LIFESTYLE

Otto’s Tacos In Hell’s Kitchen Opens To Great Flavor & Taste

Let’s be real here. If you don’t like tacos of any kind then quite frankly we cannot be friends. Tacos are to me what Peanut Butter is to Jelly, or what water is to your livelihood. It just needs to happen and for anyone living in Manhattan you know that is a fact as we are always on the lookout for the next best thing in Tacos, Tacos, TACOS! One delicious and yummy solution for that is Otto’s Tacos, which just launched its third location last week in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen on 9th Avenue between 48th and 49th Street.

Otto's Tacos, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Otto’s Tacos

Otto’s, which already has two very successful locations in the East and West Village, in an LA inspired grab and go taquiera, with the food itself being as fresh as can be. Founded by Orange County native Otto Cedeno, the three locations are simple as can be- delicious and filling Tacos and more at a beyond reasonable price. It is a great place to grab a quick bite for lunch, lounge with some friends over dinner, or grab something delicious and filling after all the beer you consumed late one night. Regardless, this is the place you should go to.

The tacos themselves are to die for, coming in varieties of Carne Asada, Carnitas, Chicken, Shrimp and Mushroom for those who don’t eat meat or shellfish. They may look small in size however they are quite filling and tasty with the fresh tortilla placed under the variety of toppings. If you want to come for just the tacos that is fine, however I do recommend trying some of their delicious sides from their incredible Masa Fries with an awesome dipping sauce, Chips with their homemade Guacamole or a classic like rice and beans. Save room in your belly for dessert because their Churros are freaking awesome, fresh and taste great. Overall a 10 out of 10 in my book. Oh and there are Star Wars murals adorned throughout this location. Retro and cool :).

Check out their official site for more information and if you are in either the Hell’s Kitchen, East or West Village you should go and try Otto’s Tacos. Definitely worth the visit.

Happy Eating Everyone!

Check Out Bare Beef Tees- No Pants Required…

by Ryan Shea

I’m always on the lookout for the next great thing in gay brands, especially in the fashion industry. With the summer still in full swing for another month, many gay men are on the hunt for their last big vacation to take before the warm weather makes its exit and the brisk Fall weather makes its way in. So why not try to find some really great fitted tees that show off your physique, have a great pop of color with some awesome and sexy graphics to go along with? This is where Bare Beef Tees come along.

I discovered Bare Beef on Instagram actually, where that particular page alone has amounted to 6,000 followers in a short period of time. Pretty impressive for any Instagram page. The page is chock full of super hot beefy guys modeling some of Bare Beef’s signature and great tees for the masses to enjoy (including myself). I was very curious to know more about how the brand came about and so much more, and got the opportunity to do so. I sat down with owner Al Bare who told me more about the business, how his shirts are for men of all sizes, upcoming events, and so much more. Take a look.

Credit to: Geo Honaker for Vision Video Photography

So how did the concept of Bare Beef tees start?

The idea of Bare Beef tees came about from several compliments and conversations shared with friends, followers and admirers regarding my artwork. It was our collective belief that there was a community out there that would both enjoy and appreciate fantasy images of bear and leather men on quality tees and tank shirts.

When it came to coming up with a name for them, how did you land on “Bare Beef”?

A friend and I were brainstorming with one another about a name that would both suggest and sort of be a twist for the word “bear” and the word “beef” to denote images of sexy muscular hairy-beefy–bare chested fantasy men. So we thought it was just a good marriage of words to come with Bare Beef as our company name. While there are numerous t-shirt companies geared for the bear community that featured cartoon oriented designs and phrases we however wanted our designs to feature actual images of beefy muscular guys.

Design wise; was there anything you drew inspiration on when it came to making the tees themselves?

As an artist, I drew upon images from tv, movie and photographic prints as well as everyday men I saw at the gym , bear events, clubs or just regular guys on the street with a strikingly handsome face or aspect about their bodies that I could draw and even enhance wherever i chose.

You use very bold and strong colors on your tees such as a sharp red and black for instance. Do you tend to shy away from a softer color palette due to the intensity in how the models wear the shirts?

