Category Archives: Restaurants & Bars

The City that Never Sleeps, Always Eats, and Makes Tipsy Art

Ok, maybe the last part is a stretch.  But that kind of sums of my weekend.

On Saturday, I had a triple date with my two best friends to celebrate Danielle’s promotion, Nicole’s wedding plans, et cetera.  I claimed the “et cetera” and said that’s what we could celebrate for me … not sure what that translates into yet.

We went to Via Emilia, an Italian restaurant by the Flatiron that both of the girls are in love with.  I had never been, but I will definitely be returning.  The wine list is lengthy and the house red is delicious (as well as the sparkling red) and the bread is perfect – the sign of a good Italian eatery.

And the dinners were fantastic.  (Yes, I made each of them photograph their plates.  I’m officially the annoying food blogger friend that screams “Wait!” when people try to start eating.)

Via EmiliaOur meals from left to right, top to bottom were:

  • My Tortelloni di pollo - chicken and wild mushroom tortelloni with truffle olive oil. A-maz-ing.
  • Tom’s Lasagne - Modena Style, with beef and a Bechamel sauce.  Delicious.
  • Mike’s Tortelloni special – meat and cheese stuffed pasta.
  • Nicole’s Tagliolini al balsamico – olive oil, crushed garlic, balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano. So unique, and mouth-watering.
  • Danielle’s Tagliolini al balsamico – same thing as Nicole, except she couldn’t wait to eat it. :)
  • Chris’ Bistecca e patatine – grilled skirt steak, fries, pickled grilled red onions.
  •  Our shared desserts – Hazelnut gelato, chocolate gelato, and blackberry chianti sorbet. Plus, light and fluffy tiramisu.

Since we were celebrating Danielle’s promotion it somehow turned into accidentally convincing the restaurant it was her birthday, so we ended up having a candle in our gelato and everyone singing to her … guess we can’t go here for her real birthday in June!

And of course, every one of us finished every bit of our food and wine.

Via EmiliaIf you look in the middle of that picture and see a gigantic mug, that is our parmesan bowl.  I have a soft spot for Italian restaurants that not only give you the parmesan to put on yourself, but also give you a gigantic bowl of it.  It’s like they know me and my love for cheese….

We sat around catching up and ordering another round of wine instead of going to the bar.  They never once rushed us out and the owner even brought us teaspoons of sweet aged balsamic.  It was so Italian and so delicious.  And although it wasn’t a cheap meal, it definitely was not too bad for how much we ate, how amazing it tasted, and being in the heart of Manhattan.  We’re keeping this place on the list.

So for the second half of my weekend… I went to a BYOB painting studio in Hoboken called Art e Vino.  Thanks, Groupon, for opening me up to these experiences that I didn’t know existed in my own town.

Art e Vino BYOB Painting | Hoboken, NJ

I blame my lack of artistic talent on the wine.

I realized painting is not my forte but it was so much fun.  The class was a little deceiving since we all (foolishly) thought we would end up with masterpieces like the example painting. The amount of detail in ours was that of a 6th grade art class, but it was still a work of art.  And it was definitely worth the experience, right in our hometown Hoboken.

Art e Vino BYOB Painting

I think I’ll stick to writing…

And after we had a big family dinner (with friends, siblings, and significant others) at my apartment.  What did I make?  My current favorite food.  Recipe to come tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Review: Circolo

Last weekend, Tom and I went into the city to meet with a travel agent and explore our options for our Italy trip in September.  Our Labor Day getaway is my new project (yes, I love to plan) and I’m balancing a half DIY, half guided tour for me (who has been to Italy twice – yes, I’m spoiled) and Tom who has never been (don’t feel bad for him, he went to Switzerland, Germany, and Netherlands). Yeah, after graduation we both spent our life savings on traveling.  Three years later, with full-time jobs and funds regenerating, and it’s time to travel again!

