Reviewed Restaurants

Restaurants approved by the CannyCandi standards.

New York’s Tastes and Tunes

| Canny Candi

There’s something about live music at mealtime that enhances the dinning experience. It’s refreshing to be greeted by a rousing brass band, stellar guitar solo, or the smooth stylings of an incredible vocalist. Regardless of genre, live performances tend to draw  great crowds. Plus, when you throw great food and drink into the mix, a great time is to be had!

Restaurateurs have definitely been bitten by the “live tunes” bug. It’s no longer a new trend, more like a mainstay in many locations. Bars, lounges, supper clubs, and other dines have regularly scheduled performers during service. Since I love to indulge in great tastes and music, here are a few of my favorite places for both!

The Darby

244 West 14th St.

212-242-4411

Iron Chef Alexandra (Alex) Gaurneschelli is the culinary force behind the wildly popular speakeasy, The Darby. Reviving the illustrious 1920s, this sexy, intimate, and beautifully decorated dine transports diners into the yesteryear prohibition’s thrilling rebellious swagger. With plush cranberry and dark redwood accents, opulent chandeliers and a raised center stage highlighting The Darby Band – an exquisite five person jazz band with vocalist- this NYC dinner destination is well worth the hype. And since I’m all about food, the dishes are as spectacular as the band. Plates such as perfectly grilled octopus with a bacon and red wine dressing adorned with pickled jalapeno peppers, seared Colorado rack of lamb with roasted potato cake, green olives and fresh mint and a wide raw bar selection as well as caviar service (with Beluga Noble Russian Vodka!) are well worth a splurge as Iron Chef Gaurneschelli guarantees guests are dazzled by the selections and entertainment!

Tosh’s Living Room

9 West 26th St.

212-839-8000

Toshi’s Living Room, a part of the Flat Iron Hotel, is a fun, trendy spot for live music chasers. With whimsical, colorful furniture, guests are invited to relax or dance the night away to the tunes of rock, jazz, pop, or whatever’s on the nightly music menu. The fishbowl setting with its spacious front stage is the perfect backdrop for live entertainment. Click here for my full review of this rockin’ living room.

The Garage

99 7th Avenue

212-645-0600

Set in the heart of the West Village, stands a jazz haven pumping out original and iconic arrangements like Take Five by the late Dave Brubeck. Thoughtfully named The Garage, this jazz café is popular among the locals. Its raised stage spotlights local artists and bands playing classics by such legends as Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong. Portraits of many musical all-stars are displayed on the walls along with abstract designed car parts (playing into the name of the café). Weekend brunch is the best time to visit as there is a delicious prefix menu ($17) ranging from creative egg benedict dishes such as the Crab and Lobster Benedict smothered in a turmeric hollandaise sauce or the Surf and Turf with filet mignon and Main lobster covered in a smooth béarnaise sauce, to a delicious Belgium waffle with a choice of homemade macadamia coconut rum butter and freshly made chocolate sauce or a cinnamon apple compote. The Jazz Brunch also offers unlimited Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and Screwdrivers for an additional $6. Can’t beat that!

These are just a few tasty, tune-centric haunts NYC has to offer. My list is continually growing. Check back for more soon!

Favorite Long Island Neighborhood Bars/ Lounges

| Canny Candi

“Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.”

– “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” Lyrics by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

Do the lyrics above sound familiar? It’s the opening to the hit show, Cheers. Who knew that the simple idea of frequenting a local bar would become an insanely popular sitcom? Well, it’s something we’ve been doing for the longest – visiting our favorite spots, ordering “the usual,” and a brew or two. We even catch up on the week’s news be it last night’s game or the front page of the Times. And the thing is, we can’t get enough of our favorite bars. The thought of visiting instantly perks us up and we think about the good times and dishes there. So, in that spirit, I’ve decided to feature some of my favorite local bars and grills on the island. No mater the day or time, good times and good eatin’ are always on the menu…

Croxley’s Ale House and Eatery

(Multiple locations

www.croxley.com)

Whether you’re looking for a hearty bite or rearing to go for game night, Croxley’s Ale House & Eatery’s got you covered. The ale house brews its own beers and has a wide array of national and international selections. With 60 on tap ranging from light to dark lager, angry ales to beer cocktails, Croxley’s is sure to engage the “brew-curious” and brew enthusiasts’ pallets. And for a limited time, there’s a seasonal Croxley’s Pumpkin Ale served with a cinnamon sugar rim. I may not be a “brew guru”, but I’m a “food guru” and their eats are not to be missed! The savory menu has American and English pub classics such as crispy fish and chips, stand out burgers such as the Ale House Burger with bacon, glazed with an addictive 1,000 Island dressing sauce.

