daisy17

Try to get there early - the grounds (and pigs) are awesome.

Yeah, great jukebox at the Magician! 20 people is going to be hard at a lot of places, though there's a place on lower Orchard or Ludlow St. (the name escapes me, but Lucky something) that I'm sure can accommodate. And, as daisy17 mentioned, don't count out Flatiron. Where's Von - I'm sure I've been there, but my memory fails... ← Lucky Jack's? On orchard, I think. Von is on Bleecker off Bowery. It's cool and fairly mellow.

also Puck Fair.

Totally agree with weinoo. I like the Magician for large groups and good prices and good jukebox. dba is a good choice too, but it gets packed later at night. I've done large groups there, and come 9pm always have some regret on the choice. Don't count flatiron out so quickly - I've done it with large groups - there's a front area that is reserveable. Also might suggest Von . . . .

Dined at the bar last night. Had no trouble getting seats before 7, but by the time we left, around 9, the front/bar area was completely packed. That room was designed well, with ample space to stand, and with tables in front for walkins. LOVED the spaghetti pomodoro - almost ridiculously simple, highlighting the sweet goodness of tomatoes. Also enjoyed the agnolotti, stuffed with meat, cheese, truffles and mushrooms - full of umami and flavor. The black cod was fantastic as well - perfectly cooked, served with slow roasted tomatoes and caramelized fennel. I loved the preparation - hearty and complex but still appropriate for August. A lot of the menu was enticing but some of it seemed a bit too heavy for summer months. Had a cocktail called the T - Ramazotti amaro, citrus/simple, and prosecco. Actually, had two. Delicious and refreshing. Service at the bar was excellent - attentive and friendly, and the bartenders were extremely knowledgeable about the menu. (I find this to be becoming more of the rule lately, and it greatly improves the quality of my experience.) Will definitely be back.

I have to agree. I avoided Paris in August for a long time (even with living there for 6 mos, and many visits after that), and then a business trip landed me in London for 2 weeks in August. It was obvious that I was going to Paris the weekend in between. There was something refreshing about having the city all to myself, but for food, it was extremely difficult.

Perfectly said, Chufi. It's funny, because i take photos of very few things these days, but my new niece and food are still being snapped. I don't think anyone said this. I'm still not sure I understand your point. Go to good restaurants and enjoy them without taking or looking at photographs? Again, not sure I get why you care. Plenty of people go to 3 star Michelin restaurants because they can afford to, or because a book or magazine or friends told them it's a hard reservation to get. They don't necessarily go because they want to have an amazing meal that moves them. At my mind-blowing dinner at Alinea we sat near an older couple who barely looked at their food. No excitement, no joy, no nothing. But they weren't taking photos, and we were. Hopefully they have better memories than I do.

I've photographed some of the more memorable meals I've had (French Laundry, Fat Duck, Alinea, shrimp empanadas and tacos al pastor on the streets of Mexico) for no purpose other than to be able to look back at them and remember the happiness they brought me. They're not posted on a blog, not even on eGullet - they're just for my own pleasure. I'm not sure what the objection from anyone else is, even if I did plaster them on a blog and share them with the world. As long as my flash is off, which mine always is, why do you care whether I'm taking photos or not? And who says that it's more important than eating what's in front of me? I'm never more present and focused on the joy of the moment when I'm eating. I see taking photos as just prolonging the enjoyment, giving myself the opportunity to reminisce and relive the experience later on, albeit in a different way. I'm still moved when I look back at my French Laundry photos - it was a long-awaited dream, and they transport me back to that perfect night. Other people photograph vacations, experiences relating to their hobbies, and what they love in order to remember it. I happen to travel for, read about, and think about food - photographing food is a given to me.

totally agree - both my cocktails that night were off menu. i need to go back there soon.

I have to agree with jsmeeker. I strongly prefer eating at bars - do it all the time - and I happen to love Lupa, but I think that asking someone having a drink to give up their seat so someone else can eat is bizarre. It would make me uncomfortable to be in either position. I'll ask a bartender to let me know if he's dropping a check so I can get a seat, but I would not want someone else to be asked to move. Perhaps the only exception would be if they were not drinking anything, and just sitting.

I suspected that about the negroni and then you threw me off with the 41 Jane Does. I'm not up to speed on my brandies.

Negroni?

Dewey D, damned delicious.

In N Out.

Bruni's not kidding about that pork blade steak. Salty, with hints of rosemary, and one of the best pieces of meat I've ever had.

If you're going for lunch, go noodle.

That's a good call, both timing and shopping wise.

From Penn Station to Perry St. is about a 2 mile walk. You can instead take the 1 train to the Christopher St. stop (at 7th Ave) and walk over to Perry St & the West Side hwy, or just take the bus down 7th Ave. Tia Pol is about a 15-20 minute north of that, on 10th Ave and 22nd, and you can check out the West Village/Meatpacking while you walk. From there you can take buses (east on 23rd to 2nd ave, and then switch to one going down 2nd ave, and then walk over to 1st Ave) but with the switching, I might just walk down from 23rd or take a cab. None of these rides by taxi would cost you more then $10.

Really tasty dinner here, at the bar. How is it that only Nathan and I have been? Place was pretty packed all night. Started with bruschette - lily confit (onion, shallots, garlic, deliciousness), ricotta and sea salt, and chickpeas and lemon. moved on to charred octopus salad with beans, chorizo, chicory. perfectly tender, smoky octopus, and the beans etc had a bit of a kick to them. fantastic dish. Orecchiette with sausage, fontina (?), speck, mustard greens and breadcrumbs. Nicely done, but the mustard greens were a bit intense for my taste. Tasted the tagliatelle bolognese. Satisfying. The cocktail menu is pretty varied and doesn't have much on the sweet side, which is always nice to see. Amazing amari selection, and many of the cocktails have amaro as a component. I asked for something on the light and bitter and Clinton, our bartender, put together first an Americano with muddled orange and then Aperol with a white sparkling lambrusco. Perfect for the heat. Service was really spot on. I was fooled by his youth and sweet appearance, shame on me. Clinton was totally on it, with intelligent descriptions of the dishes and strong recommendations, and he knew his spirits. I mentioned early on in the night that I'd need to try the Borschi amaro after my meal, and hours later, after he cleared our plates, I looked up and a taste was silently waiting for me. I'd forgotten all about it, but he hadn't. Touches like that improve the whole night for me. Only negative: the place is noticeably warm, even with AC, because of the open kitchen.

I have too. I like cool interiors in summer. And winter. (I've never thought you were a grouch.)

Totally. Also Snack, Tailor. Blue Ribbon, late night. Bone marrow. That's all I'll say.

Iced espresso is not the java equivalent of a Cosmo. The coffee shop's policy is ridiculous; iced espresso is not an affront to humanity. An Americano is even worse - it's got ice AND water in it. I understand the need for coffee shops (small, independent ones especially) to make money, and if their concern is people filling their cups up with milk instead of buying/paying for the latte, they should just say that. I've been "guilty" of drinking iced espresso from time to time. When my local shop (Joe) told me that people go use the milk on their own, I told them that I understood and would not be doing that. I'm pleased to report that we're all still on good terms, even though I ordered an iced espresso. (Hot espresso/coffee when it's 85 degrees out baffles me.)

What are the variations? I've always done a little hot sauce, a squeeze of lime and salt on the rim. ← Got to have some Maggi in there. Some use Worcestershire. Others use tomato or clamato juice. See thread on micheladas

They sure do - with lots of variety in the ingredients. Nothing like a michelada on a hot day.

I'm going with michelada for Mexico . . .