JoonBlog New York

Venue Review: Eleven - New York City (NYC)

Eleven
152 Orchard St. (Stanton & Rivington Sts)
New York, NYC 10002
(212) 979 - 2240

While a bit off the beaten path, this little gem on the Lower East Side has a large, yet relaxed feel with red lighting, a hefty main room, and lots of space to sit, kick back and enjoy your drinks. The more intimate basement is done up like a brightly colored South Beach scene. The end of the week is pretty heavy with hip-hop and house beats for the fashionable crowds that know to come here.

Check out what Citysearch and Shecky's had to say.

Anybody been here yet?

Support Your Local DJs

In most circles, DJing is considered – much like graffiti – an art form. Good DJs are hard to find, but when one of these scratch-masters can flawlessly blend two tracks together, without throwing off the motion of the dance floor for even a second, all the while inserting various samples into the mix at all the appropriate moments, it’s an art. A crude art, sure. But mixing records takes an artistic ear, and creative innovation and experimentation.

While there’s always a fuss made when more-mainstream, nationally-known spinsters like Paul Oakenfold or DJ Clue roll into town to man the ones and twos at some nightclub for an evening, not much is ever made over New York’s very own local vinyl-manipulating talent. New York has always been a breeding ground for upcoming DJs. And why wouldn’t it be? New York’s the birthplace of rap music, and the origin of DJ culture. This city of ours has long been known as a hotbed of musical creativity, no matter what the genre. So, even a brief history of club DJing would need to begin here – back in the pre-disco era of the late 1960s and early 1970s, at the crossroads of African American expressive culture and collectively-realized gay sensibilities, which together formed the core of contemporary social dance culture. Dance music culture, whether associated with disco, club, hip-hop, or house music, has always had its roots in the Big Apple. How fortunate, we are, to have some of the world’s greatest DJs (even if the rest of the world doesn’t know it. . .yet) right here, in our little neck of the woods.

The following’s two lists of New York’s best hip-hop and house DJs, along with where you can go to find them. Of course, these lists reflect JoonBug’s opinion, and you might think we forgot about someone. If so, let us know about it by clicking on the “Comments” link below, and telling us who you’re favorite mix-minister is – we’d love to hear what you think.

Hip-Hop DJs:
10. DJ Ski-Hi (Club NV)
9. DJ Drastic (Flow)
8. DJ Kut (Power 105.1 FM)
7. DJ Exacta (Nocturne, Southampton Tavern, Crobar, Boutique)
6. DJ Blaze (Spirit NYC)
5. DJ Ody Roc (Strata)
4. DJ Unique (XS New Jersey)
3. DJ Riz (KTU)
2. DJ Stretch Armstrong (Lot 61)
1. DJ Spinbad (Power 105.1 FM)

House DJs:
10. DJ Johnny Vicious (Spirit)
9. DJ Ziggy (Avalon)
8. DJ K-Swing (B3)
7. DJ Corbin Dooley (B3)
6. DJ Ricky Corbo (Webster Hall)
5. DJ Powder (B3)
4. DJ Skribbles (Webster Hall)
3. DJ Roger Sanchez (Spirit)
2. DJ Eddie Baez (Black)
1. DJ Jonathan Peters (Spirit)

Venue Review: Tao - New York City (NYC)

Tao
42 East 58th Street
New York, NYC 10022
(212) 888-2288
http://www.taorestaurant.com/

This is by no means a run of the mill “pan-asian” venue. The former art house Plaza Theater in Midtown's East Side has been transformed into something more than a bar and restaurant. The superlative menu reflects influences from China, Japan, Korea, and other corners of Asia. The décor is more like a Zen Buddhist monastery with a monumental Buddha watches over all the gorgeous people wanting to see and be seen. Instead of being sparse and monastic, Tao manages to be open, warm and inviting.

For more info, here's what Digital City and Shecky's had to say.

Anybody been by here lately?

