The buzz: NYC lounges, bars, dives, and rooftops (ongoing)

The Lunch Belle's guide to boozing in NYC: here, you will find a category for your every whim, taste, and situation.  Enjoy!

Beer  venues which are beer-centric

• Birreria, at Eataly
• Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
• Loreley
• Radegast Hall & Biergarten
• Spitzer's Corner
• Studio Square
• Ulysses
• Vol de Nuit

Club, dancing

• PH-D  Dream Hotel
• The Box

Decent food, too  beyond 'wings and fried calamari

• Anfora
• Ardesia
• Barrio Chino
• Bar Veloce  mozzarella to die for 
• Birreria, at Eataly
• Blue Ribbon Downing Street Bar
• Boqueria
• Bowery Bar & Grill
• De Santos
• D6
• Duke's
• El Camion Cantina
• EN Japanese Brasserie
• Hotel Griffou
• Hudson Clearwater
• Jo's
• La Lanterna Caffe
• La Piazza at Eataly  small plates, Italian, wine-centric
• Macao Trading Co.
• Mayahuel
• North End Grill  American/seafood-centric
  
• Peasant Wine Bar
• Pulqueria
• Rare View
• Sons of Essex
• Spitzer's Corner
• The Crosby Bar & Terrace
• The John Dory Oyster Bar
• The Mulberry Project
• The Volstead
• The Wayland
• Toloache 82
  
• 230 Fifth
• Vol de Nuit

Happy hour

• El Camion Cantina  12pm-7pm: $5 margaritas!
• Florencia 13
• Ovelia  Queens, Astoria
• Public House
• The John Dory Oyster Bar

Hotel bars  worth checking out even if you're not checking in

• Above Allen  Thompson LES
• Bemelmans Bar  The Carlyle Hotel
  
• Cabana  Maritime Hotel
• Cooper Sq. Hotel
• Electric Room  Dream Hotel
• Gansevoort Park Rooftop  Gansevoort Park
• Gilt  New York Palace Hotel
• Grand Bar & Lounge  The Soho Grand Hotel
• The rooftop at Hotel Giraffe
• King Cole Bar  St. Regis Hotel
• PH-D  Dream Hotel
• Polar Lounge  The Marcel
• Rare View
• Rose Bar/Jade Bar  The Gramercy Park Hotel
• The Church Lounge  The Tribeca Grand Hotel
• The Crosby Bar & Terrace  The Crosby Hotel
  
• The Living Room  The Standard Hotel
• The lobby bar  The Bowery Hotel
• The Lobby Lounge  The Mandarin Oriental Hotel
• Toro Lounge  Smyth Hotel
  
• Upstairs at The Kimberly

"If you've got the money, honey, I've got the time"  posh, expensive cocktail menus

• Electric Room  Dream Hotel
• Jbird Lounge
• PH-D  Dream Hotel
• Rose Bar/Jade Bar  The Gramercy Park Hotel
• The Crosby Bar & Terrace
• The Lobby Lounge  The Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Mixology

• Apotheke
• Bathtub Gin
• Employees Only
• Hudson Clearwater
• Jbird Lounge
• Kingswood (the bar)
• Little Branch
• Macao Trading Co.
• Mayahuel
• Sons of Essex
• The Mulberry Project
• The Randolph
• The Wayland

Outdoor patios/gardens 

*Jonesing for the outdoors?  NY Magazines guide for alfresco drinking & snacking

• Above Allen  Thompson LES
• Birreria, at Eataly
• Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
• Bowery Bar & Grill
• Bowery Wine Company
• Cabana  Maritime Hotel
• De Santos
• Gansevoort Park Rooftop  Gansevoort Park
• The rooftop at Hotel Giraffe
• Hudson Clearwater
• Hudson Terrace
• La Lanterna Caffe
• Loreley
• PH-D  Dream Hotel
• Rare View  incredible views of the Empire State Building
• Revel
• Soho Park
• Studio Square
• The Crosby Bar & Terrace
• The Living Room
• The Mulberry Project
• 230 Fifth
• Upstairs at The Kimberly
• Wine Bar

Restaurants w/ exceedingly delicious cocktails

• Barrio Chino
• EN Japanese Brasserie
• Hudson Clearwater
• Macao Trading Co.
• The Mulberry Project
• Toloache 82

