Raleigh's Picks:
Tanuki Tavern
Location: 13th St. between 9th Avenue and Hudson St. in the Gansevoort Hotel
Cuisine: Asian-fusion, Sushi bar, Japanese Gastropub
Dress: Casual
Website: http://www.hotelgansevoort.com/restaurants-bars-lounges/index.cfm
Food: 4/5
Decor: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Price: $$
Recently opened in October of last year, this new Meatpacking District duplex offers Japanese gastropub grub and a retro-futuristic, hot-pink space complete with a bar area and upstairs seating. Tanuki Tavern boasts a wide array of cocktails, sake, and craft beers (try the Hitachino Nest White Ale) to pair with its extensive menu of snacks, small plates and sushi. My delicious order of tuna sliders (a set of savory mini tuna burgers), three sushi rolls, and two Hitachino’s went for under $30. The sushi is exceedingly fresh, their unique creations are delicious and their sometimes rare beer offerings are welcome to any microbrew lovers. All in all, Tanuki is a great late-night, post party pit stop and equally satisfying just for a quick bite.
Bar Boulud
Location: Broadway between 63rd and 64th Sts.
Cuisine: French (Bistro), Wine bar
Dress: Casual
Website: http://www.danielnyc.com/barboulud.html
Food: 4/5
Decor: 5/5
Service: 3/5
Price: $$$
The newest addition to Daniel Boulud’s restaurant empire, Bar Boulud is a little more casual and relaxing than some of his other establishments. It’s less than a block away from Lincoln Center, so go listen to the Philharmonic or see an opera, and finish off your cultured evening with the ever chic, but convivial and casual Bar Boulud. The delectable French bistro fare consists largely of an impressive variety of charcuterie and fantastic wines -- although they do offer some excellent craft beers (Ommegang “Three Philosophers” is a simply beautiful and delicious Belgian-style quadrupel). Don’t come expecting a heavy meal. Do come after a show for the lively scene, a delicious snack, and an excellent glass of wine or craft beer. I had the Pâté Grand-Père (a delicious coarse foie gras with truffle juice and port sauce), but there are many other choices on the menu including saucissons, jambon (the Spanish Serrano ham is excellent), and a variety of salads and soups. The main courses (mostly chicken or beef dishes) are underwhelming. Stick with small plates. Reserve early, because the place gets packed by 9:30.
Aku's Picks:
Cake Shop
Location: 152 Ludlow St, between Rivington and Stanton
Cuisine: Coffee, pastries, draft and bottled beer
Dress: Casual
Website: http://cake-shop.com/
Food: 3/5
Decor: 3/5
Music: 4/5
Price: $
If you’d like to see a concert but can’t deal with crowds, Cake Shop is always a great bet. This small, comfortable space on the Lower East Side is part bar and café, part record shop, and part DIY concert venue. The upper level is exceptionally cozy—I’ve always loved crashing on the long couches in the back and noshing on vegan cupcakes and other baked goods. Most nights, you can also head into the basement to catch a show. This is a great place to see up-and-coming bands before they start playing bigger venues around the city. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart “opened” for one of my friends’ bands here a few years back, and any number of future rock stars—some expected, some totally unpredictable—have paid their dues in this space as well. This weekend, check out the free record release party for garage/surf-rock band The Soft Pack.
Film Forum
Location: 209 West Houston Street, between 6th Ave and Varick
Food Options: Popcorn, pastries, fountain soda
Dress: Casual
Website: http://www.filmforum.org
Decor: 3/5
Film Selection: 5/5
Celebrity-Spotting Potential: 5/5
Price: $ - $$
If an indie rock show is still too much social interaction for you, Film Forum is a lovely place to escape from the rest of the city. Founded in 1970, Film Forum is the best place to check out classic cinema, new documentaries, and avant-garde work. It’s also, as the owners like to brag, home of “the best popcorn in New York.” Right now Film Forum is celebrating the centennial of legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa (Rashomon, The Seven Samurai) with a six-week festival of his work. This weekend’s pick is Ran (1985), one of his most visually and emotionally stunning films. If you know nothing about film, this is the perfect place to start; if you’re a cinema junkie, it’s the place to see and be seen.
-Raleigh Allison '11 and Aku Ammah-Tagoe '11
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