Swine
A LocalBozo.com Restaurant Review
531 Hudson Street near Charles Street, West Village
212-255-7675
Getting There: 1 to Christopher Street – Sheridan Square
http://www.swinenyc.com

Original Visit: August 2012

What We Said Then: “Picture if your favorite dive bar began serving up some excellent comfort food. Or if your favorite low key restaurant began catering to a lively bar crowd. Swine combines the best of both worlds without compromising anything. And somehow, they manage to pull it off brilliantly.”  

You can read our initial review of Swine at this link- pardon the particularly awful photos.

Then and Now: Three and a half years have passed since we made our first visit to Swine, a comfortable and cozy two-floor space that could double as your friendly neighborhood watering hole. But to have lasting power, a West Village eatery has to have some kind of cache in a neighborhood where flavors of the month come and go as quickly as a big gust of wind from nearby James J. Walker Park. Fortunately while the small but elaborately decorated bar is perpetually buzzing, the restaurant has gone to great lengths to offer up a vast and expansive menu, leaning heavily on newfangled takes on comfort fare. In our first trip to Swine, we marveled at innovations like ‘wines on tap’ and indulged in an array of different cheeses and charcuterie while sitting in the downstairs level- so it’s only fitting that our return trip would allow us primo viewing of the main bar area and the opportunity to more fully enjoy some of the restaurant’s rich fare.

The inviting setting is spruced up by a small outdoor patio space right along Hudson Street where people watching and affordable beers make Happy Hour a must as the sun begins its descent. It’s a bit quiet at the early hour when we arrive allowing us to chat with the friendly bar staff and take in some of Swine’s charming decor. From the checkered wooden floor to the brightly lit communal booth situated on the far side of the bar, the space is infinitely warm because it’s so purposefully low-key- a spot where it’s equally appropriate to slug down a craft cocktail, a frothy microbrew or a quick pour of wine.

Be forewarned, the dishes being served here are mostly heavy so you’ll want to order accordingly.  If you plan on throwing caution to the wind, there’s a lot to like from Swine’s dinner menu. The massive “Roasted Bone Marrow” ($18) legitimately looks like it could have been imported from the town of Bedrock. Decadently rich, two bulbous bones adorned with a garlicky green salsa verde act as makeshift serving dishes from which to scoop the piping hot and smooth marrow, spread thickly on toasted Pullman slices.  Each mouthwateringly greasy piece absolutely oozes with fatty flavors- rivaled perhaps only by the “Bone Marrow & Brisket Burger” ($20), layered with sweet caramelized onions and creamy Tarentaise cheese. The absolutely perfect medium rare temperature yields a warm pink center that is intensely seasoned and brilliantly juicy beneath its soft brioche bun.

For some lighter fare, the “Tuna Tar-Taco” ($14) delivers a nice kick of jalapeño alongside hunks of fresh pink Bluefin tuna within the confines of a gluten-free taco shell. The “All Kale Caesar!” ($14) meanwhile was a perfectly ho-hum salad offering- appropriate given that you’re likely to want to grab your greens wherever you can- prepared in simple fashion with some anchovies, lemon and shaves of Pecorino cheese to balance out the bowl of creamy greens.  If red meat or pork isn’t typically your thing, the crispy skin and tender bone-plucked meat of the “Roasted Organic Free-Range Chicken” ($23) is another suitable alternative, replete with bok choy and sugar snap peas- but candidly, at a place like Swine, you’re best served to taste some of the heavyweights.

What do you get when you mesh macaroni elbows, deep-fried onion rings, cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and pieces of jowl bacon? You get Swine’s signature “The Mac (n’ cheese) Daddy” ($15). Though you may need to schedule a visit with your cardiologist after this one, the combination of flavors and elements here are undeniably savory. The side is a perfect complement to the aforementioned “Brisket Burger,” though it’s best that you share this one with a friend.

The Bottom Line: Perhaps the best part about a dinner experience at Swine is that the restaurant doesn’t price gouge it’s guests- there’s not an item on the menu over $30. The casual setting is a fun play on a neighborhood bar that serves complex American-style fare that’s suitable for a drinking crowd. Whether you drop in on an early evening hour, for some late night comfort eats or for the place’s delicious brunch menu, know that a visit to Swine is ideal for a New Yorker that doesn’t take oneself too seriously- and it’s nice to see that in that light, not much seems to have changed since our very first visit.

Rundown of the Meal

Starters
Tuna Tar-Taco (Tartare in a Taco – $14)*
The Mac (‘n cheese) Daddy ($15)*
All Kale Caesar! ($14)
Roasted Bone Marrow ($18)*

Mains
Bone Marrow & Brisket Burger ($20)*
Roasted Organic Free Range Chicken ($23)

Sides
Truffle Cauliflower Grits ($10)*

*Meal Highlight

A LocalBozo.com Concert Review
Webster Hall, New York, NY
April 27, 2016

Set to embark on a summertime run aboard the Carnival of Madness Tour alongside Shinedown and Black Stone Cherry, Pennsylvania rock quartet Halestorm made a trip into New York City on Wednesday night in support of 2015′s “Into the Wild Life,” the band’s third album. With opening sets from fellow female rockers Dorothy and the legendary Lita Ford, Halestorm unleashed a fine-tuned live show on a jam packed and sold out Manhattan crowd for ninety nonstop minutes. The setlist would lean heavily on the group’s latest but also tapped into some fun covers thrown in for good measure and the requisite number of hits to round out a mostly high energy performance as the band wraps up their remaining dates on this leg of their run. To their credit though, New York City proved to be a raucous and vocal crowd for the duration- something the band seemed to genuinely appreciate as the show progressed.

Amid an entirely blackened stage, frontwoman Lzzy Hale would first emerge without her bandmates. Standing at a keyboard, the audience warmly welcomed her to center stage, often drowning out the vocals to stoic opener “God Bless the Beast” with their heaping praise. The end of the harrowing track would signal the arrival of the rest of the band to join Hale on stage and rip through crowd favorites like “Mz. Hyde,” new track “Apocalyptic” and “Love Bites (And So Do I),” allowing fans to sing along with the band. Drummer Arejay Hale meanwhile, as the band’s relentlessly energetic catalyst, would continually play to the crowd, removing his shirt to the delight of the many female fans in the standing room only space. He would later be joined on stage by drummers Bobby Rock (Lita Ford) and Zac Morris (Dorothy) for a ten minute duel of drum solos that was a fast paced visual to give Hale’s voice a much needed respite from the high pitch of “Rock Show” preceding the solo.

Outfitted in black from head to toe- from leather jacket to tight pants- eyes never veered far from Lzzy Hale as she alternated between playing rhythm guitar and the keys when each song would call for them. Vocally, she seems to also be hitting her stride, touching all (or most) of the highest notes with ease on tracks like “I Get Off,” “Freak Like Me” and “I Am the Fire,” perhaps the new album’s best track. The band has been known to record cover songs from other groups ranging from classic rock to pop, and so watching Hale briefly croon on a verse of Nazareth’s “Love Hurts” at her keyboard was a particularly fun moment for the crowd. But the show’s most memorable moment would see Hale welcome Dorothy frontwoman Dorothy Martin out to the stage for an absolutely rousing cover of “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” made popular by Willie Dixon or Etta James or Foghat, depending upon where you’ve heard it before. Nonetheless, the pair went back and forth verse for verse while Hale and lead guitarist Joe Hottinger exchanged riffs throughout the blues-fueled rock number.

Although hit song “It’s Not You” was noticeably left out of the set, the band made sure to close out the show by eschewing the charade of an encore- something Hale noted to the live audience and was met with loud supportive cheers. Rocking renditions of new single “Mayhem,” the slower and uplifting “Here’s to Us” and set closer “I Miss the Misery” would follow thereafter allowing the sold out crowd to sing along in complete unison. At the end of ninety mostly heavy minutes, the band took some time to bask in the adoration of live applause and the crowd wouldn’t let them down, showing some New York City love toward one of rock music’s hardest working and complete acts.

- Dave Gendelson

Summertime 2015 in NYC: Where You Need to Be (Updated 8/18)

Date: Wednesday, August 26th – Saturday, August 29th, 2015

Event: 2015 Taste of Tennis

Place: Varies

Cost: Varies

The Scoop: It’s back in 2015 for three action packed nights.  In the days leading up to the U.S. Open, some of the brightest stars from the world of tennis return to New York City for the 2015 ‘Taste of Tennis.’  From the celebrity chef tennis tournament to the Thursday evening ‘Taste of Tennis’ gala that welcomes 25 of the city’s finest chefs to prepare food with the help of some of the world’s most famous players- to the brand new ‘Party With the Pros’ cocktail affair on Saturday night- there’s something for everyone at this year’s festivities.  Take a peek at their website here for a full rundown of the happenings and participants.

Date: Tuesday, August 18th – Monday, September 7th 2015

Event: Concerts Concerts Everywhere

Place: Varies

Cost: Varies

The Scoop: Check out our new and notable concert listings for the summer and make sure to secure your tickets before it’s too late.

