Impending Doom

September 28th, 2011

Well, I’ve finally reached my senior year. It seems like only yesterday I was a meek 18 year-old freshman, fresh off the plane from Georgia, feeling equally thrilled and nervous. Looking back on it I can say I had an incredible three years; the idyllic college experience. I tossed frisbees on campus, pulled all-nighters during finals week, studied abroad in New Zealand, and attended one Fordham football game (naturally, we lost). And now the end is nigh and the tension in my four-girl apartment is palpable. Senior year has introduced me to a stress I’ve never experienced before, a stress that follows me wherever I go. Our bubble  is about to shatter and we are constantly reminded that we are about to enter “The Real World.”

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This idea of “The Real World” has always confused me. Have these first twenty-one years of my life been pure preparation? Will graduation thrust me into some hellish alternative universe? The country’s current economic status is not a comfort to the soon-to-be grown-up. The recession has sent college students into a frenzy. What was once friendly competition has become a tooth-and-nail battle for class rankings. We find that every conversation ends up being about the LSAT or GRE. Our parents, grandparents, teachers, aunts, uncles, cousins — I bet even our pets if they could talk! — are constantly reminding us how difficult it is to find a job these days, how hard we’ll have to work, how much we’ll have to excel. We enter the job market low on hope but high on extra-curriculars; our resumes packed with random clubs and activities we hope will set us apart. It’s truly daunting. So daunting that some of us simply decide it would be best to stay in school as long as we can, increasing our debt but also our shots at success. This idea isn’t unique. Our chances of snagging our dream careers are slim to nonexistent, so applying to grad school seems to be the best way to remain reputably unemployed and fully insured. But if we assume we’re avoiding competition by opting to stay in school, we find ourselves sorely mistaken. We’re now grappling for spots in classrooms across the nation. We’re studying flashcards and Princeton Review test-prep books until our eyes are bloodshot and we’re agonizing over points lost in practice tests and which computer program is best for logic prep.

It seems there is nothing we can do to find a way to relax. The stress is truly inescapable.

But underneath all the tension, I find myself oddly excited to face the challenges that lay ahead of me. After all, it’s my life. We’re young right now, and lucky that the only people we have to worry about are ourselves. We apply, and apply, and if we don’t succeed, apply again.

At least I know I’m still able to get discounts on delicious food while I still have my student ID. I can put my savings in my survival jar.

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Adriana’s Pizzeria in Gramercy Park has a bunch of great deals for scrimping students, like the “Dorm Special,” which offers a large pie, 6 garlic knots, 6 buffalo wings, 6 mozzarella sticks, and a 2 liter bottle of soda for only $23.95. Did someone say girls’ night?!

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Olivia, Fordham University 2012

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Posted in onCollege, onValues, Roommates, Studying | 2 Comments »

The Time I Spent Too Much on Dumplings

September 23rd, 2011

Hi. My name is Olivia and most of the time I am thinking about food. When my roommates and I stumble into our living room every morning — just after we’ve checked to make sure our turtle is still alive — we’re planning breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Things I enjoy: looking at food, smelling food, cooking food, microwaving food, talking about food, and ESPECIALLY eating food. My equal-opportunity stomach will accept food of any ethnicity, color, size (although more is more), or texture as long as it’s yummy— and therein often lies the problem. Like this past Wednesday, for example.
My dear friend Tyler and I were running errands, (the purchase of school supplies and the like), when we realized we were both terribly hungry. Being an aficionado of food that comes from moving vehicles, I convinced my friend to give the potsticker cart a try. Because food that comes from a cart is cheap, right? At least that’s the impression I’ve been under for most of my independent life. We left the cart with quite a haul; both of us ordered eight veggie potstickers over noodles with hot and sour soup and our favorite bubble tea. Yet, as we settled ourselves on a rock in the park I realized we’d both spent around fifteen dollars on cart food. I beheld the greasy dumplings in my lap and couldn’t help but feel disappointed in myself. Sure, food from a van is tasty, but it’s supposed to be cheap! My stomach flip-flopped a bit, and not from the potstickers.