Anyway, afterwards we of course took advantage of NYC dining and tried out a new restaurant that I saw on UrbanDaddy.  Circolo is an authentic Italian farm-to-table restaurant in NoHo.  Since we were planning our Italy trip at STA in nearby East Village, it only seemed fitting.

Circolo: East Village Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Circolo: East Village Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Circolo: East Village Farm-to-Table Restaurant

We were a bit early for NYC standards so we had the place to ourselves (although the bar was getting quite crowded). The atmosphere was amazing – it really had that “farm-to-table” look – cute, quaint, and natural while still being modern.

Circolo: East Village Farm-to-Table Restaurant

We had the mozzarella appetizer (I’m predictable) which I knew would be great (because it’s cheese).  Even the bread and olive oil tasted imported – the best I’ve had since Italy.

Circolo: Fresh Mozzarella

Circolo: Fresh Mozzarella

Tom had the pasta stuffed with spinach in a ragu sauce.  I had the butternut squash ravioli.  Both were homemade, shaped in more of a tortellini pasta.  Also, both were delicious.

Circolo's Stuffed Pasta with Spinach and Ragu

Circolo’s Stuffed Pasta with Spinach and Ragu

Stuffed Butternut Squash Ravioli

Stuffed Butternut Squash Ravioli

My one complaint was the price, but we expected a $100 bill for a place like this (appetizer + 2 meals + 2 glasses of wine). Homemade, East Village, farm-to-table… I’m not sure it was worth going back often with that price tag, but it was definitely worth trying.

After, since we were already in the freezing cold city, we wanted to make the most of crossing the river on a weekend.  So, what else was there to do but bar crawl our way back to the PATH station?

We ended up at nearby Sweet & Vicious.  Confession: I thought this was a dessert place similar to Sweet Revenge which we previously visited.  It was not. Sweet & Vicious is just a bar, but a pretty fun one at that. Apparently in the summer it has a great outdoor area.  But even in the winter, we weren’t disappointed.  I’ll keep it on the list.

Sweet & Vicious

Sweet & Vicious

Next we headed towards Wilfie & Nell in the West Village, closer to the PATH.  On the way, we had to stop in the puppy store.  It wasn’t the first time I’ve been to this specific puppy store on the way to Wilfie & Nell.  Kiley and I stopped in a few months back … it’s a real issue with Manhattan nightlife.  The problem: NYC picks out the cutest puppies in the most popular breeds and brings them into the city when they are probably too young and adorable to even be sold.  The puppies stare at you through their plastic windows and beg you to take them home.  After even just two drinks, you want all of them.  Sobriety struggles to win this internal battle, reminding you that you live in a 600 square foot apartment and have more expenses than you do income.

Drunk puppy buying is a serious epidemic in Manhattan.  Do NOT fall victim.  Luckily, I walked away. Some other bar hoppers are not as lucky.  This girl was buying a pocket-sized Chihuahua that was smaller than my hand.  It was the smallest dog I have ever seen in my life, and the girl admitted it will only grow to be 3 pounds – FULL GROWN.  Majority of girls are only one drink away from shoplifting this little rat dog like it’s a lipstick from WalMart.

The smallest dog... ever. That I've seen.

Yes, Chihuauah shown to scale.

Just sayin.

But I digress.  I made it home, sans puppy.  The next day, we visited my FAVORITE Italian place which is Grandma Travis’ kitchen. In addition to a true home style Italian meal, complete with pasta and “gravy” and some great stories from Grandma, we even explored some old photos.  Guess who this handsome little guy is?

Lilttle Jimmy Jr.

If you guessed Lilttle Jimmy Jr., you’re dead on. :)

A Heavenly Nook in Hell’s Kitchen

This past weekend, Tom pulled himself away from his work so that we could have a New York City date night.  For Christmas, he gave me tickets for The Lion King – the one Broadway play I have wanted to see for years.  The day finally came and despite the bitter freezing cold, having a touristy night in midtown was amazing.

