Manhattan Digest

The Long Trek to See Death Grips Live

I was initially asked by my editor to write an article about my weekend spent at Brooklyn’s Afro-Punk fest (August 21rst-23rd). While I promptly felt up to the challenge after being offered the role, it became lucid to my understanding that it would be a bit difficult for me to write an article encompassing the festival as a whole. I was only going to be there for two of the three days, and my knowledge of the festival’s history and promotion was limited. Therefore, I found that it would be far more impromptu to write a piece surrounding the act I was most eager to see perform at the festival that year: Death Grips.

Death Grips is an act I’ve been fervently following for the last three years. A three-piece from Sacremento, California the group is often referred to as an experimental hip-hop group, as much as being a rap-metal band (I personally like to refer to them as post hip-hop). After hearing their debut studio album “The Money Store” back in 2012, I quickly became a fan of their avant-garde-esque delivery, and raw sense of expression. Death Grips was a name that carried the rage of young men, only carrying a stigma of intelligence to it that appealed to an older audience as well. The group’s two musicians (Zach Hill and Andy Morin) were certainly instrumental for giving Death Grip’s it’s signature sound, but of even more fasciation to me was their frontman. Stefan Burnett (aka MC Ride) was a rapper/vocalist that brought new meaning to the moniker “black skin-head” with his towering physique, shaved head, ripped torso, and unfiltered sense of anger. He was clearly the piece that made Death Grips more than just another electronic act. With complex song-writing, an enigmatic aura around their lives, and cryptically unsettling lyrics (“She shoot pussy through your chest you die!”), Death Grips were the real fucking deal!

So it didn’t take long for me to jump on their bandwagon, but what was more problematic was actually getting to see them live. The group quickly became notorious for canceling shows, allegedly so they could work more on their music. I for one bought a ticket to see them play at Webster Hall in New York back in the summer of 2013, but my plan was ill-fated. A week before my show, they were set to play an after-party at Lollapalooza, but never showed up. Instead, keeping with Death Grip’s dark sense of artistry, they had a backdrop on stage which projected a suicide note sent to them by a fan while their music played off of a computer. Members of their would-be audience rushed the stage and trashed their equipment, which encouraged Death Grips to cancel the remainder of their tour.

Then in 2014, the group was set to open up for Nine Inch Nails on their American tour, but then announced that they were “breaking up” and removed themselves from the line-up. Giving the group’s degree of fidelity to both their fan base and the media in the past, it had to be taking with a grain of salt that they actually disbanded (they didn’t), but it still was a shock that they wouldn’t tour with a huge act like NIN. They were obviously throwing away a large sum of money and mainstream exposure for whatever reason they were doing this. It made me think, perhaps they are one of the few acts that care about their music/art more than monetary gain…like I said, they’re the real fucking deal.

So now, here comes my lucky year! In 2015 the group finally released their new double-disk album “The Powers That B”, and actually started showing up for their shows *gasp*. Upon hearing that they would be performing at Afro-Punk this year, I became ecstatic albeit in a cautionary sense. Afro-Punk was a festival I had been attending for the last four years, and it’s underground-esque aesthetic certainly meshed with that of Death Grips. I promptly bought my $70 weekend pass (for an event that was previously free), with a flicker of hope that my three years of patiently waiting would finally pay-off.

It did! Death Grips took the stage around 9:00 on the Saturday night of the festival, as the penultimate act before headliner Grace Jones. Right off the bat these guys showed they weren’t about bullshit. They didn’t say who they were, or that they were glad to be at Afro-Punk (leave that shit to Danny Brown!), and just got on stage and played fucking music. It was all I could hope for and more. They just displayed the raw power, and all-encompassing sound I was hoping for, along with a mosh pit (which I refrained from joining, but appreciated its presence). It felt akin to seeing a great noise band like Big Black or Jesus Lizard in their prime, and really reminded me what getting high off a performance feels like. Also, I might have lost a few pounds in sweat too!