Since the original drawings are grey from their inception and then outlined digitally, a lighter color palette would not necessarily provide as great of a contrast as it does with the bolder t-shirt colors. This way the bolder “colored fabric canvas” provides a backdrop that stands out more and shows off the artwork a little more prominently. As we continue to grow and designs become more varied we will very likely incorporate different color palettes accordingly for their respective designs.

Are these shirts designed for men of all sizes?

Currently our designs are available in Medium to XXXLarge sizes. Even though most of our customers are members of the bear community (bears cubs,otters,chubs) as well as the leather community, we have however more recently received many requests from smaller framed guys that we will of course be certainly fulfilling in the very near future.

What is your take on gay men’s fashion today. Do you find that it is a bit one note or do you think we are improving when it comes to body acceptance in the community overall?

When discussing body image acceptance as a whole within the gay community and all of its sub-cultures I personally believe that there is still need for improvement. The bear community has long been identified as one in which body image shape, size; etc has been much more accepting and less critical when compared to the other sub cultures. The other cultures have both promoted and continued to revere a more slender, fit contoured physique and thereby have not embraced nor been as accepting of fashions which were casual or otherwise.

You have amassed over 5,000 Instagram followers which is quite impressive. How were you able to build on that with your brand?

When the original idea came up to begin this line of tees and tanks we asked friends, acquaintances and models to wear a tank or tee and had a photographer take several provocative pics of the guys. Then, we slowly released the pictures one by one via Instagram exclusively and we gained an impressive following right from the start with the release of the first couple of pictures. From there it just grew and grew until the launch of the line in May. We have had several customers who have purchase a tee or tank then took a selfie of themselves in their tee or tank and then we posted those and received even more attention and more followers from those postings. We also try to keep up with our customers by liking and commenting on their posts.

Price-wise, what does an average Bare Beef shirt cost?

Industry-wise we are on the low end since some of the retailers actually sell their tees and tanks from anywhere $40-$50. Our tees are only $26.99 and tanks for only $24.99.

Do you have any events coming up with Bare Beef that my readers would like to know about?

Yes thanks very much for asking …International Bear Bash in Orlando, FL in September; Hibearnation in St. Louis, MO. in November; and North American Bear Weekend in Lexington,KY in February. There’s also a chance that we’ll have our shirts at the Mid-Atlantic Leather in Washington, DC in January although that is not yet confirmed. At each of those events, our line of tees and tanks will be available at the Vendor Market at the Torso Menswear booth.

What is your ultimate hope with the Bare Beef brand?

We hope to expand from just the line of tees and tanks and broaden the line to include items such as hats, underwear, shorts, swimwear or even gym bags. Ideally we’d like to see our line crossover into the other cultures and be worn by guys of all genres.

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Manhattan Digest’s List Of The Best Places To Eat In NYC

by Ryan Shea

Manhattan is a one of kind experience when it comes to being a melting pot of food you can try when you are here. Any type of cuisine is available to you, and chances are the food fucking rocks as I have yet to experience a bad place to eat here (outside of TGI Fridays, which was not my choice to go to.) In the two and half years of Manhattan Digest being active, we have reviewed and written about tons of different restaurants with different cuisines, backgrounds, areas and so much more. Question is, what is the best of the best? We now give you what we think is the best in each category. Take a look at who won in what and try not to salivate throughout the course of you reading this.

Haru Sushi, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Myself

Best Sushi- Haru Sushi (Multiple Locations)

Sushi is at the top when it comes to the type of foods that Manhattanites like to eat. So with all of the sushi places that we have tried at Manhattan Digest, Haru Sushi sticks out the most in terms of originality, texture and flavor that they put into each sushi roll. Moderately priced in a beautiful setting in each location (I recommend the Times Square one the most), Haru provides top notch quality Sushi such as their Rainbow Roll, consisting of Shrimp, Striped Bass, Yellowtail, Tuna and Salmon wrapped around Kani & Avocado or Perfect Fantasy Roll, which is Avocado-Wrapped Shrimp Tempura and Asparagus with Spicy Mayo. They also have bomb appetizers from Lobster Gyozo to Beef Negimaki, which showcase how great they are with flavor in not only their rolls but in their all encompassing menu. For more info check out our review here.