Times Square, New York, NY

Times Square, New York, NY

Finding a BYOB in Manhattan is like finding someone who still lives in a rent controlled apartment.  I’ve heard of Nook before, but it wasn’t until I was talking to a co-worker that I learned it was one of those rare BYOB gems! Of course, it was literally two blocks from Kiley’s old apartment so I have no idea how I’ve gone so long without experiencing this delicious hole in the wall.  Where New York is known for their extravagant, fancy, thematic restaurants, those who eat here every weekend know the little, private, word-of-mouth spots are the real treats in the city.

The reviews warned me that it is literally a nook with absolutely no elbow room.  We actually walked right by it when I knew the exact address.  There were about 7 tables in total, and the owner (who was also the waiter/host/bus boy) had to turn people away.  Luckily, I made reservations (plus, we were early for Manhattan time since we had an 8:00 show).

The owner/waiter was friendly to us, but we could tell he was getting annoyed with needy customers.  Fortunately, we were happy and pleasant that night.  This place may be tight, but the guy has everything down to a system.  There are no substitutions on his menu, he has one special per day, and it seems like a place that is just a no bullshit, delicious restaurant.

We started with the Mushroom Cigars which had rave reviews online.  They certainly did not disappoint, especially since they contain some of my favorite ingredients – portabello mushrooms, goat cheese, and truffle oil – all fried into one delicious puff pastry.

Mushroom Cigars at Nook, Hell's Kitchen

Mushroom Cigars at Nook, Hell’s Kitchen

For dinner, Tom and I split two meals (that’s our thing since we both like to eat EVERYTHING).  We had the Steak Frites – steak in a balsamic reduction sauce with rosemary fries and field greens.

Steak Frites at Nook

Steak Frites with Rosemary Fries

We also tried the Tuscan Chicken which was stuffed with ricotta and spinach and served in a parmesan sauce with chive mashed potatoes.  WOW.  It was all amazing – every bite.  I don’t know what I liked better, but I didn’t want it to end.  It was a combination of perfect ingredients clearly prepared by a skilled chef, cooked perfectly, and paired with the perfect sides.  This was the best meal I’ve had in a while.

Tuscan Chicken, stuffed with ricotta and spinach

Tuscan Chicken, stuffed with ricotta and spinach

I hardly ever order dessert but I had done too much reading online and learned the peanut butter pie was also to die for.  So, we split a piece and it was as great as the reviews promised.  It was not too sweet (which is usually my issue with desserts) and you could tell it was a homemade specialty.  Yum!

Peanut Butter Pie, famous at Nook

Peanut Butter Pie, famous at Nook

Then we waddled to Minskoff Theater, grabbed a drink across the street on the eighth floor of the Marriott Marquis to kill some time (and not wait in the cold) and then headed to our show.

Can you feel the love tonight?

Can you feel the love tonight?

Now about The Lion King…If you haven’t been, this is the show to see.  It’s by far my favorite show, if not due to the sincere uniqueness of it, the amazing costume design, the fabulous acting, then maybe it’s the nostalgia that really got me. From the first scene, I was mesmerized by every element of this show and I would see it again in a heart beat.

So, if you are looking for a NYC date night or have been considering seeing a show, I highly recommend our itinerary.  Nook for a reasonably priced dinner that will not disappoint followed by the best show on Broadway – what a solid Saturday.

Tom’s Quincentennial

Yup, he turned the big 25 this weekend!  Better him than me, I say.  I’m not quite ready to be a quarter-century old so thankfully I let everyone else turn a year older first to give me enough time to face my birthday in June.

So, being the amazing girlfriend that I am, I wanted to make this past weekend extra fun and kept Tom in the dark about it all. I told him not to make plans on Friday or Saturday and so his birthday weekend was a mystery to him.  I’m an expert at planning.  Except, I’m horrible at keeping secrets so this was probably more difficult for me.