Touch Of Axe

When a new fragrance of deodorant body spray’s unveiled to the world, it’s the perfect excuse to throw an elaborate party at one of the largest private residences in all of Manhattan. Last week, that’s just what the fine folks at Axe did. The fabled Guccione Mansion was the scene for Axe’s Touch Dark Party, to mark the launch of it’s newest underarm bouquet, Touch. Of course, when it comes to hot parties, the JoonBug crew’s always on hand – and hot, this soiree certainly was.
The “Dark” theme carried throughout the entire evening. As soon as you walked through the front doors of

Guccione’s residence (an opulent, 45-room, double-wide, 20,000-square-foot limestone mansion worth $40 million, located on East 67th Street between Central Park and Madison Avenue), you were directed up a dim staircase, to a cocktail reception on the second floor. Drinks containing illuminated ice cubes and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres were served, with the trip-hop sounds of Portishead and Massive Attack serving as the evening’s soundtrack.

Decorated with 800-year-old antiques, this six-story mansion has a large ballroom, a Georgian-pine-paneled library, gym, wine cellar, and several fireplaces – one of which houses a small fish tank, filled with lethal – yet gorgeous -- jellyfish. After a few drinks, you were summoned to dinner – served in nothing but complete darkness. The waiters and waitresses, all of them sporting night vision goggles, escorted you to your table, and guided your hands to your wine, your utensils, and your meal. This was perhaps the strangest dining experience for everyone involved: you didn’t have any idea what you were eating until you popped it in your mouth, you had no idea who you were seated next or having a conversation with – it was an insane and unique meal, to say the least.

After dessert, the lights were switched on, revealing everyone at your table, as well as the room itself – the entire time, we had been eating on a stage erected over the mansion’s Roman-style swimming pool.

The party continued through the evening, and there were several celebrities on hand as well: Adam Corolla of The Man Show fame, That ‘70s Show’s Mila Kunis with beau and Home Alone star Macauley Culkin, Jackass Steve-O with girlfriend and Victoria Secret model May Anderson, Lolita star Dominique Swain, 8 Mile’s Mekhi Phifer, Hilarie Burton from the WB’s One Tree Hill, and fresh from rehab, Ozzy offspring Jack Osbourne.

The food, the music, the atmosphere, the gift bags – they all added up to one of the most amazing parties we’ve ever attended.

Venue Review: Ruby Falls - New York City (NYC)

Ruby Falls
609 W. 29th Street (btwn 11th & 12th Aves)
New York, NYC 10001
(212) 643-6464
website

While the idea of mixing an art gallery with a night club might seem weird, somehow it blends as well as vodka and vermouth. The skylighting running through the HUGE room compliments the exhibitions, and it adds a more inviting atmosphere when a darkly lit club ain’t quite right after work. The elevated back half of the club caters towards table service. The exhibitions themselves lean towards the realm of pop art, and hipsters, downtown types, and entertainment industry people are drawn to this Chelsea hotspot. Make no mistake - When the music gathers momentum, it does so with a vengeance. If you try and have a conversation, you’re gonna be hoarse the next morning.

Here's what Shecky's and Digital City had to say.

Anybody been here recently?

Venue Review: Quo - New York City (NYC)

Quo
511 W. 28th Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268 - 5105
website

Not exactly an uber-club, but by no means intimate, Quo is loaded with lots of eye candy and flashy lighting. Glamorous model-types pack this new Chelsea hot spot. The layout encourages people to go to the main room, while the bottle service rooms in the back are definitely more lounge-minded with Hip-Hop and jazzy vibes. There’s even an ultra-swanky VIP room, but you gotta have gravity with Quo to get in.

Here's what Digital City and Shecky's had to say.

Who's been here recently?

A Guide to the Best Summer Wines

For every season, there is a wine, and during the summer months, the best seasonal wines are the ones that are lighter, lower in alcohol content (you ever drink too much while baking in the rays of an August sun, and almost not live to tell the tale?), can be chilled, and compliment typical summer fare, such as barbecued meats, seafood, fresh vegetables, and shellfish.

