Feelin' French?

After DJing my 10 year high school reunion I began to feel my playlists were frighteningly stuck in the 90's and now quite lackluster in their appeal. And while I do consider myself a music junkie, I tend to go through phases with music overplaying new artists within a month and rarely taking the time to buy new albums for myself.  As the west coast is just starting to ride the Santogold and Vampire Weekend wave, I have OD-ed on these early east coast summer albums and now felt compelled to search overseas for something fresh and exciting enough to buy. I found my new musical zest for life in the genre of French pop and despite the fact I cannot understand one lyrical word, I feel like this new phase could be played out well into the new year or perhaps until I learn to be semi-fluent in French. Here are a few of the top groups in my "Feelin' French" playlist (Click on select song titles below to view YouTube music videos or listen to their myspace music sites):

Loane 

One of the few whose entire album is available on iTunes ($9.99) and well worth buying. Best bets include: Danser and Jamais seule, though the entire album is golden.

Carla Bruni

First heard her Quelqu'un M'a Dit in a yoga class and was struck by the uniqueness of a more bluegrass/acoustic folk sound set to French lyrics...pure sultry silkiness to the ears. All three of her albums are available on iTunes for $9-10 each...her second one entirely in English sans accent but still great...buy them...now...and you're welcome.

Mauss et Charlie

Mauss is more alternative rock than any of these other groups, namely because of the incorporation of drums. I'm actually not so much a fan of Mauss' solo stuff as I am of this great collaboration with gorgeous french female vocalist Charlie in Je recherche.

As In RebekkaMaria

This electro/dance "Queen of France" actually sings in English but sounds like a french fusion of Bjork and the lead singer of the Cranberries. You can actually download the remix of Yours Truly for free through her myspace music site. 

Ridan

Give L'agriculteur a listen. Ridan's sound is straight up French pop and both previous and newer albums are full of classic french melodic winners.

Da Silva

Score another free myspace music download of this French pop artist's Au moment des amours. You may also wanna take a listen to Tout va pour le mieux or the more acoustic L' indecision. Da Silva's newest album, De beaux jours a venir, is also available through iTunes for a mere $8.01.

Zoe Avril

Zoe encompasses elements of the traditional circus-like french folk genre in her sweetly fresh acoustic pop rock.  Try on the playful On ne changera pas le monde for size. 

Free Bike Rentals in NYC!

Who doesn't [heart] freebies!?!

Back in Oregon, my hippie-friendly-fun-lovin'-and-trusting hometown created a free bike program where 100 or so bikes were painted orange (one of our college colors) and left these community wheels in various locations around the city. These bikes were absolutely free for anyone and everyone to use. The problem with this great utopian idea was that they were also never supposed to be locked up, which created one of two problems. One, if you didn't lock it up and biked all the way across town to a coffee shop or store, you may come out without your assumed return transportation. The other problem was that often times people would in fact lock them up, limiting the free public access for which this system was created. Eventually all these orange bikes disappeared one by one, some resurfacing under a newly assumed color and this was the end of what was at its roots, a good idea. 

When I heard about Manhattan trying a freebie bike program, I knew there would need to be some major organization behind it for this to not only survive but work effectively. But I gotta say, what my hometown lacked in organization, the downtown alliance of Manhattan seems to have perfected here. 

Step 1: Sign in online providing an email, a password, full name and credit card (only to be used for the bike's deposit) - BINGO! That's how we'll keep these free programs alive and well!

Step 2: Go online and make your reservation at least a day ahead of time (time slots range from 2-3 hours between 9am and 7pm). Your wheels will await you at the South Street Seaport and you can choose between this and two other drop off locations (Governer's Island and Pier 84). Note: You can rent (also for free) attachments to your bike such as bayseats, tagalongs and wagons for the munkins of child or pet variety.

Step 3: Explore lower Manhattan to your little heart's desire. 

You can make reservations online at: http://www.downtownny.com/bikearound

Hidden BYOB Gem

Picture a nearly empty Soho-esque neighborhood with a smallish and dimly lit cafe pouring a unique mix of reggae and euro pop onto the sidewalks. Eclectic wooden folding chairs line the exterior brick wall for the anxious New Yorkers awaiting their fix of tenderly prepared french/carribean cuisine and the equally satisfying BYOB sans corking fee bonus (that's right, I said NO corking fee in an NYC restaurant)! The arthouse-style interior creates a warmly inviting setting capable of accommodating both intimate tables for two or groups as large as the 10-person birthday bash I was hosting. As if their atmosphere and BYOBness wasn't enough, Ivo & Lulu's is a hidden hotspot serving a minimalistic menu of proudly organic creations (see MENU here). When you take into account our sampling of all nine appetizers, ten dinners and the five bottles of Trader Joe's vino we shamelessly carried in with us, this $198 dinner was a fan-freakin'-tastic treat that I am selfishly wondering why I choose to share. But we all know BYOB restaurants in NYC don't stay BYOB forever, so plan to sample Ivo & Lulu's gourmet meals with your own gourmet vino deals while this policy still stands.

Highly recommended: Escargot, smoked muscles, scalloped potatoes and roasted pear with blue cheese appetizers (any of their appetizers really) ($9-11), duck confit (hand's down best duck entree you may ever try) ($14) and the apple souffle ($7).

FYI: Despite what other websites are listing, I & L do take reservations and are now open on Sundays. Also note this is a cash only restaurant but let's not forget that Trader Joe's wine shop is only a hop skip or short cab ride away (14th btw 3rd/4th Ave) and are one of the rarities in the village that give cash back for purchases made with debit cards. Trader Joe's Hours: 9am-10pm (Mondays-Saturdays) and noon-9pm (Sundays).

Ivo & Lulu's

(French/Carribean)

558 Broome St (btw Varick St/6th Ave)

New York, NY 10012

212-226-4399

Price: $$

Hours: Now open 7 days a week for dinner only (6:00PM-11:30PM)

Payment: Cash only

Reservations: Accepted (necessary on weekends and for groups)

Subway: C, E to Spring or 1 to Canal

Tea & Satisfaction

Tucked away on one of those haphazard West Village streets below Union Square is a "little England"of sorts. That is if two stores in a row constitute the equivalent of Epcot's representation of an entire country. But if any restaurant can represent it's home land with validity and charm, it's Tea and Sympathy on Greenwich Avenue and it's adjacent English grocery store. This cozy little tea house is often packed on the weekends with authentic Brits and New Yorkers alike. If you plan on coming with a larger group, keep in mind that they do not accept reservations and will only seat your group when the entire party has arrived. The best time to come with a larger group is definitely a weekday evening over a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. 

Providing not only an exquisite list of teas by the potful, this quaint cafe offers home-cooked English fair like Chicken pot pie, bangers and mash, mac and cheese and broccoli quiche. And like any English establishment worth it's weight in loose-leaf, they must offer afternoon tea. T&S delivers with full tea service for $30 a person and $50 for two. Full tea service includes a plentiful selection of finger sandwiches (vegetarian options available), scones with cream and strawberries and desserts to accompany your own pot of tea. 

Highly recommended: Blackberry tea ($4.50), butternut squash soup ($4.50), and the chicken and leek pie ($17.95)

Tea and Sympathy

(English fare and Tea House)

108 Greenwich Ave

New York, NY 10011

(212) 807-8329

Price: $ (lunch), $$ (dinner)

Hours: M-F (11:30AM-10:30PM)/Sat-Sun (9:30AM-10:30PM)

Payment: Credit cards accepted

Reservations: Not accepted (all in party must be present to be seated)

Subway: A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 9, F or V to 14th Street