FROM LEFT FIELD

This week's entry has a predetermined winner. But, if you stop reading now, you won't know why. So District of Columbians and Gothamists alike, take a step out of the limelight and give someone their fifteen minutes of fame. This underrated and often ignored city has stolen the crown.

Buffalo, step up to the stand.

Yes, yes, this entry has been Karl Roved. But, I am proud to say that I spent some time in the Queen City and had an amazing time. My co-workers snipped at me when I shared my weekend plans, debachaurous evenings in the Lower East Side still fresh in their memory. My DC pals thought it "bush league" that I had not spent the weekend with them, especially with traditional fall events in which I assumed the role of mayor in years past.

Here are some reasons why Buffalo was the wild card of the week.

FOOD: Everyone knows that the way to my heart is through my stomach. Buffalo was successful in winning my heart over because of their local dishes. While the food I consumed this weekend were neither delicacies nor healthy, it was the most satiated my stomach has been in a long time. Jim's on Elmwood Avenue was a late night stop that hit the spot. Not really knowing what I was being ordered, I was pleasantly surprised at both their chicken finger sub and steak sandwich. That's right...BOTH. A local bruncherie, Pano's, had a morning after solution of scramble and feta in a pita that did the job so well, it's officially called "The Fix." The one destination I had my heart set on was Bar Bill in East Aurora, where my best friend from college claims the best wings are made. Before the wing, we had a glorious appetizer of beef on weck--roast beef on kummelweck. As we had our first batch, he explained to me the art of preparing the dish that made Buffalo famous. The saucing, the deep frying and baking of each jumbo wing does not compare to the love I put into eating it. At the end of the night, my friend's statement transitioned from gospel to truth.

image from: www.theunknowshirt.com

PEOPLE: While the people in Buffalo were not the richest or most attractive, here's where they win. They've got good attitudes. Other than the two guys who had tried to fight my friend, one minute after we exchanged plesantries in the 24-hour convenience mart over our adult bevarage purchases, everyone was real friendly and positive. And who can hate that. There was the super-hyper, but adorable girl. The down to earth brother of a high school friend. And of course, the heir to a juice manufacturing empire. Totally great people.

SPORTS: Buffalo has some fanatics. I mean, where else can you find a grown man in his late 20's knitting Bills beenies the sunday before a huge Monday Night Football game, with temperatures expected to go below freezing. Or where kids would forego a Thanksgiving Feast to support their high school soccer team's attempt at a state championship. Ok, well maybe you can find that in a lot of towns across the nation. But, boy do these people love their sports.

VIBE: So life gets a bit hectic in urban areas. And being in urban areas for such a long time, you forget that life can be simple and it is an enjoyable journey. Don't get me wrong--Buffalo is not Smalltown, USA. But at the end of the day, Buffalonians know that some things are more important. Enjoying pizza and wings with a loving family. Sipping maté on a chilly sunday afternoon with friends. Walking to the local wal-mart, that's better than Walmart. Seeing a natural wonder of the world. Getting drunk and dancing on the streets of Chippewa. Connecting with your non-sister who you tell people is. That's what it's about in Buffalo. And their joie de vivre was exactly what this city boy needed after some rough weeks.

All the things Buffalo had to offer trumped the city that they've always come second to in the State and the first city of the Nation, even for just the weekend. So, kudos Buffalo. You did good kid.

But to be honest, this reign won't be long. And 80% of the reason why I really liked Buffalo was because I was with my best friend who I hadn't seen in months.

So stay tuned, and see the real cities come back to compete.

I GET AROUND

Bad Ankles. Bad Knees. BAD NEWS.

The trunk of my body has been unfortunately overworked since I was a little kid. Not only was I a hyperactive, run-till-I-drop kind of sprout, but sports and dancing have taken its toll. And as a result of living in a metropolitan area the last five years of my life, I developed a close relationship with public transportation.

This round: Washington Metro v. New York City Subway.

