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“The Stoned Crow is closing at the end of 2010! The last night the bar is open will be New Year’s Eve.” Once again, I Loved New York has turned to the eyes of the West Village, Abbie K Park to write a few paragraphs in memorial.
“It was the Early ’90s and a crew of post grad friends and I had made possibly the smartest move of our lives and decided to buck trend and move downtown. Sixth Ave and 3rd street was my cross-section. I could feel the heat from the grills of Dallas Jones BBQ warming my living room floor – and what an interesting smell. A pack of buddies was holed up in a railroad apt just north. Across 6th ave, around the corner and down a few steps from them was the Stoned Crow.
Oh the times we had. Oh the times we didn’t have – a situation at the pool table had our good friend banned from the place for years….How delighted I was when I rediscovered the Crow a couple years ago. A step back in time but now with possibly the best burger in town. My beloved dart board had been removed but that was ok. See, they were doing so well, they didn’t have the room for it any more. The decor had become even richer in time – a cave palace collage of yellowed Vanity Fair spreads, movie posters and yes, Crows. I am heart-broken with this news.
Betty, we’ll miss you on your perch.”
Abbie Kunath Park was bred on cheese steaks in center city Philly and spent her younger years on the shores of Lake Michigan. She landed in suburban NY just before the 80s hit. Post grad she hopped to the big city landing her first low rent apt on 6th Avenue just across from the famed 4th Street basketball courts and above Dallas Jones BBQ then on to Spring and Thompson and her last low rent score on Mott street before marriage, pregnancy and current residence where Tortilla Flats serves as mess hall and childcare center to her two young children.
(Don’t Miss other Abbie pieces: The Ophaned Buddah, Miss Lucky, Deep Thoughts on Rice, Rusty Knot._)
Have I written about JG Melons yet? If not, I’m out of my mind. I love this place. From the long, narrow hallway bar of patrons waiting to eat while sipping on a Harp or Guinness. A fond memory is after hitting the RLP Manson with sis, bro-in-law, Nicky Fresh and Jimbo during a snow storm (I’m talking 16 inches) which blanketed the city. White OUT; I loved it. That day, I even tried to beef tartar which basically a huge lump of meat (i.e., ground chuck). My sister, at that time, not eating meat, was horrified as Jimbo stuck his spoon in for a generous heaping. And the time my mom was kicked out for using her cellphone, and we were told we MUST give up our seats as our party wasn’t complete (5 out of 6) and my bro-in-law had to put the old, balding maître d ‘in his place.
Great burgers, fries and a small time old school ambience to kick back to. Checkered table clothes and old school menu with decent NYC pricing. YUM. Wish I were there now for lunch.
after thinking about the Balthazar typography situation, I’m always called to remind myself about Lucky Strike which has always carried a great downtown vibe, albeit a cozy hallway bar which opens to a warming back dining room. I’ve had many a meal here with good friends, wine, coffee, cigarettes (when I smoked one and when New York let you smoke one). Great hamburgers, bar steaks, and pastas. It’s a conversational joint…keep talking.
Minetta Tavern, Black Label Burger. Image: aht.seriouseats.com
While it’s Sunday and it’s uncertain what to eat. I think about New York. I think about hamburgers in New York. After just checking in on Burger of the Month Club… those “7 guys on a quest to find the best burgers in the five boroughs,” I must politely disagree on their recent rankings. And guys: you really should have one chick on your club. Girls like to eat. Their picks (from 1 to 10): Peter Lugers, Donovan’s Pub, City Hall, Primehouse, Bobby Van’s Grille, Burger Joint, Landmarc, Genesis, Royal and Black Iron Burger.
the spotted pig.
Everyone likes to debate a burger, so please, tell me yours.
Look, I love Luger’s like the next guy. If you haven’t had Midwest beef lately, you aren’t living. New York has it’s share of burgers; different dressings, buns and meat preparations. I love hamburgers. Drumroll, please. This is MY LIST … in no particular order. Minetta Tavern, P.J. Clarkes, Corner Bistro, JG Melon’s, Spotted Pig, McHales (RIP), Chumley’s (hey, showing signs of life), Steak Shack, McSorelys, and Tavern on Jane.
Disagree with me or the professional burger guys? Tell me…seriously, I want to know your secrets.
P.J. Clarke's image via: Esquire.
AH, it’s Lunchtime. A favorite time for me. Wow, this is a most painful exercise.
Downtown; I might stroll into Bread (pre expansion) for a Sicilian tuna salad with avocado and glass of Pinot Grigio or half a Panini with a cup of tomatoe soup. Lunch at Parisi on Mott (to-go), a mouth-watering experience of layered turkey, Swiss and pickle on their homemade Italian bread, cut to order by the tongue-lashing Joe. (Jimmy, you used to eat the roast beef with sun-dried tomatoes on white). After a good laugh, take the sandwich to the park on Spring Street, attempt to avoid the pigeons and indulge. A pint and perfectly insane pie from Lombardi’s (pre- the- long-line-crowded touristic nightmare that has become NoLita …which starts around noon.
West Village. Always loved to drop by August for lunch; cozy fall/winter spot, Westville for comfort food in the form of Cobb salads, a hot dog and an iced-cold Bud bottle. You are sick of me for this, but Pastis for lunch (all that bistro fare). And, sometimes, on that rainy day, a burger, pint and fries from none other than broiled burgers from Corner Bistro.
Midtown; During my New Line days, I would often visit Fuji Restaurant on 56th for easy going sushi and plum wine (not to mention the great Helen Gurley Brown sighting I had back in ’99), the home of the dancing shrimp, yes the Redeye Grill (usually not on my dime, do I miss the golden era or what) for raw bar and a Cobb Salad, penicillin soup from the Brooklyn Diner, soups from Europa Cafe on 57th (and the lovely check out woman who gave us free cups of coffee) and a greasy spoon at the Moonstruck Diner. If I had ample time, I walked down to the (now shuttered) McHale’s for that burger and beer (mentioned here).
Coming soon, post work rush snacks or drinks. Let a girl digest her culinary memories.(Image 1: image: http://saltysavorysweet.blogspot.com. Image 2 image: Shanna Ravindra (NYM)
Off the cuff links of Kimmel’s posting, it’s only suitable to talk about a great ole Irish joint called McHale’s where many a frosty mug and many a delicious, plump bacon hamburger were devoured. It dawned on me only today, it’s been shuttered since 2005. It was one of the first places I ate a “New York burger” and if there was such a burger, this was in the top 3. The atmosphere was warm in the winter with the blinds tightly closed to keep out the bright sun. In fact, you left after a Saturday afternoon burger, your eyes stung from the sheer entrance onto the street (8th and 46th). They shot a scene from Sleepers here. It’s also where an actor or two could sneak in post Broadway show.
What will stand can be viewed here to be complete in 2010 complete with a large parking lot. A-wesome
