money

KC Planned Parenthood Not Affected By Komen Funding Cut

by on February 3, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — the announcement by the Susan G. Komen Foundation to cut off funding to planned Parenthood has created a firestorm of controversy over what some people say is a politically-motivated move against the clinics which, among other services, perform abortions.

According to records, the move should not affect funding at any of the metro-area planned Parenthood clinics, as the local chapter of the foundation has never given funds to planned Parenthood.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation is built around raising funds to help fight breast cancer through their Pink Ribbon campaign and Race for a Cure marathons. the foundation gives funds to over 30 local organizations, including St. Luke’s Cancer Institute.

“We are very grateful for our relationship with Komen,” said Kim Day, manager of St. Luke’s Breast Services. She says that the money they received from the foundation keeps their mobile mammography program running.

“that funding allows us to go out into our under-served communities in the Kansas City area and provide about 1,500 mammograms to those women each year,” said Day.

The foundation had previously given funds to planned Parenthood to provide similar mammography services for low-income women. but earlier this week, the foundation announced that they were cutting off the payments because of an investigation by a Republican congressman from Florida over whether planned Parenthood used federal funds to provide abortions.

The foundation says that their by-laws prevent them from working with any group or organization that’s under investigation by federal, state or local law enforcement agencies, but critics charge that the move is clearly politically-motivated.

“I think really what this is is a result of is this very ugly and agressive campaign by right-wing organizations to bully the Komen Foundation and keep them from working with planned Parenthood,” said planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards.

Planned Parenthood says that since the decision was announced, they have received almost $700,000 in donations in just 24 hours – an amount greater than they actually received from the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The local chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation referred FOX 4 to the national organization for comment, but FOX 4′s calls were not returned. the foundation did release a statement defending their decision, saying, “to be absolutely clear that our grant-making decisions are not out politics.”

The move has caused an uproar on the foundation’s Facebook page.

“SHAME. ON YOU!!! I hope this backfires on your organization,” said commenter Gabrielle DoPico.

“Susan G. you did the right thing! U may lose some supporters but u will be gaining more:)!!!!!!” said Lindsay Kersey.

Here in the metro, groups like St. Luke’s Hospital say that they aren’t going to get involved in the controversy.

“if Susan Komen did not provide this funding those women would not have any access to mammography,” said Day.

KC Planned Parenthood Not Affected By Komen Funding Cut

Super Bowl ad: Is Ferris Bueller ‘sequel’ the right vehicle for a Honda CR-V? (+video)

by on January 30, 2012

As we all know, it’s not just two football teams that are trying to win the Super Bowl.

Skip to next paragraph

Corporations are spending big money on ads, and Honda is trying to score a preemptive touchdown by releasing an extended online version of an ad for this coming Sunday, featuring actor Matthew Broderick in a kind of sequel of the 1986 film “Ferris Bueller’s Day off.”

Mr. Broderick plays an actor who calls in “sick” and then heads off for fun, doing things like visiting a museum. he happens to look and sound a lot like an older Ferris Bueller. instead of “Twist and Shout,” we hear him sing a few lines in Chinese.

The ad is entertaining. It conjures up what for many are fond cinematic memories.

But will it be good for Honda?

Maybe so, for the reasons just mentioned. but the company is banking on a somewhat risky proposition: that car buyers will equate a modest Honda “crossover” vehicle (the CR-V) with rocking good times.

If you recall that baritoned “Oh Yeah” sound in the movie, you’ll hear it again in the commercial. but in the movie that song went with the title character getting to drive a Ferrari.

Honda is not Ferrari. Even the company’s loyal customers don’t think it is.

The CR-V is a popular crossover, blending car and sport-utility features. It’s been a reliable seller in the US, but Honda faces competition in that segment from Toyota, Hyundai, and General Motors among others. This ad, apparently, is Honda’s effort to emphasize that the CR-V can feel fun as well as practical.

Honda isn’t the only company to try to hitch its wagon (or car) to Hollywood. Ford used some computer software to help resurrect Steve McQueen in the service of its Mustang. And a year ago, Volkswagen got lots of positive attention for its Super Bowl spot with a child dressed as Darth Vader.