With summer’s warmth and humidity, dining and entertaining is casual and outdoors. So “just say no” to heavy Chardonnays and over-oaked, tannic Cabernets that turn your tongue furry. Think young. Wines from recent vintages will be fresh and better priced. Select crisp, light, fruity white wines to sip and to match salads, seafood, and chicken. It’s all about acidity with summer whites, to keep the wine light on the palate with a clean finish (i.e., for the same reason why lemonade always tastes better during summer). Select fresh, flavorful, fruit-forward red wines to accompany grilled and BBQ meats, and don’t worry about complexity.

Rosé, according to several wine merchants we spoke with, is what’s big this summer. Some of the best 2003 French Rosés have been some of the best to have ever been produced, explained our experts. They work well as an aperitif or with lighter foods, especially grilled fish; check out the Chateau Mas Neuf Rosé Cuvee Tradition 2003 ($8) and the Domaine de la Mordorée Tavel 2003 ($15), if you’re feeling in the mood.

To complement picnic fare, and for refreshing poolside sippers, drink Sauvignon Blanc, and dry Riesling. Sauvignon Blanc (especially from California and the 2002 French Sancerres) is the quintessential summer wine – crisp and herbal, with hints of melon, citrus, gooseberry and lemongrass. Dry Rieslings – especially German, like Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese 2002 ($15) – are fresh and peachy, with good acidity and a tad of sweetness. Also consider Viognier, with aromas of apricots and orchids, and some of the “best ever” French rosés from 2003. We recommend:

While not exactly considered a prime summer wine, Chardonnay remains the “automatic white” for many people, despite the fact that most rich, super-oaky Chardonnays are too heavy and too expensive for simple summer affairs. But if your occasion “screams” for Chard, try one of these refreshing, less assertive, and less expensive selections: Drouhin Saint-Veran 2002 (Burgundy, France), Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2002 (South Africa), both $10, the $29 Ramey Chardonnay “Russian River” 2001 (Sonoma), and the $8 Alamos Chardonnay 2003 (Chile).

Other varieties that our sources claim work well with fish, chicken, and steak dishes (as well as those times when you’re not hungry, and just want a glass of vino), include the Chehalem “Three Vineyard” Pinot Noir 2002 from Oregon ($20), the $8 Jankris “Tres Ranches” Zinfandel 2001 (Paso Robles), the Seven Hills “Columbia Valley” Merlot 2001 (Washington), priced at $16, and the Merryvale “Starmont” Cabernet 2001; at $19, this Napa quaffer has dark fruits notes, particularly cassis, with smoke, toast, and vanilla, providing a reasonably medium mouth weight for summer dining.

Ten Things You Never Want To Hear On A First Date

First dates are often nerve racking, and can leave us shy, silent, and reserved. Both you and your date are on edge, trying to size each other up in your own heads, and doing everything possible to leave a positive first impression with the other person – that is, if you truly want to see that person again after that first night. But sometimes, being so nervous can consume us, and lead us to blurt out things we otherwise wouldn’t say on a first date – maybe even things we’d never say in public. Then again, maybe some people on first dates will utter comments not because they’re unable to relax, but because they’re too relaxed. Some of us simply don’t have that little internal filter that seems to exist between the brain and the mouth, and speak without thinking, letting what’s really on our minds come to the surface. This can be embarrassing, for both parties, on a first date. Still, we here at JoonBug tend to think that, when a first date says something stupid, outlandish, or awkward, it saves us time, making it a lot easier to decide whether to give our first dates our real phone numbers, or the phone numbers to some laundromat down the street.

