Admore Hardware & Lock

"The Empire strikes back at the burglar, ” professed Richard Krasilovsky, owner of Empire Safe. As the name suggests, this family-run operation develops some of the world’s strongest safes. However, this was not always the case. When Richard’s Ukrainian family opened the business more than a century ago, they focused on machinery moving and rigging, and safes were one of many items that they were asked to move. It was later that they started selling the used safes that they removed from buildings. With time, the family split the company, and Empire Safe was established in 1949 by Richard’s father, Monroe, to specialize in security. Growing up, Richard worked in the shop during summers but never thought he would end up as the next owner. Yet he took over in 1997, and under his watchful eye, Empire Safe has become involved in fascinating new projects. “I’m constantly working on creating more security solutions for my customers. ” His most recent advancement was producing lighter-weight safes that can be installed on upper floors of buildings without requiring structural reinforcement. When gold began trading as a commodity in the late 1970s, the jewelry industry became a major target for burglars. Richard partnered with manufacturers in England and Israel to create higher security safes to protect jewelers’ valuable merchandise. He even scaled down these safes for residential applications. Additionally, Richard helped develop the modular vault room industry, where vaults are made up of small panels that are manufactured in advance and then assembled onsite. These are used by banks, medical marijuana dispensaries, governments, museums, and other institutions across the globe. Overall, Empire Safe has supplied vaults for several hundred companies, including high-profile clients such as Tiffany, Cartier, Harry Winston, Bulgari, and DeBeers. “It’s wonderful to know that our products are well respected by so many. ”

Although this small yet inviting barbershop is relatively new to Midtown East, Boris Sufayev—originally from Tel Aviv and a New Yorker since 2000—has fifteen years of experience in the barbershop business, much of which he spent in his previous barbershop at Fulton and William Street. The formula to his success, however, has not changed. “You have to be a good haircutter” Boris says, “give customer service, good atmosphere, a nice cozy place. ” Perhaps most importantly of all, clients look for “a good conversation” while they are getting their hair cut. One could easily be confused by the “Shoe Repair” and “Watch Repair” signs that accompany the European Barbershop’s exterior. Yet the explanation given by the attentive-to-detail Boris is quite simple. The space of the haircutting salon used to be entirely occupied by the shoe and watch repair store of his father for twenty five years, until in early 2015 he also made space for Boris to establish European Barbershop. So one can not only come out with a dashing haircut, but with their shoes repaired and a copy of their keys for safe-keeping. And, of course, that smile that comes after a pleasant chat.

While walking on 39th street, Manhattan Sideways team member Jon was pulled into MonKEYS Locksmith by the clever name. That name, which first made the store popular when it opened in 1982, has brought in generations of customers, many of whom have been regulars for decades. While speaking with the owner, Jeff, during the summer of 2017, we learned that he had grown up in the city, spending time in his father's successful retail business a few blocks away. His dad sold televisions and other appliances for fifty-five years. After working out of a truck and in flea markets making keys and doing security work, Jeff was inspired by his father to open up MonKEYS. He is proud to have continued his family’s legacy of retail success. He has even started working on the next generations: Jeff’s grandson helps him out around the store, making sure that their online appearance is up to date. When Jon asked Jeff, "Why do people keep coming back to the store? " he put it simply: “People like me! ” Jeff responded. Jeff is an extremely gregarious man, chatting with every one of the customers that come through his store. “You have to dedicate yourself to last so long. I did it all on my own, ” Jeff said. Jeff does all sorts of security work for his customers - changing locks, keys, and cameras for them. At the height of his business, he had twenty-five men working for him, using the company’s two vans to travel around the city. One of Jeff’s customers, who was in the store at the same time that we were, took a moment to tell us that the previous week she had been locked out of her apartment, and Jeff was able to get her back inside right away. Though MonKEYS is tiny on the inside, it has a lot of charm. The old-style price board gives the shop an authentic feel and the arrangement of locks on the walls shows off the variety of security systems that are available.

Manhattan has dozens of superb steak houses and Nick & Stef's certainly ranks up there with some of the better ones. Although I have not dined at this location, I recently had an excellent meal at their L. A. restaurant. Beginning with a great salad, as usual, I shared in the sides that everyone chose. I loved the cream spinach (sans bacon breadcrumbs), and I indulged in the numerous potato dishes. My husband was a happy guy having been served a perfectly prepared filet mignon, cooked exactly the way he likes it - charred on the outside and medium on the inside.

