Manhattan

As the last signs of snow melt away and we finally (Hopefully, fingers crossed!) say farewell to the bitter cold winter, pooch parks and city sidewalks will soon be flooded with the thousands of NYC pooches who are in need of some of that wonderful crisp spring air.  Since it has been what seems like an extremely long winter, I thought you might be a little rusty on the important dog laws of this city and could use a quick refresher course that will keep your pooch safe and your wallet full!

One of the most prevalent and most enforced is the  Dog Leash Law which states: If you are walking a dog in a public and / or open area next to a public area it is necessary to have your dog on a leash and that leash can be no more than six feet.  This law is important for the safety of fido, as you never know what can spook them with all the hustle and bustle of this city.

The Dog Waste Law comes with a stiff fine, but is incredibly easy to avoid….just pick up the poop!  (see, isn’t that simple?) Infact, Trixie + Peanut sell Oxo-biodegradable “scoopies,” which retail for $6.00 for a pack of 24,  are perfect for picking up the poop and saving the environment!

For additional NYC dog laws check out Downtown Pet’s website, which has a complete list.

-Lindsey

[WWD]Speicialty retailer known for its coats-Searle, has filed for bankrupcy court protection. Searle manufactures women’s ready-to-wear apparel & accessories. [WWD]

At the beginning of each New Year, we often find ourselves looking for a fresh start and a fresh new look to carry us through the coming year.  Our posh pooches are no different and deserve a shiny new ’do to kick off 2009 with a bang!  With that said, it’s always important to leave their beautiful coats in the care of a quality groomer with a sparkling resume!

The Pet Maven knows just how stressful going to the groomer can be for your four-legged friend, so they make it easy and bring the groomer to you! They offer several options depending on what your dog needs, and most packages include a pet massage (talk about luxury!)  www.thepetmaven.com

Located on the Upper East Side since 1959, Canine Styles is a well-established grooming shop.  They have a team of talented and experienced groomers that are very well known around the neighborhood for their technical abilities. After having my Sheltie, Dalton, groomed there for the first time this past summer, I can see why they have such a wonderful reputation!  You would think with such great care, there would be a big price tag, but they are very reasonably priced!  www.caninestyles.com

If your looking for a more hands-on option, take your pooch to the Dog Wash in Greenwich Village, where you can wash your doggie yourself.  For just $19.00, the Dog Wash supplies you with everything needed to get your dog into Tip Top Shape including: a private bath bay booth, an apron, endless amounts of warm water, shampoo, brushes and towels galore! (Insider Tip: Last wash starts at 6:15pm, so plan accordingly!) www.dogwashnyc.com

Leave your pooch’s bad hair days in 2008!

Happy New Year

-Lindsey

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