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Pining for Pumpkin

As October begins, the air gets chillier, and Halloween decor invades Manhattan’s shops, I find myself craving pumpkin. Anything pumpkin-flavored. Cookies, pie, coffee, soups, I’ll take it. To prepare you for the season, I have found some of the best pumpkiny treats in the city for you to enjoy all Autumn long.

Pumpkin Eggnog Pudding

For a rich and creamy dessert, head to Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery on the Lower East Side. The bakery also serves a pumpkin cupcake with cream cheese frosting, but the pumpkin-eggnog combination is hard to match. The Rivington Street shop has a bright 60′s/70′s decor, creating the perfect atmosphere to enjoy your pudding.

Pumpkin Soyafrost

Attention all soy-lovers! You NEED to try a pumpkin soyafrost at SOY in the West Village. You have probably read about SOY on the blog before, as it is my favorite cafe in the city. The soyafrost is much like a frappuccino, a sweet and icy blend, but this one is made with soy milk and pumpkin flavoring. Even if you are a meat and potatoes kind of person, against all that is vegan, I promise you will enjoy this chilled treat.

Pumpkin Pie Cocktail

This combination of vanilla vodka, pumpkin schnapps, cream, and nutmeg is a great way to bring Autumnal goodness to happy hour. A favorite of chef Kenneth McClure, this beverage can be found at the Carnegie Club, a midtown after-work hot spot with a vintagey feel and live jazz music. Or, you can make them at home, just don’t forget to garnish with a cherry!

Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Soup

The ecclectic Momofuku Noodle Bar seems to have everything. Chef David Chang created the “Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Soup” for the season, served with a whipped tofu on top. He also likes to add pumpkin seeds and scallions for decor. Momofuku sits in the East Village, and is one of the most talked about restaurants in the city.

Deep-Dish Pumpkin Pie

As one of the most popular desserts of the season, pumpkin pie is a classic. “Savoy” on Prince Street in Soho serves up one of the thickest slices of pumpkin pies you will sink your fork into. With a rustic country feel, the restaurant only uses the best ingredients from local farmers. Chef Peter Hoffman was featured in the New York Times as Chef of the Times” in 2004, and has also appeared in The New Yorker, Met Home, and on PBS.

-Caitlin

October is the Time for Spa Savings!

Saving money can be pretty too, and this month there are lots of pretty ways to save. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Pretty in Pink will offer 31 days of $31 spa treatments. The Beauty Jewel Spa in the West Village (nearby featured space 24 Horatio Street) is offering Brazilian waxes, express facials, and lip, chin and eyebrow waxes, usually priced between $50-75. The Randee Elaine Salon offers fabulous skin services also for just $31, including a microdermabrasion facial, deep pore cleansing facial with oxygen treatment, and laseer hair removal all normally $110-199.  Needing a little glow as it gets cooler? City Sun, nearby featured space 2626 Broadway on the Upper West Side will give you premium tanning or spray tanning, normally each $78.

“Spa Week”  runs from October 12-18th. Full service treatments will only cost $50 at New York’s top salons and spas, including Claudalie Vinotherapy Spa, Lia Schorr Day Spa, Ling Skin Care, Jurlique, Clarins Skin Spa, and SHIZUKA. Treatments available range from facials to massages, and manicures to botox.  

The last pretty deal of October is even cheaper than the first two. SpaSally’s is sponsoring $25 Tuesdays, in which different New York spas will offer treatments for only $25 each Tuesday of the month. Go to Essential Spa next Tuesday for the $25 Bath Pass for two, including a sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi for you and a friend, regualrly priced at $90.

Book your appointments now because deals like this go quickly!

-Caitlin

Express-o Yourself

I was excited when the baristas at Stumptown Coffee created a little flower in the foam on the top of my latte. But this morning I discovered a website peddling “coffeestencils.” Now you can create a message in your morning brew right at home. Want to tell your sweetie how you feel about them as they sip their java? Purchase “I love you,” “You are hot ” or maybe the daring “Marry Me?” Have some big news? Perhaps the “I’m Pregnant” stencil is fitting. Other stencils include the zodiac signs, animals, and even the classy dollar sign to show how much you are rolling in.

The website instructs the user how to coffee stencil, with a few simple directions. First, you need a cappuccino or a latte coffee, a cup, cinnamon or cocoa powder, and your favorite stencil. Brew your coffee, place the stencil on top, and shake some of the powder over it. Voila! Now you can drink your coffee with a picture of a snail on it. Could this be a future coffee trend? Will what you choose to stencil be the next way to make a statement? Coffeestencil.com claims, “Decorated coffee tastes better.”

-Caitlin

Pop Up Shop in Space for Lease 75 Orchard Street

The Rivington Work Jacket at Kai D.

Now through November, Kai D, a men’s pop-up shop will take over space available for lease 75 Orchard Street. Inspired by the functional pieces worn by workers who built Manhattan, Kai D says the Fall line seeks to “serve the needs of modern day artisans.” The shop’s garments take details from vintage military and hunting style, specifically lots of pockets.

Another feature of the store is the “Build the Future” tee-shirt collection, in which 20 percent of proceeds will go to New York Cares and the child-education program “Give Something Back International.” Visit the pop up and check out the space, and your shop may just be the one to follow Kai D.

-Caitlin

Besen Retail Outfit of the Week

I know, it’s only Tuesday. A little early to declare one outfit superior to all possible future outfits. But it is obviously impossible to top the ensemble Retail Specialist Steve Escalera is sporting. With his rust-colored blazer and his purple tie, Steve commented, “No risk, no reward.”