Maintaining a balanced bank account while living as a college student in the cultural center of the universe can be difficult, and a fifteen dollar lunch isn’t something I can afford to treat myself to on a daily basis. The Campus Clipper allows students to enjoy great products, experiences, and FOOD for reasonable prices— like the coupon they’re currently offering for Francesco’s Pizzeria & Restaurant in the West Village. Their Student Lunch Special guarantees two slices of cheese pizza and a can of soda for $4.50— filling and reasonable! Or, if you’re in the mood for a group affair, the coupon offers $3 off any pie, or a deal on heros— buy two and the third’s free! The student ID is a beautiful thing, and with it — and your coupons from Campus Clipper — you’re all set to enjoy a reasonable lunch that won’t leave your wallet hungry.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/3/1460959/restaurant/Greenwich-Village/Francescos-Pizzeria-New-York

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Catch the Third-Wave Revolution at Fête Coffee

August 12th, 2011

Fête's inviting lounge area

Once upon a time, Starbucks was revolutionary, but in true New York fashion, the coffeehouse has modernized once again into the independent and artisanal third-wave Fête Coffee. This beautiful little café in the Gramercy Park area is the perfect relaxing hangout, whether you want to bring your laptop and get some work done using their free Wi-Fi or if you want to spend an hour sipping a cappuccino on the couch in their welcoming lounge area. If dining in, they even offer a collection of designer mugs for your use, ranging from cute to gimmicky and created by artists and architects.

Once you’ve picked yourself a mug, bring it up to the counter and order your drink. Unlike chain coffeehouses, Fête takes the time and utmost care to make each cup of coffee and espresso perfectly and with great attention to detail. One of the baristas told me, “We want to get coffee-making down to a science. This is why all of our baristas are specially trained. Third-wave coffee shops like ours emphasize quality.” Not only do they grind the beans for each espresso drink as they are ordered, but they also do the beautiful latte art with steamed milk that one sees in pictures from upscale coffeehouses.

Fête Coffee also provides gourmet breakfast and lunch items, delivered daily from local businesses like Ceci Cela. Pair one of their croissants with a latte, or try one of their fresh tea creations like their Ginger Lemon Iced Tea alongside their fruity frozen yogurt. Definitely the prize item on their menu, the frozen yogurt is blended to order with real fruits of your choice and then topped with whatever crunchy additions you like. It is a must-try!

Located near Baruch, SVA, and the NYU 26th St. dorm, Fête Coffee is the perfect place to spend some time alone to study or hang out with friends over lattes. In fact, the entire lounge room in the back is available to rent out to private parties and events like club meetings, and Fête will even cater a menu to your budget. So skip the pizza party this month and try gathering your club at this spacious and inviting café, where everything is fresh, delicious, and artfully made for you.

Come back each week for new dessert flavors!

-Avia Dell’Oste
@Hunter College

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Grotta Azzurra: A Taste of Capri in Little Italy

August 8th, 2011

The beautiful interior of Grotta Azzurra is just as wonderful as their menu.

Being that my last name ends in a vowel it’s pretty much a given Italian cuisine is something I enjoy immensely. I find that when you eat food representative of your background or even if it’s the primary cuisine you eat at home, you are also critical of said cuisine. I’m always looking for an Italian restaurant that isn’t substandard and successfully fits the criteria I look for. In other words, when I eat Italian food out I want it be just as good as what I happily devour at home. Luckily I found such a place.

Grotta Azzurra resides in Little Italy, a neighborhood with a rich history that attracts both tourists and native New Yorkers because of the many great restaurants crowded on Mulberry Street. Grotta Azzurra has a rich history worth mentioning too.  Grotta Azurra opened its doors in 1908 and was a known favorite of the late great Frank Sinatra.  His music can be heard as well as other famous crooners like Dean Martin throughout the establishment. The restaurant was recently renovated and is simply beautiful. The interior is elegant due to circle pictures of famous Renaissance sculptures decorating the walls. This is all complemented by the colorful marble accented throughout, as well as the checkered floors and intricate tile designs parading around the room. The atmosphere removes you from the stress of the city and allows you to metaphorically wade in the waters of Capri— even if only for a moment.

