Barcelona off of Broadway (tapas & wine... YUM!!)

As you know if you've been following our Undies for a while, Susan and I spent a week in Barcelona last year.  We loved the crazy architecture, the museums, but the thing we talk about the most?  THE FOOD!  So on our never-ending quest to find great tapas in Manhattan, we visited Buceo 95 last Friday.

The self-proclaimed "Barcelona off of Broadway" is a cozy little wine and tapas bar on 95th street between Broadway and Amsterdam.  The menu isn't overwhelming, the wine list is excellent and it was reasonably priced.  We sat at the bar and ordered from our very nice and helpful bartender Sean.

The view from the bar... and of Sean's back

The wine is available by the quartino and the bottle, I got there early so I was already into a quartino of a Spanish wine when Susan arrived, which we loved so much we ended up buying a bottle (yes, in addition the quartino!)  The wine, (which I would recommend) was a 2004 Monastrell Raspay Reserva from the Alicante region.  In my opinion, a deal at $48/ bottle.  I mean you just don't see '04s for that price very often in this city.  I wasn't familiar with Monastrells, but I am hooked now, a lot of old world character: spice, tar.  Apparently it's ‘The Barolo of Spain’ (who doesn't love Barolos?).  Whatever, it was delicious.  The Raspay bottle looked something like this.

Every time Susan & I go to a new restaurant, we always make a point to ask the bartender/ server/ owner what he or she recommends.  You should always do this.  Ask what the specialties are, ask what the favorites of the staff are.  And this is why: Sean, the bartender recommended four dishes, only ONE of which was on the menu. So had we not asked we never would have known about the filet mignon with blue cheese sauce over spicy butternut squash, which was the highlight for me.  Also following Sean's suggestions, we got green beans w/crispy bacon and white truffle crème fraiche,  baby octopus with warm potato salad, and garlic shrimp.  I wasn't over the moon about the shrimp but everything else was definitely first rate.  Two other dishes I wanted to try, and would order next time is the fois gras (also not on the menu, so you would need to request it from your server) and the duck.
 

duck breast w/ cranberry, pic courtesy Ed Yourdon

So if you find yourself on the upper west side, cozy up to Buceo 95.  You may get lucky and have the lovely Sean as your bartender.  Do get there early, it's not very big and it does fill up fast (at least on a Friday night).  Txin txin!

Small production. All American. Williamsburg.

In the winter, I don’t venture out of my neighborhood as much as I do in the nicer weather.  The cold makes me a little boring!  However, last Friday night I met up with some friends in Williamsburg at a great place called Custom American.  

It was absolutely worth going out in the snow for.  They serve only beer, wine and bourbon and all of it is American made.  I spoke to Dan, one of the owners.  His concept was that he would do only American and they would feature small production wines, beer and bourbons.  Many of the stuff they serve are only able in limited quantities, so they may only get a few bottles or a case of something.  For that reason the lists are constantly changing and you get to taste things that you would ordinarily never get the opportunity to try.   That is pretty awesome.  

We also had the meat and cheese plates, and yes they also were American.  It’s a great concept.  

They have been open for 7 months now and are doing really well, and I can see why.  The space is fantastic.  It is open and cozy with big windows to look out on the street.  

It’s the bar you want to have next door to you so that it can be your local hangout.  They have great music playing and the bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.  Dan, one of the owners, (who was also behind the bar the night we were there) is really funny and very passionate about everything they have to offer.  He talked to us about a lot of the stuff they carry and really made our night an incredible experience.   Custom American is located on the corner of Driggs and Metropolitan.   It is first stop in Brooklyn on the L train and then a four or five minute-walk from the subway.  I love trying new things and I am so glad that I tried Custom American.  The wine list is really cool and as Dan said, “Supporting America one drink at a time”.   I love that!  I will definitely go back, sooner than later.  I think I have just found a new favorite spot.
Custom American
644 Driggs Avenue
718-387-9463

A great New York City wine bar

I am pretty much a wine drinker.  Occasionally I will be enticed by a cocktail or even a beer (I like the good, rich, highly caloric beers), but for the most part, you will see me drinking wine.  That said, I believe that life is too short to drink bad wine.  So when I meet up with friends and we are deciding where to go, I often suggest 8^th St. wine cellar.   It is a cozy little nook on 8th between 5th & 6th, just below ground level.

The food is great; the wine is great (an not overpriced) it has a cozy, yet elegant atmosphere and service that is A+.  Owned and run by 2 veteran Union Square Café bartenders who truly know their stuff, this place is a real gem.  Yes, they do have a full bar and not just wine.  The beer list is cockfull of  fantastic artisinal beers.  The menu is small but what is on it is done really well!  They support local perveyors whenever possible so you are getting good quality there as well.  The Mac & Cheese is amazing, the meatballs are to die for and the small plates like the meats & cheeses or the bruschettas are delicious.  The kitchen stays open late (after 11pm there is a smaller late night menu) and the bar gives last call around 4am.  You will not find a friendlier staff anywhere.  It is one of my favorite bars in the city.  If you are looking for a bar with great atmosphere and wine that will agree with even the fussiest wine drinker,  check out 8^th St. Wine Cellar.  You might just keep going back.

28 West 8^th,, between 5^th & 6^th.  (It is downstairs so make sure to watch for the number so you don’t miss it)