Rogue – Great Food, Sports, Location: Chelsea, Flatiron & Midtown

May 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Rogue Bar & Restaurant Sports Bar & Restaurant Chelsea Midtown Manhattan New York
Business Travelers: Do you recommend Rogue for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 3.4/5 (4 votes cast)

Being a Philly sports fan in New York is lots of fun but it can be challenging. Finding a good place to eat and watch a game is not always easy if you stray away from the standard Philly haunts in Manhattan: Shorty’s (two locations – 9th Ave & Madison Ave) or Wogies (tell us where else?) Since the Phillies are in New York to play the Mets it should be easy to walk into any sports bar restaurant, sit at the bar, have a meal and watch the game. I decide to try Rogue and I am not disappointed.

Once again after a brutal Sunday morning gym workout I head to a restaurant bar to have a meal. I’ve had Rogue on the radar for some time because of its large collection of screens, large bar and ample space for groups looking to enjoy a game and some food. The Phillies are playing at 1:00 P.M. and I just make it in time for first pitch and brunch.

Rogue Experience: It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I walk through upper West Chelsea toward Rogue on 6th Avenue. West Chelsea is home to New York’s “Park In The Sky”, The High Line. Lots of people out strolling and crowding restaurants for brunch. Places with outdoor seating are especially popular. The crowds thin a bit as you walk north toward Midtown. I arrive at Rogue and many of the sidewalk seats are taken but I have my eye on the bar. Inside it looks like brunch is just getting started with plenty of open tables and about half the seats open at the bar. The hostesses’ greetings were extremely welcoming. I decide on a seat in the middle of the bar and ask the waitress if I can have the large television directly in front of me tuned to the Mets game. I purposely say Mets, not Phillies, this is New York afterall. I do have a Phillies shirt on so my allegiance is clear. Most televisions are tuned to the New York Knicks at the Boston Celtics playoff game which Boston won. The bartender gladly changes the channel for me and I settle in and take a look at the menu.

After my big workout my goal was to continue the good health mode through the afternoon. That quickly changed once I spied the Brunch Bloody Marys. Not resisting, I ordered one and it was nicely done, just the right amount of spiciness. The menu had a nice selection of brunch items, the Acapulco Omelette looked extremely good but I had had my fill of eggs earlier in the morning so I select the Chicken & Spinach Quesadillas. What arrived were large, stuffed quesadilla slices brimming with grilled chicken breast, spinach and shredded jack cheese, delicious. With guacamole, sour cream and Pico de Gallo on the side it was extremely enjoyable and filling. I had originally planned to order a second course but I was no longer hungry. Soon I may have to spend 24 hours a day at the gym or make a very long appointment with my tailor.

The bar is long and faces the wall with four large screens directly ahead with about 18 seats on the long side and 4 curving around to the short side near the front. There are lots of high top tables and televisions offering views from all directions, several are super large projection units. Main dining room is large with a second level which can accommodate groups for special events. Other bar patrons are some of the most friendly people I have met yet. The staff is equally nice. Cole Hamels pitched a great game for the Phils leading the team to a big win.

Business Travelers: Rogue is a terrific place to go with friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues for a very good upscale bar food menu and to catch a game. Don’t let the sports focus scare you away though, the great staff, service, and large, open dining room and bar will keep you and our group happy. Rogue is on the Flatiron and Chelsea border and, being at 26th Street, a quick trip from most of Midtown and about a 5 minute walk from Penn Station. Some say this is part of Midtown. The location puts you within quick striking distance of many Manhattans fun neighborhoods for shopping, strolling, bars, restaurants and exploring. Checkout the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea, NoMad, Madison Square, Union Square, Fashion District and Greenwich Village. A comfortable sports bar for women traveling on business.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★☆☆ 

Rogue
757 Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
New York, NY 10011
212-242-6434

Rogue Menu

Rogue on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, Chelsea, College, Flatiron, Midtown Manhattan, Midtown West, Neighborhoods New York, New York, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Sports, Sports Bar Restaurants - New York, Sports on the TV, Televisions Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Good Stuff Diner – One Of The Best In Manhattan

May 7, 2013 by 3 Comments
Good Stuff Diner Chelsea Manhattan New York
Business Travelers: Do you recommend Good Stuff Diner for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 3.0/5 (3 votes cast)

Continuing our coverage of places open 24 hours, 7 days per week, my next stop is Good Stuff Diner. A diner yes, but a step above your standard plate slinging experience. Good Stuff has a great neighborhood reputation and I was looking forward to checking it out for myself. While technically a counter and not a bar, the selection of liquor available puts it close enough into the restaurant bar category.

We have visited a high end diner, Bowery Diner and 24 hour, 7 day French, Brazilian and Cuban places, French Roast, Coffee Shop and Coppelia respectively. Now it is time for a more typical diner experience.

