My NY: Passion Pit’s Fave Local Spots

While band Passion Pit all met while studying music in Beantown, by now they're pretty much NYC staples. So, it was a no brainer to ask bangin' bassist Jeff Apruzzese to give us the low-down on his five fave local spots. While the musician doesn't really stay in one place (ah, the life of a road-warrior), he's used to crashing on his band-mates' Brooklyn couches. It also doesn't hurt that his DJ group, Wet Bandits (Home Alone anyone?), with fellow Passion Pit-er Ayad Al Adhamy, regularly plays sets at all of the Big Apple's indie bars. While the group's got sold-out concerts, huge summer music festivals, and an upcoming tour with Muse, Jeff took a lil' time-out to share his five top less-than-mainstream spots with us—from the best fish-cakes to an LES drinking den—on yeah, there's also his obsession with...wait for it...Josie and the Pussycats.

2. Red Bamboo: "Amazing vegetarian/vegan restaurant on the Lower East Side. The cod fish cakes is a must."
140 West 4th Street (between 6th Avenue and Macdougal Street); 212-260-7049

3. Prospect Park: "Great outdoor scenery. Prospect Park also hosts a summer long line up of both ticketed and free concerts. In fact, we are playing there June 29th..."
450 Flatbush Avenue (at Prospect Park West); 718-399-7339

4. Brooklyn Bowl: "Have you even seen the movie Josie and the Pussycats? (I own it own it on both VHS and DVD). Imagine that gig in the bowling alley, but actually awesome. That's Brooklyn Bowl. Amazing local beers from the Brooklyn Brewery, amazing BBQ from Blue Ribbon, a nice sized venue, and of course, a bowling alley."
61 Wythe Avenue (between North 12th and North 11th streets); 718-963-3369

5. Pomme Frites: "Got the drunkies after a long night out? Look no further than this Belgium style "chip" shop. Order some chips and than choose from one of 50 different sauces from the menu. Personally, I go with anything that has mayo in it."
123 2nd Avenue (between 7th Street and St Marks Place); 212-674-1234