It’s a rain-soaked New York City weeknight when we find respite inside of Padoca Bakery, a quaint little coffee shop space that sits on East 68th Street. The Upper East Side is home to a bevy of coffee chains and diners but a finding a specialty bakery and cafe was a bit of a challenge just some 18 months ago, before the arrival of Padoca- a word that literally means ‘corner bakery.’  But the friendly and warm staff inside match the cozy ambiance of the comfortable space that is probably best suited to clients looking to grab-and-go but is also perfectly sufficient for some old friends to stick around awhile and chat.

After dabbing off the remaining rainwater from our soaked umbrellas, we manage to take stock of our welcoming surroundings. Rustic wood panels outfit a naturally inviting decor, where inventively hollowed out tea kettles shine light down from the ceiling and swings hang from above as inventive chairs for guests to occupy. Up front, a window of fresh pre-made foods makes the array of sandwiches, salads, juices and parfaits a quick stop for folks running to their next meeting or eating on a bench at nearby Saint Catherine’s Park.  But early dinner or quick lunch aside, it’s the baked goods served at Padoca’s front counter that alone makes the bakery a worthwhile visit.

Conceptually, Padoca Bakery takes much of its decorative inspiration from Brazil, though the menu certainly offers up some modernized American twists on traditionally French staples.  Artisanal fare like “Brie & Prosciutto” ($10.75) and “Ham & Queijo” ($5.75) sandwiches sit alongside shareable dishes like the outrageous “Hearts of Palm Empadinha” ($3.75) at the upfront counter, where a litany of excellent and rich baked goods are carefully being packaged for customers sitting tableside. Decadent brownies from “Red Velvet” ($4.75) to the inventive (and powdered-sugar soaked) “Black + White” ($4.00) and cakes (the subtle and sweet “Bolo de Coco” – $4.00), turnovers and cookies all make for beautiful pairings with the perpetually terrific selection of Nobletree Coffees offered on site.

The rich and tasty latte that touched our lips was enhanced by the lip-smacking flavors of the authentic and buttery “Pao de Queijo” or “PDQ, a Brazilian-inspired cheese bread, which we quickly downed as a smile struck our faces.  It’s probably not a good idea to gorge on such delicacies on a daily basis, but once and awhile, it’s definitely worth it to experience that freshly made pastry, that salty sandwich replete with cured meats or worst case, a piping hot cup of Joe brewed by one of Brooklyn’s finest coffee companies.  It’s all there for the taking at Padoca Bakery, a unique little neighborhood place with its own eclectic style.

- Jane Vane Arsdale

Walking into the Wild Horse Tavern is like walking into the best version of your college apartment – and I mean that in a good way. Lining the walls are huge black and white posters of rock stars, the beverages are neatly displayed, and there’s a playlist with the likes of The Clash and The Rolling Stones playing. The space has the look of being pulled together without trying too hard. Rustic wooden benches sit beside the bar in the front portion of the space. Beyond a small half-room divider is a banquette and some additional tables, easily moved out of the way in case a dance floor needs to be made in front of the stage.

While beer is usually the go-to choice in a rock bar – and they have a nice selection on tap – the cocktail list was too inviting to pass up. “The British Invasion,” served in a classic champagne glass, combined gin with its old friend lime juice and got pumped up by some cucumber, mint, and just a hint of sweetness. At $8 during happy hour, this is a good one-cocktail-night choice, but we enjoyed the “Whisky A Go-Go” so much that we’d splurge on the whole $12 regular price for one or three. Mixed with lemon juice, sage, and ginger, this is a great summer option for those feeling a Manhattan is seasonally inappropriate. The bar also has a respectable wine offering, which even includes a rose. This is the Upper East Side, after all.

Speaking of, Wild Horse Tavern smartly borrows from the type of neighbors we all wish we had, serving pretzels from nearby Sigmund’s ($6) and hot dogs from Schaller & Weber, the latter fried and served with a spiced onion jam and mustard ($9). The rest of the menu similarly borrows, culturally, from places like Vietnam, the Netherlands, and New Jersey. The “Bitterballen” ($10, $2 each during happy hour) were like crispy balls of shepherd’s pie, which would reasonably be eaten by the dozen during the winter. The “BBQ Tete De Cochon” (which I googled to mean “bits of pig head”) was a spicy, slightly asian-inspired spin on pulled pork, with a crisp slaw and toasted potato bun. Turns out that “bits of pig head” is really delicious, and goes for a reasonable $11. Combining classic Reuben and Cuban sandwiches, the Tavern also offers the “Reubano” at $14. Including both homemade pastrami and smoked ham, the Reubano’s salty smokiness finds a little balance with its Swiss, house sauce, and pickled cabbage toppings. The menu also includes a few salads, five entrees priced between $18 and $25, and many other shareable snacks and sandwiches, some of which borrow their own components from other nearby eateries.

