Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship

For Friday Fives this week we linked up with an old friend, someone we’ve known for over a decade. We first met Gabe Saporta on Warped Tour in 2001. Steinthal was acting as “Drew From The Pit,” taking photos and writing tour diaries for WarpedTour.com and Gabe was the colorful lead signer of New Jersey pop-punk upstarts Midtown. While Midtown has earned a spot in the emo hall of fame, it’s Gabe’s more recent work as captain of Cobra Starship that has put him on the national radar. Perhaps you’ve heard their monster summer smash “You Make Me Feel” featuring future superstar Sabi? We don’t care how anti-pop music you are, there’s no denying this one. It’s an awesome song. Even better than “Good Girls Gone Bad” from the last album which was a serious guilty pleasure of ours.

Cobra Starship’s new album, Night Shades, comes out on Monday and here’s what’s cool about the name. Gabe decided on the album title while dining at one of his favorite vegetarian restaurants in NYC, Souen. He explains that “the entire restaurant is macrobiotic and the menu details their policy against serving any nightshade vegetables, vegetables believed to be poisonous or cause arthritis including potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant. And just like that, I thought of a douchebag dude who wears sunglasses at the club.”

Gabe’s Vegetarian friendly restaurant picks are below. Make sure you keep up with Gabe on Twitter and Cobra Starship on Tumblr.

Gabe’s “Perfect For” Picks

Classic NYC Establishment

Frank (88 Second Ave.) – “I like that i can go super late. It’s one of the best pastas in the world. I like that every time you walk in there they’re playing offensive hip hop or loud punk rock. It’s a nice juxtaposition to the classic Italian food they serve there. ”

Vegetarians

Red Bamboo (140 W 4th St.) – “Just because I’m a vegetarian doesn’t mean I care about being healthy. That’s where Red Bamboo comes in. It’s like Southern fried soul food for us Vegetarians. Not to say it’s totally unhealthy, as you can eat healthy here if yo want. Why would you though? Red Bamboo serves it up fried with the best. ”

Late Night Eats

Employees Only (510 Hudson St.) – “They invented the idea of the Speakeasy in NYC. Milk & Honey might have been first, but EO was definitely the one that started the movement. They’ve won awards for their drinks and still to this day, lots of people from the service industry go here after work. It’s always poppin late night. There’s is no better spot for a great drink and nighttime snack. “

Neighborhood Hang

Schiller’s Liquor Bar (131 Rivington St.) – “Back when the LES was just starting getting cool, Schiller’s was one of the hottest spots around. We used to hang here all the time. A lot of other restaurants followed their lead and now the LES is totally oversaturated. I’m sure there are other good restaurants down there now, but I always find myself going back to Schiller’s. It’s still got it. ”

Girls’ Night Out

Tiny’s (135 W. Broadway) – “Every time I’m at Tiny’s, I’m seriously outnumbered. It’s swarming with packs of girls. Single guys should be paying close attention! Also, both the food and drinks are excellent. “