Tuesday, August 18th
Counting Crows, JBL Live at Pier 97

Wednesday, August 19th
Juanes, Madison Square Garden

Thursday, August 20th
Billy Joel, Madison Square Garden

Friday, August 21st
Zac Brown Band, Citi Field

Saturday, August 22nd
Zac Brown Band, Citi Field
Earl Sweatshirt, Best Buy Theater
Afro-Punk Festival, Varies

Sunday, August 23rd
Afro-Punk Festival, Varies

Wednesday, August 26th
AC/DC, MetLife Stadium

Tuesday, September 1st
Delta Rae, Music Hall of Williamsburg

Friday, September 4th
Electric Zoo Festival, Randall’s Island

Saturday, September 5th
Electric Zoo Festival, Randall’s Island

Sunday, September 6th
Electric Zoo Festival, Randall’s Island

- Jane Van Arsdale

May 2015 Events in New York City: Where You Need to Be

Date: Tuesday, May 5th, 2015

Event: Village Voice Choice Streets

Place: The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

Cost: $85 – VIP; $65 – Early Entry; $55 – General Admission

The Scoop: The fourth year food truck frenzy returns to the picturesque waterfront setting along the Hudson River as The Village Voice once again presents ‘Choice Streets.’ As of press time, the affair is 100% at capacity, but guests will indulge in food samples from more than twenty of New York’s most celebrated food trucks. Participants include the likes of Big D’s Grub, Ponti Rossi, Korilla BBQ, Mike ‘N Willie’s, Sweet Chili, The Souvlaki Lady, Solber Pupusas and The Vintage Ice Cream Guys. Aside from the views, there’ll be mariachi music, delicious drinks, access to the museum and much much more!

Date: Thursday, May 7th 2015

Event: Grand Gourmet – The Flavor of Midtown

Place: Grand Central Terminal – Vanderbilt Hall

Cost: $350 – VIP; $125 – General Admission

The Scoop: More than 40 restaurants from Midtown East and West collaborate once again this year to raise money for the neighborhood around Grand Central Station. It’s the 2015 “Grand Gourmet” featuring a ton of great food and drink to enjoy from Shake Shack and Public House to Davio’s and Benjamin Steakhouse. There’s also The Capital Grille, The Campbell Apartment, Strip House Midtown, Pera Mediterranean Brasserie, Magnolia Bakery and just far too many to mention here. Unlimited food and drinks and the dishes are always spectacular amid the bustling transportation hub where it all goes down.

Date: Saturday, May 9th, 2015

Event: LocalBozo.com’s #BrunchBash II

Place: Studio Arte

Cost: $45

The Scoop: Look we get that it’s our website, but how are we not going to self-promote just a little bit? LocalBozo.com returns with our second #BrunchBash showcasing some of our favorite New York City Brunch Spots all in one place, paired with Brunch cocktails like Bloody Marys and Mimosas and delicious Colombian coffee. Indulge in unlimited eats and drinks from participants like The Wren, Socarrat Paella Bar, Poco, Chapter One, Primo 135, The Runner, Big Daddy’s, sWine, Calle Dao, Devocion and more- with beers courtesy of Allagash Brewing and Alphabet City Brewing Company. Plus, an unlimited oyster bar courtesy of Eddie Oysters and a live silent auction held on site over the two and a half hours with 100% of the proceeds going to our charity partners in KEEN New York. Our October #BrunchBash was a complete sellout, don’t miss your chance to revel in our festive daytime party this spring!

Date: Saturday, May 9th, 2015

Event: NYC Spring Wine Festival

Place: Broad Street Ballroom

Cost: $99 – General Admission

The Scoop: Once you’ve finished up at our #BrunchBash event, why not double up with a seasonal wine event for the senses. If you’ve read our recent recap on Brooklyn Crush, the same folks are hosting the 2015 Spring Wine Festival in the Financial District at the Broad Street Ballroom. Hundreds of guests will sip on 200 different wines curated by Vintry, some light cheeses and charcuterie and you’ll also catch some live jazz music being performed as you grab pours in your commemorative take home glass. But make sure to pay attention to your likes and dislikes as the room sure can begin spinning in a hurry!

Date: Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Event: Queens Taste 2015

Place: New York Hall of Science

Cost: $125 – Single Ticket; $200 – Pair of Tickets

The Scoop: The 2015 Queens Taste event emanates this year from the New York Hall of Science, where for three full hours guests will be treated to some of the finest food and drink of the borough. As always, proceeds will fund the continued programs and initiatives of the Queens Economic Development Corporation and some 800 locals are slated to be in attendance. You’ll enjoy savory and sweet fare from F. Ottomanelli & Sons, Bareburger, Deluge, La Fusta, M. Wells Steakhouse, Kimchi Smoke, Thai Rock, Redwood Deli, Rudy’s Bakery and many more. Grab your tickets today and support the continued success of the QEDC.

Date: Tuesday, May 12th 2015

Event: A Taste of HOPE: 30th Anniversary

Place: Prince George Ballroom

Cost: $175 – Event Ticket

The Scoop: The HOPE Program‘s annual Gala ‘A Taste of HOPE’ returns in 2015 in perhaps its biggest extravaganza yet. The posh Prince George Ballroom is the setting where the Wythe Hotel, Jimmy’s No. 43, Neuman’s Kitchen, Shake Shack, Four & Twenty Blackbirds, Financier, Chickpea and Tito’s Handmade Vodka will all be serving their delectable dishes to the delight of a few hundred philanthropic folks. As you’ve read in these pages, the organization seeks to help impoverished New Yorkers with improving their skills through training, jobs, mentoring and helping their careers progress. With the biggest event in their year, ‘Taste’s’ impact is perennially remarkable.

Date: Wednesday, May 13th 2015

Event: Taste of Greece: Brilliant Wines, Inspiring Food, Timeless Culture

Place: City Winery

Cost: $75 – General Admission; $125 – VIP

The Scoop: Whether you’re an expert or a novice, one thing is for certain: wine can be pretty damn good. And while we’ve had plenty of different styles, Greek wine is often foreign to us. Good thing we’ve got Wednesday May 13th free. City Winery plays host to a wine celebration where more than fifty of the country’s most popular winemakers are gathering to showcase all they’ve got to offer in an evening session called “Taste of Greece.” Aside from some absolutely exceptional wines you’ll find dishes to taste from Kefi, Amali, Thalassa, Nerai and more- along with live music from an authentic band from Athens.

Date: Saturday, May 16th 2015

Event: Taste of Tribeca

Place: 334 Greenwich Street

Cost: $45 – Advance Tickets

The Scoop: Names like American Cut, Bouley, Distilled NY, Locanda Verde, Little Park, The Palm, Ward III and Marc Forgione read like some of the finest restaurants our city has to offer. They’ll all be participating in the 2015 Taste of Tribeca, an outdoor pay as you go food tasting experience that’s more of a neighborhood celebration and block party than a festival of eats. $45 gets you six tastings from any restaurants and the day’s proceeds will benefit PS 150 and PS 234 to support local arts in our schools. The dishes being served are phenomenal and there’s a good chance you won’t ever make it out to some of these exceptionally popular restaurants. Don’t miss out on this reasonably priced opportunity to do some good.

Date: Saturday, May 16th – Sunday, May 17th 2015

Event: The Great Big Bacon Picnic

Place: The Old Pfizer Factory

Cost: $249 – VIP, $149 – Early Entry, $99 – General Admission

The Scoop: What’s there to do for two days in Williamsburg? Hop on over to The Old Pfizer Factory of course. It’s The Great Big Bacon Picnic, an extravaganza of eats featuring more than 100 chefs and restaurants- some known, some unknown. Try out Hill Country BBQ, Nick and Toni’s Restaurant, Le Rivage, The East Pole, Pig Guy NYC, Spritzenhaus 33, Umami Burger, Landhaus, Benchmark, Little Prince amongst many others. You’ll also slug down brews from Pilsner Urquell, Coney Island Brewing Co. and spirits from Widow Jane, Van Brunt Stillhouse, Kings County Distillery and others. A brass band. A space that’s indoors and outdoors. And more pig and booze than you can imagine over three action packed sessions.

Date: Saturday, May 16th, 2015

Event: Crawfish for Cancer’s 7th Annual NYC Crawfish Boil

Place: Boat Basin Cafe

Cost: $95 – General Admission

The Scoop: For the 7th banner year, the folks at Crawfishforcancer.org are hosting a masssively ornate Crawfish Boil featuring outdoor eating and drinking for their cause. Year after year, “Crawfish for Cancer” is a perennially sold out event that takes over the waterfront Boat Basin Cafe. Get your fill of a feast of hundreds upon hundreds of pounds of piping hot crawfish, fresh hunks of potatoes, seasoned corn on the cob, bottomless beers, wines and signature crafted cocktails. It’s a wonderful reason to step out for an afternoon to support cancer research at one of Manhattan’s most truly unique venues.