Wild Horse Tavern is a great place for a good drink and a quick bite, but so are a lot of places in the area. What most of those are not, however, is a live music spot. Here, a photo of Janis Joplin invites bands up to the small stage at the back of the room. During our stay we were treated to the sounds of the Alan Merrill Band, described by Alan himself as “Japan Glam Rock comes to NYC”. Despite having a few hits and albums under his belt, a lot of the crowd was hearing his songs for the first time, and enjoying it – which was perfectly appropriate for Wild Horse Tavern, where old things are new again, in a good way.

The Rundown

Bar Type – Neatly vintage with casual rustic-industrial touches puts the “class” in classic rock

When to Visit – Happy Hour is from 5-7 and offers a discount on all booze as well as a Burger and a Beer deal for $14. If you’re going to go to a bar with a stage and good sound system, go when there’s someone to use it. Upcoming music events are posted on the website and include weekly Sunday sessions.

Value – Aforementioned happy hour is a great way to sample the best of Wild Horse Tavern, though the entire menu is reasonably priced with the most expensive item at $25. The cocktails are about standard for the area at $12 each. A lot of the music during the week comes with no cover.

The Lowdown – Wild Horse Tavern is an approachable blend of rock and Upper East Side-edness, without the pretentiousness that can come with either. A casual music venue that you aren’t embarrassed to wear a suit to, it invites both snacking at the bar with a few pints or listening to a set with a few cocktails and a burger. Get at least the pretzel and try any of the cocktails that suit your fancy without any risk of disappointment, and stop in for some serious rock, way above Houston.

You won’t find a deer head mounted on the wall nor a stuffy room filled with cranky old men rudely serving you plates of massive steak and ushering you out the front door like the very cattle you’re about to sink your fork into. The Upper East Side’s Parlor Steakhouse is instead more of a clean and chic space that happens to serve steak than it is a traditional palace serving thickly cut beef. And it might surprise you even further that we stopped in here to enjoy brunch.

Since opening in 2008, Parlor has embodied the fabric of the uptown neighborhood- less likely to be inhabited by packs of loud boisterous fellows and instead a more inviting scene for the families and other behaved folks that reside on these more quaint streets. The interior of the restaurant is almost entirely off white, well lit by both the natural daylight peering in from the fully windowed exterior and an array of overhead bulbs and chandeliers which accentuate the place’s positives- plush banquettes, dark mahogany tables and a definitively modern setting that deserves to be shown off and not shrouded by poorly lit secrecy. And Parlor’s young, friendly waitstaff continues to provide a pleasant change of pace to the decidedly passe standard of steakhouse servers that think they’re doing you the favor by placing a side plate of asparagus at your table.

With an array of ‘Steakhouse Classics’ ranging from a 36 ounce “Delmonico” ($84) to an 18 ounce “Bone In Rib-Eye” ($46) and a host of tasty seafood options to choose from, you might ask yourself why we had been inclined to visit Parlor for brunch? Well the steakhouse just also happens to offer their signature ‘Bottom’s Up Brunch Prix Fixe,’ which for $29 nabs up to five brunch cocktails alongside a signature brunch item over the course of two hours. While some might scoff at New York City’s boozy brunches, you won’t hear that from us. We know a good value when we find it- and with the relative dearth of noteworthy brunch spots in the neighborhood, a visit here proved to be long overdue.

 

As a result of the neighborhood and because the place is so nicely laid out, you won’t find the wild raucous brunch scene here that a bottomless setting might imply. Quite the contrary as a matter of fact. The guests here skew a bit older and are visibly more civil- seemingly an ideal element for the type of place we frequent. Though the abbreviated brunch menu offers just six choices, there are a multitude of other A La Carte options for those deciding to take it easy on the cocktails. The “Eggs Benedict” ($15) here is the restaurant’s early afternoon standout- likely because of its use of a thick crusty buttermilk biscuit as its anchor as opposed to a tired English muffin. Warm salty cuts of flavorful bacon drape the rich flaky bread and doused with some deliciously creamy hollandaise sauce, the entire collaboration of competing flavors is an absolute home run. Just a notch below, the “Cheeseburger” ($17) was a fantastically bulbous arrangement served beside a full bowl of French fries topped with crispy deep fried onions. Draped in American, cheddar or gruyere cheese, the savory black angus beef patty was tenderly served at an ideal medium rare, topped with crispy fresh vegetables enveloped by a fluffy brioche bun.

