NYC Tastes

It's no secret Gramercy Tavern is one of my favorite restaurants in the city.  Now they've added a weekday happy hour, which just makes me even more in love with this beautiful spot. From 4:00 P.M.- 6:00 P.M. each day the Tavern offers special prices on wine, beer, cider and specialty cocktails like the bubbly Roger Fitz Spritz with Grapefruit Liqueur, Aperol and prosecco and the frothy pink New York Sour with Templeton Rye, egg white, lemon and red wine.  All the drinks are fantastic and there's also a small menu of bar snacks. What a great excuse to head to the Tavern a bit earlier during the week! Gramercy Tavern 42 East 20th Street New York, NY 10003

On my continuing quest to find the city's best happy hour I stumbled into Gupshup, the trendy bi-level Indian spot that just opened near Union Square.  I had heard the cocktails were wonderful, but I wasn't prepared for the pure delight of the Gold Spot Soda.   Made with Spring 44 gin, fennel, lemon and cream soda this was like drinking a frothy vanilla and tamarind smoothie.  I almost drank the entire cocktail in one sip it was so delicious. There are no food specials during happy hour but I ordered the Delhi Butter Chicken anyway served traditional style with a thick, creamy sauce  and a side of Multi-Grain Naan which were spectacular.    Cocktails are just $10 during happy hour but plan to come early if you want to relax.  The bar was at full capacity by 6:00 PM. Gupshup 115 East 18th Street at Irving New York, NY 10003

There are so many reasons to love Huertas; the tasty bites of  tapas , the crispy churros and their fantastic happy hour that includes cocktails, wine and the incredible Basque Dog. This sausage link stuffed with chorizo comes loaded with creamy aioli and piquillo mostarda.  It's spicy, sweet and easily one of the best things one can buy for $5.00 in NYC.  Paired with a bubbling glass of Cava and the window seat it's just about perfection. Huertas 107 1st Avenue at 6th St. New York, NY 10003

If I had to give my five favorite spots in NYC, the Russian Vodka Room would definitely make it onto that list.  This place has absolutely everything I love; strong, delicious cocktails, a dark kitschy decor, nightly piano players and some of the heartiest food in the city, like this big bowl of Russian dumplings. These little uneven pockets of pasta  (pelmini) come  stuffed with a choice of beef, lamb, cheese or potato alongside a big bowl of sour cream and a heavy sprinkle of dill. This is stick to your ribs comfort food, made even better alongside a house infused vodka.  The Russian Vodka Room also has one of the best happy hours in NYC with $5 infused shots and $8 martinis from 4:00-7:00 every day.  It's almost impossible to leave this place without a big happy smile.  Russian Vodka Room 265 West 52nd Street at 8th Avenue New York, NY 10019

Checking back in on my favorite new restaurant of last year Covina, which now has my favorite new happy hour! On the list wine, beer and cocktails that you actually  want at happy hour like Tito's Vodka Tonic, Fernet & Coke and my current favorite the classic Negroni. Plump, juicy Island Creek Oysters from Duxbury, Massachusetts served with a homemade spicy dressing and lemon. Heartier fare like their signature Wagyu Burger in four oz size and the cutest little lobster rolls in the city, served two to an order with a side of pickles for just $15. Covina 127 East 27th Street New York, NY 10016

The newest location of popular West Village Boucherie just opened on Park Avenue South unveiling an absolutely gorgeous interior. All the wonderful elements of the previous tenant Florian remain intact, like the long beautiful bar that wraps around the front, with lively open kitchen added in the back and gorgeous flowers dotting the main room giving the entire space a romantic feminine flair. I stopped in for their "Green Hour" where select wine, cocktails and Boucherie Burger available at the bar for just $12.00. Dry-aged Pat La Frieda Beef topped with caramelized onions, aged gruyere cheese and a side of thick, crispy french fries to make it a filling meal.  Green Hour runs Monday- Friday from 4:00-7:00 PM. Boucherie 225 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10003

Mr. T and I were in Florida last weekend, trading in our annual  Hunahpu  festival in Fort Lauderdale for Wakefest  in Miami.  Of course all of our beercations usually turn into foodcations and this one was no different; first stop Asian inspired Kyu Miami in the Wynwood District. The dining room happened to be closed when we arrived late afternoon (Kyu was celebrating their 2nd anniversary) so we grabbed a seat at the bar and dove into their happy hour menu of $5.00 "bites" like this amazing Roasted Cauliflower with goat cheese and shishito-herb vinaigrette... ....and this enormous Korean Fried Chicken breast served with butter braised chicory and a creamy chipotle sauce.  Both of these dishes were fantastic.  We mixed pungent goat cheese and herbaceous vinaigrette together which gave  a bright, rich flavor to the roasted cauliflower while the outer casing of the chicken was so crispy and well seasoned it could rival any NYC Korean fried...