Ultimately, I’m thankful it took me so long to see these guys. Upon first discovering them I played their music a lot, and while they’ve never stopped being a fixture on my playlist they became less frequent. Seeing them live reminded me of the sheer rush I heard the first time they banged through my head-phones, especially as they approach their music differently through their live shows (different instruments and soundscapes). Still, with the same furious delivery, and the indelible Stefan Burnett it’s unquestionably Death Grips. If I ever see these guys again (which will hopefully be soon) I just know that the results will be satisfying, just much less climactic.

Get To Know The Hilarious & Dynamic Trio Called The Under 5ers

by Ryan Shea

Even though I consider myself to be quite the funny person, especially my lack of dieting and amount of men I’ve been with lately at the height of my comedy/f my life mentality, it takes a lot for me to really find something out there in the universe that is really fucking funny. Ramona falling asleep on the Real Housewives of New York City reunion? Hilarious. That crazy white lady pretty much asking Donald Trump to eat her baby? Hysterical, and probably factual. But I found something so much more funny, silly, sexy and so many more adjectives in the Under 5ers, which is a web-series about three friends just trying to make it in New York City and all the issues that 20 something’s face while being here.

The Under 5ers is Matthew Wilson, Alexandra Nader and Sami Horneff. All three of them have an incredible background when it comes to theater and arts in general (American Musical And Dramatic Academy, London Dramatic Academy and Upright Citizens Brigade just to name a few) and that training really shows in just how incredible their comic timing and acting is in each episode. Subway issues? Dating issues? Job Issues? Brooklyn? COVERED! And done brilliantly. If there is a “next” in terms of what is next in comedy, these three are it.

Now they are diving deep into season two of their incredible show which just premiered on August 13th. Lucky for me, I was able to sit down with the three of them over dinner and get to know them a little more. They each talked to me about how this all came about, what The Under 5ers actually mean, comedy inspirations and what they are hopeful in their next steps. Take a look!

The Under 5ers, Manhattan Digest, Ryan Shea — Credit to: The Under 5ers

How did you three crazy people find each other in the first place?

The short answer is that we all met in an acting class. The more interesting answer is that not only were we all in the same acting class, but we all happened to be collaborating on a musical at the same time. The musical was the brain-child of our acting coach who aimed to get a group of artists together to develop, write, and star in a show. The three of us ended up writing a good portion of the score, and, in doing such, discovered our passion for creating new material and developing our personal style of comedy. Our acting class met till 5:30pm and our musical rehearsal started at 7:00pm, so in that hour and a half, those of us involved in both would go out to dinner. With Patron, a fabulous Mexican restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen, around the corner, the three of us quickly separated from the pack and bonded over our mutual love of margaritas. At Patron, we started brainstorming ways to create our own content. We’d write ideas on napkins or dialogue on bar tab receipts. And thus, The Under 5ers was born.

For each of you, was comedy that was always something instilled in you and something you wanted to do?

Matt: Growing up in McMinnville, Oregon and being a son of a truck driver…hell yes, comedy was instilled in me. I didn’t always want to “do comedy” but comedy was always there for me.

Sami: I actually got my start in Musical Theatre, where timing is essentially everything. From there, comedy came naturally, and the more I trained, the more I discovered my passion for both writing comedy and performing in it.

Alex: “Your features are too big.” This is the comment everyone always told me in my professional life. I was a small ethnic girl with a big smile, big eyes, and an uncomfortably loud way of speaking. Comedy was and is the only field that lets me be who I am and feel proud of it.

Similarly, who were your comedy inspirations growing up?

Matt: I grew up watching and mimicking Jim Carry and his many facial expressions. Then later in life I was touched and moved by Robin Williams. The honestly he brought to his comedy was unlike any other.

Sami: Because I grew upon the stage, funny theatre woman were my inspiration. Bernadette Peters, Kristin Chenoweth, and Kerry Butler have understated comedic strength and impeccable timing- I grew up attempting to emulate that.