The Darth Vader ad’s fun for viewers came partly in viewing the world through a child’s eyes. the boy behind the black helmet tries in vain to use his menacing fingers to influence a dog, a washing machine, and other objects before miraculously managing to start a Passat.

Some viewers of Honda’s online ad say it is different. It’s more of a movie sequel, but with a message that’s merely a faint echo of the original.

“Matthew Broderick isn’t attempting to subvert the system in the commercial. That’s impossible. It is a commercial. He’s just hoping to blow off his work – an entertainer’s work at that – because it’s a nice day,” writes Matt Hardigree, of the auto website Jalopnik.

He quotes Broderick himself, in a past interview with Vanity Fair, saying that “ ‘Ferris Bueller’ is about the week before you leave school, it’s about the end of school – in some way, it doesn’t have a sequel. It’s a little moment and it’s a lightning flash in your life.”

The ad, whether in its long online form or in a 30-second slot on Bowl day, promises to bring smiles to many faces. but some may wish for a “Ferris” sequel that’s less of a 26-years-later replay of favorite lines and gags.

And it remains to be seen what it generates more of: CR-V sales or Netflix orders for a certain movie from 1986.

Super Bowl ad: Is Ferris Bueller ‘sequel’ the right vehicle for a Honda CR-V? (+video)

IRS Tax Lien – The IRS’ Silent Killer – The Tax Lien

by on January 30, 2012

You Didn’t File.and now you owe thousands in back taxes. so what happens now? Well, chances are the IRS has been sending you letters trying to collect on their money. They may not seem very important, and you won’t know the severity of the situation until you get the Final Notice. if you’ve gotten a Final Notice and they’ve talked about implementing a tax lien, you’re situation just took an extreme jump from bad to worse.

How bad is it? The notice told you that you have ten days to either pay the debt in full, or set up a payment arrangement. As a former IRS-Hitman, chances are good that by the time you get that notice, the lien has already been put into effect. for all intents and purposes, you should pretend your first letter in your final notice. but if you’ve already gotten that final notice, here’s what to expect:

Bye, Bye Credit: The most common lien is one that’s place on your credit. The IRS knows how to hit you where it hurts and they’re going to do just that. this is like having a black spot of death on your credit. Not only does it make it nearly impossible to do anything involving credit (take out a loan, refinance your mortgage, buy a new car, etc.) but it practically destroys your credit in the future. You could easily go from having a 750 credit score to a 500, just from having a tax lien.

Your Assets are in trouble: The IRS can also place a lien on any of your assets such as your house or your car. mostly, this lien is saying that the IRS is holding the ownership of the asset. but the longer you go without resolving your debt, the closer the IRS gets to turning a lien into a seizure. when this happens, they seize the property entirely and sell it in an auction in order to pay the debt. Trust me; the IRS has no problem putting people out on the street if it means getting their money.

Make it stop: A tax lien can be removed. but depending on your situation it can be difficult. Not to mention that if you are going to have a lien removed, you must of course set up some form of payment to the IRS. The best way to do this is to seek professional help. look for a resolution company with an excellent track record. They will be able to help you resolve you issue so you don’t have to worry about bad credit or worse, no place to live

Now you have the Smoking Gun.Use it

Shine, Tebow, Shine

by on January 15, 2012

He’s faster than a speeding bullet. He’s more powerful than a locomotive. He can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

but can he beat the new England Patriots?

The experts say no, unanimously, loudly, repeatedly. And one supposes that they are right. The experts make their money being right most of the time.

Still, it is hard to get it out of your mind. that crazy 11-second play when the whole world knew that Tim Tebow was going to hand off the ball on the first play of overtime, but instead he threw it to a receiver who 80 yards later wound up in the end zone, winning the game for the Denver Broncos. 

those 80 yards gave Tim Tebow exactly 316 yards passing. Nice number, 316. As in John 3:16, the verse Tebow put on his eye black back in college days at the University of Florida, prompting millions of people to Google that verse to find out that “God so loved the world.”

