Monday, June 14th, 2010—Bar 155

Day 155—Sunday, June 13th, 2010
Le Barricou
Ding, ding, ding, the Paypal donation button is ringing on this early Monday morning. My pal and recent 365 guest star Kent “Bing” Davy sent in a generoud donation of 30 bucks with his stated purpose on the PayPal receipt being, “Take V and Eric out...” Send me their phone number Bing and I’ll see if they’ll join the crawl soon. Good to hear from you and thanks for the donation!

Okay, speaking of guest stars, legendary 365 commentator Zioum Zioum the Chanisaw is in town from Toulouse, France staying with her boyfriend Jason (who used to comment, but now ignores this site, sob!) and the two of them are going to meet me for tonight’s Sunday dinner. I told them to pick the place and Zioum Zioum picked a French Bistro by the name of Le Barricou in Williamsburg, to get a taste of some French food and drink.

Also to show how this bar crawl moves in circular motions, the night that the aforementioned Kent “Bing” Davy joined the bar crawl at the Temple Bar, I met a woman named Kelley and I brought up the subject of airport bars. She laughed and said I had to meet her friend she was waiting for. It turns out her friend is Alex Lyras who has written (along with Robert McCaskill) a one-man play about being stuck in an airport and one of the scenes in the play is in an airport bar. I met Alex and told him I’d go and today I’m going to go to the play. The name of the production is called, “The Common Air” and that’s where I’m off to now. Lights, camera...action!

The play is at the 45 Bleecker Theater.

Here's the entrance. Of course you can't take photos during the play, but let me tell you, this is a great play. I was a little leary of a one man play with one actor (Alex Lyras) playing all the characters. A tough thing to pull off, but he manages to do it and then some. The play really takes you on a journey, even though the bulk of it is about people stuck in JFK airport where flights are delayed due to some sort of terrorist threats. There's a recurring theme of self-reinvention and it's alternately hilarious and emotionally-charged on a number of levels. A riveting play with unique and interesting characters all expertly played out onstage by Alex Lyras. Inventive music and stage design as well. Check out "The Common Air," while you can. ***UPDATE: I just found out the play is only running for two more weeks, you should really go and check it out, it's well worth it!

And through the magic of the internet, here we are at Le Barricou in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Lights, camera...beer!

I came early to hang out at the bar before Jason and Zioum Zioum arrive for dinner.

Olga is the lovely bartender on duty and she promptly serves up a bottle of Duvel.

As you can see, the Bistro has a full bar with lots of specialty cocktails and a huge wine list.

Fromage!

There's dining tables opposite the bar.

With lots of wine overhead.

There's more tables and a dining area in the back. It's a quaint and charming bistro.

The kitchen area where the wonderful dishes for the evening are being prepared.

Back at the bar I met Shawn, who's a bartender at ABC Kitchen. He's working Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, Thursday for lunch. Mention 365 Bars and he'll charge you double! I'll have to crawl over there some night. Maybe next Saturday for a cheeseburger.

Lexi and Sharon posed by the cocktail menu at the bar.

And one more shot of the lovely Olga!

Here's Jason and Zioum Zioum! Time to start the dinner portion of the crawl, which is good, I'm starvin' like Marvin over here!

Lexi was our waitress and was fantastic and hospitable.

Zioum Zioum suggested we try the French drink, the Ricard, and here she is mixing them up.

À la votre!

I have to hand it to myself here.

After the drinks we checked out the back room, very nice and comfortable!

Wow, comfortable chairs, a couch and a wood-burning fireplace. I want to move in!

The piano and bookcases really add to the ambiance of the room.

And the food arrives!

I had the French Onion Soup and it was delicious.

Jason and I each had the pasta and seafood special of the evening and Zioum Zioum had the Moules Frites. I was so hungry I forgot to take photos, but here's the finished pasta special I inhaled. It was delicious and Zioum Zioum said it was true French dining prepared perfectily. And she should know.

And then Lexi brought us dessert on the house! Free creme brulee and homemade sorbets. A perfect ending to a great dinner and bar crawl. Merci! Le Berricou, thanks for great service, food, drinks and a wonderful evening! Goodnight everybody!

Review
Le Barricou is an inviting and comfortable French Country Bistro in East Williamsburg. There’s a generous and full bar in the front with dark wooden tables and chairs opposite and a full dining area in the back. The furthest back room features a comfortable wine lounge area with comfortable green leather stuffed chairs, a wood burning fireplace and bookcases stuffed with books, wine and bric-a-brac with a French accent. There’s outdoor tables and seating available in the front with a wonderful view of Williamsburg on the move. Sip on a glass of wine and watch the world go by.

The menu offers daily selections of cheeses and five offerings of Moules Frites. Some of the entrees include: Coq Au Vin, Steak Au Poivre, Macaroni Au Gratin and Vegetable Risotto. There’s a full bar with an extensive wine list. There’s bottled beers and beers on tap as well as specialty cocktails available. Le Barricou also features an Absinthe Drip for those adventurous enough to try it. Brunch is available on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.