Alex: I could not shout Lisa Kudrow’s name loud enough. She was everything I wanted to be. She is funny, sharp, honest, and most of all- weird. She doesn’t apologize for who she is or what she does. She marches to the beat of her own drum, and that is all I can hope to do as an artist.

How did you come up with the name The Under 5ers?

People ask us this question all the time and there are multiple answers. The nice answer is that we “aim” for all of our episodes to be under 5 minutes long…but we failed at that.

So the real answer is, we all started to see a particular pattern among our friends on Facebook. They would post any and all exciting casting victories (including but not limited to first round callbacks and extra work). With these “big name TV” opportunities, many ‘likes’ would follow. “Oh my God, Tracy you got a part on Blue Bloods, we cannot wait to watch”. When we finally did, turns out Tracy was the dead body in the corner. In our industry an “Under 5” is an actor that is hired for a guest spot of less than five lines. It’s a very ‘down on your luck’ concept that we wanted to extract and input into other life scenarios outside of the acting business.

The Under 5ers, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The Under 5ers

For people who don’t know about you guys, what is the web series all about?

The professional answer is: “The Under 5ers is inspired by the lives of three twenty-somethings living in New York City. It is a new web series about struggles, survivals, and hilarity along the way.” … so basically it’s a Three’s Company dynamic with Girls content. We KNOW there are a lot of shows out there about twenty-somethings not knowing who they are, and we don’t pretend to be anything but that. However, what’s unique about us is our commitment to letting our stories and our characters be as weird and honest as life is.

You are currently in the 2^nd season of The Under 5ers. Let’s take this back to the first season. What was that experience like and what have you learned the most when it comes to developing a webseries?

The first season was an experiment- one that we are very proud of. It was a labor of love. We had absolutely no budget, no experience, and no crew, only a camera and a commitment to making something funny. We were truly shocked when we started getting recognized on the street and our peers who we looked up to kept asking when they could make a guest appearance. We knew we had something that we had to continue. Season One taught us to have confidence and conviction in our writing ability no matter what the financial obstacles were.

When it comes to developing a web series the biggest lesson we learned was consistency. It’s about being organized, scheduling meetings and sticking to them, and having back up plans even for your back up plans.

What exciting things are in the works for season 2?

Alex: Plot!

Sami: Character development!

Matt: HOT GUYS!

Your tagline is “One city. Three Friends. A whole lot of problems”. What do you think is the biggest struggle for 20 something’s in NYC and how can they alleviate that?

Figuring out who the hell you want to be. For the first time, twenty-somethings have the luxury of being what Aziz Ansari calls “emerging adults,” which means they can take the time to make mistakes and experiment with careers, relationships, and identity without fear of peril. We’re living in a revolutionary time, but with the amount of choice that we have, we’ve found it’s hard to make one.

What would you say is your biggest hope for this show going forward?

Once a week, we would get together and fashion our own writers’ room at Sami’s kitchen table. It was as close to church as the three of us would ever get. Our hope going forward is to keep collaborating and to invite other, more experienced artists into our circle. #JudeApatowPleaseLoveUs

Anything else exciting coming up with the show that you would like to add?

We don’t want to give away any spoilers, but we think our audience will be happily surprised with the direction this season will take after the first two or three episodes of exposition. We introduce re-occurring characters, and you’ll be able to see real development in the three friends as they experience the pains of growing up. As for Matt, Sami, and Alex as creators…..whelp, we’re still trying to figure that out.

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The High-Low Skirt: Everyone’s Next Wardrobe Staple

by Danielle Flocco

The High-Low Skirt is going to be all the rage this fall, and I’ll tell you why- it is the best skirt for absolutely any woman. It is perfect for any body shape, it can be worn formal or casual, and best of all… prices start at just $15! It’s not very often that a versatile piece like this can fit anyone’s budget. It’s a win-win for you and your wallet, and you’re confidence will soar.