This week Tim Tebow was named the most popular athlete in America. One survey revealed that 43% of those polled believe that he is receiving divine intervention, i.e. God is helping him win. I do not doubt that in the least. several times lately I have heard people say that God doesn’t care who wins, which is not the right way to say it. if God numbers the hairs on your head, if he sees the sparrow when it falls, if he calls the stars by name, he certainly has a plan for the Broncos and Tim Tebow. We distort the Bible if in our attempt to move away from superstition, we remove God from the details of life. 

Of course God cares who wins the ball game. And somehow or other, he has a plan that will work itself out on the frozen field in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The pundits say the Patriots will win, and they are probably right. As sportswriter Damon Runyon pointed out, “The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.”

but a nation needs its heroes. Simon and Garfunkel sang long ago, “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you.” We need young men like Tim Tebow who seem too good to be true, who quite literally seem to be not of this world at all. true heroes don’t win all the time. if they did, they would be boring and predictable. The best heroes stand for something noble, giving all they have in a worthy struggle, sometimes winning, sometimes losing, but never giving up the fight.

from my perspective, it helps that Tim Tebow appears to be exactly what he seems to be: a deeply committed Christian who happens to play football who is the real deal who doesn’t mind being different and who now and then makes some amazing plays on the football field.

if there is divine intervention involved, he’ll need all the help he can get tonight. but win or lose, Tim Tebow has already won by setting a good example of a young man who isn’t afraid to be different. John Elway commented that Tebow doesn’t have the values of a typical 24-year-old. no, he doesn’t, and that’s one reason why in this cynical age the eyes of the world (a part of it anyway) are on him. 

I suspect he’ll do just fine. 

You can reach the author at ray@keepbelieving.com. Click here to sign up for the free weekly email sermon.

Fredericksburg.com – Clean up K Street!

by on January 12, 2012

Clean up K Street! Date published: 1/11/2012

clean up K Street!

I appreciate the article by bill Moyers titled “The Gilded Age is back, with a vengeance” [Dec. 30].

It confirmed my thoughts that it was in the late 1970s and early 1980s that the trouble started.

I was in my late teens when I was approved for a credit card with a $10,000 limit. I was barely employed. Consequently I incurred $10,000 in debt, but I paid my minimum payment for years until I couldn’t. I declared bankruptcy at 23.

I’m happy to say I have not lived beyond my means from that time to this, but you see the problem.

You will hear that there is “class warfare” as if we hate rich people–so you can discount the reality that it’s these mega-corporations and lobbyists that have committed class warfare on everyone else and then make you feel small and stupid for even suggesting that the norm in Washington is not a deck stacked against the majority.

Case in point: If you’re a hedge fund manager, you make money on my losses and then pay only 15 percent on your earnings, while I pay 35 percent!

K Street should be cleaned up like 14th Street was back in the day; some people will remember. Out with the dealers and prostitutes!

Date published: 1/11/2012

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Fredericksburg.com – Clean up K Street!

Are You Tracking Your Local Internet Marketing Strategies?

by on January 6, 2012

Marketing is something that business owners must do continuously in order to achieve and maintain success in their business. Tracking local internet marketing strategies is the best way to determine what is working as well as what isn’t. if you’re continuously tracking your marketing strategies, you’ll know immediately which strategies are pulling in new customers and creating new sales. You’ll also know which ones aren’t performing well. this allows you to adjust your strategies, the poor performing strategies can be cut and successful strategies boosted.

Monetary Tracking

One of the best ways to track your local internet web presence is monetary tracking. It breaks down all costs and profits to determine whether a good return on investment is being made or not. to use monetary tracking, first determine what is being spent on marketing and advertising methods in a certain period of time. Next, determine what amount of money is brought in during that same time period. The difference between the two will help to show which marketing methods provide the largest return on the company’s investment and which methods are not bringing in enough business to justify the cost.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is an application that can help you determine numerous things about your marketing campaigns. It uses a first-party cookie and a code to collect valuable information such as how many people are visiting the site, how many of those visitors purchased the products or services available on your site, how they got to the site and more. It is a very popular tool and can be very helpful to determine which marketing methods are bringing in the most sales and profits. It is a wonderful way to analyze your local internet marketing strategies and local web presence.

