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.

Pravda

I'm a fan of Keith McNally establishments. You may not know they are linked but Balthazar, Pastis, Schiller's Liquor Bar & Lucky Strike are creations of this one man. Recently I was invited to join friends at another McNally joint recently and thoroughly enjoyed my short time spent at Pravda.

The menu boasts 60 different vodkas from 21 different countries including Kazakhstan & Vietnam. It also has a wide array interesting cocktails and martinis that you won't see on an average menu. For example "The Gogol" which is horseradish vodka & pickled quail egg. With all that, my dull self still ordered beer but a delicious Czech beer at that (Czechvar).

Pravda proved to be a not too trendy underground (literally) SoHo bar that will make for a great pre-dinner drank sport or late nightcap spot. Just south of the Puck Building, make this place a stop on your list.

Pravda

281 Lafayette Street

New York, NY
10012
(212) 226-4696

http://www.pravdany.com/

Cafe Orlin

Waiting for a table for brunch just seems silly to me. Cafe Orlin has a hefty brunch crowd but my lovely date and I walked right in and sat at the mini 5 person bar for what would be one of the best brunch experiences I've had in NYC. For a blistery Sunday morning, St. Mark's place had a good amount of foot traffic albeit a much different crowd from what you would've seen 10 hours earlier.

The bartender really made our dining experience much better with incredibly efficient service. The steak & eggs were more delicious than the standard at any other restaurant where you are usually getting a pretty low grade meat for the steak portion. Cooked perfectly, I polished off my dish in expeditious caveman fashion.

Overall Cafe Orlin seemed like an awesome spot with an ideal outdoor seating patio but unfortunately I moved to Saskatchewan this Winter and the weather was roughly -5 degrees Celsius. I look forward to New York thawing out so I can experience this East Village eatery in another light.

Cafe Orlin
41 St Marks Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 777-1447
http://www.cafeorlin.com/