THE BELFRY NYC

The Shots Menu

The Cozy Entrance 

The Bar

THE BELFRY NYC- 222 East 14th Street New York, NY 10003

This time going with a different concept as a new blog post. Rather than a restaurant, it is about a bar that has become a regular place I go every Thursday. The location is right by Union Square easy to reach and at an area with so many bars and restaurant, it may be hard for this little place to get your attention. But trust me once it does, it will become like your second home. Not only is the person at the door that greets you friendly, but everything and everyone thats a part of the bar is warm and welcoming. My night with my friends at The Belfry is Thursday nights. What makes Thursday nights special for us, is the fact that, that is the night that the Funk Band plays. The band captures you immediately. Every member of the band smiles at you and makes sure you are having a great time. Other nights that are said to be a great experience are Monday nights with a blues band and Tuesdays with trivia night. In honesty I haven't been able to go there any night besides Thursday's, but my next day to check out will be the Tuesday trivia night. The bar actually is known for its distinctive shots menu. The most liked one is the Bentley, if you like bourbon (you may be saying who likes a bourbon shot, but trust me this one you should experience). With the bourbon they give you a chaser shot which is hot sauce. You don't feel a thing of the alcohol and it actually tastes great. My personal favorite is the Classic Jameson Whiskey with spicy or sour sauce chaser shot depending on what you prefer. I know this sounds like something difficult to try, thats how I felt when I first went, but it is an experience and I recommend you try it. Especially on Thursday nights, with the Funk Band you will have a great time.

MANON

The Dining Section of Manon

Bread and Butter

Unique Bar Layout

Bar Area 

MANON- 407 West 14th St. New York, NY 10014

This restaurant simply is the perfect weekend night out dinner location, whether its girls night, friends or a date, with its energetic and elegant ambiance, the energy of the restaurant captures you and makes you want to stay there all night. This works out great because Manon also has one of the best bar's I have ever seen in New York City. When your dinner ends you just cannot wait to go back downstairs and hang out at the bar. Not only does the bar look nice but with the upbeat, lively music choices of the DJ you are sure to have a great time. The menu might not look like something extra special with its modern american dishes but I had one of the best strip loins ever and if/when I go back, its going to be really hard for me to choose another dish to try because it was just too good! What excites me the most in this restaurant is the warm bread they bring to the table with a special butter they make their own. But if you want to know my favorite dish in the restaurant, it has to be the side dish I ordered, which was the Smashed Fingerling Potato with gremolata and parmesan. Last time I was there, I tried the beef tartare, which was as good as the strip loin. Besides the bar scene, what I like most about this place is the friendly and warm vibe of the people that work there. They make you smile from the moment you walk in till you leave. They care about your dining experience as much as you do. Go here on a Saturday Night and enjoy the vibe it gives you all night. Plus you are in the perfect location to head to any club or bar in the Meatpacking District.

CATCH NYC

IRIS

MACARONI & LOBSTER CREAM 

MRC AND SPIDER ROLL

SALMON BELLY CARPACCIO

Catch NYC- 21 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10014

Biggest surprise NYC has given me in a while. One word: Delicious. If you are into seafood this may be a top place I would recommend right now. It's in Meatpacking District so perfect place for a weekend night. The Chef is Top Chef season 3 winner, which I guess in a way explains why every plate tasted amazing. Started the night off at the bar of the restaurant. Their cocktails consist of a lot of choices that include vodka. One I got to try was Iris. Made of Grey Goose Vodka, Grapefruit Juice, Honey, Mint & Grapefruit Bitters. I definitely recommend. Another advice go starving! I unfortunately did not make it to a main course because every section up to that had so many options and all were so good that I had no more room left. My suggestion is start off with sushi. The MRC roll and the Spider roll. Best sushi I had in a long time! Follow that with the Salmon Belly Carpaccio, ordered it because of the picture above and the photo speaks for itself, it was worth it. Then to a surprise arrived the Crunch Rice Cakes that are made with tuna tartar. You would think tuna tartar just tastes like it would in any place. But no, trust me this was different. It melted in my mouth. I would eat two orders of that right now. The one I was most excited about was given to me as a suggestion and I am telling you best suggestion given to me in a while too. It was the Macaroni and Lobster Cream. No words can explain it! You have to try it! It tasted the definition of heavenly.  We followed that with an order of Lobster Rolls, which even though we were very full from all the plates before, tasted delicious. Every plate I had there had a memorable taste. I can't wait to go there again soon.. Very very soon! 

CAFE GITANE

A view of the Avocado Bread, Trout Salad and the Couscous Tower

CAFE GITANE- 242 Mott Street New York, NY 10012
My interest in this place started off with my love of avocado. Any place that puts avocado in almost anything works for me. But it was only after that did I discover all the other delicious unique dishes this place had to offer. The place is small, cozy, colorful and friendly and there is usually a wait time. When the weather is nice the street is perfect to kill some time until a table opens up, but even with a cold weather I suggest waiting for it at least once if not more. When you go there make sure you start off with an order of Avocado, lemon juice, olive oil, chili flakes on seven grain toast from the petite plates. You will see every table around you definitely having at least one portion of the plate. I recently tried the Smoked Trout Salad, which was tasteful, but what we had after that was especially unique if you like Moroccan Couscous. It's a couscous tower topped with hummus. Try it! In the end the entire menu sounds delicious and I look forward to going there again to try all the other dishes they have to offer. As a useful tip, they only take cash. 

BONDST

Big Eye Tuna Tarts

Street View of BondSt

BONDST- 6 Bond St. New York, NY 10012

In the village area looking for the perfect date spot- or just a girls night out with your best friends for some catching up and gossip, BondSt is the perfect classy location. Soft music in the background, a cosy bar in the entrance with a friendly bartender and unique cocktail selections. It does give you a Sex and the City vibe, at least it did for me when I brought my best friend from Turkey to the restaurant for our first night reuniting and catching up. I'd highly recommend listening to the suggestion of the waitresses to try the Big Eye Tuna Tarts and definitely do not leave without trying the Spicy Crispy Shrimp, the taste will be memorable just like the sushi selections. My personal favorite was the lobster tempura roll and if you are a fan of yellowtail definitely order the Yellowtail Sashimi from the cold appetizers. I unfortunately did not have room for dessert but next time I am definitely trying the Mochi Ice Cream.