Credit to: Landry's Inc — Credit to: Landry’s Inc

Best Steakhouse: Morton’s Grille (19th Street and Park Avenue South)

The words “Morton” and “Steakhouse” kind of go together like Peanut Butter & Jelly. Morton’s is obviously known for its steak, and I wanted to choose their sister restaurant called Morton’s Grille as it has a really relaxed vibe to eat with some of the best steak I have ever had in my entire life. Options from New York Strip and Bone-In Filet Mignon are available at your disposal and taste out of this world freaking fantastic. If you want Steak in New York City, you have to choose Morton’s. Sometimes its best to stick to the classics. Check out our review here.

Credit to: Cooper's Craft & Kitchen — Credit to: Cooper’s Craft & Kitchen

Best Bar-Restaurant: Coopers Craft & Kitchen (8th Avenue between 18th and 19th Street)

Just because you are new to the block doesn’t mean you will be overlooked. Coopers Craft & Kitchen is a great example of that. With its flagship restaurant already a big hit in the LES, they opened a brand new one right in the heart of Chelsea on 8th Avenue and 19th Street which has already brought in quite the clientele in such a short period of time. If you are looking for a great bar setting with all of the amazing craft beers you can choose from on top of some pretty hearty and tasty food (POUTINE PEOPLE!) then this is the place to go to. Check out one of our write up’s here.

Manhattan Digest, The Kimberly Hotel, Bistango — Credit to: The Kimberly Hotel

Best Italian: Bistango (145 East 50th Street)

Authentic Italian food at its best is what you will find at Bistango. As part of The Kimberly Hotel, Bistango prides itself on delicious and heart Italian cuisine to fill your belly and leave you satisfied. Whether its their Meatballs Al Forno, Fettuccine with Lobster, or Rigatoni with Short Rib, they have you covered in all things Italian. Really a treat visually and taste wise as well. Check out the original review here.

whitmans, manhattan digest, manhattan, burgers — Credit to; Thrillist

Best Burger: Whitman’s NYC (409 East 9th Street)

The first burger joint that I reviewed for Manhattan Digest remains the best one I have done since that cold, December day. I had heard about Whitman’s through an article Thrillist regarding the best burgers in NYC, so I decided to take a stroll to see what all the fuss was about. This tiny, little space on the LES makes up for it in flavor and punch in each of their burgers they make, and that is evident in their world famous Peanut Butter & Bacon burger and Juicy Lucy (beef short rib, pimento cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, spicy pickles and special sauce). Hands down the best burgers I have tried here in Manhattan, and worth the trip downtown to see what all the fuss is about. Check out our original review here.

Manhattan Digest, H Bake Shop, Huascar Aquino — Credit to: Rebecca Woodman Taylor Photography

Best Bake Shop/Bakery: H Bake Shop (West 57th Between 11th & 12th)

You can trust that when someone wins “Cupcake Wars” on Food Network that chances are their cupcakes and other pastries are gonna taste damn good. When those chances are right to the millionth power, you have H Bake Shop, run by winner of “Cupcake Wars” Huascar Aquino. Why is this the best? There are so many reasons. His imagination when it comes to making cakes, cupcakes and more are endless (see what he did for my nephew’s 3rd birthday here. Mind blown). His cookies, especially the Chocotella, are the best cookies I’ve ever had in my life and some of his cupcake creations like his PB&J and Scarlet Velvet are just fantastic. Definitely worth checking out.

