Raoul's

"Two brothers journeyed from Alsace, France, to Soho, New York. They found a little restaurant for sale. They were so poor they threw nothing out, not even the salt." Well, thank god they made the trip across the Atlantic because this little fairy tale is the beginning of what is far and away my favorite restaurant in New York City. Raoul's is a French bistro in SoHo that not only serves up delicious food but also serves a delicious slice of NYC culture.

The furthest thing from a chain style joint, this cozy place is long and narrow with one small bar and the rest dinner seating. The seating in the front near the bar is a bit on the noisy side so you will prefer to walk past the fish tank and sit in the main dining area. This area has nicer tables for larger parties and is a much more intimate dining experience. What you will notice in Raoul's is the massive amounts of art on display. The management is clearly proud of their gallery as they even display it on the restaurant website.

Reservations are definitely recommended as this place gets packed and is usually difficult to get drinks at the bar. When making a reservation be sure to make the veteran move and request a table in the "Garden Room". This back section of the restaurant is accessed through the kitchen as the hostess walks you straight through all the chaos as the cooks are hammering away. The garden is as cool as it gets for NYC dining with a much more quiet and supremely intimate environment.

Once finally seated, do not bother looking at the chalk board menu for 2 reasons: A) it's in French B) the only thing you should order is their famous Steak Au Poivre with shoestring fries. This meal is so delicious, I promise you will intentionally eat it slowly because you don't want it to be gone so fast. Some red wine, couple Moretti's & the Chocolate Trio for desert and as they say on Strong Island "fuggettaboutit".

Last side note is that the bathroom is a cool experience too as you have to walk up a tight route iron spiral staircase where you find a tarot card reader waiting to tell your fortune if you are so inclined. All this character adds to the dynamic of this incredible SoHo bistro. Make it a stop on your restaurant tour ASAP.

Raoul's

180 Prince St

New York, NY 10012

(212) 966-3518

http://www.raouls.com/

Kush Lounge

I'm not sure how we got there or why we went but all I remember is a dark, bizarre scene and that I had a great time. Kush Lounge is weird, dark, loud & filled with hookah smoke but something about this LES night club is worth coming back. Walk through the winding corridors of this place passing the smaller front bar and move straight to the back bar room where there are cabanas (fancy word for tables with pillows on the benches) and a long bar where drinks are easily accessible as well as there prized offering of the hookah with a very wide array of flavored tobacco to chose from.

So my buddy (who is as equally weird as the place) order some beers a green apple flavor hookah. Now we can enjoy the energetic Moroccan atmosphere. The scene is very eclectic which makes you quasi-forget that you are in New York City while at the same time is really cool that you are still in New York City.

The DJ is building up as the night gets older and the music is right on point. As I mentioned, this place has a very unique layout and down in the pit like area (right) is where they have more tables that appear to be for the bottle service clients although I never actually found out whether the place provided such amenities. Don't be fooled by this nice looking area because it is anything but calm. This becomes the dance floor / mosh pit as the night moves on. We never ventured down, but we people watched from the arch shaped perch. It became rather rowdy and I gotta imagine anything on those tables made it's way to a mess on the floor.

To close the night out, was the grand finale at Kush Lounge. Just as weird as everything else, out from the back room walks a middle aged belly dancer outfitted in everything you would expect to see in a movie. The only difference is this woman had a serving tray on her head that was filled with about a dozen glass candles that are all lit. This oddity did her thing and everyone clapped along while hooting and hollering. It was odd but added a very cool flavor and rounded out what I thought is a great place. So, you probably never heard of it and you won't have your work happy hour there anytime soon, but I recommend you find this place on a weekend night and enjoy.

Kush Lounge
191 Chrystie St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 677-7328
http://www.thekushnyc.com/

Salt Bar

Lower East Side places are none for their unique flavor and Salt Bar followed with flavor but not in the literal sense. The outside is quite appealing making me wonder what was going on inside. Once you enter the establishment, the atmosphere is very LES with a vintage looking dining room that was also the bar area and also the kitchen. Yup, one big room with everything in it. The "kitchen" was just right behind the bar.

For drinking and hanging out, this place is a great pick for a pregame spot before you venture out in to many of the fun LES social clubs. The food on the other hand was bland and over priced. I ordered the filet of beef Wellington in balsamic sauce which on paper is everything I want in a meal but it was dull in flavor and the small portions left me hungry.

My overall recomendation is definitely stop by this quiet place for a drink with the neighborhood locals before you head down to Pianos to hang out with all the out-of-towners from the Upper East Side (sorry TW).

Salt Bar

29 Clinton St

New York, NY 10002-1737

(212) 979-8471

http://www.saltnyc.com/

The Back Fence

Lots of good live music venues in NYC, no one can challenge that. Where I have a slight problem is that I'm not some indie music freak or totally all about sitting in a bar watching some guy try to "make it" with his original songs. I'm totally cool with a original here and there, but I'm out tonight to have a good time and listen to some music I know (translation: covers).

