have chicken, veal, and fish prepared a dozen different ways. Pastas of all kinds and beautiful steaks simply prepared.

Four of us shared two pastas, one side of spinach—enough for eight—three main courses, and two desserts. All very good except for the tasteless veal marsala. We commented to our waitress and she offered to either replace it or remove the charge from our bill. Not gourmet but good, basic Italian.

We'll return to Chef Volas; it's fun, loud, the staff is friendly, the food good. Go for a casual, fun evening with friends—not for an elegant, quiet gourmet experience, and you'll look forward to your next visit.

Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort

The Oaks Steakhouse: Traditional New York-style steakhouse features masculine setting with hickory woodwork and brass accents and specializes in steak and seafood. Try the chicken cordon bleu. Pricey. $$$

Patsy's: Famous New York Italian restaurant "that Sinatra built" comes to Atlantic City with the same great recipes in a much more upscale setting. Pricey. $$$

Peregrines': Very unique casino restaurant because of its true continental menu featuring regional and international cuisine. Elegant atmosphere, contemporary cuisine specializing in seafood. Perfect for a romantic night out. Pricey. $$$

Bally's Atlantic City

6ix: A Bistro: American bistro on the sixth flooor featuring great lucky $7.77 blackboard specials. Breakfast served anytime. Affordable. $

The Reserve/Preview Bar: A la carte menu featuring great steaks, seasonal dishes and fresh seafood in a classy, upscale setting. Preview Bar offers the latest mixologist creations and its own take on seafood tapas. Brunch every Sunday at The Reserve includes omelette station, carvery and fresh fruit. Pricey. $$$

Johnny Rockets: Chain offers tasty burgers served in '50s setting, complete with fountain stools. Fresh-baked apple pie, frosty milkshakes a must.Tell them it's your first time and the staff will do a dance and lights show. Affordable. $

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Izakaya: Celebrity chef Michael Schulson's creative, modern take on Asian cuisine makes Izakaya one of city's best and most unique restaurants. Sushi, robatayaki, signature drinks such as the Sake Sidecar make this modern Asian pub a great place for a date or group night out. Standard. $$

Grilled Filet Mignon at Izakaya

Old Homestead Steak House: New York's legendary meat-packing district steakhouse comes to Atlantic City with an upscale, modern attitude but the same great steaks, including hand-massaged Kobe beef. One of the most impressive decors in the city. Pricey. $$$

Goat Cheese Salad @ The Old Homestead Steak House at The Borgata

Fatburger: West Coast chain comes to Atlantic City with 100 percent all-beef fresh burgers smothered in toppings. Located in The Cafeteria. Affordable. $

Hibachi-San: Mouth-watering Japanese favorites prepared hibachi style. Located in The Cafeteria. Affordable. $

Panda Express: Mandarin, Szechuan, Cantonese specialties served from this chain restaurant, including Americanized cuisine like beef and broccoli, Kung Pao chicken. Located in The Cafeteria. Affordable. $

Seablue: Acclaimed West Coast chef Michael Mina's first East Coast offering features modern approaches to classic seafood dishes and fish from all over the world cooked over a wood-burning grill in a warm, dramatic dining room. Pricey. $$$

Hamachi in Plum Sauce from Michael Mina's Seablue

Tony Luke's: Philly's popular cheesesteak joint comes to Atlantic City, also offering famous chicken cutlets, roast pork and roast beef on fresh-baked bread. Located in The Cafeteria. Affordable. $

Villa Pizza: Fresh pizza, stromboli, salads and authentic Italian entrees. Located in The Cafeteria. Affordable. $

Wolfgang Puck American Grille: Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck's first East Coast restaurant explores American cuisine with international influences. Restaurant features more casual, more affordable tavern area as well as upscale dining room. Tavern area: Standard. $$. Dining room: Pricey. $$$

Roasted Strawberries, Orange Brioche, Cheesecake, Strawberry ice cream at Wolfgang Puck American Grille

Caesars Atlantic City

Buddakan: Stephen Starr's Asian fusion cuisine finds a home at The Pier at Caesars and immediately becomes one of the most attractive and best restaurants in the city. Pricey. $$$

Sashimi of the Day at Buddakan - Chef's Selection which turned out to be bonito, uni, sweet shrimp, Tazmanian salmon, hamachi, and more...

