Montauk Club invaded by the 20s

Flappers and men in white tie and tails took over the Montauk Club today, to film a scene for the pilot of HBO's new drama Boardwalk Empire. It looks like the Plaza Street entrance and interior will be used in the show, most likely in a grand banquet scene of some sort. They weren't so keen on photography, but for those who passed by it was certainly a transporting experience. 

New HBO series to film near Montauk Club on Monday

HBO's new 1920s-set series, Boardwalk Empire, will be filming the pilot all day Monday the 15th around the Montauk Club on Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Place. 

Helmed by Martin Scorcese and written by Sopranos alum Terrence Winter, Empire is about the rise of Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, and centers on a bootlegger named Nucky Johnson (played by Steve Buscemi). The character list is rounded out by the likes of Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. Also in the cast is Michael Pitt, Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road), Shea Whigham, and Kelly McDonald. 

I'll be there to hopefully get some good photos. This show looks freakin' awesome. 

Cafe Tapeo Out, Cyprus Avenue In

In what seems like the blink of an eye, Cafe Tapeo has vanished and been replaced by a straight-ahead Irish pub, Cyprus Avenue. 

Cafe Tapeo had gone through a couple different chefs and menus recently and while the food was good, it never really pulled a consistent crowd. The space was bought by the owners of the Black Sheep around the corner, so the competition isn't as heated as it may appear. It looks like a low-key bar with a decent happy hour, and pub grub such as Guinness meat pies and bangers and mash are making their first appearance on this stretch of Fifth Avenue. 

Can't beat $1.50 sliders either. 

Here is Park Slope makes the New York Post

Many thanks to all the readers for your continued support- HiPS has been offline recently but it'll be back in full force very soon. In the meantime, take a look at this great article from today's New York Post about the differences between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue. Yours truly even gets a mention. 

New York Post: Slope-Goers Take the Fifth

Sixth Avenue's Black Hole

From start to finish, Sixth Avenue is lined with brownstones and apartment buildings, and any empty space has been filled in by a park. One lot, however, between Sterling and Park Place, has been sitting vacant and untouched since the wrecking ball knocked down the one-story buildings on the site, which housed Sadie Mae's Cafe and a laundromat, several months ago. Stay tuned for construction updates, but something tells me that this lot will be a gaping hole in the ground for some time. 

Friday Foodporn: Willie's Dawgs

Willie's Dawgs, a tiny hot dog shop located across from Washington Park on Fifth Avenue, is the type of place where just stepping inside can brighten your day. An entire wall has been painted with a happy-looking frankfurter mural, and Willie the owner can usually be found behind the counter, more than willing to guide you through the surprisingly expansive menu. 

Six varieties of hot dogs are available: an all-beef one from Karl Ehmer (The Mutt), Niman Ranch's all-natural dog (The Pedigree), a grass-fed beef variety (Best-in-Show), a tofu dog, a chicken dog, and most surprisingly, a grilled, marinated carrot on a bun. The topping selection borders on the profane: bacon, chili, beans, peanut butter, caramelized onions, Indonesian pickles... the list goes on. 

The chili-cheese dog is their most popular, but I decided against overtaxing my arteries and settled on the classic New York sauerkraut and brown mustard, on a Mutt. It had a nice snap- Ehmer has been making great hot dogs for many, many years- and the homemade challah bun did a great job of holding it all together. 

Cloudy with a chance of tube steak

If the Mutt O de Mayo (with chipotle sauce, onion, tomato, cheese, cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips) leaves you still wanting more, the hand-cut fries and onion rings are some of the best around. Knishes from the venerable Yonah Shimmel are also available, as well as chocolate covered Rice Krispy Treats for dessert. 

Willie's is BYOB, and they have a nice garden out back as well. 351 5th Avenue, 718-832-2941. Cash only.

Then & Now Thursday: Public School 39

The Victorian masterpiece known as P.S. 39 has loomed over the corner of Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street since 1877. When I think "big old schoolhouse," this is basically the image that comes to mind. On the far left you can just make out an old wall ad for Pilser Malt Syrup, a sweetener made from barley. The photo is from 1930.

The school (today re-dubbed The Henry Bristow Landmark School) has undergone an extensive renovation, which unfortunately did away with the middle section of the Mansard roof and its wrought iron cresting. Slightly less ominous, but every bit as beautiful.

1930 Photo: NYPL.org