Kathleen "KRey" R.'s Profile

Tomato soup with goat cheese melted in instead of creme.  Pizza with creme fraiche and gorgeous caramelized onions.  Perfectly grilled cheese sandwiches (see picture).  Lobster rolls on Summer Fridays.  Good coffee, refilled frequently.  Disregard for notions such as "jumped the shark."  High regard for lardy deliciousness, in the form of surprisingly addicting bacon, citrus-infused marmalade and bacon brownies.  Helpful, whimsical suggestions implying you can turn your OJ into a mimosa ("there's a liquor store next door....hint, hint").  Friendly service.  Now serving dinner (after previously closing at 6:00 p.m.).  Homemade pies.  Roasted chickens.  Neighborhood regulars.  Soon to be featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."
Fragmented first review from KRey in months.  Still contains everything you need to know.  Go! :-)

I have been to tropical islands.  I love the fun and sun, but most of the cocktails I've had were sub-par blender blunders.  Fortunately, PK co-owners Richie (M&H, LB, DK) and Giuseppe (DK, Clover Club and more) believe that Manhattan is the best island in the world, and they were inspired by classic tiki culture (yes, there is such a thing) to bring a taste of the islands to OUR island. You'll be glad they did.

They don't take reservations, so the space  may be crowded at first - especially on weekends.  And crowds don't help the ventillation, but calm yourself and pretend you're in the tropics. After your first sip of a cocktail, you'll forget the crowd, the heat or whatever ails you. I went with the namesake Painkiller, a creamy, fresh nutmeg-topped delight. You could also opt for a Scorpion Bowl or try their elevated take on a Mai Tai.  And these boys give good garnish.

In addition to R. and G. behind the stick, you'll see some of the industy's best taking shifts. Browse the beautiful placemat menus or take the Milk and Honey approach of sharing your mood and letting the bartender take it from there. Admire their amazing collection of tiki mugs; many were secured on inspirational pre-opening trips to tropical paradises (tough job...  ;-) or were special gifts.

Anyone who remembers the old East Side Company Bar will appreciate the aesthetic overhaul: I loved the distinct Manhattan meets Islands neon graffiti adorining the walls and bamboo accents. And oh yes, there are boobies on the bar. Careful with those Mai Tais, or yours may end up out there as well.

As one of my best bartender friends commented, "this place looks like heaven."  And if heaven for you = tasty sandwiches / small plates and a plethora of cocktail offerings, ascending through pearly (wrought iron) gates into this vibrant punch-filled paradise will be the answer to your prayers.

Jane Danger, a striking blonde who's worked behind the stick of some of NYC's best bars, was on duty the night we stopped by, and we downed our "Punch and Judy" punch, as I'd heard it was Charlotte Voisey's (another striking blonde) winning creation at a prestigious cocktail seminar.  Sweet, spicy and well-balanced, it was the perfect compliment to my Elena Ruiz plate of slider-style sandwiches, and the cocktail menu is an adorable little booklet filled with choices -- sized to drink individually or in a group.  

Let's talk about the bread.  Frankly, I like almost all bread, but this was so delicious it was almost like a pastry in and of itself.  Hubby had the Cubanitos, which were also tasty.  For their quality, both were well-priced at $10.

Cienfuegos doesn't take reservations, but the area around Avenue A / 6th Street isn't hurting for cocktail lounges, so you could always stop by Mayahuel (named after a female *divinity*) or *Death* & Co. (both owned by the same folks behind CF) or *Angel's* Share if you can't make it into *heaven* on the first try.  Ah...I love a good cocktail and a good motif.

PS: The photo I posted is of the check, which is presented in an awesome Cuban cigar box!

Usually if Becca S. and I are chatting and someone says, "Let's meet for a drink at 7:30," it's safe to assume we mean cocktails and P.M.  But early one morning, while the sun was still fast asleep, we met for a taste of Tribeca's newest coffee shop, RBC.

RBC occupies a small storefront on Worth St., and is an interesting mix of old and new: tin ceilings and exposed brick vs. a clean, minimalist overall design.  But the big draw is definitely THE SLAYER.  No, we're not talking torture instruments.  The Slayer is to coffee what the Kold Draft is to cocktails -- as in, you know a place is serious if they've made this kind of investment in equipment.  