Continental: Stephen Starr strikes again! The Continental, in the Pier at Caesars, is the third Continental to open after the two locations in Philadelphia, and the menu of upscale comfort food in a retro 50s atmosphere is unlike anything I've really ever had in AC.

Not to be missed are the Kobe sliders; their reputation preceded them into town. Hint: get a seat next to the sunken fire pit during dinner; it's awesome for people watching. The consensus is that the patio-style tables that surround the fire pit are too small for sharing multiple plates, but the Continental is like a puggle: it's so cute that it's really hard to stay upset.

The Continental is ideal for cocktails and conversation - it's probably the most "Sex in the City"-type locale in AC. It's chic and very sexy. PERFECT DATE BAR! You can sample a variety of original drinks, my favorite of which is the Buzz Aldrin - a potent potable that features Tang. Even if you don't come to the Continental for dinner, definitely make it a stop on the cocktail trail. Featuring trendy, upscale cuisine in a chic diner-like setting. Pricey. $$$

Shrimp Alhinho @ Continental

Sonsie: A contemporary American bistro, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring items such as: Huevos Rancheros Wraps, Steak Frites, Mediterranean Style Sea Bass and pizzas from our wood-fired oven. The wine list offers over 300 wines from worlds old and new stored in a walk-in glass wine cellar and features a wide variety of wines by the glass. Sonsie boasts five distinct areas to dine, relax, or socialize; a warm dining room with oversized leather banquettes; a storefront which opens to an “outdoor” cafe with breathtaking views of the ocean and boardwalk; a Wine Room for luxurious private dining; and a sultry bar room and lounge with deep leather couches. It’s easy to relax at Sonsie with a Blood Orange Martini, Cappuccino or a glass of Pinot Noir. As the day progresses into night, the music picks up and so does the scene.

Game On!: Sports bar with too many large-screen and plasma televisions to count features scrumptious bar food. Standard. $$

Morton's The Steakhouse: Gourmet steakhouse known around the country features one of its finest locations right here in Atlantic City. Lavish setting complements fine meats and seafood. Terrific bar area and accompanying food. Fine wines. Pricey. $$$

Phillips Seafood: Famous Maryland seafood chain comes north with authentic, fresh seafood restaurant good for couples, families and groups. Standard. $$

Trinity Irish Pub & Carvery: This authentic Irish Pub features above-average Pub food in a setting constructed from former Irish pubs and businesses from Ireland. Plenty of Irish beer on tap. Located inside Pier at Caesars. Standard. $$

Harrah's Atlantic City

Waterfront Buffet: Atlantic City's newest buffet is extremely impressive, not just for its array of food but for its sheer size and interactive stations. Standard. $$

Pretzel Factory: Featuring Philly soft pretzels, pretzel dogs and sausages, pretzel bites and a variety of pretzel dips. All pretzels are baked fresh daily and served hot. Located in the Taste of the Shore food court. Affordable. $

Primo Pizza: A shore favorite for more than 30 years. Oven-baked, award-winning, thin and crispy pizza. Try the signature BBQ chicken and white veggie pizza with ricotta and mozzarella cheese, tomato and broccoli. Buffalo chicken tenders and wings.Located in the Taste of the Shore food court. Affordable. $

Sack 'O Subs: The Sacco Family has been preparing submarine style sandwiches since 1947, at the White House Sub Shop of Atlantic City. Freshest Italian meats, cold cuts and USDA Choice Black Angus beef on locally made Atlantic City-style Italian sub rolls that are baked fresh daily. Located in the Taste of the Shore food court. Affordable. $

Resorts Atlantic City

Gallagher's Burger Bar: Gallagher's operates this fantastic burger bar that features an array of fine burgers as well as innovative appetizers and sandwiches in a trendy bar setting. Standard. $$

Gallagher's: Famous New York steakhouse comes to Atlantic City with signature dry-aged beef, plus seafood in classic yet modern atmosphere. Beautiful bar area. Pricey. $$$

Showboat Casino-Hotel

Foundation Room: The House of Blues' private club's upscale restaurant features fine steaks, fresh seafood and creative cuisine that challenges the palate. Pricey. $$$

House of Blues: Southern-inspired and traditional American favorites in a fun, lively setting. Standard. $$

Tropicana Casino and Resort

Brulee: The Dessert Experience. The world's first dessert restaurant which raises the pastry arts to the level of theatre. From fabulous tableside flambe to the most decadent dessert and cocktail creations imaginable, this exclusive dessert restaurant serves up an extraordinary menu sweetened by fabulous decor and visual entertainment. The adjoining 32 Degrees is a Lounge, online booking will not be available.

