Grade "A" Fancy

04/01/2022

79 years. Damn. 😭

Forlini’s has officially closed. We would like to thank all of our patrons for supporting us throughout the years. We do not consider you our customers, but friends and part of our family. This is a celebration of 79 years on Baxter St in New York City. Forlini’s started with Grandpa Joe in 1943, continued by his sons Frank, Freddie, and Hugo; followed by the 3rd generation “Big” Joe, Derek, and “Little” Joe. We want to thank everyone for the wonderful memories over the years. God Bless and blessings to you all.

Sincerely, The Forlini Family

#Forlinis ♥️🇮🇹

03/03/2022

Volare Was a Secret Treasure, Hiding in Plain Sight

Totally crushed. "Was" in the title of the piece. How did we miss this? (Answer: We don't subscribe to NY Magazine.) I can't stop thinking about our beloved Cleon Throckmorton art that set the mood of the room. And Sal and the rest of the crew that were there from the day we stepped foot in the joint, decades ago.
https://www.grubstreet.com/2021/07/volare-nyc-closing.html#comments

An under-the-radar Italian gem will soon be gone.

12/25/2021

And here it is, folks. Our original 2021 FOOL’S PARADISE HOLIDAY DRINK:
ICE STATION REINDEER

Ingredients:

2 oz tequila
1 oz pineapple juice
1/2 oz grapefruit juice
1/2 oz Noilly Prat rouge vermouth (or similar spicy, quinine-heavy, and not too sweet red vermouth)
1 barspoon absinthe
1 barspoon agave syrup
1 egg white
A few drops of Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas Bitters
Tiny pinch of salt

Garnishes:
1. a few drops of Angostura bitters
2. Grapefruit peel

In advance:
Chill glasses – It’s a big drink, so one 5-6 ounce cocktail glass, or two coupes
Squeeze grapefruit juice
Separate an egg (reserve the yolk for challah or babka or any other use)

When you're ready to go:
Add all ingredients except garnishes into the mixing glass.
Add ice.
Shake the drink in a Boston shaker (the two-piece thingy). (The egg fluffs great if you wanna do a reverse shake.) Strain and pour
the mixture into your pre-chilled glass or glasses.
With a dropper or a small spoon, top the foam with a few decorative drops of Angostura bitters.
Squeeze a piece of grapefruit peel over the glass to express the fragrant oils; twist the peel into the drink, and serve.

And to all a good night!

12/23/2021

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭, 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 "𝗔" 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀, 𝗰𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲.

In what we hoped wouldn’t become a holiday tradition, this year's Fool's Paradise holiday party on the mighty WFMU will be a remote affair. This time we weren’t banned from the studio for subversive behavior or destructive twisting, it is the social distancing requirements, honest. That’s what Rex told us anyway.

It's always an event when our host Rex celebrates the American Novelty Songbook in true Fool's Paradise style, spinning more zany holiday-themed novelty records than anyone might think is prudent, and all at 45 r.p.m. Grade "A" Fancy's own Chief Mixing Officer will once again unveil a brand new cup of hooch specially created to mark the occasion, mixed before your very ears! This feature we like to call "Bartender of the Airwaves" is truly a milestone in broadcasting history.

What will this year’s cocktail be? Tune on Saturday from 1 to 3pm ET when the name and recipe will be revealed. In the tri-state area, listen on the mighty WFMU 91.1 FM Jersey City and NYC, and 90.1 and 91.9 in the Hudson Valley. If you find yourself stranded somewhere in the Yukon, or behind a skyscraper, listen in real time at WFMU.org, via the miracle of the internet. If you insist on spending the day with family the show will be archived so you'll be able to enjoy the radio hi-jinx at your leisure for years to come.

What will you need to play the home game?

𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 (𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑐𝑒):

• Tequila – the blanco variety and preferably nothing too smooth
• Noilly Prat rouge vermouth – or a similar spicy and quinine-forward red vermouth
• Absinthe – we used Vieux Pontarlier
• Grapefruit – one
• Pineapple juice
• Egg – one
• Agave syrup
• Angostura Bitters
• Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas Bitters

𝑇𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑠:
• a Boston shaker (the 2-piece kinda shaker)
• a strainer
• a barspoon

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑝:
• squeeze a piece of the grapefruit to get 1/2 ounce of juice (while retaining some peel for garnish)
• separate the egg (you’ll only be using the white)


Chill your glasses and we'll see you Saturday! Well, you'll hear us. You know what we mean, listen in. And check this space after the show for the official recipe.

08/03/2021

Grade "A" Fancy updated their business hours.

Grade "A" Fancy updated their business hours.

07/18/2021

Was it something we said?
Ducking the midday sun in Astoria.

02/09/2021

Wish we were there.

02/03/2021

Historic Neir's Tavern bar and grill to be honored with street co-naming – QNS.com

O-Kay!

Neir's Tavern has been on the same street for 191 years. Now, that street will be named after the historic Woodhaven bar and grill.

