“Hey, I’m over here now!” screams the droves of Chefs and Restaurateurs who took a stand abandoning the popular and safe confines of setting up a business in Manhattan, choosing instead to head across the river. Brooklyn U.S.A is the home of Junior’s cheesecake, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and the newly opened Barclays Center. Needless to say, Brooklyn is making huge strides to compete and in many ways, overtake its sister borough. From Ft. Greene to Greenpoint, foodies and beer lovers alike are spoiled on a daily basis. Kings County will have something else to brag about this weekend when the immensely popular Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival takes over the Skylight One Hanson building. It’s “Brooklyn’s Backyard presented by PURE LEAF,” an exclusive evening showcasing the rich ethnic diversity of Brooklyn with offerings ranging from Italian, Mexican, and Chinese, to Polish and Middle Eastern foods. It’s only fitting that this night of culinary decadence will be hosted by Man Vs. Food’s Adam Richman. Richman is Brooklyn born and raised, so he knows a thing or two about the many neighborhoods that make up this amazing section of town.

And speaking of amazing neighborhoods, Park Slope is the home to some of the very best examples of modern Brooklyn culinary innovations. One of the “Slope’s” most notable establishments will be on hand at “Brooklyn’s Backyard” with a front and center position to show off their delicious fare- It’s Bart and John DeCoursey’s “Sidecar,” the home of outstanding elixirs and dishes that that transcend the label of comfort foods. The brothers DeCoursey set up shop in the “South Slope” section of the neighborhood helping to transform a once 99 cent store littered dead zone into a spot where businesses now clamor to exist. In preparation for this weekend’s “Backyard” event, the LocalBozo.com crew sat down with the brothers for an exclusive interview. During our laid back and fun conversation we chatted with the Sidecar founders about the restaurant, the neighborhood, and of course what we can expect from them at Saturday’s highly anticipated event. Check out the video, then head to Sidecar yourself to sample some of the tastiest cocktails and dishes this side of the Brooklyn Bridge. If you are attending “Brooklyn’s Backyard” be sure to Tweet us out! LocalBozo will be representing in a major way and want to meet up with our readers for a local food and spirits hang session! Let’s make this interactive! Once again, a special thank you to Bart and John DeCoursey for taking time out of their busy schedules to chat with us.

- The LocalBozo.com Team

You might know him as the legendary voice of Special Ed and Bobby Fletcher on Comedy Central’s “Crank Yankers.” You might know him as the current co-host of VH1 Classic’s “That Metal Show” alongside Eddie Trunk and his comedic partner in crime, the hilarious Don Jamieson. You might be a subscriber to his wildly popular free podcast ‘Comedy Metal Midgets.’ Or you may have just spotted Jim Florentine doing what he does best- performing stand up live. However you’ve gotten your taste of the quick witted comedian, his impact on an audience is both relatable and undeniable at once.

Florentine, a New Jersey native, perfectly mixes his love of all things metal with a sharp comedic tongue. Each episode of the aforementioned, “That Metal Show” is chock full of the performer’s immense knowledge of the hard rock and heavy metal scene and its rich history, paired with good natured trashing of co-host and resident rock guru Eddie Truck. Together with partner Don Jamieson, each episode pairs the trio’s antics with interviews of iconic rock guests while making most episodes hilariously memorable.

With some dates lined up on the “Killers of Comedy Tour” in New Jersey and Connecticut with the aforementioned Jamieson, stand-up is clearly the performer’s bread and butter. But with a new season of “That Metal Show” slated for taping in the coming weeks and with a new live comedy album and DVD release set for the fall following 2011’s hilarious “Cringe and Burn,” Florentine looks poised to make 2012 his most successful year yet.

This past weekend, LocalBozo.com sat down with comedian Jim Florentine backstage at Metallica’s first annual ‘Orion Music & More Festival.’ With a half hour set on Day 1, the comedian meshed his brand of humor with his knowledge of metal to appease the thousand or so metalheads piled under the ‘Frantic’ stage tent. Reminiscing about having opened for the mighty Slayer in similar style, Florentine proclaimed it was “almost like emceeing a rape. I knew I wasn’t going to die going in, but I knew there was going to be a lot of emotional damage I was going to have to deal with for the next ten years.” Listen in to our exclusive interview with Jim Florentine, where we discuss performing on Metallica’s first festival, working with Don Jamieson, and his plans for the rest of 2012. And for more information on Jim Florentine, including his bio, videos, and tour dates, check out out jimflorentine.com.

