A whirlwind of a weekend whisked hundreds upon hundreds of fire-loving enthusiasts out to Greenpoint, Brooklyn on Saturday and Sunday, from morning to dusk. The highly anticipated function? The return of the NYC Hot Sauce Expo featuring dozens of local purveyors set behind different sampling stations to sell their concoctions to the citizens of New York City. The warm sunshine on Saturday afternoon provided a much needed glimpse into just the kind of weather the month of May has in store for us as the indoor-outdoor setting of Brooklyn Expo once again proved to be perfect for enjoying the jam-packed weekend that was.

Although tame eaters might scoff at consuming an array of sauces made from habanero or ghost peppers, the supply of offerings from the many assembled vendors on hand was so vast that there was plenty of mild styles from which to choose. Ten dollar General Admission tickets granted visitors access to all of the festivities, but the $100 VIP tickets made the afternoon a far more complete experience. The restricted area offered up a cavalcade of unlimited cocktails and mixed drinks from liquor samplings to full pours of beers from Coney Island Brewing Company as well as an array of beef and chicken sliders, Cole slaw and salads courtesy of excellent East Village haunt Jimmy’s No. 43. But even without the special lanyard badges, there was plenty to enjoy at the NYC Hot Sauce Expo when having a smaller budget to work with.

Fortunately each day was loaded with interactive presentations and different eating competitions that ranged from guacamole to wings, pizza to spicy tacos and meatballs to burritos for the hungriest of participants. The elevated stage allowed the sea of guests to get within close proximity to all the action and live vicariously through the many brave entrants partaking in all of the action packed gluttony. As attendees awaited the different contests which would run at the top each hour, short lines would form at each of hot sauce table where vendors from Chicago and Houston, Canada and New Zealand, California and Portland and many from New Jersey and Brooklyn would stand side by side to showcase their different styles of sauces, fun-filled t-shirts and other swag.

Off the bat we visited with some returning favorites where Phoenix, Arizona’s Heartbreaking Dawn’s was back at the NYC Hot Sauce Expo with some of the day’s finest decorated shirts and bottles. The intensely flavorful “Classic Gold Habanero” was a close runner-up to the “Jalapeno Pineapple,” a deliciously sweet and spicy combination best served atop a juicy cut of chicken or beside a tender hunk of pork. The aroma of fresh pineapple here was rivaled only by the “Hawaiian BBQ Artisan Sauce” sampled by Bonfatto’s of State College, Pennsylvania. There’s no question that Nittany Lion supporters are dousing their dishes with pours of Bonfatto’s sauces in their Penn State dorms and this sticky and sweet sauce provided an ample kick with a lip-smackingly sweet finish.  As far as traditional styles go, Culley’s may have come to us all the way from Auckland, New Zealand but the brand may have served up the best pound for pound classic style with their “Mild Buffalo Wing Sauce.” Delightfully tangy, the rich and buttery finish would complement plenty of different proteins but its home atop a crispy deep-fried drumstick would clearly be an ideal pairing. After tongue-tingling bites from Tahiti Joe’s “Smokin’ Kona,” Whitehouse Station’s “Habanero Sauce” and Tamerlaine Farm Animal Sanctuary’s “Casey’s Super Hot Green,” it was time to duck back into the VIP area to load up on pours of Bayou Select Rum cocktails and Stolichnaya Vodka.

With such a selection of different styles on hand, we’d be remiss not to mention the likes of Voodoo Chile Sauces & Salsas (“Winter Angel”), Torchbearer Sauces (“Smokey Horseradish Sauce”), Bocas (recipe from Panama “Hot Sauce”) and Bravado Spice Company (“Jalapeno & Green Apple”), the latter two being memorable enough to bring home with us despite having little to no feeling left on our tongues. Seemingly just as soon as we’d arrived in the early afternoon, the day’s session was over and it was time to get our bearings and leave the spicy-fueled weekend of hot sauce behind us. We indulged in some of the hottest sauces we could bare while admittedly grasped at our throats in horror when biting off more than we could chew. In the end, we gained a new level of admiration for these vendors who dedicate their lives to making some of the spiciest sauces and condiments that even the most adventurous eaters would have a hard time tolerating. These are some folks that are truly great at their chosen craft and we made sure to take full advantage at this year’s NYC Hot Sauce Expo.