Specialty  venues which focus on one particular subject/theme

• Ardesia  wine, small plates
• Barrio Chino  extensive tequila selection, "real" margaritas
• Bathtub Gin  speakeasy, in every sense of the word
  
• Birreria, at Eataly  Italian centric
  
• Blue Ribbon Downing Street Bar  wine centric
• Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden  German, biergarten
• Bubble Lounge  Champagne
  
• Candle 79  organic elixirs & alcohols, fresh juices, delightful organic and vegetarian fare
  
• Decibel  Japanese, sake
• La Piazza at Eataly  small plates, Italian, wine-centric
  
• Loreley  German, biergarten
• Los Feliz  extensive tequila selection
• Mayahuel  Mexican, tequila/agave-centric
  
• N  tapas, sherry
• Pulqueria  Mexican
• Spin  ping-pong + cocktails!
  
• The Box  burlesque
  
• The Patriot Saloon  a true throwback to West Texas-country music-cheap beer
• Wine Bar

Staple  just a good old fashioned bar.  Nothing more, nothing less

• Onieals
• Park Bar
• Wilfie & Nell

Thirty-somethings/post-work pickup joint

• Kingswood (the bar)
• North End Grill  American/seafood-centric
  

Tres romantique/zexy  spots to take her/him that promise a prolonged evening

• Bathtub Gin
• Blue Ribbon Downing Street Bar
• Cibar
• De Santos
• Electric Room  Dream Hotel
• Employees Only
• Hotel Griffou
• Hudson Clearwater
• Jbird Lounge
• La Lanterna Caffe
• Little Branch
• Macao Trading Co.
• Mayahuel
• N
• Peasant Wine Bar
• Pulqueria
• 675 Bar 
• The Room
• Upstairs at The Kimberly
• Wine Bar

NYC tourist-tip of the day

Summer is upon us even though it's only 55 degrees and rainy!  Are you in need of ideas for where to grab the city's hottest outdoor table, whether it's for drinks, snacks, or a meal?  Here are two great guides to help get you started:

• NY Magazine's Alfresco, All The Time
• NY Magazine's Take it Outside
• Zagat Buzz's 7 New Outdoor Dining Options to Try 

~~~

Until we eat again,

The Lunch Belle

Kanon Organic Vodka tasting: a review + recipes without 'the burn'

While I was thrilled that People's Revolution invited me to attend a Kanon Organic Vodka tasting, I'd be a dirty-rotten liar if I said that I wasn't apprehensive/anxious.  "Please god, don't let me throw up," I said to myself on repeat as I made my way from the Canal Street subway station to the Grand Bar & Lounge.  When it comes to taking shots - or sometimes just a sip or smell - of hard-alcohol, I'm a gagger who ultimately morphs in to a puker/ralpher/heaver/yacker.

Upon my arrival to the Grand Bar & Lounge, a handsome young host directed my attention towards the back corner of the space, where I was warmly greeted by Stefanie, the US Director of Marketing and Mixology for Gripsholm Distillery.  "Have a seat and make yourself comfortable," she said, "I'm going to prepare your tasting!"  I may have appeared eager with excitement and anticipation but, in reality, I was on the verge of a panic attack. 

I could feel the cold beads of sweat - and shear terror - slowly roll down my back as I saw Stefanie approaching my table.  "Wow," I gasped, as she presented me with an artistically-arranged beverage tray.  "This is gorgeous!"   

Kanon Organic Vodka: a tasting of the "Reverse Mojito" and the "Deconstructed Mojito""OK, so I'm going to tell you a little bit about the vodka and then you can taste it!"  Stefanie said.  "Kanon is distilled in Sweden from locally grown, organic wheat in a continuous process without the use of environmentally harmful or genetically modified additives.  While many brands believe that re-distilling creates better vodka, Kanon’s unique organic process enables such purity that multiple distilling and/or charcoal filtering is not needed.  The use of fresh spring water delivers a unique and distinctive finesse naturally, without that typical 'vodka burn.'  Instead of tasting the alcohol immediately, your palate won't be kissed by our vodka until you swallow.  It's then that you will subtly taste, and feel the delicate warming sensation, of Kanon..."  And right then, at that very moment, she had me at hello "without that typical vodka burn."  Hearing that simple, 5-word phrase was the perfect confidence kick-in-the-ass that I needed.    

The first concoction that I sampled was the 'Deconstructed Mojito.'  In the picture below, you will see a a mini wine-like glass containing a single mint leaf and a bushel of pink cotton candy.  I was instructed to pour the contents of the shot-glass (vodka, lime juice, mint-tea) over these ingredients, and watch as the bubble gum-colored pink puff disintegrated to a virtual powder at the bottom of the glass.  And with that, I took my first sip.  As I slowly allowed the beverage to make its way down my throat, I braced myself for the inevitable 'typical vodka burn.'  Nothing.  I took another sip, only this time, I swallowed a bit faster.  Again, nothing.  "This (cocktail) is incredible, Stefanie," I squealed, before finishing every last drop of my 'Deconstructed Mojito.'

Kanon Organic Vodka: tasting the "Deconstructed Mojito"My next and most favorite sample was the 'Reverse Mojito.'  Served atop a shiny silver spoon was a brownish, gelatinous glob that was dusted with what appeared to be white sugar.  I assumed that the accompanying lime wedge served as a garnish.  "Whoa," I shrieked, as my eyes became wider, "is this like some kind of a high-class jello shot, or something?"  Stefanie giggled, "Squeeze the juice from the lime wedge over the spoon.  The citrus makes the sugar sizzle.  Try it!"  Instead of swallowing the gelatin whole, as I did on so many occasions in college so as not to taste the Everclear, I delicately took a bite.  This unleashed an intense bouquet of flavors ranging from tart and tangy, to sweet and tranquil; yet void of the dreaded 'typical vodka burn.'  I was tempted to ask for a second "serving."

Kanon Organic Vodka: tasting the "Reverse Mojito"Luckily for you, dear readers, Stefanie was kind enough to give me the recipes for each of her delicious Kanon Organic Vodka creations (posted below).  Enjoy!

~

Reverse Mojito

Makes about 24 servings

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 small packets (1oz. size contains 4 packets) of Knox Unflavored Gelatin
• 1/2 cup cold, freshly-squeezed lime juice and
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup of boiling mint tea 
• 1 cup Kanon Organic Vodka

In a bowl, add gelatin packets, lime juice, and sugar.  Stir.  Add boiling mint-tea and vodka.  Stir to dissolve.  Pour in to a 12"x12" square pan and cover.  *Note: The level of the gelatin should should measure about 1.5" in depth.  Place mixture into the freezer for approximately 30-minutes.
Once firm, slice into 1x1" squares.

~

Deconstructed Mojito

Ingredients:

Serves 4

• 2 oz. Kanon Organic Vodka
• 2 oz. fresh mint tea (cooled to room temperature and/or chilled)
• 1/4 oz. lime juice
• Club soda
• Cotton candy
• 4 fresh mint leaves

In a pitcher, combine the first 3 ingredients.  Shake/stir well.  Evenly pour beverage in to 4 shot glasses, about 2/3 of the way full.  Top each with a splash of club soda.  Separately, fill four cocktail glasses each with a small handful of cotton candy and a fresh mint leaf.

For each guest, serve one shot glass and one cocktail glass side by side, instructing them to pour the shot over top of the cotton candy (in the cocktail glass).  The sugar from the candy melts into the drink, sweetening your mojito from the outside in.

A view from the top, courtesy of Lillet

In honor of their recently-debuted summer label, Lillet, France's most recognized aperitif wine, hosted a launch party atop "Above Allen's" fabulous 7th floor terrace.  Aside from the generous hors d'oeuvre and libations, and a breathtaking view of Manhattan, the evening was consummated with familiar French tunes sung by trio, "Les Chaud Lapins," of Brooklyn. 

Please enjoy my collage of snapshots which capture one of my most memorable evenings yet. 

Lillet's new summer label launch party: I adore the new summer label. The lovely lady adorning the bottle resembles a blonde Coco Chanel, no? Tres belle!Lillet's new summer label launch party: while so many of the cocktails sounded delightful, I simply could not pull myself away from the "Lillet Sangria." Must. Get. That. Recipe.

Lillet's new summer label launch party : why, thank you! I will serve myself unlimited amounts of sangria. Lillet's new summer label launch party : Lillet's crack-ified sangria, chock-full of alcohol-soaked fruits (blueberries, nectarines, melon balls, apples, lemon slices, etc.)

Lillet's new summer label launch party : "Above Allen's" truffled-grilled-cheese-bites

Lillet's new summer label launch party : charming musical trio singing familiar French tunes

Lillet's new summer label launch party : "Above Allen's" gorgeous outdoor spaceLillet's new summer label launch party : oh, what a night! A fellow guest revels in this picture-perfect eve.

Now serving: Sunday dinner, happy-hour specials at A Voce

This just in: Aside from the fact that they are now open for dinner on Sundays...both A Voce locations are serving their tantalizing new line of infused cocktails (menu below) for just $7/each, every Monday-Friday from 4-6pm.  Finally, a classy happy hour venue!

Read it and sip, dahlings:

Cocktails

• Dragoncello: tarragon-infused Beefeater gin, lemon juice, simple syrup
• Toscana: amaretto, red wine, lime juice, blood orange
• Infusione di Timo: thyme-infused Absolut Vodka, Aperol, grapefruit
• Pesca con Fusca: Cruzan light rum, white-peach puree, whipped egg white, brandied cherry
• Veneto: lavender-infused Ricard, sparkling wine, brown sugar
• Margarita di Fragola: Juarez tequila, lime juice, strawberry, triple sec
• Bourbon di Limone: Wild Turkey Bourbon, Meyer Lemon, fresh mint
• Rosso Milano: Ultimate vodka, fresh orange, Aperol

Round-up: subterranean cocktail preview ~ fundraising with Tom Colicchio

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending two fabulous events: my evening began with a "media mixer" at Polar Lounge (Gramercy Park's newest night life venue, located in the Marcel at Gramercy Hotel), operated by creative geniuses Matt Levine and Kelly Brady, of Brandsway Creative.

The second stop of the evening brought me to Gotham Hall for Tom Colicchio's annual "Toast to the Children," a benefit that raises vital funds for The Children of Bellevue (Hospital).   

Aside from a fabulous silent auction, there was an expansive wine and food tasting, compliments of some of NYC's best chefs and restaurants, including: Tabla and Floyd Cardoz, Porchetta and Sara Jenkins, Craft/Colicchio & Sons and Tom Colicchio, Hearth, Pearl Oyster Bar, and many more.  While I had seconds-and thirds-of nearly every restaurant station's food offerings, I must say that my favorites were: Porchetta's slow-cooked porchetta ragu, served atop a crispy, buttered toast point; Boqueria's lamb meatballs; and L'Artusi's lamb ragu "sliders."  I think it would be more than safe to say that lamb is the new beef, at least in the eyes of 3/4 of the evening's participating restaurants.

I'd be a liar if I said that I wasn't star-struck at "Toast to the Children."  From Mr. Colicchio to Uma Thurman, I definitely got my Hollywood fix (*sigh*).

Below, please enjoy my melange of captioned snapshots from an unforgettable night on the town!

Polar Lounge, Marcel at Gramercy (hotel)

Polar Lounge at the Marcel at Gramercy Hotel: stairway to the subterranean loungePolar Lounge at the Marcel at Gramercy Hotel: cocktail menu. *Note: venue serves bar snacks from in-house restaurant, 'inoteca*Polar Lounge at the Marcel at Gramercy Hotel: one of many fabulous signature cocktails - note the ice cube!Polar Lounge at the Marcel at Gramercy Hotel: chic banquettes

Toast to the Children 2010

Tom Colicchio's annual "Toast to the Children" benefit, which raises vital funds for "The Children of Bellevue (Hospital)": event programTom Colicchio's annual "Toast to the Children" benefit, which raises vital funds for "The Children of Bellevue (Hospital)": Gotham Hall, the event's gorgeous venueTom Colicchio's annual "Toast to the Children" benefit, which raises vital funds for "The Children of Bellevue (Hospital)": the man himself, Mr. Tom ColicchioTom Colicchio's annual "Toast to the Children" benefit, which raises vital funds for "The Children of Bellevue (Hospital)": STAR. STRUCK. BY. UMA. THURMAN. OMG.Tom Colicchio's annual "Toast to the Children" benefit, which raises vital funds for "The Children of Bellevue (Hospital)": Graffiti's (restaurant) Mediterranean meatballTom Colicchio's annual "Toast to the Children" benefit, which raises vital funds for "The Children of Bellevue (Hospital)": Craft's (Mr. Colicchio's restaurant) Rocky-Mountain lamb