(Photo Courtesy: Vince Edwards)

- Jane Van Arsdale

Sitting down in the Bronx Brewery headquarters with partners’ Chris Gallant and Damian Brown, the level of excitement with regard to their rapidly growing brand is palpable- like getting in on the ground floor of the next local beer to make it big. Today, two of the Brewery’s four partners are in the office- working, strategizing, and even hand-brewing some of the fine Bronx Pale Ale, the Brewery’s flagship, and currently only available beer. From the collective minds of an experienced team- from master brewing, to a former employee of Heineken, to the marketing side- the Bronx Brewery team seemingly has all bases covered, as they strive to become the newest beer brand emerging from a crowded New York City borough. And if their first beer’s exceptional taste is any indication, only bigger and brighter lies ahead for this talented team of entrepreneurs.

Since commercial production of the Bronx Pale Ale began in August 2011, the team has staked a claim at food and beer tasting events all around Manhattan- from aPORKalypse to The Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival, to the Beer N’ Balls Festival just last week. Add that to a growing number of beer bars in and around Manhattan, and the silver and black tap handle seems to be popping up everywhere lately. Based upon the team’s hard work, the brand’s recent prevalence is no coincidence.

The American-style Pale Ale has a deeply rich amber color to it, delivering an enjoyably bitter taste. Utilizing five different barley malts and a unique strain of yeast, the Bronx Pale Ale is specially crafted in small batches with premium ingredients yielding a taste that is both full of flavor and somehow, in a crowd of craft beers, actually unique. With a citrusy aroma, the beer drinks relatively light, eschewing that overwhelming ‘craft beer’ profile that fills you up after a small sip. As a matter of fact, the Bronx Pale Ale pairs exceptionally with heavy, meatier foods from that perfectly cooked steak to a spicier blend of chili.

Sipping a perfect pour of Bronx Pale Ale from an ice cold glass, the team is equally excited about the emergence of the beer as they are about giving back to the Bronx. From their substantial green initiatives to sourcing and growing local ingredients, both Gallant and Brown stressed the importance the borough has played in their lives and how the Bronx will be a focal point of their business strategy going forward. In fact, the small crew will soon return to the fundraising stage to take the next step toward their brand emergence- building an actual brewery in the borough. (Currently, they are forced to utilize space in Connecticut) The partners have also made assurances that a small portion of their profits from each beer brewed will be given back to the Bronx.

Although the Bronx Brewery continues to gain more acceptance throughout the City by drinkers and as it continues to become more and more available at different bars, the partners know that they have much work left to do. The Pale Ale has become a strength for the group and they’ve promised that their follow-up beer will likely be another, albeit different style of pale ale- a ‘sweetspot’ for the brand, as they called it. But the team has no plans of abandoning their efforts of controlling their entire business model from brewing to distribution. And with a locally sourced and produced beer that’s infinitely drinkable, the sky certainly seems like the limit for the team behind New York’s newest great beer producers. The Bronx Brewery’s ‘Bronx Pale Ale’ belongs on a short list of your must try beers.

LocalBozo.com was fortunate to sit down with the increasingly busy Damian Brown and Chris Gallant, two of the four partners behind the Bronx Brewery at their Mott Haven headquarters. Watch our exclusive video as we learn more about how they are creating expertly made brews while simultaneously breaking down the conventions of beer distribution and giving a new life to the Bronx. This is ‘Getting to Know The Bronx Brewery: A LocalBozo.com Spotlight.

For more information on The Bronx Brewery including where you can find the Bronx Pale Ale in a bar near you as well as upcoming events and so much more, check out thebronxbrewery.com.

- Jane Van Arsdale & Jay Rubin

Make sure to follow us on Twitter @LocalBozo, on Four Square, Like us on Facebook, and make sure to check out LocalBozo.com’s YouTube Channel- ACommuneForCrazy!