But my favorite fare there arethe finger lickin’, 5 napkin needin’ wings! Fried to fall-off-the-bone perfection, the chicken is doused in your choice of mild, medium, hot or BBQ sauces – all of which are tangy and tempts diners to lick the plate. Not into sauces? No problem. The wings are served plain as well. Served in groups of 10, you can literally feast on them all day long.

Best of all Monday – Wednesday the wings are $.10 and unlimited. Ready for more? Thursdays, the $.10 wings go boneless and Saturdays and Sundays the wings are $.20. Still that can hardly be beat. Wings and beer go hand-in-hand when it comes to football. Croxley’s a is great spot to watch fights or the game but get there early, by kick-off, it’s packed and for good reason too!

Meal:

20 wings : $2.00

Glass of Angry Orchard Cider: $6.00

Total: $8.00

Other tidbits:

  • Multiple locations:
  • Long Island: Franklin Square,* Rockville Centre, Farmingdale, and Smithtown
  • NYC: Brooklyn, Manhattan
  • Multiple huge flat screens
  • Follow on Facebook and Twitter (@Croxley_FS) for news and events

* Location reviewed by Canny Candi

Shakers

(267 Mineola Blvd.

516-294-0445

www.shakersny.com)

We’ve all done it while driving. No, not texting. (Shame on you!) I mean, noticed a new restaurant on a street we always travel and say “hmm,… I should try that one day.” Well, that happened to me recently. On a residential corner in Mineola, sits a rompin’ good time within four walls. Applebee’s, known as your neighborhood grill, has nothin’ on Shakers. This no fuss, true neighborhood hangout spot lets the guests set the mood with a decked out touch screen jukebox, and serves up fresh, flavorful bar bites all day long. Locally sourced, the food is delivered daily and is never frozen offering a truly fulfilling made to order experience for diners. All of the selections looked delicious. It was hard to decide, but I ordered a flawless Long Island Ice Tea, and Chicken on a Stick, three Panko crusted breasts on skewers and a side of perfectly golden French fries. What really won me over was the chipotle mayo served as a dipping sauce.

It was just enough spice to add some south of the border zest to the whimsy chicken dish. Next time, I can’t wait to taste their finger lickin’ Colossal Wings or their Frito Pie!

This hidden jewel’s popularity has grown in the short six months it’s been in Mineloa. That’s not surprising because it has so much to offer: a legendary Level 15 Wing eating challenge, guests can play “bar tender” on Sunday’s with the Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar, live music on the weekends and Way Back Wednesday (a weekly blast from the past with a themed menu and stellar prices based on the decade, i.e. 80’s night). And no local joint could proudly hold the label of “bar” without honoring footballs nights. Shakers offers $5 Football meal deals and drinks specials every Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday game nights. It’s so easy to order a round of beer and wings, watch the game and root for your team without breaking your budget. If you’re looking for a low-key place to unwind from a busy day or somewhere to catch up with friends, Shakers is your place.

Meal: $15.00

Other tidbits:

  • Daily happy hour: 3pm – 7pm
  • Outdoor seating
  • Like on FB (site listed above) and follow on Twitter for promos and event news (@ShakersMineola)
  • Free local delivery
  • Comfy leather seating in lounge
  • High top bar seating
  • Multiple huge flat screens

My May 5th!

Aside | | Canny Candi

So, Cino de Mayo has come and gone. Hope you seized the day for all it was worth! My NYC Mexican/Spanish food crawl was fantastic! First stop was Las Ramblas in the West Village. This quaint, rustic, cantina was the perfect spot to start the evening. Touted for serving traditional Spanish tapas, here are the highlights: ensalada costa brava (tomatoes, onions, roasted peppers, orange segments, & basil w/ raspberry vinegar – a great choice to prepare the palate for further fare), empanadas de pollo (chicken turnovers), savory chorizo con alubias (Spanish sausage w/ cannellini beans & onions) and brochetas de res (Grilled skewers of beef in a tempranillo wine reduction). All of this plus refreshing white peach sangria, brought tears to my eyes. I could have called it a night, but what sense did that make? I hadn’t had the expected margarita, and it was too early in the evening. So, after the first round of noshing, a friend and I did some sightseeing and walked 30 blocks to Penn Station (si, you read it right, THIRTY blocks). Meeting up with another friend, we all journeyed to the Murray Hill area for ‘ritas!

