Category: American

The legendary automat has had a long and rich history in New York and other big American and European cities. These automated eateries, which allowed customers to purchase their food from coin-operated slots and eat them in a communal cafeteria-type setting, enjoyed their heyday in the first half of the 20th Century, peaking during the office worker boom of the 1950s. By the 70s, McDonalds and take-out had rendered the automat all but useless, and you’d be hard-pressed to find one, in New York or anywhere else. But a few years ago, that all changed with the opening of Bamn! Inspired by a new generation of Dutch automats serving fast comfort food like burgers and sandwiches, entrepreneurs David Leong and Nobu X decided to revitalize this hibernating tradition in New York, and the results are nothing less than delightful.

Bamn!’s fluorescent pink-lit, glowing design gives it a futuristic, otherworldly feel, and draws people in from the street out of sheer curiosity. It seems to be part of a new trend of modern-looking, Japanese-influenced, colorful fast food places in the neighborhood, and so far, it seems like the locals (mostly NYU students) are eating it up. With their stand-up tables and window serving beverages and Pommes Frites with a crazy variety of dipping sauces, Bamn! makes a perfectly wonderful place to stay and eat, though you could also take your food on the go, thanks to its extreme portability. The purchasing of the food is half the fun, of course, and change machines ensure that you won’t find yourself quarterless and desperately clawing at the glass standing between you and your dinner. The sometimes Asian-influenced comfort food offerings are constantly changing, but some items that make frequent appearances are grilled cheese, mini burgers, mac and cheese croquettes, and Chinese-style roasted pork buns. Nothing here is particularly mind-blowing, but it will satisfy your greasy-salty cravings capably.

The food is a tad overpriced (averaging $2.50 an item), especially since the potions are tiny and you need to buy three or four items if you really want to make a meal of it. It’s best to come here when you’re on your way somewhere and haven’t had a chance to eat, or when the late-night munchies strike you on your way home from the bar. It is at these drunken times that Bamn! really shines, because you can lurch up to the vending area and spend as long as you want deciding, then order without having to annoy any staff members with your speech-slurring ways. Frankly, I don’t know why automats aren’t still a New York staple, considering our collective love of speedy service. Maybe Bamn! will inspire a series of imitators, and we will enjoy a second golden age of convenience.

As it is, at its most basic level, an unapologetic sports bar, Park Slope's 200 Fifth is ideal for nights when it’s just the guys, or anytime you’re with a big group of friends and need someplace that does double duty as a bar and eatery. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by just scads of TVs blaring a constant rotation of sporting events. Like any good sports bar, they’re always willing to change the channel on the TV nearest you to your favorite team’s game, barring any objections from dissidents. The bar and restaurant are separated so as not to annoy each other, which is a plus when you were expecting a quiet dinner and unexpectedly showed up on a big game night, complete with roaring feedback from the bar crowd.

Standard bar fare is 200 Fifth’s bread and butter, so to speak, with ten (yes, ten) ounce burgers, fresh seafood and decent wings making up the majority of the dishes I saw flying off the line. But Chef Mendy’s menu includes some unique dishes that offer a bit more variety than yet another bar burger, however capably crafted. I recommend you start with the Saffron Mussel Ragout, which is topped with a crispy risotto cake, or the 200 Fifth Clams, which are a favorite of regulars. Entrées include everything from authentic, slow-smoked barbeque to pasta and more excellent seafood. Try the Trout Du Jour (I love that there’s a whole daily menu devoted to trout) or go all out and indulge in the 14 ounce New York steak. 200 Fifth’s brunch menu offers a pretty typical assortment of egg dishes and the like, but I feel strongly about pairing good brunch with good cocktails, and where better to ensure you’ll get a quality Bloody Mary than a freaking bar?

Speaking of booze (and I often am), I haven’t even gotten to the best part about 200 Fifth. They have not ten, not fifteen, but 40, count ‘em, 40 beers on tap. And with a deal offering a sampler of six 4.5-ounce beers on the menu, you can afford to experiment. Among the 40 draft beers, all available at the very reasonable price of $3.50 a pint, are Arrogant Bastard Ale (California), Monty Python's Holy grAIL (England), Victory Hop Devil (Pennsylvania), and one of my very favorites, Six Point Sweet Action (Brooklyn, NY). Call it Brooklyn pride or an affinity for the racy indie magazine of the same name, but I likes me some Sweet Action.

So whether you’re looking for a place to while away a few hours with your buddies after work, or planning a lengthy night of eating and drinking, you can’t really go wrong with a place like 200 Fifth. Sure, it’s generic, and you could find the same type of atmosphere at a TGI Friday’s if you were really desperate. But all of the things that people hate about big chains (impersonal service, high prices, obnoxious families everywhere), 200 Fifth avoids for the most part. If you’re looking for a precious hole in the wall that screams local character and would make your foodie friends jealous, this ain’t it. But if you’re just looking for some wings, some cheap beers and a few hours of reversion to your college days, look no further.

