Graci to Urban Daddy for rightfully comparing the new spot at One Little West 12th, oddly called The Collective, to something the Mad Hatter might muster up. The giant warehouse space looks like someone stuck a bar at one end then sneezed out a hodgepodge of tables throughout. The Collective might have thought to call themselves “The Collection” as they appear to have “collected” random items from other city destinations like LES’ graffiti, and Urban Outfitter’s pendant lights and from Chelsea, some faux Eames chairs. (Or maybe they are real. How would I know?) But the windows are wonderful and the randomness somewhat endearing. It might be the perfect place for the city variety to gather, er…collect, for post-workday wine or a cocktail before a night on the town.

From the masterminds who brought you STK and Bagatelle (The ONE Group), The Collective is bottle-service free and serves cholesterol heavy American fare (see also: drunk food) that just might give you a heart attack. I still cannot figure out why they added soy kettle chips to a menu that has blue cheese tater tots and short rib sliders, and I gave up chips for lent, but apparently, they are amazing. The menu offers a “Taste of The Hoods” with different entrees from each city neighborhood. (The Harlem is chicken and waffles with gravy. The Upper West side is lamb shank with fruity couscous. And so on…) So you won’t emerge skinny or ready to mix with B&Ters at Meatpacking clubs; but you’ll emerge happy. And that’s all that really matters anyway.

The Collective 1 Little West 12th Street  212.255.9717

German-born luxury women’s apparel retailer, Escada, was bought Megha Mittel after filing for bankruptcy in August 2009. Megha Mittal, daughter-in-law of he Lakshimi Mattal (CEO of the world’s largest steel company and 8th richest person in the world), plans to turn the brand from red-carpet only to everyday ready-to-wear.

Maybe that explains the deeply discounted pieces at the Escada Sample Sale, at the Metropolitan Pavilion on West 19th Street. Luxury clothing and some accessories up to 90% off retail values. Yesterday, the apparel section offered a large variety with timeless classics and wardrobe backbones as well as the marked Escada evening dresses. There are many pieces for work, interview or a day of shopping. Our Editor scored a pristine English riding-style jacket for $95 marked down from $950. The accessory selection was slimmer. Shoes were marked down, most of them 90% off retail price.

The sale drew a more conservative crowd of middle-aged, well-dressed professionals, which may explain how the organization remained in tact. Sizes are plentiful and staff are friendly and there to answer questions about sizes, prices and damages. Be prepared to check your belongings at the door. All sales are final.
       

WHEN: 3/7 - 3/10 Sun-Tues. (10-7), Wed. (10-5)

WHERE: 110 W. 19th St. between 6th & 7th Ave

Emma Dinzebach
 

Words cannot stress our preference for homemade Valentine’s day meals. They are thoughtful gestures, quiet escapes and this year, an apartment romance will offer a particularly needed break from Fashion Week and long weekend tourists. But if he can’t cook, you’re too tired, your roommate smells like Fontina cheese, go to Emilio’s Ballato.

Ballato’s odd location on Houston between Mott and Elizabeth, is far from romantic, but walk in the door and you are transfoerred to Old World Tuscany complete with stucco walls and white table cloths.  If there can possibly be a hidden treasure left in New York City, it’s Emilio’s. The staff are courteous, prompt and present, and owner, Emilio, is there every night chatting with regulars and welcoming new patrons.

Ballato’s menu rivals the best Italian food in the city. The broccoli rabe, bolognese and caprice salad are delicious. The mozerlla literally melts in your mouth like cream cheese. Fish dishes are often prepared in a simple lemon caper sauce. The veal saltimboca is excellent - the proccuito crisp and veal tender. The homemade cannoli puts anything you find in Little Italy to shame.

Yes the celebrity sighting rumors are true, but because Ballato does most of their business with regulars (again, the location is odd and unassuming), it lacks the snottiness of other city dining hot spots. Call today for Valentine’s Day reservations.

Ballato’s 55 E. Houston  212.274.8881

Emma Dinzebach

Partially because Danny Meyer is from my Midwest hometown, and partially because Shake Shack’s frozen custard shakes rock my world, and partially because I’m a New Yorker, I vote east coast all the way. However, I enjoy a good In-And-Out burger every now and again. Do I wish they would franchise in Gotham? I hadn’t really thought about it until a rare trip to Queens had my taste buds caught in a burger battle.

Petey’s Burger, in Astoria, comes from two Cali-natives who aim to copy (for lack of better words) the infamous In-And-Out burger. Petey’s Burger serves just burgers cooked medium well and dressed with lettuce, tomato, onion and a splash of thousand island dressing. The hand-cut fries are for sure way better than In-And-Out, but not, in my humble opinion, better than my beloved Shake Shack. They are more generous with the cheese, and at least admit that their sauce is thousand island unlike SS, which touts special “shack sauce.” It all tastes the same to me.

Actually, Petey’s Burger rocks and if I find myself in Astoria again someday, I might even go for round two. However, I live in Manhattan; and if you have been living under a rock, Shake Shack has an iPhone app for cutting the line. Case in point that New York food battles are never solely about the food, but the convenience, creativity and the unmatched ability to complicate a rather simple concept in the way that only New Yorkers can.