The wrestler is a rare breed, who works tirelessly through career ups and downs and withstands numerous minor and serious injuries to entertain the masses without any semblance of an offseason. Since 1998, Adam “Edge” Copeland has personified a prototypical wrestling superstar. With Hollywood good looks and a penchant for performing in the big moment, the “Rated R Superstar” had spent more than a decade with the WWE. But as the years of bumps and bruises have compounded, Copeland was left with a grave neck injury, one that even the WWE doctors could not clear him from. And like so many of the heroes we grew up idolizing before him, in 2011, Copeland officially was forced to call it a career and walked away from the squared circle. The WWE Universe will pay a much deserved tribute to the man called “Edge” the evening before this year’s Wrestlemania at their annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Copeland will be the youngest retired superstar to be inducted, which simply adds to his resume of greatness in the business.

But fans you can dry your eyes because Edge isn’t going away just yet. The Canadian born “Ultimate Opportunist” has played both fan favorite and bad guy throughout his career, being hated and loved at the drop of a dime. But now, he’s partnered with the ever evolving WWE Films, and he stars in “Bending The Rules” (PG-13). ‘Bending’ is family friendly comedy, featuring Edge as Nick Blades, a New Orleans cop trying to clear his name of corruption charges. He is joined on screen by funny-man Jamie Kennedy making this a classic buddy-action movie, along with a solid supporting cast of familiar actors (Jennifer Esposito, Phillip Baker Hall).

In preparation for the film’s release this Friday, March 9th, Copeland headed to New York City for a press day to discuss the film. Edge spoke highly of the movie making experience including joking around with co-star Jamie Kennedy and being able to help choreograph his own fight sequences. LocalBozo.com was fortunate to sit down with the soon to be Hall of Famer and movie star for a candid video interview. Edge provided us with insight into his current state of contentment in retirement, his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame and speech, and his overall take on his first leading man role on screen. And as an added bonus, we’ve added several audio clips from Edge’s Press Day roundtable discussion with New York media. Listen in as we delve into whether he calls himself an ‘actor’ now that his wrestling career has concluded, whether he’ll work with WWE again, and just what he’s been up to during his retirement. Each is an introspective look at one of the most charismatic figures in wrestling history as he preps for perhaps the next stage of his life.

- Jane Van Arsdale &  Jay Rubin

Edge Roundtable Press Clip 1

Edge Roundtable Press Clip 2

Edge Roundtable Press Clip 3

Edge Roundtable Press Clip 4

Edge Roundtable Press Clip 5

To check out some of our previous posts on the WWE, check out our links below:

- Things We Like That Don’t Get Enough Respect- WWE (Posted 7/8/10)

- The WWE & a Blizzard Invade Madison Square Garden (Posted 12/28/10)

- LocalBozo.com Invades the Wrestlemania 27 Press Conference (Posted 3/31/11)

- Listen to LocalBozo.com’s Interview with Mason Ryan (Posted 11/19/11)

- The WWE Raw Holiday Tour at Madison Square Garden (Posted 12/28/11)

- Listen to LocalBozo.com’s Interview with WWE Diva Tamina (Posted 3/8/12)

The history of professional wrestling in New York City dates back multiple decades. From the small smoke filled halls to the old Madison Square Garden to next year’s big show at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, wrestling in the northeast has long been an entertainment staple of its inhabitants. On a smaller scale, the independent Manhattan based Family Wrestling Entertainment is keeping the tradition alive by promoting PG oriented shows featuring some of the biggest names in the industry. Late in February, the group teamed with New Jersey non-profit organization “We’re Kickin’ It” to bring attention to and help eradicate bullying, utilizing a roster of some of the most recognizable names working on the independent circuit.

The FWE’s “No Limits” event was set up inside of “The Hall at St. Paul,” intimately staged in a spacious church auditorium on 59th Street, giving fans the opportunity to sit incredibly close to all of the action. The card was filled with familiar names, formerly of the WWE and TNA ranks- Tommy Dreamer, Tara, Maria Kanellis, Jay Lethal, Charlie Haas, Winter, Miss Tessmacher, Big Daddy V, to name a few, would be performing on this night. But at its core, the show itself played as a background to highlight the importance of preventing bullying before it starts.

