tag:boozynyc.com,2008-11-19://1 2010-03-10T05:59:08Z The guide to all things booze in New York City Movable Type Pro 4.21-en tag:boozynyc.com,2010://1.314 2010-03-10T05:18:34Z 2010-03-10T05:59:08Z

The space below Corner Shop Cafe at 643 Broadway has long been a part of NYC's nightlife, in spite of the innocent looking street level cafe. It's always been about the subterranean level even back in the day when both...

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com wrote about Woodson and Ford many moons ago but it never technically opened and the principals dispersed to other ventures including Rye House.

Yesterday, courtesy of a horrendously long and stuffy Community Board 2 meeting, we learned the fate of the space. A very earnest former dancer named Leslie has taken over both the cafe and basement space. The basement is slated to be a lounge, but a place that attracts artists, dancers and "freethinkers" rather than rowdy crowds. Leslie and her associate, who says he has worked at places like the Waldorf and the Plaza, pledge no promoters, loud music, velvet rope or bouncers. The neighbors weren't quite buying it - typically new owners get blamed for previous bad ones at these meetings - but we think the new owner will win them over. As long as she has a good bartender and eschews the bouncer, she should be in good shape.

In other CB 2 news, good luck to the guys who want to take over the Lola space - they plan a pizzeria/upscale Patsies type joint. Not exactly a Soho special. The Snack Taverna guys want to open a place called Barcar, which will have 12 seats plus 6 at the bar. The CB folks were very curious how they were gonna make money. And Charles owner Cobi Levy took the heat for the failures of Beatrice Inn. Hey CB 2, it's not his fault you approved a license in the space to a fake restaurant cum club - Levy insisted they didn't use the kitchen ever, except perhaps as a drug den. He pledged to work with the community, open a Spanish resto with a real chef that he won't name because the bloggers would ruin it (lol) and fix the various building issues.

After one of these mind numbing CB meetings, you really wonder why anyone would open a restaurant or bar in NYC.
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With Natural Winemakers Week upon us, there will be tastings, events and more around town from March 6 - 11. One event will be at Astor Center - taste more than 20 natural wines for $15. The event takes place...

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Natural Winemakers Week upon us, there will be tastings, events and more around town from March 6 - 11. One event will be at Astor Center - taste more than 20 natural wines for $15. The event takes place Saturday from 3pm - 6pm. Tickets available here.

Meanwhile, the Upper West Side gets its first wine bar devoted to organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines, The Tangled Vine Wine Bar & Kitchen (434 Amsterdam Ave at W. 81st, website). With over 160 selections by the bottle and some killer by the glass options like the 1999 Gravonia from Lopez de Heredia and a 2000 Rioja Reserva, both preserved by a Napa Techonolgy Wine Station, this is now the go-to grown up drinking spot on the UWS. The food shows good variety, with everything from wine-friendly charcuterie and cheese to poussin and hanger steak. With a seasonal Mediterranean-inspired menu from Chef David Seigal (Mercat, Bouley), you're in good hands.
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Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Beer may come in many, many forms and styles but we've never seen sweet potato beer, at least not 'til now. At this year's International Restaurant & Foodservice show (running through tomorrow at Javits), the Japanese have a huge presence with booth upon booth devoted to ramen, miso, shochu, sake and, yes, beer! We stopped by Coedo's booth and tried all five beers. They were well made but the Beniaka particularly struck our fancy. Whenasked what it was made from - there was a nicely balanced sweetness - we were told "sweet potato" made from Kintoki sweet potatoes from Kawagoe in Central Japan. They say it's the only sweet potato beer in the world, which while not technically true, is besides the point. It was damn fine beer and you can't go wrong with any Coedo beers, assuming you can find them. ]]> tag:boozynyc.com,2010://1.311 2010-02-25T15:33:42Z 2010-02-25T15:39:30Z

Here comes state budget time and that means you'll likely have to pay more for booze in New York State. The dysfunctional folks in Albany are once again trying to raise taxes on beer, wine and liquor. The Daily News...

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Daily News reports that beer taxes may go up $.10 a bottle and wine $.50. These are the excise taxes on the alcohol itself, not to be confused with the sales tax you pay when you buy the booze, which basically means we are paying double tax. Double tax for poor representation, just another benefit of living in good ole New York.

At least they are still trying to get wine in liquor stores. That plan fizzled last year though Gov. Patterson wants to revive it. Perhaps he'll even bump up his approval ratings - Crain's reports that 58% of New Yorkers want the option to buy wine in grocery stores.
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Here's a new sake term for you - Hatsushibori. These are fresh, unpasteurized sakes from the first pressing and they appear just as winter begins to wind down. They don't last long, roughly 3 to 4 weeks, so tomorrow from...