While both rail systems were officially birthed in the 60's, the subway has 100 years on the metro. A consolidation of multiple borough lines, the subway's age shows clearly, and at times superiority. However, the metro looks and sounds better than the subway. But, since I'm not a shallow judge-a-book-by-its-cover type of person, this argument can't be won that easily.

The subway is like an old lady. No, I am not referring to the hot flashes that so many stations suffer from year round. Or its inexplicably funny smell. More like a proud woman with years of secrets and stories, the subway has character. Its history is remarkable.; the tiles tell a story. All sorts of shoes have graced the New York City platforms--wing-tips, grunge boots, Manolos, Doc Martins, top-siders, leather sandals. The subway is like the life line of the City That Never Sleeps, since it is one of very few 24-hour rail systems in the world. Running through all the boroughs, the subway makes traveling New York City's urban sprawl managable. Like almost all of the elderly, the subway can be testy and annoying. Not only can it get crowded, but it becomes crowded with the some very miserable people--both in spirit and in, um, body spirit (yeah, BO is what I mean, especially in the summer). But some of the most fascinating people can be found underground. One of my favorite artists of all time, the Saw Lady, can be heard through the tunnels. Inspiring dance groups, solo singers, and inspirational orators provide entertainment down under. But the subway population also includes the homeless and beggars who never fail at dampening my mood.

If the subway is an old woman, then the DC Metrorail--fondly known as the metro--is a strong, dependable alpha male. With its high, brightly lit ceilings, deep escalators, organized tunnels, the metro leaves no room for mistakes and wants the world to know it. Each station's countdown timer allows you to decide whether you will run or walk to the platform. There are multiple transfer points, just in case you miss the one you planned to have. It is a financially conscious system with varying fare, letting you know exactly what your distance traveled cost. Rarely does the metro smell. But rarely does anyone take the metro late at night, preventing situations when riders can make it smell. On that note, it does not allow any solicitors or musicians which makes it boring. Sure it's safer, but it does not have characters to watch or, for some people, avoid. Yes, the metro is reliable, but its also square. Reaching into Maryland and Virginia, the capital's transit system is a reflection of its location.

Deciding between the two is a tough one, since I've had my share of moments with both. Friends have relieved themselves outside of moving subway cars, others have given me a visual of what they had while we rode the metro. Both have seen me at my worst, as well as what I can do with the poles and overhead catches. I've learned how to surf on the subway and how to properly fold a newspaper when reading on the metro.

So who wins? It comes down to the experience. While the unlimited monthly MetroCard gives me freedom to roam the urban jungle, the SmarTrip gets me to some of the most beautiful areas outside of DC (whereas the MetroCard is only valid in New York City, not the great land of New Jersey or the very warm Connecticut). And while I like striking conversation with strangers, people with strange things to say in an overly humid station are not my cup of tea. At the end of the day, I am going to give this round to the system that can give me a more pleasurable, less stressful experience. Add in convenient stops, air ventilation, and no rodents--the victor is clear. I'm sorry Saw Lady, but DC wins.

In consolation, here's a sample of the most interesting, most intense, most used subway system: Subway Drum & Dance.

P.S. Dear Red Line: Thanks.

P.P.S. Dear A/C/E: You're my favorite.

THE PERFECT ACCESSORY

Twenty-somethings who reside in an urban area (note that I am avoiding a certain acronym), know the perfect accessory to city living. Personalized to reflect who you are, rather than what you're wearing or the season you're dressing for, this accessory says a million things without speaking one word. It might be determined by your mood, but more often it is your individual preferences that determines this unique decision. You know what it is, what I'm talking about. This is a basic and a classic. What is it? The coffeehouse.

Joey and Ross at Central Perk

It's the proverbial site for that final cram session or doing some office work when the office is unbearable. Maybe it's the right setting to dive deep into a new novel or get lost in the Sunday paper. Whether the company in attendance is a steaming cup of Indian tea or shots of Turkish espresso, everyone has that one go-to where time can be spent--alone, with friends, with someone special.