The following’s a list of the last ten things you’d ever want to hear while on a first date – all ten are either things we’ve heard while on first dates, or things our friends have told us they were told or asked on a first date. So, while some of them might seem a little unbelievable, things that no one in their right mind would possibly verbalize in conversation on a first date with someone, they’re all based in reality; and, to be honest, the whole point’s that, of course no one in their right mind would say such things – obviously, these people were either overcome with nervousness, or straight jacket candidates. If you think you have some of these beat (which we would find rather hard to trust), then let us know by clicking on the “Comments” link below this post. We don’t think we need to hammer this point home, but we’d love to hear what you have to say. So, without further adieu, here’s this week’s Hot Ten:

10. “So, let me ask you something: Does the rug match the curtains?”

9. “Man, I have the most awful rash. Been bugging me for weeks. I just can’t get rid of it, and I don’t know where I got it, who I got it from. Luckily, the doctor tells me its not contagious. Still, it’s just killing me.”

8. “Did a little stint UpState a few years back. Nothing big. Armed robbery. I’ll tell you, nothing straightens you out like spending a few years in solitary. I haven’t had one violent or criminal thought since my release. I’ve turned over a new leaf.”

7. “I was so nervous about this date tonight, I couldn’t even pick out an outfit to wear (laughs, timidly). So, I asked my saintly mother to help me, and we finally settled on this ensemble. I don’t know what I’d ever do without her.”

6. “So, any thoughts or opinions on bondage?”

5. “If this all goes well, and you come back to my place – I’m almost ashamed to admit this, but. . . – you’ll be number 125 for me.”

4. “I’m so tired of living in this country, with all of it’s rules, you know? Take gun waiting periods. Why should I have to wait ten whole days before I can buy a gun? It doesn’t say anything about waiting ten days under the Second Amendment, you know? I guess they’re hoping that, if you’re planning on killing someone, you might have a change of heart at some point in that ten days.”

3. “We would have the most beautiful children.”

2. “Wish I hadn’t forgotten to take my Xanax this morning.”

1. “I’ve been a very naughty boy.”

Out-On-The-Town: Boston

While not as ample as New York’s, the nightlife in Boston is vibrant, energetic, and alive. There’s a venue in Beantown to suit everyone’s taste – whether it’s hard house or loud rock, Boston’s got you covered. But, our favorite thing about this wonderful-during-the-summer-month, but-way-too-cold-during-winter city is it’s location – just hop on I-95, and you’ll be there in three hours, maybe less. Boston offers a nice alternative for those of us who’re tired from the Jersey Shore traffic, and feel a bit Hamptons-ed out. It’s close, it’s inviting, and when the sun goes down, there’s tons to do – just make sure you and your friends don’t wear a Yankees hat while you’re up there, or you could end up in the emergency room.

Here are just a few of our favorite spots in Bahstin (at least that’s how the natives pronounce it.) Next time you’re heading for this New England pearl, check out some our beloved Boston haunts – and if there are any venues we forgot about, as always, let us know by clicking on the “Comments” link below.

Avalon
15 Landsdowne Street, Boston, (617) 931-2000
Just like it’s New York cousin, this ultra hot dance club’s extravagant. From the floor-rattling sound system and seizure-inducing light displays to the bikini-clad dancers, isolated VIP rooms, and the most crowded dance floor in town, this is the kind of place you come to let your hair down. Superstar DJs are regularly flown in to spin house, hip-hop, and dance tunes, and the beautiful people of Boston are almost always holding court here.

The Roxy
279 Tremont Street, Boston, (617) 338-7699
For a nightclub that’s open a mere two nights a week, the Roxy’s easily positioned itself into legendary status among the techno and house dance crowd. The crowd of more than 2,000’s a mix of nightclub nubies, people-watchers hoping to catch a glimpse of Mark Wahlberg, the VIPs who keep to themselves, and the show-offs clad in nothing but the hottest – and most revealing – designer duds. If it’s hip-hop and house beats you crave – as well as a nice view of the action on the dance floor – then the Roxy’s where you want to be.