Readers of LocalBozo.com will recall our piece from October, from the We’re Kickin’ It benefit at the Hard Rock Café, featuring the likes of Ultimate Fighter Dan Severn, and former wrestlers Rocky Johnson, and Mick Foley. It was there that our awareness of the detriments of bullying became magnified, and in speaking with the actual children that are forced to deal with the verbal, physical, and now cyber bullying on an ongoing basis, the adverse effects of bullying today are far superior than the one’s any of us faced even ten years ago. Some of the statistics around bullying are simply startling- an estimated 77% of students are somehow mentally, verbally, & physically bullied- that’s 3 out of every 4 students in a given school- and worse, 1 in 10 children have had embarrassing or damaging pictures taken of themselves without their permission, irrevocably exploiting them. We’re Kickin’ It is to be commended for being a true resource for these youngsters with nowhere left to turn, and acts as a support group of sorts for the voiceless, with a strength in numbers approach.

Partnering with the FWE was another way to distribute their message of anti-bullying, and attendees were treated to an outstanding night of in ring action. Lesser known wrestlers on the independent scene like Malta the Damager, The Midnight Sensations, and Mr. Pec-Tacular Jesse Godderz (a recent signee of TNA) utilized the show as a coming out party to showcase their skills in front of a rowdy, but well behaved crowd. The evening would stage a four person women’s tournament to crown the first ever FWE Women’s Champion, won by former WWE Diva and current First Lady of Ring of Honor, Maria Kanellis and would be highlighted by Charlie Haas battling “The Innovator of Violence” Tommy Dreamer in the main event.

LocalBozo.com was fortunate to sit down with some of the event’s biggest stars backstage to discuss what it’s like for them to work right here in New York City and how they can utilize their celebrity to put an end to bullying for good. Listen in as Tommy Dreamer, Jay Lethal, Maria Kanellis, Mr. Pec-Tacular, Malta the Damager, “The Prodigy” Mike Bennett, and The Midnight Sensations speak candidly with LocalBozo.com, and check out some of their exciting in ring footage to boot. We’ve got two exciting videos- the first of which focuses on We’re Kickin’ It’s anti-bullying message and the other highlights some of the FWE action and the wrestlers’ love of working in New York City. The next big FWE show comes to Manhattan on March 24th at 3 Legged Dog Studios, and with Billy Gunn and Brian Kendrick already added to a stacked roster, this is a live show not to be missed. For more information on the good folks at We’re Kickin’ It including how you can make a donation and what upcoming events they’ve got planned in the area, check out werekickinit.org. And to see what’s coming next in the FWE, check out fwewrestling.com.

- Jane Van Arsdale

The sports comedy is one of the most celebrated facets of the comedic film world. Many of these movies, like a certain an early 1980′s flick about golf, have become classics with dialogues that are quoted ad nauseum to the point where they have become a well known part of our cultural lexicon. Others however seem to miss their mark completely, either being unrealistic or uninteresting and instead of being revered, these films are often relegated to the bargain bin at truck stops on the Mass Pike. ‘Goon’ (R), released in select cities on March 30th, is an all out love letter to the hockey player brought in strictly to fight, and by combining elements of humor and violence with the realism of minor league hockey, it captures the essence of what makes a quality sports film.

Goon stars Seann William Scott (Role Models, American Pie),  as Doug Glatt, a New England guy with little else going for him aside from his work as a bouncer and being gifted with a great right hook. On a night out at a local hockey game with his loudmouth yet good-natured buddy Ryan, (Jay Baruchel; co-writer of the film) who prods one of the players to come into the stands, Glatt is forced to defend his frine and show off his fighting ability. Seeing this fan pummel one of their players, the crowd becomes unglued, and subsequently, the team’s coach, impressed by Glatt’s ‘skill,’ asks that Glatt join the team, becoming the titular ‘Goon,’ and starting a career playing hockey.

Jay Baruchel and fellow Apatow alum Evan Goldberg have written a screenplay that truly pays tribute to the unsung heroes of every hockey team. Nowhere in the script is Glatt portrayed as the villain he would be in every other film, despite the fact that he is constantly getting into fights and knocking people’s teeth out. But we soon realize that his fighting is necessary, an essential part of the game and an imperative part of defending his teammates within the context of the rising action.

Seann William Scott was hand picked to play the lead in ‘Goon,’ and while his face is the same, it’s a more humble, vulnerable role than we’re used to for the actor. In fact, Scott’s performance in ‘Goon’ directly plays against the type he may have been forced to play after the success of the American Pie movies. Scott’s Glatt is a fully formed, three dimensional character who thinks, feels, regrets, and most importantly reacts, even though he is often soft-spoken. From his modest beginnings as a bouncer to a budding hockey enforcer, the audience follows him on his journey. And as such, we reap the rewards of his successes with some funny moments as well as some poignant ones during his positive life change- his undying inability to please his sour parents, his futile attempts to win the heart of an already taken girl, his overcoming the label of ‘goon’ and becoming an actual hockey player.