Brulee: The Dessert Experience at The Quarter at Tropicana is dishing sweets to high rollers with a $1,000 dessert that will tempt the palates of the most decadent diners.

The dessert is a brownie with imported Italian hazelnuts, topped with gold dust, and served with a vintage port wine, which is served in a $750 Baccarat crystal atomizer that the purchaser takes home as a souvenir.

"Here's the idea," pastry chef Jemal Edwards told The Press of Atlantic City. "You have this beautiful atomizer filled with the finest port known to man. You take a bite of the brownie, and as the flavors are coating your palate, your partner squirts the port onto your tongue. The acidity and sweetness from the port are hitting your mouth at the same time."

And while the restaurant has only sold three of the desserts since its menu debut last year, the slow sales are not discouraging Red Square, which is also located in The Quarter, from offering another $1,000 dessert.

The delectable dish, which will make its debut February 14, is a chocolate pound cake with a raspberry chambord bellini and a blate of black tapioca pearls made to look like caviar, as well as real caviar, shaved chocolate, fresh fruits, chopped candied nuts, and two shots of expensive vodka served in Faberge eggs, which the customer takes home at the end of the night. Pricey. $$$$

Carmine's: The New York City institution's first venture out of the Big Apple; the portions of this family-style Italian restaurant are sure to please. Standard. $$

Corky's Ribs & BBQ: One of the best casino barbecues you'll find. This legendary BBQ joint has been featured in major publications around the country for a good reason: the food is hearty and delicious. Standard. $$

Cuba Libre: Popular Philadelphia Cuban restaurant recreates 1940s Havana street scene with lively atmosphere, cool bar, savory dishes and dance shows. Cuba Libre combines a cool Old Havana decor with spicy seviche, guava BBQ ribs, gaucho steak, camarones (shrimp) enchiladas, and the most refreshing mojitos this side of Miami; there's even salsa dancing. Nightclub at night. Standard. $$

Hooters: Famous restaurant famous for the hot chicks as much as hot wings. Fun place to hang for wings, sandwiches, munchies. Affordable. $

P.F. Chang's China Bistro: Asian chain knows how to prepare Chinese cuisine with a contemporary twist in classy, modern setting. Standard. $$

The Palm: (tel. 609/344-7256; www.thepalm.com), also in the Quarter, draws a high-rolling, high-heeled, Armani-wearing crowd who like their caricatures on the walls -- and great porterhouses the size of a Louis Vuitton handbag.

Red Square: Hip, cutting-edge restaurant with a pseudo-Soviet atmosphere highlighted by a 60-foot ice bar, ice columns, 160-plus rare vodkas and tremendous food. Lunch and dinner. Pricey. $$$

Trump Marina Hotel Casino

DJ's Steakhouse: Prime certified Angus beef and seafood specialties, chilled shellfish and great desserts served in new modern steakhouse. Pricey. $$$

Gulf Shrimp wrapped in Bacon, Papaya Mustard, Avocado from DJ's Steakhouse

Hooters: Famous restaurant famous for the hot chicks as much as hot wings. Fun place to hang for wings, sandwiches, munchies. Affordable. $

Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino

Roberto's Ristorante: Specializing in northern Italy's finest cuisine, the food is complemented by the ocean view. Superb brunch Sundays. Standard. $$

Arthur Treacher's: Chain fast-food eatery offers fish and chips, shrimp, clams and hushpuppies. Located on Boardwalk. Affordable. $

China Cafe: Fusion of Asian cuisines including Cantonese and Japanese as well as Americanized Asian dishes. Affordable. $

Nathan's: Feeaturing its famous all-beef hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, burgers, chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks and more Located on Boardwalk. Affordable. $

Rainforest Cafe: Chain restaurant with environmental, jungle theme great for families. Sandwiches, entrees, fun place overall. Standard. $$

Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort

Burger: Awesome burger bar featuring fresh-made shakes, fries, onion rings. Affordable. $

Il Mulino New York: One of the classiest Italian restaurants in the city, this upscale chain focuses on fresh ingredients and unparalleled service, presenting Italian cuisine from the Abruzzi region. Pricey. $$$

Tuscan Tomato Tart @ IL Mulino

Trattoria Il Mulino: Get a taste of Il Mulino New York without spending the big bucks. Same food, smaller portions. Standard. $$