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Hatsushibori. These are fresh, unpasteurized sakes from the first pressing and they appear just as winter begins to wind down. They don't last long, roughly 3 to 4 weeks, so tomorrow from 4pm - 6pm is your chance to taste three of them at Sakaya (324 E. 9th Street).
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Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Pasanella & Son (115 South Street) is having a snow day special today only - 20% off any bottle. Discount applies only to walk-ins only (no delivery) so you'll have to trek over, but you already have your boots on, don't you? Peruse their selection here. ]]> tag:boozynyc.com,2010://1.306 2010-02-10T05:45:58Z 2010-02-10T17:48:02Z

Few cocktail bars have the creative muscle and consistency that Death and Company (433 E. 6th Street) has had. It's often our weeknight 'go to' place - no we don't go out on Fridays and Saturdays - since it is...

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Death and Company (433 E. 6th Street) has had. It's often our weeknight 'go to' place - no we don't go out on Fridays and Saturdays - since it is large enough to get into as opposed to tiny PDT, which we also find less consistent. So when we are out carousing, we eagerly look forward to a few rounds of Death and Company cocktails. Unfortunately, on a recent visit, for the first time we were disappointed. Some really good cocktails were off the menu, and in their place, were some less successful newcomers.

First off, we have to have our Manhattan Transfer (Rittenhouse rye, Noilly Pratt dry vermouth, ramazotti, orange bitters) and it remains top notch. Unfortunately, other faves Myra Breckinridge and Grouse Rampant were off the menu. Our rather large party, momentarily derailed by a lack of obvious choices, decided to risk the My Oh My Ty, a wimpy version of the mai tai that was in no way memorable, and a Smoked Horchata (housemade horchata, Herradura silver, Crema de Mezcal), which was way too sweet. Another newcomer, La Vina, was just okay as was the intriguing Daisy Buchanan (chamomile-infused Old Overholt rye, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Aperol & Yellow Chartreuse), which was bone dry on the finish. And the further we delved into the list, the more disappointing it became.

Hopefully the cocktail issues were just a manifestation of the mid-winter blahs. But what did strike our fancy were the always surprisingly strong food choices. The pulled pork sliders were very good while the prosciutto and cheese flatbread was fantastic. So fantastic, that we ordered more.

Anyway, we recommend proceeding with a bit of caution right now, at least until D+C gets  some "spring" in its step.
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We haven't been to Marc Forgione (134 Reade Street, Tribeca) but this might get us there - every Tuesday from 6pm - 9pm they will have a "Suckling Pig Happy Hour" with all you can eat piggy sliders ($16) and...

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Marc Forgione (134 Reade Street, Tribeca) but this might get us there - every Tuesday from 6pm - 9pm they will have a "Suckling Pig Happy Hour" with all you can eat piggy sliders ($16) and a 2 for 1 beer special. Beers will change weekly.
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Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Astor Wines & Spirits (399 Lafayette) spotlights Argentina for its latest "Astor Tuesdays" promotion - get 15% off Argentinean wines today only. See the list of 45 wines here. ]]> tag:boozynyc.com,2010://1.305 2010-01-28T01:08:40Z 2010-01-28T01:15:28Z

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com New York Vintners (21 Warren Street, Tribeca) has three events next week (Feb 1 - 3) centered on biodynamic and organic wine. Events include a vertical tasting of Mooiplaas wines from South Africa and a biodynamic and organic wine tasting,  Tickets for each cost $15 and proceeds benefit Slow Foods. Details on NY Vintner's website. ]]> tag:boozynyc.com,2010://1.304 2010-01-26T20:03:14Z 2010-01-26T20:09:53Z

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Aussie drink dens Bondi Road (153 Rivington St) and Sunburnt Cow (137 Ave C) are celebrating Australia Day today with all you can drink booze - 3 hours for $20. Steak sandwiches & burgers ($3) will help soak up the booze.

Not sure how the indigenous peoples of Australia deal with a celebration of the arrival of the British, but as long as they don't run screenings of the Nicole Kidman - Hugh Jackman fiasco Australia, it should be okay. There isn't enough booze in the world to make that film palatable.
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We'd heard much about Williamsburg's Rye (247 S. 1st Street), which opened last year to a good bit of fanfare, but had been remiss in making a trip until recently. Finally we did and we're happy to report that advance...

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Rye (247 S. 1st Street), which opened last year to a good bit of fanfare, but had been remiss in making a trip until recently. Finally we did and we're happy to report that advance notice was spot on - where many Brooklyn spots disappoint, Rye is the real deal with good food and great cocktails.

