Speakeasy Celebration

Emily officially became damaged goods/past her prime/shriveled up yesterday when she turned 26th. Her wonderful and sneaky friends (aka Leslie and I) surprised her with dinner at "must give your right arm to get into" La Esquina in Soho to celebrate. Though hard to get a reservation and hard to find, it is NOT hard to fall in love with this Mexican speakeasy. La Esquina is located underground. You have to go into a diner, downstairs, and through a kitchen before you end up in a warm, cozy, and dark restaurant that is full of people who look like they must be important, but you have know idea who they are. Someone must have been pretty important...MTV was interviewing them at the bar.

I had Emily rank the dishes we got in order of best to worst. She did so reluctantly as she said, quote "It's as if you are asking me to compare Miu Miu to Jimmy Choo or Balenciaga to Gucci; they are all so different yet so amazing." Well said Em!

Emily's Ranking:

1. Chicken Tostadas

2. Tuna Tostadas

3. Plantains

4. Steak Tacos

5. Chocolate lava cake

*Personally, I liked the tuna over the chicken and the lava cake over the steak tacos. I give it two toasted buns!

Leslie, Emily, and I left La Esquina comfortably full, extremely satisfied, and with a clear vision that we were not half as cool as everyone in the restaurant. However, we walked back through that kitchen and out of the diner with our heads held high and our bellies low and onto the next out of our league destination...230 Fifth rooftop bar.

NYC Italian...86 Little Italy

If you are ever in NYC and are looking for good Italian food, please steer clear of tourist infested Little Italy. I swear Mulberry St. has one massive kitchen in the back where they make the same food for all 50 restaurants. If you would rather go to a more affordable place with a local feel and better food, I have listed a few of my favorite spots.

1. Piccolo Angolo- West Village
2. Crispo- Meatpacking
3. Bread- Soho
4. Max's- East Village

I went to Bread in Soho this past Saturday and it was Yum! It is a NY Magazine's Critics Pick. We started with a meat & cheese plate and fried calamari. I went with the meatballs and potatos (pictured) as my main dish, which was the biggest hit. However, I don't think you can go wrong at this spot. We also got multiple bottles of wine and the total bill was only $40 a person with tip.