Moon at Dynasty: Bar in front entrance of Dynasty Asian restaurant features sushi, upscale cocktails like the Sake-tini. Standard. $$

Plate: Perhaps the nicest 24-hour cafe in town. Plate is a cool spot that features a bar in the center of the room, entrees that stand a foot off the plate. Standard. $$

Poker Snack Bar: Quick-service outlet for burgers, cheesesteaks, soups, sandwiches for quick break from cards. Affordable. $

The Rim: Authentic noodle bar great for quick bite. Affordable. $

Royal Albert's Palace: What would the Taj Mahal be without an Indian restaurant. This authentic Indian restaurant features a beautiful decor, including a replica of the Taj Mahal. Standard. $$

Safari Steakhouse: Rustic jungle theme with large tree growing through middle of dining room, animal-skin carpeting, furniture, fireplace. Specilizing in Prime aged beef, lamb chops, veal chops and over-the-top desserts. Pricey. $$$

Green Tea & Chocolate Ganache Cupcake from Safari Steakhouse

Sultan's Feast Buffet: Rotisserie, fresh pizza, international cuisine at relatively small buffet. Standard. $$

We're in love.

2009-11-30T16:54:00.006-05:00

...They just don't know it yet.

The Chelsea

2009-11-13T14:34:00.033-05:00

This is the The Chelsea Hotel as it opened in Spring 1899. Many famous guests stayed there including; Presidents William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt. The new Chelsea Hotel opened in Atlantic City in July, 2008 and that is what I will be reviewing today.

First a moment of silence for the original.

Ok, so we're talking about the NEW Chelsea Hotel. The website states that "The Chelsea ushers in a new era of Atlantic City chic, re-imagining the fabled heyday of “America's Playground” for the savvy modern traveler. The first non-gaming hotel to grace the Boardwalk since the 1960s, the Chelsea captures imaginations by conjuring the long-lost glamour and sophistication of this seaside resort town as a magical retreat where leisure and luxury come together in a perfect blend of great service, true comfort, and alluring spaces." Just by looking at this sign it kind of harkens back to the old Las Vegas and Rat Pack Days. And that is what I found inside, a classy, upscale comfortable place to stay.

I was plenty excited to move to Atlantic City, but it also finally gave me a chance to check out the one hotel that I'd been hearing a lot of buzz about. Last year, the scene was all about The Pool at Harrah's and earlier this summer, DJ AM's Dusk. Although The Chelsea opened last year the buzz really started humming around the time that The Chelsea tapped The VINE Group, comprised of my friends Dennis Piccone & Jimmy Richards to take over promotions for this club and they re-launched it as "The Fifth Floor" this past spring. The Fifth Floor is the entertainment and nightlife destination within the Chelsea Hotel. Located on the fifth floor, The Fifth has options for all tastes and all hours of the night including the Living Room, the Cabana Club, C5, and Chelsea Prime. These elements combine to make the most incredible destination for all of your nightlife desires. Sip champagne and cocktails in the Living Room, dine at Chelsea Prime, lounge with friends at the Cabana Club, and dance until late night at C5.

The Chelsea Hotel is a resort, Atlantic City's Club Med, if you will. There's a daytime party by the pool, set up with multiple bars, food, servers to wait on your every need, a DJ to get you in the groove, a great pool and people to mingle, oh and occasionally a little dancing in place.

There's also private Cabanas where you can hang out with your friends, relax, watch TV.. yeah that's right, you can go to the pool with your girlfriend/wife etc and while she's working on her tan you can watch the game in your private Cabana. Talk about escaping the stresses of the day!

Inside the hotel, I think they call this the C5 part, you will find a pool room with this very funky light fixture, as well as original shots of the hotel from it's inception which was actually two different hotels -- a Holiday Inn and a Howard Johnson's. I remember when I had stopped by weeks earlier it was this space that got me thinking what was this place like in the evening, and having stayed in Miami's Delano, I had a feeling it had the same hip vibe.

I love when entertainment spaces think outside of the box. I remember reading of The Chelsea's opening last year and hearing that their target audience was NYC. Well, NYC already had a lot of cool hip places to call their own, and the summer crowd heads to the Hamptons. Philly was starving for a place like this at the beach. A one stop shopping resort party zone, especially for the younger, money spending set, because even though the decor may reflect your parent's generation, or even your grandparent's, there's a good chance you're not going to find them here. It's young, hip, fresh and energized. I really loved it.. can you tell?

