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Southern Hospitality: Nolita House

15 Feb

The next time you’re wrangling a group of your peeps for a lively brunch with comfort food offerings (the ideal meal for hangovers), look no further than Nolita House (Houston btwn Mott/Mulberry).  The mixed crowd of hipsters, professionals and Bluegrass fans – yes, they have a live Bluegrass band – sets the perfect vibe to get your Saturday or Sunday started off right.  Know that you’re going to wait a tick (if you’re with 5+ ppl, def make a rezzie).  The good news is you’ll join the folks surrounding the bar and enjoying the resto’s Southern hospitality and tunes.

The menu is jam packed with comfort staples like the New Orleans Shrimp w/Sunny Side Eggs over Cheesy Grits (INCREDIBLE) and the Croque Madame (just under the Monsieur – NOT to be missed). Also offered are some less traditional options (how did the Brick Oven Pizza get on there? who cares, it’s awesome!).  There are also 4 Benedicts; one of my pals had the Maryland – Eggs Benedict w/Crab Cakes in lieu of an English Muffin – very tasty.

The best part is the deal; everything on the menu comes with a brunch cocktail!  For a second round, I recommend opting for sangria, warm apple cider+brandy or even an espresso with Kahlua.  All were inspired departures from the common morning libation; Nolita House is certainly a departure from the common brunch.

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Location, Location, Location: Public House

10 Feb

Calamari Party

You’ve had a long day and your friends are counting you in for cocktails – last thing you want to do? Run all over the world to get to drinks, only to have to run around some more to get home, I’d say… with that in mind, next time propose Public House, the massive Midtown East (41st btwn Lex/3rd Ave) after-work spot serving up specials on the regular. Now, before you all jump to judge me and doubt my recommendations, let me throw this out there: sometimes certain things can be compromised for an excellent location. New Yorkers know it best – if you don’t think so, why don’t you go home to your matchbox-sized apartment that you pay an arm and a leg for and take some time to think it over.

Dirty, Dirty Martini

Public House is really only built for the after work contingent. Sure, they dabble in sports bar-esque events, but mostly, their bread and butter is the happy hour crowd. So let’s talk specials: everyday from 4-7 drinks are ½ priced. Tuesdays, they host a $35 dinner which includes wine pairing. That being said, Wednesday night is my jam; $6 martinis (ask for any liquor, you got it) from 5pm-close. They make a mean dirty martini and to order, at that – if you aren’t happy with your pour (we had 1 stingy bartender – eep) they were willing to mix a bit extra to top us off.

Hola Nachos

Eats on the menu are your typical bar food, but done well. The calamari was really good and tender (yes, RR tried it; we’re dabbling in the world of pescetarianism – baby steps). The nachos with grilled chicken were well received and even garnered an “actually pretty good” from a friend/nacho aficionado. We’re not saying food is a selling point, but if you’re there, you’re there. So why don’t you get there; Public House – we’re talking steps away from Grand Central Station. Your post-work evening awaits!

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Lunch’s Best Friend: Grey Dog

8 Feb

Mexican Hot Cha-Cha-Chocolate

Nothing tugs at my heart strings like a good prix fixe brunch special, so you know if I’m skipping brunch to hit up a lunch spot on my weekend afternoon, it’s going to be nothing short of fantastic…  Which, in a nutshell, describes Grey Dog’s Coffee – the quintessential neighborhood coffee and lunch spot in Greenwich Village (University btwn 11th/12th Sts).

Take a step into the cozy, country-styled dining room and witness dining efficiency at its peak.  Don’t let the long line to order deter you – tables are turned over pretty quickly so take a second to eyeball that table of hotties at the front, check out some of the quirky local art covering the exposed brick walls, then focus your concentration on the massive chalkboard menu; it’ll be your turn to order in no time.  While they do offer wine, beer and sangria, we opted for Mexican Hot Chocolate (made with cinnamon) and espresso – when in a coffee shop, right?

