Tuesday, September 14th, 2010—Bar 247

Day 242—Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
Sophie’s
The PayPal donation bell has rung again and it’s a donation from Ryan Borho who joined me on the bar crawl about a month ago, check it out here: Bar 225 with Ryan. Well, Ryan sent in a generous 30 dollar donation and said he had a good time at McAleer’s and wished me good luck with the remaining bars. Thanks so much Ryan and I hope you can join me again on the crawl.

Okay, the last couple nights we’ve been to a wine bar, an off Broadway play and a lobster bar, time to get back to the basics and hit a good old-fashioned dive bar. 365 commentator, Al Rizo wrote to me today and suggested Sophie’s bar in the East Village and like all of his suggestions, it’s golden. Sopphie’s is a classic neighborhood dive that’s been on this Lower East Side block since the mid-80’s. The bar is named after the original owner, Sophie Polny, a tough as nails Ukrainian woman. You can read about the bar’s history in this posting on Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York blog: Sophie’s on JVNY.

Here we are at Sophie's bar. There's no sign outside, but the neon in the windows tells me we're here.

Nice and dark inside, looks perfect.

And before I sit down, the lovely and friendly bartender Ama serves me up a pint of Yuengling.

And just as it's served Jason and Ama's husband David join the party. From left: Jason, Ama and David.

Here's a photo of actor Jeff Bridges playing guitar in the window of Sophie's.

And here's a vintage shot of the bar before Sophie took over the place.

Here's the beer selection and as you can see, you won't go broke buying a round in here.

A full shot of the bar in all its lit-up glory.

Here's Benno enjoying a beer at the bar. Benno says he's been coming here 365 days in a row with a zero added at the end. Translation: He's a regular here at Sophie's.

There's a well-worn pool table in the back of the bar.

Ama announces that it's time for pickle back shots for the night. Yeah, I didn't know what a pickle back shot was either.

You start out with Tito's Handmade Vodka, of course.

And then Ama pours pickle juice into smaller shot glasses and the bigger ones contain the vodka.

Then you drink the shot and follow it up with the pickle juice and it takes all the sting away from the shot. Pickle shots, a first on the bar crawl, cheers!

A shot of the bar from the other end.

There's tables opposite the bar and local artwork hangs on the walls.

Some of the art hanging on the wall at Sophie's.

Krystine and Eddie mugging it up at the end of the bar. They're great people and were very supportive of the 365 bar crawl idea.

And one more for the road. Cheers and goodnight, everybody!

Review
Like it’s sister bar, Mona’s, you’ll find no sign outside telling you you’re at Sophie’s, but if you find the bar, you’ll find one of the true Lower East Side dive bars in all its glory. Sophie’s bar has been on the block since the mid ‘80’s and thankfully little has changed inside the well-worn tavern. The bar is in the front with bric-a-brac tables and chairs opposite. There’s a pool table in the back and a jukebox featuring such varied artists as: The New York Dolls, Duke Ellington, Nick Lowe, The Ramones and Bo Diddley.

There’s six beers on tap for under three bucks a mug. Bottled beers can be had for between four and five bucks with selections including: Corona, Red Stripe, Sierra Nevada and Heineken. There’s also a full bar with inexpensive mixed drinks.

Sophie’s is a cozy, friendly, low-lit oasis on the Lower East Side that reminds you of better days gone by. Turn off your Crackberry and belly up to the bar for good times.

Sophie’s
507 E. 5th St. (Near Ave. A)
212-228-5680

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Bonus Photo
Want a baby, but don’t want the mess of having sloppy sex with someone and nine months of pregnancy to get one? No problem, Old Navy is selling them for five bucks a pop. It's a parade of cute! I got one and it was delicious. It tasted like chicken.

Monday, September 13, 2010—Bar 246

Day 246—Sunday, September 12th, 2010
Ed's Lobster Bar
It’s Sunday night and that means a Sunday dinner at a bar. And I’m hungry for a lobster roll, so that means a trip to Ed’s Lobster Bar. Plain and simple, like Clearsil to a pimple and we’re off.
And the lobster marks the spot, here we are at Ed's Lobster Bar. I'm hungry already!

Usually it's packed in here, but since it's a dreary-ass night outside and a Sunday, I've got my choice of seats at the bar. If you come during prime time, be prepared to wait for a seat.

And before you know it, Luis the friendly bartender appears with a perfectly poured Guinness. Which of course leads to...

The age-old "Wearin' of the Guinness" tradition.

A Raw Bar self-portrait.

Here's Nicole preparing some of the items for the raw bar. Nicole's a little camera-shy, so I appreciate her letting me take this behind the scenes photo.

Some of the tables opposite the bar.

Natalie is also working behind the bar tonight. Here she is with Luis.

The draft beer selections available at Ed's Lobster Bar.

They also have a nice selection of wine as you can see by this row of bottles over the bar.

Specials and market priced items are on the chalk board behind the bar.

Here's Pierre, who's a bartender at another bar. He may be making a return appearance here, stay tuned!

Luis and Nicole in action behind the bar.

And here we go, the food starts to arrive. I started out with the Lobster Bisque. It was creamy and tasty and lobsterific!

And Jean Baptiste arrives with the main course, the Lobster Roll, fries and pickles.

As good as this picture looks, it was twice as tasty. One of the best Sunday dinners so far!

I couldn't finish everything, so I had to leave the lettuce.

And at the end you get a little chocolate lobster. Perfect!

And a glance out the window before I exit to walk off dinner. Goodnight, everybody!

