Today is the first full day that I am in Rio de Janeiro. A couple from Boston arrives here later today, and we’ll spend the week hanging out and enjoying all that Rio can offer, but this morning Sergio and I will be down at the gay beach in Ipanema; just a short walk from the apartment we’ve rented. I hope you have a wonderful day.
I really should read my Facebook News Feed more often. A week or two ago I posted this photo from my friend Jesse’s News Feed but I hadn’t bothered to read what he wrote. Turns out a bunch of guys from Boston’s FLAG (Friends, Lesbians And Gay’s) Football league made this fun video. Jeesh I’m embarrassed that I was so slow on the uptake with this one. Thanks Thom for the tip. Enjoy the video if you’ve not seen it yet.
Every large city has that one gay club that has been there forever and for Rio de Janeiro that is Le Boy. Anyone who spends any amount of time in Rio is bound to find themselves here.
I remember my first visit to this gay club nearly a decade ago. In pictures it is hard to distinguish it from any other gay nightclub but don’t let that fool you. Brazilians are quite good at having a fun night out and if you come to Rio a visit to Le Boy is definitely in order. We’ll be going here later this weekend and I’m looking forward to it.
I arrived in Belo Horizonte this past Saturday but today Sergio and I leave his family and head down to Rio de Janeiro for a week of fun in the sun. Rio is one of my favorite cities to visit, but I’ve not been here since the fall of 2008.
I’m looking forward to relaxing along Ipanema Beach and checking out what has changed since my last visit.
TIMBAH!!!
Earlier this month work brought me back to New York City and my usual hotels were completely booked so I opted to stay at the W New York. As a general rule, I like the vibe of W Hotels and the W New York certainly exudes that when you first walk in from Lexington Avenue in Midtown.
W New York – 541 Lexington Avenue
However, I found the rooms (at least my room) a bit tired. The sleek modern design and layout was starting to look dated and was certainly in need of a fresh paint job, judging by all the scuff marks along the white walls.
However, what really irked me was the bathroom; to be specific the shower curtain that wasn’t quite long enough to prevent water from the shower to splatter on to the floor and the bathroom towels that felt like sandpaper.
I’ve stayed at enough W properties to know how nice and comfortable these rooms can be. Sadly, until I hear that a fresh coat of paint has been applied and perhaps the bathrooms have been updated, I’ll skip this Starwood property.
Opus Affair is a social group that likes to support local arts organizations and artists by hosting monthly cocktail parties around Boston. Some people come to Opus Affair events for networking, others come for fun, but each monthly gathering is informal and very social. No plans tonight? Check out Opus Affair’s monthly get together. This month they will be at MOKSA located at 450 Mass Avenue.
Monday, 25-November 6PM at MOKSA 450 Mass. Ave.
More details here.
My your commute be speedy and the radio play your favorite songs.
How did I miss this video when it first was posted some 18-months ago. If you’ve not seen this before, check it out although mind that there is profanity so be careful where or who you play this in front of
Provocative image of a young Sophia Lauren dominates Da Noi’s entry
Da Noi which in Italian means from us has a very cozy and welcoming feel as you walk in from 49th Street. That feeling is further reinforced by the attentive and thoughtful care given to all who enter by the manager. As I slid into a chair at the bar, I was introduced to the very friendly bartender, Patricia. She was only too happy to talk to me about the history of Da Noi which has several other locations around New York City and to point out her favorite options on both the dinner and wine menus.
The affordable menu is divided into antipasti ($11-$15), pastas ($19-$23) and meats ($22-$45) and all main plates come with the option of coming as a half plate. After watching a few orders come to the bar I wisely selected a half portion, that proved to be quite large and more than adequate as a dinner portion.
Unfortunately, this is where my glowing review and admiration for Da Noi ends. To accompany what turned out to be a particularly good Malbec, I ordered Da Noi’s Melanzane Afumigate $11.95, which is grilled eggplant with smoked mozzarella and tomato. What I didn’t realize until the appetizer was served was that it also comes in a pool of oil and balsamic. The eggplant acts as a sponge and where a drizzle would probably be delicious the amount of oil and balsamic not only overpowered the flavors of the eggplant and cheese in particular but it also made it heavier and less satisfying overall.
Despite the mezza mezza review of the eggplant I looked forward to my Spaghetti Bolognese (I ordered a half portion for $11.95). However, I found the sauce too sweet for my liking. Also the proportion of spaghetti to sauce left me wondering if the line cook had dumped a full portion of Bolognese to accompany my half portion of spaghetti. I suppose I wouldn’t have minded so much if I had enjoyed the sauce but it wasn’t meant to be.
So I’m quite conflicted with this review and wonder if anyone has perhaps had a different experience at Da Noi. The service was flawless and the space couldn’t be more welcoming, but I found the food average verging on disappointing.
Da Noi Midtown / 214E 49th Street / (212) 754-5710
“Selfie” has been declared the word of the year for 2013, according to Britain’s Oxford University Press.
This past Tuesday the publisher of the Oxford dictionaries said “selfie” saw a huge jump in usage in the past year, bursting from the confines of Instagram and Twitter to become mainstream shorthand for any self-taken photograph.
This afternoon I leave to fly to Brazil where I will meet up with Sergio in his hometown, Belo Horizonte. I’ll spend a few days with his family then early next week we’ll head to Rio de Janeiro.
I’ve missed you Rio. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.
A reader just alerted me that Dell’s SonicWall has blocked access to my pg-rated blog suddenly. While I can appreciate the lascivious thoughts that my Furry Friday and Scruffy Sunday posts must elicit, it is hardly pornographic.
Not sure how to reconcile this, but it really ticks me off. I’m heading to the airport to fly to Brazil so I’ll just have to deal with this for the time being.
Previous Scruffy Sunday Posts
BosGuy 