October, 2011

Pants Picks-Hip Romantic Dinner

The Pants regularly get asked for dining suggestions from friends and family, and  we are happy to share our thoughts in hopes that it might help get people out of a pickle.  Our latest request for help came from a good friend, looking to score a pickle of his own, if you know what we mean. Specifically,  he was looking...
1

Button Open

Otto- Good Place to get Blotto

Pants at a Glance
  • scene: Large front rooms with high tables for food or just drinks as you wait; dinging room is a little grim, but the usually packed house makes up for the lack of decor
  • sip: Wine wine wine from a glass, carafe or bottle
  • savor: Pizza
  • sit: With a girl friend to for a casual, wine fueled catch up; with another couple for a week night double date; with friends with kids or out of town relatives
  • spend: $$
  • address: 1 Fifth Avenue (entrance is on 8th street, not 5th Ave)
  • phone number: 212-995-9559
  • website: www.ottopizzeria.com
2

Buttons Undone

Gramercy Tavern Front Room- Worth the Hype

Pants at a Glance
  • scene: Cozy and airy at the same time, with dark wood floors, light walls, bright art and large scale flowers
  • sip: Speciality cocktails are offered, and they are more than happy to let you try any wine by the glass before you commit
  • savor: Bacon and cheddar biscuits; Pulled Pork sandwich
  • sit: With anyone really, but it needs to be people that are open to waiting for a table; good for co-workers, a date (if the date is a foodie), or even parents for an early bite
  • spend: $$
  • address: 42 East 20th, between Broadway and Park Avenue South
  • phone number: 212-477-0777
  • website: www.gramercytavern.com
3

Buttons Bursting

SHO Shaun Hergatt- The Best SHO in Town

Pants at a Glance
  • scene: Hong Kong in the Financial District; a rich, warm bar gives way to a hallway with glass enclosed wine cellars and private rooms on each side, which leads to the main dining room; best seats are the deuces against the wall of the glass enclosed kitchen, the action there is worth watching
  • sip: Sparkling Sake for dessert; champers, wine
  • savor: Lobster, Escolar, ANYTHING
  • sit: With anyone who appreciates a fine dining experience; for a special occasion; JUST GO
  • spend: $$$
  • address: 40 Broad Street, 2nd Floor (Exchange Place)
  • phone number: 212-809-3993
  • website: www.shoshaunhergatt.com
2

Buttons Undone

Miss Lily’s- The only Jerk is in the chicken

Pants at a Glance
  • scene: Feeling Irie...the front room looks like a counter service Jamaican joint in the outer-boroughs, but in a sexy cool way; there is a smaller back room with record covers on the wall, and there is also limited seating out front
  • sip: Sangria; Red Stripe
  • savor: Jerk Jerk Jerk
  • sit: With a fun group; good date place but not first date
  • spend: $$
  • address: 132 West Houston, between Sullivan and MacDougal
  • phone number: 646-558-5375
  • website: www.misslilysnyc.com
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Buttons Bursting

The Mark Firmly Hits Theirs

Pants at a Glance
  • scene: Spaniards to the left of me, Germans to right, stuck in the middle with you; Dressed up visitors and UES residents alike sharing bottles of wine make this place feel very adult; tons of servers running around and managers creeping keep it sophistcated but not stuffy; there are several rooms but no Siberia that we noticed
  • sip: The Anniversary Cocktail, which is a belini with raspberry and lychee
  • savor: The menu changes seasonally, but the egg, the truffle pizza, and both cheeseburgers are staples that will never lead you astray
  • sit: Anyone who appreciates the Shmance; with out of town visitors or family; seems like a great place to eat prior to carrying on an illicit affair in a room upstairs, but UES cheaters might need to beware
  • spend: $$$
  • address: The Mark Hotel, 25 East 77th Street, between 5th and Madison
  • phone number: 212-606-3030
  • website: www.themarkrestaurantnyc.com