It’s down the narrow streets of Alphabet City, on Avenue B, in fact, that you’ll come upon China 1. Don’t let the name fool you, its origins are Chinese certainly, but the menu is fusion.

Appetizers here run about $10, and entrees around $18. The cashew chicken is quite good, though granted, it’s a difficult recipe to mess up. The same goes for the rest of China 1’s menu: most of its offerings are traditional Chinese and fusion dishes. There is very little creativity or singularity, but all dishes are done competently.

But you’ll come here for the atmosphere and striking decor—the food is just icing. Stepping into China 1 is like stepping out of the bustle of New York into Imperial China. Muted colors dominate whilst reds and oranges converge for just the right infusion of passion. The soft textures of carpets, drapes, cushions and pillows counter the recurring dark wood of the restaurant’s furniture and architecture. And candles on every table tie it all together in a comfortably sensual ambiance. There’s even an authentic, antique opium bed in the downstairs lounge.

The lounge itself is known for its bustle and tends toward those with wilder instincts on weekends. If that’s not for you, don’t worry. You’re not staying anyway . . .

The brilliance of bringing together pastries, old vinyl and hard liquor is quite on par with the invention of motion pictures and the Internet. Okay, well, almost.

Situated smack in the midst of the Lower East Side’s club hub, the Cake Shop unites exactly those things: part pastry shop, part music store and part live music venue, the store (venue?! cafe?!) appeals to the foodie in every hipster. Do take “hipster” lightly though, because unlike most of the Ludlow area, the Cake Shop is decidedly low-key, the atmosphere perfectly cozy. No, everyone will not know your name, but there’s a pervasive undercurrent that everyone is here for the same reason: to see great music from underground bands across the US (and some from across the pond).

The Cake Shop’s main floor comprises the cafe and a wicked small music
store in the back. The cafe serves all sorts of pastries, with lots of
vegan specialties, as well as decent selection of coffees, teas and
various juices.  The music shop is primarily geared toward local
bands, with an excellent selection of CDs and LPs—even some used
stuff for the hardcore vinyl collectors. Aside from that, their
selection of obscure music magazines, label zines, and fanzines is the
best yet I’ve found in Manhattan.

But your final destination
lies underground, down a steep, concrete stairwell. Inside, the room
thumps to a grittier vibe than the cheery pastry and music shop above
it. The spare room is dotted haphazardly with seating against one side
of the wall and a bar on its opposite. The only lighting comes from the
glowing red of the bar with its transmogrified, faux fireplace log
sconces, and on the stage, where dozens of white Christmas lights
illuminate the band of the moment from above. Pristine lighting for
romance, indeed.

The best thing about the Cake Shop is the
price: $8 for all shows unless it’s a special occasion. And with
multiple bands slated for the night, you can see four or five bands
from about 8:30 PM to 1 or 2 AM. Go around 10 PM, after your dinner, have a confectioned dessert upstairs,
and then head to the basement for the rest of the night. With the right
mix of alcohol, mood lighting and soul-thumping bass, who knows what
will happen next . . .