Statcounter

Statcounter is another very effective way to track your local internet marketing strategies. this tool has both a free version and a paid version that will allow you to see several different things. A few of those things include how many unique and return visitors are coming to your website, which pages they’re landing on and where they came from, how much time they’ve spent on your website, which pages they’ve visited and more.

When a business is able to properly track its local internet marketing strategies, it will have information that will allow the business to tweak its strategies so that the company is more successful. It prevents businesses from wasting money on advertising and marketing methods that are not working properly, and lets them know which methods to invest more money in.

All About Getting Grants for Single Mothers

by on December 22, 2011

Single mothers these days definitely do it tough. not only do they often have to look after their children, but they also carry the entire financial burden of their family. this can put a significant strain of any single parent family. so, one of the many ways the government helps single parent families is through grants.

A grant is form of financial assistance given to a low income individual. The money can be used to help pay for bills or even an education.

Your eligibility for the grant will depend on various aspects such as your financial position, educational level, dependents, and other crucial information. You can also research diverse varieties of grants available on the web. Generally make sure the businesses you are hunting at are respectable and not a rip-off. On the internet there are various websites devoted to aiding single moms get the grants they want and motivation to get a larger education.

Varieties of Grants for Single Moms

There are many types of grants for single mothers. Schools and universities allot a specified volume of funds for financially needy students who want to proceed learning. There are three widespread kinds of scholarship grants: academic scholarship grant, athletic scholarship grant, and departmental awards. a pupil ought to fill out an application type and indicate which scholarship form he is applying for. of course, he needs to be qualified for that certain scholarship.

Students must have a great record of grades to be in a position to qualify for educational scholarships. The superior grades have to be taken care of all all the way through his keep in the university or the scholarship will be discontinued. An athletic scholarship is offered to students with outstanding sportsmanship or mastery of a particular activity. The educational institutions that give out athletic scholarships are normally rivals for division or national sports competitions.

Departmental awards are offered to students who show interest in a specific discipline. For instance, the Social Research division of a university might supply scholarships to pupils who display curiosity in a related matter area.

Details on college scholarship grants can be obtained from the university. Needless to say, there are so numerous students applying and you may well feel like quitting just since of the sheer quantity of rivals for one particular scholarship grant. nonetheless, you really should know that there are many much more scholarships or economic support packages you can apply for. There are scholarships that are provided by federal companies and personal organizations.

All About Getting Grants for Single Mothers

Lil Kim Debuts New Nicki Minaj Diss Track ‘I Am Not The One’

by on December 19, 2011

The latest single from Lil Kim has been released to fans on iTunes and is entitled ‘I Am not the one.’

The rapper teased fans about the new track on her Twitter account before premiering the release, writing: "the time has come!!!!"

The song is widely considered to be another diss directed towards her nemesis Young Money’s Nicki Minaj, the song features the 37-year-old spitting: "now I’m beyond rich, to spit… be gone b**ch/B**ch couldn’t walk a mile in my La Vuitton’s."

Nicki and Kim have had an on-going feud for the last two years, often dissing each other on tracks. 

Meanwhile, Kim is planning to release both a memoir, titled the Price of Loyalty and a seperate documentary about her life.

Have a listen to the new track here…

 Ciara, Lil Kim, Timbaland put on brave Face Despite ZarFest Cancellations… Tags:

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Lil Kim Debuts New Nicki Minaj Diss Track ‘I Am Not The One’

The religion of an increasingly godless America

by on December 18, 2011

By Amanda MarcotteThe views expressed are her own.

Listening to the national discourse, one could be forgiven for imagining that America is becoming an ever more religious place. The amount of God talk in the public square has dramatically increased in a generation. Prior to the 70s, the concept of “the religious right” had barely existed, but now it’s a powerful lobbying force with multiple groups from Focus on the Family to Concerned Women for America, all sitting on more money than most liberal special interest groups could ever hope to accumulate. Republicans, especially, claw over each other to demonstrate fealty to a very narrow, fundamentalist view of Christianity that forbids gay rights, reproductive rights, and requires you to believe that evolution never happened. A generation ago, most people outside of evangelical Christian circles had never heard of things like “megachurches” or “the Rapture”, but now even people living in the most secularist urban enclaves are familiar with these concepts, if still less than approving. Americans seem not just more religious, but more drawn to reactionary religion than ever before.