City Kitchen, The Row Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: City Kitchen

Best Lunch Spot: City Kitchen (8th Avenue Between 44th & 45th Street)

City Kitchen, attached to Row Hotel, is a great lunch spot because it has every different type of cuisine inside of it and reads like an upscale food market with great and affordable prices that anyone can enjoy. If you are looking for a quick bite like a delicious pretzel then try out Sigmund’s Truffle Cheddar Pretzel. Want to try a great taco or sushi roll? Asuki and Gabriela’s Taqueria are the places to go. If its a cold and rainy day and you want to warm up with a hot bowl of ramen then try the classic with Pork Belly at Kuro Obi. Really, its whatever floats your boat. Check out our review here.

Manhattan, Manhattan Digest, Jacob's Pickles — Credit to: Jacob’s Pickles

Best Restaurant In NYC (Overall)- Jacob’s Pickles (509 Amsterdam Avenue)

There is just something that sticks out to me and the team at Manhattan Digest on why Jacob’s Pickles is the best restaurant in NYC (and one we’ve reviewed). The location itself has such a relaxed and friendly feel to it, but it goes beyond that. The food is just extremely stellar. Known for its comfort food (and amazing line of pickles) Jacob’s is a great place to try out some really hearty items like their Mushroom Mac N Cheese or seasonal Turkey Leg Dinner which really are divine. Their biscuits served with a variety of preserves are a great way to start the meal off as well as they taste incredible together. Also, the best dessert I have had at a restaurant in NYC is their Biscuit Bread Pudding with a side of vanilla ice cream. Not for the faint of heart, but overall gets our award for the best restaurant in NYC.

Travel Steal- Plantation Inn’s “Unforgettable Maui”

by Ryan Shea

Although we are in the midst of a beautiful summer, the reality that it is almost over it setting in and many Manhattanites are looking to book their end of summer trips outside of NYC and somewhere just as warm and maybe even tropical. If tropical is the name of your game (and travel plans), then Hawaii fits the bill in terms of that and so much more. What’s even better is that The Plantation Inn, located near downtown Lahaina, is doing an incredible package that fits anyone’s budget for travel called “Unforgettable Maui”. What’s in this amazing package? Manhattan Digest shares the exclusive with you right here!

The “Unforgettable Maui” package offers guests a three night stay in a beautiful Lanai room, daily breakfast and dinner at the inn’s award-winning Gerard’s Restaurant. The intimate setting of the Plantation Inn is the perfect scene for a relaxing Hawaiian getaway, now accessible at an affordable price Other inclusions feature a great compact car to help you travel around the beautiful island!

All of this you can get for an incredible price of just $689! That’s beyond a steal from how I see it and sounds like a great time to be had with a loved one, friend or family. To book this incredible deal, click on this official link for more information. This is available until January 4th, 2016, so if you can’t make it by the end of summer you can try again when the weather gets cold and you need an escape from the freezing NYC streets! For all things Plantation Inn, check out their official site.

Happy Travels Everyone!

Celebrate National Watermelon Day Everyday with Haru Sushi!

by Ryan Shea

There seems to be a holiday for everything these days, and one of my favorite types of fruit just celebrated one yesterday- the Watermelon! Yes, National Watermelon Day occurs on August 3rd every year, and one of my favorite hotspots for all things sushi and more celebrated in a big way with two great new options for you to try. Haru Sushi, which I have given a stellar review to in the past, just developed a delicious new Watermelon Roll and Watermelon Lemonade to celebrate the occasion and keep it going throughout the summer.

Manhattan Digest, Haru Sushi — Credit to: Haru Sushi

Want to know what goes into both to amp up your taste buds the next time you go to this fabulous joint? The Watermelon Roll consists of Snow Crab, Green Onion, Mint and Watermelon and is topped with Shrimp and served with a Lemon Dressing. Sounds absolutely fantastic! On the flipside of things, the Watermelon Lemonade has Absolut Citron Vodka, Ty Ku Silver Junmai, St. Germain Elderflower Liquer, fresh watermelon, lemon and thyme syrup. Kind of their own take on a spiked lemonade. Sounds refreshing and tasty especially with the humidity that we have been experiencing lately!