I don't usually get too excited about Italian fare but Barano in South Williamsburg has been invading my dreams consistently since the last visit.  Helmed by Chef Albert Di Meglio of Rubirosa, this cozy little spot is churning out some seriously incredible food.  Let's start with the pizzas, all of which are made in their gorgeous wood burning pizza ovens. The crust is thin and crispy with charred edges that make a satisfying snap when cut using their special metal pizza scissors.  The list of toppings change frequently but I highly suggest the Kabocha Squash Pizza with gorgeous stracciatella cheese, spiced crema and speck drizzled with an aged balsamic vinaigrette. The second thing I love about Barano are their inventive pastas, specifically the Saffron Gigli. These toothsome orange noodles are dusted with a layer of pecorino cheese and black pepper then doused in a Calabrian Honey Sauce.  It's both spicy and sweet a...

Ahhhhh my neighborhood happy hour spot Barbounia.  I love absolutely everything about this gorgeous Mediterranean restaurant.  The long sleek marble bar, the festive music overheard and of course the cocktails I'm a little obsessed with the Basilka made with pressed basil, pear and St. Germain. I also love their small plates like spicy feta with jalapenos and lightly fried rings of calamari. Every food order comes with their incredible fresh baked rosemary bread that's perfect for sharing.  Happy Hour runs from 3:00-7:00 PM seven days a week with deals on wine, cocktails and champagne. Barbounia 250 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10003

My favorite happy hour in the city right now just happens to be inside my old favorite coffee shop Caffe Dante.  Mr. T and I used to come here years ago for their  frothy cappuccinos  and sweet Italian cookies.  The space has since been redone with much more emphasis on the food and drink menu and the addition of a long bar/table up front for extra seating.  Happy Hour here isn't called "happy hour" it's called The Negroni Sessions because every drink on their list is some take on the classic Negroni.  There's the spring time Lavender Negroni and the pick-me-up Coffee Swizzle Negroni made with mezcal, cold brew and bitters. There's the bright, citrus forward Negroni Frappe made with Junipero, Gran Lusso and orange juice... ...and of course even the Classic Negroni made with Bombay Sapphire, Campari and Maritni & Rossi Vermouth. Unfortunately word on the Negroni Sessions is out because this place is always packed! However ...

Monday is easily the most underrated day of the week.  It signals the start of work which can bring dread for many folks.  But it also signals the start of a new beginning!  A chance to put whatever happened last Monday in the past and start of a bright, positive new perspective. So it's really a day we should all celebrate and Bo's Kitchen & Bar is the perfect place to do just that with their fantastic Monday night happy hour. This New Orleans inspired bar in the Flatiron District serves up $5 Bo's Lager, $7 Wines and Specialty Cocktails like the savory Boss Lady Thyme with St. German and fig jam for just $10 all night long on Mondays. In addition to the fabulous drinks Bo's boasts juicy Double LaFrieda Burgers and fries for $7.50, creamy Thai Curry Mussels with coconut milk and fresh oysters for just a buck a piece.  With specials this good it's hard to be down on Monday's any more.  Time to celebrate instead. Bo's Restaurant 6 West 24th Street Ne...

This fabulous weather we're having can cause such happy accidents sometimes.  Take for example last week as I was enjoying a sunny East Village stroll and became engulfed in a traffic jam of tourists outside Bay Gay Ice Cream.  There were so many people I got flustered and turned to run away when the intoxicating smell of roasted mushrooms and garlic came wafting out the window next door.  I peeked inside and found the cute, unassuming Ruffian Wine Bar.   This cozy little space owned by Tabla alum Patrick Cournot was rocking out some old school hip hop music and a small but lovely happy hour menu of snacks and wines.  I decided upon a rich, dry white wine from Croatia and one of the happy hour plates. Sharp slices of Cabot Cheddar cheese with honey drenched almonds and creamy apple butter served alongside thick slices of whole grain bread.  They say it's the simple things in life that matter most and at that moment this simple spread of wine and c...

It's always nice to find some drink specials during happy hour but how about some killer Double Decker Broccoli Tacos for just $5 a piece as well- enter No. 7 Brooklyn. This lively spot stuffs a hard shell taco full of chopped broccoli and creamy feta cheese then tops it with crispy fried shallots and wraps it all in a soft tortilla shell layered with black bean hummus.  It may seem a bit strange and may not even sound that good to some people but I have yet to meet a person who doesn't love them. Add on a cocktails like the Trigger Happy made with aquavit, vodka and Thai basil or a classic Negroni for the perfect after work pit stop. No. 7 Restaurant 7 Greene Avenue  Brooklyn, NY 11238

A full day of shopping always deserves a drink at the end which is why SoHo has some great happy hours.  The always popular Lure  of course with it's fruity martini's and crisp calamari, the wonderful  Pera SoHo  with it's bright, fabulous bar and then there's Lucky Strike, one of the first restaurants from Keith McNally that is my absolute favorite.  This lively little brasserie has just the right amount of glitz and grit with a somewhat worn but comfy decor. From 4:00-7:00 every day Lucky Strike offers $5 glasses of wine, beer and margaritas along with a small food menu including delicious Moules Marinieres with white wine and garlic, Tomato Bruschetta with Avocado Cream and a big bowl of classic Bistro Fries for just $3.00. The tiny round tables may be a bit cramped but the soundtracks overhead are always awesome (Jimmy Hendrix and John Coltrane the last visit), the drinks are stiff and the prices can't be beat.   Lucky Strike 59 Gra...

