Showing posts with label Bars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bars. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Elsa
Formerly The Hanger and The Hanger Bar, the small East Village joint Elsa used to house a custom suit shop. And a bar. Simultaneously. Racks of suits now gone, the small front area still contains a display case of vintage clothes, all of which are for sale.
I wandered in early on a windy, cold, Monday evening, but was still surprised to find only one other table occupied. I was immediately greeted warmly, and, with no stools at the bar, I was invited to grab any table. I walked past the light-wood, candled bar which stood opposite a few small booths to an area of long booths and small, round marble tables, and nestled myself into a corner.
White walls and funky mirror somehow give the place an inviting feel--like your grandmother's front porch. The light wood and candles make everything seem welcoming and intimate, even when the weather outside is chilly.
After sitting down, I was promptly handed a cocktail list, and the lovely waitress answered my questions about their house cocktails knowledgeably. I chose the Wild Kindness, made with Creme de Violette, gin, orange blossom water and dry vermouth. It arrived in a martini glass, dantily garnished with a little flower bud. Very sweet and delicate, just like the drink. The drink was well-balanced and nicely strong, with the dryness of the gin cutting the sweetness of the Creme de Violette nicely.
If you're in the area and looking for a good drink with a friend, and want to avoid the more hyped-up places, check it out. Or go later in the evening, or on weekends when the place is more crowded. Definitely down-to-earth, this place is fun, welcoming, and relaxed.
Visit date: 3/15/10
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Little Branch
If I were an organ harvester, this is exactly how my lair would look. In fact, as my date led me through an unmarked door and down some rickety steps into a dingy basement, I was slightly worried that I would wake up missing a kidney. But after being greeted by the cool hostess and glancing at the liquor selection behind the bar, I was reassured. The hostess informed us she didn't have a table free, and invited us to hang out at the bar.
The bookish-sexy asian gal behind the bartend (who, with her glasses, looked more like a lab rat than a server) asked us what we were in the mood for. When we asked about whiskey drinks, she rattled off a few things from the 1800's, proving her mixology prowess. I knew we were in good hands. Cocktails were complex and yummy, using ingredients even I don't know. They were made carefully and efficiently, and were not too esoteric to keep me from sipping them.
After getting our drinks, we looked for a couple bar stools, and found two free by the empty band area. It turned out the band was on a break, and when we heard their soul-jazzy tunes, we knew we had found the best seats in the house.
The vibe of the place is down-to-earth, and, with the lack of decor, you know everyone is there for the drinks, not the scene. It's definitely a place for great cocktails, but be sure to bring your own company. The small booths along the wall will be taken by couples, as will the few barstools, and the bartenders are way too busy to chat for long.
And, it's a good way to freak someone out if they don't know what they're in for!
Visit date: January, 2010
The bookish-sexy asian gal behind the bartend (who, with her glasses, looked more like a lab rat than a server) asked us what we were in the mood for. When we asked about whiskey drinks, she rattled off a few things from the 1800's, proving her mixology prowess. I knew we were in good hands. Cocktails were complex and yummy, using ingredients even I don't know. They were made carefully and efficiently, and were not too esoteric to keep me from sipping them.
After getting our drinks, we looked for a couple bar stools, and found two free by the empty band area. It turned out the band was on a break, and when we heard their soul-jazzy tunes, we knew we had found the best seats in the house.
The vibe of the place is down-to-earth, and, with the lack of decor, you know everyone is there for the drinks, not the scene. It's definitely a place for great cocktails, but be sure to bring your own company. The small booths along the wall will be taken by couples, as will the few barstools, and the bartenders are way too busy to chat for long.
And, it's a good way to freak someone out if they don't know what they're in for!
Visit date: January, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Employees Only
I got off the subway at Sheridan Square, and headed over to Hudson St. to find Employees Only. It was about midnight on a Thursday, and the street was just starting to empty of the Greenwich Village crowd. A black awning with a red neon "Psychic" sign in the window marked the entrance to Employees Only. A tiny entry way, with a bouncer and psychic both hard at work led through dark curtains to a dimly lit long thin bar. Unlike the street outside, the place was packed. I waded my way through the rich college girls and boys to find my date perched at the bar.
Although slammed, the bartenders greeted us with cocktail menus promptly, and came back to take our order shortly after taking care of some sorority girls next to us. A well-mustached bartender answered my questions intelligently, and I ordered the Provencale, which consisted of lavender-infused gin, Herbs de Provence-infused vermouth, and a touch of Cointreau. An empty martini glass was set before me, and the bartender gracefully poured my cocktail, and topped it with a few small dried flower buds. The drink was light, with a fresh slightly lemon complexity. The delicate nature of the drink kept me sipping it, while keeping me from guzzling. The lavender and herbs added a nice nose, too. Well done.
A few minutes later, a couple girls randomly asked me for a cocktail recommendation when they came up to the bar to order. I gave a couple suggestions based on what I saw on the menu, and then left them to the bartender. The room was a mix of couples, groups of men and women, and people there for the actual cocktails. After hearing the phrase "I just love the Village" more than once, I was frustrated with the ignorance of the crowd, and imagined these smart, talented bartenders must be as well.
Yet they weren't, and handled the myriad of patrons gracefully, tailoring their approach to each customer. Overhearing some drink recommendations to a group of guys, it became clear to me that these bartenders knew their crowd well. Upon conversing with me, my bartender changed his tone, and spoke to me specifically and personally about the cocktails, and made me another delicious beverage. He made me feel as if my date and I were the only customers in the place, although from the volume in the room I knew otherwise.