Grotta Azzurra has more than just a relaxing ambiance, but the establishment is also student savings friendly. The restaurant offers a fabulous and well-worth it lunch special from 11am-4pm during the weekdays, were for only $9.95 you can enjoy a delightful pasta dish and entrée. During my visit to Grotta Azzurra I enjoyed for my pasta dish  rigatoni alla vodka and the sauce was just the perfect blend of tomato, vodka, and cream. I knew even before eating it that it’d be mouth watering good because of the just right pink coloring of the sauce. My sister opted for the penne sorrentina dish, which consisted of a tomato sauce along with mozzarella, basil, and eggplant. She mused that the dish was delicious and even more satisfying because of the tasty eggplant. When finished with our pasta dishes our entrees were served. My sister and I are both fans of chicken parmigiana, so the ultimate test for sure would be to eat just that for the entrée. We both agreed that the chicken was cooked perfectly: it cut easily and was also very light. In addition, potatoes and steamed broccoli were served with the entrée and both were equally satisfying. The added perk to this great meal clearly was the impressive price.

After this enjoyable meal experince at Grotta Azzurra, I will be sure to visit again to try other pasta and entrée combinations offered as part of the lunch special.

Anjelica LaFurno (Baruch College)

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Spotlight: Muscle Maker Grill

August 8th, 2011

Owner Christopher Almazan

I admit, I was a little wary walking into Muscle Maker Grill. The name on its own certainly stakes out its market, and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. What I found, though, was a very friendly, casual place. Walking in, we were immediately greeted warmly, and offered paper menus. The room is definitely casual, with a brick wall on one side reminiscent of a pizza parlor, as well as tables and booths—it’s somewhere in between a casual restaurant and a nice fast food place.

As you can imagine by the name, Muscle Maker Grill prides itself on healthy food that’s good for your body, and on being a restaurant and a resource that helps people manage their health. In fact, Christopher Almazan, owner/operator of the Chelsea location, was a personal trainer for several years. He emphasized the importance of having employees that were knowledgeable about the body and health as well as friendly and welcoming. They consider themselves warmer and more hands-on than a chain restaurant (although Muscle Maker Grill is technically a franchise).

The Arizona, their most popular entree

What Muscle Maker Grill does well, though, is to make sure their meals are healthy without sacrificing taste. The menu offers several different options, from “Power pastas” to “Guiltless entrees,” and even low carb options and salads. I went with my mother and sister, and we ordered the Arizona, the Cajun Chicken and Penne, and the Mardi Gras Cajun Grilled Chicken Salad, respectively. The Arizona is their most popular entrée, consisting of grilled chicken and turkey bacon over brown rice with their signature sauce. The flavors of the sauce and chicken went together remarkably well, and the sauce was even zero-carb! The Cajun chicken and penne was seasoned with a red wine and brown sauce that was also flavorful and filling; even the salad on its own was filling enough to satisfy hunger! This is no skimpy dieting salad. On top of the grilled chicken, it came with turkey bacon, tomatoes, and onions.

Afterwards, we were offered dessert—which might seem contradictory to the whole health-food theme. However, the cheesecake was sugar-less, and there were protein cookies as well. We tried the protein cookies, and they didn’t taste at all like a health food substitute for dessert– they were tasty and just moist enough. The peanut butter cookie was my favorite.

Muscle Maker Grill is certainly something of a niche restaurant. It’s one hundred percent focused on health (the TV in the corner was even playing exercise videos the day I went), so it’s definitely the place for any health enthusiasts. It’s also a great healthy option for college students, though, particularly those tired of instant ramen who want food that’s good for them. Everything at Muscle Maker Grill can be eaten without worrying about carb intake, and the menu even has nutrition information for each of the dishes. Muscle Maker Grill even offers takeout, making it a great option anytime!

Anais DiCroce (American University)

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The Non-Tourist

July 25th, 2011

Last Friday I walked into my apartment after seeing Larry Crowne and lo and behold, my boyfriend was nonchalantly sitting in my living room, chatting with my parents. Not for a moment this summer did I expect to find him at my house, especially when he lives 1,300 miles away in Minnesota. As it turns out, he has been secretly planning behind my back with both my family and my friends to stay here for two weeks, from July 1st to the 15th.

