Obscura Antiques and Oddities, Academy Records and El Quijote. A Sunday Trifecta!

A while back, TWM in house artist, “Boris” mentioned a show he had seen on the Discovery channel called, “Oddities,” which is a show based upon a local business here in New York called Obscura Antiques and Oddities. EV Grieve recently reported that they’ve opened up at a new location in the East Village, so I thought it’s the perfect time to take a look at this unique shop and maybe even purchase a slice of an obscurian oddity.

Here's the front window of the shop. I was hoping the owners who appear on the show would be inside and I could talk to them and get some photos. When I went in, I didn't see them, but the place is filled with cool and unusual items. I asked a fellow who was working the floor if I could take photos and he said you can't take photos in the shop. He was nice and thanked me for asking, but it was a let-down. I'm not going to give up on this, and I hope to get some photos in the future. Maybe if I call and can talk to one of the owners. But now I have to think of something else to do for today's post. Time to improvise!

About once a year I go through my cd'sa and DVD's and pick out ones I don't listen to or DVD's I don't watch and I sell them at a nearby record store. So I thought we could do that and then take the proceeds and buy a Sunday dinner later tonight.

And here's the stack of cd's, DVD's and the Beatles anthology on VHS tapes. My VHS tape player broke over a year ago, so I thought I'd try to unload this while I can.

And we're all bagged up and ready to go.

And here we are at Academy Records on 18th Street, just two blocks from where I live. The sell all used records and have been on the block for decades. Spin magazine's offices used to be right next door.

And speaking of Spin, check out what's in the window, "Spin and Marty." Too funny! Okay, let's go in and sell out.

The staff is really friendly in here, Richard told me to feel free to take photos while he checked out my bag of discs.

Collectible albums hang on the wall near the front window.

The store is long and narrow and there's a good crowd in here today, which is nice to see.

There's lots of vinyl in here, let's take a look at what's here.

They have a wide range of music in here, everything from the Germs...

To a rare early Johnny Cash album.

There's even albums on the floor to flip through.

There's also a huge selection of CD's available and they're really inexpensive. Here's the Velvet Underground Live at Max's for $3.99!

I remember staring at this Roxy Music cover as a kid! Okay, let's go see if they've tallied up what my bag of used music and DVD's is worth.

And here's Scott with the petty cash receipt. I didn't get a king's ransom, but it was enough for a nice Sunday dinner. They didn't want the Beatles Anthology though. Looks like I'll have to sell that on eBay!

And through the magic of the internet, it's Sunday night and several beers later and here we are at the El Quijote restaurant on 23rd Street. The El Quijote has been here next to the Chelsea Hotel since 1930 and it's a classic Chelsea spot.

Let's go through the doors and let Sunday dinner begin!

I like to sit at the front bar and eat and there's plenty of spots to sit at tonight.

And here's Santiago, the bartender pouring the first beer of the evening. Well, I had a few at home, but this is the first in the El Quijote. Cheers!

The back of the bar is lit up with bottles and a light blue, El Quijote glass etching.

Vintage lamps hang over the bar and illuminate it.

There's a dining room opposite the bar with booths and tables to dine at.

And here's the dining area in the back of the restaurant. Love the black and white checkered floor.

And when I return to the bar the table is set! Sunday dinner is about to happen!

For an appetizer I got the filet tips and peppers. I can't believe this is an appetizer, it's big enough to be the main course! Really spicy and delicious!

Since I had a meaty appetizer, I got a vegetarian dish for the main course, pasta primavera. It was very tasty and this too was a huge portion, I ate half of it and got the rest to go. Tonight's Sunday dinner is tomorrow's lunch!

And it's back into the night we go, and yes I'm still obsessing over getting photos at Obscura Antiques and Oddities! One of these days, I promise!

Obscura Antiques and Oddities
207 Ave A (Near 13th St.)
212-505-9251

Academy Records
12 W. 18th St. (Near Fifth Ave.)
212-242-3000

El Quixote
226 W. 23rd St. (Near Seventh Ave.)
212-929-1855

Further Reading: WNYC, New York Magazine and NY Post.

Lazy Sunday afternoon,
I've got no mind to worry.

Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!

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Bonus Photo From Al!

TWM commenter, Al sent in a photo of his basement bar in Miami. Here's what he has to say about it: "Behind the bar is my matchbook collections and the bottles on a tier,  below are all the glassware.  A small version of a New York bar circa 1962,  though with the blinds closed it really looks dark,  like a real dive."

Looks great, Al! It's my ambition to have a few drinks with you there one day! Thanks for sending in the photo!

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Bonus Website and Book Linkage!I recently met Kevin Walsh who does a really cool website called, Forgotten New York. Kevin started it way back in 1999 and it's a site devoted to, "calling attention to the artifacts of a long-gone New York." Check it out by clicking right here: Forgotten New York. And for those of you who still enjoy printed matter, Kevin has a Forgotten New York book, that's really great for anyone interested in New York's architecture and history, here's a link to the book: Forgotten New York, the book.

