Bar Cuisines
Spring Cocktails on the Rise
Dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon and Brussels Sprouts don’t really have a place on lightened-up, springtime menus. And neither do heady, malty spirits, like Port or Brandy, or comfort cocktails, like Rum Punch or a Tom & Jerry. That’s why bars and restaurants are making sure their cocktails are every bit as seasonal as the food they accompany, from the sugar snap pea-topped “Green Giant” at Clover Club in Brooklyn to the blood orange and rhubarb-accented “Spiritual America” at Nolita’s Pearl and Ash. So put down your wintry Manhattan and try one of these warm-weather libations this spring!
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Best After Work Drinks – Sweet Afton
From the owners of West Village favorite Wilfie and Nell, this Astoria hangout could be our favorite spot yet in our search for ideal, after work drinks. We love their selection of unfussy cocktails, like the spiked Sweet Tea with tea-infused vodka, honey-ginger syrup, and lemon, but there’s also a great lineup of local bottles and drafts to choose from. And this may be Queens, but when it comes to awesome bar bites, you can’t go wrong with the Beer-Battered Brooklyn Pickles or Sweet Afton Burger piled high with Double Smoked Brooklyn Bacon. They’ve also got a stockpile of terrific cheeses, like Irish cheddar or aged gruyere, that you can (and should) add to just about everything on the...
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Best Gastropub – The Dog and Duck
This place was the first ever gastropub in Sunnyside, and since opening last year, they’ve become a neighborhood staple. The extensive menu effortlessly combines laid-back pub grub (BBQ Babyback Ribs, Fish and Chips, Ham and Leek Pie), with more elevated, fine-dining fare. Start off your meal with the Mushroom a la Greque, topped with bacon, pine nuts, and shaved parmesan, followed by a terrific Pan-Fried Salmon Cake with ginger-sesame sauce, Pork Bangers with Scallion Mash and Red Wine Jus, or Scallops Gratines with Asparagus and Parsley Potatoes. And don’t even think about leaving without ordering the Deep Fried Brie with Port...
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Best Gastropub – Pork Slope
It doesn’t get more unpretentious and casual than this recently opened Park Slope pub, even though Top Chef golden boy Dale Talde is part owner and Executive chef. All of the classic Americana menu items (Dale’s nearby restaurant, Talde, is known for quirky Asian fusion) are designed to be totally affordable, and ideally paired with a glass of great whisky, a pint of microbrew, or even a PBR and a shot if that’s your thing. Choices include a smoky Brisket Sandwich, a rack of sticky St. Louis ribs, and a squishy fast food-style burger (that’s actually a great thing.) Our far and away favorite is the Porky Melt, a sweet sausage patty topped with caramelized onions, mustard and melted cheese, and served on marbled rye bread. A side of crispy tater tots is a must…we hear that they’re Dale’s...
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Best After Work Drinks – Post Office
Brooklyn isn’t exactly short on options when it comes to great bars for after work drinks, but we love the ultra-casual vibe of this Williamsburg watering hole. We particularly enjoy its 30-strong list of vintage spirits and small batch whiskies. Try the powerful and oaky Berkshire Corn Whiskey, tempered by a fruity finish of cherry and apple, or the considerably milder Michter’s American, which tastes like buttered popcorn, vanilla, and candied almonds. Either pairs perfectly with classic bar grub like Pulled Pork sandwiches or Grilled Cheese, assuring a pleasant end to even the most stressful work...
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Date Night – The Castello Plan
If you’re looking for a fancy, candlelit place for a cookie-cutter first date, The Castello Plan definitely isn’t it. But there are so many other things to worry about when wining and dining that special someone, why stress over which fork to use or if you really can afford that Market Priced lobster? This intimate Ditmas Park wine bar will put you both at ease, with over 110 bottles (both absolutely affordable and well, non, depending on what you’re comfortable with), 16 Belgian beers, and a menu that goes well beyond cheese, crostini, and mixed olives. We love the Plum and Manchego Salad with arugula and toasted sunflower seeds, Butternut Squash Gnocchi with oyster mushrooms, sage and truffle oil, and Black Bass with roasted heirloom carrots, bacon-sauteed sucreine lettuce, fried shallots, and roasted poblano peppers. We also totally advocate...
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Best Gastropub – The Redhead
Here at Restaurant Girl, we consider knowing how to select the perfect place for dinner an essential skill. Of course, picking the ultimate spot in a city so full of choices isn’t always easy – so whether you’re looking to get down and dirty with a plate of barbecue, need a romantic (but not too romantic!) place to take a first date, or just want to decompress after work with a good, stiff drink, we’ve got five ideal options for you.
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After Work Drinks – Blind Tiger Ale House
Here at Restaurant Girl, we consider knowing how to select the perfect place for dinner an essential skill. Of course, picking the ultimate spot in a city so full of choices isn’t always easy – so whether you’re looking to get down and dirty with a plate of barbecue, need a romantic (but not too romantic!) place to take a first date, or just want to decompress after work with a good, stiff drink, we’ve got five ideal options for you.
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Milk & Honey
A pioneer on the cocktail scene, Milk & Honey singlehandedly made old cocktails new and exciting again. If you’re a cocktail connoisseur, this is your Graceland. This super stylish, Soho spot with an outpost in London is so cool it actually has members, but non-members can thankfully drink, too. This season, they’ve got an outstanding selection to choose from, organized by Hot Drinks & Flips. Shorts & Sours, Champagne Cocktails, Pick Me Up’s and more. Where to begin? Hmm… well, we’re digging on the Devil’s Share with Bourbon, Orange, Maple, Lemon and Ginger, and the Bumpkin’s Antidote with Cider, Bitters and Sugar. Ooh, lest we forget the Hot Drinks, the likes of an Apple Toddy with Calvados, Cider, Honey, Ginger, Lemon and Spices. What are you waiting for?...
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Taproom No. 307
Looking for somewhere new to take your craft beer-loving bros? One night at the Taproom and you’ll never go back to your old, reliable dive bar. Over 40 beers on tap is reason enough to spend a night here. From their own House Lager to brews, like Koko Brown out of Hawaii, they’re pouring a wide, hard-to-find variety of ales. The best part? You can try a new beer every time you go since their selection changes almost daily. Plus, chef Stephen Durley believes that almost everything is better when cooked in beer. There’s beer-braised bratwurst, the beer-battered fried pickles, and beer-brined burrata cheese, and that’s just for starters. Sample Taproom’s tiger shrimp hush puppies or the pulled pork sandwich alongside a few daily beers on tap. Better yet, ask the bartender to pair a perfect beer with your...
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