Sake bar offers exoticalternative to typical night

On a side street in the East Village, down a narrow, dimly lit staircase and behind a speakeasy-like heavy door and buzzer system, lies a hidden getaway of ethnic delight. Inside, the main room is filled with an eerie red light, cast by huge paper lanterns and Asian women in pigtails serve rice wine and soba noodles to urban hipsters and business men alike. Lounge music floats through the air adding to the relaxed ambiance of this underground hot spot.

Decibel, located in the heart of the downtown nightlife scene, is a Japanese bar specializing in the traditional drink of sake. Rice wine, or sake, has been in the Japanese culture for thousands of years, and is now a staple of mainstream Japanese restaurants. Decibel, however is not mainstream. Unlike its popular Japanese counterparts, including sushi bars and steakhouses, Decibel deals strictly with drinks. Light snacks and appetizers are available, but do not expect to find any raw fish or large meals on the menu.

“It’s different in that it is a bar, but it has the relaxed quality of a coffeehouse,” said NYU junior Amanda Herbster, a regular patron of Decibel. “When you’re looking for something unusual, this is the place to come.”

Decibel serves up more than 50 types of sake, which is a combination of rice, water and malt. For first time samplers of sake, the choice of which kind to drink can be difficult. The names are in Japanese and therefore do not give any indication as to how one differs from the other.

Another Decibel frequenter and self-proclaimed sake connoisseur, Jesse Madsen, advises first-timers to “introduce yourself to sake with Gen Bei San. It’s less harsh than most and has a sweeter flavor.”

Gen Bei San is part of the Hon-Jo-Zo type of sake.

This type of sake has alcohol added during the brewing process to produce a fuller taste and body. Other kinds of sake include the Junmai type, which comes in a variety of mild, dry and very dry flavors including Suishin, Kai Syu, and Ban Dai. This type of sake has a rich and flavorful taste. There is also the Ginjyo type, which is fermented at a low temperature to produce a smoother and more fruity taste. Drinks classified under this type include Waka Take and
Hana Saika.

The drink list at Decibel also features Japanese beer, such as Sapporo and
Kirin Lager; Japanese spirits, such as Ume Shu, a sweet plum wine; and hard liquor and special cocktails, such as lychee martinis. Lychee is an Asian fruit and can also be found on the snacks menu.

Although Decibel is known for its sake, it also offers a sampling of cultural appetizers. Along with lychee, patrons can munch on renkon (cooked lotus roots), wakame (marinated seaweed), or geso (squid arms), to name a few.

Sake can be served warm or chilled and can even be enjoyed combined with orange peel, roasted fish fin, or, for the less adventurous customer, a shot of straight vodka. Prices range from $4-7 for a 3 ounce glass of chilled sake, and from $6-12 for a 5 ounce flask of warm or chilled sake. A few specialty drinks cost more than $12, but not much on the menu goes for more than $8. One can also purchase 300-720 ml. bottles of certain types of sake for prices ranging from $16-95. There is an $8 minimum per person on drinks and a $5 minimum on food.

Decibel is located at 240 E. 9th St. and has a sister restaurant in midtown, Saka Gura, at 211 E. 43rd St. The bar is open from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Monday through Saturday and until 1 a.m. on Sunday. For information call 979-2733."" ""

SupermarketsThe Food Emporium (14th Street between Irving Place and Union Square East) This super-clean, super-big supermarket is the real deal. Equipped with some of the freshest fruits and vegetables you'll find in the city, as well as a gourmet deli, your kitchen will be the healthiest on your dorm's floor.""Grand Union (Bleecker Street and LaGuardia Place) A bit hectic and sloppy at times, this food mart has amazingly cheap store brands.""D'Agostino (University Place between 10th Street and 11th Street) The priciest of them all, D'Ag has everything for the black tie wine and cheese cocktail hours you often host in your dorm room.Post Office (4th Avenue and 11th Street) Don't forget to write home! Get your stamps and FedEx your dirty laundry at the neighborhood's only post office.

BanksAvoiding those hefty ATM fees is always a good idea. Switch your account from the Bank of Nowheresville to one of these nearby convenient chains. If you don't mind getting all your cash from an ATM, keep in mind that many dorms are equipped with the machines.Citibank (LaGuardia Place and 3rd Street)

Chase (University Place between 9th Street and 10th Street)

Republic (Broadway between 8th Street and 9th Street; 5th Avenue and 8th Street)

DelisFern Cliff (3rd Avenue and 11th Street) The sweeties that work at this joint never fail to give service with a smile. Their prices may vary each night, and the store may be the size of a walk-in closet, but they've got the best barbecue chicken sandwich and the freshest cold cuts below Central Park.""Delion (Broadway and Washington Place) Any purchase over $5 gets you and your college ID 10% off. With swift delivery and omelets any time, this deli is always on. CleanersAphrodite (3rd Avenue between 9th Street and 10th Street; University Place between 8th Street and 9th Street) For the times when you're too lazy to go on a wild goose chase for quarters, these cleaners can do it all for you � from free pick up and delivery to same day service. Students get 10% off a job of $15 or more.""Fancy Dry Cleaners (8th Street between University Place and Greene Street) When you can't recycle that filthy three-piece suit for one more workday, Fancy takes care of it at 15% off.NYC French Cleaners (3rd Avenue and 10th Street) Speedy service and 10% off on $10 of dry cleaning makes giving up that wool sweater for a few hours less painful.