 

Surprisingly, it was the “Steak & Eggs”($15) that missed the mark for us, perhaps because of its simplicity. The thin cut of hanger steak was nicely seared, but lacked sufficient flavor especially considering the caliber of beef upon which we’re used to indulging in Manhattan. Certainly serviceable, but the serving of steak here didn’t exactly leave us wooed at the prospects of the restaurant’s larger cuts. Fortunately, the tasty “‘BLT’ Frittata” ($14) salvaged that some, combining a generous portion of smoked bacon and spinach with a smattering of aged cheddar to yield a perfectly acceptable omelette.

For $29, we enjoyed a seemingly limitless supply of refreshing Bellinis and heartier Bloody Marys, both of which outshone a far too tangy blend of Mimosas and Parlor’s friendly staff could not have been more friendly nor more accommodating to everything our party threw their way. Will Parlor Steakhouse be the finest steak that you taste in New York City this year? Perhaps- or perhaps not. But their Prix Fixed brunch provides an unbeatable value in the neighborhood, where the fare being served is satisfying and the space is both contemporary and pristine.

Rundown of the Meal

Parlor’s Bottom’s Up Brunch Prix Fixe

Eggs Benedict ($15)*

Steak & Eggs ($15)

Parlor Cheeseburger ($17)*

‘BLT’ Frittata ($14)

*Meal Highlight

Roundly lauded as the saving grace to a neighborhood bereft of notable cocktail bars, Jbird‘s arrival was met with much anticipation from a community seemingly desperate for an alternative to a sticky floored sports bar. The relatively quiet 75th Street location is an ideal respite from much of the uptown fracas- so much so that you might have trouble finding the place because of its camouflage into the surrounding buildings. Though our purpose was sipping on some of Jbird’s much ballyhooed cocktails, we also ran the gamut of their many dishes with decidedly mixed results.

Amid the dimly lit, sultry setting, Jbird’s bar is immediately the focal point. Most if not all of the seats are occupied upon our arrival, which isn’t much of a concern as we’ve planned to grab a table- but keep in mind, because these types of haunts don’t exist on every block on the Upper East Side, seating can often be difficult to come by. Just behind the main bar area, the space expands to a larger dining area, hardly touched by much decor. The clean white walls are shiny though barren, but with the soft overhead lighting and candles atop each table, guests can focus on the more important elements of dining out- the food, the drink and the company.

At Jbird, the cocktail program was established by an all-star team of mixology masters from Death & Co. (Jason Littrell) and 1534 (Marshall Altier) who have concocted a six page drink list that is both vast and quite good. More importantly though, Jbird doesn’t necessarily gouge their guests on price as most of the cocktails are offered right at $12, where beers ($7) and wines ($9-$12) are similarly in line. The purple “Jbird Swizzle” ($13) is perhaps the place’s signature drink but we far preferred the “Blue Bird on My Bramble” ($12), a bit of an oddly named cocktail for a masculine man to order with confidence- but refreshingly tasty nonetheless. More than subtle hints of lemon bring out the summery vibe of the icy drink based around dry gin- not as seasonal as the ice cold “Moscow Mutt” ($12) spliced with blueberry syrup and ginger, but really delicious as a stand alone. The “White Wedding” ($12) meanwhile, inventively infuses white whiskey and chamomile with sparkling wine and a splash of simple syrup fittingly in a flute for the more refined and classy drinker, i.e. lady.

Though our favorite cocktail was the “Pepino” ($12) which provided an ample kick alongside its fresh cucumber and celery bitters, there wasn’t one drink that we tried – and we sipped upon many- that wasn’t a notable addition to the drink list. Unfortunately, where the train comes off the rails is with some of the accompanying fare being dished out from the kitchen that’s about as appetizing as something we’d be able to cook up from the frozen foods aisle. The menu is said to change seasonally, but ‘Bar Bites’ during our visit like the “Tater Tots” ($6) and “Smoke Gouda Mac & Cheese Bites” ($11) offered little aside from a greasy texture and the flavor of what could have been deep fried ‘anything.’ Same goes for the middling starters like the “Spinach and Artichoke Dip” ($10) where the bowl of chips was incredibly stingy for that lofty sticker price.

