All of the action and excitement in Brooklyn’s Park Slope happens along its wide avenues, and as the neighborhood has developed, the action has moved steadily West towards the shore. Prospect Park forms a natural Eastern border to the neighborhood, and nearby Seventh and Eighth Avenues dominated the scene up until around the late 90’s. Since then, Fifth Avenue has undergone a radical transformation from one interminable, impoverished strip mall to the new center of the neighborhood. Trendy bistros replaced 99 cent stores, and dilapidated brownstones were whisked away, only to be replaced by construction zones, their wooden fences plastered with idealistic renderings of architecturally-confounding condominiums.

Some of the bars, stores and restaurants on Fifth Avenue predate the Avenue’s ‘hip’ status, however, and The Gate is one of them. It benefits from its prime location at the heart of Park Slope, across from Byrne Park, a popular park and playground surrounded by upscale restaurants and boutiques. Just like nearby Commonwealth, The Gate is a neighborhood joint through and through, a place where the regulars look more like your cool middle-aged college professor than your typical shrieking sorority girl (the staple resident of New York bars). If anything, the walk-in business generated by the street’s newfound popularity has turned off a lot of longtime loyal customers, who liked the place back when they could sit down with a Scotch and work on their novel in relative peace any night of the week, or strike up a lively debate with the bartender and the handful of other locals who haunted the place.

But whether they like it or not, The Gate has acquired a lot of new fans, and during the warmer months, when the bar’s large patio is swarming with after-work tipplers, mingling under clouds of cigarette smoke, the place becomes a great place to chat up cute locals. The bar has become a place for local residents to meet people who are actually interesting and literate and don’t harbor plans to start a hedge fund, and that is a rare thing indeed.

The bartenders at The Gate are great at what they do, and they’ll give you expert opinions on any of their fine selection of beers, both draft and bottle, as well as their carefully chosen Scotches, Whiskies, and whatever else your liver is craving. A constantly rotating selection of beers, focusing on smaller breweries (Rogue, Brooklyn, Blue Point) gives regular customers the chance to try things they might otherwise never taste on tap, if at all. The taps switch over to a new theme every few weeks, whether it’s beers made in the state of New York, Winter-themed brews, or beers that start with the letter A (OK, I made that last one up). Tech-savvy brewhounds can check The Gate’s blog to find out what’s on tap (http://thegatebrooklyn.blogspot.com/).

When married entrepreneurs Liat Cohen and Yaniv Reeis opened their tiny storefront in Park Slope, a neighborhood known for overpriced restaurants and stiff competition for fledgling businesses, the odds were against them. The neighborhood was already home to several successful cafés, including Tea Lounge, Ozzie’s, and Gorilla Coffee. And although nowadays you can’t throw a bagel in this town without hitting a gourmet chocolaterie, a few years ago, the concept of a chocolate bar was a tad alien to most people. Cocoa Bar, with its triple focus on chocolate, wine, and coffee, didn’t seem to fit into a category. Was it a bar? A café? A bakery?

In the end, Cohen and Reeis’ gamble paid off, in the form of a lasting business and brand name, which appears on packaged treats and gifts available for sale in the store. Cocoa Bar’s theme keeps the menu necessarily simple, with hot and cold coffee and chocolate beverages joining a respectable wine list, all of which serves to complement the main event: chocolate. Chocolate is celebrated in all its forms here, from gourmet truffles and bonbons (made specially for Cohen and Reeis by a local chocolatier) to a dizzying variety of decadent baked goods (provided by 9 local bakeries, at last count).

I took one of my girlfriends along on my trip to Cocoa Bar, and the first thing we noticed was the diminutive size of the place. The narrow nature of the brownstone location necessitates two seating areas at either end of the long counter. The back area features comfy couches and a bookshelf full of dog-eared volumes, but as we showed up during the pre-dinner hours, the laptop crowd had already laid dominion over the couches. This is my biggest pet peeve when it comes to cafés. You want to talk and laugh and have a good time, but there’s always some egghead glaring at you over his horn-rimmed glasses as he tries in vain to finish his thesis.

