Quintessence is a hidden gem in the eclectic East Village of 5-story walk-ups and passers-by that seem to carry complex life stories and eccentricities. I sat at a table by the window which became an entertaining picture book of characters; some of whom seemed stuck in an 80s time warp, swathed in vintage clothing and signs of bygone-era excess lingering on their wandering souls. It was an interesting mix of those types, plus rent-stabilized hanger-on-ers surprised to see their hood become hip and the young hipsters that help make it so. If it weren't for NY, these characters would never co-exist.
The historic Russian & Turkish Baths on E10th St were a major disappointment for this Indie Girl seeking refuge from the rapid-paced concrete jungle of NYC. It was like a bachelor pad version of a spa that felt purely functional and devoid of any atmosphere or amenities conducive to relaxation and pampering. Nor was there any sense of hospitality; just a stern faced dude in a Kangol who assumed I knew the services, policies and procedures of this old-school facility, chock-full of regulars who already knew the drill.