Date: Tuesday, May 19th, 2015

Event: Taste of Sunnyside 2015

Place: Queens Boulevard at 45th Street

Cost: $60 – VIP; $35 – General Admission

The Scoop: The weather is warm so let’s indulge in some of Queens’ best restaurants in an outdoor neighborhood setting. The 2015 ‘Taste of Sunnyside’ returns to an outdoor nook under Queens Boulevard where hundreds of hungry eaters will jump on dishes from a few dozen local restaurant participants. Los Verdes, Salt and Fat, Claret Wine Bar, PJ Horgan’s, Copper Kettle and of course, White Castle (!!) are all along for the ride- joining Queens Brewery and SingleCut Beersmiths as some of the evening’s drink purveyors. It’s sure to be a celebration of the borough’s best- and it’s reasonably priced for anyone to attend.

Date: Tuesday, May 19th, 2015

Event: STREETS International’s 2015 ‘STREETS Eats’

Place: Astor Center

Cost: $150 – Guest Ticket

The Scoop: Readers of this site will surely remember the name STREETS International, the socially conscious group that seeks to develop programs for disadvantaged children in Southeast Asia and around the world by training them comprehensively in the culinary world. The 8th Annual “STREETS Eats” event returns to the Astor Center in 2015 with a live silent auction, hand crafted cocktails and an incredible list of local and notable chefs and restaurants. Alder, Pig & Khao, The Meatball Shop, Tuome, Cafe Boulud and Ai Fiori are just a handful of participating spots cooking up a storm at this year’s outstanding fundraiser for a truly worthwhile cause.

Date: Wednesday, May 27th – Saturday, May 30th, 2015

Event: New Taste of the Upper West Side

Place: Varies

Cost: Varies

The Scoop: For the 8th year in a row, the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District is slated to host ‘New Taste of the Upper West Side,’ three different evenings of the neighborhood’s finest dishes and drinks to fundraise for the organization’s improvement initiatives. Wednesday evening’s ‘Soiree in the Park’ goes down in Theodore Roosevelt Park where $150 gets you dishes from Calle Ocho, Sarabeth’s, Luke’s Lobster and others, live music and champagne. The entire evening benefits the park itself, which surrounds the beautiful American Museum of Natural History. Friday night’s ‘Comfort Classics’ has become a perennial favorite for us. A $105 ticket grants you access to a massive tent with forty restaurants like 5 Napkin Burger, Genuine Roadside, Jacob’s Pickles, Pappardella, Momofuku Milk Bar, beers, wines and spirits- and of course, Man vs. Food host Adam Richman to emcee it all. Finally, Saturday’s ‘Best of the West’ ($135) hosted by chefs and Food Network personalities Marc Murphy and Anne Burrell as well as NBC4′s Lauren Scala will feature Boulud Sud, Alice’s Tea Cup, Dovetail, Ed’s Chowder House, Ocean Grill, The Smith, Tavern on the Green and a ton more! It’s a banner weekend for the UWS and it’s one that shouldn’t be missed for any food-seeking party enthusiasts.

Date: Thursday, May 28th, 2015

Event: Edible’s ‘Brooklyn Uncorked 2015′

Place: 26Bridge

Cost: $70 – General Admission

The Scoop: Sometimes it’s the local stuff that deserves to be celebrated. With that in mind, it’s the 9th annual ‘Brooklyn Uncorked’ which emanates from 26Local for the first time ever. Wineries like McCall Wines, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, Wolffer Estate Vineyard, Bedell Cellars and Bridge Lane Wine will be poured alongside eats from BAMcafe, Dekalb Restaurant, Palo Santo, EMILY, Runner & Stone, Gramercy Tavern and others. Edible does events just right- ensuring that you won’t leave hungry and most likely- you won’t leave sober either.

Date: Sunday, May 31st, 2015

Event: Bloodys & BBQ: A Curated Bloody Mary Brunch

Place: Beast of Bourbon

Cost: $40

The Scoop: You may have heard about our affinity for brunch. Fortunately, The Bloody Mary Liberation Party returns once again this spring with four incredible Bloody Mary varieties and a full BBQ meal from Beast of Bourbon during the Bloody Mary Brunch on May 31st. Cocktails from McClure’s Pickles, Black Swan Pub, The Bloody Mary Liberation Party and Beast of Bourbon will be poured for the capacity crowd of just 100 guests. It should be a tasty and filling three hour afternoon featuring some of Brooklyn’s finest concoctions!

Date: Friday, May 1st - Sunday, May 31st, 2015

Event: Concerts Concerts Everywhere

Place: Varies

Cost: Varies

The Scoop: Check out our new and notable concert listings for the month and make sure to secure your tickets before it’s too late.

Friday, May 1st
…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, Music Hall of Williamsburg
Blur, Music Hall of Williamsburg
Eric Clapton’s 70th Birthday Celebration, Madison Square Garden
Vamps, Best Buy Theater

Saturday, May 2nd
Fishbone, Brooklyn Bowl
Eric Church, Prudential Center

Sunday, May 3rd
Eric Clapton’s 70th Anniversary Celebration, Madison Square Garden
Hiatus Kaiyote, Gramercy Theatre

Monday, May 4th
Mika, Webster Hall

Tuesday, May 5th
Hiatus Kaiyote, Gramercy Theatre
Chet Faker, Terminal 5
Butch Walker, The Concert Hall
Ciara, Best Buy Theater
Lenny Kravitz, Webster Hall

Wednesday, May 6th
David Allan Coe, BB Kings
Paramore, Beacon Theatre
Nightwish, Hammerstein Ballroom

Thursday, May 7th
The Maine, Best Buy Theater
An Evening w/Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Webster Hall
Of Monsters and Men, Hammerstein Ballroom
Slash f. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Terminal 5

Monday, May 11th
Azealia Banks, Irving Plaza
Tremonti, Highline Ballroom
Surfer Blood, Music Hall of Williamsburg
Passion Pit, Kings Theatre

Tuesday, May 12th
Yelawolf, Brooklyn Bowl

Wednesday, May 13th
Faith No More, Webster Hall
Of Mice and Men, Best Buy Theater
Kaiser Chiefs, Irving Plaza
Tennis, Music Hall of Williamsburg
Jane’s Addiction, Brooklyn Bowl

Thursday, May 14th
Santigold, Music Hall of Williamsburg
Faith No More, Webster Hall

Friday, May 15th
Rival Sons, Irving Plaza
Matt & Kim, Terminal 5
Crosby, Stills & Nash, Kings Theatre

Saturday, May 16th
Tennis, Mercury Lounge

Tuesday, May 19th
Nico & Vinz, Irving Plaza
Mastodon & Clutch, Central Park SummerStage

Wednesday, May 20th
TV On the Radio, Kings Theatre

Thursday, May 21st
The B-52′s, Irving Plaza
SiriusXM Presents TV On the Radio, Terminal 5

Friday, May 22nd
Haste the Day, Irving Plaza

Saturday, May 23rd
All Time Low, JBL Live at Pier 97
Electric Daisy Carnival, MetLife Stadium

Sunday, May 24th
Electric Daisy Carnival, MetLife Stadium

Tuesday, May 26th
Pixies, Beacon Theatre
The Who, Barclays Center

Wednesday, May 27th
Pixies, Beacon Theatre

Thursday, May 28th
Pixies, Kings Theatre
Ed Sheeran, Forest Hills Stadium
Billy Joel, Madison Square Garden

Friday, May 29th
Ed Sheeran, Forest Hills Stadium
lady Antebellum, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Saturday, May 30th
Sepultura, Marlin Room at Webster Hall
Ed Sheeran, Prudential Center
The Who, Forest Hills Stadium

Sunday, May 31st
They Might Be Giants, Music Hall of Williamsburg

 - Jane Van Arsdale

A LocalBozo.com Concert Review
Webster Hall, New York, NY
April 14, 2015

If you weren’t standing amid the swarm of concertgoers inside of Webster Hall’s Grand Ballroom on Tuesday night, then I hope you had a good reason. Touring in support of their recently released sophomore album “After It All” (Released April 7th), Durham, North Carolina folk-pop act Delta Rae triumphantly returned to New York City, unleashing an eighty minute set that showcased all of the pomp and circumstance of an arena show inside of the diminutive East Village music hall. And almost as immediately as the six piece band took center stage, there was no standing still for the rest of us as we once again marveled at the unheralded group’s collection of supreme talent.

Where to begin with a band, whose four principal members each take separate turns singing lead vocals and each on their own is entirely capable of being their own solo act. Utilizing an array of unique instruments and showcasing their penchant for live show theatrics, there was nary a moment during the entire performance where fans weren’t captivated by the musicians on stage. Although half of the band is made up of siblings Eric, Ian and Brittany Holljes, it’s the addition of Elizabeth Hopkins’ incredible pipes that yields the unparalleled dynamic between this foursome- from the harmonies to the foot-stomping to the little smirks they offer to one another on stage- that makes their live stage show far more veteran than their two album releases might otherwise imply.