Le Barricou got the stamp of approval from Zioum Zioum the Chainsaw, so you know it’s the real deal. Tres bon!

Le Barricou
533 Grand St. (Near Union St.)
718-782-7372

Sunday, June 13th, 2010—Bar 154

Day 154—Saturday, June 12th, 2010
Malachy's
Okay, it’s Saturday so that means it’s time for a cheeseburger at a bar. Al Rizo, one of the commentators here who resides in Miami suggested I try the cheeseburger at Malachy’s bar on the Upper West Side. Al’s last suggestion was the Dublin House where I had to sneak pictures because of a crabby bartender. Let’s hope today’s crawl is a little easier. There’s only one way to find out, let’s get crawling!

I was going to take the subway, but decided to splurge and hailed a cab. This guy was a good driver and really got me there fast, so it was a good decision.

I snapped this shot at a red light near Times Square. I think he wanted some money, I couldn't help him out, but since he had a damn fine lunch of a bucket of chicken, I didn't feel too guilty.

I got out of the cab at 72nd and Amsterdam to have an appetizer before we get to the bar.

The line's are always out the door, but it's worth the wait and soon you'll see what I'm talking about.

Getting closer!

This is what I'm talking about! A Gray's Papaya dog with extra mustard, a little slice of heaven in a bun.

On my way to Malachy's I look at a spot that used to house a family chicken joint where I used to always eat my Sunday dinner when I lived in the neighborhood. You could get a half a chicken, a drink and two sides for $4.95, which was great because I was on a tight budget when I first moved here. Now it's going to be a Trader Joe's. What a shame, I hate the Trader Joe's!

And here we are, Malachy's. I haven't been in here in over a dozen years, let's see if its changed at all.

Hasn't changed a bit and the local's don't seem to be camera shy in here.

I haven't even sat down and already captured a portrait of one of the locals, "Big Bry."

And here's the star of the show today, Dorian Yeager. Dorian's one of the best bartenders I've encountered on the crawl so far. She has great stories, is quick with a drink and a joke and she's also a writer. In addition to murder mystery novels, Dorian has written an hilarious anecdotal book called, " Life Is A B****...and then you get your period."

Copies are available at the bar and from Dorian's website: dorianyeagerland.com.

Dorian ran for President a few years ago and snagged 93 votes. Her campaign slogan was, "Dorian Yeager, You've Done Worse." Ha ha ha, how true!

Once the regulars saw my camera out, everyone wanted to pose with Dorian. Here she is with Dennis.

Megan was also working at the bar and here she is with Dorian.

Dorian's mom Ruth was at the end of the bar after attending a Met's game. I've met a lot of wonderful and pretty women on this bar crawl, but Ruth has to be at the top of the list. A friendly and wonderful woman and a pleasure to have met her.

Here's Ruth with Don, who was seated next to her at the bar.

Joe's a neighborhood regular who was enjoying a cold bottle of Budweiser.

Robert was drinking a Guinness, cheers, Robert!

There's some real nuts in this joint! (rimshot)

Here's Ali and her booze-loving dog, Jasper.

Dorian tried giving Jasper a treat, but Jasper had his eye's elsewhere.

Now that's a good doggie! Cheers, Japsper!

And now it's time for the grand event, the cheeseburger!

Dorian serves up the feast.

Goddman, Sam, it looks delicious, and you get all this for $4.75! Craziness!

Delicious!

Thanks to Dorian and everybody at Malachy's for such a wonderful evening! Goodnight everybody!

Review

You never know what you’re going to get on this bar crawl. Some nights are fun, some are challenging but some are almost magical. Tonight was one of the magical ones. Malachy’s is about as old school New York as you’re going to find. The bar is long and the space is narrow in the front with a few tables in the back. Black and white photos dot the walls and you’ll find a crowd here that is almost all local neighborhood regulars. I used to be part of this crowd when I lived in this neighborhood over a decade ago. I haven’t been back here since I moved downtown and wondered how I’d be treated bring my bar crawl act in here. Well, I wasn’t disappointed. If you’re lucky enough to be in here when bartender Dorian Yeager is working you’re in for a treat. Dorian is one of the best bartenders I’ve had the pleasure of meeting on this bar crawl so far. She’s funny, entertaining and has great stories about celebrities in the bar from Michael Anthony Hall to Woody Allen and Mia Farrow to Ray Davies of the Kinks and to Tim Conway, check out the photo below.
The regulars at the bar treated me like a long lost friend and Dorian’s lovely mother was holding down the end of the bar, enjoying some wine after watching the Mets win a game. Malachy’s has a full bar and a full menu. I didn’t look at the menu, as I had to try the $4.75 quarter pound burger and fries. It was one of the best burgers on the crawl and the price is crazy-cheap for what you get. As Doran said, “We should just give everyone two bucks and tell them to go down the street and get something and we’d be ahead.”

