Deep Fried... Anything?!

Yes, there is a place for that. Specifically, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, which is an area known for a certain amount of affluence. However, it is populated and frequented people with a wide range of tastes. Great Brunch, sushi, thai, burgers, cafés and my favorite middle eastern restaurant. This little shop is decidedly not upscale, but it's too strange to be anything else.

The Chip Shop is owned a by a British couple and they will batter and deep fry anything you bring in (as long as it doesn't have too much of a water content as, apparently, that has explosive consequences. That means no fruit!)

They also serve traditional fish and chip shop fare complete with mushy peas, as well as bangers & mash, shepherd's pie, macaroni & cheese and puddings (like Rhubarb crumble w/cream, English port trifle and spotted dick). Ah, my beating heart... please don't stop beating!

I haven't been here. And you know my favorite English place to eat in NYC (Tea & Sympathy), but this is just too cool and too weird to pass up. Plus, they're in Brooklyn and I can't resist the idea of an English shop in Brooklyn. Here's the article that brought this shop to my attention.

383 Fifth Avenue (at 6th Street), Brooklyn, NY

718.CHIP.SHOP

photo from The Daily Mail

Where To Sleep... On The Cheap

The worse thing about planning a trip to New York City is paying for a place to stay. I'm lucky, I've never had this dilemma, but I very much sympathize. There is so much amazing and delectable and fantastical things to experience... on the cheap, but then you have to pay $1,000 for a place to stay. That is just scandalous!

Here are few websites to check out first.

Apartments to Rent

How about renting an apartment for $70/night on the hip, trendy and atmospheric Lower East Side. Yup, that is one of the deals I found here on Air B-n-B. You can rent whole apartments, or rooms in the houses, or more likely, apartments of artists and other interesting people. I already have a couple of friends who've used this site and highly recommend it and the people they rented from.

AND... it is not only for NYC. San Fran, Paris... Perhaps this will become your "go-to place" to find a place to rest your weary and well-traveled head.

One can always try craigslist, but I prefer Air B-n-B.

Hostelling

It actually does work in NYC. Prices run from $30-$38 per bed/per night, and then go higher if you require greater privacy.

Hostelling International New York (The hostelers hostel. Wonderfully decorated and huge garden. On the Upper West Side.)

891 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025

212.932.2300

New York Loft Hostel (looks very cool. gourmet kitchen, jacouzzi, garden and live music. Received great ratings. Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which is hipster central, but not exactly tourist central. For the adventurous. Has anyone been there?)

249 Varet Street, Brooklyn, NY

718.366.1351

Chelsea International Hostel (located somewhere between the West Village and the Empire State Building. This hostel is centrally located for excursions uptown, midtown and downtown. It's even not too bad for a trip to Brooklyn or Queens.

251 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011

212.647.0010

You do not feel like you are backpacking (as long as you ignore all the backpackers, eh?). Plus, they are located in great areas to start your New York wanderings. Do your own research if you like. You never know what you will find!