Okay, it’s Tuesday, the night I go out in search of a swizzle stick. Originally I was searching for a glass swizzle stick, but now I’m finding that so few bars have them anymore, I’ll settle for any kind of a swizzle stick. Tonight I thought I’d try Pete’s Tavern. Pete’s is a classic New York Tavern that’s been open since 1864. It’s been used as a prototypical New York bar in numerous TV shows and movies and several beer commercials have been shot here. One of the things that Pete’s Tavern is known for it that writer and regular O. Henry wrote the Gift of the Magi at the tavern, in one of the booths by the front door. You’d think a bar this rich in history would have swizzle sticks. And that’s just what we’re about to find out.
The internet is a magical place. One minute you're at the corner of 31st and Sixth...
And the next second here we are at Union Square Park. It's a nice night out and there's lots of people in the park. Okay, just a few blocks to Pete's Tavern from here. Off we go.
God I hate that fucking place.
And here we are at the legendary Pete's Tavern.
I always love it when bars have gold leaf lettering in the windows.
Lets go in and see if there's a swizzle stick in our future.
It's crowded for a Tuesday night, but I see a seat at the end of the bar and I see a familiar face...
Resto @9:47 pm Gramercy Park Live from New York, It’s Corndog Saturday Night! Starring Crif Dogs and featuring the not ready for prime corndog player, Marty Wombacher. And now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our host...Crif Dogs!
Okay, you may be wondering what in the fuck happened to "Cheeseburger Saturday Night?" Well, MAD commenter, ragin rr informed me via email that today is National Corn Dog Day, so I thought that warranted a change in plans tonight. And I've been meaning to go to Crif Dogs and check out their corn dog ever since Gene of the BBC recommended it in a comment. So it's off to Crif Dogs we go. It was warm out yesterday, but it's pretty chilly out here again tonight.
So I hopped in a cab. Traffic's horrible, but at least it's warm in here.
Okay we're here on St. Mark's Place. Tons of people out...I really hate Saturday nights.
And here we are, Crif Dogs, let's check it out.
Goddamn, it's a small space and packed to the fucking gills.
There's a small opening up front, but I have claustrophobia and this place is grinding my gears. It's noisy and I have to get out.
Okay, back into the night. You know what? I've decided to grab a cab and go to the Papaya in Penn Station and have one of their giant beers and a corn dog. What better way to celebrate National Corn Dog Day!
And so it's off we go!
But a funny thing happened on the way to Penn Station. I saw a blast from my 365 past. Resto! This place had one of the best cheeseburgers on the bar crawl. Fuck Corn Dog Saturday Night! Cheeseburger Saturday Night is back on, baby!
The place looks just like I remember it and there's plenty of seats at the bar! Let's settle in.
Bill the friendly bartender recommended a Belgian beer and here he is pouring it out.
Lisa and Dick were seated next to me at the bar. They live in the neighborhood and are regulars at Resto. We had a nice conversation about New York and blogging and other subjects. They said they might show up at the Mars Bar this Easter for the second annual pizza dinner. I hope they make it!
And here's the first course, deviled eggs on pork toast. I had these last time and they are delicious!
And Bill was nice enough to bring out a free sampling of tet de cochon. Which, loosely translated is a pig's head sandwich. They cook meat from the pig's head, give it a pastrami rub and add slaw, jalapeno sour cream and brioche. It was really good!
Here's long shot of the marble bar.
And the main course arrives! Looks even better than last time.
Dick took a shot of me plowing into the burger at 117 mph.
And since I've returned to my 365 roots here...Fire!
And what the hell, why not close with an obligatory bathroom shot? Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.
If They Do Say So Themselves “About Resto,” from their website. Resto, French slang for a casual restaurant, opened its doors in April 2007. The concept of a laid back neighborhood gathering place with approachable Belgian food in the style of New York was created by owner Christian Pappanicholas.
Resto has become a destination in Gramercy Park / Murray Hill for a delicious dinner, weekend brunch or a late night bite. The knowledgeable and friendly staff is well versed in the extensive Belgian beer list and the thoughtful wine list which focuses on a varied selection of European wines. The menu is crafted using traditional French technique, with an emphasis on seasonal, local, farm fresh ingredients. Resto also emphasizes group / nose-to-tail dining with options likeCote De Boeuf, Poularde in Half Mourning and our Large Format Feast Program.
Resto's dining room can accommodate 70 guests with 10 seats at the bar. We encourage bar dining. We also offer seasonal, outdoor seating which can accommodate 6 guests.
We encourage reservations but always hold tables for for walk-in customers. Our bar and sidewalk seating is offered on a first come, first serve basis.
Resto 111 E. 29th St. (Near Park Ave.) 212-685-5585
--------------------------- Some Things I Did Yesterday Overslept Posted my blog post of the day. Read some chunks of “High Priest” by Timothy Leary. Watched some Denis Leary videos on YouTube. Googled the word “Leary.” Read the Wikipedia entry on Timothy Leary. Read the Wikipedia entry on Denis Leary. Quite a day, huh? ---------------------------
Here's a link to the final post at my long dormant, TMWS. As some of you know, MAD commenters Jason and Zioum Zioum met at that blog and a couple weeks ago they got married. So, I thought it only fitting that the final post would be pictures of their wedding. Check it out here: The Final Post.
Okay, it’s Tuesday, the night I go out in search of a swizzle stick. Originally I was searching for a glass swizzle stick, but now I’m finding that so few bars have them anymore, I’ll settle for any kind of a swizzle stick. Tonight I thought I’d try Pete’s Tavern. Pete’s is a classic New York Tavern that’s been open since 1864. It’s been used as a prototypical New York bar in numerous TV shows and movies and several beer commercials have been shot here. One of the things that Pete’s Tavern is known for it that writer and regular O. Henry wrote the Gift of the Magi at the tavern, in one of the booths by the front door. You’d think a bar this rich in history would have swizzle sticks. And that’s just what we’re about to find out.
The internet is a magical place. One minute you're at the corner of 31st and Sixth...
And the next second here we are at Union Square Park. It's a nice night out and there's lots of people in the park. Okay, just a few blocks to Pete's Tavern from here. Off we go.
God I hate that fucking place.
And here we are at the legendary Pete's Tavern.
I always love it when bars have gold leaf lettering in the windows.
Lets go in and see if there's a swizzle stick in our future.
It's crowded for a Tuesday night, but I see a seat at the end of the bar and I see a familiar face...
It's Mike the bartender who we met last year on the bar crawl!
Sadly, there are no swizzle sticks here at Pete's. Oh well, maybe next week, in the meantime let's take a look around the joint.
Here's a shot of the bar from my perch.
The light fixtures overhead reveal a tin ceiling.
The bottles are lit up behind the bar.
Some of the draft beers available.
A copy of a book by O. Henry, a writer and a regular years ago at Pete's Tavern.
And here's the famous booth where he supposedly wrote, The Gift of the Magi.
Press clippings and vintage photos adorn the walls of the booth.
While this is good advice, I think Red Foxx's is better.
Okay, one glance out the window and time to call it a night. See you tomorrow after dark.
Five Other Pete’s
Pete Townshend
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