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Cafe Cortadito

22 Nov

210 E. 3rd Street (Between Avenues B & C)

New York, NY 10009

After numerous trips to NYC to visit my sister, I finally got a chance to try one of her favorite restaurants.  She fell in love with the place the first night she moved to the city.  She and my parents decided to walk around her neighborhood to find a place to eat after moving and unpacking all day.  A block and half away, they stumbled upon this little gem.  My dad rarely talks a place up unless it’s halfway decent.  Cafe Cortadito is well past halfway.

Last Saturday, my sister’s boyfriend, James, and I decided to treat my sister (it was her birthday the night before) and her friend Vanessa to dinner.  We thought a reservation would be a good idea as it was a Saturday night.  We had all been drinking since 1 at brunch.  I was pretty well cocked and so I decided to take a few hours off.  James kept his head down and powered through straight until dinner.  He called at seven o’clock and made a reservation for four under the name “James/Julie…trust me, you know us.”  He then called back saying we’d be a little late when we decided to watch the better part of “Drive.”

When we arrived, it was apparent that they were both very busy and our “reservation” may have been lost in translation (likely James, not the restaurant).  James poked his head in and spoke to the hostess, who happens to be the chef’s wife, to see how long it would be before we could get a table.  She was very sweet and was able to get us a table in the back within 15 minutes.  Until then, we looked at the menu outside salivating.

The inside was very cozy; tight like a lot of smaller restaurants in NYC, but not claustrophobic: the type of restaurant that you don’t want to try to navigate through after a dozen drinks.  I thought it was noisy at first until I realized that our table was contributing to the majority of it.

Within a minute, we had waters, a Stella (for myself) and a pitcher of red sangria (for everybody).  We decided on splitting the Piquillos (stuffed peppers) and Chicarrones de Pollo (marinated chicken) appetizers for the table.  My sister was there the night before with her roommate and also recommended the Yuca Frita con Cortadito Salsa (fried cassava fingers).  

The Piquillos were delectable.  I wished I could have dipped my fingers in the sauce without looking like a cromagnon asshole.  The chicken was very tasty; the seasoning was savory and strong, yet not overpowering.  The sangria was delicious and deceivingly tangy (guh).

The entree was an easy choice for me.  Every time I go to a Cuban restaurant, I try their Ropa Vieja (shredded beef in a creole sauce).  This was the best Ropa Vieja that I’ve ever had by far; wonderfully seasoned and tasted like it had been slow-cooked for a day.  And there was something about the black beans.  Christ, they were delicious!

Come dessert time, we were all stuffed.  In order to make up for the wait, which may or may not have been our fault, the hostess comped a round of champagne for the table.  Exactly what we needed.  The four of us hobbled out of there happy and sated. 

I’m making it a point to try their brunch the next time I’m down there.

Rating: ****1/2

If you’d like to check out the menu, visit their website: Cafe Cortadito

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PETA vs. Nintendo

20 Nov

This is just as ridiculous as it sounds.  There is a pending lawsuit between People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Nintendo regarding the Tanooki suit in the new Super Mario Bros. 3D game for Nintendo 3DS.  No lie…I saw it on yahoo.com a few days ago.

For those who don’t know, the Tanooki suit was introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3 for NES.  You may recall getting a red feather and then sprouting a pair of ears and a raccoon tail and suddenly you were able to fly and tail swipe.

The full Tanooki suit is all the way to the right.  Nintendo being Nintendo tried to incorporate some nostalgic elements Continue reading →

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The Feelies at Mass MoCA 11/11/2011

16 Nov

I discovered The Feelies in the summer after high school.  I was screwing around on allmusic.com looking at Pavement’s page when I noticed the “Influenced By” section.  At the time (and not much has changed) I was totally obsessed with Pavement.  I figured, why not give some of these bands a shot that supposedly influenced them?  As it turns out, the list was a gold mine.  I recognized some bands, but that list introduced me to Wire, Can, Swell Maps, Half Japanese, Pere Ubu, oh, and The Feelies.  I downloaded their 1980 debut (I was a poor-ass college kid…I’ll make up for it later).  “Crazy Rhythms” became one of my most listened to albums of that year. Continue reading →

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Man Up, Albany…Wait, Seriously?

14 Nov

Miller’s new billboard campaign reads “Man Up, [fill in the blank city].”  On my way home from Latham tonight I saw three Miller Lite billboards telling me to “Man Up.”  This bothers me on multiple levels.

First of all, I am a drinker of Miller Lite.  If I am going to have more than six beers, it’s usually Miller Lite.  Why?  Because for light beers it sucks less that Coors, Busch, Bud and Keystone…not because I enjoy it.  There has never once been a time in my life where I’ve felt like more of a man drinking a Miller Lite.  It was a diet decision for me.  I used to be the dark prince of Bud Heavies.  Shut up.  I was also on Lipitor at 21.  I feel like a total asshole drinking Miller Lite.

This is the other level it bothers me on.  Fran Fudge and Connie the Cat Lady Get Mad About Beer.  Ladies…Miller is dumb.  This campaign is dumb.  “A recent study shows that 9 out of 10 Miller Lite drinkers are misogynists…”  No.

Next time, how about claiming that your beer is quadruple hops brewed.  God dammit.  I already undergo enough scrutiny for being a pansy.

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David Lynch – Crazy Clown Time

14 Nov

A review/track-by-track analysis of “Crazy Clown Time,” or at least until I’m sufficiently weirded out.