Aria
246 Tremont Street, Boston, (617) 338-7080
There’s always a long line, teeming with models, aficionados of designer exhibitionism, and the ultra chi-chi, outside Aria – which we New Yorkers know means one of two things: this place is where it’s at, or they’re giving something away for free. If you picked, “This place is where it’s at,” give yourself a gold star. Aria’s the sort of place where Euro’s have no problem at the velvet ropes, and you’ve got to dress to impress or else you’ll be standing on the sidewalk with the other fashion victims.

Club ID
13 Lansdowne Street, Boston, (617) 262-2437
This club with a lounge feel lures Boston’s club-goers to the Fenway/Kenmore neighborhood each week, with the usual wiles of intimate alcoves, plush couches, and an up-to-the-second dance soundtrack. Upstairs from the legend that is Axis, it’s easier to relax at Club ID, with both the music and the crowd cranked down a notch to accommodate conversation; Club ID has become a favorite for those who just couldn’t handle the decibel level at some of the clubs just down the street. If you want to grab a drink before you hit the planks, Club ID is a great first stop.

Venu
100 Warrenton Street, Boston, (617) 338-8061
The line’s always intolerable, but that doesn’t daunt the well-dressed club kids and trust fund Euros who flood Venu with thigh-high boots and foreign accents every weekend. More intimate than the Lansdowne Street competition, Venu goes for a South Beach look with a light-colored, art deco-inspired interior. The crowd is a chatty and catty seen-and-be-seen crowd who sip cosmos and swill bottled water to live DJs spinning a mix that, depending on the night, varies from slick Euro techno, to hard New York-style house to throttling drum ‘n’ bass. But remember: this place doesn’t start packing them in until well after Midnight, so if you show up too early, you’ll be hopping a cab to Lansdowne.

Calvin’s Celebration

You know, the crew here at JoonBug have been to some pretty spectacular parties in our day, and many of them stand out in our minds for various reasons; for instance, P. Diddy’s July 4th fêtes have always been some of the best catered affairs we’ve ever been invited to – the summertime cookout fare’s so delectable, in fact, that you almost forget your eating a hot dog, which is perhaps the world’s best tasting victuals with questionable origin. But, this past weekend, Calvin Klein’s Saturday night mansion-warming – at his new $29.9 million Meadow Lane, Southampton, oceanside abode – was the stuff of party lore.

The first thing we noticed about the party was the help. The bartenders, the waiters, and everyone who was working the event in some capacity were, as one of our female friends so aptly put it, “absurdly good-looking.” That’s because, as we’d later learn that evening, the fashion maven hired – for the nominal fee of nearly $80,000 – a throng of strapping male models (all of them shirtless, by the way) to keep the party’s more than 500 merrymakers well-nourished and well-imbibed.

Access to Klein’s house, which was decorated in all white, was carte blanche, which we thought was surprising. You could go into his bedroom, walk up to his roof deck – no room, or area, was off-limits. Of course, there was plenty of security on hand, to make sure no one sifted through the designer’s personal belongings. And Klein, himself, was ever-present during the entire shindig, and a most gracious host.

The backyard was decorated like a “summer wonderland;” big pillows and couches were laid out around his gigantic, gorgeous pool, and the view of the Atlantic was breathtaking. On the beach nearby, an amazing barbecue of lobster and steak was served, next to a raging bonfire. The beach was adorned with white cushions to spread out on, and ten-foot poles, atop which there were pink, green, and blue bamboo lanterns, lighting the sand in all the right places.

A host of celebs was on hand, too: Barbara Walters, Kathy Hilton, Casey Johnson, Bijou Phillips, David Geffen, Martha Stewart (getting in her partying now, before the sentencing, we presume) and Christie Brinkley, among them. The festivities carried over into the morning, and several of the models who’d been working at the event were spotted later that evening at Jet East. Overall, JoonBug would have to say Klein’s party was the best we’ve ever been to. But Calvin, just one question: Why no gift bags?