Celebratory Drinks!

Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar

Yesterday was a GREAT day! If anything, it was more of a turning point in my life than just a Thursday. After several years of planning, researching and preparing, I got a job offer to join my dream company. Over two years ago, I started the process of applying to business school and transitioning to a completely different industry (real estate to wine, beer and spirits) and function (investment banking to marketing). I am thrilled to start this next chapter of my life. In the spirit (pun intended) of celebration, I met with a new friend from Stern, Scott. In a small world twist, we actually know each other from my first job. We were in the same hire class in Charlotte, NC over six years ago - crazy! He was near my neighborhood, so I suggested a fun spot near me that has fantastic dessert cocktails, Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar (http://www.ayzanyc.com/midtown/index.html). 

I started with the Raspberry Chocolate Martini. It was DIVINE! It is made with Chambord and Kahlua. It is also served with an 80% dark chocolate truffle - YUM! The cocktail was rich and creamy - so much so that I needed a spoon at the end to get up all the chocolate shavings!!

Raspberry Chocolate Martini

Next, I ordered a lighter cocktail. It was still sweet, but not weighed down with cream. I ordered the Bohemian Pear. It is a mix of Absolut Pear, St. Germain, Angostura Bitters, and Fresh Lime Juice. I loved it! It was light and refreshing!

Bohemian Pear

As my final cocktail, I ordered the Pomegranate Martini. It is made with Ketel One Citroen and Pomegranate Juice. This drink was a bit *tart* - I don't think that the juice was sweetened. This likely made the drink have fewer calories, but my face was puckered. I enjoyed it, but it was my least favorite. 

Pomegranate Martini

The weather was lovely last night and we sat outside. My only complaint would be that they wait to throw out all of the garbage until the venue closes for the evening. I found it a bit distracting/disturbing that the workers were putting out garbage bags (on the street) while patrons (including us) were sitting outside. Garbage isn't exactly 1. nice to look at or 2. neutral smelling. I found it odd, my only improvement to an otherwise great cocktail/dessert spot.

Cheers!

Liz

 

Pretty (J)bird

Trekking to the UES for Cocktails

I terribly underestimated the discomfort that would result by walking from the subway stop at 63rd/Lexington to 75th and 1st Avenue. In order to look hot for my date with a very tall suitor, I wore my highest heels. I haven't worn these particular shoes in a hot minute. They are hulking platforms, probably 4''+. I won't lie, they aren't comfortable for even short periods of time, let alone an estimated 19 minute walk from subway to destination (thanks HopStop). Did I have flip flops in my purse? Of course. Did I put them on? No. I didn't want to "give up" before the date even started (giving up = putting on flip flops). In hindsight, this was silly. I told myself I could break in my heels by walking! If anything was broken in after, it was my feet. I had no idea the UES was incredibly hilly. I realize these "hills" are merely slight changes in the slope of the sidewalk to people in flat shoes, but I felt like a newborn colt, trying to find my footing after crossing the street. (Note: the time provided to cross a wide street is not enough in said heels). 

Anyhoo, I will stop mumbling about my shoe situation. I finally found an opportunity to visit Jbird (http://jbirdny.com/). This cocktail spot has been on my radar for awhile, but for one reason or another, I just haven't gone! Well, it was fantastic, the perfect spot for a great first date. I started with a cocktail that was as beautiful as it was delicious: Jbird Swizzle. It is made with Jasmine Flower Rum, Don's Spices, Lime, Pineapple, Blueberry Syrup, Orgeat and Bitters. This cocktail fell under the menu's "Tart & Refreshing" category.

Jbird Swizzle

Next, I wanted to order a more dessert-like cocktail. I stayed within the "Tart & Refreshing" family and ordered the Golden Cadillac, a luscious blend of Galliano, Creme de Cacao, Orange Juice and Heavy Cream (YUM). This tasted like an Orange Julius with a hint of chocolate - is is described on the menu as "Dessert in a glass" - I agree!

Golden Cadillac

Following this heavier cocktail, I wanted to switch it up. I had read about the Honey-Nut Old-Fashioned on several Yelp! reviews so I had to check it out. It is made with Roasted Peanut Bourbon, Honey Syrup and Aromatic Bitters. This cocktail fell under the "Stirred & Boozy" family of drinks. Hot damn! I agree. The drink was lovely but STRONG. At this point, it was my least favorite, but the bar was very high! My first two cocktails were incredible.

