Lifestyle

Brunch Spotlight: Root and Bone

5/3/2018

With warmer weather fast approaching, brunching at a restaurant with an outdoor patio is a must. Root & Bone, on E 3rd Street, is the perfect spot to do this. The charming Southern-inspired restaurant offers both outdoor and indoor seating and is located in a trendy part of East Village filled with cool eateries and street art. During my outing, I tried the buckwheat waffles, fried chicken biscuits, and mac & cheese. All three were exceptionally delicious — the fried chicken was perfectly crispy and paired great with the soft, chewy waffles. Their mac & cheese is just the right combination of creamy and cheesy and was topped with biscuit herb crust, making it satisfyingly crunchy. A bonus? Both the mac & cheese and waffles were vegan! Root & Bone has a few vegan options, including salads, for those with restrictive diets. Also on the menu are other comfort food favorites like shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, and collard greens. In all, the menu was tasty, affordable, and had a wide variety of dishes to choose from. However, the only con is the joint’s relatively small size, so make sure to plan ahead and make a reservation ahead of time unless you don’t mind waiting a bit. Happy brunching!

Photo courtesy of Alyssa Le

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5 Off-Campus Study Spots

4/25/2018

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By: Liz Chen

Hey USWIB!
I’m back with 5 more study spots—this time off-campus! Check out these ideas for your next study session!

New York Public Library Mulberry Street Branch
10 Jersey Street
Back at home, I love my local public library and this one reminds me of it so much. It has everything you’d expect a public library to have—study spaces, computers, a sense of community with local residents, and of course, a great selection of books to check out. Much better than Bobst. :)

You can easily sign up for a NYPL library card online or at any NYPL branch as long as you have proof of your New York address (like a package with your address printed on it).

Jefferson Market Library
425 6th Avenue
This building looks like a castle from the outside, but it’s actually another branch of NYPL. The interior also feels like a castle with its winding stairwell, stained glass, and overall decor. On the first floor, the children’s section has a cozy reading area. Go upstairs and you’ll find local residents, more books, and ample room for studying. Step into the basement (which was, once upon a time, a place for holding prisoners) and you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time. Behind the library, you can find the Jefferson Market Garden, which is beautiful on a sunny day. You can also read more about the building’s history here.

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
126 Crosby St
This bookstore not only sells books, but also features a cafe and tables perfect for studying. It’s one component of Housing Works, a nonprofit that aims to support people affected by HIV and AIDS. Profits from this bookstore/cafe go towards supporting the nonprofit’s mission. While you’re there, check out one of Housing Works’ thrift shops right next door.

Coffee Shops
Various
There is no shortage of coffee shops around NYC. Whether you like Think Coffee, the Bean, Starbucks, or something else, the vibe you get from a coffee shop can definitely help you study or crank out the last few paragraphs of your paper. I don’t even drink coffee and I still enjoy coming to these places for the atmosphere and snacks. Pictured here is the Think Coffee on Fourth Avenue. I’ve also seen people getting work done at other food places like Liquiteria and Sandwicherie.

Other School Libraries
Various
NYU students have access to libraries at The New School, Cooper Union, New York School of Interior Design, and Columbia University. You can find more details about them here and here.
Pictured here is the New School University Center on Fifth Avenue.

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Acai Bowls Around Campus

4/25/2018

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by Johanna Dong

3. Happy Bowls
61 4th Ave
Located just off Astor Place, Happy Bowls is a spacious juice bar/cafe that specializes in smoothies and acai/pitaya bowls. Their bowls are good though not amazing - with standard blends and toppings such as granola and fruit - and their serving sizes are smaller at the same price point as the other places on this list. However, they do provide free wifi, and the open space and lack of crowds might make this a solid study spot.
*Recommended: the Montauk bowl

2. Ono Bowls
33 E 8th St
Ono Bowls is located directly across from the Cantor building, just off University Place. They have the most extensive menu, including acai, pitaya, banana, and green bowls, complete with all the usual toppings. Their serving sizes are also the largest of the three places on this list, so you’ll definitely be getting your money’s worth. (Tip: remember to check in on Yelp for 10% off!)
*Recommended: the Tropical Acai bowl

1. Playa Bowls
108 Macdougal St
Tiny but whimsically decorated with beach scenery, Playa Bowls is arguably one of the best spots to get acai bowls in the Village. They often have seasonal specialties (such as a cinnamon apple bowl in the fall), but their core menu features a number of staple blends and toppings, and their fruits are by far the freshest. Acai bowls in general are not the cheapest, but you get a generous amount at Playa; plus, they offer a discount with an NYU student ID!
*Recommended: the Pura Vida and Electric Mermaid bowls

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6 Boutique Fitness Classes To Try In NYC

4/19/2018

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By Simmi Uppaladadium
Going to the gym gets boring after a while and it’s easy to get stuck in a rut if you keep doing the same thing all the time. Change up your routine by checking out some of these boutique fitness classes! While paying for some of these can be pricey, NYU will sometimes give you free classes at many of these places, so don't miss out.