This is The Living Room on the Fifth Floor. Behind the curtain is a balcony that runs the length of the 5th floor. Great for lounging and looking at the ocean, at night great for chatting and enjoying the crash of the waves.

Chelsea Prime is located on the Fifth Floor, “the hotel’s social scene and destination.”

Where else would the Chelsea locate its signature steakhouse, Chelsea Prime? Renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr dreamed up this restaurant and cocktail lounge, the focal point of the 5th Floor, in a setting evocative of a 1940s supper club with options for both indoor and outdoor dining. The cocktail lounge with a banjo-shaped bar and entertainment in the form of a suitably timeless white grand piano are complimented by an incredible cocktail menu and energy flow from the adjoining Living Room. Chelsea Prime is filled with classic black and white photographs of 1940s Atlantic City and features elevated, Hollywood-style booths and sweeping ocean views. While Chelsea Prime is classically authentic in design, it's style, food, and energy are modern and glamorous. The restaurant is the perfect place to begin a night of socializing at the Chelsea or end of day of sun and cocktails by the pool.

On the Chelsea's ground floor, guests can enjoy a dining experience at Teplitzky's, a Stephen Starr original concept restaurant and mid-century-inspired diner which pays homage to the original hotel owner.

With both indoor and secluded outdoor seating, reminiscent of a Palm Beach garden café, locals and hotel guests have the opportunity to watch passers-by on Chelsea Avenue or enjoy a drink in the cocktail lounge in the back which opens out onto a heated salt-water swimming pool area of the Sea Spa complex.

Teplitzky’s serves diner-inspired food in a fun, classic setting that also houses a bar and coffee shop brought to life with original terrazzo floors, redwood walls, and cantilevered stools. Teplitzky's also provides the hotel's twenty-four-hour room service, and a poolside menu from its hideaway cocktail lounge.

As you can see there are many great nooks, crannies and seating areas for you to catch up with old friends, chat with new ones or just hang out. That was another plus I liked about the place. They are bringing it and the rest of it is up to you to make your fun, enjoy the music and have a great time.

So get your ass down to Atlantic City and enjoy The Chelsea and all it has to offer before the first frost is upon us. But don't worry.. long after the beach towels are washed, and the beach chairs are put away, The Chelsea will still be buzzing along.. did I mention they have three fireplaces on The Fifth Floor?? The party may be a little more chill, but the music doesn't stop there. Check out their website to see what they have planned for the coming months.

Http://www.thechelsea-ac.com

THE YANKEES ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE 27TH TIME!!

2009-11-05T15:41:00.006-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE YANKEES, THE CORE FOUR - JETER, PETITTE, RIVERA, AND POSADA.. ALONG WITH THE GAME'S MVP - HIDEKI MATSUI ON WINNING THEIR 27TH WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP! See everyone at the parade tomorrow!

Halloween @ The Chelsea

2009-11-02T16:48:00.017-05:00

Wow. WHAT a Halloween it was! The Vine Group, comprised of my friends Jimmy Richards and Dennis Piccone, along with Steve Lewis of Blackbook Magazine who did the decor for the event and The Chelsea.. put on an amazing Halloween event! On top of a really killer night.. I even have a new drink. It's called a Tequila Honeysuckle, a creative play on the wildly popular Bourbon Honeysuckle, with just enough honey, Cointreau and fresh squeezed lime juice to make me want to have another (two or ten). I leave you with some pics from this weekend. Hope yours was as good as mine!

LET'S GET IT

2009-11-02T15:23:00.003-05:00

LET'S WRAP UP THE HUNT FOR #27 TONIGHT YANKS!!!!!

...Now That's More Like It!

2009-10-30T10:33:00.002-04:00

GREAT GAME YANKS! NOW LET'S TAKE GAME ONE IN PHILADELPHIA!!!

It's Time for #27..............

2009-10-28T15:25:00.006-04:00

LET'S GO YANKEES!

Halloween in Atlantic City....

2009-10-28T12:31:00.010-04:00

Be here or be square on Saturday night as The Chelsea Hotel, Moodswing 360, and Vine Nightlife present... The Haunted Hotel at The Chelsea designed by Steve Lewis of Blackbook Magazine. Four rooms of fun, live performance by The Chelsea's Angels DJs, guest DJ set by Jockmo Beatz, and Resident DJ LOS in C5, DJ Adi, Supermodels Cassie Steves & Kelly Munz $5,000 worth of give-aways, celebrity DJ's, models, and more... don't miss it!!!!!