Honey-Nut Old-Fashioned

On our third round, my date ordered the Moscow Mutt, a spin on the classic Moscow Mule. It was made with Vodka, Lime Juice, Blueberry Syrup and Ginger. It was presented with such style, I had to snap a photo. Luckily, my date seemed ok with all my picture taking and wasn't annoyed. I love cocktails and sharing them with you all and pictures really help!

Moscow Mutt

My final drink had to cleanse my palate of the incredibly strong cocktail I just ordered. I wanted something a bit sweeter. I ordered the Good Humor Fizz (again under the Tart & Refreshing family of drinks). It was a complicated drink! It is made with Blanco Tequila, Campari, Passionfruit, Lime, Vanilla-Infused Agave, Egg White and Cream Soda. It reminded me of a Creamsicle (as the menu suggests). 

Good Humor Fizz

It makes sense that my last photo may have been a bit blurry - after four drinks, my iPhone started to get a buzz! I highly suggest visiting Jbird, but, for my sake, consider your footwear ladies if you're taking the F Train like I did. 

Cheers!

Liz

 

A Speakeasy in Murray Hill

Middle Branch - Hope in Fratville

I caught up with one of the lovely ladies (Lauren F) I met at Stern during my first year. She had an incredibly intense internship in investment banking this past summer. We wanted to catch up and celebrate her full-time offer over cocktails. I suggested a speakeasy near her apartment that I had not visited: Middle Branch (no website). The exterior of the spot is incredibly reclusive. If I didn't have the street number, I would have walked right by. This is clearly on purpose and part of the appeal - you're only going to come in if you're in the "know" vs. well-known spots such as Joshua Tree (ughhh). 

I found the service very personalized when I walked down the front stairs and the doorman kept repeating "Liz? Liz? Liz?". Once I could understand what he was saying, I said "Yes. Yes. Yes". I didn't realize Lauren got there before me. I figured he may have just been a psychic on the side. 

When I entered the venue, I went upstairs. The space is a bit small. Once we reviewed the cocktail menu, I ordered a traditional daiquiri and Lauren got a Moscow Mule. 

I loved that the cocktails were served on cloth napkins. It added a certain level of sophistication vs. a coaster or a paper napkin. The drink was nice and refreshing but a tad too sour. It can't compare to those made at Diageo with Zacapa!

After I noticed that the woman next to me ordered it, I had to get the Queen's Park Swizzle (above). It is made with rum, mint, lime simple syrup and bitters swizzled and served with a metal straw (so fancy!). I'm sometimes on the fence about mint, but I loved it in this drink. It wasn't too "minty" (as mojitos sometimes are), it was just the right amount. 

Cheers!

Liz

 

Super Swank Hotel

The Crosby Bar

I recently went to The Crosby Street Hotel (http://www.firmdalehotels.com/new-york/crosby-street-hotel/crosby-street-bar) for a date. The bar is awesome! I really loved the cocktails but it can be awkward to navigate cocktail documentation while meeting someone for the first time. That being said, I wasn't able to take any photos of my drinks. Sad face!

I had the Passion and Ginger Caipirinha, made with cachaca, ginger, fresh passion fruit and lime. I also had the Crosmopolitan, made with gin, Pavan, blueberries, lemon juice and Champagne. My final drink was the Mango Tango, made with Pavan, mango puree and Champagne. 

I definitely plan to head back and you should too!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Stopping by the Rooftop of the McKittrick Hotel

Gallow Green - AMAZING!

To celebrate the end of our incredible internships, my good friend Olivia and I went to an awesome spot: Gallow Green (http://mckittrickhotel.com/gallowgreen/) at the McKittrick Hotel. We had visited the hotel last year to see the interactive Macbeth performance of "Sleep No More" - this was certainly a different experience!

The venue is gorgeous. I highly recommend visiting it for drinks (the live music is fantastic) and/or dinner (the food is also lovely). I am a huge fan of large format cocktails, so we started with a bowl of boozy popsicle punch. It was made with Ketel One vodka and absolutely splendid! There were two fresh fruit popsicles inside - one pineapple and one watermelon - and a large square ice cube. The shape of the cube allowed it to melt slowly (chilling without too much diluting). As they continued to melt, they added to the taste and profile of the punch.

Once we finished the punch, we moved on to more cocktails! I ordered a glass of rose Champagne. It was served in a couple glass - how lovely! 

I strongly believe that glassware can influence the taste of a cocktail. My Grandma always said this and it has stuck!

After we finished up at Gallow Green, we went to The Heath (one floor below the rooftop). It was AWESOME. Great live music and dancing. I ordered a twist on a vodka lemonade, it was tasty. The credit card machine wasn't working though, so it was a bit annoying with cash/ATM fees.

