Ladies who Lunch

Bottino for Delicious Italian

One of my block 3 mates, Lilian, thought of organizing a lunch for some of us during Senior Week. She had the great idea and I contributed by thinking of a place to eat on the West Side (we were going to the Frying Pan after). I ended up on Bottino (http://www.bottinonyc.com/). Check out the open-but-enclosed seating area. We had a lovely corner table.

You can enjoy the outdoors without being outdoors!

I was intrigued by a cocktail on the menu, so I absolutely had to order it! The Grey Gardens Martini is made with Organic Black Tea and Grey Goose, St. Germain, Preserved Lemon Syrup and Honey.

Grey Gardens Martini

This was a fantastic cocktail! If you come, you MUST get it!

There were so many options on the menu, I struggled with what to order. Luckily, Jillian and I were interested in the same two entrees, so we split them. Problem solved!

Lasagna al Forno with Homemade Pasta, Bolognese and Bechamel 

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Boar Sausage

Each dish was very different and I'm glad we split them. Initially, I was a bit scared of the boar sausage but it was delicious! The lasagna was also so great - much heavier than the pasta but very tasty. Lilian also got the Orecchiette. Kate got the Sautéed Shrimp with Lentils and Garlic, White Wine and Herbs.

Shrimp!

After we finished our meal, we ordered a coffee and got dessert. Jillian and I got the Warm Tuscan Bread Pudding, Kate got the Pecan Tart and Lilian got something with Biscotti...I believe Affogato.

Cappuccino

Bread Pudding

Pecan Tart

Affogato

Usually I LOVE bread pudding, but this one was a bit too custardy. The custard was very eggy and almost looked scrambled, so it was a bit of a bummer. I'd recommend getting a different dessert if you go!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Pera for a Surprise Lunch!

Spring has Finally Sprung!

One of my closest friends at Stern (Liv) recently got engaged and a small group of us wanted to throw her a surprise engagement lunch. Another friend of mine, Beth, organized the event and made a reservation for the group at Pera SoHo (http://soho.peranyc.com/)

Since it was Cinco de Mayo, I chose to order an Apricot margarita with my lunch.

Apricot Margarita

I LOVED this drink. It was far too easy to enjoy and, given the amount of work I had to do during the rest of the day, I only had one.

While we waited for our food, we were given a basket of warm, seeded rolls served with an herb butter and oil - really tasty! After looking at the menu, I decided to order the Pera Steak Burger with Kasseri Cheese.

Da Burger!

This was DELICIOUS! I asked for it to be medium and it was perfectly so - juicy and flavorful. The hand-cut fries were also awesome - I loved the addition of oregano.

We sat outside since the weather was beautiful. It started to get VERY hot and I appreciated the attentiveness of the staff in propping up some of the umbrellas to provide shade.

I think I will come back here for Happy Hour (http://soho.peranyc.com/happy-hour/) the menu features tapas (choice of 2 for $6) and wines, draft beers and cocktails for $6 each.

Check this place out, especially if the weather is good to take advantage of the ample outdoor seating!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Who Doesn't Love a Lunch Special?

Agave FOR THE WIN!

Last Friday, Melissa and I met up for lunch at Agave (http://agaveny.com/). The weather was turning around and Melissa researched places near campus that had outdoor seating and lunch specials. I had no idea that Agave offered a Two-Course Pre-Fix Lunch for $14.95! It is served with a fruit-infused margarita "tasting" (image below). We got a pomegranate and mango one. Clearly, this is a smart ploy to get you to order a full-sized one. I already know how good they are, so I was planning to order one anyway.

Margarita "Tasting"

I didn't snap a picture of it, but for my first course we both ordered the Mother Road Roadhouse Chili. I'm not typically a huge fan of chili, but this was absolutely DELICIOUS! It is a blend of braised beef & pork cooked in Dos XX and Chile. It is served with soft tortillas for dipping. Yum yum yum! The other first course option was a salad. We clearly made the best choice.

For the entrée, there were four choices. I got the chicken wrap, served with mango chutney and sweet potato fries.

Chicken wrap - SO GOOD!

My mouth is watering looking at that photo. The wrap was utterly fantastic. The fries were great too and served with a delicious chipotle mayo. I cannot rave about this enough!

Melissa ordered the steak wrap, which was served with regular fries.

Oddly cut steak wrap...is this sushi?

Poor Melissa really struggled with eating her wrap. I have no idea why they thought it would be a good idea to cut it up like a sushi roll. All the filling kept falling out! I felt the chicken wrap was much tastier.

When we were wrapping up lunch, we rolled right into happy hour ($6 margs down from $10). You can add the fruit flavor for $1 extra...so worth it! We both got mango!

Frozen Mango Margarita

I love Agave so much! The happy hour, lunch special and brunch special ($27.95 for two-hours of bottomless mimosas, wine or frozen/shaken margaritas) are hard to beat! You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't check it out.

Cheers,

Liz

 

Birthday Drinks for a New Friend!

Whitehall: A Cramped Space with Great Cocktails

Last Thursday, a new friend, Erin, was celebrating her birthday with cocktails at Whitehall (http://whitehall-nyc.com/). I love love love Erin and her boyfriend JBJ! Also, some other new friends, Frank and Sophia attended. So fun catching up with them!