Notably, the dishes did get better as the courses continued to be delivered. The “Seared Sesame Tuna” ($16) in balsamic reduction was serviceable- the cucumber wasabi drizzle was a nice touch here. The star of the meal though was the “‘KFC’ Korean-Fried-Chicken” ($13) which was lacquered in deliciously sweet and sticky barbecue sauce. We licked every morsel of the brown stuff from our fingers as a touch of spice kicked up toward the back of our throats. Though we could have used more than the spoonful of the side of Asian slaw, the bulbous wings were meaty and delicious- ones that we’d put up against any variety uptown.

Though the arrival of The Penrose has certainly tempered some of the excitement around Jbird, let’s not just dismiss the Upper East Side haunt entirely for being passe. Not only can you avoid the construction of a certain Second Avenue subway here, but the cocktails and ambiance are quite noteworthy, especially for folks in the neighborhood. Though the food is middle-of-the-road, Jbird is a quintessential spot for either pre or post dinner drinks in the area or as a weekend destination should you want to class things up a bit because after all, you can’t wear that Jets jersey everywhere.

Rundown of the Meal

Bar Bites
Spinach and Artichoke Dip ($10)
Smoke Gouda Mac & Cheese Bites ($11)
Guacamole and Chips ($10)
Tater Tots ($6)
Mozzarella En Carozza ($9)

For the Fork
Seared Sesame Tuna ($16)

For the Hand
“KFC” Korean-Fried-Chicken ($13)*

*Meal Highlight

The Penrose
1590 Second Avenue near 83rd Street, Upper East Side
212-203-2751
Getting There: 4,5,6 to 86th Street
http://www.penrosebar.com

Its sister bars are some of the most sought out in the City, and yet Upper East Side haunt The Penrose still feels both dynamic and unique. The Wren and Wilfie & Nell are among the downtown area’s most popular, similarly inspired cocktail bars, but in the upper 80′s there is perhaps no peer for The Penrose’s layout, its cocktail program, and its throwback appeal, all of which combine for a unique and stellar drinking experience in an otherwise sports bar laden area.

Although the continued construction of a certain Second Avenue subway line has shrouded The Penrose’s old-New York style exterior, the fully packed three room bar proved quickly that guests know exactly where they’re headed when they seek the place out. The place’s sheer size is almost startling if you think about it. From the amount of wood paneling it must have taken to piece together the eye catching ceiling overhead to each immaculate bar stocked in marvelous fashion with an array of distinctive liquors and ingredients for cocktails, there is much to see inside The Penrose. But what makes the bar/restaurant stand out is its innate ability to foster conversation. Whether standing beside the bar or at an intimate table, there’s no televisions or loud music here that drowns out the reason you’re grabbing a drink in the first place. Self-dubbed “The Upper East Social,” the name is as fitting as the drinks are delicious.

Despite the much welcomed appearance of the “Pickle Back Shot” ($7) owning its very own spot on an otherwise refined menu, much of the drink list revolves around whiskies, where they’ve got dozens. But going into a cocktail bar and not tasting a cocktail is a bit of drinker’s sacrilege and as such, we were in no mood to sin. The “Itty Bitty Pretty” was a sweeter selection pairing lemon and honey with some Tito’s Vodka but you can’t really go wrong with the remainder of the picks, each priced at $11-$14. With a “Dirty Pickle Martini” and their tasty “Ginger Lee” combining fresh pressed ginger and Blanco Tequila, the mixologists here base each drink around your palate. The way it should be.

The Rundown

Bar Type - One of New York City’s best new(ish) cocktail bars.

When to Visit – Although the brunch sessions are in full swing, any night of the week is bound to be packed. Depending upon your mood though, you might prefer one of New York’s quieter nights of the week to really enjoy the place.

Value - Where the atmosphere looks like they could really price gauge you if they wanted to, the cocktails are small in stature, but are reasonably priced- and most importantly, delicious. The beer list similarly has a few dozen selections in bottle and draught form, with most priced at $7- a New York City standard. Regardless, if you’re looking for $3 drinks, you’re in the wrong place.

The Lowdown – At The Penrose, whether in a suit or in a baseball cap, you’re made to feel at home. The bar’s throwback vibe is evident as soon as you walk through the front doors. And surprisingly, despite some scaffolding out front that blocks much of the signage of the neighboring businesses, The Penrose is a place that’s perpetually busy even when out of sight. That makes for a bar that people know about. And one that you should too. The Penrose is a place where you need to drink at, now.