I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!

2009-10-27T14:33:00.012-04:00

I booked a well deserved winter vacation to Orlando, Florida for myself this February on my lunch hour this afternoon. It will be my first time back in Orlando since graduating college in 2006. It's gonna be so nice to be enjoying myself in the Central Florida sun for six days while everyone else is freezing in South-Central Jersey.

Thanks to a GREAT promotion Southwest Airlines is running, I'll be flying roundtrip to Orlando for less than $200.00! Plus, BOTH OF MY BAGS FLY FREE!

I fly out of Philadelphia International at 10:25am on Thursday, February 4th and I'll touch down in Orlando at 1:15pm. After spending an amazing six days hitting Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Sea World, and the Universal Orlando Resort I'll be leaving Orlando at 3:50pm on Wednesday, February 10th and arrive back in Philadelphia at 6:25pm.

Now.. what to do about theme park tickets and... where to stay....

What's Happened to the New York Giants?

2009-10-27T10:39:00.004-04:00

This was supposed to have been the Giants' get-right game. Sure, New Orleans beat them up last week, but the Saints are an undefeated team that was coming off a bye week *and* they were playing indoors, at home. The Giants spent the week shrugging off that loss and promised to be better this week at home against the Cardinals. The defense promised more blitzing and less trepidation. The offense promised to be sharper. To a man, the Giants were certain they'd come up with a big win Sunday night over the reigning NFC champs.....

and then they lost.

The Cardinals, who, for those playing along, have won the NFC title more recently than the Giants have, beg to differ. And the Giants' next six games are against the Eagles, Chargers, Falcons, Broncos, Cowboys and Eagles again -- teams whose combined record is 20-9. The Giants suddenly look vulnerable. They've succeeded in turning the NFC East into a real race when they didn't have to. And they enter Week 8 of the NFL season with just as much to prove as any other team in the league.

Through five weeks, the Giants stood 5-0 and appeared to be in control of the division. Preseason predictions about the Eagles as a serious threat and the Cowboys as sleeper faded. The Giants weathered injuries, showcased their depth and simply crushed second-rate opponents such as Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Oakland. Safety Kenny Phillips went down. Defensive end Justin Tuck played hurt. Brandon Jacobs dealt strangely with some confusing an undefined emotional issues regarding his running style versus Ahmad Bradshaw's. But it was all okay, because the Giants looked like a team built to handle all of it.

But with Week 7 in the books, the picture looks a lot different. The Giants are now 5-2. The Cowboys are 4-2. And the sad-sack Redskins loss last night at home in Washington to the Eagles puts Philly at 4-2 and ready to host the Giants next Sunday in the first game of a NY/Philly football/baseball doubleheader that is sure to set records for profane Northeast sports fan trash talk.

"Am I concerned?" Tuck asked. "I'm not the kind of guy who gets concerned in Week 7. The last time we lost two games in a row this early in the season, we ended up being Super Bowl champs."

The problem is, this year's Giants team has yet to prove anything. The 5-0 record was a mirage. They opened with a shaky win over a terrible Washington team. They gave up 250 rushing yards to the Cowboys in Week 2 and would have lost but for a couple of dumb late Dallas decisions. And then they rolled three of the worst teams in the league. Now that they're playing teams like New Orleans and Arizona, the shortcomings are showing up:

-The young receivers, Mario Manningham in particular, still drops too many passes. Teams continue to crowd up front to stop Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, daring Eli Manning to beat them in the passing game. Sunday night, Manning couldn't do it. Sometimes he struggled with his reads with safeties in the box. Sometimes he hit a guy in the hands and saw him drop it. Three times, he couldn't get the play off in time and got called for delay of game. Other than a miracle play on which rookie Hakeem Nicks caught a deflected pass and ran it in for a 62-yard touchdown, the passing game did nothing Sunday night. And the running game, thanks to an aggressive Arizona defense that was determined to stop it, remained stuck in the mud.

-Teams are able to gain yards down the field against the middle of the Giants' defense. Phillips' absence is being felt, as are those of defensive tackle Chris Canty, linebacker Michael Boley and cornerback Aaron Ross. The defense made more plays Sunday than it did the week before in New Orleans, but it didn't do enough to stop the Cardinal receivers and, perhaps more distressingly, rookie Cardinals running back Beanie Wells.