That is, until you start to dig into the actual facts. If you poll actual Americans, you’ll find that the trend is not towards more religiosity, but towards less. much less, in fact. Recent research from the Pew Research Center on politics and generational differences shows that interest in religion is actually declining from one generation to the next, and not only that, but interest in mixing religion and politics is on the decline. when asked which factors are the key to America’s success, fewer than half of Millennials say they believe that religious faith and values are important. they are the first generation to respond in such a way, as a majority of all older generations cite religion as an important factor. Even the generation known for cynicism, Generation X, has 64% of respondents citing religion as an important factor in our nation’s success, a full 18 points over the Millennial generation. Despite myths that people become more religious or more conservative as they age, previous Pew research shows that Xers and Boomers held roughly the same opinions on religion in their youth as they do now.

The research also found that more than one in four Millennials have no religious affiliation at all, the largest of any generation, though only by a small margin, as one in five Gen Xers is also irreligious. The percentage of unaffiliated Americans has grown gradually over the generations, but with the Millennials, we’re seeing a new trend emerge. there is now a large group of Americans who have a faith, but separate it from public life, keeping it in the private sphere.

So how to square away declining rates of belief with the perception that America is a land where the Bible is thumped regularly in the public square? what we’re seeing with the heightened emphasis on religion in politics is the death throes of the old order. After all, in the past, where it was assumed that a vast majority of Americans were not only religious, but Christian, those who wanted Christianity to dominate didn’t feel they had anything to prove. It’s only when they started to feel their power threatened did they become defensive, and in doing so, became much louder.

Right wing Christians would be the first to tell you that they feel that the dominance of traditional Christian values is under threat in this country. If you have any doubt about this, look at the long list of people they consider the enemies, internal and external, to their view of how America should be: atheists, Muslims, feminists, liberals, uncloseted gays and evolutionary biologists, amongst others. they aren’t wrong to believe these groups are growing both in numbers and in influence, as the polling data suggests that they are. The increasing volume and militancy from the religious right is to be expected in light of these changes. Sarah Posner, a senior editor at Religion Dispatches magazine, says the religious right has grown specifically in response to massive social changes. Opposing these changes was “exactly their point,” she told me, and conservative Christians believe that when they see these more secularist worldviews on the rise, they have a duty “to redouble one’s efforts”. she added that, in the eyes of evangelical leaders, “evangelicals had insulated themselves too much from secular society, and that they had a God-given duty to have an impact on the culture, on politics, on the media, and so forth.”

Most importantly, the religious right sees the Millennials as a special threat requiring most of their attention. Abstinence-only education, the attempted defunding of planned Parenthood, creationism in the schools, and the growth of the home-schooling movement are all aimed at the youth of America. In some cases, as with TLC’s Duggar family, the religious right is going so far as to step up baby-making, hoping to create enough religious youth to curtail the power of the growing cohort of secular youth.

Of course, that it’s predictable doesn’t make it right. that Americans are becoming more fond of the separation of church and state is a good thing. After all, our Founding Fathers set out to create a society that had such a separation, and they believed, rightly, that religion and politics shouldn’t mix. (“In God We Trust” was only added to our currency during the Civil War era.) that desire has never fully played out in American politics, and there’s every reason to believe it won’t truly play out in our lifetimes. But at current rates of growing interest in the separation of church and state, the religious right will have an increasingly hard time being viewed as more than a vocal minority by the rest of the country.

We should welcome such a change. The more that religion can be pushed off into the realm of private practice and out of the public square, the better for public discourse, as we can dispense with the God talk and move on to reality-based discussions about what we want and how we can get it. The Millennials have the right idea when it comes to dismissing the belief that religion somehow improves politics. now we just have to wait for the religious right to finish with their temper tantrum over this, and then we can move on to the future.