The defiant new track “Outlaws” kicked the show off in energetic fashion, a feeling that would rarely let up during the course of the evening. Even ballads like Eric Holljes’ solo version of “The Meaning of it All” featuring just the singer and his piano was particularly inspired; the stirring rendition left much of the crowd in awe at his wide vocal range by the song’s end. Kicked off by an awesome violin intro, the uplifting “Run” started the folksy foot-stomping and hand-clapping early on to every beat of Mike McKee‘s frenzied drums. But where Delta Rae is perhaps most distinctive is in their ability to pen these chant-heavy tracks, backed by incredible kick drum and bass lines that transform each song from catchy pop tune into a dancing, screaming in-person rallying cry. On the electrifying “Chasing Twisters” and the haunting set closer “Bottom of the River,” there’s almost a ghostly presence joining the band on stage, as the flutter of colored lights seemingly meets each of the band member’s movements in phantom-like fashion.

Fortunately, the spectacle of the show itself allows the audience to focus more on the band’s talents than on all the bells and whistles. A stripped down A cappella style rendition of the unreleased “Any Better Than This” featured the four main performers brilliantly harmonizing and clapping around a single microphone as Grant Emerson‘s bass playing provided some backing fodder for the interactive crowd-pleaser. Again though, it was Hopkins’ remarkable vocals on “If I Loved You” that proved the be amongst the show’s finest points as the entire crowd sang along to the ridiculously catchy break-up song with the energy and enthusiasm of a far larger audience.

A cover of Sia’s “Chandelier” would fittingly conclude a fun encore, with the anthemic “Dance in the Graveyards” featuring a tease of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” sending the live crowd home on a high note. You’d be hard pressed to find much to criticize at Delta Rae’s most recent stop in New York City, during a show that seemed to build to a crescendo from start to its pinnacle of a finish. Much as we felt in the hours that followed our first time seeing the band back in June, Delta Rae again managed to exceed our lofty expectations by somehow improving upon an already excellent and polished live show.

- Jane Van Arsdale

April 2015 Events in New York City: Where You Need to Be

Date: Wednesday, April 8th – Saturday, April 11th, 2015

Event: “BEING” by Wines of Corsica

Place: OPENHOUSE Gallery

Cost: $30

The Scoop: Sometimes the finer things in life don’t necessarily need to cost you an arm and both legs. ‘Vins de Corse’ presents “BEING“ as one such example at Mulberry Street’s OPENHOUSE Gallery where the worlds of fine wine and artwork collide. Just $30 gets you refreshing Mediterranean pours of wines from Corsica, paired with exclusive views of artwork inspired by the region. You’ll have your choice of any of the affair’s four different sessions, each of which spans three hours. The best bet though is to attend 4/8′s opening reception which boasts a cheese tasting from Artisanal, music from DJ Alex Ortega, an oyster bar and just 50 tickets to ensure that everyone is a VIP.

Date: Sunday, April 12th 2015

Event: The Bloody Mary Festival

Place: Industry City

Cost: General Admission – $50

The Scoop: Nearly a dozen of Brooklyn’s best purveyors of all things tomato juice will converge inside of Industry City for the 2nd Annual Bloody Mary Festival – Brooklyn.  Much of the borough will be represented with the likes of Whiskey Soda Lounge, Catfish, Congress Bar, Char No. 4, Beast of Bourbon, Black Swan, Cain’s Tavern and last year’s Best Bloody Mary Winner Lucky Luna.  Tastes will be unlimited alongside live music, savory local bites and lunch from Delaney BBQ over the course of three hours.  And as usual, we the people will have the power to crown the day’s winner!

Date: Tuesday, April 14th, 2015

Event: Pinot in the City

Place: City Winery

Cost: General Admission – $75

The Scoop: Celebrating its 50th anniversary planting Pinot Noir, Oregon’s Willamette Valley will be bringing fifty of the region’s finest makers of the delicious red wine into City Winery for one very special evening.  Pinot in the City will welcome each vineyard’s winemakers to meet and greet guests, pour some different varietals and give attendees more than a taste of the area and its culture.  The one night only event will host wineries like Dusky Goose, Coleman Vineyard, REX HILL, Van Duzer Vineyards, Ponzi Vineyards, Left Coast Cellars, Big Table Farm and Le Cadeau Vineyard among many many more.  Full details can be found here- but grab your tickets now, while they last- because they surely won’t.

Date: Wednesday, April 15th, 2015

Event: 15th Annual Taste of the Lower East Side

Place: Metropolitan Pavilion

Cost: General Admission – $195; Tasting Preview – $300

The Scoop: You already know that everything in New York happens downtown.  The parties.  The restaurants.  The bars.  With that in mind, the 15th Annual Taste of the Lower East Side is bringing more than fifty of the best downtown restaurants into one place for a mouthwatering evening of eats.  The funds raised during the course of the ‘Taste’ event directly impact the many programs implemented by Grand St. Settlement and as a result, directly impacts the lives of New Yorkers of all ages.  Though the cause is the focus of the evening- the indulgence that you’ll enjoy is a pretty fantastic sidebar, what with participating restaurants like The Meatball Shop, Pearl & Ash, Russ & Daughters, Gemma, Boulton & Watt, Schiller’s Liquor Bar, The Wren, L’Apicio and The Stanton Social already signed on to cook for you.  It’s sure to be an unforgettable evening- and one where you certainly won’t leave hungry.  Check out the full site for ticket and restaurant information and learn more about the impact that your ticket purchase has on the folks who need it most.

Date: Saturday, April 18th – Sunday, April 19th, 2015

Event: The Big Cheesy 2015: Spring Edition

Place: OPENHOUSE Gallery

Cost: $30

The Scoop: The two day affair crowning New York City’s very best grilled cheese sandwich was so successful back in January that it triumphantly returns in April with the 2015 Big Cheesy: Spring Edition.  Promoted by the folks at Time Out New York, you’ll indulge in limitless tastings of some of the City’s finest tasty comfort dishes, intricately prepared and oozing with gooey goodness.  Your $30 ticket gets you inside for one of the hour long sessions on either Saturday or Sunday, along with two beers from Goose Island.  Though participants have yet to be announced, The Big Cheesy never lets you down.  Secure your spot and the day of decadence ASAP!  These tickets will sell out.

Date: Monday, April 20th 2015

Event: Tap & Tapas

Place: 404NYC

Cost: $175

The Scoop: A benefit that features live dance and some of New York City’s best chefs and restaurants?  Groove With Me presents the 2015 Tap & Tapas, featuring the likes of The Spotted Pig, DB Bistro, Telepan, Beauty & Essex, Buttermilk Channel, Otto’s Tacos and many more.  The evening will serve as a fundraiser for Groove With Me, using dance and performance classes to reinforce female independence, encourage creativity and promote discipline for young, growing women.  By offering alternative choices to the likes of drugs, crime, violence and prostitution, the organization’s efforts should not and cannot go unnoticed. And as such, an evening to celebrate their successes and promote ongoing initiatives with the help of many New York chefs is one absolutely worth checking out.

Date: Monday, April 20th 2015

Event: Le Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux Grand Tasting Event

Place: Vanderbilt Hall

Cost: $60

The Scoop: From wines of Corsica to wines of Bordeaux, whether you prefer tastes from the iconic Left or the Right Banks, Le Grand Cercle Des Vins de Bordeaux will take over Vanderbilt Hall inside of Grand Central Terminal for one evening.  The Grand Tasting event, which lasts two full hours, welcomes 35 of the region’s finest and most highly regarded wineries- like Chateau Haut Bacalan, Chateau d’Arsac, Chateau Brillete, Chateau Siaurac, Chateau Vray Croix de Gay, Chateau Trianon and Chateau Moulin Haut Laroque but candidly, even more casual drinkers are likely to unearth some delicious gems that you’ve likely never tasted before.  Plus, the evening is even more inspiring with the opportunity to learn about what makes Bordeaux such a highly acclaimed region from the winemakers themselves.

Date: Monday, April 20th, 2015

Event: Palm Bay International Wine Tasting

Place: New York Public Library

Cost: General Admission – $45

The Scoop: The esteemed New York Public Library will play host to a showcase of some 90 different wines spanning fifteen countries from around the globe as a part of the Palm Bay International Winemaker Tasting Series.  Its only New York stop welcomes wines from Israel and Italy, Germany and Spain, New Zealand, Portugal and even California over the course of two affordable hours of tasting.  Wineries like Arrogant Frog, Ferrari, Mondoro, Lunetta, Portillo, Santa Rita, Heritance, Zisola, Campillo, Domini  and more have signed on to be pouring on hand for what’s sure to be a festive and fun affair.

Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2015

Event: Bacon and Beer Classic 2015

Place: Citi Field

Cost: VIP – $129; Early Access – $99; General Admission – $59

The Scoop: Pick your poison: The Brunch Session or The Evening Session.  Either way, you’ll indulge in three hours at Citi Field, the home of the 2015 New York Mets.  Though the team will be playing in the Bronx that weekend, the entire stadium will be overtaken by the 2015 Bacon and Beer Festival, where breweries like Thirsty Dog Brewing, Broken Bow, Brewery Ommegang, Smuttynose, Southern Tier, Abita, Bronx Brewery and dozens of others will pair with F.Ottomanelli Burger, Route 66 Smokehouse, Pig Guy NYC, City Crab and Seafood Co., Bar Bacon, American Whiskey and plenty more!  It’s going to be an all out party and a day of decadence that nobody should miss!

