When Jackie Roman was asked to contribute artwork to the Art That Rocks exhibition being held by 303 Grand this Friday, the rock photographer knew she had the perfect image: a photo she snapped last spring of Ex Humans guitarist Josh Martin, cigarette in hand, licking his guitar case while running down Grand Street late to a gig at Trash.

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Not to get all Shakespearean on you, but: “Would Brooklyn Brewery beer brewed anywhere but Williamsburg smell as hoppy? Probably. But thankfully we won’t have to find out anytime soon. The brewery announced it’s staying put after successfully negotiating a new 15-year lease for its current digs.

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Tinsley Mortimer, a socialite—which, according to Webster’s is a woman who marries rich and makes handbags—was spotted at new sports bar The Doghouse Saloon, which is taking over the Annex's old space (just when we thought the block couldn't get shittier). Mortimer was filming her new CW reality show in the Lower East Side bar, both of which will probably be enjoyed by enough out-of-towners to limp along for a few years.

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This Halloween weekend, getting dressed up as "Sexy Nurse No. 22" shouldn't be your only option for getting some good treats. The New York Chocolate Show continues through Sunday and, after buying your Golden Ticket, you can fill your treat bag with some of the best chocolates from around the world and in the city.

Of the local chocolate makers, Roni Sue's Pig Candy (chocolate-covered bacon, which we featured in last year's gift guide) and new chile-themed chocolate truffles are amazingly good combinations, while Fika's Milk Chocolate with Baileys melts in your mouth in a perfect balance of creamy smoothness and whiskey undertones. Spicy chocolates are quite popular right now, and Pure Dark's rounds are exceptionally smooth with a not-so-subtle kick and finish, while Jacques Torres' Wicked cocoa is a perfect gift for staying warm in the winter. After about the 15th sample, portion control becomes a bit more important, and the Sweet Riot girls have chocolate covered cocoa nibs that are crunchy and rich, and come in great little tins. Finally, the chocolate bars of Madecasse are the best dark bars around, with a great fruity depth, especially the 67% bar. Even better, their company is the first to produce the chocolate IN Madagascar(!), keeping the profits with the local community. Nothing like virtue and chocolate in one delicious package.

Then there are the purveyors that don't have local shops. By going to the chocolate show, you get to try chocolates that otherwise have to be cold shipped here. As you buy product, you totally try to justify the costs, since it's much cheaper than flying to Italy, California and Florida just to get your chocolate fix. Top picks for justifying the ticket price of the show: Jer's Peanut Butter Cara Mello bars are perfect for candy bar lovers who need to step up to the real stuff with organic peanut butter, and Christopher Michael's truffle flavors are combinations like spicy pomegranate with lime, which will delight all sections of your taste buds—except the umami.

Those are just a few of the over 50 vendors and my personal favorites. The average American eats 10 pounds of chocolate a year. It's time to make sure that it's good chocolate.

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Take a long drag of your Warm Mocha Mint Cigar - it might be the last you buy in the city. Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed the ban on flavored tobacco into law yesterday. But before you hyperventilate, read the fine print: the ban doesn’t include clove or menthol cigarettes or even flavored hookah.

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Alas, another victim of gentrification. Rush Hour, the hole-in-the wall burger bar on the LES, has closed only to be bought out and remastered into a "bigger, better version" of its former self by none other than Baogette mastermind Michael Huynh. Drunk girls on Ludlow Street will be sad when they have to start going back to Ray's.

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A new “it” food is sweeping New York, slipping itself into the menu at swanky restaurants and becoming the inspiration for not one but two eateries in lower Manhattan. What gourmet cuisine could be driving the foodies so crazy? Mac ‘n’ cheese, of course.

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Normally when people attempt to break world records, we prefer to stay out of their way. Today we will make an exception. Melt Cafe & Gelato Bar is hoping to break the record for most cups of gelato served in a day, so grab an umbrella and get in line.

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The 64 galleries between Lexington and 7th Avenues make 57th Street a burgeoning cultural hub for artisans and art lovers alike; unfortunately it remains a virtually untapped resource with galleries closing before most of New York leaves the office during the week. That all changes—at least for tonight—as all 64 galleries unlock their doors, leave on their lights and stay open after hours as part of Gallery Night on 57th Street.

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We normally pick up our coffee from the deli around the corner, but this video (thanks, ArtFagCity!) provides some much-needed tips on how to make a perfect brew at home. It's also simple enough to be amusing before your caffeine kicks in. 

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