Second stop on the crawl was at Tavern on Third for a classic margarita. Although, the restaurant was not a typical fiesta hang-out, it served up a mean margarita. Strong and ice cold with a wedge of lime – just what we needed to kick off the fun. Afterward, we stumbled, (literally) upon a hole-in-the-wall, La Palapa (3rd Ave. bwn 26 st& 27th st), next to the tavern. There, housed absolutely authentic tacos and burritos bursting at the seams with a choice of juicy grilled chicken, pork, or beef, rice, beans and cheese. Knowing we were only snacking, instead of devouring, we each ordered a $2 soft taco. The best of our choices was the chorizo: finely ground and full of flavor with a pleasant balance between salty and the spicy peppers.

ImageThe last stop was Rodeo Bar and Grill I wouldn’t have been surprised if there was an actual rodeo going on there. With live music in the main bar area and celebrations all around we picked a great party spot. Being the nacho aficionado that I am, I dove head-first into the Nacho Grande Platter (pictured right). Each tortilla was beautifully decorated with chicken and black beans, covered by a blanket of magnificently melted cheese. And it got better with pico de gallo scattered on top. Somehow, I have developed a dangerous taste for empanadas (and so have my friends) so it was obvious that we’d have a side of those. Golden brown, fried to perfection, filled with diced red peppers and pollo mixed with Mexican spices, these bite size treats stood no chance. Both dishes were excellent. For this last leg of the trip, we washed everything down with agave’s favorite cocktail – frozen margaritas! (Naturally.) Our flavors of choice were Pomegranate and Mango…

Happiness.

Meatballs All Around! – The Meatball Shop Review

| Canny Candi

www.themeatballshop.com

<img alt=”The Meatball Shop on Urbanspoon” src=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1507734/biglink.gif” style=”border:none;padding:0px;width:200px;height:146px” />

Ever think meatballs could be all the rage? Neither did I until I stumbled upon the bustling Meatball Shop. Intended as a favored stop for Lower East Side bar seekers, the Italian restaurant is known for its hearty spheres, complimentary sauces, and relaxed vibe. The menu is modest yet full of choices. First, hungry patrons choose from five types of meat balls: Chicken, Beef, Spicy Pork, Vegetable, or the Special: in addition to the consistent fare, there is a daily unique offering of selections. From there diners may choose a sauce whether is it Parmesan Cream, Pesto or one of their other three selections. At this point it’s all for the taking. How would you like your entrée served? Would you like to have them as sliders, heroes, or a smash sandwich – two meatballs “smashed” on a toasted brioche bun. All sandwiches are served with your choice of mozzarella or provolone cheese, a sauce and a side salad. Hungry for more choices? Here comes a curve “ball”- Everything but the Kitchen Sink – a dish of your choice of meatball, a sauce, a side salad and mystery side of fresh vegetables. It’s a mystery because the chef chooses which vegetable to serve as the plate is being made. It’s a dish of true inspiration. If you’re feeling frisky, add an order of The Family Jewels on top of your sauce main dish – a cheeky choice of a fried egg.

One of the most appealing elements of the dining experience is the ordering process. Guests can write on the menu, seriously! The laminated bill of fare, accompanied by markers, allows you mark off your food selections for ease and convenience.

The day I visited, the special was Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with a Blue Cheese Sauce. Although tempting, as a novice to the meatball fan club, I learned that you could never go wrong with ordering a Smash. My “smashingly” delicious sandwich consisted of a Spicy Pork meatball covered in Classic Tomato Sauce with melted mozzarella cheese. The side salad was a beautiful surprise of arugula greens, fresh apple slices, chives, and a light ‘n sweet vinaigrette dressing which nicely complimented the spicy pork. I enjoyed the peppered pork, but it could have withstood a stronger punch. Portions are not for a glutton, but “just enough.”

Spicy Pork Smash w/ Salad

There was a healthy selection of beverages, which included that day’s special: Honey Rosemary Lemonade.  This was surprisingly brilliant! A refreshing lemonade with an even balance between the honey, rosemary, and lemon with an essence of ginger.

Banana Icecream Sandwich with Gingersnap Cookies

I had to complete my meal with dessert (going the extra distance for my readers) by ordering an ice cream sandwich. I choose the day’s ice cream special, which was Banana, and then selected Ginger Snap Cookies as the outer layers of the sandwich. My goodness… it was nirvana in my mouth! The cookies were right at the goodness point – slightly firm on the outside and soft in the middle. The homemade banana ice cream’s ingredients reminded me of apple pie with bananas. Simply wonderful!

The Meatball Shop is extremely affordable. Nothing on the menu was over $10. What a find!

As a neighborhood favorite, which does not take itself too seriously, The Meatball Shop, is a keeper. Its décor is a great juxtaposition between a humbled dinning room with walls lined with old black and white family portraits and country style furniture, and the more modern effect of low sleek lighting, bo-ho chic staff, and the focal point of the modern wine display. There’s even a sizable chalkboard listing the daily wine specials.

Service is efficient, yet there is often a wait for a table. Reservations are not taken, but if you are willing to wait, you will not be disappointed.

There are plenty of balls of meat to go around! The Meatball Shop serves in three locations:

  1. Lower East Side – *84 Stanton St., 212-982-8895
  2. West Village – 64 Greenwich Ave., 212-982-7815
  3. Williamsburg, Brooklyn – 170 Bedford Ave., 718-551-0520

Budget Break Down:

Entrée: $ 8

Drink: $ 3 (non-special drinks are a lesser charge)

Dessert: $ 5

Total w/ tax and tip: $17.50

Other Tidbits:

  • Draws a crowd – typical wait time is 25 minutes depending on time and day
  • Vegetarian friendly
  • Community style seating
  • Take Out available
  • Open late night
  • Payment Accepted: Cash, Visa, Master Card, and American Express

* The Lower East Side location was reviewed by Canny Candi.

I’ve Gone Loca for San Loco!

| Canny Candi

While walking in the East Village, my friend Rebecca and I stumbled upon a neon lit sign at the entrance of San Loco, a Mexican comensal (Spanish for eatery). All we could tell from the outside was that it was a local hang out and crowded, which is a good sign. With curiosity and empty tummies, we ventured inside. The aroma of chilli, chipotle, and fresh fried tortillas overtook us. We were greeted by a poster sized menu which offered selections from chips and dips, to various taco creations, bountiful burritos, quesadillas and newly added enchilada options. It seriously took a full ten minutes for us to decide our orders. Finally, I decided to have the Burrito Grande which included: rice, beans, shredded cheddar, diced onions, pico de gallo, with chipotle chicken, and a mild sauce.

Rebecca ordered the burrito as well, but chose beef. To my surprise, she also included Black Bean & Toasted Corn Salsa with Tortilla Chips, and…Sangria! We feasted like queens.

111 Stanton Street (btwn Ludlow and Essex)

We started with the black bean & corn salsa. The pure tasteful ingredients were bright, reflecting the traditional flavors in salsa. The corn was a vibrant yellow accented with cilantro. In my opinion, pico de gallo was the star, as I am a pico fan.  And what is better than Sangria to top off our appetizer? Nothing (aside from a Margarita). Our luscious libation was wonderfully fruity, garnished  with sliced oranges and diced apples, yet kind of strong. Thankfully, we spent more than a hour chatting and eating, so we were able to wait out the affects. Our burritos arrived shortly after. Upon first bite, I could taste every ingredient – it was south of the border bliss. Bold flavors from the beans and rice married very well with the Chipotle Chicken. The B-B-Q sauce for the chicken was the highlight of the dish! Of course, it was a secret recipe, but that secret will keep me coming back for more! This meal was completely filling.

Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salsa
Sangria (Pint)

Ambiance: The music was very eclectic. When we arrived, industrial/ techno music was playing. By the time we left, today’s hits, and even 80’s music had been on the play list. The decor was modest. The white walls housed the menu and there were couches as a dinning/ waiting area for guests. Multiple navy blue and yellow mosaic tiled tables filled the dinning room. The tables were small, so if you order many items, I hope you know how to consolidate!   Although, the furnishings are little, all the attention is funneled into the food. (Can’t complain about that 🙂 )

‘San’ means ‘saint’ in Spanish . The restaurant is appropriately named because I feel San Loco has come to us by heavenly design. Its presence is manifested throughout four locations:

1) Williamsburg, Brooklyn – 160 N. 4th Street (btwn Bedford & Driggs),718-218-8479

2) LES – 124 2nd Avenue (btwn 7th and St. Marks Streets), 212-260-7948

3) LES – 151 Avenue A (btwn 9th and 10th Streets) – 212-982-5653

4) LES – 111 Stanton Street (btwn Ludlow & Essex) – 212-253-7580

Budget Break Down:

  • Burrito and Soda: $10.75
  • Sangria: $3.25 (half price since it was split with a friend)
  • Total w/ tax: $14.00

Other Tidbits:

  • Vegetarian friendly
  • Gets crowded quickly, but a great place to grab a quick bite or catch up with friends
  • Take Out is available
  • All locations have Happy Hour Monday – Friday
  • Williamsburg location has a sports bar theme
  • Payment accepted: Cash, Visa, Master Card, and Discover

* LES – Lower East Side