Texas Governor Rick Perry speaks to attendees during a prayer service at the first Baptist Church in Killeen, Texas November 8, 2009. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi

The religion of an increasingly godless America

Top 10 Restaurants to Dine at When Visiting New York – Written by a New Yorker

by on December 18, 2011

Usually out of towners when they think of new York dining, they think of very lavish, expensive food with interior dcor designed by well known star-chitects with even more well known celebrity chef’s endorsing the restaurant name. while those restaurants (Olive, Spice Market, or all the Jean Georges for that matter) are fantastic restaurants- they should be, because outrageous sums of money are dedicated to their marketing, and management team, where the taste, quality of food is just one of the important factor in the well oiled machine that is the culinary food experience. however, I want to highlight some of my favorite restaurants that are all a bit under the radar, and should be on your list of restaurants to hit if you are visiting from out of town.

Incidentally, in case you’re wondering, I have been living in new York for 7 years, and have tried lots of local cuisine from Asia to Africa, so I do have a palette that enjoys and recognizes ethnic foods. I should also mention that I eat out pretty regularly, about 5 times a week, but I am not in the restaurant biz, nor endorsing any particular restaurant. just my faves, since great food/ experiences are meant to be shared

Below is the list of restaurants that I will actually leave my neighborhood on the UWS to dine at- and repeatedly dine at:

Incredibly small space- but they do have a sister wine bar next door called Bar Jamon that allows you to sip on excellent Riojas while you wait. This is also a really smart business tactic, so they never really lose customers to long waits. the food is really based on Catalan style tapas, and not the northern Pinxchos variety, and it is more done up than you’re typical run of the mill tapas bar that serve tortillas (Spanish omelets loaded in butter and potatoes) and croquettes. They serve a mean razor clam dish, and braised short rib. Although I’m not a fan of sweet bread (that would be brain.) it’s pretty darn good from what I’ve heard. Dcor is simple, dark woods, and ambiance is dark and cozy.

2. Sakagura- Japanese/ Sake Bar

A completely random location in the basement in midtown east, but if you’re looking for the best braised pork belly, authentic yet exquisite Japanese street food and sake served the way it should be (not in a box, but iced in a traditional hollowed out glass server) this is where you should try. it is in the basement of an office building, but if you go around late April, early may, it is filled with actual cherry blossoms attached to each column. Sensational there is no sushi there- only prepared cooked food, and no, you won’t find any chicken teriyaki there either. the miso eggplant and green tea truffles are to die for.

3. Bon Chon Chicken- Fried Chicken/ Korean-

More of a late night spot, this K-town bar/ restaurant is located on Fifth right off 32nd, and has a seedy looking entrance with a random red velvet rope to go upstairs. twice I have gone and it has smelled like baby powder, but if you can get past that disconcerting smell- once you taste the fried chicken, you will never have fried chicken anywhere else. Deep fried in olive oil, there are two flavors- garlic and garlic. Go with either one =) And get the spicy ones. They also have popcorn made with cayenne pepper and raisins- bizarre combination, but really tasty. Beer is served by the pitcher. other Korean food available too- but if you’re just looking for K-food- there’s more options right around the corner. Here’s fried chicken at its best. Incidentally, lots of non-Koreans frequent this spot as well.

4. Bobo- Pan- American cuisine-

Bobo stands for bohemian bourgeoisie- it is hidden downstairs on the corner of 10th street and 7th Ave, and once you enter, you’ll feel that you’re in someone’s townhouse that you secretly wished you lived in. I really go there because the ambiance is so spectacular which almost discredits the excellent menu there, but the dcor is to die for. Bookshelves lined with vintage books- crusty chandeliers, and a staircase clad in plaid and wool. very chic yet intimate. in the summer, the outdoor garden opens up and is a real treat to out outside (sans tents). get the Wagyu sirloin or the seared sea scallops. good date spot.