So now, when I’m not blogging for the Campus Clipper, I’ve had the pleasure of showing off my hometown to a guy who’s never visited the big apple.

http://extra.world66.com/node/1557

So far I’ve taken him to his first New York Broadway musical, the South Street Seaport, fancy restaurants, the July 4th fireworks, and the like. But by the time he leaves, I really hope that he’ll have gotten to see more than just the average tourist traps. Of course, going to the MoMA and the Empire State Building are a must, but I also want to take him to all my favorite stores, restaurants, and parks where my friends and I would visit on a regular day, such as the Strand bookstore, Washington Square Park, and Eileen’s Cheesecake, and Insomnia Cookies.

Although the tourist attractions are what everyone thinks traveling to New York is about, I’ve found over the past few days that it’s much harder to keep someone entertained than I thought. And I don’t blame them. Finding the Statue of Liberty overly exciting is difficult when I’ve lived in New York City for 19 years, but as it turns out, the Statue of Liberty isn’t that enthralling to most of the jaded teenagers of America.

So sometimes a night in just hanging out with friends is really all a tourist might be looking for—a chance to experience the ‘real’ New York teenager’s life. So when I’m all done showing him the glitz of Times Square, chilling at home playing Risk is still fun.

Some of my other places around the city that I want to take him to are Chinatown and the Piers along the East and West sides of Manhattan (if only I wasn’t on crutches so that we could ride bicycles around the city!).

Since we’re both students, we’ve been having a blast rocking the student discounts Campus Clipper offers us, such as the discounts at the Village Party Store, where we’ve purchased sheets of temporary dinosaur tattoos and have decorated ourselves to the point of hilarity.

 

/elizabeth Kaleko, Tufts University

 

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There’s a New Burger Joint in Town

July 18th, 2011

Over the last few years, one of the biggest trends in New York City eating has been the proliferation of restaurants that specialize in providing you with very tasty hamburgers. From Shake Shack (the way uptown one on 86th St.) to Goodburger (the way downtown one by Wall St.) to countless smaller places, burgers have come to mean far more than just a Big Mac or a soggy diner burger. The proprietors of this new generation of burger places don’t just want to feed you, or even just to feed you well––they want to show you that a hamburger can be a delicacy, even if it only costs seven (or ten or twelve) dollars and takes five minutes to prepare. To the many devotees of these tasty burgers, I’d like to introduce a new contender: Burger House, on Broadway between 11th St. and 12th St. 

Burger House opened its doors earlier this summer, and has been gaining in popularity among locals and the summertime students of nearby NYU and the New School ever since. It offers a unique take on the gourmet-yet-inexpensive burger craze, billing itself as a “zen grill.” But don’t worry: there are no gimmicks or overdone ambiance, just a wide selection of burgers and sandwiches and some crispy french fries. When it comes to decoration, Burger House keeps it simple, but the food shows no lack of imagination. As you can quickly tell from one of their sidewalk demonstrations, the chefs at Burger House take their work very, very seriously, and their creations are more than just another tasty burger or sandwich.

There is a breadth to the menu at Burger House that is almost startling, with a half dozen kinds of meat (or veggie) available on a burger. While many burger places might offer ten different burgers in the menu, usually the only thing separating the choices is toppings. But at Burger House, you can get bulgogi beef or shrimp meat on your bun, making their menu many times more complex and intriguing than that of the typical burger joint. There are also eleven sandwiches on offer, with just as many choices of filling as the burgers.

the savory, melty, tasty Kalbi Cheese Burger

But it’s not just the abundance of choice that makes Burger House special; the care and attention to detail paid on each dish is exceptional, and the burgers are also exceptionally tasty. The Kalbi Cheese Burger is especially delicious––its rib meat is sweet and savory and will melt in your mouth. The bulgogi beef is juicy and nicely textured, and not to be found at just any burger joint. And of course, for a burger place to be any good, the fries have got to be enjoyable, and I’m happy to report that those at Burger House make the grade: they’re freshly crispy, with a little crunch on the outside, and have some seasoning that gives them a nice flavor without overpowering the extra flavorful burgers.

Out of dozens of downtown burger places, there may be a new favorite to be found on Broadway behind an unassuming storefront and a simple name. Time will tell whether Burger House can build a big, dedicated fan base and prove itself to be the equal of the other popular burger joints in the area, but whether it becomes a landmark like Shake Shack or not, it has already contributed to the burger culture with a unique menu and some high quality food. If you’re interested in a burger unlike any you’ve ever had, I suggest you check it out.

