Trot on Over to Casa di Isacco Trattoria

Walking down 9th ave between 40th & 41st you will likely notice a sudden patch of lush greenness with some appetizing lobsters, pork shank, and cheeses dangling in the window. In one of those funny hiding in plain sight ways, you still might not notice that it's a restaurant or ever think to go in. But if you do choose to step through the greenery and over the threshold where a water fountain and more plants greet you, you will quickly leave the hustle bustle of the city behind you.

Blue Fin: An Ocean in a Food Desert

I love going to the theatre, but I hate picking pre-theatre restaurants. There are such slim pickings around Times Square that I often say that I feel like it's a food dessert. Which is exactly what I was saying to my friend as we sat on the red steps of the TKTS booth, but then I looked past her and spotted Blue Fin. As if reading my mind she said "You know, there's actually a pretty good sushi place around here..."

Casing Stickys Finger Joint

Sticky's Finger Joint

We were having a pretty killer night that included drinks from Angel's Share followed by another round at Wise Men and needed something substantial in our bellies before we headed home. Although our night started out with lobster rolls from Luke's and an arepa from Caracas Arepa Bar To Go, that was many long hours ago. We always jump at the chance to take a stroll through Washington Square Park, so Sticky's Finger Joint was the perfect place to make our pit stop.

Wise Men is a Smart Bet

Wise Men: Blood and Sand & Kentucky Buck

We were having a pretty killer night that started out with lobster rolls from Luke's, an arepa from Caracas Arepa Bar To Go, and drinks from Angel's Share. But we weren't quite ready to call it a night, so we walked down to Wise Men. Despite what the name would lead you to believe, this low profile little spot is actually owned by three women.

A Heavenly Evening at Angels Share

Angel's Share

Angel's Share has been on my list of must try speakeasies since moving to the city more than 4 years ago. Tonight, I made that wish come true. When The Mr. announced that he was craving a lobster roll from Luke's, we jumped in a cab and I requested that we be dropped of at St Mark's & 3rd instead of 1st Ave. I identified Village Yokocho and confidently walked up the stairs. When I reached the top I spied an inconspicuous door to my left, so without pause I made a beeline there. Opening it I found a jam packed foyer to the bar. I squeezed through to the hostess and put my name on the 2 hour wait list.

Go To Caracas Arepa Bar To Go

Caracas Arepas Bar To Go: Inside

After grabbing a bite at Luke's Lobster, I was still a bit peckish because for some reason I only ordered half a lobster roll like a fool. So when we started walking down the street and The Mr. paused at the red door of Caracas Arepa Bar To Go, no words needed to be exchanged. In we went.

Hooked on Luke's Lobster

Luke's Lobster: Half Lobster Roll, Pickle, Chips, & Maine Root Sodas

We were lucky to discover Luke's Lobster pretty early on in our NYC adventures and we immediately declared them to be our favorite lobster rolls (see our original post on Luke's). Since then we've repeatedly traveled throughout New England and have yet to taste a lobster roll that even comes close to comparing. Yes, even in Maine itself. This is one of our absolute favorite places to grab a quick bite, especially when friends visit from out of town. Time after time you take your first bite (either ever or just of the night) and have to pause to breathlessly say "Woooow." Yes, it's that good. If you've never tried it and are wondering if it lives up to the hype/price tag, stop wondering and just go do it.

Schmackarys is Lip Schmackin Good

Schmackarys

I was walking home through Hell's Kitchen this evening and wanted a snack when I spotted Schackarys which I've always walked by when it was either already closed for the evening or I was too full to even think about dessert.  It's a cute little shop and the smell of the coffee and the fact that they called it "Broadway Blend" prompted me to buy a bag alongside with my treats.

Make The Time for El Vez

Tonight I met a friend downtown for dinner and she recommended we walk over to El Vez. While I'm naturally skeptical of all Mexican food in NYC, I trusted her judgment and couldn't turn down the opportunity to eat outside on such a perfect evening. Apparently, many other people had the same idea because we were looking at a 30 minute wait. The time passed very quickly as we enjoyed some extremely refreshing Cucumber Mint Margaritas.