I've gone to this spot before with Aish on a West Village cocktail crawl several months ago. As I noticed the first time, the bar area is VERY cramped. This is mostly because there are tables for patrons to eat at immediately behind the bar. While I understand restaurants in NYC are trying to maximize profits with more tables, it is incredibly annoying to pay for a cocktail and be nearly in someone's lap as they eat dinner. Granted, this is likely as annoying, if not more, for the people attempting to eat!

For my first cocktail, I ordered the No. 11, this cocktail is made with house infused vanilla bean bourbon, lemon and mint. It is served in a mason jar and super yummy!

The No.11

For my second drink, I ordered a gin (Tanqueray) and tonic. This isn't the sexiest looking cocktail, so I didn't snap a photo.

For my third and final cocktail, I ordered a Bulleit Manhattan. I love when this cocktail is served in a couple glass - so classy!

Bulleit Manhattan - don't you just love the brandied cherry? Swank city!

We were starving while we were there for a couple hours, so we ordered a couple baskets of French fries. They were tasty! It was odd that they were served with BBQ sauce and not ketchup, so I asked for mayo for dipping. Because, when the food is already fried, you clearly need to dip it in mayo. NOM NOM!

I recommend checking this place out for a drink, but be warned if you go during a generally popular time (right after work or the weekend evenings) you will be cramped!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Easter Brunch at Commerce!

Catching Up with Some Favorite People

I love brunch so much! I love it EVEN MORE when I can share this awesome meal with people I love. I met both Erin and her boyfriend, JBJ, during my trip to Santiago, Chile during spring break. Since I've returned from the trip, I've had the opportunity to get to know them better and it has been lovely.

I suggested going to brunch and Erin picked a great spot: Commerce (http://www.commercerestaurant.com/). I heard good things about this West Village spot but had yet to check it out, so, naturally, I was excited. 

On my walk, I loved seeing all of the blooming flowers. It has gotten chilly again recently, but hopefully it was warm up soon!

Love the window box flowers!

I'm glad we had a reservation! The place was PACKED with eager brunch go-ers in their Easter best! I spotted a couple people in seersucker (oh my). I read on Yelp! that the pecan cinnamon rolls were a must order item! We ordered it and split it as an appetizer.

Can't you just taste it now? DELICIOUSNESS!

This was by far the highlight of the meal. Everything was good, but what can compare with this ooey gooey scrumptiousness? Nothing! I would like to note that like most places that take advantage of holidays, this venue bumped up all their prices by $5-$10 because it was Easter. Sort of annoying, but I get it. People are working on holidays so ya gotta pay $$$

I ordered a Bloody Mary, because, it was brunch and that is what you do at brunch.

Bloody Mary

Our server "warned" me that their Bloody Mary is "very different" and I was a bit hesitant, but I ordered it anyway. It was good though it had a strong horseradish presence. Also, one of the garnishes was chorizo. Although it was very tasty, I am still on the fence about meat products served in beverages. I love bacon but still not 100% convinced I need it in my cocktail as well.

For my entree, I ordered the short rib ravioli with hen of the woods mushrooms and Barolo. This was delicious!

Nom nom! Get in my belly ravioli!

Although this pasta dish was nearly $30 (Easter pricing hike from $22), I felt it was the best value dish from what we ordered. It was a large serving - sometimes you order ravioli and get four. Also, the flavor of the beef was delicious!

Erin ordered the Shakshuka, a baked eggs dish, and JBJ got the Croque Madame. 

Shakshuka!

Croque Madame

I sampled each of their dishes - I preferred the Croque Madame though the Brussels Sprouts on the side of the Shakshuka were quite nice. 

Overall, this is a fantastic spot and I would like to go back for a different meal! I will also attempt to go on a non-holiday to take advantage of normal (already high) prices!

Loving the tulips in the West Village!

Cheers,

Liz

 

A Battle Through Times Square for Happy Hour!

Gyu-Kaku has Deals all Day!

Recently, I met up with Melissa during the week to take advantage of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Times Square's Happy Hour (http://gyu-kaku.com/ny/timessquare.htm). This location has Happy Hour for lunch (11:30AM - 3:00PM) and dinner (3:00PM - 6:00PM & 9:30PM - 11:00PM). The drink deal during this time is 50% off select drinks. The meal deal is reduced pricing on most menu items.

I enjoy informative art

We ordered the steamed chili dumplings ($6, normally $8), bistro hanger streak ($5, normally $8), sukiyaki bibimbap ($6, normally $10), and chocolate lava cake ($6, normally $8). With a Yelp! check-in, we each got a free edamame ($4 value). Social media has measurable value people!

Steamed Chili Dumplings

Chocolate Lava Cake

I didn't snap photos of everything, but trust that it was yummy. The Bibimbap arrived in a hot stone pot. It is served with a raw egg and continues to cook. We didn't realize how hot it was and some of the rice started to get too crispy...nearly burnt. Next time, I'll need to make sure to monitor it more closely!

The dessert was super tasty. It didn't have any Asian twist to it (I love the Green Tea one at Spot Dessert Bar) but it was lovely.

I would recommend only visiting this spot if it is during Happy Hour, otherwise it is a bit pricey for what it is.

Cheers,

Liz

 

My Favorite Bar in Santiago

Killer Cocktails Complement the Killer Views!

Whenever I'm in a new city, I'm determined to explore the best culinary and cocktail spots. During my stay in Santiago, I went with a group of new friends to the W Santiago (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1979). known for its rooftop views, fantastic restaurants and incredible cocktails.

WHAT A VIEW!

Naturally, this wasn't the only photo we took. Heading into this trip, I didn't know many of the people on it. I'm glad that I went on it because I ended up making great new friendships.

Sophia, Frank, me, Asuka, Gabriel, Erin and John ("JBJ")

A good looking group of people, right? The bar wasn't open on the rooftop, but we headed down to the W Lounge for cocktails! I got the Kappa Punch - a Pisco based cocktail with Grand Marnier and Pineapple Juice. So delicious!

Kappa Kappa YUM

We ordered some snacks at the bar before we headed to dinner. I got empanadas that reminded me of Totino's Pizza Rolls - so authentic!

Funs times with new friends :)

If you find yourself in Santiago, check out this spot for a drink and a view!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Visiting Temple (Bar) Again!

Cocktails that are a Religious Experience

I met up with one of my MBA1 buddies, Katharine, for a cocktail last weekend. I am so excited for her summer internship! She will be at the company that I will be joining full-time upon graduation.

Katharine lives near campus and I chose Temple Bar (http://www.templebarnyc.com/). I've been to this bar before and had a great time. I knew this would be a solid spot for a strong cocktail and good conversation. After looking at the menu, I picked the Femme Fatale, made with Bulleit Bourbon, Orchard Cherry and Allspice Dram.

Temple Bar

As a bourbon fan, this drink hit the spot! It's a bit sweeter than a Manhattan but has many of the same flavors.

If you're in NoHo and looking for a cocktail, this is a wonderful spot to check out. Especially if you're looking for a more upscale vibe and a quiet spot, this is for you!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Juke Bar has Happy Hour Hits

Happy Hour Every Night Until 9pm!

Before meeting up for dinner with Liv, Christine and I hit up Happy Hour at Juke Bar (http://jukebarnyc.com/). This East Village establishment has awesome drink specials: all beer if $5 and wine & well-drinks are half-priced AS WELL AS the specialty cocktails ($8 instead of $13)!

Given how awesome this deal is, you can imagine the bar got a bit crowded. Christine is a genius and managed to snag a table. After I waited at the bar for our drinks (it took about 10 minutes to order), we found out once I was seated again that there was waitress service. Oh well, sometimes you live and you learn. At least we were able to order our second round without going to the bar - the wait wasn't much shorter but at least I didn't spill!

For my first cocktail, I got the Junior's Levee, made with Old Grand Dad Whiskey, fresh blackberries, lemon, cracked mint leaves and simple syrup.  

Junior's Levee

I did like this cocktail but felt it was a bit teeny. Sometimes those fancy glasses end up backfiring on the customer.

For my second drink, I got the Maple Old Fashioned.

Maple Old Fashioned

I'm not sure what spirits were used in this cocktail (no further details on the menu), but I loved it! It was a normal sized drink and had a lovely taste to it.

If you're looking for a solid Happy Hour with specialty cocktails, this is a great option. It does get crowded though, so try to come earlier!

Cheers,

Liz

 

It's Miller('s Tavern) Time!

Hot Drinks on a Cold Night

After our dinner at M Shanghai, Christine, Lisa and I headed to Miller's Tavern (millerstavernbrooklyn) for after dinner drinks. After I read through the menu, I knew I would order a hot drink. When it's freezing outside, it just makes sense.

I started with the Hot Buttered Rum, made with Dark Rum, Clove and Vermont Butter.  

Hot Buttered Rum

This drink was nice and I loved the cup it was served in! I'm sure you can see the butter clustering at the top of the drink. It had a hint of creaminess from the butter but wasn't overpowering. If anything, it could have benefitted from more clove/spices in it to up the flavor profile. It was good but not particularly memorable.

For my second drink, I ordered The Regulator - another hot cocktail! It is made with Applejack, Bourbon, and Ginger.

The Regulator

This drink had more flavor, likely due to the Applejack - an Apple Brandy. I really enjoyed it!

After we had our first two cocktails, we ordered a dessert to split between the three of us. We ordered the Molten Chocolate Cake served with gelato and sea salt. For this evening, the gelato was a caramel flavor. SO TASTY!

Oh, hi there dessert!

We didn't order any food here beyond the dessert, though Lisa's boyfriend joined us and got the burger. It looked yummy! Since the dessert was really tasty, it could be worth coming back here for an entire meal.

Cheers!
Liz

 

M Shanghai Delight

The L is a Direct Route to Incredible Shanghainese Noms

This past Friday, I met up with Lisa and Christine (two of my favorite Stern ladies) for dinner in Williamsburg at the ever popular M. Shanghai Bistro & Garden (http://www.newmshanghai.com/). It should be noted that Christine, Michelle, Ilya and I attempted to go here on Chinese New Year and were DENIED. Nothing was going to stop us this time - NOTHING!

When we arrived, we were prompted seated. Naturally, we checked out the cocktail menu first. Is there any other way to start a meal? I ordered a Caipirinha and Christine & Lisa both got a Mojito. The drink was lovely. Lisa and Christine said their cocktails tasted super strong but I didn't feel mine tasted that way. It didn't mean it wasn't strong though!

The Caipirinha - a great way to prevent scurvy

If you come to this Williamsburg treasure, you absolutely must order the Steamed Juicy Pork Buns (SOUP DUMPLINGS!) - you get 6 for $7.50. Each of us got 2 - I could have easily eaten the entire order but I would like to keep my friendships.

Lovely TREASURES

There is an art to eating a soup dumpling - you must bite the top off so the interior can cool off. If you are an amateur and go in for a bite, you will be burned - literally. The inside is piping hot, so be patient you hungry fool! Once the soup cools down, slurp it up and then eat the rest of the dumpling. You're welcome.

For our entrees, we split three items. We got the #55 Sliced Beef with Scallion and Onion in Brown Sauce (Awesome!) [note: that is how it is actually listed on the menu] , #37 Shanghai Style Lo-Mein with shrimp, shredded chicken, pork and spinach in a delicious brown sauce and Kung Pao Tofu with Chinese Broccoli (not on the menu, but Lisa knew of this secret amazing dish).  

BEEF

NOODLES

TOFU

This was a great mix of dishes since each was different/unique. I hate when I get Asian food and everything ends up tasting the same - so boring! It is hard to pick a favorite because they were each so different. I'd recommend ordering the same exact thing!

If you have the courage to leave Manhattan, this is a lovely spot to explore in Williamsburg. It is near many cool bars and other places to visit. Embrace Brooklyn people! It is fun and a great value - also many of my favorite people live there!

Cheers,

Liz

 

To the Junoon and Back!

Restaurant Week Round 2!

After my first Restaurant Week meal at The Marrow, I headed to Junoon (http://junoonnyc.com/) with Scott. I had heard rave reviews about this Michelin-rated Indian spot in Flatiron but couldn't convince myself to go due to the price of the entrees (most protein entrees are $25+) and the size (not very large!). I'm a hole-in-the-wall Indian cuisine gal, but for Restaurant Week I enjoy living on the wild side and indulging! This place opened in 2011 and received one star from Michelin JUST ten months after it opened! Very Impressive.

The restaurant was running behind so we each ordered a cocktail at The Patiala Lounge (the bar). I went with the Blood Orange Sour, made with Kentucky Bourbon, Homemade Blood Orange and Lemon Puree, Clove-Campari Reduction with Egg White for Texture.

Beautiful Color and Delicious Taste!

My cocktail was yummy - I love the taste of Blood Orange Juice, it is like the adult version of OJ! Scott went with the Tandoori Tequila, a spicy cocktail made with silver tequila, lime, muddled Tandoori pineapple, curry leaf and pippali pepper.  

Blurred Lines

I sipped his drink and it did have a certain KICK to it! Scott sometimes feels that I don't give him the star power he deserves on my blog, so I took a photo of him. Of course it came out terribly - it is the thought that counts, right?

The lounge area is pretty swanky. You feel like you're on the set of a high-budget Bollywood movie.

Patiala Lounge

Scott and I have similar taste preferences, so we ordered different appetizers, entrees and desserts and shared everything.

As we waited for our appetizers, we were each served an Amuse-Bouche, or complementary tasting from the chef. It was something or other with butternut squash and quite delicious! The sizing was a preview of what was to come...tiny dishes!

Amuse-Bouche of Butternut Squash from the Chef

To start, we got the Lahsooni Gobi (crispy cauliflower with chili flakes and garlic tomato chutney) and Chipotle Chicken Tikka (chipotle marinated chicken with crispy potatoes and lime aioli).

Lahsooni Gobi

Chipotle Chicken Tikka

Both were delicious but VERY SMALL! If I came here and paid the menu price I would be very disappointed. 3 pieces of cauliflower is a bit lame!

For the entrees, we ordered the Kerala Shrimp Curry (seared shrimp with coconut milk, curry leaves, mustard seeds, green chiles and smoked kodampuli) and the Lalmas (Rajasthani lamb curry with black cardamom, clove and chili)

Kerala Shrimp Curry

Lalmas

I absolutely loved the Shrimp Curry BUT THERE WERE ONLY 3 SHRIMP! WHAT GIVES!!! I felt super cheated. The lamb had more chunks in it but wasn't bountiful by any standards.

We also got one order of Pulao Rice and Naan to split.

NAAN NOM

Pulao Rice

I would have preferred Garlic Naan but we weren't able to upcharge to that which I thought was annoying - you may be sensing a trend!

For dessert, we ordered one Rice Pudding served with candied almonds, cinnamon and golden raisons and one Passion Fruit Mousse.

HEY PUDDIN

Get that PASSIONfruit!

I loved the rice pudding but hardly got to taste it - it was about 3 spoonfuls. This is the unfortunate downside of Restaurant Week - going to fancy places and leaving feeling like you want to eat an entire pizza! I'm glad we went because the food was phenomenal it just left me wanting more...FOOD!

Cheers,

Liz

 

I Love You Down to The Marrow

Restaurant Week Begins!

In New York City (and in cities across the country), Restaurant Week is a magical time. Not only do you get to visit many restaurants that may be outside of your price range for $25 for lunch and $38 for dinner, the week breaks rules of the universe. The "week" lasts from February 17th to March 7th - amazing! Also, if you have an American Express card and register it to save $5 for EACH Restaurant Week transaction (https://enroll.amexnetwork.com/US/en/winternycrw2014/).

I'm a big fan of the Top Chef franchise and winner of the first season, Harold Dieterle - this is his third venture in NYC (also owns Perilla and Kin Shop). The Marrow has German and Italian influences. The menu for Restaurant Week is key - even if the spot you're going to is well-known for certain dishes, make sure some of them are on the reduced-price menu! Otherwise, what is the point of visiting it?

We arrived a bit earlier and each ordered a cocktail at the bar. I got the Eye of the Tiger, made with Cognac, 7 year old rum, vanilla and cinnamon.

Eye of the Tiger

The cocktail had a wonderful profile; I loved the touch of the single massive ice cube too! Aish ordered the Miss Roberts' Cobbler, made with Owney's Rum, Pear Jam, Lavender and Thyme.

Miss Roberts' Cobbler

She loved it so I had to try a sip - it was tasty! Once our table was ready, we were seated and given the menu. We already looked it over before we came so we knew exactly what to order!

We did noticed that the menu featured three bottles of wine for $38! We ordered the Red, the Pittnaur Velvet 2008 from Burgenland, Austria.

Lovely Red Wine!

I'm glad we split this - for about 2.5 glasses each, that is a great bargain. While we waited for our entrees, we were served a freshly baked (and HOT!) pretzel style roll with mustard and oil.

I think I could have eaten 10 of these...

Spicy mustard and olive oil complement the bread!

Just as we were finishing up our rolls, we were served our first course. We both ordered the Roasted Sunchoke Soup topped with toasted sunflower seeds and snipped chives.

A Bowl Full of Warm Deliciousness

The soup came out PIPING HOT! After it cooled down for a hot second (no pun intended), we enjoyed each and every spoonful. The soup had a velvety texture and was utter perfection.

For my entrée, I ordered the Sautéed Skate Wing, served with Black Forest Ham, Cabbage and Warm Mustard Sauce. I'm a huge fan of Skate, so I was excited to try it.  

Skate into my mouth please

The German-style prep on the Skate was different and incredibly tasty. I was very happy with my order! Aish, the vegetarian that she is, ordered the Housemade Pappardelle served with braised forest mushrooms, lemon thyme and pecorino.

Who's Your Pappardelle?

She really liked it, or at least I assume she did, since she inhaled it. This is why we're such good friends!

For the desserts, I ordered the Spiced Streusel Kuchen, served with roasted apples and caramel ice cream.

Spiced Streusel Kuchen

This dessert was delicious!! Aish wanted no part of it since she isn't a big fan of apples - weirdo! Just kidding. She went with the other option, the Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta, served with grape jam and peanut biscotti.  

Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta

I much prefer dark chocolate to milk, but Aish loved it. I was happy for her. She avoided the apples, so she was a happy camper.

When we were given the check, we were presented with MORE food. Two gingersnap style cookies - so great.

COOKIES NOM NOM NOM

I was very happy with the overall experience. I look forward to coming back here to order some other menu items, especially the Pan-Fried Duck Schnitzel!

Happy Restaurant (Three) Week(s)!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Super Secret Speakeasy

Fig. 19 is a Truly Hidden Treasure

Scott and I were planning to eat dinner at a spot that didn't take reservations - normally this pisses me off, but we wanted to do a seafood boil and there are limited options! When I got there, I gave them my number and was told that the wait would be about an hour. As I waited for Scott to arrive, I went on Yelp! to see if there were any interesting bars nearby for a cocktail. A spot a couple doors down caught my attention: Fig. 19 (http://www.figurenineteen.com/).

This is a legit speakeasy. I almost went into the bar downstairs (Home Sweet Home) but luckily I asked the bouncer where Fig. 19 was located. The bouncer was standing between Home Sweet Home and an art gallery. Based on the reviews I read, I did not know that Fig. 19 was located through a secret door in the art gallery. So, when I asked the bouncer "Where is the bar?" I basically handed in my New Yorker card and looked like a complete n00b tourist. Better safe than sorry - the last thing I wanted to do was open the wrong door. Sometimes, a surprise is not the best thing on the other side of the door!

The bar is a stark contrast to the art gallery. The gallery is bright, white and sparse. The bar is brooding, dark and cluttered with knickknacks - including taxidermied animals.

The Menu

I really loved some of the details, especially the back bar. Check out that spooky animal and owl. Creeptastic.

Yes, that is me in the photo

The fireplace was also very inviting. The peacock was beautiful and very watchful. Dead serious. See what I did there? I know. No shame.

Warm lighting, spooky bird

From the menu, I selected the Rhapsody in Rye, made with rosemary infused rye, ginger syrup, Campari, fresh grapefruit juice and sea salt. It had a certain bite to it from the ginger but was overall very balanced.

Rhapsody in Rye

Scott ordered the Red Lead, made with Irish whiskey, red wine reduction, dry vermouth, Sherry and Absinthe. I gave it a sip - a very complex flavor profile from the reduction and the Absinthe.

The Red Leaf

Although I was initially annoyed I couldn't make a reservation, I'm glad we had an hour to kill! I had no idea this speakeasy existed. Make sure to add it to your list of hidden NYC treasures - like PDT and Milk & Honey.

Cheers,

Liz

 

Visiting a Beautiful County

Lovely Food, Cocktails and Dessert!

Ingrid and I went for a lovely girl date last Saturday! There is nothing better than catching up with a close friend over delicious food and cocktails! Before we headed to a comedy show at The Stand, we had dinner at County (http://countynyc.com/).

Interior of the Restaurant

The seating is family style. We went at 6pm so THANK GOD we did not need to sit by other people.

Fresh Cut Flowers Added a Touch

We each started with a cocktail. I chose the Lavender Diamond, made with Gin, Crème de Violette, Dry Vermouth, Hibiscus Flower, Orange Bitters and Rose Water. I'd compare it to a floral martini.

Lavender Diamond

The cocktail was well balanced but a bit strong. I did like it but it was definitely a sipping drink...not a chugging a drink! Ingrid went with the Hudson Swizzle, made with Vodka, Fresh Blueberry & Lemon, Ginger, Pomegranate, and Orange Blossom Water.

Hudson Swizzle

We decided to split an appetizer based on Yelp! reviews. The Salmon Tartare was made with Crispy Sushi Rice, Herb Crème Fraiche, Fresh Grated Horseradish and Lemon Zest and Sesame Garlic Topping. This was SO GOOD! The sauces really complemented the salmon - so tasty!

Salmon Tartare

Ingrid ordered the Pan Roasted Chicken. The dish featured organic chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, braised collard greens and pan drippings.

Pan Roasted Chicken

The chicken was very tender! I was a bit jealous of what she ordered when I saw it! She is a good friend though, so she let me try some. She also ordered a side of Garlic Herb Parmesan Fries. She said we could "share" it - I clearly ate more than my part, but we cannot let fries go to waste!

Garlic Herb Parmesan Fries

I read rave reviews about the House Cavatelli, made with Pork Ragu, Fresh Ricotta, Braised Kale, Lemon Breadcrumbs, and Pecorino Pepato.

House Cavatelli

The pasta and the pork were great however the lemon breadcrumbs were a bit excessive. It would have been ok if there was only a dusting of breadcrumbs and not a blizzard.

After I finished my first drink, I ordered the Candied Ginger Old Fashioned, made with Bourbon, Ramazzotti, Candied Ginger, Angostura and Orange Bitters.

Candied Ginger Old Fashioned

I loved this drink! For me, it was much more smooth than the first cocktail. I never really upload photos of me enjoying my cocktails, so here is one for your viewing pleasure! :)

Cheers from Personalitini!

Ingrid and I are both big fans of dessert (because we are humans), so we decided to split one. We went with the bread pudding, topped with a bourbon glaze.

Bread Pudding

This was delicious! Overall, a solid restaurant with a strong cocktail list, delicious entrees and great service. I would recommend getting the Salmon Tartare appetizer and the Bread Pudding for sure!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Strong Cocktails Only

Employees Only Serves Up The Good Stuff

Our final stop on our West Village cocktail crawl was Employees Only (http://www.employeesonlynyc.com/). This lounge has been on my list for a long time. Unlike the other places that we went into, Employees Only is primarily a drink spot. Wallflower and Whitehall are focused much more on food. Given its focus, smaller size and exclusivity, there were doormen outside. When we managed to get to the address, we saw that there were several other people waiting outside. The inside is small, so I understand they cannot let everyone in. My frozen face was hoping some people would be leaving and, luckily, we did not have to wait much longer than a minute or two.

When we got inside, the beauty of the bar struck me.

Swank City

We weren't able to snag any seats at the bar, so we had to awkwardly stand. I say awkwardly because the inside is small - this feeling is amplified by how many people were inside. There is a fire place, which adds certain character to the venue, but if you're too close, you feel like you may melt. For cocktails that are $15-$16, I very much prefer to be able to sit down. The last thing I want is for some girl taking a #selfie to knock into me and spill my drink.

I settled on ordering the Blondina, made with Wild Turkey Bourbon, Apple Liqueur, puréed Pears and Fresh Lemon Juice.

Blondina

I did enjoy this cocktail. The glassware made it a bit tricky to handle since we were standing. The thin stem was not very reassuring! The cocktail glasses are personalized for the bar. Night touch.

Aish ordered the Provencal, made with Lavender-infused Plymouth Gin stirred with Herbs de Provence-infused French Vermouth and Cointreau. She took a sip and commented: "I'm drunk." The drink was STRONG as all the ingredients were alcohol-based.

Provencal

While I did enjoy this spot, I would have much preferred to have someone to sit and place my drink down. Instead of returning here, I'd much rather check out The Experimental Cocktail Club again!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Cocktail Crawl Stop #2: Whitehall

Cocktails that Taste as Good as the Bartenders are Cute!

After we finished up at Wallflower, we headed to Whitehall (http://whitehall-nyc.com/). Given that it is also in the West Village and has a great reputation for cocktails, it was a natural second stop on our tour.

Inviting Entrance!

The outside of the bar is a preview for the warm and inviting atmosphere that is inside! We circled the bar for a while as we waited for a couple to close out their check. We couldn't help but focus on the bartenders - their uniforms and suspenders were a great touch to the overall vibe on the place.

Can you see those suspenders?

I decided to go with the Hedgerow Bramble, made with gin, muddled black and blueberries, thyme and lemon. I would have preferred if the fruit was more mixed throughout the cocktail - it was just lumped on the top, so I mixed it in. The thyme added an interesting layer to the cocktail - sometimes sips were a bit too herbal.

Hedgerow Bramble

Aish ordered The Mancunian, made with organic sage infused gin, lychee puree, St. Germain, lime and soda. She LOVED it.

The Mancunian

I want to come back her for a meal. The cocktails are certainly a positive indicator of quality all around!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Being a Wallflower is a Good Thing

West Village Cocktail Crawl, Spot #1

After our lovely dinner, Aish and I headed to our first spot on the cocktail crawl, Wallflower (http://www.wallflowernyc.com/). I read about this place when it opened and ALMOST went on a first date here. I say almost because we were going to go out and then we didn't. CRAZY STORY...I know!

Right when you step inside, you enter the tiny bar area. It is a SMALL space!

I read a lot about the different cocktails offered at Wallpaper. I was excited to try either the Betty Draper or the Bartender's Breakfast (it has Nutella in it!). Much to my surprise, but also to my delight, I found out that these cocktails were not currently offered. I was delighted because the bar has a seasonal cocktail menu that frequently rotates - how fun!

The Menu!

Given the current offerings, I went with the Belle Helene, made with Evan Williams Bourbon, Pear Williams Purkhart (a type of brandy distilled from pears), Vanilla Ice Cream, Salted Caramel and Whole Egg.

The bartender was talented and all about multitasking!

I was eagerly awaiting getting my cocktail and when it arrived it was BEAUTIFUL! It tasted like a light, bourbon-y caramel milkshake!

Belle Helene

Aish ordered the other drink I had my eyes on, Mother's Milk, made with Kaffir Lime & Oolong Tea Infused Avua Prata Cachaca, Thai Coconut Milk and Lime Juice. This drink had a definite citrus profile to it. I would describe it as ZESTY! 

Mother's Milk

The food has rave reviews though we didn't try any since we just had dinner! I'd love to come back here on a less busy night (we went on a Friday). Since the space is so small, you feel like people are sort of sitting in your lap. I'd prefer not to experience that again.

Cheers,

Liz

 

Experimental Cocktail Club

A Hidden Spot Worth Finding

I recently went on a first date with someone from OKCupid. According to the site's algorithm, we were already a strong match at 95%. We also texted back and forth. Overall, I had a positive vibe going into the date. Although I try to temper my expectations, it is exciting when you're meeting someone new and have a good gut feeling.

My initial impression was further confirmed when he suggested three awesome cocktail places to meet. I had just gone to one of the places (Analogue) and was intrigued by the quality of his other two choices. I hadn't even heard of The Skylark (a three level cocktail bar with impressive views of the city)! I decided to go with The Experimental Cocktail Club (http://www.experimentalcocktailclubny.com/). I heard many great things about this lounge and wanted to experience it first hand. Not only did he bring one good idea to the table, he brought three! I was delighted!

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I arrived about 30 minutes early. I met up with him at 7pm and we went into the bar. I was pleased as he was even cuter than his photos which were already very cute! (Side Note: Be forewarned if you come here that it is hard to find! There is no signage outside. There is a black awning and the windows have curtains covering them. Just watch the street numbers and you'll find it!)

Since we got there exactly when they opened, we cozied up at the bar so we could chat with the bartender. I knew the cocktail menu was impressive so I wanted to be able to ask questions and watch him make our drinks. I started with Dabam's Flip. It is made with Plantation Barbados 5 Rum, Sweetened Thai Ice Tea, Condensed Milk, Whole Egg, Angostura Bitter and Pernod Absinthe. I'm typically not a huge Absinthe person but the bartender assured me that it only complemented the cocktail and wasn't overbearing.

Dabam's Flip

I LOVED THIS! If you've ever had a Thai Ice Tea, it tasted exactly like that but better! The addition of the alcohol tempered the sweetness of the tea and condensed milk. Yum! My date ordered the Take (pronounced "Tah-Cay") Is Going Back to Japan. It is made with Shitake Mushroom Infused Great King Street Scotch, Cocoa Nibs Infused Maple Syrup, El Maestro Pedro Ximenez Sherry and Black Walnut Bitters.

I think this is the Take is Going Back to Japan....or it may be the Handsome Jack!

My date really liked his cocktail. I sampled it and it was good but not as much my cup of tea. Sometimes scotch is a bit too intense for me, especially if it is a smoky or peaty scotch. I don't have the taste appreciation for it! My date suggested that we order something to nibble on while we sip on our cocktails. He chose the cheese plate which turned out to be an awesome suggestion!

Cheese Plate was not Blurry in Real Life

The plate came with three cheeses - two were softer (cannot recall the names) and one was a harder, sharp cheddar. I don't recall how much the cheese plate was and of course there is no menu online (I doubt it was over $20). Anyway, my point is that the quantity was HUGE! It was served with an orange marmalade, honey, slices of bread and grapes. SO TASTY. I'm so glad he ordered it - smart move!

For my next cocktail, I ordered the Jean Claude Pandan - amazing name, right? It is made with Pandan Infused Plantation 3 Star Rum, Batavia Arrak, Ceylon Tea Mix, Citrus, Coconut Water and Clarified Banana Juice. The drink is CLEAR because it is clarified. It looks like water but tastes like a tropical explosion.

Jean Claude Pandan

I loved how it was served in a small bottle - it looked like I was prescribed this drink. I'm ok with that! My date ordered the Handsome Jack. It was made with Rittenhouse Rye, Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Byrrh Quinquina, Aperol, Chartreuse, Maple, Angosture and Peychaud's Bitters. He loved it! I sampled it and really like it too - I love Rye!

Handsome Jack

In the photo you may notice the other glass. Our bartender was very generous! We asked a lot of questions about the spirits on the back bar. He gave us several small samples of rare spirits; one was Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. Another was Ron de Jeremy. You guess it! A rum that is affiliated with the infamous porn star Ron Jeremy. The tagline (my favorite): Long Smooth Taste! I just have no words.

Long Smooth Taste. Insert Pun Here ______.

I had a cocktail before I arrived at the bar, so I took a lap while my date ordered another. He asked our bartender to make whatever he felt like for him. The resulting cocktail is below!

Bartender's Choice

My date really liked it! I think it was reminiscent of a Manhattan. I gave it a sip and approved! Next up, our bartender continued the trend of generosity when he offered both of us a complimentary round of his favorite cocktail: the Hay-Hay. It is made with Burnt Butter & Toasted Hay Infused Drouin Calvados, Sage, Lemon and Black Salt.

Oh, HAY-HAY!

After our first sip, we could both see why this was a favorite of our bartender! It was a wonderfully balanced drink. Also, don't you love the glassware? The drinks we ordered were served in an array of glasses. Like my grandma always told me, it makes a difference! A red solo cup is not the same as cut crystal!

For our final round, we both asked the bartender to make whatever he wanted - we had implicit trust in him! I asked for a sweeter cocktail and my date asked for something Scotch based.

As Delicious as it is Pretty

I loved my drink. I don't at all remember what was in it, so I cannot provide further info. My date loved his too. CHECK OUT THAT GINGER GARNISH!

A Liquid Work of Art

The trend continued - all the drinks were winners! Halfway through the night, someone started playing live music. The vibe was wonderful here. Ample seating, beautiful bathrooms and an incredible staff. I cannot wait to come back!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Playing Matchmaker at Rochelle's

A New Spot in the Lower East Side

I arrived for a date way too early (like 30 minutes early) and the bar we were going to meet at wasn't open yet (it was 6:30pm- didn't open till 7:00pm). I checked on Yelp! (my trusty digital friend) to direct me somewhere to spend 30 minutes. The first place that popped up was practically next door: Rochelle's (http://www.rochellesnyc.com/). It is a cocktail bar that opened up about 3 months ago. I started walking over. And by walking, I mean moving like a crab down the sidewalk while attempting to avoid all injury.

The inside of the bar is warm and inviting. There is a long bar with stools and there is also booth seating. I loved the back bar set up.

Do you see the barrel-aged drinks on the back bar? That is a quality signal right there.

The bartender was awesome. He introduced himself and I'm clearly a terrible person for forgetting his name. He was cute too! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten his face. I also cannot forget the face of the gentleman below. He was ghastly!

Sweet Mustache Bro

I asked the bartender to suggest a popular cocktail. He directed me to Daddy Issues. I love that the menu describes it as "Why not one more?" - don't we all have Daddy Issues? The cocktail is made with Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka, Casoni, Honey and Lemon.

Daddy Issues

This was a light and refreshing cocktail. The vodka has bison grass in it - how cool!

Rochelle's features a unique offering: The Miller High Life Split. For $9, you get the Champagne of Beers and a Shot of the Whisk(E)y of the Week. I noticed that a very attractive woman next to me had ordered it. Was I checking her out for myself? No. I was being an awesome sister. My older brother is single and also an online dater. We are very close and I feel like I know his type better than himself. She was his type. We easily struck up a conversation and I awkwardly asked if she was single. She said yes! I asked her if I could show her a photo of my brother. She said yes and was interested after seeing his picture! I got her number and set them up! I will keep you posted on how it goes. I felt like I really paid it forward on this one :)

As a final comment, Rochelle's has an awesome notice in the bathroom. It is a warning against having sex in the bathroom. My picture doesn't really capture what it says that well, but you can get an idea.  

Not Nuts Please

This is an awesome bar with a knowledgeable bartender staff. I look forward to coming back!

Cheers,

Liz