Chelsea/Meatpacking

 Graphics & Art from the Obama Campaign

Ahhhh the clever minds of the city’s artists… To celebrate the election of our 44th president, Barack H. Obama, and to salute his new gig with S-T-Y-L-E, Danziger Projects opened their newest exhibition, Can & Did, with an Inaugural toast Tuesday night at their Chelsea Studio. The cozy reception kicked off the exhibition, which will run through February, while simultaneously signifying the hope and confidence many Americans have in our new administration.  I was granted a sneak peak before the main event, and here are some visuals you have to look forward to:  The Obama “O” created by Sol Sender, Andy Keene, and Amanda Gentry, award winning photography by David Turnley from the campaign trail and visuals by Robert Indiana, Shepard Fairly and more. Can’t get enough? Visit The Obama Art Report to find out where you can view more Obama related visuals and can purcahse Obama related artwork. Note to low cash flowers: act fast. These pieces are sure to be gone before the recession.

Danziger Projects    521 West 26th Street near 10th    212-629-6778   FREE

Can & Did  January 20th – February 28th

So directly opposite from Piadina is a slightly larger (bi-level) but still intimate tapas restaurant called Alta. Again, desecend a couple stairs, yet this time find yourself greeted by a cellar-style bar with A-M-A-Z-I-N-G sangria. Yum. I had to wait a minute for my large party (another birthday) to arrive and while doing so realized that I too had once arranged a dinner party here. It was a blizzard out and we were the only people crazy enough to brave the elements. That was a younger, more naive me. Sigh.

Oh, our table is ready. If it were my birthday I would not want to be seated in this table directly next to the host/serving stand. Not to mention that they sat two people on one side, three people on another and one on the end.  Asymmetry semi-repulses me. Just south of the first mini dining area is an enchanted room furnished with the same wooden tables, but look up – greenery adorns the balcony railing…very Lord of the Ringsy. If you are on a date, judge him (or her) by where you sit as second level, railside is the only way to go.

We sat down at our table and after failing to bring the entire party menus – I had to reach behind me and get them myself! – the bus boy proceeded to spill six glasses of water on the birthday girl. Poor Essie. Luckily she’s a good sport. They brought us six drinks to make up for it, but never adequately replaced las aguas. AND I thought they should’ve asked us what we wanted rather than just making us these fruit punchy drinks because I certainly wouldn’t have chosen that. I WANTED SANGRIA.

Onto the food: It was delicious – however, like the agua, sporadically served. Dietary restrictions of several guests at our table forced us to try basically everything on the menu. The crab canonlini and the lamb meatballs were yums. The date/gorgonzola dealie (center) was so so. I loved the tuna tartare, but I always do. The cheese plate was good and had this peanut buttery spread, which I was informed were not peanuts, but tasted like peanuts, that pleased my palate. The service: Shoddy at best even though the maitre’d took such a liking to me that he insisted on escorting me to the door of the ladies room. “Upstairs, take a left, first door on the right,” would’ve done just fine thankyouverymuch.

Alta    64 West 10th Street, near 6th Avenue; 212-505-7777; Dinner Daily

Evidently, my friends double heart West 10th Street, particularly between 5th and 6th, because I’ve dined there twice in the past two weeks. And, yeah, I get it. The tree lined street could charm a crackhead. The brownstones decorated with pine roping and Christmas lights exude enchanment of another era, a different New York. And if that wasn’t enough, a stroll headed West will conclude with two remarkable restaurants: Piadina (Italian) to your right and Alta (Tapas) to your left.  Piadina, named after a thin Italian bread, has a loyal following that transcends the Village. Unprovoked, my friend Julie described it as “…the best Italian in New York for a great price.” Descend the unassuming ivy-covered staircase and you’re greeted by a quiant, dimly lit, savory smelling eatery. The brick walls and wooden chairs give an Old Worldy Italian vibe, while the artwork and quirky white kitchen tools hanging from ceiling (see below) nonchalantly serve as reminders that you actually are still in New York.

The waitstaff is excellent. (The poor guy patiently took our picture like ten times.) I’m notorious for having others order for me (um, no pressure) and was pleasantly satisfied with my waiter’s choices: steamed clams and gorgonzola polenta. The somewhat spicy calamari pasta draws a following and had three fans at our table of seven. We all loved the side of spinach and devoured it in oh so Popeyesque fashion, along with pea and prociutto pasta and plates of tomato and mozerella.

When I finally took a break from my group’s incessant remeber when-ing and adoring praise of Robert Pattinson Edward Cullen, I realized that like us, other patrons were engrossed in their own reminiscent convos. Because Paidina is best enjoyed with people you know: good friends, old friends, family and neighbors. While it produces tasteful meals that leave you lifted from wine and lingering for coffee and Tiramisu, more importantly, Piadina creates new memories for times to come.

So this year, and by this year I mean next year because I’m writing this on December 30th, let us resolve to be thankful for the people we have to go to Piadina with. (It was a lousy nod to the New Year, but a nod nonetheless.) Happy 2009 Food Lovers.

Piadina  57 West 10th, between 5th and 6th; 212-460-8017  cash only