Even before we reached media mogul/baller status here at Immaculate Infatuation, Bar Stuzzichini has always welcomed us with VIP treatment. While we like to believe that this is a direct result of our indelible charm and a general awareness that we would soon be making it rain, we will concede that the place is usually half empty. That said, I personally have had experiences visiting a restaurant on a slow night and being treated like a Swine Flu patient (see Shang), and also to be fair, the dining room at Bar Stuzz is pretty large. What really makes Bar Stuzzichini a staple though are a few superstar dishes, a well priced wine list, and a varied menu that has both small plates and entree size portions with something for everyone at the table. Put it all together and you’ve got the perfect spot for a large group meal, or just to stop in and feel like you own the joint.
I’ve got some kind of crazy karma going with ápizz. Every time I go, it’s amazing. The perfect table seems to magically appear without reservations and the food is always spot on. On top of that, there is an X factor that exists within the walls of ápizz that can take an average night and turn it into the start of something memorable, perhaps even legendary. The staff is friendly and if you have to wait, there’s a small bar area away from the tables to hang out. It’s not a raucous place, but for an intimate setting there’s definitely a tangible vibe that’s positive and humming with satisfaction. If you’re making a reservation for 4-6, definitely ask about getting one of the two downstairs tables.
ápizz is the kind of place that you have to know about to go to, mostly due to the fact that it’s hidden on a residential block west of Ludlow’s overcrowded and oversaturated LES headquarters. There ápizz sits patiently, hangin’ out by itself on Eldridge, waiting for your discovery.
If the day ever comes when I leave this city – voluntarily, by court order, or otherwise – my last meal in town might very well be a few margaritas, an order of plantains, and 1/4 kilo of pork tacos at Mercadito Cantina. The newest outpost of the Mercadito NY restaurants is all about tacos, and though the fish tacos have been the main focus of raves and praise for Mercadito Cantina, the pork offerings are not to be missed. Most everything on the menu is simple, well executed, and gives you that special kind of gratification you get from eating street food, yet the dishes are anything but pedestrian. The space has the feel of the Momofuku dining room … wood paneled, lively, and has a very similar seating layout. I have always had good luck getting a table on busy nights, and the staff is welcoming. Bring friends and come hungry … ordering the tacos by weight is definitely the way to go.
I live in a world of go-to’s: go-to shirt, go-to playlist, go-to bar, go-to frozen-fruit flavor (banana and cream), go-to cereal (Honey Bunches of Oats). As far as restaurants are concerned, The Smith qualifies as just that. Its versatility is invaluable. It’s the kind of place you can go with your girlfriend, first date, parents, buddies, or boss and have an enjoyable meal. The food is consistent. There’s always a scene. It’s priced relatively well (I wish everything was five dollars cheaper, but that happens a lot). There’s a spacious and lively bar to hang at while you wait for your table and they don’t try and get too cute with the music. Phoenix into Bloc Party into The Bravery is fine by me at a more mainstream East Village eatery. Plus, any spot with a photo booth (downstairs near the bathrooms) knows what’s up. Note to all single guys: this place is always packed with wide-eyed chicks. It’s like they’re giving away Chanel bags with every glass of wine or something.
What an incredible disaster. Look up The Hindenburg on the internet and you will get an idea of the special kind of catastrophe our recent visit to Shang was.
Having heard some good things, Team Infatuation headed out on a rainy Monday night for further investigation. We made a reservation and arrived on time to an empty bar and an obviously slow restaurant – yet we were told to wait at the bar for our table. Fair enough. I understand the concept of not seating too many tables in a waiter’s section, kitchen capacity, or whatever – even though we had a reservation. After about fifteen minutes, we asked the host what the deal was and were reluctantly seated. We sat down and could hear a pin drop. Maybe a quarter of the tables were occupied, and judging by the complete absence of audible conversation, everyone was either angry or afraid of the staff. No waiter or busboy visited the table for about ten minutes, and throughout the evening we had to ask someone to find our server three times to rectify various mishaps.
Read the food rundown for the rest of the story, but the service was a joke, and this place is not cheap. Also, they will tell you it’s “family style”, which is perfect if you are family of exactly two, you are rich, and you hate food.
Giveaway: Dinner On Us
