All posts by deronc

A review of Corkbuzz Chelsea Market in Manhattan

Located in the Chelsea Market Building (at 15th St. & 9th Ave) in Manhattan’s Chelsea, Corkbuzz opens its second location.  Much smaller than their Union Square location, Corkbuzz Chelsea Market has a small bar area in its front half; and a seating area in back that consists mainly of three stairs of stadium-style seating.  The space felt a bit cramped during our visit.  Open from 1pm until 1am, Corkbuzz Chelsea Market offers 24 wines by glass and nearly 50 out of the bottle; a small selection of beer and wine available as well.  Food menu offers small bites.  The spot is worth a visit next time you’re at Chelsea Market.

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A review of Bar Hugo located in Manhattan's Soho

Located atop the Hotel Hugo at 525 Greenwich Street in Manhattan’s west Soho, Bar Hugo offers panoramic views, including south to the Financial District, west to the Hudson River and north to Midtown.  About a dozen low-lying tables and seating scattered around the indoor bar area.  There’s also a standing-room only terrace looking out across the Hudson River and into Jersey City, NJ.  In good weather, the open windows offer a nice cross breeze.  Eight house cocktails are available (at $18 a piece).  While this spot is a bit pricey, it’s worth a visit the next time you are in this nabe.

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A review of Crimson and Rye in Manhattan's Midtown East

Located at 198 East 54th Street (at Third Avenue), Crimson & Rye may be the first ever lobby bar for an NYC office building.  No joke, Crimson & Rye is located in the north section of the lobby of the Lipstick building.  Crimson & Rye is a cocktail bar with a good selection of amber-colored liquids; wine and beer also available.  Food consists of mostly small bites.  The oval-shaped bar takes up most of the space and seating along the windows looks out onto the 54th & 3rd intersection.  Our only beef with the place is the bathroom situation. Remember how it’s in the lobby of an office building?  Well, there is no bathroom in the lobby of that building (at least one for the bar patrons).  Therefore, bar patrons must go through building security, take an elevator down one flight, exit the elevator, take a couple of lefts to get to the facilities.  Perhaps, since Crimson & Rye just recently opened, such a situation is temporary.  Either way, Crimson & Rye is worth a visit.

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A review of The Jolly Monk in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen

Located at 701 Ninth Avenue (in the old Traffic spot), The Jolly Monk is a Belgian Beer Bar from the same owners as nearby beer bars, New York Beer Company and House of Brews.  Continuing in the same vein as those locations, the Jolly Monk offers numerous tap beers, with a focus on Belgian and Belgian-style brews.  For those not fans of Belgian beers, The Jolly Monk offers several other styles of beer.  The layout is fairly spacious (same layout as Traffic) with a square bar in the middle of the place.  The Jolly Monk is a nice addition to the Hell’s Kitchen craft-beer NYC bar crawl!

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