September 29, 2011
I’m back in New York City! It was great seeing my family and friends in my hometown of Peoria, but it’s great to be back in New York. I met a woman at the Chicago O’Hare airport yesterday, in a bar, of all places! Her name’s Rachael and she told me about her favorite bar in New York called Luke’s Bar and Grill. She also told me her ex-brother-in-law works there and said his name is Luigi. I’ve got tonight off work, but to pay for this I have to go in early tomorrow. Like, ten in the fucking morning! Which means I have to get up around eight in the fucking morning to put this post up. So I thought we’d go to Luke’s and get something to eat and some drinks to knock me out early. Okay, let’s start the post, which I’m titling: “Looking for Luigi!”
Aaahh, back into the New York City night. It's starting to get dark earlier, one of the things I like about the fall season.
A couple of drummers in Union Square Park. Street drummers always make me think of this scene from "Taxi Driver."
And it's down into the subway we go.
And through the magic of the internet, here we are at 77th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
78th and 3rd, just about a block away and that's good. I'm starvin' like Marvin over here.
And here we are, Luke's Bar & Grill. Looks nice, let's check it out.
There's a decent crowd in here, but there's some seats at the end of the bar. Let's grab a chair and sit down.
And here's friendly bartender Paulie serving up an ice-cold Corona.
The bar is all dark wood with lit up bottles in the back.
Here's the view from my perch at the bar.
Green checked table clothed tables and vintage photos line the wooden wall opposite the bar.
Here's Julia, the pretty and friendly hostess who greets you at the door.
And now it's time for dinner. I thought I'd start off with a bowl of French onion soup. Very cheesy and delicious!
And I also got an order of chicken wings which soon became...
A plate of bones. Burp. Hey...where's Luigi?
He's right here. It turns out that Luigi is the owner and operator of Luke's. I told him to wave to Rachael and he does so, if you're out there, Rachael, this wave's for you! Luigi said to say, "hi."
And to pay him back for apartment sitting for me, I took Gumby out on the town as well. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.
Luke's Bar & Grill
1394 Third Ave. (Between 79th and 80th St.)
212-249-7070
Further reading: New York Magazine, Time Out New York and Shecky’s.
Would you like to do a number with me?
(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)
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Bonus Video Linkage From Crazy Eddie!
Crazy Eddie wrote and said he enjoyed the family pictures I posted from Peoria and suggested this link as a tribute. Thanks, Crazy Eddie!
Tribute link from Crazy Eddie!
13 Comments
Reader Comments (13)
I would say that for sure this bar is a winner. Reminds me of Dublin House, with that oval mirror behind the bar and all that dark wood, though I would turn off most of those overhead lights, but that's just me. The French Onion soup really looked good,,,,I saw on the menu "The Mike Wallace Meatloaf", which sounds great and it probably is true,,,Mike Wallace at his age,,,,his meat must be loafing.
Luigi waves, and says Mario would still like half his stuff back.
The Surprise Link warmed the cockles of my heart.
Glad you are back and all settled in with a night on the town.
@Al: "his meat must be loafing." Ha ha ha! Good one, Al!
@csp: I thought your cockles would be warmed by that!
@Melanie: Thanks, it feels good to be back!
Well, my days and nights of bar hopping through the bars NYC are very much over, still it looks like you have found a true winner in Luke's Bar & Grill. Make sure you have one for me, bottoms up!
I love French onion soup..It's one of my fave foods...
glad you got back home safe and sound.
@Al-"The Mike Wallace Meatloaf",-that menu item refers to this:incident:
http://articles.cnn.com/2004-08-10/justice/wallace.arrest_1_inspectors-mike-wallace-tlc?_s=PM:LAW
"CBS' Mike Wallace cited for disorderly conduct"
@Mykola Mick Dementiuk: I had two for you, my friend! Cheers!
@Gidget: It's one of my favorites too and this was a really good bowl!
@Crazy Eddie: Thanks for that link! I had forgotten all about that. I wish I would've known last night, I would've asked Luigi about it. Oh well, a good excuse to go back!
Mmm....that french onion soup looks awesome! And the wings too - I like a place that doesn't skimp on the sauce. Love those checkered table cloths (even though they're not red) and the bar's a beaut. All in all, I'd say Luke's looks like a stellar place to spend an evening.
Your pal,
Darth Vader
P.S. I am your father.
@Biff: Dad! Can I have some root beer?
French onion soup days are here again! I made Julia Child's recipe this spring and it takes forever but is fantastic. I'll have to break out the soup pot soon.
Fall is my favorite season, but the thing I don't like about it is getting dark early! I hate going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. I need a little bit of sunshine. Love the bar though and all the wood. Glad you found Luigi!
@Britta: Post pictures of it next time you make it!
@kari: I'm the opposite, I'll take all the darkness I can get!