March 22nd, 2010—Bar 71

Day 71—Sunday, March 21st
McFadden’s (Orginally headed for Calico Jack’s)

First off I want to thank Heather Weimer for this generous donation:

Total amount: $10.00 USD
Contributor: Heather Weimer

Thanks Heather, that was a nice surprise and a generous donation!

Another announcement I want to make is that soon we will have 365 Bar t-shirts available. Resident artist "Boris" has come up with this genius logo for the shirts, check it out:

Great work, "Boris!" I'll let everyone know when the shirts are available. And if you need artwork for your website, band CD, book cover or anything else, "Boris" is available for freelance work, just send me an email and I'll pass it along to "Boris."

Alright, it’s Sunday and I had to work on this supposed day of rest. But that’s okay as I can use the extra cash on the crawl. We haven’t been to a Mexican bar yet and I’m thirsty for a margarita or four and maybe some Mexican grub for my Sunday dinner. I found a place called Calico Jack’s via the wonderful Murph.guide.com that’s supposed to be good and it’s not that far from where I work. So I’m going to punch out and hoof it over there and you’re all welcome to join me. ¡Permítanos hit el camino, motherfuckers!

Here we are: Calico Jack's! I'm ready for a margarita, let's go inside.

Son of a fucking bitch! The door's locked! It's not open on Sunday's. Fuck! Oh well, when life hands you lemons, trade them in for grapefruit and improvise!

Luckily, right next door is McFadden's. They probably don't serve tacos, but I'm sure they have beer.

It's a nice bar and plenty of seats on this early Sunday evening.

And there's not one, but two super-cute and friendly bartenders to serve the beer up. Mary's on the left and Gia's on the right. I need to get behind the bar and get a picture with these two.

Luckily Dane was seated at the end of the bar and it turns out that in addtion to being a lawyer, he has a passion for photography, so he was happy to take the photo.

And here I am with Mary and Gia, thanks for the photo, Dane!

There's a large selection of beer available.

Here's just a few of the draft beers McFadden's has to offer.

And here's the lovely Scarlett who's a waitress at McFadden's.

Renée, Dane's beautiful wife joins the party. They were two fun people to hang out with and said they may join me on the crawl in the future.

Here's Mary in action, she's quick with a beer and a smile, a great bartender!

Josh and Jessie were holding down the other end of the bar and enjoying a few cocktails.

Scarlett and Gia pose in one of the large banquettes opposite the bar.

It's Sunday night and that means I'm having dinner in the bar. Tonight it's a cheeseburger and fries and it was delicious!

Condiments!

Fire! (I never get tired of this, but I'm sure everyone else is, sorry!)

Dane and Renée's dinner arrives as I'm getting ready to go. Looks great, doesn't it?

Thanks to Heather's generous donation I splurged and took a cab home. Thanks again Heather!

This was on the corner of the block. I took it as a sign to get home! Goodnight everybody!

Review

There’s an Irish oasis just a few blocks eastward from the Time’s Square commercial madness called McFadden’s. The bar is long and behind it are friendly and attractive bartenders who are quick with a drink and make you feel at home, even if it’s your first visit to the saloon. Driectly behind the bar are comfortable green leather banquettes and there’s a dining room and tables in the back if you’ve come for a proper dinner. DJ’s spin music some evening’s and weekends making for a fun and lively party atmosphere. There’s also several large HD TV’s to catch the weekend sporting events.

There’s nightly drink specials at McFadden’s and on Tuesday’s draft beers go for a dollar. Threre’s a full bar with a good selection of draft and bottled beers and a nice wine list. They also have a large menu with food ranging from standard pub grub like chicken wings, potato skins and chicken fingers to more exotic items like spicy jumbo shrimp teriyaki, cajun halibut and warm goat cheese and portobello. Bartender Mary recommends the cheeseburger and sweet potato fries. She told me they’re, “Really, really delicious and having sampled the cheeseburger, I wholeheartedly agree!

McFadden’s is a fun place and they’re open on Sunday’s! Take that Calico Jack’s!

McFadden’s
800 2nd Ave (@42nd St.)
212-986-1515

March 21st, 2010—Bar 70

Day 70—Saturday, March 20th
Kabooz's
First off let me wish 365 Bars commentator Zioum Zioum the Chainsaw a happy birthday! She's 25 today and let's all wish her a happy birthday! Zioum Zioum got this site some press in France at Le Post, check it out here: Le Post. Happy Birthday to you, Zioum Zioum!

