BennySlacks

Alchemist is indeed still open, 2 locations, I believe one only carries women garments.

Diluting Dr. Bronners and using it as a shampoo is proper & natural.

Quit using hair products since I started naturally dreading my hair though.

Mid-range restaurants

The Corner Shop CafeÌ â€“ Cnr of Broadway and Bleecker Street – truffle mac & cheese is v

good!

Freeman’s – Freeman’s Alley on Rivington Street btw Chrystie Street and Bowery

Stanton Social – Stanton Street btw Ludlow & Orchard Streets Great tapas-style bar food and good drinks; also good for brunch.

The Spotted Pig – cnr W11th Street & Greenwich Street, Far West Village Great food, nice bar upstairs. No reservations. Always super-busy. Bono is one of the owners.

Tortilla Flats – cnr of W11th Street & Washington Street, Meatpacking District Cool, casual Mexican place – they do Tequila Bingo on Tuesday nights.

Public – Elizabeth Street between Prince & Spring Street, NoLiTa. REALLY good cocktails.

Rosa Mexicano – E18th Street between 5th Avenue and Broadway (v close to Union Square); Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side.

Coffee Shop – Union Square

Bit of a “scene†but open 24/7 and a good spot to stop into if you’re around Union Square.

Fatty Crab – Hudson Street btw Horatio and Gansevoort Street; Broadway at W77th Street Really good Malaysian food; cosy atmosphere.

Petite Abeille – Hudson Street btw Barrow and Christopher Streets

Belgian cafeÌ â€“ all you can eat mussels on Wednesday nights ($20 incl a beer); good spot to stop for lunch in the West Village.

Moustache – Bedford Street btw Grove & Morton Streets, West Village

REALLY good Lebanese food

Westville – W10th btw Hudson & W4th, West Village; and W18th Street Chelsea. Cheap feed; always busy. Choose a main with a variety of sides. Good Apple Pie

Cafeteria – Cnr W17th and 7th Avenue – 24hrs, 7 days.

Little Owl – Cnr of Grove Street & Bedford Street, West Village

When you say mid-range how much $$$ are you talking?

I'm also visiting for the first time early february.