Bar Coastal
1495 First Avenue at 78th Street, Upper East Side
212-288-6635
Getting There: 6 to 77th Street
http://www.barcoastal.com

If there’s one thing you can say about the Upper East Side it’s that it’s certainly replete with sports bars. Finding an available table on a football Sunday can be incredibly challenging in the neighborhood if you aren’t prepared to arrive early in the day. Surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, Bar Coastal has been combining east and west coast elements since 2000 and with and endless array of big screens and some of the City’s best wings, the haunt is an ideal spot even when it isn’t game day.

 

The bar’s massive red awning equipped with white block letters called out to us years ago, when we found ourselves in the midst of a spontaneous afternoon bar crawl not knowing where to head next. Over the next few years, Bar Coastal would be among several go-to spots uptown, always providing us with a full bar and competitive drink specials. Inside, the design sports knick-knacks like surfboards overhead, palm trees, a small replica of the Hollywood sign, and the kind of sunny-style decor that would make Californian ex-pats nostalgic for home. Meanwhile, with corner side views looking out onto 78th Street, there is people watching aplenty here and you never forget that you’re still in the midst of a bustling Metropolis.

The “Drink Here Now” crew ducked into Bar Coastal early on a rainy weekend afternoon. As the first ones inside, we had the pick of the litter and grabbed a table near the window to watch folks fidgeting with their umbrellas and ordered up some pitchers of Bud Light. If you routinely follow LocalBozo.com, then you know we prefer to do a little day drinking which is what makes Bar Coastal one of our favorite spots. The natural light coupled with the fun and festive interior is a much welcomed change of pace from the traditional dimly lit pubs around town. That said, the value here lies during the week. With $3 Happy Hour specials until 7pm every night, “Wing Wednesdays” which offers half price on wing re-orders, and Thursday “Ladies Nights” with most drinks for gals at $2, the prices can often be unbeatable.

Our advice? If you’re in the neighborhood, drop in after work on Wednesday night and taste their unbeatable wings. They are doused in tasty tangy hot sauce and are bulbous and meaty to boot. And if you’re an outsider to the UES, head over on Saturday afternoon where from noon to 6pm, $40 gets you unlimited beer and wings. It’s all you can eat and drink AND it gets you back home and in bed where you belong, before 8pm.

The Rundown

Bar Type - A California meets New York City inspired sports bar

When to Visit – Saturday afternoons if you’re a football fan, and if you’re not- then “Wing Wednesdays.” But any night after work will suffice.

Value - Bar Coastal’s fully stocked bar has got you covered, but if you’re here, you’re likely sticking to beer or mixed drinks. Stop in before 7pm any night and you’ve got a great selection for just $3.

The Lowdown – Even amongst the fratty fray of the Upper East Side sports bars, Bar Coastal is a standout. Their wings are perhaps the best in the area, their specials are competitive, but something about the place just exudes an overriding feeling of fun. It’s well lit and always well attended, and no matter which coast you’re from, you’ll feel right at home inside. Just leave your wetsuit at home. You just look silly in it.

The Stumble Inn
1454 2nd Avenue at 76th Street, Upper East Side
212-650-0561
Getting There: 6 to 77th Street
http://www.nycbestbar.com/stumble-inn

Year after year, the folks behind NYC Best Bar seemingly open a new place up, stick to their formula for running a bar, and create as fun and as affordable place that you’ll find anywhere in Manhattan. Sister bar to the likes of Down the Hatch, Off the Wagon, and the newly opened Hair of the Dog, the Upper East Side’s The Stumble Inn took over for the dated Mo’s Caribbean in 2008, overhauled the menu and improved the massive space and made it a sought after destination on weeknights and especially on the weekends for game days- assuming you arrive early enough to grab a table.

The Stumble Inn is the quintessential New York City sports bar that combines a youthful clientele with cheap beers and more televisions inside than you can count. So don’t try. NFL Football Sundays are the times to head uptown as the bar offers half price beers from 11:30am to 4am and slugs of well liquor drinks for just $6. As the football season opened, we made sure to arrive at 11am outside the familiar awning that we’ve passed by time and again, and found twenty or so likeminded drinkers with the same premonition in mind. The doors opened up and the place scattered, with friends rushing to secure stools and tables for a day long drinking session for the early and late slates of games. And somehow, six hours later after having eaten and imbibed a-plenty, our bill was about $40 per person. A true revelation.

