NASSAU
Waterzooi
(516) 877-2177, Garden City
http://www.waterzooi.com
Waterzooi is a haven for beer lovers (but not of the rowdy and wild distinction). This trendy Garden City Belgian Bistro offers an absolutely enormous array of brews, an innovative menu and sophisticated vibe, making it a must-visit. Buzzing for after-work drinks and on weekend nights, Waterzooi offers more than just a beer and a quick bite to eat. Their immense variety of mussels puts palates to the test and the selection of enticing dishes using global ingredients will lead you to discover a new international favorite in no time.
SUFFOLK
Public House 49
(631) 569-2767, Patchogue
http://www.publichouse49.com
Public House 49 is the spot for happy hour. This newly revamped venue on Main Street in Patchogue is chock-full of coworkers grabbing a drink after 5pm and friends letting loose. The spacious bar and freestanding high-top tables attract a crowd looking for an impressive bar menu and half-priced drinks until 7pm on weekdays. Known for their Mac “N” Cheese, Public House 49 puts out several tasty dishes—the ahi tuna sliders are served with pickled cucumbers, ginger, red onion and a refreshing cilantro aioli with warm pan-fried rice in place of bread. The bacon-infused popcorn is another unique item to share while sipping one of the various LI brews on tap. Nightly DJs, live and local music and tabs that won’t make your head spin are just some of the details that make Public House 49 the ideal venue—no matter what your occasion.
NYC
CO-OP Food & Drink
(212) 796-8040, Manhattan
http://www.co-oprestaurant.com
Manhattan’s preeminent hotels feature some of the city’s best restaurants. Amongst the heated competition, only the finest come out on top. Downtown, Hotel on Rivington recently added the exceptional CO-OP Food & Drink. This aesthetically striking restaurant and lounge sets the bar so high it’s a tough act to follow. Incorporating modern American cuisine with a twist of Japanese, CO-OP dishes out delectable food and drink in an awe-inspiring space exquisitely designed with impressive 30-foot-high glass ceilings that allow diners to catch a glimpse of the city’s famous skyline. Sexy black chandeliers hover above communal tables, lighting the room, and huge celebrity portraits dominate the walls throughout. Cocktails are impeccably executed. One of their more unusual concoctions is the Spiced Cane—rum infused with cinnamon and vanilla bean, creamy coconut milk, serrano elixir and whiskey-barrel-aged bitters. If you’re looking for a stiff cocktail, try the Truffle Martini—a simple drink with truffled feta-stuffed olives. Wines are carefully selected from only the finest wineries in the US. Savory starters, like the spicy tuna placed on a crispy bed of rice with tobiko and serrano pepper, are for sharing. The salmon with roasted tomato and shallots as well as the tuna with butter lettuce and ginger dressing are sashimi options that make CO-OP truly one of the best. (Tip: Ditch the soy sauce, the flavor needs no adjustment.) Steering away from the Asian cuisine, warm pickings include not-so-standard sliders with an optional scrumptious topping of pork belly. CO-OP Food & Drink ultimately provides a swanky, delicious evening out that is delectably downtown.