Florent is closing

DINGY DINER OF STARS MEATPACKING IT IN Nearly a decade ago when I first move to New York, I spent a good number of booze filled early mornings here eating crab cakes and yummy fries.  It was for the fabulous and not so fabulous, the regular folk.  Floret was always a good time and good food.   Now where do I go for a late-night/early morning meal?

Street Vendor Project

Last nite I attended the Street Vendor Project monthly meeting. As some of you know, I’m working on Street Food photo series so I thought it’d be a great way to meet some potential portrait subjects. The meeting was a total eye-opener. It was mentioned that there are around 10,000 vendors in NYC. You see them everywhere selling food, books, clothes, paintings in Times Square. I never realized that amount of police harasment they endure, the fight to make a living, $1,000 fines, lack of City interest (Mayor Bloomberg) and the immigrant nature of the business.

Take this story for instance. Mohammed Liaket Ali has sold hot dogs for years and his preferred location is on Cedar Street near Broadway. Well one day he shows up and finds a Greenmarket in his location with no prior notification. There’s a conflict, the police come, his cart is confiscated along with all the food.  To top it off, the police apparently threw away $1,200 worth of food and drinks. What?!? Now he’s suing the City for loss of business and damage to his cart. Mohammed will also be speaking out at the Manhattan Community Board 1 meeting March 25th.

On a more positive note, it was great to meet the vendors and Sally and Joe from Pratt!

Your Cheatin’ Heart

Two of my friends broke up last week. I can’t stop thinking about it. I mean, they were the super couple; you didn’t mention one name without the other. He broke up with her, and is now sleeping with their mutual friend. 9 years down the drain. God, I feel horrible for her. And I also keep thinking of both my current relationship and my first love. In August, Adam and I will have been together 9 years. Funny, it doesn’t feel that long. We’ve definitely had our hard times, but I’m glad that we’ve stuck through it. If it happened to them, what about us? Deep down, I know why I feel so bad for her. I totally understand. My first love cheated on me. Not once, but twice – that is, with two different girls. He was my best friend. We were going to get married. The first time was with someone who I thought was my friend. It was hard to get over that betrayal. Yes, overall cheating is wrong, cheating is cowardly, but when the one you are madly in love with is unfaithful, it hurts way more. It took me over two years to forgive him for breaking my heart. So I feel my friend’s pain. How can people do that? Do they even realize the agony they’ve inflicted on someone else? I mean, if you’re not happy, then get out of the relationship. Then you can see whomever you want.

There’s a selfish part of this though. I walked by their place tonight and thought of all the good times we all had together. Hanging out during the hot, sweaty New York summers drinking, laughing, eating BBQ. It’s like I lost one of my friends. I’ll see her again. But him, I don’t know. And their mutual friend…I liked her too.

Things happen for a reason. You may not see it through the tears, but you’re making room in your life for something greater.

Bitfire

My buddy Clint ended his freelancing days and started Bitfire, Inc. for all digital imaging.  He’s one of my closest friends and I’m excited to see him to do well.

Paris Pics

Well, got back early this morning (12:30a), then back to work @7:00a. Bleh. Anyways, here are my Paris pics.

J’adore Pierre Herme

I’m in Paris, haven’t slept and lying on my hotel bed watching Knight Rider in French.   I had a great afternoon walking around the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th Arrondissements being a tourist, searching out the best falafel in the Marais and of course, getting my fave Pierre Herme macarons!  I only bought 6 – (2) rose, pistachio, ispahan, chocolate and green tea.  Oh man, they are sooo airy and subtle tasting!   Ladurée macarons totally pale in comparison.   Totally brain dead me, off to dinner then crashing.   

Beer Table – review

*** Just so you know, I’m leaving for Paris tonight, so I’ll probably won’t be posting until I get back next week. ***

Beer Table in South Slope is finally open and well worth the wait! We stopped in last night after dinner at Cafe Steinhof. Ok, I admit that I thought it would be another “microbrew” bar on a smaller level than Heartland Brewery. Instead I was totally happen to find a very intimate drinking spot for beer lovers. Last night the place was packed and Justin (who owns the bar along with his wife, Tricia) was working by himself and running a smooth ship.

Beer Table features an amazing offering of well-curated international beers along with a few non-alcoholic options. Last night, they had 3 beers on tap, 1 cask and probably 20 different bottled beers listed from lightest to heaviest on the daily menu. The list is awesome!

I went with Adam and Dominic, a talented young photojournalist from Toronto. It took ages to order since I was honestly a bit overwhelmed with the options. Beers were described like wine – honey, earthy, corriander, rubber, smokey. Wow! Now as wine lover I appreciate that! So I asked Justin for some advice and he steered me toward a Sinebrychoff (Finland, $9). A 7.2% porter, it’s dark chocolately and earthy and definitely a sipper.

Adam opted for an English rootbeer. I didn’t get a taste of Dominic’s first beer (Oskar Gordon, $5), but the second one, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout ($14), OMG, was amazing! It’s dark as midnight, 11% and looks thick as oil when poured into a sniffer. Share one bottle between three or four of you. It’s casked in bourbon barrels for 100 days giving it an oaky, smokey, chocolate aroma with a caramel taste. For a beer with such heavy aspects, it maintains a lighter feel.

There were some small plates, cheese and charcuterie offered, but we were full from the goulash and trout. I did eye what looked like Guiness cheddar on a plate though.

As for the environment itself, there are three long communal tables, along with a tiny 1 or 2 person counter. The mason jar lamps dim low giving a nice intimate touch. I can’t wait to go back!

Beer Table, 427 B 7th Avenue (between 14th & 15th Streets in Park Slope), Brooklyn, NY 11215 718.965.1196

Cafe Steinhof, 422 7th Avenue (@14th Street in Park Slope), Brooklyn, NY 11215 718.369.7776

Annie, the Queen and my friend Alan

Here’s an interesting video of working a celebrity shoot. You’re lucky if you get 30min. My friend Alan teched this job on Annie Leibovitz’ shot of the Queen. You see him a couple times – standing with other assistants when the Queen enters and sitting by Annie, holding the camera. That’s when Annie asks the Queen to take off her tiara. Pretty ballsy. Probably the “highest” celebrity shoot I’ve been on was of Bill Clinton after his heart surgery. 3 hrs to set up, 15min to shoot. I’ll post the photo Clinton and me later.

2008 Goal – Shoot

I’m totally done with assisting and teching. I mean, I’ll still take the work, but my focus is now moving on and shooting. Working in top tier fashion has opened my eyes to creative possibilities and technique. I feel quite lucky to work with David Sims. Yeah, he’s demanding but Dave has vision, is technically knowledgeable and focused on craft.

Quick plug – got a credit in the current issue of W. And my business cards from Moo finally arrived.

This afternoon I’m having lunch with a stylist, packing up equipment for Paris and then dinner with a Hassidic guy I’m shooting next weekend. I’m still not sure what photo direction I want to go in long term – portraits, fashion, documentary. But for now I’m just going to focus on my current projects, develop a point of view and go from there.

Creepiest front of the house (yet quite interesting!)

08001_Feb29_186.jpg, originally uploaded by rockstarbaun.