Okay, today is not going to be so much about the bar as I’m off to a dinner party in Long Island. My friend, former co-worker and culinary chef supreme, Sam Wong is having a dinner party and I’m traveling out there today with my friends John and Luna. We’re leaving out of Penn Station, so I’m going early and we’ll scout out a bar there and then take the train to Long Island. So let’s go, I’ll need a few belts before heading into the land of suburbia and Sam Wong.

It's nice out today and getting warmer. Clothing is getting skimpier. Hello!

Here we are, Penn Station.

Down the stairs and into the station.

And here's a restaurant and bar. Perfect!

Kabooz's, let's check it out.

It looks like a nice, friendly place for a few pre-Long Island beers.

And bartender Joselito serves the first one up.

Cheers and peace...of pie!

Louis was enjoying a martini before heading back to Morristown, New Jersey.

Charlie was enjoying a draft beer before catching a train to Long Valley, New Jersey. He said he's available to do stand-in work for Paul Giamatti. Send me an email if you're out there and interested Paul.

Ray and Melissa stopped in for a cocktail before going to visit family in New Jersey.

Cynthia was the second bartender on duty. Second bartender, holy shitballs, I have to get going, I'm running late!

Here's Luna and John down at the tracks ready to make our way to Long Island.

All aboard!

Our train is on Track 15.

The train ride out to Long Island offers up beautiful scenery such as old buildings...

And more old buildings. Zzzzzzz.

Here's Sam, our host who picked us up at the train station.

Within minutes of arrival, the first two courses are served, bruschetta and clams. Both were tasty and delicious.

Here's a closeup of the clams which Sam prepared on the grill.

Here's grilled cornish game hens and asparagus. Most people would've called it a meal at this, but not Sam.

Next up was homemade French onion soup. It was hearty and tasty.

And here's the main course, the prime rib!

Sam starts to carve up this masterpiece of meat.

And it's the best prime rib I have ever had the pleasure of eating! Well done, Sam...well, it's rare, but well done! Thanks for the delicious dinner. (Note: Sam's wife Hilda and daughter were also present, but they were too shy for the camera, thanks for the fun dinner!)

And here we are on the return trip to Manhattan.

The beer and food have finally caught up with me. Goodnight everybody!

Review

Ditch T.G.I.F. and head here for your commuting drinks and munchies. Kabooz’s is a friendly place to throw back a belt or two before heading to Jersey or Long Island. The atmosphere in here is ever-changing due to the clientle’s train schedule, but the bartenders and waitstaff are a friendly crew. There’s  a large bar and plenty of tables and chairs to relax before you have to catch your train to wherever you’re heading.

Happy Hour is Monday through Friday and the beers are half priced. Among the beers to choose are: Budweiser, Rolling Rock, Beck’s and Grolsch. And if you need energy for your trip back to the burbs, food here includes: chicken wings, scallops, steak sandwich, nachos and pan-seared salmon. I didn’t need to eat because I was headed towards Sam Wong’s house for a delicious dinner. Read about it below.

Kabooz’s
2 Penn Plaza—Penn Station
212.760.0848

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Sam Wong

Sam is located in Long Island and is a master chef. Food is his passion and it shows when you sample his cooking. He’s a culinary wizard on both the outdoor grill and conventional oven indoors. Every summer he hosts a cookout that can’t be beat. He grills every dead animal known to man and it’s a scrumptious feast! The ribs are the highlight of that event, with chicken, steak, hot dogs and lobster coming in a close second. Tonight’s meal was fantastic. The first two appetizer courses were bruschetta  and clams. Both were tasty and prepared perfect. The second course was French onion soup and it was a meal unto itself with toasted bread, melted cheese and tasty onion broth making for a nice pallete cleanser. I was starting to get full, but next Sam presented grilled cornish game hens and asparagus. The hens were seasoned nicely and grilled to perfection and the asparagus was crunchy and tasty. Sam and Hilda’s three year old daughter Fiona had seconds of the asparagus for proof of how tasty the food was. How many three-year-old’s get seconds of vegetables? Finally the main course was served. Prime rib done Sam Wong style. He started it in the state of the art oven in his kitchen and finished it outside on his Weber grill. I’ve had lots of prime rib in my life and I can honestly say this was the most savory and tasty prime rib I’ve ever tasted. Delicious! If you’re in the Long Island area and want a party catered with delicious food, contact me and I’ll pass your request off to master chef, Sam Wong. Cheers!

