What makes New York unique is it's history, tradition, culture, architecture, and people. There's the diversity of character of the people- that's the spirit of New York. I like places that represent what New York has been for decades and hasn't been rolled over and turned into another ubiquitous death by trendy restaurant. When I first came to New York, I went to a small and intimate place called Trax where late at night you could hear a fantastic jam session. The music was spontaneous. Joni Mitchell and James Taylor jammed there. They came out and played and nobody knew what was going to happen. Anyone could shop up, whether it was a scheduled band or artist, or somebody who was in town doing a big show and just wanted to relax and jam in a loose and unpressured environment. I love a place where serious music lovers can pop in to relax, hear new stuff and great music.
One of my favorite restaurants is Da Marino, right in the heart of the theater district and very much old New York. It's a neighborhood of friends and artists who come in to taste Pasquale Marino's southern Italian food. His mussels are incredible. Or sometimes he'll say, I'm inspired, let me just make this dish for you." Pasquale is from Calabria, very spirited and truly the captain of his ship. Yet, sometime someone will get on the guitar and just start singing.
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