The Back Fence is one of my favorite live music spots in the city for many reasons. Walk into this classic place and the first thought that runs through your head is, "this place is small." Thursday through Saturday night make sure you get there early to get yourself a table; the experience will be much better. Once seated, your good time can begin. Have a seat in these tight quarters and listen to what has always been great music in the time I have been there. The weekend acts are usually their regular list of performers and I've always enjoyed their playlist and percentage of covers to originals. My favorite performer I've seen is a guy that everyone always called Tommy Boy because of his striking resemblance to Chris Farley (if you've been there and seen him, you know I'm dead on).

This is no first date place as the music is loud, beer comes in mugs and there are peanut shells everywhere. I'm a huge peanut fan mostly at baseball games but sometimes they are good for tossing into your friends beer mug when he is not paying attention, just sometimes though. You should eventually plan on having your peanut privilege taken away from you by the waitress so make sure you enjoy them while they are on the table.

The Back Fence is a fun, no attitude place that will get you nice and rummed up while listening to quality tunes. Also, you can't beat the neighborhood as you walk out right on the happening Bleecker St of the Greenwich Village.

The Back Fence

155 Bleecker StNew York, NY

10012-1438

(212) 475-9221

http://www.thebackfenceonline.com/

Tree

Not a huge TV watcher but I love me some Seinfeld and I love me some Food Network. I was watching this one show where famous chefs were talking about their "must have" foods. One of the guys mentioned the dish he loved at Tree in the East Village.

The chef's recommendation sparked my interest enough to venture here on a Thursday night. Very hidden entrance that you could easily overlook on a crowded 1st Avenue. Once inside, the front room is very narrow with very few tables but we are led by the hosest to the garden in the back which I was pumped about. Anytime I can possibly eat outdoors, I'm all about it. This particular garden was very cool and spacious. It had what appeared to be a motorized retractable roof for inclement weather. I thought this was really cool, the other two people at our table did not seem to care nearly as much as I did.

So, this TV chef dude suggested the Manila clams & mussels over linguini. What is unique about this dish is that it is made with saffron broth as opposed to the standard garlic, oil & chicken broth that we've all had a million times. Don't get me wrong, this dish was legit and there wasn't an ounce of edible food left on my plate but this said chef claimed to have ordered a duplicate dish while he was halfway through his first one. I didn't order a second but after looking at the website I kinda wish I ordered this:

Food aside, the atmosphere was great, service was great, wine list was great, prices were great and it a great neighborhood. Overall, great (someone get me a thesaurus) and I recommend it.

Tree

190 First Ave

New York, NY 10009

(212) 358-7171

http://www.treenyc.com/

Lederhosen

"Lassen Sie uns\'s betrinken". If that's what you're thinking and you can't get beer off your mind that Lederhosen is the place for you. Walk down this residential West Village street and you'd never believe that behind those doors are a bunch of people getting stupid drunk.

This German beer garden is good old fashion fun. Walk in and there is a small bar on your right that hopefully you never have to use because that means there are no available tables. This is a big issue because this watering hole is no airport bar, tables do not turn over quickly. Once you get to the back room tables are set up picnic style and the chaos begins.

Food is typical German fair with brauts and sausages galore but their bread and butter is their warm soft pretzel and homemade mustard dip. All great foods needed to absorb the gallons of beer you will be consuming in Lederhosen's massive steins.

You may also want to dabble into their boot shaped glasses but be warned, this glass combined with no air conditioning has been known to make grown men (physically not mentally) take their shirts off in public places.

Das Boot is dangerous. Overall a great time and a perfect spot for a boys night of debauchery. Lassen Sie uns\'s betrinken = Let's get drunk.

Lederhosen

39 Grove St

New York, NY 10014

(212) 206-7691

http://www.lederhosennyc.com/

The Kingswood

Australian meets American New and together decide to be trendy is what you get with The Kingswood. First impression when you walk into this joint is that you are no longer out for dinner but entered an upscale social scene. The bar is a very cool square shaped bar with a brass top for that aged look. It will most likely be packed with groups of girls waiting for a table, businessmen doing the same, or just a few people looking to get a drink in a place with a cool atmosphere.

It may be tough to get your first drink on a busy Thursday night, but once you do you'll actually be hoping that your table is not ready for another 45 minutes. I'm not very good with the whole luck thing therefore our table is ready seconds after we get our drinks. The restaurant is divided in 2 with front section that set up to cater more towards the bar crowd meaning that it is a less intimate vibe as the tables are close and this section flows right into the bar. On the other side is a big open area with lots of seating but you are now a good distance from the bar noise.