So welcome to this round: New York cafes versus DC coffee houses.


When I started working in SoHo, I knew that it wasn't my timeless leather bag or my slim charcoal plain-toes that gave me legitimacy in this ultra-hip 'hood. It was where my morning cup of Joe came from. And working with people who live, breathe, and chain-smoke New York chic, I had to do my research to make the right decision.

During this journey, I've seen some of the best the city has to offer. At Columbia, the Hungarian Pastry Shop is the standard java joint. It's a pretty reliable place and anyone who has spent time in the Upper West Side have fallen in love with its European charm. Nearby Oren's is my favorite grab-and-go spot. On the parallel side of campus, Amsterdam's Max Caffe reigns supreme. Porto Rico was suggested by my office manager, which I thought was a sure thing coming from an aspiring gallery curator, but its lack of sitting room made me a one-time visitor. My stylish director sent me over to Cafe Cafe which had a great vibe, but was not open early enough for me. Upon my return during lunch, the coffee did not prove to be worth the money or the walk. I consulted my ever trusty iPhone and it brought me to several gems on Thompson, right around the corner from the showroom. City Girl Cafe proved too cool for me and nearby Hiroko's Place was not as trendy as I'd like it to be. But my Goldilocks syndrome soon came to a close when I found Thompson Cafe across the street. And it was just right--great ambiance, great coffee, great value. Find me sitting there before the daily morning meeting.


In DC, the choice of cafe was not one made out of luxury, but out of necessity. As a student, the cafe had to be my shrine--where I could reach a level of academic zen. As well as stay away from the temptations of BravoTV and instant messaging.

One of my first adventures as a fully independent college student was out to Kramerbooks & Afterwords in Dupont Circle. I had read all about this place in my NFT (Not for Tourist) guide, so I knew it had to be legit. And to this day, it remains one of my favorites. But, all the buzz around American's very politically minded campus was Politic & Prose. Though I enjoyed them, I knew that DC had more to offer--and without a bookstore attachment. I spent a wonderful afternoon with my partner in crime venturing out on U Street and stumbling upon LoveCafe, but we lusted after their sister establishment's build-your-own cupcakes instead. After hearing words of praise for SoHo from someone who's opinion is pretty much gospel, I had to check it out. And while I was not disappointed, it just did not have the dim ambiance I had to have in my coffeehouse. Dos Gringos was another cafe I stumbled upon while doing some field research for a class in Mount Pleasant. And while I was intrigued by its story and the fact that it hosted intercambios, the coffee did not do it for me. In DC, my coffeehouse is hands down, Tryst. While it is airy and spacious not dark and crowded, their closely placed tables and couches give it an intimate feel. Offering great pastries, excellent coffee, and game boards, Tryst is just right. It also helps that I spent one of my favorite Sunday afternoons there playing an intense Scrabble match.

But now, it comes down to deciding the city that owns the title of "Best Coffeehouses." Both put up admirable efforts, providing places that are either hip, homey or in between. My criteria is split in two: ambiance and beverage quality. As far as ambiance, both obviously meet the criteria. But because DC can hold its own and does so sans the overcrowded, rude and demanding, hipper-than-thou crowd, the Capital is the better of the two. However, after tasting many cups of coffee and tea, and being a purist hot beverage consumer (Coffee, black. Tea, double bag. Please and thank you), New York reigns supreme. And because a good cup of coffee can do much more for me than a broken-in couch and instrumental Mayan music, New York takes the cake.

Winner=New York City.

P.S. I only wrote about a handful of coffeehouses. I'd love to hear about any others that I should try out, in either city.

P.P.S. I have to admit that I have undying affection for Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Lattee (non-fat, double shot, extra froth). So sue me, I like one drink at 'bucks.


Image from: www.days-of-wild.nl