– Dave Gendelson

Taking the G train usually signifies the start of a big adventure, so when we ended up in Greenpoint for Jack Daniel’s Motel No. 7 series on Wednesday night, we knew this night would end no differently. Peering down a dark alleyway, guests could only see a flash of red as a large, seemingly dormant warehouse loomed over the VIP line. As we began our descent down the barely-lit walkway, a jovial doorman cracked jokes and promised a night full of surprises as models in wigs handed us two sets of keys- one for a speakeasy, another for a private room; we had numbers 81 and 53.

Finally, we began to hear some noise cut through the tranquil night. As we approached the gates, the flash of red became clear: a giant, luminescent Motel No. 7 sign in all it’s seedy, motel-inspired glory. Walking inside proved to be similar to a time-travelling experience. Busy bellhops and hotel concierge bustled about in head-to-toe 70’s garb (yes, even with the hats) and the motel “lobby” was decked out complete with tacky shag carpeting. We loved it. We instantly took off in search of activity, especially since the invite had stated the dress code as “…bathing suits provided.” The first thing that caught our eye? The janitor’s closet. True to form, this room was covered in the manliest of male-related decor. Open playboys, beer cans and various rock band memorabilia lined the walls as a few ‘janitors’ leered at guests. One, rocking an impressive ‘stache and glasses that would make any dad jealous, sauntered over and propositioned a game. The game? Dueling air guitars, which resulted in us winning free t-shirts.

Riding on a winning high, we perused the rest of the venue, scoping out a swimming pool where guests could rent swimsuits (and definitely were participating!), a booth that demonstrated the craft of creating the Jack Daniel’s barrel, and a professional photo suite where patrons could get dressed up and have professional photographers create a photoshoot- offered by Jonsar Studios. Obviously, we beelined for this. As the night wore on, the demand for that was absurd and lines were long, but other photographers were milling about, snapping photos and then scanning keycards- allowing every shot to be sent directly to emails. It was so much better than attempting selfies in the dimly- lit space and everyone had at least one memento from the evening. Sipping Tennessee mules, we indulged in a few rounds of skeeball in the games area before heading upstairs to the private rooms, some of the evening’s best-kept secrets.

In about twenty rooms, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Wandering the hallways and peeking in gave off a sadistic, voyeuristic vibe that played perfectly into the motel theme. In that time, we witnessed a pillow fight, bachelorette karaoke, b-boy face-offs, jam sessions, a vampire boudoir photo session, and two couples being married by rocker Andrew W.K. Upstairs also featured a thrilling rave and a speakeasy, which unfortunately we were not privy to as the lines had become extensive. Drowning our sorrows in complimentary bourbon doughnuts, we headed back downstairs.

As the floor began to fill with happily-tipsy hipsters, we were more than happy to stand back and drink in the sights. We chatted with barbers who were hosting a haircutting station (yes, people were getting haircuts!), watched a few badass ladies from the Queens RollerDerby show off some skating tricks, and dipped our toes into the pool on the behest of the lifeguard. Then, as we began to hit sensory overload, whispers of a famous rapper making a surprise visit started to swirl around us. We chalked it up to idle gossip and opted for a round of pinball. Suddenly, the room went dark and the opening chords of “I’m Sprung” reverberated through the warehouse. Yup, T-Pain had actually showed up to Motel No. 7. The biggest twist of the night? Realizing that we knew a lot more of his songs than we thought. Understanding our night had hit its pinnacle, we dashed out of the warehouse and flagged a cab; happy to escape before the hoards of people tried to snatch up the few car services in the area. Goodness knows we weren’t waiting for the G train.

