Boozy NYC: December 2008 Archives

City Winery Opens

By Head Bartender on December 31, 2008 10:45 AM | No Comments

We popped into the "soft opening" of City Winery last night not knowing what to expect. Eater and Grub Street had written it up, there were a bunch of good wine deals and there is a big PR machine behind it. What we found, was a bit of a surprise - a cavernous space (at most a third full around 8:30pm) and a big stage with a piano. There are cool looking barrels and bottles-as-decor, too. Granted it was the day before New Year's Eve and the location, two blocks north of the Holland Tunnel, is challenging, but we expected a much bigger turnout of oenophiles.

The first thing that strikes you about City Winery is the sheer size of the place. All blond wood, we can only imagine the acoustics when it is full. The main floor is the restaurant/bar/performance space with a small private room downstairs. Designed for maximum sightlines in relation to the stage, this unfortunately means that when there is no performance, your eyes are drawn to the emptiness of the stage. And with a room that large, you have to wonder how they will fill it when there are no performances.

The opening night was low key and all about the wines. And the deals were impressive: $5 Henriot champagne, $20 for a 1970 Francesco Rinaldi Barolo, $15 Lopez de Heredia 1987 Rioja, $10 Olga Riffaut's 1989 Chinon - all well worth the price, even though there was significant bottle variation. The glass pours were generous and tastes were provided as well. This was easily the best place to taste old vintages in New York last night - how often does one get a chance to taste 20 and 30 year old wines by the glass? And at these prices?!

Continue reading City Winery Opens.

Tailor - A Review

By Head Bartender on December 31, 2008 12:30 AM | 2 Comments

We've been to Tailor at least half a dozen times since it opened and it remains an enigma to us. The subterranean bar, with adventurous drinks by mixologist Eben Freeman, remains a draw yet the place seems to still suffer a case of disjointedness. On the one hand, it has curry popcorn, as addictive as it gets for bar snacks, and a few seriously good drinks. On the other, it has sky high expectations, lots of hype and high prices to boot. Does it stand up to the the expectations? The answer is mainly yes, though it's not entirely successful from a barfly's point of view.

Continue reading Tailor - A Review.

The Manhattan Project - Old Town Bar

By Head Bartender on December 30, 2008 11:30 AM | No Comments

Waiting on a friend the other night, we slipped into the venerable Old Town Bar (45 E. 18th Street) and ordered up a Manhattan.

The bartender asked if we preferred rye or bourbon and we went with rye, but left the brand choice up to him. The resulting drink was well balanced but bracing, to say the least. Kind of a working man's stiff drink, perfect for the blue collar crowd. The booze? McCormick's, the house rye. The price? $7.

Astor Wines & Spirits - Astor Tuesdays

By Head Bartender on December 30, 2008 10:07 AM | No Comments

Every Tuesday, Astor Wines & Spirits discounts a region or type of booze 15%. Today: Austria. One of our (many) favorite wine-producing countries, it is well-known for its white wines, especially Gruner Veltliner and Riesling. And for those looking for them, there are plenty of heidi schrock.jpg

delicious wines from great producers such as Nikolaihof, Nigl, Schloss Gobelsburg and Brundlmayer to be picked up for less today.

But if you are looking for something different, try a fragrant dry muscat such as Ecker's Gelber Muskateller ($20.39 with the discount), which makes a great aperitif, or Weissburger (pinot blanc) from one of our favorite Austrian winemakers Heidi Schrock ($21.24 today). Discounted prices start at $10.19, today only.

Drinking Notes

By Head Bartender on December 29, 2008 1:40 PM | No Comments

Today's Drinking Notes includes a few tips for dealing with hangovers and industry heavyweights weighing in on their last drink, if they were to give up alcohol. To shame that thought.

StarChefs has a brief rundown on some hangover soothers. The resulting article is somewhat short on interesting tips, however, and a bit Seattle-centric. But we liked Tilth and Vessel, so we'll let it slide.
Much more fun is Metromix's what if you only had one "last drink" article. Our favorite response is of course the reference to PDT's highly potent Staggerac (a sazerac made with George T. Stagg Bourbon) though demerits must be issued since it was suggested by a PDT bartender. We'll be by later to pick them up...
Is it us or was that NY Times article on the move of P & G restaurant/bar a total snooze? Half way through, it turns its focus to Sirio Maccioni, subject of a documentary tonight on HBO. Guess P & G wasn't much of a story. Either that or an editor took a hacksaw to the piece.