Date: Saturday, April 25th – Sunday, April 26th, 2015

Event: NYC Hot Sauce Expo

Place: Brooklyn Expo Center

Cost: Super VIP Ticket – $100; Beer & BBQ Lunchbox – $55; General Admission – $10

The Scoop: The 2015 NYC Hot Sauce Festival returns for its third banner year in perhaps the biggest most hotly anticipated event yet.  There’ll be dozens upon dozens of different styles and flavors on hand from Tahiti Joes and Tango Spice Company to Jersey Barnfire, Bonfatto’s, Cajohns, Whitehouse, Holy Schmitt’s and High River to name a few.  Plus, you’ll demo Stoli Vodka, check out a spicy taco eating contest and witness a Bloody Mary Mix Down on Sunday (check out the website here for the entire weekend of goings-on).  The best portion of the weekend might just be Buffalo Wild Wings ‘B-Dub’s Blazin’ Challenge’ on Saturday night which will test the will of each combatant.

Date: Monday, April 27th, 2015

Event: NYC Taste of the Nation

Place: 23 Wall Street

Cost:  Platinum VIP – $750; VIP

The Scoop: The bars and bartenders, chefs and restaurants participating at the 2015 Taste of the Nation NYC read like a who’s who of New York’s culinary elite. Cocktail hotspots like Dram Bar, PDT, Raines Law Room, Death & Company and Boilermaker pair with the likes of The Cecil, Hakkasan, Huertas, Delmonico’s, The Clam, the gander, Balthazar, Bagatelle, Birds & Bubbles and plenty more for the annual feasting and fundraising event for No Kid Hungry.  The Monday evening affair will take over downtown Manhattan with event luminaries like  George Stephanopoulos, Danny Meyer, Anita Lo, Bryce Schuman, Sarah Simmons and others all taking center stage.  It’s an unlimited evening of extravagant eats and it’s all for an incredibly worthwhile cause.

Date: Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Event: An Evening of Practical Magic

Place: Cipriani 42nd Street

Cost:  $1,000

The Scoop: The 21st Annual Evening of Practical Magic is well worth its ticket price as it’s the annually grandiose fundraising event for City Harvest, the famed nonprofit that brings food to New York’s hungry.  The 2015 affair will be emceed by Iron Chef’s Geoffrey Zakarian and Food Network Celebrity Chef Anne Burrell, but the evening is set to include a live auction, silent auction, cocktails and a full (and spectacular) dinner service amid the picturesque Cipriani 42nd Street.  Last year’s extravaganza raised more than $2 million dollars for the organization which goes directly toward City Harvest’s initiatives and anti-hunger programs.  Lets do our part to make 2015 an even bigger success for the incredible nonprofit group.

Date: Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Event: American Cancer Society’s Taste of Hope

Place: Metropolitan West

Cost:  VIP – $250; General Admission – $175

The Scoop: The tenth anniversary of the American Cancer Society’s “Taste of Hope” emanates from Metropolitan West, bringing together some of New York’s most popular restaurants paired with wines and spirits, with the purpose of adding to their existing total raised of $1.3 million.  The goal of eliminating cancer is one that has never wavered and has never seemed more within reach and the funds raised during the course of “Taste of Hope” directly support the ACS’ programs and research.  Guests will enjoy eats from Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse, Bodega Negra, Calle Ocho, macbar, The Smith and many more participating vendors during the particularly special evening.

Date: Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Event: America Needs You: Young Leadership Board Annual Spring Party

Place: Up&Down

Cost:  $125

The Scoop: Speaking of worthwhile causes, America Needs You is a national non-profit organization whose New York arm is focused on assisting local first generation collegiate students with career development and mentoring programs that help to enable their eventual independence.  The Young Leadership Board hosts a Spring Party every year that is both fun for attendees and helps to fund their many initiatives through the course of each calendar year.  The 2015 event is slated to be no different, this year emanating from 14th Street’s Up&Down with promises of some light fare and an open bar to go alongside an unparalleled collection of silent auction items for attendees.  Best of all though, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the group’s efforts first hand and you’ll understand why the team of young professionals are so passionate about the work they’re doing to help prospective students succeed as their working lives evolve.

Date: Saturday, May 9th, 2015

Event: LocalBozo.com’s #BrunchBash II

Place: Studio Arte

Cost:  $45

The Scoop: Of course it’s in May, but how are we not going to self-promote just a little bit?  LocalBozo.com returns with our second #BrunchBash showcasing some of our favorite New York City Brunch Spots all in one place, paired with Brunch cocktails like Bloody Marys and Mimosas and delicious Colombian coffee.  Indulge in unlimited eats and drinks from participants like The Wren, Socarrat Paella Bar, Poco, Chapter One, Primo 135, The Runner, Big Daddy’s, sWine, Devocion and more- with beers courtesy of Allagash Brewing and Alphabet City Brewing Company.  Plus, a live silent auction will be held on site over the two and a half hours with 100% of the proceeds going to our charity partners in KEEN New York.  Our October #BrunchBash was a complete sellout, don’t miss your chance to revel in our festive daytime party this spring!

 

Date: Wednesday, April 1st – Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Event: Concerts Concerts Everywhere

Place: Varies

Cost: Varies

The Scoop: Check out our new and notable concert listings for the month and make sure to secure your tickets before it’s too late.

Wednesday, April 1st
Bjork, New York City Center
Milky Chance, Webster Hall
Plain White T’s, Gramercy Theatre

Friday, April 3rd
Billy Joel, Madison Square Garden

Saturday, April 4th
Diarrhea Planet, Bowery Ballroom
Chet Faker, Terminal 5

Tuesday, April 7th
The London Souls, Bowery Ballroom
Chet Faker, Terminal 5

Wednesday, April 8th
The Ting Tings, Webster Hall
Chet Faker, Terminal 5

Thursday, April 9th
The Devil Wears Prada, Irving Plaza
Bleachers, Terminal 5
Nightwish, Hammerstein Ballroom

Friday, April 10th
The Sick Bag Song by Nick Cave, Florence Gould Hall at FIAF
A Skylit Drive and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Santos Party House
Cassandra Wilson, Apollo Theater

Saturday, April 11th
Sufjan Stevens, Beacon Theatre
OK Go, Terminal 5

Tuesday, April 14th
Delta Rae, Webster Hall
Walk The Moon, Terminal 5

Wednesday, April 15th
Walk The Moon, Terminal 5

Saturday, April 18th
Earl Sweatshirt, Best Buy Theater
The Golden Furs, Arlene’s Grocery

Sunday, April 19th
Cavalera Conspiracy, Webster Hall

Monday, April 20th
Waka Flocka Flame, Webster Hall
Kid Ink, Irving Plaza
John Mellencamp, Carnegie Hall

Wednesday, April 22nd
George Ezra, Webster Hall

Thursday, April 23rd
Manic Street Preachers, Webster Hall
John Mellencamp, Apollo Theater

Friday, April 24th
The Chainsmokers, Terminal 5
John Mellencamp, Apollo Theater
Widespread Panic, Kings Theatre

Saturday, April 25th
The Used with Every Time I Die, Webster Hall
Widespread Panic, Kings Theatre

Monday, April 27th
Ben Folds, Bowery Ballroom
Sixx: A.M. with Apocalyptica, Best Buy Theater
Stone Temple Pilots, Irving Plaza

Tuesday, April 28th
Ben Folds, Music Hall of Williamsburg

Wednesday, April 29th
An Evening with Jessie J, Webster Hall
James Bay, Irving Plaza

Thursday, April 30th
Ben Folds, Town Hall
Lord Huron, Terminal 5

 - Jane Van Arsdale

The overwhelming aroma of succulent smoked brisket permeated out to the front entrance of Fort Greene’s Irondale Center on Monday night as throngs of anxious onlookers lined up around the venue’s exterior awaiting entrance into the space. Throngs of hungry New Yorkers would eventually pile into the two-floor setting to eat and drink to their heart’s content and to officially crown 2015′s “Brisket King of NYC.” Although the affair would certainly be crowded, each distinctive serving would be well worth the brief and eventually satisfying wait.

The now annual “Brisket King” competition has become a late winter staple amid New York City eventgoers, growing larger and larger with each passing year. With more than a dozen options to choose from- and with the many big names representing New York’s barbecue scene- it’s no surprise that the crown is such a highly sought after achievement. Fortunately with such a hearty array of eats, there was plenty of refreshing booze to wash it all down with. Cocktails from Four Roses Bourbon and Tito’s Handmade Vodka and beers from Coney Island Brewing seemed to be most popular with the hundreds of assembled eventgoers, attempting to manage their drink in one hand and sizable portion of meat in the other.

As lines began forming on both floors, it was imperative to move quickly and methodically as we weaved our way around the space. Lathered in a salt cured exterior and cooked with equal parts marble and fat, Hill Country Brooklyn’s Kirby Pickle-topped brisket was a tough to follow first choice. Juicy as any that we’d bite into all evening, our fingers gleaned with grease as we quickly devoured the briny pickle that managed to be a palate cleanser for the dish that would follow. The nearby bulbous “Brisket Slider” from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, laquered with tangy red sauce and a dollop of creamy mustard aioli was equally as awesome with a sea of rich flavors coming apart at the seams of each chomp. Though we had earmarked both places for return visits, the dishes to follow would prevent that from happening.

