1 Oak is Officially Over

I used to love 1 Oak. It was by far my favorite place to go out over the past few years so it is with great regret that I must come to the conclusion that it is definitely, completely and utterly over. Not only is Binn no longer safekeeping the door but the latest addition to their team of hosts, Joao Daniel, is a pretty consistent indicator of what sort of things are to follow...

I knew this day would come and the place had already fallen by the wayside a while ago but this is going to take things to another level. I guess it was good while it lasted...

POC

Sway

Details:
Sway Lounge
305 Spring Street (between Greenwich & Hudson)
New York, NY 10013
www.swaylounge.com
Recommended: Hell No
Rating: --












Sway Away

Two Saturdays ago, I went to Sway for a friend's going away party. I was already pretty sad to see my friend move to London but was even sadder when I found out that the location for the party was Sway. I dreaded the thought of visiting this place again since the last time I was there 3-4 years ago was pretty horrible. 

The club's website states that "Sway opened its doors to quickly become a Rock-n-Roll playground for New Yorkers and celebs in the know. Its Moroccan decor complete with domed ceilings, tiled walls and candle-lit interior makes it a sexy experience from when you first walk in the door". Oh please, there probably has not been a celebrity there in over 5 years, if ever. New Yorkers in the know, know better than to go there and I would by no means qualify the place as sexy nor the crowd for that matter.

I will make this pretty simple. Do not go there. The door has attitude which is totally unwarranted, the crowd is young and not particularly attractive and the nec plus ultra is that they sell tables online...

Sway away...

POC

Bierhaus

Details:
Bierhaus
712 Third Avenue (at 45th Street)
New York, NY 10017
(212) 867-2337
http://bierhausnyc.com/

Headline: A little taste of Oktoberfest in midtown Manhattan
Rating: **
Recommended: Yes, for after work drinks. No at any other time









A Little Bit of Munchen in Manhattan with a Full-On Murray Hill Crowd


I had a friend in town from Boston last Thursday and we made plans to meet for drinks around my office which is located on Park Avenue in the 50s. Truth be told, when it comes to having drinks midtown I never know where to go and more often than not I just end up giving up and suggesting Monkey Bar. This time, however, I was motivated to diversify my repertoire of after-work drinking venues. After a bit of internet research, I came across this new Bavarian-style restaurant/bar and decided to venture outside my comfort zone.

Bierhaus is located on the second floor of 712 Third Avenue, close to 45th Street and Grand Central Station. After making my way up the stairs, I entered a room filled with large wooden tables and waitresses sporting both traditional Bavarian outfits and pigtails. My initial impression was slightly negative, thinking the whole concept was a bit kitsch and overdone.

After spotting my friend, we settled in at the bar which offered a safe haven from the crowd (I'll get back to that shortly) as well as a perfect view over the entire room. Bierhaus boasts 24 draft lines which currently only serve 5 different kinds of Hofbräu beer. In short order, we both decided upon the Hefe Weizen, a fairly sweet old-style wheat beer that also happens to be their specialty, and ordered the one liter beer shoe. My friend who had just been to Oktoberfest earlier this year was quick to dispatch my illusions regarding the decor, telling me it was actually quite faithful to what he had experienced in Germany. I guess my initial impression was just my usual jaded New Yorker reaction and it turns out I did not know what I was talking (thinking) about.

Over the course of the next hour, we talked about everything and nothing but most of all drank one liter of fantastic beer. The amazing beer notwithstanding, when the time came to double down, we both opted to seek greener pastures in order to escape the crowd of 20 somethings that had made their way up from Murray Hill. I guess I should have seen that one coming given the beer focused theme and the location but we all make mistakes...

Overall, I thought Bierhaus served its purpose: a somewhat conveniently located after work bar. I really enjoyed the beer (I highly recommend the Weizen to anybody who decides to visit Bierhaus, it is by far my favorite beer on offer) and got a kick of the traditional costumes and live music, each of which I give a star for. I also give a star for the balcony (yes, you can take your beverage outside to watch Third Avenue traffic) but I take it right back for the crowd. Bierhaus is probably not worth a detour but if you are in the area and in the mood for a good bier, it is worth a look.

POC

What I drank:
1 liter of Hofbräu Hefe Weizen

Bell Book & Candle

Details:

Bell Book & Candle

141 W 10th Street (between Waverly and Greenwich Avenue)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 414-2355
http://bbandcnyc.com/

Headline: Average neighboorhood spot
Recommended: Bah
Rating: *

Fresh produce from the roof, so what?

Intro

Those of you who know me will probably be very surprised to see me write online. I have always thought that blogs were for the most part ridiculous and obnoxious. Essentially reserved for self-centered people who feel the need to share intimate details about their lives or disseminate baseless and often poorly articulated opinions on various subjects. And yet, I find myself in my front of my computer about to do the same. Except for the baseless and poorly articulated part, hopefully. So how I did I end up here? I have spent most of my free time over the past 6 years exploring as much of what New York has to offer gastronomically, oenologically and hedonistically (read here innumerable parties and libations) as possible. In the process, not only did I develop enormous respect and interest for the city's diverse culinary establishments and watering holes but I have also become a pseudo reference for friends, colleagues and tourists from my hometown on how to best partake in the Big Apple's pleasures. Since I already shell out recommendations on where to eat and drink a few times a week and that several friends have been suggesting that I start this website, I figured I would give it a try.

Although I am not quite sure yet what form my posts will take, I can certainly promise that this is the only time I will indulge in a long monologue that has nothing to do with eating or drinking in the city. This is meant to be a place where I write about the places I visit and the impressions they have left on me as well as a way to share with other people some of my favorite things about a city I love so dearly. New York, I love you!

POC