The Best Shoe Repair in Greenwich Village

New York does a number on shoes. The city streets and cobblestones tear them up. I only sporadically wear heels - there has to be a guarantee of a cab both ways - and have instead invested in good quality, comfortable, and I hope stylish shoes that I can walk for miles in. I had another fantastic experience at my favorite shoe repair shop this week and had to post about it. I discovered Yakub Shoe Repair on Sullivan Street when I lived close by. Yakub is from Uzbekistan and works with his son on all the repairs. Shoes that I bring in looking like trash are returned to me like new. But he's also honest - if he can't fix something and it's beyond repair, he will tell you. Plus, his prices are very reasonable, he's across the street from Peanut Butter & Co. if you need a PBJ fix, and you can also get keys made and your dry cleaning done in the same tiny New York space. And he loves my dog.

Washington Square Park's Famous Dosa Man

It's that time of year when food trucks in New York are as ubiquitous as taxi cabs - sometimes you just want something quick to eat under the shade of trees on a hot day. But aside from the trend and ever-growing onslaught of food trucks, there is still the legend in Washington Square Park, the Dosa Man, who is originally from Sri Lanka. A dosa is popular in South India, made from rice and lentils. People love the masala dosa, which is stuffed with potatoes, vegetables and spices. You can ask him to explain each dish if you don't understand the menu. I enjoyed my dosa but didn't think it was spectacular, a little dry. You definitely need a cold bottle of water because of the spices. What I loved was the Dosa Man himself, who was charming and funny with the most genuine smile. He's on the southern border/sidewalk on the park - at W. 4th & Sullivan Streets.

Good-Bye to Rocco in the Village

It's a sad, sad week for Greenwich Village. Rocco Restaurant, open since 1922 (almost 90 years!) on Thompson Street, has closed due to rising rents.  And by rising rents, I mean an absurd price jump that should be illegal. $8,000 a month to $18,000 a month. This place has always given me the old-New York fuzzies, thinking of decades gone by and restaurants closed, and happy that Rocco always made it. Until now.  Mario Batali worked in the kitchen for 5 months and left in a dramatic huff.  I just finished reading Bill Buford's "Heat," and Batali's time at Rocco is briefly mentioned.  Funny that his extremely successful restaurant, Lupa, is now across the street.

It's being taken over by the team that runs Torrisi Italian Specialties, which has been a well-deserved hot spot for months now. So the food will be better than Rocco's was.  But it doesn't matter.

I ate dinner there one last time three days before it closed, and the owner said he's looking for a new place to move Rocco too.  He's also taking the famous neon sign that lights up Thompson Street.  Not the same at all, unfortunately. 

Eater New York wrote a short and wonderful piece on Rocco in their "Who Goes There?" column here.

The mustached owner is on the left Johnny Depp loved Rocco.

I snapped this photo of Rocco on the last night they were open.

The famous Rocco Restaurant sign in daylight.

Snapshot: MacDougal Street

On most nights, especially Friday and Saturday, I stay far away from MacDougal Street.  But during the day, it's usually empty and looks like a New York movie set.  You can see Minetta Tavern, known for its Black Label Burger, on the right. 

Il Cantinori

I get stressed out when I am away from New York for longer than a week or two.  I start to just really, really miss it.  I have a couple weeks at home now and am so glad.

Andy and I recently strolled over to Il Cantinori on E. 10th, which just so happens to be my favorite tree-lined, brownstoned street in New York (10th between Broadway and Sixth Ave). Il Cantinori opened in 1983 and has been a New York favorite ever since. Actually, I just read that Jennifer Aniston went last night with her new man. Apparently, she is here all the time. 

The restaurant focuses on Tuscan cuisine and has great salads, pasta and fish. I think Il Cantinori is best on a rainy New York evening.