Today's entry in the My NY series comes courtesy of film-maker Matt Wolf, who has received many accolades this year for Wild Combination, his lovingly-rendered documentary about the inscrutable icon Arthur Russell. Out this week on DVD via Plexifilm, Wolf heps us to a few of his favorite things...
Favorite Outsider Art Installation
Bloomie's Nails 294 8th Avenue
If you look through the window at Bloomie's you'll notice the most elaborate and wonderful work of art-- a large scale figurative mosaic made from fake finger nails. Also look out for Bloomie's at night-- the mosaic lights up!
Most Storied Queens Food Destination
Minangasli, Elmhurst 86-10 Whitney Avenue (Macnish Street), Elmhurst, Queens 718-429-8207
This place has amazing Indonesian food: unbelievable satays, hard boiled eggs coated in spicy sauce, young jackfruit in chili sauce, avocado milkshakes, and broiled whole fishes. And the flamboyant and hot tempered owner, Nani Tanzil (aka Mamma Nani) is a trip. For years she's had a bitter rivalry with the restaurant Padang Raya a few doors down, which also happens to be her former employer. The two are recognized as the most authentic and refined Indonesian culinary options in the city. It's full-on Indonesian restaurant war.
Best Fall Activity
Rowing in Central Park
You'd think there would be outrageous lines and it would cost $100 an hour, but the wait for a row boat at Central Park takes 10 minutes, and it costs $10 for the first hour and $2.50 for each additional 15 minutes. You'll get bored after an hour, but it's pretty relaxing and romantic...if you're into that kind of thing. 10:00 - 5:30, through December.
Top Barber
Shorty Maniace, Freemans Sporting Club 5 Horactio at West 4th Street
212-929-3917
I've been seeing Shorty since this cool men's barber shop on Horacio St. (an extension of Freeman's Sporting Club and Freeman's restaurant on Rivington St.) was the uncool but very charming Nick's Salon. So Shorty is now hipper and more in-demand, but Freeman's is great: no reservations, only walk-ins, and affordable.
Coolest Place (you're not allowed to go)
The High Line West Chelsea - 34th Street
Get ready, the coolest park you'll ever set foot on (where I've recently been filming a tv series for the Sundance Channel) is opening in 2008. The high line used to be a railroad; it was abandoned and wild flowers and trees grew there; and now it's being turned into a 1.5 mile long, elevated public park. The high line's design will exceed your expectations and it will be the coolest public space in New York. But you're not allowed to go up there... yet.
Bloomie's Nails 294 8th Avenue
If you look through the window at Bloomie's you'll notice the most elaborate and wonderful work of art-- a large scale figurative mosaic made from fake finger nails. Also look out for Bloomie's at night-- the mosaic lights up!
Most Storied Queens Food Destination
Minangasli, Elmhurst 86-10 Whitney Avenue (Macnish Street), Elmhurst, Queens 718-429-8207
This place has amazing Indonesian food: unbelievable satays, hard boiled eggs coated in spicy sauce, young jackfruit in chili sauce, avocado milkshakes, and broiled whole fishes. And the flamboyant and hot tempered owner, Nani Tanzil (aka Mamma Nani) is a trip. For years she's had a bitter rivalry with the restaurant Padang Raya a few doors down, which also happens to be her former employer. The two are recognized as the most authentic and refined Indonesian culinary options in the city. It's full-on Indonesian restaurant war.
Best Fall Activity
Rowing in Central Park
You'd think there would be outrageous lines and it would cost $100 an hour, but the wait for a row boat at Central Park takes 10 minutes, and it costs $10 for the first hour and $2.50 for each additional 15 minutes. You'll get bored after an hour, but it's pretty relaxing and romantic...if you're into that kind of thing. 10:00 - 5:30, through December.
Top Barber
Shorty Maniace, Freemans Sporting Club 5 Horactio at West 4th Street
212-929-3917
I've been seeing Shorty since this cool men's barber shop on Horacio St. (an extension of Freeman's Sporting Club and Freeman's restaurant on Rivington St.) was the uncool but very charming Nick's Salon. So Shorty is now hipper and more in-demand, but Freeman's is great: no reservations, only walk-ins, and affordable.
Coolest Place (you're not allowed to go)
The High Line West Chelsea - 34th Street
Get ready, the coolest park you'll ever set foot on (where I've recently been filming a tv series for the Sundance Channel) is opening in 2008. The high line used to be a railroad; it was abandoned and wild flowers and trees grew there; and now it's being turned into a 1.5 mile long, elevated public park. The high line's design will exceed your expectations and it will be the coolest public space in New York. But you're not allowed to go up there... yet.
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