Rare View is a nice cosy rooftop quite similar to 230 fifth - but with a younger crowd and less people. Great view nice staff and decent beers. Some really comfy seats if you are early and consistent. Love the lightbulbs creating a ceiling. Only down side is the early closing.
Today I have been looking for a sparkling Italian wine. More precisely a beautiful bottle with an artistic green label and a handtied string over the cork. Looks classy tastes great and doesn't cost a fortune. Well. I didn't find it. But I did find three supernice wineshops. At the Winfield-Flynn Ltd. in Midtown I was recommended the Chelsea Wine Vault and thereafter I went to Discovery Wines in my own Alphabet City. All staff supernice. Not afraid to recommend other shops. Clever questions on drinking purpose. Great interior - great cards.
My best recommendation ever is to have a plan b. Anywhere you go - make sure to have another place nearby. For instance. If you would ever try out Café Habana - because you have heard so much good about it - and by chance the wait is over an hour, the waitress is really rude and someone places a dirty dishcloth by your not-finished drink seconds before you are asked to leave. Just cross the street to fabulous BarBossa instead. As simple as that.
A friend of mine took me to his hours-spent favourite bookstore Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. And instantly I understood why. Spacious with quite a few tables wifi and a café. Superfriendly staff. Prices are fab as the books are either used or advance uncorrected proofs. And best of all - a whole shelf with brand new interesting literature on society and international politics. Along the balcony - serving as the second floor - there is another kind of selection. Gotta love this wedding book by Martha Stewart tho.
Yesterday me and some friends had a late dinner at The Smith. A spacious cheap nice and friendly restaurant with beautiful photos on the walls. And very tasty burgers. Actually I learnt that the brunch always come with free drinks on Sundays and a burger and a beer cost some very cheap dollars - maybe 12 or 16 - in Sunday evenings. So for sure - this is a place for regular visits.
The Bourgeois Pig is exactly as unexpected as its name. And funky. A fascinating red and dark mix of David Lynch, Delicatessen and the Vampire Bar in Florence - yet neat with sweet staff and comfy chairs. Actually this is the place I am always looking for without ever finding. Good to know tho - this is a wine and beer place. With chocolate fondues and desserts. No dinner no tonics no burgers.
The perfect after work. Don't be discouraged by the neverending line on the street - it takes no time to reach the 20th floor. Be early tho - even at 6 pm - to get a table. Have some miniburgers and a beer and watch the sunset. Drinks are barely okay and service is everything but fast. But it is cheap and superfriendly and so worth the view.
Quite a different experience to find a laidback and spacy Japanese. Striking is the Eurodance on quite loud speakers. Maybe fun - but not very classy. Guess it contributes to the laidback vibe tho. Haru has the perfect location just above Union Square. Always welcoming staff and good treatment at the door. Never full. Great sushi. And best of all. Happy hour if eating at the funky bar weeknights.
The gem of midtown. Stroll through the much conveniently opened doors and be guided into The Star Lounge. Which is a not so very fit name for this cosy and quiet tea haven. Heavenly comfy arm chairs and attentive service. Not so crowded Sunday afternoon. No windows and no view being the capture of it all. Cosyness is the very essence.
Alphabet City is that perfect area for strolling. Especially nighttime. All kinds of bars and restaurants from all over the world. Vintage stores open till midnight. Party crowds laughing and smoking on the streets. And trees - mind me - with flowers. This is so my New York.
Accidently I ran in to cosy and classy brazilian BarBossa the other day. Perfect after a Saturday afternoon in SoHo or for a Caipirinha before heading on. Did not try the menu tho. Friendly staff and funky vibes. Beautifully reviewed.
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