Supporting performances help to round out ‘Goon,’ giving it a lot of heart and soul. Most notably shining is Liev Schreiber as the grizzled veteran Ross Rhea, a legendary hockey enforcer in the twilight of his career. Rhea, a hero to Glatt, becomes one of his major antagonists during game time. But his multi-faceted role also gives Glatt a glimpse of the harsh realities that a fighter on the ice can face once he’s bled enough for his team. The few scenes between Scott and Schreiber are dramatic, highly engaging, and make the film satisfying on their own. Additionally, Director Michael Dowse brings Baruchel’s exciting screenplay to life by filming Scott as the movie’s center and moral compass. We see his strengths, weaknesses, and uncertainties thrown in to make him a highly realistic character, while Dowse’s game footage is intense and filled with the type of violence you would expect from an old school hockey game. Dowse lets the scenes play out almost in real time and when action leaves the screen he refrains from chasing it, showing great talent and restraint. This realism is even more evident when you find out that this film was based off of the book, “Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey” by Adam Frattasio and Doug Smith, the real life Glatt.

‘Goon’ avoids all of the pitfalls it could have easily fallen into simply for laughs and instead creates a vivid and inspired ode to some of the toughest players in hockey’s history- those who may not light up a stat sheet for goals scored or assists, but possess the intangible, unwavering warrior mentality which makes them irreplaceable to their teammates. Instead of compromising the kind of film they wanted to create, the filmmakers treat the audience with respect, refusing to pander to cliched or outdated jokes just to distribute the film to a wider audience. By doing so, the well paced film packs in some laughs with some gratuitous at times violence, but it also manages to produce a very real final product, with a ton of heart and authenticity. And a film that everyone can take something from, hockey fan or otherwise.

The LocalBozo crew was fortunate to catch up with the cast and production team of ‘Goon’ for a press only Q & A session. Stars Seann William Scott, Liev Schreiber, writer/actor Jay Baruchel, and director Michael Dowse were all present to field some questions from New York City media outlets. From start to finish, all four men spoke passionately about the project and it’s overarching message while relating certain aspects to their own lives. Luckily for our readers, LocalBozo was able to film the exclusive press event and we are proud to present to you our coverage.

“Goon” is rated R, starring Seann William Scott, Liev Schreiber, and Jay Baruchel, has a runtime of 92 minutes, available now on Video On Demand and a limited theatrical release on Friday, March 30th.

- Jay Rubin

Any football fan will tell you that getting the ball first and putting some points on the board gets your team off to a great start. The Wing Bowl equivalent of that is kicking the day off with some solid chicken wings at a great joint. Our first stop took us to 200 Fifth in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Are you ready for a Wing Bowl?

200 Fifth Restaurant, Bar and Grill
200 5th Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn
(718) 638-2925
http://www.200-fifth.com

200 Fifth is a football mecca and has received truckloads of local press to prove it. The massive Park Slope half restaurant/all sports bar oozes game day fun. On any given Sunday football fans must arrive early in order to grab a spot at the bar, or at one of the many tables, each of which provide visibility of the large HD TVs. The walls of this place are literally covered in TVs so even if you arrive late and are forced to stand in the middle of the bar, you can still get a great view of the action. When you think of a New York sports bar, 200 Fifth hits the spot, but on this Sunday the LocalBozo crew was here for one purpose only: the wings.

After ponying up to the long wooden bar, a steaming stack of medium spiced wings arrived. Upon first glance the twelve wings appeared to be evenly sauced and uniform. Two blue cheese containers were provided which is always appreciated, as whenever you have more than eight wings, you will usually go through two of them. The first wing sampled was a drumstick which was covered yet not dripping, in a standard buffalo sauce with a medium spice. It was meaty and tangy, yielding an even flavor throughout. The blue cheese was thick and creamy, and clearly was not derived from a large barrel of dressing purchased in bulk. After consuming the entire plate, these would best be described as traditional “pub wings.” These wings should be enjoyed along with a pint of easy drinking, light domestic beer like a Coors or Miller Lite.