During the week, the happy hour specials are similarly excellent from $1 domestic draughts on Mondays, $10 pitchers and $2 draughts on Wednesdays, The Stumble Inn provides another reason to go out after a long day at the office. But what’s even more inspired is the place’s menu, which offers up such notable items as a “Deep Fried Twinkie” ($2.50) and “5 Deep Fried Double Stuff Oreos” ($4.95) equipped with a chocolate dipping sauce. But it’s The Stumble Inn’s ‘Famous Stuffed Burgers’ that are the true staple, making Minneapolis’ ‘Juicy Lucy’ head for cover. The ‘Create Your Own’ option allows you to choose any two stuffings from American to cheddar to bleu cheese crumbles to the likes of bacon, sautéed mushrooms, onions, and even jalapeños. And the place’s side of “Tater Tots” ($4.95) are perpetually fantastic, especially paired with chili, bacon, cheese or (gulp) gravy. Whether going in for some drinks or whether you decide to enjoy some of the bar food, The Stumble Inn carries the flame set out by some of the group’s sister bars and it does so admirably.

The Rundown

Bar Type - Fun sports bar that caters to affordability and youthful drinkers.

When to Visit – You really can’t go wrong any time of day, as the place sports some of the best specials around. But it’s highly advised you head over on a weekend afternoon. Just make sure to go early to secure your space.

Value – There’s value every day of the week. The weekends offer up half priced beers, Tuesday nights have $4 ‘You Call It’ drinks, and even Thursdays offer up half priced Bomb shots. The whole bar is half off on Saturdays until 7pm!

The Lowdown -Candidly, with a preponderance of bar openings by the NYC Best Bar troop, you’re more likely to visit the ones in your area. Down the Hatch has the best daytime drink specials on weekends, The 13th Step has an outdoor space and just feels new, and places like the Gin Mill and Jake’s Saloon are equally a good time, depending where in town you reside. That said, the Upper East Side doesn’t tend to get the love it deserves sometimes. And with 2nd Avenue uptown rife with bar after bar, this one’s amongst the best as far as value goes. So grab some of your buds and their gals (what year is this?) and head up to 76th Street and The Stumble Inn. If you’re stumbling in, how do you expect you’re going to be acting when you leave?

There is no shortage of burger joints in and around New York City. And that said, there’s still somehow always room for new competitors to enter the fray. With a wild explosion of restaurants in the south, Manhattan’s first outpost of fresh hamburger paradise BurgerFi opened amid a great deal of fanfare in the early days of March. Boasting a product that eschews the use of any frozen products and a collection of fresh made to order ingredients coupled with a blend of proprietary meats from Meyer Natural Angus, BurgerFi is bringing a relatively healthy alternative to New York’s fast casual genre.

Spawned in Del Ray Beach Florida, BurgerFi almost happened by accident. Its parent restaurant The Office which serves an expansive, higher end menu discovered that more than 60% of its sales were coming from two burger offerings. Sensing that their dish was onto something, the first BurgerFi spin-off opened its doors in February of 2011 and found droves of people on lines out the door awaiting the brand’s signature comfort fare. Today, the outfit sports 16 stores already opened, with 22 in construction, and a slate of between 50 and 60 to be open by year’s end nationwide. For our purposes however, BurgerFi begins construction today on their second Manhattan location at 704 Broadway, right in the heart of NYU country. The sprawling 13,000 foot, two story space will house a full employee training center, 160 seats in the downstairs restaurant, and another 60 seats upstairs for students, fully equipped with Wi-Fi and a second full service bar.

The BurgerFi meats are pure Angus beef sourced from free range, corn fed stock, with no hormones and no antibiotics. And without a freezer anywhere in the restaurant, nothing here is ever frozen. The Second Avenue location was buzzing upon our arrival with hardly any available seats for us in sight. We managed to secure a corner high top communal table and ordered up some Samuel Adams “Summer” beers ($7) to wash down all we were about to consume. What’s also striking about BurgerFi, aside from the collection of frozen custards that would make any diabetic salivate, is their modern soda machine, which like a digital jukebox serves up virtually any product you can think of- the Diet Coke Orange was particularly refreshing.