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

Mermaid Parade: Dick Zigun

Today I made my first visit to Coney Island for the annual Mermaid Parade, a whimsical art parade that celebrates the Coney Island community and seaside spirit. To kick off the parade was no other than Dick Zigun himself aka "the Mayor of Coney Island" and original founder of the parade. Unfortunately, I didn't get too many good shots because my battery died halfway through. But here are a few:

Bar Hopping: Dear Irving, Amor y Amargo, Crif Dogs

Dear Irving: Samoa & True Patriot

After a pre-theatre jaunt to St. Andrews and watching The Realistic Joneses we weren't quite ready for our night to end. We walked almost all the way down to Penn Station before I was struck with a brilliant idea. Didn't the folks behind fabulous speakeasy Raines Law Room just open up a new cocktail establishment with 3 rooms that capture 3 eras? We were in a cab heading over to Gramercy within 2 minutes.

St. Andrews a Nice Catch

St. Andrews

After picking up some last minute tickets for The Realistic Joneses at the TKTS booth we needed a nearby spot to grab dinner. A quick search of the nearby vicinity pulled up St. Andrews Scottish Restaurant & Bar. Since we've recently returned from a trip to Scotland, we've been scouting out all the Scottish culture (& Scotch) that we can get our hands on in NYC.

Rolling with Thelewala

Thelewala: Spices on Wall

After some drinks and appetizers at both Employees Only and Highlands we stopped in to Big Gay Ice Cream for a Salty Pimp, but were still feeling a bit peckish. One of our favorite treats when around the Village is a kati roll. While we normally frequent Kati Roll, our friends at The Restaurant Fairy recently recommended we check out Thelewala across the street.

High Times in Highlands

Highlands: Scotch Egg

After some delightful cocktails and snacks from Employees Only, we were not quite ready to call it a night so headed East a few blocks to Highlands. We've attempted to come to this bar many times because we hear they have a great Scotch Egg, but we tend to swing by on Friday & Saturday nights and this place is hopping. Walking in on a Monday night, they were still doing good business, but it was calm & relaxed and totally unrecognizeable from the scene we were used to.

Everything's Working for Employees Only

Employees Only: Mata Hari

As a big lover of high quality speakeasies Employees Only has been on my 'must visit' list for quite some time now. On a whim, we decided to have a little Monday night adventure to kick off the week. We found the neon Psychic sign in the West Village window and walked by the actual psychic who sits in the foyer into another world.

Williamsburg Fun at TNE, Roberta's, & Huckleberry Bar

The Noble Experiment: Owney's

Today we did a tour of The Noble Experiment, New York City's only exclusively rum distillery. It's a small operation and the founder Bridget gave the tour herself and poured us samples of her final product Owney's Rum. As a bonus, we also got to sample some leftover holiday editions infused with Rosemary, Mint, and Vanilla Bean. Oh the cocktails one could make with these gems!

I Can Cook! Blue Apron

Blue Apron: Korean Style Scallion Pancakes
with Cucumber Salad

It's been a long time since I've even had the 30 minutes that it takes to prepare a Blue Apron meal, but things have calmed down a bit so I was excited to get a delivery this week. Here is what was on the menu so you can compare against how mine turned out:

Smashburger: A Smashing Good Time

Smashburger

Smashburger was one of our favorite burger joints when we lived in Boulder, CO and we miss it dearly. That's why we are excited that this chain is expanding into NYC in a major way. Their first location is in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and now they have one in Midtown West with many more to come. Tonight we were in Fort Greene for the special RadioLoveFest taping of Ask Me Another at BAM and stopped in for a couple of burgers before the show.

Clover Club is still Acing It

Clover Club: Improved Whisky Cocktail

Tonight we attended the special RadioLoveFest taping of one of my favorite podcasts, Ask Me Another. While The Mr doesn't listen to podcasts, I've taken him to both of Radiolab's live events and knew he would enjoy special Very Important Puzzlers Robert Krulwich & Jad Abumrad. I also suspected he would be excited by special musical guest They Might be Giants. And I was right. It was a delightful event and afterward we wanted to keep the party going and explore more of what Brooklyn has to offer. Before the show, we had grabbed a couple of burgers at Smashburger, but we were ready for some cocktails and another nosh.

Giving Joseph Leonard a Go

Joseph Leonard: Bloody Caesar & Michelada

Joseph Leonard has been on my to try brunch list for ages now, so when the opportunity arose on a beautiful spring afternoon we headed off to the West Village to give it a shot. We usually don't order drinks at brunch, but their Bloody Marys looked like a serious opportunity not to be missed. I ordered the Bloody Caesar with vodka, clamato, and sriracha garnished with a deep-fried bacon-wrapped brussels sprout and an oyster. Heck yah.