We took a seat by the window and dug into our desserts. The Red Velvet Cake was impossibly moist and cinnamony, and went perfectly with the house Merlot I washed it down with. My friend opted for a mini Chocolate Raspberry Torte, which was rich and satisfying, and paired with the house blend of French Roast coffee, made for a perfect afternoon bite. The owners warn on their website that their offerings release endorphins that make you giddy, and I don’t know if it was the chocolate or the Merlot, but I certainly felt a little lighter coming out of Cocoa Bar than I did coming in.

P.S. Chocoholics who don’t want to make the journey out to Park Slope can get their fix at Cocoa Bar’s new Manhattan location at 21 Clinton Street in the Lower East Side.

Royale is one of my favorite Park Slope bars, but it also stands as a lesson in “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” You see, it once featured exotic, harem-style canopies that half-enclosed round booths in the bar’s large back room, giving the place the unmistakable atmosphere of a desert oasis. In a neighborhood where most bars hang up a beer sign or two and call it a day, people came to Royale for their unique décor, among other things. Despite the popularity of the harem booths, a year or so ago, they inexplicably disappeared, replaced by normal (albeit larger) booths. Things just ain’t been the same since then.

Royale is still a beautiful bar, however, and its stylish color palette and antique decorative touches keep me coming back year after year. I took my drinking buddy, Liz, to the bar the other day after work. Liz is no stranger to the bar herself, and she was as ready as I was to take advantage of what the bar refers to as Royal Happy Hour, which takes place every day between 5pm and 9pm. Wine, well drinks, and selected draft beers are two for one during this special, so Liz and I toasted our Yuenglings, all aglow with the promise of a free second round

Our favorite bartender, Christopher, has excellent taste in movies, and is always playing something awesome when you walk in the bar. This can be treacherous, as I inevitably end up watching the film instead of socializing. On the other hand, there’s something comforting about taking in a screening of “The Big Lebowski” while you down your brews, bonding with the barflies over the wacky antics of Jesus the Bowler.

For those more interested in catching up with their friends, the bar’s refurnished back room offers a bevy of other options. A beer pong table will allow you to get your friends drunk and show off your table tennis skills at the same time, while the permanent DJ booth hosts an ongoing rotation of spin artists who represent a rainbow of genres for all tastes. The bar turns into something of a dance club on the weekends, and that’s when it really sets itself apart from the other bars in the area. The next time you’re in the area on a Saturday night, take your girlfriends to Royale and dance the night away with the hip locals. It’s a good excuse to put the moves on the cute emo guy at the end of the bar, or, failing that, to work off the six beers that got you on the dance floor in the first place.

The south side of Park Slope is changing rapidly. The area was once known mainly for its auto shops and beauty parlors, and unless you had JFK Chicken in mind, you would be sorely disappointed if you chose to stage a night out on the town there. As the rent in Park Slope proper escalates, however, and the bohemian artist types who made the neighborhood what it is are forced out, Park Slope south, with its cheap rents and friendly neighbors, is a natural refuge. And as always seems to happen, as soon as the poor artists are forced into a particular as-yet-ungentrified neighborhood, the businesses soon follow. So nowadays, thanks to the sky-high rates on brownstones in the P Slope, my little neighborhood is becoming home to sushi places, health food stores, upscale cafés, and now, miracle of miracles, a wine bar!

Vin Rouge provides a welcome respite from the slough of nearby hipster bars where the house special is never more than a few clicks from PBR. Its warm, inviting interior beckons passersby through the French doors along the street, which they prop open during the summer, giving the place an open-air atmosphere. Exposed brick and an elegant wooden bar lend a Parisian feel, but the cozy and attractive smoking patio is vintage New York.

