Front Door

Picking a first date place is always hard.  Especially in a city with thousands upon thousands of choices.  It was a Thursday night in the middle of February and I had to do just that—decide my first date avenue of choice.  Luckily, a friend (and by friend, I mean, person who was drinking at my apartment with my roommates) told me of this “really great speakeasy” in the West Village, which “was always good on a Thursday”.  Many times when I trust a random stranger with my after hours plans; I end up bumping booties with overly tan men in the Meatpacking District.  So, I was pleasantly surprised when I met my date on the corner of 7^th avenue and Leroy Street, in front of a non-descript brown door with a small gold placard that read “Little Branch”.

Fortunately for myself and the man of the hour, it was a balmy-ish February night, for Little Branch was exactly one would expect a speakeasy to be like—in the middle of nowhere.  Many would pass Little Branch up as being nothing of importance, but the small queue at the door almost gave it away.  However, unlike many of the establishments frequented by the Manhattan glitterati, this line was not because the bouncer was a big burly hard-ass with an affinity for douchebags carrying black cards and the plastic breasted women that love them, but because the establishment itself was so tiny, it was literally a fire hazard to have over 35 patrons.

Waiting in line among the dirty snow beds with wind whipping through my freshly blown out tresses proved to strangely be perfect first date material.  We bonded over the crisp winter air and conversation was never at a loss—perhaps because if we stopped speaking we would realize that we were standing outside in 30-degree weather.  Once inside, the thirty-minute wait was out of mind as we descended the stairs into a warmly lit basement space.  A live band was playing jazz in a nook to the side of the room.  There were couples sipping cocktails at tables in the back behind a friendly hostess and others were crowded around mahogany stools scattered in front of the small bar.   We put our names down for a table, but unfortunately, never made it that far.  I’m not a lightweight, but after two of Little Branch’s expertly made cocktails, I was pretty much done for the night.

The Drinks!  Delicious would be an understatement.  Upon entering the bar, I sneakily Foursquared my location, inviting a pop-up urging me to try the mojito; but after meticulously googling before hand, I was more inclined to follow the Yelp crowd and go for the “Bartender’s Choice”.  Whilst situated in front of the dapper bartender, I informed him that I was in the mood for something vodka based, that was fruity and sweet, but not too sweet.  Five minutes later, I was presented with a vanilla gimlet.  The perfect combination of sweet and sour: the vanilla notes flirting successfully with the lime undertones.

At first, I was unimpressed with the size of the glass after forking over $12 (or my dates’ $12), but after one sip, I realized that it was quality, not quantity, that counted at Little Branch.  While the vodka was not strong taste wise, my lightheadedness afterwards indicated that it was in full effect. Yet, my Foursquare friends generally never steer me wrong, so I decided that drink number two should be sampled before I called it a night and I ordered a mojito.

I have never really been a mojito fan, but Little Branch has converted me.  I usually hate mixing liquors (if I start on vodka, it is vodka all night long…also many a teenage night gulping down as much coconut rum as I could has almost turned me off rum all together), but the mojito ended my night on a significant high note.  The rum was tasteless, the mint was refreshing and the drink as a whole was sweet, but not too sugary like many mojitos end up being.

Overall, while Little Branch provided the ambiance for the perfect first date, it is also a great place for a person (or group of friends) who like to experiment with new concoctions.  No overgrown frat boys here; these are not drinks to chug.  They are for savoring and enjoying the art of expert mixology.

If you like Milk & Honey (founded by the same guy), you will love Little Branch.  While I have not been to Milk & Honey (that shall appear in another post), Little Branch is well known amongst the cocktail elitists as being the laid back younger brother of Milk & Honey’s infamy.  And, as we all know, many times the laid back younger brother is the hotter, cooler sibling who is frequently overlooked.

Well, when you’re facing a fifteen minute walk to the 4 train in the dead of winter on a rainy Saturday night in a leather mini-skirt, 4” stilettos and a sleeveless shirt you’ll begin to think differently. At first I would jump on the train at all hours and head to Marquee or Cain in an attempt to catch Lindsay Lohan make her clothes disappear or to verbally abuse reflective sunglass-wearing guidos. The following winter at the Seaport something changed – I grew up – and began to explore the area. Would I really want to date some guy who hangs out at those “hotspot” clubs and lounges on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night anyway? Not anymore.

Once a good friend of mine moved into 45 Wall Street we began exploring since we had each other and were always too cold to head uptown. Now keep in mind that we didn’t hang out at the actual Seaport, we headed a block west and north of the Seaport – this hidden gem of an area begins on the corner of Front Street and Beekman Street.