[For the menu and more, visit the official website at http://www.burgerhousenyc.com/]

—Aaron Brown

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Until The Very End

July 18th, 2011

The beginning of a great legacy.

I can still remember my first experience with Harry Potter. The year was 2001 and I was seeing a movie whose title and content I have no memory of with my younger sisters and Dad at a local movie theater. But what I do remember seeing was the trailer for the upcoming release of the first Harry Potter film: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The glow of November on the screen till this very day is still present in my mind. I was captivated and that following November I saw the film and so began my love for both Harry Potter books and films. I often find that I associate Harry Potter with my childhood, and I certainly believe it is representative of my generation. People my age all over the world essentially grew up with Harry Potter and this is why the release of the second and last installment of the final film this past week is considered widely a bittersweet moment.

Without a doubt, I felt it was absolutely necessary to view a midnight showing of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 this past Thursday for its U.S. premiere at the same theater I saw the first. I brought along my younger sister who was equally excited and completely aware of the likely possibility I would embarrass her by tearing up, which I did. My local theater was overrun by avid Harry Potter fans some dressed in Gryffindor uniforms and many foreheads were marked by a lightning bolt scar.  Luckily my sister and I were spotted by a group of High School friends and acquaintances that allowed us to join them on line and then began the nostalgia. The overall consensus amongst the group was the feeling that their childhood was coming to an end. In simple words: the idea of not being a kid anymore makes me sad. However, I’m happy that my transition to imminent adulthood has become jarringly clear because of a franchise that I’ll always love.

I had no qualms whatsoever with the film. It truly is an achingly beautiful adaptation of the final moments configured by JK Rowling.  Also, the epilogue perfectly captured the bittersweet feeling shared by fans worldwide. It was just a perfect balance of melancholy and sheer optimism. Proof of this is the combined mix of smiles and tears I experienced when watching the films end. And for the sake of my own street cred, let it be known the theater was chock full of young adults, both male and female, tearing up because of the films content and its projection, but also because of it’s beautiful parallel to the life of a growing individual. It really is the end of an era, a great one at that. But at the same time, the Harry Potter franchise is certainly forever because its legacy is so great. I’m sure many fans my age anticipate a future where they could share the magical world of Harry Potter with their own children. Similar to the way many of us have shared the bewitching experience with our parents.

My mom mentioned looking forward to owning all of the films on DVD because it’d be both incredibly nostalgic and fun to watch all of them in a row. I personally cannot wait for such a time too! Luckily this can be the case too for students who are conscious of student discounts.  I suggest checking out DVD Funhouse, they have a discount were you can purchase five DVDs for only ten dollars! This means you can invest in buying five of the films for a Harry Potter movie night.

Harry Potter will always serve as a reminder of the curious kid that still exists within me. In many ways the Harry potter experience has preserved my nine-year-old self in both memory and continued spirit. I know I’ll always be in awe of the magical world I watched on screen and read about. I’m sure until the very end.

Anjelica LaFurno (Baruch College)

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Posted in Family, Movies, onEntertainment, onSavings, onValues | 2 Comments »

Wild Ginger: Pan-Asian Vegan Cuisine

July 15th, 2011

If you've never tried tempeh, this is the place to start loving it. Photo © Veganfriendly.com

For years, Wild Ginger in Soho was one of my favorite places to go for a vegetarian dinner even before I was vegan. Inside, the dining room is incredibly small, but unlike most other Manhattan restaurants, the management doesn’t pack the place with as many tables as possible and make all the customers bump elbows with the blind dates next to them. If there’s anything that I dislike the most when I’m eating out, it’s having to listen to people being so awkward with each other that it makes me feel nervous for them. In contrast, Wild Ginger’s tastefully arranged tables with plenty of space between them in addition to a dark and earthy décor make the place feel cozy instead of bustlingly busy.

Personally, I think their appetizers are the best items on the menu, and they host a great variety of dumplings, including shumai and samosas. I’m also a big fan of tempeh, and Wild Ginger cooks their Satay Tempeh well and doesn’t over-sauce it. As for a main course, one can enjoy their hot or cold Asian noodles, in soup or dry, without having to worry about weird ingredients like fish sauce or meat extracts that traditional Asian restaurants may use. They also have soy protein prepared in many different styles, so whether you like it sweet and sour or black peppered, there are plenty of options for a filling mock-meat meal.