Mulholland’s
312 Grand Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(718) 486-3473
http://www.mulhollandsbklyn.com

Once the last wing was tackled we wet-napped our fingers and headed for the train. The next stop was Williamsburg’s Mullholland’s on hard partying Grand Street. Mullholland’s fits like a glove on the block, surrounded by like minded bars where the goal is to have a great time. The bar itself is ideal for an afterwork drink, a weekend night out, and or a stomping ground for big sports games. The large bar is surrounded by high-top tables, as well as comfortable seating options in the back next to a working fireplace (great touch). The TV screens are huge, and well spaced throughout the joint. But hey, we’re not here to give you an architectural layout of Mullholland’s. No, the LocalBozo team is here to give you a play-by-play of the wings!

We walked into Mullholland’s knowing their wings were renowned city wide. That knowledge alone adds a ton pressure for these sauced chicken segments to exist on another level of greatness. Luckily there was beer around to keep our palates and opinions in check. After placing the order we chatted with some of the bar staff and discovered that each wing is tossed in a homemade sauce and dry rub like most wings of it’s ilk. But from there Mullholland’s ups the ante. To our surprise, the meticulously sauced and seasoned wings are baked, then fried. Having never tasted such a preparation, we looked forward with anticipation as the wings arrived at our table.

Just as the wings were set down you could tell their innovative cooking style paid off. The scent that was coming off these babies made us dig in right away. After a dip in some very chunky blue cheese, we took the first bite. The meat literally fell right off the bone. Be it a drumstick or a wing, these puppies were tender. Because of the cooking style the wings were not crunchy which one would usually expect, but that wasn’t a problem whatsoever. The sauce mixed with the well cooked chicken making the wings at Mullholland’s savory and most important, memorable.

Red Star
37 Greenpoint Avenue
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
(718) 349-0149
http://www.redstarny.com

If variety is the spice of life, then Greenpoint’s Red Star embodies that sentiment. After a quick walk from the the G train, we arrived at the corner bar housed in what appears to be a former warehouse space in an industrial section of Brooklyn. To call Red Star big would be an understatement because this place is downright huge. The sports bar boasts two floors with tall ceilings, making this a roomy joint with a ton of space to move around and enjoy a game and/or event. And speaking of events, Red Star is the home to the “Best Wings In Brooklyn Competition” held annually throughout the facility (The free event is returning on February 25th).

Not only did Red Star host last year’s event celebrating Brooklyn’s finest wings, but they were also a front-running participant, offering up one of the event’s favorite wings. The competition was fierce, pitting them against some of the very best Brooklyn had to offer, including Mulholland’s. Red Star’s 2011 entry was a raspberry BBQ style wing, which in the world of wings, was unorthodox to say the least. Therefore, we knew that’s exactly what we would have to sample in order to crown LocalBozo.com’s own champion of Wing Bowl. To make it fair, we ordered up two other wing styles to balance the tastes that we had sampled to that point. So we ordered a plates of traditional Buffalo style, and garlic, as our wildcard selection.

All three wing selections arrived at the same time. It was a true “Wing Bowl Triple Play.” And much like a fish to water, we went for the raspberry BBQ wings first. Each wing was covered in a thick raspberry/BBQ sauce infusion, making them sticky to the touch. Covered with sesame seeds, the first impression was a solid crunch of skin, coupled with an even mixture of flavors. Somehow the raspberry and BBQ sauces did not fight each other on my palate. Instead, they worked together to produce a taste that was both unique and satisfying. After several hearty and well deserved cleansing gulps of beer, we moved onto the garlic wings. As stated in the video, garlic if overused can produce harsh flavors and terrible breath. That didn’t occur here. Instead what we tasted was a mellowed garlic flavor, mixed with the juiciness of a fried wing. It was finally time to sample the Buffalo style for our “fourth quarter.” Before the wings reached our table, they were marinated in sauce and dry rubbed. With each bite into the plump drumstick, these factors became immediately apparent. Mild spiced and meaty, even the traditional wings here were worth our journey to Greenpoint.