Good Stuff Diner Experience: Looking for a late breakfast I decide to finally give Good Stuff Diner a try. I’ve heard many good things about the place so my expectations are high. Expecting a tough time getting a seat at the counter, I walk in and am pleasantly surprised to see two seats open. I sit down, order a cup of coffee and take a look at the menu. The coffee is very good so I bet on the same from my meal. I am not disappointed.

The menu is extensive with all of the expected diner offerings, many with a strong Greek influence. What makes this place appealing is the large list of salads and entrees not found on many standard diner menus. I order an egg white omelette with onions, peppers, tomatoes and feta cheese, keeping with the Greek theme, along with a side of turkey sausage. Staff is very attentive, food comes quickly, hot and quite tasty. Portions are good and I thoroughly enjoy the meal. Good Stuff’s name is on the mark.

The counter is a “L” shape with 5 seats on one side and 7 seats on the long end. The chairs are floor mounted swivel seats with backrests. I sit in the middle of the long side with a television right in front of me broadcasting ESPN. I can see partially into the kitchen and the front half of the restaurant and out the large windows onto busy 14th Street. Sit on the shorter side to get a view of the entire restaurant. There is another television higher up on the wall near the door.

Business Travelers: Good Stuff Diner is perfect if you are looking for a typical diner experience, one step up. The large selection of booths and tables, along with the counter seats, makes this a good choice for friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues. All your diner favorites are available along with additional choices you won’t find on many diner menus. The location on the Chelsea and Greenwich Village border provides easy access to many Downtown Manhattan locations. Good Stuff is a neighborhood favorite so if you want to avoid the tourist filled places this diner is perfect to experience New York as the locals do it. Good Stuff Diner is a good place for women traveling on business.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★☆☆ 

Good Stuff Diner
109 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-929-2555

Good Stuff Diner Menu

Good Stuff Diner on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, Chelsea, Downtown Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Meatpacking District, Neighborhoods New York, New York, Sports on the TV, Televisions, West Village Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Coppelia – 24 / 7 Cuban Goodness in Chelsea

April 16, 2013 by 2 Comments
Coppelia Cuban Restaurant and Diner 24 Hours New York Manhattan Chelsea
Business Travelers: Do you recommend Coppelia for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 3.7/5 (3 votes cast)

Our Open 24 hours and 7 days per week offerings have been slim so the next couple of reviews will focus on where you can get really good food any hour of the day and maybe a drink as well. Our latest stop is Coppelia, a 24 / 7 Cuban Restaurant and Diner, more Cuban than typical diner and very popular with the local Chelsea crowd, business travelers and tourists.

While 24 / 7 is very appealing, especially in the middle of the night when sleep eludes you or you’re burning the midnight oil for that big meeting or even better, out for a night on the town, our reviews have taken place at lighter hours, namely brunch and dinner. We’ve previously reviewed 24 / 7 outfits Coffee Shop, French Roast and Bowery Diner. Coffee Shop is technically 23 hours but we count it anyway. Now we add Coppelia. Now on BarTaste you can find a great variety of choices for all day and night dining: Brazilian, Cuban, French and a High-End Diner. Tell us where to go next. The three Manhattan IHOP restaurants are 24 / 7, wonder if they have bars?

Coppelia Experience: About 1 P.M. on a Sunday, after a hard-core gym workout, I am very hungry and walk into Coppelia for brunch. It’s peak brunch time, groups waiting for tables and all the bars seats full except for one. Once again my luck comes through and I nab the last seat. Service is immediate and extremely nice and I quickly have a menu and a glass of water.

The waiting groups seem to get seated without much delay making the wait look minimal and seats are turning over at the bar. I see brunch drinks going by and seriously consider getting a Bloody Mary but I have an event later in the day where I know a few cocktails will be served so I decline. I order some homemade iced tea which was unique and quite tasty, I highly recommend you try it.

I order the Huevos Rancheros after eyeing all the delicious food going by, this was a difficult choice but it turned out to be the right one, it was extremely delicious. The bar is long, facing the wall, and I am sitting in the middle near a service break with about 9 seats in a straight line to my left with about 9 mores seats curving around to the wall towards the front of the restaurant. Sit on the curve it you want to see all the of the restaurant happenings or sit along the straight edge to see the bar activity out the front window onto busy 14th street.

The service is fast, extremely nice and the crowd is having a very good time. I am seated almost directly in front of a television with ESPN.