Middle Branch rebranded itself as LB33 in 2022. The concept behind Middle Branch is simply explained by manager, Lucinda Sterling. "It stems from drinks created before Prohibition while also utilizing the new ingredients on the market, " but Lucinda emphasized that they adhere to the classics as much as possible. Equally intriguing to me was Lucinda's own story and how she came to run this bar. Eight years ago, she set out on a whimsical cross-country road trip, looking for a "bigger destiny. " Stopping in Manhattan, and having a drink at the bar, Milk & Honey, she struck up a conversation with owner, Sasha Petraske. And as she says, "I never finished that road trip. " She went on to tell me how many inspiring people she has met on this journey and how she has learned to love and appreciate the craft of a good cocktail. "There is so much integrity in what we do here. " So when Sasha decided to open yet another bar, Lucinda was eager to stand behind him. Dimly lit, brooding, and brimming with mystery, Middle Branch is a sophisticated milieu to take a cocktail seriously, impress a date, or even to have a peaceful, uninterrupted evening with friends of all ages. Pineapple lights hang from the ceiling and cast their warm glow over the proceedings, while plush leather seats upstairs let customers sip in languorous comfort. Downstairs, where jazz is played on Tuesdays and bluegrass Wednesdays, standing tables encourage a more active approach to imbibing. We would not have been surprised to run into Voltaire and Montesquieu clinking glasses. But it is hardly all style, the substance is substantial. In addition to classic cocktails, a “bartender’s choice” option lets drinkers tell bartenders (do not make the mistake of calling them “mixologists”) what flavors they like, and then letting the pros perform their magic. Really, it is more poetry than prose. A “something new” section on the menu showcases recent drinks the bartenders have been working on... with wonderful results. There were quite a few of us drinking one Friday night, and we were appreciative of each of the recommendations. Did we like spicy, sweet, ginger, coconut??? Lots of questions until our waitress smiled and quietly walked away. Each time she came back with something unique and splendid. Some favorites were the Chin Chin (made with bourbon, apple cider and fresh ginger), the Cobble Hill (a cheeky spinoff of a Manhattan) and a drink that was yet to come out officially, the Pear Necessities. We were also pleased to have a constant bowl of handmade pretzels set before us as this along with mixed nuts are the only food options... and soon to be introduced, their secret blend of popcorn. Across the bottom of the menu, they score bonus points with pithy quotes from historical bon vivants. From Mark Twain: “never refuse to do a kindness unless the act would work great injury to yourself, and never refuse to take a drink - under any circumstances. ” If all of our drinks were created at Middle Branch, I am quite sure that none of us would.

New York City means a lot of things to a lot of people. For many members of the Sideways team, it means nothing if not basketball. But while the game historically flourished in and even helped define life in (parts of) the City, it is nowhere near its historical apex these days. Perhaps the playground ‘ball is as lively as it ever was. But the New York Knicks, the currently flawed tenants of Madison Square Garden, have not won an NBA championship in thirty years. Once beloved for its prowess, the team now seems more beloved for its power to inspire griping and grumbling among its loyal fans. Throughout it all, though, the Garden has remained a hallowed basketball ground, a place that has inspired basketball luminaries to some of their most electrifying performances. It is, perhaps, basketball’s most storied arena. The Garden wears many hats. The New York Rangers, the City’s NHL team, also calls this arena home. Musicians and stage performers come through here on tour (with Billy Joel recently being named the Garden’s first entertainment franchise, essentially a musician-in-residence), college basketball tournaments (and Saint John’s home games) are played, even wrestling events. Underneath, meanwhile, lies the transportation hub that is Pennsylvania Station. Once upon a time, this station was a beautifully built, high-ceilinged architectural masterpiece, an elegant way to arrive into Manhattan. It was torn down, however, in 1963, replaced by a much less grand iteration. (This loss of a great landmark was perhaps inspirational in the movement to preserve the beautiful Grand Central Terminal. ) Now, the future of the entire complex is up in the air as many are pushing for a new Penn Station. The Garden, meanwhile, has a ten-year operating permit, at the end of which, it may be forced to move.

Stout NYC has the magic ability of seeming both like a large fortress and like a cozy cavern. It claims to be New York's largest Irish pub, and yet comfortable seating and cobblestone floors give the bar a warm, friendly atmosphere. With two other locations in the Financial District and near Grand Central, Stout NYC has set itself up as a neighborhood hangout three times over.

Since August 2010, Le Parisien has specialized in exactly those dishes the French specialize in, while adding its own je ne sais quoi. Escargot. Onion soup. Steak frites. Duck Confit. Oui, monsieur. Locals aplenty turn Francophile to flock to this eatery, cozily tucked into a tight space but overflowing with personality-per-square–foot. In place of the usual butter and flour-heavy culinary techniques, the menu focuses on reductions to keep patrons a bit healthier. Merci, monsieur. In addition to having what they assured us is the best chicken in the neighborhood, the mussels are prominently featured on the menu, as they are "wildly popular. " Wine from France and the monde over complements the cuisine nicely. Whether looking for a lovely spot for an indulgent lunch or an amorous rendezvous, we found Le Parisien to be tres magnifique.