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

This was hands down the toughest “Best Wings In NYC” competition for our staff to judge. Brooklyn is making a name for itself in all areas of city culture, and this seemingly includes the home of Buffalo wings. The LocalBozo crew took you to three of the most popular neighborhood bars in Brooklyn and they all impressed us with their overall atmosphere, brew selections, and different styles of wings. So without further ado, let’s break it all down. First, we hit 200 Fifth in Park Slope. They prepared a well sauced, pub style wing that paired perfect with lite brews. Next, Mullholland’s of Williamsburg knocked our cleats off with a wing that was both baked and fried. It was soft but savory, with meat that fell right off of the bone. Damn good! Finally, we tried three insanely flavorful wings at Red Star, including the award winning raspberry BBQ. After the wet-naps were tossed and our hands were clean, we were ready to crown the winner of LocalBozo.com’s Brooklyn Wing Bowl: Red Star!  The raspberry BBQ wings put us in awe. The sauce combination baffled us. The garlic and Buffalo varieties backed it all up, showing that Red Star can work a variety within each flavor, scoring several extra points. In the end we loved all three bars, and they all deserve your patronage. So if you live in Manhattan get on the train, and if you reside in Brooklyn, seriously what are you waiting for? Enjoy the game, Go Giants!

You can check out more of LocalBozo.com’s “Best Buffalo Wings in NYC Series” below:

- Best Buffalo Wings in NYC: The Upper West Side Wing Off

- Best Buffalo Wings in NYC: The West Village Wing War

- Best Buffalo Wings in NYC: The East Village Wing Down

- Jay “Wing Fingers” Rubin

The life and career trajectory of a stand up comedian is unlike any job out there in the modern world. Taking on an audience one on one, equipped solely with a microphone and the goal of making you laugh, is one of the most difficult and gutsy crafts of entertainment to undertake. With the intimidation of working on stage alone, vetting out material that doesn’t work from the jokes that do, and potentially having to deal with unruly crowds in less than stellar cities, there is frankly, no other job like it. For years and years, the last names of legendary stand-up comics have been transformed from meager beginnings as support acts on small stages in Podunk, Iowa, into headlining large clubs and entering the public lexicon through substantial sitcom and film work. Every few years, a new crop of comedians all seem to emerge at once, and for the very first time, it appears the new class are all women.

Leading the charge, Amy Schumer is one such rising star. The New York native has been cultivating an act that is gaining popularity by its vulgar, unapologetic, and most important self deprecating approach to the stand up routine. With her unrelenting quick wit and ability to shock audiences, 2011 was a banner year for the young comic. In April, Schumer released her first stand up album titled, “Cutting” to stellar reviews before taking her seat at the dais and subsequently, stealing the show at the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen in September. Schumer’s breakout performance was the highlight of the evening, holding her own with the likes of Mike Tyson, William Shatner, the late Patrice O’Neal, Seth Macfarlane, and Sheen himself. Following in the footsteps of fellow comedienne Lisa Lampanelli at a Comedy Central Roast before her, Schumer’s short set took no prisoners, left the crowd in awe, and was handsomely rewarded with positive press, and with that, a slew of new career opportunities.

On the heels of performing a four night stand at New York’s historic Caroline’s on Broadway as the headlining act, LocalBozo.com was fortunate enough to sit down with Amy Schumer backstage before her set. As soon as she walked through the dressing room door, her acerbic wit was on display. All of this before our camera was even rolling. Our interview with Schumer was obviously funny, but it also revealed some serious insight to the woman herself. The topics we touched on ranged from coming up as a new comic in NYC, dealing with hecklers, following in the footsteps of other female comics, all the way to her current successes and future projects and plans for 2012 and beyond.

After wrapping the interview, we took our seats in the famed room at Caroline’s to see Amy Schumer go to work. This would be the first night of four and the place was completely packed to the gills with admiring fans. Schumer took the stage to the applause and cheers of a crowd who knew exactly who she was, and craved her brash humor where there would be no line uncrossed. The forty-five minute set was overstuffed with prepared material that killed, as well as “crowd work” that showed Schumer’s lazer like precision to trash an audience member in a way that everyone could find something to laugh about, even her target. Amy Schumer’s star is on the rise because she is in control of her career, making decisions that reflect who she is and wants to be. But above all don’t fuck with her, unless you want to get run over.

For more information about Amy Schumer including where you can catch her next on tour, be sure to check out AmySchumer.com and follow her on Twitter @amyschumer.

