We’ve reviewed Yerba Buena Perry; we’ve also showcased its extraordinary dishes multiple times on our The Best Thing I Ate Last Week, but this West Village hangout has got some lethal cocktails, too. This week we feature the Cholula.
Mezcal is combined with combier, cucumber, agave, green pepper, and lime for a kick of smoky and sweet.
Emporio is one of Nolita’s oft-shared secrets. Despite being tucked away on a mostly nondescript Mott Street, a few blocks from the tourist-trap of Little Italy, this ode to Roman cuisine is routinely packed. Emporio’s happy hour–a free-food free-for-all at the bar, coupled with $5 Peronis on draft and $5 house wines–certainly helps, but it’s the astute service, diverse atmosphere–ranging from hip to romantic depending on your vantage point–and comprehensive menu that make this trattoria really stand out.
Emporio’s pastas–like this oxtail and kale special–arrive al dente and always leave us satisfied.
Crispy Brussels and cauliflower are laced with Sardinian mullet bottarga for a delicious appetizer. Along with the charred octopus, previously featured on our Best Thing I Ate Last Week, this is a must-order.
The thin-crust brick-oven pizza is served until 2 in the morning. We recommend this truffle-soaked speck and mushroom pie.
Wood-roasted beets are elevated with pistachios, aged ricotta, and the kicker–house-pickled hot peppers. This is one of the most unusual, impressive beet salads we’ve had the opportunity to taste.
The $4 house-baked Foccaccina is probably the best deal on the extensive menu. The crispy, slightly chewy texture resembles naan but the taste has olive oil, salt, and sage written all over it.
Grade: Outstanding. The team behind Williamsburg’s Aurora has brought Manhattanites a hipper, less-expensive Maialino. Snag a seat in the front, tucked away in the rustic, wood-clad, brick-laden room, for a romantic evening. Or head to the Roman-style atrium in the back, under the morning sun or stars, for a fun group date.
Dish Tips: Charred Octopus, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Foccaccina, Wood Roasted Beets, Meatballs, Taglierini Crab Meat Pasta, Pappardelle Ragu.
Good For: Romantic date or group dining. Emporio also serves brunch on the weekend until nearly 4 o’clock. The kitchen doesn’t stop cooking until 2 in the morning.
Rattle N Hum is a great spot if you’re looking for a small bite and to kick back a couple of beers. It’s a laid-back bar that offers pub-fare, a variety of draft beers, and free Internet. Today, we feature their Shroom Slider, which comes with an ideal amount of grilled baby portabella mushroom, Swiss cheese, red onions, and a smoky chipotle sauce that is packed with flavor.
Rattle N Hum conveniently pairs a beer with each of its dishes. The Shroom Slider is paired with Bel Strong Pale Ale.
Rattle N Hum is recommended for a quick bite, casual lunch, or happy hour. The Shroom Slider is the only vegetarian offering on the extensive list of sliders–and it doesn’t disappoint.
Rating: 6
Finding a fantastic cocktail in the newly-named Nomad district is like finding something healthy to eat at McDonald’s–nearly impossible. Enter Rocco, the awesome (and affable) bartender at Bread & Tulip’s on Park Avenue and the corner of 26th Street. Our pick this week comes off the menu, appropriately named “Rocco With Two C’s.” Stop in for the bar’s daily happy hour and try this–or any other $7 specialty cocktail–and an assortment of delicious wood-fired pizzas.
The star of Rocco’s namesake cocktail is all the fresh thyme. The gin and ginger–laced with more candied ginger–doesn’t hurt either.
Every Thursday night, the East Village’s Yuca Bar turns into Little Brasil, where vibrant (and stiff) Brazilian Mojitos steal the show at $8 a pop. These tall glasses are laced with Leblon cachaca and enough muddled mint and lime to provide a refreshing sip in the waning summer evenings. The stout sugarcane serves as an ideal swirler.
At Happy Hour (5-8 every evening), drinks like the Brazilian Mojito (foreground) and Mango Margarita are only $7.
This week we are featuring Buggenhout’s Tripel Karmeliet, which can be found at Resto in Midtown East. The Tripel Karmeliet has a creamy head, hints of coriander or clove, and more pronounced flavors of banana and hops. The bartenders at Resto had to work for this tap–it took over five minutes–but each sip is worth the wait.
Tripel Karmeliet packs a punch (8.4% ABV) and pairs well with Resto’s sliders and fries for a fun snack or happy hour meal.
Resto’s new happy hour is seven days a week from 5pm-7pm. Check out the menu below. We recommend the Pilsner and butcher burgers.
Resto serves the most delectable complimentary popcorn with its happy hour!
This week we are featuring Hecho en Dumbo’s Tamarind Margarita. The house-made tamarind juice is refreshing and not overly sweet, unlike other versions of the cocktail.
The Herradura Blanco tequila is rounded out by a dash of cane sugar and a chile piquin rim.
The East Village is no stranger to awesome Happy Hours, but the one at Hecho en Dumbo on Bowery might top the list. Every evening, from 5 to 7, keen diners can snag guacamole for $5, Berkshire pork sliders for $4, and a trio of steak tacos for $7. To top it off, the impressively-strong specialty margaritas, everything ranging from the Jamaica (a slightly-sweet Hibiscus version) to the verdant Tamarindo, and a margarita-meets-St. Germain concoction called Pantera Rosa, are all $6. The music–a diverse mix of alternative rock, chill wave, and of course, rock nacional–ensures you’ll be tapping your toes as you wait for the next round of Quesos Fundidos to arrive.
All of the cocktails are well-executed but the Tamarindo and Jamaica margaritas (ask for the chile piquin rim) are among our favorites.
A favorite at our table during a recent visit was this delicate, delicious Tortita de Cachete. The spicy avocado salsa infuses the whole ensemble of pinto bean spread and pickled onions with a welcome kick.
Costra de Res are layered with cubes of steak and crunchy, caramelized queso Chihuaha that pairs well with the pillowy flour tortilla holding it all together.
But try to get in before six o’clock, or you’ll be hard-pressed to find an open seat at the bar. Fortunately, Hecho en Dumbo allows customers to also order Happy Hour drinks and food from the dining room, the perfect vantage point to survey the scene with a large group of friends.
We can’t decide what’s more impressive, the fresh, tangy guacamole, or the crisp, home-made tortilla chips that encircle it.
The guacamole is good on its own–but even better with the accompanying salsa verde, chipotle, and pico de gallo. Try them all; Hecho en Dumbo’s guacamole is a step above similar versions due to the easy (and fun) customization.
Grade: Highly recommended.
Dish Tips: Margarita Tamarindo, Margarita Jamaica, Pantera Rosa, Guacamole, Tortita de Cachete, Costra de Res, Quesos Fundidos (chorizo), Esquites.
Good For: Happy Hour!
Veggie burger, minted yoghurt and homemade whole wheat pita.
This week, we chowed down on ABC Kitchen’s Veggie Burger. It is a sophisticated take on the ever-popular Mediterranean falafel sandwich. The patty itself is delicious and the minted yogurt and spices are ideal accompaniments. The falafel also features Jean-Georges’ signature affinity for spice. This is not your corner-cart fried chickpea platter.
Rating: 7
If you’re looking for a great happy hour, head to Fonda on Avenue B. They serve margaritas and guacamole for $6 every day. This week we are featuring Fonda’s Rosalita.
Silver tequila, hibiscus, orange liquor, lime juice, and a hibiscus rim combine to make Fonda’s signature cocktail one of the best margaritas in New York City. You can also order it frozen, but we recommend this classic version.
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