The Manhattan Project

By Head Bartender on December 29, 2008 8:15 AM | 2 Comments

When asked our favorite libation, many potential answers present themselves depending on our mood. But when it comes to cocktails one drink stands above the rest - the Manhattan. This classic cocktail is the epitome of grown-up drinking: no juice, no shaking, no (plastic) monkeys. Just whiskey (usually rye or bourbon), vermouth and a few dashes of bitters, well stirred and served up. When well made, it's pure pleasure. When not, it's a boozy mess.

Debuting in the Manhattan Club in the 1870s, the Manhattan is about a hundred years older than we are. In the intervening years, it has inspired many variations and knock-offs. In honor of the original's outsized influence, we decided to embark on a project to find the best Manhattans in Manhattan - and beyond. We will search far and wide, high end and low end, to identify the best and warn you about the worst. We'll let bartenders guide us when it comes to the booze and see where they take us. And we will also tell you about some of the city's best new creations inspired by the drink.

But we can't drink the city by ourselves, hard as we try, so we'd like to hear from you about where to find the best Manhattan, who makes it or how you like to order it. Drop us an email or leave a comment.

Our first stop was a natural, a New York institution with a great bar: Gramercy Tavern.

Continue reading The Manhattan Project.

Crimes Against Wine

By Head Bartender on December 23, 2008 12:48 PM | No Comments

We'd heard a lot of good things about Perbacco (234 E. 4th Street), so we popped in recently for dinner and ordered a bottle of red wine without a second thought. Then we noticed something odd - the wine was warm in the glass. It seemed the glasses themselves were warm so we had them replaced. New glasses arrived after several minutes and we were each poured wine - but the wine was still warm. Then we felt the bottle. Warm. Normally we'd ask for another bottle but in this particular situation it was not an option and the wine was quite drinkable, especially after it cooled off a bit. The culprit? Wine stored on shelves in the open - with votives in front of them keeping them nice and toasty. Message to restaurant owners - store your wine properly! If you do it for "atmosphere," use those bottles as decor only - don't serve them to customers!

As for the surprise two stars the restaurant received from the New York Times? Talk about a headscratcher of a review. Only the prices seemed to be at a two-star level. The cooking, mainly deconstructed Italian dishes, was okay but flavors and deliciousness were lost in the deconstruction process and the service was just average. We poured our own wine all night. There are plenty of better 1 star places.

If you know of other crimes against wine, or any other booze, drop us a line or leave a comment.

Tuesday Sale at Astor

By Head Bartender on December 23, 2008 11:37 AM | No Comments

Somehow Astor Wines has instituted a series of deals every Tuesday without us realizing it. Today, they are offering all of their Rhone Valley wines for 15% off. Yup, all 82 of them. Sounds like a boozy holiday awaits.

Astor Wines, 399 Lafayette Street

The Perfect Gift

By Head Bartender on December 22, 2008 5:15 PM | No Comments

If you want to give the perfect gift to a rocker pal or club kid, how about a three-story music venue? That's right, the Knitting Factory space is up for sale.

The original spot was a landmark but there are plenty of online gripes about how the new location at 74 Leonard Street was a drag on the joint's legacy.

The venue is still running shows so it's unclear how long the owners plan to hang on at that location but they are entertaining offers. If you got the dough - over $500K a year just for rent - you can pick up a rare Tribeca triplex with 3 liquor licenses and a cabaret license. Give Steven Kamali a buzz -if you're interested.

Happy Hour - En Japanese Brasserie

By Head Bartender on December 22, 2008 3:40 PM | No Comments

If you're into sake, we have a non happy hour for you at En Japanese Brasserie. In its place is an "early evening sake tasting" in the shochu bar. You can try 3 sakes (from a selection f 6) for $18 and get some yasai chips to munch on. The sakes are all junmai or ginjo, but each have their merits - including a draft sake, a sake made with heirloom rice and one rarely seen outside its region of origin.

En Japanese Brasserie
435 Hudson Street, 212-647-9196
Early Evening Sake Tasting 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Lovee Short Time

By Head Bartender on December 22, 2008 10:02 AM | No Comments

NY Barfly has the dismaying news that political correctness has struck again. That's right, Macao Trading Co's cheekily-named Lovee Long Time has been re-christened as the theoretically less offensive Bashful Maiden. Really? Is this what we are reduced to in this day and age? How is naming a drink for a waiting-to-be-rescued princess an improvement?

Look for a review on this site of Macao coming soon.

Holiday Punches

By Head Bartender on December 20, 2008 7:00 PM | No Comments

New York Magazine has a good collection of holiday punch recipes perfect for, er.. punching up those holiday soirees. Our fave on paper looks to be Eben Freeman's Sevilla 75 - a take on the French 75 made with brandy, lemon juice, simple syrup and topped with cava.

