Bohemian Hall Beer Garden
This spot used to be a Czech and Slovak social club, so it comes as no surprise that their outdoor beer garden regularly hosts traditional Czech and Slovak festivals, concerts, and sporting events all summer long. And with a huge outdoor area, you never have to worry about finding a spot to relax with a cold one when the weather permits. All of their beers are served in a mug or a pitcher, all the same price ($6 and $16, respectively). Be sure and try a mug of the Spaten Octoberfest. A perfect fall beer, it’s smooth and rich with the sweet taste of butterscotch and a spicy finish. In keeping with the theme, you can order some Czech potato pancakes or pork schnitzel with czech potato salad. Rule of thumb here: you can’t go wrong with anything that...
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Blue Ribbon Izakaya – The Sexy Date
Tucked inside the Thompson Hotel on the Lower East Side, Blue Ribbon Izakaya is the newest addition to the Blue Ribbon empire. If you’ve never had the pleasure of dining in an izakaya — that’s Japanese for a pub — this is the perfect place to start. The room itself is sexy and sleek with a mix of communal tables, private tables and a long sushi bar at the center of it all. The menu is humongous, so there’s something for everyone to discover, and in true izakaya fashion, most dishes are small plates, best for sharing with your date. We strongly recommend you venture out of your comfort zone and try delectable nibbles, like Yellowtail Tartare, capped off with a quail egg, and a seasonal Crab Dish with Ponzu Butter. If your date is a fried rice fanatic,...
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Pylos – The Destination Date
Dating can be a bit monotonous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Add some spontaneity and fun to the mix with a destination date. No, we’re not suggesting you scour the internet for cheap flights and hotels with an ocean view room (although that’s not a bad idea). Instead, travel to Greece for the night with a meal at Pylos in the East Village. We love the romantic setting, a white-washed dining room with cozy throw pillows and over 1,000 clay pots dangling from the ceiling above. Pylos serves classic Greek food with a modern edge, like a vegetarian moussaka made with artichoke hearts or grilled haloumi with grappa and grapes. Consulting chef Diane Kochilas is the leading expert on Greek cuisine in America and the menu she’s collaborated on here reflects her love of the flavors and...
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Gramercy Tavern – The Classic Date
When in doubt, stick to the classics. They’re reliable and comfortable, which will help keep calm your pre-date nerves. One of our favorite go-to’s year after year is Gramercy Tavern. No one knows how to charm their guests more than restaurateur Danny Meyer. The impeccable service and cozy dining room never fail to set the mood for a special evening. Tell your date that chef Michael Anthony just won the James Beard Award for “Best Chef in New York City” and they’ll immediately be impressed. Then let his food speak for itself. Start out with the beef carpaccio with anchovy aioli. Or, if you’re looking for something a little lighter, order the Summer Vegetable Soup with Fennel Pesto and Mussels (they’re natural aphrodisiacs…). Then, settle into the Flounder with Sugar Snap Peas and Cucumber Gazpacho, or the Duck Breast...
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Brother Jimmy’s BBQ
Brother Jimmy’s has been keeping the convivial spirit of barbecue alive for over twenty years with authentic North Carolina grub and an atmosphere that keeps the nightlife spirit going strong all night long. Whether it’s the prime sports viewing, casual vibe, or the hush puppies, Brother Jimmy’s seems to have no problem drawing people in and we’re pretty sure their Carolina-bent BBQ menu has something to do with it. ”Put some south in yo mouth” is the unofficial motto at all of the Brother Jimmy’s locations, and we say, why not? Take the starters for example. Southern staples include popcorn shrimp, fried green tomatoes, rib tips and peel and eat shrimp. Still hungry? There’s lots of BBQ to choose from — dry rub ribs, pulled chicken, or sliced brisket – and all of it’s smoked over Hickory wood for anywhere between five and 12...
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Wildwood BBQ
Reminiscent of real deal American smoke shacks, Wildwood BBQ is a reliably lively spot to take part in Carolina-style pulled pork, Kansas City baby back ribs and Texas-Smoked brisket. The space is outfitted with two smokers, wood beams, sawdust, bourbon and beer. While it’s not the best barbecue around, it’s got the whole package from vibe to sports and plenty of beers on tap. The menu choices are endless, but an easy favorite is “The Three Little Pigs,” which includes spare ribs, pulled pork, double-cut bacon, and two sides. While you won’t need them, extra helpings of the housemade pickled jalapenos and Sweet Potato Tots with mustard-molasses sauce are still an essential part of the dining experience here. An all-American classic, the Texas-Smoked brisket at Wildwood BBQ consistently delivers as...
Visit PlaceVirgil’s
Sure, the Times Square location of this popular BBQ spot might make you a little worried. (It certainly warrants pause.) But, if you can fight your way past the tourists, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. A lot of barbecue in these parts can taste like it’s slathered in sauce and thrown on the grill. Not here. This is deeply smoky barbecue, just like the kind you’d find proudly served down south. And Virgil’s is owned by Artie Cutler, founder of Carmine’s (you know, that Italian place in Times Square that gives you those monstrous portions fit for kings), so you know you won’t be leaving hungry. The beef brisket is by far the shining star on the menu. Be sure to order it with a side of coleslaw (the traditional pairing for brisket) and some collard greens with ham...
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Rack and Soul
Did you know New York boasts a world champion BBQ Pitmaster of its own? Pitmaster John Wheeler and his partner and co-chef, Charles Gabriel, have brought their own brand of BBQ to the Upper West Side. At Rack & Soul, they specialize in ribs and chicken, neither of which disappoint. Each plate of barbecue is artfully smoked for hours over apple wood and charcoal. Plates piled high with BBQ chicken wings, half-chicken, beef short ribs, pulled pork, baby back ribs, and oxtails dominate the tables, along with a host of sides. But it’s not all about the barbecue at this Upper West Side BBQ joint, there’s also fried catfish, fried chicken and oyster...
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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...
Visit PlaceDinosaur 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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Battery Gardens – The Date with a View
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about dating in the city, it’s that you can’t go wrong with a beautiful view. Battery Gardens boasts some of the best vistas in the city with waterfront seating and a clear view of the Statue of Liberty. Start the night in the Beer Garden, reveling in a few, sunset-fueled cocktails. After the sun goes down, grab a table out on the patio under the stars (if the weather permits) or right by the window and order some of their seasonally minded dishes. We suggest splitting the Summer Squash and Herb Pizza or a bowl of the Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels. There’s lots of great summer dishes, including a Tomato And Cucumber Gazpacho, Baby Calamari and Octopus Ceviche or a simple, but delicious, bowl of Capellini Pasta with san Marzano tomatoes, basil...
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ABC Kitchen
There’s a lot to love about Jean-Georges locavore restaurant, tucked inside ABC Carpet & Home. The setting’s stylish with blond wood floors, sleek white tables & a farm table scattered with fresh produce at the center of it all. They didn’t win the James Beard Award for “Best New Restaurant” in 2011 based on looks alone. This is chef Dan Kluger’s coming out party. We love just about everything on the menu, especially the roasted beets with housemade yogurt, carrot and avocado salad, and crab toast. Our favorite card they’re holding here is the chili-flecked oven-roasted lobster and the concord grape tart (when in season) for dessert. Don’t Miss Dish: Roasted beets, Seasonal toasts, Avocado & carrot salad, Chili-flecked oven-roasted lobster End With: Concord grape tart & sundaes Drink This: Housemade sodas, Rhubarb Cosmopolitan Price: $$$ Occasion: Dining destination,...
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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...
Visit PlaceCheck out My Book – Try This