- Emily Ziemski

With the recent dip in temperatures, we’ve found ourselves longing for the likes of heavier porters and ales begin to come back into season. Fortunately, Saturday afternoon provided us with the perfect avenue to become reacquainted with some of our old favorites and taste some delicious brand new beers as The Village Voice returned with their seasonal sudsy event, 2015’s “Brooklyn Pour.” If the vast selection of beers wasn’t enough of a draw, the fact that a portion of ticket sales were going to Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue was definitely an incentive for guests to purchase tickets. Emanating this year from Greenpoint’s Brooklyn Expo Center, we following throngs of flannel-clad beer lovers in forming a jittery line that wrapped around the building’s floor-to-ceiling glass panels.

Once inside, more than 67 different beer vendors lay at our disposal. The brightly lit center provided the perfect set-up for pourers, giving attendees three full rows of casks with plenty of space to mingle, a necessity once the second wave of ticket holders entered the space. To our right, a VIP section held delicious flatbreads from Granddaisy Bakery, the most savory and satisfying “Smoked Lamb Shoulder” from The Gorbals, and easily the most interesting beer on tap from Big Alice Brewing- a “Hi’biskes Goes-Us” that was mildly sweet, but big on floral flavor. This 5th year of “Brooklyn Pour” boasted its first-ever outdoor patio featuring games of giant beer pong- volleyballs in trash cans-, cornhole, and horseshoes that proved to be endlessly entertaining for both participants and observers. Turns out, no matter how big the beer pong set-up is, it never gets any easier. Non VIP-ers were treated to delicious food truck bites from the likes of Nuchas, Papaya King, and Coney Shack and if a meal wasn’t in the cards, soft and salty pretzels from Zum Schneider became a great beer companion.

This being a Brooklyn event, Queens Brewery was the first table that stood out. We would find out this was a big day for them; their “Queens Blvd” beer had just been casked the day before and was ready for tasting. We were the lucky first consumers, ever, and were treated to a full pour of this slightly tangy, delicious ale. Though we would have stuck around for another glass or two, there were over 120 beers to sample. Turns out Queens wasn’t the furthest place brewers were coming from. The likes of Vermont (Otter Creek), Pennsylvania (Victory Brewing), and Texas (Austin Eastciders), were each well represented, though more than 25 of the vendors were from the New York area.

If there was an unfortunate non-beer lover in the house, Crabbie’s, Down East Cider House, Ace Cider, and Angry Orchard were offering helpings of ginger beer and seasonal cider (like Ace Cider’s “Pumpkin Cider”), but despite the alternatives, the day simply revolves around the best in brews. For the total beer enthusiast, perhaps inspired by some of the day’s finest microbrews, Brooklyn Brew Shop was not only pouring their “Chocolate Maple Porter”- which is rich and dark with a slip of caramel- but also selling their famous beer making kits for the more lofty and crafty beer aficionados. Speakeasy Ales won in our eyes for coolest bottle: a Metropolis Ale brew where bottlenecks peered and leered over a six pack holder. It didn’t hurt that their “Baby Daddy IPA” was the perfect mid-session refresher.

While we meandered, there were loads of non-alcoholic party pleasers to distract guests from the seemingly never-ending array of taps. Whole Foods Market had a life-size 6 pack (of people!) that made for excellent photos, and their crowd-favorite pretzel necklaces could be seen on almost every attendee. Sponsor Flat Rate Moving meanwhile knew that no good event was complete without a photo booth, and the addition of an Instagram Bingo game with a lucrative prize proved most difficult. Obviously, we came up short.

Other standouts included Third Rail Beer with their ever popular “Skyland,” Smuttynose Brewing with the afternoon’s best “Pumpkin Ale” that was malty and fruity instead of heavy, and, of course, Brooklyn Brewery’s “Intensified Coffee Porter” that was the perfect kick-in-the-pants to keep us going during the marathon four hours of beer tasting. As the day wore on, we were treated to gorgeous views of the skyline as the sun began to set. Many patrons filtered outside to mingle at picnic tables, to grab a drunk snack, or to squeeze in one more competitive game. After a round of cornhole proved fruitless, we called it a day as well. Our complementary Fodor’s Brooklyn totes were stuffed with beer koozies, bottle openers, Zico coconut waters, and Kettle Brand chips. We left feeling quite satisfied (and tipsy) as we stumbled out of the Expo Center, and frankly, the French fries that we ordered once back in our apartment never stood a chance.