Weekend Tasting Events

By Head Bartender on December 19, 2008 5:45 PM | No Comments

More holiday tastings are upon us. Here are three intriguing options:

Tribeca wine shop New York Wine Co. (21 Warren Street) is celebrating their 2nd anniversary in style on Saturday from 12pm to 6pm by pouring up to 15 wines and also plying you with treats. This snazzy store is a touch pricey but you'll get 15% off your purchase tomorrow.
A bit further uptown, Astor Wines & Spirits (399 Lafayette Street) is all about options this Saturday, pouring two grower champagnes, a Chivas 18, Glenlivet 15, an Amarone and a Barolo. Tastings from 3pm to 5pm.
On Sunday, Appellation Wine & Spirits (156 10th Avenue) is celebrating the Winter Solstice with a food pairing event. While we don't tend to celebrate this particular celestial occurrence, having healthy nibbles from Mary Cleaver will help make the official arrival of winter palatable. Try wines paired with bruschetta, spiced almonds, curried pumpkin dip and more.

Happy Hour - Prespa

By Head Bartender on December 19, 2008 3:55 PM | No Comments

Highly regarded Chef Richard Farnabe's (Picholine, Jean Georges) foray into Curry Hill is a Mediterranean tapas restaurant called Prespa. The restaurant has a weekday happy hour featuring 50% off wine by the glass and cocktails as well as free hors d'oeuvres at the bar.

Prespa
184 Lexington Ave (bet 31 & 32nd), 212-810-4335
Happy Hour 4:30pm - 6:30pm and 10pm - 11pm (Monday - Friday)

BYOB Licensing

By Head Bartender on December 19, 2008 12:21 PM | No Comments

A reader asked us whether it was legal to charge corkage when you are BYOB and a quick call to the SLA (State Liquor Authority) clears up a few common misconceptions.

Restaurants cannot be BYOB unless they have a license to sell alcohol. There is no separate BYOB permit. That means they have to go through the process, get the liquor license and have at least a temporary license on hand. If they choose to let you bring in booze and not sell their own, that is their call.

So to answer the reader's question - licensed establishments can charge corkage. That is completely legal and outside the SLA's jurisdiction.

Gift Time

By Head Bartender on December 18, 2008 6:05 PM | No Comments

Stuck for gift ideas? Here are some fun boozy suggestions:

beer robot lo.jpg

Metromix has some great ideas in one of their patented slideshows. Our favorite, the $800 Japanese beer pouring robots! I was wondering what to do with that six pack of Asahi and now I know.
Know a budding mixologist or just someone who likes their booze? How about getting him or her a membership to Tales of the Cocktail? The Cocktail Krewe Membership is $55 and gets merchandise, discounts, newsletters and the like. Plus a copy of Famous New Orleans Drinks & how to mix 'em. Visit their website to purchase.
Maybe your intended recipient loves beer and cheese? How about Murray's Cheese "Bestwith Beer" gift pack? You get 2 1/2 lbs of cheese plus crackers for $65. Details online.

Beer robots, cocktails and cheese. If you don't feel like giving them, you can alwasy just stock up for those cold months to come.

Buena Cocktails

By Head Bartender on December 18, 2008 4:31 PM | No Comments

Somewhat under the radar but worthy of a visit is the snug bar at Yerba Buena (23 Avenue A), overseen by the talented Artemio Vasquez, who learned a trick or two from his former employer, the doyenne of New York cocktails herself, Audrey Saunders of Pegu Club. The house cocktails we sampled ($12) were very good: the Jamaica 107 (left, hibiscus tea infused bernheim wheat whiskey + organic egg white + fresh lemon juice) was a hit with grown men, despite its pretty hibiscus color, and the Boludo "Yerba Mate" (yerba mate infused pisco + grapefruit & lime cordials + fresh lemon juice) was deliciously refreshing. We hear those mojitos go down real smooth too.

And if you stop in by December 30, you can partake in their ongoing celebration of the repeal of prohibition. Classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Corpse Reviver #2 and Vieux Carre are $10.

Perhaps best of all, plunk down $11 for a brunch cocktail and they will keep sending them until you beg them to stop. Yup, unlimited mimosas, bellinis, French 75 or the Peruvian Kiss, which has trouble written all over it.

Yerba Buena
23 Avenue A (bet Houston & 2nd Street)
212-529-2919

Happy Hour - Stand

By Head Bartender on December 18, 2008 4:00 PM | No Comments

Is it possible you could resist a burger happy hour? We didn't think so. Burger joint Stand has a
pair of happy hours as evidenced by their signage (right).

Between 3pm - 5pm, buy one burger and get a second burger free. Then from 5pm - 7pm, get a free beer with any burger. Even better, their exceptional list of draft beers is region-centric and only $5 per glass/ $20 per pitcher. We're partial to the only Long Island beer - Blue Point Toasted Lager.