You must check out this spot! A real "wow" location in the city.

Cheers,

Liz

 

1 Hour Unlimited Cocktails!

Yerba Buena!

A week or so ago I met up with some Sternies and their significant others for a lovely brunch! I am always a fan of checking out unlimited brunch spots. My friend Christine picked Yerba Buena (http://www.ybnyc.com/media/yerbabuena.html). Here is the deal with the unlimited hour of cocktails. You pay $14 for one hour of whatever you want on the featured menu. My two favorite cocktails were the passion fruit Bellini and pisco drink made with guava.  There were also tequila and beer based cocktails, as well as sangria.

Bellini!

Pisco!

I felt that the cocktails were a bit better than the food. I ordered a burger though, which may not have been the best call in a Latin American restaurant. I was also sad that the side of fries were incredibly thin (like shoestrings). I am NOT a fan of that style! I will most likely go back, but order a Cuban or something more authentic to the cuisine.

Cheers!

Liz

 

Keens Steakhouse!

Birthday Dinner!

My wonderful brother and I share August birthdays. Since we both live in NYC now, we tend to have an annual birthday dinner at a steakhouse to celebrate. I heard rave reviews for Keens (http://www.keens.com/) and it is randomly right near my apartment in Midtown: #winning! While we contemplated which massive piece of meat to order, I ordered a cocktail.

I don't recall everything that went into the cocktail, but it was gin based and delicious. It felt incredibly adult, which is fitting because I am older...ugh!

The decor is really beautiful and historical. Starting in the early 20th century, men would keep their pipes at Keens. The pipes were too fragile for transporting around and remained at the restaurant for safe keeping. 

For dinner, we chose the Porterhouse for two. It was delicious. So delicious in fact, that this happened.

YUM! Keens is a classy joint. It is an old-school steakhouse, rich with New York history. It isn't like the new swanky steakhouses (Strip House or STK). I highly recommend it. Even if you don't want to have dinner here, visit the bar. It is worth the trip.

Cheers,

Liz

 

The Dead Rabbit (The Hot Bartender)

The Speakeasy to End all Speakeasies!

FINALLY! After researching this spot for a school project and hearing it swept the Tales of the Cocktail awards, I HAD to come! Boy, was this trip down to the Financial District worth it and then some! My friend Kate and I had an incredible evening and Jack McGarry (International Bartender of the Year) gave both of us HUGS. Love him! We planned to have dinner at The Dead Rabbit (http://www.deadrabbitnyc.com/), but wanted to eat and drink at the bar by Jack to see him in action - it is quite the show!

Do you see all of these beautiful bitters and tinctures? The teacups are awesome!

Look at that huge ice cube and teacup!!! I have no idea what the drinks are that I ordered. I just stared into Jack's eyes and he knew what I wanted. It was that simple!

Delicious, but no idea what was in this!

Again, fabulous but ?

I wouldn't want to be a bartender with Jack in town. Check out what he sent to a rival bar - WATCH OUT NYC!

It is absolutely worth the trek downtown to check out this fantastic location! It is truly amazing. Make sure to go and sit at the bar upstairs to watch Jack in action.

Cheers, 

Liz

 

Beco in Brooklyn

Brunch with Birdie!

I meet up with some lovely Stern ladies (Lisa and Minden) for a lovely outdoor brunch in Williamsburg at Beco (http://www.becobar.com/). The service at the spot may not be the best, but the food and drinks are spot on! I got the brunch special with a Caipirinha. The spot is Brazilian, so when in Brazil, right? There is plenty of outdoor seating- I even saw a pug! The STAR of the brunch...

BIRDIE! It was such a pleasure to meet Minden's beautiful pooch. I hope to brunch with her again!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Tiki Time!

Intern Birthday Lunch!

One of my fellow interns celebrated his birthday during the summer and we had a wonderful lunch at Tommy Bahama (http://www.tommybahama.com/TBG/Stores_Restaurants/New_York_City.jsp). We had a DELICIOUS lunch and I ordered a Mai Tai. BOY, was it strong!! Don't get me wrong, I love a strong cocktail, but this was almost to the point of being undrinkable. I had to ask for more pineapple juice to water it down. 

The vibe of the spot is awesome and it really changes up the typical Midtown lunch routine. No more buffets!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Cocktails by Color at Peels

Feeling Orange!

Peels (http://peelsnyc.com/) is a lovely New American restaurant near Stern. Based on Instagram pics and FourSquare check-ins, it is popular with a lot of my friends. I was excited to check it out with my good friend Liv. 