- Jay Rubin

As we countdown toward Christmas day, there are just tons of great holiday specials that capture the mood and the spirit of the season. Earlier this week, we ran a preview piece on Chef Chuck Hughes, the Canadian host of ‘Chuck’s Day Off’ on the Cooking Channel and recent competitor on the Food Network’s ‘The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs.’ This weekend, Chef Hughes gets his first crack at his own holiday special as the Cooking Channel premieres ‘Chuckmas’ on Sunday, December 11th at 8pm ET, 5pm PT. For the first time, Chef Hughes will welcome cameras into his new home as he prepares a fun and festive holiday dinner for his entire family, sharing holiday hints and seasonal recipes along the way to point you in the right direction for preparing your own feast.

For those of you that can’t wait until Sunday, we’ve got yet another of Chef Hughes’ awesome recipes below for your tasting pleasure, exclusive to today’s post! For his unique take on carrot cake, make sure to look below!

LocalBozo.com was fortunate enough to meet with the esteemed Chef Chuck Hughes during his visit to New York City and get together for an exclusive video interview. Watch as we kick around his favorite haunts to visit in Manhattan, what we can expect from this weekend’s ‘Chuckmas’ special, and why this year’s holiday is such a special time for him.

Check out Chef Chuck Hughes’ site here for more information about the energetic chef and for all the details on the Cooking Channel’s ‘Chuckmas,’ replays, and how you can watch the special, check out the Cooking Channel.

Carrot Cake

Recipe courtesy: Chef Chuck Hughes

Cake:

2 cups/500 ml all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon/15 ml baking powder

2 teaspoons/10 ml baking soda

1 teaspoon/5 ml ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon/ 2.5 ml allspice

1/2 teaspoon/ 2.5 ml ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon/ 2.5 ml ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon/ 2.5 ml salt

1 1/2 cups/375 ml sugar

1 cup/250 ml canola oil

4 eggs

3 cups/750 ml peeled and grated carrots

1 cup/250 ml chopped pineapple

1 cup/250 ml walnuts, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup/125 ml dried cherries

1/2 cup/125 ml dried golden raisins

Frosting:

2 packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup/125 ml butter, softened

2 1/2 cups/625 ml icing sugar

Zest and juice of 1 orange

Maple Walnuts:

1/2 cup/125 ml maple syrup

1 cup/250 ml toasted walnuts

For the cake: With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line two 8-inch (20-cm) springform pans with parchment paper.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and salt. Set aside.

In another bowl, combine the sugar, oil and eggs with a whisk. Gently stir in the dry ingredients. With a spatula, gently fold in the carrots, pineapple, walnuts, cherries and raisins.

Divide the batter between the pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool in the pans on a rack. Run the blade of a knife around the cakes and unmold. 


For the frosting: In a bowl, cream the cream cheese with the butter and icing sugar with an electric mixer. Add the zest and juice and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Spread the frosting over the top of the cakes and stack them on a platter.

For the maple walnuts: In a skillet, bring the syrup to a boil. Add the walnuts and stir continuously until the syrup has crystallized around the walnuts. Pour onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and let cool. Garnish the cake.

Yield: 12 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Inactive Prep Time: –

Ease of preparation: easy

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minute

- Jane Van Arsdale

Veteran journalist and MTV news correspondent SuChin Pak wears her unabashed love for New York City on her sleeve. Seeking an outlet to reinvigorate and appropriately represent a neighborhood so rich with local history, Pak and her production team, The Big Social, embarked on a challenge to open an innovative outdoor market that embodies the spirit and energy of the lower east side. And to ensure that the place would become a staple of the area that New Yorkers can rely upon for many years to come. Her creation would ultimately birth a weekly market place, where hand selected artisans could sell their wares in a friendly, cool setting. From freshly prepared eats to clothing to accessories to be brought home- this would become the Hester Street Fair.

LocalBozo.com headed down to the historic site of the Hester Street Fair for a one on one chat with SuChin Pak. We discuss the intricacies of scouting the location, putting on the Fair, attracting vendors, what we can expect for the rest of 2011 from summer’s favorite local outdoor marketplace and so much more. Listen in for details about the Fair’s biggest announcement to date, coming in the fall. The Hester Street Fair is open every Saturday from 10am-6pm. And to hear SuChin Pak speak more about the Hester Street Fair, please check out this awesome video courtesy of Windows Phone.