With NYC’s acclaimed Restaurant Week in full swing, its appropriate that ModerateSnobbery highlight this week. The great part about Restaurant week is you have the opportunity to experience some of New York’s fine dining at the most reasonable prices.  Most young professionals in NY aren’t afforded the luxury to eat three-course meals at high end restaurants on a regular basis. But, during this week you can.  This is perfect as you can try out the city’s best Thai spot, find that nice restaurant to take your client to, or get a jump on places to dine for Valentines or an evening with that special young lady in your life.  Restaurant week usually happens twice a year in the city. This time around, it will go until February 6.  In order to take full advantage, you have to make a reservation in advance for where you’d like to dine.

To see participating restaurants visit here.

Don’t waste anymore time, find somewhere and book it soon.

Eat, be merry and leave a healthy tip!

Dear devoted readers,

I owe all of you an apology. This is coming from a guy that usually does not ask for permission. Today I have to ask for your forgiveness. This experiment of what we know as Moderate Snobbery will cease immediately. The silver lining is that ModSnob will be evolving. So why are we leaving you for now? I can only say that we are collectively taking a strategic look at our value proposition. For now we must retreat to our coccoon. But don’t fret, we hope that you pick up where we left off by visiting the following sites: Streetetiquette.com, Williamyan.com, Marcustroy.com, and Madburyclub.com.

Yours in success,

Kenji

From one fashionable Snob to another, Nick is everything nouveau about urban sophistication as it relates to fashion. His ability to innovate contemporary style with classical traditions have set a trend among young professional New Yorkers. Whether it’s on Wall Street or strolling through Uptown, this snob dresses appropriately for every occasion. Shopping anywhere from high-end boutiques on 5th Avenue to thrift stores in Brooklyn, Nick’s keen sense of style, unique color palettes, and hybrid pattern combos set the standard for what is possible with the least of means but greatness of fashionable purpose.

It is no wonder why he is among the leaders thus far in this year’s Best Dressed Real Man hosted by Esquire Magazine. His portfolio of executive wear, outerwear, and men’s casual show what being moderately snobbish is all about. Check out Nick’s Profile and be sure to VOTE for him starting tomorrow.

Remember, be discerning …

/hf

As self claimed thrift and vintage shop aficionado, I often search these shops for hidden treasures in the cities a find myself in. I had the opportunity to attend a one of a kind show in the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show back in February. When I made my way into the Metropolitan Pavilion I was unsure of what to expect. After a few moments of being inside, I felt like a kid in a candy store excited and overwhelmed with numerous dealers of classic, quality garments.  To my surprise many of the dealers happened to sell women’s  items, however those that had men’s selections were still adequate to my taste.  The finest thrift and vintage dealers in the nation and the tri-state area set up shop at this 2-day event.

Antique textiles, luggage, clothing and accessories from numerous time periods dating back to the 18th Century  were up for sale.  The  show is filled with timeless, classic pieces that are difficult to find elsewhere. Looking nice doesn’t always entail spending a lot of money and buying brand new.  Sometimes the best items are second hand or vintage.

All thrift and vintage connoisseurs looking to add to your spring and summer closet inventory, get your pocket book’s ready,free up your schedule this Friday April 23rd or Saturday April 24th and make a stop by the Metropolitan Pavilion.

In the meantime, take a peek at some of the items you missed back in February.

Esquire Magazine has charged itself with writing a ’style guide for successful men’ over the past few years. The inaugural issue (one of the best) debuted in 2006.

I consider myself a successful man. Also one can never have enough knowledge about anything…especially fashion, so I spend the $9.95 every year.

These Big Black Books are for the sartorialist elite with a big check books. Those of us, like myself, with limited discretionary income use these style guides for ideas and inspiration. If you can afford the Rolex watches, Paul Stuart tailored suits and Bally shoes daunted in these books, be my guest and more power to you.

So for this reason I have taken it upon myself to start the Little Red Book: ‘The Style Guide for the Moderately Snobbish’.

The fist addition of the season focuses on the spring/summer suit. If you think you are going to wear your worsted wool suit in the middle of May, not only will you need extra deodorant, you need to read this.

The Basics
Let’s face it, when it’s hot…it’s hot. So why make it worse in a heavy suit. There is much more to warm weather suits than most think. Fabrics go far beyond linen and seersucker. Although classic, this year I am a fan of 100% cotton! I would suggest any color black, gray, khaki, navy and even white!

March 5, 2010 – The day of our launch to the world!

In transit via MTA to our ModSnob Launch event, a myriad of mixed thoughts entered my mind.

