New York City is no longer a cup cake town. It's Pie time!!!

The cup cake phenomenon is diminishing down after a great run. Could it be that New Yorkers with a sweet tooth have had one too many red-velvet cup cakes? Or, maybe during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays some of us rediscovered PIES as a after dinner dessert!

Cup cake vs. Pie..

For me, a cup cake is a selfish little treat that fast became my guilty pleasure. I have a big heart and tend to share EVERYTHING with my family and friends except my fella of nearly four years:) So, this little hand held sweet treat was just for me and I began to overindulge. I sought after and chased down every lead that pointed me in the direction of a sweet and unique cup cake. I often lingered in City Bakery in Chelsea to sample their modest selection and even spent a fortune at Crumbs over a period of a year.

Pies are a different kind of desert since they are usually bought during the holidays to be shared with family and friends or at events for a tasting. Yeah... Recently I was invited to attend an event thrown by the extremely talented, Communications Expert Ms. Jezra Kaye (http://speakupforsuccess.com). During the course of the evening, the ladies who created LumpaSuga, home-baked Premium Desserts,(lumpasugah@gmail.com) arrived with their pies for a tasting. Well first there was silence that fell over the room and then a rush ensued by the attendees to sample the pies. At first, all I could do is close my eyes and smell the sweet scents of cinnamon, brown sugar followed by apple. I leaned over the crowd ( I am 5"11) and looked at these perfectly round delights. I sampled the Pa_Pa Original Sweet Potato that was so creamy and immediately the hints of cinnamon played with my palate. I also sampled the Cranberry Walnut Pumpkin which made my nostrils flare due to the aroma and then my mouth watered anticipating the taste of the delicate balance of walnuts which was amazing.

So to all my fellow sweet lovers get into the " know " and let go of the cup cake notion cause New York City is now a Pie time!!!

In it's 37th year, Line, the NYC smash play remains brillantly fresh

Recently, on a bitchly cold saturday evening, I jumped on the iron horse which screeched no gallopped to union square. The cold winds slammed aginat my cheeks while i rushed due to the cold and the anticipation of seeing the longest running play in New York City history.

As I enterd the box office area, I arrived on time and waiting to see Line. As soon as I entered the the threate and looked upon the black stage I knew I was in for a treat. In the middle of the stage stood a obvious sports enthursiac dress from head to toe in sports paraphanelia and standing in front of a perfect straight line.

During the course of the play, which connects and heightens as each chartacter entered this line awaiting something? The first to join is a young adult Mozart finantic, followed by a playboy and a cookey husband and his kitness wife. All of the actors were surpurpe however the mozart was and my favaortie was the herione wife who enteres the line, causes an upset to this .

Milton Washington will be reading an excerpt of Slickyboy at Franklin Park this Monday at 8pm.

Milton Washington is one of five writers scheduled to open at this week's Franklin Park Reading series "Love Stories" where the extremely talented Penina Roth is the curator. This powerful event has been mentioned in such newspapers including The New York Times, the New Yorker, Time Out and the Village voice to name a few that will take from 8pm to 10pm in the crown heights section of Brooklyn. www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Park-Reading-Series/136238993071415

Washington will read an excerpt from his manuscript Slickyboy which has received quite a bit of chatter therefore I had to land an interview with this newbie writer. My interview gives a sneak peak of Washington's inspiration behind this piece along with his unique experience that led him to change his career from computers to become a writer.

Krystal Knows: So I understand that you are still working on the manuscript of a Memoir titled "Slickyboy". Would you mind describing this book in progress in your own words?

Milton Washington: First of all, Slickyboy, is a Korean term which means, thief, and is often referred to as homeless children on the street that may commit robbery. I want the reader to recognize that this is a love story between mother and a son and just like a good love story there is drama which is all I am willing to share for now, which is said with a smile. While reading Slickyboy, the reader will get a clearer understanding of the Korean culture.

Krystal Knows: When will the memoir be launched?

Milton Washington: I think that the full manuscript will be completed by the end of 2011 however it will be launched summer of 2012.

Krystal Knows: How does a guy go from a career as a Business Systems Analyst to becoming a writer?

Milton Washington: Basically I went to High School in Indianapolis, Indiana where i often asked about my early childhood in Korea. The questions eventually drove the story behind Slickyboy and then the notion about writing was born. One night, my god-daughter had a writing assignment and decided to ask me about Korea. It wasn't until one train ride home that I began to write about my entire Korea experience in great detail. I came up with the idea for my god-daughter to continue to email me questions about Korea on a weekly basis (this went on for six months) and I would respond. After many years of living in New York City, I took a creative writing workshop taught by Michel Marriott at the Fredrick Douglas Creative Art center on 96th and Broadway, New York City. It was at the art center, where I developed my writing skills to begin this manuscript.

Krystal Knows: What will be your next project?

Milton Washington: After the completion of Slickyboy which I plan to turn into a screenplay for a movie!!!