Choice (380 Third Ave) is located in a central spot in energetic Murray Hill. It's a great place to go for beating after work crowds – but not if you're looking for a spectacular meal. Luckily for Choice – their cocktails more than make up for their boring menu.

Best known for their specialty martinis, I always opt for the "choicetini" – pineapple juice, coconut juice, and vodka – it's why I go to Choice in the first place. Though they do offer a typical bar menu of apps and easy entrees, you won't be wowed by the grub. In fact, every time I've gone to Choice, the entrees for the table have been brought out at different times - not exactly a place you'll want to go with a big group that intends on eating together. Wait staff is pleasant enough, but service is slow, even if the restaurant is half empty.

Go to Choice if you've got a friend that likes stiff drinks and isn't picky about food – the exposed brick and mahogany accents lends itself to a very east side vibe. The wine menu isn't bad either, offering over 30 different selections. Plus you can't beat the price. I had a salad entrée and two martinis for $25 on my last outing there – a really great deal for a NYC eatery. My suggestion is to start the night off at Choice with some delicious cocktails – and then head across the street to Rodeo for some pitchers of Margaritas. With so many bar and restaurant options in Murray Hill, cross this one off the top of your list.

Sometimes all you need is comfort food and kitsch, but in NYC, that's often asking for a lot. If it's baked macaroni and cheese in a teal booth you crave, check out Vynl Restaurant (754 9th Avenue). The theme of this eatery is music – menus are made of old record albums and the overall décor is dedicated to favorite singers and bands.

If you take a seat at the bar, definitely try their signature Vynl cocktail ($8) – mixed with lemonade, vodka, and something that makes it pink and delicious. You'll get to check out lots of old school music memorabilia like Run DMC dolls or Beatles action figures but alas, these aren't for sale. The menu is packed with things you'd find at a diner (hamburgers, quesadillas, wraps) but with some Thai infused dishes too.

Though I've eaten here day and night, Vynl really comes to life in the evening. Music starts blasting at happy hour and as the lights go dim, the disco ball comes on. It's almost like Happy Days meets the O.C. with the restaurant's kitschy feel but retro modern vibe. Don't expect first class service here or delicious dishes. Go to Vynl for the experience – not for the food.

It's only fair to admit the real reason I go to Vynl when I'm on the west side is for the bathrooms. First time customers will be confused by the doors that read "Elvis", "Dolly", or "Nelly" and probably won't know what to expect. Though each bathroom is gender neutral (meaning the "Elvis" isn't just for guys), you might want to step inside whichever artist you prefer, since each bathroom is an homage to that particular songbird (wall-size mosaic portrait and all). If you're lucky enough (or, er, I guess unlucky) to stay inside the bathroom long enough, you'll catch on that the tune blasting from the ceiling are always only sung by the singer whose bathroom you're visiting. Sound confusing? Go check out Vynl for yourself…even if it's only for a drink and a brief bathroom break.

Cheese. I love it. Show me a person who doesn’t like cheese and I’ll show you someone I just don’t care for. Also, macaroni. Any pasta will make me happy, really. In this case my choice of discussion of macaroni is for a reason. I want to talk of these two ingredients because I want to pontificate, nay, PREACH about the mac and cheese at the oh-so-yummy haven: Chat ‘n’ Chew

Allow me to start by pointing out that I hate mac and cheese. Growing up I avoided it like the plague and always chose gross beef patties in school just to avoid this seemingly sickening concoction. It didn’t seem organic to me in any sense and I wanted no part. Mac and cheese was not for me.

In going to Chat ‘n’ Chew for the first time with a friend who swore by their version of the dish, I vetoed the spot in favor of something less offensive to me. It was after all, the Union Square area and possibilities were ample. She held her ground, insisting on their famous mac and cheese. I gave in. And thank the cheese gods I did, because that day changed my life. The mac and cheese was impressive to say the least. Gooey and soft on the inside, the outside was adorned with crunchy bits that give the perfect complementing texture to the gooey cheese. (Great now I’m getting hungry.)

You think that is where this review ends but you are mistaken. I have not yet tackled the meat loaf. Now you might not believe what you’re about to read, but it’s true. I grew up without ever having tried meatloaf. To me, it was the vague notion of what a proper 50’s family with a stay home mom ate for dinner every Wednesday. Not so for my family. I was served up a seafood surprise that was surprisingly not seafood. So, I ventured to try the “foreign” dish one fine lunch hour at Chat ‘n’ Chew. It was divine. Made with a ridiculously flavorful mushroom gravy (not an overpowering mushroom flavor—just a great texture and taste), this loaf of meat, if you will, is paired with mashed potatoes (with skins) and a bevy of roasted veggies. All in all no human can still be full after this dish. And each one I’ve seen try it for the first time was left deeply satisfied.

Chat n chew has a full menu apart from my favorites here and a full bar for the lushes of the group (me), so no one will leave dissatisfied. In the summer they offer a few tables on the sidewalk if you’d like to enjoy your food alfresco. Located not one block from Union Square, this eatery is the perfect spot to enjoy any or all of your cravings while staying in a cool area.