At the front counter, the menu is digitally displayed overhead, and the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. Their BBB (Build Your Best Burger) option gives you the tools to create any savory concoction that you like starting from one patty to upwards of three. But we left most of the heavy lifting to BurgerFi’s traditional offerings opting for their signature “BurgerFi Cheeseburger” ($6.57). The double pattied burger was cooked to a perfect medium, with gooey American cheese, lettuce and tomato. Each delicious burger is enveloped in a fluffy potato flour bun, literally branded to show the restaurant’s moniker. Similarly mouthwatering was the “Brisket Cheeseburger” ($9.97), which was remarkably subtle for a 28 day brisket patty boasting equal parts Swiss and blue cheese. Perhaps what’s most likable about an experience at BurgerFi is that the butcher paper wrapped delicacies are not greasy, leaving little mess on our hands and faces, despite the satisfying sensation of their delectable creations.

We also thoroughly enjoyed our side order of salty “Fresh Cut French Fries” ($2.97- regular size) doused deliciously in salt and vinegar, but the “Cry and Fries” ($4.97), which paired gigantic spiraled onion rings with French fries in an order sized for two, put us over the top. The bulbous rings were excellently seasoned, pairing well each bite of the soft burger bun. We concluded with alternating bites of BurgerFi’s “Chicago Dog” ($4.47). The sizable sliced down the middle hot dog was served inside a fresh poppy seed bun, paired with hot sport peppers, cucumbers, green relish, chopped onion, and tomato, for a truly authentic Midwestern feel. And the taste was similarly out of this world.

The variations of the hamburger are endless, but somehow BurgerFi has managed to bring something that just feels inventive to the feel. Inside the space is warm and inviting, well lit and energetic, without that stench of sloppy greasepit that has been a burger-laden custom dating back years and years. BurgerFi may have opened less than a month ago, and despite not knowing it at the time, it might be just the right mix of casual, comfort, and taste that New York City has been missing.

Rundown of the Meal

All Natural Burgers

BurgerFi Cheeseburger ($6.57) *

Brisket Cheeseburger ($9.97)*

Build Your Best Burger: BBB ($6.57) Рraw onions, saut̩ed mushrooms, fried egg

Dogs

Chicago Dog ($4.47)

Accessories

Cry and Fries ($4.97)*

Fresh Cut Fries ($2.97- regular size)

*Meal Highlight

Session 73
1359 1st Ave, Upper East Side, Manhattan
212-517-4445
Getting There: 6 to 68th Street

If you’re twenty three years old or have ever lived in Manhattan at the tender age, it’s likely that you’ve been to Session 73. The Upper East Side is chock full of joints that cater to the post-college youth set who moved into town to start their lives out in a major city. Many of these bars tend to have a similar vibe to them by serving the same drinks, playing the same music and most importantly keeping the atmosphere very uniform. But make your way toward the relaxed, old school streets of First Avenue and that’s where you will discover why Session 73 is one of the saving graces of the area.

Our group headed inside the Session doors on a chilly weekday evening looking for a relaxed place to grab a few beers to end the work day. The extremely long bar gave us plenty of room to spread out without feeling the crush of the other patrons around us. Since our visit was during the work week, many of our fellow bar flies were in suits or otherwise well dressed. Don’t worry, no one was acting the slightest bit conservative. Everyone was just looking to let their hair down on this night. Once we were totally settled, the relatively young female bartender greeted us and took our drink orders. We started with pints of the Sam Adams Seasonal which was the Winter Lager at the time of our visit ($7). This highly enjoyable seasonable was made even better due to 73′s extremely clean draft taps.

The crown jewel of Session 73 is their live music. Ever since I started patronizing this joint eight years ago, the bands were the reason to be there. And since the crowd is a mixed bunch, the type of music the bands play has to be as well. A prime example of this versatility lied in the performance of The Characters, a cover style band that ripped through an arsenal of bar standards from The Beatles, The Eagles, Neil Diamond, and even New Jersey’s own Bon Jovi. I would put you to the test not to sing along to the likes of “Livin’ On A Prayer” after five or six brews. Fans of current hits will be taken care of us well since the bar has a rotating line-up of bands who love ripping through Justin Beiber and Rihanna songs at random. Although the place offers live bands on a weekly basis, Session 73 isn’t resting on that alone. The bar has a full menu featuring food as diverse as the music blaring from the speakers. Customers can enjoy everything from pizza to Mexican fare to sliders. Private parties are also one of the bar’s top draws. The bartender let us know that they are happy to cater to large birthday parties, corporate events and everything in between. So get your dance shoes on and prepare to rock at one of the Upper East Side’s finest finds.

Bar Type – Live music bar and lounge serving Upper East Side regulars for years.