- Emily Ziemski

More than one hundred different craft beers will be on display for the tasting on Saturday, September 26th at one of the season’s most diverse and exciting booze-fueled festivals. The Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint plays as the newest host to the Village Voice’s 5th Annual ‘Brooklyn Pour,’ a fall classic that combines suds, eats and festivities for three action packed hours. If you’ve never had the opportunity to experience any of the event’s previous happenings- well, you’ve still got time to pick up some general admission or VIP tickets to the smorgasbord for beer lovers.

A commemorative tasting glass gets you in on the action- where your outstretched arm will lead your journey through the jam packed festival. Whether you’re a more casual or expert beer drinker, a lover of microbrews or more traditional varieties, ‘Brooklyn Pour’s’ got a cavalcade of different options for any taste. Local breweries like Coney Island Brewing, Queens Brewery, Sixpoint Craft Ales, Alphabet City Brewing Company and Brooklyn Brewery join international beermakers Asahi, Krombacher and Weihenstephan just to name a few brands slated to be poured on site. And if you’re not typically a beer fan? No problem. ACE Premium Hard Ciders, Angry Orchard, Downeast Cider House and Rekorderlig Cider and Crabbie’s Ginger Beer are some delicious alternatives should more traditional beers not be your thang.

Aside from the sea of suds slated to fill the Expo Center, Q104.3 on air personality Jonathan Clarke will DJ and emcee the afternoon as games and photo booths are sure to fill the remaining open areas of the sizable venue. Tickets for the 5th Annual ‘Brooklyn Pour’ are available now. Don’t get shut out, because an event of this size and caliber goes down but once a year.

- Jane Van Arsdale

The Diamond
43 Franklin Street near Calyer Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718-383-5030
Getting There: G to Greenpoint Avenue
http://www.thediamondbrooklyn.com

Look out, here comes a big time cliche. In the developing ‘rough’ that is Greenpoint Brooklyn, we stumbled upon…a gem. Okay fine. A diamond. The Diamond, to be specific, is a smallish beer bar with a ton of character that embodies everything that we love about New York City bar life.

First off, the place is not overly noticeable from the outside, which might not be great for business, but a visit feels like you’re stopping by a place you found on your own. Second, The Diamond features all of the elements that make ducking into a bar worth leaving your apartment for. A jukebox? Check. An outdoor patio? Double check – a nicely sized cool one. An artistic portrayal of Michael Landon? Check. And a full shuffleboard table to boot? Yes! Even the bathroom has character with a wall of old audio cassette tapes used so spice up the ole’ toilet room.

The Diamond is rather small, but you won’t be entirely out of luck if you don’t secure a seat at the front bar. You can take solace in their selection of many, many beers, with almost ten on tap and enough bottles and cans to satisfy lovers of Session styles, medium bodied domestics and plenty of international favorites. They’ve also got a limited menu with pies from Tuck Shop along with some assorted charcuterie and small bites, but really, you’re here for the beers and the overall atmosphere. Kick back at the bar with a $6 pour of Newburgh Paper Box Pale Ale. It’s from New York and with an ABV of just 4.5%, it’s insanely drinkable.

The Rundown

Bar Type - A beer bar for the beer drinker. They also serve wine and sake for any of your ignorant friends or girlfriends.
When to Visit – Unless you live nearby, it’s a bit difficult to envision hitting up The Diamond after work hours. But weekends here are all yours. The mood is quiet (until you ask that they turn up the juke) and relaxed for you to sit, chat and imbibe.
Value - The Diamond runs beer promotions from time to time, but with their eclectic collection of brews, they’re priced according to your level of drinking. They can skew fairly high though so make sure you price out each drink according to your own expectation.
The Lowdown – Even if you’re not a connoisseur of beers, there’s plenty to love about The Diamond. They’ve been open since 2007 with good reason amid a flurry of new activity around the neighborhood. Warm weather months are ideal for their secluded back patio and shuffleboard games make the place entirely unique. And if all you’re looking to do is grab a seat and a pop and relax, then there’s no other place in the area to frequent than The Diamond.