Stand
24 East 12th Street
Buy 1 get 1 free burgers 3 - 5pm, Free beer with burger
5 - 7pm (Both daily)

You Win Some, You Lose Some

By Head Bartender on December 18, 2008 10:35 AM | No Comments

Next year, booze may well cost more. Gov. Paterson is proposing hikes in taxes on a whole assortment of goods, including beer and wine. Booze taxes are levied per gallon, and wine is currently taxed at the rate of 19 cents per gallon in New York. The proposal will raise that to about 51 cents, still below the national median tax rate.

But there is some potential good news - the governor also wants to allow supermarkets to sell wine.

Continue reading You Win Some, You Lose Some.

Bubbly on a Budget

By Head Bartender on December 17, 2008 4:00 PM | No Comments

The champagne bubble seems to have burst this year, but thankfully there are plenty of good, affordable sparkling wines you can serve at parties, bring along or give as gifts with no shame. For bubbly on the budget (or a splurge), we usually head to Astor Wines & Spirits, which has the most extensive selection of sparklers by country and region - and the best prices. For $20 or less, here are a few recently tasted wines

Prosecco is often the go-to sparkler for people since it's affordable and highly drinkable. Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Col Vetoraz is a very good option: clean, crisp and smooth with depth and complexity and refreshing citrus notes. While available at Vestry Wines and Italian Wine Merchants, Astor has the best price at $15.99.

Made by a French champagne family in New Mexico, Gruet offers excellent quality for the price. Rich and creamy with a toasty finish, the Brut is nicely balanced. The Gruet Blanc de Noirs is even richer and both are $12.99 at Astor. A great value and a hands-down favorite under $15.

Should you chance bubbly under $10? Delacroix Brut Blanc de Blancs is a French sparkler that's fairly simple but a great find for its price - $7.99 at Astor. A blend of chardonnay, chenin blanc and ugni blanc (used in cognac making), it is fresh, easy drinking and has good fizz - perfect for big parties.

The elegant Parigot & Richard Crémant De Bourgogne Brut Blanc de Blancs is the closest to champagne in this group. Dry and polished, this delicious wine will easily stand up to higher priced champagnes. It's made with chardonnay and aligoté - and excellent with smoked salmon and crème fraiche. $19.99 at Astor.

Happy Hour - Wall Street Edition

By Head Bartender on December 17, 2008 3:32 PM | No Comments

With the DOW headed down today, we give you a way to improve your short term options - happy hour at Trinity Place. This cool joint in a former bank vault offers all drinks for $3 from 3:30 - 5pm whenever the market closes "in the red".

Regardless of your fortunes (or lack thereof), they also have a regular happy hour from 4pm - 6pm with $4 draft beers every day. Weds is Cosmo night ($6) and Thursday is just plain nuts with $6 Stoli-O bombs and Jaeger bombs plus $7 Champagne Charlies. Friday is Jaegar bombs and $7 Sangria all day. Weekends gets you all the regular happy hour offerings.

Trinity Place
115 Broadway, enter on Cedar Street, 212-964-0939
Happy Hour daily 4pm - 6pm, (additional specials when the market closes down from 3:30 - 5pm)

Calling All Bartenders

By Head Bartender on December 17, 2008 12:16 PM | No Comments

Hey bartenders, looking for your 15 minutes of fame? A casting agent is looking for you for an upcoming TV pilot presentation:

CASTING BARTENDERS, male and female, 25-40, all types, ethnic diversity, fun personalities, good stories, etc for a pilot presentation. Not for broadcast. To be filmed early January. please send pictures and information to CITYcasting@gmail.com

If it's anything like Top Chef for Bartenders, we'll be watching.

The BYO Report

By Head Bartender on December 17, 2008 9:55 AM | 2 Comments

Liquor license woes are legendary in New York these days. All too often restaurants have to open without one. It gets reported in the media at opening time but then we are left to wonder - did they ever get that license? Heck, do they even want one?

Here's an update on the status at some local favorites. Each restaurant has its charms and fans will attest to the food, but saving a few bucks on booze is an additional plus, especially these days.

Motorino, East Williamsburg pizza hotspot (319 Graham Ave), is still without a liquor license. They welcome you to bring in beer or wine. Another Brooklyn pizza mecca, Lucali (575 Henry Street, Carroll Gardens), has also remained sans liquor license so pack your own. (Photo - Motorino pie)
Petite self-professed "neo-Korean" East Villager Persimmon (277 E. 10th Street) is still going strong in the wake of summer critical praise and the Times review. Their website cryptically says they are "BYOB again," so go ahead.
Kuma Inn (113 Ludlow Street, 2nd Floor) continues to wow them on the LES. They are BYO for the time being but they do have corkage fees, depending on your booze of choice: $5 for 750ml wine, $1 per 12oz beer, $3 for 300ml of sake, $4 for 720ml of sake and $10 for 1.5L. No hard liquor allowed.

