7.28.12 Cocktails at the Waldorf and insanely good food at Txikito

My husband and I celebrated our first anniversary this weekend. Our actual anniversary is on July 24th, but my husband was away for work, so we celebrated a little late. First stop was Txikito - a Basque-style pintxo (aka tapas) restaurant in Chelsea. It's the best restaurant in NYC ... at least in my opinion. I'm transported back to San Sebastian every time I eat there. *sigh*
                          (Txikito is pronounced [chi-key-toe] as the "tx" is a "ch" sound in Basque.)

I'm happy because I know what I'm about to eat.

Lucas is also happy ... We ate the roasted peppers before I could snap a pic.

Kroketas ... boom chica bow wow ...

Pulpo ... heavenly.

Berenjena ... traditional Basque eggplant dish ... This might be the best thing I've ever eaten ... in my entire life. I almost ordered a second one. It was a special that night.

Pochas (this is my fave dish from their normal menu) ... Perfectly cooked mussels. Perfect.

Lucas had the lengua. He loved it.

Quesos for dessert and wine in proper Basque glasses. I die.

Cocktails at the Waldorf Astoria after a bottle of wine at Txikito ... oofah!
The Bull and Bear bar ... Admittedly, not as fancy as I had hoped, but just as pricey as I had anticipated. womp womp.

Manhattans for two ... Trouble. ;)

7.11.12 Surf City Bar and Restaurant in Jersey City

Today's adventure was to Surf City - a bar and restaurant in Jersey City, NJ. They open at 4pm, so I met my friend Kris there early to beat the after-work crowd. I was pleasantly surprised that their lobster roll and cole slaw was delicious. It was only $14.95 for the lobster roll and, in the vicinity of NYC, that's pretty damn good. Kris and family ordered the burgers and I don't think the burgers were as good as the lobster roll. They have an area of the bar with sand and some fire pits around, so I imagine it's also quite nice to drink by the water at night here.

The walk there was a little weird. If it weren't for the giant sign ahead beckoning me forward, I wouldn't have thought I was headed in the right direction. If you pass some questionable construction and parking lots, you'll find a little harbor with loads of boats. Sitting right on the water with boats passing you by makes you feel like you're not in the city for a minute ... well, until you look up and see skyscrapers. :)

It was cool; I'll go back there ... and get another lobster roll.

The walk there ... You see what I mean ... but well worth it!

But then you get there, and it's nice ...

Bar right on the water

The lobster roll ... Mmmm