When to Visit – If you want to get down and dirty with the rock n’ roll then the weekend is the obvious time for your visit. But at the same time never discount the weekdays for this huge bar’s cozy Irish pub appeal.

Value – Happy Hour here is standard and is the best way to get yourself pumped up for the cover band going on stage later that night.

The Lowdown – Listen, you can never be young again. Trust us, we have tried. The UES is chalk full of joints filled with either youthful appeal or the nostalgic memory of it. Session 73 is literally both of those ideas rolled into one. If you want to hear Sublime you will. If you want to do a funky shot, you can. Just be prepared to deal with youthful attitudes, especially if you’re young at heart but not in age.

- Alex Corrine

Beginning today, Manhattan’s “Stinky Cheese Festival” officially begins, as part of New York City’s Tour de France. Some of the city’s finest French restaurants are tailoring their lunch and dinner menus around the use of ‘fromage,’ through February 17th. Thursday night, the Stinky Cheese Festival kicked off in style at an all you can consume party hosted at 404 Tenth Avenue, the upcoming site of aPORKalypse Now. The colossal, three floor space was perfectly suited for an event of this caliber, as lovers of finer things like French wine and cheeses deserve a classier setting for their food pairings. And the venue and event delivered, big time.

Although the event was sold out, the hospitable crew did an excellent job of ushering in guests from the cold and quickly through the coat check line. By the time we had arrived, the main floor of the 404 was crowded but manageable. A quick glance around at the clientele revealed professionals in their 20’s and 30’s dropping by the event after a long work day, looking to kick back and unwind with some friends. It should also be mentioned that single men are clearly missing the boat with fantastic tasting events like these- the female to male ratio on Thursday had to be at least 4 to 1.

After choosing our trail, we quickly grabbed a glass and headed for the booze- craft beer brewers’ Ommegang Brewery was on hand pouring their “Abbey Ale,” a tasty red amber, with floral aromas and a spice induced finish, and just a few short feet away from there, Goose Island was serving up their “Sofie,” a lighter, more tart, summery style Belgian ale, with a relatively dry finish Both paired excellently with the selections of food around us. Surprisingly, the event was not simply a collection of cheese purveyors laying out tables of their creamy provisions. On the contrary, many of the restaurants participating in the week-long festival had gathered at the kick-off event, equipped with unique tasting dishes utilizing different stinky cheeses, and in between some traffic, and some short waits on lines, we managed to taste them all.

Selecting a favorite cheese or dish at events like this is almost impossible. In fact, more often than not, you find yourself running around gorging to avoid any unnecessary waiting and just in case any of the vendors run out of food. But the Stinky Cheese Festival kick-off was considerably more casual, and as such, the entire crowd just seemed relaxed. The Upper West Side’s Nice Matin prepared a delectable ‘stinky cheese tortelloni,’ a sizable Italian dumpling covered in butter and truffle oil, which was doused in sauce but deliciously sour. Morningside Heights’ Le Monde’s served a fantastic ‘fondue,’ meshing together a creamy Emmental cheese with smoky bacon, making a perfect collaboration for dipping some freshly cooked bread croutons on a stick. Other tasting essentials included Café D’Alsace’s (Upper East Side) ‘goat cheese tart,’ topped with crispy, caramelized onion straws, Maison’s (Midtown West) ‘chicken wellington,’ served as a puff pastry over a layer or cheese, Marseille’s (Hells Kitchen) fall off the bone ‘short ribs in a burgundy wine sauce, and Barbounia (Gramercy), whose ‘stinky kenaffe’ paired roasted phyllo dough with ricotta, mozzarella, sweet rosewater syrup, and a fig chutney topper for a marriage of savory and sweet. We’d also be remiss if we failed to point out Pigalle’s (Hells Kitchen) insanely inventive blue cheese ice cream, sweet and creamy with a savory cheese finish. While it sounds unconventional, it worked well nonetheless.

Once satiated, we grabbed a glass of Hermann J. Weimer’s incredible Gewurztraminer, produced upstate at New York’s Finger Lakes wine region, and headed upstairs to the third floor lounge for some casual seating, some friendly conversation, and to reflect upon the evening that was. After a long week of work, with the weather slowly deteriorating, the Stinky Cheese Festival was exactly what we needed to be extricated from the stresses of our everyday hustle. And just as we caught ourselves beginning to complain about the problems we’ve been having at the office, a stranger leaned over and asked “do you want some cheese with that whine?” Yes, please! For more information on the Stinky Cheese Festival, you can check out Tour de France NYC.

- Jane Van Arsdale