El Toro Blanco – Reviewed
I know it’s cliche to say, but good Mexican really is hard to find in New York. I’m not saying there aren’t good dishes or a few good restaurants scattered about the boroughs. There are… a few, but it’s hard to find a joint that can master a proper margarita, tamale, and mole. That’s a whole other level and plenty of places don’t even offer tamales or a cactus salad (I love a good ensalada de nopalitos). Instead, they stick to what I call “mass Mexican,” like burritos, quesadillas and tacos. Then, there’s the other side of the spectrum, like Tehuitzingo Mexican Deli. This grungy, Hell’s Kitchen spot makes hyper authentic sopes topped with goat’s meat (barbacoa), huitlacoche quesadilas and killer tacos el pastor. But they don’t have a liquor license or much in the way of seating and...
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Drink Spotting: Candy Cane Martini at Highpoint Bistro & Bar
It’s hard not to feel a little bit deflated after the holidays. Luckily, the Candy Cane Martini at Highpoint will keep you in the holiday spirit for just a little bit longer.
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Drink Spotting: Horseman’s Grogg at The Smith
Between the “Muddlers,” “Long Pours,” and “Fancy Cocktails,” The Smith has quite a selection for their thirsty diners. They’ve got some great classics like their Old Fashioned, a “Midtown” Manhattan, and a Bloody Mary (complete with vodka and a secret recipe), but it doesn’t end there.
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The Best Frozen Cocktails in New York
What better way to escape the heat than with a frozen cocktail? Thankfully, the great bartenders of New York have found a way to elevate the standard, icy and oft saccharine sweet drinks to a new level. Gone are the days of simple mojitos, margaritas, and daiquiris. Instead, there’s a plethora of inventive libations, like…
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Brooklyn Bowl
How many bowling alleys have bragging rights to one of the best fried chicken dishes in New York? Leave it to the Bromberg Brothers (of Blue Ribbon fame) to spread the love to a Brooklyn bowling alley with 16 lanes and live music. As for their fried chicken, it’s a crispy-skinned thing of beauty. But if there’s one thing on the menu that just might upstage the fried chicken, it’s the “Bourbon Street Milkshake.” It’s got all the comfort of a creamy milkshake with some adult-friendly alterations to keep things exciting. There’s the shot of bourbon and a sizable dollop of Nutella, injecting a rich, praline flavor to the drink. And then, there’s the homemade ice cream made with real vanilla. They mix it all together and serve it in a chilled sundae glass. The result is one killer spiked shake,...
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New York’s Hottest Winter Cocktails
We’re not suggesting you forgo your daily cup (or three) of coffee, but winter is the perfect time to add a warm libation to your list of go-to beverages. From the Hot Buttered Mezcal at Daniel Boulud’s Bar Pleiades to Peels‘ outstanding “Ichabod’s Old Fashioned,” made with homemade pumpkin bitters & maple syrup, here’s a few of the hottest winter cocktails this season… Peels Restaurant Address: 235 Bowery New York, NY 10003 Phone: (646) 602-7015 Website: http://peelsnyc.com/ Peels specializes in southern comfort foods, like fresh baked biscuits and gravy, but we’re just as excited to discover a soothing hot cocktail to settle into after work hours. The cocktail chefs here have come up with a terrific spiced apple cider, dubbed “The Switchel”, composed of dark rum, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and molasses. If that’s not your calling...
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Our Favorite Fall Cocktails
I love summer for many reasons, but fall is my favorite food season. It’s always exciting to find concord grapes, figs, and apples used in inspired ways in autumn dishes, but sometimes it’s even more interested to see fall flavors on cocktail menus. Nowadays, bartenders are as serious about libations as chefs are about dinner. Take Rye for example. This Williamsburg eatery has been awaiting the return of fall, so they could tap into all of the spirits they’ve been aging in charred oak barrels. Red Rooster created a stellar Bourbon negroni with roasted fig, vermouth, campari and pear-infused bourbon and Prime Meats is featuring the “Sidewalker” – a blend of apple brandy and maple syrup. There’s even after dinner drinks or liquid dessert, like The Redhead’s “Car Bomb” with cocoa, Guinness and homemade Bailey’s marshmallows. One of our...
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Summer's Best Cocktails
We’ve waited all year for the warm weather, the sunshine, and of course, cool, summery cocktails. If you’re going to drink, New York is the place to do it. Where else can you get a snow cone doused with tequila? There’s spicy margaritas, pickled martinis, and even an oddly refreshing sugar snap pea libation at Rouge Tomate. There’s no better way to beat the heat then sipping a cocktail on a rooftop bar, lounging in a garden, or chilling inside by the air conditioner. We’ve tasted more than our fair share and rounded up a few of our favorite for 2011. Negroni Rubirosa Address: 235 Mulberry St. between Prince and Spring Sts. Phone: 212-965-0600 Website: www.rubirosanyc.com Negronis immediately transport us to Italy, so of course, this bitter orange cocktail is one of our favorite aperitifs. The negroni and its...
Read MoreBest of – Holiday Cocktails
Winter doesn’t officially start until December 21, but the temperatures outside suggest otherwise. What’s the point in fighting the inevitable? We thought we’d embrace the season with this holiday’s best cocktails. By RG Writer – Agatha Khishchenko Char No. 4 Address: 196 Smith Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 Phone: (718)643-2106 There are a lot of destination restaurants, but this is what I like to call a destination bar. If you live in Carroll Gardens, consider yourself lucky. If you don’t, you’re really missing out. The bar is a glowing shrine to whiskies from all over the world with a 400-bottle selection. This is the perfect season for the Noreaster, a whiskey-based cocktail featuring Old Crow, ginger beer, lime and Canadian maple syrup. The Bourbon Insider is set to debut just in time for the holidays. This warm, fragrant...
Read MoreSummer's Best Mocktails & Booze-Free Beverages
August — It’s hot, humid, and anyone who can swing it, has skipped town in favor of the beach, a lake, or any available body of water. And, of course, drinking lots of cold, icy cocktails, chilled rose, and cold beers. Sometimes, it’s good to take a night off. That usually means depriving yourself and settling on a coke or lemonade or fizzy water. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but everyone’s getting creative with beverages these days, non-alcoholic drinks included. In fact, some of the drinks on menus are the mocktails. From the simple to the exotic, sweet to the savory, I scouted some of the most imaginative, booze-free beverages around. The Standard Grill 848 Washington St., at W. 13th St. (212) 645-4100 www.thestandardgrill.com The Standard Grill’s a great spot for dining al fresco beneath the city’s new High...
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