Business Travelers: Although I am here for a Sunday brunch I can see this being a terrific place to go with friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues for a casual yet delicious Cuban meal. The hours make it especially appealing and working late will not leave you arriving as the doors close (do 24 hour restaurants have locks?) Located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, bordering Greenwich Village, you are centrally located. Coppelia is about a 20 minute walk from Penn Station, near the West Village, Meatpacking District and the Silicon Alley business area in Flatiron. Midtown is an easy cab ride away. Walk West down 14th street to the Meatpacking District’s high-end shopping and bars, to West Chelsea for the galleries and the indoor Chelsea Market. A comfortable spot for women traveling on business. I suggest a cab for late night hours.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★★☆ 

Coppelia
201 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-848-5001

Coppelia Menu

Coppelia on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, Chelsea, Downtown Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Meatpacking District, Neighborhoods New York, New York, Sports on the TV, Televisions, West Village Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ainsworth Park – Mad for March, Absolutely Terrific Crowd, Food and Sports

March 25, 2013 by 3 Comments
Aisworth Park high-end Sports Bar New York Flatiron Manhattan
Business Travelers: Do you recommend Ainsworth Park for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 4.1/5 (5 votes cast)

It’s March and I am mad for college basketball. Three of my hometown teams are in: LaSalle, Villanova and Temple. Three of Philly’s Big Five, not bad. (half of the City Six if you are a Drexel fan.) Unfortunately tonight one of these teams will disappoint but Ainsworth Park more than made up for it. Ainsworth is a great place for sports and food but the big, big plus was the crowd, they were terrific.

Ainsworth Park Experience: On Friday, March 22, 2013 at about 7:30 P.M. I  am walking toward Ainsworth Park, yikes a velvet rope. No problem, no line, and a very nice guy at the door who waves me in. Ainsworth is a large multilevel place, beautifully decorated with large televisions everywhere and a couple of bars, lots of seating and multiple areas for standing and connecting with everyone. The place is packed, of course, it being Friday happy hour with several NCAA Championship Tournament games going at once. I move into the crowd surrounding the main bar, scoping out the televisions looking for the Villanova – North Carolina game. I find it and settle into the crowd. No seats but I am able to find a little space and watch, keeping my eyes open for a seat.

This crowd was wonderful. The place was full of 20 somethings through mid 30’s, well dressed after work crowd. Probably evenly distributed between men and women and amazingly super nice and polite! You see a crowded happy Hour, especially a sports bar full of basketball rivalries, and you expect some rowdy, maybe even a little obnoxious behavior, not here. Yes, it was loud with cheering rarely absent but walking through the crowd you were overwhelmed by the polite and well spoken (loudly) crowd. Ainsworth, the crowd and their parents should all be proud. Send your kids and even if you are not within the age range I described (me included), go too. You will feel very comfortable.

My lucky streak continues and a seat opens up in front of me despite the crowd and right in front of the ‘Nova game. My patience paid off. I sometimes think of leaving but never again until this lucky streak ends. Unfortunately Villanova disappointed and played a very poor game against North Carolina.

I order the Park Burger and substitute the Bleu Cheese Tator Tots for the fries. The burger was great and the Tator Tots were nothing like I had had before. Not the small things I remember from my childhood but large hot pockets of potato and bleu cheese. I ate two and took the rest home, still eating them now. The staff were very attentive, engaging and working hard to keep the crowd happy.

There are two bars on the first level. the bigger one faces the wall in the center and has about 11 seats facing four large televisions. The other is to the left and has less seats but a nice area for standing and mingling. Great crowd, a good place to come with friends and meet new ones. The televisions were closely managed, I really like this, so that channels were changed based on customer preference and the tournament schedule.

Business Travelers: I strongly recommend this place. Don’t let the age group I talked about above be a deterrent. All are welcome and I fit in fine. Many tables available for a group of friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues.  I don’t see a bad spot where a view of a television is not available. If there is a specific game you want to see I’m sure the staff would be happy to change one of the televisions for you. There is also a second level with limited access.

Ainsworth is in the center of Manhattan’s Flatiron District, right in the middle of of New York City’s burgeoning high tech Silicon Alley business area. You are close to Union Square, with many things to do and see, check out Madison Square Park and Eataly, the huge Italian Market with restaurants and a cooking school. The Gramery Park neighborhood is a great place for a stroll Close to the bars and Restaurants along Park Avenue South. A comfortable Sports Bar for women traveling on business with an extremely polite clientele.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★★☆ 

Ainsworth Park
111 East 18th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-673-2467

Ainsworth Park Menu

Ainsworth Park on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, College, Downtown Manhattan, Flatiron, Gramercy, Madison Square, Neighborhoods New York, New York, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Sports, Sports Bar Restaurants - New York, Sports Bar Restaurants - Philadelphia, Sports on the TV, Televisions, Union Square Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Windsor Gansevoort Park – Stepping up the High-End Sports Bar Game

March 8, 2013 by 4 Comments
Windsor Gansevoort Park Hotel Sports Bar New York NoMad

Business Travelers: Do you recommend Windsor Gansevoort Park for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 4.1/5 (4 votes cast)

Tired of the classic stereotypical sports bar? It’s time to move to a different level. The Windsor at the Gansevoort Park Hotel has taken the Sports Bar concept and bumped it up a couple of notches. I am out to watch the NFC Championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and The Atlanta Falcons and I want a higher end Sports Bar experience so I head to the Windsor Gansevoort Park with high expectations and I am not disappointed. Another Windsor location downtown on West 4th Street will be reviewed later.

