NYC: The Last Day pt. 2

Wrapping up at Prune, I got a text message from a friend saying that I must check out Tavern on the Green. Overlooking Central Park and not far from John Lennon's Strawberry Field's Memorial, Tavern on the Green has gone through several renovations since it's reincarnation in 1976 when it became the place to see and be seen in Manhattan.

I don't know if it was all the good food and drink or what, but I was feeling quite bold and decided it was a good idea to catch the subway to the edge of Central Park, laptop bag in hand, and run around like an idiot tourist looking for the Tavern. I ended up jogging around Central Park in the dark and successfully disorienting myself, resulting in me having to walk around half the damn block when I came out on the other side.

Finally arriving at the Tavern, it appeared that there was some kind of private event going on. To this day I'm still confused as to what exactly the function was. Anyway, it was still open to the public and there was a $10 cover, which I decided to pay, even if it was just to peek inside. The festivities were taking place on a sprawling outdoor patio with lanterns dangling from the natural canopy of a large tree. Live or recorded music? I couldn't tell. There was music, lots of people, and a bar. I bought a plastic cup of cabernet and explored the venue. Inside what appeared to be a banquet room there was dancing and a DJ, and hallways to other rooms full of mirrors, etched glass, brass, and other sparklies. Now, looking at their website, I get it. The Tavern has rooms for all kinds of events: The Crystal Room, The Crystal Pavilion, The Rafters Room, The Chestnut Room, The Terrace Pavilion, The Park Garden, and more. I had done what I came to do, and it was time go. I'd like to see Tavern on the Green again, maybe for, lunch!

Not wanting to test my luck in Central Park again, I hopped in a taxi and headed to the corner of 7th Avenue and Leroy Street to look for one of the last must-sees on my list, Little Branch. Arriving at my destination I was a little confused finding only a suspicious, unmarked brown door. But, now being a veteran of New York hidden bars and speakeasies, I entered without much hesitation and walked down a dimly lit staircase to find a small bar bathed in a reddish light packed with people. I was planning on only having one drink; then I met the man behind the bar. He had a bushy mullet/mohawk, a mustache and an Australian accent and was shaking up drinks so hard it looked like he would throw his shoulder out. Little did I know this man was nominated for Global Bartender of the Year at Tales of the Cocktail. His name is Sam Ross. Being a naive newcomer, I tested him with a Sazerac, which he aced. I was blown away at the combination of speed, precision, and ultimately the final product - this guy meant business. I deferred the choice of my next two drinks to him and guzzled down a Prescription Julep, and a Penicillin. I have not seen Sam Ross since, but heard of his success 3 months later at the Martin Miller's Gin Master's Competition in NYC courtesy of Jeffrey Morgenthaler. On that note, if you'd like to try Sam Ross' original, Penicillin, Jeff became familiar with his recipe at the Bar Convent in Berlin and could can recreate one at Clyde Common in Portland if you pay him a visit.

I admittedly did not do my next stop justice. I burned at least half an hour walking around looking for the famous Pegu Club, once again, missing a somewhat hidden door and small pink lion logo. I was exhausted, sleepy, and fairly drunk. You can learn more about the Pegu Club at their flashy website (pun intended). In the state I was in, I struggled to finish the tasty and tart Pegu Club Cocktail. A few drunk texts, a cab, and the night was over.

NYC: The Last Day pt. 1

I have fallen behind. I failed to even finish telling about my bar adventures in Manhattan and I'm sorry. I woke up on my second day of freedom (since the conference had ended) and made my way to Joe's Shanghai for a breakfast of soup dumplings. I left very content and in a daze most likely from the rich, meaty broth I had just consumed and hopped on the subway towards Wall Street.

After a very brief stroll around the financial district I decided it was time for another meal and navigated my way to Les Halles, where Travel Channel star and my hero Anthony Bourdain worked as executive chef for many years. The place was pretty packed and bustling with what I assumed were brokers and investment bankers on their lunch break. Alright, so it was probably a bad idea to order a plate of bratwurst, other sausage, and ham on a bed of sauerkraut when I wasn't exactly starving and was coming off a very heavy breakfast, but I did. While I found this dish to be nothing better than what I could find at Gustav's back home in Portland, I enjoyed it paired with a Leffe, a Belgian pale ale.

My time in Manhattan was limited and I had to make the most of my last day. Another subway ride to what is known as the Flatiron District to find the Flatiron Lounge. After strolling into an interview session for cocktail waitresses, I waited outside and took pictures of the purple Flatiron flag that hung over the sidewalk. The Flatiron Lounge struck me as a long, tubular, super chic bar. Bellying up to the bar, alone, to order my Maxwell's Return (rosemary, pineapple juice, lime juice, and yellow chartreuse) I felt my masculinity fading away. Nonetheless, great service and a good looking a drink was put in front of me. Smelled like rosemary and had a nice balance of citrus tartness and the signature herbal blend of chartreuse, no complaints here.

Down the street to the famous Union Square Cafe! By pairing great food and wine with a spirit of warm hospitality, USC has earned Zagat's Survey #1 ranking as New York's Most Popular Restaurant an unprecedented 8 times. Owner Danny Meyer is the author of New York Times Best Seller, Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business. The decor was simple, inviting, and brightly lit. Unfortunately, I wasn't in any condition for a full blown second lunch, so I sat at the bar and ordered some light fare - beef sirloin carpaccio garnished with crispy artichokes, rocket (arugula), and parmigiano reggiano and a couple oysters on the half shell. The dish was put together very nicely and the peppery nuttiness from the parmigiana and rocket was great with the slice of sirloin. I will definitely come back one day and do the menu justice.

Back on the subway to East Village. I had to check out a place called Prune, one of Anthony Bourdain's favorite haunts. I also had to order exactly what he ordered on the New York episode of No Reservations: roasted bone marrow and prawns in anchovy butter. This was the right choice. First time for me eating roasted bone marrow, and it was everything I thought it could be. Rich with a delicate beef flavor, spread on a bruschetta, oh yeah. The prawns? Hot as hell and hard for me to shell as an amateur, but buttery, salty, sweet and tender. An unfamiliar abbey brown ale to cap things off, Corsendonk, but the oh so familiar ripe fruitiness and brown sugar sweetness of Belgian ale.

To be continued...