Don’t just take my word for it though! Make a reservation for Haru Sushi tonight and experience the watermelon explosion and so much more that they have to offer! With locations on Amsterdam Avenue, Times Square, Wall Street, Third Avenue and Gramercy Park, you leave yourself with no excuse about traveling when you can find one in your own area. Check out their official site for more information on hours, menus and so much more.

Happy Eating and Drinking Everyone!

Manhattan Digest’s List Of The Best Hotels In Manhattan

by Ryan Shea

In the two years of Manhattan Digest being an active and fabulous site, I have had the wonderful opportunities to stay and review some fantastic boutique hotels in the best city in the world. With the warm weather here to stay for quite some time, people are flocking to New York City to see the best of the best when it comes to restaurants, theater shows and of course places to stay. So look no further as Manhattan Digest is giving you the best hotels to stay in while you are visiting New York City or just need a night away from your place and want to indulge in some fabulous fabulocity. Check out our picks for what is best.

Row Hotel NYC, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Fox Greenberg PR

The Row NYC- 8th Avenue Between 44th & 45th Street

The Row Hotel, conveniently located in the intersection of Hell’s Kitchen and Times Square, has a lot going for itself. In our original article reviewing its location, we titled it- “Glitz, Glam and Pizzazz” as that truly is what The Row really embodies. There is a great sense of retro meets modern as you walk throughout the hotel, with their suites adorned with portraits from legends like Mick Jagger and Jerri Hall with really unique color schemes adorned throughout. Amenities are plentiful at The Row but a great addition to the hotel itself is its elevated food court experience called City Kitchen, which boasts an array of different types of companies specializing in all things delicious from lobster, pretzels, sushi and more. To see our original review of Row NYC check it out here, and for our review of City Kitchen you can find that here.

414 Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: 414 Hotel

The 414 Hotel- 414 West 46th Street (Between 9th and 10th Avenue)

When you stay at a place that you know your time and presence there is valued, it makes you want to go back there again and again. The 414 Hotel is a great example of that. Located in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, this humble abode reads like a bed n breakfast and a lovely hotel all wrapped in one. The staff go the additional mile to make sure that your stay is top notch, and the rooms itself are quite beautiful to stay in as well. During your stay I recommend going down in the morning for the wonderful breakfast they prepare as it gives you a great sense of community within the establishment itself. For more information on The 414 Hotel, check out our review.

Manhattan Digest, Hotel Elysee — Credit to: Hotel Elysee

Hotel Elysee- 60 East 54th Street Between Madison and Park Avenue

Hotel Elysee reads as “Old New York In The Modern Era”. If you are looking for something with a great sophistication and class, this is the one hotel you should stay at. Hotel Elysee is part of the Library Hotel Collection, which also features The Library Hotel, Hotel Giraffe and Casablanca Hotel, all amazing locations that are worth the try as well on top of Hotel Elysee. All four of these locations feature an incredible breakfast buffet every morning, evening reception with top of the line wines and cheeses, and many other great amenities. As for Hotel Elysee, with guests that boast from Frank Sinatra and Tennessee Williams, why not add your name to that list? Check out the original review of Hotel Elysee here and be sure to check out all of the amazing hotels in The Library Hotel collection the next time you stay in Manhattan.

Kitano Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Kitano Hotel

The Kitano Midtown- 66 Park Avenue & East 38th Street

The Kitano in Midtown has a lot more to offer than your standard hotel that you can find in Manhattan. Being the only Japanese-owned hotel here, it adds several different facets to its already incredible hotel such as its “Jazz at Kitano” taking place each Sunday to its bevy of party selections that you can have there from a wedding, birthday party or even just a simple business meeting. On top of that, the rooms, hospitality and overall presence read as magnificent and it is truly an amazing experience for anyone looking to stay in Manhattan. Definitely one to check out! Here is the original review of this great establishment.

