Anyone who spent time on the Bowery twenty years ago would barely recognize it today—boutique hotels, luxury condos, and restaurants galore. Peels is the latest edition to 2010's Bowery, occuping a bi-level space on the corner of East 2nd Street,... More

Having a good local bar is key, especially in a city like New York, where cramped quarters often make gathering en masse at someone's apartment impractical and uncomfortable. What makes a local particularly good? Proximity to one's home is essential,... More

Sometimes, just a tiny tweak to a classic gives it a little boost. Chestnut, on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens, has long been a favorite of mine on the food front, with a reasonably priced menu featuring seasonal food primarily... More

[Photograph: Laren Spirer] Upon first glance, Quarter Bar in Windsor Terrace looks very much like a brew pub, with artfully battered wooden tables and a somewhat rustic feel. But look closely, and you'll find a handful of wines being... More

[Photograph: Laren Spirer] Walking through the doors at Huckleberry Bar transports you from a fairly nondescript block in Williamsburg to a stylish yet comfortable cocktail den—more like something you'd expect to find in Carroll Gardens or the East Village.... More

"This is not Jamba Juice." Cucumber Cooler [Photograph: Laren Spirer] There are times in even the most dedicated cocktail lover's life when he or she abstains from alcohol. Maybe you're feeling under the weather, maybe you're on antibiotics, maybe you're... More

[Photograph: Laren Spirer] On a three-day summer weekend with the weather forecast predicting temperatures well into the 90's, a super-cold, super-icy drink sounds mighty appealing. My mind starts wandering to drinks made with crushed ice—juleps, swizzles—and also those fabulous... More

"The notion of a durian cocktail is quite daring, to say the least." [Photographs: Laren Spirer] I was recently at one of the Tuesday night tastings at Louis 649 learning about sake from experts Chris Johnson and Paul Tanguay. I... More

[Photograph: Laren Spirer] I will admit it—I've been afraid to go to Minetta Tavern since it opened. I yearned for their highly touted Black Label Burger but heard such ridiculous stories about how difficult it was to get in... More