Speakeasy Update

By Head Bartender on December 16, 2008 5:43 PM | No Comments

We heard from the forces behind the yet un-named space at 643 Broadway about their reservations policy:

"Reservations for party requests can be made at drinksat6.com. The minimum party size will be decided on per event."

So here you go. Bottoms up!

Update 1/21 - According to Urban Daddy, the name is confirmed as Woodson and Ford. Of course, we already knew that regardless of their protestations...

Happy Hour - Hill Country

By Head Bartender on December 16, 2008 4:23 PM | No Comments

Tonight is Tuesday and that means a nighttime deal at the bar at Hill Country - all you can drink from 9pm to Midnight for $30 (any beer or cocktails on their list under $9).

Hill Country
30 W. 26th Street
Tuesday Night All You Can Drink Happy Hour 9pm - 12am

Uncanny - Sake in a Can

By Head Bartender on December 16, 2008 10:32 AM | No Comments

In Japan sake is as everyday as soda pop, with cans of sake available from vending machines everywhere, including in railway stations for those long rides home. While you can't get it from a machine, you can still emulate those crafty Japanese with some great fresh-tasting sake out of a can right here in NYC.

One of our favorites is Funaguchi Kikusui, a draft sake straight from the tank, unpasteurized with no additives. The can is perfect for preserving this fresh, easy drinking sake. Be careful though - these dynamite 200ml cans pack a punch since the sake is 19.8% alcohol. You can pick them up at Sakaya (324 E. 9th Street) for $6.99. Drink cold.

Another sake available by the can, albeit in a larger 720ml version, is the can sake.jpg

delicious Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu. Let's break down the name -Narutotai is the name, ginjo is the type, nama means unpasteurized, and genshu means that no water was added at the end of the brewing process. This makes for a fresh, potent sake (18%+ alcohol) that is both rich and smooth. Astor Wines & Spirits (399 Lafayette Street) is selling the can right now for $32.99.

How to Make Beer

By Head Bartender on December 15, 2008 5:46 PM | No Comments

A fan of beer? Of course you are. This week on Discovery Channel's "HowStuffWorks," it's all about beer. Go behind the scenes with brew masters and follow the process from grain to bottle.

Discovery Channel, December 18, 8pm

Happy Hour - Terroir

By Head Bartender on December 15, 2008 4:00 PM | No Comments

If ever there was an excuse to leave work early on a Monday (or Tuesday or Wednesday, etc), the Happy Hour at Terroir is a good one. This quaint wine bar from the Hearth folks puts the happy in the hour from 5pm to 6pm with a free glass of Manzanilla sherry (regularly $8).

If that's not your speed, try one of two whites and three reds regularly $9 for only $6. Any will be the perfect way to wash down your Duck Ham, Hen of the Woods Mushroom & Taleggio Panino.

Terroir
413 E. 12th Street (website)
Happy Hour 5pm - 6pm (Daily)

The Newest Secret Speakeasy

By Head Bartender on December 15, 2008 12:59 PM | 13 Comments

What is the best new bar you can't get into? How about a new speakeasy (name TBD) that opened in a Village basement. And no, you likely can't get in right now.

Places slipping in under the radar are a rarity in NYC. An unmarked basement location certainly helps. Limited operating hours, mostly on weekends, do too. Right now it is only an event space.

But if you do make it in - with the secret password (available via text) given to the doorman - an underground world suddenly unfolds. The space is warm and welcoming, with nooks and crannies on either side of a long old school bar. Above is the requisite stuffed animal - a wolf's head peering down at the revelry. The decor (and staff) will be familiar to anyone who's been to Apotheke, Tailor or Clover Club - lots of wood, plush sofas, old-fashioned light fixtures. And there is an impressive amount a space, a welcome change from great but tiny places like PDT or Milk and Honey that but fill up quickly.

The cellar has a fascinating history. It was once Pfaff's Beer Cellar, circa the early 1800s, and hosted Mark Twain and Walt Whitman, among others. Later incarnations included a photo studio where Abe Lincoln's portrait was taken, a 1900s brothel, the infamous Infinity Disco where 21 people died in a fire in the 1970s, and the gay club Mr. Black Dance Den.

So what about the drinks? They are well-priced ($12 for cocktails) and well-balanced. We very much liked the eponymous Woodson and Ford (applejack, zacapa 23, benedictine, sweet vermouth, Fee brothers' whiskey barrel bitters). The Woodrow Wilson, however, would best be categorized as "interesting" since the flavors and booze - rittenhouse rye, amaro averna, champagne, demerara and orange zest - did not quite mesh. The floating ice cubes eventually melted and mellowed out the drink.