David Lynch released his “first” album this year.  I say “first” because David Lynch has been collaborating on music for his films for years with his soundtrack man, Angelo Badalamenti.  It’s David Lynch so I knew it was going to be weird as all get out and intermittently creepy, if not creepy through and through.  It’s all of that, but it’s got some surprises. Continue reading →

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Picross

11 Nov

I decided to write this article to 1) increase awareness about one of the best puzzle games that I’ve ever played, and 2) piss off as many of my close friends as possible.

 

Picross has been around in one form or another since the late 1980’s.  The puzzles originated in Japanese magazines.  Picross is also known as Nonograms, Paint By Numbers, Griddlers and Hanjie in Japan.  In 1995, Nintendo released Picross (Picture Crossword) for the Game Boy and Continue reading →

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Occupy Self Hating Hipster

10 Nov

I would really like to see this blog take off and you can help to make that happen.  I am looking for two things:

1) Expanding the scope of the website.  I want more visual posts: comics, photographs, paintings, graphic design, video links, etc…  Most of all, I would like to start filming sketches.  I already have a handful of people interested.  We have competent, funny writers (at least I think).  We have access to film equipment.  Why the hell not film?  We do need actors/actresses.  If you are unlucky enough to be in the cultural node that is the greater Albany area (a little harsh, I know) and you’re not scared of the camera, reach out to me.  I want this to eventually become a multi-media venue.

2) Expanding the roster of hipster contributors.  It’s simple.  The more quality posts, the more web traffic.

If you are interested, or have friends that you think would be interested, I highly encourage you to contact me about contributing to the blog.  If you know me personally, contact me directly.  For those of you who are interested and don’t know me, e-mail me at selfhatinghipster@gmail.com with a couple of writing samples, comics, or some other equivalent to act as a mini-portfolio for me to review.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.  If you have a great idea that you think could really get this blog up and sprinting, be sure to tell me!  Before long, you too can Occupy Self Hating Hipster…squattin’ and postin’.

Thanks, everybody!

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RIP Smokin’ Joe Frazier

10 Nov

“Smokin'” Joe Frazier died this past Monday of liver cancer at the age of 67.  It is sort of eerie considering that I just posted an article about George Bellows’ boxing studies earlier this week.

Frazier was both an Olympic Gold Medalist and the Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion from 1970-72.  He will be remembered for his epic battles with Ali and Foreman in the early 70’s.  If you haven’t seen Frazier fight, do yourself a favor and watch him defend his title against Ali in “The Fight Of The Century,” on March 8th, 1971 at Madison Square Garden (in five parts below).  Keep in mind while watching that both men were going in to this fight with undefeated professional records as Ali was stripped of his title and suspended from boxing for three years.

Rounds 1-3

Rounds 4-7

Rounds 8-11

Rounds 12-15

And to think they fought twice more after this, though never recreating the action of the first bout.  If you take a look at the post I did on George Bellows, you can see some of the same violent clashes in this fight.

Frazier retired in1976 after a second loss to George Foreman (he had one comeback fight in 1981).  He owned and managed a boxing gym in Philly for the remainder of his life.  When Frazier’s nemesis, Muhummad Ali, heard of his untimely death he said, “The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration.”  I will too.

In 1995, my parents were eating at a restaurant in Atlantic City.  My father noticed that Smokin’ Joe was sitting at a table a few feet away. He humbly asked Frazier for a signature (for me).  My father says that shaking his hand was like shaking a catcher’s mit.  In any event, I have a bar napkin signed by Smokin’ Joe at the bottom of my father’s sock drawer.  I’m lucky.  He was a great fighter.

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Ellicottville Pale Ale

8 Nov

American Pale Ale

Rating: B-

Poured from bottle to pint glass.

Light amber with a one finger tiny-bubbled head.  Lacing is very thin and trails throughout.  The aroma is by far the most satisfying part of this beer: flowery hops, grapefruit, apple cider, honey-sweet malt.  I wish I could say that the taste is as satisfying.  There is nothing fundamentally wrong with it; it is a decent balance of citrusy hops and sweet malt, but it doesn’t live up to the aroma.  The mouthfeel is a little too watery to be satiny and so it’s kind of flat on the taste buds despite the medium carbonation.  It is rather drinkable despite its lack of complexity from a taste standpoint.  This was the first Ellicottville that I’ve tried, and although I wasn’t wowed, I’m making a mental note to pick up a sixer of another one of their beers.  Not bad.

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Hill Street Cafe

7 Nov

I’ve collapsed right here—————————————–^

That being said, I consider myself lucky to live as close to this place as I do.  Good beer selection, great food, and friendly service.  I love that they have Southern Tier 2X IPA on tap.  I love that the pool table isn’t terrible and has an even roll.  I love their pizza (seriously, it’s the best non-pizzeria pizza I’ve had in a long time).  I love that they don’t throw me out when I’m shwasted.  I love that I can watch any NFL game on Sunday there.  Except for last Sunday when the Bills jobbed.

It is also probably the best bookend bar that I’ve ever been to.  What is a bookend bar?  A bar that you can start and finish your nights at.  It’s only about two blocks from my apartment.  I’ll start at Hill St. at 8pm on a Saturday night and end up back there at 3:30 for a couple of rounds.  I just wish the walk home wasn’t uphill.

The clientele is largely locals.  Don’t be surprised if you see two or three familiar faces every time you pop in.  Overall, it’s a good crowd. Nobody’s looking for a fight…unless somebody hijacks the jukebox and plays something other than mid-late 90’s alternative rock.

Buy me a beer and I’ll buy us a round of electronic cricket.

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