The food is just silly. Definitely start with the mussels with lemongrass, green curry, coconut cilantro and jalapeno. Great dipping bread is served with the meal. Mmmm, these were good. I next move onto Ruby's burger with sweet chili sauce and I'm happy as a pig in sh*t. Side of sauteed broccoli w/ rock salt to make me not feel like a total gluttonous animal.

Call this Australian, call it whatever but The Kingswood is a definite winner whether you're headed there for drinks or great dinner in the West Village.

The Kingswood

121 W 10th St

New York, NY 10079
(212) 645-0018
http://www.kingswoodnyc.com/

Von

Welcome to Von. What? You can't find it? No sh*t, neither could I considering it has no sign outside and looks like a speakeasy. Oh, did I forget to mention that it's on "1st & Bowery". We'll it's actually Bleecker & Bowery but if you are on the other side of the street it reads 1st and if you walk North it becomes Bond Street rather than 2nd Street which is what Bond becomes on the East side of the street. Wait, what? Like I said, I couldn't find it either.

Anyway, this pet friendly place is very cozy and a good scene for the non-party times of the week. Very rustic and antique decor takes you back a bit to give that speakeasy feel. No TVs, nothing modern, sometimes simplicity is best. Don't be lulled to sleep by this cool place because the neighborhood is anything but slow. Come weekends, Von turns a different page.

A simple trip to the bathroom shows you the basement and Jeckyl side of this Hyde bar. Dark, crowded and loud is the lounge scene that lurks downstairs. Blown away by this discovery (I had been there 4 times before and never knew it existed) I explored for a minute and it was a very cool scene, especially considering that people upstairs (like me) probably had no idea the scene was happening.

Bottom line, this place is a hidden gem in a cool area and worth the trip. But, keep it quiet to keep the gem hidden.

Von
3 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 473-3039
http://www.vonbar.com/

Gina la Fornarina

Brand new on the Italian UES spot is a great scene on a warm Sunday night. Gina la Fornarina is an open air place has one long retractable wall that makes the whole place open right up to 2nd Avenue with a bunch of tables outside. Very cool decor with good lighting and white chairs and white weather washed tables which gave a vintage effect despite being brand new.

As for the food, it is primarily tapas style with large portions as we ordered roughly 6 dishes for a table of 4. The hen was unreal and their marherita pizza was pretty tasty. Call me a geek, but I also really liked their beer glasses (right).

Overall, place was good and reasonably priced. Worth hitting it up. Go soon while it's warm.

Gina la Fornarina

1575 2nd Avenue

New York, NY 10028

(212) 535-3300
http://www.gina-lafornarina.com/

Bowery Electric

If you saw it in the daylight you'd just walk right by and never think it was anything more than a closed down industrial panting outfit but inside on a weekend night proves it is worth stopping in. I would have just walked by, but 3 smokers taking a break from the dance floor said, "You should go in, definitely downstairs. It's a good time." I like good times.

You walk into Bowery Electric and my advice is to head by the goth chick with the people counter and head straight downstairs. You feel like you are still in the same closed down painting company as the place has a very rustic and "natural" (nice way of writing sh*tty) look with exposed brick and cement walls. This look is quickly forgotton when you hear the DJ blasting 80s & 90s music you'd expect to hear at a wedding. If you are not a hipster (see Ryan Boyle) and anywhere from 21-35 you most likely love this music.

Sidenote: normally you see dweeb DJs like this:

Bonus: this place had a DJ like this:

Downstairs had a big dancefloor recessed about 6 feet from the general bar/drinking area so it was ideal people watching perch for the crew I was hanging out with. The dancefloor was a good scene. Drinks were reasonbly priced ($6 beers) and I enjoyed myself. Rolled out of there around 2:15am and it was still rocking. Definitely worth a look in my opinion.

Bowery Electric
327 Bowery
New York, NY 10003-7176
(212) 228-0228
http://www.theboweryelectric.com/

Agozar Cuban Bistro Bar

Thank you Bianca for having a 45 minute wait on Saturday night because it afforded me the opportunity to eat at Agozar. This place was a large "L" shaped restaurant/bar with a good scene and very good food. Their claim to fame is their Mexican Cuban fusion which was great. Not being overly in love with either of the fusion elements I was a bit leery when I saw the menu but the food did not disappoint.

Served tapas style, we had about 4 dishes that were plenty filling for 2 people. While the calamari in Dominican honey was good, my favorite was the shrimp in double garlic sauce (camarones al ajillio). Delicious taste while not overdone with garlic flavor on skewers with very thin fries sprinkled over top.

Service was good and the drinks (red wine sangria) were good as well. Around 10pm, you could tell they were changing to their night vibe a bit as the music got louder and the lights dimmed. Overall, I like the place and it's in a great area with tons of nightlife right around there.

Agozar Cuban Bistro Bar
324 Bowery
New York, NY 10012-2490
(212) 677-6773
http://www.agozarnyc.com/