Photo from yelp.com

I tried out a new lunch spot today in the West Village. When my lunch companion said she craved something spicy, I suggested we go to a place I’d passed many times but never visited - Spice.

With a funky decor, Spice has a modern feel. This restaurant serves all the Thai favorites - including many spicy options and vegetarian choices. Like Cafetasia, this establishment has a lunch special of an appetizer and entree for a good price. I got vegetable dumplings and a black, broad noodle dish with tofu, while my friend opted for something a bit spicier. The food came fast and, while not the best Thai noodles I’ve had, was definitely tasty. The bill was a happy $15 for us combined, making this spot a place I could certainly afford to revisit.

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Photo from telegraph.co.uk

Having been a big fan of the 1981 mini series, I was excited to hear that Brideshead Revisited was coming to the big screen. Not able to persuade my husband to accompany me, I went to Chelsea Clearview Cinema with a friend (fittingly from England).

Visually stunning, the film travels from historic Oxford to the title country estate to Venice. Reminiscent of Atonement, the story similarly takes place among the English aristocracy around the onset of WWII and the clothes are fabulous. The plot revolves around a young painter’s involvement with a wealthy, Catholic family and the love triangle that develops as a result.

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Okay, where were these people in the early 90s when I was an airline and hotel sales rep with a bladder the size of a pea? I know — TMI !!

Anyway, if you’re out and about, and gotta go, you have a google for toilets. Called Diaroogle

, they describe themselves as “The Premier Toilet Search Engine”, and go on to say that they cater to “the discerning, on-the-go defecator who is brave enough to use a public bathroom, but still demands a hygienic and private bathroom experience.”

You can access from your cellphone [more likely the situation], or check it out on your laptop. Oh, and they ask for input from users, and focus on the nicer toilets in town. My advice as an experienced pro– find a hotel or a Starbucks

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Last night marked the end of Bryant Park’s 16th annual movie series with Superman closing season. My first Bryant Park movie experience, I had expected a crowd - but I hadn’t realized how big that crowd would be.

I arrived a little after 5 and already the park was packed. Luckily, a friend had gotten there earlier and reserved a not terrible spot. We munched on a modest picnic of fruit and cookies as our respective significant others joined us. Some female picnickers next to us required my husband’s help opening a wine bottle and rewarded us with free, much appreciated glasses of wine.

After watching some folks in Superman costumes and listening to a couple business sponsors, the show began. The crowd sang along to the 80’s HBO song which opened the movie (I have to admit it did make me a little nostalgic). I had never actually seen the whole film, but I enjoyed the ridiculous dialogue and the terrible effects. I understood why the film had acquired the cult following that it must have, judging by the enthusiastic audience. The sound died at a climactic part of the movie, right as Lois’s car was filling with dirt. The audience chimed in with their own sound effects and a rousing version of the Superman theme music. After some further technical problems, the film came back up to show Superman reversing time and saving the night.

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I saw these flowers growing on the side of the road near Queensboro Plaza. We’d decided to walk along the 7 train’s route from Sunnyside to the Queensboro stop, a largely industrial area. Right next to a parking lot, we saw these plants, sprouting up like weeds.

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As I waited on line to get admission for the museum of Modern Art, better known as MoMa, I heard many people speaking in different languages. The guy behind me poked my head with his umbrella several times spoke German. But he also sheltered me unwillingly from the rain (for a little bit).

Once inside the museum, it seemed more like the local Whole Foods than a museum. Everyone and their mothers was there. And since I’m not a big fan of modern art nor do I know anything about Dali except for the fact that he painted a lot of crazy things including melting clocks, I was paying attention to the people.

It seemed to me that everyone in there wanted to follow a certain decorum. People, it occurred to me stared with serious faces at the captions on the walls even if the content was hilarious. . . which some of it totally was. And another thing I noticed was that there was no way the 3 security guards in each room could come even close to enforcing the strict “no photography” policy. MoMa authorities, if you’re reading this, I suggest a throwback to grade school - CONFISCATE until they leave the premises.

And lastly, many people were talking about how slippery the city was with flip flops on. . . since it rained tonight. Now I’m exactly the type of person to tell you, I told ya so.

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The American Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria has re-opened, despite being in the process of a major expansion, which will make it bigger and better than ever.
It’s a bargain at $10 per adult [discounts for children, students and seniors]. It’s free on Friday from 4pm to 8pm.

AMMI is not an all-day affair; you can get through it in less than two hours. But definitely check out the schedule of film screenings. And, despite the Greek exodus to suburbia, you can still find some good Greek food, as well as awesome Middle-Eastern, Latino, and Italian bakeries and eateries. Check out this video tour by a local opera singer, as he eats his way through doughy, yeasty treats.

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Photo from thesupermelon.com

Reading Lucky magazine (one of my guilty pleasures), I came across a blurb about a new boutique opening up in Soho: Eryn Brinie. A popular chain store in Korea, this US newcomer has cashmere knits and ethereal looking tops for $50 - $150 (not bad compared to most boutiques in the area). Intrigued by the clothes and the price, I looked at their website and fell in love with the artsy and ultra-femme style. I had to check it out.

I walked down to Soho after work, eager to see these garments in person . But when I got to the store, I sadly found that it is not yet open! Just a sign for it, saying August 2008 with a picture of more beautiful clothes.

Later I did some research online and found that the store apparently opens on August 21st. I may have to go there on opening day.

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I saw this building while walking in the Upper East Side on 86th. I love the green wall! Like green roofs, green walls are awesome because they help provide insulation for the building - increasing energy efficiency (and decreasing electric bills). They also provide plants that help clean the air. Plus, they’re pretty!

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My very green friend The Lizardman will be performing this weekend at Coney Island’s Sideshows by the Seashore. He’ll be performing his full one man show at 10 PM on Saturday night, August 2nd. If you’ve never seen a show with the Lizardman, I highly recommend going - he puts on a fabulous show. Besides, how many times in your life will you get to hang out with a dude who looks like a lizard?

If you can’t make it to the Saturday show, he will also be appearing with the regular sideshow cast during their normal hours doing selected short acts 8/1-8/3. Their weekend hours are Friday from 2-8 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 1-9 PM.

Admission to the Saturday night show is only $10 and the admission to Sideshows by the Seashore during their regular hours is $7.50. Directions and more information can be found at the Coney Island website.

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