Ask-a-Zontee: Manhattan Bars/Lounges with Great Food

I often joke that I’m the person my friends call randomly when they need a good recommendation of a place to take out-of-town guests or to purchase that perfect cocktail dress. With that in mind, I’m sharing my answers every once in awhile, here on my blog. It’s Ask-a-Zontee, so named by my friend Liz.

In NYC, there are obviously a ton of great places to go out with friends and have a drink. And as most of us know, there is a correlation between drinking and the need (or desire) to eat. So when you’re out and about in NYC, where are the bars/lounges where it’s worthwhile to grab a bite? Here are a few of my favorites.

Bourgeois Pig. I have been going to the Pig for years. Back when they had a location on Macdougal Street, my friend Ben and I would spend every Monday there after classes, having a glass of wine and discussing our plans to take over the world. What’s good here? The fondues (both chocolate and cheese varieties) and also the bruschetta, all of which are good for sharing. Speaking of sharing: The velvet furniture, dim lighting, and wine specials make it a great place for a date or for a girl’s night out.

Tillman’s. A bar that’s sexy, but too cool to say anything about it, Tillman’s is definitely a good destination for a date. The scene is well-dressed, but not in-your-face. To eat? Try their amazing gourmet grilled cheese menu.

Stanton Social. This is a more recent discovery for me, recommended by my friend Brian. His favorite things on the menu are the French onion soup dumplings, but I particularly enjoyed the tuna tartar. Either way, with its two floors and generous banquettes, this is a good destination for groups.

Death + Company. One of the early arrivals of the fancy cocktail trend in Manhattan, I remember how chic-sounding this bar was when it first hit the culture blogs. A couple of years later, it’s still a chic and solid place to take a friend or date for a cocktail. If it’s not too busy, ask for suggestions: the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, making good recommendations on drinks and food alike. What to eat? We loved the crispy fries with blue cheese and truffle oil, as well as the wild mushroom tart; we liked the truffle mac and cheese (eat quickly so it doesn’t go cold!), and the lobster brioche rolls.

Beauty & Essex. Another Brian-find, B&E is a two-level, chic lounge on the Lower East Side, not-too-secretly disguised as a jewelry store. The bouncer at the front door and the bouncer at the supposed stock-room door are sort of a giveaway. Regardless, B&E is one of those places that is fun to take your sassy guy or gal-friend for drinks, yummy food options, and pretending you’re rich and glamorous. It’s a bit crowded, so I suggest going on a weeknight or earlier in the evening. Recommendations: raw bar goodies (be a little decadent, right?) and for dessert, try the doughnuts. P.S. Friend Darwin pointed out the fun brunch menu, so keep it in mind when you’re continuing your fabulous living into the morning hours.