The Kimberly Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The Kimberly Hotel

The Kimberly Hotel- 145 East 50th Street (Between Lexington & 3rd Avenue)

The Kimberly Hotel was an easy pick for us at Manhattan Digest in terms of being one of the best hotels in New York City due to having so much to offer that you really don’t need to leave its location. On top of the excellent customer service, beautiful and majestic suites with some incredible views from the balcony and so much more, The Kimberly Hotel also offers two wonderful restaurants and a great lounge-esque type location all in one. If you are in the mood for all things Italian food you can exit to the right and try Bistango. More in the mood for a Mediterranean night? Try Ibis. Just want a great place to relax with some delicious drinks and snacks? Take the elevator in the hotel all the way up for Upstairs. All three locations have something great and interesting to them that make the experience at Kimberly that much better. Check out our official review of The Kimberly Hotel here, along with subsequent reviews on Bistango/Ibis.

Happy Travels Everyone!

Dojo Izakaya- Japanese Meets Casual Meets Delicious

by Ryan Shea

When it comes to living in New York City, the varieties of cuisines you can try and devour run plenty from one palette to the next. One type of cuisine that seems to run supreme throughout is Japanese, which was evidenced when I reviewed the beautiful & thought provoking Sushi Dojo a while back for this site (you can check that review here). I recently discovered that Sushi Dojo has a sister restaurant located in the Lower East Side as well called Dojo Izakaya. Dojo, which you can find on Avenue B and East 3rd, boasts a more casual dining experience compared to the elegant side that is Sushi Dojo.

Dojo Izakaya, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Bruce Dugan

Dojo Izakaya is a small and cozy space that packs a ton of really incredible food amenities that would work for anyone who loves Japanese food and will not hurt your wallet as all of the food is priced beyond reasonable (most of it is $10 and under). What’s even better is that you really get what you are paying for as the food is expertly prepared in small dishes that are great to be shared with your friends and family.

Some of the highlights for me that I highly recommend anyone trying upon their next visit to Dojo Izakaya include their Gobo Chips in the vegetable section of the menu. Gobo chips are essentially fried Burdock root with a spicy cod mayo. The Burdock root is tender and juicy with how it is cooked and the spicy cod mayo really adds such a delicious blend of heat to the Burdock itself that it really makes for a great starter course.

Manhattan Digest, Dojo Izakaya — Credit to: Bruce Dugan

In their Kushiyaki section, otherwise known as skewers, I would recommend getting their Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Kalbi (beef short rib) and Guyton (beef tongue) as all are expertly spiced and seasons and cooked very well. My favorite was the asparagus as quite frankly you can’t go wrong when anything is bacon wrapped. Completely delicious. Their meat section also has a great variety of choices, one being the Gyozo (pork dumplings in a spicy broth). Normally with pork dumplings I get them steamed with a side of soy sauce, however having these marinade in the spicy broth really elevated the flavor of the Gyozo itself, making it a really wonderful dish. The Buta Kakuni (Braised Pork Belly) was my favorite dish of the night as it was perfectly cooked and tasted stupendously. What is great is that if you order all of these together and share it with a friend, the cost per person before tax and tip would be $15 per. Easy and great spend in my opinion!

They also have a wonderful line of Sakes and drinks available for your pleasure. For more information on the menu and Dojo Izakaya, check out their official site.

Happy Eating Everyone!

Celebrate National Scotch Whiskey Day With The Famous Grouse

by Ryan Shea

New Yorkers take their variety of alcoholic beverages very seriously, especially when it always seems to be 5PM throughout the day. With today being National Scotch Whiskey Day (yes, it actually exists) Scotland’s favorite whisky The Famous Grouse has come up with two delicious recipes for you and your friends, colleagues and loved ones to enjoy. Check out the delicious concoctions they have come up with and for more information check out their official site.

The Front Porch Punch

Created by Eryn Reece, Death & Co.

2 oz Chai Tea Infused Famous Grouse*

.5 oz Lemon Juice

.5 oz Pineapple Juice

.75 oz Simple Syrup

1 oz Soda Water

Using the chai tea infused Famous Grouse as the base, combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain onto fresh ice in a rocks glass and garnish with lemon wheels

*To Make Chai-Tea Infused Famous Grouse:

Add 4 tablespoons loose leaf chai tea to a 750 mL bottle of The Famous Grouse. Let sit for at least half an hour and strain desired amount.

