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Drink Spotting: Mint Juleps at Maison Premiere

Neighborhood: | Featured in Drink Spotting

If what excites you most about the upcoming Kentucky Derby is horseracing and oversized hats, well, you’ve come to the wrong place. For us, the annual event is nothing less than an unabashed celebration of the mint julep, one of our favorite, seasonal cocktails. Considered the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby for over 70 years, the standard julep is made with bourbon, sugar, water, and mint, and traditionally served in a silver or pewter cup. But this in NYC, not the Deep South. And our cocktail scene is infinitely more exciting — so why limit yourself to sipping a single rendition of the centuries old tipple all night? That’s why we’re placing our bets on Maison Premiere as a serious front-runner this Saturday, in a race to become the city’s top Kentucky Derby destination.

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Q & A with Flatiron Lounge & Clover Club’s Julie Reiner

Neighborhood: | Featured in Chef Q&A

It’s often said that there aren’t enough women working in professional kitchens. And the same seems to be true of behind the bar. But when it comes to real top of the line mixologists, there are few bigger names in the business than Julie Reiner – and that’s male or female. Owner and beverage director of the jazzy, ten-year-old Flatiron Lounge in Manhattan (which serves intricately layered drinks listed under “Whiskey,” “Brandy,” “Rum,” “Gin,” “Tequila,” and “Vodka”), and the pre-Prohibition era Clover Club in Brooklyn (known for its assortment of Sours and Daisies, Collins and Fizzes, Punches and Royales), Reiner is often credited with revitalizing the golden age of the cocktail, making American classics with fresh juices, handcrafted syrups and infusions, and seasonal ingredients.

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Spring Cocktails on the Rise

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of

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

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of

From the owners of West Village favorite Wilfie and Nell, this Astoria hangout could be our favorite spot yet in our search for ideal,...

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Best Gastropub – The Dog and Duck

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of

This place was the first ever gastropub in Sunnyside, and since opening last year, they’ve become a neighborhood staple.  The...

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Best Gastropub – Pork Slope

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of

It doesn’t get more unpretentious and casual than this recently opened Park Slope pub, even though Top Chef golden boy Dale Talde is...

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Best After Work Drinks – Post Office

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of

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...

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Date Night – The Castello Plan

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of

If you’re looking for a fancy, candlelit place for a cookie-cutter first date, The Castello Plan definitely isn’t it.  But...

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Best Gastropub – The Redhead

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of, Restaurant

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

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of, Restaurant

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

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of, Fall Foods

A pioneer on the cocktail scene, Milk & Honey singlehandedly made old cocktails new and exciting again.  If you’re a cocktail...

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Pouring Ribbons

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of, Fall Foods

Restaurant Girl visits Pouring Ribbons on her search for the best fall cocktails.

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Taproom No. 307

Neighborhood: | Featured in Best Of

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...

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