Upon arrival, my sleepy self had no clue what to get.  Fortunately, bar manager Cora (formerly of the Mercury Dime) served up a sweet specialty espresso shot (see picture), while Becs dove into her Americano.  I welcomed the caffeine /sugar rush, and took extra comfort knowing they serve fair trade selections and strive to be environmentally-friendly.  We also sampled an array of rich pastries (standouts included the chive bacon, as well as the carrot muffin).

Downtown coffee geeks, welcome home.  With the Slayer involved, you're sure to have a killer cup every time.

P.S. RBC is on Twitter: @RBCNYC

We're lucky to be living through an amazing Renaissance in cocktail culture, and with a flurry of new drinking dens, it seems only appropriate to once again acknowledge an institution at the heart of this most welcome revival.

Upon entrance, guests are warmly greeted and seated at reserved tables.  From there, servers provide guidance based on the "verbal menu,"  taking cues or making recommendations based on each person's preferences.  The Penicillin, Archangel, and the many variations of the Manhattan are among my favorite modern classics available on Eldridge Street.  This year, I hear complimentary small plates will be served in between tasty rounds.  

The reservations system and policies have been tweaked over time and aren't without their share of criticism.  No place is perfect, and the experience may not be for everyone, but everything and every employee is there to help the bar maintain itself as a peaceful, quiet place that won't disturb neighbors, as well as a tucked away oasis for anyone who appreciates quality cocktails in an intimate, non-rushed setting.  

If this sounds up your alley, and you have the good fortune to get in, savor every sip.  Cheers to Milk and Honey at the outset of its 10th anniversary.  Here's to many, many more.

D.C, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

1)You are my hometown (I grew up nearby and went to high school in N.W.).  
2)Most of your museums are free!  Love seeing our tax dollars at work.
3)Your Metro system is very clean and you have fun, flashing lights that indicate when a train is coming.
4)You now have a few very solid cocktail destinations!

I'm willing to overlook your insanely engineered traffic circles, the fact your bars shut down super-early and I'll even forget for a moment the iffy standards of dress / hairstyles sported by some of your Fed. government employees.  It's official: P.O.V lives up to the hype.

Yes, a big part of the draw is the view.  And it is THE view in D.C.  From the outdoor lounge, you'll gaze into the White House lawn and inside, you're smack dab in front of the Washington Monument.  So beautiful at sunset and also after dark.

But you don't get four stars from me on looks alone.  P.O.V. manages to combine the swank factor of the newly restored W hotel with the Petraske method of perfect cocktail preparation (executed onsite by Justin Guthrie, formerly of Central).  That said, the standard may not be the same inside and outside.  You'll see soda guns at work on the terrace, though we also enjoyed scrumptious hot fall cocktails (both the Peanut Buttered Rum and the Hot Pear Cider were spot-on).  There were even some eggs behind the bar.  Just expect occasional crowds and guys nearby shouting orders for Vodka Red Bulls.

Inside's where the real magic happens.  Dutch Kills-esque ice blocks on display underscore that they're serious about chilling your sips just as they should be.  Prices are steep for the offerings ($15) but they come with that breathtaking view, and you've got to consider supply and demand -15th street in D.C. isn't exactly NYC's LES in terms cocktail dens.  

And the drinks deliver.  As we hoped, their Dark and Stormy was excellent, fresh and just what you'd expect from an NYC Sasha joint.  The servers also hit the mark with their versions of classics like the Presbyterian, Bijou, Tombstone and the Gold Rush (a modern classic).  Feel free to go off-menu -- they can handle it.

Service was awesome all night long -- when my brother spilled his drink all over the bar, another one arrived moments later. But make a reservation!  It'll ensure that you're whisked away, as opposed to being stuck elbowing  past congressional aides or tourists to get the hostess's attention.  Sure, the crowd can be mixed at hotel bars, but consider the big picture.  You're sitting pretty with an awesome drink atop the nation's capitol. Overall, I think the yeas have it -- when weighing D.C. nightlife options., P.O.V. gets my vote!

