I am proud of where I live, and having lived there for a grand total of six weeks, I feel it is my privilege, nay, my responsibility, to report some comings and goings that are occurring. This is not a gossip piece, so much as a ‘heads up.’ In the heart of the East Village, where trendy just gets trendier, there is more to be excited about.

I never realized when I first moved in to my new apartment, just what kind of neighborhood I was getting myself involved with, and now that I’ve been living there a grand total of six weeks, I feel a veritable local, and am assuming the responsibility of showing off that I live in a cooler part of the city than you. That, and I want to draw attention to some new developments happening on 7^th Street.

Already, the short stretch of tarmac and side-walk that is East 7^th street between 1^st Avenue and Avenue A is inundated with a diverse array of experiences. Well, I say diverse, but really it’s only hairdressers and places to eat, BUT, if you want food, we got it in abundance. Maybe you want to indulge in some Venezuelan tapas at Caracas, or perhaps get greasy with a really-unhealthy-but-amazingly-delicious pork sandwich from Porchetta. There’s always the option of hitting up Luke’s for a lobster roll, but quite frankly it’s over-priced and always crowded – still, it’s nice to have the option. If a taste of European living is what you’re after, why not check out Pylos for some Greek food, or Giano’s for a little bit of Italian love. Being a fan of high society and adopting a laissez faire attitude to my life at all times, having the uber trendy bar/restaurant Bourgeois Pig four doors from my apartment is definitely a positive thing. Then again, so is having 7A across from me - a 24hr restaurant that serves a healthy mix of tequila and wings to me at 4am with no questions asked…

If you saw me, you would understand that fashion is not high on my agenda, but if it’s high on yours, check out Studio Nadja – one of half a dozen eclectic vintage/thrift stores that litter the street, or lurk below street level.

Now more than ever do I appreciate the location I’ve moved in to. Coming in the next few weeks is Xoom, an organic smoothie place, and next to that, courtesy of the lovely people at Slate Salon, is minibar, which is supposed to open up late November, serving coffee and desserts in a minimalist, rustic atmosphere. I do love a little late night pie and ice cream, so maybe this is the answer. Let’s wait and see.

Now… what has your block got?