The small, knowledgeable staff will charm you with their enthusiasm for wine from the minute you arrive, but it would be difficult to make a misstep here. The menu is comprehensive in terms of types of wine offered, but it is also short, and thankfully, kind on the wallet. No bottle is over $50, and glasses range from about $5-12, so you can afford to try a few different things. Bringing your friends automatically multiplies the number of wines you can taste, and makes the tasting all the more fun, so invite all the wine lovers in your life to really make a night out of it. Such an ambitious tasting requires munchie foods, which Vin Rouge is now serving. Appetizers range from $3-10 and include nuts, olives, and a number of different cheese and meat plates. Bread is provided by the nearby Lopez Bakery, while the gourmet meats and cheeses hail from Bierkraft, a beloved Park Slope haven for beer and upscale deli foods (think Duck Confit, not Boar’s Head).

I have been here several times and have had the good fortune to taste a large number of fantastic wines. I have always been a sucker for Sangiovese, and the one I tried here, the Collelceto Sangiovese, Rosso di Montalcino, 2003 Tuscany ($9) was just lovely. Deliciously dry and poured generously by our bartender, it lasted me a long and pleasant time. My friend Liz ordered a special, the Bogle Petit Syrah ($10), and was equally pleased with her choice, finding it rich and complex in flavor. The Pâté Plate with cornichons, mustard and bread ($7.50) sounded interesting, but we instead opted for the Two Cheese Platter ($10), and while we thoroughly enjoyed the cheeses, we found the crackers provided to be a bit, well, cheap. A nice cheese deserves more than Ritz, that’s all I’m saying.

We soon forgot about the crackers, however, as the wine continued to flow. We opted for a round of dessert wines, always fans of a nice port or sherry. The one I decided to go with, the Casta Diva Muscat, 2005, Alicante, Spain ($9) was incredible, a wine that made me understand the term “nectar of the gods.” The Graham's Port "Six Grapes" NV, Duoro, Portugal ($6), while perhaps not as transcendant as the Casta Diva Muscat, was a formidable dessert wine on its own, and I would certainly recommend it to Port fans like myself.

I regret that I never manage to save room for dessert when I go to Vin Rouge, but I plan on trying their Wine Sorbet ($2/scoop) one day, or perhaps their Assorted Sugar Cookie Plate ($3.50) or the decadent-sounding Brownie with Ice Cream and Vodka Raspberry Sauce ($5). Unfortunately, they don’t yet serve cappuccino drinks (despite the fact that they are an offshoot of Has Beans, the popular café across the street), but they do offer French Press coffee and a variety of teas, which should satisfy your after-dinner caffeine deficiency. In a place with so many incredible bottles of wine on their racks, however, you’d be well advised to forget about the coffee and bone up on your knowledge of Sherry instead. I’ll toast to that!

A good café is hard to find, and now that Starbucks is invading every nook and cranny of the five boroughs, it’s even harder. The little coffee shops that struggled but managed to get by back in the day are now facing escalating rents that the big chains have no problem paying. So it’s a rare treat when you discover a place in your neighborhood that runs circles around Starbucks and can stay open for more than six months. Café Sutra is such a place.

I’ll admit I’m more of a barfly than a beatnik, and that my idea of a wild Saturday night usually doesn’t include unlimited refills of Jamaican Blue Mountain. And although I fancy myself a girl who can hold her liquor, my best friend Liz puts me to shame. So when I took her to Café Sutra after having just discovered it, I was prepared to have another ho-hum latte and get back to the bar. But that’s when I discovered the best part about Café Sutra…they serve booze! Now that’s my kind of coffee shop! A wide variety of beers, including local favorites like Brooklyn Lager, joins an assortment of wines and mostly frozen cocktails to form a decent drink menu, all the better for when you’ve had your fill of caffeine but still want to savor the atmosphere.

And atmosphere there is. The name Café Sutra, in case your mind is in the gutter, relates to the café’s focus on India and the Hindu religion. This cultural inspiration permeates everything from the names of the specialty mocha and tea drinks to the warm and exotic décor. Though under new ownership, the café has kept its Hindi theme, and for that I’m grateful. The new owners have also introduced live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and their happy hour drink specials keep the place buzzing the rest of the week. During the warmer months, the patio is the place to be, for the night air and, for you smokers out there, a chance to evade the long arm of the indoor smoking ban for a few precious hours.

