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!

Tips for a perfect snow day

Apparently those of us living in Northeast have more snow in our future.  Many people are getting stranded in New York City and the puddles are becoming like small ponds in the crosswalks.  

If you happen to find yourself stranded, I recommend dinner and a movie in your neighborhood.  If you are on the Upper West Side (around 66^th St.) and go to a movie near there, I highly recommend having dinner at Ed’s Chowder House on 62^nd and Broadway.    I ate there last night and the food was fantastic, the wine and cocktail list superb and the atmosphere and service was so great it kind of made me forget all the snow outside. 

If you like bread at all, you will love the breadbasket.  However, I will warn you that you will not be able to stop eating it once you start.  There is a jalapeno and cheddar bread, a corn bread and something that looks like an ordinary bun that is buttery and luscious and it is all served with sweet butter.  Very dangerous!!!  I had the sautéed Skate for dinner, but one of my friends got the scallop ravioli that was out of this world!  All the fish at the table was fresh and delicious.  We ended the meal by getting 3 desserts to share.  I have to say that the banana boat sundae with caramelized bananas was heaven.  The dark chocolate pudding and the chocolate donuts with dark chocolate dipping sauce were also a big hit.  

I have been hearing great things about this place since it opened, but I am so glad I finally got myself there.  If we have a lot more snow in our future, then I see a lot more movies and Ed’s Chowder House in my future.  OK, so I guess a bit more snow isn't such a terrible thing.

My adventures in Brooklyn

Apparently we are in for a long, cold, snowy winter.  I am turning over a new leaf.  I am not going to hibernate on the Upper West Side until spring.  I bought myself some sensible boots (OK, they still have wedge heels, but are 100% waterproof – that is a BIG change for me) and it’s off on an adventure I go.  I have to say I am totally enjoying my winter treks to Brooklyn.  I am finding some great new spots!  So hopefully I have inspired you to see a show at BAM.  (Once the subways and buses are back to running normal that is.)  Now you need somewhere to go for drinks or dinner before or after the show.  I had wine and appetizers at this delightful place right around the corner from BAM called Stonehome Wine Bar.

The next time I go I am going to get there in time to have dinner, not just apps.  The menu is small with additional daily specials and it looked fantastic.   We ended up getting some meats and cheeses with our wine.  

The portions were large and prices were very reasonable.  Most of the wines by the glass were in the $8-$11 price range and they had a great selection.  I was surprised to see one of my favorite’s by the glass Argiolas “Perdera” from Sardinia.  But the list was full of great things that I want to go back and try.

The inside was cozy and warm, they played great music and the staff couldn’t have nicer and more helpful. 

 They also have a patio in the back, so in the nice weather it must be great to sit outside.  I highly recommend Stonehome Wine Bar if you like good wine, great atmosphere and terrific prices to boot.  With great places like this, I may just head out to Brooklyn more often. 

There's no place like home

For the last few years I have spent much of my time in Boston taking care of my mom who has Alzheimer's.  Things are a little more settled and I am now getting back out there enjoying New York again.  In a way, I am rediscovering some place that I haven't been to in a while, much like a tourist.  Last night I went to Brooklyn Academy of Music and it was like visiting an old friend.  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed seeing theatre there.  I don't think there is a bad seat in the house.  I sat in the rear mezzanine and my ticket was $25.  I am trying to keep to a budget so that I can get out there and see and do more, so $25 is right up my alley.  It was a great seat and I got to see Fiona Shaw, Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan on stage together doing a production of John Garbriel Borkman.  There are not too many places where you can see that kind of cast together on stage.  What an amazing treat!  Next up they are doing Diary of a Madman with Geoffrey Rush.  Last year they had Cate Blanchett in Streetcar Named Desire with her company.  

BAM brings in mounted productions from the RSC, The Abbey and many other overseas companies to their stage.  So unless you happen to be in London or Dublin or Sydney, this is your chance to see it.  What I also like is that is accessible to most people.  Unlike Broadway where the lowest ticket price can be as high as $75 (and for that you are sitting in the nosebleed section with not a great view) their lowest ticket is $25 and because it's an intimate theatre there is no bad seat.  If you haven't been out to BAM, treat yourself.  It's worth the trek, even for Upper West Siders like myself.  Tomorrow I will tell you a great place you can go before or after the show for dinner or drinks.

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

Village Vines

It's been a wee bit cold here in New York City and I have been a little unmotivated to leave my apartment unless I have to.  But apparently it is supposed to reach 40 degrees tomorrow and so my hibernation might come to an end.  When it does, I am going to take advantage of some of the great deals on this new site that Skye turned me on to.  It is called Village Vines.  

It's in the spirit of Groupon, but it is only restaurants and some really good ones too.  With this site you pay a $10 reservation fee and then get a certain percentage off your whole bill (food and wine).  Usually it is 30% although I have seen some for as high as 50% and others as low as 20%.  They usually have certain days that you have to go.  For example Dinasaur BBQ in Harlem is 30% off but only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Because you make the reservation through their website there is no coupon neccesary.  Also the deals aren't just 1 day deals like groupon or living social.   You usually have some time to decide.  Currently they have offerings in NYC, Los Angeles, D.C., San Francisco and Chicago.  

Here is what they say on their website:

VillageVines gives food lovers access to preferred pricing with their city's most popular restaurants. We make your dining experiences more convenient and more affordable, and we do so by partnering with the best dining establishments – from the restaurant icons to the up and coming gems.

Here’s how it works:

	Each day we highlight a handful of restaurants from among our carefully curated list of the best spots in your city
	You choose where to dine and use us to make your party's reservation before the offer expires
	You pay $10 to secure your exclusive pricing (typically 30% off your party's entire bill – food and drink
	Your discount is applied to your bill at meal's end - no coupons, no phone calls and no hassles

I love being able to get great deals at home and when I travel.  With all these sites that offer great deals on great restaurants and things to do, I may never have to pay full price again!

20at20 is back!

January is a hard month to budget, especially when there are so many great deals in New York City to take advantage of.  But I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about one more deal.  Back for only 2 weeks, January 24^th – February 6^th is 20at2o.  20at20 is 20 of the best Off-Broadway show for only $20 a ticket 20 minutes before the show.  

Here is how it works: Starting 20 minutes before show time, go to the box office and say 20at20 and your tickets are only $20.  See any 7 show you will receive a voucher for a free dinner for 2 at any participating restaurant in the area.  You just have to mail in your ticket stubs.  You can't beat $20 to see a show.

Not sure what shows to see?  I’ll share some of the shows on my list with you.  Fuerza Bruta is a show that is supposed to be tremendously fun and I have not gotten there yet, so here's my chance.  The New York Idea by David Auburn (Proof) at the Atlantic Theatre Company, Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating (Staring Eve Plum from the Brady Bunch) is getting rave reviews.  Apparently it is hilarious.  It is from the creators of Spelling B.   Molly Sweeney at Irish Repertory Theatre (they always have fantastic productions) and there are many more great choices.   Whether you are visiting New York City or whether you live here, there are fantastic deals to be had.  Don’t miss out!  Starting January 24^th you can get a 3-course dinner and a show for under $100.  Now that’s worth putting your snow boots on for.