Review
Ed’s Lobster Bar is a long, narrow, shotgun styled restaurant with the centerpiece being the long white marble bar that runs from the door, all the way to the back kitchen area. The space is simple, white walls, a few pictures with a nautical theme and chalkboards displaying specials, drinks and menu items. The staff is friendly and happy to point newcomers to the lobster roll, the signature dish of the place.

Ed’s has a full bar with around six bottled beers and four drafts to choose from. There’s also specialty cocktails such as: a Blueberry Gin Gimlet; an Oyster Mary which is their take on a Bloody Mary with an oyster included in the mix; a Bloody Maria which is 901 Agave Tequila and their own bloody Mary mix and the Chili Flake Margarita which mixes 901 Agave Tequila, chili syrup and lime juice. I had one of these and it’s probably the best margarita I’ve had on this bar crawl so far.

The menu boasts an impressive raw bar with Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Little Neck Clams, Tuna Tartar and an Oyster Sampler. But hey, it’s Ed’s LOBSTER bar, you’re here for the lobster and there’s plenty to be had including: A Whole Steamed Or Grilled Lobster, Lobster Ravioli, Lobster Pot Pie and a Lobster Burger. If it’s your first time here, I highly recommend (and so does the staff) The Lobster Roll which comes on a fresh, soft, split bun and loaded with fresh lobster and it comes with crispy fresh cut french fries and Ed’s pickles.

And in the end you get a chocolate lobster!

Ed's Lobster Bar
222 Lafayette St. (Near Spring St.)
212-343-3236

Sunday, September 12th, 2010—Bar 245

Day 245—Saturday, September 11th, 2010
8th Street Winecellar
Okay, if you’re a regular follower of this blog, you’ll remember last Thursday I tried to go to a wine bar on 8th Street called, 8th Street Winecellar. The joint was packed and I ended up at a nearby bar called Affair On Eighth. I met a fellow named Jonathan Kravetz who told me he had written a play that was being performed nearby at the Manhattan Theatre Source and the play is entitled, “Better Lucky Than Smart.” Tonight’s the last night of the play and I decided to get a ticket and check it out. And I’ve also decided to try the 8th Street Winecellar again and see if it’s less packed in the early evening hours. And so it’s off we go for a night of drinking, eating (it’s cheeseburger Satruday night) and theater.

It's a nice day out and a lot of people are out and about including these slow-walkers, which I'm trying to get around. Hate the slow-walkers!

You talkin' to me?

Hats!

And here we are at the 8th Street Winecellar once again. Let's travel down the stairs and see if it's a little less crowded than it was on Thursday night.

Plenty of seats at the bar tonight. Let cheeseburger Saturday night begin!

Super-cute and friendly bartender Nikki serves up a Negra Modelo. Yeah, I'm drinking beer at a wine bar, you got a problem with that?

Nikki took a shot of me with the beer and flashing the 365 colors. Check out this jersey and other 365 products at the 365 Bar Store, maintained by resident artist, "Boris."

A long line of wine bottles are above the full bar.

There's a small seating nook opposite the bar.

Here's a mirror shot of the bar from the eating nook.

There's leather banquettes and tables in the back of the brick-walled bar.

Michael Jackson isn't the only man in the mirror.

In addition to an impressive wine list, there's a good selection of bottled beers to be had including Coopers Pale Ale which I didn't see on the menu. Forgive me, Brooksy!

Here's the front of the bar with a nice view of 8th Street.

Meanwhile back at the bar, Nikki's busy taking care of business.

But not too busy to serve up a couple of mini sliders with homemade potato salad.

The little burger is delicious and housed in a bakery-fresh bun. But I was still hungry so I ordered a plate of pigs in a blanket.

And the lovely Katy serves them up with a beautiful smile.

Mmmmm, spicy mustard!

And in the end...hats! Goodnight, everybody!

Review
8th Street Winecellar is a true underground bar. Walk down the stairs to the somewhat clandestine wine cellar and you’ll find an inviting bar with friendly bartenders and an inviting staff. It’s an attitude-free place, so if you’re not a grape-head, feel free to ask for suggestions from the massive wine list. The L-shaped bar seats over a half dozen and there’s tables and chairs in the front and back and a dining nook behind the bar. At night it’s dark and lit mainly by candles, making this a perfect spot for a first date or a place to celebrate an anniversary.

The wine list here is huge and wine is sold by the glass, half bottle or bottle. Many bottles here are under $35 so you won’t go broke while sampling. In addition to the wine, there’s a full bar with martinis and a good selection of bottled beers including: Negra Modelo, Bluepoint Lager, Coopers Pale Ale and Bitburger Pils.

The kitchen has such offerings as small plates of cheeses, meats and oysters or if you’re a little hungrier you can sample Cellar Sirloin Sliders, Pigs In A Blanket and three varieties of grilled panini.

The 8th Street Winecellar’s motto is, “Wincellar isn’t the place where you can drink yourself under the table because you’re already under the floor.” I’ll drink to that!

8th Street Winecellar
28 W. 8th St. (Near Fifth Ave.)
212-260-9463
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Bonus Photos

After the fine time at 8th Street Winecellar, I went to the play, “Better Lucky Than Smart.” at the nearby Manhattan Theatre Source and it was great. I was lucky to have met Jonathan on Thursday because this was closing night and I scored a ticket before the play got sold out for the evening. Here’s a few shots from my evening at the theater.

Playwright Jonathan Kravetz.

Here's the theatre.

Hey, it looks like they knew I was coming!

Here's the set of the play.

And the theatre is soon filled up. It's the final night of the play and luckily I purchased a ticket in advance.

And the play begins. It's a humorous play that centers around people who's lives get entwined because of greed and stupidity. It had a nice surprise ending.

The final bows from the talented cast on closing night.

Hats!