So Friday, I made him meet me in the arbitrary “South East corner of Union Square near the 4-5-6 subway station.” And then a few blocks later, surprise! We ended up at 99 Miles to Philly – the most Philadelphian place in Manhattan.  We had some “authentic” cheesesteaks and Tom admitted they were delicious, so this place must be legit.  I was 1 for 1!

Then we stopped at Burp Castle – a bar in the East Village which I guess can be considered a speakeasy… literally. You’re supposed to whisper and the bartender actually shushes everyone for talking too loud.  This was on Tom’s NYC to-do list, so I was 2 for 2!

Then, we wandered to Hi Fi – a bar in East Village that came highly recommended by both Yelp and friends.  And, surprise again! Tom’s friends all met us there.  3 for 3!

Saturday, Tom’s real birthday, was the real surprise. We headed into the city and we went to dinner at my new favorite restaurant – Beecher’s.  This was on my to-do list and  I have to admit, it was the second time I went there in three days.  Kiley and I had dinner at Beecher’s on Thursday before the release of Twilight.  So, I had to share this place with Tom (and get me some more of that Flagship cheese).

Yes, I have an obsession with cheese. But this place had the whole package: cheese, grilled cheese, and the “World’s Best Mac n Cheese.”  Kiley and I had went to The Cellar – the bar/restaurant in the basement.  But, that didn’t open until 5 p.m. on Saturday so Tom and I were forced to order in the cheese store and eat in the mezzanine, which was still pretty good.  I’m cheating by showing you pictures of my Thursday dinner, taken in the cellar, but we ordered the same thing. :)

Tomato Soup and Green Salad at Beecher's

Tomato Soup and Green Salad at Beecher’s

The "World's Best" Mac n Cheese at Beecher's

The “World’s Best” Mac n Cheese at Beecher’s

Then we headed downtown and got off at the last stop in Manhattan – Bowling Green, right in front of my office.  Even when we were entering Whitehall Terminal, Tom didn’t believe that we were getting on the Staten Island Ferry.  I had never been on the ferry or been to Staten Island, but it really is a free Manhattan Boat Cruise.  Sailing away, you get such a unique view of Manhattan – both the Hudson and the East River in sight, only divided by the southern tip of the city.

Goodbye New York City. Goodbye New Jersey.

Goodbye New York City. Goodbye New Jersey.

Tom and Lady Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry

Tom and Lady Liberty, the Staten Island Ferry

Finally, after stalling at a bar or two, we ended up at St. George Theater in Staten Island.  No signs or posters even revealed why we were there.  FINALLY, Tom saw someone flash a ticket which advertised in large letters “LOUIS C.K.” The latest and greatest comedian, our new favorite, did a benefit show for victims of Hurricane Sandy.  He did not disappoint – all new jokes in preparation for his new special, I don’t think we stopped laughing for an hour and a half straight.  And to top it off, Chris Rock surprised us as the opener!

St. George Theater. Staten Island.

St. George Theater. Staten Island.

So, I leave you with a snippet from the theater.  Of course the video is horrible, so just listen for the sound and the jokes.

Enjoy. :)

Sweet Revenge

The Friday before the storm hit, Tom and I decided to take advantage of one of the few days we didn’t have plans and have a date night downtown.  We met in TriBeCa at a restaurant we found on Restaurant.com called Trattoria Cinque.  Their philosophy is the five best of everything in Italian cuisine, so the menu has five pastas, five dinners, five appetizers, etc.  Tom and I both ordered the specials. I had Malfacti – a large gnocchi-type pasta with spinach and a cream sauce.  It was a heavy meal, but delicious. (The picture doesn’t do it justice although I did do a double-take when I first saw it.) Tom had the Papardelle of the day, with oxtail ragu.  It was very different, but very good – kind of tasted like a sauce made from beef stew.

Malfacti at Trattoria Cinque

Malfacti at Trattoria Cinque

Overall, the meal was a little pricey even after the Restaurant.com gift certificate, but it is TriBeCa and the atmosphere was great.

Afterwards, we had to walk to SoHo to refill our Nespresso pods (I know, very high class errands to run) so we stopped at a dessert place on the way home that I wanted to try for so long.

Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge is a wine and cupcake bar that was featured on Food Network.  The menu matches your cupcake to the perfect wine pairing.

Wine & Cupcake Pairings at Sweet Revenge

Wine & Cupcake Pairings at Sweet Revenge

I had the “Sweet Revenge” cupcake with chocolate and peanut butter, paired with a Malbec.  Tom had the special, Pumpkin Spice, paired with a Malbec as well. (He didn’t opt for the suggested pairing since it was a white wine.  You know what they I say, you don’t drink white until you’re out of red.)

Cupcakes and Wine

Cupcakes and Wine – what more do you need on a Friday in NYC?

It was also the perfect location to get inspiration for my entry in the Cupcake Vineyards “Share Deliciously” contest.  I snapped this for Instagram.

The "Sweet Revenge" Cupcake paired with Malbec

The “Sweet Revenge” Cupcake paired with Malbec

I loved the atmosphere – very yuppy and open to the street, with adorable rustic décor.  The place was crowded, but they did a great job shuffling people in and out so you had just enough time to sit and enjoy your dessert.  And of course the food was great.  It was towards the end of the night so I’m sure we didn’t get the freshest cupcakes, but it was still a great way to end a foodie-filled Friday.

Sweet Revenge | Soho

Sweet Revenge | Soho

What a Weekend!

This past weekend was busy busy busy.  On Friday, I had a very New York City-ish night out in the Lower East Side.  After work, I met Tom at a bar that my sister had suggested, called No Fun.  Despite its name, it was a very laid back (and pretty reasonably priced) bar that was very Village-esque.

The many grilled cheeses at Little Muenster

The many grilled cheeses at Little Muenster

However, FINDING the bar was absolutely no fun.  Thanks to Apple Maps which is a horrible replacement for Google in a city where I rely on public transportation, I guessed my way through the subways and ended up in a part of town that I’m not familiar with.  My phone died by the time I got out of the subway station so I had to do the old fashion “stop in a convenience store and ask for directions.”  The guy behind the counter ended up using HIS smartphone to find the bar for me (which was 2 blocks away).  Damn I hate when the streets aren’t numbered and I can’t see the Empire State Building.

After the bar, we met my sister and went a few doors down to Little Muenster.  It’s a gourmet grilled cheese shop which is truly the ultimate comfort food.

Little Muenster #4 - Asiago and Butternut Squash Grilled Cheese

Little Muenster #4 – Asiago and Butternut Squash Grilled Cheese

I had  the #4, Asiago, parmesan, butternut squash, and sage brown butter with muenster – of course paired with a small tomato soup.  Even with full knowledge of the calories I was wolfing down, I wanted another one when I finished.  AMAZING stop if you’re ever in the area!  This is one of those places you bookmark for your city to-do list.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese - yum!

Gourmet Grilled Cheese – yum!

Then, we headed over to the EastVille Comedy Club, a small basement club with some pretty decent comedians some of which are features on Comedy Central, HBO, and late night shows.  (If you’re subscribed to the email list, you get tickets for free!)  Most of the comedians were great (sorry, women comedians just are not funny) and it was a perfect Friday for when you just don’t feel like going bar hopping.

On the walk home, we ended the night very Manhattanish, actually running into a film crew in Washington Park.  We assumed it was an NYU production but one of the guys that was re-routing us said it’s for a new show on ABC next fall. Hm, I’ll look out for that one!

Saturday was just a day of rest – uh ok, and shopping – for me because on Sunday I finally completed my first half marathon!   It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically, but the Sandy Hook Half Marathon was definitely a great one for beginners.  I’m still completely beat from it but it’s one more thing to check off my life list.  And, I’m even more prepared for Tough Mudder – 3 weeks!

Half Marathon - check!

Half Marathon – check!