I never learn my lesson. Showing up for a big game 10 minutes before it starts, expecting to get a bar seat, is just plain nuts. Well, I do it again today and of course no seats but with a little patience my luck once again shines through.

Windsor Gansevoort Park Experience: On Sunday, January 20, 2013 I walk into the Windsor Gansevoort Park at about 2:50 P.M. to catch the NFC Championship game and have something to eat at the bar. The place is full but not crowded yet considering the importance of this game and fanatical fans both teams have. Of course there are no seats available at the bar with the game about to start in a few minutes. All of the seats in the restaurant are taken. Televisions are everywhere so watching from any location is not a problem. Luckily I snag a spot standing at the bar between two seated fans so I settle in order a drink and watch the start of the game.

Several people order food and I watch the game, watch the food and ask how everyone how they like what they ordered. The menu has many of the classic items you find on a sports bar menu along with several nice additions. They call it “gourmet comfort food.”

The first quarter ends and the guy sitting next to me leaves freeing up a seat which I quickly take and ask for a menu. The bar is not large with about 10 seats facing a wall but all seats have a good view of the televisions. The place has gotten crowded with people standing in most areas and moving around. It is a fun, loud crowd, it is after all a Conference Championship game, but not the usual sloppy rowdiness you might find in other sports bars. A very good experience.

I order the Tuna Tartare, yes Tuna Tartare during a football game and an excellent choice, fresh and tasty. Before I sat down, the guy next to me raved about how good his burger was so I order one for myself. He was right, it was delicious.

The bartenders were outstanding and the crowd was extremely friendly and engaging. Met many fun people this afternoon which made the entire experience very enjoyable.

Business Travelers: This is great place to have a Sports Bar Meal with with friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues. If there is a specific game you want to see I’m sure the staff would be happy to change one of the televisions for you. If there is a big game on go early to get one the comfy looking booths or high top tables. The bar has 10 seats so getting several together might be a challenge. There is also a second level.

NoMad has many things to do and see, check out Madison Square Park and Eataly, the huge Italian Market with restaurants and a school. Experience NoMad and MadParkNews are two great resources for checking out the neighborhood. The Windsor is a quick cab ride or nice walk from many of the Midtown hotels. A comfortable Sports Bar for women traveling on business.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★★☆ 

Windsor Gansevoort Park
420 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
(646) 380-5301

Windsor Gansevoort Park Menu

The Windsor on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, College, Midtown East, Midtown Manhattan, Murray Hill, Neighborhoods New York, New York, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Mets, New York Yankees, NoMad, Sports, Sports Bar Restaurants - New York, Sports on the TV, Televisions Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cock & Bull – Great British Pub & Terrific Crowd in Midtown

February 24, 2013 by 2 Comments
Cock & Bull British Pub Midtown Manhattan New York BarTaste Review Meal Eaten at Restaurant Bar
Business Travelers: Do you recommend Cock & Bull for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 4.4/5 (4 votes cast)

I’m being asked for more Midtown reviews so here we go! With many travelers and locals staying and meeting in Midtown Manhattan, more info on choices is necessary and we aim to fill in the info gap. (Why does my auto-correct keep typing “Modtown”?) I have some meetings in Midtown so I scope out a few choices from BarTaste’s Targeted for Review Map. After my meetings, I head to my first choice, Cock & Bull. Of course I have burgers on the mind.

Cock & Bull Experience: On Wednesday, January 9, 2013 I walk into Cock & Bull in Midtown. The place is pleasantly full with an after-work crowd. Groups of people, out for a bite and a drink after work, sit and stand at the wall tables in the bar area and several groups sit at the bar itself. Plenty of room to maneuver so I a scout out a seat. Once again I arrive to find one last bar seat remaining. I seem to be on a lucky roll. This seat is a little crammed between two groups at the bar but when I ask if anyone is sitting there, both groups are happy to provide a little room for me to fit in and sit down for a comfortable meal.