Amidst the movement for people to be more positive about their body, regardless of size, age, complexion, and so on, there’s no better time than now to introduce your wardrobe to something made for everyone. Most high low skirts are high waisted, which is great for adding length to your legs and showing off your shape. Plus, it only shows off from the knee down on one leg, so if you’re anything like me (read: shy), you’ll feel appropriately covered. It’s the perfect mix of sexy yet conservative.

It’s a great piece if you’re working on being more body positive since it will empower you and boost your confidence without taking you out of your comfort zone. You’ll be mostly covered, but still showing off. It’s the perfect introduction to loving yourself- it’ll show you all of your best assets and keep you comfortable. And for all of you who are already bold, it’ll bring that level of sophistication and sexiness that cannot be found in any other skirt. It’s great for showing an appropriate amount of leg for almost any setting, while still showing off everything you’re proud to be. This might be the only skirt that is for anybody and any body.

And, there’s really no wrong way to wear a high low skirt! Depending on your personal comfort level, you can tuck a shirt smoothly or blouse it over the waist a bit. Either way is cute and professional, perfect for the office or an evening out. For fall, complementary colored tights can be added for extra warmth that won’t take away from the awesome leg line the angle of the skirt will give you.

Because of the length and angle of the skirt, regular flats are not a good shoe to pair with it. But, ankle booties and pumps are both great options, and the choice between the two can be made depending on where you’re going.

I have two favorite styles to wear with the high low skirt. First, is the very professional and office friendly outfit. Pairing the skirt with a nice blouse, tucked in just a bit at the waist, will give you the long leg line while keeping your torso separate from your lower body. Throw on a pair of pumps and you’re ready to lead your next meeting! Second is more of a fall evening at an art gallery look. I like to tuck a long sleeve turtle neck sweater smoothly into the skirt, creating a continuous line in my body from shoulder to ankle. This look works great if you’re trying to create the illusion of a long body line from top to bottom. Pair some plain tights with your favorite pair of ankle booties, and you’ve got a sophisticated yet comfortable vibe.

High low skirts start for around $15 on Amazon and come in a variety of colors. I suggest black and charcoal for starters, and then diving into the more bold colors. Or, splurge on yourself and get a bunch! Either way, get this versatile piece in your wardrobe and start feeling your absolute best.

I purchased the one shown for myself and it is very good quality for a great price, so here’s the link to my new staple: http://amzn.com/B00ZYUGLPO

Theater Reviews: RED VELVET & MOTHER OF THE MAID

by Ryan Leeds

I don’t know your life. I’m not pretending to be omniscient nor do I mean to minimize your issues, but I can hedge a pretty safe bet that your personal problems will dwarf in the shadows of Ira Aldridge and Isabelle Arc. These historical figures are the subjects of two productions, Red Velvet and Mother of the Maid, currently running at Shakespeare and Company in Massachusetts’ culture rich Berkshires.

John Douglas Thompson in RED VELVET. Photo by Enrico Spada.

Lolita Chakrabarti’s Red Velvet tells the story of Aldridge (John Douglas Thompson), a well-known 19th century actor who made his mark playing classical roles throughout Europe. When esteemed actor Edmund Keane falls ill at London’s Covent garden while playing Othello, Aldridge is summoned as a replacement. Pierre Laporte (Joe Tapper), the company manager is quick to suggest Aldridge. What he fails to tell the acting troupe is that Aldridge is African-American. Laporte, an upbeat optimist, thinks nothing of it. However, Keane’s cast is unjustifiably unsettled by the new actor. Facing even further opposition, Aldridge must endure theater critics who judge him based more on his physical appearance than the quality of his work. In spite of audience approval, the theater board is tasked with a challenging decision to keep or remove their new replacement. Aldridge is also suspected of dalliances with his co-star, Ellen Tree (Kelley Curran), further adding to his challenges.

Joe Tapper and John Douglas Thompson in RED VELVET.Photo by Enrico Spada.