 

Isabella’s on the Upper West Side

I recently posted a review of one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the city.  I only recently found out that one of my favorite NYC brunch spots is a part of the same restaurant group.  Isabella’s is an upscale Zagat-rated Mediterranean restaurant on the Upper West Side.  Adjacent to Central Park, it’s a sophisticated restaurant which apparently has many celebrity visitors (though I’ve yet to see any!).

Isabella's

Outdoor dining at Isabellas. (Photo courtesy of their website)

When my sister lived in the city, it was a go-to spot when the whole family came to town on Sunday mornings.  Now, even though it’s a bit farther for us, the food and atmosphere make it worth the trip uptown.  The sidewalk seating, right across the street from the park, gives it that gorgeous upper-west-side feel but without the ridiculously priced menu.

Although it’s technically Mediterranean, the menu isn’t restricted to just seafood.  Whether you’re in the mood for an omelette, sandwich, or chicken, you’ll find a gourmet version of whatever you’re looking for.

We usually get the fresh fruit plate to start. The egg white omelette is my favorite – with wild mushroom, tomatoes, and Muenster.  Of course you’ll have to pair it with a bellini or mimosa (I had both…).  My family loves the bloody marys (although they’re not for me).

Isabella’s also serves their complimentary bread with their signature strawberry butter.  In my most recent visit, I was able to snag the recipe and wanted to share it here!

Isabella’s Strawberry Butter

Isabella's Strawberry Butter

Isabella’s Strawberry Butter (Photo courtesy of their website)

  • 1 lb softened unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 6 oz. fresh strawberries
  • pinch of salt
  1. Combine strawberries, sugar and salt in a bowl.
  2. Toss with a spoon and let stand for 10 minutes.
  3. Put softened butter in a food processor & whip until smooth.
  4. Add strawberry mixture to food processor and continue to whip until smooth.

Spoon strawberry butter into a small ramekin and serve immediately with Irish Soda Bread, or a bread of your choosing.

Check out Isabella’s and try their specialties for yourself – located at 359 Columbus Avenue.

Rave Review for Dos Caminos Meatpacking

Last May, after two and a half long years of attending the New School part time, I finally got my MA in Media Studies.  For my graduation, Tom’s parents gave me a gift certificate to one of my favorite restaurants in the city – Dos Caminos.  Last night, we finally used it, deciding that we needed a Friday off to just eat, drink, and recuperate from last week’s celebrations.  So after work we headed over to the Dos Caminos Meatpacking. There are a few Dos Caminos locations in the city, but I love the atmosphere of the one in Meatpacking – sitting on a cobblestone street, it’s right above 675 Bar (also in the BR Guest group) and next to the Gansevoort (I’ve heard rumors of even the Karsashians paying a visit).

Dos Caminos Meatpacking Location

Dos Caminos Meatpacking Location (Photo courtesy of their website)

It’s a bit upscale, and we sat on the second floor in the round leather booth.  Our waitress was so friendly which – let’s face it – is rare in Manhattan.  When she saw my “Congratulations” gift certificate, she got so excited, asking “Oh my gosh! Who graduated?” and her kindness was actually genuine.

Of course we started with the house guacamole – yum – and I had the Prickly Pear Frozen Margarita – double yum.  Tom tried the Mexican Star: espolon silver tequila, strawberry, lime, and sparkling wine.  It was so delicious – and strong – it ended up being my second drink of the night.

For the main course, I had the Dos Enchiladas – two chicken enchiladas, half in mole sauce and the other in verde.  I can never decide which I like more, so this is the perfect meal for me.  Tom had the Mar Y Tierra tacos (AKA “surf and turf”) which were made with rock shrimp and marinated skirt steak.  I would have never picked it myself but these tacos were REALLY good.  The food is traditional Mexican with just a touch of “different” to give it unique taste that is 100% worth going back for.

Dos Caminos - Compliments of the House

Celebratory drink – Compliments of the House

After dinner, the waitress brought our check with two complimentary congratulatory drinks – two flavors of margaritas, served in a champagne glass and topped with a strawberry.  They also brought a mini dessert in a shot glass made with pineapple and coconut water.  Both were AMAZING and were compliments of the restaurant – a gesture that most established restaurants don’t go the extra mile to offer.  I can’t remember the last time I was this pleased with a restaurant.

