Sunday, May 16th, 2010—Bar 126

Day 126—Saturday, May 15th, 2010
Pata Negra (Originally headed for Terroir)
Okay, those of you that follow the 365 site know that I’m not a big fan of bars on Saturday night. I’ll go somwhere if there’s a band I want to see or something like that, but I consider Saturday night to be the New Year’s Eve of the week and I don’t want to deal with it. So usually I go out early, get a cheeseburger and avoid the mad crowds and drunks that Saturday night inherently brings. However, as I whined about...err...wrote about, last night, I had to work tonight. I’m just getting out and it’s after ten o’clock at night, prime time on a Saturday night. Well, I did a little Googling and found a little wine bar called Terroir in the East Village that seems like it might be a nice, relaxing place even on a Saturday night. I read that the place only seats around 20 at the bar, so how kooky could it get? We’ll find out soon!

Okay, here we are, shit it looks kind of crowded.

Fuck, it's packed not a seat at the bar to be had, time to move on...

...And start a lonely walk down 12th St.

Okay, let's check out this place, it's getting late and I have to work tomorrow.

Motherfucker, it's packed too. This is why I hate Saturday nights!

This looks like a cool little place, I wonder if there's a bar in there. Let's find out.

I see tables and what's that at the far end of the place?

Bingo bango, it's a bar and there's a spot to sit at. Woo hoo!

And one of the cutest bartenders in the world just happens to work here! Chris serves me up a delicious bottle of Estrella, a Spanish beer.

Peace, love and beer everybody, that's what it's all about.

Here's Gaspar, who works here and was enjoying a night off.

Gary was waiting for his party to arrive and poses at the bar with Chris.

Since Gary's party hadn't arrived, I utilized him as tonight's chief photographer to take this shot of myself and Mike and Vanessa. They had just finished dinner and were very supportive of the 365 Bar Crawl idea and fun conversationalists.

Here's a shot of the dining area.

And here's Lizzie and Blue about to enjoy some of the delicacies available at Pata Negra.

And here's the man responsible for the aforementioned delicacies, head chef Andres.

Here's Chris working her magic at the bar.

And Gary's party arrives as I'm getting ready to hit the road. Goodnight, everybody!

Review
Pata Negra is a little gem of a bar and restaurant in the East Village. The name refers to Spanish-cured ham and according to a New York magazine review, the owner likens the pork available their to “ham candy.” The place is comfortable and date-friendly with small candlelit tables lining one side and larger tables on the opposite side of the brick-walled space for parties of a half dozen to sit at. Spanish and flamenco music compliment the casual and cozy atmosphere. Those enough lucky to score the large window table at the front have an excellent view of 12th Avenue in the East Village.

The wine list is impressive and large and there’s also Sangria and a delicious Spanish bottled beer, Estrella. the menu features over a half dozen varieties of the Spanish ham, Jamon plus a large selection of cheeses and Tapas plates including: Tomato Toast, Shrimp with garlic, a trio of Morcilla, Criolla and Chorizo sausage and Wagyu Meatballs.

Pata Negra is closed on Monday, but stop by and enjoy the relaxing and laid back Spanish atmosphere, drink and food the other nights of the week.

Pata Negra
345 East 12th Street (Near First Ave.)
212-228-1696