Raines Law Room, New York, NY

This past Thursday I had a date, so I suggested we grab a drink at Raines Law Room. I’ve heard several good comments about this place, so I had been dying to check it out for a while. Unfortunately, I don’t always venture “all the way” up to 17^th Street, but my date wanted to meet at Union Square, so I thought it would be the perfect place. I was a little skeptical when we first arrived, since there is a kind of pretentious door policy, where you have to ring the doorbell at an unmarked door and hope that the maître d’ will seat you. Given that it was 20 degrees and there was a party of six waiting ahead of us, I almost suggested we go elsewhere. However, we ended up getting a table pretty quickly and I was definitely glad we stuck it out.

I’m kind of obsessed by these sort of dark, period-setting speakeasies, like The Bourgeois Pig. I would describe Raines Law Room as an English dandy’s living room, complete with plush Chesterfield sofas, a fireplace, and heavy curtains. To order a drink, you simply illuminate the call-light at your table and a friendly waitress will rush over to help you choose a cocktail. Raines Law Room has a four-part cocktail menu (classic, signature, fancy, and seasonal), as well as a beer, wine, and liquor menu.

My date got the Champs Elysées (Hennessy VS Cognac, Green Chartreuse, Lemon Juice, Sugar, Angostura Bitters, and a Lemon Twist, shaken and served up). I got a glass of Moët & Chandon Rosé. Champagne is my go-to drink, but after tasting my date’s cocktail, I kind of wish I had ordered one myself. I definitely recommend Raines Law Room, with the caveat that it might be more difficult to get a table on a weekend night.

-Marcus

Raines Law Room

48 West 17th Street (between 5th and 6th)

New York, NY 10011

www.raineslawroom.com/

Babouche, Brooklyn, NY

My friend Ashlyn has been working as a server for the past several months at Babouche. Although I go to Park Slope pretty frequently, I hadn't made the effort to try out her restaurant until this past Friday. It was definitely worth it. Officially, Babouche is a Moroccan restaurant, but in reality, it offers a great mix of authentic Moroccan dishes, such as zaâlouk, couscous, and kefta tagine, tradition French cuisine, like tartare and magret de canard, as well as some American-style appetizers like Cobb Salad or crab cakes. As soon as I walked into Babouche, I knew I liked it. The decor was certainly Moroccan-inspired, with huge bronze lanterns hanging from the ceiling, poufs, a warm fireplace, and beautiful carpets. The night I was there, they also had live Moroccan music, which complimented the restaurant's theme. You can also enjoy shishah in the downstairs lounge. I honestly was not too excited about the menu, since I'm not a huge fan of Moroccan food and I generally avoid French restaurants outside of France. However, if everything at Babouche is as good as the tartare de thon and the crab cakes à la Marocaine that I had, then I will definitely be returning a lot. Both dishes were very flavorful, had generous portions and were reasonably priced. What I loved the most about Babouche though is the layout. In the front, there is a more Western-style dining room, with elegant tables and chairs, as well as a lounge area next to the wood-burning fireplace. The backroom is traditional Moroccan, resembling the inside of a genie's lamp. Finally, the downstairs is a swanky, Arabic-style lounge... a great place to enjoy shishah and mint tea.
I am definitely excited to go back to try some more of their food and relax in the lounge.

-Marcus

Babouche Restaurant and Lounge
2 Lincoln Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
www.babouchenyc.com/

The Bourgeois Pig, New York, NY

The Bourgeois Pig is one of my favorite East Village hangouts. The decor is over the top, but really adds to the great ambiance. Who doesn't enjoy pretending that they're having drinks in the boudoir of a 19th-century Parisian vampiress? Not really a dinner spot, The Bourgeois Pig does, however, offer an Alpine-inspired menu of cheese plates, fondues, and tartines. The food is good, but slightly overpriced and not quite authentic. The real reason I come here though (and I think this is becoming an overriding theme in my posts) is for the drinks. Don't come here looking for tequila shots or screwdrivers! The Pig's drink selection is much more sophisticated.

For starters, The Pig has an extensive list of wines from all over France... reds, whites, rosés, sparklings, and aperitifs. The Veuve Ambal is a great deal at $8 a glass. When I'm feeling like a splurge, they have an excellent red from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region of the Rhône Valley. For those who are looking for something with a bit more kick, The Pig also has a wide array of wine cocktails, sangrias, champagne cocktails, beers, and beer cocktails. If you have a big group, be sure to order the champagne punch, which is served in an elegant silver punchbowl. Reservations recommended, especially on weekends.

-Marcus

The Bourgeois Pig
111 East 7th Street (between 1st and A)
New York, NY 10009
www.bourgeoispigny.com/

Les Enfants Terribles, New York, New York

Les Enfants Terribles is one of my weekend hangouts. My friend Christy introduced me to Les Enfants when I first moved to NYC and I've been back just about every other week since... Les Enfants Terribles resembles a French bistro thanks to the sultry bartendress, the elbow-to-elbow seating arrangement, and the ubiquitous kirs found in the hands of its patrons.
Even the waiters and bartenders are French... although this can sometimes result in very French-style service (aka slow and nearly nonexistent). Nevertheless, Les Enfants is a great hangout spot, whether to catch up with some friends for dinner or to meet des expatriés over drinks at the bar. The menu is distinctly Franco-African, with inventive dishes like "Koroghofefemugu" (steak marinated with spices from Côte d'Ivoire) and "Bozo-Bozo" (potato crusted, pan-roasted seasonal fish).

The location is a little off the beaten path, on a rather dead section of Canal Street, which arguably contributes to the ambiance... one would say that you're in a quiet section of Montmartre or back in colonial Casablanca rather than downtown New York. In any case, Les Enfants Terribles comes highly recommended whether you're looking for a champagne cocktail or some African cuisine. There's also a DJ on weekend nights. Be sure to reserve a table if you're planning on dinner.

-Marcus

Les Enfants Terribles
37 Canal Street (and Ludlow)
New York, NY 10002

Vbar&cafe, New York, New York

I thought it would be appropriate to write about one of my favorite new york coffee shops after my post about Le Pré aux Clercs. This distinction would have to go to Vbar&cafe at Washington Square. It's literally across the street from the law school buildings, so you can often find me there between classes or grabbing a latte on my way to lecture.
I love Vbar's unassuming façade and it's cozy interior. You definitely feel like you're in a neighborhood coffee shop, not at a carbon-copy of Starbucks or Au Bon Pain. Moreover, the prices are great... you can't beat $2.50 for a latte, especially in NYC!

At night, the coffee shop turns into a dimly-lit wine and beer bar... they have dozens of wines (by the glass, carafe, or bottle) as well as a large selection of beers from all over the world. The location is great, whether you want to grab a coffee and have a walk in the park or meet up with friends for a drink before heading out to go dancing. I highly recommend checking it out. The only drawback is that it's quite small and there is limited seating.

-Marcus

Vbar&cafe
225 Sullivan Street (between Bleecker & W. 3rd)
New York, NY 10012