Mirage Diner

Live, from New York, it’s Cheeseburger Saturday Night! Starring the Mirage Diner and featuring the Ready for Prime Beef Player, Marty Wombacher. And now please welcome all the way from Brooklyn, The Mirage Diner!

When I did my infamous Kings Highway Cinema post, a couple weeks ago, I saw a classic Greek diner on the way to the movie theater and made a note that I should go back and check it out. Well, tonight's Cheeseburger Saturday Night, so I thought we'd go there for tonight's cheeseburger. So it's down into the subway we go...

And through the magic of the internet you're spared a 45 minute subway ride and here we are on Kings Highway in Brooklyn.

Goggla recently gave me a key chain compass to help me in my directionally-challenged travels, so let's see if it helps out any.

And look at this, with the aid of the Goggla compass we're here already! The sunshine is fucking up this shot, so I'll take another photo when we leave.

The faux stone walls are a sure sign of an old-school classic Greek diner.

Nice collection of gumball machines in the front foyer.

And here's the front of the diner. They've already got some balloons and Easter decorations up.

The cocktail lounge is situated at the front of the diner.

As I snapped a photo of framed New York Times article on Greek diners, someone said, "You must be from Manhattan!"

It was Micheal who's a chef here and his cousin owns the Mirage. He said that whenever someone is taking pictures in here, it's always someone from Manhattan enjoying the old school flavor of the place. I was busted!

There's a large dining area in here.

Booths line the far wall next to the windows facing Kings Highway.

Here's the marble-topped counter on the other side of the room.

There's nothing I hate more than a mouthy ketchup bottle. Quit asking questions and shut up till it's condiment time!

Okay, time to sit down for Cheeseburger Saturday Night.

I always love the giant menus in these places.

Vako took my order and here he flashes the TWM card. A nice guy.

First up is a generous order of homemade cole slaw and pickles.

And here's the main course, the Union Jack Burger and onion rings.

A delicious and savory cheeseburger.

And here's a shot of the diner on my way back to the subway station. It looks a lot better at night all lit up. A classic diner in Brooklyn!

My Meal
I got the Union Jack Burger which is one of their specialty burgers. The burger comes on a toasted fresh hamburger bun with cheddar cheese and piled high with bacon and fried onions. It was a great burger and instead of french fries, I got the onion rings and asked for them to be cooked extra well done. Most places I request this it doesn’t happen, but here they were extra crispy and it was a delicious meal.

They have an expansive menu with 17 other burgers to choose from including: a pizza burger, a vegetable burger, a buffalo burger and a Texas burger which comes topped with a slab of ham and an egg. There’s also a large selection of sandwiches, panini, wraps and soups and salads. Some of the chef’s specials on the menu include: stir-fry chicken, poached salmon, jumbo stuffed shrimp and the Captain’s Platter which offers up broiled lobster tail, shrimp and halibut, Alaskan king crab legs and stuffed clams.

If you’re still hungry and have a sweet tooth, they have a giant dessert menu featuring mulitple styles of cheesecake, pecan pie, angel wings and macaroon raspberry cookies.

Cheeseburger Rating
Three Wimpy’s an excellent cheeseburger!
Mirage Diner
717 Kings Highway
Brooklyn, NY
718-998-3750

Further Reading: NY Citysearch, allmenus.com and Bundle.

Mirage, that's all you are to me,
Mirage, something I only see.

Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!

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Bonus Easter Bunny Photo From Jaws the Cabbie!

Jaws sent in this Easter Bunny from hell photo he found on the internet. Somebody should boil that bunny! Thanks, Jaws!

Blooper Reel

The weekend is here and so it’s time for the weekly blooper roll of shots that didn’t make it into a post throughout the week. Enjoy and have a great Saturday! Sneeze you tomorrow for Cheeseburger Saturday Night!

Deja view!

Fail.

You have to give them credit, this is an original idea for a comedy club.

Hmm...a guy eats 365 meatballs...naaahh.

Uh oh, looks like someone had a shoeless walk of shame last night!

Not only do they live, they've only just begun!

I love it when a photo captions itself.

Out of business, I guess their curry truly was the worst. Oof!

Graden in rear? Time to call a proctologist if you ask me.

Elvis Costello moment...with a Tom Snyder cameo.

For those of you keeping score, this place is still selling boxes. Amazing!

Hey, give me a break, I'm doing what I can here!

Histories of ages past,
Unenlightened shadows cast,
Down through all eternity,
The crying of humanity.

Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!

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Bonus Internet Gumby Found by csp!

While surfing on the internet, csp found these Gumby images and sent them in and here they are! Thanks, csp!

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Bonus Jaws Illustration!

In response to the "Garden in the Rear" Blooper, Jaws the Cabbie sent in this illustration of a future patent-pending idea of his. Thanks, Jaws!