The Front Porch Punch (Large Batch – Serves 5)

Created by Eryn Reece, Death & Co.

10 oz Chai Tea Infused Famous Grouse

2.5 oz Pineapple Juice

2.5 oz Lemon Juice

3.75 oz Simple Syrup

5 oz Soda Water

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl or large pitcher. Stir gently and top with lemon wheels. Serve in rocks glasses over fresh ice.

All The “Tea” About Bear Week 2015 In Provincetown

by Ryan Shea

Ahh, summertime. The weather is warm, the Mister Softee trucks are everywhere, and the bears no doubt spend one fabulous weekend flocking to Provincetown, Massachusetts for its 15h Annual Bear Week which just occurred between July 11th through the 18th. Seeing as last year was my first year experiencing Bear Week in all of its glory (see more of that write up here), I decided to give it another shot with the full understanding of what I was going into. Last year was a lot to take in, and I’m not just talking about the variety of men at the PTown Inn Pool nor the Dick Dock (or as I lovingly refer to it- the gay Dunkin Donuts). I was aware of what the week had in store for me, yet this year seemed to be quite different from last year in many different ways.

This time around, I decided to relax a lot more and not stress the need to be at every single event and be out from 8am to 2am every single day. That concept can catch up to you pretty quickly and your batteries will burn out by day three most likely. The other thing I promised myself was to cook a lot more and eat at home as the restaurants (although fantastic) can get pricy and run up quite the bill for yourself by the end of the week. I kept both promises and had a much more laid back, not so expensive week that actually turned out to be quite the positive for me.

The hysterical and talented Peter Bisuito (left) and his amazing partner Mark Flanders

This year’s Bear Week was chock full of fun times, great parties and a wonderfully organized event that really made its 15th Anniversary one of its best years to date. The amount of men that came up this year seemed to have doubled from last year, and the general consensus that I got from this year like I did the last is that everyone for the most part has such a friendly disposition and really enjoys the level of getting to know each other at such a great capacity that it is nearly impossible for you to not enjoy yourself. Some of the fun events that I really had fun at was the Boston Ironsides Charity event, Comedian Peter Bisuito’s hysterical comedy show, Bear Week’s very own Furball, The Fireman’s Ball and of course the daily Tea Dances happening at the world famous Boat Slip Resort right on Commercial Street. Oh and anytime spent with my favorite guy George Unda (Detective Marcus Martinez on “Where The Bears Are”).

Before and during my time at Bear Week I was a member of the “Bear Week In PTown” Facebook page which sort of lost track of what the page was supposed to be about. Eventually it turned into a catty posting session of men being angry at each other for throwing shade about a “Did I Bring Too Many Clothing Options” post to the ferocious taking down of selfies that people would post on the page (myself included. Peter Griffin voice- GUILTYYYYYYYY.) The reason why I bring this matter up is I feel content like that would make someone not want to go based on a complete strangers reaction to a simple post that in the long run really shouldn’t mean too much. Is Bear Week overwhelming? To some, yes. Can you go the entire time without feeling that way? Absolutely. As I said in last year’s post, it really is what you make of it. I will say that if you do go alone it is is a little harder to penetrate (giggity) the field that is Bear Week, however as I ant to go nsaid previously there are so many amicable people there that it is hard to really justify any negativity at the actual event. Just go, find what is right for you, and enjoy the heck out of the entire thing. It is exhausting, exciting, liberating, sexual, boozy, hilarious and so many other adjectives all wrapped in eight days or less. It is up to you though to determine which adjectives you leave with.

Want to go next year? Check out the Bear Week page for official registration dates and more.

The Bard in the Berks: A Look at Shakespeare & Company

by Ryan Leeds

L-R: Bridget Saracino as Rachel and Tod Randolph as Zelda in THE HOW AND THE WHY. Photo by John Dolan

If your theatrical tastes lean more towards an Elizabethan flavor, there is certainly no shortage of classical options in New York City to satisfy your erudite palette. From the Public Theater’s stagings in Central Park to Riverside’s Park’s abridged version of Henry IV starring Steve Guttenberg (yep–the guy from Three Men and A Baby and Police Academy–really! ) and numerous other companies doing “pop up” versions of Shakespeare throughout the summer, Gotham offers accessible outlets to appreciate the Bard and his ilk.