Retail Specialist Steve Escalera, Besen Retail Outfit of the Week

-Caitlin

Pick a Pickle

Celebrate The Ninth Annual NYC International Pickle Day this weekend! On Sunday, October 4th, pickle vendors from around the world will congregrate in the parking lot at Essex and Broome Streets in the Lower East Side. This year, they are expanding to two blocks, offering pickled fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and of course a variety of pickles. Not only can participants taste and buy, but they can also watch demonstrations and educational displays. Costumes are encouraged. Ride your bicycle and get valet bike parking!

Manhattan pickle participants include Pickle guys, Rick’s Picks, and Guss’ Pickles (located on the same block as space for lease 75 Orchard Street). The event is co-sponsored by the NY Food Museum and the Lower East Side Business Improvement District. Take a look at the footage from Pickle Day 2007!

-Caitlin

Underrated Upper Broadway

Space for lease, 2626 Broadway

Yesterday I discovered a unique portion of the city that I never ventured to before, Upper Broadway. While I have always thought highly of the Upper West Side, the home to a giant Filene’s Basement, the Greenflea Market (my favorite flea market in the city), and the gorgeous west side of Central Park, I never realized how completely underrated Upper Broadway is.

The famous Metro Theater, an icon in the NYC theater world, sits on Broadway and 100th Street and is available for lease. With its vintagey art deco decor, this is an amazing opportunity for any business to be a part of the building’s rich history. The neighborhood is filled with several busy shops and restaurants, bringing heavy foot traffic to the area.

The Metro Diner, right across the street, is the perfect neighborhood hangout to sip on what they have deemed their ”legendary” coffee, a pastrami sandwich, or perhaps just a slice of New York style cheesecake. I love Mexican food, so I was delighted to see “Mama Mexico” on the block, serving heaping bowls of fresh guacamole, authentic tamales poblanos, and burritos stuffed with your choice of meat, vegetables, and cheese. Looking for a table for two for lunch? Check out the quaint French cafe, Alouette. Here, share a dish of Pommes Frites or nibble on a seafood crepe. Health conscious? A variety of Health Food stores are available on almost every block, from “The Health Nuts” to “Gary Nulls Uptown Whole Foods,” which had a line out the door on my visit. With a juice bar in the front of the shop, I couldn’t help but order a Banana Split Shake.

Mama Mexico on Upper Broadway

This weekend, visit the area for the “Annual Upper Broadway Harvest Festival” on October 4th. The street fair will stretch from 96th to 110th streets, from 11am-6pm. The event is sponsored by the One Stop Senior Services and the Bloomingdale Area Coalition, and is the perfect way to celebrate the begining of Autumn.

For more information on space for lease 2626 Broadway, please call 212-213-6480, or email me at caitlin@besenretail.com.

-Caitlin

Invisible Dog Walkers in Cobble Hill

I don’t get it. According to The Gothamist, the Improv Everywhere Gang took 2,000 “dogs” for a walk in Cobble Hill Brooklyn, just a few blocks down from featured space for lease 226 Atlantic Ave. The invisible dog walkers were using a toy created in the 1970′s manufactured in Brooklyn. The toy factory is now an invisible dog art space full of vintage dog leashes. What is the point? I’m not sure. Perhaps I am not as cultured or artistic as this gang. I guess it’s good you don’t have to pick up after them? Check out the pictures of the scene below, and if you understand it, please explain. (Photos Courtesy Katie Sokoler)

-Caitlin

Update on the Fried Chicken Obsession of 2009

 Just last week I wrote an article about the Fried Chicken Craze sweeping the city, as I deemed it the trendiest comfort food of the moment. Since then, I have seen several articles on the top chicken places to visit, and most recently, NY Mag published their “Bucket List” of nine fried chicken spots to hit before you die, or before it kills you. A few of the nine stuck out to me as they are located in great neighborhoods, near featured spaces for lease. Check it out:

Number four of the nine is “Perry Street,” named the most refined fried chicken on the list. Located in the West Village (how fitting!), this chicken is crispy but also tender, fried in a batter of exotic spices. Perry Street is near featured space 11 Christopher Street and has an upscale menu that includes dishes like a pink cod in a sweet garlic broth and a sauteed red snapper.

Momofuku Noodle Bar, a fashionable eatery in the East Village (nearby 83 E. 7th Street) , serves two types of fried chicken, Southern Style or Korean Fried. Rather than taking the traditional approach and serving them with mashed potatoes and gravy, Momofuku chooses to accompany them with moo shu pancakes, Greenmarket herbs, and Asian condiments.

Another East Village chicken destination is The Redhead. This chicken endures a long process before the juicy poultry is served, going through a three-hour salt, herb and sugar brine, a buttermilk soak, and seasoned flour massage, and finally a dip in the deep fryer. Along with the chicken comes a spinach and strawberry salad and a piece of cornbread.

Another mentionable fried chicken-serving restaurant on the list is Blue Smoke, right on the same block as the Besen Retail office that I am sitting in right now. While it is known for its fabulous barbecue, the fried chicken is just as notable. Served like the classic homestyle favorite, with a buttermilk biscuit, mashed potatoes, and gravy, this fried chicken makes the list because of the perfect spice combination in the careful cooking.

The question is, how long will the fried chicken frenzy last before a new trend begins?

-Caitlin