I Love Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Also from New York Magazine today, "Sandwiches of the Week: In Celebration of National Grilled-Cheese Month." I am now DYING for one, especially the one pictured above from Tillman's:

Tillman’sThe only upscale cocktail bar we know with a menu almost singularly devoted to grilled-cheese sandwiches. Our favorite is the classic American (pictured) gently tweaked with a dab of herb mayo and fresh basil and served with, yes, tomato soup. Pair with a Dark and Stormy. $12; 165 W. 26th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-627-8320.

Interesting Furniture Sale in NJ: BoConcept

From today's New York Magazine's Best Bets

Bayonne, New Jersey, isn't the coolest shopping destination, but BoConcept is unloading contemporary Danish furniture for 30 to 70 percent off at its warehouse sale. When: 4/14 (10–3).Where: 180 Pulaski St., nr. Port Jersey Blvd., Bayonne, N.J. (201-433-4461).

Chelsea Market: Cupcakes

So what better way to top off a personal training session at Equinox than by eating a cupcake! I'm not sure when cupcakes replaced crack, but I know that I can't get enough of these things, which is why you probably can't find one in this town for less than $2.

Anyway, I headed to the Chelsea Market where I knew I would find a grand selection of pastel-colored cakes-in-a-cup all dressed up and ready for Easter at Eleni's (see big photo). I managed to limit myself to one small $2 vanilla cupcake piled high with pastel yellow frosting and hot pink sprinkles. I snapped a quick shot of the counter displaying endless selections including $7 cookies(!), before they started yelling at people for taking photos. Timing is everything.

Upon exiting I noticed another bakery called Ruthy's just two doors down. While I was happy with the selection I made at Eleni's, I couldn't help but be a bit awed by the giant "flowers of frosting" (see smaller photo) atop the cupcakes in Ruthy's display case. A quarter more expensive than what I bought, true, but I think I may have to stop in there soon so that I can make a thorough journalistic evaluation.

Happy Easter!

Apple Store on 5th Avenue

OK, so I am probably the last person in the free world who didn't know that the Apple store on Fifth Avenue in the 50s is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! If you also didn't know, please add a comment and admit it so that I don't feel so isolated in this cold, cruel, e-world.

Anyway, I lost my iPod, which I would normally be freaking out about, but I have recently taken a new approach to life, and instead, I saw it as an opportunity to get a better one! So in another slightly embarassing moment, I didn't know that they discontinued the iPod mini, which is what I had. So I got the new and improved 4GB Nano, as pictured here. It's red. Apple donates $10 to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa (www.JOINRED.com) with every purchase of this particular model. That alone makes it worth the $215. You can even get your name engraved on it, which I didn't do because there were like 2,000 people in the store this afternoon and I didn't want to wait.

The experience was fast, but not entirely friendly. I walked over to the table of Nanos, pointed to the one I wanted, the guy ran my card through a wireless device and emailed me my receipt. Done. I'll take that kind of swift service, thank you.

These guys are unstoppable!

What's Hot in Menswear from UrbanDaddy

From today's JC Report - something we need more of (no really, I'm not being sarcastic): Insight into menswear...

Trendsetter Lance Broumand
Publisher, UrbanDaddy New York
What's Hot Right Now...
"Vintage stores are, hands down, the best way to shop for jeans and t- shirts, and it's usually not a hassle or a mob scene. But lately my go-to menswear lines would have to be Marc Jacobs and Varvatos. Jacobs' suits and shirts seem made to be thrown into a suitcase without ending up looking like you just stepped out of a dryer. Plus he knows how to play with color, which is great for breaking up that overly New York vibe. My job has me running all over the place, so I love that you can wear his suits with a pair of sneakers out in the street and still walk into a business meeting later on. I can't do the whole go-for-broke preppy thing, so John Varvatos is great for a more cleaned-up look that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It also has that vintage-y edge, which gives it a little extra character."

Betsey Johnson Wallet at Loehmann's

I suppose in keeping with my "fear" of purses, I have been known to only use tiny wallets that enable me to fit everything I own, so that I can avoid the icky purse. However, I have decided to make some life adjustments and truly act - and maybe even live - as an adult. So I have finally bitten the bullet and accepted an adult-sized wallet that really has compartments for bills, change, credit cards, receipts, etc. Luckily, Betsey Johnson has provided an option helps bring me into the adult wallet world, while still being a bit rock 'n' roll and flirty at the same time (see the leather rose!). A perfect "bridge," you could say.

