NYC Tastes

Ahhhh...Bar Pisellino, my brand new "happy place" in NYC.    This gorgeous spot from owners Rita Sodi and Jody Williams is absolutely bursting with old school Italian charm.  The long marble bar inside is perfect for sipping mid-day espressos, while the tiny tables out front beg for cocktails and people watching. The Pisellino drink list is split into two categories; Apertivi made with Prosecco and Italian cocktails focusing on gin and vermouth.  Negroni's are my current obsession, but since the temperature has risen I've moved on to the classic Sgroppino. Sgroppino's originated in Venice years ago and are a simple blend of Prosecco, vodka and  lemon sorbet.  These are sometimes served as a dessert but I find them refreshing enough to have at any time.  Lemon, bubbles and a cold creamy body, this i summer in a glass!   In addition to drinks, Bar Pisellino has a small menu of arancini, bomboloni and paninos to snack on, b...

It's officially rosé & rooftop season and the hottest new spot for both happens to be right across the street at The Broken Shaker NYC. This happening bar on top of the new Freehand Hotel boasts splashy pink drinks and lots of outdoor seating for just about any sized group. The west side of the restaurant has a row of two tops over looking Lexington Avenue. While the north side has room for larger groups with bright wicker chairs and kitschy wooden tables bringing a festive, tropical feeling to the space. The menu has a list of classic cocktails from the original bar in Miami along with a few new drinks made just for NYC, like the Everything Bagel Gin Fizz and the Curry in a Hurry, an homage to the fast casual Indian restaurant just up the street. The tropical, jungle like decor continues inside with a colorful DJ booth up front... ...and wooden walls matched with shiny tiled stools that evoke images of a very strange cruise ship. I dove into the Bad Attitu...

There's no shortage of incredible cocktail bars in NYC.  In fact, the city is so flooded with them it's easy to forget about one of the best that started the mixology movement years ago, the fabulous Pegu Club.   We stopped into this second floor SOHO spot right before dinner Friday night.  The long elegant bar and wrought iron laced windows overlooking Houston were just as gorgeous as I remembered and the cocktails just as perfect. Mr. ordered the Pegu Club made with London Dry Gin, bitters and orange curacao; a classic drink from the 1900's that packed a tropical snappy punch.   I ordered the Earl Grey MarTEAni per a friends suggestion and it did not disappoint.  Made with Earl Grey Tea infused gin, lemon juice and egg white, this cocktail was the perfect balance of sour and savory. I loved it so much I bought a bottle of Earl Grey Gin for home in hopes of recreating this fantastic drink.  Alas I am no match for the incredible Pegu Cl...

I can't remember the last time Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby fell on the exact same day.  Not to mention it being a fabulous sunny Saturday on its own.  This called for some serious day drinking, away from all of the crowds over in Alphabet City. First stop The Wayland, one of my favorite Avenue C spots for a Rosé Sour garnished with fresh leaves of basil. Then onto the new hot spot Loverboy for a boozy brunch carafe of vodka, St. Germain and peach puree paired with a slice of the signature Loverboy pizza. Cut square with a crunchy buttery bottom (reminiscent of Pizza Hut) and a blend of melted house cheese, crisp pepperoni and ramp ranch dressing drizzled on top; this was one messy, decadent and delicious slice. Then up the block to Mace Bar for a round of herbaceous drinks including this fantastic Fennel Pollen cocktail which tasted just like a warm McDonald's Apple Pie (in a very good way).   The Wayland 700 East 9th Street ...

Yesterday we checked out The Studio at the Freehand, today we'll go across the hall to the cozy little cocktail bar the George Washington. Situated inside the hotel's old library this beautiful room is decked out with dark mahogany walls, antique furniture and an all star line up of cocktails like the frothy For Sarah, a blend of gin, rosé, cardamom, pomegranate, creme, egg white and soda. And the bright, fizzy Opulent Cartel made with basil, fennel seed and preserved lemon. In addition to drinks there's a small menu of bar snacks including deviled eggs, Ostrea Caviar and a buttery pretzel twist served with  creamy goat cheese and  a sweet drizzle of honey. The George Washington bar opens daily at 5:30 PM.  The small bar usually gets packed by 7:00 PM so head early to guarantee a spot. George Washington Bar at the Freehand 23 Lexington Avenue 2nd Floor New York, NY 10010

2016 saw the closing of two of my favorite cocktail bars of all time; the incredible Russian vodka room Pravda and the formidable Campbell Apartments in Grand Central Terminal.  Unfortunately as 2017 comes to an end another great spot will be closing its doors, the fantastic Temple Bar. My first visit to this fabulous spot was way back in 2003 when Yankees (now manger) Aaron Boone hit a walk off home run against the Boston Red Sox to win the American League Championship Series.  It was easily the best night of my young NYC life.   We had been watching the game at nearby Tom and Jerry's for about six hours prior and decided to move our celebration over to Temple Bar.  I'm not sure if the bar was actually closing down for the night or if the bouncer noticed our glassy eyes, hoarse voices and general rowdy drunkenness, but we weren't allowed inside.  No this place required a bit more reserved behavior, a bit more class; neither of which we had at that mome...