Red Star
37 Greenpoint Avenue at West Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718-349-0149
Getting There: G to Greenpoint Avenue
http://www.redstarny.com

It wasn’t all that long ago that we crowned Greenpoint’s Red Star as makers of the ‘Best Wings in Brooklyn’ as part of LocalBozo.com’s “Brooklyn Wing Bowl.” So take this piece with a bit of a grain of salt as you read forward. I like Red Star. I like it a lot. The massively spacious tri-level haunt should be routinely mentioned in any conversation of the City’s best sports bar and for some reason it isn’t. For that reason, I consider the place my not so little secret.

Candidly, as you might assume, I don’t make it out to Greenpoint nearly enough as I should, which my raving reviews along my most recent journey probably indicate. But every trip out there reinforces my love for Williamsburg’s often unheralded and underutilized sister. Red Star, the bar, formerly hosted its very own ‘Best Wings in Brooklyn’ competition annually, a competition which to my dismay has been discontinued. But the place’s exceptional (really exceptional) “Raspberry BBQ” and their “Garlic Wings” (each $13 per dozen) are absolutely awesome and are worth going out of your way to sample.

Wings aside, Red Star is an excellent bar to frequent on gameday. The walls are adorned with sports memorabilia, most of which you’ll notice after your first three or so visits. There’s also a mini-arcade- don’t get any ideas and bring your kids or anything- but it’s conducive to packs of friends that like sports bars but not necessarily sports. There isn’t any pretension on the beer list here either, with their own Red Star Dark Lager being the signature on tap and the Sixpoint Sweetaction being the closest to a craft style in the house. Make no mistake, this isn’t a place where you linger and sip upon some vanilla porter or some rare IPA- you come to Red Star to throw back a couple and enjoy values like $1 sliders and $3 domestic beers on Mondays, 50 cent wings on Wednesdays and Thursday Hockey Nights with specials for anyone rocking their long sleeve jerseys. Leave the Devils’ ones at home though.

The Rundown

Bar Type - A three floor sports bar that also poses as a mini concert and event space and home to some of the best wings in New York City.

When to Visit – You can’t beat their Happy Hour specials, but Saturday or Sunday afternoons are ideal. Just don’t make plans for later in the day- you won’t want to leave.

Value - Don’t miss the Happy Hour deals at Red Star- $3 brews on Mondays, $1 Taco Tuesdays, and 50 cent Wings on Wednesdays- there’s specials all the time at Red Star. Leave your snooty attitude at the door and drink some of this domestic swill for a change.

The Lowdown – If you want to talk about great sports bars, Red Star deserves to be in the conversation. Gamedays are perpetually packed and frankly, there’s not a similar place that can hold a candle to the Star in Greenpoint or in Williamsburg. And you’d have a hard time convincing me of a better spot in Manhattan. At the very least, do us a favor and head over to taste the Wings. Whether you’re down the block or down the subway line, it’s a trip that’s absolutely worthwhile.

Spritzenhaus 33
33 Nassau Avenue at Guernsey Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
347-987-4632
Getting There: G to Nassau Avenue; L to Bedford Avenue
http://www.spritzenhaus33.com

There are several reasons why Greenpoint Brooklyn is suddenly surging with a groundswell of popularity. Aside from an explosion of new restaurants and a close proximity to Williamsburg, it’s the brand new bars that have made the waterfront/industrial neighborhood a must visit part of Brooklyn lore. With roughly 25 beers on tap, Spritzenhaus 33 offers up the complete bar experience for any style of drinker inside of a massive space that suits hipster types that might despise spending an entire day inside of a bar.