If you suffer from a similar affliction, just visit your local Loehmann's and pick one up for yourself for about $35. Then put all the money you saved in your new wallet!

D'Agostino's vs. Duane Reade: Which Sucks Less?

New York City has the misfortune of being overrun by D'Agostino supermarkets and Duane Reade drugstores. And in NYC, you don't have too much option with your supermarket, because you are not likely to carry three bags of groceries 23 blocks - so you go with what's closest. In my case, this means shopping at the most overpriced store with the worst service. D'Ags literally charges more for their products than many high-end gourmet shops do. To be fair and balanced, they do offer the D'AG Rewards Card, which is a points program whereby you earn points everytime you buy, and redeem them later for reduced prices on certain items. But the lines in there can be endless and I am often puzzled by what goes on at checkout....

Duane Reade offers the good people of New York similarly terrible prices and service, as well as a points program whereby you get a $5 reward for every 100 points earned (which means you've spent $100). Of course you need to take note of your own receipts to notice when you've actually reached the 100 point mark, because you need to use that receipt to get your $5 reward. And you better use it within a month or else it expires. I cringe at the thought of going there, but I have little option other than travelling to New Jersey, which I have been known to do.

So which sucks less? The jury is still out...

APRIL 17 - FREE BEN & JERRY'S

I felt that this was akin to a national emergency, on par with the Sanjaya crisis, but in a happy way.

Run, don't walk to Ben & Jerry's scoop shops on Tuesday April 17th from 12pm until 8pm to get your free ice cream!

• Here are the NYC locations:
  41 3rd Ave. @ 10th St.
  680 8th Ave. @ 43rd St.
  2722 Broadway @ 104th St.

Here's what B&J has to say regarding this momentous day:
We think someone squealed because our phones have been ringing off the hook with folks wanting to verify the date of Free Cone Day 2007. So without further ado here it is! On Tuesday April 17th from 12pm until 8pm participating Ben& Jerry’s scoop shops around the world will be hosting Ben& Jerry’s Annual Free Cone Day. Is it a time for you to try a new flavor that you’ve been wondering about without commiting your hard earned dollars or is it a time for you to enjoy an old favorite and savor in the deliciousness that is free ice cream? The answer from us at Ben& Jerry’s is yes. Visit our scoop shop locator to find hours and directions to the closest Free Cone Day experience near you, and while you’re there check out our flavor list to see what awaits. So start getting those licking muscles in shape and mark your calendars twice because this is one day you don't want to miss.

Lucio Garafalo

Lucio Garofalo...related to Janeane? Who knows. But what I do know is that this is some goddamned good pasta...cut ziti to be exact. For $1.09 at Todaro Brothers on 2nd Avenue in the 30s, even I can make a meal that tastes good! A miracle indeed.

Filene's Basement in Union Squuuyawn...

Realizing that I write ad nauseum about DSW in Union Square, I thought I'd change things up a bit and scribe on Filene's Basement, which is located in the same building. Except first I need to admit that while at DSW, and in between taking calls from Guerilla Shopper groupies, I bought New Balance all-terrains to replace my current ugly-ass sneakers. I need to play the part if I am to achieve fitness zen at Equinox.

OK, so anyway I scoured the second floor of Filene's, which is actually the third floor of the building, which isn't really a "basement" at all, and came up with...

NOTHING!

I tried about 10 items on, and they did nothing for me, except make me look drowned out. Now, had I been looking for a semi-conservative suit, I'd have to admit that they have some decent options from Tahari and Calvin Klein (reg. $320 reduced to $130), but alas, I was not.

What I was looking for was simply not present and accounted for. There were lots of non-structured, picked over, fancy T-shirts and pants that don't seem to go to one's ankle. What is it with all of these knickers and shorts these days? I mean having a couple of pairs is fine, but why is the whole store full of this crap?

I really need to put the pedal to the metal on hooking up the spring into summer wardrobe...but where do I go now that Aaron's is gone?! I am going to have to recreate my approach. Wish me well. I'll be back.