When I go, I like to customize my dinner by getting a couple appetizers and one of their salads, which are generously portioned and beautifully served with unique mixtures of ingredients. Try the Watercress Salad with avocado, beets, alfalfa sprouts, and a sesame sauce for healthy filler before you decide on which amazing dessert to order. My favorite is the Vegan Cheesecake despite how small of a portion I get because it has such a great texture without being too heavy. If I’m splitting with someone, the Peanut Butter Bomb is rich, chocolate-peanut buttery, and huge. You can even ask for a scoop of vegan ice cream on the side. The waiters are always super nice and never keep me waiting for very long no matter how packed it is. Even if I’m just getting takeout, they won’t hesitate to bring me a cup of tea when I ask (and sometimes even if I don’t).

Though the prices might be a bit steep for an everyday lunch, they offer a 15% off coupon with student ID through the Campus Clipper. Wild Ginger in Soho is conveniently located a couple blocks away from NYU’s Broome Street dorm and is a short walk from Lafayette. Take advantage of the student savings with the coupon below, and enjoy a great vegan/vegetarian meal for less at Wild Ginger!

-Avia Dell’Oste
@Hunter College

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onValues: Religious Resources on Campus

July 14th, 2011

I have been inside my university’s chapel three times: once for opening exercises freshman year, once for a chapel choir concert (and I had a massive crush on someone in chapel choir), and once for a senior thesis performance of a passion play that my friend was stage managing.  It’s a beautiful building, all gray sandstone on the outside and dark wood pews inside.  Alumni get married there every weekend in the spring.  I pass by it almost every day on my way from the library to the late night café that serves free cookies (which is right under the Office of Religious Life).

I was not raised in a religious household, and I’m still very nonreligious in college.  But religion happens to be a large part in the lives of some of my friends, and contrary to conventional thought, college is not quite a Bastion of Sin and Depravity.  I’m not lying and saying that college is a tame, sleepy educational institution.  But faith does have a place in a college campus.

The physically imposing presence of a university chapel aside, there are plenty of places on a campus to find people of your own faith—often through student-run groups.  On my campus, there are several Christian groups of varying involvement and denominations, for those whose other extracurriculars might take precedent (or might not).  Mission trips over breaks are planned for several, while others just involve a weekly Saturday night dinner.  We have a Center for Jewish Life that serves kosher food every day—it’s available to the entire student body, as well, and the building itself offers great study rooms (and it has a printer, too, so I can print out my labs on my way to class after lunch).  The CJL also holds a range of services for various movements (Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform are the main three denominations), and it often presents its own cultural events to accommodate certain restrictions.  For example, there is a yearly CJL-produced play (the play does not have to be about anything Jewish) that does not perform on Shabbat, unlike most of the other theatrical productions on campus.

Furthermore, the university administration isn’t the only source of religious needs for students.  There are many student groups on campus who offer support and resources in varying capacities, again depending on your personal commitment.  On my campus, there are several Hindu and Muslim groups, some which provide services and some which simply provide a social group for its students on religious customs (such as navigating the dining hall offerings or leaving bags of treats outside its members’ dorm rooms on holidays).

My high school history teacher once described colleges as the Bastion of Liberalism and Secular Thought.  And while there is certainly a lot of freedom and hedonism, if you’re looking for people who share your faith, to whatever degree—you’ll find them.  There’s often a large activities fair at the beginning of the school year where you can add your name to a group’s mailing list, but if you don’t sign up in September, it’s not a big deal—groups will publicize their activities throughout the year, and it only takes a minute to show up and talk to the people already involved about involving yourself.

Naturally, most of these groups will throw study breaks and other large free food events (free food in college is always dependable).  When you become involved in them, it’s probably good to scope out a food venue that gives student discounts or bulk discounts.  Fuji Sushi, for example, has this great deal for 20% off catering college events.  And college students, of whatever faith, love sushi.

 

x

Robin Yang (Princeton Univeristy)

I tweet while I’m at work.  I’ve yet to master the hashtag.
My blog of hedonism and liberalism and other college mainstays.

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