Union Square Goings On

I walked home from work today to the most beautifully strange light in Union Square.  The dark clouds held it all in and the glass reflection off of a 14th street building only added to the effect.

There’s a very interesting art installation going on in the park too. The two guys in the background are sitting on stones labeled The Guilty, The Guiltier, The Guiltiest.  Makes you wonder what he was talking about on the phone.

Then I turned the corner and NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Are you kiddin me, man?  They’re putting in a TGI Fridays?  What crack in the culinary universe allowed this establishment to slip in?  Just one more reason to head down to the village to feel “local” again.  But next time I’m in the mood for some Prime Rib Stroganoff I know right where I’ll go.

The Biggest, Baddest Lamb Spit in Manhattan

Ok, I’m not absolutely certain about that claim, but the lamb spit/creation/work of glorious art that spins at Yatagan Kebab House in the West Village is certainly a sight to behold.  Especially when it’s being cut by a guy with a full-on sword!  This McDougal Street shop is one of my favorites.  From the random wall decorations (brick, a newspaper clipping, and a pair of antlers) to the copper top tables, this place is a legit “what the what?” of New York eateries. (It’s ok to steal lines from 30 Rock, right?) 

The standard falafel sandwich is plenty big and at $2.50, pretty much the best deal in town.   Smother some cucumber sauce, some other stuff, lettuce, tomato, onion and you’re good to go.  For an extra buck you can put a heaping glob of hummus in the pita pocket sandwich. Beware the hot sauce though. It’s a killer.