The cocktails here are unique and complex, and use a mix of both house infusions and classic liqueurs, showing the knowledge of the mixologists and staff. Despite the young crowd, my date and I stayed for four rounds. My advice: bring good company, find a corner table, and enjoy the elegance of the staff and drinks, not the crowd.
Visit date: Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Although slammed, the bartenders greeted us with cocktail menus promptly, and came back to take our order shortly after taking care of some sorority girls next to us. A well-mustached bartender answered my questions intelligently, and I ordered the Provencale, which consisted of lavender-infused gin, Herbs de Provence-infused vermouth, and a touch of Cointreau. An empty martini glass was set before me, and the bartender gracefully poured my cocktail, and topped it with a few small dried flower buds. The drink was light, with a fresh slightly lemon complexity. The delicate nature of the drink kept me sipping it, while keeping me from guzzling. The lavender and herbs added a nice nose, too. Well done.
A few minutes later, a couple girls randomly asked me for a cocktail recommendation when they came up to the bar to order. I gave a couple suggestions based on what I saw on the menu, and then left them to the bartender. The room was a mix of couples, groups of men and women, and people there for the actual cocktails. After hearing the phrase "I just love the Village" more than once, I was frustrated with the ignorance of the crowd, and imagined these smart, talented bartenders must be as well.
Yet they weren't, and handled the myriad of patrons gracefully, tailoring their approach to each customer. Overhearing some drink recommendations to a group of guys, it became clear to me that these bartenders knew their crowd well. Upon conversing with me, my bartender changed his tone, and spoke to me specifically and personally about the cocktails, and made me another delicious beverage. He made me feel as if my date and I were the only customers in the place, although from the volume in the room I knew otherwise.
The cocktails here are unique and complex, and use a mix of both house infusions and classic liqueurs, showing the knowledge of the mixologists and staff. Despite the young crowd, my date and I stayed for four rounds. My advice: bring good company, find a corner table, and enjoy the elegance of the staff and drinks, not the crowd.
Visit date: Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Death and Company
On a dark East Village street, behind dark wood doors with dark metal signs lurks Death & Co. A lone doorman (who looks more like a drug dealer than a host) loiters outside with a notebook and pen. With no windows or awning the building looks almost condemned. As I approach the door to read the sign, the man asks, "How many?" "Oh, it's just me," I reply. "I have one seat at the bar right now," he replies, checks my ID, and motions me in.
Thick black curtains separate patrons from the January wind and I am plunged into a world of black and white marble, dark wood, and candlelight. I grab the one empty seat at the bar (yes, the doorman knew the room that well!) and am promptly greeted by a tall, smartly dressed bartender.
It was a busy Saturday night, which fortunately gave me time to peruse their six page cocktail list, which is organized by base ingredient. While making four drinks, my bartender unnecessarily apologized for the wait, and steered me in the direction of a cocktail, the Frisco Club, with gin, Fernet Branca, grapefruit and lime. The cocktail arrived in a small martini glass, which was more than ample considering its potency. After informing the bartender that I liked weird liqueurs and new takes on things, this cocktail was an excellent choice. At first it seemed simple, but the Fernet gave it this smokey complexity and an incredibly long, bitter, finish. The more I tasted it, the more flavors appeared, and complemented each other. Like Fernet, I started off sipping the cocktail slowly, but soon guzzled it. Perfect.
Fear not growing hungry as you imbibe, though. Their food menu, though small, is delicious, and portions are surprisingly large for the price. I ordered the asparagus and proscuitto with mushroom sauce, which was a yummy addition to this classic. Food arrived piping hot and was more than enough to satisfy.
The experience was warm and enjoyable in a place that could ostensibly be anything but. Giving the bartender free reign over my next cocktail, and after a few more questions on what I liked, he was again on point. Down-to-earth staff and quirky music (everything from Lowrider to the Mambo) confirm this joint's tongue-in-cheek attitude.
Go for the cocktails, trust your server if you can't decide, and be sure to have a bite to eat to get you through another round.
Visit date: January 23rd, 2010
Thick black curtains separate patrons from the January wind and I am plunged into a world of black and white marble, dark wood, and candlelight. I grab the one empty seat at the bar (yes, the doorman knew the room that well!) and am promptly greeted by a tall, smartly dressed bartender.
It was a busy Saturday night, which fortunately gave me time to peruse their six page cocktail list, which is organized by base ingredient. While making four drinks, my bartender unnecessarily apologized for the wait, and steered me in the direction of a cocktail, the Frisco Club, with gin, Fernet Branca, grapefruit and lime. The cocktail arrived in a small martini glass, which was more than ample considering its potency. After informing the bartender that I liked weird liqueurs and new takes on things, this cocktail was an excellent choice. At first it seemed simple, but the Fernet gave it this smokey complexity and an incredibly long, bitter, finish. The more I tasted it, the more flavors appeared, and complemented each other. Like Fernet, I started off sipping the cocktail slowly, but soon guzzled it. Perfect.
Fear not growing hungry as you imbibe, though. Their food menu, though small, is delicious, and portions are surprisingly large for the price. I ordered the asparagus and proscuitto with mushroom sauce, which was a yummy addition to this classic. Food arrived piping hot and was more than enough to satisfy.
The experience was warm and enjoyable in a place that could ostensibly be anything but. Giving the bartender free reign over my next cocktail, and after a few more questions on what I liked, he was again on point. Down-to-earth staff and quirky music (everything from Lowrider to the Mambo) confirm this joint's tongue-in-cheek attitude.
Go for the cocktails, trust your server if you can't decide, and be sure to have a bite to eat to get you through another round.
Visit date: January 23rd, 2010
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