On the corner of Front and Beekman you will come across Salud Restaurant and Bar, a homey Spanish tapas spot that has knock-you-out coconut mojitos, live Cuban music on Thursday nights and fantastic happy hour specials that attract lots of the AIG men. I’ve never had a bad time here, but then again, I don’t think I’ve managed to leave sober – the drinks are so addictive you can’t have just one!

Next door to Salud, towards Water Street, is Fresh Salt. It’s one of the neighborhood’s best kept secrets. It’s a borderline divey, nautical-themed bar/restaurant that’s jam-packed with local businesspeople and natives who are attracted to the dimly lit interior, fresh munchies, drink specials and late night hours without the tourists.

On the other side of Salud on Front Street is Stella Maris, a dark and sexy Irish Restaurant and Bar that serves lots of traditional cuisine and seafood. After work it’s a bit of a meat market scene – married men tend to congregate at the bar and always offer to pay our tab – not that we’ve ever minded this. While disapproving single women in corporate wear shoot nasty looks in our direction … it’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it. The wine list is impressive and the pours – well, they’re even better!

Diagonally across the street from Stella Maris is Bin 220, a cozy, mellow and romantic Italian wine bar. A local fave – Bin 220 is not only a fab date spot, but you can also converse with friends or clients without being interrupted or hit on – which can be very annoying when you’re frantically searching for a chilled out evening.

A few doors down from Bin 220 on Front Street is Jeremy’s Ale House. Jeremy’s is the less classy version (but I LOVE IT) of Brother Jimmy’s at the Seaport. This no-frills dive bar is a great place to catch the game, play beer pong, suck down buffalo wings, play a round of SORRY or Connect Four, practice your New “Yawk” accent with local firemen and drink from a 32 oz. foam cup that’s overflowing with Budweiser. The juke box – well it could use some fine-tuning. A dive bar needs dive bar music. Patrons seem confused and annoyed when “Living on a Prayer” is suddenly interrupted by traditional Spanish music.

Across from Jeremy’s is one of my favorite spots in the city, Nelson Blue, New York’s first authentic New Zealand restaurant and wine bar. Resident Kiwi, Pauli, along with the vibrant and fabulous Michelle, man this tight ship – even the décor is reminiscent of a traditional New Zealand boat. Nelson Blue can boast one of the best views in the city – it’s on the corner of Peck Slip and Front Street – a straight shot of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. Nelson serves true taste bud ticklers – their New Zealand-style mouthwatering crabcake (I know my crabcakes, I grew up in Baltimore) and the corn & zucchini fritters are delightful. The wine – well, this is one of the main reasons why we started coming here in the first place – New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the best. I’m completely addicted to the grapefruity flavors and I swear this wine might be the death of m. Nelson Blue attracts a well-heeled happy hour crowd, but it remains busy throughout the evening with locals who are thrilled to see that this pristine bar is still a bit of a secret.

Oh – make sure to ask for a glass of the “Cat’s Pee on a Gooseberry Bush”.

If you cross Peck Slip and head towards the Brooklyn Bridge you will discover many more bars and restaurants – most notably, MarkJoseph Steakhouse. Bet you didn’t know this Zagat-rated, testosterone-charged meat mecca is located practically underneath one of the most famous landmarks in the country – the Brooklyn Bridge! Ladies – if you’re looking for a Wall Street man on a Thursday night after work, this is your spot!

There are many more places to review on Front Street and I will highlight them at a later date. If you’re looking to impress a woman on her first date I’d suggest you hop in a cab and head down to this neighborhood. It’s not only romantic, but it’s nostalgic and uncluttered. Just don’t go past Beekman Street towards the actual Seaport – you might end up buying a fanny pack.

BY ALEXIS KORMAN Special to amNewYork

From a stylish club in Chelsea to a Coney Island-themed bar near Union Square, there’s no shortage of nightlife spots opening in early fall. Here’s the scoop.

Forty Eight

1221 Sixth Ave.,

at 48th St.,

212-554-4848 (Recently opened)

This lounge is located in the McGraw-Hill buildingnear Rockefeller Center, making it a swanky spot for after-work cocktails. On weekends, a DJ gets partygoers moving in this modern space adorned with Swarovski crystal light fixtures. “We hope that we’ll get to serve NYC’s local influencers and late-night partygoers,” said co-owner Brian Packin.

Brinkley’s

406 Broome St., at Cleveland Pl.,

no phone yet (Opens Sept. 7)

Anthony and Tom Martignetti have replaced their shuttered eatery Bar Martignetti with this relaxed English bar. Brinkley’s plans to serve pub grub (from former Kingswood chef Ben Towell) and, of course, plenty of suds on tap. Two TVs will be in place to show games.