The bar also has a nice vittles menu. The mostly Spanish-skewing plates range from $7 to $17 (kumamotos are $3 a pop) and come from the Corner Shop Cafe upstairs. Patatas Bravas deep fried in duck fat and served with homemade ketchup, were scrumptious ($7) while Fabada, fava beans and spiced pork, was good but overpriced at $11. The cheese selection (a hefty $6 each) is commendable, with Mrs. Quickie's cheddar, Tuxford & Tebbutt Stilton and Uplands Pleasant Ridge.

After the jump, a look at the full cocktail menu plus other boozy details. We'll keep you posted on door policies and hours - we hear they might be opening on Mondays and Tuesdays as early as this week.

Woodson and Ford
643 Broadway, Downstairs

Continue reading The Newest Secret Speakeasy.

Company Holiday Party Survival Guide

By Head Bartender on December 15, 2008 9:54 AM | No Comments

The boozy season is upon us so here is our guide to surviving it - assuming your company still has the dough for a holiday party. The Head Bartender knows there's an equal chance you'll be naughty or nice, so here are some ways to make sure you keep your job and don't wind up making out with the boss at the end of the night:

Keep in mind, holiday parties are extensions of work. Merry is good but don't make an ass of yourself.
If you don't want to be seen on YouTube in it, don't wear it.
Bring a partner or significant other to keep you in line. (This works as long as they don't imbibe as much or more than you.)
Eat before drinking. Hit the carbs or the carving station - they'll give you good padding for a night of open bar.
Go 1 for 1 water to booze to mitigate the effects. The last thing you want to do is call off the next day and be the endless butt of jokes.
Leave one-half hour before the party is over. This way, you won't wind up drunk and uninhibited when the lights go out.

The goal of attending an office party is to have a good time and survive with your dignity intact, not to get bombed. You'll thank us in the morning.

Commenting Live

By Head Bartender on December 15, 2008 12:46 AM | No Comments

Comments are now live. We value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. Please register and comment away. Sorry if you had issues registering prior to today.

L.I. Wine Tasting at Union Square Wines

By Head Bartender on December 13, 2008 9:30 AM | No Comments

Two of Long Island's best wineries will be showcased at Union Square Wines today. Stop by to taste wines from Paumanok and Channing Daughters. For a list of the wines, visit USQ's website.

Union Square Wines
140 4th Avenue
Saturday December 13, 2pm - 5pm

Booze Bucks Give Edge to Democrats

By Head Bartender on December 12, 2008 5:35 PM | No Comments

Now that the dust has settled from the '08 elections, we can look at the effect the booze industry had on the race. And shocker of all shockers... it favored Democrats with donations this year. It's actually the first time since 1994 that the booze industry gave more to Democrats than Republicans - 52% - 48%, not too far off the popular vote of 53% - 46% for Pres Elect Obama.

In all, the industry and individuals associated with it donated $12.997 million. Way to grease the rails of democracy! Out of 80 industries measured, the booze industry was #37 in terms of money donated. The numbers going back to the 1990 campaign are broken down at OpenSecrets.org.

Happy Hour - Izakaya Ten

By Head Bartender on December 12, 2008 4:08 PM | No Comments

Today's installment of happy hour takes us straight to late night. Cozy Chelsea resto Izakaya Ten recently announced later hours - till 3am Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Naturally longer hours means happy hours! How about $3 Kirin draft, $5 lychee martinis, half off bottles of Iichiko Shochu and $20 off certain sake bottles? Count us in for some late night carousing.

Izakaya Ten
Late Night Happy Hour 11pm - 3am (Thursday - Saturday), kitchen open until 2:30am

Weekend Tasting Events

By Head Bartender on December 12, 2008 2:59 PM | No Comments

With the holidays looming, there are some enticing tasting events going on around town. Here are the three most intriguing - two this weekend and one next Saturday:

East Village sake shop Sakaya will be celebrating their first anniversary this weekend with tastings tonight and tomorrow. Tonight they will taste 3 sakes including a Tamano Hikari Junmai Daiginjo from 6pm - 8pm. Tomorrow's tastings are TBD and will be held from 3pm - 6pm. Sakaya is at 324 East 9th Street (website).
Chambers Street Wines gets into the holiday spirti with a blowout "Holiday Champagne Tasting" tomorrow from 4pm - 7pm. Champagne tastings include Terry Theise Selections and some of their faves. Chambers Street Wines is at 148 Chambers Street in Tribeca.
Astor Wines holds a big tasting of wines and liquors upstairs at Astor Center (399 Lafayette Street) ~~tomorrow~~ next Saturday the 20th from 2pm - 6pm. Tickets are $20 a person though you can get a 25% discount by using THRILLIST as a discount code. (Thanks Thrillist).

