Copyright 2008 The New York Sun Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:44:29 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jayanthi Daniel :: Stories from The New York Sun http://www.nysun.com/authors/Jayanthi+Daniel istoll@nysun.com (Ira Stoll) webmaster@nysun.com en-us JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-say-yes-to-nomi-september-30/86825/ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST MUSIC ON HER OWN The band Hercules & Love Affair is gliding through the music world with many attributes to its credit: Besides having an amazing name, the group scored big with its first dance hit, "Blind," earlier this year. When bands become successful, it usually takes a couple years for any one group member to go solo, but tonight, H&LA's songstress, Nomi, hits the stage alone at the Zipper Factory. A native of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Nomi is an unbelievable figure — some might say she's a... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-cats-loose-september-29-2008/86762/ Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST MUSIC CLASH OF THE 'KITTIN' During the past decade, electronic dance music has had its ups and downs. Right after the 1990s ended, a majority of DJs were still spinning relatively pop-driven music. About two years into the 2000s, though, some electro-DJs took a turn toward rock, cementing a genre called electroclash that had been slowly building, created from such influences as 1980s new wave and post-punk rock. One of the first and most prominent electroclash artists to come out in 2002 was... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-this-weekend-think-globally-surf/86657/ Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST FILM SURFING NYC While catching up with a friend from San Diego last week, I mentioned that I had spent this past summer taking surfing lessons out on Long Island. He was — as a California native — not aware that New York even had surfing opportunities on its shores. But there are, with sizeable surfing towns across Long Island and the Rockaways. With the premiere of the New York Surf Film Festival this weekend, the sport gets even more prominence in the area — so much so that the festival's... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-good-bye-manhattan-september/86542/ Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST READINGS SETTLE DOWN Last year, the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement was marked by various celebrations throughout the country. Matthew Sharpe, in his novel "Jamestown" (Harcourt), which was released this past May, takes the idea of the settlement to a post-apocalyptic level: A group of survivors flees a ravaged Manhattan after the Chrysler Building suddenly collapses. They drive down I-95 to find shelter in southern Virginia — with plans to exploit local Native... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-japanese-pov-september-24-2008/86448/ Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST FILM UP IN ARMS A common assumption made by many schoolchildren who are receiving their first instructions in world history is that Japan's military was either dismantled or depressed after World War II. The latter is slightly true — certainly, Japan's postwar military prowess was severely cut back — but the country still kept its military alive and relevant. Director Micah Fink first premiered his documentary, "Japan's About-Face" (2008) — about Japan's postwar military history and its... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-prime-youth-september-23-2008/86356/ Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST FOOD & DRINK CULINARY YOUTH This week is providing a bounty of food-related events: Tonight at Tavern on the Green, the Black Culinarian Alliance presents "Excite Your Senses," an event that matches more than 50 city chefs and wine merchants with minority culinary students in order to teach them about cooking in professional atmospheres. Local schools represented in the festival include the Culinary Training Institute, the Food Service Training Academy of the Community Foodbank of New Jersey... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-pig-out-september-22-2008/86291/ Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST FOOD & DRINK MANGIA, MANGIA Il Buco, a SoHo restaurant, isn't letting this Indian summer go to waste: During the day today, the restaurant is hosting a "Sagra del Maiale," its fifth annual outdoor pig roast, on the sidewalks of Bond Street. For those who work during the day, the delights of munching bites of roast pork in between sips of homemade lemonade and iced tea under the sun are a mere fantasy — which is why, after 6 p.m., Il Buco's bringing the pig roast indoors, offering the same... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-this-weekend-get-your-boots/86190/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST MUSIC YOUR LOCAL HONKY-TONK From the perspective of out-of-towners, it may seem that New York isn't a country-music-friendly destination. There isn't a top 40 country radio station, and mainstream country artists rarely roll through the city (Keith Urban's appearance in Columbus Circle being an exception earlier this month). But here's an interesting thought: Since New York isn't Nashville — meaning that the city isn't inundated with wannabe Carrie Underwoods — the city has become a developing... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-my-bloc-september-18-2008/86070/ Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST MUSIC INTIMATE PARTY Bloc Party — a British band well-loved by hipsters, scenesters, and general music fans alike — has been using the Internet heavily to its advantage: "Mercury," the first single of the band's latest album, "Intimacy," was released on a BBC radio Web site in July, and in August the album was released in full online ("Intimacy" comes out physically in October). Riding this technological wave, the band plays the city tonight in a free one-off show at Roseland Ballroom... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-political-migraine-september/86022/ Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST TALKS BALLOTS ON THE BRAIN The onslaught of political coverage about the upcoming election will not stop until November, which gives brainiacs plenty of time to wonder: Why are voters thinking the way they are, and what drives them to their conclusions and decisions, especially in the voting booth? Conveniently, New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies is gathering a panel of its experts to expound on these issues in a talk entitled "The Neuroscience of Elections and... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/travel/leaf-peeping-in-every-direction/85976/ Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST If the idea of a whole day of leaf-peeping sounds like too much time in the car or train, then skip the rural wonders. There are ways to get a dose of fall's visual bounty without going too far outside the city. The subway can take you to trees galore. And one unconventional way of checking out the foliage is via water: A boat ride up the Hudson River gives you an afternoon of colorful vistas. From these spots, you can get a dose of the country and quickly dive back into the city. FORT TRYON... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-soul-sister-snow-white/85878/ Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST THEATER NO DOPEY, NO SNEEZY The French Institute Alliance Française kicks off its second annual Crossing the Line festival with Catherine Baÿ's "The Snow White Project." First conceived in 2002 in Paris, "The Snow White Project" is a collection of site-specific performances, comprising multiple Snow Whites who adapt themselves to their various environments then disappear as quickly as they arrived. The figure of Snow White is meant to represent the comfort of childhood, as well as the... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-this-weekend-dancing-shoes-september/85692/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST MUSIC DANCE-OFF Coney Island lost Astroland this week: It's certainly a blow to the neighborhood, historically and nostalgically, but with any luck, festivals such as the one taking place this weekend will help the neighborhood retain its glory and charm. Minitek is a three-day, two-night festival that was created to highlight minimal techno, a form of electronic dance music that relies on understated rhythms and the gradual use of repeating beats to create a sleeker form of techno music that's... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-breathe-easy-september-8-2008/85318/ Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST TALKS THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE School's back in session for the young and not-so-young alike, but for non-students who miss the classroom, here's a chance to listen to the learned as they speak their minds. Columbia University offers its scholars to the general public during "Cafe Science," a monthly event that brings university scientists to Picnic, an Upper West Side restaurant, to discuss matters prevalent in today's press. Tonight, an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-this-weekend-under-the-stars-friday/85231/ Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST FILM UP ON THE ROOF Because it's after Labor Day, some people might think that summertime activities are over. Really? Not quite: The outdoors are still buzzing with plenty of events. El Museo del Barrio presents a movie screening as part of its monthly series, Cielo Abierto: Rooftop Films at El Museo. "La Frontera Infinita" (2007), a documentary by Juan Manuel Sepúlveda, traces the immigration struggles of Central Americans who traverse all of Mexico in order to reach the American border... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-this-weekend-open-wide/84872/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST SPORTS SERVING FOR THE WIN Labor Day can turn out to be a laborious holiday every so often (moving recent high school graduates to college, traveling hours on a train for a very short beach vacation, etc.). But there's an easy way to avoid those possible woes: the U.S. Open. For the past week, this tournament's been taking over Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens. But if you don't have tickets, or the patience to travel nearly to the end of the no. 7 line, here are a few restaurants and... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-amour-de-braxe-august-28-2008/84753/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST MUSIC FRENCH HOUSE AT HOME Electronic dance music over the past three years has been, to put it lightly, on the rise: Not only are homebred artists, such as Santogold and MGMT, speeding toward widespread popularity around the world, but French DJs and performers are finding love and affection here in America. Alan Braxe, based in Paris, is no exception. His original music and remixes of songs by such artists as Britney Spears and Björk are constantly leaked on Web logs, and his DJ sets usually... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/food-drink/unofficially-curry-curry-serves-indian-at-open/84196/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST The banner that hangs underneath the awning of Midtown East's Curry & Curry might be just a little misleading: "Official Caterers for US Open Tennis 2008," it boldly proclaims. The term "official," at least for the U.S. Open, is reserved for sponsors, according to a publicity associate with the United States Tennis Association, Kristen Clonan. Curry & Curry, which is found on East 33rd Street, between Lexington and Third avenues, doesn't happen to be a sponsor — but it will be the only vendor... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/lets-go-out-this-weekend-jersey-takes-the-rock/83438/ Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST This weekend, Jersey City — not our beloved New York City — becomes the main attraction for the biggest musical event of the summer. The first (hopefully annual) All Points West music and arts festival will invade Liberty State Park with three days of concerts by 45 artists, as well as audience amusements such as a Sony PlayStation tent and the TRASHed Recycling Store, where attendees can trade in recyclable goods for merchandise. All Points West was conceived by Goldenvoice, the promotional... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/food-drink/a-sweet-rock-experiment/83253/ Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST After walking down an aisle filled with environmentally friendly baby diapers and beige and pink clothing of organic cottons, a regular shopper at the newest Whole Foods Market, on Warren Street, finds herself facing a wall that holds a new row of lever-operated dispensers filled with nothing but rock sugars, from small chunks of white sugar to sizable jewels of blue and brown sugars. Not only do the plastic dispensers, outfitted with a spout at the bottom for filling paper bags, offer more... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/lets-go-out-this-weekend/80793/ Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST CHASING 'WATERFALLS' Among New Yorkers who consider themselves natives, or at least sophisticates, there are those who would not deign to take a sightseeing boat tour of the Manhattan and Brooklyn coastlines. The boats, they would argue, are usually filled with gum-chomping, khaki-wearing tourists. But the recent construction of the artist Olafur Eliasson's "Waterfalls" project gives a city dweller good cause to rethink her perspective on sightseeing tours. Sponsored by the Public Art Fund... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/calendar/lets-go-out-tonight-burgers-beckon/80605/ Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST Dining BURGER HEAVEN The New York Sun has the perfect idea for an adventure tonight: Head to any (or all) of the joints mentioned in the Sun's latest burger survey, on page 16. Erin Lindholm compares cooked-to-order burgers to those served at restaurants that make burgers only one way, disallowing the choice of doneness. The trip will keep you on your feet — but pleasantly full. To submit an event for consideration for the Calendar, please wire the particulars to calendar@nysun.com, placing the... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/food-drink/applewares-serves-treats-from-applewood/80597/ Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST Applewares, the Park Slope kitchen supply store opened by the team behind the nearby Applewood restaurant, is now selling a sampling of the food items served at the eatery. Owners David and Laura Shea are offering such dainties as espresso chocolate chip cookies ($4.50), vanilla shortbread cookies ($4), and candied macadamia nuts ($8); small jars of pickled ramps ($12) and garlic confit ($5) are also on the shelves. Eventually, the duo intends to offer more savory items, including duck... Jayanthi Daniel http://www.nysun.com/calendar/opera-live-in-prospect-park/80425/ Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST Love is in the air at Prospect Park. At least according to the Metropolitan Opera, which presents "Met Summer Concert: Live in Prospect Park" Friday as part of its Met in the Parks series. The opera company is expecting its largest audience ever for this outdoor concert, which will feature soprano Angela Gheorghiu and tenor Roberto Alagna, performing arias and duets by Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti, Massenet, and others. Conductor Ion Marin will lead the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. What many... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/food-drink/cheesesteak-samosas-and-shorts-at-nyc-food-film/79945/ Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST The second annual NYC Food Film Festival, which kicks off Saturday, combines two summer favorites — a rather genius pairing — for a week of fun on the water. The festival, held at Long Island City's Water Taxi Beach, was co-founded last year by George Motz, the director of "Hamburger America" (2004), a documentary about outstanding hamburger joints across the country, and Harry Hawk, the owner of Harry's, a hamburger-and-hot-dog stand at the beach. Each night, a group of films is screened, with... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/food-drink/a-block-party-unites-the-nations-barbecue-styles/79426/ Fri, 6 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party is the kind of event that sends certain New Yorkers into a twitchy state: Those who have been to the event launch into an impassioned speech about their favorite vendors and cuts of meat. Those who haven't take on a look of longing and hopefulness at the mention of this annual festival. Last year, 120,000 people crowded Madison Square Park and the surrounding streets to taste South Carolina whole roasted pig, Texas smoked beef brisket, Alabama pulled pork, and... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/style/queen-for-a-day-at-spa-castle/78916/ Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 EST A water park in the middle of the city might conjure thoughts of tourists and hordes of unruly children, but at Spa Castle in the College Point section of Queens (a stone's throw from Flushing), the patrons are largely grown-ups, and the sprawling square footage means never having to jostle for space with the out-of-towners. POOLS Once known as Inspa World, Spa Castle advertises itself as both a spa and a water park. But it is essentially a jimjilbang, or Korean bathhouse, featuring a gym... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/food-drink/out-to-the-ball-game/77348/ Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 EST The Memorial Day holiday presents city dwellers with an opportunity to take in the great American pastime. With the Mets on the road this weekend, Summer in the City heads to the Bronx to cheer on the Yankees, who face off against Seattle's Mariners. But it's not just the Amazins and the Pinstripes to which New Yorkers pledge allegiance: The city boasts minor league teams, the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Staten Island Yankees, both of whom will play home games beginning in June. This should give... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/on-the-les-a-classic-romantic-comedy-and-a-bite/76559/ Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 EST While we here at Summer in the City are inclined toward the warmest season, the forecast is not particularly on our side this weekend: The predicted high for Saturday is 68 degrees. Still, readers should not let this discourage them from spending an evening outdoors. One can simply throw on some layers and take the F train to the Lower East Side, where the neighborhood's Business Improvement District is sponsoring an outdoor movie screening about a couple who meet — where else? — on the L.E.S... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/girls-life-song-by-song/76251/ Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EST The ways that people can define their childhoods and teenage years are infinite. The English author Lavinia Greenlaw, a professor of creative writing at the University of East Anglia, remembers her early life through record shops, vinyl, "the disco girls," and black leather pants. And her new memoir sings because of it. Paralleling a path well trod by Nick Hornby and the herd of male music obsessives who have chronicled the importance of music to boys, Ms. Greenlaw's "The Importance of Music to... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/indian-food-then-a-stroll-to-koreatown/76184/ Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 EST Here's a healthy idea for a Saturday night: Enjoy dinner, and then walk it off. This weekend, Summer in the City recommends dining in the Flatiron District, then walking about 10 blocks north to Koreatown for drinks. DINNER Overlooking Madison Square Park, Bread Bar features an outdoor seating area that seems always to be full of diners. Many of the patrons are regulars — fans of chef Floyd Cardoz's innovative French-Indian fare. If you're with a group, it's advisable to order the Bread Bar... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/indulging-in-a-rite-of-spring/75688/ Fri, 2 May 2008 00:00:00 EST With a nod to approaching warm weather, the inaugural Summer in the City column heads for the great outdoors. While noteworthy films screened en plein air will be featured in this space, the focus is on the best of the city's outdoor festivals, concerts, plays, and parties, as well as alfresco dining options. This weekend, Summer in the City stops and smells the cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which hosts its annual Sakura Matsuri festival. FESTIVAL The Brooklyn Botanic Garden's... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/majestic-korean-film-at-moma-and-some-barbecue/75315/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST A rebel Korean filmmaker of sorts, Kim Ki-duk became interested in cinema after working a string of unrelated jobs: Mr. Kim was a factory employee, a soldier, a priest-in-training in South Korea, and a street artist for three years in France, to name a few. While living in Europe, he was exposed to the work of directors such as Jonathan Demme and Leos Carax. It was then that he began thinking seriously about making films, and in 1996, he produced his first work without any formal training. He's... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-04-18/74967/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST As the screwball comedy "Leatherheads" attests, professional football in the 1920s was a much less glamorous and far dirtier sport than it is today: Men wore leather caps, little padding, and no face masks; illegal maneuvers were the norm, as was holding games in farm fields, and players were quick to change jerseys if the salary offer was right. Still, all that made football great fun to watch. This weekend, Dinner and a Movie checks out a restaurant where fans can dine on quality eats, watch... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/mariah-carey-solves-the-equation/74732/ Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST Mariah Carey had plenty to prove in 2005, before the release of what many call her comeback album, "The Emancipation of Mimi." In 2001, she released the semi-autobiographical film and soundtrack "Glitter," which flopped critically and commercially, and appeared on MTV's "Total Request Live" wearing only a T-shirt, shrieking and jumping in front of a bemused Carson Daly. The following year, Ms. Carey released "Charmbracelet," which made only a modest impact chart-wise. She bounced from label to... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-04-11/74563/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST As the New York African Film Festival unfolds at the Film Society of Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side, the "Lower West Side" has been enjoying its own African arrival, with the recent opening of chef Marcus Samuelsson's Merkato 55 in the meatpacking district. Both the film festival and the restaurant's menu are cultural surveys of the continent, and both also happen to reflect the far-reaching European and American influence on the landmass. DINNER Mr. Samuelsson has traveled the globe by... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/style/bounty-of-fragrance/74302/ Tue, 8 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST The fashion brand Chloé pays homage to femininity with a scent named after the brand. Its playful sensibility, created with notes of lychee and peony, is balanced by rose and amber. (Eau de parfum, $85 for 1.7 oz., $110 for 2.5 oz., available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave. at 50th Street, 212-753-4000) Chanel's Allure Homme Édition Blanche for men is a brighter version of Allure Homme, beginning with a warm undertone of sandalwood, lifted by a note of ginger, and ending with lemon. (Eau... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-04-04/74148/ Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST For those readers convinced that top rocking or a six-step — street vernacular for fundamental break-dance moves — went the way of other 1980s staples such as vinyl and leg warmers, Benson Lee's new documentary, "Planet B-Boy," proves otherwise. Those gravity-defying moves can be seen in Mr. Lee's film, which follows four dance crews — from Japan, South Korea, France, and Las Vegas — as they perform in their native countries, and then travel to compete in an international contest. Dinner & A... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-03-28/73830/ Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST New Directors/New Films, a series showcasing the work of new and emerging filmmakers, has arrived at the Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Many of the films are making their world premieres during the program, which runs through Sunday, April 6. At the mere mention of MoMA, dinner becomes a no-brainer for this column, as the Bar Room at the Modern is sublime. DINNER Chef Gabriel Kreuther's two MoMA restaurants, the Modern and the Bar Room at the Modern, offer menus... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-03-21/73432/ Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST This week the Museum of Modern Art launches Contemporasian, a monthly film exhibit showcasing independent films and less well-known gems that represent important changes and growth in Asian cinema. The museum plans a program of new films as well as classics that will be featured in week-long engagements. For its first installment, the museum screens Chinese director Ying Liang's "Ling yi ban," "The Other Half" (2006). Dinner & a Movie seeks out quality Chinese food just right for the occasion... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-03-14/72959/ Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST For locals who have had to contend this month with gloomy March weather, this weekend looks to be no exception. But cloudy skies make it a good time to go inside — and get spiritual. "Bon: The Magic Word," an exhibit at the Rubin Museum of Art, focuses on an ancient Tibetan religion, one that precedes Buddhism and has its origins in the Himalayas and Central Asia. Dinner & a Movie sets out to learn more about the ancient spiritual practice and its followers through food and film. DINNER The... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-03-07/72542/ Fri, 7 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST This weekend, Dinner and a Movie takes a relaxed and easterly approach to making plans by heading to the martini and caviar bar Pravda. The bar, which is part of the Keith McNally-owned restaurant empire that includes Balthazar and Schiller's, has just rolled out a Sunday night viewing series of early-20th-century Russian and Eastern European films. Patrons with or without reservations can settle in for the free movie at the Lafayette Street speakeasy. The view is as good from the tables as it... Jayanthi Daniel http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-02-29/72096/ Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST Poor Penelope: The title character in Mark Palansky's fantasy film suffers from a family curse, in which her physical appearance takes on a porcine quality. It might be bad in life to resemble a pig, but for barbecue lovers, it's not bad to actually eat one. Brooklyn's Bar BQ offers just that opportunity. The restaurant is situated in South Slope, and Dinner & a Movie checks it out before heading to the theater to see "Penelope." DINNER Now that Park Slope's Biscuit BBQ has closed, Slope... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-02-22/71699/ Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST Prior to the end of the Writers Guild strike last week, many film lovers were lamenting not only the loss of a televised Academy Awards ceremony this weekend, but also the Oscar viewing parties and bet-taking that typically accompany the big night. With the writers and producers having settled their differences, the show goes on. Now that the Oscars are back on track, New Yorkers can spend this weekend catching up on any nominated films still playing at the cineplex. Dinner & A Movie heads to... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-02-15/71357/ Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST In Martin McDonagh's "In Bruges," a pair of hit men are forced to cool their heels in Belgium's beautifully preserved medieval city. New Yorkers can take a historic European vacation of sorts this weekend — without leaving the city — with a trip to the Cloisters. The Metropolitan Museum-owned site, located in Fort Tryon Park, houses the institution's preserved re-creations of medieval- and Renaissance-era chapels and cloisters. Also in the park is the New Leaf Café, a restaurant operated by the... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-02-08/70992/ Fri, 8 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST Gong xi fai cai. In other words: Happy Chinese New Year. While the holiday began yesterday, New York's Chinatowns — in downtown Manhattan, Sunset Park in Brooklyn, and Flushing in Queens — will be celebrating this weekend, and next weekend. During the holiday, red envelopes stuffed with money are exchanged; firecrackers are lit, and, best of all, families are reunited over tasty feasts. Dinner and a Movie enjoys a Chinese meal this weekend, and a documentary film about a legendary Taiwanese... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-02-01/70603/ Fri, 1 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST In the movie "Cloverfield," New Yorkers trying to escape the destruction of their city ponder a number of exit strategies: To leave, do they run on the streets — or under them? A number of the young, urban professionals depicted in this film choose the latter plan. In reality, New York foodies have good reason to head underground: The city is home to many enticing basement-level eateries. Dinner and a Movie takes a look at one such restaurant and dares to discover "Cloverfield." DINNER At 211 E... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-01-25/70207/ Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST If you were carrying piles of cash, where would you go, what would you buy, and — most important — where would you eat? The three main thieves of the new film "Mad Money," played by Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton, and Katie Holmes, prefer brews and barbecue, which is not surprising given that the film takes place in Kansas City. Here in New York, there are plenty of restaurants at which one can spend a bundle of dough. Getting a quality meal at an expensive restaurant, though, is never a guarantee... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/arts/dinner-a-movie-2008-01-18/69746/ Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST Talking cucumbers, squash, and grapes? No, it's not a C.S. Lewis spin-off. These anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables are among the animated characters featured in "VeggieTales," a children's show that takes a lighthearted approach to teaching the moral lessons at the heart of both original and traditional Jewish and Christian tales. The farm-fresh faces are currently starring in "The Pirates That Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie" (2007), and to celebrate the release, Dinner and a Movie... JAYANTHI DANIEL http://www.nysun.com/food-drink/new-menu-for-tribeca/69580/ Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST At breakfast time, TriBeCa diners can be seen enjoying a meal in the dining room of 'Beca Restaurant at the Duane Street Hotel. The eatery began serving breakfast a week ago, and is rolling out its lunch service today. In addition, guests staying in one of the hotel's 45 ultra-modern rooms can order room service from 'Beca. The proprietors say they plan to begin serving dinner and a weekend-only brunch if and when the establishment is granted a state liquor license. The kitchen is under the...