There's no shortage of oyster happy hours in the city but for a truly great  experience I highly recommend heading to Zadie's, Chef Marco Canora's cozy little spot in the East Village. From 5:00-7:00 Monday thru Friday a selection of drinks are offered for half price including a choice of red, white, sparkling, fortified, cider or beer and a rotating daily oyster.  On my last visit I enjoyed a wonderful Melon de Bourgogne paired with some creamy Big Rock Petite oysters from Massachusetts. In addition to the incredible happy hour Zadie's boasts seven different oyster preparations including baked, steamed, pickled, fried and poached.   Each style comes with a variety of toppings and there are also larger plates like Crab Cake Sliders and Clam Chowder for those looking for more than just slurping bivalves. Save room for a little something sweet at the end; each meal closes out with an oyster shell filled with salt water taffy. Zadie's Oyster Bar 413 East 12th ...

I was recently invited to check out Romagna To Go located on the bustling corner of Bleeker and Macdougal Street.  I've probably walked back this spot a hundred times, always assuming it was just a grab and go slice joint.  Instead I found a full on Italian restaurant inside with just about everything except pizza. There were delicious crostini's topped with a creamy layer of mushroom... ...thick pillowy truffle fries served with garlic aioli... ...and a hearty combination of more earthy ingredients in the rich Mushroom Truffle Risotto. Everything was delicious but my absolute favorite of the night were these incredible little sausages that had just the right amount of spice and a snappy outer casing.  I would pair some of these with a nice bubbly Prosecco any day. Romagna offers a great happy hour with $7 red wine, white wine, prosecco and $5 Italian beers all perfect for sipping in their cozy hidden patio in the backyard. Romagna Ready 2 Go 182 B...

It's crazy to think almost all of my neighborhood happy hour places have closed over the past year- City Crab, Duke's, Tasca Chino....all boarded up and gone.  I've had to expand my search west for new options which landed me at Sagaponack; an adorable restaurant/bar styled after the breezy, beach life of Southhampton. During happy hour Sagaponack offers $4 draft beers, $5 wines and $9 cocktails; all of which are much better than the average happy hour choices.  The beers are from local breweries like Montauck and Braven Brewing, the wines are Wolffer Estate (the perfect summer rose) and the house cocktails are incredible!  I highly suggest the Smokey Farmer, a twist on an Old Fashioned made with Johnny Walker and wine barrel smoke, creating a big swirling cloud above the drink like some sort of neat magic trick.  Or for something incredibly refreshing the Rosemary Bramble made with Montauck Citrus Gin, Yuzu, Creme de 'Mure, blackberries and rosemary essence. ...

In the never ending search for the city's best happy hour we stopped into Union Square's Tarallucci E Vino Friday night.  It was about 5:30 and this lively little wine bar was already jam packed with people at all of tables and bar stools in front. It was about 90 degrees outside so I'm pretty sure the usual patio goers had passed up those outdoor seats in favor of some cold AC.  In a move to beat the heat Mr. T and I went for our usual summer order of pink drinks; a dry Negroni and a crisp fruity rose. We were heading to dinner in a few hours but looking at their bar menu I started having second thoughts.  Eggplant Caponata with tomato and capers, Cashews, Peanuts and Pecans dusted with chili and sea salt, Blue Point Oysters; finally we decided to cave in and split an order of the Bufala Milk Ricotta. Creamy Ricotta cheese spread thick atop grilled baguette then dressed with roasted grapes and sweet honey.  This was the perfect little snack to comple...

Situated in far West Village right outside the Path train is the brand new Warren; a cozy American bistro with a relaxing vibe and a fantastic happy hour 7 different drinks, 7 different apps for just $7 until 7:00 PM every day. It's great to visit when the sun is shining and a nice breeze flows in from the open windows. It's the perfect time for a crisp glass of Rose and a platter of briny oysters. Of course I can never pass up a good Steak Tartare especially when it comes with creamy horseradish sauce on the side. The happy hour menu has something for everyone- Grilled Octopus, Twice Fried Chicken, SHORT RIB POUTINE!  God I love poutine so much I don't know how I passed on that last visit.  This is just a perfect spot to kick back after a long day of work and chill out. The Warren 131 Christopher Street @Hudson Street New York, NY 10014