Friday Fives goes raw this week with Pure Food and Wine/One Lucky Duck’s own Sarma Melngailis. If chefs are the new rock stars, then Sarma is the Lady GaGa of raw food. Rabid fans stalk her life on Twitter and Facebook, where she’s built an impressive brand for both herself and oneluckyduck.com. Pure also happens to be a big time celeb, model and musician hangout. Alicia Silverstone (yes, she still exists and apparently hates dairy) recently guested on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and randomly pimped out Sarma’s infamous Master Cleanse-Tini. Sure, it’s a little feminine, but this is easily the best cocktail we’ve ever had made with sake. After checking out Sarma’s Friday Fives, we suggest heading over to Pure’s Outdoor/Patio Situation and sucking down one or four.
Sarma’s “Perfect For” Picks
Weekday/After Work Drinks & Dinner
The House (121 East 17th St.) – “Charming under the radar little place in my hood w/ great wine. They have an oddly amazing celery, date, and walnut salad and the very best truffled mac n cheese ever. It’s aromatically heavenly, not heavy or gooey.”
Vegetarians
Kajitsu (414 East 9th St.) – “Beautifully unique tasting menus. Expensive but very cool and a worthwhile experience.”
Big Groups
Back Forty (190 Avenue B # 1) – “Big communal tables, great beer on tap, seriously yummy food all while doing the slow, sustainable food thing. If you’re ever going to catch me eating a grass fed burger, this is the place.”
Date Night
Hangawi (12 East 32nd St.) – “Really yummy (vegetarian) food with wine/sake/beer in a dark, romantic setting. Oh, and you have to take your shoes off and sit on pillows. Hot. Just remember to wear good socks.”
Outdoor/Patio Situation
Pure Food and Wine (54 Irving Place) – “I couldn’t do Friday Fives without mentioning my own place. Our back garden is so pretty I sleep out there sometimes. Cushioned couch/lounge situation for sake cocktails. And will never forget Bill Clinton there dining under the trees. “
Sarma’s Twitter People
@rodgab – Rodrigo y Gabriela: I love their music, I love them madly.
@richardbranson – My idol.
@johncmayer – He’s very funny.
@rustyrockets – Russell Brand, love him too.
@volbeatDK – They don’t tweet much, but wish they would. Am a huge fan.