Ella vs Elsa

By Head Bartender on December 12, 2008 10:33 AM | No Comments

You're probably not the only one confused by Ella and Elsa, two newish cocktail bars in the East Village that opened within weeks - and blocks - of each other. However, once you get past the names, there isn't a whole lot that the two places have in common.

Ella is the slicker of the two joints, with Victoria's Secret-esque pink and black striped walls, a smoky underground performance space and velvet ropes out front. Assuming you can slip in past the doorman - they have a semi-strict door policy we bet gets dropped any minute- you'll find yourself in a glammed up space with a long bar and some banquettes up front. The drink list is impressively long - nine specialty cocktails, three champagne cocktails and eleven classic cocktails. We instinctively go for brown liquor so we tried the Clark Gable (maker's mark, lime, ginger-infused simple syrup) and it was the clear favorite. Finding another appealing drink was a bit of a challenge, however. The Mildred Pierce (bulldog gin, basil infused simple syrup, lime) was recommended by the bartender but highly acidic. Mommie Dearest (milagro tequila, lime, simple syrup, orange bitters) was also seriously out of balance and the Rye Smash (sazerac rye, muddled raspberries, lemon, simple syrup) was hardly a smashing success. In the meantime, a DJ bombarded us with some of the worst music this side of Jersey. Clearly Ella is for cool people. I guess they can hope to find a clientele too cool for taste buds.

On to Elsa, over in Alphabet City. A former dive bar, the space was remade with a bespoke men's tailor in the front and a cocktail bar in the back. The room is kind of upstate antiques shop basic, with narrow booths up front across from a standing-only bar and rustic tables in the back. Mainly wood, the room is simple and bland (and way too bright), though we did like the barn-like effect of the bathroom ceiling. With the décor underwhelming, all we could hope for were some good cocktails. (There are also beers on tap, flowing through an old Singer sewing machine, and a few wines.) From the short list (4 signature concoctions and 4 classics), we tried The Jaszek (applejack, velvet falernum, lime, angostura, orange bitters) and the El Romero Borracho (souza blanco, grapefruit, campari, lime), coming away hopeful for the future. Both were balanced, complex and satisfying, showing skill on behalf of the resident mixologist. The Perfect Manhattan? Yes, please. When they get their feet wet, we'll be back for a second look.

Ella
9 Avenue A between 1^st and 2^nd streets, 212-777-2230

Elsa
217 E. 3^rd Street between Avenue B and C, 917-882-7395

Happy Hour - Lure Fish Bar

By Head Bartender on December 11, 2008 3:59 PM | No Comments

Today we turn our eyes downwards, to that suave Soho basement fisherie Lure Fishbar, which has one of the most extensive restaurant happy hours you'll find.

Three beers are $4 - Kirin Light, Brooklyn Lager and Corona. Four cocktails are $6, including Dark & Stormy, the Champagne Bellini and the Grapefruit Margarita. Wines of the day are only $5.

Even better, they've got bar snacks - $1 oysters and clams, Fried Oysters for $6 and Chicken Lollipops for $5. The full menu is online.

Lure Fishbar
142 Mercer Street, downstairs, 212-431-7676
Happy Hour 5pm - 7pm (Monday - Friday)

Get Thee to the Upper West

By Head Bartender on December 11, 2008 10:50 AM | No Comments

We just heard about the offer from the new Upper West Side Village Pourhouse - home to 100 beers - to cover our taxi ride up to the Upper West Side. That's right, take a taxi and when you arrive at 108 & Amsterdam (yes, still Manhattan), they will convert your receipt into beer. Like magic!

Of course, you gotta get yourself home...

Village Pourhouse
Upper West Side Edition - 982 Amsterdam Avenue

Happy Hour - Crema

By Head Bartender on December 10, 2008 4:00 PM | No Comments

Cold, dreary days make us yearn for the warmth of a place like Mexico, so today we turn our attention to the terrific "premium" happy hour at Crema.

Feast your eyes on their daily specials - 2 for 1 margaritas, beer, wine and sangria. If that doesn't make you happy, we don't know what will.

Crema
111 W. 17th Street, 212-691-4477
Happy Hour 5pm - 7pm (Daily)

Scotch Tasting

By Head Bartender on December 10, 2008 11:31 AM | No Comments

If you're curious to taste the difference between a 12, 15 and 18 year old Scotch, stop by Chambers Street Wines tonight for a tasting of Highland Park single malts. They have been making Scotch since 1798 so they know a thing or two about the stuff.

