Last night I explored the hidden nooks and crannies within New York's lively city streets. Always be observant when strolling down city blocks, because you just may walk past something worth discovering.
La Esquina
Corner of Cleveland and Kenmare: where people of all paths and walks of life meet for some good ol' corn on the cob - La Esquina-style of course. I was surprised my friend Jac and I were able to snatch a reservation during Fashion Week at La Esquina (meaning "corner" in Spanish), but we managed a 6:30 spot.
We walked into the Cafe-Taqueria and were escorted down a flight of stairs and through the restaurant's aromatic kitchen, where the busy cooks themselves directed us into the cellar - an obscure gothic-style bar and dining area.
The young hostess seated us at our perfect deuce near the rear of the restaurant, facing the surrounding fashionistas and city natives, busboys wearing "Mexico" shirts, and food runners sporting "Obama '08" t-shirts righteously so. One waiter was styling with his tight black vest and white undershirt, tattooed arms and a stripe of blue running through the back of his hair.
Mismatched vintage wooden chairs, FIRE and Corona Extra buckets hanging from the ceiling, stonewashed brick walls, tiled art, and iron gates, all stirred up the medieval-dungeon-feel.
Not only did the hip village staff and equally suited decor create the unique La Esquina atmosphere, the gourmet grub and signature drinks contributed as well. We sampled the savory staples: the grilled string beans, sweet corn on the cob rolled in grated Cotija cheese and chili powder, and Mexican corn truffle quesadillas paired with a fiery chipotle sauce. As for margaritas, over 200 tequilas to choose from with prized ones, such as the 1941 Don Julio, costing as much as $150 a shot!
And if that wasn't impressive and delicious enough for us, our waitress ended our night with a complimentary decadent Mexican chocolate espresso-filled cake topped with crème fresh ice cream - all because she thought I needed to taste the best dessert for my article. The perks of writing for Momondo ;)
La Esquina; 106 Kenmare St. and Cleveland Pl. Soho, New York.
Crif Dogs ... PDT (Please Don't Tell)
Next spot we scoped out was the East Village's Crif Dogs, known for its deep-fried Jersey-style hot dogs and hush hush phone booth.
When you walk into Crif Dogs, it looks like an ordinary hot dog shop with customers giving their orders at the counter, ketchup and mustard bottles on the tables and stools lined up along the wall.
But then you turn to the left and walk into the peculiar phone booth ...
I picked up the white telephone inside and pushed a button. The hostess answered and led us into the small speakeasy, Please Don't Tell. Black curtains, black leather seats, round wooden tables, stuffed animal heads on the brick walls - poor rabbit, bear, raccoon and owl - and lamps above the tables that made me feel as though I was about to get my palm read by a psychic.
The bathroom was even cool. Mosaic walls of shattered glass reflecting everything inside. Then the cool menus: black and leather with the surprisingly recurring Obama theme for the night. A beer was called the Sixpoint Hop Obama! But instead we chose to try PDT's specialty: absinthe.
The waitress brought us the Absinthe Cocktail and the Corpse Reviver #2, which featured the special absinthe spray technique for a faint black licorice aftertaste. Absinthe is definitely an acquired taste.
We couldn't leave without sampling the famous Crif dogs, so we ordered The Wylie Dog, which was a deep-fried hot dog with ketchup molasses, but without the fried mayo (ew!), and The Hummer, a grilled veggie dog topped with hummus, to make our unhealthy snack seem a bit more nutritious. I'm officially an anti-hot dog turned hot dog fan.
CRIF DOGS ... PDT; 113 St. Marks Pl. near 1st Ave. New York
Death & Co.
The last and final treasured cove of the night. A very dark wooden door and bar front mark the cryptic Death & Co. on 433 East 6th St., Lower East Side. My friends and I almost walked right past the man in black standing in front of the dimly lit entrance.
Chandeliers and candles are the only sources of light inside. Sinatra music playing in the background, wood paneled ceiling, wooden floors, black marble tables.
We were able to choose from a menu of sweet, smoky or spicy cocktails. I went with the Spicy Paloma, infused with jalapeno, grapefruit and lime. But Jac's tempura cauliflower with melted cheddar was definitely the highlight of our experience there.
Besides the pretentious waitress and decent cocktails, Death & Co is a good late night place to relax before heading home.
So next time you're about to walk past that average N.Y.C. corner, hot dog stand, or desolate-looking door, pause for a second, and take a look inside.