(about 7:33pm) I arrive and walk up the steps of the Libertine’s Library bar. As I approach the top of the stairs those mixed thoughts quickly exited my brain as my inner-Snob took over and was in full effect. I was greeted by fellow Snob, Kenji(looking sharp) and two beautiful ladies, as he welcomed them to the event and provided an overview of ModSnob.

I maneuver around the classic leather and mahogany-bedecked space of alluring young professionals to greet more colleagues and friends. This is the moment I realize it was going to be a discerning, yet Excellent evening. I approach another fellow Snob Nick(also dapper) to greet him, as he works the room and converses amongst the host of guests. After our brief greeting, we both agree heading to the bar to get a SNOB was the next best move and a perfect way to start the evening.

As soon as the SNOB was in my hand the evening progressively improved infinitely. There were numerous introductions, a toast, and brief conversations namely with associates, subscribers and friends of ModSnob and DebonaireNY that I hadn’t previously met. I couldn’t imagine a better way to initiate this discerning counter culture than this launch.

Many thanks and appreciation to the staff of Gild Hall’s Libertine restaurant for excellent service and maintaining our guests satisfaction, the gentlemen of DebonaireNY for assisting in hosting, and the numerous guests that came out to celebrate and support the initiation of Moderate Snobbery.

Photographer:  Ashley Posey

EVENT HASHTAG: #MODSNOB

(entrance on Platt St btwn Gold & William)
NYC

On the cusp of ModerateSnobbery swinging into full effect, the Snobs have collectively initiated the creation of our signature drink.

A myriad of thoughts come to mind when concocting a drink:

• making the drink just right
• creating an exceptional, responsible experience for the audience
• and making sure the taste tickles the palate of the drinker.

Many components were tossed around to create the perfect ModSnob drink. The process for the spirits selected was not easy, thus we weathered the storm.
Wet your palates and get a hint of the components considered for the creation of our signature cocktail with these images.

Stay tuned later this week to taste and see what components made the final cut for our creation at the ModSnob launch.

Capsule NY Mens Tradeshow | Day 1 | 1/18/2010 3:57pm – closing

Locations

Angel Orensanz Foundation
172 Norfolk St.

The Puck Building
295 Lafayette Ave.

Today marks my second trip to Angel Orensanz for the world renown menswear trade show known as Capsule. This go-round I am joined by fellow snob, Ian—who, arrived late due to traffic on the FDR. As I sit in the Magazine Lounge section of the church—yes, this trade show is set up in a church—I reflect on all the time and resources that each brand puts into this two day event. The hourless and thankless attention to detail that probably goes unnoticed by the casual visitor is what makes fashion one of the best and worst professions to rely on for a paycheck. On one side you create art that niche and mass audiences alike embrace and cherish for eternity. On the other side you create egotisitical waste that become synonymous with fads and (insert disparaging remark). The four floors of Angel Orensanz are packed with brands that attract legions of web fans on online forums such as, Styleforum.net, Hypebeast.com, and Superfuture.com/Supertalk. Each representative of the brand is tasked with telling a story, inspiring on-lookers, and hopefully convincing a buyer or store rep to sign up for an account to carry merchandise. Many of the attendees today are like me, Macbook on lap, mobile device in hand, and water courtesy of Ty Nant Spring Water on our side, most likely letting (or preparing to let) the world know about the brands that caught their attention and hopefully their wallet.

After a day spent in the heart of Capsule (both the Angel Orensanz and The Puck Building locations) I can honestly walk away with a smile, for the presentation was second to none. Everything down from the Escalade—that transported guests to and from the two locations—to the complimentary Surface, OWN, and Fader magazines—that were readily available—kept my attention on the business of style, not fashion. While I understand fashion is the reason that each brand will have a new collection each season, I’m elated to know that a few brands will maintain the spirit of their founders and their inspirations in each piece that is here—and soon to come.

Please enjoy photos of our experience at the first day of the highly anticipated two-day event. Take note of the brands featured in our photos, they were our favorites. Check back next week when Nick will grace us with a glimpse into his experience at day 2 of Capsule NY.

Special thanks to James of Theblacknoveau.com for showing me how to access the free wifi at the Angel Orensanz Foundation location.

Photos: Kenji

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie | BUY

The title of this book speaks for itself –well at least the latter of it. Honestly, there is no need for me to win friends. I think it’s imperative we all should have a core group of friends that are truly friends. The power of influence on the other hand is just that, power. No matter if it’s trying to sell yourself in an interview or smooth talk your way out of a traffic ticket. Influence is an attribute we can leverage in the world.