The cocktail menu is really unique. I love how the cocktails are organized by color. I am a huge fan of cachaca, passionfruit and grapefruit, so I went with orange!

The ice cubes are awesome! Huge square blocks that have a slow melt so they don't dilute the cocktail.

I will have to go back during the school year!

Liz

 

Pour(ing) on the Ribbons of Cocktails!

Checked Off Another Speakeasy!

I had heard about Pouring Ribbons (http://www.pouringribbons.com/) and wanted to check it out but had not found myself in Alphabet City. After my mid-year intern celebration (I've been bad in posting!), we went to Pouring Ribbons, since we were right down the block! 

Drink #1 - bartender's choice with Zacapa Rum as the base. I thought it was ok but wasn't a fan of some of the bartender's mixer choices - sometimes it pays to be VERY specific of what you do/don't like. Wasn't feeling too adventurous that night.

My next cocktail was straight off the menu, a classic Champagne cocktail. Delicious and refreshing!

Overall, I thought that Pouring Ribbons was a beautiful space and was quiet enough to have conversations with your friends or date. I will keep this in mind to visit in the future!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Back (Forty) to Visit Alphabet City

Mid-Summer Intern Celebration!  

I have heard good things about Back Forty (http://backfortynyc.com/) and was pleased to see we were having our dinner there! I have been meaning to spend more time in Alphabet City, so this is great way to do that! In order to celebrate our brands, I ordered the Back Forty. It is made with George Dickel #12, maple and lemon. I absolutely loved it! I'm trying to get more into whisky and this was a non-intimidating introduction.

After I enjoyed my cocktail for a bit, the food (and there was plenty!) started to come out. I didn't snap pictures, but the cornbread and fried chicken were delicious!! Really brought me back to Charlotte and Price's Chicken Coop. Below is a shot of the pork shoulder, slaw and bread (some sort of pita). Really good. We just ate obscene amounts of food, typical.

Also, there were DOUGHNUTS! So good! Check out this spot!

After, we went to Pouring Ribbons which is right down the street. A super exclusive, swanky cocktail spot. I wouldn't rank it as high as some of the other "list-only" places I've gone (Raines Law Room is much better), but I do like the atmosphere. If you're going to pay $15+ for a cocktail, I like to have service and a seat! It is worth a visit.

Cheers,

Liz

 

Hey Beauty (& Essex)!

Tequila & Tapas!

I wanted to take Amber to a "Big Night Out" dinner so we went to Beauty & Essex (http://beautyandessex.com/). Before we had some yummy tapas, we ordered a drink at the bar. I ordered the O.D.B. "Old Dirty Bramble" - it was made with Don Julio Reposado tequila, smoked blackberries, honey, ginger juice, and lemon. I tend not to be the biggest fan of tequila because so many are not good, but Don Julio? Delicioso! 

Cheers!

Liz

 

Call the Nurse!

This Prescription is Quite a Pickle!

Before we had dinner at Beauty & Essex, I wanted to try out a new cocktail spot. I read favorable reviews about Nurse Bettie (http://nursebettie.com/). The bar has a reputation for Burlesque and the bartender was a real character! People in NYC go crazy for Pickleback shots, but I refuse to get in on that action. My interest was piqued however when I saw the Pickle Martini - this sounds more like me!

The drink includes gin, Pickle Guy's pickle juice, dry vermouth and fresh black pepper. I was shocked at how much I loved the drink! I always wanted to be cool and like dirty martinis, but whenever I order them I don't like them. This, however, was SO DELICIOUS! It was more a hint of pickles than overwhelming. Really balanced, a bit salty, but I love salty. Make sure to order a nice tall glass of water with it! Yum! New favorite!

Bottoms up,

Liz

 

Cocktails (Not Cannolis) in Little Italy

The Mulberry Project: A Hidden Gem

My friend and I planned to meet my brother at Goldbar in Little Italy but there was a bit of a SNAFU so we had to resort to Plan B in an area that I'm not too familiar with...but I am familiar with Yelp! so I consulted that. 

What is there to do here besides eat pizza, pasta and pastry???

The consensus of many online reviews led me to Mulberry Project (http://projectgroupnyc.com/mulberry-project/). I walked by the door without even knowing it was the spot - it tends to be that way with speakeasies. When we got to the bouncer, he asked if we "knew anyone inside" to which I said "no". Not sure what the point was since it wasn't crowded inside, maybe a reason to refuse entry if they think you're not dressed right? Thank goodness I had my swagger on. 