The “Drink Here Now” crew had sufficiently heard enough buzz about Spritzenhaus 33 long before our initial afternoon visit. With communal picnic tables on the front sidewalk filled with patrons on a sunny day, it was clear that we found a respite from the atypical dimly lit dive bars that I’ve become so accustomed to getting sloshed in. Spritzenhaus though feels like a step up- a place where families can feel comfortable (though that’s something I loathe), where people can relax with a beer and read or work (this also was happening inside at the time), or more naturally, where groups can come to kick back and find comfort in a spacious and unique open setting.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the lights were entirely off while our group was inside of the bar- there’s so much natural light that enters the room coupled with a roaring fireplace smack dab in the middle of the space that the place feels well lit on its own. The bar is distinctively shaped with taps in a U-shape pouring the likes of Ales, Lagers and Wheats straight into their respective glasses with dozens more in bottle and can form to choose from. Fittingly, the place’s menu is limited solely to one of ten different sausages with toppings, fries, a pretzel and a “Black Kale Salad” ($11). That’s about it. But think about the last time you chomped down a “Krainerwurst” ($8) or a “Duck” ($13) sausage topped with a chorizo chili or a “Jalapeno-Jicama Coleslaw.” Sure has been awhile, hasn’t it?

With some 6,000 square feet, the sheer size of Spritzenhaus is appalling considering that every newfangled new biergarten in Manhattan opens to greater fanfare than this place, which already exists and is essentially excellent. Outdoor seating, close to McCarren Park, tons of great craft beers (the Ommegang “Rare Vos” and Brooklyn Brewery “Sorachi Ace” ($7) on draft are killer) and suitable German fare to sop up said beer? Heck, I’m getting antsy about Spritzenhaus 33 again just by recapping my afternoon there. Make up some excuse to your boss, hop on the next G train into Greenpoint and meet me at Spritzenhaus 33. I’ll be the guy with the book near the fireplace.

The Rundown

Bar Type - A gigantic 6,000 square feet beer lovers paradise with indoor and outdoor seating among a ton of other charming characteristics.

When to Visit – Spritzenhaus 33 is absolutely an ideal place to stop by on a warm sunny afternoon…and stay until it’s dark outside.

Value - Fortunately for you, the bar offers up some beer and shot specials for just $6. I didn’t say they were top shelf shots, I just said that they do contain a great deal of value. The “Silver Surfer” in particular is a Nude Beach Summer Wheat beer and a shot of tequila.

The Lowdown – Every visit to Greenpoint makes it harder and harder for me to leave. If there were an easier way to travel directly from Manhattan, I might even consider calling the Williamsburg sister my home. But until then, I’ll have to settle for their newly opened restaurants and great bars to give me an excuse to brave the longer commute out and with every coming visit, you can be sure I’ll find my way back to Spritzenhaus 33, one of the best stops anywhere in New York City.

Dirck The Norseman
7 North 15th Street at Franklin Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718-389-2940
Getting There: G to Nassau Avenue
http://www.dirckthenorseman.com

Smack dab in the middle of their soft opening, we made a special trip out to Greenpoint as rumors swelled of a brand new Brooklyn brew pub taking shape. The owners of part beer shop-part charming craft beer bar Brouwerji Lane had secured a roughly 6,000 foot space that had been heavily anticipated for a number of months. On Thursday, March 13th, the bar and restaurant celebrated its grand opening in style and with that, New Yorkers alike finally have an opportunity to test the waters at Dirck The Norseman.

There’s a lot to take stock of en route to Dirck The Norseman, namely the dearth of surrounding bars nearby in the industrial waterfront that is Greenpoint. But with existing treasures and a flurry of recent openings including this one, now is as good a time as ever to head to our sister borough be it for a bar crawl or to a new-fangled restaurant. Inside, the place is simply immaculate, replete with wonderous floor to ceiling window panels, large communal style tables reminiscent of a beer hall which peer into the brewing room and its multi-barrel fermenters and tanks and a massive center island bar that boasts close to a dozen beers on tap alongside- some of which will be brewed literally on site, under the Greenpoint Beer and Ale Co. moniker.