Told with the theatrical device of a flashback, Chakrabarti’s script maintains a vitality throughout. It would be easy to single out Thompson for his gripping portrayal, as this Obie award winner leaves an indelible stamp on every role he assumes. Red Velvet is no exception. Yet his fellow actors enhance this play to new heights that strike the perfect balance between intellect and emotion. Director Daniela Varon and her team deserve a standing ovation for mounting this important work that will hopefully transfer to the New York stage. At one point, Ira describes the potency of drama, “That’s the beauty of theatre…it’s about getting under your skin.” Based on that criteria, Red Velvet triumphs.

On the opposite side of the Shakespeare and company campus, a mother is wringing her hands and scrutinizing over her faith in Jane Anderson’s Mother of the Maid. Isabelle Arc (Tina Packer) is a steadfast woman of faith who finds herself in complete dilemma over her French peasant daughter Joan’s (Anne Troup) decision to fight against England in the hundred years’ war. Joan finds the inspiration after continuous conversations and visions from Saint Catherine (Bridget Saracino). Neither Isabelle nor her already cantankerous husband, Jacques (Nigel Gore) approve proclaiming, “You’re a stubborn, reckless girl and you have no idea what you are doing.”

Anne Troup and Tina Packer in MOTHER OF THE MAID. Photo by Enrico Spada.

Joan of Arc’s 15^th century story has been told countless times in various media outlets and the tragic ending of Joan’s life is not a spoiler alert, but Anderson’s contemporary approach to the material is edgy, innovative, and thoroughly affecting. Anderson, an Emmy award-winning writer, has so deeply cut to the core of parenthood that even those without children will be left in a state of moving reflection. A particularly profound moment comes when Isabelle explains the role of motherhood to the Lady of King Charles’ court (Elizabeth Aspenlieder) : “You don’t know her. You never cleaned her nose or wiped her bum or picked the knots out of her hair,” she begins, and ends with a declaration: “You never knew her restlessness and you don’t know her fear. My child is so afraid.” Enter Kleenex.

Like Red Velvet, the company is blessed to have a “rockstar” leading actor, this time with Shakespeare & Company’s founder Tina Packer in the role of Isabel, but she is not tasked with the burden of carrying the play. Often with well-known stories from history, interpretations can become too mawkish and hokey. With Anderson’s script and Matthew Penn’s compassionate guidance, the whole ensemble unites with sympathetic and deeply felt story that will shine new light into the soul.

In addition to the two works reviewed, many other events have shaped the season at Shakespeare and Company. Within the last few weeks, they closed a marvelous compilation of Shakespeare’s works called Shakespeare and the Language that Shaped a World which ran in their charming outdoor theater. Another outdoor production, Hamlet, was staged in the on the bucolic grounds of the nearby Edith Wharton home. A truncated version of The Comedy of Errors was met with much critical acclaim before ending its run on August 23^rd.

Those in the mood for a cerebral comedy still have time to catch Yasmina Reza’s two hander, The Unexpected Guest, along with Red Velvet and Mother of the Maid.

For tickets and information to Shakespeare and Company, visit their website http://www.shakespeare.org/Better yet, get out of New York for a spell and discover this gem (and the beautiful Berkshires) for yourself.

Why You Should Check Into The Hotel Belleclaire

by Ryan Shea

Here at Manhattan Digest we are always on the lookout for some of the best of the best when it comes to hospitality in the best city of the world. That of course includes the best hotels to stay at upon your visit to NYC or if you just need a place to crash for the night. Most recently I discovered the delightful Hotel Belleclaire, nestled in the heart of the Upper West Side on 250 West 77th Street. A short trip away from the 1, 2 and 3 subway lines, Hotel Belleclaire offers a classic & elegant touch in an area that has a similar feel upon entrance.

Hotel Belleclaire, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Hotel Belleclaire

Something that I really loved about the Hotel Belleclaire was that you felt like you were transported to a different era and time, circa 1920’s and 1930’s. At the same time, there are modern touches throughout the hotel that really give it such a great duality on just that mixed with retro that I think would attract any type of customer. The hotel itself has been opened for over 100 years and has attracted visitors from Mark Twain and Babe Ruth just to name a few. It was also once referred to as a skyscraper on Broadway and was considered to be one of the most luxurious buildings in the city. Several years later, this landmark has stayed consistent in its appeal and charm and after my stay I can definitely see why.