Photo Developers

Spectra Photo Art (LaGuardia Place between 3rd Street and Bleecker Street) This family-owned business offers speedy quality processing.One Hour Photo Lab (Waverly Place between University Place and Greene Street) Very familiar with the needs of photo students with project deadlines fast approaching, this quick and painless place will surely get the job done.""East Village Photo (3rd Avenue between 9th Street and 10th Street) With a great selection of dark room supplies, fax and copy machines and passport photos, East Village Photo is a technological convenient store.Hardware StoresAce Hardware Company (4th Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street) There are many hardware stores in the Village, but not many will be as helpful as this one. You don't have to have any fear of buying a plunger at this place.""East Hardware (3rd Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street) A large supply and variety of paints, light bulbs, picture-hangers and much, much more makes this everything-store a bit overwhelming and confusing, but you're bound to find something you didn't even realize you needed.Stationery/School SuppliesJam Paper & Envelope (3rd Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street) Buying paper products and school supplies may once have been tedious. Jam makes it some of the most fun you've had in a while. Selling just about everything you can make out of a dead tree, Jam can give your classroom paraphernalia a style of its own.""Village Stationery (LaGuardia Place and 3rd Street) Sick of having purple torch on everything you own? Shopping at Village Stationery gets rid of the violet blues by offering unique pens, pencils and paper of all shapes, colors and sizes. Hair CutsAstor Hair (Astor Place between Broadway and Lafayette) The staff is rude, no one talks to you while you're in the chair, your hair is cut as quickly as possible. Yet, for some reason, you never leave without a good haircut. NYU boys flock to this joint for cuts less than $10 and to ogle star-studded clientele like the New Kids on the Block, Al Roker and Spike Lee.""3rd Avenue Barber (3rd Avenue between 9th Street and 10th Street) Student barbers chop your locks for less at this well-lit, always-busy hair haven. Dorm Room Organizers and Knick-Knacks Surprise! Surprise! (3rd Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street) Even window shopping at this stylin' apartment outfitter is a blast. You can find everything from stuff for your kitchen to stuff that's just kitsch. Shower curtains and liners, bathroom organizers and a variety of soap dishes are a must!""K-Mart (Astor Place and Lafayette) For everything and anything cheap and durable, this corporate monstrosity is the place. Hanging-file cabinets for less than $20 make organizing your papers worthwhile.Urban Outfitters (2nd Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street; Broadway between Houston Street and Bleecker Street) Forget their overpriced clothing and their size 2 shoes! Shopping at this ominous designer's trash pail for home furnishings is loads of fabulous fun. Pick up some fuzzy picture frames and retro ashtrays (for smoking rooms only) at the only decent prices in the whole joint.

Pier 1 Imports (15th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue) Boasting a 15% discount for college students makes this otherwise pricey haven of wicker and glass a classy option. East Village Photo (3rd Avenue between 9th Street and 10th Street) With a great selection of dark room supplies, fax and copy machines and passport photos, East Village Photo is a technological convenient store.

Hardware Stores

Ace Hardware Company (4th Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street) There are many hardware stores in the Village, but not many will be as helpful as this one. You don't have to have any fear of buying a plunger at this place.

East Hardware (3rd Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street) A large supply and variety of paints, light bulbs, picture-hangers and much, much more makes this everything-store a bit overwhelming and confusing, but you're bound to find something you didn't even realize you needed.

Stationery/School Supplies

Jam Paper & Envelope (3rd Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street) Buying paper products and school supplies may once have been tedious. Jam makes it some of the most fun you've had in a while. Selling just about everything you can make out of a dead tree, Jam can give your classroom paraphernalia a style of its own.
Village Stationery (LaGuardia Place and 3rd Street) Sick of having purple torch on everything you own? Shopping at Village Stationery gets rid of the violet blues by offering unique pens, pencils and paper of all shapes, colors and sizes.

Hair Cuts Astor Hair (Astor Place between Broadway and Lafayette) The staff is rude, no one talks to you while you're in the chair, your hair is cut as quickly as possible. Yet, for some reason, you never leave without a good haircut. NYU boys flock to this joint for cuts less than $10 and to ogle star-studded clientele like the New Kids on the Block, Al Roker and Spike Lee.
3rd Avenue Barber (3rd Avenue between 9th Street and 10th Street) Student barbers chop your locks for less at this well-lit, always-busy hair haven.

Dorm Room Organizers and Knick-Knacks
Surprise! Surprise! (3rd Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street) Even window shopping at this stylin' apartment outfitter is a blast. You can find everything from stuff for your kitchen to stuff that's just kitsch. Shower curtains and liners, bathroom organizers and a variety of soap dishes are a must!""
K-Mart (Astor Place and Lafayette) For everything and anything cheap and durable, this corporate monstrosity is the place. Hanging-file cabinets for less than $20 make organizing your papers worthwhile.""
Urban Outfitters (2nd Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street; Broadway between Houston Street and Bleecker Street) Forget their overpriced clothing and their size 2 shoes! Shopping at this ominous designer's trash pail for home furnishings is loads of fabulous fun. Pick up some fuzzy picture frames and retro ashtrays (for smoking rooms only) at the only decent prices in the whole joint.
Pier 1 Imports (15th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue) Boasting a 15% discount for college students makes this otherwise pricey haven of wicker and glass a classy option.