All of the coffee and tea drinks at Café Sutra are delicious, but I usually order the Earl Grey Skies, a tea drink which is made with real bergamot oil. Liz is more of a strong coffee girl, and she highly approved of the house blend here, which is dark and nutty and generally not for the weak of heart (or ulcer). If you like chocolate, be sure to try one of Café Sutra’s specialty lattes, like the decadent Almond Zen, which contains Ghiradelli chocolate, almond, and coconut. Or if the winter blues have got you down, have a summer flashback with a frozen hot chocolate or frozen lemonade, both of which are like candy in a glass. Speaking of candy, the café offers a rotating selection of desserts that tempt you from their pastry case like chocolaty sirens. They’re perfect for sharing, which we all know girls like to do, because somehow they feel like that negates the calories. I don’t bother to squabble over calories – it’s dessert, it’s supposed to give you chest pains. Luckily, Café Sutra seems to agree; none of their desserts could be described as light.

So the next time you’re in Park Slope south, stop in and meditate over a cup of liquid karma. Or, failing that, a frozen sangria.

There's a stretch of restaurants on the upper west side that make you feel like you're in the center of a Woody Allen flick – reeking of the picturesque Manhattan that is often only captured in films. If you want to remind yourself of how quaint Manhattan can be – walk down Columbus Ave. and stop in for a bite to eat at Pomodoro Rosso (229 Columbus Ave).

This rustic Italian eatery is a favorite haunt of mine…I'm almost hesitant to share it. The restaurant is like a slice of Venice – with a huge mural painted inside so you feel like you're docked at a canal, sipping some vino in Italy. The red and white checkered tablecloths give this restaurant a comfortable, casual feel. Come dressed in jeans or dressed in a tie – you'll fit in either way. Though their menu is filled with delicious selections, sample from their daily specials which never disappoint. I look forward to their crispy focaccia and olives (always brought out right away) that have been perfectly aged that you can taste the olive oil with each bite.

My recent dinner there consisted of an eggplant croquette and artichoke heart appetizers which were small enough to anticipate dinner, rather than fill me up. For an entrée I had the spinach and cheese ravioli covered in a light marinara and vegetable sauce. My meal was superb and simple. (If you love linguini and clams – try it here.) Entrees range from $15 to $25 but you'll certainly eat your money's worth. Pomodoro's is a great for a group or great for a date – but the atmosphere here is best during the evening. Don't come too late though, as the restaurant is practically cleared out by 11 p.m. on a weekend evening. There is no better feeling than dining in at this wonderful ristorante on the UWS. For true Italians like myself, the blend of a rustic atmosphere, decent red wines, a lovely wait staff, and delicious meals simply cannot be beat.

Head back to the days of jazz and the prohibition at Flatiron Lounge (27 West 19th St). This popular jaunt in the flatiron district has a fantastic menu of cocktails that are each made with lots of tlc. The art deco interior and club room setting made me feel like the Rat Pack would be bursting through the doors at any moment. Don't be intimidated by it's hip décor, you'll fit in and feel at home with the affable staff and great crowd.

Every bartender has their favorite specialty drink – and so do the regulars. My pick? The Metropolis. It tastes like a Granny Smith but it isn't sweet – it's the perfect blend of apple and vodka. The atmosphere is very hip where the young and trendy like to hang out – though the crowd is mixed. For example, Flatiron Lounge is a place where you can take your visiting parents or a cousin who's still in college – and all parties would appreciate its vintage vibe. Bartenders are dressed like it's the roarin' 20's – all in black with dapper ties tucked into their shirts. The rest of the crowd is dressed, well, cool.

Weekends are usually packed but it's never hard to get attention from the bar staff. If you have to wait a few minutes for another drink, they'll let you know – and send you a water to hold you over. An average drink will set you back around $12 – but it's completely worth it. If you're a true martini lover, this place is your dream come true. Sample one of the martini flights where you'll get to try three mini martinis in a common flavor theme. This cocktail lounge should be a must on every visitors (or New Yorker's) list.

