Immaculate Infatuation

Ever been to one of those fast food Chinese restaurants that turned into a fast food Mexican restaurant overnight? Suddenly the Happy Taco opens on your block and the same dude that delivered General Tso’s to your neighbor three nights a week is slinging enchiladas? Well then you don’t get out enough. What does that have to do with Aurora? Nothing really, I’m just craving Kung Pao enchiladas.

Actually, I bring that up because Aurora is an excellent Williamsburg Italian restaurant that’s apparently run by fiery Latin people. And we’re not talking about some kind of fusion thing here. This is real deal Italian food, down to the hand made pasta and fresh burrata. Other than the friendly Latin staff, the occasional salsa music on the playlist, and the watermelon sangria, you would think Aurora was a Williamsburg cousin of Supper. And as you would expect from a place reminiscent of those East Village favorites, Aurora’s solid food and charm make it a great First/Early In The Game Date spot. The noticeable lack of hipsters also makes it a good option for Dinner With the Parents, just swing them by the ATM first – it’s cash only. But the real notable feature at Aurora is the garden. A huge, partially covered, and well-greened patio make this Williamsburg’s best Outdoor/Patio Situation. On prime days, just make sure to reserve ahead of time if you want a table outside, or be prepared you to face a sultry yet slightly annoyed hostess that looks kind of like Penelope Cruz. So yeah, on second thought…walk-ins recommended.

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In a Manhattan neighborhood that’s undergone a modern facelift over the last twenty years, it’s good to know not everything has changed. With the exception of a couple of new flat screens, Walker’s is pretty much exactly the same as your Pops left it back in the day when this tavern was the place to be on a Saturday night. Walker’s is a Tribeca landmark – a prime example of a Classic NYC Establishment, and a low key spot that attracts an older crowd who enjoy Burgers and Sports On TV (without audio). Rich with history and solid beers on tap, Walker’s serves up above average pub fare and makes up for things being a bit overpriced with large serving sizes. If I’m in the mood for a burger in Tribeca, I’m going to Walker’s without hesitation.

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In need of a light bite before a show at Williamsburg Waterfront, we hit Twitter to see what the people would recommend. Multiple familiar and now trusted handles suggested Zenkichi. Done. After walking right by the unmarked exterior twice, we finally figured out that the bamboo building on the corner was what we were looking for. Idiots.

Zenkichi is a trip. It prides itself on being an authentic Tokyo establishment. I’ve never been to Japan, but can only imagine that private booths with blackout curtains and a buzzer to call the wait staff are commonplace. You don’t find many of this type of Japanese restaurant around NYC, so this experience was definitely a fun change of pace – but for two dudes lookin’ to get a little buzz on before a Modest Mouse show, Zenkichi proved to be a little on the romantic side. It’s best utilized for Date Night or a First/Early In The Game Date spot. There could be fellatio being performed in the booth next to you and you wouldn’t have a clue.

The food is solid, but takes a back seat in terms of the whole experience. The $55, 8-course Omakase Tasting Menu is definitely the way to go as ordering a la carte can get expensive. Also, don’t sleep on the sake tasting. While I’m not making plans to go back next week, if you’re in the hood, Zenkichi is an excellent neighborhood option.

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We met Sloane a couple years back when she was “hangin’ out” with a friend of ours. We liked her from the start; A kindred spirit with big dreams and a can’t stop won’t stop attitude. She’s got good taste in words, music, food and booze…our kind of people.

Sloane’s first book, I Was Told There’d Be Cake (buy it on Amazon for $9.97) blew the f*ck up. When your mom, girlfriend and little sister are all independently reading and raving about the same book, it’s gotta be good. Her witty collection of autobiographical essays about life went on to become a New York Times best seller. Sloane’s follow-up, How Did You Get This Number (Buy it here), came out last month. We haven’t read it yet, but judging by the press its gotten so far, we’re pretty confident it’s another book club grand slam. Hopefully that short relationship with our buddy got some ink. To keep up with Sloane and her daily rampage of noise, make sure you’re following her on Twitter.

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When East Side Social Club opened at the end of last year, it did so amidst a lot of hype, especially for a Midtown restaurant. The Employees Only pedigree and old-school Italian dining club vibe certainly helped create some of that chatter. But people were definitely throwing things around like this is “the Waverly Inn of Midtown” or “the accessible alternative to Monkey Bar.” After spending some time here, our experience is that East Side Social Club is neither of those things. What it is however, is a decent option for dinner and/or drinks if you’re stuck in Midtown, and a fantastic place to watch cougars hammer back drinks in the company of business dudes and European tourists (the restaurant is attached to the Pod Hotel, which is basically an upscale hostel). It’s also a place that, unlike Waverly or Monkey Bar, you will actually be treated well. Everyone from manager on down to busboy has been incredibly attentive and welcoming on our visits, and that goes a long way in our book. There are a few great dishes on the menu, and the wine list is decent. For us, that’s enough to flag East Side Social Club as an Infatuation Approved option for Midtown East. Just don’t get suckered into paying fifteen bucks for one of their specialty drinks. They aren’t worth it.

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