It's great to see Union Square get another spot that serves rockin' cocktails, and this one has a unique all-American twist (lots of Bulliet, Rittenhouse, Buffalo Trace, Lairds, Tito's, etc.): http://www.ryehousenyc....   I don't know about you, but I feel pretty darn patriotic sipping spirits when I know they were born in the U.S.A.

We stopped in the Friday of their opening week and the bar was swamped, but since we were eating, we were seated within moments.  Service was incredibly attentive all evening, almost to a fault (I would like to enjoy every last sip of my Appleseed Cobbler, so stop trying to steal it, polite bus boy)!  But I certainly appreciate a quickly-filled water glass and frequent check-ins, so as long as you keep your hands close to your cocktails, you'll be A-OK.

Oh and that Appleseed Cobbler (Bourbon, Lairds, cinnamon bark syrup and fresh apples) was delish and packed a punch.  Definitely a good way to warm up on a chilly night.  Hubby had the Orange Blossom Special, with rye, orange flower water, lemon, egg white and club soda.  Sort of like a brown booze Ramos Fizz, and incredibly tasty.

For food, we split the buffalo shortbreads.  The concept is fun, but in execution, they were small in portion and a bit underwhelming.  Unlike the "drunken mussels" -- they're an appy but I ordered them as my entree and was glad I did.  I got an almost bottomless bowl of fresh little suckers all sauced up in lemon juice, butter, wheat beer and tarragon -- and could have sworn I tasted fennel, too.  Hubby had the Pittsburgh sammy, a toasted monstrosity of sausage, coleslaw and french fries (yes, in the sandwich).  YUM.  If you're hungry, this is will hit the spot without making a big dent in your wallet (it's only 10 bucks)!

Ryehouse also has a beautiful, dark wood vibe going, but be advised that most of the seating is picnic style, so if you're not into communal dining, give them a buzz early and request one of the booths.

I look forward to going back when things (hopefully) settle down in the bar area to sample more of the cocktail list.  Three cheers for the red white and booze! :-)

It was after our second round of JD shots that I turned to Becca and whispered, "Our mission's been compromised."  

By "mission," I meant NOT being outed as wannabe cocktail connoisseurs / amateur critics, and yeah, our cover was officially blown (thanks to the odd guy with whom we'd struck up a casual conversation re: reviewing cocktail bars, who then gestured our way and loudly asked the bar staff, "Do you KNOW who you're dealing with?!"  :-)  I'd be lying if I said I was really that embarrassed.  Fortunately, if by "mission," you mean getting several rounds of free drinks...well, we'd only just begun!

Arriving around 9 on a Monday, EO was bustling on with a mix of regulars, fashion-types and suits, all clamoring for bar seats.  With good reason -- the drinks are slammin' and the staff super nice (hi, Dev! :-) In addition to drinks, we sampled (and I mean stuffed ourselves) with some "bone marrow poppers" and steak tartar.  Oh, how I love fancy food for carnivores, and the guys prepare the tartar before your very eyes, so your salivation gland goes into overdrive.  Back to the sweet staff -- these gents loved dishing with us about their favorite drinks, ingredients, syrups, etc.  My second favorite booze-related activity is talking about it, so this was all good.

With our newfound camaraderie established and reviewer roles outed, more and more drinks began coming our way.  "Try this one...oh wait...now try it with gin instead!"  After a few more rounds, rational thought made one valiant last effort to prevail and we decided to bow out with livers intact...until we were stopped by a shot of JD...and then another!  Of course, the steak bone's connected to the bourbon bone, so we were obliged to partake before stumbling home.

And now, your mission, should you choose to accept it:

1. (Background info.)  Remember, Yelp is not the NYTimes and it's ok to sacrifice one's editorial integrity in the name of free bourbon.
2. When given the chance, ALWAYS sit at the bar (this applies almost everywhere in NYC).
3. Go to EO, get some cocktails (may I recommend the Blood and Smoke), and lap up every bite of the tartar.  

This review will self-destruct in five seconds.