Brisket is most often served traditionally, but sometimes being crowned “Brisket King” means going above and beyond the normal realm of authenticity. With that in mind, several entrants stuck out for their inventiveness. Enter Fletcher’s Brooklyn BBQ whose shredded hunks of marinated brisket were deliciously enveloped in an Asian-inspired lettuce wrap. Meanwhile, up on the second floor, the evening’s lengthiest line was owned by the team from The Wandering Que with a “Beef Brisket Nigiri Style.” Topped by a thin lamb-brisket bacon, the meat was served sushi-style over a bed of sticky rice with each heated by a mini-flame before being doled out to the many awaiting hands. Other notables like Pig Guy NYC’s “BBQ Brisket Roll” and Midtown’s Le Rivage “Beef Brisket Terrine,” served atop a thick slice of fresh bread and a smattering of smooth horseradish cream, each proved to be worthy competition but would ultimately succumb to the evening’s eventual winner.

Red Hook Brooklyn is slowly becoming more recognized for things outside of their Ikea and Fairway, due in no small part to the tasty ‘cue being churned out by the team at Hometown Bar-B-Que. Sticking right in their wheel house, pitmaster Billy Durney’s crew rolled out some beautifully charred and traditional style thick-sliced brisket paired with a handful of sharp white onion slices and pickle chips for flavor contrast. Remarkably mouthwatering and tender, you won’t find much argument from our end about the People’s Choice Winner. Though each participating restaurant could make claims to have served the evening’s finest brisket, only Hometown’s was worthy of being truly crowned “King.”

- Dave Gendelson

Photos from Brisket King NYC 2015

Dinosaur BBQ

Morgan’s Barbecue

Fletcher’s Brooklyn BBQ

Hill Country Brooklyn

Le Rivage

Food Network Kitchen

Hometown Bar-B-Que

Slows Bar-B-Q

Kimchi Smoke

Ben’s Best

The Wandering Que

Jimmy’s No. 43

 

Pig Guy NYC

New York City is as fickle a culinary region there is in the country. The next new chef opening the next new restaurant seemingly creates a new flavor of the month with each change of season. In this space though, it’s essential that credit be bestowed upon one of our favorite and most consistent Manhattan staples. Socarrat Paella Bar currently seats diners at three Manhattan locations, strategically spread out in a handful of neighborhoods- with two sister restaurants La Nacional and La Churreria in close proximity. Over the years, we’ve visited three of the four and the consistency between locales has always remained steady. Certainly you need to be fully prepared to load up on a carb-heavy meal, but those extra few minutes on the treadmill are well worth their time for a restaurant where we’ve never not enjoyed a dining experience.

Our most recent visit brought us to Socarrat’s Midtown East outpost which sits on a particularly buzzing part of Second Avenue.  The bi-level space is dimly lit for intimacy’s sake, but because of the size of each dish, the restaurant is ideal for dining in larger groups. Rustic barn wood lines the first floor ceiling, sitting above the long inviting bar which leads from the front door to the back of the dining area. Behind the small wooden tables and comfortable leather banquette sit a multitude of charming white doors, continuing the country sort of atmosphere exuded inside while some moderate Latin music pipes along in the background. Sights and sounds aside though, it’s the aromas that are noticeable immediately upon entering the restaurant, fully abuzz during this weeknight visit.

Typically when paella comes recommended- even at its best- it’s often dry and tasteless- a thick, warm smattering of rice that  acts as a bed for its array of toppings and winds up being more filling than it is delicious. Fortunately with paella in its moniker, Socarrat Paella Bar seems to have mastered its signature dish and worked the rest of the menu out from there. With nearly ten different styles to choose from- the house special “Socarrat” ($23) was our hands down favorite. Rich and flavorful, each heaping forkful scraped together the most savory bits of pan-burnt rice, coupled with a dazzling amount of fresh shrimp, chicken, beef, mussels and fish. The combination of ingredients worked together admirably- slightly fishy, in the best and freshest way possible. Equally as well seasoned, the dark rice laden “Carne” ($24) brought together short ribs and chorizo alongside hunks of white meat chicken, mushrooms and snow peas. Though slightly inferior to the original, the paella here is often reflective of one’s mood- and on flavors alone, this one was just as delicious.

Despite coming for the paella, Socarrat also offers some noteworthy tapas portions- specializing in sizzling seafood. Their “Gambas al Ajillo” ($12), where a piping hot garlicky broth saturates a collection of bulbous and succulent shrimp, and their “Pulpo a La Gallega” ($15) a deliciously chewy pan seared octopus that is both well seasoned and pre-sliced are primary examples of Socarrat’s excellence. For sheer decadence, it’s hard to take umbrage with their “Datiles” ($9) or bacon wrapped dates, richly stuffed with cheese for an unparalleled creamy-salty-sweet flavor contrast. Even the restaurant’s  “Pan con Tomate” ($5) rubs a uniquely sweet and thick tomato spread atop thick slices of tasty rustic bread, enhancing a simple starter dish to one that belongs on each table.

With tapas plates and paella pans hiding each tabletop, making room for dessert is challenging but certainly not impossible. Not with the likes of deep fried “Chocolate Beignets” and pistachio crumbled “Flan” staring you in the face. But it’s the restaurant’s “Churros Sunday Funday” that’s the star here. Four cinnamon infused and brown sugar sprinkled fingers jut out from a collection of coffee cream, hot chocolate and cocoa nibs- elements which manage to be a touch less sweeter than the rich ingredients might imply. But the beautifully plated dessert hits all the right notes and is among the many must-try dishes sampled during our dinner. With word that Socarrat is ramping up their brunch service – previewing their ‘Big Apple Paella’ replete with slices of New York’s own Katz’s Delicatessen Salami and Nathan’s Original frankfurters meshed with red cabbage and corn niblets at some recent events- a daytime trip is next on our list. Until then, we’ll savor the smells and tastes that we thoroughly enjoyed during yet another memorable visit to Socarrat Paella Bar, a consistently satisfying place to spend any evening in Manhattan.

Rundown of the Meal

Tapas
Gambas al Ajillo ($12)*
Croquetas del Dia ($11)
Datiles ($9)*
Pan con Tomate ($5)
Chorizo
Pulpo a La Gallega ($15)*
Coles de Brusela ($12)*

Charcuteria
Cured Ham with Toast and Fresh Tomato Spread ($16)*

Paella
Carne ($24)
Socarrat ($23)*

Dessert
Chocolate Beignets
Churros Sunday Funday*
Flan with Pistachio Crumbs*
Cheesecake

* Meal Highlight

March 2015 Events in New York City: Where You Need to Be

Date: Tuesday, March 3rd 2015

Event: Careers Through Culinary Arts Program 2015 ‘C-CAP Benefit’

Place: Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers

Cost: VIP – $1,000, General Admission – $550

The Scoop: It costs a lot to eat well in New York City.  But when a good cause is at stake, the dollar amount matters much less.  Every year, C-CAP brings together the City’s very best restaurants for an unparalleled feasting Benefit that helps fund their initiatives to give underserved youths the opportunity at careers in different culinary fields.  Current Grads like Cesar Gutierrez (Lexington Brass), Thiago Silva (Catch) and Veronica Rivera (Restaurant Marc Forgione) join restaurants like Union Square Cafe, Marea, Daniel, Dirty French, The Cecil, Oceana, Maialino, Le Cirque, Dovetail, Batard, Asiate, Betony and many many more on March 3rd.  The list of restaurants is only half as impressive as the feast that you’ll enjoy during the incredible affair.

Date: Saturday, March 7th 2015

Event: CoffeeCon 2015

Place: Broad Street Ballroom

Cost: General Admission + Seminar – $90; General Admission – $35

The Scoop: You’ve spent far too much money at those familiar big brand coffee shops on every corner.  Try something new on for size at the 2015 NYC CoffeeCon where you’ll have the opportunity to taste more than 100 different local and national coffees.  You’ll learn about the different roasting styles and compare the distinctive beans from around the country- plus, you’ll have the opportunity to sit in on some classes and seminars for the true all-around interactive experience.  The festival will also host bakeries and chocolate makers as well as food trucks on site, giving you plenty to wash down with that freshly served roast.  It’s just a half block from the subway so there’s no excuse not to make the trek out.  Unless of course you’re pregnant.  And even then, there’s always decaf.

Date: Monday, March 9th 2015

Event: Small Plates, Big Hearts

Place: Metropolitan Pavilion

Cost: VIP – $500, General Admission – $250, Young Supporters (Under 25) – $100

The Scoop: The annual benefit event to fund raise for New York City’s Food and Finance High School returns in 2015, bigger and better than ever before.  Dubbed “Small Plates, Big Hearts“ the reception welcomes participating chefs from restaurants like Gotham Bar & Grill, Extra Virgin, Distilled NY, Oceana, The Smith, Telepan, The Stanton Social, Marta, Maialino and more for a tasting event that lasts more than three hours.  Beers from Allagash Brewery will also be poured during the evening, which will be hosted by TV Personality and Celebrity Chef Marc Murphy (Landmarc, Ditch Plains).  And the live silent auction on site is sure to offer up experiences unavailable elsewhere.