The Bar faces the wall with about 6 seats on an angle at the front of the restaurant and 14 seats on the long side stretching into the main seating area. I am sitting near where the angle meets the long side giving me a great view of the entire bar, restaurant and out through the front windows onto the street. There is an upper level which is quieter than the main floor but the noise level tonight is quite comfortable, making for a fun, but not loud, experience. Two large televisions are visible from all bar seats and are now playing ESPN with no live games being televised. The other patrons are very engaging and fun. Cock & Bull is advertising a Super Bowl Party which I unfortunately missed.

I look at the menu for a long time wanting to try much of what is there having forgotten my burger craving long ago. The very friendly, strongly accented bartender, recommends his favorite, Bangers and Mash. Not sure which part of the British Empire he is from, my skill at differentiating accents is pitiful. I really want to try the Mushy Peas with Bacon but I have stopped ordering too much food and go with just the Bangers and Mash. It is great, a hearty meal and I devoured every last bit. You can’t go wrong with the bartender’s recommendation.

Business Travelers: Cock & Bull is perfect for business travelers. It was full of people who had just gotten off of work and were settling in with friends and coworkers for meals and drinks. During the evening other locals, and just a few tourists, came in making for a really nice well rounded crowd. Absolutely go here with friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues. Check out the nearby beautiful Grand Central Terminal which just celebrated its 100th Anniversary. Look up (yes, here you can look up) at the beautiful ceiling, an astrological painting. Notice Orion is backward, or is everything else backward? Grand Central is full of shops and restaurants. Definitely a perfect place for women traveling on business.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★★☆ 

Cock & Bull
23 West 45 Street
New York, NY 10036
212-819-1900

Cock & Bull Menu
Thrillist Cock & Bull Review

Cock & Bull on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, College, Midtown East, Midtown Manhattan, Midtown West, Neighborhoods New York, New York, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Sports, Sports on the TV, Televisions Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Manzo – Wonderful Meat and Service at Bustling Eataly Italian Market

February 6, 2013 by 1 Comment
Manzo Restaurant at Eataly New York Manhattan Flatiron
Business Travelers: Do you recommend Manzo for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 4.3/5 (5 votes cast)

Eataly, the huge Italian Market in Flatiron, is perpetually crowded. There are several restaurants inside but the one which truly gives you a break from the mobs is Manzo, a beef focused restaurant with a long bar, white cloth tables, wonderful service and of course meat and everything to go with it.

Manzo Experience: On Thursday, December 13, 2012 about 1:10 P.M. I am meeting a friend for lunch at Manzo, in the Batali and Bastianich cavernous Italian Market, Eataly. We never picked a spot to meet and spend the next 10 minutes trying to find each other over the phone in the crowd. It is a happy, fun and hungry crowd jostling around, some just looking but many shopping, everything looks amazingly good.

We head to Manzo and wait while the hostess deals with a tourist who is asking and reasking about his many options for dining within the next ten minutes. Why doesn’t he just sit down? He can’t find his dining partner in the crowds. We wait patiently but I am getting a little antsy as I see two prime bar seats, and no others, the bar is full of lunchers. Finally quiz guy walks away and we are quickly seated. We are immediately given water and menus and my friend goes to the restroom and someone tries to take his seat, the bar spots are in high demand for lunch. I fend off the interloper, my friend comes back, and we talk about what we will have.

We are sitting about midpoint along the bar which has about 18 seats and faces the wall. While you can hear the activity in the market you are comfortably wrapped in a rich setting with a fantastic staff, friendly co-diners and fantastic food. The bar is full but there are still a few tables available.

The lunch menu is extensive but the $29 Prix Fixe catches our eye. We both order the Baby Artichokes, NY Strip Steak and the Torta di Nocciole. Along with a ¾ bottle of wine, the food and service were perfect for a fun and satisfying lunch.

Business Travelers: While the market does draw tourists, the bar and tables seem to be filled with professionals from both the area and Midtown. I know it is more crowded after work, dinner and weekends. Have not tied scoring a bar seat during dinner but their online reservation system was showing several table times available for dinner. I suggest allowing a little time flexibility if going for a bar meal to allow seats to open up. The seats did turn over during lunch. Absolutely go here with friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues. Manzo @ Eataly is a nice 20 to 30 minute walk from most of Midtown or a quick cab ride. Allow time to walk the Flatiron and NoMad neighborhoods and check out the Eataly Italian Market. Enjoy the homemade gelato. Stop by the NoMad Hotel for a drink in the impressive library or go across the street inside Madison Square Park to Shake Shack and get a milkshake. Definitely a perfect place for women traveling on business.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★★☆ 

Manzo @ Eataly
200 5th Avenue (23rd Street)
New York, NY 10010
212-229-2560

Manzo @ Eataly Menu
TripAdvisor Manzo @ Eataly Reviews

Manzo Ristorante @ Eataly on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, Flatiron, Midtown Manhattan, Midtown West, Neighborhoods New York, New York, NoMad Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Wogies – West Village, Philly Sports and more Cheesesteaks

February 1, 2013 by 1 Comment
Wogies Bar and Grill Greenwich Village New York Manhattan Philly Sports Bar
Business Travelers: Do you recommend Wogies for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 2.6/5 (4 votes cast)

We are on a Sports and Cheesesteak roll here at BarTaste, so to continue, here is our review of Wogies. Working to build our selection of Sports Bars. You can track our progress here with our New York Sports Maps. My sadness with the Philadelphia Eagles dismal season has not even been lifted by watching a New York Giants meltdown. This review was a while in coming but again it is time.