The bar has an "inspiration" board inside where there are different flavor profiles (cucumber, jalapeno, mango, lemon, orange, etc.). If you want to put yourself in the hands of the bartender, you pick a spirit and a flavor and you get a surprise! Make sure to be clear if there is anything you don't like so there are no bad surprises! I ended up with a yummy drink that was inspired by mango and vodka - it had hints of orange and was really well balanced.

On the cab ride back home, I saw some cool street art by Hansky (http://hanksy.com/). I saw a play on Iron Man and Aziz Ansari - loved it! New York doesn't disappoint, especially when you have an iPhone handy to capture the moment. 

Cheers,

Liz

 

Nice Fedora!

Fantastic Food and Drinks!

A shrewd businesswoman I know, Allison, raved about this spot (http://fedoranyc.com/) and I wanted to check it out for dinner with Amber. While we waited for a table to open up, we ordered a drink at the bar. I ordered the Songbird. It is made with sparkling wine, elderflower liqueur, creme de violette, fresh grapefruit, and topped with house-made lavender bitters. 

The drink was really fresh and a nice change from liquor-based cocktails. I am never one to turn down bubbly! We stuck around for dinner and the food was PHENOMENAL! This spot is small (read: cozy) but I would recommend it if you want a delicious dinner with French flair. 

Au Revoir, 

Liz

 

A Trip to the Orient

Cocktail & Tea Time!

I wanted to surprise Amber with something special so I made reservations for afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork/). The tea is daily at starts at 2:30pm. We got there a bit early (2:00pm) to make sure we could secure a window seat. Most of the seating has a good view, but when you're spending $$$ you want to make sure it is the best!

While we waited for tea time to start, we (naturally) ordered a cocktail. One immediately caught my eye: the Summer Solstice. It is a heavenly mix of vodka, blood orange juice, mango puree and Solerno liqueur (blood orange). This cocktail was magical and at $19 (!!) I was hoping it would be. I knew at a place like this you're paying for the view and it was worth it. 

Once we finished our cocktails, we moved on to tea! I ordered the Thunderbolt Darjeeling tea. It was a delicious black tea. Check out the scones, finger sandwiches and desserts! Nom! I highly recommend this spot for a special event - a mom in town, good friend or to impress a lady!

Until next time!

Liz

 

Too Hot Out...Starting to Feel like a Zombie!

Maison Premiere is a Premier Spot! 

I wanted to show Amber a bar that has a totally different character than many bars I've been to in the city. My good friend Lisa introduced me to Maison Premiere (http://maisonpremiere.com/) nearly a year ago and I've been a fan ever since! We ordered a zombie cocktail. It was delicious and strong!!! The crushed ice helps dilute the cocktail - it is definitely a sipper. I've gotten absinthe cocktails there before but I'm not a huge fan of absinthe. I think I mainly ordered it because the presentation is beautiful. I'll continue to stick to the zombie. 

As a side note, the oyster happy hour is phenomenal (M-F, 4-7pm)! Unlike many spots, all oysters are available for the special. You can get a wide selection for a great value. Be warned though, you want to get there early!!! Seating fills up quickly. Additionally, there is a beautiful garden in the back with more seating. 

Your favorite zombie lover,

Liz

 

Checking in at the Wythe Hotel & The Ides Bar

Great View with Cocktails to Match

I'm a big fan of Williamsburg. I figured a great way to kick off my friend's first visit was with an introduction to the Wythe Hotel (http://wythehotel.com/) and its rooftop, The Ides Bar. I had been meaning to go but hadn't visited it yet - what better day than the Fourth of July? 

The rooftop didn't open until 2pm, so we ordered a cocktail at the main level bar. I got a Tom Collins. It was quite tasty! I've been on a gin kick lately. The cocktail is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and club soda. The weather was super hot so this was the ideal way to cool down. 

The Ides Bar has a fantastic view of the city. I was shocked by how pretentious it seemed downstairs. There is a whole process of waiting in a roped line and having a hostess check IDs and then usher up groups up people to the elevator. It seemed a bit too Manhattan for the neighborhood. I can imagine it is a popular spot, but maybe it is getting too popular for its own good.

Once upstairs, I ordered a traditional daiquiri - not your frozen type. The basic recipe (that every bartender should master!) is rum, fresh squeezed citrus (typically lime) and sugar (natural is best). The drink wasn't as good as the one I loved at my work bar, but then again, the rum used was Zacapa - which is amazing!

I also got a glass of rose, but that is not exciting, so no picture!

Cheers!

Liz