About Milton Washington

According to Ms. Roth, who indicates that MILTON WASHINGTON was born in South Korea, then adopted and brought to the United States in 1979. He attended Northwestern University on a football scholarship, but dropped out due to an injury. He earned a BA in Computer Information Systems from Indiana University. He has worked for a Fortune 500 engineering company and held positions in media sales and business development. Washington currently lives in West Harlem and is a new dad to baby Miles.

Stop on down with a date or go stag and listen to some great writing. This week's reading series "will set the mood with candy hearts, romantic cocktails and $4 pints".!!!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!!!!

Hanson Dry in Clinton Hills, Brooklyn is my 2010 top pic for a new bar /lounge

I was recently invited to attend the opening of this truly exquisite, cozy yet sleek space. As I walked into Hanson Dry, I was softly blown away by the decor which is seductively compared to a "fifties throwback motif". While throwback is used as a nostalgic gesture, the warmth of the light blue and wood walls are neatly balanced and the Restroom in script is duly noted.

Many of the invitees, were smiling and delightfully chatting all in a row at the 26 foot American Oakwood, hand crafted L-shaped bar. I was aroused by group of booze enthusiast and quickly took a seat. I glanced over this bar's modest selection of liquors, wines,vodkas, and beers. Liquor 43 (is a Spanish type of liquor), there is a selection of red wines (Argentian & California) and a selection of white wines (Italian Pinot Griot and Californian Riesling). In addition, there are several types of Vodka which include Skyy and Stoi and eight distinct beers to name a few.

After glancing over the bar's offerings, I decided to order a Kiev Kooler from Chris (co-owner with Matt and Toly) which is a perfectly mix of cherry vodka and lime served in a chilled martini glass which is now my favorite. With the hint of cherry still dancing on my palate, I was swaying to the grooving sounds of Stevie Wonder. I was OVERJOYED to learn that in addition to the lounge that has " a feeling apart of a group" this bar offers an outdoor section to continue the party from spring to summer and fall.

Hanson Dry is located at 925 Fulton Street between Clinton Street and Waverly Place.

Make sure you make Hanson Dry your new place to sip and honor the drink right away!

Cheers!!!!

Brooklyn's Black Friday supports Small Business

November 26 is not only the day after Thanksgiving where families have cooked laughed and stuffed their guts. It is also Black Friday which is coined "the biggest shopping day of the year"!!!

This year Shop Brooklyn has launched Brooklyn Friday to attract consumers to grab door buster deals from the largest retailers to the small business that are notable as our darling neighborhood specialty stores.

Below are three quaint stores that have received favorable press and are conveniently located near major subway lines such as #2,#3, at Brooklyn Museum or #4, or #5 trains at Franklin Ave.

About Time is a destination spot nestled in a store space with an array of strong, unique, limited quantity tee shirts and gorgeous dresses and sheek tops which has been mentioned in New York Magazine and Time Out just to name a few. Many of their tee's are limited editions with a great art work. The owners are very friendly and will assist you if you have any questions. www.abouttimeboutique.com

Breukelen Coffee House offering it's customers coffee, delightful pastries along with a DJ to hear great tunes while shopping at it's highly anticipated new pop up vintage clothing store. This coffee house made such a splash that New York Times took note. Find this great place on facebook.

Calabar Imports is more than just a little nook in Prospect Heights which recently favorable mention in this weeks Daily News shopping section and mentioned on CNN. This speciality store is a neighborhood gem because it offers unique artwork, clothing and jewelery from many areas of Africa Asia, Central and South America . Great shop to visit for a birthday gift and definitely a Christmas or Kwanzaa gift. www.calabar-imports.com

So if you are out and shopping definitely stop by one of theses great stores to support small businesses and grab a unique item with a door buster price.

Poetiquette " a night of conscious poetry" kicks off @ Stratosphere in BK!!!

Do you love poetry but hate a potty mouth?

If the answer is YES! Then Poetiquette " a night of conscious poetry" is the exact event for your stylist taste.

This event kicks off tonight at Stratosphere 227 Utica Ave... from 7:30pm to 10:00pm.

Crown Heights residents take a stand against Pawn Shop opening!!!

At this very moment, a rally is taking place over the opening of a Pawn Shop on Franklin Ave near Park Place. Hundreds of Crown Heights residents are taking a stand to the street by expressing their anger over this newbie shop owner. Several politicians such as Leticia James along with Senator Adams along with Crow Hill Community Association showed up in support of the rally.

There is good reason for this outrage. Franklin Ave has gone through it's share of troubles in the past from crime and violence. As a result, at times, there were vacant store fronts which were an eyesore to the community. Recently, this neighborhood has changed it's look to add murals, a fancy tee shirt company (About Time), restaurants (95 South,Bristons, Sushi Tatsu, Dutch Boy Burger, Happy Wok, ect ) Beer Garden (Franklin Park) and coffee shops (Breukelen Coffee, Pulp and Bean). Many of the shop owners have received favorable press mentions such as The New York Times which has keep great residents and has attracted new ones.

This rally will take place over the next several hours with a press conference scheduled immediately afterwards.