Eats and Beers

The Mission Has the Best Food in All of NYC

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

At least, that's the word from food critic and amateur Kent Brockman impersonator Anthony Bourdain, who apparently visited Mission Chinese's new East Village outpost:

And the foodie backlash is already building:

Previously on Uptown Almanac: 

The Buck Loses Its Lease

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

The Buck Tavern, the mid-Market progressive hangout and all around killer bar owned by Chris Daly, has lost its lease and will be closing up at the end of the month.

Daly himself posted the announcement with a nautical-themed Halloween party announcementt, scheduled for Oct. 31st:

We've lost our lease, so let's set sail!

Being cryptic as always, Daly isn't really explaining what is happening, but posted two comments:

Even though we lost our lease, we like to think that we're embarking upon an even more epic journey. (Don't forget your nautical attire.)

And:

If you asked me last week, I would have told you that we were selling. Today, all I can say for sure is 10/31 is our last day. Oh, and we're going to have a great party that night! (And of course, wear your nautical attire, because this ship is sailing!)

Basically, he's really pushing this “on a boat” thing, even though that video is, like, so four years ago.  Is this some sort of dig at the America's Cup (probably) and the city's eclectic community being pushed out (maybe)?  Either way, the Buck is done, and that probably means one less dive serving decently cheap food.

And where are we supposed to watch the election returns now?

[Photo by Jon Phillips | via Patrick Conners]

Another Staple Mission Dive Ditches PBR, Cheap Beer

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

Following the lead of fellow Mission bars Pop's and Blind Cat, Uptown has ditched cheap beer—presumably in hopes of cleaning up the neighborhood's “scummiest dive”.  While trying to order a $2 PBR a few days ago, the bartender informed this needlessly sober customer that “we don't serve that beer anymore” and the cheapest bar on the menu was Tecate for jacked up price of $2.75.  No reason was given.

This is absolutely horrible news.  Not only will it cost me an extra 75¢ so my PBR can come in a fancy red can, but this could very well mean that the Uptown is no longer keen on barely-legal, marker-wielding clientele which the bar is known for.

Back in March, we learned that Mission dives were ditching PBR and cheap beer to reduce vandalism.  It seems, according to bartenders and managers at Blind Cat and Pop's, that dropping affordable brew gets rid of “all the problem kids that ruin the [bars].”  And, sure, it makes sense why a bar would want to get rid of taggers and other such degens who probably cost the bar money.  But it also has this nasty side effect of making drinking more expensive for everyone else.

Besides, does this mean no more bro-on-ladybro fighting?  Or asstowel-less butt-on-chair contact?  The crowd was always part of the magic of the Uptown.  Without it, isn't it just another bar serving perfectly fine $4 local beer on a street lined with prostitutes?

Previously on Uptown Almanac: 

A Look at Craftsman & Wolves

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

Proving that a food's instagrammability is more important than taste, 7x7 is GUSHING about Valencia's latest bakery with a “designer's eye”, Craftsman & Wolves:

The stylish brainchild of pastry chef William Werner, the bakery is the first project from Outfit Generic, his boutique hospitality group that includes graphic designer Josh Chen. Styled more like an atelier, the space juxtaposes a palette of blacks and grays with clean lines against brick walls. One glance at the pastry case—that looks straight out of Gucci—and ordering five items is justifiable. Will it be the savory pain au cochon (with prosciutto layered inside) or a chocolate brownie loaded with salted caramel? There are also deeply flavorful croissants, inspired éclairs, white shoyu (soy sauce) caramels, and savory bites like salmon rillettes and sandwiches.

I've wondered about this place, 7x7 was a little light on reviewing the actual food (which they describes as “flavorful” and “a sweet substitute for buying jewelry”).  So I reached out to a couple of friends who've stepped foot in the Gucci-ish basic bitches bakery:

  • “It was really good.  And very pretty… in like a cold, exposed industrial kinda way.”
  • “The sandwich I had was good, and they have a veggie and meat option daily, but it was pretty expensive.  I guess I might go back there sometime.”
  • “Dude, fuck 7x7. They've got an EGG INMUFFIN. That's right, an egg INSIDE a muffin.  Fuck everything else, it's the shit.”

There you have it! Egg InMuffin! Fuck everything else!

[7x7 | Photo by Athlex]

Waffle Party

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

I have no idea what a waffle party looks like, but we can all find out on Sunday at the Way Out Cafe, which is way out there in La Lengua near that El Rio place.  They're promising a hot mess of dancable tunes to by played by DJs so you can boogie in your seat/have an excuse to yell at your friends about “obnoxious hipster topics” like who you fucked last night and how pop-up restaurants are the fucking jam.  Also, waffles!

[via Vegansaurus]

Previously on Uptown Almanac: 

What's Up With the Old El Mexicano Bar on 24th?

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

Reader and amateur iPhone photographer Rob writes:

Sorry for the crappy photo, but it looks like things are really coming along at the former bar El Mexicano on 24th between Folsom/Treat. They've got new glazing in that cool horseshoe shaped window out front and I noticed before the paper went up that the interior was looking sharp. One of the workers I talked to there a while back confirmed that it was to be a bar and “comfort food” place, but any more details out there?

We haven't heard anything about it, anyone else know what's up?

(Thanks Rob!)

Previously on Uptown Almanac: 

Sadie's is BACK

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

It looks the owners realized naming a bar “The Unresolved Love Life of Evelyn Lee” is awful beyond irony, so they returned the old Sadie's Flying Elephant signage from years ago.  Smart move!  Hopefully they'll bring back the board games and bottomless free popcorn too?

Previously on Uptown Almanac: 

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