Tuesday March 16, 2010
11pm
349 Broome Street

After dinner I wanted to take advantage of the proximity to Bowery and suggested drinks at The Randolph. The ATM machine next to a dark wooden door (a recurring theme of the night) is the only indication of an entrance, so it should come as no surprise it was started by Milk & Honey alum. It’s fairly low-key on a Tuesday night but on the weekends it packs a good crowd. The space is fairly small with seating at the bar or at one of the few booths along the far wall. The cocktail menu changes seasonally or you can have the bartender craft a drink for you. I opted for both and the bartender liked “my” drink so much  (I only hinted that I liked ginger) that he wrote down the recipe and with the intention of adding it to the menu.

Spring Cocktail Menu

• Castaway - Gin, mint, cucumber, ginger, fresh lemon

Bartender’s Choice

• (Name TBD) –  Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Bitters, Honey, Ginger, Topped with Champagne

Good for: Cocktails, Pre or Post dinner drinks, Small groups, Date night, late night

Saturday March 13, 2010
6:15pm
52 Stone Street

It was a wash-out of a weekend and my plans with the Wine Dutchess to go to a gallery opening in Brooklyn were quickly replaced with an evening closer to home. Vintry Wine & Whiskey opened last November and proved to be a nice addition to Stone Street. Maybe it was the rain falling on the empty cobble stone street, but the Vintry had a warm, sultry feel as I walked by the large window and peered into the bar. The interior is dark wood, the walls are lined with mirrors and candles flicker on each table.

Upon arrival, the waitress took our soaked umbrellas and hung our coats, which I thought was a nice touch. She was very knowledgeable of the menu, made great recommendations and was very attentive. The wine list is extensive but not overwhelming, and you can order a 2 ounce taste, a 5 ounce glass, or a full bottle of every wine. There’s also a creative cocktail list, and of course a large whiskey selection as the name would imply. Perhaps it was due to the good company, but I really enjoyed this bar. It was welcoming, unpretentious, and a nice alternative to the pubs in the area.

Wine Tasting:

Charcuterie:

• Bresaola
• Iberico ham
• Proscuitto
• Served with a relish tray of cornichons and mustard

Cheese (2 plates, 3 per plate):

• Valdeon (creamy blue, Spain)
• Cypress grove humboldt fog (goat’s milk, California)
• Sartori stravecchio (parmesan style, Wisconsin)
• Roncal (sheep’s milk, Spain)
• Fontina val d’aosta (cow’s milk, Italy)
• Tomme crayeuse (cow’s milk, France)
• Served with a relish tray of apricot compote, pickled onions and and roasted marcona almonds

Small plates:

• House marinated olives seasoned with rosemary
• Lobster stuffed mushrooms

Good for: Date Night, Small Groups, Wine, Whiskey, Cocktails, Small Plates, Wine Tasting

Saturday March 6, 2010
1:00am
111 Reade Street

I began to make my way back downtown to Ward III for a birthday party. Since it’s opening last June it’s become my go-to bar – it’s perfect for everything from a date to late night drinks to a large group . It’s dark, candle lit and has a sexy downtown vibe with plenty of seating at the bar or a table. There’s a great cocktail list but the bartenders will also create a “bespoke cocktail” made to order based off a list of various flavor profiles. The kitchen serves what I like to call upscale bar food until about 3am – the sliders (pork and beef blend) and mac and cheese are my favorites.

Cocktail:

• Baby Eveline - vodka, fresh lemon, muddled strawberries, bitters, sparkling burgandy

Good for: Cocktails, Date Night, Large Groups, Late Night, Light Bites

Saturday March 6, 2010
9:30pm
848 Washington Street

After dinner I met a few friends at the bar of The Standard Grill – located in the Standard Hotel beneath the High Line. The bar itself isn’t that big but draws a large crowd on the weekend. If you arrive early, or patiently stalk a table until someone leaves, you can usually grab a seat. There are only a few bartenders, so patience is a virtue here. The crowd is trendy, so expect to dress well unless you’re only planning on going to the Biergarten next door. Upstairs is the elusive Boom Boom Room, which I hope to visit one of these nights.

The classic cocktail menu is a nice touch, featuring vintage drinks moderately priced at $10. In addition to the full bar there’s also a good selection of wines (mostly French and California wines).

Cocktail:

• Penny Drop – vodka, housemade ginger cordial, lime juice, ginger beer, fresh ginger served on the rocks

Good for: Small groups, Singles, Trendy, Cocktails