La Pomme

37 W. 26th St., at Sixth Ave.,

no phone yet (Opens Monday)

Fromerly known as Ultra, this Flatiron club will feature 3,500 square feet of space decorated with murals from celeb photographer Fadil Berisha. The space will also offer a private VIP room. Also VIP? Prices. Table minimums are $750.

Le Souk Harem

510 La Guardia Pl., btwn W. Houston and Bleecker sts.,

212-777-5454 (Opens Thursday)

This exotic, 300-seat space will feature an open kitchen, a patio and tents where guests can scope out eye candy on the dance floor. Also sure to get the crowd going? Belly dancers, hookah pipes and the menu, which will consist of Moroccan dishes with a French twist, partner Lamia Funti said.

Ardesia

510 W. 52nd St., at Tenth Ave.,

212-247-9191 (Opens in mid-September)

All wines by the glass will cost $15 or less at this modern Hell’s Kitchen wine bar. One owner, Mandy Oser, hails from Le Bernardin, ensuring that small plates (cured meats, cheeses) will complement the wines.

The Empire Room

350 Fifth Ave., at 34th St., ground floor,

no phone yet (Opens in late September)

The Empire State Building will soon boast a cocktail lounge that screams oldschool New York, with an Art Deco-themed interior and a menu of classic tipples. “[It] will harken back to the golden age of the 1920s and ’30s,” said Mark Grossich, CEO of Hospitality Holdings, which owns the bar.

Carnival

110 University Pl., at E. 12th St.,

212-255-8188 (Opens in late October)

Located above Bowlmor Lanes, Carnival plans to live up to its name and Coney Island theme. It will house a dunk tank, clowns and amusement park-style games, along with alcoholic snow cones and Coney Island beer. Boardwalk bites will also be available, including corn dogs and candy apples — ensuring that summer lives on.

As always if you need help getting reservations at any of these new hotspots, contact us at www.premiumlg.com

This week the Windy City once again found a warm spot in my heart…I encourage you to give it a chance, if it hasn’t found a special place in your heart.

Although our itinerary was, for the most part, consumed by wedding festivities, we did sneak in some low-brow, high quality eats.

My sister came across an article a few months back in the New York Times on Mado. It is located in Wicker park, an upcoming area with some breathe taking residential apartments.

The restaurant is BYOB but they recommend Red & White, a chic wine store, down a few blocks. He staff was charming and extremely helpful as they are very familiar with the Mado menu.

As we enjoyed the Mado “urban-rustic” décor (exposed brick, oversized chalkboards with the menu written on them and distressed wooden country tables), we were reminded what a small world we live in as our waiter grew up in New York City and worked at Posto, one of our favorite pizza joints, in the city (God, foodies love company). Instantly, the chatter and Big Apple reminiscing began. We settled in, opened our bottles of wine and started to exam the menu.

Mado focuses on local ingredients, partnering with regional farmers to serve the freshest produce and meats available. In addition, a majority of the ingredients are made in house—I was amazed and I am not easily impressed!!! They cure their own meats, bake their own bread and make their own fresh pastas. After that introduction, I was excited to sample the menu.

We started with a few appetizers to share (as frequent readers know, this is always my preference). Chicken liver pâté accompanied by country bread, Grain mustard and sliced pickles; it was velvety and decedent, the accouterment’s perfectly complimenting the principal dish. Secondarily, the heirloom tomatoes with sea salt and olive oil and the corn marinated in paprika and chile oil (picked that morning) confirmed that they indeed embrace the local ingredients!

We opted for whitefish baccala, with spring onions and chiies, which was a lovely compliment to the farm fresh produce. Mado uses wood grill and oven cooking preparations — the personal touch highlights the favors of the fish and meat entrees. The hanger steak was charred, adding a grilled favor/ texture maintaining a juicy and succulent center (I love these contrasts). The polenta’s pungent bite (highlighted with gorgonzola) rounded out the dish…at this point, I was reeling!

Our server recommended the whole whitefish with cucumbers, pea shoots and mint. The fish was moist, buttery and substantial. (My perspective is that fish should be served whole, when appropriate…I love the flare, the presentation and the authenticity (if you can handle the appearance of the fish head)

Although the Homemade Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding and the Almond Cornmeal Cake with sour cherry jam and goat cheese were extremely tempting (if you have time, indulge and let me know what you thought), we needed to continue our tour of Chicago and were off to Chicago’s jazz standard, Green Mill Cocktail Lounge — a little spot owned in part by one of Capone’s henchmen and a prime hangout for the boss himself.

