Mable’s Smokehouse
Hop over to Williamsburg, step into Mable’s, and dig right into some of the best Oklahoma City-style barbecue in the city. The menu is simple, yet packed with flavor and fixin’s. Diners can pick between beef brisket, St. Louis ribs, or pulled pork, all served as a sandwich or platter. It’s up to you. And everything comes with pickles, jalapenos, Wonder Bread, and a cup of creamy slaw – authenticity right down to the sides. While they’ve got the carnivvores covered, they also cater to the vegetarians among us. I know, I know… seems almost blasphemous at a BBQ joint, right? But trust me, you won’t miss the meat once you bite into the veggie BBQ Sloppy...
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Blue Smoke
From North Carolina to Texas and back, Blue Smoke serves up BBQ classics from every region. Think of it as Pan-American barbecue with Danny Meyer-stamped hospitality to match. If you’ve got ribs on your mind (and let’s be honest, if you’re at a BBQ joint, who doesn’t?), then order the Texas Salt and Pepper Beef Ribs, Kansas City Spare Ribs, or the Memphis Baby Back Ribs. Or better yet, pay homage to each region with the Rib Sampler. For poultry, head straight for the Applewood-Smoked Chicken, smoked “low and slow” over both hickory and apple woods. And the pulled pork is just as enticing, accompanied by pit beans, sesame slaw, and homemade white bread. And don’t forget to check out the jazz club downstairs when you’re done...
Read MoreDinosaur Bar-B-Que
You don’t have to have to truck all the way down south for a real deal roadhouse experience, just head up to West Harlem. In fact, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has gained worldwide recognition for its way with smoke and sauce, even winning first place on Good Morning America’sbarbecue throwdown. (Not to mention their successful line of sauces and spice rubs sold all over the world and award for best cookbook from the National Association of Barbecue.) But that’s not why we love them so much. It’s the melt-in-your-mouth pork shoulder on the “Big Ass Pork Plate” that will make you realize why this place is so beloved. Then again, their chicken wings are pretty phenomenal, too. We recommend going with a big group, so you can get a smattering of dishes, including Texas Brisket Plate. The brisket is smoked for up...
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Burger and Barrel
Sometimes you just need a boys night out where there just happen to girls to admire while you dine. And what better way to celebrate some quality time with the guys than with a standout burger and fries? Chef Josh Capon didn’t win best burger at the New York Wine & Food Festival for nothing. He’s crafted a serious list of burgers, including the “B & B Classic” topped with tomato, lettuce, American cheese, and their special sauce, and the “Bash-style” — code for Burger Bash winner — a cheeseburger topped with a caramelized onion & bacon jam, American cheese and pickles. There’s plenty more where that came from, including a mushroom & gruyere topped burger and even a seasonal $45 White Truffle burger. They don’t stop with burgers. Burger & Barrel’s got an iceberg wedge with roquefort &...
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Hill Country Chicken
What guy doesn’t crave comfort food? You know, the kind of that food that sticks to your ribs, so you have loosen your belt a little. Fried chicken is just one of those things that no man can deny himself. There’s something about a piece of fried chicken – golden brown and crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside – that makes it ideal for a Sunday night feast with your buddies. And Hill Country Chicken is one of my favorite places to go in the city for a taste of crispy chicken goodness and they use extra-large, all-natural chickens to boot. Order a bucket to share with the table, either classic- or Mama Els-style (skinless), and pair it with a serious side of mac & cheese and fresh buttermilk biscuits. If you still have room for dessert,...
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Sparks Steakhouse
It’s hard to think of eating steak in New York without thinking of Sparks. This pub-turned-steakhouse has been serving some of the biggest and best steaks for over 35 years. We know there’s lots of competition, the likes of Peter Luger and Striphouse, but you’d be hard pressed to find a comparable steak fromage (topped with roquefort) or filet mignon. Not to mention how good the crabmeat cocktail and baby lamb chops are. (Just saying.) Sparks doesn’t mess around with over-the-top seasonings and sauces. They let the quality of their meat speak for itself and the final product is something that even the burliest steak lovers swoon over. If you’re looking for a classy, old school steakhouse to close a deal or lock in a client, this is the...
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Stella Manhattan Bistro
Located near the Financial District, Stella is the perfect (and convenient) spot to roll into after work for a couple of drinks or a bite to eat (or both). The atmosphere is sleek, yet relaxed, making it a great spot to unwind after a long day cooped up at the office. So loosen your tie and settle in at one of the bar tables in the lounge area. The menu is a unique and eccentric mix of French, Argentinian, and Asian food, but it’s all finger food-friendly and definitely better than your average bar bites. Where else can you order a Croque Monsieur with smoked ham and gruyere while your buddy gets the classic fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce? Even the burger guy in the group with be satisfied when he gets the Stella-R burger topped with goat cheese. ...
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Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse
New York finally scored a Vic & Anthony’s all its own, the first-ever New York location for this Houston steakhouse (you’ll have to head to Vegas, Houston, or AC to check out the others). What was Angelo & Maxie’shas been transformed into a modern steak joint that’s not just about meat and potatoes (although those do make a solid showing here, too). Instead, the menu offers a unique take on classic steakhouse dishes, like seared scallops with crisp apple slaw (some heat added, thanks to a bit of Tabasco), maple-glazed quail and an artisan cured meat sampler. Oh, and did we mention they have some of the most tender filet mignon around? One of our favorite dishes is the Steak & Egg salad with prime beef carpaccio and a fried egg and a side of their addictive creamed corn. This would be the...
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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...
Read MoreCheck out My Book – Try This