-The punting game was off! 94-year veteran Jeff Feagles had a rotten game, averaging just 34.3 yards per punt. Coach Coughlin took the blame for that, saying he instructed Feagles to make sure to kick the ball out of bounds and away from Cardinals return man Steve Breaston, but Feagles said he always tries to kick the ball out of bounds and needs to do a better job.

It's all part of a weird and surprisingly substandard vibe that our Giants are giving off the past couple of weeks. After two years as a dominant NFC force, they have looked lately like a team that still has a ways to go before we can call it a Super Bowl contender.

And back, whether they like it or not, into a three-team NFC East tussle where there's no clear favorite -- not even them.

Coastering 101

2009-10-26T17:23:00.008-04:00

As I said in my first post, I am a roller-coaster aficionado. I've been actively pursuing the biggest and best, the next far-away thrill since the Winter of 1998. Two years prior, I was dragged onto the Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ for a friend's birthday party and it scared me half to death. I vividly remember clinging onto a friend for dear life in that horrible, jerky whirlwind of a ride.

That first ride was indeed a rough one and it took over two years to recover from the initial trauma of the terrifying Mine Train ride. Over the following two years, I overcame my fears and became more and more intrigued by those looping, corkscrewing, engineering marvels and took my first summer job.

Care to hazard a guess as to where it was? Ironically enough, at the same theme park and on the same ride(!) - The Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Over the next four years, I fell in love with roller-coasters. I climbed to the top of the highest roller-coaster at my home park, I learned the ins and outs of the amusement industry, rode the world's oldest and newest roller-coasters on earth in one day, and eventually left my hometown to attend college in theme park central; Orlando, Florida, for Public Relations & Marketing with my mind on pursuing my career in a theme park, of course.

I've had photos published in roller-coaster and amusement park related magazines, I've done countless school projects on the roller-coaster and amusement park industry, contributed to countless fan and industry fan-sites, and I've even had an article published in the New York Times; which can be read here: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/06/nyregion/for-coaster-fans-the-waiting-is-the-hardiest-part.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/A/Amusement%20and%20Theme%20Parks

Over the past eleven years, I've managed to visit 111 different amusement and theme parks in 3 different countries riding a total of 573 different roller-coasters; 454 of which are steel, and 119 of which are wood.

In November of 2005, my father.. who always encouraged and fostered my love of theme parks and roller-coasters not to mention accompanied me on many a park trip.. passed away after a short battle with Metastatic Lung Cancer. I took a break from riding for a while, but after a move to Pittsburgh the following summer, home to my favorite amusement park anywhere; Kennywood (the park pictured above), it re-sparked my love and I began traveling extensively again.

It feels great to be back out at the parks, and I have posted my top ten personal favorites in wood and steel roller-coasters here. I hope you all get to enjoy at least a few of these rides.. because they are all magnificent. Til next time....

Rob's Top Ten Steel Coasters:

1 Bizarro Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA
2 Maverick Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH
3 Goliath Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell, GA
4 Nemesis Alton Towers, Staffordshire, UK
5 Phantom's Revenge Kennywood, Pittsburgh, PA
6 Nitro Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
7 Montu Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa, FL
8 Magnum XL-200 Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH
9 Kumba Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa, FL
10 Millennium Force Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH

Rob's Top Ten Wood Coasters

1 Hades Mt. Olympus Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells, WI
2 El Toro Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
3 Ravine Flyer II Waldameer, Erie, PA
4 Voyage Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN
5 Boulder Dash Lake Compounce, Bristol-Southington, CT
6 Legend Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN
7 Rampage Alabama Adventure, Bessemer, AL
8 Raven Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN
9 Phoenix Knoebels, Elysburg, PA
10 Thunderhead Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN

Expect to see an Amusement/Theme Park Top Ten to follow soon......

Top of the day, Top of the World, Top of the Morning to Ya

2009-10-26T13:48:00.006-04:00

Hi, my name is Rob and this will be my little corner of the inter-webs, my Facebook notwithstanding. I wanted a place to really publish pictures and text from my travels, as well as some casual photography I do, with restaurant and music reviews, and my gloating/bitching about my professional sports teams, and whatever else I feel like. Facebook is great for keeping in touch with friends and networking, but for a long-winded person such as myself.. it falls a little short on content. I always have a lot to say though and I look forward to sharing my adventures.. new and old, here.