The room I stayed in, otherwise known as their Parlor Suites, was spacious, colorful and beautifully decorated with upscale furnishings. They also have family suites, city view and Broadway King where you literally feel like you are being treated as such. One thing to check out if you are a Yankees fan is the Babe Ruth Suite which is adorned with memorabilia and art about the legend himself. Hotel Belleclaire, which is part of the Triumph Hotels brand, also offers complimentary walking tours to explore the various neighborhoods in partnership with Streetwise New York, one of the most knowledgeable tour guide companies in the business. The tours are available Tuesday – Sunday at each of the seven properties and are available to hotel guests and open to the public. More information on that can be seen here.

Kristine Chu, who is the director of marketing and sales for Hotel Belleclaire, was nice enough to sit down with me so I can get to know more about the hotel a little more.

How long has the Hotel Belleclaire been around for?

Hotel was built in 1903 by Emery Roth.

The hotel itself has a very early 20th century-late 19th century appeal to it. Is that what you and the staff are trying to convey?

Our 10 story Beaux Art style structure was designed by famed architect, Emery Roth. Our recent renovation of the hotel convey a perfect blend of Classic Charm and Stylish Comfort.

What separates the Hotel Belleclaire from other hotels in the Upper West Side?

Location aside, our Service level and value-add amenities are the most mentioned & sought after attributes from our hotel guests.

What kind of amenities are guests treated to when they stay at your hotel?

Here are some highlights of our hotel features and amenities for your reference:

Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary Media Lounge with over 10,000 arcade games, 3 computer work stations and Flyte tracker screen.
Complimentary overnight shoeshine
Complimentary newspapers on weekdays
Complimentary 24-hour fitness center
Deluxe C.O. Bigelow bath amenities
Luxurious Frette linens
Mini refrigerator
Mille-Feuille Bakery Cafe

Any events coming up at the hotel that would be of interest to our readers?

With Fashion Week coming up, our parent company, Triumph Hotels usually partners with a vendor for mini-makeovers or massages. For this September’s upcoming Fashion Week, we will be partnering with Pucker offering 15 minute make-up, make overs which include eyes, lips and foundation. We are developing lipstick colors named after our hotels to pair with our nail polish color. We will giving out some of these nail polish/ lipstick sets to our VIP and female travelers.

Ultimately, why should people choose Hotel Belleclaire for their next hotel stay in Manhattan?

Offering a great location close to Central Park, Lincoln Center and easy access to midtown without having to pay the deep pocket midtown rate, loads of value-add/complimentary amenities and the opportunity to experience a genuine NYC neighborhood living are few of the compelling reasons to choose the Hotel Belleclaire for a NYC visit.

Check out Hotel Belleclaire’s official site for more information. Happy Travels everyone!

Check Out What’s Happening At Morton’s Grille

by Ryan Shea

Morton’s Grille, located on Park Avenue South between 18th and 19th Street, already has a lot going for it. On top of being part of the world famous Morton’s brand, the brand new location has already received great fanfare and accolades such as being named Best Steakhouse by yours truly here at Manhattan Digest. With all of the buzz surrounding Morton’s Grille itself, the restaurant wants to pay it back by providing its customers with some really great incentives that you should try the next time you show up to dine.

Morton's Grille, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Morton’s Grille

Between now and September 12th, Morton’s Grille is closing the summer out with their “Summer Finale”. What is the Summer Finale? Essentially it is a 3 course meal all for $30. That is beyond a steal in any type of restaurant in Manhattan, let alone Morton’s. So you can do a combination of great appetizers from Buffalo Chicken Meatballs to their Crispy Veggie Roll, then make your way towards the entree selection that includes top of the line delicacies like Chicken Chop Diane and a 6oz Center-Cut Filet Mignon as some examples. You also get to choose a delicious side such as their incredible Mashed Potatoes and Garlic Green Beans and finish off your meal with their great line of desserts like Key Lime Pie and New York Style Cheesecakes.

