The Manhattan Cocktail Classic … It’s coming!

A lot of food and beverage people are rolling into town this Thursday for a massive city-wide event called The Manhattan Cocktail Classic.

What is the Manhattan Cocktail Classic? Well, you can find the official scoop on that here. 

But in my mind, it’s one of two things – depending on who you are. For some, it’s a five-day, educational bonanza of anything and everything you’d like to know when it comes to consuming cocktails or running a cocktail bar. If you are really into barrel aged drinks, craft spirits, cutting your own ice with a chainsaw or making bitters in your basement next to that box full of porn you just can’t seem to part with … then “the Classic” is your jam.

For non-industry people (and industry people who no longer care about bitters), The Manhattan Cocktail Classic a fun means ring in May with a Julep on a rooftop. Followed by a Negroni on boat. Followed by a Ramos Gin Fizz in a hotel lobby. Followed by a Last Word, two beers and one shot of tequila in a taxi. All followed by a raging hangover that feels like you got slapped with a medieval torture device. It’s more about the parties than the education. And really, that’s okay. Cocktails are supposed to be fun, remember?

From boat cruises to galas to outdoor pig roasts to tiny gatherings in basement speakeasies, this week-long event has a little something for every type of drinker to enjoy.

Since so many people are coming into town for it, I thought I’d give a little love to MCC on the blog (Ahem … I LOVE YOU MCC!) and my suggestions for “don’t miss” places to eat and drink between events. You need to plan ahead to cram it all in. New York’s kinda a big place on a small island. Then you have that Brooklyn thing, which is like a big island somewhere to the left of us with bars and stuff too. I never go there, but I hear good things.

THE WAYLAND …. in the East Village

Why Go: The music (several nights per week), Fernet on tap (‘cause we need it fast and cold), the lovely (and often hilarious) bar staff and the décor (which includes faded wood they reclaimed from an abandoned school, lots of weird knickknacks and an awesome piano).

Located: on Avenue C at 9^th Street

Order: Their oyster shooters. They come with your tequila shots. Don’t forget to ask for a Tecate on the side, with some hot sauce.

EXTRA FANCY … in Williamsburg Brooklyn

Why Go: I love this place because it’s not extra fancy. Apparently they got the name off the side of a seafood condiment bottle. If you feel like a dozen oysters, a surf & turf of diver scallops and pork belly or a bowl of littleneck clam chowder at 2 a.m., it’s no problem. They serve all of it till 3.

Order: The Check Yo Self cocktail. It’s a delicious mix of Santa Teresa 1796 rum, Bonal Gentiane-Quina, Becherovka, and Flag Hill Sugar Maple Liqueur

Location: on Metropolitan between Driggs & Roebling

SEERSUCKER … in Carroll Gardens Brooklyn

Why Go: Chef/Owner Robert Newton grew up in Arkansas, where he learned to cook by digging in the dirt. That’s where food starts, y’all. “My parents grew all sorts of vegetables in their garden,” Newton told me the last time I was dining at Seersucker. “They canned green beans … stuff like that.” Truth is … I’m not interested in canned green beans, Robert. However, I cannot stop thinking about your biscuits, which come in a little box with butter and homemade jams. Then there’s the soft shell crab. Oh, and the shaved Edwards & Sons country ham. Uh … North Carolina trout. Wait … you also have to order the fried chicken. Have. To.

Order: Fernet, cause you just stuffed yourself on Southern food. Then try The Capote, if they have the vinegar ready. It’s Breuckelen gin, home-made Serrano pepper vinegar, dry Vya vermouth and a rinse of Herbsaint.

Location: on Smith Street between Carroll & President

Daddy-O … in the West Village

 Long, long ago, Daddy-O owner Phil Casaceli looked like this image on the left. He was a Chippendale. I’ll probably write a longer blog on that later. Meanwhile … today, he still dashing and owns one of the best bars in the city.

  Why Go: Part Irish pub, part sports bar, part whiskey tavern, part cocktail den – if you visit, you’re likely to hear an entire Black Crowes album played start to finish, because that’s how music should be heard, according to Phil. The bar has some 400 bottles of spirits. If you want my advice, order glass of Michter’s 25-year and a side of jalapeño/cheese tater tots. Do they pair well together? No. But shut up about pairings. You are in Daddy-O.

Order: The catfish sandwich. It’s pretty damn rad.

Location: on the corner of Bedford & Leroy

In conclusion, I hope to see a lot of you from out of town this week. Welcome to New York! We are happy to have you here.