Edwards

If anyone has actually read more than one of these posts you'll know that I can be put in the meat and potatoes box but I'll gladly embrace it because I love me some red meat.....and especially after a long night of drinking.

Edward's Restaurant in TriBeCa is hands down the best Grilled Steak and Eggs I've ever had for brunch. Almost every time you eat steak and eggs at a restaurant you are getting sh*t a$$ grade F hanger steak but not here. The beef quality was excellent and the preparation was on point.

This neighborhood would lead one to think of trendy upscale places where you are dropping a couple hundred on brunch but Edward's is surprisingly no attitude and moderately priced. The decor is diner meets garage-esq and there is a bonus with outdoor seating. Great service and a delicious morning drink menu wrap up an all around great restaurant. My experience leaves me wanting to go back for dinner.

Edwards

136 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013-3330
(212) 233-6436

http://www.edwardsnyc.com/

Whiskey Town

Claiming to be a "True East Village Bar" is a bold statement and in nowadays you have places calling themselves "dive bars" but selling $9 beers. Seriously, there is a place in NYC that does this. Anyway, Whiskey Town lives up to it's claim in a bad a$$, blackout drunk type way.

Despite being opened on Friday the 13th (of July 2007), this place will provide plenty of luck if you are looking for a night to forget. Their philosophy is simple: well poured drinks, reasonable prices, good music, a comfortable setting and great service. One if not both of the brother owners are at Whiskey Town every night.

Just to be clear, this is not your spot to go meet the love of your life....unless of course he/she is a beer guzzler that smells like a fresh shot of whiskey. Pretty dude-heavy clientele is the result of very reasonably priced drinks with no attitude. What you will find is a FREE beer cozy with the bar logo on it. Pretty good deal in my book.

Whiskey Town
29 East 3rd Street

New York, NY 10003-8907

(212) 505-7344
http://www.whiskeytownbar.com/

Pampano

Midtown East gets a bad wrap but there are some real NYC staples in this neighborhood, assuming because of all the businesses. Regardless of reason, Pampano should be a new staple of yours. Part of the Richard Sandoval Restaurant Group, this "Modern Mexican" establishment is a great after work dinner spot or even just a happy hour drink. It is also owned by Placido Domingo (my favorite tenor).

This is no traditional Mexican as self claimed, sophisticated tropical restaurant that provides dynamic seafood from the coasts of Mexico. The decor matches the coastal vibe with huge leaf fans. After the must Guacamole, start with the Tacos de Langosta (lobster) and move into the Merluza (chilean sea bass) or the Churrasco (beef tenderloin). Absolutley delicious and the experience was compounded by excellent service.

Next time your planning a work dinner in Midtown or in the neighborhood looking for a good date spot, think of Pampano. Lastly, do whatever you can to get a table outside.




Pampano
209 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10017-1501
(212) 751-4545
www.modernmexican.com/pampano/

Scotland Yard

Most city living people are total haters on Hoboken but I assure you I am not one of them. Ever since I came to NYC I've had good friends across the river and have spent plenty of time in the Boke getting after it and Scotland Yard is one of my go-to Happy Hour spots.

Being a stones throw from the PATH would lead you to believe this bar is mobbed with people coming from the city stopping in for a beer on their way home but it's pleasingly more quiet than it's neighbors The Green Rock & Hopsons. Those places are fun too, but for the rookies.....the die hard drunks go to Scotland Yard.

I was told once that this place has beautiful bartenders on Friday happy hours but my suds slinger looked more like Al Boreland. Despite the eyesore behind the bar, our group enjoyed ourselves with inexpensive beers and good blues being played live.

So, if you find yourself on the West side of the Hudson on a weekday night, check out Scotland Yard for a good time. They make a mean Jack & Coke. This one is for you MPS.

Scotland Yard
72 Hudson Street

Hoboken, NJ 07030-5629

(201) 222-9273

http://www.scotlandyardbar.com/

Stecchino

Italian for "toothpick", Stecchino shows it's wood off all over this Hell's Kitchen (or Clinton for the people denying their Hell's Kitchen existence) restaurant. A buddy of mine Danny and his father repeated their previous successes when they recently opened this modern style Italian eatery. The decor was beautiful and extremely detailed with incredible accents like warm mahogany paneling, distressed flooring and a walk over/look in diorama of the vintage neighborhood.

Have a seat at the bar and chose from extensive wine and import beer list before you sit down to dine. When you finally sit, make sure you indulge in the mozzarella balls that are stuffed with small bits of sausage as well. For your main, I recommend the Free Range Semi-Boneless Cornish Game Hen with broccoli rabe & sage crema. If you are not feeling gluttonous enough, dive into the Flourless Chocolate Torte hot buttered rum bananas and caramel and call it a night.

Ask for Danny and tell him I sent you. Also, keep an eye out for some celebs as Danny has a wide list of friends.

Stecchino
765 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10019-6333
(212) 397-2377
http://www.stecchinonyc.com/

The Blue Seats

There is definitely a market for sports bars that have a slightly higher brow clientele but don't bang you over the head on price. Let's be honest, no one wants to watch their favorite team win if they are getting mugged for $7 beers. The Blue Seats is your perfect blend between sensory overload with sports, great reasonably priced food/drink as well as upscale environment.

Owned by Notre Dame grads, these guys know a thing about watching sports. This place is in the heart of the Lower East Side so it is also bustling with people. Sticking to their bread and butter, this establishment does not have a place you can stand where you do not have a good vantage point of a flat screen. I'm not sure the total tally but there must be close to 100 TVs in this joint and that doesn't even include The Blue Seats crown jewel, being their private room equipped with 10 screens and about 8 private lounge chairs with your own side table.

Head down to The Blue Seats for your next event but be sure to make a reservation for a table. While you're there, order the The Carolina Burger which is a beef burger topped with pulled braised pork belly, melted cheddar and homemade red slaw. I'm sure it was 6,000 calories but I enjoyed ever f*cking ounce of it. Enjoy.

The Blue Seats

157 Ludlow Street
New York, NY 10002-2290
(212) 614-1494

http://www.theblueseatsnyc.com/

Random Thoughts - Doorknob Condoms

It's no secret that people are f*cking nuts and hypersensitive to anything germ related but when I saw this, I had to laugh.....

I was in a great hotel in Toronto recently and as I was coming out of the bathroom I noticed this lovely little sign/apparatus. So, let me get this straight, I just went to the bathroom...just washed my hands...and 3 steps later I need to grab another napkin like thing (doorknob condom) to make sure I don't get any germs on my hand? Give me a f*cking break. You might as well walk around with rubber gloves on. Is this really what's going to be your demise, doorknob germs? My grandfather is 87 years old and will probably live to be 100 and I'm certain the dude has never used hand sanitizer and most definitely never used a doorknob condom.