211527 Thu Jun 24 10:05:22 -0700 2004 11 18 Manhattan 0 1125528 Specifically the show that’s running at the Minetta Lane Theater. [The intriguing subject of alcohol in the kitchen is a topic best pursued on the Not About Food board. :-) ] My girlfriend and I will be attending the play and will need a place to engage in an alcohol fueled discussion of the performance. We’re looking for a watering hole with a relaxed but classy atmosphere and killer martinis. The weather may be hot so we’re not looking to walk for more than 10 minutes. That means the venue should be within a rectangle marked by 14th Street to the north, Houston Street to the south, Washington street to the west, and Broadway to the east. Thanks in advance to all. Thu Jun 24 10:05:22 -0700 2004 0 Bob Martinez 1 1125542 Damn. Temple Bar would be perfect but that's too far east. I like The Room on Sullivan Street, which is quite clost to Minetta Lane. Don't know if they serve good martinis, but they certainly have a great lineup of beers. Thu Jun 24 11:00:35 -0700 2004 1125528 0 Abbylovi 2 1125586 No martinis at The Room. Wine and beer only. Thu Jun 24 12:21:45 -0700 2004 1125542 0 Nina W. 2 1125596 Yeah, damn. Temple Bar is her FAVORITE. Thu Jun 24 13:10:34 -0700 2004 1125542 0 Deb Van D 3 1125627 You can reward yourself with an extra martini in return for the longer walk, right? Thu Jun 24 14:33:34 -0700 2004 1125596 0 Abbylovi 1 1125553 North Square (in the Washington Hotel) - Northwest corner of Waverly and McDougal. Killer martinis and great snacks. Thu Jun 24 11:12:19 -0700 2004 1125528 0 J Leigh 2 1125613 I'll second North Square. Thu Jun 24 13:47:36 -0700 2004 1125553 0 NancyH 3 1125629 And I'll third North Square. I hope manager/mixologist Chad is there--he usually is--he's one of my favorite mixologists in town. He has a natural gift. Ask for him! Thu Jun 24 14:36:29 -0700 2004 1125613 0 Tom Steele 1 1125580 Absolutely 4th - slightly west of 7th Ave & West 4th. Very close to Christopher Street 1/9 station & only a few blocks from Minetta Lane. They serve snacks, which I can't vouch for, and their martinis are very good. Thu Jun 24 12:11:30 -0700 2004 1125528 0 Steph 1 1125661 Daddy-O (44 Bedford at Leroy) Daddy-O is exactly as you say: "relaxed but classy atmosphere and killer martinis." Owned by the same guy who owns italian restaurant Po (Cornelia St.), the food, though bar-food, is made with the same kind of excellent-quality ingredients one expects at Po. The martini is enormous (I drink martinis all over this neighborhood--and NYC--and rarely have I encountered one of such volume). It is vigorously shaken, leaving it unusually cold with ice particles floating happily around in it. As for eats, try the Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich (grilled pullman bread with thick Faicco's ham piled on top, swiss cheese, slaw, and thick spicey mustard), the Shrimp Quesadillas or Tacos, or the Warm Spinach Salad (with blue cheese and bacon--the thick variety). The Daddy-O Burger is delicious as well. Instead of fries, Daddy-O serves tater-tots which arrive hot, ungreasy and perfectly fried. The kitchen stays open until 4am nightly. They also have a huge selection of single-malts, tequilas, grappas, and rums. This is a truly great bar. Thu Jun 24 16:52:36 -0700 2004 1125528 0 JohnnyCakes 2 1127180 Daddy-Os also has great margaritas, which I like to use to wash down the tater tots they serve. Tue Jul 06 18:23:06 -0700 2004 1125661 0 Daisy 1 1127146 Thanks to all for your great suggestions. We caught the 2:00PM matinee of Cookin’ on Saturday. As expected, the weather was hot and we stayed on the shady side of the street as we walked to Daddy-o’s for martini #1. The place has a type of old style elegance – nothing overdone, clean décor. The classic martinis, gin and vodka, were well chilled and the bartender thoughtfully had the Mets – Yankees game on TV. Both the drinks and the game were very satisfying. The bar itself was quiet, no doubt due to the emptiness of New York on a holiday weekend. We plan to return. We then moved on to Absolutely 4th, a true martini bar with a martini menu too. It was a festive hip place, with an ambiance suggesting a grown up Pee Wee’s Playhouse. After our mini walk all of this was quite welcome. We were a group of 4 and we each ordered differently. One and Two ordered fruity martinis which were reported as pleasant tasting but none too potent. Three ordered some type of peppery martini which seemed like just the thing when read off the menu. When actually presented it was disappointing – it tasted as if the salty liquid from a bottle of hot peppers had been drained into the glass. It was pronounced “undrinkable.” I stuck with my previous choice from Daddy-o’s – a Stoly martini straight up with a double twist. It was perfect. Bonus points for the barmaid who very friendly and attentive. Double bonus points to the complimentary garlicky kettle type potato chips that were served in a generous bowl. They were consumed down to the crumbs and only an imminent dinner reservation stopped us from having more drinks and more chips. We drank a toast to Chowhound. Tue Jul 06 16:10:56 -0700 2004 1125528 0 Bob Martinez