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(Photo: Samantha Casolari, Map by Jason Lee) |
The Newcomer: Heather Ditmars
Age: 26
Profession: Interior designer
Resides: Three-bedroom apartment on Rutgers Street, near Madison Street. Lives with two roommates—a graphic designer and a video-game designer.
Years in the neighborhood: One.
“I moved here last July from Columbus, Ohio. I came on a whim, interviewed for five jobs, got five offers, and moved out the following week. I found a sublet on Craigslist, on Cherry Street, one block away from my current apartment. No moving truck required, just a caravan on foot carrying mostly shoes.”
1. Pathmark
(227 Cherry St., nr. Pike St.; 212-227-8988)
“Is it dirty? Kinda. Is it crowded? For sure. But it’s better than the temptress Whole Foods. Or, as I refer to it, Whole Paycheck. ”
2. Emily’s Laundromat
(32 Rutgers St., nr. Henry St.; 212-732-2525)
“Downstairs, convenient. They have a turtle in a fish tank. One time I saw a cute guy here.”
3. Stop 1 Deli
(201 Madison St., at Rutgers St.; 212-349-3945)
“The go-to when I need a six-pack. One day after taking a swan dive off a curb, I limped in with $3, enough for one double deuce of Heineken. The guy insisted that I take two more on him.”
4. Sweet Paradise
(14B Orchard St., nr. Canal St.; 212-226-3612)
“It’s a cash-only bar, which drives me a little crazy, but the bartenders have proven themselves worthy.”
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(Photo: Samantha Casolari) |
5. Bacaro
(136 Division St., nr. Ludlow St.; 212-941-5060)
“I’m a vegan, but my meat-eating roommates tell me the food is amazing. I’ll never know, but the drinks are tasty.”
6. Babycakes
(248 Broome St., nr. Orchard St.; 212-677-5047)
“I’m a big fan of vegan cake, and it’s only blocks away!”
7. Broadway East
(171 E. Broadway, nr. Rutgers St.; 212-228-3100)
“I just discovered this place—haven’t ventured there yet, but I stop by and gaze at the menu in self-pity because I can’t find a guy to take me there. It may have to be a girl date.”
8. Jin
(252 Broome St., nr. Orchard St.; 212-979-0989)
“Since I only eat veggie sushi, prices are usually really cheap. Which means I can order, like, four rolls.”
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(Photo: Samantha Casolari) |
9. East Side Company Bar
(49 Essex St., nr. Grand St.; 212-614-7408)
“It’s dark in there—dark enough to hide your shame the next morning.”
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(Photo: Samantha Casolari) |
10. 169 Bar
(169 E. Broadway, nr. Rutgers St.; 212-473-8866)
“Oddly tropical, but a good place to see bands.”
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(Photo: Samantha Casolari) |
11. Flowers Café
(355 Grand St., at Essex St.; 212-777-8785)
“The guy who owns this place is super-nice. I used to just refer to him as Flowers, but my roommate told me his name is Frank. Whether it’s Frank or Flowers [Ed.: Actually, it’s Bill], he feeds my coffee fix for cheap.”
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(Photo: Samantha Casolari) |
12. Valley
(48 Orchard St., nr. Hester St.; 212-274-8985)
“A recent discovery: waxing, manicures, and vintage clothes all in one spot. Generally decent prices on the vintage stuff.”
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(Photo: Samantha Casolari) |
13. Seward Park
(Canal St. at Essex St.)
“Rats. Bushels of rats. Keep your babies out of the grass.”
14. Modern Living Supplies
(20 Rutgers St., at Henry St.; 646-373-1579)
“They have cool stuff, but I can only afford items on permanent ‘designer discount.’ Classy.”
15. Heist Gallery
(27 Essex St., nr. Hester St.; 212-253-0451)
“One of the many galleries that opened up down here in the past year or so, though this one happened to replace Flicker’s, my favorite coffee shop.”