Check out the menu for this and other locations on their website.  Plus, stay tuned for my review of one of their sister restaurants – Isabella’s.  I only recently found out they were part of the same restaurant group but the high quality food and atmosphere make it clear this is one chain to follow.

Labor Day in Ocean City, MD

Labor Day is the last beach weekend of the year. Considering I was lacking in beach weekends this summer, I was glad we had last minute plans to meet some college friends in Ocean City, MD for the holiday weekend.

First, Tom and I started the weekend by driving to central Jersey for the wedding of a former colleague. She of course looked amazing and it was obvious how excited she was to be married which made everyone there so happy for them. Congrats Kelly!!

After lots of catching up and many glasses of wine, we Tom drove all the way to Ocean City so we didn’t arrive until 2:30 am. Fortunately everyone was just coming home from the bar so it was an interesting arrival. It was the gateway into a weekend of flashing back to college days and the partying that I’m sadly realizing has now aged me. It’s hard to keep up with our old habits but the nostalgia was a good reminder of how worth it those four years were. And I guess we’re not too old to have fun – we just head home a bit earlier. :)

The Bay at Seacrets

The Bay at Seacrets

As part of the festivities we went to the infamous Seacrets – the outdoor beach bar that is literally in the water. I’ve always wanted to go and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The first time we went (yeah there were several visits in two days) we threw our shoes on the beach and hung out in the water. (Warning: my friend’s shoes got stolen so it’s best to carry them with you.)

Dirty Banana drink

Dirty Banana – best drink at Seacrets!

There are tables, rafts, and a dock all in the bay so you can drink in the water. Waitresses wade out to take your drink order and the music and frozen drinks gave it the atmosphere of Cancun. I had many Dirty Banana drinks which were delicious and tasted like spring break. At dark they kick you out of the water so we weaved through the palm trees and twinkle lights to the different bars and of course drank more Dirty Bananas.

 

We had a great fried food dinner around the corner at Dumpser’s and went back for more Dirty Bananas. And did it again the next night…

So this week I will be running like there is no tomorrow and trying to eliminate the food baby that I developed from the weekend of living like I was 21. Half marathon in 3 weeks…. Ugh.

Have a Drink on the Roof!

On this gloomy afternoon I thought I’d share some picks for the best rooftop bars in NYC.  I can’t say I’ve visited them all but they come highly recommended online and from friends.

  • Gallow Green at the McKittrick Hotel [542 W 27th St, between 10th and 11th] – UrbanDaddy highlights this rooftop bar above the venue for Sleep No More (Gossip Girl anyone?) and calls it a “floral-and-cobblestone dreamscape.”  UD also hints at an upcoming “perk” for grabbing a cocktail at this dreamy spot.
  • STK Rooftop [12 Little West 12th Street] The meatpacking location of STK (right across from the Standard Biergarten and hotel) has a great view via the cozy couches.  Be careful how you’re dressed, however – we once attempted to go in shorts and were not-so-politely denied entry.
  • Rare View Rooftop Chelsea [152 West 26th Street] This rooftop discovery is courtesy of NYC PR girls – one of the happening NYC blogs.  Check out this rare view of the Empire State building from atop this drinkery.
  • Birreria - Eataly [200 5th Ave.] This rooftop is above the new(ish) Italian marketplace.  Located in the Flatiron District, this rooftop bar has a retractable roof and is open year-round.
  • 230 Fifth [230 Fifth Ave.] You can’t forget the address on this one and the atmosphere is just as memorable.  Great for a drink after work or even a classy, low-key gathering.
  • Hudson Terrace [621 W 46th St] This rooftop is on my to-do list.  A chic space for day or night, the rooftop garden is worth a drink or two.

Have any others you would add to the list?