NYC Underground Hot Spots

Café Select (212 Lafayette St. b/w Kenmare and Spring)
Open since last Fall, Café Select is surrounded by enormous buzz which is either a result of abundant wine flow or their acclaimed bratwurst. The Soho spot, creation of Serge Becker (The Box, La Esquina) not only boasts a $45 prix-fixe menu, it also offers a “bring your own wine” accommodations. The restaurant/bar also hosts a hipster underground 1920’s-esque boiler room in the basement. The up and coming secret spot comes equipped with a stealthy back door entrance; it doesn’t get much cooler than this.

Bacaro (136 Division St. b/w Orchard and Ludlow)
The location for a romantic date or wine filled evening, rustic Venetian bar Bacaro sets the perfect tone with exposed brick, candle lit, brick vaulted private dining and the warmth of fire, vino and possibly your date. The bar snacks aren’t exactly peanuts and pretzels either; instead, owner Frank DeCarlo lures in patrons with his delicious crostini, fried stuffed olives, mozzarella and marinated sardines.

The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd St.)
There’s no better view of the city than the romantic rooftop café that sits atop the Metropolitan Museum, where wine, art, hot foreign tourists, and vast views of Central Park unite on this fifth floor garden. It promises one of the most amazing drinking experiences you can find in the city, providing breath-taking views of the Manhattan skyline and sculpture installations that change seasonally.

Double Crown (316 Bowery at Bleecker)
The inspiration for this low-key retreat, 19th century British Colonialism in the Far East, lends to its transformation complete with soft lighting, Arabic arches, rosewood columns and intricate detailing. But the main attraction are the innovative creations in food and drinks. Favorites include Tandoori Foie Gras, coronation chicken tea sandwiches and jam cocktails made from spreadable fruit.

Terrior (413 East 12th Street, between First Avenue and Avenue A)
This East Village wine bar, brainchild of Grieco and Canora (of Insieme and Hearth) serves a multitude of wines along with mini Italian dishes like calamari salad, fried sage leaves with lamb sausage, and Parmesan dumpling soup. It also features a happy hour that serves up five wines for five bucks, a deal practically unheard of in New York City.

Sweetiepie (19 Greenwich Ave, b/w 10th St. & Christopher)
Ever wish your local absinthe getaway concurrently sold dessert? Lo and behold Greenwich restaurant Sweetiepie, an eclectic and peculiar mixture of dessert bar, restaurant and absinthe den all wrapped in one. The West Village spot is surrounded by a mysterious feminine aura which can be found chief in the whimsical décor like pink marble floors, mirrored walls and ceilings, and opulent deep red banquettes, oh and a giant golden birdcage available to seat six. With so much going on, you will naturally be ordering absinthe and indulging into one of the many sumptuous desserts like a twenty-scoop ice-cream sundae, the “Raspberry and Rose Petal Foole” or delightful silver dollar pancakes.