1. SoulCycle

We’ve all heard of the $30 spin classes and seen a privileged few walking around in their $70 SoulCycle attire. This spin class is absolutely amazing – using some of the most upbeat music and combining it with a dark room full of sweaty bikers, you get a 45-minute mind-body experience. You will have burned off any calories you consumed the day before and leave the class feeling refreshed and in need of a nap. SoulCycle rarely has discounts, so if your residence hall offers a free class, get on that. SoulCycle has locations all over Manhattan.

2. Revolve Fitness

A slightly more wallet-friendly spin class, RYDE by Revolve is a rhythm sport that builds form and technique while pushing you to your limits. The instructors are super friendly and many of the classes are based on what kind of music you like. It’ll never be a boring work out with RYDE, and the next day will definitely be a rest day.

3. ((305)) FITNESS

Not a fan of spinning? Fear not, 305 Fitness has some of the fiercest instructors that any boutique fitness class has to offer. You might be dripping in sweat by the end of the warm-up, but the latest pop songs and energetic staff will keep you going for the entire 55-minute class. The dance moves may be pretty raunchy at times, so it’s a class to experience with friends.

4. Row House

Think Frank Underwood in House of Cards, only more fun and less “I’m plotting my revenge.” Everyone rows together, and you get a free class on your birthday if you sign up on their website. Plus, you can bring a friend.

5. RUMBLE

If you’re looking for some upbeat hip-hop and mashups to workout to, you can’t go wrong with boxing. For 45 minutes, you get to punch water-filled bags and do some strength conditioning. Can you think of a better stress reliever than that?

6. City Row

An alternative to Row House, City Row does rowing with mat and body exercise intervals. You won’t be attached to any piece of equipment for the entire time, unlike in a spin class. Other forms of cardio put pressure on your joints, but rowing eliminates that problem.

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Manhattan's Best Non-Strand Bookstores

4/11/2018

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by Johanna Dong

Midtown

1. Albertine
972 5th Ave
For all the Francophiles - or maybe just aesthetic lovers - out there, Albertine is a French-English (but mostly French) bookshop and reading room. Its most distinctive feature is its gorgeous blue-and-gold ceiling, painted with a giant zodiac and scattered with golden stars. Small but lively, it could be the perfect reading/studying spot if you want to get away from campus, though you’ll have to go through a security guard since it’s located inside the French Embassy’s Cultural Services house by Central Park.

2. Book Culture (on Columbus)
450 Columbus Ave
A sizable indie bookstore on the opposite side of Central Park from Albertine, Book Culture stocks the latest releases in all genres, with corners for poetry, young adult novels, mystery thrillers, and more. It also boasts a downstairs reading nook for children, as well as an extensive section for chic home goods. (Beware: their candles look amazing, smell amazing, and you will have to convince yourself that they’re not that amazing once you see the price tag.) Book Culture doesn’t have any spaces for reading, but it’s a great place to explore if you’re in Midtown!

Union Square/Flat Iron

1. Books of Wonder
18 W 18th St
Books of Wonder is primarily a children’s bookstore, but they also have a very extensive selection of young adult fiction as well. They also frequently host local/touring authors of children’s and young adult literature; I was fortunate to attend an author panel featuring Emily X. R. Pan, a debut author who also happens to be an undergrad Stern alum! Mid-sized and cozy, this is definitely a store to hit up if you’re around Union Square and have a penchant for fiction of every kind.

2. Rizzoli Bookstore
1133 Broadway
Housed in an elegant, refurbished townhouse, Rizzoli specializes in books on art, architecture, and fashion - though they also have sections for new and contemporary fiction/nonfiction. The ceilings stretch up two stories, the walls papered in whimsical patterns, and high varnished wood shelves on black-and-white tile lend the space a classic feel. This bookstore is certainly unique, and not one to miss.