12/19/2020

Here it is -- your Fool’s Paradise holiday cocktail for 2020.

𝙅𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙇𝙀𝘿

𝘐𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴:

2 oz blended Scotch
½ oz Lazzaroni Amaretto
¼ oz Cynar
¼ oz orange juice
Dash of Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter Bitters
2-4 raspberries

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘛𝘰: Crush one raspberry in your shaker. Add ice, and the liquids; shake well and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish: 1-3 raspberries in the glass.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯!

12/15/2020

This Saturday, we'll be making our annual appearance at the Fool's Paradise Rex-wfmu holiday spectacular. He keeps inviting us back, what can we say? It's probably because we bring the hooch. We'll be shaking up an original holiday cocktail, just for the Fool's Paradise faithful. Play along at home, won't you?

Here is your shopping list (check it twice):
* Blended Scotch (Ballantine's works)
* Amaretto (Lazzaroni brand suggested)
* Cynar (Italian bitter liqueur)
* Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter Bitters
* an orange (for juice)
*2-4 raspberries

Emergency substitutions? Just ask.

12/07/2020

Grade "A" Fancy: Hark! The Radio Bartender Brings!

Vintage finds for the holidays and other thirsty days ~
Yes, there is a secret stash of our 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑲! 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒐 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 and if you missed out back when, you can get your coal-stained paws on a MIB copy today. Look for them in the shop of Salted Nut Meats on etsy.

On the subject of cocktails -- we will be joining Rex on the air again, a few more than six feet apart this year, to debut a brand new holiday cocktail. Stay tuned for your ingredient list to play along at home.

11/28/2020

Celebrating Dawn Powell’s birthday on an freakishly warm afternoon.

10/15/2020

Yeah.

Dear New York, Our stores are hurting. Sales remain down over 50 percent, and we need more customers to keep this bookselling gig going. Please, come back to our stores. If you are worried about lines or crowding, come early in the day or order online or by phone for pickup in stores or curbside. We are open 11:30-7. We have so many books, we have wonderful booksellers, the only thing we need is for you to come back. #BoxedOut #ShopIndie

09/09/2020

Back at Gene’s. Praise the gods of the relish tray.

08/18/2020

Florence’s Renaissance ‘Wine Windows’ Reveal New Secret

Florence’s Renaissance ‘Wine Windows’

The tiny Tuscan holes in the wall, called buchette del vino, were a safe, socially distant way to serve wine during an epidemic outbreak—400 years ago. In Wine Spectator's Unfiltered.

08/04/2020

New York Just Lost La Caridad 78, One of Its Last Cuban-Chinese Restaurants

Remembering all the cafés con leche of Chelsea, especially the chrome beauty Mi Chinita.

Critic Robert Sietsema traces the international history that led to a lush — and now mostly forgotten — restaurant scene

07/29/2020

Restaurant Equipment & Collection of Literary Author Portraits

Hmmm, wonder who stepped in here for the goods from "Chumley's 1%"?

Absolute Auction re: Chumley's of NYC Late Model Commercial Kitchen Equipment Bar & Kitchen Refrigeration of All Kinds Tufted Leather Booth Benches Green Tack & Leather Upholstered Bar Stools A Large Collection of Framed Literary Author Portraits & Book Covers Auction Format: Online Only...

07/15/2020

Nina Pineda

Jeremiah's Vanishing New York

A 🚲 Bike Rack Vs 100 yr old landmark restaurant 🍝 trying to survive ? Does this make any sense to you ?! Working on this for Tuesday -Tune in @5 to see the family’s plea for help save their Mom and Pop Century Old Legacy. #7onyourside #pandemic #roadtoreopening #genesrestaurant #outdoordining #pandemic #Phase2 #citibike

07/11/2020

Message to my Future Cocktail Cherry. Today you came into our home from the greenmarket. We bathed you and covered you lovingly with liquids and spices and boozes. And one day, you will be a delicious garnish. 🍒

07/07/2020

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼-𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀?
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁? 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙬!

We’ve been doing this New Reality lunacy for months now. In a word: blecch.

One bright spot has been the digital cocktail parties we’ve attended with our pals, acquaintances, and friends of friends. In the ancient past, Ma Bell had a slogan promoting its long-distance service that went, “It’s the next best thing to being there.” The Zoomies and the Facetymes aren’t exactly that, but they’re all we got. Since remotely socializing seems to take up a such an important hunk of our lives now, the staff of Grade “A” Fancy took quill to electro-parchment and created a little something on the subject. The result is our instructional booklet, (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧? you ask. Our new all-original pamphlet gets right to the heart of the matter, with twenty-four stylishly illustrated pages full of tips to make your next remote happy hour a smashing success. You will learn how to keep the conversation flowing, spot trouble before it can derail the fun, and you’ll pick up some basic cyber-etiquette, if you dare—all to help you become the remote host with the most. There are hints on how to keep things interesting while the quarantine drags on, and even a few cocktail suggestions—it’s a truly unique booklet chockablock with entertainment value.

