Rima Suqi

Before yesterday I had never heard of Mike Birbiglia. But I gotta say, after seeing his show called “Sleepwalk with Me” at the Bleecker Street Theatre last night, I might be addicted. This guy is incredibly funny in a normal guy way. And frankly, with all the bullshit going on with the stock market, crazy layoffs and the like, we need a little humor in our lives. Yeah, I know, the ticket prices are steep but there’s no drink minimum or anything and the theatre is really small so there’s no bad seats. Just go.

More information, ticket sales, etc HERE.

I recently had the opportunity to test out some new training shoes from Nike. The “sister series” is, according to official Nike Verbage “training shoes, designed for all training exercises, specifically
lateral, side-to-side movements. There are a few styles styles – the Sister One+, Shox
Zipsister+, Bold Sister Mid+ and the Quick Sister+ and they’re going to hit stores in (I believe) December.
I’m going to insert some pictures of the different styles but to check out everything on their official site, go here.
First, the one I tested, which is the Sister One. If you pronate you will not be happy in this shoe. But it does look cool -

This is the “bold sister”

this is the “air essential”

They all share a few features -
* Revolutionary Flywire support system acts like synthetic tendons and
reduces the weight of the shoe

* New DiamondFLX technology offers multidirectional support, enhanced
flexibility and natural motion

As well as –
* Breathable upper mesh helps keeps feet cool and comfortable
* Nike Zoom air unit provides low-profile, responsive cushioning
* Strategically placed rubber outsole pods provide great grip and
durability
* Higher density arch foam supports the foot during lateral moves

* Nike+ enabled

Last night I dined with one of my Lebanese friends at a new arab restaurant called Naya. It’s on 2nd Avenue between 55th and 56th, so we ventured north for the occasion. We also tried to keep our expectations low. If you grew up eating the food, it’s hard to eat it at a restaurant. It’s never the same. But Naya does come close. The kibbeh ROCKED – small, crispy thin crust and perfection all around. The grape leaves were good for the cold, mushy variety, but I still prefer the hot, not-mushy, cooked in tomato sauce variety. Hummus, tabouleh, mujadara and fattoush all very good.

The interior (pictured above) was designed by Michel Abboud and is very groovy for the neighborhood but from a design perspective, about 5+ years ago. But he did make the most of a very long, very narrow space, with a clever storage solution for coats and bags (those “boxes” under the seating areas). One problem: no place to stand while you are waiting (no bar area, yet).

That said, there are very few Arab restaurants with good interiors AND good food (Ilili comes to mind but nothing else in the city) so we must give props where due.

We give this the joint Palestinian-Lebanese thumbs up.
Open for dinner only, for now, and no delivery yet.