Lilly Coogan’s to become Coal Yard

Yesterday I bumped into a friend, Steve Schweiger outside the former Lilly Coogan’s space (102 First Avenue @ 6th Street) which shuttered in late May/early June.  He’s the general contractor overseeing the renovation there.  Word is that the partners from nearby International Bar (120 1/2 First Avenue @7th Street) will be taking the bar over (they transferred the license in July).

Construction is wrapping up, the tap lines aren’t in yet but the word on the street is that they’ll be having a soft opening this Wednesday (not confirmed).  This is great news for the neighborhood, International Bar is one of my top 5 bars in the area & I’m sure that owners Molly & Shawn can bring the same vibe to Coal Yard.  Watch this space for more news.

Zum Schneider continues to menace the ‘hood

I recently passed by Zum Schneider (107 Avenue C @ 7th Street) & Oktoberfest is in full swing.  The place was absolutely heaving & there was a gigantic line outside.  You could hear the music/shouting/crying from a block or two away & it seems like everyone was having a hell of a time.  The 2nd Anniversary of Sunburnt Cow with free food & booze (as well as a whole cow spit roast) didn’t deter people from going to Zum.

Some were having a little too much fun (see pic below).  This poor girl was absolutely legless & her boyfriend/crutch was holding on to her for dear life while trying to flag down a cab.  Jokes aside, I love the food here…

Petite Abeille

The family (well 4 out of 6 of us) got together last night for dinner at a Belgian restaurant that we pass frequently.  Petite Abeille (401 East 20th Street) is a pretty bustling restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating right on the corner of 1st Avenue.  It being Belgian, we were immediately thinking Moules Frite, but the bigger attraction was that Monday nights is half off all beers.  With this in mind, my Dad & I planned on getting good & leathered on strong Belgian beers.

Sake Bar Satsko

I’m really surprised it’s taken me so long to write a review of Sake Bar Satsko (202 East 7th Street between Ave. B & C), particularly because I live across the street & seem to spend a lot of time eating & drinking there.  It’s a tiny sliver of a place & it took me a few weeks to actually figure out that it was a restaurant & bar (Beer, Wine, Sake & Soju; a Korean liquor similar to Vodka, but sweeter).

Introducing The Hopsicle

This was just too choice to ignore. Diable Royale Este (167 Avenue A @ 11th Street) will begin serving up beer popsicles! Take a can of Tecate, add simple syrup, lime & a wooden stick then freeze for 4 days. Your bartender will cut the can in half with a serrated knife. BINGO, instant Hopsicle, Genius! Image & story via Urban Daddy.

Ruby’s Bar & Grill

It took me about 22 years of living in NYC to finally make it out to Coney Island & when I did, I headed straight for Ruby’s (1213 Riegelmann Boardwalk).  This place takes ‘Dive Bar’ to a whole new level & throws in a side of Coney Island Boardwalk & sea views.  Mismatched furniture, a jukebox on it’s last legs & no-nonsense, gray-haired bartenders complete the look.

50% Off @ Hop Devil Grill

Groupon has an excellent deal.  50% off of Tex-Mex food & drinks at Hop Devil Grill (129 St Marks Place @ Avenue A).  $15 gets you $30 worth.  Note that this coupon is available Today Only, but valid till February 10th 2011.  Get on it!

Lina Frey

I’d been reading about Lina Frey (201 East Houston at Ludlow Street) the newest French Bistro & Creperie in the LES for some time so I decided to finally check it out for myself.  Actually, I had read more about the beer selection & retractable roof than the food, so I was eager to see what all of the fuss was about.

Croxley Ales

Two words; Dirty Fingers.  This is what you can expect when you go to Croxley Ales ( 28 Avenue B between 2nd & 3rd Street).  Mondays and Wednesdays are 10 cent wing nights & as the picture demonstrates things can get really messy (20 cent wings til 5 on Saturday & all day Sunday), I don’t know why they bother giving us forks anyhoo!

Bacon Bash!

Ok, this post is 2 months late, but on March 31st I and a bunch of bacon enthusiasts took over the ‘Vegas Room’ in the rear of Village Pourhouse (64 3rd Avenue at 11th Street).  $30 got you a few hours of delicious bacon heaven.  Every dish included bacon in some form, including the drinks!  I had heard about the event from The NYC Menu Girl & managed to snag a 15% discount!