March 20th, 2010—Bar 69

Day 69—Friday, March 19th
West 3rd Common (Originally scheduled for Pegu Club)
Last night at the great New Zealand themed bar Nelson Blue, Pauli, the owner and mixologist not only paid for a couple rounds for me and my new found friends at the bar, he gave me a giganzo list of bars to check out on my crawl. It seems Pauli knows every bartender in the city! One of the recommendations high on his list was a place called, Pegu Club in Soho. I read about them online and they are a bar that specializes in quality cocktails. I’ve mainly swilled beer on this bar crawl so far, so it’s time to broaden my palletes and head to Pegu Club. Thanks for the suggestion, Pauli! And away we go!

Here we are at the Pegu Club. This is Kimani the friendly door man. Unfortunately this is all I can show you about the club. i got upstairs and was told by management that I would have to send in an email to take photos in here. They were very nice, so I'm not going to throw one of my patented rage fits. I had a nice drink here and will send them an email soon asking permision to take photos and give them free publicity. Well, probably not as I've got better things to do, like watching water boil and paint dry and rubbing my earlobes.  Goodbye Pegu Club, I hardly knew ye but you serve a good drink. Now time to find another bar. It's improv time!

And so I begin my lonely walk towards Broadway.

And here we are on Broadway in search of a bar. Feets don't fail me now!

Here's 611 Broadway, the building where I got my first full time job in New York City at Sarabande Press. Hi Joe!

the House of Futons always makes me think of a movie Count Floyd would feature. Owoooooo!

Look, a bar! Huzzah! The West 3rd Common, let's check it out!

Marion the door man told me pictures can be taken here, so I started with a portrait of him. Thanks Marion, Pegu, Club take notes, this is called free publicity.

There's a nice crowd at the bar, but I spy one empty seat and grab it.

Super cute and friendly bartender Erica serves up an ice cold Yuengling. Erica's a photographer and you can check out her work here: Erica's Photography.

Here's the friendly owner Dan on the left with Onur and Dan's wife and designated stress reliever, Amy. Dan bought several rounds and I thank him for the hospitatlity! And he let me take photos!

Jonathan was seated next to me at the bar and told me he was a regular at the bar.

Owner Dan sprung for a shot for the lot! Cheers and thanks, Dan!

Some of the many drafts available at West 3rd Common.

It was Roman's first time in the bar and Jonathan sneaks into the photo.

Partying in one of the banquettes opposite the bar are (from left:) Emrah, Catherine, Cabiri and Onur. Check out Onur's website here: Gourmet Marketing.

Kaitlin and Brian were enjoying drinks and the fun atmosphere at the bar.

Seconds later Kaitlin is greeted by the bar's Executive Chef David Scott Walker.

There's a fun selection of board games available at the bar to play in the lounge area.

Which is exactly what this group is doing.

Enjoying a brisk game of Taboo are (from left:) Garth, Topanga, Salvador and Kristi.

Here's Ashley and Justin who were enjoying themselves at the bar.

Fire! (This never gets old for me, sorry!)

West 3rd Common owner Dan buys me a shot. Thanks for the shot, hospitality and letting me take pictures here, Dan!

Review

West 3rd Common is a perfect combination of a friendly neighborhood bar and a nice comfortable lounge all rolled into one friendly gastropub located near Washington Square Park and NYU. As you enter you’ll find a large comfortable bar, friendly bartenders and patrons, with red velvet banquettes opposite the bar. The back room is a sprawling brick walled lounge area with comfortable couches, chandelier lighting and tables and chairs. You’ll find customers enjoying the food and drink and playing some of the board games that are available at the bar. It’s an easy-going atmosphere here and fun is encouraged and appreciated.

West 3rd Common Ground has a Happy Hour which takes place Monday to Sunday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm where you can choose from three dollar drafts, four buck well drinks and wine, and five dollar Cosmos and Apple Martinis. There’s a large selection of draft and bottled beers available at the fully stocked bar. There’s food available here too and the menu includes: Fried Chicken, Chili Crusted Rib Eye, Chipotle Buffalo Wings and Crawfish Monica, an imported New Orleans favorite. The menu was designed by esteemed Executive Chef David Scott Walker.

West 3rd Common is a new bar, they just opened last December, but it feels like it’s been on the block for decades. A friendly staff and owner make first timers feel like instant regulars, and you can take pictures in here! Perfect!

West 3rd Common
1 W. 3rd St. (Between Broadway and Mercer)
212-529-2059