 

Date: Tuesday, March 10th 2015

Event: New York Drinks NY Grand Tasting

Place: Astor Center

Cost: General Admission – $40

The Scoop: Perhaps the month’s most reasonably priced event, the 4th Annual New York Drinks NY Grand Tasting welcomes more than 100 local wineries to the spacious Astor Center for just $40.  You’ll sip different varietals from the Finger Lakes out to Long Island, along with delicious food pairings, cheeses and finger foods all over two action-packed hours.  Wines from Bedell Cellars, Brooklyn Oenology, Wagner Vineyards, Macari Wines, Lieb Cellars and Hosmer Winery are all likely to be poured in person- proving you don’t need to head out west to drink some truly delicious wines.

 

Date: Wednesday, March 11th 2015

Event: F Cancer

Place: Brooklyn Brewery

Cost: General Admission – $50

The Scoop: Some of North Brooklyn’s most renowned local eateries are coming out in unison to help residents fight the country’s most pressing disease.  Entitled ‘F Cancer,’ the Wednesday evening ticket price is hardly the most noteworthy piece of the puzzle happening inside Williamsburg’s Brooklyn Brewery.  Here you’ll sample some tasty fare from Pies N Thighs, Allswell, The Bedford, Greenpoint Heights, The Meat Hook, Marlow & Sons and many more.  There’s also slated to be some live music and a terrific silent auction sure to raise a ton of dough toward ‘Stupid Cancer,’ a nonprofit that works for the advocacy of the disease in young adults.  You have both the $50 and the appetite- so why not come on out and do something good for a change?

 

Date: Friday, March 13th

Event: Village Voice 8th Annual ‘Choice Eats’

Place: Metropolitan Pavilion

Cost: General Admission – $65

The Scoop: If you read our preview piece a few weeks back, it’s fairly easy to tell how excited we are for the return of the Village Voice’s ‘Choice Eats’ event, which for us is the unofficial start of spring each year.  For the 8th time, the massively grandiose walk around tasting feast brings together the longest list of chefs imaginable from every possible borough for three full hours- with plenty of booze to appease even the most casual drinker.  Though the full list is massive, you’ll be treated to dishes courtesy of Casa Mono and Bar Jamon, Delaware and Hudson, The East Pole, Commerce, The NoMad, Huertas, Veselka, Wilma Jean and more- including ‘Choice Sweets,’ a full-on dessert restaurant row with the likes of Butter and Scotch, Robicelli’s, Ample Hills Creamery among others.  This one will sell out- best get your tickets while you still can.

Date: Friday, March 13th – Saturday, March 14th 2015

Event: NYC Craft Beer Fest: Spring Seasonals

Place: Tribeca Three-Sixty

Cost: VIP – $75, General Admission – $65

The Scoop: What is there left to say about the seasonal NYC Craft Beer Festival, an event that welcomes thousands of locals into the Lexington Armory for a day of deliciously refreshing and unlimited pours from breweries around the globe?  Tickets to their three sessions of ‘Spring Seasonals’ range from $65 – $75 to sip more than 150 beers, ciders and meads with participants like Bell’s, Sixpoint, New Holland, Chelsea Brewing, Abita, Finback, Lagunitas, Victory, Kuka, Left Hand, Crispin, Magic Hat, Dogfish Head, Allagash, Belfast Bay and a ton of others.  Best of all?  Make sure to seek out the LocalBozo table as we’ll be pouring some of our favorite brews right on site!

Date: Saturday, March 14th 2015

Event: BrothFest

Place: South Street Seaport

Cost:  $33

The Scoop: I guess they’ll think of just about any dish to create a wildly inventive food festival around.  Making the cold weather a good thing for a change, it’s the first ever BrothFest, a one day only competition that crowns the day’s finest prepared piping hot fare at the South Street Seaport.  Portions from the likes of Katz’s Deli, Baz, Spur Tree, FAME, Caracas Arepa Bar among others will be sipped, slurped and slugged down over the course of six 90 minute sessions.  And with tickets at just $33, the promise of live DJ music and delectable fare is an unbeatable way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  Lets grab a heaping spoonful and wave goodbye to Old Man Winter in style!

 

Date: Monday, March 16th 2015

Event: Brisket King of NYC 2015

Place: Irondale Center

Cost: $85

The Scoop: Following the first ever NYC Mardi Gras is no easy task.  But the third annual Brisket King of NYC knows no true competitors.  Fort Greene’s Irondale Center will host more then 20 different chefs for the very first time with entrants like Mokbar, Hometown BBQ, Fletcher’s Brooklyn BBQ, Dinosaur BBQ, Katz’s Deli, The Wandering Que and others vying to be named the best of the brisket bunch in 2015.  Your all-inclusive ticket gets you tastes from more than a dozen distilleries and craft beers to boot.  Don’t just sit at home and wait for our coverage over Twitter- make sure to taste a piece of the tender, juicy glory that is perfectly prepared brisket- made by some of the City’s finest culinary minds.

Date: Wednesday, March 18th 2015

Event: Edible’s ‘Good Cider’

Place: Tribeca Three Sixty

Cost: $60

The Scoop: Talk about outdoing yourself.  For the first time in 2015, Edible launched their first ever ‘Good Spirits – Brooklyn Edition,’ before managing to pull off the biggest Manhattan ‘Good Spirits’ event yet- and it’s only the first week in March!  What better way to continue their brand evolution in taking over the world one event at a time than by turning their attention to cider.  With that in mind, Edible’s first annual ‘Good Cider’ takes liftoff from the spacious and picturesque Tribeca Three-Sixty building in downtown Manhattan where guests will sip the sweet tastes of Badass Hard Cider, Bad Seed Cider, 1911 Cider, Bellwether Hard Cider, Doc’s Draft Hard Cider, Orchard Hill Cider Mill and a slew of other brands.  Peruse the full list of cider-makers and restaurants participating (Gramercy Tavern!) and then- buy your tickets immediately.

Date: Friday, March 20th

Event: LUCKYRICE New York Grand Feast

Place: Mandarin Oriental

Cost: VIP – $250, General Admission – $150

The Scoop: The sixth anniversary of the LUCKYRICE New York Festival is fast approaching and Friday, March 20th marks the return of the ”New York Feast” to the posh 36th floor setting inside of the Mandarin Oriental hotel.  The evening’s entire tasting menu is available on the LUCKYRICE website, but notable restaurants like RedFarm, Clement, Asiate, Pig & Khao, Spice Market, Mokbar, Delicatessen, Morimoto, The Black Ant will represent the nearly two dozen participants during the three hour food frenzy.  Hurry up- these tickets will not last.

Date: Saturday, March 28th 2015

Event: NYC Craft Distillers Festival

Place: Bowery Hotel

Cost: VIP – $150 – $165, General Admission – $95 – $100

The Scoop: Time to turn back the clock to Prohibition with two exciting sessions to sample more than 60 craft spirits amid the backdrop of a 1920′s style jazz band.  It’s the NYC Craft Distillers Fest and it’s taking over the posh Bowery Hotel on March’s last remaining Saturday.  Suggested attire is ‘Modern-Gatsby’ so the costumes- like the booze- will be aplenty.  You’ll enjoy Dutch’s Spirits, Philadelphia Distilling, Widow Jane, Barrow’s Intense, Jack From Brooklyn, Cooperstown Distillery, Finger Lakes Distilling, The Manhattan Moonshine Company and a plethora of samples that set the mood for a day unlike many others.  And like ‘Gatsby’ himself, it’s sure to be great.

 

Date: Monday, March 30th 2015

Event: Doing Art Together Benefit

Place: Mandarin Oriental

Cost: Junior Friend (40 and Under) – $175

The Scoop: Every year the folks at nonprofit Doing Art Together throw a fantastic fundraiser at the Mandarin Oriental that welcomes philanthropic guests to enjoy an evening replete with a dance party, unlimited food and drink and the chance to see some celebrities up close and personal.  The 2015 Benefit Event is no different, hosted by NBC’s own Lauren Scala with the evening’s honoree Tony Danza, but the heart of the evening is focused on the organization’s cause- raising funds to teach underserved city youths about art- and more importantly, harnessing and fostering creativity. Additionally, Michael Marrale of Investment Technology Group will also be recognized during the program as a local community honoree. The evening is perpetually a fun and festive experience and one that any New York City partygoer will certainly enjoy being a part of.  Grab your tickets now.

