Our obsession with Freemans is truly an Immaculate Infatuation. The worn wooden frame, the taxidermy on the walls, and the beards and flannel employee dress code give this old New York style spot a very hip, yet very Vermont vibe. When this place first opened, it was everyone’s best kept secret, but in recent years Freemans has completely blown up. Since Freemans doesn’t take reservations for parties less than six, prepare yourself to go across the alley to Lorely and have a couple of drinks before you’re awarded your table. While the waits are usually quite long (we’re talking hours during prime-time), if you’re committed, it’s well worth it. Everything on the menu is good and priced right. As long as you’re willing to make a night of it, whether you’re taking out a significant other or just looking for a solid place to go with your friends, Freemans is a slam dunk. Thankfully, new chef Michael Citarella has left former chef Jean Adamson’s signature dishes on the menu virtually untouched. Thus, for those who are were used to the artichoke dip into steak filet dinner setup, it’s still the main attraction. Also, in addition to dinner, the brunch is legit, though a little expensive. If you happen to find yourself at Freemans on a Sunday afternoon, we suggest you check out the brisket and eggs dish, which is out of this world.
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.
Georgia is so hot right now, and we’re not talking about Real Housewives of Atlanta, we’re talking about BBQ. A couple of years ago when BBQ was all the rage in NYC, a tiny goldmine unceremoniously opened its doors on the Lower East Side. If you haven’t heard about Georgia’s already, it’s time to take notice.
Georgia’s Eastside BBQ has the best ribs in town, hands down. You heard that correct. They’re in a different league than Dinosaur BBQ. They take RUB to town. They destroy Hill Country, and even surpass Blue Smoke and perennial favorite Daisy May’s. The best part about the whole situation – it’s cheap. Everything on the menu is under $20. You can get a nice helping of St. Louis style pork ribs with two sides for $19. That’s good stuff. Their sandwiches are all less than $10 a pop, while beers are all $5 and under. Hell, this is cheaper than Texas. A few things to be aware of before you go – Georgia’s is cash only, so come prepared. Also, they don’t have their own bathroom. Luckily, The Sixth Ward across the street gladly offers up use of their facilities.
Sorella has been near the top of our hit list for a while now. Subconsciously, I think it was chef Emma Hearst winning Eater’s “Hottest Chef” award for 2009 that finally pushed us over the edge. The Infatuation can’t lie…we dig a hot female in the kitchen. Another thing we dig? A good soundtrack while we eat. Wine bars usually aren’t known for their quality tunes, so we were pleasantly surprised by the sweet mix of Ol’ Dirty Bastard “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” into Stevie Wonder “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”. This could very well have been our own iPod that we were rocking, but this one belonged to Emma herself. So not only is she smoking hot – with cooking skills – but she’s also down with some Wu Tang? That’s our kind of girl.
I don’t believe that Spitzer’s, a self proclaimed “Gastro Pub” (see The Spotted Pig), is in any way associated with our recently disgraced governor, though it would not surprise me to run into him drinking one of their forty hand crafted beers gearing up for an evening of chasing under-age women around the Lower East Side. This establishment, by the way, has a strict ID policy, so be prepared to get carded and have your hand stamped before you sit down. Once you get past that and the ridiculously wide bench seats that require a gymnastics routine to get in and out of … you are in for a treat. This is some of the best “bar food” in the city. The menu at Spitzer’s is a masterful example of taking the basics and turning them into truly special, one-of-a-kind signatures. Do not miss the short rib burger or the serrano chicken sandwich – number one on my list of New York’s best chicken sandwiches.
Giveaway: Dinner On Us