5. Morimoto- big Box Japanese

It’s easy to dislike this meat-packing, cavernous, overly loud Japanese restaurant filled with wait staff trained on ex-banker expense accounts. Owned by Iron Chef Morimoto- filled with beautiful people (on weekdays), it happens to be a cut above the other Nobu knock-off’s around the corner- Matsuri, Buddah bar, Buddahkan, Tao, or Asia de Cuba- really because Tadao Ando designed the interior. Walking through the half semi circle door with massive flapping curtains makes you feel like you’re entering into a time warp, but sensibly done. the large bi-level open space is utilized well by frosted/ dotted glass partitions set on an angle to maximize user space, yet create semi-intimate dining areas. the food is, well, spectacular. Miso glazed cod, rock shrimp tempura are the staples.

Trekking to Brooklyn for good pizza hardly seems worth it, though it seems that enough people do it for that other pizza place (Grimaldi’s)- which is highly overrated owing to good PR and press. Fornino’s is located on Bedford Ave off 7th and they make the most killer truffle oil/ mushroom pizza. for a closer slice (in Manhattan)- John’s Pizzeria is pretty good and worth the hype, though on the wet side. another nod to good pizza is- Posto pizza in Murray Hill- though they recently kicked out Jimmy Fallon because he bad mouthed another establishment on Twitter with the same management- which is just really just bad for business. Every new Yorker loves Jimmy Fallon.

7. Peter Lugar’s Steakhouse- Steakhouse-

Anywhere where they mock you for asking for an espresso or cappuccino is legit in my book. This place actually lives up to the hype, and isn’t laden in butter like Ruth Chris or a hit/miss like Prime 112. there are certainly lots of great places for a slab of juicy meat in the city, but I’m listing this place as a steak house because you come here only for steak, and really nothing else though there is fish on the menu. in addition to their steak for share, they have the best key lime pie, and tomato salad (best when loaded with the Lugar steak sauce on top) it used to be only construction workers, and men in blue shirts that go, but nowadays if you can get a table, its worth making the trip to BK. They only take cash, and yes, their own credit card- the Peter Lugar credit card.

8. Malatesta- Italian Trattoria

Located on the corner of Christopher and Washington, this small intimate Italian restaurant is completely no frills- and only takes cash. the cool wait staff all speak Italian, and they don’t take reservations- partially because they know they’ll fill their tables at any given night- and partially because they just really don’t care about making anyone a priority no matter who you are. (They once made Christy Turlington wait behind me- what?) Pasta is simple, home made, and the way it should be. get the Spinach Gorgonzola Gnocchi or the rack of baby lamb.

9. Ippudo- Japanese Ramen, cooked food

In the heels of Momofuku Noodle Shop, and Sobaya, comes this new ramen hot spot, Ippudo in the East Village. As much as I love David Chang’s usage of Berkshire pork in everything- his soup bases are almost too salty, and Anglo-saxon-afied whereas Ippudo’s house ramen gets it just right. in addition, the pork buns are also a cut above their competitors. get the Shisito peppers, pork buns, and try the sake unfiltered if you’ve never had it that way before. plan in waiting about 90 minutes for a table, even on a Monday night. There’s a bar across the street to get your drink on first, but it’s worth the wait.

10. Peasant (downstairs)- Rustic Italian

If you’ve ever dined at Peasant upstairs, you’ll realize just how much Italian you really don’t know. Obscure phrases such as Polpi in Purgatorio (is that octopus in purgatory?) make you wonder what you’ve been eating all along in those other Italians places. Food is exquisite, but lets face it, it’s easy to find stellar food at $25 per entre, but how about the same quality food at half price just downstairs? Peasant downstairs is literally right below the one upstairs. You walk through these large wooden doors that are unmarked which feels like you’re entering into a bomb shelter- but once you’re inside, it’s the completely unexpected warm exposed brick and beam construction, thick heavy curtains lining the walls, and flickering candle light on each long slab wooden table that makes you feel that you’ve just entered a dimly lit Michelangelo Antonioni movie in the 1970′s. Romantic, inviting, and the noise level at a good boisterous, but still low enough hear your friends talking. the food is generally meant for sharing- simple salads, rustic pizzas, and a fierce charcuterie plate make this a low key, yet supremely rich dining experience.

Top 10 Restaurants to Dine at When Visiting New York – Written by a New Yorker

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