Your favorite bar's favorite bar

Let’s eat and drink where industry folks spend their night off.

I’ve been waiting years for singer Chappell Roan - who calls herself “your favorite artist’s favorite artist” - to hit it big. And it finally happened. Even as an elder millennial, it looks like I’m keeping up. <sunglasses emoji or smirk emoji>

I was recently in Good Guys - a new cocktail bar - and it was full of industry professionals. To our left, the executive chef of an uptown seafood restaurant. To our right, three bartenders from other Lower East Side establishments. In the words of our prophet - this is your favorite bar’s favorite bar. And that’s an excellent sign.

This itinerary is all about where industry folks go on their night off - the highest honor available. From delicious cocktails to an unbelievable Korean diner - it’s all HOT TO GO!

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This itinerary is perfect for: 2-4 people

Location: East Village, Lower East Side

Dress code: Kaleidoscope Queen, Pink Pony Club Couture

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Red Wine Supernova

When I heard that the team behind Attaboy opened a “spritz bar" called Good Guys, I knew I needed to be spritz-ed. ASAP.

Spritzes at Good Guys

Attaboy is one of the best in the biz, so it’s really no surprise that Good Guys has become an industry favorite overnight.

You’ll find highly stylized shelves of amaro, crystal clear ice, and a giant metal press for freshly squeezed juices. There’s funky jazz on the record player. Tiny drink parasols, swizzle straws, and buckets of sparkling wine galore. Good Guys has that secret recipe for success.

Good Guys

Let’s spritz:

• The Como Spritz (Cynar, passionfruit, lemon, prosecco) tastes just like summering in Italy (probably). The fresh-squeezed lemon is a tart compliment to passionfruit (my favorite fruit of all time, FYI).

• When looking to be more caffeinated, the Espresso and Prosecco (espresso, Santa Maria al Monte Caffe, orange, vanilla, prosecco) is your move. It’s the rich, older cousin of the espresso martini.

• For a take on the Pimm’s Cup, the Wimbledon (house Pimms, lemon, agave, strawberry, cucumber, prosecco) is refreshing and fun. Love!

Como Spritz and the Wimbledon at Good Guys

Good Luck, Babe!

But you don’t really need luck (these are all Chappell Roan songs - keep up, Dad). Getting into the new Korean diner Kisa is the hardest part (see notes below), and it’s not that hard.

I’ve been to South Korea before, and Kisa really feels like Seoul. “Kisa Sikdang, known as the ‘driver restaurant,’ is a laid-back diner in Korea that has been catering to taxi drivers since the 1980s." And they totally nailed it.

Kisa

Better yet, the food was authentic and outstanding. I was blown away. The chef eating next to me was also blown away.

Spicy Pork and banchan at Kisa

You only have to make three decisions at Kisa (obsessed with that):

• What are you drinking?

  • Terra Lager (Korean beer) or Lee Gang Ju Soju (traditional Korean liquor). Better yet, both.

• What entree?

  • Pick one: Spicy Pork, Bulgolgi (marinated beef), Spicy Squid, or Bori Bibimbap (Korean rice dish).

  • I went with the Spicy Pork - it was exceptionally flavorful with real heat from the gochujang (Korean pepper paste).

    

    Spicy Pork close-up at Kisa

  • Your entree comes with soup, rice, and all seven of their house banchan (Korean side dishes). Expect everything from Kimchi (fermented cabbage) to Potato Jorim (braised potato and beef in sweet soy sauce) and Omelet Roll (egg with carrot, onion, and scallion).

  • You’ll get free refills of any three banchan. Regardless of what main entree you select, the entire thing is $32. It’s an incredible deal.

• What are you doing at the vending machine?

  • Carefully reading the directions and using the quarter Kisa provides you with your check.

  • A fun to-go drink awaits. I went with hot chocolate. It took 15 seconds. It was delicious.

Vending machine at Kisa

Casual

Our nightcap is another favorite amongst bar and restaurant folks living and working on the Lower East Side. We’re going to a bodega.

But not just any bodega. A&N Fruit Store - on the corner of Canal and Essex - is known for delicious, fresh fruit slushies. Pick between seasonal favorites like mango, pineapple, and strawberry (or go with a mix) - but the real pros know: the move is 100% watermelon.

It’s been a million degrees in NYC recently, and this is the refreshing nightcap we all want and need.

Watermelon slush at A&N Fruit Store

Cheers to a perfect night at industry favorites, dedicated to the iconic Chappell Roan.

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In this itinerary:

Good Guys: 134 Eldridge Street

Kisa: 205 Allen Street

A&N Fruit Store (no website): 25 Canal Street

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Reservations needed: No reservations accepted <face melting emoji>

Notes: Kisa is directly on top of the 2nd Avenue stop on the F train. It’s a new restaurant with a ton of (well-deserved) hype and a fairly small seating area - I live nearby and it’s been busy every night of the week. I would recommend putting your name down early, before heading to Good Guys. Kisa will text you when your table is ready.

Kisa does not accept AMEX. A&N Fruit Store is basically cash-only.

Shoutout to Justin for introducing me to Chappell Roan years ago, and to queen Sasha Colby for the incredible phrase.

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