Where do I even begin when it comes to describing Calico Jack's Cantina (800 2nd Ave). Let me preface this review by saying, yes, I did frequent this bar on occasion back in my college days. Second, I have many friends (myself included) that have gotten on top of their infamous bar. With that said, I'm sorry Calico's, but someone will have to pay me before I step foot in your bar again.

Calico Jack's is a spot of eternal spring break. The DJ encourages girls to shake it on the bar, bartenders pour liquor from the bottle into your mouth, and tiki style décor makes you feel like you're in Acapulco circa 1999. If you're looking to relive your college years or simply dance the night away to some top 40 hits, this is definitely the place to do it. But if it's a relaxing evening of drinking you seek, this ain't your bag baby. The lines to the bathroom are always painfully long and it's always way too loud to actually carry on a conversation. The food is inedible, the drinks are strong, and the skirts are short. Calico's is a really fun place to go if you're looking to dance (though there isn't much room to do so) – and there's always a bachelorette party taking place.

Don't get suckered into one of their "wristband" deals. You'll pay $20 and up for select "all you can drink" well drinks, but the line to the bar is always so long, you'll rarely get your money's worth. Girls with trays of shots will undoubtedly bother you throughout the night, offering weak and pricey Jello shots that you should also steer clear from. Instead, check out Calico's if you're already good and drunk so you'll be able to handle the often raunchy behavior that takes place. Wet t-shirt contests, belly shots, and dancers on the bar? Oh my.

You can find a great Italian restaurant in every neighborhood of Manhattan, but in Astoria, Queens where Greek food flows like water, it's often hard to find a really good eggplant parmesan. But skeptics beware, you'll find an authentic Italian dish at the lovely Trattoria L'Incontro (2176 31st St.).

Settled in the hub of a busy intersection of Astoria, this restaurant is a great escape. Chef Rocca Sacramone is behind this gem of a restaurant – and is often seen table hopping to ensure that everyone is enjoying their meal. The theme of the restaurant seems to be bigger is better. The interior and décor is grandiose, wine glasses are the size of your arm, and my knife seemed more suited to carve a turkey rather than cut my lamb chop. Even the menu is large. Our waiter rattled off 32 specials (a fellow diner counted) from appetizers and salads to fish and meat entrees. I felt overwhelmed by all my menu options and wished they would have put a simple insert in the menu – there was no way to remember even half of the specials.

I started off with a calamari salad with cannelloni beans and red onion – which was delicious. My entrée was a stuffed veal chop that was surprisingly small (though the plate was gigantic, of course). Our waiter was a bit stiff and often slow, though not entirely his fault since this restaurant is always packed. You'll rarely find a night where you can just walk in and eat – so calling ahead for reservations is a must. With a packed house comes a lot of noise, making this a great place to go with a big group of people, which they can easily accommodate. Overall I enjoyed my experience, though for all the pomp and grandeur, I wish the food had delivered a bit more, though I think it definitely deserves a few more visits. At least I know I can get a great Italian meal in Astoria without hopping on the N back to Manhattan.

It's very hard to find an area in Manhattan that lacks a good bar – but in the shopping mecca of midtown east (think Container Store, H&M, Bloomingdale's in a 2 block radius), there are some great places to eat, but very few to drink. But if your shopping trip has you thirsty for a really good pilsner, head to The Carriage House (219 East 59th St.)

This bar is never crowded, except for after work drinks. Ladies, this is a bar for guys – I've never visited and seen more than a handful of women. (Good news for the ladies, bad news for single fellas.) Blink and you'll miss this bar with an unassuming entrance. Once inside, the bar stretches far back. With tons of beers on tap to choose from, sports games playing on every flat screen, and darts and a pool table in the back, it's no wonder this place is chock full of dudes. Either way, the booths (that for some reason resemble church pews) are big enough to fit you and your bags from Bloomies.

The bar food is reasonably good and the beers are cold and frothy. If you're looking for more than that, you might want to find another place for a pit stop. The line for playing a round of darts is never long, though regulars will often bully people away from the pool table. Either way, it's a great place to come watch the Yankees beat…well, any team. And don't you dare step foot inside if you're rooting for anyone else!