Last Night at Hea

What VP debate? While you were huddled on your couch, wondering what Sarah Palin might say next to embarrass herself and her party, I was doing what every patriotic American should have been doing: Drinking. Also eating--delicious things like spicy tuna rolls, coconut soup, fried rice, duck and pork belly at East Village newcomer Hea (pronounced "he"), which serves Asian fusion cuisine (and cocktails) in an aesthetically pleasing environment. With low booths and small tables, the lounge-like lower level was ideal for the cocktail hour that preceded last night's press dinner--during which time I guzzled enough lychee martinis to stumble up the steps on my way to the second floor for dinner. Okay, so I missed the debate. But instead, I got a free dinner, a moderate hangover and the respect of everyone smart enough to recognize that free booze is more important than being informed.

More new and notable restaurants here.

In the space formerly occupied by Prey, a new 1940s-themed bar and lounge called Catch-22 is the latest venue aiming to attract the Flatiron crowd.

Hits: Hungry drinkers can sample goods from behind enemy lines--like spiced ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms (Italy)--or re-ally themselves with lobster and crab cakes from the good ol' U.S. of A.

Misses: Despite the be-vested barstaff, drink-appropriate glassware and swaths of seating, historical purists won't find themselves in a 1940's looking glass, nor, perhaps, will they be inclined to linger amid the hopped-up decor.

Check out our full editorial review of Catch-22, then peruse other new and notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you bombed).

Next week, we'll take you inside the latest Chinatown cocktail spot that causing a stir, Apotheke.

Spotted last night: A suspender-clad Sasha Petraske behind the bar at White Star, evoking the spirit of the speakeasy style for which he is famous. Kind enough to converse with me a bit, he mentioned that his minions at Milk and Honey are fully capable and trustworthy, so he can spend most of his time at his new spot. By midnight the place was packed, so I'm guessing his plight to push absinthe on New York is working pretty well so far. Either that, or I was hallucinating.

Photo of White Star borrowed from Yelp

Photo of White Star borrowed from Yelp

Another day, another drink ... This time, though, the drinks are made of absinthe, and they come courtesy of cocktail impresario Sasha Petraske's new Chinatown drinking den, White Star.

Hits: The refined, relaxing environment in which to relish old-school absinthe service and a sweet selection of herbaceous spirits.

Misses: After the novelty of the green fairy wears off, slow bartenders backlogged by time-consuming absinthe orders may become frustrating. Also, who knew so many bankers hung out below Delancey Street?

Check out our full editorial review of White Star, then peruse other new and notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you bombed).

Next week, we'll take you inside Catch-22, the Flatiron District's latest attempt at coolness.

Yes, the pint of vodka in your desk drawer is calling your name, pleading for some well-deserved attention. But instead of dipping into your stash at the day's end, head to Blue Owl in the East village tonight at 5pm to celebrate hump day. There's no cover to join the Wonderful Wednesdays fun at this cocktail den. Simply RSVP to thehumpnyc@gmail.com and start sipping specialty and well drinks for $6 a pop, and don't stop until 3am. The guest DJ tonight is Blu Jemz, joining resident DJ's Myles and Lindsey. For more details, just click on the invite to the left. And for similarly awesome opportunities around town, check our list of bar and restaurant deals.

The longest short week of all time is finally over, which means it's time for another installment of New Review Fridays. This week we review Whiskey Tavern, the latest endeavor from the dudes behind boozy East Village bar Whiskey Town.

Hits: After a hard day of work downtown, you'll thank the heavens that this bar serves stiff bolts of bourbon and hunger-killing burgers both veggie and meaty.

Misses: The area is still a nightlife no man's land, and Whiskey Tavern tends to be populated by too-drunk dudes, screaming to be heard over ear-splitting rock songs.

Check out our full editorial review of Whiskey Tavern, then peruse other new and notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you wasted).

Next week, we'll take you inside Public Assembly (aka, the "new" Galapagos).

Remember way back in February, when we brought you news of a new midtown spot called Houndstooth, slated to open last spring? Well, you probably didn't notice when it didn't open. But today we received word from co-owner Nicholas Cohen, who says, "We got our license approved and will be open in 3-5 weeks," and also promised to send us photos "the day we take them."

And there you have it.

Yesterday afternoon, while I was wasting time on Facebook working, I happened to stumble across a group for something called Rattle 'N' Hum Bar (above--click to enlarge). I haven't heard anything about it, but according to the FB page it's slated to open tomorrow at 14 East 33rd Street, and will offer 65 microbrews on tap, two cask-conditioned hand-drawn beer taps, a menu of Irish-American food, eight plasma and four big-screen TVs, and regular weekly events (like Service Industry Night ("S.I.N."), with cheap drink specials geared toward waiters and bartenders). Now I know what you're thinking: "A bar in midtown that serves beer and pub grub, and has theme nights? How remarkable!" But wait--there's more:

"Rattle 'N' Hum will be doing a loyalty/drinking program called frequent beer miles program (every beer you have will be equal to 100 sky miles), [and] you get your own personal Rattle 'N' Hum beer miles card. More points/beers you or your company add up will entitle you to rewards like free Rattle 'N' Hum clothing to open bar to free dinners and parties. So make sure you and you're friends sign up asap. We will also have corporate cards for our drinking program, the more you and your company associates drink and hang out at the bar we will reward you with parties, etc."

The only thing I'm loyal to is my drinking program, so as gimmicks go, this one appeals to me (at least in theory, since I don't travel north of 14th Street if I can avoid it). Perhaps more appealing is the fact that the bar will be open during the exact hours when I usually like to drink: 8am to 4am daily. So if Rattle 'N' Hum succeeds in drawing in the neighborhood's after-work crowd with promises of free things and liquor, you can bet that drinkers with a midtown problem will all be asking the same question: Are you a cardmember?

It's the Friday before Labor Day, and we're still chained to our desks. We're hoping they'll let us go soon, but in the meantime here's a taste of this week's featured new review, (Le) Poisson Rouge.

Hits: (L)PR is all about accessibility. Concerts cost, but there's no cover to get into the side carriage bar, which is also uber-cool, pumping out eclectic jams from Manu Chao to Nirvana.

Misses: Seating arrangements vary in the listening room; sometimes 200 chairs are set up in rows, at other times it's standing-room only, causing some patrons to awkwardly squat on the floor pre-show.

Check out our full editorial review of (Le) Poisson Rouge, then peruse other New & Notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you hammered).

And be sure to enjoy the long weekend--unless your employer observes Columbus Day, it's the last one 'til Thanksgiving.

We took a few weeks off, but "New Review Fridays" are back and they're here to stay. This week we review Macondo, the street eats and cocktails spot that recently opened in the space formerly occupied by the LoSide Diner.

Hits: In a festive setting, you'll snack on tasty small plates and sip affordable and insanely inventive cocktails that push the boundaries of beverages.

Misses: The design feels a bit gimmicky--think Disneyland meets a Latin republic--and if you're not taking advantage of the drinks then paying top dollar for tacos may disagree with you.

Read our full editorial review of Macondo and then peruse other New & Notable bar reviews or check out our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you hammered).