Basta Pasta

OK, so no clever or seemingly witty title for this post. I believe that the food and the picture would speak for itself. Located on 37 West 17 Street is a Japanese-run Italian restaurant called Basta Pasta. Established in Tokyo in 1985, the restaurant has come to America with a space design inspired by the television program, Iron Chef and features an open kitchen and boasts Japanese-Italian fusion dishes. I love their simple Parmesan pasta dish mixed and prepared table side on a Parmesan cheese bowl. But my personal favorite would have to be the Uni (sea urchin) pasta in a rich cream sauce. It's savory and rich with just a little bit of fishy funk to add the right amount of edge to a truly unique dish.

So get yo' eatin' dress on and load up on some well-deserved carbs! :D

Vintage Japanese Americana

It's nostalgic. It's cozy. It's charming. It's 10 feet Single. Situated nondescriptly on a quiet tree lined block on N6 in Billyburg is 10ft Single -- a Japanese-run clothing store that specializes in second-hand vintage Americana. Whew. That was a mouthful (that's what she said). lol

Anyho, the store features a wide array of vintage apparel -- from fashion accessories, to bags, to footwear, tanks, shirts, jumpers, jeans, coats, and jackets of the Good Ol' US of A. Strangely, I feel like saying "Yee-haw." Oh wait, I just said it. Well it's out there now. My cheesiness.

And speaking of cheese, the store does not smell dank and/or rank at all. So come on down to 10ft Single. When the old meets the young, and the Old West is run by the Far East. haha. I hope that wasn't too racially inappropriate. But then again, you can shove that PC dictionary up your uptight ass! Tee hee.

P.S. And did I mention that the store was run by Japanese hipsters? Just checking. Oh and by the by, clothes with character and history + cheap = WIN!

Neo Tokio... Seven

It finally opened you guys! The new and improved Tokio7. This little nook snugly situated on 64 E 7th Street has finally found a roomier abode. But fear not my fellow fashion minions for it just walked down the block to 83 E 7th Street. What was once a charming semi-basement wreaking of old school charisma (the vintage decor, the old squeaky hardwood floors) ...

Is now a sleek and stylish store with lots of sunlight, roomier fitting rooms, and more racks of clothes and mirrors for your vain viewing pleasure. The store features racks and endless racks of designer clothes and accessories for less. And by "less," I mean dirt cheap for your Louboutins. Where else can you find a $45.00 Mohair Navy Sweater from Costume National? Or pay $60.00 for a pair of Miu Miu Wingtips?

P.S. There were a few items that I wanted to get but felt the inevitable buyer's remorse before the said purchase. Now I'm starting to regret why I did not buy them. Damn.