In a town where real estate is being gobbled up by Trader Joe’s and Chipotles “Mexican” restaurants, it’s nice to see a joint like Malachy’s on the block. Stop by and support a real New York watering hole. Thanks for the recommendation, Al, this was a great night!

Malachy's
103 W. 72nd St. (Near Columbus Ave.)
212-874-4268

Saturday, June 12th, 2010—Bar 153

Day 153—Friday, June 11th, 2010
Live Bait (Originally headed to Hotel Metro Rooftop Bar But That Fucking Hex Apotheke Put On Me Was Working Big Time!)
Okay, it’s been a week of false starts and last-minute improvising on the crawl this week and just like every Friday, I’m beat and burned out. While Googling around tonight I discovered a rooftop bar in the Hotel Metro that’s only five blocks from where I work. I think it’s only open till 11pm, but I’m leaving work early (I came in early, in case you think I’m some kind of a stinking slacker), so hopefully the happy hour crowd will have left and I can have a nice relaxing, beer-filled crawl tonight. I have a feeling my luck has changed, let’s go see!

Here we are, the Hotel Metro, I'm looking forward to chilling the fuck out and having a few rooftop beers.

I took the elevator to the Penthouse Floor and here's the rooftop bar. I'm ready for a beer or six!

Looks nice and relaxing here. Yes!

Sadly, I was informed by Dorian that the bar was closing in fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes? Motherfucker! I have to be here at least an hour. Dorian agreed to pose for the photo as long as I assured everyone he's not a bad guy. He's not, but sadly it's time to take a walk. What is it with this week?

So two doors down is a little bar in the Hilton Garden Inn. But the bartender tells me the management is weird about cameras. Motherfucker! i think that fucking Apotheke bar from Wednesday put some kind of voodoo hex on me. I've had nothing but bad luck since I went there.

And so begins another lonely walk towards a watering hole for the evening. You know what's coming up next.

Look at this, maybe my luck is changing. Pizza and beer and a bar! Perfect!

Except there's no bar in here! Motherfucker!

And so onwards we travel. It's kind of quiet out for a Friday night.

HELLO! A beacon of hope shines in the sky!

Live Bait. Okay, I'm hooked, let's go in, I'm dying of thirst over here.

Very nice in here! Looks like a good crowd. Time to settle in.

Anna and James were two of the friendly bartenders on duty and quickly served up a much needed beer.

Cheers!

The bar is colorful and festive.

Here's Morgan and Dasha, two of the friendly and pretty people on duty tonight at Live Bait. Dasha is an actress and is starring in TV show on Public Access that debuts on June 24th, she wasn't sure of the channel number, but if you're like me, you'll just bop around with the remote till you find her show.

There's a large dining area in the back.

And the menu's on the wall, pretty handy!

Old school fridges are in the back of the dining hall.

Vintage photos and signs hang from the walls.

Back at the bar Anna and James are busy as it's starting to fill up in here.

Charles was enjoying a cocktail and gives a thumbs up to the 365 Bar Crawl.

John and Peter were relaxing at a table near the bar.

Rachael was taking a break from organizing the BBQ festival that's happening across the street this weekend.

If you love BBQ and you're in the Tri-State area you should really check this out. It's a great NYC BBQ tradition.

Look at this group of hooligans. They can't be up to any good, so they seem like my kind of people.

It turns out these guys are doing the sound for the BBQ. From left, Chicken, Banger, Caleb and Jofu. I had a blast boozing it up with these guys, lots of laughs and lots of booze.

Chicken even did his patented chicken dance on the bar!

And to break my hex, Chicken and Jofu do a double chicken dance! Thanks guys, and goodnight everybody!

Review
Think Animal House thrown down in the middle of a Mardi Gras festival and you’ve got Live Bait. A party-hearty bar with a southern feel relfected in its decor, drinks and menu. Colored lights flash, there’s fish on the walls and on people's plates and a friendly staff. The clientele ranges from local business folks, to tourists stopping in after walking around the park across the street, to spillovers from a concert at nearby Irving Plaza. There’s a long bar and booths in the front area and a large dining area in the back for larger parties.

There’s a full bar with a wide array of beers and drinks. They have nine beers on tap including: Anchor Steam, Blue Moon, Brooklyn Ale and Yuengling Lager. There’s also a decent selection of bottled beers and some of the specialty drinks include: Lynchburg Lemonade, Key Lime Martini, Swamp Thang and a Redneck Martini which is vodka or gin with jalapeno pepper sauce. There’s also a full menu with an emphasis on southern cuisine such as: Smoke House Dixie Spareribs, Plantation Gumbo, Robert E Lee's Chicken Fried Steak with country gravy and Farm Raised Delta Catfish Filet.

Stop by and enjoy a flourish of southern hospitality and charm on 23rd Street courtesy of Live Bait.

Live Bait
14 E. 23rd St. (Near Madison Ave.)
212-353-2400