Another example of great suffering caused by military governments after the great pain already inflicted by a natural disaster... Here's an extract from Avaaz.org, - they do great direct action. Makes sense to donate via Avaaz if you want to help.

«The cyclone that ripped through Burma left tens of thousands dead and a million homeless--a natural disaster made much worse by the failure of the military junta to warn or evacuate its people.

Now, the government has slowed the urgent process of providing humanitarian relief--so Avaaz is raising funds for the International Burmese Monks Organization and related groups, which will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas.

In many of the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma's poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government--but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country.»

Visit Avaaz.org for more information

This is the place to go for a hang over brunch (it's quite noisy though ). In this traditional french restaurant you can everything from a seafood platter to a soft boiled organic egg. Bread and pastries (croissant, scones, pain au chocolate and so on) come from the beautiful next door balthazar bakery.

It's quite packed and sometimes you have to queue for a table.
It's also a go place for homesick europeans, c'est tres francaise.

"Balthazar serves traditional bistro meals from breakfast through late-night supper. Opened by Keith McNally in the spring of 1997, Balthazar offers a French menu prepared by chefs de cuisine Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson. Diners can also choose from an extensive wine list, a raw seafood bar, and breads and pastries from Balthazar bakery.
Balthazar is renowned for its exceptional design. The building was converted from a leather wholesaler's warehouse to an airy space that can accommodate over 200 people in the dining room and at the zinc bar. "

80, spring street, Soho New York, ny 10012


BREAKFAST Mon to Fri: 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Sat & Sun: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
BRUNCH
Sat & Sun: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
LUNCH & LATE LUNCH
Mon to Fri: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

www.balthazarny.com/

If you want to eat some truly outstanding food go to Blue Hill.
They have to restaurants, one in New York and one where they have their farm, in pocantico hills, some 40 minutes out of town.

"with Dan Barber, chef and proprietor of Blue Hill in Manhattan and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills. Stone Barns is only 45 minutes from Manhattan, but it might as well be a whole different universe. A model of self sufficiency and environmental responsibility, Stone Barns is a working farm, ranch, and a three-michelin-star-worthy restaurant. (Note to Michelin: limiting your guide to the five boroughs means you've missed out on perhaps the most interesting and unique restaurant in all of New York.)

Dan's commitment to the environment is well known, but he is hardly a die-hard radical. He is a businessman determined to find a way to be both environmentally and economically sustainable - now that's the way of the future."

We actually wanted to go to Blue Hill farm but then we were running out of time and decided to go to the one on washington place.

Let me tell you we ate the most outstanding food.

www.bluehillnyc.com

Blue Hill Restaurant
75, Washington Place
Greenwich Village
New York

Schiller's is a very nice restaurant in the Lower East Side. The perfect place for a brunch, a lunch, or just a latte and some good newspapers (they offer a very wide selection of nice magazines and newspapers).
It looks like an old butchery or so. We had a lovely tuna burger and a Guinness - nice!

131 Rivington Street
10002 New York
Phone:  212 260 4555

www.schillersny.com

Hours
BREAKFAST & LUNCH MON to FRI
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

BRUNCH SAT to SUN
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

LATE LUNCH MON to FRI
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

DINNER MON to SUN
6:00 PM - 12:00 AM

LATE SUPPER
MON to WED: 12:00 - 1:00 AM
THU: 12:00 – 2:00 AM
FRI and SAT: 12:00 –3:00 AM
SUN: 12:00 – 1:00 AM