Something else that Morton’s Grille is doing that is super awesome is their Power Hour, taking place Monday to Friday from 3-6:30 PM and then from 9 to close as well as Sundays from 3 to close. Available only at the bar, you can come and bring your friends for some great drinks as well as fantastically priced Bar Bites like their delicious Steak Tacos and Bacon Fat Braised Ribs. BACON!!!! Just another good reason to stop on by.

And of course, they have an out of this world Wine List where you can find any type of domestic or imported wine of your choice at a highly discounted price. So if red or white wine strikes your fancy, Chardonnay or Cabernet is your way to go, Morton’s has it all for a deliciously low price that is sure to entice and enjoy. Basically, just go there and have a good time no matter what the occasion is. It really is a beautiful and great place to dine at and you will enjoy it now or anytime of the year. For more information, check out their official site.

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

by Ryan Shea

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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Get To Know The Handsome & Thoughtful Marcus Isaacs

by Ryan Shea

Its always a good thing when you can find a duality in the industry that you work for and be successful in doing so. This can be said about adult film star Marcus Isaacs, who has built quite the impressive reputation in his nearly three years of being in the industry. With an industry that has such a high turnover rate, Marcus’ popularity seems to continue to grow due to a multitude of factors such as good looks, charm, personality and being able to perform on camera. He also rides the line very well with many different top studios and has been a fan favorite of many for the past couple of years.

I met Marcus a couple of years ago at a mutual friends housewarming party where I was first introduced to how enigmatic & sweet this guy really was. I recently caught up with him at a local Crunch where the talks of doing this interview surfaced and he was completely game. Marcus talks about his time in the industry, his inspirations that got him there, his surprising take on the bareback side of things, and where he sees his hopeful future. Take a look.

Marcus Isaacs, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Marcus Isaacs

So tell me what got you into the adult industry in the first place?

Actually Morgan Black was the first person to talk to me about what the benefits would be, and that it would change my life. At the time, I was just starting to go to the gym after not going for a couple of years, and to be honest I always had this inkling to be notorious and have a bit of fame and I knew that would be a way to experience that. Also, I’m a very sexual person so I saw it as a way to seal things in time so that when it’s all said and done and I’m 50 or 60 I would always have those videos to look back on, and not the amateur ones but the ones produced by studios and projects that I worked on so I could say that I was part of that world.

And I’ve always loved porn and porn stars so I kind of wanted a little bit of what they had going for them and be desired by fans and people alike, travel a bit and of course have sex with really hot guys. It’s as simple as that.

Did you have any inspirations in the adult world besides Morgan that drove the desire to be in that world?

I was a huge Damien Crosse fan at the time; I remember he was a huge inspiration for me. The inspiration was any porn star that was really freaky but came across as organic. I would see scenes with him or back in the day with Lucas Entertainment when Chad Hunt was with them and even the old Colt Models, just kind of wanting to be extremely sexual on camera and have people see that it wasn’t acted. Damien exemplified that type of organic behavior and its definitely inspired me when I do my scenes.

You are in the industry where there is such a high turnover rate, yet you remain relevant and more popular than ever. How have you been able to manage that over the course of three years?

I never was exclusive to a studio, so I think sometimes when someone goes really high that people get a little tired of seeing them over and over again in one particular venue. It’s kind of like a hit song; it gets tiring after a while. I know for me that I was never exclusive, and never solely did condom porn and worked with a lot of studios but always had the thoughts in the back of my mind with sticking to one type of porn or one studio in that it would have been better for my career. But at the end of the day I really like that I wasn’t with one studio or something for a long time and then did whatever after. I’ve worked with so many studios and that has helped my longevity due to being versatile. What I mean by versatile for example is that there are a lot of stars that won’t do bareback, they are against that, so it enables me to be open to working with a lot of studios based on what they are promoting and not be stuck to one specific genre.

