Exploring Near Union Square: Pete's Tavern, Beecher's Homemade Cheese Shop, Roast Kitchen

PETE'S TAVERN

Last week I had occasion to meet a visiting friend for dinner near Union Square. and she was kind enough to indulge a whimsical impulse I had to (finally?) visit Pete's Tavern on Irving Place, one of my favorite streets in Manhattan since I discovered it :::mumblemumble:::  years ago.

The awnings outside the restaurant boast "The Place O.Henry made famous!"  (it appears under a pseudonym in one of his stories) and it claims to be "the oldest continuously operating tavern in the city".    It was much louder inside than I expected.   Perhaps I imagined a UK style pub frequented by quiet, literary types like the Inklings  8)

We got an inside seat right next to the iPad jukebox and perused the Italian-American menu offerings (surprise number two).    One thing I rely on in good Italian restaurants is their knowledge of How To Cook Green Things (garlic, olive oil, tender-crisp), so my dinner was half of a mound of spinach and garlic with the coconut shrimp appetizer (the ginger-apricot sauce was fantastic), with a pint (my mistake, too much for me) of Angry Orchard.   As happy hour ended, between the shouting conversations and the pounding jukebox, REALLY LOUD hour began and we needed to get away from the noise, but the evening was otherwise really lovely.

http://www.petestavern.com


ROAST KITCHEN

This past week I had been sick and had to "play hurt" for much of the time.  This was my reward.
I was back in Union Square yesterday for multiple errands (Whole Foods is the only place near me which carries the BraziBites gluten-free cheese bread balls to which I may have become addicted) and I found a not-yet-Friday-crowded spot whose theme is, apparently, hot or cold food choices mixed to your taste and served in a bowl.    I ordered a "Ginger bowl"  (shut up) of greens, sprouts, roasted corn, scallions and rice with pork meatballs, spicy and delicious.   They offered water infused (mint or cucumber) and plain, on the house.   The seating at this location is mostly tall bar stools (my feet didn't touch the ground when I dismounted), warning for the short of leg.

Would nom again  8)

http://www.roast-kitchen.com/


BEECHER'S HANDMADE CHEESE

My last stop before heading for home was a place known (from a Foursquare list) to sell cheese curds in Manhattan.   I had discovered I liked them after trying those offered upstate by Oscar's Adirondack Smokehouse and I get an itch for them every so often.

Beecher's Handmade Cheese is an upscale cheesemonger based in Seattle with a Manhattan branch on Broadway.  In addition to fancy cheese, they sell some breads, charcuterie, and "The World's Best Mac and Cheese" (GF version available).   The shop has a lunch counter, and the maitre d' for a wine and cheese bar / restaurant on the lower level called The Cellar.   The shop also has a number of comfy chairs between the front door and the shop section.   I may have dined here had I known, but this way I'll have to come back another time (Oh darn, oh darn).    The prices are daunting enough to make overconsumption unlikely.   I had to force myself to put down the wedge of Raclette...

http://www.beechershandmadecheese.com/Locations/NewYork.aspx