The cocktails skew classic and towards the brown liquors we at BoozyNYC love so. Let us count the reasons to love Rye: The Havemeyer (Rittenhouse rye, Fino Sherry, Carpano Antica and bitters) is a fine Manhattan-esque drink. The very good Classic Old Fashioned. The smoky Blood and Sand (black tea infused scotch, cherry heering, vermouth). The spot-on Sazerac. The terrifically spiced Hot Butternut Rum, a take on the classic using butternut squash butter in addition to aged rum and housemade falernum. However, both the Southside (gin, muddled cucumber, mint, fresh lime, soda water) and Stone Fence (Laird's Applejack, fresh apple cider, housemade ginger beer) were well made, if too sweet for our taste. All cocktails are $10.

The food lived up to advance billing for the most part - it stuck to your ribs, was tasty and worked pretty well with the drinks. The standouts were the grilled quail, which was the best quail we've had in a long time, and the house smoked sturgeon appetizer. The pork belly was merely good - nicely grilled edges but otherwise run of the mill - is NYC officially over pork belly or what? Less successful were the mac & cheese, which needed a bit more flavor not to mention creaminess, and the vaunted meatloaf sandwich - pretty good but completely upstaged by the crispy onions that crowned it. The meat, while moist, needed to amp up the flavor and the bread was superfluous.

The room is a somewhat endearing hodgepodge - the bar dating back to 1890 is majestically dark and imposing, providing a solid foundation from which to get hammered. But the rest of the space looks like a German restaurant circa 1900. The main room is full of large round tables situated too close to the bar, meaning that anyone standing at the busy bar are nearly pushed against patrons on the bar stools. The back area with a smattering of smaller tables gave off a bit of a Siberia vibe.

Rye is well worth a visit. It's priced right, the attitude is in check and there is real talent both behind the bar and in the kitchen.
 
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Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com
Astor Center is holding an "Elements of Wine Class" with all proceeds being donated to Haiti relief efforts. Tickets are $75 ($50 with discount code) and fully deductible. More info at Astor Center's website.

Edible Manhattan is holding a cocktail celebration called "Good Spirits" at Almond (12 E. 22nd Street), featuring six chefs paired with six different liquors. Participating restaurants include Gramercy Tavern and Il Buco. More info and tickets ($40) here.
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Chambers Street Wines has teamed with Louis/Dressner Selections for a wine tasting benefiting Haiti relief efforts tomorrow from 4pm to 7pm. Taste some excellent wines from Louis/Dressner, Douglas Polaner, Kermit Lynch, David Bowler and Michael Skurnik and make a donation...

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Chambers Street Wines has teamed with Louis/Dressner Selections for a wine tasting benefiting Haiti relief efforts tomorrow from 4pm to 7pm. Taste some excellent wines from Louis/Dressner, Douglas Polaner, Kermit Lynch, David Bowler and Michael Skurnik and make a donation to Partners in Health (if you can't make it, donate online at PIH.org). Suggested donations are $10 per person.

Chambers Street Wines tasting benefiting Haiti relief efforts
Saturday January 16, 4pm - 7pm
148 Chambers Street
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Hotel Delmano (82 Berry Street, Williamsburg) has been around awhile but it never quite made the A-list of NYC cocktail meccas. We had a good experience last year, and while the cocktail list was on the short side upon the...

Head Bartender http://www.boozynyc.com Hotel Delmano (82 Berry Street, Williamsburg) has been around awhile but it never quite made the A-list of NYC cocktail meccas. We had a good experience last year, and while the cocktail list was on the short side upon the opening, there was promise. Recently, we popped in to see what they are up to.

The cocktail list is much longer these days, there are more bartenders, too. Our first round consisted of the Rattlesnake (rye, absinthe, lemon, egg white, $13) and Autumn Leaves (olorso sherry, apricot, reposado tequila, $9). The Rattlesnake was fine though it didn't have much bite while Autumn Leaves didn't work at all. Smoke and Flowers (St. Germain, sherry, dry vermouth, Ardberg single malt scotch, $10), which has a romantic 1930s ring to it, was quite good while the 20th Century (lemon, white creme de cacao, Lillet, gin, $9) was good but a touch sweet. Lastly we couldn't resist the very good, smoky Devil's Garden (lime, agave nectar, mint, chipotle, cynar, and bitter infused mezcal, $12).

Overall, the cocktails are good - misses are likely unavoidable - with such an extensive list, but only the Devil's Garden truly impressed. The space is romantic and inviting, banquette seating cozy but service struck us as efficient but indifferent, which broke the spell a bit. While prices are generally attractive ($9-  13), we'd be hard pressed to give a reason for you to go out of your way to check in to the Hotel Delmano unless you're in the 'hood.
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