Chambers Street Wines
148 Chambers Street 212-227-1434

The Tyranny of the $8 Beer

By Head Bartender on December 9, 2008 5:22 PM | No Comments

We love eating at restaurant bars, in part because we prefer to chat up bartenders, but also because you have a lot more freedom in how and what you order. Unfortunately, something has started rubbing us the wrong way - restaurants charging wine prices for artisanal beers. OK folks, we know these beers are more expensive than your typical Bud or Coors Light but do they really cost you $3 each?

New restaurants seem particularly egregious about jacking up beer prices. The John Dory has a tiny list of four beers, three for $8 and one for $9. I recall much better prices on the beers at sister restaurant The Spotted Pig. While they have only been open a few weeks, perhaps they'll see the light at the end of 10th Avenue and give beer drinkers a break.

Irving Mill, a recent recipient of criticism for serving beer in less than pint size glasses, has a huge list of $7 and $8 tap beers. Ommegang from Cooperstown is $8? Brooklyn Pilsner is $7? That's pretty excessive in our opinion. Even worse, their list by the bottle has beers for $12 and $13.

Perhaps restaurateurs are forced to raise beer prices because people will only pay so much for wine or food. But the approach is counter-productive. When faced with a list of over-priced artisanal beers, we now just tend to stop at one. What do you do?

Happy Hour - International Bar

By Head Bartender on December 9, 2008 4:00 PM | No Comments

Once left for dead, International Bar re-emerged this summer with new owners and a bright future. People love the tiny bar for its unassuming atmosphere and killer jukebox. An extensive happy hour helps too - one of a handful of 2 for 1 spots in the East Village.

2 for 1 Bud & Rolling Rock, 2 for 1 House Wine, 2 for 1 Well drinks

International Bar
120 First Avenue
Happy Hour 5pm - 8pm (Monday - Friday)

Just What is Falernum?

By Head Bartender on December 9, 2008 1:18 PM | No Comments

You've seen the vougue cocktail ingredient "Velvet Falernum" around town, but just what exactly is it?

Falernum is a mix of several spices (generally ginger, almond, clove) and lime, sometimes alcoholic and sometimes not. You'll find it in Tiki drinks, classic Caribbean drinks like the Mai Tai and Zombie and, of course, in cool cocktails around NYC.

The poplular brand is John D. Taylor Velvet Falernum from Barbados, which is an infusion of spices, sugar cane syrup and rum. You can try it in the unfortunately named Lovee Long Time at the new hotspot Macao Trading Co. (311 Church Street, Tribeca)

Happy Hour - Duane Park

By Head Bartender on December 8, 2008 4:00 PM | No Comments

Duane Park is a solid neighborhood restaurant in Tribeca with a good cocktail list and reasonably priced wines. The bar is smallish but comfortable. And they want you and your friends to stop by. Happy hour for 5 to 20 now includes free hors d' oeuvres after work at the bar.

Just give them a buzz first at 212-732-5555.

Happy Hour - Klimat

By Head Bartender on December 5, 2008 3:59 PM | No Comments

Every weekday at 4pm, we will feature a different Happy Hour around the city. For the inaugural post, we turn the spotlight on Klimat in the East Village. This Eastern European spot has been open about a year and has a great selection of beers from Poland, Czech, Russia and Ukraine as well as wines from less-traveled places like the country of Georgia. Can't decide? They will pour your tastes to help your decision making along.

Prices aren't cheap, generally $7 for a pint of beer, so Happy Hour is a good deal with $5 beers and $6 wines. As an added bonus, you can get some homemade pierogies to soak up the alcohol.

Klimat
77 E. 7th Street
Happy Hour 3pm- 7pm (Monday - Friday)

Repeal Day

By Head Bartender on December 5, 2008 10:40 AM | No Comments

The anniversary of America regaining its sanity after years of prohibition - December 5, 1933 - is something of a boozy holiday these days. Lots of events and specials can be found about town including these:

Funky Red Hook liquor shop LeNell's (416 Van Brunt) is having a sale and tasting today
Try the French 75 at Forge in Tribeca (134 Reade Street) for only $.25. Or make it at home - gin, champagne, lemon juice and sugar. We'd tell you the proportions but what fun would that be?
Prohibition on the Upper West Side (503 Columbus Avenue) has a live band plus cocktails at a discount

Weingut

By Head Bartender on December 2, 2008 3:22 PM | 1 Comment

German wines are the theme this week at Gramercy's Moore Brothers Wine Company (33 E. 20th Street). Until December 7th, they will offer 10% off their entire collection of German wines. If you pop in over the weekend, you can try some of the 8 wines they will be tasting.

To see when the good stuff is poured, check out their website.

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