Preface: The hair gods were smiling on me, so I got everything below for free.  I had the opportunity to step in as a "hair model" for an Arrojo class for visiting hairdressers, taught by Nick and some of his team.  

I knew that I'd need to be open-minded in terms letting Nick demonstrate the cut he wanted to for the class.  Bring it on!  I've always been a hair chameleon and hello: Nick's a visionary.  Aside from his work as a TV personality, he's built a thriving empire in the midst of challenging times -- including a studio, a full range of products, comprehensive education / cosmetology programs and presence on social media channels.  In other words, he can get his hands on my hair anytime!  Of course, you probably also know that KRey's nothing if not a pushover for bearded, flirty, foreign men in the service industry, so I was done before I stepped in the doors ;-)

I digress...I went in twice the week ahead of my cut.  First up was a consultation with Nick (to give him a sense of what my hair's like, as opposed to a normal consult in which he'd assess what the client wanted).  Next, I was booked for complimentary highlights with Ashley.  She's technically a "stylist" (relatively junior in their food chain), but Nick trusts her and it's clear why.  Ashley was precise, personable and artful.  She took her time, sectioned my hair and removed the foils / shampooed my tresses at different times as she felt they were finished, as opposed to all at once.  Highlights and a blow dry with her are approx. $115 (pre-tip).  Not "cheap," but I'd say she's a great value considering their new hires are selected from an intense (22 month!) training program.  So Ashley spent more time in Nick's school than my husband did getting his master's..I'd say she's well-qualified :-)

Finally, the day came for the big cut.  It was quite an experience to be seated in front of a few dozen professionals who'd come to watch Nick & co. do their thing.  I saw several innovative / edgy cuts and styles demonstrated.  Most of the talk was way beyond my level of comprehension, but I've had fun showing off  my "undercut," bang-a-liscious bob (complete with super-short, hidden pieces under longer ones to eliminate bulk and help hair to move better).  

Even though they didn't owe me a thing, after my hair was styled in a fashion-forward way (read: not appropriate for everyday life) Nick personally offered to flat-iron it during the class break so I could leave with a more wearable style I'd be confident showing off.  A man who commands $500-a-cut took the time to make sure I (Ms.-wasn't-giving-them-a-dime) was pleased!

Obviously, I'm now predisposed to drink the Kool-Aid, but I eyed their clientele during my three visits and saw one contemporary, creative style walk out after another.  And although you'll see lots of tattoos, tight jeans, piercings and "out-there" looks from the staff, everyone was down-to-earth and client-focused.  If you can book a cut with Nick, go for it, but otherwise rest assured that everyone there is well-equipped to give your look an update and make you feel sensational.

Goodness, a second review update?!

I only write it because I read the talk threads and I see many of you are looking for venues to host parties.  You all want:

*A private area for your friends
*A spot that doesn't require you to put down a deposit or fork over fees per hour
*A way to avoid all-you-can drink "deals" that rip off those who don't drink or can't stay long enough to get their money's worth...plus, your sophisticated circle is over the well / tap offerings that come with these "deals"
*A convenient location
*A place that allows you to bring your own snacks
*Somewhere with tasty cocktails (duh)!

Well, look no further than White Star.  If you can get 20 people, they'll give you the back two rooms (everything except the bar).  If you have over 30, they'll close the whole place for a few hours.  The latter is the way to go.  Ideally, of course, we could have used more than two bartenders, but my friends have never had problems cozying up to the bar and getting their fill.

I would also add a few feet to White Star's narrow hallway behind the bar, which might have prevented me from "stiletto-ing" another guest's poor foot as I flitted back and forth between rooms...oops!

On the plus side, WS provided a doorman about an hour in to stop outsiders from crashing, so we didn't have to kick the riff raff out ourselves ;-)  And if they were willing to pry away from the bar, there was plenty of room between the booths and the spacious back room banquettes for guests to mingle, chat, sit or snack.  

I love throwing parties at my own place, but I'm happier when someone else is pouring the drinks and happier still when the entire planning process is hassle- (and money-) free on my end.

In sum: finding that elusive, perfect party spot just got a lot easier, so create an occasion, assemble your entourage on Essex St...and please, stop asking about it on the threads ;-)