Essex House Restaurant

Essex House Restaurant is a place to come to back over and over again. This restaurant has been on our favorites list for many reasons. It has something to offer whatever the occasion is:

Weekend Brunch: nice menu selection. Almost all the items are $20, which comes with includes 3 bloody marys, screwdrivers or mimosas. The waiters are very generous with the drinks. You'll inevitably have more than 3 drinks. The menu changes from time to time, but we've liked all the dishes we've had so far (and that's a lot of them!)

Happy Hours: The sangrias are our favorites! Try the red pitcher. Happy hour is 6-9 Sunday - Thursday. The drinks are half price during Essex House's happy hour and there are $1 Oysters all night. The Oysters were not really worth it, they are really tiny. We always come for the drinks and the nice atmosphere. The place plays great music, but not so loud that you can't chat with friends or have to scream on the top your lungs.

Dinners: We love the regular menu items for dinner. The two items pictured here are the filet mignon with sweet potato fries, mixed greens & shallot red wine reduction ($25) and firecracker bbq short rib with cheese grits, collard greens & jalapeño hush puppies ($22). Both dishes were delicious! The filet mignon melts in your mouth and the short ribs come right off the bone. On certain nights, there are also dinner specials. For example, Wednesday nights is their Lobster Special - where you get a whole lobster with several sides for only $18. This is not worth it. When we tried it, the lobster was not fresh and it seemed like it has been cooked and left out for hours before it was served. We always enjoyed the regular menu items, but the lobster dinner special was a huge disappointment.

We would always come back here for the drinks, for brunch and for their regular dinner items! Go check out Essex House Restaurant!

http://www.essexnyc.com/index.html

120 Essex Street (@ Rivington Street) New York, NY 10002

Total Yummy Points: 8.5/10

Happy Hour at Third Floor Café

This modern-looking K-town spot is definitely worth your time! I just started coming here recently and fell in love with the food, drinks, décor and atmosphere.

It’s tucked away on the third floor of a corner building on the corner of 32nd and 5th avenue. You have to look hard to find it! The elevator up is also TINY! You’re officially warned – only about 3 people up at a time!
The Scene: nice big couches with lots of space for diners too. The crowd is predominately Korean. Hip hop music, but not too loud where you can’t chat with friends.

Happy Hour Special: Every night from 5pm-8pm. Get dinner and a cocktail/beer/wine for just $10! It’s an awesome deal! I’ve tried the Kimchi fried rice and beef w/ rice – both delicious! I also have not tried a cocktail that I did not like here. The lychee martini is my fav.

I recommend Third Floor Café for the happy hours and dinner. It’s also a chill spot to hang out and catch up with friends…

Address: 315 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Best Nachos in Town!

The Australian’s veggie nachos are the best we’ve ever had! The crispy tortilla chips are topped with guacamole, sour cream, mango chunks, assorted diced peppers and onion, a variety of cheeses, and has a slight taste of sweet salsa (I can’t pinpoint what it is exactly) – but put that all together and you have an explosion of flavor in your mouth! We’ve been back here numerous times just for the NACHOS! During happy hour, the nachos are just $5 and its enough for 2 people! Regular price is only $9. You can’t beat the price or taste anywhere else!

On a different note…
The Australian also has great happy hours. The drink and food selection is awesome. Fosters anyone? Having spent time living abroad in Australia, this place DOES compare to the real deal! Aside from great food and drink, the waiters and bartenders are extremely friendly and accommodating. We have an awesome time every time we’re there!

Address:
20 West 38 Street (btw 5th and 6th ave) New York, NY 10017

Total Yummy Points: 9.5
(Do yourself a favor and go get some nachos! They also with chicken and lamb)