I've never noticed this sleek little cocktail bar on Avenue C and 9th Street.  Maybe I'm always distracted by the festive folks outside Esperanto or too busy gazing at the plants in the park across the street, but this is certainly not a place to overlook.  In fact it just might be the best cocktail bar in the city. Barman Nico de Soto has created a cocktail list that focuses on the flavor profile of the drink rather than the spirit. The menu reads like a beautiful journey into someones spice cabinet with colorful pictures and detailed descriptions of each offering. I'm obsessed with anything banana and coconut based so the Kewra was an easy choice.  However as soon as the words were out of my mouth I had immediate order regret.  It was such a hot day the last thing I wanted was a rich milky tiki drink. Imagine my surprise when this arrived.  I almost thought the bartender had given me straight bourbon; but once I took a whiff the sweet ar...

This year's Memorial Day Weekend was a bit different than in the past.  Instead of hitting up the usual BBQ's and bottle shares we stayed right in the city for the entire weekend.  Mr. T was still recovering from a brutal cold so we decided to take a break from friends and just enjoy the empty city at a slow relaxing pace with a trip downtown to the Financial District.  Mr. T had never seen the new World Trade Center  Oculus or Brookfield Place so we explored that two spots, then over to the 911 Memorial and the downtown Eataly, through Stone Street until it was finally time for a drink at the new Beekman Hotel bar Fowler & Wells.  Cocktails seemed in order after our long trek- a Pink Lady for me and the Jungle Bird for Mr. T. This spot was opened by Chef Tom Colicchio and it's absolutely gorgeous.  The main room feels like an elaborate old library with large wooden bookcases lining the walls, big plush blue chairs and couches surrounding...

It's official- Bar Goto is my favorite cocktail bar in New York City.  I've been coming here for the past two years and each visit I'm still amazed with their incredible Miso Wings tossed with toasted black sesame seeds and scallions.   These are executed to perfection with a crispy exterior and the perfect balance of sweetness and heat.   Of course most people enjoy a fantastic chicken wing but when was the last time celery ever had some wow factor?? Fresh stalks are drizzled with sesame oil then dusted with red shiso, white sesame seeds and salted komba creating a crunchy, nutty side dish that will make you see this tepid vegetable in a totally new light.   The cocktail program has always been excellent at Bar Goto but the two newest menu additions may be my favorite yet.  The tart and sour Jasmine-Apricot 75 made with champagne and gin...  ...and the insanely delicious Matcha Sesame Punch that's both creamy and cool; an absolute must for match...

Once again it's supposed to be a cold and rainy weekend ahead.  My plan is to catch as much of the warm sun today before it vanishes with some happy hour drinks at the Clover Club. Weekdays from 4-7 this sleek Brooklyn cocktail bar offers half price drinks on many of their specialty cocktails like spicy Moscow Mules and tropical Coconut Daiquiri's.   You can relax in the vintage leather banquettes in back or grab a seat by the open doors up front for prime people watching and sunshine.   The Clover Club 210 Smith Street at Baltic Street Brooklyn, NY 11201

On night two of Star Chef's the conference space turned into a fabulous cocktail party with bartenders from all over shaking up wonderful new drinks.  This year the ever popular Negroni was the theme with cocktail guru's like Jim Meehan pouring an East India Negroni made with Island Rum right beside his PDT predecessor Jeff Bell. Each bartender had a different spin on the drink.  Nacho Jimenez of the Daily created the delicious Solera Negroni made entirely without gin. James Beck from the Patterson House in Nashville, TN created a frothy pink Dee-Dely-Dee made with coconut and cocoa nib infused Ford Gin, vanilla infused Cocchi Americano, Campari, whole egg and dusted with fresh cinnamon. It was great to see some NYC newcomers on scene like Katie Stipe from one of Brooklyn's best new bars Grand Army creating an incredible espresso bean infused Campari cocktail. But it was Williamsburg's Extra Fancy that stole my heart with ...

The birthday weekend continued on Saturday with a trip to Captain Lawrence for their sour beer festival.  I hadn't been to the new brewery since it moved and the space was amazing. So much room!  And what a well run festival; no lines, good food and tons of great breweries all pouring delicious sour beers. We stayed there all afternoon then hopped back on MetroNorth to the Nomad Bar for a casual dinner.  We got a table on the 2nd floor overlooking the dining room below which was fantastic for people watching. We began with the Bay Scallops marinated with yuzu and pistachio...two of my all time favorite flavors together in one delicious bite. Then it was onto their incredible Dry Aged Beef Burger with cheddar cheese, onion and a special house sauce.  This thing is one huge sloppy mess of a meal that I wouldn't pass up any day. And of course what's a birthday burger without a side of...