Printable download now available at the Etsy shop of Salted Nut Meats.

05/22/2020

McSorley's Old Ale House

Today we'll be opening our doors after closing them for the longest period in our 166 year history. Everyone at McSorley's wants to get back to work and who are we to stop them. We've installed a bunch of hand sanitizer dispensers (even though they don't match the ancient wood), ordered a bunch of growlers and face masks and are ready as well to bring some commercial and social life back to our storied, East 7th street block. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and sandwiches are whats on the To-Go food menu. And of course, our famous Light or Dark Ale in 12oz cups, or half and full gallon growlers. Stay safe and hope to see you soon.

Hours daily for the next two weeks will be from 1pm-8pm.

05/14/2020

Fabulous AND hardboiled. That's our city.

04/10/2020

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-zmFWOhvWX/?igshid=1fin0zlg71nwy

04/07/2020

Forgotten New York

Lots of gone but not forgotten campy NYC to dig in 1966's "The POP Show" youtube in this post.

https://forgotten-ny.com/2020/04/fred-mogubgub-midtown/

03/01/2020

Exposed! Hunting for mystery novels, we encountered this sensational display downtown.

Herb Lester
👀

02/28/2020

Can New Brooklyn Save Old Brooklyn?

Fingers crossed. Can't wait to see it again.

The long life, ignominious death, and crowdfunded rebirth of Gage & Tollner.

02/21/2020

Herb Lester

Calling all freaky superstar friends and terrific acquaintances. Our newest project, AVAILABLE NOW!!!

⭐ Andy Warhol's New York ⭐
shop.herblester.com/products/andy-warhols-new-york

Andy Warhol moved to New York City from his hometown of Pittsburgh in 1948. Over the next 40 years he would transform himself from aspiring illustrator, to wildly successful commercial and then fine artist.

Through the decades, as Warhol changed, so did New York, though it’s hard to say which influenced the other to the greater degree. Both were in a constant state of reinvention and renewal. The 60-plus entries in Andy Warhol’s New York tell a story of a remarkable man shaped by the big city he also helped to create.

02/03/2020

Grade "A" Fancy

Our Hardboiled Apple map lounging dramatically at the superb Idlewild Bookshop on 7th Avenue.

02/03/2020

Our Hardboiled Apple map lounging dramatically at the superb Idlewild Bookshop on 7th Avenue.

12/20/2019

See What the Elves in the Backroom Will Have, Bartender

We're LIVE on the air this Saturday 1:00-3:00 ET with Fool's Paradise Rex-wfmu. It's the office party of the year -- Celebrities galore! The bang-zoom excitement of gifts unwrapped before your very ears! A brand spankin' new cocktail created especially for Fool's Paradise faithful, shaken on-air! And the most rollickin' way-out holiday discs. As a wise woman once said, Join Us.

It's that time again! This Saturday, December 21, tune in to the Fool's Paradise program on the mighty WFMU for everyone's favorite ...

12/18/2019

It's that time of the season again…

It's Christmas A-Go-Go on the radio!
Tune into Fool's Paradise with Rex this Saturday 12/21 1-3PM EST for a blow-out birthday bash in honor of everyone's favorite moptop in the manger! The editors of Grade "A" Fancy magazine will once again be crafting a holiday cocktail LIVE ON THE AIR! With special guests Paul Lukas (of Uniwatch fame), Chris Karwowski (formerly of The Onion), WFMU's own Gaylord Fields and more! Plus seasonal novelty records that are relatively amusing. It all happens this Saturday 12/21 1-3PM on WFMU 91. FM and online at wfmu.org

11/17/2019

Toasting our new map guide with The Hardboiled Apple cocktail.

11/15/2019

Hard-Boiled Apple

Pssst!
GRADE "A" FANCY RIPS EXPOSES THE SENSATIONAL, LURID UNDERBELLY OF CRIME FICTION IN NEW YORK CITY! Locations galore. https://www.grade-a-fancy-magazine.com/2019/11/hard-boiled-apple.html

Flash! GRADE "A" FANCY RIPS THE LID OFF THE SENSATIONAL, LURID UNDERBELLY OF CRIME FICTION IN NEW YORK CITY! The Hardboiled Appl...

10/28/2019

Themes: bordellos

They forgot to mention Annie's bar in SF.

In the 1960s turn-of-the-century brothels inspired restaurant decor, even in some places pitching to the family trade. Isn’t it strange that some restaurants with this type of decoration were meant…

10/06/2019

Village Preservation - Greenwich Village Society For Historic Preservation

Village Preservation - Greenwich Village Society For Historic Preservation

October is Italian-American Heritage Month, so we’re marking the occasion by retracing the East Village’s historic and nearly-gone Little Italy, which is still there, if you know where to look. There’s some beloved still-thriving local institutions, some dearly departed friends, and some interesting relics you’ve probably never heard of or known about: