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Dine like an adult in the East Village

17 Oct

Say you have visitors in town and you’re walking around the EV. Time for dinner, but you’d rather not bring your aunt to a noodle shop swarming with college kids. Apiary is your answer. Conveniently located on Third Ave at 11th, Apiary serves upscale food in a sleek and modern atmosphere. Though his menu is somewhat limited, Chef Scott Bryan (from Veritas) has chosen dishes that show off a variety of seasonal ingredients. Even simple plates like the beet salad, shrimp and potato gnocchi or chicken (often boring), are created with care. There’s a $35 prix fixe menu Sunday, Tues, Weds and Thurs, but even better is Monday’s no corkage fee. (That’s tonight, btw.)  You can eat well without spending too much, and they take reservations—always a plus when out-of-towners are involved.

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A safe haven from all that is Turtle Bay

30 Sep

La Cava wine bar (Second Ave. at E. 50th)

Unless you’re 24 and douche-y, you probably hate Turtle Bay. But I’m happy to report there is finally one place of redemption (and it’s not the bar Redemption).

Open less than a year, La Cava is an inviting wine bar that provides a respite from everything else in that area. Cozy enough for solo sipping, it also offers high-top tables for small groups of friends/coworkers.  In front, floor-to-ceiling glass windows open to the sidewalk; a handful of tables spill over. The menu is your basic cheese, charcuterie and small plates, but it’s the happy hour ’til 7 that draws people in. Plus, the owner selects all the wines himself. This is a much-needed addition to Turtle Bay—and a solid after-work spot for the many offices around Third Ave in the low-50s.

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This Sunday: Dine Out Irene

23 Sep

On Sunday, September 25, many great NY restaurants will donate up to 10% of sales to aid local farmers affected by Hurricane Irene.

Some of my personal faves that are participating:

-Gramercy Tavern

-al di la

-Fatty Crab

-Corsino

-Tipsy Parson

-Hill Country

-Telepan

Learn more at dineoutirene.com

Eat, drink, be merry, help people.

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Sip a Baby Eveline

15 Sep

Finally made it to Ward III, a classic cocktail bar/lounge  in Tribeca. I dug this place—its cozy feel, stellar bartenders and a menu of rules including, “Don’t be creepy.” Low-lighting and exposed brick keeps you comfy; jars of bitters lined the bar like an apothecary shop. My Baby Eveline was made with Tito’s Vodka, champagne, lemon and muddled strawberries, while the namesake Ward III featured bourbon, nutmeg, lime, bitters and an egg white. Our, choose your own Bespoke Cocktail by picking the spirit, texture, spice, flavor and fruit of your choice. Because life is all about options.

P.S. Didn’t snack here but the menu of upscale bar food looked promising.

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Ardesia: Classy Wine Bar on West 52nd

24 Aug

Ever find yourself in the West 50s thinking, um, why does this area exist? Ardesia (52nd b/t Tenth and Eleventh) might make you feel better. It’s a spacious wine bar with good food (small plates like burrata, pretzels and surprisingly tasty seared flank steak) and plenty of interesting by-the-glass options. Even during happy hour when wine and beer is $2 off, this place rarely gets crowded—probably because it’s a schlep from the subway. But that means fewer annoying people to ruin the ambience. Or steal your seat on the outdoor patio.

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Muppets and Arepas in Queens

16 Aug

Perfect weekend excursion: Take the short trek to Astoria and get nostalgic at the Museum of the Moving Image, where the temporary exhibit Jim Henson’s Fantastic World features puppets, drawings and storyboards by the creative genius. Learn how Henson got his start in commercials and later found inspiration for The Muppet Show, Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock. The museum’s permanent collection of artifacts is also noteworthy: old movie projectors, famous costumes, special effects props, etc. Or time your visit to catch a screening—a Gus Van Sant retrospective starts in September.

On your way back to the subway, pop into Arepas Cafe for some Venezuelan corn goodness filled with anything you can imagine (um, like shark meat). Even during brunch you will not be disappointed by the plain arepa with scrambled eggs, plantains, slices of avocado and huge chunks of queso. Just remember to douse everything in the special green sauce! Wash it all down with Polar pilsner or sangria at happy hour.

Because not all of us can go to the Hamptons.

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Go to Red Rooster—for the bar

29 Jul

Sorry, but I thought the food was meh. The Red Rooster bar scene, though, is full of energy: bright, bustling and beautiful (the people, too). The bar itself is huge; there are plenty of seats should you want a bite with your cocktail (mine had vodka, agave and muddled grapes). No need for a big meal here, but if you must snack, stick with the cornbread (comes with interesting tomato jam) and crab cakes. Mac and cheese just OK but will get the job done. Overall, though, I’m happy this place came to Harlem—it’s a great addition to the neighborhood.

Go for the drinks, stay for the music and soak up the vibe (but not during a heat wave because a/c is weak).

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Wine in a Pouch (YouKnowCoolThings)

27 Jul

Turns out I’m not the only one who knows cool things. You do, too.  This little gem comes from my friend Jen.

The Clif Family (maker of Clif bars) also happens to own a winery. And they sell wine in little sacks. Not that little, actually: each one holds 1.5 liters (2 bottles). Perfect for hiking, camping or smuggling into a public park, Climber wine pouches are available in Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon for $17.  No heavy glass, no space-consuming, bad-for-the-environment plastic. And Jen’s source says the wine ain’t bad, either. Plus the resealable packaging supposedly keeps it fresh for a month. So if you get lost in the woods, at least you won’t be thirsty.

Order online.

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You won’t believe where I found the best Bloody Mary

18 Jul

Usually I stay faaaar away from Brother Jimmy’s but after being tipped off that their Bloody Marys were superb, I had to taste for myself. And I’m sorry, but it’s true. Yes, they are sizable, served in 16-oz. mason jars, and yes, they are strong. But the spicy, salty, savory taste is what sold me. At the Eighth and 31st location, the chef is so private about his secret mix that he stirs it up in the kitchen—even the bartenders aren’t allowed to know how he makes his magic. Perfect air-conditioned break on those aimless, meander-around-the-city summer afternoons.

Secret BBQ Oasis in Chelsea

13 Jul

Only during the summer and only on Tuesday nights, East of Eighth transforms its back garden into an all-you-can eat BBQ fest for $25. Chef Marty serves up dry-rubbed, long-smoked brisket, lamb, chicken, ribs and salmon. Apps and sides include guac, salsa, corn relish, cucumber salad, marinated beets, coleslaw, green beans, grits and plenty more (all made in-house). Plus neverending baskets of bread and blue tortilla chips. Wine list very reasonable—since rosé goes well with BBQ, we tried the Le Petit Saint-Jacques for $30. A peaceful escape from the city, the garden also has a fountain that trickles into a pond with turtles and goldfish; awnings and fans keep things cool. This is a fun and inexpensive night out—just come with an empty stomach.

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