Speakeasy Café on Rivington Street

​

Between the self-playing piano, over stuffed chairs and wooden furnishings,Black Cat Café is where nostalgia goes for its midday naps. The art on the walls and the people sipping coffee underneath it are all steeped in dim amber lighting.

This speakeasy-style coffeehouse, reopens under new ownership at 172 Rivington St. this Friday. 

Pe'er Klein and his wife, Nao Carmel-Klein, decided to purchase the café after the prior owner opted to retire. After looking at several places, he knew this would be the place.

"He just called me and said, 'I am not changing anything," says Noa Carmel-Klein. 

Both of whom came to New York City to pursue careers in the performance arts two years ago. They hope to turn the location into a haven for upcoming artists to display their talents - in photography, painting, singing, or music.

They couple added tables to make room for their new organic menu. The shop offers loose leaf tea by the pot,or simply by the cup. Carmel-Klein boasts of the new homemade desserts - chocolate Guinness cake, gluten-free maple cake, as well as a local favorite, the apple surprise.

With the recent approval of the community board, Black Cat Café will be serving beer and wine by summer. Carmel-Klein hopes to extend the hours until 2 a.m. to suit the neighborhood's late night crowd once the license arrives.

In accordance with the speakeasy theme, jazz will be flowing out a few steps below the city street. She coyly describes the enthusiasm of the community board. "They liked the idea of live music, but we can not promote it." Since the shop is located in a residential area, they are not allowed to advertise the location as a music venue.

As for the grand reopening, there may be flappers and hushed debauchery present Friday night. 

For those who want to make it until morning, they will be offering
 free refills of their house blend for one night only!

My Weekend Getaway to Montreal - Photo Journal

AUGUST 2014

lone traveler edition

yes - they're photos from my phone.

Exhibitionism is on display at the Montreal Botanical Garden.

Unoccupied benches waiting patiently.

Foliage satellite in my orbit

Living in someone's postcard

Guarding Chinatown

An elderly man slowly treads toward Chinatown.

A city with French heritage - and a touch of Cyrano

The sound of clacking hooves on empty streets

We hold our eyes in our hands at the Montreal International Reggae Festival.

The Nightcap at Big in Japan, the speakeasy bar

(Look for the queue of well-dressed 20 somethings standing in front of a red door!)

Puerto Iguazú - The Final Verdict

It all falls down, then plateaus then falls some more.

Puerto Iguazú sits on just the other side of the falls on the Argentinian border. This city does not suffer from the dilapidated weariness of Foz do Iguaçu. Fortunately, its vibrancy is not completely lost in the touristy trappings. The lush, overgrown gardens of bright colored homes ignites the picturesque charm I expect Latin America to have.

My only regret is that I stayed on the Brazilian side. I only managed to spend several hours in Puerto Iguazú but even the bus ride through the city was worth it. Of course, I left my the memory disk from my camera at the hotel.

All in all... which side of the falls is better?

The Argentinian side!

The extensive, meandering walkways allow you to get close to many of the smaller falls. There are peaceful sections as well as areas where you get to stand underneath the falls themselves. It takes hours to really get the full experience. You can opt to take the free train (after you pay the modest entrance fee) straight to the Devil's Throat or save it for last.

*Do not feed the coatis!

It's a much more intimate experience of the falls. The Brazilian side offers great panoramic views but the falls feel distant and imposing. I suggest going to the Brazilian side first. It is like meeting a potential mate for the first time. The feeling of seeing them from afar is captivating. But it is only when you get to the Argentinian side, you really fall for them (no cheap pun intended!).

If you have the time, explore the city! The whole of the province of Misiones is gorgeous according the many backpackers in the city. You see them walking the streets, making the journey either to or from Brazil since this happens to be one of the cheapest routes between the two countries.



Safe travels!

Foz do Iguaçu - My Experience & Advice

The panoramic roar of the rushing water. The eerie veil of mist hovering above the water. The birds circling the larger falls as water dives off the precipice. The humidity clogging the air.


At this moment, I am standing where the sky meets the earth.

The murky water is not blue like the crystalline hue of some tropical beach. Overcast skies loom heavy with unexpected bouts of sunlight. The sonorous grumbling of the falls impart a sense of urgency.

I came with the sole intent to see something majestic and beautiful. Mostly, I came to see cracks in the Earth where water is hurdled off of cliffs. After a lifetime in New York City, this is surreal - infinitely better to be alone here than in a clusterfuck of strays packed into an ever-changing island. Busy cities have this oppressive loneliness only unbound space can lift.

Back to the story at hand -

The walkway into the Garganta del Diablo (Throat of the Devil) is the perfect ending to the experience. Satan's backwash spritzes everyone who walks through. The waterfall rushes down from the left side, and swims off yet another edge just to the right. In the dense fog, I can barely see the faces of people a few feet away from me.

Everyone is reduced to a blurry silhouette. Most of the people here are with their families. Men and their sons yank their shirts off like they are about to jump in. Soaked, yet smiling, I walk off the ramp back into the crispness of real life.


= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


This has been my dream vacation for about ten years. Was it worth it? YES.

But why did I decide to stay for 6 nights? Sure I caught an amazing flight deal (found via @TravelNoire) but I clearly should have done more research.

Nonetheless - there is not much to offer in the city of Foz do Iguaçu itself. The food, even at their top restaurants, is mediocre at best. The local restaurants, juice stands and pastel joints are more than decent - and of course, much cheaper. There is no nightlife, bar scene, music scene... or much of any scene. Most people around here do not speak English. Public transportation is easy to figure out but there is not much else to do. Check out the Itaipu dam. Check out the bird park if their captivity doesn't depress you.

There is not much to offer other than a two-day trip to the falls. One on the Brazilian side, One on the Argentinian side. If you happen to be traveling from the United States, there is a reciprocity fee to get into Argentina. A visa isn't necessary but it's still $160. Bring the receipt to the border as proof. Don't pay for those overpriced tours. It's only a few dollars and two buses to the entrance of the falls.

So get in, get out. Have an amazing time.

I shall see what the Argentinian side has to offer tomorrow!