Urbanite

Is there any place more glorious, or more mysterious, than Grand Central Terminal? It’s not just it’s marvelous beaux-arts architecture that appeals, or its cavernous layout, but it’s the feel of the place.

It’s an odd waystation in the midst of the city. On the one hand, everyone is rushing about to points near and far, but there is also a whole bunch of hanging around and waiting. If there is one place left in the city where you could reasonably film a noirish murder mystery, this would be it.

Recently, the Times reported on a 77-year-old man who discovered a trove of photographs that he took 50 years ago depicting life in Grand Central.

David Margolick writes:

The young student thought he was documenting the great terminal’s eternal rituals, mostly the ritual of waiting. “It was a place of contemplation, really — the exact opposite of what it is today,” he recalled. “In the waiting room, you could sit. The policemen wouldn’t bother you. No one bothered you. I liked the quiet of it. It was like a cathedral. You didn’t have to pray; you could reflect on yourself.”

Some of the photos:

And beneath Grand Central is another one of the great NYC spots, the vaulted-ceiling Oyster Bar, dating to 1913

Some closing time shots after the jump:

Is high-stakes beer pong the next fad?

In the midst of dollar beer night at bar Turtle Bay last night, I saw a strange sight on one of the pong tables: twenty-dollar bills. Yes, some of the patrons who were only paying a buck each for a Bud were betting twenties on their rounds of Beirut.

I didn’t stick around their table to see who won, but I can bet someone’s getting his dollar beers comped next Wednesday.

And ... since Boston, D.C., Pennsylvania (or wherever you went to college) are SUCH far drives, check out these frat parties a little closer to home. Twenties not included. Off the Wagon, Down the Hatch, Mad River, Cherry Tree Tavern, Town Tavern

— Julie Gordon

Dave Mandel, Melissa Conners and Sal Miciotta enjoy the early morning
game at Professor Thom's, a safe space for Red Sox fans in Gotham. Below,
bartender Jim McGuire wears his Red Sox pride. (Andy Martino)

The first batter of the 2008 season approached the plate, bent his knees and waited for the pitch.

He watched the ball all the way into the catcher’s glove. Strike one.

He waited for the next pitch. This time, the ball made contact with the bat, and the batter dashed to first. He was safe, and the crowd in the Manhattan sports bar erupted into cheers and applause.

A typical scene? Hardly. For one thing, it was 6 a.m., and the game on the screen was being televised live from Japan, 11 time zones away. For another, the fans cheering this batter may have been New Yorkers – but they were loyal Red Sox fans.

Enemy forces last occupied New York from 1776 to 1783, when the Redcoats drove Washington’s army from the city.

This morning, however, evidence of a more insidious enemy invasion was apparent at Professor Thom’s pub in the East Village, where, nearly 100 Red Sox faithful turned out before dawn to watch their team defeat the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo, Japan, in the first game of opening season.

Jim McGuire, co-owner of the bar, was also a founder of the Riviera, a Red Sox-friendly pub in the West Village. He opened Professor Thom’s in 2005, and said that in the wake of Boston’s two recent World Series titles, he’s seen Boston fans increasingly willing to come out into the open, even though they’re living in Yankee- and Met territory.

“People have more confidence to stick it in the Yankees’ face,” he said.

Sometimes, a jam-packed bar can be cool — if you’re in the mood to chat up strangers, you’re with a big party or, more likely, you’ve already had a few cocktails. But you know what’s never cool? When a place is so crowded you can’t catch the bartender’s attention long enough to order a drink.

Perhaps new lounge Antik has solved that problem. The 74-capacity spot is waitress-only service; in fact, there isn’t even a bar. And reservations are requested.

The vibe is intimate and laid-back, the decor is vintagey, with black chandeliers, low marble tables, patterned wallpaper and a red and gold color scheme.

The drinks, $10-$13 each, are creative and certainly potent. And we didn’t even have to push our way to the bar to get one.

Antik opens Friday. 356 Bowery, between Great Jones and Fourth Street, 212-388-1655

— Julie Gordon

A few weeks ago, we told you about Mooney's Pub in Brooklyn, which, fighting for its life in a rent battle, might not make it to St. Patrick's Day. Good news: The taps will be flowing on Monday at this Park Slope institution, a bartender at the pub told Urbanite after we called to check in on Sunday. The court battle, though, continues. Stay tuned.

-- Stephen J. Bronner

Photo: Jay Morrison via Flickr

We were saddened to learn last week of the passing of Jimmy Eng, the founder of King Yum, the Cantonese restaurant in Queens. The Fresh Meadows restaurant is a treasure, said to be the oldest Chinese restaurant in the borough -- it opened in 1953. The place is also a rare example of a mid-century Polynesian restaurant. New York once had a Trader Vic's, for example, but these days, King Yum and the Jade Island in Staten Island are among the last survivors in the region.

We haven't been to the Staten Island location, but we visited King Yum in late December. Visitors are struck immediately by how remarkable a place it is the minute they walk in, with the colorful tiki statue beside a waterfall and the gracious greeting by the attentive staff. We were seated in the Polynesian room, a treasure trove of tiki masks and lanterns, as well as huts that enclose tables for more intimate gatherings. One of the huts is set aside for karaoke. Service was stupendous, and the food and drink was solid: the pu pu platter, the fantastic Polynesian drinks, and the main dishes were right on the money.

What's great about these places is the sense of history and community. It's a true living link to another era in American dining, yet it does not feel fusty and forgotten, like some older places that have managed to hang on. And it wouldn't be so crowded if the food wasn't worth savoring. The tables are full of students from nearby St. John's University and long-time patrons who can't get enough of the place. The staff is friendly, and our departure was accompanied by a mini-tour, including the area beside the bar that is a tribute to King Yum's, including photos from King Yum's first anniversary party featuring a young Uncle Jimmy, and notables who have made the visit over the years. We even received a few gifts, including a fancy King Yum pen and wall calendar. We were sold, and will happily come back.

It's difficult to think of the place, though, without Uncle Jimmy holding court. We're grateful to have visited before his passing. That wall display now serves as a fine tribute to a man who was a New York institution.

Get there: By public transportation, take the E or F to Union Turnpike-Kew Gardens, and then take the Q46 bus to the restaurant, a 10-minute ride. It's at 181-08 Union Turnpike.
Read more about it: Gothamist recently swung by; here are two interesting takes on King Yum.

-- Rolando Pujol