Our next review, no sports, is of a wonderful lunch at the bar at  Manzo at Eataly. Stay tuned.

Wogies Experience: I arrive at Wogies at 12 noon for a 1 P.M. Eagles game start. I’ve learned my lesson (see Shorty’s review) about arriving just before kickoff expecting to find a good seat. Even though I am an hour early, all 8 seats at the bar are taken. The place is not very crowded yet but I know to expect it to be packed by game time.  I stand near the bar, order a beer and watch the pregame on the televisions, one at either end of the bar. Several other televisions are placed strategically around the restaurant. Wogies is not a big place but has a great location on a corner in Greenwich Village. Today it is a little cold for outdoor seating but in warmer weather Wogies wraps the seating around both the Greenwich Avenue and Charles Street sides.

One again I am in luck, about 15 minutes before game start a couple gets up to leave the bar, guess they wanted to avoid the mob arriving for the game, it is getting crowded. I quickly settle in for the game with a good television view. Since it time for “brunch” I order the Oscar, a big sandwich with eggs, bacon, steak, cheese, peppers & onions. I always get provolone. It is not fair to compare this to other cheesesteaks in New York since I usually order a pizza steak so I’ll stick to my current best cheesesteak in New York and come back to Wogies again, order a pizza steak, then make a fair comparison.

As I said, Wogies is not a big place but filled with Eagles fans it has me very comfortable. The 8 bars seats face the wall and all have a view of the two televisions. Sit near the window to add a view of the West Village going by on Greenwich Avenue.

Business Travelers: If going for a big game get there early and prepare for the crowds especially if you plan to sit at the bar. If looking for a sports friendly place to go and have a cheesesteak (the wings are delicious I hear) then Wogies is a good choice. Friendly patrons and staff. Philly teams are not always exclusively on the televisions and they will take requests if possible. You can’t beat the central Greenwich Village location so come with friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues. Stroll around before or after and check out the higher end shopping and restaurants (Jeffrey’s Grocery) taking hold on nearby Christopher Street. Follow Christopher to Bleeker, make a right, and you will be in high end shopping heaven. A comfortable Sports Bar for women traveling on business.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★☆☆ 

Wogies Bar and Grill
39 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY 10014
212-229-2171

Wogies Bar and Grill Menu
Google Wogies Bar and Grill Reviews

Wogie's Bar & Grill on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, College, Greenwich Village, Neighborhoods New York, New York, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Phillies, Sports, Sports Bar Restaurants - New York, Sports on the TV, Televisions, West Village Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Shorty’s Madison Ave – Friendly Sports Territory with the Best Cheesesteak in NYC

January 25, 2013 by 5 Comments
Shorty's Sports Bar Madison Avenue New York Manhattan NoMad
Business Travelers do you recommend Shorty’s for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 3.7/5 (7 votes cast)

It’s taken awhile for me to write this review, I’ve been a little sad about the crash and burn end of the Eagles’ season. Now that the Eagles have hired Chip Kelly as Head Coach and with the Super Bowl approaching, it is time. I arrive at Shorty’s Madison Avenue. My optimism has returned.

My starting goal in checking out Sports Bar Meals has been to find a Philly friendly crowd in New York. There are actually several Philly friendly locations to try. Eater NY has a great guide to Manhattan NFL Bars Where to Watch: A Guide to Manhattan’s NFL Bars if you are looking to watch an out of town game with a crowd of like-minded fans. To begin my reviews of Sports Bar I try to go when I know a Philly sports team is on and to restaurants known to be Philly friendly. I will branch out later. Today I am watching the Eagles at the Cardinals.

Shorty’s Madison Ave Experience: I arrive at Shorty’s about 3:45 P.M. for a 4:05 P.M. game planning to sit at the bar and having what is billed as “NYC’s most authentic cheesesteaks.” Of course once again I misplan and arrive to a packed Shorty’s with no bar seat available. Arriving at a bar just before game start is not a good Idea if you expect to get a seat. I would recommend arriving at least an hour before especially if your destination is popular with a specific sports team or it is a big game.