But let’s be frank: For all of its’ cultural splendor, summers in Manhattan can be a real pain in ye olde derriere. As another wise William (Joel), once observed, “Some folks like to get away, take a holiday from the neighborhood.” Although the Hamptons and Fire Island offer an escape from the metropolitan frazzle, the Berkshires, located in neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut, provide a perfectly pastoral setting for one of the country’s larger Shakespeare Festivals.

Jonathan Croy in this season's HENRY V.. Photo by John Dolan. — Jonathan Croy in this season’s HENRY V.. Photo by John Dolan.

Tina Packer thought so too. In 1978, the British actor, writer, and director came to America and landed upon novelist Edith Wharton’s estate, the Mount, located in Lenox, MA. With a grant made possible through the Ford Foundation, Packer secured residency and years later, expanded her dream by purchasing a 30 acre home, one mile from the Mount. Currently, the company has three theaters on the property and is home to one of the largest theater-in-education programs in the Northeast. They also boast an intensive actor training program. Packer remains heavily involved as the founding Artistic director, and recently released a book explore the feminine aspects of Shakespeare called “Women of Will.” Later this summer, she will take to the stage in Jane Anderson’s world premiere, Mother of the Maid.

The troupe opened its 2015 season on Memorial Day and will continue though mid-September. Shakespeare & Company continually boasts an impressive line up of stage actors and this summer, they are thrilled to welcome back OBIE Award winning actor John Douglas Thompson, who will star in the Regional Premiere of Red Velvet, a play based on Ira Aldridge, the first African-American actor to play Othello on the English stage. Having seen Thompson in a one-man show based on Louis Armstrong (Satchmo at the Waldorf), and being aware of his acclaimed turn in off-Broadway production of Tamburlaine the Great last fall , it’s a safe bet that audiences are in for another riveting performance. Thompson could probably be cast in any role of a Broadway revival of Moose Murders and turn it into his magnum opus.

John Douglas Thompson in a 2008 production of OTHELLO. Photo by Kevin Sprague

A cerebral drama, The How and The Why, by Sarah Treem, writer of television’s House of Cards and In Treatment continues now through July. Yasmina Reza, the Tony winning creator of Art and God of Carnage will see her 1995 drama brought to life in An Unexpected Man later this month. Those who crave true Shakespearean verse can rush to Henry V and The Comedy of Errors, playing through August. In addition to their fully staged productions, special events, talks, and benefits fill Shakespeare and Company’s already robust calendar of events. Best of all, you needn’t a “borrower nor lender be” to afford any of them! Shakespeare and Company’s affordable ticket pricing allows for Broadway quality at a fraction of the cost.

Interim Managing Director, Stephen D. Ball and Co-Interim directors Jonathan Croy and Ariel Bock are thrilled that box office sales to-date are ahead of last year’s numbers and going strong. “After this tough winter, it is encouraging to see our summer season off to such a terrific start,” Ball said. “We have aggressive and inspiring programs that are being very well received.”

Although the season wraps in September, the Lenox based ensemble hopes to offer year round programming including performances, lectures, actor training, and educational resources.

Olympia Dukakis appeared here in 2013. That's right , folks. She's not afraid to travel outside of Manhattan! Photo by Deborah Feingold. — Olympia Dukakis appeared here in 2013. That’s right , folks. She’s not afraid to travel outside of Manhattan! Photo by Deborah Feingold.

The summer is still young, so point your compass north and take a three-hour jaunt to Shakespeare and Company in the Berkshires. While you’re there, check out the other cultural events that has made this destination a hotspot for the arts. A variety of transportation options are available from New York.

For tickets and more information visit http://www.shakespeare.org or call the box office at (413) 637-3353.

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