We understand that times could not be tougher in media land, but the practice of newspapers and magazine not paying freelancers is reaching epidemic — and downright unacceptable — levels. Yesterday, we learned that long-time fave The New York Observer has kinda/sorta stopped paying freelancers. And we can personally attest that the Observer is not [...]
Posts from ‘February, 2009’
YOU SHOULD BE READING: Unfriendly Fire
We had the good fortune to attend the SoHo launch party this week for the new book Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America and we were pleased to come away with an autographed copy. In the book, author and super-scholar Nathaniel Frank meticulously illustrates the damage caused by America’s [...]
Rajesh Pratap Singh Opens in New Delhi
If you happen to be in New Delhi — as we wish we were — indulge your inner Slumdog with a visit to local designer Rajesh Pratap Singh’s slick new boutique. This cage-like store in one of Delhi’s poshest shopping center displays Singh’s entire collection of Rajastan-inspired clothing for men and women. Singh is a [...]
We're Having a Panama Moment
For years now the Central American nation of Panama has quietly been spoken of as the “next” Costa RIca. Yet with its sprawling — and surprisingly sophisticated — capital, pristine beaches, chic hacienda hotels and CHEAP prices, we say it’s Costa Rica that needs to play catch-up. Two new articles help convey Panama’s emerging sense [...]
American Apparel's Doomed BUTT Boy
We recently overheard downtown types talking about the latest edition of BUTT Magazine, a “Homo Quarterly” that comes out of Amsterdam focusing on avant-edge Gay culture (above). The new issue is chock-full of BUTT-styled eye candy: An opening pictorial of 25 bare butts shot in an East Village bar leading to a closing page featuring [...]
Nanoosh of the East
We’ve never really thought of hummus as a luxury product, but the Middle Eastern eatery Nanoosh is getting some rather well-heeled attention. Apparently the folks over at New York Social Diary stumbled upon Nanoosh’s just-opened Upper East Side branch this week and liked what they saw — and sampled. Big hits included the hummus with [...]
New York Hotels Hurting
Things are not looking good for New York City’s once untouchable hotel market. According to NYC & Co, city hotel occupancy rates were at a dismal 63 percent in January — down 13 percent over 2008. Troubling! What’s more, rooms that were occupied were 15 percent cheaper than last year, resulting in upwards of 30 [...]
DAILY TRANSRACIAL: Freida Pinto (again)
As you can see, we kinda can’t get enough of Indian starlet Freida Pinto. And here are three reasons why: 1) She helped steer the Slumdog Millionaire team to major Oscar glory this past weekend. 2) She’s made the latest cover of Indian Vogue 3) She’s just been signed to her post-Slumdog role — and [...]
Farewell Fairmont San Francisco
We hear that parts of San Francisco’s famed Fairmont Hotel (above) could possibly be shape-shifting into a luxury condo tower. The Nob Hill icon — which served as the backdrop for ’80s soap, Hotel — will convert some 226 rooms into 160 apartments. Purists — and preservationists — can exhale knowing the changes will take [...]
WE CAN'T WAIT TO TRY: Inakaya
Tomorrow marks the debut of Inakaya, the first New York restaurant from master Japanese chef Kozo Matsuo. Located in the new — and newly leveraged — Renzo Piano-designed New York Times building, the 3,000 square foot eatery is anchored around the grill-in-your-face robata concept. Diners peruse a central eight foot high ice shelf packed with [...]