I settle in, grab a beer and find a place to stand comfortably. It is crowded with lots of people moving around but I find a good spot to lean with a view of the game on a nicely sized television. I continue maneuvering in the crowd to maintain my television view and minimize bumping. I find myself now near the bar and suddenly a seat opens up! Not sure how it happened but I quickly sit down, not directly in front of an Eagles TV but good enough.

Televisions are everywhere with the Eagles the top choice and several other games being shown attracting a wide range of NFL fans but predominantly an Eagles crowd. This is a Philly bar in NYC but foremost a Sports Bar. Don’t worry if you want another game, many games on many televisions. The bar faces the wall with about 18 seats on the long side and 5 on the short. I am sitting on the long side near the door. I order a Pizza Steak with onions which comes with provolone and marinara sauce, standard. I also have Mozzarella Triangles and Yuengling Rings (Yuengling is a local Philly brewery.)  I felt like I was back in Philly and the cheesesteak was as good as you can get in NYC.  I’ll reserve judgment on how it compares to Steve’s Prince of Steaks in Philly.

I’m surprised that, while the crowd was loud and boisterous, it was not just a bit crazier, you know the reputation of Eagles fans, a reputation not fully deserved.  The day was ripe for fun, ribbing and a little trash talk between competing fans. Maybe the Eagles fans were a little subdued because the Eagles played so poorly and lost badly to the Cardinals and their former backup quarterback, Kevin Kolb. Shorty’s Madison Avenue is probably one of the best Sports Bars in Manhattan, maybe a little bias on my part. Staff and food are terrific.

Shorty’s also has a location on 9th Avenue. BarTaste review here.

Business Travelers: If you are looking for a Sports Bar and a delicious Philly inspired meal, Shorty’s on Madison is a top choice. Get there early if it’s a big game and don’t worry if you are not a Philly Team fan, with all the televisions you surely will find the game you want. Ask for a channel change, the staff are extremely nice. Shorty’s is located in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan (North of Madison Square Park.) NoMad has many things to do and see, check out Madison Square Park and Eataly, the huge Italian Market with restaurants and a school. Experience NoMad and MadParkNews are two great resources for checking out the neighborhood. You will feel welcome and comfortable here with friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues. Shorty’s is a quick cab ride or nice walk from many of the Midtown hotels. A comfortable Sports Bar for women traveling on business.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★★☆ 

Shorty’s Madison Avenue
66 Madison Avenue (27th Street)
New York, NY 10016
212-725-3900

Shorty’s Madison Avenue Menu
MadParkNews Shorty’s Madison Avenue Review

Shorty's on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, College, Flatiron, Midtown Manhattan, Murray Hill, Neighborhoods New York, New York, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Mets, New York Yankees, NoMad, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Phillies, Sports, Sports Bar Restaurants - New York, Sports on the TV, Televisions Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Coffee Shop – Brazilian Fun & Great Food for 23 Hours on Union Square

January 14, 2013 by 2 Comments
The Coffee Shop Restaurant and Bar Union Square Manhattan New York
Business Travelers: Do you recommend Coffee Shop for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 3.5/5 (5 votes cast)

Coffee shop is open 23 Hours a day? Their website asks what happens in that last hour, let us know what you think in the comments below. While the name Coffee Shop may mislead you into thinking diner, this Brazilian restaurant is terrific for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or late night. The crowd is always up and fun, a mix of locals, tourists and city visitors to Union Square. Perfect place to go and check out the bustling and increasing lively, crowded Union Square area.

Sitting on top of the 4th busiest subway station in New York City, Union Square, the many lines stopping here make for easy access and the police station inside the station make all hour access comfortable. A quick cab is also enjoyable.

The Coffee Shop Experience: All of the these BarTaste meals have made me bump up my exercise level to keep up with all of the calories. Sunday morning finds me at a furious boot camp exercise class at the gym. I am famished afterward and decide to go to Coffee Shop for a nice brunch at the bar. The meal quickly cancels all the effort I put in that morning. It is 11:50 AM, I know exactly because I decide to have a Bloody Mary but no booze until after Noon so I take a look at the menu and wait patiently.

I sat down at a bar seat facing the front of the restaurant providing a good view of the door, the street through the windows and the entire restaurant through the large glass wall which separates the bar area (with booths) from the rest of the restaurant. There is another seating area in a room in the back. The bar has the shape of a old school traditional diner counter, an extended s-shape with three loops protruding into the room, seats on all sides and room for the bartender to walk up to every seat. I estimate about 35 seats making for a big selection. Sit on the second loop facing the door for the best view. Bartenders, hostesses and other customers are very friendly.