Our table had the Grey Dog’s Breakfast with Pancakes, which also included eggs, taters, and fruit, but the bacon (I’m told) was the star of the show.   I’m more partial to the sandwiches; one of my fellow diners had the #7: a Turkey Sandwich with Granny Smith Apple, Brie & Raspberry Mustard – on the Cranberry Bread, it was legit.  I went for the #5 – Portobello Mushroom, fresh Mozz and Roasted Red Peppers which is Panini pressed to perfection.  The sammies are pretty huge so I’d recommend doing a combo with 1/2 a ‘wich + the country salad; their homemade vinaigrette is one of my favorites out there.

The Carmine Street location and the latest addition, a Chelsea locale, give you a few options to hit up.  Whichever you decide to go to, do yourselves a favor and check out the amazing lunch goodness that is Grey Dog’s Coffee –  it will have you running to fetch more.

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Cocktail Chic while Dining Greek: Veranda

4 Feb

When I think of Greek food, “chic” generally isn’t a word that comes to mind.  In fact, that may be the farthest thing from what pops into my head, on a long list… However, here to make Greek Chic is Veranda, the West Village (7th Ave @ W 10th St) hot spot serving excellent Mediterranean food to the creatures of the night beautiful people.

We had an 8pm reservation but got there early for happy hour – HH at Veranda is M-F/5-8pm; all cocktails are $6 – sign me up!  Being the East Village gal I am, it seemed fitting that I had the bartender whip me up the East Sider: Plymouth Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, mint, cucumber + club soda.  I asked him to go easy on the sweets to lighten it up and he offered to make it with Splenda – score!

After a while, we sat down and perused the menu – to start we split the Mezze Platter (eggplant, hummus, olive tapenade) and Eggplant Chips.  They were both amazing, especially with the huge basket of fresh and baked pita chips that are served with them.  Then we had the Falafel which were painfully good (but heavily fried) – and speaking of fried, the Beet Salad was great too but the goat cheese in it was fried, too much.  Either way, I’d highly recommend following suit and doing it tapas style so you can try it all.

Once the manager got wind that I blog on “the interweb” (it’s not so discreet when you’re taking pictures of everything you’re eating…), he insisted we stay for dessert and have a hookah.  We had the mixed fruit tobacco and got to see the full vibe of the evening unfold; by 11pm, the place was bumping!  Veranda is definitely a late night spot worth checking out, even if it’s on the earlier side of trendy – some of us come out in the daytime and need our beauty sleep!

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Tap into Tapeo 29

31 Jan

All Hail Cocktails

Listen up, because this one’s making the list of TOP brunch spots.  Too often I’ve come to find that when you’re getting an excellent brunch special, the sacrifice is in the quality of the food.  So when I heard about Tapeo 29, a Zagat’s rated tapas spot offering a stellar brunch deal, I knew my weekend research was going to take me to the Lower East Side (Clinton @ Stanton).

Tapeo is a true bar and restaurant that, unlike many spots with both these features, doesn’t suffer from an identity crisis.  The resto’s expansive center bar is surrounded by high top tables which are closely situated and make it easy to strike up a conversation with your neighbors, if you so desire.  With the drink special, which is $20 for an entrée + 2 drinks (mimosas, bloodies, screw drivers), I’m certain you’ll be chatting up your fellow brunchers in no time.  Done with your first 2 drinks and fiending for more?  No worries, after your included drinks, additional cocktails are $2 each or $5 for a pitcher, if you’re really looking to get after it.

Wrapped Up in Brunch Bliss

The special also gives you free range of the whole menu, so you have the option to choose a traditional breakfast item, or to order $20 worth of tapas.  The Brunch Wrap with eggs, cheddar and avocado slices was great; the salsa verde was an awesome sauce and the home fries are the ISH – the Eggs Benedict were “super” as well.  A table favorite was the Chorizo al Sidra – medallions of chorizo slow cooked in apple cider and cinnamon, which even I had to admit, smelled phenomenal.

This Benedict's No Traitor

The bartenders and wait staff are friendly and accommodating, which makes it easy to settle into a nice long day of debauchery.  So assemble a crew, make a reservation and get ready to warm up your barstool – Tapeo 29 is the spot.

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