Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – FRIDAY, FEB. 14, 2014

Beth Orton
“This British folk scribe has long dabbled in chilly electronic soundscapes via her numerous solo albums and a high-profile collaboration with the Chemical Brothers. As a result, her emotionally bare ruminations — delivered with a hitch in her throat — sound fresh and contemporary. “ (Anderson-NYT)
Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th Street and Broadway,
212-721-6500, jalc.org;
At 8:30 p.m. / limited availability.

DIANNE REEVES (also Saturday)
“Combining the larger-than-life vocal skills, reverence for tradition, and regal demeanor of Sarah Vaughan with an inquisitive stance toward contemporary pop and world music, Reeves gets to have it both ways. Her loyal fans have come to cherish her shape-shifting attitude, and “Beautiful Life,” her first album in five years, features songs by Marvin Gaye, Ani DiFranco, Fleetwood Mac, and others.” (NewYorker listings)
Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway/60th St.
212-721-6500, jalc.org
at 8PM /

Kings of Leon and Gary Clark Jr.
“Still stomping the road in support of their stadium-friendly sixth studio album, “Mechanical Bull,” the photogenic family band Kings of Leon are seasoned pros at filling the arena with their noncombative Southern rock. They share the stage with the much-vaunted bluesy singer-guitarist Gary Clark Jr., who for the past few years has been called the next Hendrix. His major-label debut, “Blak and Blu,” with bracing pop-blues hooks and richly weathered vocals, surpassed his early praise.” (Anderson-NYT)
Madison Square Garden,
866-858-0008, thegarden.com;
At 8 p.m./ $49.50 to $69.50

GREGORY PORTER
“The current jazz audience has been itching for a strong new male singer for some time, and one who is truly worth embracing has finally emerged. Last month, he won a Grammy for his Blue Note début, “Liquid Spirit,” confirming that it’s his moment to shine; time will tell if his songwriting abilities can match his persuasive vocalizing.” (NewYorker listings)
Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, Manhattan,
800-982-2787, the-townhall-nyc.org;
At 8 p.m. / $42.30 and $47.50.

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (through Feb 17)
Monday night big bands are a Gotham staple, but this is the one that started it all. Celebrating its 48th year at the club, the orchestra created by late greats Thad Jones and Mel Lewis purrs and roars all week, featuring fresh charts by Bob Brookmeyer, Jim McNeely, Kenny Werner and other top composers, in addition to its time-honored canon of Jones classics.
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave South, at 11th St
At 8:30 and 10:30 / $25 + 1 drink minimum
212-255-4037 / villagevanguard.com

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
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A PremierPub + 3 Good Eating places 

Jimmy’s Corner  /  140 W 44th St (btw B’way & 7th ave)

Jimmy’s Corner is right in the heart of Times Square, but you won’t find it on the corner, it’s mid-block. Enter this long narrow bar and you are struck by the walls covered with mostly black-and-white boxing photographs, and memorabilia. Soon enough you learn that “Corner” refers to proprietor Jimmy Glenn’s long career as a corner man for some of boxing greats – Liston, Tyson, even “the greatest”, Ali.

Jimmy’s is a sort of time machine, taking you back to a time and place that no longer exists. All around you Times Square has cleaned up, grown up, assumed a new identity. Jimmy’s probably hasn’t changed a bit since it first opened in 1971. Certainly the bar itself looks original and the prices haven’t changed much either. When I brought a friend, who owns her own bar, she was surprised when she got the small tab for a round of drinks. Figured there must be a mistake, that maybe they forgot to charge for all the drinks.

Times Square today is filled with neon glitz and wandering tourists from Dubuque, but not Jimmy’s. You’ll likely find some old timer’s at the bar nursing their drinks, some younger locals at tables in the back, and maybe a few adventuresome tourists clutching their trusty guidebooks. There’s no food served here because this is just a bar, and sometimes that’s all you need.

On nights when no local team is playing, it’s a fine place to sip some drafts and listen to a great old time jukebox (40s, 50s, R&B, and soul). On sports nights this very narrow bar can get a bit claustrophobic, filled with excited fans watching their team on the TVs. Either way, Jimmy’s is the place to be if you are looking for an old time bar in the new Times Square.
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Website: are you kidding !
(although there is a facebook page with lots of photos –
facebook.com/jimmyscornernyc)
Phone #: 212-221-9510
Hours: 11am – 4 am, except Sunday they open 12 noon
Happy Hour: not necessary, low prices all day, every day
Subway: #1,2,3 to TimesSquare 42nd st
walk 2 blks N on 7th ave to 44th st; ½ blk E to Jimmy’s

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“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs  – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge.

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
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3 Good Eating places 

It’s not difficult finding a place to eat in Manhattan.
Finding a good, inexpensive place to eat is a bit harder.
Here are a few of my faves in this neighborhood:

Patzeria Perfect Pizza – 231 W46 st (Betw 7th/8th ave)
Perfect name for a pizza joint. On a street filled with Broadway theaters, this is a real hole in the wall, but don’t let the dive look scare you away. You can never go wrong with a slice of NYC pizza, and this one is a classic thin crust. Only a few seats here, but pizza was made to eat standing up.

Shake Shack – 691 8th ave (Betw 43rd/44th st)
Danny Meyer has revolutionized the high quality burger in this town. Now he has a branch on the West Side that was desperately needed, with none of the insane lines that you find at the Madison Sq. Park location. Plus, it may be the cleanest joint to eat in all of Hell’s Kitchen.

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“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”

That covers a wide range of food – pizza,  burgers,  food trucks/carts,  vegetarian/falafel,  ramen,  chopped salad & salad bars,  hot dogs,  bbq,  soup & sandwiches,  picnic fixins’,  raw bars & lobster rolls. No reservations needed. ================================================================================

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places and descriptions of my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods (plus 27 casual dining places with free Wi-Fi) order a copy of my e-book: “Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($3.99).
(available Spring 2014)