Coffee Shop has always been a favorite. I go there for all meals, take visitors, friends and colleagues. Sometimes a scene, maybe a gaggle of models, but Coffee Shop is always welcoming with great service and great food. My Bloody Mary arrives and I order Colombian Arepa with Poached Egg, Chorizo, Spinach & a Truffle Hollandaise, a good protein replacement after a crazy workout. Egg whites and oatmeal would have been better for me but why start now? Wow, this is the perfect brunch.

The place starts to fill up for brunch, I meet a few tourists from England and others who are trying to recover from their Saturday night before. Most seats in the restaurant are terrific but the outdoor seating is some of the best as well. Sit outside facing Union Square Park (free wifi). In chillier weather there are gas heaters outside for a little warmth.

Business Travelers: Coffee Shop is the place to go if you want to get just a taste of, not immersion into, the New York evening and early nightlife scene while having a terrific meal. It is not over the top and just far enough downtown from Midtown to put you in the midst of several very fun Manhattan neighborhoods: Union Square, Flatiron, Greenwich Village, NoMad, East & West Village, Chelsea and Gramercy. Union Square is accessible by many subway lines and or a quick cab. A nice walk down Fifth Avenue to Washington Square Park. Need a late place to cap off the night or have middle of the night meal? Here is your place. Union Square is always crowded. Check out the Union Square and lower Fifth Avenue Shopping (between 14th & 23rd). A comfortable place for women traveling on business. Maybe not many business travelers in Coffee Shop but if you are looking for a casual, fun, New York place where you will feel at ease and welcome, head here with your co-workers, clients or colleagues.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★★☆ 

Coffee Shop
29 Union Square West (16th Street)
New York, NY 10003
212-243-7969

Coffee Shop Menu
Coffee Shop TripAdvisor Reviews

Coffee Shop on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, Flatiron, Neighborhoods New York, New York, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Sports, Sports on the TV, Televisions, Union Square Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

French Roast – Longtime 24 Hour Fun Village French Bistro

January 2, 2013 by 3 Comments
Finishing up bar meal reviews from 2012. We have some exciting plans for 2013. Happy New Year!

French Roast Restaurant Downtown Greenwich Village Manhattan New York

Business Travelers: Do you recommend French Roast for

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Co-workers, Colleagues or Customers?
Conducting Business; having a Business meeting?
Dining alone?
Women Business Travelers dining alone?
Friendly staff, patrons and good service?
Enjoyable food?
Meeting other Business Travelers?
Rating: 3.1/5 (3 votes cast)

I have enjoyed going to French Roast many, many times over the years, mostly for breakfast. It is a great place to grab a seat in the window in the morning and watch Greenwich Village go by. I did just that on the day I moved back to New York this year from Philly. I sat down then, ordered a Croque Madame, and took in the sights. Never having been French Roast’s bar for a meal, I head over this night to check it out and have a meal at the restaurant bar.

The French Roast Experience: 8:30 P.M. on a Saturday night I head over to French Roast. The place is surprisingly only about half full and I easily get a seat at the bar. The restaurant has well thought out and well prepared Parisian Bistro menu. There are always the typical French classic meals along with some interesting and good specials. I don’t want to disappoint anyone who reads BarTaste, so of course I order the burger with fries. Both are delicious and are perfect for a Saturday night.

French Roast has two locations, Downtown Manhattan in Greenwich Village and the Upper West Side. This meal takes place in the downtown location but I have eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner in both locations and have found them both thoroughly enjoyable.

The downtown bar faces the wall with about 8 seats on the long side and three around the short curve. I sit about fours seats from the end near the service area, good place to observe some of the restaurant and peer out the large windows onto busy 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas for the tourists.) There is a new bartender on tonight and she is doing a terrific job, taking control, working fast and keeping the mood very fun.

The uptown location has a bar facing the wall arranged about the same as its downtown sibling. No televisions.

Business Travelers: French Roast is a good, local, casual place with an upbeat vibe, perfect for a leisurely night out. It’s 24 hour availability is especially appealing. Not a rowdy place but lively with the tables close together. A great place for a group of friends, co-workers, clients or colleagues. More locals here than tourists or business travelers. Very good starting or ending point for a walking tour of what some say are the most beautiful blocks in Greenwich Village and the city, West 10th, 11th and 12th between 6th and 5th Avenues. Take a stroll through the streets of the West Village with beautiful residential blocks and shopping. Stop in at the Manhattan location of Brooklyn favorite Bien Cuit and check out their pastries, open until 9 PM. A comfortable place for women traveling on business.

BarTaste Rating  ★★★☆☆ 

French Roast – Downtown
78 West 11th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-533-2233

French Roast – Uptown
2340 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
212-799-1533

French Roast Menu
French Roast TripAdvisor Reviews

French Roast on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: All BarTaste Reviews, Business Traveler Reviewed, Greenwich Village, Neighborhoods New York, New York, West Village Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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