Date: Tuesday, March 31st 2015

Event: Taste of Greenwich House

Place: Metropolitan Pavilion

Cost: VIP – $250; General Admission – $150

The Scoop: More than 600 thrillseekers will trek out to the Metropolitan Pavilion on the last day of the month to enjoy an eclectic array of dishes from some of New York’s notable restaurants as part of a fantastic fundraiser.  The cause?  An organization known as Greenwich House that has been a fundamental part of New York for more than 100 years.  Today, the group offers assistance to immigrants adjusting to life in our City through arts programs, health and senior services and education.  Helped by participating restaurants like Bodega Negra, dell’anima, Murray’s Cheese Bar, Little Owl, Monument Lane, Sushisamba and Swine to name a few, the 13th Annual Taste of Greenwich is a great way to give back while also deliciously filling up your stomach.  Tickets are available here.

Date: Wednesday, April 1st 2015

Event: A Taste of Fifth 2015

Place: Grand Prospect Hall

Cost: $55

The Scoop: Yes, we know this one’s technically in April but it’s one you shouldn’t miss.  Celebrating the very best food in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, A Taste of Fifth returns in 2015 with a slew of notable names on board.  Indulge in Bonnie’s Grill, Bricolage, Fleischers, Luke’s Lobster, 200 Fifth, Benchmark, Loki, Taco Santo, Palo Santo… Look, if we listed any more here, we’d run out of space.  Priced at just $55, inclusive of beer, wine and food- the event is an absolute steal.  There’s a reason everyone you know is moving to the Slope, evidenced by the tremendous fare being served up at 2015′s Taste of Fifth.

Date: Sunday, March 1st – Tuesday, March 31st, 2015

Event: Concerts Concerts Everywhere

Place: Varies

Cost: Varies

The Scoop: Check out our new and notable concert listings for the month of January and make sure to secure your tickets before it’s too late.

Wednesday, March 4th
Mike + The Mechanics, Best Buy Theatre
An Acoustic Evening with Matisyahu, City Winery

Thursday, March 5th
Charlie Wilson with Kem, Barclays Center
Maroon 5, Madison Square Garden
AJR, Studio at Webster Hall

Friday, March 6th
Hozier, Beacon Theatre
Maroon 5, Madison Square Garden
Hawthorne Heights, Studio at Webster Hall
Never Shout Never, Marlin Room at Webster Hall

Saturday, March 7th
7th Annual Salute to Texas Independence Day, Terminal 5
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Brooklyn Bowl

Sunday, March 8th
Dropkick Murphys, Irving Plaza

Monday, March 9th
Dropkick Murphys, Irving Plaza
Billy Joel, Madison Square Garden

Tuesday, March 10th
Los Lonely Boys, City Winery
Dropkick Murphys, Irving Plaza
Scott Weiland and The Wildabouts, Gramercy Theatre

Wednesday, March 11th
Los Lonely Boys, City Winery
of Montreal, Webster Hall
The Airborne Toxic Event, Warsaw
Alabama Shakes, Beacon Theatre
D’Angelo, Best Buy Theater
Hollywood Undead, Gramercy Theatre

Thursday, March 12th
Los Lonely Boys, City Winery
G. Love & Special Sauce

Friday, March 13th
Citizen Cope-Acoustic, City Winery
Meghan Trainor, Irving Plaza
Milo Greene, Music Hall of Williamsburg
Steve Aoki, Hammerstein Ballroom

Saturday, March 14th
Citizen Cope- Acoustic, City Winery
brite nights f. Pegboard Nerds, Webster Hall
The Cribs, Saint Vitus
Diana Krall, Beacon Theatre
moe., Best Buy Theater

Sunday, March 15th
Citizen Cope- Acoustic, City Winery
Meghan Trainor, Irving Plaza

Monday, March 16th
James Bay, Bowery Ballroom

Tuesday, March 17th
Citizen Cope- Acoustic, City Winery

Wednesday, March 18th
Bjork, Kings Theatre
Marcus Miller, BB Kings
Pentatonix, Theater at Madison Square Garden
Taking Back Sunday, Best Buy Theater

Friday, March 20th
Cold War Kids, Terminal 5
Ariana Grande, Madison Square Garden

Saturday, March 21st
Enslaved, Gramercy Theatre
Joshua Radin and Rachel Yamagata, Irving Plaza
Ariana Grande, Madison Square Garden

Sunday, March 22nd
Hozier, Hammerstein Ballroom
Bjork, Kings Theatre

Tuesday, March 24th
Brandon Flowers, Webster Hall
Action Bronson, Terminal 5

Wednesday, March 25th
Ms. Lauren Hill- Acoustic, City Winery

Thursday, March 26th
Debbie Harry, Cafe Carlyle

Saturday, March 28th
Blackberry Smoke, Webster Hall
Deerhoof, Marlin Room at Webster Hall
Motionless In White, Irving Plaza
Milky Chance, Music Hall of Williamsburg

Sunday, March 29th
Coal Chamber, Filter and American Head Charge, Webster Hall

Monday, March 30th
Alt-J, Madison Square Garden

Tuesday, March 31st
Dead Sara, Studio at Webster Hall
Debbie Harry, Cafe Carlyle
Milky Chance, Webster Hall
Ryan Cabrera & Secondhand Serenade, Gramercy Theatre

 - Jane Van Arsdale

Tucked just a few steps above the ground floor of the posh Penninsula Hotel in Midtown sits Clement, a ritzy refined restaurant whose spacious modern dining room is far removed from the pitter-patter of Fifth Avenue foot traffic. Though the restaurant itself remains dimly lit on the inside, the bustling streetlights peer in through the space’s windowed walls illuminating Clement’s opulent interior. It’s these intricacies- a small bouquet of fresh flowers and the spark of candlelight that sits upon each table near a meticulous arrangement of silverware- which show that the restaurant seems to notice the finer points of dining out in New York City and to subsequently highlight all that seems to have been forgotten among the rustic farm-to-table fray that’s been ushered in all over town.

At Clement, a slightly older skewing crowd dines around large square tables and comfortable corner banquettes, each equally spruced up with class by white-linen tablecloth settings. The refined interior is brought to life by the mirrored corridors that serve as dividers for three sizable dining areas complemented by a moderate music level that sets a comfortable ambiance despite a decidedly lavish atmosphere. Although any cocktail list that sits in the $23-$25 range alongside a selection of $13 Heinekens are likely to render more conservative diners apprehensive, Clement’s value lies in its exceptional Pre-Theatre Menu where three course offerings at just $43 is a downright steal for the environment provided. And in a hotel restaurant no less. Even more remarkably, Clement offers shuttle service to usher guests toward their theatre of choice free of charge following dinner.

Fortunately the caliber of fare prepared by unheralded Chef de Cuisine Brandon Kida is largely outstanding, despite only being served Tuesday through Saturday. A succulent array of six assorted “Crudo” ($28) sourced from Long Island combines Nantucket Bay scallops and chilled Wellfleet oysters neatly arranged on an bed of crushed ice. The absence of razor clams (the dish’s usual third component) on this night did litle to detract from the flavors of smooth briny seafood being slurped straight from each shell. Clement’s outstanding “Octopus” ($26) meanwhile had each of its ingredients fully in tact. A handful of seasonal and crunchy endives sprout from the center of the dish surrounded by four bulbous hunks of perfectly charred purple cylinders. Its crispy seasoned exterior and meaty consistency is further enhanced by the subtle hints of citrus atop a creamy bed of harissa for textural contrast to the already excellent dish.

Drizzled in a warm bath of roasted duck broth and plated with an enitre Maitake mushroom, Clement’s gorgeous portion of “Sea Bass” ($36) proved to be a flavorful alternative to the slightly superior “American Wagyu” ($58). The perfectly prepared and generously portioned fish is delicately seared on one side, pulling apart with each slight touch of the fork. Plated with a side of salt crusted potatoes atop a garlic confit, the steak is sliced and delectably served over a silverberry jus, providing just enough sweetness to counter the heartiness of the meat. Delivered tableside at an immaculate medium-rare, the “Wagyu” exceeded even our lofty expectations in texture and flavor, just salty and seasoned enough to make your mouth water before reaching its juicy, savory zenith.

With such dedicated service all around us- including some outstanding wine suggestions courtesy of the hotel’s Wine Director, Jared Fischer- dessert could have been an afterthought. Thankfully the likes of the decadent “Chocolate Caramel” ($15) with passion fruit ice cream and the slightly lighter “Vanilla Poached Pear” ($14) served with a crunchy pistachio sponge, ensured that our full attention remained on the dishes in front of us; both of which were mind-bendingly outrageous dessert offerings. Candidly, the resulting third course should have been no surprise to us though, what with all of the attention being paid to the finest details almost as immediately as we had arrived. From Chef Kida adorning each plate both decoratively and deliciously to the attentive service that left our water glasses empty for nary a minute, Clement manages to succeed where so many others have seemingly become passive and in a sense, careless. And it’s these- the smallest of details- that can transform a meal that’s just good into one that’s truly spectacular.

Rundown of the Meal

Clement’s Pre-Theatre Menu (Three Courses – $43; Served Tuesday – Saturday, 5:30pm-6:30pm)

Crudo ($28)
Octopus ($26)*

Sea Bass ($36)*
American Wagyu ($58)*

Chocolate Caramel ($15)*
Vanilla Poached Pear ($14)*

*Meal Highlight