Are there any particular scene partners or scenes that stick out to you as a favorite since you started?

The best time was my video “Breeding Marcus Isaacs” with Treasure Island Media. I felt so honored that Max Sohl did an entire collection of scenes based on myself. I was really humbled by it. I was really appreciative of that whole thing so I think that was the most memorable project or group of projects because that was six or seven scenes and then the last scene of the movie was an entire group scene with me in the middle. I don’t think a lot of stars get to have a video that has their name on it, so that was really kind of the biggest thing for me.

Are there any guys you would love to work with?

Obviously Damien Crosse but two other guys who I think are really hot and would love to work with are Rogan Richards and Shay Michaels.

So what’s your take overall on the industry today?

I guess it’s ok, I don’t watch a lot of porn. If I do watch porn it’s either bareback and/or straight porn. Although the men in big studio condom porn are beautiful, the scenes are extremely inorganic and boring to me. It’s rare that you find a gay porn actor that looks organic on camera. The big studios are boring, and the talent is lackluster. The positions are all the same too, and half the time the bottom isn’t even hard. Its one thing to be hot but you have to make it look real and portray the fantasy you’re trying to get across well.

So there seems to be more and more stars nowadays doing a good mixture of condom and bareback. What has been your experience with doing so since you began your career?

So I was a little calculating when it came to doing bareback. My first scene ever was a threesome with Treasure Island Media that consisted of me, Morgan Black and Dominic Sol. At the same time I had scenes scheduled with Titan Media, so I went to Titan and did those scenes letting them think that they were the first scenes they I did but in actuality they were with Treasure Island. As soon as Titan found out that I did those scenes, they chopped me off and said that I couldn’t work with them. Besides that incident, I actually did condom porn for a while, working with some of the top studios like Raging Stallion and then worked my way into working with the bareback ones as well. It hasn’t hindered my opportunities though.

So seeing as you have done a good amount of bareback porn, there are people out there that are critical of that particular part of the industry because they think it brings more negativity to the gay community overall. What is your take on it?

I think it’s just a matter of what people choose to look at; I don’t think the medium is really the effector here. Whether they see it online or come across a lot of people in their life in the age of pRep that aren’t going to want to have sex with a condom either, it is still going to be there. The influence is still going to be there if they choose to look at condom or bareback, or go to a sex party where everybody doesn’t want to use a condom. Porn shouldn’t be looked at as what influences someone’s decision making, someone’s education should do that. It is simply a fantasy.

In doing my research on you, you also have done escorting for Rentboy for quite some time now. What do you think, in today’s day and age where you can find someone that would be into you in a click of a button, do people actually want to pay for an experience like that?

The reason is because, I think Grindr and Scruff and these apps are so difficult sometimes. Guys can be such jerks, hide behind their phones, play games and not be serious. They aren’t very nice to each other so I think a lot of times these guys who hire Rentboy’s just want a professional. There are no games, they show up when you want them to and they give you the fantasy that you are looking for. These apps can be so much work in terms of the back and forth, is this guy serious, is he just enjoying this type of thing with no end result, it can be maddening. So going through something like Rentboy is simple and time efficient while getting what you want at the end of the day.

You are based in Manhattan like a lot of other guys in your industry happen to be nowadays. Do you ever plan on relocating?

It’s interesting you say this because I was talking about this sort of thing with my boyfriend the other day. I have been in Manhattan for 18 years now and the thought of relocating elsewhere is something I would consider. There are reasons of course, but a change of scenery wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

What are you hopeful for in your career going forward?

I think I got another solid year in me with this industry. I would love to continue working with great studios and hot guys, like the scene I just did with Rocco Steele. That is the type of scene that had such chemistry and a connection, so if I could do a few more scenes like that and be memorable then that would be perfect. I love doing really organic and beautiful stuff and hope to do that as my career goes on.

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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.

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