The Graduates

As this weekend’s summery weather reminded me, May is nearing and college seniors everwhere are about to make the jump into the real world. The New York Times lets everyone sneak a peak at what they’re going through with an online blog series called The Graduates.

In it, a number of current college seniors meditate on their anxieties. They wonder what the “consulting thing” winning over so many of their econ major friends actually is, they debate traveling the world rather than finding a job, and they worry about how they’ll survive outside of college, without advisors, cafeterias, and friends who live next door.

Even two years out, I still relate to many of the issues discussed. And it’s just interesting to hear what current students are thinking. Check out the comments on each entry, too. Some of them contain debates and good advice from readers.

Note that you need Times Select to access this blog. If you have a .edu email address, you can now sign up for a free Times Select account.

Just Like Camp- But This Time With More Drinking

Camp is the bar for people who miss theme parties, summer camp, or ideally, both. Camp is a summer camp themed bar located directly across from the Bergen stop on the F/G. The cheesey camp theme is overdone, but overdone to perfection.

The decor is all summer camp chic, complete with a natural wood bar, a fire place, a kayak, stuffed deer heads, board games and even s’mores. Drink prices are pretty typical for the neighborhood ($5 beers, $8 cocktails), but they are well made and the house specialties are summer camp themed drinks like the minty chocolate “dirty girl scout.” Movies projected on the wall and weekend dj’s are a nice touch. Despite the feeling that this is the kind of bar that’s a destination in itself, the weeknight we were there, it still had the vibe of a casual neighborhood spot.

Anne and I wandered in there the other night and were pleasantly surprised. They were out of both s’mores and rice krispy treats, which was a little disappointing, but the bar tender said that it was because we were there on Tuesday and they don’t restock until Wednesday. The drinks were good and I’d definitely go back.

Cubana Cafe

The other day I was walking down Smith Street in Carroll Gardens when the aqua blue awning at Cubana Café caught my eye. It was packed at 6pm (early for New York dinner standards) and the price was right, so I vowed to try it the next time I was in the neighborhood. I was not disappointed.

The restaurant is small and packed, with two person tables piled almost on top of each other, but the aqua paint job and colorful soda bottles lining the back wall make the atmosphere festive rather than annoyingly crowded. We were served plantain chips with two salsas, one spinach based, while looking over the menu.

Picking a dish can take some time, as the menu is quite extensive. You’ll find everything from red snapper, chicken, and pork dishes to creative quesadillas and salads, like jicama and green apple. In addition, breakfast is served all day. While I didn’t try it, the Cuban French toast with mango compote is a tempting option. And almost nothing is over $10.

The service is fair but friendly. We were victims of one broken glass at the hands of the waiter, but it was mopped up cheerfully, and the food came quickly.

Cubana Café is located at 272 Smith Street, near the F and G at Bergen. If you’re in the area, beat the crowds and call 718.858.3980 for delivery.

My Yoga Instructor could Beat Up Your Yoga Instructor

Yeah, that’s right. I said it. If my yoga instructor were ever really mad at your yoga instructor, your yoga instructor would totally be in a world of hurt.

Because, as you’ve probably guessed, my yoga instructor is three time world champion prowrestler Diamond Dallas Page (DDP, for short).

Recommended Links

There are a lot of great websites on the internet for navigating the post-college, pre-grown up world with thrift and finesse, so I thought it was time to share some of my favorites.

The Paupered Chef is full of recipes and suggestions for good, cheap eating. Honestly, a lot of the recipes look a little too complicated for my typical after work meal, but maybe you’ll be inspired. This is a fun entry about halal food carts, a New York City favorite.

Pink of Perfection has food, style, and craft advice for good living on the cheap from Brooklyn resident Sarah. The video segments are great–check out this one on making our own yoga mat bag.

Looking for free events happening in the big apple? Free NYC is a compilation of events you should check out. There’s a calendar and even a place to submit your own events. Watch for news on free concerts–they’ll tell you about all those cool ones happening at the Apple Store lately.

Cheap Eats is a blog I’ve just started exploring. The author has a helpful “leftovers for lunch” category, in addition to reviewing new grocery store products, and reporting on fast food deals. If you’re curious about that frozen pot pie you’ve seen in the Associated’s freezer case, but not quite sure you want to commit, look here for a review before buying.

Please comment if you have any other good site suggestions!

Tax Time Tips

April 15th is fast approaching, and that means the hassle of tax forms is here. For many of us in the post-college set, filing taxes is still a new and confusing endeavor. Last year was the first time I filed without the help of my parents. In addition to being unfamiliar with the process, I had worked in both California and New York and had had addresses in four different states!

This year I’m still intimidated, but a little more prepared. I spoke with Brooklyn resident Ari Schuster, an IRS-certified, volunteer tax preparation specialist, to get some advice.

You Say Tomato

Even though it’s a week into April, here in New York there’s a chance of snow flurries and a cold wind knocking over the newly blossomed daffodils. Spring still seems so far away. What’s a girl to do when all she wants is sandals, sun, and juicy tomatoes? There’s not much chance of me scoring a Caribbean vacation this season, but I can help out with the tomatoes. The ones at the grocery store this time of year are mealy, pale, and a poor, flavorless approximation of the real summer treat.

However, Ted Allen, the chef from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, has a tomato tip to save the day. Kyle and I heard him speak when we were at the Home and Housewares Show last month in Chicago. While he doesn’t even buy regular supermarket tomatoes from October through June, Allen sung the praises of the grape tomato.

More Than Just Books

One day I dropped by the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, planning to guiltily return the book I had failed to read before hanging out in Prospect Park. I never made it into the sunshine, though—just as I was about to leave, a voice from the loudspeaker announced that Michael Cunningham, author of the Hours, was giving a free reading from his new book.

Of course libraries are great for books, but the reading that day, an intimate talk where empty seats abounded, reminded me that they’re also an amazing and underutilized resource for other forms of entertainment. The thrifty New Yorker will find high quality art exhibits, music, movies, classes, and writing workshops all for a grand total of zero dollars.

Terrace Bagels

Guest blogger Sarah Todd writes about Terrace Bagels–a Brooklyn treat that’s also a great deal:

On a street pared down to exactly one of each neighborhood necessity – a movie theater, a locksmith, a mom-and-pop bookstore, an ancient pharmacy lined with dust-coated Pert Plus – Terrace Bagels on Prospect Park West stands out as a shop with pull far beyond Windsor Terrace dwellers. The Brooklyn institution, founded fifteen years ago by Louis and Mary Thompson, attracts a clientele of diverse lifestyles and boroughs. The draw? Fresh hand-rolled bagels, mixed and boiled by Thai bakers each night.