SOHO

1. McNally Jackson Independent Booksellers
52 Prince St
McNally Jackson has all of your book needs covered, across all genres and including both mainstream and indie imprints. As indie bookstores go, they’re fairly large, featuring a bustling cafe, a collection of notebooks and other stationery goods, and a sizable section for bargain books. Its interior decoration game is on point, with suspended model airplanes, hot air balloons, and artfully impaled books dotting the ceiling. Plus, if you don’t feel like buying any books, the Mulberry Street New York Public Library is just around the corner.

2. Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
126 Crosby St
A few minutes’ walk away from McNally Jackson is Housing Works, which stocks a smaller range of books than the former, but also features more niche/special edition books. Not as freshly decorated as McNally Jackson, but cozy all the same with its all-wood interior, dark shelves, spiral staircases to a balconied second floor, and a large cafe space towards the back. Housing Works is perfect for studying or reading if you want a break from campus but don’t want to stray far from Washington Square; it’s quiet, roomy, and warm. For those trying to read on a budget, they also have shelves of $1 bargain books.

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Best Brunch in NYC Spotlight: Union Fare

4/6/2018

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By: Alyssa Le

Craving classic, aesthetically-pleasing brunch? Look no further than Union Fare — beautiful, spacious, and right in Union Square. Located on 17th Street, its close proximity to NYU and large interior (the restaurant runs across an entire street block!) make it incredibly convenient and accessible, as well as a perfect spot to meet friends on a Sunday morning. Union Fare doubles as both a bakery and a restaurant, making it an ideal place for a light snack or a full meal. Their bakery offers a variety of creative and Instagrammable pastries, including Funfetti and Fruity Pebbles croissants. The brunch menu caters to every craving, serving everything from classic pancakes and waffles to their unique “smashes for the table”, in which you can choose three types of toast from its wide selection. My personal favorite dish is the breakfast mac n’ cheese, which is the restaurant's unique take on mac n’ cheese, loaded with bacon, sausage, mushroom, and eggs. Another recommendation is the brunch bowl, a Spanish-style option with whole grains, grilled chicken, and guacamole. Those who are looking for healthier options can try the market tagine, made with egg whites, quinoa, and kale salad. Over 21? Complimentary mimosas are served before 10:30! Finally, if brunch isn’t quite your thing, they also offer an extensive dinner menu, with roasts, salads, pizza, and even poke. Happy brunching!

Photo courtesy of @food.by.riya

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5 Uncommon On-Campus Study Spots

3/27/2018

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By: Liz Chen

If you’re anything like me, you can't constantly study in the same place without quickly getting bored and needing a change of scenery. It seems like most Stern students get stuck studying in Bobst, their dorm, or the third floor lounge. But with a school as big as NYU, there are a lot of other spots you might be missing out on. Here are five hidden gems around campus that could become your new favorite study spot:

1. 194 Mercer Building
194 Mercer Street
This building only has two floors of classrooms but on either end of each floor, there’s a small seating area perfect for finishing up an essay. The building is kind of separate from the rest of campus so there isn’t much foot traffic (except between classes) and the quiet setting really helps me focus.

2. Gallatin
1 Washington Place
A lot of people don’t know that Gallatin even has its own building, but it does! It’s near Stern and just off Broadway, with study spaces on floors 4, 5 and 7. The 5th floor also has a computer lounge. If you love exposed brick, this is an excellent place to be!

3. Furman Hall
245 Sullivan Street
Furman Hall is one of the Law School’s buildings. It’s lounge has comfortable seating and a little cafe where you can buy snacks. At night, when classes are over, the classrooms are great spots for group projects because they have huge meeting tables. (I’ve spent many nights here for a case competition.)

4. Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life (GCASL)238 Thompson Street
Another good place for group projects, GCASL has classrooms that are often empty at night.

. Lipton’s Commuter Den
33 Washington Square West
I am not a commuter, but that doesn’t stop me from curling up in one of the comfy orange chairs and catching up on some work between classes. Sometimes I grab lunch from Kimmel or Lipton before eating and studying in the commuter den. It’s a large, open space, so sound can unfortunately travel from across the room, but when it’s quiet, it’s super comfortable.

If you’ve been looking for new study spots, hopefully this gives you some options to try! Let us know your favorite on-campus study locations!

Brunch Spotlight: Root and Bone

5 Off-Campus Study Spots

Acai Bowls Around Campus

6 Boutique Fitness Classes To Try In NYC

Manhattan's Best Non-Strand Bookstores

Midtown

Union Square/Flat Iron

SOHO

Best Brunch in NYC Spotlight: Union Fare

5 Uncommon On-Campus Study Spots

The 13 Best Items You Can Currently Buy at Trader Joe’s

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