(OK, so, despite the time constraint, we did give in and quickly enjoyed a low maintenance, but completely satisfying dessert—the Migas Bark, thin bars of dark chocolate, olive oil and sea salt. A perfect ending…)

Jazz and Chicago are akin to Forrest and Jenny…they go together like peas and carrots…Chicago enjoys a slew of authentic blues and jazz clubs, dotting the city with their unique authenticity.

I often pay a visit to jazz club classics in New York (love Smalls Birdland, and Blue Note for instance)…all I can say is that walking into the Green Mill was indeed a unique experience — the sounds of a thirty person band illuminates the soul and makes you want to just tap your feet to the intoxicating melodies.

The décor was restored to its 1940 luster — the gold velvet high back crescent shaped banquettes lined the room, and an array of landscaped murals cover the walls, while the amber lighting set the mood for unforgettable renditions of “The Bird” and “My Funny Valentine.

This century old gem has housed the likes of Frank Sinatra and Franz Jackson.

Green Mill is a must if jazz, classic cocktails, and nostalgia is your thing.

Some other suggested highlights are: The Art Institute and the Terzo Piano café, Millennium Park and the Park Grill, Gino’s classic deep dish pizzeria, The Architectural boat tour, and 16 bar in the trump building.

Enjoy and Explore!

P.S. If Indie’s your thing, check out Sufjan Stevens – an ambitious rocker , who shares his thoughts on this fine city in a song with the simple title, Chicago (quite an anthem, in this writer’s view)

To help plan your next experience please visit us at www.premiumlg.com

 Situated on Houston and Allen, the bustling corner generates fascinating people watching and heavy city traffic but when you step foot into Oliva the warm and infectious Latino vibe whisks you away for an evening of spice and passion…

 In business for over ten years, this family owned restaurant must be doing something right! Whether you’re seated at the long communal table or opt for a spot at the cozy bar, the combination of the freshly made cocktails, the scrumptious dishes and the live beats make it the ultimate One Stop Shop!

 Luckily the bartenders have mastered muddling the mojitos in a timely manner, the made- to-order Brazilian cocktails and refreshing white and red sangria are in high demand. If it is a night of scandalous behavior and tequila shots are in order don’t forget to sip the homemade Sangrita, a spicy tomato based chaser, to tame the burn of the shot.

 The menu includes hardy traditional tapas such as Croquetas de Jamon, Serrano ham fritters, Gambas al Ajillo, sautéed shrimp with garlic and olive oil, Chorizo a La Plancha, Albondigas, meatballs in a tomato sauce.

 Some of my favorite entrees range from the Grilled Skirt Steak- the perfect balance of charred and juicy sliced meat, served with crisp potato bravas, watercress and Dijon mustard. The Seafood Paella, served with fresh shrimp, mussels, calamari, and clams in a fragrant saffron rice with sautéed tomatoes is a perfect dish to share. There is an excellent vegetarian option, a whole Grilled Artichoke served with white beans, mushrooms, green beans sautéed in paprika oil. Save room for a taste of the velvety Vanilla Bean Flan with morello cherries.

 Oliva kicked off a weekend brunch menu just a few years ago and it has been a real crowd pleaser. For $15 bucks you get an entrée with the choice of coffee, tea or a cocktail. The kitchen serves up some Spanish favorites such as Huevos Rancheros and Basque Eggs, three eggs baked in terracotta with piperade & chorizo served with potato bravas. On the sweeter side, the Whole Grain Pancakes with Walnuts & Bananas are hardy with great texture and are served with pure maple and fresh fruit.

 The live music enhances the elusion that you are on holiday. Every  night there is a mix of Latin bands playing  (Sunday -Thursday from 8:30- 11:30pm and Friday-Saturday 11pm-2am). On Thursday evenings,  Yuca Seca band performs traditional Afro-Cuban Latin rythms. The restaurant is usually packed with not much room to linger but that doesn’t stop random patrons from getting up from their tables to dance the night away to the beat of the drums.

This LES haven is right on point– the flavors, the inviting ambience, and the reasonable prices make it an ideal option for any occasion. Especially for a date spot, Oliva was voted the Best date restaurant in 2007 Citysearch Best Of.

 For more information on Oliva or to make a reservation visit their website, www.olivanyc.com . To organize you next experience please contact us at www.premiumlg.com

This year’s festival will take place on July 31 through August 2nd at Liberty State Park and the line up will include The Beastie Boys, Coldplay, Echo and The Bunnymen, Tool, My Bloody Valentine and many others.  You can buy single day tickets or three days passes to attend the whole weekend.  If you are looking for VIP access, please make sure you let us know by contacting us on our website. 

ALL ABOARD!