Folklore dictates that a Scandanavian named Dirck Volckersten was Greenpoint’s first settler, hence the clever name in tribute. In his honor, the menu features entrees like “Braised Pig Knuckles” (saucy and fall off the bone tender), “11 Hour Smoked Brisket” (deliciously marbled) and other meat centric fare that makes your run of the mill sausages and pretzels seem bland in comparison. From Manhattan, the trek to Dirck the Norseman isn’t exactly convenient, but the end result leaves you in a fun and eccentric neighborhood that finally boasts a complete bar that is absolutely worth going out of your way for. Basically, take our advice and Drink Here Now.

The Rundown

Bar Type - A versatile beer hall and restaurant that offers up a little bit of everything. Plus it’s brand new which makes the entirety of the experience feel special.

When to Visit – Dirck The Norseman is an ideal place to grab some food after work with some buddies but it’s location is especially ideal during sunny warm weather afternoons.

Value - You want value? Go to KFC. The value here is being the first of your friends to try out a fantastic new bar, opened by some guys that truly love beer and know a thing or two about

The Lowdown – After weeks of their soft opening, the word is now out. Dirck The Norseman is guaranteed to be a smash in Greenpoint. With the weather bound to improve, and we’re hoping for this weekend, now is as good a time as ever to grab a seat and a pint before the frenzy begins. There are more and more reasons to visit Greenpoint Brooklyn, and Dirck The Norseman might just be at the very top of the list.

The scorch of July now has us thoroughly entrenched in the throws of summertime, where few things taste as seasonally delicious as a soft serve ice cream cone, a fresh off the grill hamburger, a crisp refreshing golden beer, and a perfectly crafted lobster roll. With the surrounding boroughs each sporting their own distinctive spots, a staple of Greenpoint Brooklyn and Rockaway Beach made its first foray into Manhattan toward the tail end of 2012, opening another of its outposts in the Lower East Side. And for the better part of this year, Lobster Joint’s quaint and casual persona has become a downtown staple right alongside the likes of Russ & Daughters and Katz’s Delicatessen.

The plain white awning with red lettering is surprisingly eye catching despite the busy bodies surrounding Houston Street, similar to a hole in the wall you’d expect to find in a seaside town. The front of the house’s floor to ceiling windows illuminate the entirety of the place with much welcomed natural light, shining onto both the picnic table seating and the small but perpetually busy L-shaped bar inside. The white tiled walls line the restaurant as a border, while perfectly framing the large handwritten menu for ordering ease. Once inside, diners are welcomed to the front counter for cashier side ordering at the bar before a waitress brings out a tray of food, once your table has been secured.

Despite the laid back setting, ordering up seafood anywhere in Manhattan can tend to be a bit pricey. That said, much of the menu falls under $20 with the exception of the steamed 1.5 pound “Lobster Dinner” ($34) and their inventive “Lobster Shepherd’s Pie” ($21). Beach side staples like raw bar items, “Fried Clam Strips” ($8), crab cakes, and all the fish you can handle (“Filet o’Fish Sandwich” ($12), “Sauteed Pollock” ($14), “Salmon Sandwich” ($12), are all over the menu alongside burgers, chicken and vegetarian options for seafood despisers.

We grabbed a table and quickly found the object of our search with Lobster Joint’s “New England Lobster Roll” ($17). Distinctive from the restaurant’s “Connecticut Lobster Roll” (Also $17) which is served warm with butter, the New England variety comes chilled, tossed lightly in an herb mayonnaise with celery. The bulbous portion heaped out of the diminutive but delicious bun, with chunks of fresh lobster meat falling out onto the surrounding plate garnished by a bed of crisp garden salad and a pickle, designed to catch the fall of each piece. Pleasantly, the handheld delicacy was so lightly drizzled in mayo that the flavors of the lobster coupled with hints of herb were allowed to stand out on their own merits, enveloped in a moist fluffy toasted bun. Additionally, Lobster Joint also has a fantastic selection of craft beers on draught, making the “Blue Point Summer” ($6) and “Allagash White” ($6) ideal compliments for each bite of our shared sandwich.

There is no shortage of local eateries popping up that offer similar fare, but Lobster Joint’s penchant for authentically prepared lobster rolls has to place them at or near the top of any seafood lover’s list for fast casual dining. The atmosphere inside is both energetic and fun. The beer and cocktail program is unique and surprisingly affordable. And best of all, the quaint little spot acts as a perfect respite from a sweltering summer in the City. Lobster Joint immediately brings you to a beachfront town, without having to board a jitney to get there.

Rundown of the Meal

Sandwiches

New England Lobster Roll ($17)*

*Meal Highlight

Conceptually, the bistro style restaurant that would open as Five Leaves was the brainchild of actor Heath ledger, whose tragic passing long before his time would not allow him to see his idea come to fruition. Unique in shape and distinctive in menu, the restaurant itself deserves far greater praise than a simple celebrity spawned idea might imply. Open for breakfast and lunch, the café style atmosphere here exudes a quaint neighborhood joint, while the excellent cocktail program (The bourbon infused “General Lee” was outstanding – $11)and dimly lit dinner scene make finding Five Leaves a true hidden gem inside of a borough literally resplendent with them.

Residing across the street from uber casual and equally as distinctive sister bar Nights and Weekends, the restaurant has a certain rustic feel to its corner exterior. But the interior doorway opens to a lively dinner crowd surrounded by off-white barn wood, and the kind of old world small shop vibe that you’d expect to stumble upon in a much more rural setting. Even the bar itself, backed by several rows of bottles, feels like you’re sitting in casual comfort inside someone’s home. Due to the dining area’s diminutive space and shape, tables are pushed closely to your neighbors, but surprisingly in this setting it only enhances the experience of dining here, and doesn’t detract from the fare being served.

We quickly slurped up a half dozen oysters from the raw bar (“New Brunswick,” “Beausoleil” – $15), freshly shucked and served with a drizzled tangy rice wine mignonette, before perusing the remainder of the menu. With a concert later in the evening, we were tasked with keeping dinner relatively light and were thus forced to pass on items like the “Devils on Horseback” ($7) or bacon wrapped dates, the “House Made Ricotta” ($11), and heartier fare like the “Five Leaves Burger” ($15), served Aussie style with a pineapple ring, beets, and an egg atop a tender meat patty. The menu in its entirety is considered American Noveau fare, but it also has a certain farm-to-table style, with its variety of healthy options to choose from.

When dining out, we typically avoid chicken dishes because- hey, we can make chicken. But Five Leaves proved differently with an absolutely mouthwatering order of their “Grilled Giannone Chicken” ($22). Served with the crackles of its salty seasoned skin, each bite was deliciously juicy, surrounded by black kale leaves, black trumpet mushrooms, roasted chestnuts, and (gulp) white pudding. The combination of savory ingredients worked wonderfully, only enhanced by our side order of “Sweet & Spicy Brussels Sprouts,” a steal at just $6, paired with watercress and pecans. Although we kept the ordering to a minimum, the meal’s conclusion found us completely satiated.

Whether you trek out to Five Leaves for breakfast or dinner or whether you make a reservation because it was originally Heath Ledger’s restaurant idea, is immaterial. The point is that you go at all. While Greenpoint is not necessarily a neighborhood regarded for its noteworthy restaurants, Five Leaves manages to combine casual dining with truly appetizing fare. And by perfecting such an elementary notion, the restaurant has become quite good at surprising even the most skeptical of diners.

Rundown of the Meal

Five Leaves Dinner Cocktails

Sage Advice ($11)

General Lee ($11)

Oysters

1/2 Dozen Market Oysters ($15) – Beausoleils, New Brunswick

Mains

Grilled Giannone Chicken ($22)*

Sides

Sweet & Spicy Brussels Sprouts ($6)* – w/ pecans and watercress

*Meal Highlight